Today we’d like to introduce you to David Berger.
Hi David, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I grew up with two parents who owned and ran their businesses. I was going to college at the University of Minnesota, but I didn’t know what I wanted to do for a living, so after 2 years, I returned to St. Louis. After taking a year off from school and working 3 different jobs, my Mom offered me a position at her Medical Publishing company in customer service with her company so I could work and go back to college at the University of Missouri – STL. That job was just basics (answering phones, filing papers, stocking shelves), but it allowed me to return to school. Within about 2 weeks of working at the company, I realized I had a knack for technology. The employees kept having tech issues with the computers, and with no training, I was able to figure out how to fix those issues. So, I became a fallback tech support person and customer service.
Next, my Dad’s High Technology company needed a graphic designer to do marketing material for his business. He hired a lady for the position in 1989 who had been a designer for around 10 years. The first item she designed was a large multi-page brochure in full color. It looked great, but in 1989, designers still needed to prove their work or deal with printers. The brochure was printed at 2,500 copies with errors and typos. The next project she worked on needed 100 images scanned in for use in marketing. My Dad didn’t want to use the designer to scan in images, so he asked if I wanted to earn some extra money scanning them in, so I did. After I finished, I dropped off the 25 1.4″ floppy discs to this lady. Later that afternoon, I received a phone call from her asking how to import the images into the layout program. I had never used this program before, but after a few minutes of looking at it, I figured it out and told the designer how to do that. She spent the next 45 minutes to an hour asking me more questions about the program, and on the fly, I was figuring them out and telling her what to do. This got back to my Dad, who, 3 days later, fired her and offered me a position as a designer at his company (knowing full well that I would need some training). So, for the next year, I took classes on the programs, read books on them, did all the examples, and worked on design projects for my Dad.
After a year of this, I was starting to get pretty good, and my Mom took notice. She was using 3-4 freelance designers to market her business. She saw what I was designing for my Dad and asked if I wanted to freelance for her, so I did. About six months later, my Dad decided to sell that company and start another company that didn’t need marketing at the development stage. On the other hand, my mom needed an in-house designer, so she offered me the position. I worked for her for 1.5 years designing her first website in HTML, doing brochures, Catalogs, Ads, etc. At that point, I wanted to work on more creative projects. Medical Publishing is a very conservative field. I told my Mom I wanted to keep working for her, but as a freelancer, I could start my agency and take on other clients. After some negotiating, she agreed, and Envision By Design was started in 1993. From there, I walked through business strip mall areas and met with business owners to get business and referrals. That led to joining Chambers of Commerce and Networking groups. I now have a 30+ year-old business with employees who do print and digital marketing for companies. We tell the story behind the business so people can connect and want to use their products and services. We also help them stand out and get noticed. This is done by creating a consistent brand, strong messaging, quality design, and creativity.
We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Digital Marketing was absent when I started, so getting the word out was through meeting people. After the economy collapsed in 2008-2009, my clients withdrew from their marketing, and I received fewer referrals. That is when I joined my first Chamber of Commerce and began networking. I network in 4 different groups and occasionally attend other networking meetings and happy hours as a guest. This has allowed me to build an extensive referral network of people who understand what I do and tell others about my company. I also had to deal with the 2-3 years that COVID threw the world into disorder. With no one out, my print marketing would not be needed. So, within one year, I restructured my company from 60% print marketing and 40% digital marketing to 70% digital marketing and 30% print marketing. I also worked hard to help my clients find ways to survive COVIDand thrive during it.
Thanks for sharing that. You could tell us more about your business.
We are a marketing agency in St. Louis that collaborates with clients to bring their brands to life. We craft brand experiences that engage and inspire across platforms, empowering your brand’s voice to cut through the noise and reach the hearts of your audience. With over three decades in business, we have witnessed the industry’s evolution, growing alongside digital revolutions and navigating market upheavals. Through it all, we’ve focused on delivering value to our clients. We love what we do, and our longevity is a testament to our ability to adapt, innovate, and deliver results. Our clients benefit from our experience, enjoying personalized strategies that are proactive and grounded in effective marketing principles. In a marketplace where the digital realm often commands the most attention, our experience in both print and digital media sets us apart. With over 30 years in the business, we have honed our craft in the art of print, understanding its timeless impact while simultaneously growing alongside the digital revolution. This dual expertise allows us to offer comprehensive strategies that integrate print tangibility with digital agility. For our clients, this means a marketing approach that spans the full spectrum of media. With over 30 years of custom marketing solutions, we refuse to settle for the one-size-fits-all approach.
Instead, we dive deep into our clients’ brands, uncovering their core message, audience, and market to craft solutions that bring their brands to life. Our portfolio reflects our commitment and passion for delivering on our client’s vision. Our Mascot (Zagger) represents these values and messages. At Envision By Design, we thrive on the principles of partnership and collaboration. We believe the best results come from a blend of our client’s knowledge and our marketing experience. This collaborative approach allows us to discover opportunities, craft strategies precisely, and execute campaigns that resonate with target audiences. No matter how large or small the company, every client receives personal attention. Success is measured by experiences, not by rewards or our bottom line.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
Networking is about relationships, not business. Get to know people, let them get to know you, and make a connection, and they will want to use any products or services you offer. You need to build a relationship and trust before your business can grow. Finding a mentor should be about someone who has been through what you are going through and can help you find your way. You also have to be able to challenge each other. A mentor is a sounding board and advice, not to tell you how to run your company.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://envisionbydesign.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ebdcreative/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EnvisionByDesign
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/envisionbydesign/
