25 Years of Ideas On Purpose

Last week, our team celebrated our 25^th year in business. We held our 6^th bi-annual town hall and then we all went out for a celebratory birthday dinner (complete with party hats, party favors, and a big old-fashioned birthday cake). We looked back and celebrated the great work, the amazing team, and challenges we overcame. As a group we spent time discussing what the future holds in store.

This moment in time makes us pause and ask what does 25 years in business really mean? For us, it means relationships built, problems solved, and impact amplified.

It means thousands of conversations, hundreds of projects, and countless moments where the right words, the right design, or the right strategy helped an organization tell its story with clarity and conviction.

We started as three partners learning as we went. That always-learning culture (one of our core values) still defines us today. We’ve grown from a design studio into an agency delivering end-to-end solutions: strategy, writing, design, and development. But some of the most pleasant surprises along the way weren’t about the work itself.

Our partnership thrived—rare for 25 years. We built something lasting, and our collaborative approach has shaped every client relationship and team member. Staying true to our values has shaped us and how we engage with our clients, leading to long-term partnerships and genuine friendships. After all these years together, our co-founder Darren retired in 2025, but the foundation we built together remains strong and focused on what’s next.

What’s Remained Constant

From day one, we focused on corporate communications to stakeholders—helping organizations communicate with intention, with purpose. Our name has only grown more meaningful over time. Today’s widespread use of purpose to represent a company’s reason for being only reinforces our approach and values—which continue to resonate with clients and team members.

We evolved our offering and deepened our expertise, but the core remained constant. Over the years we’ve sharpened our focus on sustainability and impact communications, helping organizations communicate not just what they do, but why it matters.

The constant? Serving values-aligned organizations—all committed to making a positive difference. We’ve worked with nonprofits and foundations, large and small enterprises, public and private. This client diversity keeps us sharp and our solutions fresh.

The People Who Got Us Here

Thank you to our clients who’ve trusted us to do what we do best, we succeed when you do. Your willingness to partner with us on meaningful work has been the foundation of everything we’ve accomplished.

To the team members past and present—the vast array of talented strategists, writers, designers, and developers who’ve contributed over 25 years—your expertise, creativity, and commitment made this possible. We’ve been fortunate to work with exceptional people who share our values and push us to do better work.

Looking Ahead

The work continues and evolves. We’re navigating the shifting landscape of sustainability reporting, exploring how AI search changes everything, and helping clients move from strategy to impact with their messages.

We’re excited about AI’s potential to enhance the work we do. Although the landscape is changing, we have weathered transitions before—and emerged stronger. Our commitment to partnering with organizations that create positive change remains constant. And we’re excited to continue to build on 11 years of pro bono work with our Brand New Brand! initiative where we give an NYC-local nonprofit a complete rebrand for no cost.

Our capabilities—websites, sustainability reports, campaigns, brand strategy—continue to help values-aligned organizations communicate with clarity and impact. Strategy, writing, design, and development: we bring it all together to solve complex communication challenges.

Here’s to the Next Chapter

Thank you and everyone who’s been part of our 25-year journey—clients who’ve trusted us with their stories, team members who’ve brought their talent and passion, and partners who’ve collaborated with us along the way.

Whether you’ve worked with us for years or are just discovering Ideas On Purpose, we’re glad you’re here. Here’s to the relationships ahead, the problems we’ll solve together, and the impact we’ll amplify.

Thank you,

John & Michelle