We were lucky to catch up with Kate Greene recently and have shared our conversation below.

Kate, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry?

There’s a significant oversight in how Corporate America typically approaches pricing for creative work. With the rise of AI and online platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, and Design Pickle, there’s a trend to pigeonhole creative tasks into an hourly pricing model. But, in reality, that’s not the best way to view it.

When we talk about creative work, whether it’s branding or graphic design, it’s much more than just completing a task. It’s about leveraging years of experience, deep market understanding, and that unique ability to think out of the box. And let’s not forget, creativity isn’t something that just switches on and off with the workday. It thrives in an environment where there’s freedom and flexibility.

Creative work should be seen as an investment. It’s tied to the value it generates, not merely the time spent on it. By sticking to an hourly rate, we risk undervaluing the work’s true potential. Creative solutions can have a lasting impact, and it’s about time we start recognizing and compensating for that value, rather than just the hours clocked in.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

At Owl’s Head Solutions, our mission is to better brands that are bettering the world. As a boutique creative agency with a woman-owned certification, we specialize in partnering with clients in life sciences, technology, and sectors dedicated to social good. Our clients are pioneers in their fields, brimming with innovation but often facing challenges in communicating their groundbreaking ideas. Our role is to unearth and articulate these essential stories, crafting narratives that not only resonate but also inspire action.

We take particular pride in our projects that focus on health and gender equity, especially for girls and women globally. These endeavors represent more than just assignments to us; they are opportunities to drive positive change and contribute to a more equitable world. Our commitment to these causes is reflected in the passion and creativity we bring to every project.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Over the first decade of its existence, Owl’s Head Solutions enjoyed a consistent pattern of growth, both in revenue and team size. However, the past two years have been exceptionally challenging, marking the most tumultuous period in our history. Interestingly, the difficulties we faced weren’t directly due to COVID. Instead, the challenge emerged in 2022 when our clients in the bioscience sector experienced a significant drop in COVID-related investments, leading to a corresponding decline in our sales.

In response to these setbacks, we had to adapt and rethink our strategy to keep our business afloat. This adaptation involved making some tough decisions, including two rounds of layoffs and implementing salary cuts across the board (although offering profit sharing). My husband and I even stopped drawing our salaries. This period was undoubtedly a low point for us, as our team shrank from 12 to just 4 employees. However, we managed to turn things around by diversifying into new industries and securing grant funding.

During this slow period, I dedicated myself to enhancing my skills and knowledge in business, leadership, and sales. I seized every opportunity for free education, participating in programs like a six-month intensive course through the SBA, a sales accelerator course through the Duplessy Foundation, and EOS training through WBENC. Additionally, as a member of VISTAGE, I received invaluable guidance from my coach and mentor, Mike Thorne. His support was instrumental in helping me navigate these challenges. I’m immensely grateful for these educational programs and the incredible individuals behind them, who played a crucial role in the survival and resurgence of Owl’s Head Solutions.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Navigating the challenges of 2022 and 2023, particularly amidst fears of layoffs and salary reductions, put our commitment to maintaining company morale to the test. However, our proactive approach in consistently treating our employees with respect, offering flexibility, and maintaining transparency in all company matters paid dividends during these trying times. The foundation of mutual respect and solid relationships we had established with each team member from the outset proved invaluable. Had it not been for this strong bond, our ability to weather the storm might have been compromised.

It is primarily due to the unwavering dedication and resilience of our incredible team that Owl’s Head Solutions stands resilient and on a path to recovery. The collective spirit and commitment of our team members have been the cornerstone of our ability to rebuild and move forward. Their support and loyalty during these tumultuous times have been nothing short of remarkable, and it’s their contribution that has been fundamental to our ongoing journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.owlsheadsolutions.com/
• Instagram: https://twitter.com/OwlsHeadDesign
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/owl’s-head-solutions
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/owlsheadsolutions