Black Country marketing agency looking to future after starting with just £80 in the bank
A Black Country marketing agency says its ready for its next chapter after celebrating a 16-year success story which saw them get started with less than £100 to their name.
In 2008 founders of Tipton based Eighty3Creative Amie Whale and Craig Slater were turned down for a business loan to start their fledgling agency - but the duo bounced back to record revenue of £80,000 in their first full year.
Now, the best-friends turned business partners say they're ready for the next chapter, having tracked a changing industry over the course of 16 years of helping Black Country businesses to tell their story.
“We knew we had something special,” said Amie, who recalls the company's first year as filled with "long days, late nights, and countless moments of uncertainty."
“The rejection from the bank just fuelled our determination. It wasn’t just about proving them wrong; it was about showing ourselves what we could achieve.
“When we started, print media was still a big deal. Now, everything is digital. We’ve had to evolve with the times, learning new tools and approaches along the way. That’s what has kept us on the cutting edge for 16 years.”
“We believe in the strength of our community, and we know that when local businesses collaborate, everyone benefits. It’s about building a network of trust and support, creating opportunities for growth, and fostering a spirit of collaboration that will help the entire region succeed.”
What started as a small operation quickly blossomed into a full-service creative agency, offering everything from branding and graphic design to digital marketing and web development.
Co-founder Craig Slater says that Eighty3Creative has earned a reputation for delivering high-quality, visually striking, and strategically sound creative solutions, having helped both local businesses to international brand and he says that despite their ongoing success, the heart of the business remains the same: two best friends who turned a shared dream into a reality.
"We’ve been through a lot together, and I wouldn’t change a thing. Every challenge, every triumph, it’s all part of our story. And we’re just getting started," he said.
“One of our strengths has always been understanding our clients’ needs. We’re local people working with local businesses of all sizes, from start ups to established brands, and our approach has always been the same: listen, collaborate, and deliver results.”
