I am very proud to announce that Branch 5 Marketing has crossed another milestone in the history of the company. On January 21st 2020, Branch 5 reached its fifth year in business!
I wanted to take this occasion to reflect on five wonderful years as an independent agency with Branch 5.
Established in January of 2015, Branch 5 was the result of a leap of faith and the support of former agency clients, family and friends who told me, “You can do this.” A little fearful but confident in my determination to succeed, I devotedly read small business start-up guides, took business classes and attended seminars, consulted with the SBA regularly and solicited advice from just about any person or chat board that would engage. I wrote a solid business plan, created procedures and documents, lined up CPA’s, filed for licenses and started networking for clients. Off I went, just hoping I would make it to year one. Especially since my husband would be leaving the Marines the very year I was starting a new business. No pressure.
That first year was a challenge; there is a steep learning curve for someone who was used to being the technician and manager, but not the entrepreneur. I had worn many hats in my career, but the first few months on my own required me to pull from every lesson, every experience, and to trust in my ability as a marketer. Most importantly, I had to maintain (and deliver!) marketing services for my clients that far exceeded any experience or result they had before me. Again, no pressure.
Fortunately, my past working relationships generated new business opportunities, and within the first six months I had signed two significant clients in two industries. With that came sustainability and growth, and five years later, I’m proud to say I’ve worked with over twenty-two different brands and companies, completed over just over 1,000 projects, and made a positive impact to every one of my client’s businesses or brands.
One of my longest-running clients that has worked with me since the near-beginning of my career and the launch of Branch 5 recently said she has never been disappointed in 15 years of working with me. She said never, folks! Wow. What a wonderful gift she has given me by saying so. Fifteen years of satisfaction was built on a daily hustle to make sure every idea, promotion and piece of creative that leaves my proverbial door is the best it can be. Integrity is everything to me and I’m proud to have achieved a level of service that goes above and beyond.
Working independently without the politics and sludge of a big agency affords me to work for my clients promptly, efficiently and frankly, with more creative freedom. They say without risk, there’s no reward. I took a very big risk five years ago, and the reward has been the freedom to work unconstrained and enjoy the day-to-day challenges and victories.
I am so grateful to my clients who trust in me to provide marketing and promotional services to improve their brand reach, generate sales and acquire new customers. Their demands, challenges and feedback has pushed me to go ahead and improve vigorously year after year.
Thank you to everyone who has afforded me this opportunity of five years strong. I will continue to deliver top-notch work with more force than ever before and provide my clients with nothing less than the best. Here’s to looking to the future and helping clients realize their marketing and sales goals.
