On April 1st, Studio490 turns 18 years old, marking nearly two decades of dedicated growth, creativity, and digital marketing excellence. As we celebrate this milestone, we want to share our journey and offer valuable lessons we’ve learned along the way.
When Studio490 began in 2007, it was met with some raised eyebrows. But it was a simple dream: provide quality websites, stunning designs, engaging social media, and an easy-going connection with people. Initially focusing solely on web, design, and social media, we’ve significantly grown over the past 18 years, expanding into SEO, Google Ads, content creation, branding, strategy, email marketing, consulting, and more. It’s impossible not to grow as a business or person over time, and that’s just what we have done.
That Broken Road
Our humble beginnings saw us building websites for small local companies, slowly gaining trust through proven results. Tapping into our family of loyal clients, Studio490 steadily expanded our reach, primarily serving businesses across the United States, with a few exciting projects abroad. Over time, we’ve consistently evolved, refining and expanding our digital marketing services to include SEO, Google Business Profile management, online advertising, content strategy, and more.
The average length of our client relationship is over 13 years. In an era of “drive-thru” service, that is a staggering statistic considering the average is 3-5 years. Factors that influence that number include Quality of service, Client satisfaction, Industry competitiveness, Relationship management, and Adaptability to client needs. We nail them all!
Between running Studio490 for 18 years and a global non-profit for 8 of those years, we’ve tried to be the same group of service-minded creatives. We focus on Faith, Family, Friends, and Food (hey, we’re Cajuns). Thank you for joining us for the ride, but we feel we are just hitting our prime.
18 Years of Lessons
Turning 18 is an ideal moment to reflect. Below, we’re excited to share 18 valuable lessons we’ve learned that can help fellow small businesses thrive:
- Work / Life Balance: We love what we do, but it’s not who we are. We spend focused time with family, building relationships that last a lifetime.
- Relationships Matter: Building lasting connections with clients creates trust and repeat business. We want to be the kind of business that we’d like to do business with.
- Flexibility is a sign of Maturity: Digital marketing changes fast. Keep learning and be ready to pivot.
- Listen to Your Customers: Real growth happens when solving customers’ problems. We call it “thinking around corners.”
- Quality Beats Quantity: Delivering great work every time builds trust.
- Patience Pays Off: Building a successful business is a marathon, not a sprint.
- Choose the Right People: A small, talented team can do big things together.
- Marketing Matters: Even marketing companies must market themselves effectively.
- Measure What Matters: Track results closely and refine strategies to achieve real impact.
- Be Transparent: Honest communication builds long-term trust and client loyalty.
- Value Your Time: Price your services fairly based on the value you deliver.
- Hire Wisely: Surround yourself with talented people who care as much as you do, and reward them for their efforts.
- Collaboration Wins: Great ideas happen when diverse minds work together. Pick your business partners carefully, as they reflect you.
- Maintain Consistency: Your reputation grows when people know what they can always expect from you.
- Small Details, Big Impact: Never overlook details; excellence sets you apart.
- Keep Innovating: Push yourself creatively to stand out in a competitive industry.
- Give Back: Sharing your knowledge freely benefits everyone, including your business.
- Stay True to Your Convictions: Establish the values your business is built on and stick to them, no matter the situation.
Studio490’s 18-year journey has not just been about growing a successful business—it’s also about building relationships, serving communities, and remaining committed to excellence. As we look to the future, we’re excited about continued growth, innovation, and success alongside our clients.
The future is so bright, you’re going to need shades.
