Business
Kin + Carta Proves You Can Run A Business For Good
Just last week, digital transformation consultancy Kin + Carta became the first publicly-traded business on the London Stock Exchange to gain B Corp status. And for good reason.
“It’s a really big deal.”
Kelly Manthey is Kin+Carta’s Group Chief Executive for the Americas. Kin + Carta, a London-based company, is all over the world. Manthey is responsible for North and South America. She could not be prouder of what the company has achieved in a short time.
“[We said that] In 5 years we’re going to achieve [our goals].
“We have three of them: one is to be the first publicly traded BCorp on the London stock exchange.
“Another is to be an internationally recognized “best place to work.”
“The third is to be a billion-pound market share business.”
If you want to know where Kin + Carta is headed – just look upward.
What Is A Digital Transformation Consultancy?
Before they became Kin + Carta, they were several companies working in consultancy and technology. It wasn’t until 2020 that they came together and became a digital transformation consultancy.
“Everything today that companies are dealing with … there’s a technology component or a digital interface that’s usually at the core of solving the problem.
“So, oftentimes we’ll start with what’s the problem to solve: What’s the business opportunity? What outcomes are our clients trying to drive?
“Sometimes it’s around innovation and they want to be first to market … to innovate in their space … to be a leader in their space.
“Sometimes it’s modernizing something they already have – a platform or an experience.
“They need a partner that knows where things are headed. They need a partner to come in and help get them expertise, scale on something they’re already doing.
“They’ll bring us in and we’ll help them drive the outcomes that they’re looking to drive for their business.”
Running A Business As A Force For Good
It’s reasonable for most of us to look at large companies with some major side-eye. Kin + Carta means it.
“At the heart of what we do we do it all with the mind and eye towards the broader impact that we can make as a business.
“We operate a triple bottom line business – Profit. People. Planet.
“We’ve made a commitment to be a B corporation – which means we aren’t just in business to drive profitability.
“Profit is important, it’s the lifeblood of a business – but we owe a responsibility to our people and to our planet.
“And, so, when you operate as a triple bottom line business it means that when you engage with us as a partner, we’re going to keep all of those things in mind.
“We’re going to balance decision-making around all of those things.
“So, our clients know that when they engage with us, they are all about supporting working with someone with a bigger ambition.”
That ambition for something greater has attracted a large, diverse group of talent. Frankly, it’s impressive how many employees Kin + Carta has attracted.
“Last year, our last fiscal year, we hired 449 new people in the business.
“I do office hours every week to meet with people coming into the business and learn more about them. A lot of why people come and choose to work for us is because of the ambition – being a socially responsible business.
“And, just last year we won awards around some of the best places to work – we won ten workplace awards.
“Consulting Magazine listed us as one of the best places to work in consulting. Best place for innovators.
“People can bring their whole selves to work. We’re at the center of what’s exciting in technology – I’m super proud of that.”
The Bright Future for Kin + Carta … And Our World
Considering that they reached their five-year goals in one year, it’s not hard to imagine the success Kin + Carta is potentially looking at.
“I believe business is the greatest platform for change.
“The 449 people we brought into the company – we didn’t just bring 449 people.
“We improved our gender diversity profile in the US by 23% – our ethnic minority representation by 27% – our total LGBTQ representation by 10%.
“With growth, with momentum, and the growth trajectory we’re on comes a huge opportunity to be the change we want to see.
“The tech business is historically terrible when it comes to diversity. We had the opportunity to actually do something with all those jobs we had open.
“We’re just getting started. We’ve got lots of work to still do.”
For Kelly Manthey, she’s optimistic not just about the future of Kin + Carta, but the future she’s creating for her own kids.
“As a female in tech business leader group CEO who’s a mom who has two boys at home who are watching me – all they know is that moms are CEOs – that moms work in technology – that moms go to work every day and dads can do laundry and moms can get a hammer out too.
“I’m really seeing the micro changes that my children are able to witness.
“I feel that responsibility for changing the narrative that’s out there. We can do this. With great growth comes great responsibility and greater impact that we can drive and lots of work to do still.
“We’re doing it.”
Keep an eye on Kin + Carta in the coming years. It’s endlessly refreshing to see a large corporation with its priorities focused on the larger picture.
TLDR: For scalable, high-volume, high-quality design without hiring hassles, Penji is your best bet. For deeply strategic, narrative branding work, go traditional with Contrast & Co, BB Agency, or ProDesigns.
Did you know design is responsible for 94% of first impressions? That means your design is the welcome mat for your soon-to-be customers.
Are you a startup or agency based in Space City looking to launch your design into the stratosphere? You need a design partner who can match your pace.
1. Penji
Welcome to the future of design. Penji combines the top 2% of design talent and AI tools for on-demand, monthly subscription, unlimited graphic design, illustration, and UI/UX work.
