Nikki Bisel: Owner & Founder

WHO AM I?

I am the Owner and Founder of Seafoam Media. My job is to keep the wheels of our company greased! To do this, I focus on three main things: cash flow, hiring and retaining really good team members, and leading us toward the vision that we set for the company.

HOW WAS SEAFOAM CONCEPTUALIZED?

The answer is three-fold.

First, I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit. In first or second grade, I would take the stamps and stickers my grandmother received from charities; I would put them into a tackle box that someone had given me, and I took them to school and sold them at 10¢ each to my friends. Then at the end of the school year, I would take all that money and buy snacks and sodas for the end-of-the-year party. Even at this young age, I’ve always been obsessed with creating something from nothing, which leads into my next point.

The second piece of the three-fold is that I’m a serial critic. There are a lot of other companies in our industry; at the time I began Seafoam in 2010, I didn’t believe that any of them were as good as what they could or should be. So I figured that I should do it myself; I should create something better. So I did that.

Finally, the idea for Seafoam stemmed from another aspect relating to my childhood. When I was in sixth grade, and I was learning about web design and development, I had created several small “side businesses” via that skillset that I had developed. During college and after college — they say that whatever you’re interested in as a child is what you should pursue in adulthood because that tends to be what makes you happiest. So I did that in a number of different ways; I built those passions into a freelance career for myself, which I later grew into Seafoam.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

I believe that a good way to find your mission in any project or initiative is to ask yourself “Why?” at least four or five times: Why are you doing what you’re doing?

When I get down to the most base level of why I do what I do, it’s to make both clients’ and employees’ lives a little simpler, a little happier, a little stronger.

When you own a company, you get the privilege of creating a little bit of your own world. For me, what I want that world to look like is a place where everybody involved can relax a little bit, breathe a little bit and get to do a little bit more of what they enjoy doing.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

I am super stubborn! I like to blaze my own path; I like to reach the destination on my own merit. I find it very hard to listen to other people — to follow directions from other people. I have to make my own mistakes, and I have to get there on my own.

So for me, one of the most rewarding parts of what I do is learning from my own mistakes. Fail quickly, figure out what I did wrong, move on, be better.

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I have almost 20 years of web design and development experience. I started this agency on my own and bootstrapped it, so I know how to build a company from the ground up. I know how to work hard and get things done with very little resources.

I’ve worked with hundreds of companies and organizations across the city, state, country and even the world. I’ve talked to people at all different levels within these companies, and I’ve also performed just about every role at Seafoam: web design, web development, copywriting, project management and account management.

So in terms of experience and qualifications, I have a variety of perspectives when it comes to our clients, as well as our agency’s day-to-day activities. As a result, I have a pretty full picture of where most of our clients need to go and the best way to get there.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

The coolest thing for me is to see everyone here be passionate about this company. It is surreal, at times. Even if I’m having a tough day or a tough week, witnessing our team’s perseverance, grit and passion for what they do and how they do it for our clients – not to mention how they make this company bigger, better and stronger — is one of the best parts of leading Seafoam.

WHAT DOES SEAFOAM’S FUTURE LOOK LIKE?

In 10-20 years, I want Seafoam to be the most well-reputed, well-respected marketing agency in St. Louis. We don’t necessarily have to be the biggest, gross the most sales or work with the absolute largest companies, but I want to be the agency that is synonymous with “quality.” I want us to be the company that local businesses and potential employees have heard great things about. I want everyone to know that we are good, dedicated and effective.

HOW CONFIDENT ARE YOU THAT SEAFOAM WILL ACHIEVE THIS LEVEL OF SUCCESS AND WHY?

I am massively confident of where we’re headed. I firmly believe that if you make smart plans, execute on these plans and follow the right metrics, you will achieve success. As long as you keep persevering and you maintain a very clear vision of where you want to go and how you’re going to get there, you will get there. All you need is to put the right people in place, and you will get there.

WHAT MAKES YOU A GREAT LEADER?

First and foremost, I think that I’m pretty decent at delegating. I’ve always asked myself, “How can we get further, faster?” A huge piece of that is determined by how you delegate tasks to your teammates.

