We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brian Wallace. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brian below.

Brian, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Going back to the beginning – how did you come up with the idea in the first place?

My journey to founding NowSourcing, my content marketing agency focused on long infographics and visual storytelling, PR, and SEO, was anything but linear. It began during a transitional period in my life around 2006 when I was working in tech. I had spent nearly a decade in the tech industry where creativity was often stifled and innovation moved at a glacial pace.

As someone who had always been fascinated by technology and communication, I found myself increasingly frustrated by the disconnect between technical information and how it was presented to audiences. I remember sitting in countless meetings watching people’s eyes glaze over during PowerPoint presentations filled with dense text and complex data. There had to be a better way to convey information that would actually engage people.

After leaving the 9 to 5 scene and starting my new company in 2006, we were very early on social media agency. Back when Digg.com was popular, I was one of the top 100 people that was hitting the frontpage regularly. Given that me and my small team was really good at visuals, storytelling, and having a pulse of what the internet wanted, the lightbulb moment came when I was experimenting. I noticed that visual content consistently outperformed text-only posts in terms of engagement. This wasn’t just a minor difference—it was dramatic. Posts with compelling images received substantially more shares, comments, and overall interaction.

The decision to launch NowSourcing wasn’t easy. It’s scary to make the jump from a stable income, especially as I’ve been the family breadwinner. I recognized a significant market gap: businesses were struggling to engage audiences in an increasingly noisy digital landscape, yet most lacked the skills to create compelling visual content. The logic that supported my belief in potential success was straightforward:
Data visualization through infographics offered a solution to information overload
Few competitors were specializing in this specific niche
Louisville, Kentucky provided an affordable home base with dramatically lower costs than major tech hubs
The rise of content marketing created growing demand for visual assets

What truly convinced me was testing the concept with early clients and seeing their enthusiastic responses. When businesses began reporting measurable improvements in engagement after using our infographics, I knew we were onto something valuable.

The company evolved organically from there. What began as primarily a blog grew into a full-service infographic design agency. We developed a unique process for transforming complex data into visually compelling stories that could be easily understood and shared.

Looking back, the most important factor in NowSourcing’s success was recognizing that businesses needed help translating their expertise into visual formats that audiences would actually consume and enjoy. By focusing on this specific pain point and delivering consistently excellent results, we built a reputation that allowed us to work with major brands and publications over time.

Brian, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m Brian Wallace, founder and president of NowSourcing, an award-winning infographic design agency. My journey into the visual content world began somewhat unexpectedly. After starting my career in IT consulting, I noticed a significant gap in how complex information was being presented online. Too many businesses were drowning their audiences in dense text when visual storytelling could convey the same ideas more effectively and memorably.

In 2006, I launched NowSourcing in New York, with a clear vision: transform complicated data into compelling visual narratives. What began as a broader digital marketing operation gradually evolved into our specialized focus on infographics when we realized the tremendous impact visual content was having for our clients.
Our agency works with companies across various industries—from tech startups to Fortune 500 corporations—creating infographics that distill complex information into engaging visual stories. The magic happens when we translate dense statistics, processes, or concepts into something immediately digestible that prompts viewers to say, “Ah, now I understand!”

A perfect example of our work’s impact is our collaboration with NBA player Tobias Harris. We created a compelling infographic showcasing Harris’s journey and value, which coincided with significant career milestones as he secured a $64 million contract and subsequently a $180 million contract. Our visual storytelling approach helped differentiate him from other athletes by emphasizing his unique story and contributions.

What distinguishes our approach is our commitment to both journalistic integrity and design excellence. We don’t just make pretty pictures; we craft data-driven stories that educate and persuade. Our team conducts thorough research before designing anything, ensuring each infographic communicates meaningful insights rather than simply decorating data.

I’m particularly proud of how we’ve helped countless brands amplify their message when traditional content wasn’t breaking through the noise. When done properly, our infographics generate substantial engagement—increasing shares by 300% and engagement rates by up to 65% compared to text-only content. We’ve seen our work featured in major publications like Mashable, TechCrunch, and The Wall Street Journal, which validates our approach to visual communication.

Another aspect that sets us apart is our decision to relocate our business to Louisville rather than remaining in larger tech hubs. This choice has allowed us to maintain lower overhead costs while still serving clients nationwide. We’ve embraced remote work well before it became mainstream, developing efficient processes for collaboration across distances.

For those considering working with us, know that we view ourselves as partners in your communication strategy, not just vendors creating deliverables. We believe great infographics function as visual press releases that can significantly extend your message’s reach and impact. In a world where attention spans continue to shrink, our visual approach helps your key points stand out and stick in people’s minds long after they’ve scrolled past.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

My journey with NowSourcing illustrates resilience, but nothing has tested my strength more profoundly than the personal tragedy of losing my son. This devastating loss became a defining moment in both my personal and professional life, forcing me to confront the deepest kind of grief while still moving forward.

In the aftermath of my son’s passing, I had to find meaning amid overwhelming pain. This experience fundamentally changed my perspective on what matters in life and business. The process of grieving while leading a company taught me that vulnerability can be a source of strength rather than weakness. I learned to balance professional responsibilities with the necessary space for healing, which ultimately made me a more empathetic leader and person.

