We Are HeadStart

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founder and managing principal of Bellwether. We provide executive coaching, executive development workshops, and other similar services.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with We Are HeadStart?

We needed to raise our visibility by developing our PR and marketing strategies.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

HeadStart has helped us come up with our PR and marketing strategies. Initially, we had an onboarding call where I highlighted what was important for my business and which was my target audience. Since then, they’ve taken over my visibility efforts.

Apart from standard PR services, HeadStart also helps me with article writing, copywriting, social media content creation, and more. To create this content, I initially provided them with topics I never wanted to touch, examples of appropriate and inappropriate content for me, and links to other social media profiles I admired.

HeadStart has also come up with stories to pitch, and they explain how they can be relevant. Additionally, they reach out to me whenever they hear from a reporter so that I can position myself to make commentary.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with an account manager/PR person, a writer, a social media manager, and a general manager.

How did you come to work with We Are HeadStart?

I found them through a contact in Ireland who recommended them to a nonprofit organization on which I was on the board. Unfortunately, that organization couldn’t use them, but I really liked what I heard on the discovery call, so I decided to have another discovery call and use them for my own business. During this process, they sent me a few different proposals on how to work with them, and I selected one.

How much have you invested with them?

I’ve spent between $25,000–$50,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in February 2022, and our engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement? 

Thus far, we’ve seen a significant increase in our LinkedIn and website traffic. Additionally, my clients have seen an improvement in the way I communicate with them.

How did We Are HeadStart perform from a project management standpoint?

HeadStart’s project management is great; working with them has been the first time I’ve ever felt comfortable giving control of my business accounts to someone else. They’re never late, and I hear from them almost daily via email. Additionally, we meet on a biweekly basis over Google Meet to talk about potential upcoming topics, our positioning, and our pitch, and we use Google Drive to share files.

What did you find most impressive about them?

We Are HeadStart excels at following through. They’re the first company I’ve worked with that has delivered on their promises.

Are there any areas they could improve?

We Are HeadStart is a young agency, so I can only advise them to continue to grow and get better. Thus far, I’m very happy with their services, and there’s nothing I would have them improve.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Give them everything they need so that they can deliver for you; they’ll help you find your voice.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the COO of Game Gym, the leading esports training and broadcast center in the DC metro area.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire We Are HeadStart, and what were your goals?

We needed assistance creating a pitch deck for investors, gaining media coverage for our company and programs, and developing an extensive marketing campaign for our summer camps.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

I knew Michael (founder) because of the work he had done for another startup. That work was excellent, and he offered us a very reasonable price, since we were an early-stage startup.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

1. HeadStart PR took our existing outline for an investor pitch deck and re-designed it, re-worked the text, and delivered an excellent finished product.
2. HeadStart PR has successfully secured several news articles about Game Gym in the local and national press.
3. HeadStart PR led the process to develop, from scratch, a complete marketing plan for our 2022 summer camps program.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked directly with the founder, Michael, but I know that other company resources were brought to bear "behind the scenes."

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

1. The investor pitch deck has generated significant interest and received several compliments.
2. HeadStart PR has successfully secured several news articles about Game Gym in the local and national press.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Michael was proactive in leading the efforts that he was tasked with. They were incredibly responsive, both in terms of speed and in terms of making the adjustments that we requested.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Not just pretty words and design -- HeadStart PR actually gets results, in a very short period of time.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No complaints at all so far!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the CEO of Portoro

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Portoro is a branded, tech-enabled property management company for premium vacation rental homes in top tier leisure destinations.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire We Are HeadStart to accomplish?

• Have content for prospects to validate our beliefs
• Build a reputable brand
• Be seen as an industry expert

SOLUTION

How did you find We Are HeadStart?

Referral

Why did you select We Are HeadStart over others?

• High ratings
• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Referred to me
• Company values aligned

How many teammates from We Are HeadStart were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Headstart was hired to drive earned media and deliver social media marketing influence

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Delivered media engagements

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Headstart overdelivered! They kept our goals in sight and pushed hard to put perform. They listened to our feedback, adjusted tactics and executed.

