By: Samuel Akin, Marketing and Event Planning Intern
It has been seven months since I started at Evolution Marketing as a Marketing and Event Planning Intern. Throughout this experience, I have learned a lot about the responsible business community, its importance, and the impact it can have on businesses and their communities.
One of the biggest things I learned was about Certified B Corporations (B Corps™), B Local communities, and how businesses can become more socially and environmentally responsible. I also learned how partnerships between businesses and nonprofit organizations can make a difference, such as organizations working together to protect Lake Michigan and the Great Lakes.
One major project I worked on was updating the website for Midwest Advantage, a business that provides bookkeeping, HR consulting, insurance, tax accounting, and notary services.
This project gave me real-world experience with how much planning, communication, and attention to detail go into updating a website, as well as creating a plan with the client to accomplish the tasks. Before, I thought I could build websites quickly, in 1-2 weeks based on college projects. However, working with Midwest Advantage showed me that something that seems simple can take four to five months of meetings, revisions, and teamwork.
Working with Shawntell Taylor, CEO of Midwest Advantage, also helped me understand the importance of client relationships, brand identity, and the different needs and goals businesses have. I also helped create Midwest Advantage’s newsletter, learning how newsletters can effectively communicate with clients, promote services, and share updates.
After completing the newsletter, Shawntell shared her appreciation:
“I appreciate everything your team has done. I love everything about this newsletter! Thank you 🙏🏾”
— Shawntell Taylor, CEO of Midwest Advantage
This gratitude made me feel welcomed and appreciated. Words like this can inspire and motivate someone to strive to complete the task they are assigned. When it comes to real-life learning and using tools to develop and work with other businesses, I would say this experience with Shawntell and her website, Midwest Advantage, helped me a lot. It ranged from time management, goal-setting, scheduling and running meetings, interviewing, research and copywriting, website building, newsletter design, creating a site map, showing drafts, communicating which design best reflects Shawntell's brand image and story, and applying search engine optimization in the real world. I enjoyed seeing how responsible, ethical, first-driven specialists work in today's environment and adapt to changes in society.
Overall, my experience at Evolution Marketing has been enjoyable and educational. I have learned more about how small businesses operate, the importance of communication, and how marketing goes beyond promoting products and services. One of my biggest takeaways is that business isn't always about revenue or profit; it's also about helping others, building relationships, and making a positive impact on the community.
Explore the Midwest Advantage Rebrand: https://www.greenmkting.com/creative-projects/midwest-advantage