Today we’d like to introduce you to Kyle Strahl.
Kyle, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
After building a life in Atlanta, earning a degree in graphic design and getting years of industry experience under my belt, I started KEYLAY. I could describe it as, “a small dream went in a big direction.” I also moved to Atlanta two weeks after graduating high school to pursue a music career. Although I put out one album, my creative career way surpassed my musical vision. Though 15 years later, after moving to Atlanta, I am glad that it did.
I have earned the respect of my clients and peers in this industry with my skills as a creative director and graphic designer and passion for developing strategic master plans. With a little conversation and vision, I can quickly conceptualize a target market-specific design direction as I have done in the past for Sprint, Cbeyond, the Atlanta Ballet, Kennesaw State University and countless other partnerships. I have a passion for building client relationships and rich advertising campaigns that withstand the test of time. Some of our clients have been with us for nearly 10 years and that is the way we like it. We love to work with people who understand marketing and love what they do. If it’s anything design, you can count me in!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I think my initial start of the company was so smooth that I barely knew it happened. I started out as a freelancer (due to the economy crashing, I was laid off from a previous job) and clients gravitated towards me so quickly that I became a business out of thin air. Next year will be 10 years for KEYLAY and we nearly double our revenue each year. However, the struggle has come for me of knowing when to let go. We desperately need to expand into a bigger office space and we need to bring on a full time graphic designer/assistant to the team. However, it is one of the biggest and scariest moves that I have ever done and I would consider it to be one of the first really big hurdles that KEYLAY has had to overcome – stop multitasking and let people do good work for you. Yeah, we have had to deal with some difficult clients and people who don’t want to pay, but those elements will be there for any business that puts themselves in the public eye. Knowing that you do good work on a proven scale and that you want to offer those services on a larger scale to us is the bigger hurdle.
KEYLAY Design – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
KEYLAY is a full-service graphic design agency that specializes in big ideas for small businesses. Those ideas are produced by an expertly crafted team built on innovation, experience, reliability and passion for creative work. Together, we deliver an experience to our clients based on several principles…
Freedom To Be Visionary
You deserve access to new ideas. New approaches. New customers. Without abandoning the industry standards that form the foundation of the advertising world. KEYLAY understands your vision, and translates it into forward-thinking, engaging, revenue-producing content.
Unlimited Accessibility
We believe everyone has the right to their own exclusive touchpoint. That’s why with KEYLAY, you will have a main point of contact to guide you through the entire experience. There will always be someone available for your project needs. It’s not just a client for us—it’s a relationship.
Design For All
Along with KEYLAY’s innovative, industry-recognized team at your disposal, we offer access to an army of resources fit for any company or client of any size. While we pride ourselves on individual service, we can also be as small or as big as you need us to be.
Our Specialties
Graphic Design, Logo and Brand Development, Website & Mobile Application Design, Package & Label Design, Trade Show Booth Concepts and Large Format Graphics.
If you have a vision, we can design it.
We are definitely known for being the “brand guru.” A lot of clients are recommended to us because we are known for creating great brands for clients but also keeping clients within brand standards throughout our partnership.
What sets us apart and what I am most proud of is our level of personalization and customer service. For 10 years, I have personally reached out to every one of our clients on a daily or weekly basis and talk to them on the phone, or through email if preferred. I answer the phone and brainstorm with them or address their needs. That level of ongoing communication and partnership has been the defining factor for all of our clients. I often say that “you can be a great designer, but if the job doesn’t get done, your greatness is worthless to the client and their marketing objectives.” We think we are great designers, but we may not be the best. However, we are 100% going to get the job done for you if we commit to it.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I define success with the simple idea that people like us enough to keep our doors open on a consistent basis for 10 years. Just the ability to do what I love on my own terms seems like a success. The next success mile marker would be to keep the doors open and feel involved in the creative process but be less stressed by taking on too much. That is my next goal for success.
Contact Info:
- Address: 400 West Peachtree St. NW
Suite 1204, Atlanta, GA 30308 - Website: keylaydesign.com
- Phone: 404-496-4338
- Email: info@keylaydesign.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/keylaydesign/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/KEYLAYDesign
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keylaydesign/
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