clever mutt

David Lowry, an expert blacksmith with over 20 years experience and a unique approach to his work saw in Clever Mutt a company that immediately understood how to innovatively create an online brand that he could be proud of.

It was back in 1987 when David first saw a demonstration of a trade that would become a lifelong passion. "I attended a pre-1840 reenactment camp and saw a lot of different interesting activities" recalls David. "There were all kinds of powder gun shooting, knife and hawk throwing and more. It was quite a spectacle. What really got my attention though was an old man demonstrating blacksmithing – they called him Parsons".

For three days David watched Parsons ply his trade and upon returning to Texas he quickly set about finding his own tools and establishing his own forge. "I took over my wife’s greenhouse and before long the forge was lit" recalls David. David never looked back.

"Over the next 10 years I developed my own unique style – I read up on various techniques constantly and practiced, practiced, practiced!" says David. Although initially a hobby David’s customer base expanded and eventually String Bean’s Blacksmith Shop became his full-time occupation.

"I attend a lot of trade and craft events, including ones dedicated to blacksmithing – I’m just as likely to be found, forge in tow, at First Monday Trade Days in Canton Texas, the Amish Auction in Oklahoma or one of a dozen civil war reenactment or western themed events – and that doesn’t count smaller events such as various city festivals" says David.

During his 20 years as a blacksmith David relied heavily on word of mouth advertising driven by his various appearances at notable events. "We had customers from all over the USA and some internationally too – and our eBay store was available for specific items of course, but we had no way of truly promoting my skills online" says David.

"I’d wanted to look into expanding my marketing online but needed to figure out a way to do it that expertly showed off what I can do but also actively helped me connect with new and old customers".

"Although we’d already had the eBay store we realized that to increase business we needed to get a professional website up and running. We wanted to increase public awareness of my work locally, across the broader USA and especially internationally. We had some goals in mind but we needed to get some professional advice to help us realize our ideas and find someone to help guide us through everything" recalls David.

A date for a meeting was set to discuss David’s goals "That first full meeting with Tiffani was very good. She was very patent and listened carefully to what I wanted to achieve with my business online" recalls David.

After learning more about David’s business and his specific online goals Tiffani outlined Clever Mutt’s approach, as well as its project management and customer service focus. A plan was agreed and Clever Mutt got to work straight away.

"We spent a lot of time discussing String Bean’s branding and possible image online. It was important from the beginning that David’s site needed to stand out in a crowd of tired ‘western’ looking sites or ‘catalogue’ style blacksmith shops. After testing mock designs internally we presented the idea of a combined studio/workshop approach, keeping the site navigation and ‘detail’ minimal but emphasizing photography and imagery – especially using black & white images contrasted with color ones. With the dark tones, hints of color and interesting photography we felt this was exactly what was needed to meet String Bean’s goals".

"We were really keen to see if our visual ideas, which were quite a radical departure for David’s industry, would be well received" recall’s Chris – the project lead. "Even though I had only basic goals about what my website should look like because Tiffani and Chris are such workable people my website came alive.

They had super ideas and superior work" says David. "Clever Mutt’s website design is not ‘cookie cutter’. They made my website reflect my business and my personality." With the designs approved Clever Mutt got to work delivering the website and its 100 plus image gallery along with its in-house developed content management driven newsfeed.

At the same time Clever Mutt started deploying tailored social media marketing for String Bean, including launching them on Facebook and disseminating a range of 'teaser' and promotional material online – all leading up to the eventual launch day of the website.

Clever Mutt also provided David and his wife Christine with on-site training. "They trained both my wife and me to update my Facebook page and events section on the website. Because of the easy design of their systems anyone can work with what Clever Mutt creates for them". "It took only a handful of weeks from start to finish – the website launched on time and, of course, within budget" says Chris.

Reflecting on the experience with Clever Mutt David comments "These people are with you anytime you need them. They answer their emails quickly and even answer their phones! This is what I like to call ‘100% customer service’."

"With Clever Mutt you get a superior product and great people. There’s no better company to make your website for your business"