Content Cucumber, a Bloomington-based content creation company, expanded its company and experienced financial growth while other small businesses in the area permanently or temporarily closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Content Cucumber is a startup creating content like blogs and newsletters for companies. The company was started by Chris Chasteen and Issac Morey in 2018.
The COVID-19 pandemic has proven difficult for small businesses across the country and many have struggled to stay afloat. According to CNN Business, 23% of small businesses in Indiana have temporarily or permanently closed due to the pandemic.
However, Content Cucumber gained about 100 clients over the past year, Revenue Specialist John Rusyniak said in a press release.
“In April of 2020, we had 50 clients,” Rusyniak said. “By July 2020, it was 100. Now it's about 150.”
Sarah Reynolds, Content Cucumber's marketing coordinator, said in a press release the company has increased its staff during the pandemic.
"In the last year or so, we've doubled our full-time team, and I expect we'll double it again in the coming year,” Reynolds said.
Leah Barr, the product specialist, attributed the expansion and growth of the company to the creators’ leadership style.
“I definitely give a lot of credit to Isaac and Chris, because they steered the ship in a smart direction and made sure that the workers are happy to be here,” Barr said.
Barr said the positive and inviting culture of the company is refreshing and makes her job more enjoyable.
"I can honestly say I have never looked forward to going to a meeting the way that I do when there's a meeting here,” Barr said. “I am absolutely hyped to socialize outside of work with my co-workers."
Content Marketing Specialist Quinn Black said to boost morale the company hosts a virtual social hour every Thursday where employees play games and talk.
“We get on someone's zoom link and play games, or just chat, which is totally optional, but it's paid, and it's meant to be a way to socialize,” Black said.
Black said Content Cucumber was able to expand because other companies needed assistance in managing a digital presence during the pandemic.
“We definitely grew during the pandemic, and I think it's definitely due to people realizing they need to have a strong digital presence,” Black said. “They're not seeing, you know, flyers, they're not going to stores. Having a strong digital presence is so important. I think a lot of companies started to realize that.”
Barr agreed with Black that people were staying at home more and spending more time on their phones and computers, which increased the need for companies to use digital advertising.
"It was basically internet marketers’ time to shine, and Content Cucumber rose to the occasion,” Barr said.
