In the past two years, Principal Kim Bode has seen earnings double at her firm, 834 Design & Marketing. Alongside a 133 percent increase in staff, the creation of a new web division, and an ever-expanding physical footprint in Grand Rapids’ downtown, the integrated communications firm has made three additional hires to keep up with its evolving brand.
“I never saw us growing this big; that was never our intention,” says Bode, who launched 834 in 2006 as a solo operation.
Though 834 Design & Marketing has been located in various spaces within the old Grand Rapids furniture building at 560 Fifth St. NW, Bode says the firm moved into its current 1,800-square-foot space last July and is currently in negotiations to add an additional 600 to 700 square feet to help accommodate the new hires, as well as account for anticipated future growth.
“I love the West Side,” says Bode, “I sit on the Stockbridge Business Association Board, and I’m on the West Side Marketing Committee… This is such an awesome community where everyone knows everyone. Rockford (Construction Co.) is doing great things in the community here, so it was really exciting for us when they purchased the building and began doing some work on it.”
New staff members include Rebecca Dutcher, director of web division; Lindsay Patton-Carson, public relations director; Lauren Krzesicki, project manager; and Julie Sheeran, creative director.
Alongside plans for growth, both in Grand Rapids and on the east side of the state, 834 Marketing & Design will continue to hire between five and eight interns each semester from local colleges, including Grand Valley State University, Central Michigan University, Calvin College, Cornerstone University, and Aquinas College, among others.
“It’s trial by fire; they don’t just sit around stuffing envelopes,” Bode says. “They’re learning social media strategy and implementation, they’re pitching to media outlets, doing follow-up calls, doing research.”
Since the creation of its new web division, Bode says the web side of 834’s business has grown by at least 30 percent; however, she expects its web operations to continue to grow as new hires settle into their roles at the firm.
Aside from its growing presence as both a brand and physical footprint in Grand Rapids, Bode attributes some of 834’s success to its unique approach and focus on integrated communications, which allows them to utilize in-house talent for both planning and implementing marketing strategy for clients.
“We write their strategy and then we implement it…That’s where media relationship and content generation and design and digital all come together under one roof,” she says. “…Our job is so diverse and different each day that I just think you really have to love what you do, but it’s always exciting when we can deliver results for our clients.”
For more information, visit www.834design.com.
By Anya Zentmeyer, Development News Editor
Images courtesy of 834 Design & Marketing
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