Skidmore Studio
The analogue advertising agency has transformed into a digital agency
Business heroes
The analogue advertising agency has transformed into a digital agency
Skidmore Studio is an unsung business. It has survived since 1962. Its current owner worked as an employee, when his boss died suddenly.
Drew Patrik is the owner and CEO of Skidmore Studio since 2018. Earlier owner Tim Smith had bought the firm in 2010 from the family of the original founder Leo Skidmore. Drew had spent about 10 years at Skidmore. He told Tim that he had wanted to start his own business. The very day Tim Smith died of the cardiac arrest. He was 54 years old.Tim Smith’s family was about to sell the firm. Drew changed his mind. Instead, of starting a new business, he bought the studio. He became the owner. But, it was not smooth.
In a podcast to Small Giants Community he said, “ I left the job at E&Y to do material handling business. I didn’t know what was about to happen. It was exciting to me. The partner reminded my of salary, pension, country club memberships and retirement at 58. I would have been more financially successful with E&Y.”
As a new owner Drew lost 70% of the business. The biggest accounts left or were reassessing the contracts. He stabilised it, steered the studio towards digital economy. The key is to focus on emerging CPG brands. It has a narrow focus. He has also launched a new business Michigan Fields. It delivers specialty food to customers. Skidmore business is set for another long finings.
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