Highlight – Superior Web Launches Brand Refresh and Expands Service Offerings
Newberry, Mich. – Gina Harman has been at it as an entrepreneur for some time. Whether her medium was fine art, photography, or jewelry, produced through Velvet Green Creations and Gitche Gumee Handcrafted Jewelry, or exploring her passion for graphics and web design with Superior Web, her entrepreneurial journey began more than 20 years ago. It might seem odd that a self-trained photographer would carve such as path for her business, but for Harman it just made sense. Harman, who grew up in Escanaba, Michigan, began her career as a photographer for the Escanaba Daily Press. In 1998 Harman began working on marketing and promotions for her Fine Art and Photography home studio, Velvet Green Creations. Web Design came out of necessity for the advertisement of her new business and soon after she was servicing clients on a local level. It wasn’t until a visit to the Netherlands in 2006 where she learned about the extraordinary tools of developing a Content Management System for her clients.
“We needed a content management system to organize our websites and provide our clients with some structure, that’s when we took a more serious look at bringing programming and web design services in house, ” says Harman. Harman and husband Chris quickly added an in-house programmer to the mix. Her partners in the Netherlands also advised her in 2008 that her name Velvet Green Creations could be shortened and developed using Superior Web. For 12 years Superior Web existed as a branch of Velvet Green Creations, providing web design support to businesses throughout the U.P.
As the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic began to take hold across Michigan in early 2020, Harman saw an opportunity in an increased demand for digital marketing. She saw a chance to grow her business while developing the capacity to help more client businesses through web design. “Web design has always been a part of what we do, now through a branding refresh and business reorganization we’re able to simplify the message and deliver our services across a wider footprint,” adds Harman. Superior Web works with Michigan small businesses across a variety of industries, non-profit organizations, and municipalities. Harman’s background as a respected business owner and entrepreneur in the region has allowed her to connect with an expansive network of businesses across Michigan.
With a newfound sense of opportunity, the development of Harman’s business ventures represents smart, small, and steady growth, the kind we love to rally around here at Sault Tribe Thrive. “I love the work I do, and feel so fortunate to be able to provide services remotely to our clients. Focusing on Superior Web has allowed for a new spark to take light where I’m able to reach out and connect with so many great business owners,” expresses Harman. Superior Web recently completed a sprint of 7 new websites, completed in just under 10 weeks, for clients across the state.
According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, “economic instability has led to increased spending on essentials and less for discretionary items. Depending on your [business’] industry, you may have already noticed a significant drop or rise in demand for products and services or a different customer demographic reaching out to your business.” While some clients may still only need a logo, landing page, or single branded graphic, Superior Web offers fully customizable website builds and maintenance, SEO expertise, photography, video production, and a full range of graphic design services.
Leveraging a well-connected network has allowed Harman to stay on top of the shifting needs of her clients. The changing needs in the web services industry, surrounding local communities, and even the tourism market, has required a quick and efficient response from Harman and team. “Superior Web’s mission is to build strong responsive websites and relationships. We create true organic content with extreme SEO techniques that will enable your new site to rank great naturally,” explains Harman. For Superior Web, innovation has often meant leaving their comfort zone to incorporate new technologies and learn new skills in order to better serve clients. One exciting area of growth has been developing Remote Working Strategies, helping clients design websites that can help deliver services and products through fully remote “distanced” operations that utilize cloud-based file sharing tools.
Sault Tribe Thrive would like to thank Gina Harman of Superior Web for connecting and sharing her story with us. We are proud to highlight Superior Web’s resilience and fresh approach to the challenges of doing business in the new pandemic-induced economy. To learn more about Superior Web’s services or client portfolio, visit them at www.superiorweb.net.