Community Highlights: Meet Adam OLeary of Encite Branding + Marketing + Creative

Today we’d like to introduce you to Adam OLeary.

Hi Adam, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started this business in 2005 while working on the client side of the marketing profession. I had a few friends that owned businesses, so I worked with them to create a logo here and a website there. In 2008, the economic downturn hit, and I got laid off, so I decided to see if I could grow encite into a full-fledged, legitimate ad agency. Since then, we’ve grown from a virtual, one-man shop to an award-winning marketing agency with a more traditional business model.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
A certain level of hardship is inevitable when you’re going against agencies that have been around for years and you’re just starting. We’ve encountered challenges that a lot of other small businesses have: funding, longevity, trust, labor, strategic partnerships, COVID, etc.

The one obstacle I am most proud I overcame was educating myself in a wide variety of areas of running an ad agency. The first one was to learn graphic design which I did in the evenings and on weekends. My goal was to never become a first-class designer, but I felt it was important to have a working knowledge of the process, procedures, and technical methods of both conceptual creative development and artistic side.

I am also very proud of how we overcame challenges with new business development. Gaining more clients is always a priority for any business, but we had a particular challenge since we prioritized developing significant interpersonal relationships in our business. This personal touch was a challenge since, geographically, we are limited by time and space to meet with clients.

When COVID hit, it taught us that we can still have these great business relationships without being in person. Like many other businesses, we use technology to communicate and collaborate with clients across the country (and, coming soon, Europe). Through this realization, we opened other locations in New York and Chicago. We are excited about our geographical expansion which we thought was too much of a challenge just 3 years ago,

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about encite branding + marketing + creative?
encite branding + marketing + creative is a full-service agency based in Denver, Colorado with offices in Chicago, New York, and (coming soon) Dublin. We are committed to building great brands based on strategic marketing plans.

We specialize in Brand Strategy and developing ideas into projects and campaigns that allow small businesses and large corporations alike to effectively market their products and services. We can never know your business better than our clients, but we can offer insights and expertise to help them succeed.

What sets us apart is the Brand Strategy approach. Many agencies can develop engaging and memorable creative or put together a marketing plan to serve social media ads to audiences, for example. Our differentiator is to approach both strategy and tactical execution from a Branding lens.

A lot can be under the Branding lens, but we ensure we identify and define all those areas that can affect an integrated marketing strategy. Some of those areas would include:
– Messaging
– Audience Definition
– Brand Attribute Identification
– Industry Trends
– Competitive Environment

These areas are critical to developing a marketing strategy that consistently, cohesively, and congruently reaches the right audience to develop trust and credibility in the product, service, and brand perception. Without trust and credibility, customers won’t purchase.

Who else deserves credit for your story?
I have had countless mentors throughout my journey as a business owner and entrepreneur. You can find lessons in all of your relationships with people you meet along the way. I found a lot of inspiration from previous colleagues and bosses. One, in particular, was the person who took me under his wing to help me learn how to run an agency, be a leader, and inspire people.

Another significant person in my professional life was a friend of mine who ended up being our first client. He owned a couple of different small businesses in Denver (a painting company, apartment building, pub, etc) and he encouraged me to start encite back in 2005 it was while he and I were on a snowshoeing trip that he gave me our first project. He wanted me to design a new business card for him. Not exactly like landing Wal-Mart, but it was a great start for me on my entrepreneurial journey!

We also couldn’t be where we are without our great team members. From our Creative Director, Jeff Petersen to our VP of Strategy, Sophie Mann, we wouldn’t be on this crazy upward trajectory! I am very thankful for them and the other team members that have helped make encite what it is today.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.enciteinternational.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/encitebmc/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encitebmc/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/encitebmc
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@enciteinternational7536