BLVR® is a creative consultancy, and fearless partner focused on brand transformation for wellness brands. Using our proven BLVR Method™, we help direct-to-consumer brands turn their core belief into behaviors that drive meaningful brand growth.
Even trailblazing brands can have lurking pitfalls. A misalignment between your brand's promises and actions. We call this the Say-Do GapTM. It doesn't just stall progress—it directly undermines consumer trust, resulting in vague value propositions, lost emotional resonance with audiences, lagging customer base expansion, and stifled growth and potential.
We believe that aligning a brand's core belief with its actions is non-negotiable. We solve your Say-Do GapTM to turn your brand's belief into behaviors to build your competitive advantage, carve a unique brand position to own, forge deep emotional connections, and accelerate audience growth, customer loyalty, and brand trust.
Our work comes highly regarded. We’ve been featured in AdWeek, Forbes, Ad Age, and Fast Company, as well as by The One Show, The Clio’s, The Shorty’s, and Awwward.
Our services:
Brand Strategy:
Market Research
Audience Research
Brand Positioning
Brand Architecture
Brand Story
Brand Identity:
Naming
Visual Identity
Verbal Identity
Messaging Frameworks
Style Guidelines
Brand Experience:
Package Design
Website UX/UI Design
Video Production
Photo Production
Campaign Development
Brand Rollout Programs
Ready to change the world? So are we. Put conviction at the heart of your business. Ignite your brand’s true purpose. Live it out. BLVR.
Clients appreciated BLVR's ability to seamlessly integrate their feedback into the project, ensuring that the final deliverables met or exceeded expectations. This iterative process was key to achieving high-quality outcomes.
Strong Client Relationships
BLVR's commitment to understanding their clients' needs and missions was frequently praised. Clients felt valued and cared for, with BLVR often going above and beyond to ensure satisfaction. This led to long-term partnerships and repeat engagements.
Effective Use of Communication Tools
BLVR's use of various communication tools like BugHerd, GoToMeeting, and Zoom facilitated smooth project management and client collaboration. Clients found these tools helpful in tracking progress and providing feedback.
Positive Impact on Client Business
Clients reported that BLVR's work had a positive impact on their business, citing increased inquiries, applications, and overall brand engagement. This demonstrates BLVR's effectiveness in enhancing clients' market presence.
Areas for Improvement: Copyproofing
A few clients mentioned that BLVR could improve their attention to detail in proofreading copy. Typos and grammatical errors were noted occasionally, suggesting a need for better quality control in this area.
Strong Organizational Skills
Clients praised BLVR for their organizational skills, which helped streamline complex projects and ensure timely delivery of high-quality work. Their structured approach was a key factor in successful project outcomes.
"Retail changes quickly, so any time we brought a challenge forward they jumped on it."
Jan 27, 2022
Director of Packaging, At Home Stores, Ltd
Carrie Haler
Advertising & marketing
McKinney, Texas
1,001-5,000 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR developed a new brand for sub-property of a home decor retailer. They developed packaging, performed competitor research, and helped articulate a set of values and templates. The relationship is ongoing.
Currently working on their third project with the same client, BLVR has pleased internal stakeholders at all levels. Their ability to work within an existing brand while also delivering innovative materials stands out. Customers can expect a partner that works quickly and accommodates changes.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the director of packaging for a major home décor retailer.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
We were launching new private label brands and needed to develop a packaging system and template set to work from.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
BLVR developed printed packaging and signage materials, as well as our brand identity and company values. They worked with us to understand our brand and customers, going out and performing competitor research and analysis. This information informed the scope of work and alignment strategy that we created together.
We also commissioned a follow-up project to extend all the packaging for the brand.
What is the team composition?
There were four people visible throughout the process: a senior account director, an account manager, a creative director, and an account specialist. The account manager, Alec, was our main point of contact.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
We did an RFP process, and their approach and way of working aligned with our style, which made them the frontrunner.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent around $250,000 with them.
What is the status of this engagement?
We worked with them from April 2021–January 2022. The two projects ran into one another, transitioning in September.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The project is not yet in stores, so we haven’t seen that impact, but we’ve seen internally that they came in ahead of schedule. This was a huge win for us.
The other key internal metric is our overall satisfaction from the CEO on down. The quality of the name, it’s distinctiveness, and the cohesiveness of the brand as it relates to our overall family of brands is amazing. BLVR was able to layer the new property into what we already had and coordinate all the related information.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
They were excellent. A lot of the communication happened over email, phone, and Microsoft Teams. We had a lot of visual collaboration over Teams and PowerPoint presentations as well.
What did you find most impressive about them?
BLVRs’ biggest strength from a strategy standpoint was their ability to understand what our needs ere and what parts of our strategy were already baked. They then worked within that system, rather than creating a whole new system.