Get a whole team at your fingertips. Get drafts in 24-48 hours without having to hire a team or deal with inconsistent freelance pricing. From a quick social media graphic to a full web mockup, Penji keeps your project on track at all times.
Pros:
- Unlimited Requests: Submit as many projects as you want.
- Fast Turnaround: Drafts in 24-48 hours.
- Cost-Effective: Flat monthly fee, no hidden charges.
- Expert Designers: Access to top global talent.
Cons:
- Not Strategy-Focused: Best for execution, not long-term brand strategy.
2. Contrast & Co
If you’re looking for the traditional agency model with a little storytelling flair, Contrast & Co is the way to go. Although they’re based in Annapolis, they are experienced with many Houston clients and are known for building brands based on “radical differentiation.” They don’t just design; they tell stories.
Pros:
- Strategic Depth: Excellent for complex rebranding and brand positioning.
- High-End creative: Known for award-winning, narrative-driven visuals.
Cons:
- Cost: Their premium strategic approach often comes with a higher price tag ($10,000+ minimums).
- Timeline: Traditional agency models typically have longer turnaround times than on-demand services.
3. BB Agency
BB Agency works with SaaS and tech companies. They build businesses through thorough B2B branding and digital product design. If you are in the B2B tech space, their portfolio speaks for itself—clean, modern work which places UX at its core.
Pros:
- Tech Focus: Deep expertise in SaaS and B2B sectors.
- Holistic Approach: They handle everything from branding to development.
Cons:
- Niche: Their specific focus on tech might not be the right fit for consumer lifestyle brands.
- Budget: Project costs often range between $50,000 and $200,000.
4. ProDesigns
For businesses needing specific, project-based graphic design services, ProDesigns offers a solid middle ground. They focus heavily on logos, corporate design, and packaging. So if you need something created without a subscription or heavy retainer price, they’re great for local one-off projects.
Pros:
- Project-Based: Good for one-off needs like a logo or brochure.
- Affordable: generally more accessible pricing for small businesses compared to large agencies.
Cons:
- Limited Scalability: Managing high-volume, ongoing design needs can become costly on a per-project basis.
- Slower Feedback Loops: Revisions may take longer compared to a subscription model.
FAQs
How much does a graphic design agency cost in Houston?
Agencies in Houston typically charge $100–$175 per hour. Project costs range from $1,000 for small tasks to over $50,000 for full branding. Services like Penji offer a flat monthly rate, often much lower than a single agency project.
What is “design as a service”?
Design as a service offers a subscription model with a flat monthly fee for as much design work as you need for that monthly fee. Instead of paying per hour or project as normal with an agency, this is a way to ensure predictable budgeting and consistency with your design team.
Credit for cover image: Photo by Mikael Blomkvist on pexels
In today’s world, digital advertising is the most effective and efficient way to reach potential customers. Facebook advertising, in particular, has become a crucial tool for marketers to promote their brands, engage with their target audience, and generate a high return on investment (ROI). To stand out from the crowd, it’s crucial to implement the most effective actions. For this year, here are our recommendations for the top 10 Facebook ads strategy ideas you need to try:
1. Create Relevant Content
Topping our list is creating relevant content as one of the most effective Facebook ads and marketing strategy. Content tailored to your audience’s interests and needs increases engagement and builds brand awareness. This approach has been effective for years and will continue because it focuses on building a relationship between you and your audience.
Moreover, with the rise of ad-blocking software and decreasing attention spans, creating relevant content is more critical than ever. Creating informative, engaging, and valuable content for the audience ensures businesses that their ads are seen and welcomed by the audience.
2. Create Short-Form Video Ads (Reels & Stories)
Over the past few years, we’ve seen the shift to vertical, sound-on, mobile-first consumption across Facebook and Instagram. That said, it’s best to adapt your Facebook ads to align with this shift, using Reels ads, Stories ads, and vertical in-feed videos.
To make a high-performing short video ad, include a hook in the first three seconds and use captions for sound-off viewers. It’s also a good idea to create native-looking content and have a clear CTA.
3. Personalize Your Facebook Ads
Creating personalized ads on Facebook is an effective strategy because they’re more targeted and relevant to your audience. Businesses can use data from user behavior and interests to provide content that resonates with their audience, leading to higher engagement and conversions.
Plus, personalized ads can help you build trust and brand loyalty by showing you understand and care about your audience’s needs and preferences. This approach helps establish a stronger connection with the audience, leading to increased advocacy and customer loyalty.
You can also explore Advantage+ automated creative, which now personalizes ads using AI.
4. Use Facebook Custom Audiences
Facebook Custom Audiences are essential in a effective Facebook ads strategy in 2026. However, there have been changes in the way they’re used and optimized. Today, Meta’s AI now does much of the heavy lifting.
