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Company: Upframe Creative
Owners: Shay Vandendriessche, Carrie Kuhl, and Hannah Merritt
Year Started: 2019
Employees: 1-10 (Emerging)

Welcome to an Agency Story Podcast, I’m your host Russel.

In this episode, we're joined by the fabulous trio of Shay, Hannah, and Carrie, the inspiring partners at Upframe Creative, based in Brookings, South Dakota.

Tune in to the journey of Upframe Creative, highlighting how three competitors turned collaborators, merging their distinct skills to create a powerful, unified agency. Discover their unique focus on agriculture marketing, which sets them apart in the industry, and hear about the humorous moments that have punctuated their growth, including a memorable mix-up involving a client's business name.

What I really enjoy about this episode is their candid reflections on overcoming challenges and defining roles; providing valuable insights into the dynamics of a successful partnership.

Tune in to explore how passion, creativity, and a touch of humor can drive an agency's success.

Enjoy the story.

Show Notes Insights

Power of Strategic Partnerships: The episode emphasizes the importance of finding the right partners to complement your skills. Shay, Hannah, and Carrie combined their unique talents in design, marketing, and development to form a stronger, more versatile agency. Regardless of the fact of merging businesses, this strategic partnership allowed them to offer a broader range of services and better serve their clients.

Niche Market Focus: Upframe Creative's decision to focus on agriculture marketing showcases the advantages of specializing in a niche market. By honing in on the specific needs of agricultural businesses, they were able to become experts in that field, providing tailored solutions and gaining a competitive edge. This focus on a niche market helped them build a loyal client base and stand out in the industry.

Adaptability and Flexibility: The episode highlights the importance of being adaptable and flexible in roles and responsibilities. As the agency grew, Shay and her partners continuously reassessed their roles, ensuring everyone was engaged in work they were passionate about. This adaptability not only helped them manage their workload effectively but also maintained a positive and dynamic work environment. Additionally, the ability to pivot and address new challenges, such as managing workload and hiring, is crucial for sustainable growth.