8 minute read
GROWING SOMETHING GOOD Fruitful Design & Strategy Shares Unique Stories
FRUITFUL DESIGN CEO WILL LINGER, PRINCIPAL BEN LEUDERS, AND PRINCIPAL RAJ LULLA
Growing Something Good
FRUITFUL DESIGN & STRATEGY SHARES UNIQUE STORIES
Fruitful Design & Strategy is helping clients tell their unique
story. The design and strategy company specializes in branding, website development, and messaging for customers in Nebraska and beyond.
The Roots
Founded by Ben Lueders, the company first opened its doors in early 2013 in downtown Benson. It started as a graphic design agency, but the team quickly grew to specialize in messaging, video, and marketing services for its clients. In 2017, Lueders joined forces with Raj Lulla, a friend and client of Lueders.
Today, they have grown the company from a five-figure business to a seven-figure business that has eight full-time employees.
“Fruitful is a unique combination of design and strategy,” Lueders said. “Our clients choose us because we help them communicate complicated ideas in a simple way. Whether it’s revolutionizing agriculture using blockchain technology or rebooting a 75-year-old data company, we help them connect with the people they’re trying to reach.”
The Next Level
Fruitful Design & Strategy is one of 30 StoryBrand Certified Agencies in the world. StoryBrand uses a patented seven-part framework that helps clients connect with their audience in a meaningful way. Lulla became a certified StoryBrand guide in 2019 and after seeing significant success with it, they decided to certify the entire agency in 2020. This required Fruitful to make a sizable financial investment and included a two-day training session with the entire team. Now that it is certified, the company can hold StoryBrand workshops of its own, helping clients come up with a ‘BrandScript’ that is tailored to their businesses. This gives each client the tools and roadmap that they need to best communicate their brand to their designated audience.
BY BROOKE STRICKLAND | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA SEMPEK | PHOTOGRAPHY BY MONICA SEMPEK
- WILL LINGER, CEO, FRUITFUL
Reaching Goals
Will Linger, CEO at Fruitful, said as the company has grown, the team has had to learn how to adapt to the various changes that continue to happen in the digital marketing industry.
“I’ve seen the design and marketing industry landscape change quite a bit,” he said. “Since the early 2000s until now, the internet has gone from being considered a ‘fad’ to a marketing powerhouse that markets everything from tires to lipstick.
“That’s where the attention is these days, and as we help our customers reach their audience, we need to be especially savvy when it comes to web, mobile and growth marketing optimization. It’s more than creating beautiful pictures and clear words – it’s strategically deploying those words and pictures in a way that’s contextually relevant to the platform, to drive real organizational results for our customers.”
But, no matter what, Fruitful Design & Strategy is dedicated to setting goals and reaching them. The company uses a goal system developed by Danny Groves called ‘Objectives and Key Results.’ In that process the leadership team works towards company-wide strategic objectives. Employees pick four or five main objectives that they want to help with, then they focus on those for six-month intervals. This aims to give the team greater clarity on what is most important and allows for celebration when they know they have improved the business. This process helps the team forge a stronger bond, which in turn, helps them to better transform each client’s business that they work with.
Future Growth
In November 2021, Fruitful Design & Strategy moved into a bigger downtown office, which was the former office of Omaha startup Flywheel. The move has allowed it to host more clients and gatherings. It is currently completing some minor renovations to optimize the space for the team’s needs. They are also looking forward to continuing to hire and retain local people to work in the new space, and aim to keep talented people in the local area.
Looking ahead, Lueders noted that the company’s focus will continue to be on the design and strategy portion of their service offerings. However, they are working on growing two other areas: product management and expanded digital marketing.
MBJ
402-915-1116 • 1703 HARNEY STREET, #200, OMAHA 68102 EMAIL: HELLO@FRUUITFUL.DESIGN
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Brian Hadfield, Shareholder
Brandon Rich, Shareholder
Steph Guy, Principal Frank Scalise, Project Manager
Scott Sanders, Associate Principal Craig Johnson, Project Manager
Aaron Wascher, Project Manager
Alvine and Associates is excited to announce the promotions and leadership advancements of seven significant contributors to the success of the firm.
