Here at Proof, everyone wears a lot of hats. We take out the trash, stock supplies, and pitch in any way needed outside of our primary roles. You’ll often find me in the office early in the morning tidying up before the crew gets in. My primary role here is Director of Development – a fancy title for what really is focused on growing our business and forging good, strong relationships with current and prospective clients.
We’re very fortunate to have the majority of our clients come from word-of-mouth or referral and when these wonderful folks reach out, I spend a lot of time learning about the businesses or ventures, understanding the “why” of their branding needs, and educating them on our process. When there’s a good connection, I’ll put together a formal proposal for them to review and if all goes well, a new client relationship is born. We hit the ground running and the project kicks off.
An important element of my role is establishing and nurturing important and mutually beneficial partnerships. From interior designers to sign manufacturers to printers to videographers, it’s important for us to have trusted partners with whom and can work collaboratively on behalf of our clients and ensure that all work for our clients is done well and, most importantly, consistently on-brand.
We stay very active and involved with many local organizations here in our growing community, as well. We’re proud members of The Nashville Chamber of Commerce, The Nashville Tech Council, and – most recently involved in a partnership with TEDx Nashville to handle the branding and creative direction of their 2018 event. These are all great organizations that allow us to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations across a variety of industries. I’ve personally connected with and developed great relationships with many people through these channels. A personal goal is to make sure all awesome people in Nashville know each other.
Finally, a big part of my job is writing. My background in journalism certainly helps. I write blogs (such as this one here), emails, proposals, and – occasionally, the stream-of-consciousness poem that will never see the light of day. Don’t ask. All of these elements combined are a part of what we believe is the art of the natural sell. Being thought leaders and being transparent in what we do and how we do it is how, together, we win.
Through all of the writing, phone calls, meetings, and events, the biggest joy is to see our clients’ brands come to life in a way that is beautiful, compelling, and effective. We’re proud of the work we do and of every single client. Check out some of our recent case studies and see for yourself.
If you’re in Nashville or plan to be, let me know. I’d love to buy you a cup of coffee or a beer. Human connection is truly a great thing.