The office that houses Inner Circle Media in Ann Arbor isn't just dog-friendly, it's dog-directed.
Dr. Norman, a middle-aged beagle-lab mix, serves as the Director of Happiness for the web development firm. He is on the verge of being promoted to CFO – Chief Fun Officer. His new duties would let him oversee the company's seven employees, 2-3 independent contractors and occasional summer intern.
Dr. Norman has been at the company since around the time when Carrie Hensel and Catherine Hayes started it. Hensel and Hayes both took buyouts when Pfizer bought Parke Davis in the 1990s. They spent a few years freelancing for local web firms before using the buyout money to start Inner Circle Media.
"Neither of us had any business experience," Hensel says. "The first year was a struggle, but now everything is wonderful."
She says that with her tongue slightly in her cheek, but there is a good basis for that statement. Inner Circle Media's revenue has jumped 30 percent in the last two years. It now has clients across Michigan and in far away places like Minnesota. The company just added a new coder, programmer and project manager. One of them is also bringing in another dog to study under Dr. Norman.
Inner Circle Media hopes to add another employee and expand its independent contractor base this year. It's counting on another 15-20 percent revenue growth to support this expansion, along with the inspiring direction of Dr. Norman.
Source: Carrie Hensel, co-founder and managing partner of Inner Circle Media
Writer: Jon Zemke
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