They were also extremely flexible and adaptive to our changes and needs. Retail changes quickly, so any time we brought a challenge forward they jumped on it.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Overall, we were very happy with the work, and that’s exactly why we started a second project with them. In fact, we recently kicked off a third project as well.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Communication, collaboration, and transparency will be key.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web Development for Accounting Firm
Web Development
Confidential
Nov. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"They have fantastic attention to detail and everyone works really well together."
Apr 22, 2021
Director Operations, Accounting Firm
Anonymous
Business services
Carlsbad, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
In an ongoing partnership, BLVR provided branding efforts for an accounting firm. They created a logo and a website from scratch. So all work is cohesive, they came up with a color scheme.
BLVR's work has impressed the client, which has led to a continuing partnership with other projects in the pipeline. They make project management easy and streamlined with good communication and by utilizing programs. Each member of the team is really good at their job, even with the many parts.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the director of operations for an accounting firm. We work with CPAs and their clients providing financial planning services.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
Our website was outdated and we needed a new one and to establish our brand. To start, we didn’t have any branding. We just had a logo that somebody made who didn’t have all that much information on how to make a logo, so nobody was thrilled with it.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
The first step with BLVR was branding and they created a logo for us. They made sure that our color scheme for our website, social media, and promotional emails is all cohesive. They created a new website from scratch that included a client login page. This was the first phase because we wanted to get more information about the family office and have a web presence. Now that we do, we’ll go into some other projects with them.
What is the team composition?
Wayne (Producer) has been my main point of contact the entire time. We have a contact for branding and a contact for everything else along the way. I know there are a lot of people working behind the scenes.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
The owner of our company was at a Christian family camp and saw someone there was wearing a t-shirt that had nice branding and the person mentioned that BLVR did the branding and their website as well. We were just about to sign a contract to work with a different company when that happened and we decided to work with BLVR.
How much have you invested with them?
We’ve invested approximately $25,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We began working together in November 2019 and the partnership is still ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The website went live this week, but we have more projects in the pipeline. Currently, it’s a test launch to make sure there aren’t any bugs or glitches, then we’ll push it out next week. We have been thoroughly pleased with the work provided thus far.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
Wayne and I speak pretty regularly over the phone and email. When the site was in the mockup phase, we used BugHerd which was a program that I could report and request changes, as well as monitor those changes. It was a great tool. Any delay was due to us because we took some time with getting our feedback to them.
What did you find most impressive about them?
They have fantastic attention to detail and everyone works really well together. Each person does their job really well and there were so many different parts to building the website.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, there is nothing.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
If they’re waiting on something from you, make it a priority because the process of building a website from scratch can take as long as you make it take. It can be a learning curve, but that’s what our team has decided we’re going to do from now on.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Website Dev & Graphic Design for Nonprofit Organization
Web DesignWeb Development
Confidential
Jan. 2020 - Jan. 2021
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a professional, efficient, and high-quality provider."
Feb 12, 2021
Sr. Program Manager, PCI & Global Communities
Hannah Allen
Advertising & marketing
San Diego, California
1,001-5,000 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR served as the graphic design partner to a nonprofit organization. Working on a human trafficking prevention campaign, they put together brand elements and helped an interactive website.
Delivering incredible, well-thought-out designs, BLVR impressed throughout the engagement. They made the brand elements easy to use and clearly incorporated all client feedback into the final website. The partners worked on a flexible timeline to ensure the project reached an optimal resolution.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the senior program manager for human trafficking prevention at PCI & Global Communities. Specifically, I work with E3 Alliance to activate the business sector in the fight to end sex trafficking in San Diego.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
We sought out a graphic designer to help build the brand for E3 Alliance, which was a new program at the time. With their larger team, we thought they could also build upon that brand through a website.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
They delivered brand design elements for our new program. Following that effort, they also worked with us to build a website for the program. The site is a vital component of the program because our program aims to teach businesses how they can be part of the anti-trafficking solution. A huge part of inviting companies into that space is assuring interested parties a way to plug into the movement immediately.
For that reason, they focused on creating an interactive experience that will influence the movement in our area. We had general ideas of what we wanted to see on the site, but they put everything into practice.
What is the team composition?
We worked directly with Damon (Designer) during the brand design phase of our work. However, our main point of contact was Wayne (Producer). There was a larger team of designers, but all of our questions and communication went through Wayne. Adam (COO) has helped us adjust our plan with them as we move forward.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
We found out that the graphic designer we settled on in our selection process joined an agency. After hiring Damon for our brand’s design, we thought it would be beneficial to work with their larger team on our website.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent about $20,000 on the project.
What is the status of this engagement?