I’m a pretty good editor, and not just of writing. I’m able to look at other people’s work – whether it’s a marketing strategy or a web design – and I’m good at looking at it from a bird’s eye view and being able to help my team make their work even better.

I’m good at the metrics. I know what’s important to watch, as well as when to be happy about the results, when to worry about them and when to take action to correct any downward trends.

IN MY FREE TIME…

Besides spending time with my wife, two sons, and dog, I like to run, bike, read, walk, write in my journal, and meditate.

Liz Oeltjen: Director of Operations

WHO AM I?

I am the Director of Client Strategy at Seafoam Media. I like to joke that I am the woman behind the curtain, so pay no attention to me while I pull my levers and push my buttons.

I am the person that tries to weave together client goals, digital best practices and a touch of creativity into a smart, cohesive strategy that will yield dividends for our clients.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

What are we going to do tonight, brain? The same thing we do every night… PLAN TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD! — My homage to Pinky and the Brain is only half facetious.

My mission at Seafoam is to build a company that dominates in the market, both for our customers and for our own brand. I know the value of a powerful message and a lot of hard work. My goal is to bring that value to everything we do.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

How do I love my job? Let me count the ways…

Where else could I combine my passion for marketing strategy, pop culture references and desire for world domination? As an added bonus, my co-workers love tolerate my random trivia and my tendency to break into song.

P.S. Did you know that the bones in bat wings are similar to finger bones? This means that bats literally fly through the power of jazz hands. Who says science is dull?

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I have my bachelor’s degree in Communications and Journalism, which helps me hone my messaging without burying the lede. I have my Master’s degree in International Affairs, because the internet is making the globe smaller every day. I have worked in a myriad of industries, which have given me an interesting perspective on the world of business. Finally, I am a working mom, which helps me manage my time and prioritize what is truly important.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

Did I mention that my colleagues tolerate my love of spontaneous show-tunes?

IN MY FREE TIME…

I spend a lot of time on the internet; this is both a good and a bad thing. The good thing is that I stay in tune with the latest trends, pop culture and social media that relate to my work. The bad thing is that between Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest, I am constantly trying out new hobbies and recipes – from furniture refinishing to crochet – all while listening to podcasts to keep my trivial knowledge on point.

Kevin Arndt: Brand Engagement Specialist

WHO AM I?

I'm a Brand Engagement Specialist at Seafoam, so I work with our clients to ensure their branding and messaging are accurate, consistent, and engaging.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

To be the voice of our clients by creating engaging, dynamic content and successfully communicating their objectives.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

I love seeing my team's and my ideas come to life and playing a large role in our clients' success. "Hey, look! We did that!"

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I have a certificate (and several years of experience) in Graphic Design and a Bachelor's Degree in Media Studies with a focus in Social Media, Advertising, PR, a little bit of Digital Marketing and a dash of Copywriting. I have experience managing brands and social media accounts, conducting onsite photo shoots, creating content, and designing marketing collateral.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

I'm excited to be working at Seafoam because I get to use my education, skills, and experience in branding and social media management in a highly creative and collaborative environment. I've never worked with such a supportive and hardworking group of folks and I'm thrilled to be part of the team.

IN MY FREE TIME…

Ride my bikes (mountain & road), hike, camp, work on house projects, travel, check out bars and restaurants, trivia, hang out with friends/family/girlfriend/dog.

Brian Martin: Business Process Analyst

WHO AM I?

I am the Business Process Analyst, and I help integrate new systems into Seafoam to make things smoother and simpler, not just for our clients, but for our team as a whole. I also step in and help with data analysis as needed, and I still dabble in the SEO sphere from time to time.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

My mission is to make Seafoam as efficient and effective as possible.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

My role allows me to identify and solve problems with quantitative measurements.

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I’ve been doing digital marketing for almost five years. I have a degree in logistics and information systems, so I use the data and web development skills I’ve garnered through that, along with the digital marketing skills I’ve learned over the last half decade, to come up with ideas that make processes smoother for clients and Seafoam.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

I love working with the people. I love watching us evolve, grow, and succeed for our clients. I take it personally when we succeed, as well as when we fail, so I want us to do the best for them, as well as our company.

