KindTyme

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m one of the co-founders of Grasse. We’re a cannabis processor in Oregon.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KindTyme?

We noticed that packaging for the cannabis industry was not up to par with that of other industries. We wanted our brand to stand out in the marketplace with unique packaging.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KindTyme designed the packaging of our initial product, which was a cannabis concentrate. Our team provided an idea for the look, describing what we liked with other brands' packaging. Their team provided feedback, but these guidelines along with storage restrictions influenced KindTyme’s final brand solution. Our team told them that the product would be in a sheet, but all the other qualities were their team’s concepts. They also ensured the package followed regulations. Through packaging, their team guided our brand too. Since we were launching, we didn’t have all the marketing assets we do now. We now have a direction for growth.

What is the team composition?

We worked with one person directly— a designer.

How did you come to work with KindTyme?

We searched Google for creative agencies and KindTyme was a top result. We saw their portfolio, which made us want to work with them. All the brands they’d worked with— predominately Oregon businesses— stand out in the marketplace. It was an easy decision.

How much have you invested with them?

We spent close to $3,000 with KindTyme.

What is the status of this engagement?

We collaborated with KindTyme between August–October 2018.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

Our packaging always receives great reviews. The minute someone sees it, they remark that they love the designs. We’ve launched a second product with similar packaging. KindTyme created a look that helps us stand out; people notice our products right off the bat. When we were just launching, their team gave us a competitive advantage, which is hard to do given the saturation of cannabis brands in Oregon. We’re happy with the direction they provided.

How did KindTyme perform from a project management standpoint?

We communicated mostly by phone. When KindTyme had proofs, our teams would meet in person. Their contract set guidelines and deadlines, which their team followed. They set expectations so we were never surprised with timeline challenges. There was a hiccup during the printing process, but that was due to printers and was resolved quickly. Their team delivered great work on time.

What did you find most impressive about them?

Their team’s creativity helped us stand out. Also, KindTyme has experience working with clients in the cannabis industry. This was most important to me. They managed regulations, ensuring we didn’t end up with a design that wasn’t compliant. Their team understands the challenges cannabis companies face. As opposed to past vendors, they work with a royalty program. The more packages we produce the more royalties they gain. It’s a win-win as we’re both encouraged to sell more.

Are there any areas they could improve?

No, they were great to work with.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Describe your brand, products, and principles. Show samples to provide vision, but don’t be prescriptive as KindTyme can create unique concepts.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m a partner at Oath Cannabis Insurance. We’re a Focus 1 Insurance Group partner, and we specialize in the cannabis industry. We began operations five years ago.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KindTyme?

We had experienced a lot of growth and had a national brand that we hadn’t done much with. We wanted a clean slate, so we hired KindTyme to help us develop a brand from scratch.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

KindTyme helped us create a name, logo, website, and social media pages for our brand. They did a lot of research on our competition and came up with different ideas, including a new and unique name that would not only rank well nationally but also represent us as a company well, telling our story and what we’re about. It’s something unique that we should be successful with.

They used different questionnaires throughout their process in order to fine-tune the name. Once we chose one that we liked, we started working on the logo, website development, and content development.

Once we launch the website, KindTyme will manage our Facebook and Instagram profiles, as well as work on newsletters and content. They’ve also been helping us with designing our trade show display, which includes banners, tables, fliers, business cards, and so on.

What is the team composition?

Their marketing director took care of the initial sales process, and their lead graphic designer handled the logos and marketing collateral. Their creative director made a 3D logo with an animated version, and the frontend developer built the actual website components.

How did you come to work with KindTyme?

I met their frontend developer five years ago at a trade show and followed their work over time. We reached out to them and a few other companies to figure out who would be the best fit for this project.

We chose KindTyme because we felt that they had a better understanding of what we were looking for. They also had experience, good referrals, and had won the same industry awards that we had.

How much have you invested with them?

