Betting on Vision: Supporting a Local Startup When Budget Was Tight
The Situation: Vision Rich, Cash Poor
"The Maple Events" is a Guelph-based event management company founded by four enthusiastic graduates. They had the energy, the local connections, and a crystal-clear vision for disrupting the local event scene.
What they didn't have was a budget.
When they approached us, their capital was extremely tight—well below our standard engagement minimums. They had no website and were relying entirely on word-of-mouth, missing the massive potential of digital search.
The Decision: Investing in People
Usually, we would refer a budget of this size to a DIY platform. However, we were mesmerized by the group's ambition and courage. We saw a reflection of our own "Unicorn" mindset in them.
We decided to go out of our way to make it work. We viewed this not as a transaction, but as an investment in the local Guelph business community.
The Solution: The "Lean Launch" Protocol
We stripped away the agency overhead and focused on a lean, high-impact launch:
The Result: From Launch to Loyalty
The new website immediately established their presence in the local community. They looked professional, trustworthy, and ready for business.
The real win? Growth.
As they secured bookings and their revenue stabilized, they didn't forget who helped them start. Once they started earning good revenue, they immediately returned to us—this time at full budget—to commission our premium SEO services.
We bet on their vision, and it paid off for everyone.