Business Spotlight: Boundless Creative

When it's time to take business up a notch, Clint Davis, co-owner of the Springfield marketing agency Boundless Creative, says it's not about the size of a marketing budget, but rather how it's implemented.

"People are wanting to stand out from the crowd," he says. "Clients today are being very particular about the value of their dollar. They are being cautious and are aware that a complete branding identity is needed, but they are not throwing a lot of money at a single project like a Web site."

Boundless Creative offers companies the building blocks for marketing campaigns through Web site design, public relations, media placements and marketing collateral, such as brochures, press releases and business cards. Davis and Paul and Lisa Ebisch founded the Springfield-based company as Boundless Interactive Media in 2001. "We felt the community needed a combination of something that was customized and creative," Davis says.

The three entrepreneurs bring different strengths to the enterprise: Davis has degrees in advertising, journalism and graphic design, and performs all of the company's creative work. He worked as creative director for the Assemblies of God for nine years. Lisa Ebisch holds a marketing degree and handles project management. Paul Ebisch, who works at the Assemblies of God Credit Union, has degrees in finance and theology and provides business counsel.

"It's a crazy mix of backgrounds, but we work very well together," Davis says.

The team built a reputation for creative marketing plans and savvy Web design and grew its business in part by doing work for other advertising agencies. In 2005, the company changed its name to Boundless Creative and now employs eight. Boundless Creative grosses $500,000 to $1 million each year in sales, and Davis says the firm has a leg up on national advertising and marketing agencies because of the custom, local service he and his team provide. The biggest challenge, he says, is getting people to think ahead and not have a knee-jerk reaction to the current economy.

A Web world

The team's approach to marketing is focused on building cohesive branding and creating a strong Internet presence. In fact, 60 percent to 70 percent of Boundless Creative's business revolves around the Web.

"Having a really strong branding presence that goes over the Web in a huge way is like having a 24-7 sales person," Davis says.

Creating that presence incorporates the team's talents for graphic design, developing marketing copy, programming, building interactive online tools and Web site optimization.

A number of local clients rely on Boundless Creative for Web site design or marketing materials, including The System, A Paul Mitchell Partner School, Ollis & Co. and North Point Church.

"They've done a great job coming up with a tag line and branding for our credit union," adds Kathie Peterie, president of Metro Credit Union, who hired Boundless Creative two years ago to revamp the credit union's Web site and develop a new tag line.

The tag "I Own It!" emerged, and they are currently collaborating on a new site for children's credit union accounts. "They get so familiar with the company, it's almost like they are on staff," Peterie notes.

Another recent project is the site, www.trinitylife.com, which Boundless Creative designed for Trinity Assembly of God in Baltimore. The church changes its color palette and images by the season.

"When there is more layering, it looks more robust and stunning," project manager Lisa Ebisch says, adding that the site's easy navigation helps visitors find the information and services they are looking for quickly.

The 'SWOT analysis'

Boundless Creative works on short- and long-term projects, depending on each client's individual needs and budget.

"The days of big retainers are over," Davis says. "It's hard for some companies to have a monthly retainer, but if you are going to spend 'X' amount of dollars on hiring a professional staff, it's going to be cheaper to outsource the work to us and have multiple people working on your projects. This way, you don't have to worry about payroll and benefits."

The team starts out by doing a "SWOT analysis," - which stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats - interviewing employees about the company's previous marketing and promotions efforts. They collaborate on a budget and specific goals for each organization. Often, a company will start with a six-month contract.

"With a retainer, we will guarantee you a certain amount of work at a discounted rate and do additional projects at a specialized rate or a reduced cost," Davis says. "If a client commits to us on a monthly basis, we will also commit to them by giving them a reduced price."

Boundless Creative also tracks the results of its work by monitoring Web hits, the success of certain promotions and where sales leads are generated.

"In a nutshell, we give someone a customized, creative approach to their business that works well behind the scenes and also looks great," Davis says.[[In-content Ad]]