If you own a business but have no idea what design firm to choose from, look no further than Catalpha Advertising and Design in Towson.
“We?ve found a niche working with business-to-business clients who are looking to use an agency but hadn?t before,” said Karen Kerski, founder and principal of Catalpha.
Case in point? Cosmic Pet, a manufacturer of catnip and other cat products in Hagerstown.
“They had the same logo and look from the ?70s when the company was established,” Kerski said. “We met with them once and then came up with six options for revitalizing their logo. Within six months, he saw the impact of our design.”
Leon Siedman, founder and owner of Cosmic Pet, was thrilled with the results.
“They made my product line look like I needed it to look,” Siedman said. “It?s still hip and cool, yet at the same time, it?s professional. The customers love it, and I am absolutely ecstatic about it.”
Kerski founded Catalpha in 1986 after working for a recruitment advertising firm for eight years.
“The management had changed and wasn?t what I wanted anymore,” she said. “I thought I would find another job, but while I was searching, I started picking up clients freelancing. [Forming my own company] was just the way to go.”
Kerski?s partner and husband, Don Keller, joined her a year later.
“We work well together ? she works downstairs and I work upstairs,” he said with a laugh.
They slowly brought more employees in. Today, they employ seven and work with about 20 clients annually.
Kerski said the company is focused on expanding its marketing reach to other large companies in the area.
“We want to work with clients to increase their visibility and sales,” she said. “It?s great to have something that wins awards, but the first thing we have to do is get the client a return on their investment. We have to see a response.”
Catalpha Advertising and Design
6801 Loch Raven Blvd., Towson
410-337-0066; catalpha.com