We’ve had about a year-long contract with them. We worked together from January 2020–2021.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
They developed an incredible, well-thought-out brand design for our program. It was very professional, and all the deliverables are easy to use. We understand how to access and edit all key brand deliverables.
The website they created was excellent. It was clear that they took all of our feedback into account through several rounds of iterations. They made recommendations that improved the quality of the final site as well. They were good about hearing our voices and concerns while also adding value when we deferred to their expertise with design. We couldn’t have done any of this without their expertise.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
While the site development may have taken longer than expected, they were helpful and understanding of our pace the entire project. Having a main point of contact was very valuable. We always knew where to go for assistance, and their response time for inquiries was very good.
Additionally, Adam has been patient and flexible in adjusting deadlines and plans as the project progresses. They were more than willing to work on a flexible timeline.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their focus on collective decision-making throughout the project will most certainly be beneficial in the long term for E3 Alliance. Overall, it was a great experience. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a professional, efficient, and high-quality provider.
They listened to our wishes and concerns, always able to respond with a realistic idea of what was achievable. Their greatest asset to us with their professional expertise, which really took our program to the next level.
Are there any areas they could improve?
We didn’t have any obvious issues. They were a great partner, so we hope to stay in touch and use their services again in the future.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Take them up on their genuine offer to ask questions, make changes when needed, and hear their expertise. They guided us in the right direction for a great end result. Keep an open line of communication as well because they were willing to respond to all of our questions and concerns.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Branding & Design Services for Travel Lifestyle Brand
BrandingMarket ResearchOther Design
$50,000 to $199,999
Nov. 2019 - Ongoing
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
“They’re super knowledgeable about best practices and consumer behavior.”
Feb 9, 2021
President, Joywell
Thuy Vi Vu
Hospitality & leisure
California, United States
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR provides branding, market research, and design services for a travel lifestyle brand. They helped establish the partner's brand, mission, and values as well as designed their logo and visual brand book.
The partner's brand is already in discussions for acquisition by big hotel companies. BLVR brought the brand's vision to life while also preserving its authenticity. They're visionaries who implement their creative skills and industry expertise. Seamless collaboration is a hallmark of their work.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the president of Joywell. We’re a lifestyle brand in the traveling industry, hotels, and travel products.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
I brought them on to help create my brand.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
I gave them my vision and desire to identify the corporate millennial’s needs and wants, particularly in the niche of travel needs. Through collaboration, we came up with the brand Joywell.
Their team helped establish my brand, mission, and values. They’re handling the web design and brand book. BLVR did a lot of studies in trying to understand my target audience. They came up with our logo, tagline, and color palette.
What is the team composition?
I work directly with 6–7 individuals.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
I heard great things about them from other businesses I deal with. A lot of those contacts said the same thing over and over again; that BLVR is very authentic and is a visionary. I interviewed several agencies and didn’t mesh with them in the way I did with BLVR. I had a great rapport with BLVR from the beginning and our values aligned.
How much have you invested with them?
So far, I’ve invested about $150,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our ongoing engagement started in November 2019.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
I reached out to several brands, including global hotel chains. Two big hotels are fighting over this brand for their hotels. We have some very big players and banks that are interested in the acquisition of the Joywell hotel based on the brand and what we believe in.
The BLVR team is extremely collaborative and communicative. They always touch base with me to make sure my needs and wants are heard and followed through. They have large extensive knowledge in the branding and marketing sectors. Their team brought my vision to life by implementing my mockups. They put my logo on t-shirts, candles, fliers, and business cards for me to visually see how my logo and brand would work against certain items.
Their team is super excited to work on my project, and I’m very grateful for that. I’ve felt their sincere enthusiasm throughout this entire project. They’re caring, thoughtful, and passionate.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
We meet weekly with our account manager to go through the list of tasks that need to be accomplished. They provided benchmarks that had to be completed by certain dates. BLVR was on point on every piece of data that was scheduled. Additionally, they give me updates via email every other day.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Our values are very aligned. They’re visionaries like I am. BLVR really listens to my needs and vision as well as implements their creativity. Their president and CFO are really involved in this project so our ideation phase was extremely fruitful. They didn’t hold back and it’s clear that creativity is their strong suit. BLVR gave me a lot of ideas that I never thought of.
Are there any areas they could improve?
No, there aren’t any areas that need improvement.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
They’re super knowledgeable about best practices and consumer behavior. However, the great thing is that on top of their expertise, they still respect my vision and authenticity for my brand itself. You’re in good hands.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
UI Design & Brand Direction for Online Platform Startup
BrandingMarket ResearchUX/UI Design
$10,000 to $49,999
Apr. - Aug. 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
4.5
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
5.0
“They were a super responsive team that did high-quality work.”
