Established as a full-service marketing agency, Pretty Creative LLC is a Nashville based company, unique in the industry, taking on a maximum of 12 clients per year. A small business feel that produces mighty results. Led by the professional intellect of Larken Lech – known as the Most Influential CEO of 2022, Larken explains the company, her role and her leadership offerings further.
Pretty Creative LLC is run by Larken Lech, recognized as one of Tennessee’s Most Influential CEOs of the year. Her team at Pretty Creative works predominantly within the hospitality and tourism sectors, serving clients such as Gray Line Tennessee, Clearbrook Hospitality, Loden Vision Centers and Crossroads Medical Group, to name a few.
In addition to these big, branded clients, Pretty Creative serves non-profit organizations like Valor Honey, which is known for supporting Veterans in harvesting 100% authentic USA Honey. “We don’t niche down because we feel like it depletes creativity in marketing. We love a challenge,” enthuses Larken.
Continuing from this point, Larken explains her leadership style and how it impacts work and the company, stating, “Leadership is often confused with management and in worse case scenarios, micro-management. I was a solopreneur for many years, and as I’ve expanded the business and hired new employees, I’ve learned that letting them lead in what they are passionate about is the best form of leadership. I’m here to answer questions and make sure that when they leave our team, people wonder, ‘where did you come from’ and they’re proud to say, ‘Pretty Creative.'”
To join the Pretty Creative team, potential applicants must showcase two essential qualities: adjusting to new situations and being good communicators. “Marketing is often a high-paced, moving target that we constantly have to move through and offers many daily challenges. Our motto is ‘If there’s a will, there’s a way’, and we find people with the same attitude,” states Larken.
Overall, at Pretty Creative, the company is run on a foundation that directly links to its internal culture, which is made out of a lot of hard work, tons of laughing, and a safe space to share wants/needs/suggestions that will uplift the business or quality of the office.
Expanding on the offerings of the company and its uniqueness, Larken shares, “We’ve been fortunate that our clients have seen our work and come to us; we’ve never had to ‘sell’ Pretty Creative. Our work speaks for itself. We are unique in that we sit in as a full-service marketing agency, or you can pick a single service, like social media management, and we can work alongside your internal marketing team. We are very flexible, and we treat every client like they are our only client, and that’s how we build retention year over year.”
However, as many businesses across the globe have noticed, the Covid-19 pandemic created a series of challenges that shook various sectors and industries globally. For some businesses, the pandemic was far too challenging to overcome, and its effects crushed them, but for Pretty Creative, the team found that it made marketing more efficient.
Larken adds to this, saying, “Many of our clients had large scale budgets that needed to be readjusted and given a more strategic plan. Some new clients came on because they wanted to look better on social since everyone was home and consuming media every day. We partnered with several HR companies who contracted with us to help gain employees back after the pandemic.”
For Pretty Creative, as the world reopens, Larken and her staff are looking forward to travelling again for clients, summits, events, and speaking engagements. “I’m often asked to speak on marketing panels or on a certain marketing aspect, and I look forward to doing that again in 2022-2023,” says Larken.
With a new title accredited as the Most Influential CEO of 2022, Larken and Pretty Creative are undoubtedly on a successful path that will continue its place as unique leaders within the marketing industry.
