Hidden Gems: Meet Josh Smyth of Lokal Design Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Josh Smyth

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Southern Ontario, Canada, and had the privilege of playing hockey at Liberty University during my college years. After graduating, I relocated to Raleigh, North Carolina, where I began my professional journey, specifically in the construction industry manufacturing and fabricating countertops and showers.

Starting out as a sales representative, I eventually had the honor of leading sales and marketing efforts, and I was fortunate to work under some incredible executive leaders who profoundly shaped my understanding of business. .

The onset of COVID-19 prompted a period of reflection for many, myself included, about the future direction of our professional lives. It was during this time that the vision for our current company began to take shape. Recognizing the universally negative experiences business leaders had with traditional marketing firms, we asked ourselves: What if we could apply manufacturing principles to enhance creative marketing? This led to the establishment of our company, with a mission to passionately disrupt traditional marketing and design by focusing on the people we serve, not just the products we create.

Our team is deeply committed to each other, our clients, and our community. We are excited about growing our business in Raleigh, North Carolina and Further and equally dedicated to using our resources to positively impact the community.

Over the past few years, we’ve been privileged to collaborate on projects with notable organizations such as Chick-fil-A, MAKO Medical, Greg Norman, Next Century Spirits, Prime Barbecue, Scott Crawford Restaurant Group, and many others. These experiences have not only been rewarding but also affirm our commitment to redefining the creative marketing landscape.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life is full of obstacles, but those obstacles and how you work through them will often define the trajectory of your growth.

So yes, of course there have been struggles. Early on in my career, I was thrown into a leadership role with little experience. I wish I could say that I did everything the right way, but simply, I didn’t. Those times, while challenging, ended up being some of the best professional growth moments in my life.

Then in 2021 when we decided to start this business, you can imagine all of the challenges associated with it. From stability to financial to revenue to relationships – all the above.

Regardless, I’m grateful for all of them, as they’ve help build the company we have today.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Lokal Design Co?
Our vision is to passionately disrupt traditional marketing and design, be re-establishing the creative-marketing process around the people we serve, not just the products we create.

Every business and non-profit leader I’ve ever met with, has had a negative experience with a company that does what ours does, so we wanted to change that.

With a Manufacturing Process and Accountability mindset, paired with really strong creative talent, we knew that we could serve organizations well.

Our value proposition is really simple. We go really good creative marketing, on time.

We offer 5 items:

Branding
Graphic Design
Full Service Websites (Design, Develop, Management)
Digital Marketing
Print

Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I’m part of a CEO round table that’s called C12.

Every month, myself along with 11 other CEOs sit down for an entire day, uninterrupted and discuss business, life, family, faith etc.

It has single-handedly been the greatest asset for myself as a business leader as well as for our company.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lokaldesignco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/lokaldesignco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/lokaldesignco