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Logan Strategy Group, Logan Clements
What is your business and what was your motivation for starting it?
I started Logan Strategy Group back in October 2016, offering both marketing and event services. My last full-time job was at an event and marketing agency in Shanghai, China. I started my business because I was feeling burnt out at my full-time job and unsure exactly what I loved about my role. By working for myself, I could explore my different interests and find opportunities around large international sporting events, like the Olympic Games and World Cup. At the time, I was still living in Shanghai, China, and had the financial security of knowing that my first client would be my former employer, keeping me on for contract work with two of our largest international sports clients, the Pac-12 Conference and NFL China.
How is your business going and what does the future look like for your business?
Before March 2020, my main business was with clients hosting events in China and I’d started to get a few leads in the Seattle area. Since then, I shifted my business to online, virtual events, and as things have opened back up, I’ve been doing in-person and hybrid as well. Going virtual helped me to expand my client base beyond Seattle and outside of events related to China. I had my biggest revenue year in 2021, through a combination of virtual, hybrid, and in-person events and the future continues to show growth. I’ve found myself in an interesting niche where I understand the tech set-up for events and can speak the tech talk but also can translate that into a way that my event clients can understand, creating a stress-reducing environment. I’ve also built out a network of other event planners, producers, and streaming engineers that I work with on larger projects and refer work to each other.
When did you first reach out to SCORE and why?
I first reached out to SCORE when I started my business in 2016. I met with a few different mentors about how to open my company and how I should plan my company finances. Those meetings were really helpful in giving me the confidence that I was on the right path. When I moved to Seattle in March 2019, I was interested in having a mentor to help me as I transitioned to working in the U.S. and starting in a new market. After a few one-off meetings, in early 2020, I connected with April Matsui and learned that she does co-mentoring with Hal Brookins.
How long have you been working with your mentor?
I’ve been working with April and Hal since February 2020.
How has your mentor and SCORE helped you and your business?
April and Hal have been some of my biggest cheerleaders as I first started the Seattle branch of my business and when COVID brought all events to a halt. As I’ve built out my virtual event offerings and upped my marketing efforts through my YouTube channel, April and Hal have been there to help keep me on track and provide a different perspective. As a solopreneur, it’s very valuable to have trusted people in your corner to help you through tough situations.
How has SCORE helped you grow your business?
SCORE helped me when I first had the idea to start my own business and provided me with the foundation to start, from mentoring sessions to recorded webinars and blog posts. More recently, my SCORE mentors have helped me think long-term about my business and make sure that I’m spending time on my business, not just doing the work in my business.
Can you give us one or two short narratives about how your relationship with SCORE helped your business?
Ex: An important success, connection, revenue growth, etc. In the spring of 2020, April and Hal were very helpful in brainstorming ways that I could adjust my company offerings and reach more clients. I’d always liked the idea of creating videos for my clients, explaining different parts of the event management/production process so then I’d have links to send them when they asked questions. But I always had an excuse for why it wouldn’t work. April and Hal were so supportive and encouraged me to just try it. Hal would send me examples and remind me that everyone has to start somewhere. I launched my YouTube channel in June 2020, with the goal of consistently posting weekly videos on everything from Zoom to virtual event tips to stories about running my own business. Today, I’ve booked several events through clients who found me through my videos. Hal and April also brought me in to lead the virtual event production for the 2020 Washington State Small Business Fair where we produced over 25 hours of content for a one-day virtual conference. That opportunity has since led to several other virtual and in-person conferences and gave me the confidence to lead larger virtual production teams.
What would you tell others who want to start or grow their business about SCORE and its services?
SCORE is an amazing free resource for business owners and one of my first recommendations when I hear that something is looking to open or start a new business. I love the variety of resources available and the mentors are all so open and willing to help. It can feel lonely working for yourself or leading a company, but SCORE has your back and is there to support you along the way.
Mentors Quote
Logan Clements of Logan Strategy Group is a top-notch and sought-after event producer! Logan launched her company in 2016 with the vision to help clients produce stress-free, quality virtual and in-person events in the US and abroad. She has lived and worked in China, is fluent in Mandarin, and met a lifelong dream when she was hired to work volleyball events at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Japan! Logan has helped 100+ clients of all sizes from sports teams, to non-profits, government agencies, large fundraiser events, and family events. Additionally, Logan has been instrumental in the success of producing the Washington State Small Business Fair in 2021. Hal Brookins and I had the pleasure of meeting Logan in person at the Seattle office on 2/27/20, weeks before the shutdown. The shutdown and halt to all in-person events did not stop Logan. She went on to create an educational podcast, and YouTube videos and excelled at finding and producing online events to continue growing her company!
Hal Brookins - Currently retired and has been a certified volunteer business mentor with SCORE...
If you are pondering a business launch, I can help in the areas of business start-up and creating a...
