Karl’s path to Bluebird wasn’t planned – it was personal. After his previous agency shut down, he had a choice: find a new job or forge a new path. He reached out to Marcus, an old colleague, and began working alongside Bluebird, eventually joining as a full-fledged partner. What started as a necessity for him, quickly turned into a calling.
Why Bluebird? A Place to Do Meaningful Work
Karl had worked at large agencies, but he wanted more control – not just over the work he was doing, but over the clients he would work with. “I didn’t want to be handed accounts. I wanted to work with people who inspired me, regardless of their size.” At Bluebird, he found that freedom. The agency’s flexibility meant they could take on both big and small clients, providing high-quality branding to businesses that might otherwise be overlooked.
Karl’s respect for the Bluebird brand is deep-seeded, even before officially joining. “I wasn’t there when the name was chosen, but I’ve always taken ownership of it. I love the name, I love our mark, and I spearheaded a lot of our merch because I wanted to wear it proudly.”
The Projects That Stand Out
For Karl, the pride comes from seeing a brand come to life. Whether it’s a logo on a uniform, a tagline repeated by employees, or a business flourishing under its evolved brand identity, it’s the long-term impact that matters most to him.
“When you create a brand, you want to see it grow and succeed, and it’s hard not to feel pride when that happens.”
Karl also highlights CORE Electric Cooperative as a defining project during his time at Bluebird. Not just because of its sheer scale, but because it pushed Bluebird as a team. “It was a project that required all of us – our combined skills and our ability to adapt and project the visions of our partners into a finished product.”
Karl’s longest-standing client is Floyd Health/Atrium, with whom he has worked for over 20 years. “That kind of relationship means everything. They know they can rely on us, and we take that responsibility seriously.”
Lessons, Culture, and the Future
The biggest lesson Karl has learned? Trust. Trust in the team, trust in the process, and trust in the relationships they build with clients.
“You don’t build an agency alone. Bluebird works because of the people in it. We’re collaborative, we push each other, and we trust each other. That’s what makes the culture special.”
Karl also emphasizes the importance of timing. “Bringing in Jon and Elle was about growing our team, sure, but it was also about bringing the right people into the fold at the right time. The stars aligned, and that’s how Bluebird works.”
As for the next ten years, Karl wants to see Bluebird continue its path – not just growing in size, but in influence. He envisions working with more clients who are making a difference, building brands that matter.
“I don’t care how big we get. I care about the work. As long as we’re doing great work, with great people, for great clients – that’s success to me.”
From necessity to purpose, Karl’s journey with Bluebird is a testament to the power of passion, relationships, and a commitment to doing things the right way. And with that mindset, there’s no telling how far Bluebird can go.
