Steve Scherzer, 39, owns SOLV Marketing, located on West Wackerly near Jefferson in Midland. Scherzer said, “We make the digital world of advertising approachable for small and medium-sized businesses. We help you plan, execute, and then get results.” Scherzer has nine employees.
He’s a Midland High School and Northwood University graduate. He has a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management. Scherzer moved to Midland from Bay City when he was in the ninth grade. He and his wife, Abby, have been married for 15 years. She’s the event manager for the Alzheimer’s Association of Central Michigan. They have two daughters.
1. How long have you owned your business?
We have been here for just over five years.
2. What inspired you to own this business?
I really saw a major gap in what’s available for small businesses to market online and be successful. Larger agencies have a hard time being agile. I knew if I had a boutique-style approach that we could be flexible to help our clients. Our goal is to curate what we do to drive results for our individual clients.
3. What makes Midland a great place to own a business?
Midland’s just a fantastic, safe, positive community. Businesses love working with other businesses. I get a lot of enjoyment in seeing Midland grow, and marketing plays a big role in that growth.
4. What are some ways your business is active in the local community?
We are supporters of the local A.A.F. (American Advertising Federation). We’ve been involved with the Chamber (of Commerce). We gift marketing services to various non-profits, not just in Midland, but the Great Lakes Bay Region as a whole.
5. What are some of your interests and hobbies?
I love music, I write and record a lot of music. Play guitar, drums, and bass. When I first started this business, I hired everything but music, even though I had the capability to do that. Looking into doing that in our space. We’ve bought the building and we’re going to set up a production studio.
I built a professional racing simulator in my basement. Full motion. You can race any car on any track. It’s accurate down to the pebble. I can do it virtually.
6. What are some local businesses that you work with that help make your business a success?
We work with a lot of different businesses. Bavarian Inn Lodge; Forward Corporation owns several convenience stores/gas stations. We work with Kirtland Community College. Also have some national-level clients. We bring enterprise-level, Fortune 100 technology to small businesses to help them compete.
7. Other thoughts?
Right now is the best time for a business to make the shift to really push online. This is an opportunity that’s not going to always be there. Businesses that make their move in the next three years should set themselves up for the next 10 years. Some companies are making as much as 20 to 1 on their marketing dollar, but that’s not going to last.
