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Visit the 26 Tools website at www.26tools.com.
You've seen Caleb Ludwig's work, you just didn't know it.
Founder and director at 26 Tools LLC, a two-person communication and brand strategy firm here in Chattanooga, Ludwig over the last six years has worked with Rock/Creek Outfitters, Chattanooga Whiskey, RootsRated and Vision Hospitality Group, among others.
And 26 Tools' reach extends far beyond the Chattanooga city limit sign. Ludwig's company has worked with Google Ventures start-ups, the Museum of Modern Art, IDEO and Okamura Corp., among others.
Founded here in 2008 by the Covenant College alumni Ludwig, 26 Tools has its founder on "a wild ride," he said.
But recently, Ludwig found himself increasingly caught up in the management of work as 26 Tools' work load increased, and the coordination of subcontractors was taking the place of the creative process.
So at the end of June, Ludwig brought on Chattanooga native Keely Stockett Hungate as a full-time senior writer at 26 Tools. Hungate is a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and worked previously for the American Red Cross National Headquarters, King and Spalding LLP and FourBridges Capital Advisors here in Chattanooga.
Hungate brings a degree in journalism and a background in corporate communication to the team here in Chattanooga.
"With me, this was an unbelievable opportunity because I was at a crossroads figuring out what I wanted to do next," Hungate said. "I was feeling sort of contained creatively."
Hungate tried a few things before landing back in Chattanooga - a place she meant to avoid after leaving a decade ago - with her husband. Even after returning, it was her husband's job which kept her here at first.
"I was just so sure I was not staying," she said.
Then the opportunity at FourBridges came along.
And now with the change to work at 26 Tools with Ludwig, she has put down roots in Chattanooga.
"Caleb is really like a boss and mentor all together," said Hungate.
But Ludwig says the addition is as much a win for him.
"With Keely, it would have been a tremendous loss for the city, the future of the city, had she left," he said.
And, "we need more women who are creative directors here," said Ludwig. "Not because they're women, but because they're smart and talented."
The duo are talking growth strategy going forward, and about finding a path that preserves the personality of the company and its brand strategies while allowing for bigger accounts.
But 26 Tools isn't trying to become a household name, and there's no desire to trade the Macbook and coffee shop vibe of the work for fluorescent lights and cube farms.
"We're not trying to build a kingdom," Ludwig said. "Let's not scale up for the sake of scaling up."
The small firm prides itself on taking smaller, even start-up clients with spunk and story, and then pouring heart and soul into brand campaigns for them. Non-profits are among 26 Tools' client list.
While 26 Tools has handled large corporate accounts, it's never come at the expense of home life, and Ludwig and Hungate don't want that to change, either.
"The jobs that we've turned down have been because they've demanded too much from our families, or our peace of mind or our quality of life," Ludwig said.
Contact staff writer Alex Green at agreen@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6480.