Agency Recap for 2025
As I look back on 2025, “emotional rollercoaster” has been the most accurate term to describe this first full year in business. This is my second agency, so while I’m no stranger on how to grow a business year over year, 2025 felt very “pilot episode” to me. We went through a ton of rapid expansion and contraction, hard lessons, big wins, tearful moments, unbridled joy, and a real defining of community.
As I write this on New Year’s Eve 2025, I have a full client roster going into 2026 but a fine-tuned focus on PR and brand marketing & experiences. When you’re an agency owner, you have to make a decision: manage the team, manage the work, or manage the clients. You can do maybe 2, but you can’t do all three very well.
That’s why OFTB is a company of one, with talented friends and partners coming into projects as needed at the right time.
I’m really proud of what we made in 2025.
I’m really proud of my team and my colleagues, and lucky they came into my life when they did.
I’m really proud of my clients — all local! — for showing resilience in the wake of Helene.
I’m humbled and grateful for the way everything worked out. And I’m not only hopeful, but excited for the new year. Thank you for being on this journey with me. I love what I do.
2025 Client Highlights:
For ArtsAVL, we created and launched "Redefine The Weekend,” a 360-integrated campaign to bring local and visitor foot traffic back to our arts hubs throughout Buncombe County. We also designed the county’s first-ever arts guide.
Echo Mountain Recording Studio, originally set to permanently close at the end of 2025, is revived for a new chapter under ownership of longtime studio manager Jessica Tomasin, just in time for its 20th anniversary in 2026.
Center for Craft commemorated the 20th anniversary of its Craft Research Fund with a year-long campaign that aligned with the Future Histories gala and a historic announcement.
NC Writers’ Network celebrated their 40th anniversary as the oldest and largest literary organization in the state.
Vinnie’s Italian South landed at #23 for Casual Dining in the U.S. by Tripadvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Awards for 2025, its second consecutive year among the country’s best and keeping it among the top 1% of restaurants rated in the country. (Jettie Rae’s landed at #4!)
Jettie Rae’s was also featured in The Adventurist and TimeOut, and Antonio Perez was named Executive Chef.
Gan Shan got a nod from Town & Country in their luxury travel guide to North Carolina.
Firelight at Shope Creek was featured in Travel + Leisure, Good Grit, Town & Country, SouthPark Magazine, Plateau, Adventure, and AzureRoad.
Soprana Rooftop Cucina was named one of 15 Asheville restaurants in MICHELIN’s inaugural guide to the American South.
Limones got a brand refresh with a new logo, website, and photography.
Southside Community Farm was featured on Good Morning America and received a $50,000 grant from Food Lion to continue their vital work.
Spicer Greene opened a second store in Hendersonville and with new cohesive marketing campaigns, we saw a record-breaking year in foot traffic and sales, just in time for its 100th anniversary.
