An Inside Look at Our Latest Accolade
The Better Business Bureau® of Minnesota and North Dakota has named Moxie Creative the 2024 Spark Awards winner.
In September, our accounts team traveled to the Twin Cities to attend the Annual Meeting for the Better Business Bureau® of North Dakota and Minnesota. We’ve always been a proud partner of the BBB and support their organization, but there was another reason we were in attendance that day. Moxie Creative was a 2024 Spark Award Finalist, and we were just hours away from learning we’d won.
As we settled into the awards ceremony, surrounded by two hundred BBB supporters, we had no expectations. We were simply honored to be in the room as finalists. When it came time to announce the winners, we sat back patiently, ready to cheer on one of the many guests in the room with us.
As the announcer began reading about the winner’s company, we heard this:
“When asked about trust, this company wrote: Trust is a cornerstone of our business. We emphasize transparent and open communication from our first meeting to the final deliverable.”
It was at that moment that we knew we had won.
Shocked and humbled, we continued to listen for our name. And then it happened, “Moxie Creative.” With shaky hands and smiles plastered across our faces, we walked to the main stage and accepted our new hardware.
Of course, it’s not all about the awards, but when you work as passionately as we do, winning one of this stature means a lot.
Unlike the other awards we’ve put on our shelf, the Spark Award isn’t about the work we do; it’s about HOW we do it.
Launched in 2019, the BBB Spark Awards celebrate outstanding young entrepreneurs, business owners, startup founders, and distinguished new businesses (in operation for three years or less) who cultivate the Three C’s of Trust: Character, Culture, and Community.
Businesses who wish to be considered for a Spark Award are asked to submit answers to the following questions:
- How does the company display trust with their consumers?
- What core values does the company live by?
- How has the company proven to operate with high integrity?
- Provide examples of how you have built a trustworthy business.
The answers are then presented to a panel of business leaders for the organization’s character-driven operations, extraordinary workplace culture, and dedication to the community.
One of our core tenets at Moxie Creative is transparency, and to honor that, we would like to share our answers with you.
#1 How does the company display trust with their consumers?
Moxie Creative is a full-service marketing agency in Central Minnesota. When clients meet with us for the first time, we want them to walk away, trusting we are the best marketing partner for them. In our world, agencies can get a bad rap for not doing what they say they will. At Moxie, we never let this happen.
Trust is a cornerstone of our business. We emphasize transparent and open communication from our first meeting to the final deliverable. We set clear expectations of our process and timelines and schedule regular progress meetings as needed. These meetings allow our clients to be heard and feel well-informed about their projects.
Lastly, we don’t operate with hidden agendas. If we say we’re going to do something, we do it. The amount we quote is the amount our clients pay. We don’t believe in locking clients into monthly contracts if it’s not justifiable. Many clients come to us on tight budgets, and we respect their financial boundaries.
#2 What core values does the company live by?
At Moxie Creative, we live by the following core values:
Integrity: Integrity is at the heart of everything we do. We always do the right thing regardless of the project, client, or organization. We are honest, ethical, and fair in all our interactions and decisions.
Transparency: Within our agency, we uphold transparency in all aspects of business. From day one, we are open about our process, pricing, and progress, giving all clients full visibility into their projects.
Communication: To get the job done right, we value open, honest, and effective communication. We listen to our clients, understand their needs, and work hard to keep them informed every step of the way.
Collaboration: The best results come from working together. Internally, we foster a collaborative environment between our team members and carry that quality into our client relations. Our clients are partners in the creative process, and their input is requested, valued, and seen in our work.
Innovation: In the ever-evolving world of marketing, it is vital we stay informed about industry trends and continuously seek new and creative solutions for our clients. Innovation drives our ability to deliver award-winning results continuously.
Humility: As creatives, it’s important to us that we approach our work with a sense of humility. We tell our clients no egos, just good work. We are open-minded, acknowledge our limitations, and foster an environment for personal growth.
#3 How has the company proven to operate with high integrity?
Our commitment to integrity is demonstrated daily through our actions and business practices. We have established an internal culture deemed positive by all team members and reflects well in the community. Our team has built a reputation for being an honest agency that is enjoyable to work with and values collaboration.
We actively seek feedback from our clients and use it to improve our processes. The openness to critique helps us grow and shows our clients that we value their opinions. At the end of the day, their satisfaction is what guides us to make decisions.
Embracing the quality of humility, we know we’ll make mistakes. When that happens, we take full responsibility, communicate transparently with the affected parties, and take the necessary steps to rectify the issue. By owning up to and learning from our errors, we reinforce our commitment to integrity and better client relationships.
#4 Provide examples of how you have built a trustworthy business.
We have built a trustworthy business through clear communication and exceptional work. We stand by what we have quoted and promised the customer and work until their expectations are well exceeded.
More often than not, we give the customer more than what was quoted. This means a particular service may not have been in their budget, but we do it anyway for a little value added—and because they really need it. We often help new businesses with tight budgets, so this act instills trust. When companies work with us, they know we’ll go the extra mile.
Within our industry, we see clients’ agency hop. While it’s rare for us, we will always embrace the situation positively if it does happen. Clients will never feel like they have been held hostage if they wish to move their business elsewhere or manage something themselves.
You might ask, “Why share these answers with the world? Isn’t winning proof enough that we operate ethically?”
Sure, it is. However, sharing these insights lets us speak directly to prospective clients on their terms. If you’re a business owner or marketing manager exploring agency options, wouldn’t you want to know how a team really operates behind the scenes? These answers offer a glimpse into what partnering with Moxie Creative truly means.
We’re honored to be recognized as a BBB Spark Award winner. This award highlights our team’s dedication to creating meaningful connections with our clients and giving back to our community. We’re committed to helping other small businesses thrive, and being acknowledged for our efforts fuels our excitement as we continue to make a positive impact in our industry.
If you find yourself in the market for marketing partners fiercely dedicated to your success and promise to always separate with integrity and no hidden agendas, you’ve come to the right place.
Ready to chat? Hit that Contact Us button, and let’s make some bold moves together!
