Today we’d like to introduce you to EVERGIB Rachel Scott Everett & Brian Gibson.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
We first met at the VCU Brandcenter in Richmond, Virginia, consistently ranked the top graduate advertising/creative program in the U.S. After graduation, we spent over ten years working at various ad agencies around the country. The agency world was intense and while we kept up with the work, there were aspects of corporate life that left us feeling unfulfilled – so much so that we quit our jobs three times to take sabbaticals, totaling a combined two years backpacking around the world.
In 2015, we made the decision to return to Richmond. We hoped to figure out a way to live and work that not only offered us greater autonomy, but felt more fulfilling long-term. What began as freelancing quickly turned into something more – our own business: EVERGIB, a nomadic creative studio specializing in strategically led advertising and branding.
One of our very first projects came from a fellow Brandcenter alum who asked us to rebrand her global strategic consulting firm. After the success of that project, she referred us to a local organization seeking a creative partner to help build their brand – one that aspired to make Virginia the next hub of innovation. That nonprofit, Startup Virginia, is now our longest, continuous client. Ten years in, we’re proud to play a role in the real impact they’ve made advancing our home state’s economy.
Other Virginia clients of ours (past and present) include: Richmond Ballet, The State Ballet of Virginia; VPM, Virginia’s home for Public Media and NPR/PBS affiliate; The Richmond Forum, America’s largest nonprofit speaker series; The Span Center, the state-sanctioned Area Agency on Aging and Aging and Disability Resource Center for the Capital Area of Virginia; and Big Kitchen Hospitality, a restaurant and hospitality group operating beloved neighborhood-style restaurants including Conejo, Tazza Kitchen, and The Granite Grill.
Those same referral networks have connected us to national and international clients as well – including Atlantis Resort, for whom we’ve led multiple campaigns over the years.
From the beginning, our Virginia network has opened doors we might not have had access to otherwise – within the state and far beyond it. Nearly all of our projects come by referral and word-of-mouth. It’s a testament to the power of community, and we’re grateful for the connections that have made it all possible.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
We often say entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart, but ideal for those up for adventure.
Aside from the realities of operating a business, the early skepticism around working remotely was a bit of a hurdle. Post-pandemic, that’s a non-issue now.
A more current challenge is that our core areas of focus – travel & hospitality and nonprofits – have had to navigate real obstacles the past couple of years. Specifically, U.S. travel demand has become more unpredictable, both in and out of the country, and many nonprofits have lost federal funding or had grants frozen, which means marketing projects are often the first to be cut.
What keeps us steady during times like these is staying adaptable, leaning on long-term relationships, and evolving our skillset.
Recently, Brian has expanded his web development capabilities. In addition to creating custom WordPress websites, he’s learned to build special features. For example, a personalized portal he built for our client, a technology firm specializing in 3D laser scanning, gives customers a dedicated, real-time view of their individual projects, keeping information all in one place instead of scattered across email chains. We’re not just executing the same services we offered when we first began – we’re developing new capabilities as clients need them.
Additionally, Rachel is a contributing writer for multiple publications – from independent community outlets like RVA Mag, to more national content platforms like Muse by Clio. Her essays often focus on advertising and branding as applied to U.S. politics and within larger cultural moments – an opportunity to apply her expertise beyond client work and explore creativity’s role in shaping the world at large.
To view Rachel’s recent writings, visit: substack.com/@rachelscotteverett
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
At the heart of our business, EVERGIB is about championing creativity.
We have an intentionally small model, just the two of us, along with a trusted network of designers and producers (also entrepreneurs) who we partner with on a project basis when needed. We typically do all of the work ourselves – focusing on brand launches and advertising campaigns, handling everything from strategy to concept to execution.
We often use the analogy of a construction site to describe how we work; where a crowd stands around watching two people dig a hole. We’re those two people – sleeves rolled up, deep in the hole, getting dirty, and doing the actual work. And we think it’s one of the things that sets us apart.
We also pride ourselves on being true partners to our clients. That means open communication, no layers, and having a stake in the outcome, not just the deliverable. We consider many of our current and former clients as friends and take a genuine interest in them. Just as we’re a husband-and-wife team, we believe it’s possible to mix business with pleasure. In fact, we feel it’s necessary to make work – and life – more rewarding.
Since day one, our mission has been to harness the power of creativity to do good work, and to do good in the world. That’s not just a declaration – it’s how we decide what’s worth doing.
Lastly, as creative professionals, staying inspired is a large part of the job. Understanding different perspectives allows us to come up with ideas that are as innovative as they are strategic. When it comes to inspired thinking, travel is our greatest resource. Without a doubt, living and working remotely makes our work better – and more enjoyable.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Living a life that’s both personally and professionally fulfilling is an incredible gift.
Not only do we get to work on projects aligned with our passions and values, but we also get to live life more on our own terms. We love being nomadic and the opportunities it affords us – enriching our work and our perspective on the world.
Creativity thrives on new and different experiences. Traveling isn’t separate from our work, it’s integral to it. Right now, we’re working from Mexico City – a dynamic city with stunning architecture, delicious street food on every corner, and a vibrant scene of art, music, and dance. Later this summer, we’ll be exploring a few new cities in Brazil – from the iconic beaches of Rio de Janeiro, to the epicenter of Afro-Brazilian culture in Salvador, and the sprawling cosmopolitan capital of São Paulo.
When we step back and look at the full picture, we realize we’re approaching the same amount of time working for ourselves as we spent at ad agencies. It’s been quite the adventure… not without its challenges, but one we would definitely choose again.
As we reflect on over a decade of EVERGIB, we’re indebted to the people who’ve been with us: our clients for entrusting us with their brands; our fellow colleagues and collaborators who help make the work even stronger; and our friends and family who’ve supported us over the years.
We’re grateful for this journey and look forward to the next chapter.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://evergib.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/evergib
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/evergib
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/evergib
- Other: https://vimeo.com/evergib
