At Moxie Creative, we believe you can’t build a bold brand if you’re not also building up the community around it. For us, Central Minnesota isn’t just where we work — it’s where we live, raise our families, and cheer on other local business leaders.
That’s why in this episode of Behind the Brand, we sat down to talk about what it really means to be part of a community — not just a business in one. We explored the value of showing up, giving back, and using your skills to support causes you care about. And as we unpacked our own stories, one thing became clear: community involvement isn’t a side project at Moxie. It’s part of who we are.
You Can’t Build a Brand in a Vacuum
When Moxie first launched, we leaned heavily on our community to help us move forward. As Taylor puts it in the episode, “If you’re going to ask your community to support you, you better be ready to show up and support them back.”
Central Minnesota is unique in that way — small businesses here show up for one another. That willingness to embrace and encourage new ventures created a foundation for Moxie’s growth, and it’s a principle any business can apply.
If you want your brand to be seen as credible and trustworthy, you need more than just marketing. You need genuine connections with the people around you — the kind you can only build by showing up and contributing to something beyond your bottom line.
Community Involvement Doesn’t Always Mean Money
One of the most common misconceptions about community involvement is that you need a large budget to make a difference. Sure, sponsorships and donations are valuable, but as Kelly, Moxie’s co-founder, points out, “You don’t need money to get involved. Your time, your talent, your presence — anything you can give of yourself — is enough.”
For Moxie, giving back often means donating services, design expertise, and marketing support to nonprofits and community events. Mo, our senior designer, has spent years creating pro bono work for causes close to her heart — from Alzheimer’s awareness events to the local BMX community.
This kind of contribution not only helps organizations stretch their budgets further, but it also builds trust and goodwill. And as we’ve learned, what goes around often comes around — sometimes in the form of new clients, sometimes in the form of lifelong partnerships.
The YMCA Promenade: A Case Study in Community Impact
If there’s one event that captures our community-first mindset, it’s the YMCA Promenade.
Kelly first got involved in nonprofit galas more than 15 years ago, helping struggling events grow into vibrant fundraisers through better marketing and memorable experiences. When the opportunity to work on the YMCA Promenade came along, she didn’t just sign Moxie up to handle marketing — she volunteered to help with décor, theme planning, and event coordination.
The result is a collaboration that runs nearly year-round. From brainstorming themes like “Celestial Dreams” to this year’s “Nashville Music City,” the Moxie team works together to create an experience that’s visually stunning, emotionally engaging, and wildly successful at raising funds for the YMCA.
For business owners listening to this episode, the takeaway isn’t that you need to run a gala. It’s that when you fully invest in a project you care about — using your expertise to make it the best it can be — you can help transform an organization’s results. And when your community sees your dedication, it strengthens your brand’s reputation in ways no paid ad ever could.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Community involvement also means investing in people. For Mo, that has included mentoring interns and teaching as an adjunct professor at St. Cloud State University. Many of her former interns have gone on to full-time design roles — including one of Moxie’s current designers.
By sharing her time and knowledge, Mo is not just shaping future professionals; she’s also strengthening the creative community as a whole. For business owners, this is a reminder that giving back isn’t limited to nonprofits — mentoring, training, and supporting emerging talent in your field is just as valuable.
Why It Matters for Business Owners
If you’re wondering whether all this community involvement really moves the needle for your business, the answer is yes — but not always in ways you can immediately measure.
Here’s what we’ve seen firsthand:
- Stronger relationships. The more you interact with people outside of a sales context, the more trust you build.
- Better market insight. Being involved means you understand your community’s needs and preferences, which makes your marketing more effective.
- Increased visibility. When your work is part of a public project or event, people see your brand in action.
- Reciprocity. The organizations and individuals you help often become your biggest advocates.
Community involvement is long-game brand building. It’s about planting seeds now that may grow into opportunities later.
How to Start Showing Up for Your Community
If you’re a small business owner inspired by this conversation, you might be wondering where to begin. From our own experiences, here are a few simple starting points:
- Join a committee or board for an organization you care about.
- Volunteer your skills — design, marketing, event planning, photography, or whatever you do best.
- Show up at local events not as a vendor, but as a supporter.
- Collaborate with like-minded businesses to maximize your impact.
- Start small — you don’t need to overhaul your schedule or budget to make a difference.
The key is consistency. Community trust is built over time, not in a single appearance.
Key Takeaways from Our Conversation
- Strong brands grow through genuine community relationships
- Giving your time and skills can be as valuable as money
- Support causes you truly care about for lasting credibility
- Pro bono work can lead to new clients and partnerships
- Signature events boost visibility and goodwill
- Mentoring talent strengthens your industry
- Staying involved keeps you informed and connected
- Collaborations amplify your impact
- Trust is built through consistent action over time
- When you show up for your community, it shows up for you
Tune In and Get Inspired
As the Moxie team shared in the episode, community involvement doesn’t have to be loud or flashy. Sometimes it’s just saying yes — yes to lending a hand, yes to creating something beautiful for a cause, yes to mentoring someone who’s just starting out.
For Moxie Creative, being part of the Central Minnesota business community has shaped our success from day one. And we’re proud to keep showing up for the people who show up for us.
Whether you’re running a brand-new startup or leading a well-established company, your community is one of your greatest assets. Invest in it, and you’ll not only strengthen your brand — you’ll help build something bigger than yourself.
