Mary Reagan Shapton – Stay Fresh, Stay on the Edge

By LeAnn M. Secord • Photos by Daniel E. Johnson

In order to stay ahead of the competition, relevant in your industry, and on the cutting edge, you have to keep yourself and your ideas fresh. Mary Reagan Shapton recognizes and puts this concept into practice every day in a variety of ways at Reagan Marketing + Design, LLC (RM+D).

Early on in her work experiences, Mary Reagan Shapton was fortunate to be a part of an innovative and collaborative work atmosphere at Steelcase.  After seven years of working for the furniture powerhouse, Shapton ventured out on her own with the intention of taking a year off to explore what she wanted to do and focus on. “I wanted to try something different, very different, and the time is now,” affirms Shapton at age 28.

In 1991, Shapton took on a variety of freelance projects and found a great deal of work coming her way. Her “year off” turned into an incredible time of personal and professional growth. With an abundance of clients and work knocking down her door, Shapton started Reagan Marketing + Design, LCC as a sole proprietorship and it has continued to evolve ever since. Twenty years later, RM+D has grown into a competitive influence in the marketing industry.

RM+D offers a large range of services that include social media  and website development, video and motion graphics, project and event management, marketing campaigns, and so much more. RM+D will go to any length to meet the needs of a client. If they cannot directly provide a specific service in-house, they have an impressive pool of reliable resources to help clients achieve their goals. “If it’s related to marketing, we can do it (and have been since 1991).”

Shapton prides herself on the way RM+D is able to keep up with the changing world. It is through watching the market, increasing knowledge, learning new industries, and staying ahead that RM+D maintains its status as a competitive and successful marketing and design firm. They are even able to support a variety of clients. From small non-profit organizations to major corporations and from the healthcare industry to the arts, RM+D has the means and services to cater to a diverse client base and remain relevant and viable.

Shapton makes significant efforts to keep employees inspired and energized; from “closing down shop” during the holidays, hosting on-site yoga classes, to having a running club. Just the act of shutting down during the holidays and reopening after the new year, the staff returns invigorated, revived and ready to start fresh.

RM+D recently moved into a new location at 912 Wealthy Street in the thriving East Hills neighborhood. They repurposed three buildings – a former gas station, creamery and printing factory.

“After 20 years in business and 18 years of renting (on North Monroe Avenue), it was time to invest, particularly in an area where we can make an impact and contribute.” The choice of neighborhood was an easy one. The staff already frequent Wealthy Street businesses, love the area and want to support it.

At the core of an innovative organization, is a fresh and inventive group of employees. “Having a fresh start keeps my team and me motivated and inspired. Life can get out of balance so quickly. You have to make time and make intentional efforts to refocus yourself. You have to stay fresh to stay afloat,” Shapton asserts.