Want to Better Serve Your Clients? Become Them.
Entrepreneur US|November - December 2024
As a designer for brands, starting my own product company gave me a dose of humilityand it changed the way I relate to clients.
DAVID PALMER
Want to Better Serve Your Clients? Become Them.

I thought I understood my clients' needs. Then I started doing the same work as them-and realized how much I had to learn.

It was humbling, but it also made me better at my job.

Back in 2001, I cofounded an agency called Love, which designs brands, packaging, communications campaigns, and experiences for the likes of Jim Beam, Johnnie Walker, and Guinness. Over the years, we've come up with a lot of ideas that never saw the light of day; we called them "urchins"wily ideas without a home. So in 2020, we launched Urchin Spirits, with hopes of filling "fat niches" in the spirits marketor underserved segments with low barriers to entry, but significant growth potential.

But pretty quickly, we realized there were a lot of external factors affecting our clients' decisions that we'd never had to worry about as designers.

For example, we came in with a distinct vision for our first product, an Irish whiskey-based liquor we'd named Lucky Sod.

This story is from the November - December 2024 edition of Entrepreneur US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the November - December 2024 edition of Entrepreneur US.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM ENTREPRENEUR USView All
The $20 Bill That Became Priceless
Entrepreneur US

The $20 Bill That Became Priceless

As I built my snack-food brand, Sun & Swell Foods, I kept hearing the same advice: Hustle for your customers. Never turn down business. Obsessively focus on ROI. So that's what I did-and although my company grew, it wasn't profitable. This began affecting me emotionally. I love my brand and care deeply about its success. Its challenges started to feel like my own.

time-read
1 min  |
January - February 2025
THE BEST MARKETING DOLLARS I'VE EVER SPENT
Entrepreneur US

THE BEST MARKETING DOLLARS I'VE EVER SPENT

Great marketing doesn't require huge budgets. We asked franchisees and franchisors to share their best marketing ROI-and their stories (on the following pages) will inspire you.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2025
READ THIS BEFORE MEETING A FRANCHISOR
Entrepreneur US

READ THIS BEFORE MEETING A FRANCHISOR

Thinking about buying a franchise? You should meet the franchisor-and you should know exactly how to approach that meeting-to ensure you're making the right decision.

time-read
6 mins  |
January - February 2025
THE BOLDEST NEW IDEAS IN FRANCHISING
Entrepreneur US

THE BOLDEST NEW IDEAS IN FRANCHISING

These eight innovative businesses are now franchising-and maybe in a few years, they'll be climbing the Franchise 500 list too.

time-read
3 mins  |
January - February 2025
5 BRANDS GROWING IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS
Entrepreneur US

5 BRANDS GROWING IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS

Want to know how to rocket up in the Franchise 500 rankings? These brands all jumped over 150 spots since last year-and they're sharing the strategies behind their growth.

time-read
8 mins  |
January - February 2025
FRANCHISE 500 TOP 10
Entrepreneur US

FRANCHISE 500 TOP 10

Meet the Leaders of the Franchise 500

time-read
10+ mins  |
January - February 2025
TAX STRATEGIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2025
Entrepreneur US

TAX STRATEGIES TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN 2025

Your taxes won't go up this year. But you can still find new ways to decrease your burden.

time-read
4 mins  |
January - February 2025
HOW TO CLOSE THE SALE (EVEN WHEN THEY SAY NO)
Entrepreneur US

HOW TO CLOSE THE SALE (EVEN WHEN THEY SAY NO)

I'm the world's leading door-to-door sales expert. I've heard “no” endlessly. Here's how I close sales anyway-and how you can too.

time-read
9 mins  |
January - February 2025
'The Sword We Refuse to Die On'
Entrepreneur US

'The Sword We Refuse to Die On'

Some people tell Chip and Joanna Gaines to play it safe, and to keep doing what made them famous in the first place. But they're ready to take more risks-because that's the entrepreneurial way.

time-read
5 mins  |
January - February 2025
Are You Feeling the Squeeze?
Entrepreneur US

Are You Feeling the Squeeze?

Many companies are struggling with rising costs and tighter margins. We asked six business leaders to share their solutions.

time-read
2 mins  |
January - February 2025