Startup Corner: Ryan Baker, Mighty Sharp LLC

Minimally viable product …
We provide full-spectrum marketing services to clients, including design, development and motion graphics.

Problem solving …
Many of our clients are looking to create full marketing campaigns, but they often feel they can’t afford such services or that they need to hire multiple companies to meet all of their needs. We partner with these companies to develop a monthly strategy that covers all aspects of their branding and marketing – and we plan out these services so that their invoice is consistent every month.
 
Seed money …
I began Mighty Sharp with no startup capital. To make it even more difficult, we were stuck paying for a lease and an internet service contract on a small loft-office when a partnering business became unable to meet its commitments. I had the choice to either lose the money on the lease and find another job or to dig in and grow a company that could become self-sustaining. Fortunately, our partnering company loaned us a few computers and desks.

Pivot …
One of our biggest changes was switching from project-based work to continuous retainer plans. We now call these our “brand builder” plans, which are designed to offer flexible services to clients on a predetermined monthly budget.

Next phase …
Several of my personal goals for our growth include developing a more sophisticated monitoring and reporting system for our client’s marketing campaigns, growing our portfolio in specialized video and animation projects, and developing a line of apparel and artwork for retail.
 
Biggest mistake …
2015 was the year that I not only started Mighty Sharp, but also bought a house, got engaged and then got married. It might have been the busiest year of my life. I’m very grateful that all of those things worked out (and that I have a very supportive wife), but it definitely had its stressful moments.
 
Worst advice …
To subcontract someone else to do online advertising. If we had not jumped into advertising and worked toward Google AdWords certification, we likely would have closed the business – or at least would not have found many of our current clients who were looking for full-service marketing and advertising.
 
Food for thought …
Once you find your bread-and-butter work, I would suggest putting effort into a few more risky projects. Just keep the projects small at first. You never know when an experiment may lead to a successful new line of business that you could not have predicted.