Sep 11, 2020
Founder & CEO, Happy Goat
Brad Pulcipher
IT Services
San Diego, California
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR fully architected an online platform’s UI design. The team created a comprehensive brand direction, including a logo system, color palette, and font families. They also did market research and copywriting.
BLVR satisfied the requirements by executing high-caliber deliverables and providing first-rate customer service. The team excelled at managing and meeting deadlines. Their responsive and adept communication added value to the partnership, as did their creative and unique design skills.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the founder of a company called Happy Goat, an online platform that allows people to connect around the things that they love the most.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
As a startup with a newly launched product, I needed a team to come on board because I don’t have the expertise or experience to develop the overall design or brand direction.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
BLVR handled the full architecture of the UI design. They did some basic market research to inform that design. The team contributed the entire brand direction, including the logo system, color palette, and font families. They also handled some basic copywriting for the website.
What is the team composition?
I primarily worked with three people: the COO, an account manager, and a creative director. Overall, I interfaced with a total of 6–7 people over the course of the project.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
I did preliminary research looking for a brand company on Google and LinkedIn. BLVR came recommended by three individuals who had previous experience working with them. Then, when I met with the CEO, we had a good rapport.
How much have you invested with them?
We paid $40,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
The project began in April 2020, and we finished in the middle of August 2020.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
From beginning to end, I was very pleased with a few things. First, they provided great customer service. I felt really valued and cared for. I never felt like the attention wasn’t on me as the client.
Second, I’m new to this space and am not familiar with brand or art direction, but they never made me feel dumb or incompetent. Instead, they made me feel like part of the conversation.
Third, the quality of their work was great, from the first round of presentations through our reviews and iterations. I can’t imagine having another logo for my company. They were a super responsive team that did high-quality work.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
They were really great about scheduling and managing deadlines. Once I gave the green light to dive into the project, they provided a full timeline map from start to finish. We stayed very close to that timeline and didn’t deviate except when I requested to. They met their deadlines, especially early on, before we really got into revisions and reviews. We were really dialed in.
We mostly communicated through email. Early on, we had some phone calls and text messages, but toward the middle of the project, we corresponded through email and zoom. If I wanted to hop on a Zoom call with the account manager at any point, she always made time to talk through a question or issue. I don’t remember a moment when a meeting I requested got pushed to the next day, which is something that really stood out to me.
What did you find most impressive about them?
My initial scope of work didn’t include market research. Once I got a clearer idea of what I was looking for, and they also understood a bit better, they included some basic market research in the initial scope. They didn’t request additional funds or open up a different scope, so that customer service was very generous.
Additionally, their design team was top-notch. All three of the presentations and proposals I got were creative and unique, and they met what I was looking for. The communication was also really good, whether I was working with the account manager or the COO. I never felt like I couldn’t reach out at any point and have a conversation. Their responsiveness was very quick.
Are there any areas they could improve?
I don’t have a great reference point to compare this experience to. I’d say that I reached an outcome that I was very pleased with. For the first go-around for me, I was really pleased. If anything, I learned what to ask for in the future because I now understand the process.
Any advice for potential customers?
You’re in really good hands. They will walk you through each step of the process. I can’t speak enough to their communication and customer service. With any company, just have a linear design for what you want. Make sure that you come into the project educated on what a brand team does, what art direction is, and the different types of iterations, such as whether you’re going to take a linear or waterfall approach. Knowing, clarifying, and communicating your expectations helps them.
A challenge we had was on me; I was learning as I went along. They were very adaptive to me. While we didn’t deviate too far from our timelines, my learning took a few extra days here and there.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
4.5
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Branding for Photo & Video Agency
AdvertisingBranding
$1,000,000 to $9,999,999
Oct. 2019 - Mar. 2020
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"The designers showcased their creative abilities on this project and came up with a very stunning overarching brand."
Apr 30, 2020
Founder, Photography & Videography Agency
Anonymous
Arts, entertainment & music
Midwest, Wyoming
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR developed a comprehensive brand from scratch. The guidelines, which were in the form of a book, included a name, logo, color scheme, icons, and typefaces. They also designed business cards and letterheads.
A professional, creative, and thorough partner, BLVR provided visually-appealing branding. In addition to delivering work on time, the team was accessible and incredibly communicative. They used their strong project management skills to map out the whole process in an easy-to-follow format.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the founder and creative director of a film and photography production company.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
I hired them because I needed an overarching parent company brand.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
They created the whole brand including the brand guidelines, which entailed a custom logo, typefaces, and a custom name. Before we finalized the branding, they put together 4–5 presentations of all of the options.
The guidelines they developed were in the form of a book, which allowed me to give them to investors, staff, marketers, content contributors, and influencers. They also created the icon and all of the ways that it can and should be used on the web, along with the color scheme.
