During the time Cameron Childress worked with a tech start-up, the “Dot-com boom” declined and he changed his career trajectory to embark on something new. So in 2002, Childress founded Sumo Consulting, a custom software development company.
Jon C. Coward is the founder and fearless leader, Spiral Cities Marketing
In 2004, Jon C. Coward began a part-time side project that later evolved into a full-time Internet marketing firm focused on web design and SEO. Drawing inspiration from a Black Sabbath song, Coward named his firm Spiral Cities Marketing.
“Good web design is deadly purposeful. Below the surface there are extremely specific choices to generate an effect,” said Coward. “For example, first-time visitors to Netflix are clearly directed to start a free month trial.”
On any given day, how many moments, actions and emotions are part of your conscious thought process?
According to Anne Rice, a Decatur-based licensed professional counselor, the lack of presence or consciousness in daily life often leads to stress, anxiety, depression and illness.
“Work stress levels have escalated progressively over the past few decades largely because, rather than valuing breaks from work, we feel guilty about taking them,” said Rice. “When you aren’t present with your emotions at work, you will bring them home with you and the brain continues in work mode. Eventually the home will not be a restful place.”
Frank Burdette has spent most of his career in historic preservation and green building consulting. In 2017, he knew it was time to take the next step by starting his own consulting firm, Tillerman, LLC, with his business partner.
With an infinite number of brands to choose from, Decatur CoWorks members Chad Wallace and Matt Barth knew they could leverage “experiences” in a unique way to create a valuable connection between customers and companies. Thus, Experiential Marketing Partners was launched in December of 2015.
MEET THE OWNER Kim Finnegan Managing Partner, Property Works Owner, Decatur CoWorks
Four years ago, an opportunity to buy a former flower shop, located at 708 Church St, next to her existing business, presented itself to Kim Finnegan. Without hesitation, she decided to go for it. The building was initially purchased as a real estate investment, but after multiple brainstorming sessions, the idea to convert it into a coworking space emerged.
Small business owners are all too familiar with the challenges that come with getting paid, from high vendor acceptance fees to lengthy payment terms. However, radically changing consumer behavior, advancements in technology and a progressing regulatory system indicate the financial landscape is due for unparalleled transformation.
This revolution cannot come soon enough for people like Jon Eggleton, Decatur CoWorks member and Managing Partner of Traktion, a marketing and e-commerce strategy firm.
“A significant portion of my time is spent dealing with slow accounts payable departments, but in this line of work, that’s always part of the deal,” said Eggleton.
Gary Phillips, Vice President of Cybersecurity for Suntrust Bank, said, “We’re working overtime to make transactions easier, faster and safer. Fortunately, the high demand for convenient transactions has led to a renaissance of how payments are made and accepted. They must become faster and cheaper or they’ll fade away.”
The five primary methods of payments in the U.S. are cash, debit, credit, electronic transfer, financial technology (fintech) and cryptocurrency. Each of these has its pros, cons and security concerns.
The marketing umbrella has never had more under it than it does today. From sales and e-commerce to technology and fulfillment, what used to be simple and clear has now become increasingly fragmented and specialized. Realizing businesses need help putting these pieces and tools together, Jon Eggleton applied his passion for marketing, e-commerce and all things digital toward starting his own business, Traktion, with fellow Managing Partner, Ryan Woolley.
While many Decatur CoWorks members have been overheard lamenting how quickly this year has passed, most are knee-deep in setting their 2018 goals. But don’t despair if you haven’t started yet. CoWorks member and business coach Wendy Watkins says you still have time.
Mind, Body & Business a coaching company created by Wendy Watkins, helps entrepreneurs achieve their lofty goals. The basis of Watkins’ strategies includes a focus on goal-oriented planning, a strong optimistic mindset and self-care techniques.
As Director of Southern Business Development for Lefroy Brooks, Heather Bruno utilizes a variety of technology products to conduct business. Lefroy Brooks is a luxury plumbing and fixture manufacturer for residential and commercial clients which range from hotels and offices to high-end homes.
With frequent trips to the ATM, fumbling around with change and noting how dirty money is, it’s no surprise that people are embracing a cashless society. Over the past decade, technology has advanced to the point where financial transactions of all types can be processed digitally.