Entrepreneur Spotlight - Connect Marketing and Design - Jeff SanGeorge

Q. What is your 30 second elevator pitch?
A. At Connect we help small business owners plug in to their customers, whether through a logo, a website, a brochure or a marketing campaign. We help clients communicate effectively and “connect” to their target market, and we do it at an affordable price.

Q. Describe the planning leading up to your launch?
A. As a creative designer and marketer I have been freelancing since 1996, and  have always thought that if the timing was right I would like to work for myself full-time.
In 2008 I was laid-off from the marketing department of a real estate company and  immediately began looking for a “corporate job”.  I continued freelancing to earn extra income. As I was able to dedicate more time to helping clients, it became apparent that my vision of working for myself was closer than I thought. As I began to expand my network, I met many people who needed a website, an advertisement, or a logo.  Their needs, and my twelve years of design and marketing experience was the perfect opportunity for me to begin helping small business owners build their marketing materials; and do so at a price that would be more affordable than what they would pay at a typical marketing and advertising agency.

Q. What market need do you fill?
A. Every small business owner needs to do some type of marketing in order to thrive and grow. We at Connect Marketing and Design are able to fulfill this need by identifying the most appropriate and cost effective ways to market a company’s product or service and then implementing these solutions. As a small company we also are able to fill the need for client’s small projects with a quick turn-around and on a small budget.

Q. What is your and your team's background?
A. As owner of Connect Marketing and Design, my background is in advertising, marketing and graphic design. After college I began working for The Employment Guide, a national publishing company where I was promoted  to Regional Graphics Department Manager. There I  directed a team to publish seven free distribution papers weekly and served as in-house art department for those same seven offices. I also worked to market and brand The Employment Guide nationwide. My next role was as Triangle Regional Marketing Coordinator for the Allen Tate Company. In this role I created, designed and implemented multi-media advertising campaigns. Also I have been serving the needs of small business owners through freelance design since 1996. The other team members of Connect, who are called upon on a project basis, include web programmers, marketing and branding consultants, audio and video producers, search engine optimization experts and printers.

Q. How are you funded and what is your revenue model?
A. Connect Marketing and Design is self-funded. Our revenue model is simply based on payment in return for a service. Some jobs are billed hourly and some per project.

Q. What is the importance of being based in Raleigh?
A. The Triangle area is a growing vibrant area. The presence of large healthcare, pharmaceutical and technological companies has created a dynamic atmosphere for business. Also the culture of this area including the universities, and the arts, makes Raleigh a diverse and unique place to live and work.