Additionally, they designed print collateral, such as business cards and letterheads, based on the branding they had put together.
What is the team composition?
I was in contact with one teammate all the time. I also worked with two designers and Scott (CEO), who worked on the project briefly.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
I found them on Google when I was looking for branding companies. Out of the three companies I chose, I decided to stick with BLVR because of their visual presence online.
How much have you invested with them?
We spent approximately $35,000 on this specific project.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our engagement began in October 2019. Although they completed the initial scope of work in March 2020, I extended our relationship because I enjoyed working with them.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
The guidelines ensure that I stay close to my branding at all times, which is helpful. BLVR is extremely professional. They don’t usually work with individuals like me who are trying to get a company off the ground, so they actually had the freedom to start from scratch.
The designers showcased their creative abilities on this project and came up with a very stunning overarching brand.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
They performed very well. As I mentioned earlier, I worked mostly with one teammate, who was essentially my project manager. If anything was delayed, she made sure that I was aware of it ahead of time.
She was very easy to get a hold of, always responding within the day, if not within the hour. So, communication was always open. If I wanted anything extra or wanted to change something, she consulted with the rest of the team very quickly.
The process was really easy to follow. BLVR mapped out and graphed everything in Excel. Additionally, they were on time and followed through on everything they said they would do.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The final reveal — after we chose the name and the art direction for the branding itself — was amazing. My favorite part was receiving my business cards. I probably won’t use them, but they are honestly some of the most stunning business cards I’ve ever seen.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Even though upfront I knew how long it was going to take, it still felt too long. This isn’t really a criticism; it just speaks to how thorough they are. They did in-depth work.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
They’re expensive but they’re worth it. If your company relies heavily on visual aesthetics and presentation, BLVR is definitely worth it.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
Web Dev & Branding for Progressive Arts School
BrandingOther DesignWeb Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Apr. - Dec. 2019
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"The quality of their art was above and beyond."
Feb 12, 2020
Dir. of Marketing & Communications, Mustard Seed School
Abby Liu
Education
Hoboken, New Jersey
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR managed a rebranding campaign to simplify a brand identity and improve enrollment for a progressive arts Christian school. They developed a targeted WordPress website, visual and print collateral.
BLVR produced effective deliverables that contributed to significant growth in the number of inquiries and applications. They were engaged, fostering an effective partnership. A nuanced understanding of the organization led the team to create materials that represent the brand accurately.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the director of marketing and communications for a pre-K to eighth-grade progressive arts Christian school.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
Overall, one of our business problems was that we needed to increase our enrollment. We needed to have more inquiries and increase the number of applicants to the school. We also wanted to raise the profile of the organization within the community and polish our brand. Our description was complex, so it took a long time for people to understand who we were.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
BLVR rebranded us completely. A team member visited us to conduct interviews and tour the school. They looked at our assets and heard about the challenges with our collateral and asset system. They created our messaging, art, and print materials. They helped us to distill our messaging down to a progressive, arts-infused Christian school. They also created other messaging that we create change makers because we have a strong social justice piece to our organization.
Their team built our website to target our specific audience. As part of the overall process, they helped us to hone our messaging and bring that to the website so that we not only addressed the UX but also thinking about the audience that we wanted to attract. It’s a WordPress site that’s modular. We’re fairly tech-savvy over here, so they handed it to us and we maintain it, create our own pages, and update it.
What is the team composition?
I interfaced with five people but many more people from BLVR supported this project in the background.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
A consultant who we engaged to help us with admissions recommended BLVR. We looked at several different providers. We’re an urban school with a sophisticated and educated clientele. We talked to other organizations that didn’t understand us. They put us in a niche and didn’t see us for who we are. We had a conversation with Adam (Partner and COO, BLVR) and had a sense that their team got us. They understood our problems quickly and came up with stunning solutions.
How much have you invested with them?
The project cost around $40,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
We started the project in May 2019, and BLVR delivered the website in December 2019. We hired them again to consult on branding questions.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We feel that it shows who we are. Our inquiries went up by 200% and our applications went up by 100%. At the same time, we worked with other consultants and a marketing plan including Google Ads but BLVR was a part of the entire process that led to increases in inquiries and applications. People love the website and only say good things about the art that their team created.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
We communicated via phone, email, and Zoom. When we built the website, we used BugHeard to log all of the issues or tasks that needed to be addressed so no one duplicated work. When working on our messaging, we engaged a project manager and a content manager. Then, we started to closely collaborate with a web project manager. We wanted to roll out the website quickly, but the scope was deep, so I helped to build a few pieces. BLVR felt like a part of our time. We felt like coworkers who worked together with the same goal. Working with their team was a pleasant experience. They're really compassionate.
