Charlie Connell has gone from photographer/designer to advertising entrepreneur. And now he can add a new plaque to the wall of his Cary Street office: Richmond Ad Person of the Year.
A managing director of the local firm Punch, Connell was awarded the title by the Richmond Ad Club this month. Bizsense caught up with him find out how he built his business and what his plans are for growing the firm.
Richmond BizSense: What was your reaction when you found out about the award?
Charlie Connell: I never thought it was a possibility. Two employees decided to nominate me. I had no idea it was going on.
Everyone was excited. It was a huge morale booster for the shop. We’ve won design awards before, but this has been the biggest. It’s a big milestone in my career, but I was most excited for the opportunity to go there with my team.
RBS: What does the Ad Person of the Year award recognize?
CC: It’s to honor someone who has made an impact in the community and how you’ve inspired your employees.
RBS: How did you get your start?
CC: I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and came back to Richmond after I graduated. I was offered a job as a photographer, and I worked for a local printing company. In 1992, I started Briarpatch, which was strictly design-oriented.
RBS: When did you decide to form Punch?
CC: Things grew too much, and I couldn’t maintain the client base. Kelly Adams, a business partner, and I decided to merge our two companies. She had a design and printing shop and had designers that I wanted to serve my clients. We merged in 2004 and the company was called OIC | Briarpatch.
We decided to rebrand ourselves in 2005. We went through hundreds of names, and we decided on Punch because we were a young shop that had energy.
RBS: How has business been lately?
CC: We’ve done remarkably well. We do a good job of tailoring our design work to communicate the needs of our clients.
I’ve grown the company responsibly. One of the big things is to figure out where the industries are going.
RBS: Who are your clients, and how do you help them?
CC: Children Incorporated, Wellpoint and Richmond Sports Backers are a few. We also do a lot of nonprofit work: the Children’s Miracle Network, Connor’s Heroes, Art 180, Special Olympics of Virginia. That work allows our designers to be more creative.
RBS: What sets you apart from the other firms in the area?
CC: Our employees. We have 21 employees, 10 of them designers. Each of them has their own style and has a lot to offer.
RBS: What’s the smartest business decision you’ve made?
CC: I think not operating under the standard agency model: Gain a client, staff up; lose a client, staff down. We find work that’s right for our shop. Also creating an environment where designers can flourish and do great work — where everyone has a common goal of creating great design that works well for our clients.
RBS: What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business?
CC: Stick with it no matter how hard it gets. With Briarpatch, I went through my entire life savings, but you just have to keep plugging away and doing what you know.
RBS: What do you plan to do to remain successful in your industry?
CC: Adapt to the environment and hire great people. Everything else takes care of itself.
RBS: Are you happy with where you are now?
CC: I could never see myself doing anything else. My role changes as we grow, but I love this business.
Charlie Connell has gone from photographer/designer to advertising entrepreneur. And now he can add a new plaque to the wall of his Cary Street office: Richmond Ad Person of the Year.
A managing director of the local firm Punch, Connell was awarded the title by the Richmond Ad Club this month. Bizsense caught up with him find out how he built his business and what his plans are for growing the firm.
Richmond BizSense: What was your reaction when you found out about the award?
Charlie Connell: I never thought it was a possibility. Two employees decided to nominate me. I had no idea it was going on.
Everyone was excited. It was a huge morale booster for the shop. We’ve won design awards before, but this has been the biggest. It’s a big milestone in my career, but I was most excited for the opportunity to go there with my team.
RBS: What does the Ad Person of the Year award recognize?
CC: It’s to honor someone who has made an impact in the community and how you’ve inspired your employees.
RBS: How did you get your start?
CC: I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh and came back to Richmond after I graduated. I was offered a job as a photographer, and I worked for a local printing company. In 1992, I started Briarpatch, which was strictly design-oriented.
RBS: When did you decide to form Punch?
CC: Things grew too much, and I couldn’t maintain the client base. Kelly Adams, a business partner, and I decided to merge our two companies. She had a design and printing shop and had designers that I wanted to serve my clients. We merged in 2004 and the company was called OIC | Briarpatch.
We decided to rebrand ourselves in 2005. We went through hundreds of names, and we decided on Punch because we were a young shop that had energy.
RBS: How has business been lately?
CC: We’ve done remarkably well. We do a good job of tailoring our design work to communicate the needs of our clients.
I’ve grown the company responsibly. One of the big things is to figure out where the industries are going.
RBS: Who are your clients, and how do you help them?
CC: Children Incorporated, Wellpoint and Richmond Sports Backers are a few. We also do a lot of nonprofit work: the Children’s Miracle Network, Connor’s Heroes, Art 180, Special Olympics of Virginia. That work allows our designers to be more creative.
RBS: What sets you apart from the other firms in the area?
CC: Our employees. We have 21 employees, 10 of them designers. Each of them has their own style and has a lot to offer.
RBS: What’s the smartest business decision you’ve made?
CC: I think not operating under the standard agency model: Gain a client, staff up; lose a client, staff down. We find work that’s right for our shop. Also creating an environment where designers can flourish and do great work — where everyone has a common goal of creating great design that works well for our clients.
RBS: What advice would you give to someone looking to start a business?
CC: Stick with it no matter how hard it gets. With Briarpatch, I went through my entire life savings, but you just have to keep plugging away and doing what you know.
RBS: What do you plan to do to remain successful in your industry?
CC: Adapt to the environment and hire great people. Everything else takes care of itself.
RBS: Are you happy with where you are now?
CC: I could never see myself doing anything else. My role changes as we grow, but I love this business.