Recently, our very own Jennifer Jurgens and Adam Clarke had the opportunity to be interviewed by the Michigan Business Network as a lead up to the 2022 Michigan Celebrates Small Business Gala Celebration, May 3, 2022. Michigan Celebrates Small Business (MCSB) is a non-profit organization that is composed of statewide founding organizations that provides small businesses with resources to help their company grow. Since 2005, MCSB has celebrated and honored the impact small businesses have on our communities and state — and continues to make small businesses their priority by supporting, connecting, and celebrating small businesses in Michigan.
Jeffrey Moser of MCSB spoke with several winning companies from this year’s nominations, including 1 Bold Step. Listen to the podcast below or keep scrolling to read more about 1 Bold Step and how we ended up as the company we are today.
Podcast Recap
The Beginning of 1 Bold Step
Adam Clarke’s history was initially focused on software sales before eventually transitioning into various marketing roles. He and Jen worked together on several projects throughout the years, including some volunteering opportunities. The catalyst for their bond was the first TEDxGrandRapids event, where they were both volunteers and on the founding board. Jen originally started 1 Bold Step a few years ago and then put it on the shelf so she could go to work for Susan G. Komen of West Michigan. Six years later, she went back to 1 Bold Step, dusted it off, and began to focus on it full time.
In 2019, Adam joined Jen at 1 Bold Step. Together, Jen and Adam learned that it really takes sales and marketing alignment to grow a company, as well as an operational approach to marketing. They discovered that it’s all about people — how do you engage people the right way and fit them into the right roles for success?
What it Takes to be Nominated
MCSB receives over 550 nominations for the Michigan 50 Companies to Watch award each year. Companies nominated for the award must be “second stage,” which according to MCSB is defined as having six to 99 full-time equivalent employees and generate $750,000 to $50 million in annual revenue (or working capital from investors or grants). Companies must also be privately-held and headquartered in Michigan.
Why is this so meaningful?
Receiving this recognition is validation for the work 1 Bold Step does. We are behind the scenes helping other organizations grow, and now we’ve received a huge recognition for it. It is validation that we're taking the right path and helping clients, which in turn, helps us.
What’s Next?
1 Bold Step has seen a huge shift in how companies approach their marketing efforts. By using our “lean transformation of marketing” model, we can provide clients with a marketing strategy that can pivot and respond to trends, along with ongoing execution and reporting. We help companies rethink how they approach their sales and marketing efforts to see real results.
The team will travel to Lansing, Michigan together to attend theMichigan Celebrates Small Business Gala Celebration on May 3, 2022, which includes an awards ceremony. Be on the lookout for photos and social media posts for an inside look at what we get up to!
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