Dave and Emma wanted to be recognised as independent agency leaders in their own right.

In our latest case study, we dive deep into the intertwined professional ambitions of Emma and David, co-founders eager to define their individualities. Both aim to transcend the perception of being half of a husband-and-wife team, aspiring instead to be recognised individually.

Dave and Emma reached out to Founder Story for help. As they venture forth, each seeks to firmly establish themselves as go-to experts in the realm of digital marketing. Central to their journey is the pursuit of a clear voice, which enables them to eloquently articulate their identity, expertise, and the driving passion behind their endeavours.

As a successful agency owner at Big Bear Creative, I had lost a little bit of my 'why' I do what I do, and I was having difficulty articulating my story as an agency founder.

Rajen is someone I know and trust, and I knew that with his creative agency experience, he'd be able to help me untangle what I was trying to express.

Dave Sheppard

Personal Stories

Emma

Growing up, the notion of business leadership seemed distant to a young woman with a passion for branding. Yet, as she embraced her unique qualities, she founded Big Bear Creative from her kitchen table, juggling motherhood and ambition. With her husband Dave's expertise, the business flourished. Today, as a mentor and business advisor, she challenges traditional leadership moulds, advocating for authenticity and empowering the next generation in the digital marketing realm.

Dave

Determined and undeterred by the conventional academic route, Dave's passion for marketing propelled him from junior roles to collaborating with top-tier brands. Yet, longing for work-life balance and a more authentic approach to marketing, he teamed up with his wife, Emma, to launch Big Bear Creative. Dave's vision for the agency was clear: straightforward, high-quality digital marketing. Today, he leads a skilled team, emphasizing innovation and resilience, ready to tackle any marketing challenge.

Rajen put me at ease from start to finish, and in addition to capturing my story and assisting me in telling it, he also took some authentic story-led portraits that really captured where I was at that moment.

I appreciate how he took all of the material, rants, and backstory and turned it into a story that was uniquely mine. He did something for me that I could never do for myself.

Dave Sheppard

Brand & Lifestyle photography

We set about making images that convey both Emma and Dave's individual stories and also start to position them beyond the husband-wife team they're known for. We were inspired by the industry magazine editorials that you see in Campaign Magazine. We took this as a starting point to plan our photoshoot. We had a great time adapting to the environment of their office and team. The results speak for themselves and are being used on their website, LinkedIn profiles, and social media.