Lifestyle

Anthony Sorella Talks About the Obstacles He faced on His Journey to Creating His Own Agency and Overcoming Them

Published

5 years ago

August 31, 2020

Anthony Sorella, creative director at Neighborhood Creative discusses his struggles in the corporate world, and how he overcame them

Anthony Sorella started his agency ‘Neighborhood Creative’ with his present partner Ernesto Gaita; after overcoming a series of struggles he had to face on the way.The Neighborhood is a Toronto-based creative agency specialized in connecting brands with their target consumers. Experts in experience design and social channels, these means allow the agency to communicate the brand’s purpose, drive sales, increase awareness, and brand exposure.

Anthony Sorella, who realized he wanted to be an entrepreneur from a very young age, had to face a lot of objection on his way since the beginning of his journey. From working at multiple jobs to starting his own promotion company ‘Four Kings Group’ Anthony never stopped experimenting and growing. Eventually, Anthony Sorella realized he wanted to be his own boss and started his agency with his partner Ernesto.

Looking back, Anthony Sorella talks about his struggles on his way to making his name in the corporate world. Initially, it was difficult for Anthony to switch from a nightlife promoter to being an agency owner.

“A lot of people look at “promoters” as a grubby job so making the transition to more of a “professional” title was very interesting especially at the companies inception,” says Anthony.

Initially, making ends meet proved quite difficult, and Anthony and Ernest didn’t even pay themselves for a few months meanwhile, still working tirelessly to make their business a success.

“I had to offer free work or extremely discounted work to gain client trust at the beginning. Aside from that my partner and I did not pay ourselves for the majority of our first year so that we could keep up with rent for our office and continuously build our team,” explains Sorella.

Anthony Sorella along with partner Ernesto, have succeeded in making a name for themselves by running an agency that helps businesses and people expand their reach and grow their revenues.

Lifestyle

Powerful Corporate Gifting Strategies to Build and Strengthen Business Partnerships

Published

3 days ago

April 15, 2025

Michelle Langton

If you want to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors, there are a few key steps you must take. One essential strategy is corporate gifting. This simple act goes beyond building a partnership. It will also increase your customer retention rate and promote your business even beyond the shore of your country.

But before you consider gifting any item, there are some strategies to put in place. This will ensure your gift makes a lasting impression and resonates well with your clients. Below are powerful corporate gifting strategies to build and strengthen business partnerships with your clients and top investors.

Choose a Personalized Item

Rather than choosing an ordinary gift for your clients and investors, opt for a personalized item. Customised corporate gifts such as T-shirts, coffee mugs, and bags create a stronger emotional connection than generic gifts. They also leave a more lasting impression than most other gift types.

Imagine how investors and your clients will feel when you beautifully inscribe their image or favorite quotes on a T-shirt. Of course, they will feel valued, appreciated, and ready to invest more in your business.

Consider Their Culture and Background

As an entrepreneur, it’s essential to be culturally competent and sensitive. Your gifts should resonate with your clients’ and investors’ cultural backgrounds. Otherwise, they may be quickly discarded or overlooked. If your investors and audience are predominantly of Black heritage, consider giving them a custom T-shirt featuring a map of Africa or inspirational quotes from iconic Black leaders.

Their religious beliefs are also important. Specific religions may find some images or symbols inappropriate. For instance, if you’re giving a gift to a Muslim investor, avoid designs that include images like pigs, as they are considered offensive in Islamic culture.

Consider a Functional Gift

You should also consider the gift’s functionality. A gift that can be used every day will be more valuable than an impractical one. Even if the gift is expensive but doesn’t have any functional purpose, it won’t serve the purpose it was intended for.

Instead of purely sentimental keepsakes or abstract gifts, consider practical items like pens, notebooks, backpacks, coffee mugs, umbrellas, or water bottles. Just make sure the gift is well-designed and features your brand logo and identity. This not only increases brand visibility but also helps strengthen the connection between you and your investors.

Tie it to a story

Tie your gifts to a story to make them more memorable and emotionally meaningful. For example, if during your business’s early days, your employees always worked tirelessly day and night, you could opt for a custom hourglass. Clients and investors who receive such a gift will appreciate your business’s journey of patience and perseverance.

Offer Quality Gifts

Gifts given to investors or clients who have significantly contributed to your business growth should reflect their value. They shouldn’t be cheap or low-grade items. The gift doesn’t have to be trendy or widely popular, but it should come from a reputable and high-end brand. This will give your gift more credibility. Besides, the recipients will feel comfortable to use the gift among their colleagues.