What was your primary form of communication with We Are HeadStart?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

I’m mostly impressed with their approach to partnership. We Are Headstart felt like an extension of our core team. They over delivered on goals.

Are there any areas for improvement or something We Are HeadStart could have done differently?

None

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I’m the founder of Oberit, a wellness & recovery company that rewards healthy habits.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire We Are HeadStart, and what were your goals?

Start up marketing for web design, communications, acquisition, PR, social media, copywriting, creative, SEO, analytics.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor and what were the deciding factors?

We are alumni of the same accelerator program.

Describe the scope of work in detail, including the project steps, key deliverables, and marking tools used.

The team focused in on our brand voice first. This was a crucial exercise to determine how we communicate, and who to. We had weekly progress meetings where the team presented key metrics, progress, priorities, strategy and areas to improve.

How many resources from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

4. Project owner, social and copywriter, web designer, finance.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any measurable outcomes of the project or general feedback about the deliverables?

Established brand credibility and early adopters, found effective ways to reduce CAC, website redesign and dry January landing page was successful, help start referral program that brought in 1000s of users.

How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?

Excellent communication via slack.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The team is knowledgeable, professional, energetic and flexible to the changing demands of start ups. What sets them apart is their understanding of building a start up and how to focus on key areas to drive early user traction and growth. The team acts with integrity and was incredibly supportive of shifting priorities.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

I would have liked to have grown our social channels faster but overall the team worked very well and I highly recommend any start up looking for affordable marketing to work with this team.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I'm the CEO at Arqlite, an environmental technology company tackling the problem of plastic pollution.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire We Are HeadStart, and what were your goals?

Arqlite is launching operations in the US and both the brand and its solution is new to the local environment

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Great rapport and predisposition

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

Help us tailor our story for different media outlets, as well as making the connections to get the story published

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

It's CEO and a writer

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We've been published in several blogs and online TV

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

They reach out with opportunities. We discuss if they are a fit and then they help arrange the interviews and always keep us updated on the releases.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Very responsive and open to tailor a plan according to our needs and possibilities

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

Great work so far!

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder and CEO of Fanalysts. Fanalysts is building our Command platform to let sports fans build and test their own custom sports betting strategies.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire We Are HeadStart, and what were your goals?

HeadStart helped us with our PR campaign as we prepared for our app launch. Our goals were to get the Fanalysts name out there before the launch.

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

Referral

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

We connected with them to explain our goals and that we wanted to get media in Baltimore. They focused on earned media pitching ultimately earning four interviews thus far.

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

We worked directly with the CEO.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

Before we even launched our product we had two television interviews and two online stories featuring our company. The media placements also impressed potential investors.

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

They replied to our emails promptly and even texted for faster communication.

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

They got us results faster than we were expecting, setting the state for our product launch.

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

No

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and your position there.

I am the founder of a luxury chicken coop company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

For what projects/services did your company hire We Are HeadStart, and what were your goals?

Our goals were simple....more awareness about Cutest Coops could only lead to great things!

SOLUTION

How did you select this vendor?

I was referred.

Describe the scope of their work in detail, including any steps and the final deliverables.

The scope of the project was to get as many eyeballs on our company as possible! Michael delivered on his promises plus some....he has gotten us a story in Business Insider, Business of Business, Chagrin Valley Times, Authority Magazine and even on CNBC! Michael is not only great at his job but he is also totally committed to making the client's needs the priority! Our company is significantly better off because of Michael and his efforts!!!

How many people from the vendor's team worked with you, and what were their positions?

Worked directly and exclusively with Michael!

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The PR Michael got for us has led to more PR and some possible huge opportunities!

Describe their project management style, including communication tools and timeliness.

We mainly communicated via phone and email. He is responsive and timely!

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Their company genuinely cares about helping small businesses share their stories!

Are there any areas for improvement or something they could have done differently?

none.