Today we’d like to introduce you to Justus Calkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
First job out of college I was working for an engineering company called Lanmark (great job and team) and helped them expand into the majority of the US. Yet after a year they hired a marketing company to help them grow and get more leads and interactions (designed a new site, etc). However it did nothing for the company. I saw how expensive marketing companies are and what they were charging and how little the client was getting in return for that money. So I started a branding studio because I realized, the brands story needs to be effectively told first before any marketing is done. It started as a branding and marketing company but there’s so much that goes into telling someone’s story; we decided to focus on that. So many businesses, especially local, that have great reputations or great word of mouth highlighting the level of quality they give and show to their clients are often overlooked by businesses who don’t have that level of quality reputation because a marketing company came in and pushed out their story without any emotional impact, just flashy product showcases. I built Branded By Story to change each community across the US. The businesses who care deeply about where they operate, deserve to be shown in a light no one else can replicate, and always want to show their customers as their heroes.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
For the most part yes. A lot of people love what we’re doing and want us to tell their stories the right way. People tell me I have the gift of gab and the way the brand stories turn out, people love them. But there have been struggles, when getting clients, we started from nothing… pure cold calls, a lot of people don’t want what we have to offer even if they need it, then again I’m no sales guy. Communicating the offering is something I’ve studied from the start of this up until now. I think I’ve got it down for the most part but I’ll never be perfect at sales haha
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Branded By Story?
We are a Brand Storytelling Studio that specializes in telling a brands story, through cinematic videos, cinematic websites and branding collateral. But we are different from everyone else because we only work with one business per industry per town, and we work for those who deeply care about their relationships to the community, provide a level of service incomparable to their competitors, and want to help move their community forward. We implement a 5 engine system that helps show off where they operate, shows off the communities and what people enjoy in that area. It brings a sense of high quality cinema to these amazing towns and cities. I’m proud of everything we’ve done, every step we’ve taken to get here has been incredible and every client has been a journey that has either taught me something or has opened my eyes to an even greater story or emotional connection with great people. We would love people to know we’re here to help those great businesses rise in a way nobody else is doing. Making your brand personable, giving it a character people can truly trust is what we do best. Getting results is our strength, and delivering is our promise. You want a branding studio (because agencies and retainers are old news) you need Branded By Story. We’re a great team and telling your stories, the right way, the first time. Let’s turn the trust people have in you, into demand. Can definitely visit us at www.brandedbystory.com
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Quality over Quantity and to have immense patience. Another one that applies directly to these is learning to take time to enjoy personal experiences, with family, friends. Joy is something people struggle to find when working sometimes, you need breaks, you need to live, and I do that every day after work. Each day, you never know how long you’ve got, gotta do everything for others, and for God
Pricing:
- Signature Package – 28 Deliverables – $30,000
- Signature Exclusive – $55,000
- Custom Expansion – Custom $ 100k+
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.brandedbystory.com
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/brandedbystory/
