Coloff Digital is located in Forest City and provides a wide range of brand strategy, website, graphic design, video, social media, and digital marketing solutions. The company started in 2013 as a division of Coloff Media which owns and operates 12 radio stations across North Iowa. Jim Coloff founded the division after hearing from his radio clients that they needed website and digital marketing resources. “Radio is as strong as ever, and our local stations continue to grow, but we needed to help our clients take advantage of the digital opportunities available,” Jim said. “Instead of partnering with a national organization outside of Iowa, we decided to keep the jobs local and start our own digital agency”.
In November 2014, Jim advertised for a web developer position. Weston Lohry applied and during the interview the two immediately hit it off, discovering they had similar viewpoints on business, marketing, and serving clients. “The digital landscape changes so fast that it’s our job to stay ahead of it and offer the products and solutions to our clients that will get them the best results and help them grow our business,” Weston said. “That’s always been both Jim’s and my passion: helping entrepreneurs grow their companies, help them provide for their employees, their families, their communities.”
Coloff Digital would rebrand and break off into its own LLC with Weston as managing partner and Jim helping along the way while continuing to grow his radio station. In January 2015, Coloff Digital had a new logo, new product offerings, a new streamlined process, and was ready to start serving its clientele.
Coloff Digital has evolved over the last four years. It started with Jim, Weston, and a single part-time employee who handled project management and digital ads. Now Coloff Digital has five full-time employees and two part-time employees, with a business development intern joining the team soon and a second internship opportunity available. Weston was accepted into the inaugural Iowa cohort of Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses, a competitive entrepreneurial training program that focuses on practical business skills. The 10,000 Small Businesses program is an opportunity for small business owners to learn from the nation’s top entrepreneurial training experts, connect with fellow entrepreneurs, and take their business to the next level.
Weston worked with Regional Director Brook Boehmler from North Iowa SBDC, and Pappajohn Center to focus on Coloff Digital’s sustainable growth. The Pappajohn SBDC Center was the one to introduce Weston to about 10,000 Small Businesses, and he said that it was a phenomenal experience.
With Coloff Digital, Jim and Weston have built a successful venture that fulfills their passion for providing products and services that are affordable for small to medium businesses, but produce big business results. Jim and Weston are also committed to creating opportunities for North Iowans.
Visit Coloff Digital: www.coloffdigital.com or find them on Facebook.