Creating a diverse team can really help businesses stand out by bringing unique perspectives into their work. This strategy has significantly contributed to the success of Tilted Chair, a standout branding and marketing agency. Let’s dive into their journey in this week’s Small Business Spotlight.
What the Business Does:
Tilted Chair offers top-notch advertising and marketing services. According to co-founder Jamie Rodriguez, “We’re one of the leading branding, advertising, and marketing agencies in Austin and beyond. We’ve had the pleasure of working with big names like Red Bull, Amazon, Pearl Brewery, and Pete For America’s presidential campaign.”
Business Niche:
The agency thrives by blending creativity and diversity. Rodriguez explains, “All three of our partners are minorities, which happened organically rather than by design. Now, we proudly consider Tilted Chair one of the most diverse and creatively endowed agencies out there.”
How the Business Got Started:
The agency was founded by three hardworking partners. Rodriguez shares, “We all juggled college jobs while getting the agency off the ground from our living rooms. Our journey is quite similar to Kyle McDonald’s story of trading a paperclip for a house. Our ‘paperclip’ was a $225 brochure job for a local home inspector. Today, we work with top brands and beloved local businesses. We might not own a house yet, but we’re getting close.”
Biggest Win:
One of their proudest achievements was designing the website for Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign in 2019. Rodriguez recounts, “The DNC frequently posts marketing opportunities, and we applied to brand Mayor Pete’s campaign. While we weren’t chosen for that, we were selected to build the website. In less than 45 days, we built a leading presidential campaign website that millions of Americans used and viewed.”
Biggest Risk:
In the summer of 2010, the team took a big gamble to land an anti-littering video campaign for the city of Austin. Despite not having any of the required experience, they decided to go the extra mile. Rodriguez shares, “Instead of submitting our concept through printed documentation like everyone else, we took a weekend to shoot our concept on a Canon 5D in full 1080p HD. This unorthodox approach paid off, and we were selected for the video shoot. Had it not worked out, Tilted Chair might have folded, and I might have ended up working at a bank. But the contract gave us confidence and some capital to keep going. And keep going, we did!”
Lesson Learned:
Working closely with clients has been a crucial lesson for Rodriguez. He says, “I should have learned to collaborate better, earlier. Our best client engagements happen when we operate as a true extension of their team, interacting closely and frequently. This lesson, perhaps gained only through experience, is the most valuable one I’ve learned while running this business.”
Company Mascot:
Tilted Chair’s mascot is a moose named Darrell. Rodriguez explains, “Our third and most long-term office had a big moose head, which we named Darrell. We illustrated him and incorporated him into our brand’s graphic design, making him our unofficial mascot.”
Favorite Quote:
Rodriguez’s favorite quote is, “When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe, then you will be successful,” by Eric “ET the Hip Hop Preacher” Thomas.
