Creative Minds for a Creative City
Do you know the feeling of driving in your car with the windows down during the middle of July? It is the magic hour with the sun setting, temperature perfect, and the one & only song you know every word to comes on the radio. This is truly a pure and beautiful moment, and such a moment is captured rarely in life. It seems to be highly elusive and when the moment presents itself, you only hope to have enough battery life in your phone to record the moment forever, or at least until you can post it to Facebook. The folks over at Catapult Creative live for that moment daily and seem to always capture it.
Catapult Creative and I after they just WON the 2014 Dayton Business Journal's "Rookie Business of the Year" Award
Do you know the feeling of driving in your car with the windows down during the middle of July? It is the magic hour with the sun setting, temperature perfect, and the one & only song you know every word to comes on the radio. This is truly a pure and beautiful moment, and such a moment is captured rarely in life. It seems to be highly elusive and when the moment presents itself, you only hope to have enough battery life in your phone to record the moment forever, or at least until you can post it to Facebook. The folks over at Catapult Creative live for that moment daily and seem to always capture it.
Catapult Creative is a full-service creative agency that caters to a range of businesses from small to large. Catapult offers an array of strategic solutions for marketing, advertising, branding, web development, SEO, video, online services, graphic design, and more. The company’s scope is wide, but extremely focused on surpassing the desired results for their clients. Through their broad network of contractors they have also been able to successfully develop technology based products for clients that integrate seamlessly with their in-house services.
The agency started on January 1st, 2013, with 4 partners who possessed a diverse set of skills focusing on website development, video, graphic design and endless networking. About 4 months in, they joined forces with Pure Web Results, which allowed them to further expand their online marketing capabilities. Today they remain 4 partners (though one has replaced an original partner) and have added 2 full-time employees. These partners are:
- Matthew Sliver (CEO and Idea Services Manager) is the fearless leader of the group. There is a strong chance that if you have attended a recent networking event within the Dayton area you have seen him. Matt’s focus is providing exceptional quality service to all customers.
- Daniel Rizer (Creative Director and CFO) is the cosmetologist who makes all of this look beautiful. Having worked in the industry for 15 years, he is also the seasoned veteran at Catapult. An expert on branding, design and marketing solutions, he makes sure their work is always of great quality.
- Josh Boone (Strategist and CTO), formerly of Pure Web Results, puts all of the pieces together and helps Catapult see the bigger picture. He is an expert in online marketing, SEO services and website architecture. He is also the go-to guy when modern solutions to technical problems are needed.
- Max Spang (Video Production Manager) has a strong expertise in coordinating beautiful and narrative video productions that effectively convey their client’s viewpoint in a professional and unique manner. Max is the video department of Catapult.
I have had the privilege of getting to know the people at Catapult Creative over the past few months and have thoroughly enjoyed seeing them grow and become a company within the Dayton region that not only invests in its community, but helps change it for the better. Be sure to check out all their up-to-date information via Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram. If you are down on Ludlow Street look for the window with Batman standing in it, and be sure to stop in and say hello!
4.5 Reasons Why Dayton is my Birthday City of Choice
On this day, 28 years ago, I was able to start my life here in the Dayton area. Ever since then I have spent almost every birthday here in town. With that said, I thought it would be cool to share 4.5 reasons why Dayton is an amazing city in which to have your birthday!
This is how my office looked today when I arrived at work. I love my job and I love this City!
On this day, 28 years ago, I was able to start my life here in the Dayton area. Ever since then I have spent almost every birthday here in town. With that said, I thought it would be cool to share 4.5 reasons why Dayton is an amazing city in which to have your birthday!
1) Local Dayton Eateries
Do you know how many local Dayton restaurants we have in this city? This is not a rhetorical question; I really would like to know because I have lost count of how many amazing places there actually are. I have been blessed each year to try a new restaurant that has popped up and also to revisit some of my favorites (I am pretty fond of Coco’s Bistro mainly because that’s my nickname – “Coco”). In a matter of minutes you can have a slice of Flying Pizza, or try and bite off a piece of the “Monster Grilled Cheese” from The Dublin Pub. Either way, each year has always been a success!
2) Delicious Brews
This has been more recent. I really enjoy the Dayton Brewing scene. Let me rephrase by saying, I LOOOOOOOVE the Dayton Brewing scene. One of the best places I truly enjoy is Warped Wing. From the beers to the atmosphere it is truly an amazing experience, and it is just a short walk from Toxic Brew Company and the Fifth Street Brew Pub (of which I am proud to be a member). Not only do you taste delicious beer, but you are having an amazing time by supporting Dayton local companies.
3) Outdoors Anyone?
I love the fall and I love having a birthday in the fall even more. One of the main reasons is the ability to get out and hit up some of my favorite Five Rivers Metro Parks trails. In most years the color changes are absolutely breathtaking. Oh by the way, did I mention it’s a great form of exercise?
4) Local Flavor
The local flavor within the city is hands down top tier. You genuinely get to experience another person’s or company’s true passion. You get to feel all the emotions and sweat equity that they put into their business and support Dayton. Local and small businesses here in the city are something special and I encourage you to try and patron as many as possible.
4.5) Cost of Activities
You may have read in other articles about Dayton that the cost of living is amazing here in the city. That definitely goes towards the local flavor. In some cases there is no cost associated with the activity. Take for example the Dayton Art Institute or even the National Air Force Museum. Total entry fee $0.00! The Eateries, Delicious Brews and Outdoor Activities are also extremely reasonably priced.
Why Dayton? Why Not Dayton!
On May 22nd, 2014, I was honored to be named one of the Dayton Business Journal’s Forty under 40. I honestly could not believe that I was even thought about for this award. The class I was a part of had many significant community leaders and figures, and in my eyes I was at the bottom of the ranks.
Image taken from http://www.panoramio.com/photo/3024340
On May 22nd, 2014, I was honored to be named one of the Dayton Business Journal’s Forty under 40. I honestly could not believe that I was even thought about for this award. The class I was a part of had many significant community leaders and figures, and in my eyes I was at the bottom of the ranks.
During the evening there were comments, speeches, and of course awards given out to many individuals. One speech caught my ear and has changed my way of thinking ever since. A good friend of mine, Olivia Barrow, was asked to give her comments on Young Professionals and the Dayton Area and one of her comments has echoed in me ever since then.
She said, “When I first moved to Dayton from North Carolina, many people kept asking me why I moved to Dayton. This is completely the wrong attitude to have towards people coming to our city. We should be yelling out, ‘WELCOME TO DAYTON! We are so glad you are here; let me show you around to all that Dayton has to offer’.” Now, that may not have been verbatim what she said, but it was pretty darn close.
Ever since I heard Olivia say those comments, my entire thought process and thinking about Dayton has changed. I wish more Daytonians carried this idea with them. We need to welcome and embrace new residents and companies by saying “Welcome!” instead of “Why?” On what planet would we think starting off a positive, new relationship with a negative comment would ever be appropriate? Be proud of the city you are a part of. Show it off, talk it up, and speak out! Below are some twitter accounts I would suggest following for all your up to date Dayton information. Sadly these are only a few of the many accounts that speak highly of Dayton! This is only the tip of the Dayton Iceberg for information as well!