History
Meet the Owner
Experience and Client References

Since START Marketing’s inception in 1996, we have truly served business of all shapes and sizes. At the beginning, START Marketing didn’t have structured services - and simply would serve clients what they asked for. Did they want Market Research? Advertising? Brochures? By dealing with our first small business clients, we came to realize that none of these things alone would have a real impact on a client’s business. No glossy brochure would save a poor salesperson. No well-meaning advertisement could overcome a poor receptionist. It only took a few clients to realize that we needed to ensure that strategic planning was a part of the process. So before long we stopped just giving clients what they wanted, and started figuring out what they needed!

Over the years, more and more services have been added to our fold. In 1997 we developed a custom sales training process that could be tailored for each and every client. We were among the first marketing firms to add web site development to our services, and we now also offer proven internet marketing services to ensure our clients achieve excellent search engine rankings. The more diverse our marketing services become, the more impact we have been able to make on our clients, helping them to achieve real, lasting revenue growth. As a result we have grown too, adding new talent, changing offices, and are now settled into the historic Inglewood area, just a 5 minute walk from the downtown core in Calgary.

The more years go by, the more we realize that marketing is a tool to define and steer a company toward a vision, not just a tool to balloon a company’s size, which can in some cases cause more problems. Although we want our clients to grow to some degree, a lot of clients want “happier” businesses, not necessarily huge businesses. Actively marketing a company is a powerful way to achieve this – allowing a company more choice over the rates it charges, the customers it serves, and the products or services it offers.

Our Philosophy

Here are some key points to ponder about the way we think:

1. We get to know your business in depth, so that we can market your strengths truthfully. A lot of our clients discover great things about their businesses even they couldn’t see, and this helps them focus on their strengths, get better customers, and improve their margins as never before.
2. Don’t be afraid to call regardless of the budget you have to work with, or the size of your business. We’ll certainly chat with you over the phone, and we have very affordable initial consultations. We look for clients with honesty, energy, autonomy, determination and good potential – and when these things are in place, we can all do well.
3. We want you to get the best bang for the buck. Perhaps with a web site, you don’t need brochures. Maybe a part-time salesperson is better than an agent. We’ll be watching, listening and advising you to only spend where we’re totally convinced it’s going to help your bottom line.
4. We’re direct and honest. Is your company name confusing? Does your salesperson need a revamped wardrobe? Does your parking lot need a real clean up? You’ll get our true opinions, gently, but clearly. (And yes we do welcome the same back from our clients!)
5. We help the good guys (and gals) win! There are certain clients we don’t deal with….in the beginning, we really use our instincts to guess whether a client is honest or not, and whether their service makes the world a better place, or a worse one. We are not lawyers, and we have no obligation to deal with everyone who calls us. Treat us nicely and you’ll get not only our services for hire, but our sincere buy-in, a powerful ally continually driving you toward your goals, and a real shot at fame and/or fortune. ;)
6. Is rapid growth what we’re all out for? No…but we do want you to aim for being the best at what your business does, and at least moderate growth. If you don’t want to grow and improve, you should probably go see an accountant who will find ways of trimming your costs. Our clients know that if you’re not moving forward, you’re probably moving backward!
7. Trust is extremely important. Read every page of our web site, listen to all our free columns, call us, and ask us every question you need to….so that by the time you engage our services, you are certain you have hired a great, honest and competent firm, and will therefore give us your trust. If trust is there, there is nothing we can’t help you accomplish!