IN MY FREE TIME…

I enjoy reading early 20th Century literature and biographies. I like all things classic cinema and old time radio — from Jack Benny to Groucho Marx and everything in between. I’m also a huge baseball fan, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals.

Rebecca Mosby: Web Designer & Developer

WHO AM I?

I am the web designer and developer at Seafoam Media. My job is to take the fantastic ideas of our clients and the team at Seafoam, from branding to strategy, and weave them into a beautifully designed yet functional website.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

Beyond just executing on website strategy, my true mission is to make cool things that make people happy. From clients to end users, I love adding a special design element here and there that help bring a smile to people's faces. On a personal level, my mission is to always keep improving and learning.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

The internet is an ever evolving tool, and the way people use this tool changes as quickly as the technology does. That means I need to apply logical problem solving in addition to my art skills to create spaces that are smart and beautiful!

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I have a BA in Computer Science and a minor in Studio Art from SIUE. I also worked for 3 years as a UI/UX Designer and Developer at the United States Postal Service.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

I am really excited to work on a wide range of clients, in a multitude of industries. I know it will be a fun challenge to tackle both B2B and B2C brands. I am also excited to work with a team of marketing professionals that are really passionate about their work.

IN MY FREE TIME…

I really enjoy playing video games and treasure hunting at thrift stores and garage sales. My favorite find is probably a portrait that I found that I call ‘Creepy Walter.’ It’s a photograph of an Edwardian gentleman in an oval frame with convex glass, with the name ‘Walter’ written on the back. The glass broke though and I need to get it fixed somehow. So now he is sadly in a box instead of unnerving people who come to my apartment, but he will be back in action soon.

Jade McNear: Client Success Manager

WHO AM I?

I'm one of the Client Success Managers here at Seafoam, which essentially means that I – ta da – ensure the success of our Clients! In all seriousness, I manage the day to day communications between our clients and Seafoam team members.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

It's my personal duty to ensure that our clients feel completely heard, taken care of, and have peace of mind. I keep the wheels turning in the right direction, and make sure that the Seafoam team is driving on the right track to deliver the best possible outcome for our clients.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

I loooove talking to, and working with people. It gives me life to be able to make someone smile and laugh by doing simple acts of kindness, or by being surprisingly thoughtful, and I get to do it all the time :)

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

While studying for my marketing degree at Saint Louis University, I got my first dip into work as an intern at a start-up company, and got a true understanding of how businesses work. After spending four years in the tech startup industry working in marketing and customer relations, I've learned how integral empathizing with your customer and obsessing over their journey to create an awesome experience are to success. I implement that dedication in every facet of what I do.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

The team at Seafoam is amazing! Everyone genuinely enjoys their jobs and are true experts in their respective fields. The energy and excitement we have for being able to do what we love is evident in the quality of our work and throughout the company culture. It's a true family environment – and that's not sales-y speak. It's an honor to be able to learn from my team everyday!

IN MY FREE TIME…

I live at the intersection of extroverted introvertedness. I prefer chilling at home and binge watching Netflix series while siphoning down amazing food with my dog. But if I get pulled out of the house to hang with friends/family, you'll more than likely find me at the center of a dancing circle busting out ALL the moves.

Holly Sinclair: Writer

WHO AM I?

I am the Writer at Seafoam Media. It is my job to research new ideas, play around with words, and craft killer content for our clients.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

First and foremost, my mission is to become a better writer. Always.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

Writing is like a puzzle. Each time I create a piece of content, I consider how I can best leverage each client’s goals, audience, voice/style, and online presence. To ensure our clients’ content is always poised for success, I continuously look for new ways to put these puzzle pieces together.

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I’ve been a writer and a teacher of writing for over a decade. I earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from Arizona State University, and I also worked as a freelancer before joining Seafoam.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

I’ve been fascinated by the quickly-changing world of online marketing for some time now, and I’m thrilled to be working for one of the top firms in St. Louis! I look forward to continuing my journey with Seafoam.