With Advantage+ targeting, users can start with broad audience signals and allow Meta’s system to automatically expand reach based on real-time performance data.
5. Join the Facebook Video Ad Bandwagon
According to statistics, Facebook videos have 8 billion daily views. This is an excellent Facebook ads strategy idea as they are more engaging than static ads, capturing the audience’s attention and creating an emotional connection. Facebook’s autoplay feature ensures that the video will be seen, making it an effective way to increase brand awareness and drive sales.
Facebook recommends keeping video ads short and adding captions, as these ads increase view time by an average of 12%, making it a more effective strategy.
6. Consider Creating Facebook Custom Landing Pages
Another highly recommended Facebook ads strategy idea is to create a custom landing page. This means having a specific page for people to visit when they click on your ad instead of just using your website. Using a custom landing page makes it easier for people to take the action you want, like signing up for your email list.
It also ensures they don’t get confused or distracted by other information on your website. So, if you want more people to take action on your ad, a custom landing page is the way to go!
7. Always Think High-Quality
Having a broad reach of audiences, Facebook is also rife with advertisers, making differentiation a challenge. To work around this, you must always strive to create high-quality ads. Invest in producing the finest Facebook ads you can, as these will make your business look more professional and trustworthy. This, in turn, can increase engagement and conversions.
They also make your brand look better overall, leading to better brand recognition and customer loyalty. Ultimately, investing in high-quality ads can pay off with better results and a higher return on investment (ROI) for your Facebook advertising efforts.
8. Familiarize Yourself with Lookalike Audiences
Knowing about Facebook Lookalike Audiences is essential for creating effective Facebook ad strategies because it allows you to reach a larger yet similar audience to your existing customers. With Lookalike Audiences, Facebook will use its data to find people similar to your current customers based on their interests, behavior, and demographics.
This allows you to create more targeted and relevant ads for a group of people who are more likely to be interested in your products or services, leading to higher conversion rates and better return on ad spend.
9. Be a Facebook Remarketing Expert
Learning about the ins and outs of Facebook remarketing is crucial because it allows you to target people who have already shown an interest in your brand, reminding them of your business and increase conversions.
With Facebook’s remarketing tools, you can track potential customers’ behavior and customize your ad strategy accordingly, reaching those most likely to convert. By mastering Facebook remarketing, you can boost your advertising efforts and maximize your return on investment.
10. Hold Contests and Giveaways
Contests and giveaways on Facebook have always been a great way to increase brand awareness, engagement, and lead generation. It encourages people to interact with your brand and share your content. They can also create a sense of urgency and excitement, driving more conversions and sales while providing valuable customer data and insights.
Holding contests and giveaways can help your business achieve short-term and long-term marketing goals. You can also explore shoppable events, live commerce promotions, and lead ad optimizations to enrich your campaigns.
Final Thoughts
To maximize your ROI in 2026, try implementing the top 10 Facebook ad strategies outlined in this guide. Standing out from the competition, engaging your target audience, and continuously improving your results, Facebook advertising can be a powerful tool for growing your business. It’s also a great idea to exp[lore Meta’s AI, which now helps automate creative, targeting, and placements.
Famous for its vibrant food scene, booming tech hub, and live music, Austin, Texas, also holds some of the best design agencies in the nation. For the coming year, you might want to work with the following agencies to boost your business:
Penji
Known for its unlimited graphic design services, Penji tops this list of the best agencies in Austin. Its key services include branding visuals, infographics, social media graphics, custom illustrations, UI and UX design, and more. You can send requests for more than 120 design categories, all for a flat monthly rate. And the best part is its unlimited revisions feature, allowing you to get the exact designs you need without paying extra.
Pushstart Creative
A multidisciplinary design agency, Pushstart Creative specializes in product and industrial design, user experience, research, and strategy. It has worked across various industries, most notably consumer and commercial IoT, consumer electronics, sports, and health and fitness.
Frank & Victor
Reflecting Austin’s creative spirit, Frank & Victor helps businesses resonate more deeply with their audiences. It promises to create branding and identity systems, strategic logo designs, UI/UX designs, and more, with premium quality designs and attention to detail.
Big Gorilla
With a focus on branding and identity design, web design and development, and marketing strategy, Big Gorilla is a highly recommended creative design agency for businesses in Austin. It also offers photography, video, art direction, packaging design, and a wide range of marketing and communications services.
Fahrenheit Marketing
Founded in 2008, Fahrenheit Marketing is a full-service agency that offers both creative design and marketing strategy. Proudly based in Austin, Texas, it offers web development, UX/UI design, SEO, PPC, and ecommerce services. In addition to these, they sell products from Offline Order Importer, HubSpot, Klaviyo, SharpSpring, and many others.
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