Conversations with Business Developers

The Unfound Door • October 13, 2021

Do you know what a Business Developer *actually* does?


Last month, Kimberly Wybenga, Marketing Manager of Mark Young Construction, reached out to me to have a honest conversation to help demystify what Business Developers do.


"Nonbusiness developers especially seem to have opinions of people who work in the business development (BD) field. Coworkers might think business developers don’t work that much since they’re not in the office as much as they are. Whereas if you ask business developers’ family or significant others, they see us coming home after 7 p.m. or 8 p.m. many nights and getting up before they want to pry their eyes open. Our families probably think we work too much and need to balance hours. Other people think we’re always going out and having fun," wrote Kimberly in her article about the project for MARKETER.


We teamed up to gather a few other Business Developers in our circle and were able to have some amazing, open and transparent conversations about what Business Developers in the A/E/C industry do, who they are, and what makes them special to help shed light on all of the elements of this dynamic role.


This was a “just for fun (and education!)” project, and it was honor to be a part of these casual, but important, conversations to help celebrate individuals like us who are working every day to build their business. We are so grateful to Kimberly for organizing these conversations, and are touched by the feedback so far.

“Great work, Kimberly! Thanks for sharing your insights. BD often is a "catch all" in this industry. Finding your unique ROI as a business developer and being able to clearly articulate it to your firm and the industry is critical to your success.”


~ Krista Trofka, Mastermind Host, Relationship Builder, AEC GrowthLab


“Love these videos and your mission to share what BD is. Most of this can be applied to Marketers too. People often assume my job is social media and advertising, but it’s so much more. We are the face of our companies and represent the industry as a whole. Impressive lineup in these videos too!”


~ Susie Lanners, Marketing Coordinator, Iron Woman Construction


“Great comment on Biz Dev being a gardening project (thus needing a long-term outlook).”


~ Peter Hodges, Director of Marketing and Business Development, Precision Contracting


“Great article, Kimberly Wybenga, so many on-target points!"


~ Helene Jewett, Principal Owner, Strategic Development Services

This four part series includes conversations with Kimberly, myself, Alejandra Spray, and Conor Ryan, and touches on things like busting myths, the importance of having a good business developer, and so much more!


You can check out the conversations below, and read Kimberly’s full MARKETER article here.

Kimberly Wybenga - Conversations with Business Developers

Ely Hemnes - Conversations with Business Developers

Alejandra Spray - Conversations with Business Developers

Conor Ryan - Conversations with Business Developers

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Allow us to provide clarity on the topic of copyright in the creative industry. This area is often complex and clients frequently have questions and concerns. Copyright refers to the legal right that a creator has over their original work. In terms of photography or videography, the photographer or videographer holds the copyright as the creator of the work. Think of it in terms of a painter and their artwork. The painter holds the copyright as they created the piece, regardless of who owns it. In the same manner, the photographer or videographer holds the copyright as the creator of the photo or video. As a client, you are granted specific rights by the creator through agreement. These rights typically include exclusive use of the work. This would be equivalent to owning the painting and having the ability to display it in your home, office, or business. In some cases, the creator may also use the work for their marketing purposes, which is often reflected in the contract. However, we understand the desire for confidentiality and are happy to accommodate if the client requests that the work not be shared. This complex system is a common practice in the creative field, providing protection for both the artist and the client. The end result is a beautiful work of art that is enjoyed by all. If you have any questions regarding the distinction between copyright and usage rights, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Understanding the intricacies of these rights is a crucial aspect of our services, and we are committed to ensuring that all of our clients are informed and confident in their rights. Let's work together to navigate this complex topic and ensure a clear understanding for all involved.

Considerations for Your Next Headshot Session

By The Unfound Door • January 26, 2023
Before scheduling your photography session, we would like to provide some recommendations and considerations to help you get the most out of your headshots. Here are our top three tips... 1. Consider the style and look you want to achieve with your headshots. Do you want to convey a corporate and professional image, or would you prefer to show the individual personalities of your team? This will help guide the type of backgrounds, poses, and other details that will be included in your headshots. 2. Consider the backgrounds you'd like to utilize for your session. We offer two options: a solid color backdrop or an environmental background. The solid color backdrop provides a clean and consistent look, while the environmental background can add visual interest and a sense of place. You can also choose to have both options for added flexibility! 3. Consider how you want your team's photos to look together. Do you want each person's headshot to be cropped and framed in the same way, or do you prefer a more varied and unique look? We can work with you to find the right balance of consistency. Check out some recent examples below, and email us at ely@theunfoundoor.com to inquire about booking a shoot for yoruself or your team!

Project Highlight: Fransen Pittman Storytelling Series

By The Unfound Door • January 17, 2023
There is no greater storytelling tool for your business than video! We recently had the pleasure of creating a series of videos for Fransen Pittman Construction to tell the story of one of their team members, Saeed Saeed. His history and journey to Fransen Pittman is inspirational, and it was an honor to get to showcase his story, and how much the construction industry and Fransen Pittman mean to him. Saeed’s personal experience serves as the perfect example of Fransen Pittman Construction’s culture, and their mission to help everyone succeed. This video is a short take on the culture at Fransen Pittman, but you can head to our blog to view the longer version as well as some additional footage the team plans to use for their website, trade booths and more. Check out all the videos in the playlist, and some photos from our time together below!

Project Highlight: Iron Woman Construction New Hire Video

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Project Highlight: Swinerton Resource Group Motion Graphic Video

By The Unfound Door • October 17, 2022
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Project Highlight: The Stanley Hotel

By The Unfound Door • September 15, 2022
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