Campfire Collective founder on firm's niche and path to growth

When Shannon Briggs, the founder of the marketing firm Campfire Collective, first struck out on her own, she was frightened.

Now, some two years later, Briggs said the nerves never really go away.

"'The scary' takes different forms over time," Briggs said. "I'm definitely more confident in our abilities and in our team and in our structure. In the last few months, we've been able to get into a groove as a team. Things are more smooth sailing now."

Campfire Collective has expanded significantly in just two years — growing from six to 15 employees — while gathering a list of noteworthy clients.

In the early days, Briggs was the face of the business — the one who would meet with clients and build a strategy. She soon realized that this was untenable. Toward the end of last year, she understood she needed middle management, so she hired a marketing director, Kate Lollar, and a director of operations, Mackenzie Grannan.

At first, all her employees were freelancers. Today, she has four full-time staff members.

Campfire has worked with the Greater Memphis Chamber, Chuck Hutton Toyota, Boshi Botanicals, and ProTech Services Group. One niche they've drilled down on is community involvement.

"We are different in that we look at things from a community and a people perspective," Briggs said. "Our goal is to figure out what makes your community tick and how we can connect you with them."

One example of this is Chuck Hutton Toyota. She said their campaigns rarely mention cars or trucks. The emphasis has been put on the dealership's school supply drives and donation campaigns.

Briggs said most of their business comes by word of mouth. Campfire is all over social media and they started a podcast, "Just Bluffin,'" which highlights changemakers.

The podcast has been particularly illuminating, and it has underlined Campfire's larger mission.

"There are more advocates than there are naysayers [in Memphis]. It's just the naysayers are a lot louder. They're a louder minority than the people who are truly in it and doing the great work," Briggs said. "If there's a problem, then there's at least 20 people trying to solve it."

Read the full article about Campfire Collective and finding our niche at the Memphis Business Journal.