STEVIOS · Balanced Marketing Solutions · Charlotte NC · CREATIVE · PRINT

STEVIOS, Inc. is what you would call a small agency - able to perform all the services of a traditional agency, but on a more personal level. I call it "Balanced Marketing". For a small business, balance is the critical essence of success. In design, balance gives a composition visual appeal. In advertising, balance in targeted channels and vehicles provides for optimum effectiveness. In the bottom line, balance is the intangible that either shows itself in black or red.

Click on ANYTHING to the left for more info.

If you own or operate a small business and have a need for comprehensive support when it comes to marketing strategy, branding, graphic design, web development, commercial printing or any other of those “little” things that all companies require from time to time, then STEVIOS is for you.

Balanced Marketing
This statement refers to the need for a small business to keep balance throughout marketing efforts. Simply put, that means a placing different emphasis on the various ways to advertise or otherwise get your name in front of the target audience in order to acheive your business goals.

I know that a 6 point font versus a 7 point font may not seem big in the grand scheme of things, but it all affects balance. And not only in design, but also in balancing time to allow for a brand to take shape, or for a complex internet advertising campaign to begin to perform.

By the way, the logo - it's a mobile. Balance? Get it?

CREATIVE
One who displays productive originality. Its the term that best describes the professionals that are driving this industry by "drawing on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems." Their primary job function is to be creative and innovative (source). I would say STEVIOS fits well into this identification.

Aside from the designations, I refer to the term creative also as the most interactive part of a project. When we are creating, we are finding solutions to situations where the answer comes from a combination of resources and talents. Sharing that time with another entrepeneur can be a very rewarding experience.

strategic planning
No need to get fancy here, but there's lots to think about. When we talk about a long-term or short-term marketing strategy, it is crucial to take the time to organize thoughts, prioritize initiatives, budget and otherwise just get prepared for change.

Once we have our bright, shiny new plan, and we begin to implement, it is also very important to continue to re-examine and adjust as necessary. In other words, it's ok to not have everything figured out right from the beginning.

branding
This is the most creative part of a comprehensive strategy - and frankly the most fun. There is nothing quite like the process of listening to a client describe the way they feel about their business, interpreting those deep thoughts, brainstorming over potential representations of that image and ultimately, creating a cohesive visual statement that reflects everything about that company in just a few seconds.

This isn't limited to the startup working with a blank canvas. Many established organizations tend to "put this off" for the first few years, not because they don't think it's important, simply because of the time demands of building a business as well as the significant investment. Let me just say it's never to late.

graphic design
Art is not dead - it just became digital. Of course it's not just about the
artistic ability of the designer - the true measure of the success of a design is communication. Does the art speak? Typography, visuals and layout should create a composition that needs no further explanation and prompts thought.

It is all around us - everything we look was at some point designed by
some over-worked, under-appreciated graphic designer.

PRINT
It's a medium that to some is "a dying breed" and to others a staple that will never fully go away. I'm somewhere in the middle as a proponent to reduce wasteful use of resources yet at the same time a traditionalist that appreciates the power of a printed piece that you can hold and feel and smell.

Years of experience in this ever-changing industry gives me the unique ability to help clients get the highest quality products in the shortest amount of time at the lowest possible prices. In other words, good, fast & cheap.

Don't worry, you don't have to order 10,000 brochures - I handle short runs too.

stationery
The business card is just about the last piece of traditional stationery still used on a regular basis. The moment after the phrase "Here's my card" can make or break you. It's about first impressions - kind of like walking around with spinach in your teeth.

By the way, just because you haven't sent a letter in the mail since the late nineties, doesn't mean you don't need letterhead. We do it digitally now for the most part (sending PDF documents) but there's still some use for the hard copy.

collateral
No, I don't mean you have to put up your car in order for me to start working.
I'm talking about the brochures, flyers, presentations, postcards, booklets, folders, posters and other printed materials we use everyday to communicate with our customers.

Sometimes you just need one good piece, other situations require a comprehensive package of information. In either case, your collateral speaks volumes about your company so let's close Microsoft Publisher and leave this to the pros.

large format
Make a big impression with large format printing. This specialized side of the printing industry provides business with a medium to deliver a message in grand scale. If you have a need for full color banners, tradeshow graphics, portable signs or permanent displays, then I've got a giant ink-jet printer for you!

Your typical sign shop can handle the standard vinyl letters on vinyl, but when you need to get outside the box and create something that stops traffic, I can find the right materials at the right price.

direct mail
Yes, junk mail is the physical version of spam. However, a targeted delivery of timely, relevant information delivered by the postal service is effective communication. Like it or not, unsolicited mail isn't going away anytime soon.

Direct mail is still a thriving source of business for many companies. To those who are thinking about beginning a direct mail campaign, I encourage you to read up on the rules & regulations for Bulk Mail (click here).

Then call me.

DIGITAL
I have seen the blank stare - the one people give me when I start to go over their head talking about technology. Usually I have no idea I'm crossing the line into geek. I apologize in advance if that ever happens with you.

Digital in terms of marketing is a very broad term - just about everything we do is HTTP, PC, CSS, SSL, PDF, HDTV, or some other rediculous string of characters. Rest assured, I have all my letters in order and can deliver any medium in any format.

