Mission Not-So-Impossible

Many might believe that the times are bad but for a few Memphis entrepreneurs that belief couldn’t be more wrong, says The Commercial Appeal.

Despite a recent report by the National Federation of Independent Business that revealed rising pessimism among small-business owners, not everyone considers the economic outlook bleak.

In fact, entrepreneur J D Graffam has donned a supersized pair of rose-colored glasses and he encourages other wannabe startup execs to do the same.

“I’ve adopted the mindset that I’m not willing to participate in a bad economy or be a victim of it. I’m going to leverage it,” said Graffam, founder of Click-Boom, an interactive Web site design and branding firm. “Of course times are hard, but I don’t see obstacles. I see opportunities. When people start really spending money again, I’ll be there and I’ll be ready.”

That’s exactly the kind of indomitable spirit that Debbi Fields Rose, founder of Mrs. Fields Cookies, encourages those who dream of running their own companies to adopt.

“Take the word ‘impossible’ and transform it into ‘I’m possible’ as a reminder to dream big and hope big,” Rose said. “Memphis is a phenomenal city for entrepreneurs, and there are so many incredible stories here, I’m just so excited about the next ones to be written.”

Dogged determination and a sense of tunnel vision led Graffam to leave a comfortable position with Hilton Corp. last year to strike out on his own. It was a calculated move that so far has paid off.

Graffam spent plenty of time preparing, shoring up resources and selecting key personnel. He used savings to launch the business and hired full-time designer Matthew Ladner to work with him in the firm’s Germantown office. Two other employees assist on projects, one telecommuting from Atlanta and the other from Portland, Ore.

To date, the company has secured more than three dozen clients, most outside the Memphis market. And in a remarkable feat, the young firm won “Best of Show” at the 2010 ADDY Awards handed out by the Memphis chapter of the American Advertising Federation in February.

Screenshot from click-boom

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *