1 Bold Step has been recognized as one of the 2022 awardees for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award, presented by Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB). 1 Bold Step will be acknowledged on stage at an in-person awards ceremony during the 18th annual Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala on May 3, 2022, in East Lansing, Michigan.
“The best thing about receiving this award is that our growth and success are directly related to the growth and success we have achieved for our clients. That means more small businesses doing better for their employees, clients, and communities.” said 1 Bold Step Founder and CEO, Jennifer Jurgens. “We recognized how hard it was to find the marketing specialists required to execute modern (digital) marketing efficiently and in a cost-effective way. Using our “lean transformation of marketing” model, clients get a marketing strategy that can pivot to respond to customer and industry trends along with ongoing execution and reporting. It was a bold step to start our own company and it’s thrilling to see our idea in action and to be recognized for it.”
From the start of the pandemic in 2020, 1 Bold Step saw marketing inquiries triple and have grown its client base by 70%. To keep up with demand, the company grew from four team members to ten, offering a full suite of marketing services.
“There was a huge shift in how companies approached their marketing efforts when the pandemic hit, and for many, that meant rethinking everything about their sales and marketing efforts.” explained 1 Bold Step President, Adam Clarke. “We approach marketing differently than most marketing consultants by working on what matters and proving ROI for everything we do. It’s been exciting to watch our clients grow at the same time we did.”
Companies nominated for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award must be second-stage companies, defined as having six to 99 full-time-equivalent employees and generating $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue or working capital from investors or grants. Additionally, the companies must be privately held and headquartered in Michigan.
“MCSB has always prided itself on its spirit of collaboration and celebration,” said Jennifer Deamud, MCSB Board Chair. “We love seeing our awardees celebrating one another's success and sharing in this amazing moment is each awardee’s journey. It’s true — success is best when it is shared.”
Judges from economic and entrepreneurship development organizations annually select the winners. The judges evaluate the nominees’ demonstration of intent and capacity to grow based on the following:
- Employee or sales growth
- Exceptional entrepreneurial leadership
- Sustainable competitive advantage
- Other notable factors that showcase the company's success
MCSB receives over 550 nominations for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award each year. It is not only competitive, but the businesses selected undergo rigorous due diligence prior to final decisions.
Additional information and ticket information can be found at MichiganCelebrates.org.
