YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
YOUR BUSINESS AUTHORITY
Springfield, MO
Chris Jarratt never thought of himself as a leader, but an unexpected family event helped prepare him to later co-found the growing and award-winning Revel Advertising.
Four months into their marriage Jarratt and his wife were faced with the possibility of adopting his 10-year-old half brother. Despite a lack of support from some, they decided to take custody of the boy from a troubled home.
Looking back, Jarratt says he’s thankful for the challenge of that experience.
“I know I grew as a person and as a parent in ways I would have never imagined,” he says.
After 11 years of leading their family, the Jarratts have seen the birth of their son, now 4 years old, and the graduation of his adopted brother from high school.
In that time, Jarratt worked as a freelance and contract graphic designer under the name Jarratt Design and at Whitaker Marketing as creative director for three years. These experiences prepared the Jarratts to found Revel, a full-service advertising firm, in 2010. Jarratt says he learned to lead by example.
Today, as the creative director of an advertising firm with an average employee age of 25, Jarratt says he teaches his staff to take risks and own up to mistakes.
“It’s challenging to give these young employees so much responsibility in my young company,” he says. “But as I found with my half-brother, people will live up to the expectations you set for them if they trust you.”
Jarratt trusted his staff with big accounts, such as Mother’s Brewing Co. and Ollis/Akers/Arney, and the firm is on pace to make $1 million this year.
The most senior member of his team, Amanda Day, began as an intern and doubted herself at first. But Jarratt says with his influence she blossomed and was promoted to senior art director by age 26.
“I didn’t give Amanda her talent – she’s a natural and a true asset to all things creative,” he says. “But I do believe I helped give her the confidence she now has.”
Revel’s work has lead to 43 awards from the American Advertising Federation, including a Best of Show award, and being recognized by the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce as a Small Business of the Year finalist.
Whether it is challenges at work or challenges in running a family, Jarratt says it’s the setbacks he learns from the most.
“They say if you’re not failing some of the time, then you are not setting your goals high enough,” says Jarratt, who has a bachelor’s in visual communications from Drury University.
In fact, Jarratt recently gave a lecture on the 10 biggest mistakes he made in his career and what he learned from them.
“Hopefully,” he says, “that talk may influence someone’s future success.”
Revel employees try to use their skills to benefit their community. Each year, the small firm donates about 1,000 man hours to organizations through its Revel With a Cause program. Several nonprofits have received help marketing and organizing important fundraisers, including pediatric charities HOPE Foundation and Champions Committed to Kids as well as GLO Community Center.
Moseley’s Discount Office Products was purchased; Side Chick opened in Branson; and the Springfield franchise store of NoBaked Cookie Dough changed ownership.
