THE PRE SUMMIT STORY

In the early 2000s, our CEO, Todd Hageman, faced a pivotal moment in his career. Despite not just meeting but exceeding expectations in heavy equipment sales, he felt an entrepreneurial itch he couldn't ignore. Word of his potential departure quickly spread within the company and eventually reached the president. "What's this I hear about you leaving?" the CEO inquired. Todd replied, "Until I sit in your seat, I can't think like you think." The meeting ended as swiftly as it began, with the CEO fully understanding the crossroads Todd had reached. 

So, Todd made a bold move. He left behind his lucrative position, moved his family to a new state, and took no income for over a year. For him, it wasn't about the industry or the product. "I didn't care if it was selling blocks, wooden blocks. I didn't care," Todd admits. What mattered was building something from the ground up—something that could make a real difference. 

NEW HORIZONS AHEAD

Picture this: two Adirondack chairs, two Corona beers, an HP calculator, and a simple yet profound question: "What's next?" 

Phone books? Yes, phone books. Back then, businesses relied heavily on television commercials, billboards, radio, word of mouth, and good old-fashioned print ads. Today, phone books might seem like a relic of the past, but for many businesses, they were vital tools that allowed them to grow and scale to new heights. Need to find a plumber or roofer? You'd flip through the directories until you found a number to call. 

Building From The Ground Up

In 2003, Summit Publications was born in the most humble of settings—a rundown strip mall office in Kearney, Missouri. With just a handful of people and an unwavering vision, Todd set the wheels in motion. He invested in the best suit he could afford from Men's Warehouse, meticulously crafted a one-page sales aid by cutting and pasting a map of Olathe, Kansas from a Rand McNally road atlas, and hit the streets. 

Armed with determination and his makeshift marketing materials, Todd knocked on door after door. He faced countless rejections but remained undeterred, often offering free ads just to prove the value Summit could bring to local businesses.

Then came what seemed like their first big win: the purchase of five existing directories from a publisher. Excitement turned to disbelief when they discovered a harsh truth. Unbeknownst to them, the publisher had been taking money from businesses, promising placement in a phone book that never materialized. Trust was shattered, and local businesses were left feeling betrayed. 

Standing at a critical crossroads, Todd faced a monumental decision: walk away from the mess someone else had created or step up to make things right. He chose the latter. "We need to fix the problem," he told his partner with conviction. Despite the immense risk and a $160,000 cost to publish the first five books, they decided to honor every single contract. 

"We did the right thing," Todd reflects. "We went into debt, but we fixed the problem." 

This defining moment wasn't just about fulfilling contracts; it was about restoring faith and building a foundation of trust that Summit Publications would stand upon for years to come. 

From that moment Summit Publications stood in the gap and eventually grew to 19 directories, 53 employees and 5.3 million all without accruing any debt.

Adapting and Evolving 

As Summit Publications flourished, the world around us was changing. The digital age was dawning, and the once-reliable phone book was becoming a relic. While many in the industry turned a blind eye, Todd saw the writing on the wall. 

One day, during a family trip, Todd stumbled upon something that sparked his curiosity—a QR code on a construction wall at an amusement park. While others walked past without a second glance, Todd stood there, intrigued by this strange black-and-white square. It was a symbol of the future—a bridge between the physical and digital worlds.  

In a bold move, Todd decided it was time to pivot—dramatically. He gathered the team and shared his vision. "We're running up a hill, and there's a giant gap ahead," he told them. "We can only jump so far, but we have to try."  

The shift to digital wasn't easy. It meant dismantling a part of the business that had brought success and starting anew—essentially building a plane while flying it. 

Rise From the ashes

Summit Publications decent was swift and steep but we weren't about to let turbulence define our destiny. The team persevered. We rolled up our sleeves, burning the midnight oil to bring new digital products to our clients. Late nights turned into early mornings as we did anything and everything to continue on the path we had set out on a decade prior. Todd captured the gravity of the moment: "We had to pull a business out of our circumstances because too many people depended on its success. Employees, clients, and the community looked to Summit not just for services but for leadership and guidance."

Then, slowly but surely, we began to gain traction. Though our revenues had dipped from $5.3 million down to $900,000, the tip of our plane started ascending again. With newfound momentum and enhanced competencies, we rebranded ourselves as Summit Media Solutions. 

This period was a testament to our grit and resilience. We didn't just adapt; we evolved. We transformed challenges into opportunities and turned setbacks into setups for remarkable comebacks. Our journey wasn't about surviving the storm—it was about learning to dance in the rain. 

Today, we're proud to offer a full suite of digital marketing solutions that keep our clients ahead of the curve. We approach each day not by holding onto the past, but by being guided by our rich experiences. This allows us to continually bring the latest, most effective solutions to the businesses we have the honor of impacting. We're committed to offering solutions that don't just avoid disruption—they lead it.