This personal tragedy intersected with professional challenges. When I founded NowSourcing in 2006 in New York, we initially offered broader digital marketing services before pivoting to focus specifically on infographics. During an economic downturn, we made the strategic decision to relocate from New York to Louisville, Kentucky—a complete reimagining of our business model that provided substantially lower overhead costs while maintaining our quality standards.

Many questioned whether we could successfully serve national clients from a smaller market like Louisville when most competitors were based in major coastal cities. We had to develop innovative remote collaboration processes well before remote work became mainstream, proving our location wouldn’t limit our impact or reach.

My Jewish identity and journey toward becoming more religiously observant has also been a source of resilience. Judaism
emphasizes asking thoughtful questions and seeking deeper understanding, which directly influences how we approach client problems and navigate industry challenges. The spiritual framework has provided valuable perspective during both business difficulties and personal tragedy.

What these experiences taught me is that resilience isn’t just about professional adaptation—it’s about integrating our whole selves, including our losses and challenges, into the work we do. The ability to continue creating meaningful work while honoring difficult emotions has been crucial to sustaining both myself and the business through various transitions. This holistic approach to resilience has helped us build enduring relationships with clients and establish ourselves as leaders in visual storytelling despite the obstacles we’ve faced.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

Building our reputation at NowSourcing has been a deliberate process focused on several key elements that have distinguished us in the visual storytelling space.

First and foremost, we established ourselves as pioneers in infographic design when many companies were still relying heavily on text-based content. By recognizing early that visual storytelling could convey complex information more effectively, we positioned ourselves at the forefront of a communication trend that has only grown in importance as attention spans have shortened.

My early adoption of emerging platforms has played a crucial role in building our reputation. I was an early influencer on LinkedIn when the platform was just beginning to develop its content and social media capabilities. By establishing a strong presence before the space became crowded, I was able to build an authentic following and position NowSourcing as a thought leader in visual communication when many businesses were still figuring out how to use the platform effectively.

Similarly, my nearly two-decade involvement with South by Southwest (SXSW) has significantly enhanced our industry credibility. Having spoken at this prestigious event and served on their advisory board for five years has not only provided visibility but has connected us with forward-thinking brands and individuals. This long-term participation in one of the world’s most influential tech and creative conferences has reinforced our reputation as innovators in digital communication.

Our journalistic approach to infographics has been fundamental to our reputation. We don’t simply create attractive visuals—we conduct thorough research and develop data-driven narratives that educate and persuade. This commitment to substance behind the style has helped us build credibility with both clients and the publications that feature our work.

Perhaps most importantly, we’ve cultivated a reputation for partnership rather than simply being vendors. We immerse ourselves in understanding each client’s unique challenges and objectives, approaching every project as an opportunity to advance their broader communication strategy. This consultative approach has fostered loyalty and word-of-mouth recommendations that have been invaluable to our growth.

My reputation has been built through strategic positioning at the intersection of technology, communication, and community building. As an early adopter and influencer on LinkedIn when the platform was just beginning to develop its content capabilities, I established myself as a thought leader in digital communication before the space became crowded. This early entry allowed me to build an authentic following and demonstrate expertise in how visual storytelling could effectively convey complex information.

My nearly two-decade involvement with South by Southwest (SXSW) has been another cornerstone of my professional reputation. Having spoken at this prestigious event and served on their advisory board for five years has not only provided visibility but has connected me with forward-thinking individuals across industries. This long-term participation in one of the world’s most influential tech and creative conferences positioned me as someone with a finger on the pulse of innovation.

This extensive experience with professional conferences and speaking engagements eventually led me to create The Innovate Summit, a global innovation conference held annually in May in Owensboro, Kentucky. Drawing on my years of experience with professional events, I founded this summit in 2023 to bring together diverse perspectives on innovation without the overwhelming scale and commercialization that characterizes many larger conferences.

The Innovate Summit represents my philosophy about professional gatherings. Rather than focusing exclusively on technology or startups, I’ve created a truly interdisciplinary gathering that explores innovation across various sectors including technology, healthcare, education, manufacturing, and the arts. This broader definition of innovation has attracted participants from across the United States and internationally, bringing fresh perspectives to Owensboro.
What sets The Innovate Summit apart is our emphasis on meaningful connection and collaboration rather than transactional networking.

I’ve intentionally created an environment where attendees can engage in deeper conversations, forge genuine relationships, and develop potential partnerships. The intimate scale of the event—approximately 300 attendees—facilitates these connections while still providing access to world-class speakers and thought leaders.
The summit’s manifesto reflects my core beliefs about innovation: that it thrives at intersections of disciplines, requires diverse perspectives, and should be accessible to all. By creating a space that embodies these values, I’ve distinguished myself as someone who doesn’t just talk about innovation but actively creates environments where it can flourish.

By creating The Innovate Summit, I’ve transformed my speaking and event experience into a platform that not only enhances my own reputation but creates value for hundreds of others while showcasing innovation beyond traditional tech hubs.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://nowsourcing.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nowsourcing

Image Credits

Laibel Schwartz