Strengths: Flash Animation, Photo / Video Galleries, Mobile Web

website development & maintenance
6 steps to create a good website:
1) Features & Functionality
2) Architecture & Site Plan
3) Content & Copy
4) Design & Development
5) Optimization & Compatibility
6) Monitoring & Maintenance*

*Maintenance means updating your website more often than just when a sales person quits and you need to remove his phone number and email.

Seriously? Your latest news item is from 2002?

search engine
SEO, SEM, CPM... Talk about some over used acronyms. And let me go ahead and dispell the myth that you can get to the top of Google for $199. If you believe that, I have a bridge for sale.

The fact is that Search Engine Optimization and Search Engine Marketing are very different yet interrelated efforts. The good news is that over the years, search engines have made great strides in leveling the playing field and doing what they are supposed to do which is deliver links to sources of information that are most accurately related to the searcher's intentions.

Now about that bridge...

e-commerce
Before you skim over the following description of the e-commerce process, know this: if you need to sell products on your website, I can make that happen.

With that said, here's what happens when you buy that t-shirt with the little hands and the phrase "Can't touch this".

Step 1: The merchant submits a credit card transaction to the Payment Gateway on behalf of a customer via secure Web site connection, retail store, MOTO center or wireless device. Step 2: Payment Gateway receives the secure transaction information and passes it via a secure connection to the Merchant Bank’s Processor. Step 3: The Merchant Bank’s Processor submits the transaction to the Credit Card Network (a system of financial entities that communicate to manage the processing, clearing, and settlement of credit card transactions). Step 4: The Credit Card Network routes the transaction to the Customer’s Credit Card Issuing Bank. Step 5: The Customer’s Credit Card Issuing Bank approves or declines the transaction based on the customer’s available funds and passes the transaction results back to the Credit Card Network. Step 6: The Credit Card Network relays the transaction results to the Merchant Bank’s Processor. Step 7: The Merchant Bank’s Processor relays the transaction results to Payment Gateway. Step 8: Payment Gateway stores the transaction results and sends them to the customer and/or the merchant. This step completes the authorization process – all in about three seconds or less! Step 9: The Customer’s Credit Card Issuing Bank sends the appropriate funds for the transaction to the Credit Card Network, which passes the funds to the Merchant’s Bank. The bank then deposits the funds into the merchant’s bank account. This step is known as the settlement process and typically the transaction funds are deposited into your primary bank account within two to four business days.

communications
Let's talk about email - not spam, but email. It is the single most used method to communicate online and often we take advantage of the convenience. For example, compare an email to a face-to-face conversation.

If your emails have huge fonts, misspellings, obnoxious backgrounds and your name quickly added to the bottom, it's kind of like standing in front of someone screaming, spitting as you talk and waving your arms and kicking at them. And then you hand them your information on a crusty napkin.

Before we move on to Twitter and blogging, let's at least get the email thing down.

full service video production studio
Our in-house facility is complete with a sound proof 24' green screen studio, professional lights, HD cameras, teleprompter, control room, and lots of other extras. It's perfect for shooting web videos and TV commercials. If you need more room than that, our attached warehouse studio space is big enough to drive a Hummer through.

Editing and post production are also handled here so you can see your project through from start to finish. The space and equipment is also available to rent by the day and half-day.

These services are available through STEVIOS thanks to New Way Media - it's their building, I just lease some space in the back. Thanks guys!

By appointment only.
I'm at the office from about 8:30am - 6:30pm ET but I really enjoy getting out to visit clients as often as possible. By the way, that's Monday through Friday - this kid doesn't work weekends unless it's absolutely manditory. I have a life ya know?

So either call before you stop by or shoot me an email to schedule an appointment. Open Invitation: Thursday after work we're ususally having some beers and enjoying some YouTube videos!

Holla - 704.713.1241 or email

I am Steve Grace. I am STEVIOS.

I’m a creative with 10 years of small business experience. My technical skill sets are a culmination of thousands of hours working with graphic design and web publishing software. My business acumen is derived from listening to other small business owners and creating solutions to the issues they share.

After over 7 years of owning another small agency with partners and employees and lots of overhead, I felt the time was right to re-invent myself as a solo-artist. From a business plan perspective, it’s basically the Jerry Maguire approach – “…more honesty, more focus, fewer clients, but eventually the revenues will be the same.” “The secret to this job is personal relationships.”

I’m not an MBA. So you won’t find a bunch of textbook explanations of the complexity of advertising in a global marketplace or sixty page documents that promise a step-by-step execution strategy. That’s all well and good on paper, but in the real world, time, budget and opportunity tend to lead the charge.

My clients like to work with me because I can offer an answer or at least honest insight (followed up with in-depth research) on just about anything regarding marketing, creative services, the Internet, printing and more. That’s not to say everyone needs everything, because no two business are alike. My services are custom tailored to not only need, but timing. And timing, as they say, is everything.

So if my timing was right, and you’re reading this thinking, “I should probably talk to this guy,” then you probably should at least call or email. I’m always happy to spend some time conversing with other entrepreneur-types.

Thanks for stopping by,
Steve