IN MY FREE TIME…

I love history and I never stop reading. In my free time, you’ll find me browsing in a bookstore, checking out the newest Netflix documentary, or jumping into any conversation about art or politics.

Courtney Madden: Client Development Manager

WHO AM I?

I am the Client Development Manager at Seafoam Media. My job is to build long-lasting relationships with our clients and bring them on board as valued marketing partners. This is achieved by meeting with prospective clients and showing them what Seafoam can and will do for their business.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

It’s my mission to make Seafoam a prospective client’s first choice when looking for a marketing partner. In addition, it is also my goal to grow Seafoam’s current catalog of clients and expand our brand’s reach throughout St. Louis and beyond.

I believe that providing the best customer service is paramount to keeping our clients satisfied; the root of all of our business should revolve around cultivating strong professional relationships that grow into long-lasting partnerships.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

I’m a people person! Connecting with clients and building meaningful relationships with the flesh and blood behind influential businesses is what I genuinely love to do. I enjoy hearing about each client’s vision and conveying how Seafoam’s team of experts can make that vision a reality.

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I have a Bachelor’s Degree in Mass Media Communications and more than four years of professional experience in a variety of different office settings. I have an extensive background in customer service, marketing, and client/account management, all of which help me in my role to onboard new clients.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

I am incredibly excited to work at Seafoam because of our team’s dedication to customer service. Devotion to the humans behind each brand – a trait that both Seafoam and I highly value – is key to building deep, meaningful partnerships with the companies we serve. I couldn’t be more thrilled to join a team that shares my same perspective!

IN MY FREE TIME…

I can be found in one of several places: I’m either secluded in my room playing video games, binging another show on Netflix, or I’m out at a local music venue. I can’t count on both my hands how many shows I have slated for the year!

Matt Lodge: Strategist

WHO AM I?

I am a Strategist at Seafoam Media. It’s my job to convert measurable data into actionable results for our clients.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

I want to ensure that our clients have every advantage possible in a competitive digital landscape. My mission is to use data-driven approaches to create a seamless marketing plan that grabs customers, no matter how they’re searching or browsing.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

I’ve always loved solving problems. Diving into data and numbers to find ways to move the needle for our clients creates unique challenges and gives me the opportunity to find new solutions to age-old problems.

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

Prior to joining Seafoam Media, I worked at a direct marketing agency in New York City for 4 years. I learned classic methods for reaching customers and growing brands.

I also worked for the largest online chess website, Chess.com, for 4 years. I worked extensively on growing our online presence along with managing our analytics for our streaming video content.

IN MY FREE TIME…

I play a lot of chess, despite being deeply mediocre at it. I’m in a bowling league, despite being deeply mediocre at that, as well. I love spending time with my fiance and my dog, which I am fantastic at.

Holly Wentworth: Strategist

WHO AM I?

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

IN MY FREE TIME…

Brett Oviere: Marketing Specialist

Rachel Sipes: Digital Marketing Analyst

WHO AM I?

I am one our team's Digital Marketing Analysts! I love digging into the numbers and watching my hard work in PPC and SEO pay off for our clients.

MY MISSION AT SEAFOAM:

To learn and test.  I want to learn as much about the digital space as possible so I can become a better strategist, analyst, and business partner.  I want to know more about your business and tell you what I know will help you achieve your goals.

WHY I LOVE WHAT I DO:

The media industry is ever changing.  Something new is being rolled out everyday; something that could help my clients soar.

MY QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:

I graduated from Webster University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Advertising and Marketing. Soon after, I started career in paid media and have progressed into SEO where I am constantly learning about new trends and best practices to apply to a variety of industries.

WHY I LOVE WORKING AT SEAFOAM:

I love how receptive leadership is to our feedback and I consistently see change. We are always trying to figure out how to make our processes better and more efficient. Not to mention everyone is so intelligent, easy-going, and happy to push the needle farther for clients.

IN MY FREE TIME…

I love to re-watch my favorite tv shows.  Sometimes while I do this, you will find me tapping into my creative side with some acrylic paints or mimicking some drawings on sketchpad.