The total cost so far has been $15,000–$20,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working with KindTyme in December 2017, and the engagement is ongoing. We had the initial website review last week, after going through different design phases, page layouts, discussions, and feedback rounds. We still have to refine some of the content and go through a final feedback session, after which we will go live with the website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

While the website isn’t live yet, we’re extremely happy with it. We plan to officially launch the brand by the end of this month while attending The National Cannabis Industry Association’s trade show in California.

It’s been nice having KindTyme take our ideas and thoughts and develop them into something that we’re pleased with from the start. Their creative director has done great work with our 3D logo and animation. We’ve made very few changes along the way, and we’re really excited about everything coming out.

How did KindTyme perform from a project management standpoint?

I give them a perfect score in this area. They used several great tools for the initial proposals. They’re also very responsive and manage timeframes well. As we went through the various design phases, we had video-call conferences with screen sharing.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They really seem to know what they’re doing in terms of design and content. KindTyme hit the mark from the start with their designs. We only had to refine it by picking out the name and colors. They listened to us and delivered something that fit our company, adding their own touch and giving us reasons for why a particular approach would work.

Are there any areas they could improve?

They’ve been great. We need to work on getting our partners together in a timely manner to provide feedback to KindTyme.

Do you have any advice for future clients of theirs?

Be thorough when answering their questionnaires and providing the company’s information. This leads to better content for KindTyme, helping them to figure out the right direction and what makes the brand unique. We spent quite a bit of time on this process, but their feedback made the whole thing easier.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I'm the owner of a hemp growing and processing business in Portland, Oregon.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KindTyme?

We needed help developing our brand identity and a web presence. 

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

Initially, KindTyme refined the design of our logo, based on a rough image we provided. From there, they helped develop the rest of the brand identity, including the design of a website and some packaging for our products. We anticipate working with their team to design some apparel in the near future as well.

What is the team composition?

I work directly with Bridget (Marketing Director, KindTyme), Bonnie (Lead Graphic Designer, KindTyme), and Todd (Graphic Designer, KindTyme).

How did you come to work with KindTyme?

My husband found KindTyme on Instagram and liked their work. We also thought it made sense to work with a company that had some experience doing design work for our industry.

How much have you invested with them?

We've invested $15,000–$20,000 thus far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in August 2017 and the relationship is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

We've been very happy with everything they've produced for us thus far. They've helped legitimize and differentiate our company from the rest.

How did KindTyme perform from a project management standpoint?

Their team is very good at communicating. Whenever I get too busy to get back to them right away, they're understanding and keep me updated on everything they're doing. We often do video conferencing, so they can show me what they're working on without me having to spend additional time driving to their office. They're very professional and try to make the whole process easy and convenient for the client.

What did you find most impressive about them?

I appreciate their communication the most. They're also really good about meeting deadlines and integrating our feedback into any revisions they make.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

It's helpful to have an idea of what you want your brand to look like. They're skilled at implementing your feedback and opinions on design, so I suggest going into the relationship with some direction.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I own Capital Cannabis, a recreational marijuana growing and processing facility in Oregon.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KindTyme?

We wanted to establish ourselves as a brand, not entirely focused on the product we sell.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They created our logo and our website, which involved coming up with designs and doing rounds of revisions. They put together advertisements to run in industry magazines. In terms of merchandise, they've also done some really cool t-shirt designs for us. We've talked about having them do SEO for us but we haven't started that yet.

What is the team composition?

I've worked with most of their team. The majority of the communication goes through our relationship manager. There’s also a project manager who helps coordinate the process and answer questions. Their photographer came out to the farm to take photos, and one of their designers worked on our logo.

How did you come to work with KindTyme?

They initially reached out to us on Instagram. That prompted us to look into their services and browse their social media. Then we gave them a call to discuss what we were looking for. Even though they are a small team, they offer so many capabilities under one roof. We decided to use them in order to have everything streamlined and not have to juggle a stable of various vendors.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve spent around $15,000 to date.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together about a year ago and the engagement is ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

They did a great job with the logo design and gave us a lot of options. We went with a red, white, and blue logo because it connects with almost anybody who sees it. They created a main version of the logo and a watercolor version. Having the watercolor version is a huge asset for us as it’s unique and people love it. It looks different than anything else around. People see it, recognize it, and connect with it. We’ve also had a lot of success with the magazine ads. KindTyme helped us get into DOPE magazine, which has been a great marketing tool for us. Their level of creativity is excellent, and the work speaks for itself.

