Let me know if this feels familiar to you. 

You’ve built a business you’re enthusiastic about from the ground up. You settled on an idea and you put yourself out there. You even DIYed your website – spending hours dragging, dropping, and resizing images until you were happy. 

And the truth is, it’s worked well enough for you! But now you’re feeling ready (and not just ready, but can’t sleep, can’t eat, over-the-moon excited) for a more professional brand that feels true to you, your values, and your goals. 

The question you have though is who will help you dream big, plan strategically, and achieve those goals? A small creative studio or a big creative agency?

Large agencies have access to a range of resources, team members, and skill sets but they may not take the time to understand your individual goals. On the other hand, small agencies specialize in connecting with entrepreneurs one-to-one but may have limited capacities. 

So which one is right for you? 

I know, I know. I hear you saying, ‘East & Eve, you ARE a small creative studio, aren’t you a little biased?’  Sure, small agencies have my heart. But our team here at East & Eve puts you above everything else, so we won’t ask you to trust us blindly. 

Instead, we’ll let you in on the (not-so-secret) secret of how a small agency can support your business goals. 

What’s the difference between a small creative studio vs. a big agency? 

Both big creative agencies and small creative studios can be full-service businesses offering everything from web design to photography to marketing support. The biggest difference is how they offer these services and the relationships they build with their clients. 

Big agencies consist of multiple team members, each with their own area of expertise. In contrast, small creative agencies usually have a close-knit team with a more-rounded skillset. For example, your brand strategist may also be your web designer and developer.

What are the benefits of working with a small creative studio over a big agency?  

Small Creative Studios Value Relationships and Collaboration

At a smaller studio, you’ll have opportunities to connect one-on-one with your branding strategist and designer. By developing a close relationship with clients, East & Eve creates a space where you’re comfortable expressing yourself, feel supported, and are involved with building your brand.

Personally speaking, hopping on calls and talking to business owners is my favourite part of the job!

Of course, the more intimate nature doesn’t mean you rely entirely on one person to work on your business. East & Eve collaborates with thoughtful experts to prioritize your needs and business goals.

Small Creative Studios Create Completely Custom Work

Even though we have our own design style at East & Eve, the variety of clients we work with means we constantly get to find new creative inspiration. This allows us to create custom designs tailored to fit you and your ideal client’s style, taste, and preference.

Of course, we aren’t pulling colours, fonts, and images out of thin air. Strategy comes first. With strategy in mind, we’ll create a digital experience for you that’s both beautiful AND functional. 

Not to mention we also give you the knowledge and tools to grow your business the way you want, when you want. Speaking of…have you downloaded our freebie 35 Blog Post Prompts To Connect Authentically yet?!

Small Creative Studios Understand Life Happens

As a smaller business, our East & Eve team knows that entrepreneurship often overlaps with your real life. Children need daycare, finances run tight, and calendars fill up…hopefully, with the occasional ski trip to the mountains. This is why we’re flexible in creating a timeline that works for you and a payment structure that fits your budget. We’re even up for late-night meetings after the little ones are asleep!

At East & Eve, we also understand that life pivots. You might never have had dreams of being an entrepreneur, yet here you are. Take it from me, an artist turned creative agency owner with a degree in psychology and gender studies, your ‘non-classical’ or ‘self-taught’ experience is your superpower. 

“After meeting Madeline for my Guided Growth session, I realized how unique her background was. As a photographer herself, and an all-around creative being, she understood all aspects of being a creative entrepreneur—from the challenges to the rewards. It was a huge stress relief to speak with someone who understood that running a business was a side-effect of creating art.” – Alex, Alex Batten Photos

Small Creative Studios Care About Your Business

We’re a small business just like you. We know how much goes on behind-the-scenes to truly support your clients (which we do!). So our systems aren’t set up for peak profitability. They’re set up for you. 

• We ditch jargon-filled lectures and replace them with real, authentic conversations about your business. 
• We create long-term, flexible payment plans with ZERO interest. 
• We don’t lock you into working with us forever with complicated contracts. 
• We maximize our time together by giving you the tools to succeed even without us. 
• We offer complimentary discovery sessions so that you feel confident we’re the right creative partner for you. 

Most of all, we help your do-good business bring even more goodness to the world. 

How to choose between a small creative studio vs. a big creative agency

When deciding between a big agency and a smaller studio, you’ll need to spend time digging up all the information you can about them – from their services to their values to their process. 

After that, if you’re getting a good vibe, book a free consultation with them to find out who you’re working with and how they approach your goals!

“Most brand and web design companies I was referred to had a very corporate look and feel, which is the complete opposite of what I was looking for. When I was referred to East & Eve it felt more “small business” in the best way – more warm and intimate. And met my expectations and then some!” – Lindsay, Lindsay J Ralph Photography

Finding the right agency fit for your business is important for your mindset and growth, so don’t be afraid to take your time, ask questions, and explore. 

If a small, full-service creative studio feels aligned with your expectations and hopes, then we’d love to meet you in a complimentary (but no-pressure-to-book – we promise!!), 60-minute discovery session.

Fill out an application and we’ll chat soon!