Why Small Businesses Matter in Westport: The Visual Brand

Why Small Businesses Matter

Shop small, do big things for your community

Why Small Businesses Matter puts a spotlight on the local merchants who donate their time, talent, goods, and services for the betterment of our community. The shop local movement spreads virally as local businesses who are “tagged” have the opportunity to share their story.

You're IT The Visual Brand!

Three questions with Randy Herbertson, owner of The Visual Brand (TVB)

Why did you start your business?

I've lived in Westport for 20 years and always commuted to NYC.  When I sold a previous studio in Manhattan,  I decided it did not matter if we were located there, as our clients are everywhere.

So, we started anew in a cool, converted historic building right in downtown Westport. It's been great to find terrific talent and other resources close to home.

I started TVB (and my previous studio) to create a boutique but end-to-end marketing and innovation practice, from insights and brand strategy to full-service creative development.  Innovation is at our core (new products and services) which often utilizes all our practice areas.

What is your best selling product/service?

We are always working on at least a few innovations, from CPG products to renewable energy services. These often entail doing constituent insights to get started, what we call a "brand foundation" which builds the core positioning and communication strategy (which we also use for existing businesses and brands), and the creative expression, which takes the form of anything from product renders to video.

In addition to this work, we also do a lot of core creative work, from advertising to infographic/information design.  We also have an in-house photo and video studio and team, and frequently do studio and location work in this area. 

How many people do you employ? Any youth or seniors from the community?

Our team of sixteen is made up of strategists and copywriters, designers and producers.  We also have a very strong commitment to young talent development, so we have a very robust internship program geared to designers and general practice.  Almost all our interns today come from Connecticut schools or are from the area if they spend their summer break with us (our summer program is full-time.)  We work with local businesses whenever possible - from our wonderful print partner, GWay in Norwalk, to local stores and restaurants whenever we are prepping for a shoot or catering on set.

Click here to view some fairly recent photos of our space.  It is always a work in progress!

 The Visual Brand is located at 56 Church Lane in Westport. Visit them online here or email randy@thevisualbrand.com.

HamletHub thanks Fairfield County Bank for making our Why Small Businesses Matter series possible!