Today we’d like to introduce you to Suzy Simmons and Brad Petak.
Suzy and Brad, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In early 2006, Brad and I were two corporate grunts daydreaming about owning our own creative agency after years of working with Fortune 500 companies where we managed other creative agencies. We would talk for hours about what our firm would look like and how we’d operate–“we’d do this” and “we wouldn’t do that”. So we started planning. And planning. And on July 13th, 2009, Test Monki was born.
People often ask us “How’d you come up with the name?”. The name took months of strategy and research, but here’s the short version. At the end of one grueling day stuck in an office cubicle, one of us was getting pretty annoyed after getting 3 different directions in 3 different conversations and let out a scream, “Argh. I feel like a test monkey someday!” The light bulb went off, and Test Monki was born. And come on, who doesn’t love a monkey?
Has it been a smooth road?
Every road has its ups and downs. We learned something at every dip, turn, and bump. Fortunately, the smoothest part has always been the work. We always use the latest technology and are always honing our processes so the next interaction is even smoother.
Where we’ve collectively learned and grown even more is on the business side of things. You have to be really diligent about what is included in project scope, statement of work, and the fine print. We learned that the hard way.
Setting up a project for success takes some consensus on objectives, goals, timelines, budgets, and a client/agency commitment to deliver what’s needed and promised.
Another important lesson is it’s okay to say no. Not every project or every person is a good fit.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Test Monki is in the branding business, whether we brand a company, person, or product, we create authentic experiences and memorable interactions. Working through brand strategies for clients of all shapes and sizes has equipped us to build brand systems. We know things, and we’re not afraid to use our knowledge. Because business success is so closely tied to brand strategy, we’ve consulted on business strategy, recommended pricing strategy, assessed staffing, and even helped with space planning. We can provide a 360° brand development platform from research to brand idea to collateral development. Or we can specialize our services and tailor them to more foundational services, such as brand architecture, brand portfolio strategy, or messaging strategy.
Test Monki can help define what your brand means and how to best position it for growth, bringing a brand to life through creative problem solving and ideas geared towards long-term business results. We believe that business is more than just showing and selling—it’s about the experience. In an overcrowded marketplace, people gravitate toward companies and products they feel an emotional connection with.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
The greater Houston area is an entrepreneur’s heaven. It’s a great place to start a business, cultivate good partnerships, and raise a family.
The challenge is with Houston being the historical energy capital, many creative services are treated like commodities. So it’s inherently important to show the value your business provides so your business becomes a brand and not a commodity.
Contact Info:
- Address: 9595 Six Pines Drive, Ste 6235
The Woodlands, TX 77380 - Website: testmonki.com
- Phone: 281-323-4903
- Email: holler@testmonki.com
- Instagram: testmonki
- Facebook: testmonki
- Twitter: testmonki
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
