6 Companies Share How They’ve Built a Community Around Their Brand
Photo from Stock That Rocks
Community is an imperative part of business no matter what type of company you have! Whether your business is local, national, digital, or brick-and-mortar, building a strong community around your brand ensures you’ll get more out of your career than an income.
From establishing client loyalty to serving a greater purpose, community is a two-way street that’ll have you and your customers feeling more like friends than strangers. This bond allows your clients to feel a part of something bigger than business and gives them a reason to support you!
Community has played a significant role in our business ventures at Wela from the very beginning! From our initial three-day branding workshops to our new direction as a creative studio, the community has seen our company undergo transitions over the years.
Sustaining relationships and building camaraderie with the individuals and businesses around us keep us inspired to always do and be more!
So, in the spirit of community, we reached out to six companies to hear all about their focus on community and the important role it has played in growing their business. Give their responses a read below!
What role does community play in your company?
Leah and Matt Theodosis, Owners
Tremaine Ranch with The Ivy Event, Tremaine Events & Rowhouse 25
“It’s with the support of a strong community that we are able to explore new ventures. We find it’s important to nurture and bring more into the community that’s already here in Arizona. Having support from other companies and business owners allows us to continue to grow our passions and network in creative ways that are much more valuable than typical networking events.”
Gina Marie Davis, Co-Owner
Dog Threads, BBQ Shirt
“With each Dog Threads shirt sold, we donate a portion of the proceeds to a local nonprofit animal rescue to help give back in our community and help animals in need. Then, our customers, in return, share the love by posting their pup’s pics on Instagram wearing our shirts and tagging us in the photos.”
How did you go about building a community around your company?
Darryl Cuilla, President
“We reached out to the businesses and guests that live or work in our immediate circle. From there, when we felt we had connected as well as possible, we expanded out from and sought other communities we could attach to.”
Victoria Lindley, Owner
“I’ve always impressed on my employees that we’re in the “relationship building” business. Selling our products is the icing on the cake. Our customers have come to trust us to be honest, caring and helpful.”
What type of influence does the community have on your company?
Lauren Johnston, Co-Owner/Director of Sales
“We originally moved from Los Angeles to start our brick-and-mortar retail store in Arizona because of our immense love of the desert and the growing support of creative businesses like ours within the Phoenix community. We wanted to convey our pride for the desert within our products and store environment to better represent the great community of people in Arizona.”
Victoria Lindley, Owner
“When a customer has a great shopping experience and loves her purchases, that’s the best way to build our brand. We rely on our customers to share their experience with friends. I feel a genuine sense of responsibility to make Muse a brand that its neighbors can be proud of and excited to share with friends.”
Why is community incorporated into your company’s core values?
Leah and Matt Theodosis, Owners
Tremaine Ranch with The Ivy Event, Tremaine Events & Rowhouse 25
“The Ivy Event is excited to promote growing a stable and healthy creative community that is lush and grows rapidly when surrounded with like-minded individuals who are interested in building a community, establishing new relationships, and supporting local business.”
Mandy Lancia, Founder
“When starting The Glossary, I never wanted it to be about myself. I didn’t want to be at the forefront because I truly wanted the brand to be about supporting other creative women. Through valuing women-centered communities in everything that we do, it made it pretty easy to make community the sole focus of The Glossary.”
What tips do you have for someone who wants to build community around their brand?
Darryl Cuilla, President
“Give more than you get! Be unselfish in your methods and modes of connecting to your community, and you'll receive more than you ever thought possible.”
Lauren Johnston, Co-Owner/Director of Sales
“Building community around your brand requires you to be a part of the community. Don’t stay in an office confined to your day-to-day responsibilities. We wouldn’t be able to be an Arizona-centric brand without getting out and meeting other local business owners and proudly supporting their products.”
Mandy Lancia, Founder
“I found it extremely helpful to fully know the brand’s values and purpose before starting to build the community around it. I would also highly recommend to always be meeting people, sharing your story, and being open to collaboration.”
As you can see, community plays a role in all types of businesses…clothing, food, creative studios, you name it! We hope hearing from these six amazing companies inspired you to get your brand out and about in the community. We’re all in this thing called business together!