An Omaha-based engineering firm, Alvine and Associates has offices and locations in Lincoln, Nebraska; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Des Moines, Iowa; Kansas City, Missouri; and Denver, Colorado. Beginning as a mechanical, electrical, and plumbing engineering firm over 60 years ago, it now provides full-service engineering services through two divisions: Alvine Engineering and IP Design Group. While continuing its commitment to the Midwest region, the firm has expanded to work in nearly every state of the United States, as well as areas in Canada and Mexico.
Developing strong leaders in the engineering industry has been a focus throughout the course of Alvine and Associates’ history. Previously a family-owned business, the company has taken an important step in transitioning its business to the first non-family engineering shareholders in its history. We are proud to announce Brian Hadfield and Brandon Rich as shareholders of the firm. Brian and Brandon have demonstrated engineering excellence at the highest levels over the course of their careers. They have also proven leadership in the development of staff, maintaining and growing the firm’s client base, and embracing and continuing the company’s core values and rich traditions.
Alvine and Associates continues to develop a high-performing team of leaders that set the standard for engineering excellence. In addition to Brian and Brandon, new leaders also include Steph Guy as principal; Scott Sanders as associate principal; and Craig Johnson, Frank Scalise, and Aaron Wascher as project managers.
Brian Hadfield P.E., Shareholder, Principal LEED AP, WELL AP Brian Hadfield has been working at Alvine and Associates since starting as an intern over 20 years ago. Since then, he has become a valuable leader, working on LEED and WELL certified buildings, as well as projects in some of the country’s biggest cities including Chicago and Nashville. Brian will continue his dedication to relationships, quality engineering, and innovation in his role as a shareholder. Brandon Rich P.E., Shareholder, Principal LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP, Fitwel Ambassador Brandon Rich has been an employee with Alvine and Associates since 2007. His experience includes leading many projects of varying types and sizes. Brandon is a leader in the LEED, WELL, and Fitwel design and certification processes. His commitment to customer service, client relations, and engineering quality will continue to be a key focal point of his duties as principal and shareholder.
Steph Guy P.E., LEED AP, Principal Steph Guy has been promoted to principal. This role will help her further explore what she loves most about her 17-year engineering career – the opportunity to impact others. From her community to some of the biggest cities in the country, Steph understands how buildings play a part in shaping education, relationships, and effect the environment. Scott Sanders P.E., Associate Principal Scott Sanders has been promoted to associate principal. Bringing 27 years of experience, Scott specializes in mechanical engineering and has since become a leader in Alvine and Associates’ Oklahoma City office. Scott draws on his experiences across a wide range of projects to mentor others and bring creative solutions to complex problems. Frank Scalise Project Manager Frank Scalise has been promoted to project manager. For him, new opportunities provide new challenges, leading to new solutions. His over 30-year career is rewarding because he can make a difference in people’s lives. By engineering systems to support manufacturing processes for products to combat COVID-19, Frank helped many people survive the virus.
Aaron Wascher P.E., Project Manager LEED AP BD+C, GGP, GPCP Aaron Wascher has been promoted to project manager. Throughout his 22-year career, Aaron’s primary goal has been to provide clients with a building they can be proud of, requiring flexibility to meet budget, timeline, and sustainability goals. He recognizes that every design decision has a long-term influence on energy usage and operating costs.
Alvine & Associates 402.346.7007 Omaha | Lincoln | Des Moines | Oklahoma City
Craig Johnson P.E., Project Manager Craig Johnson has been promoted to project manager. His 15 years of experience have taught him that one key to success in this industry is the ability to locate and partner with a team of subject matter experts to address design challenges in a timely manner. Craig takes every opportunity to gain experience with integrated project delivery methods to better prepare for these types of projects.
