Breaking Through
Over a casual game of pool, what began as an innocent pastime transformed into the inception of The RedRover Co., a dynamic marketing and communications firm founded by Lori Turner and Julie Lunn. Initially colleagues at First Horizon National Corp., Turner and Lunn nurtured the idea of creating their own company. After Lunn left for another job, the two friends reconvened for dinner, and during a game of pool at Turner’s home, RedRover was born. This firm focuses on serving the marketing needs of small to mid-size businesses.
With an initial investment of $15,000, Turner and Lunn have successfully grown RedRover over 2.5 years, achieving a revenue of $350,000 in 2007 and projecting $500,000 for 2008. Despite starting without a formal business plan, relying instead on ideas scribbled on a whiteboard, they leveraged their shared gut feeling and mutual support to leap into entrepreneurship. The company’s name, RedRover, reflects both their love of dogs and the childhood game that symbolizes uniting disparate teams—a core principle of their business.
Key Takeaways:
- Foundation Story: RedRover was conceptualized during a game of pool between Lori Turner and Julie Lunn.
- Initial Growth: Started with $15,000, achieving $350,000 in revenue in 2007 and projecting $500,000 in 2008.
- Name Origin: The name “RedRover” signifies uniting different teams within a company.
- Services: Initially focused on traditional marketing, now 70% of the business involves sales development, including workshops and process streamlining.
- Clients: Serves clients in Memphis and Nashville, including prominent names like The Regional Medical Center at Memphis and Express Grips.
- Business Strategy: Aiming for controlled growth by adding seasoned marketing executives while freelancing creative work to maintain diversity and quality.
RedRover’s evolution from a simple idea to a thriving business demonstrates the power of adaptability and understanding client needs. With a strong focus on sales development and uniting company teams, RedRover continues to provide comprehensive marketing solutions, building lasting partnerships with clients. The company’s plan for controlled growth ensures they maintain high service standards while expanding their capabilities, reflecting their commitment to both innovation and quality.
For more details, you can visit the Memphis Business Journal article.
