Meet Rock31 Member – Zach Griffin!
Zach is the owner and founder of Yield Strategic Marketing, which helps businesses market and sell their value-added products.
Prior to Yield Strategic Marketing, Zach had been working as a craftsman; first as a specialty carpenter and second as a sheepskin goods manufacturer. Most recently he owned a business as a solopreneur where he produced the sheepskin products in his workshop, handled marketing, and fulfilled both wholesale and direct to consumer orders. Being a solopreneur is a lot of work and Zach eventually decided that he wanted to sell that business and focus on helping others in that space market and sell their own products. Zach has an educational background in strategic communication and enjoys the thoughtfulness and creativity that goes into creating messages that communicate effectively. “I have the utmost respect for creators, builders, producers, and I wanted to exercise my creativity in a new way that would directly benefit that audience.”
Zach has been building Yield Strategic Marketing since he sold his business in early 2022. Zach wanted to be confident in his offering when launching his business, so he pursued educational opportunities in branding strategy and marketing strategy to expand his knowledge and expertise. “I wanted to ensure that I didn’t start my business missing crucial knowledge, thinking that my past experience would be enough.” Zach faces being a perfectionist and wanting complete knowledge, which can be an obstacle to finally starting a business. “That pursuit could last a lifetime. Maybe Buddhism would have been a better route.” Eventually Zach was encouraged by the advice and experience of others he respects at Rock31 who told him “that there will always be more to learn and that you have to just start.”
To wrap up this spotlight on Zach, we asked him our favorite questions (starting with our MOST favorite):
What are you most excited about being a part of Rock31?
“Being around other motivated, creative, supportive individuals has been more refreshing than I could have imagined. Coming out of COVID isolation and being new to Billings, this has been the most positive experience so far.”
What are some of your hobbies/interests (outside of work)?
“Getting on a bike is always great fun. The same with hiking. Both of those things have taken on a different meaning in the last few years with young kids. It’s been cool to slow down and explore a little differently. I love experiencing others’ creativity and expression; I get lost in music.”
What is the best book you have ever read?
“There are stories that are perfect for certain times of life. The best book I read when I was 20 might not be the best for when I was 30, and so on. The authors whose work I have immensely enjoyed (plus my favorite of each) might be a better route :
- David Mitchell – The Bone Clocks
- John Steinbeck – East of Eden
- Michael Chabon – The Adventures of Kavalier and Clay
- Cormac McCarthy – All the Pretty Horses
- Sherman Alexie – Reservation Blues
Sorry for the list, I can’t help myself.
Note: It should be longer…much longer.
A genie grants you the ability to have an infinite amount of one item. What is it?
“PTO”
If you’d like to learn more about Zach’s business, Yield Strategic Marketing, be sure to check out the website: yieldstrategicmarketing.com