What did you find most impressive about them?
The quality of their art was above and beyond. They didn't just create a logo but a whole system that made us feel known. Their team developed a color system that brings joy and fun, which are real parts of who we are as a school. We’re a joyful place and care about beautiful art. When we saw their first draft, we felt that it was right and had almost no revisions for them. Their team created stunning secondary elements as well that enable us to create our own work. For example, if I wanted to create a postcard, I can implement secondary elements that make the piece feel fresh.
Are there any areas they could improve?
The only issues that we had weren’t in their control. We’re on the east coast and they’re on the west coast, so the three hour time difference made the collaboration hard on occasion.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Lay it out on the line. Say everything that you want to say about your organization. Show them everything because they don’t judge. They use that as information to create.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"We put them under pressure for an aggressive timeline and they did well."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I recommended them to our competition because I know BLVR’s good enough to not make our competition look like us.
Branding & Web Design for Conscious Retail Company
Branding
$50,000 to $199,999
Jan. - July 2019
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"BLVR hit it out of the ballpark."
Oct 4, 2019
CEO, Common Assembly
Karina Shivdasani
Retail
Houston, Texas
1-10 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR was hired for branding services. The team assisted with crafting the brand identity, helped with the naming process, and designed brand collateral. They also helped with logo design and tagline creation.
Feedback has been extremely positive. People are loving the high-quality and creative design and branding work. The team at BLVR is communicative, responsive, and hardworking. Their collaborative approach complemented their professional management style.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
I’m the founder & CEO of Common Assembly.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with BLVR?
Their team came on board to help build our brand from the ground up.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
We began the engagement by telling their team the concept we wanted to create. We wanted a compassionate fashion e-commerce brand. From there, I had a name in mind when our teams began exploratory meetings. I’m in Houston, so I flew out to San Diego to meet with them. During the meetings, we got to the heart of the concept we were trying to build. Then, we created surveys. We tested concepts between 800–1,000 women, receiving input on where we should take the brand.
Through the process, we also recognized the name wouldn’t resonate with customers. Their team helped with that process. While they didn’t come up with the final name, they helped spark our creativity during the team-building exercise we had for naming. They were instrumental in getting our team to think of a name that people would recognize.
From there, their team built a logo, secondary logo, and other brand assets we needed. They created our topography and taglines as well. One of our taglines is “Kindness is our thread.” We kept them on board for website design.
What is the team composition?
For branding, we worked with three people. When we began designing the logos, someone came on to manage the artwork.
How did you come to work with BLVR?
I believe we found BLVR on Clutch. We were searching for authentic companies that would understand the heart of what we were trying to create. After a few phone calls with different agencies, we spoke to Scott (CEO, BLVR) and he understood the passion behind creating a kinder approach to fashion. He also has a background in charity work, which was also important to us because we have a big outreach program. It was true synergy because we both understood each other. They weren’t the most inexpensive route, but the money we would put in would be well worth it.
How much have you invested with them?
In total, we’ve invested $92,000.
What is the status of this engagement?
Our kickoff call was in January 2019, and everything was delivered by July.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?
We launched the website about a week ago. But the reaction we’re getting is positive. People are reacting at how professional, inviting and upscale everything looks. The team at BLVR came up with beautiful artwork. People are also shocked at how reminiscent it is of bigger brands.
Overall, the response has been excellent. There has been no negative feedback in terms of brand positioning. A lot of people are commenting on how much they love our messaging and how different it is. They’re also loving the taglines that BLVR created. People are coming out of the woodwork to compliment it. We’re starting online ads next week, so we’ll begin monitoring page views.
How did BLVR perform from a project management standpoint?
Their project management approach worked extremely well for us. We communicated with them very often. If not every day, it was every other day. Our account manager was constantly in contact with me. If I needed something right away, I could text her.
We had a timeline tracker that we marched towards. Their team squished timelines on their end to make the web design happen quickly. They were really honest and worked on pace with delivery dates. Throughout, we constantly gave each other feedback. It was an easy and collaborative process working with BLVR.
What did you find most impressive about them?
Their approach during the brand identity process was impressive. Since this was the first time I’ve done something like this, I had many ideas. BLVR’s team was great at focusing me and bringing me back to the survey results. They’ve could’ve let me spew out ideas, but they were great at sticking to their guns while satisfying my creativity. Now that I see the final product, I’m so grateful that BLVR focused on the right direction.
Are there any areas they could improve?
Honestly, that’s a hard question because I haven’t worked with other branding agencies. I don’t have any issues at the top of mind. BLVR hit it out of the ballpark.
Do you have any advice for potential customers?
