Today we’d like to introduce you to Paul Echols.
Paul, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Began my first business, a Denton computer repair and IT shop in 2008 right before my second senior year at UNT. I spent way more time trying to figure out how to run a business than studying at this point… finally a better excuse than watching TNG reruns.
I learned about websites from my co-founder and quickly became bored of removing malware and much more interested in marketing and creative.
I already had an interest in video production as I was an RTVF major at UNT until my studying habits got the best of me. These early classes weren’t about doing but rather about analyzing old and indie movies that I didn’t care about. I needed something more hands on.
I left the IT company TACC Support and started a production company called Storied Productions focusing on video and marketing with my friend Josh MacFall. We produced a lot of terrible videos starting in 2009 and slowly added services like graphic design and web development.
In 2010, we realized that we needed to expedite revenue growth which is where Memories Films came in. I directed, Josh edited and together we shared business development and other administrative duties. Memories Films was solely dedicated to wedding and special event videography… well we called it filmmaking.
Here, my video and photography skills began to blossom as did my business skills. I learned how to run a profitable business with a service that continued to grow in demand.
In 2011, we created a third brand called Square 205. During the week, there was plenty of time for providing marketing services with weddings obviously only being on the weekends. We slowly but steadily amassed a client base.
In 2012, Josh and I decided our passions were heading in different directions and so essentially, he took Memories Films and I took Square 205. Things were amicable. I continued to direct many of the wedding films for a while too.
Square 205 started as a creative agency really without a specific focus aside from doing any creative or marketing work that we could get our hands on.
Today, we are a digital creative agency crafting meaningful website experiences and marketing campaigns.
We have a small but skilled staff and we constantly push for quality of quantity with our projects. Our team is comprised of our UX and UI designers, Developers, Marketers, Video and Photographers, Copywriters, and more. Since we are a boutique agency, we have often hired staff with multiple skillsets such as our project manager who is also edits video and mixes sound.
Our goal at this time is to be the best creative agency in Denton which I’d like to say we are and to be a top 10 digital agencies in DFW while maintaining a fun and inviting culture and providing success for our clients.
We’re growing and with that comes growing pains but with the challenges we’ve overcome and the progress we’re enjoying, it looks like Square 205 will be able to succeed. Clients are counting on us after all!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Definitely not smooth. There’s constant learning to be on the cutting edge but that’s not usually pretty normal. For me, learning has also meant learning how to manage and prioritize time. I have not always been great at this.
We’ve gotten through debt, tax issues, mismanaged projects, loss of staff, loss of contracts, and all kinds of difficult times. Each time though, we learn, we solve the problem, and we move on hopefully avoiding the same mistakes in the future.
Square 205 – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
We are fantastic designers and specialize in creative websites and other creative storytelling.
A lot of advertising agencies know how to buy air time and write a line of copy to base a campaign on. We know how to take an idea and build a brand or world around that idea that is compelling and truly resonates with the intended audience.
Our ability to understand what the client needs even when they don’t know how to describe their need is another competitive advantage.
What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Whatever we build should be desired. If we design or develop something that doesn’t appeal to its intended audience, we have failed.
We define success by the level of happiness our staff, the stakeholders, and of course the intended audience display. We measure this in several ways depending on the project.
Pricing:
- Our standard agency rate is $95/hr which is the basis of most of our estimates with discounts provided for some recurring projects.
Contact Info:
- Address: 225. W. Hickory St.
- Website: http://square205.com
- Phone: 940-323-2341
- Email: communicate@square205.com
- Instagram: http://instagram.com/square205
- Facebook: http://facebook.com@square205
- Twitter: http://twitter.com@square205
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/square-205-denton-4
Image Credit:
Square 205
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