The Story of Springbach
When you meet someone like Shelley, whose enthusiasm for Agile and Agile at scale radiates through every conversation, it's no surprise that she decided to venture out and start her own company. Her journey from an employee at a consulting firm to the founder of a thriving business is nothing short of inspiring. This is the story of Springbach.
Why Springbach?
Shelley’s passion for her work was the driving force behind Springbach. She had been deeply involved in Agile methodologies and truly believed in the positive impact they had on her clients. However, while working for another consulting company, she realized that the environment wasn't conducive to innovation. The company wasn't passionate about their solutions; they were simply delivering whatever the clients paid for, without any drive to innovate. This lack of enthusiasm didn't sit well with Shelley.
Faced with a choice—either trying to inject passion and enthusiasm into a consulting firm that lacked it or building her own company—Shelley chose the latter. She couldn’t see herself investing time in a place that didn’t value the kind of work she believed in. The decision to go out on her own was spurred by her desire to do meaningful work that she cared about, even if it meant starting from scratch and building her company from the ground up.
Overcoming Challenges
Since starting a business wasn’t something Shelley always envisioned for herself, the initial entry into entrepreneurship came with a learning curve. She had no prior knowledge of how to start a business, which led to some surprising moments. For instance, when a potential client assumed she had the necessary infrastructure in place—a website, insurance, non-disclosure agreement, and Master Service Agreements – she practiced the process she preached and started a Kanban board for herself to make sure she had those things by the time deadlines were due. It was a significant learning experience but one that she tackled head-on with determination and resourcefulness.
The Birth of Springbach
Naming the company was another thoughtful process. Shelley considered naming it Staten Consulting but felt that it limited the company’s potential for growth and endurance. She wanted a name that wasn't tied to her own and could represent a broader vision, so, again, she took a page from her own book and created acceptance criteria for what she thought the name should embody. After brainstorming with those around her, her daughter suggested working with a name derived from the Springbok animal, an African antelope known for its agility, grace, and elegance (and whose environment is pictured in the opening photo of this blog). Those qualities resonated with the essence of what Shelley wanted her company to embody, so with some creative spelling to secure a domain, Springbach was born.
Her Support Systems
Starting Springbach was not just a professional decision but a personal one. Shelley drew immense inspiration from the realization that many of her friends launched their own businesses and found success. The idea of starting her own company had taken root in her mind. Initially, she considered partnering with someone, but when that didn’t work out due to timing issues, she had to decide if she wanted to go out by herself. After discussing it with her husband—who has always had the utmost confidence in her—she decided to take the plunge.
As Springbach was starting, Shelley formed a circle of trust with the friends whose businesses inspired her and named it COBAL (or Council of Bad-Ass Ladies), meeting regularly to discuss strategy, partnership agreements, and other business-related challenges. These women did give her the confidence to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, after all. At first Shelley needed a lot of guidance from them and the group gave her advice, recommendations and connections liberally. But over time, once she found her footing, she was able to contribute to their struggles as well and in the end, that camaraderie and conversation between women is what it’s all about.
The Springbach Mascot
Interestingly, the Springbach mascot features a Sasquatch, a whimsical choice that contrasts with the elegance of an antelope. It started as a marketing awareness campaign, #springbachinthewild, where team members, clients and friends of the brand would take pictures from travel, work meetings, etc., and post on LinkedIn and other social platforms to build awareness of the brand. The alliteration with Springbach worked well and captured the essence of the company in a unique and memorable way.
Reflecting on the Journey and Looking to the Future
When Shelley first started Springbach, her primary goal was to do important work with passionate people. She was okay with the possibility of the venture being short-lived, as she believed she could always find meaningful work elsewhere if it didn’t pan out. However, as the company grew, her vision evolved. Now, she aims for long-term stability and a dedicated team that shares her passion. Shelley envisions a future where Springbach isn’t just a fleeting project-based company but a stable, collaborative environment where talented individuals work together on meaningful projects. The culture being built at Springbach is organic, with everyone contributing in different ways, expanding the vision and taking the company to the next level.
Shelley’s story is a testament to following one’s passion and the impact it can have on creating something meaningful and lasting. Springbach is not just a company; it’s a manifestation of Shelley’s passion for process and her desire to work with people who share her enthusiasm. As Springbach continues to grow, it stands as a beacon of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose.