WANT A NEW PERSPECTIVE ON HOW TO SHOW UP FOR YOUR CLIENTS, HOW TO CRAFT A ROCK SOLID TEAM CULTURE AND HOW TO WORK IN STRONG PARTNERSHIPS?

Then you don’t want to miss this episode!

The more I do this show and realize the people that I can call friends and mentors, the more I recognize how blessed I have been along the way and how critical it is to surround yourself with truly great people. Not just great in what they do, but in how they do it and the people they are. 

Steve Gabriel is one of those people for me. Co-founder and managing partner of 36creative, Steve is breaking the mold in marketing. Together with his co-founder, Trent Sanders, and their team, he is serving big and small name businesses alike. They are sought-after experts in the marketing arena, but what sets them apart in my eyes is their genuine care for people and you’re going to get a taste of that firsthand in our interview today. 

So, if you want a new perspective on how to show up for your clients, how to craft a rock solid team culture and how to work in strong partnerships, you do not want to miss this episode with my good friend Steve Gabriel.

IN THIS EPISODE, WE COVER:

[3:38] The Beginning 

You’ll love hearing how Steve started his company 16 years ago. One night he was at a party at his house in Portsmouth, with a bunch of his friends. It was just another weekend, with people screaming, yelling, running through the house. And he remembers saying to one of his high school friends  that there’s got to be something better they could be doing with themselves. Ha!

So, the next day they formed a company and opened a bank account and they both put $20 in it. The first year in the business they made $3,500 in sales and the second year they were able to double that. During this time, they still had full-time jobs, worked late nights, but were setting their goals and checking those boxes off. Soon, they were able to quit their jobs and hire their first employee. And then from there, they were able to grow their company to where it is now: 21 full-time employees, offshore teams, a solid partner network for more high-end exclusive work, working with some of the biggest brands like Timberland and iRobot. Amazing!

[14:30] We Make It Better

What sets 36creative apart from other marketing companies is that everything they do is rooted in brand strategy. They dive deep into who’s your audience, what are their goals and objectives, what does their journey look like, where are their obstacles, and how can you simplify their life. And then from there, they take an approach that’s completely custom and tailored to that. 

Often times what their clients think is the best strategy might not be completely accurate to what their audience is looking for and they are not afraid to push back and really fight for what they believe will work best. 

Their internal mantra at 36creative is: we make it better, and this is not some pompous statement. This is simply another thing that sets them apart, they are never satisfied or content because there’s always an opportunity to be better. So, there’s not a lot of ego at 36creative, they are a very humble group where everyone strives to be better. 

[22:36] A People-First Culture

Another thing that definitely sets 36creative apart is the culture at their company. Steve truly believes that if we are all nice and human, and understand each other then the sky’s the limit. At 36creative they understand that their goal is to satisfy their customer’s needs and that they are all just trying to do a good job, so whenever they run into a problem they try to work it out together instead of individually. They also try to make sure that there is a good work-life balance with their employees, no working weekends and late nights- and they ensure there is enough vacation time. They want their employees to be happy and comfortable!

[36:48] The Partnership 

So, Steve and Trent started their company 16 years ago at a party. Now, this might not sound like the best way to start a successful business but it definitely worked out for them. When they first started out, a lot of people advised them against their partnership, saying that it will never work out once the money comes into play or once they get married, etc. But they never really paid much attention to that. They were both hard workers who shared the same beliefs and ethics, and had each other’s back and they made it work. Their partnership is filled with mutual respect and trust and is still going strong 16 years later.

RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE:

• Visit 36creative
• E-mail Steve at: [email protected]
• Connect with me on Instagram!