Clients shouldn’t be afraid of the price tag because the brand and positioning will all be worth it. It’s going to be worth it in the long run. Customers should also put their trust in Lenya (VP of Brand Development, BLVR). Make sure she understands the concept so it can be steered in the right direction. She is extremely passionate and committed to success. Overall, BLVR has a great and hardworking team.
RATINGS
5.0
"We’re extremely satisfied and grateful that we chose them."
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"I’m happy with everything they’ve given back to us and where they’ve steered us."
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"They’re sticklers for timeline, which helps."
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"There’s a lot of value in what they’ve given us, but the price might be higher for other people."
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"I’ve already referred them.
Web Dev & Design for Private School
Web Development
$10,000 to $49,999
Oct. 2018 - Apr. 2019
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
5.0
Willing to Refer
5.0
"The workflow space they created for us was incredible."
Aug 22, 2019
Director of Marketing & Enrollment, Covenant Classical School
Kristin Zwirkoski
Education
Naperville, Illinois
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR replaced a legacy website, creating a new one from scratch. Upon absorbing the client's design requests, they developed a user-friendly platform. They integrated pre-written content into the site.
Showcasing phenomenal communication and technical expertise, BLVR developed a fantastic website that conveys the school mission. Thanks to them, site traffic has drastically improved, gaining the business more exposure. The partnership led to strong relationships that'll continue to be a resource.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
Covenant Classical School is a private classical and Christian school located in Naperville, IL.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire BLVR?
Covenant hired BLVR to help us launch an all new website.
What were your goals for this project?
We basically needed to start from scratch. Our site was outdated and didn't communicate who we had become as an organization. The BLVR team came alongside us and helped us understand how to write effective content, how to organize and place the content, and how to select and organize images.
They took the project and ran with it, implementing our feedback, which resulted in an outstanding product.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
We researched a variety of web design and development companies. After viewing some of BLVR's work with other organizations, we felt they would deliver what we needed at the price point we needed. They also made the effort to understand our needs and made every effort to create something that would also be unique to our organization.
Describe the project in detail.
The BLVR team led us through the project. We had an idea of what we wanted to include in our site when going into the project, and the BLVR team took it from there. The Covenant team wrote the content and selected the images, and the BLVR team helped create a design that worked with our content and desires for each portion of our large website.
Prior to working with BLVR, we struggled to figure out how to write the content in an organized and effective way. Once we started working with BLVR, they quickly helped organize our thoughts and created an easy platform for us to place the content exactly where we wanted it on the site.
The BLVR team then took the site into design and development, allowing us multiple opportunities to provide feedback. From start to finish, we were able to share concerns and questions openly and created an effective give and take workflow that produced an exceptional product.
What was the team composition?
Adam helped our teams get connected and got the project rolling for us. We were then assigned to our project manager, Wayne, who utilized his whole team at BLVR to work on different aspects of the project with us.
It was wonderful to consistently have one project manager walk us through the project from start to finish. He helped communicate our needs and hopes to the rest of the team, and they did their very best to create exactly what we wanted as well as guided us to know what would be best in each situation based on the experience they brought to the table.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Our team started with a clear vision of what we wanted, but it was the BLVR team that helped our vision become reality in less than 7 months! Over a short period of time, the BLVR team helped guide us to create all new content, select appropriate images, design the website, contribute feedback to the development of the site, and celebrate the launch of an all new website which now communicates exactly who we are.
The end product was better than we anticipated, and we have seen our web traffic increase dramatically due to the new site.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
We had a strong workflow between our team and the BLVR team. Our project manager, Wayne, was an incredible help and resource to us. I was able to see firsthand through a variety of platforms how much time and effort he dedicated to our project. I greatly appreciated the time he spent answering my many questions and fielding my concerns.
Through our time working together, I came to understand Wayne's rationale for his decisions and advice, and throughout it all, I knew his heart was to help our project (and more importantly, our organization) succeed. I was convinced he absolutely knew what was best for the site and was willing to do whatever he needed to do to make it happen.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
The workflow space they created for us was incredible. A project this size seemed overwhelming at the beginning, but they walked us through it - step by step. The platforms they utilized helped us (with little tech knowledge of our own) to create a front end product which was exactly what we needed.
The site is easy for us to maintain, and we walked away with strong relationships which now serve as a resource to our organization as we continue to work with the site ourselves. Their organization and systems were excellent and allowed our teams to collaborate and come together in a unified effort to help our organization flourish.
Are there any areas for improvement?
When we encountered issues with differences of opinion on the site from our team and theirs along the way, I was thoroughly impressed with the way in which these were resolved from each member of the BLVR team.
I wish I had simply just picked up the phone sooner to communicate with them about concerns, because once I understood the rationale behind decisions, I was soon on board with the direction things were headed. Their efforts to improve their communication with us throughout the process truly had such an impact on our overall perspective of the success of the project.
