By Kate Elliott—
Editor’s note: Shafer Leadership Academy and the Muncie Downtown Development Partnership are partnering on this series to highlight innovative leaders who are redefining typical during these extraordinary times. This is the final article in the series.
Muncie, IN — Not too many businesses opened up months into a global pandemic. But Allison Robbins, owner of Aspect 6 Creative isn’t “most businesses.” In June 2020, the longtime media and marketing professional opened a full-service advertising agency at 122 N. Walnut St. in downtown Muncie. She dove into work with area businesses eager to adapt their communication and service models to comply with COVID-19 restrictions.
“I opened at a time when business owners felt paralyzed to know what to do and how to do it,” Robbins said. “Most of my recent work centers around business consulting, developing strategies and media plans to help meet people where they are with the resources, they have available.”
Robbins said she is focused on giving clients “the courage and the ability to think differently” as they strive to connect with customers in new and meaningful ways. She didn’t have as much of a learning curve when the pandemic hit, given that much of the advertising industry can and has operated remotely, she said.
Aspect 6 Creative specializes in advertising, branding, creative service, business strategy, HD video production, and media planning and placement. Robbins said her distinction is how she operates:
“I poke. I prod. I ask hard questions, and once we start talking, the magic happens,” said Robbins. “Your passion and my knowledge of the advertising world are the recipe for success. That collaboration leads us to be confident in taking calculated risks that lead to bigger things. The only constant in today’s world is change, and I will help you manage that change.”
Allison Robbins, owner of Aspect 6 Creative. Photo by Matt Howell.
Although she’s tried not to let the pandemic interfere with her mission to help clients achieve bold dreams, Robbins admits COVID-19 restrictions present challenges. Virtual communication, she said, can easily make clients feel neglected. She misses that personal touch and trust that develops from in-person meetings, but Robbins said she works hard to use virtual communication tools to provide clients with as much engagement as possible.
“I have been amazed and humbled by the support of my clients. In this business, you become an extension of your clients’ staff. You learn everything about their business, and they trust you with that information,” said Robbins, who serves as executive director and past president of the American Advertising Federation, East Central Indiana. “I am thankful they trust me to be on the inside, so we can make a difference. We walk this path together, and I take personal responsibility for their success and helping them reach their goals. Even during a pandemic, we still have dreams for what we want our businesses to be. We have to strive to reach them even if it looks different than it did before.”
Robbins said she embraces that agility, as “the past several months has left an indelible mark on how we communicate.” She welcomes the addition of virtual communication to the growing suite of options for clients to connect with customers, but Robbins sure will be glad once she can once again meet with clients in person.” It makes all the difference” she said.
Aspect 6 Creative is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday. Masks are required to enter the building. Go to www.aspect6creative.com or find them on Facebook to learn more about this full-service advertising agency serving East Central Indiana.
About Muncie Downtown Development Partnership
Muncie Downtown Development Partnership’s roots go as far back as 1983. Since then, its mission has been to create a downtown environment that results in sustainable economic and cultural growth. It does this, in part, by uniting the community through the common love of living, working, and playing DWNTWN.
About Shafer Leadership Academy
Shafer Leadership Academy is a Muncie nonprofit that provides inclusive leadership development so that people, organizations, and communities reach their full potential. Go to shaferleadership.com for an overview of its programs, scholarships and impact on the community. Connect with SLA online, social media or call the office at 765-748-0403.
Related article in this series.
