Tom Conlon: Building a Successful Creative Agency from Scratch

Tom Conlon is the founder of the award-winning independent creative services agency North Street, with offices in New York City and Providence, RI. As company lead, Tom oversees an interdisciplinary team of visual designers, strategists, content creators, and engineers on work that spans the financial services, nonprofit, B2B, and consumer sectors.


Prior to founding North Street in 2010, Tom was a designer, developer, and writer/editor for such content publishers as Wired, Men’s Journal, Maxim, AOL, and Popular Science.


We discuss Tom's journey from a history major to a successful entrepreneur, the challenges of color blindness in design, and the importance of communication and customer experience in retaining clients. Tom shares insights on building a team, scaling a business, and the significance of feedback loops in leadership.

In this engaging conversation, Adam Posner and Tom Conlon discuss the importance of honest feedback in business, the origin story of North Street, and the evolving landscape of creativity in the age of AI. They explore the balance between technology and true creativity, the challenges of critical thinking in a digital world, and the significance of hiring for values and character. The discussion culminates in reflections on defining success in business and the role of personal growth and community impact.

For more, please check out northstreetcreative.com and North Street's LinkedIn page.

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Takeaways

- Tom's background in a family of entrepreneurs influenced his career path.
- Color blindness presented unique challenges in Tom's design work.
- The internet's emergence in the 90s sparked Tom's interest in digital creativity.
- Tom's early career included writing for a magazine, which honed his storytelling skills.
- Transitioning to entrepreneurship was unplanned for Tom, starting as a freelancer.
- Building strong client relationships is key to long-term success.
- Effective communication and understanding client needs are crucial for retention.
- Hiring a project manager transformed Tom's business operations.
- Scaling a business requires trust and delegation to team members.
- Feedback loops are essential for maintaining a healthy team dynamic. Honest feedback is crucial for growth in business.
- Understanding expectations is key to employee development.
- The origin of North Street reflects a commitment to artisanal quality.
- AI can enhance efficiency but should not replace creativity.
- The future of branding will involve collaboration with AI tools.
- Using AI as a medium can inspire new creative ideas.
- Concerns about AI-generated content highlight the need for authenticity.
- Critical thinking is endangered in the age of digital distractions.
- Finding balance in technology use is essential for mental health.
- Hiring for values and character is vital for a positive workplace culture.