By the time our project came to a close, I was so sad to no longer be working alongside the team at BLVR!
RATINGS
5.0
"The BLVR team made our vision become a reality in less the seven months!"
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
"BLVR made the effort to get to know us as an organization so they could best communicate who we are through our site. Outstanding results!"
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
"BLVR presented a clear schedule and project timeline at our very first meeting. They made every effort to keep this timeline on track for us!"
Cost
5.0
Value / within estimates
"BLVR worked hard to create a package that worked for our organization. They delivered far more than we expected. They were worth the investment!"
Willing to Refer
5.0
NPS
"We absolutely ARE referring others to the BLVR team! We give them our 5 star recommendation!
Branding Strategy & Collateral for Nature Conservation Org
Branding
$50,000 to $199,999
July 2018 - June 2019
5.0
Quality
5.0
Schedule
5.0
Cost
4.5
Willing to Refer
4.5
"It felt like they truly cared about our mission and vision and had a vested interest in our success."
Aug 5, 2019
Dev & Brand Communication Director, Nature Collective
Jennifer Bright
Nonprofit
San Diego, California
11-50 Employees
Phone Interview
Verified
BLVR led a series of intensive discovery sessions, meeting with internal and external stakeholders. Afterward, they developed a comprehensive brand package, including a name, tagline, logo, and messaging.
BLVR understood the importance of an in-depth discovery phase to building a custom brand identity. They followed a thoughtful approach, defining a mission that the in-house team would be proud to be a part of. In the end, the new branding assets premiered to substantial positive feedback.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this
client over the phone. Below is an edited
transcript.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and your position there.
I am the Development + Communication Director at a nonprofit. We are located in the greater San Diego area. I oversee the communications efforts as a company, including social media, public relations, messaging and branding.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
For what projects/services did your company hire BLVR?
We needed help with our general branding and messaging. Our organization began as a small volunteer run organization over 30 years ago. They organization had pieced together its mission, vision and marketing tools over the years without any real direction or expertise. Without specific internal expertise, I began looking for an external provider who could look at our organization objectively and help us better communicate who we are and why we do what we do.
What were your goals for this project?
Though we are well known in our immediate area, we wanted to spread our brand awareness across San Diego County, and beyond. We also wanted to create new, fun, modern + consistent marketing materials that could better communicate our organization’s mission and vision with our internal team and our target supporters.
SOLUTION
How did you select this vendor?
Our team searched for branding companies via partner referrals. We looked at 4 companies, taking into consideration the referral received, their portfolio, past clients and how we connected with the company. We chose BLVR because we felt like they clicked with our organizational goals, they were committed and truly excited about the challenge. They were professional and yet approachable, creative and open. After several face to face interviews with the team, our team unanimously decided to contract them for the project.
Describe the scope of their work in detail.
The process began with a series of discovery sessions, where they met with our board, staff, focus groups and surveys. They spent a large amount of time asking questions and listening to us. They learned about our organizational goals and history and ultimately created an entire brand package for us including new tagline, logo, name, and messaging materials.
What was the team composition?
The organization takes a team approach to their accounts, which allows you to connect with multiple people that all bring something special to the creative process. I worked directly with the CEO, COO, VP Brand Development, Creative Director, Digital Design Director, Lead Developer, and Brand Account Manager.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Can you share any outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Since working with BLVR, we have received many positive remarks about our new logo and image. Our newly updated website is mobile friendly and has led to a significant increase in supporter interaction. Everyone within our organization loves our new brand identity and are proud to work for an organization that made this investment in our future.
How effective was the workflow between your team and theirs?
Our project manager was great to work with. She was always available by phone, text or email. She would communicate with me a at least a couple of times a week and sometimes a few times a day. She was very communicative and patient. When I had a question or concern she would find the answer and get back to me in a timely manner. We used Zoom and Google Bugherd as tools for project management.
What did you find most impressive about this company?
I was most impressed by their commitment to really learn and understand our organization before creating the brand package. It felt like they truly cared about our mission and vision and had a vested interest in our success. The team is extremely creative and took extra steps to customize our brand.
Are there any areas for improvement?
There is always room for improvement, but we are overall very satisfied with the product delivered and look forward to continuing our work with them on future branding projects.
RATINGS
5.0
Quality
5.0
Service & Deliverables
Schedule
5.0
On time / deadlines
Cost
4.5
Value / within estimates
"BLVR wasn't the least expensive company that we interviewed, but they delivered a product and support that matched the cost of the services provided."
Willing to Refer
4.5
NPS
Locations (1)
2869 Historic Decatur RdSan Diego, CA,
United States92106
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