Lauren McAllister & Simon Bank - Business Minds

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BUSINESS MINDS

tLAUREN MCALLISTER AND SIMON BANK

FROM WEBSTUDIO

THE POWER OF COLLABORATION Bringing a Vision to Life Using a Team of Local Creative Minds

When a customer approaches your business, looking for assistance that is outside your scope - what’s your next step? Is it to turn them away? Do you pass on the details of a person that is better positioned to help them?

Here at Webstudio, we believe there is another approach. In your business, when you recognise a client needs something more than you can deliver - choose to collaborate. By building connections with the right people to complete the project, you have the opportunity to grow your skill set and extend your business relationships.

It’s important to understand you can’t be everything to everyone. So it’s benefi cial to both you - and your customers - if you have a business plan that includes collaborative outsourcing.

Sceptical? That’s fair enough! Maybe this story will convert you. Earlier this year, we were approached by a new client needing a website. Jino & Twinkle had a clear idea - to create a range of unique, high-quality beach accessories, that complement the lifestyle we are lucky enough to enjoy here on the Mid North Coast.

But they weren't sure how to get there. And that’s where Webstudio came in.

We recognised the fi rst step for Jino & Twinkle was branding. After working with them to develop some concepts around the name and direction, Simon gave local branding expert Jeff Cowan, of CowanCreative, a call.

Taking the reins, Jeff helped create Beach Life Crescent Head (BLCH) - a brand concept that is youthful, full of energy - and anchored to its iconic location. It speaks to quality and it represents the idyllic beach lifestyle.

As the project continued to evolve, Jeff also worked with Jino & Twinkle on the design of the products, creating and refi ning the range to ensure the patterns, colours and materials were on brand.

By mid year, the products had been developed - and everyone on the team was blown away. It was time to bring the products to life. Our next phone call was to another creative local, Vanessa Lawrence, of The Style Vibe.

Vanessa amplifi ed the BLCH brand, by curating collections and styling them to resonate with our target audience. Vanessa assembled models, photographer, videographer and a make up artist, to capture stunning lifestyle and product imagery for the website and marketing.

The team managed to perfectly capture the essence of the brand, placing it amongst the beauty of our natural environment. The brand has been connected to its iconic location, associating the entire range as an essential component to a perfect day of surf, sun, and sand.

Vanessa’s role with BLCH has been extended and she has come on board as Brand Manager - building partnerships with stockists and infl uencers. We already have Inner Vision Surf n Skate on board here in Port Macquarie, Seven 2446 in Wauchope, and Coastal Folk in Crescent Head.

All in all, this project has already proved to be an incredible success - and this is only the beginning! It’s a credit to each and every person on the team. Between Jino & Twinkle’s enthusiasm and ideas, Jeff’s creativity and design genius, Vanessa’s ability to translate the vision into reality, Anna’s organisation skills and some web development mastery from Simon - it’s come together better than anyone could have envisaged.

The team worked seamlessly, with one goal - to ensure the successful launch of this exciting new local brand. We all operated a bit outside our lanes - and at times we were out of our depth! But that’s what’s great about a like minded, enthusiastic and committed team - we always found a solution.

And here’s the thing - this concept, the power of collaboration, can apply to so many different industries! If we open the door to opportunity and look to others to help us fi ll gaps in our expertise, truly amazing things can happen.

So as we head towards the end of 2021 and start contemplating the year ahead, have a think - what opportunities exist in your business, to collaborate and grow?

And if you’re keen to see what we created, check out beachlifecrescenthead.com.au