Entrepreneur of the Month: Twang, LLC

The Chamber is pleased to recognize Twang, LLC as Entrepreneur of the Month. 

Kata Bates and Brittany Turner teamed up to create Twang, LLC, a full service marketing company  bringing together more than 26 years of combined experience in strategy, design and marketing.

Twang offers customers expertise in brand strategy, marketing, identity, design, social media, publication design and content, and public relations.

 “We are proud that we have built a successful branding and marketing business in a challenging economy thanks to a tremendous amount of hard work, as well as support we have received from the community including the Asheville Chamber of Commerce, our clients, strategic partners, vendors and, of course, our families and friends, ” Bates said.

Twang has experienced phenomenal growth over the last few years, growing by almost 200% from 2010 to 2011 and has received accolades including  a 2012 Silver ADDY for a Camp Highlander brochure and a Superior Communication Award for AdvantageWest’s 2010 Annual Report from the Southern Economic Development Council.  

“It has been remarkable to watch Twang grow over the past year but not surprising,” said Pam Lewis, the Chamber’s Director of Entrepreneurship.  “Twang exhibits excellence in everything they do, and through their work they've been able to transform the brand and image of clients further helping them to grow and be successful.  When we speak of the creative class in Asheville - Twang is on the list.”

From left: Chamber Board Chair LaVoy Spooner, Kata Bates, Brittany Turner, Carol Rovello (Chamber Vice Chair of Small Business and Entrepreneurship)

Bates said, ““We pride ourselves on delivering smart ideas, sophisticated design and exceptional client service without ‘big’ costs typically associated with marketing firms. We are proud that our work has helped more than 30 businesses and organizations in North Carolina build positive brand awareness and grow over the last two years.” 

Local clients include Just Ducky Originals, AdvantageWest, Colton Groome & Company, Beverly-Hanks & Associates, Yesterday's Tree Home Furnishings and many more.

“We are grateful to live in a community that truly supports creative businesses. We couldn't succeed without the support of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce, Asheville-Buncombe Economic Development Coalition, all of our amazing clients, vendors and partners!” 

“Entrepreneurship to Twang means we get to do what we love -- creating powerful brand messages that help businesses, companies and organizations get the responses they want -- while contributing to the economic success of our region. It means thinking strategically and acting creatively, so we can provide the best branding and marketing services to clients in all types of industries from healthcare to economic development to financial solutions to nonprofit organizations, so we can continue to make our city and North Carolina an amazing place to live, work, experience and enjoy. Entrepreneurship means anything is possible!”

Entrepreneur of the Month: Eagles Nest Outfitters

The Chamber is pleased to recognize Entrepreneur of the Month Eagles Nest Outfitters, designers and manufacturers of breathable nylon hammocks, rain flies and bug nets that are a breeze to pack, carry and set up.

 

Motivated by a desire to escape the traditional workplace, brothers Peter and Paul Pinholster launched Eagles Nest Outfitters (ENO) in 1999 sewing hammocks out of their sister’s garage and selling their products at festivals across the east coast.

After years on the road, the pair settled in Asheville, a community that is open to business while fitting well with the Pinholsters’ penchant for a laid-back lifestyle. 

“We love surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals as it keeps us inspired to keep innovating (eno-vating) and it also keeps us grounded at the same time.” 

From these humble beginnings, ENO has grown into a thriving business selling in major outdoor retailers.

“Moving from 2500 sq ft to 18,000 square feet was a huge milestone in our company’s history. We have 15 full time employees and 5 part timers occupying a new building on Buxton. We work with 8 rep agencies throughout the country.”

Throughout, ENO has remained committed to its mission to help, inspire and motivate people to go outdoors and relax with the highest quality hammocks and accessories in the industry. The company fondly calls its loyal customers ENOpians.

“ENOpians are the folks that have gotten us to where we are today.  They are the users that have spread the word about ENO on a grassroots levels and truly enjoy the lifestyle that our products allow them to have.”

Chamber recognizes John Miles of integritive as Entrepreneur of the Month

The Chamber is pleased to recognize Entrepreneur of the Month John Miles of integritive for being a critical piece of building the entrepreneurial scene in Asheville.

“We have watched integritive continue to grow and thrive despite a difficult economy,” said Pam Lewis, the Chamber’s Director of Entrepreneurship. “We are proud to have John Miles firmly rooted in the Asheville community and helping build the bigger brand of creative talent in Asheville.” 

John launched integritive in 2001 as an Asheville firm specializing in integrated online strategies which includes web design and development, strategic planning, social media and e-marketing. Since then, the company has grown to 24 living wage certified jobs with local and global clients including The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa, Mission Health and the Asheville Regional Airport locally and, on a global scale, long-standing client blues legend Taj Mahal.

“Ten years ago, I wanted to start a different kind of company,” John said. “One that would not only provide a job for me and a few others, but a company that would create, and uphold, a values-driven culture able to deliver exceptional outcomes to our clients.  I'm particularly proud of the fact that we have surpassed those initial goals, employing over 24 effective, positive and collaborative individuals that have helped me co-create an incredibly happy work place for all.”

John has infused values into every aspect of the company, starting with the name: “‘Integritive’ comes from combining ‘integration’ (lots of services under one roof) with ‘integrity’ (an all-too-rare commodity in marketing).” But being a values-driven organization goes way beyond a name. 

With a company tagline of “how we do anything is how we do everything,” integritive is dedicated to sustainability (from solar web hosting and a green facility to staff commuting via alternative transportation) and has a strong commitment to service.

“We're committed to service not because it pays the bills. And not because you expect it. But simply because it's what we expect of ourselves.” 

“Everyone at integritive has an entrepreneur mindset,” John said. “We are all responsible for innovative solutions to client riddles.  Everyone understands that if we find solutions for our clients, we are helping them grow and in return, so do we.”  

That inclusive approach earned integritive recent recognition on the WorldBlu List of Most Democratic Workplaces alongside companies such as Groupon, Zappos.com and hulu. The WorldBlu List is a global list honoring organizations that operate according to ten principles of organizational democracy, such as transparency and accountability.

What’s next on the horizon? “It's all about adding value to the community and sustaining the mindful, purposeful growth we've identified as our path,” John said. “We've adopted a long term focus in our strategy that doesn't echo the 'fast growth' mindset so often found in tech or web companies. We're in it for the long haul and we're on track to grow in the strategy, web design and development, social media/online PR, and mobile spaces.”