How did KindTyme perform from a project management standpoint?

They're organized and thorough. We're in touch via email on a weekly basis. If any kind of problem arises, we can get on the phone and figure it out. We also use RingCentral for screen-sharing during the design phase. They always answer our questions in a timely fashion. They’re wonderful about setting a timeline, making any revisions, answering our questions, and being available to make changes or discuss options whenever we need.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They made a promise when we began working with them to stay committed to our company and our needs. They want to focus on our company and not take on too many clients. They’re able to balance keeping their team small and delivering on our needs. They want us to do well and succeed, which is always a positive. They know that we have big goals for expansion and are excited to help keep our brand growing.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Some design projects take a little longer than I’d like. Going through the process of initial design, review, and revision can take longer than is ideal. In the end, the result is always worth it. It's probably my patience that needs to be improved.

Any advice for potential customers?

Come in with an open mind, and be patient with the process. They will always work with you to tweak the design until it's exactly what you want.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the founding and managing partner of a corporate cannabis law firm.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with KindTyme?

We had outgrown our previous company name of NWMJ Law, which stood for Northwest Marijuana Law. We were moving into California as well as several locations further east, and we approached KindTyme about rebranding and renaming our firm.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement?

They started by learning about our business and suggesting several names based on their research. We ended up choosing a name that wasn’t on their list, but they presented us with several logos based on the idea that we presented. They were very communicative around how to represent our brand across various media forms and publications. Ultimately, they provided a wide variety of options around the style of our new brand and were instrumental in narrowing it down to our current choice. They also assisted in rebranding our print and online marketing materials in accordance to the new style.

Notably, they’re one of the few firms that creates a style guide for the brand before moving forward with any actual rebranding. Then, throughout the project, they compare their deliverables to the guide and ensure that they actively represent and advance the brand.

What is the team composition?

I primarily work with Bridget (Project Manager, KindTyme), but I also did a full review at their offices with the whole team during the initial phases of the project.

How did you come to work with KindTyme?

I had met their team several times at cannabis tradeshows, and their professionalism and quality of design have always stood out to me. They were always punctual and communicative. When the firm was considering a rebrand, they were an obvious choice as far as their awareness of the culture. They also offer a wide variety of services, which prevented us from needing to work with several vendors.

How much have you invested with them?

We’ve invested over $30,000 so far.

What is the status of this engagement?

We started working together in December 2016, and the engagement is currently ongoing. We’re still working to make the site a bit more dynamic and consistent around the new content we’ve added.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

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

It’s difficult to pinpoint the precise outcomes of their work, as it was in tandem with several other marketing efforts. However, KindTyme’s work played an important role in the positive outcomes we’ve seen following the rebrand. The business has continued to grow over time, and we’ve been very happy with the partnership overall.

How did KindTyme perform from a project management standpoint?

They’ve been exceptional in this regard. Bridget is a phenomenal communicator. She’s very responsive and always gets back to me on whatever medium I contact her on, whether it be phone, text, or email. We tried their project management interface at the beginning of the project, but I decided that it was more efficient to send work order requests via email.

What did you find most impressive about them?

They have a very sophisticated method of reinterpreting words into graphics and iconography, which is a very rare skill. Also, when you provide them with an end goal, they’ll present several strategies on how to achieve it, which fosters a flexible and adaptive process.

Are there any areas they could improve?

I would love to see them continue to expand their team and increase their capacity. They’re always very busy, not to say that they don’t get things done.

Any advice for potential customers?

The initial investment is substantial, but you’re paying for a level of quality and sophistication that many vendors can’t offer. KindTyme offers a comprehensive array of services that are sure to help your business.