Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura Deleot of Circa Creative Studios. She shared her story with us below:
I had been collaborating with my now partner Tori Thomas for 6 years (as freelance designers) when we determined we were better together and decided to form a partnership. Establishing Circa Creative Studios in 2015, we built our business on a shared set of principles that remain unchanged: intentional design, creative curiosity, collaborative process, and effective flexibility. We were looking to grow: our skill sets and client base, yes, but more than that, we shared a vision of what a company that values innovation, collaboration, and flexibility might look like. We also have a shared a desire to help young designers grow, help communities grow and do it all in a way that would also let life grow.
In eight short years, we went from just the two of us to a fully developed company with studios in four cities, fifteen full-time employees, and a roster of 50+ clients. We built our unique Circa Fellowship program, launched several initiatives, and participated in countless community projects. We have experienced our own growing pains, to be sure, but we know what it takes to “create more of what matters” because that is our goal with Circa.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The first major challenge was hiring and managing a team. It felt difficult to know what criteria we were looking for when we were still so new. We value flexibility and we were unsure how we could keep that flexibility while still holding our employees accountable. It took us some time, trials, and a lot of understanding on the part of our team to develop our flex structure. Knowing how to manage this helped us survive the pandemic and continue to navigate the following changes in work environments.
The second big challenge was formalizing our process. We knew that we wanted a studio that made design accessible to an entrepreneur but was also at a caliber desirable for the nation’s top businesses. In order to do this effectively, we have had to actively train our team and refine our processes so that we are delivering the right amount, at the right time and within the right budget. One thing we have discovered is that processes can help keep us financially effective, but it can also hinder creativity. We have to actively address issues and evaluate processes to make effective improvements while keeping enough flexibility to promote creative problem-solving.
The third challenge was opening another studio. We knew it was time to grow and the opportunity in Michigan had a lot of potentials, but it also required capital investment for space and personnel. Before this point, we had grown very organically. Making a leap and investing our own resources into our growth was scary. It made us stop and evaluate what we were doing and why we were doing it. It also made us think through our business model. Was it possible to grow into a different market? And if it was possible, why should we do it? We built models, looked at data, and decided: yes, it was worth the investment.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Circa Creative Studios?
Circa Creative Studios is a full-service creative group with studios in Nashville, Kalamazoo, Greenville, and New York. Circa provides design and marketing services that include graphic design, brand development and strategy, website design, email marketing, and content creation. We focus on company founders and mid-sized marketing leaders who recognize the need for strategic branding and personalized marketing to effectively hit their next milestone. What makes us different is our approach. It’s always focused but never fixed. This means that we meet clients where they are and deliver what they need.
Key Industries: Healthcare, Consumer Goods/E-Commerce, Capital Markets.
The crisis has affected us all in different ways. How has it affected you and are any important lessons or epiphanies you can share with us?
Our cross-studio model and flex policy helped us survive the pandemic and the changes that occurred in typical work environments following the crisis. Our ability to be nimble and open to change kept us moving in the right direction and looking for the right opportunities.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://circacreates.
com/ - Instagram: https://www.
instagram.com/circacreates/ - Facebook: https://www.
facebook.com/circacreates - Linkedin: https://www.
linkedin.com/company/ circacreates/
Image Credits
Mary Craven Photography and Circa Creative Studios Photography
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