Masters of All Trades
This all-star marketing team in Lake Oswego can enhance your business with Wed design, video production, photography, public relations and creative advertising.
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By Nicole DeCosta
In these weaker economic times it’s important for businesses to stand out more than ever.
“This is when businesses that utilize smart marketing efforts make the most money,” says W. Dyer Vest, business development director with his marketing firm Northwest Phoenix.
Now is not the time to eliminate advertising efforts, but rather advertise smartly and stay in
the spotlight with a strategic marketing plan, new logo or Web site, or updated videos, graphics and photos. Don’t fade into the background alongside other businesses.
An all-star cast of marketing and creative professionals in downtown Lake Oswego is helping businesses achieve their dreams, and keep their clients by thinking outside the box.
“There are so many people out there trying to be the jack-of-all-trades. And you know the jack-of-all trades is the master of none,” said Vest. “We combined the specialized talents of others to achieve our client’s marketing, branding and revenue goals.”
That’s why a handful of professionals — with skills in photography, strategic marketing, video production, Web site and logo design — came together to create an office where they operate independently, but collaborate daily using their specific skill sets.
“If you came to this office and all you needed was a logo or brochure designed, that’s what Troy does. If you need photographs, talk to Bryan,” Vest said of his office mates. “We support each other.”
And they all understand the advantages of having a good Web site.
“The Web site is more important than what’s in this office,” said Dave Bigler, “because in order to get someone in this office we have to have a good Web site.”
The same is true with many businesses, they agreed. Many of their clients have greatly benefited from an updated site.
“It’s the initial impression that counts,” said Bryan Hoybook, a photographer.
Vest said he enjoys sitting down with new clients and establishing a plan to gain maximum exposure.
“I’ve had — time and time again — people complain about having a Web site done out-of-state by someone they never meet. They enjoy the peace of mind found in face-to-face interaction,” Vest said.
So does Bigler with his company Bigler Productions.
He said, “About half (of what I do) is video production for businesses — helping small businesses get video on their Web sites. And the other portion is making brides look fantastic on video,” he said of filming weddings.
Hoybook said that his variety of clients keeps his job exciting.
He said, “I don’t want to have too narrow of a focus. My job is very interesting. This week has gone from product, to architecture, and tonight is a theater shoot.”
Each business operates independently but collaborates depending on a clients’ needs. Let’s say a business needs a revamped Web site, logo, some new photos and help with press releases. Vest said he can serve as point of contact for the client, and pay his associates to lend their skills for the project.
“This provides my clients,” Vest said, “with a better and more efficient result by more qualified professionals and often at a rate less than what they could achieve on their own.”
“This way they only have to talk to me instead of coordinating 17 other professionals,” he said.
“We are basically a multimedia and creative agency. As soon as I don’t have a need for marketing, Dyer doesn’t go hungry; he’s got his own clients. We’re not dependent on our own sales to keep us all busy,” said Troy Stange, a graphic designer with his company Portland Design Lab. “When I need help for placement on a search
engine, there comes Dyer.”
“I have clients from engineers to accountants to Australian fashion designers. At any given moment I have had up to 250 clients worldwide,” Vest said. “Some clients just need Google placement, while others may require a full scope of marketing outsource services. I hand-pick a team that meets the predefined goals and hold everyone accountable.”
“The average customer understands the value of what they’re getting,” Bigler said. “They all understand that money well spent will generate far more revenue than money just tossed at things.”
Brandon Showers is an HTML coder, Web site programmer and “one of our most talented secret weapons,” Vest said.
With strength in specified skill sets, the group agreed that they all complement each others’ business models.
“If there’s a need,” Vest said, “they’re going to have all their needs met in this office.”
The staff is professional and organized and completes each well-orchestrated project like a smoothly running machine. The team emits an energy that’s inspiring and each say they are proud of what they do.
“I love impacting someone else’s life,” Vest said. “I’m very lucky to be one of the few people in the world to say I love what I do.”
“I’d say that’s a commonality between all of us,” Hoybook said.
Bigler noted another similarity.
“These are people’s passions that we’re dealing with,” Bigler said. “They have a heart, an idea and stay up late at night thinking about their idea. We get to make that idea happen.”