VANCOUVER, Wash., March 30, 2016 — March marks 25 years for entrepreneur Betsy Henning, founder and CEO of AHA, a creative agency and one of the largest women-owned businesses in the Portland and southwest Washington area.
“If you asked me in 1991 where I saw myself in 25 years, I’m not sure I would have said I’d own my own business,” says Henning. “I’m proud of what I started all those years ago, but I can’t take credit for our success. That comes from our talented team, our clients and our community.”
In March 1991, Henning started working as a freelance writer and then formed AHA three years later. Her goals: Deliver excellent written work to clients and support her family financially. Over the next 25 years, that freelance business grew by leaps and bounds. AHA now serves a roster of global Fortune 500 clients and attracts talent from around the country.
Today, AHA holds true to its writerly roots, but it’s evolved into something much bigger. The team of 60+ operates at the intersection of journalism, marketing and consulting, offering an audience-focused approach to strategic communications planning and persuasive storytelling. AHA recently rebranded with a new logo and launched a new website, ahainc.com, an effort led by Henning and executive creative director Brent Wilson to align AHA’s look with what it’s become today.
“When I joined AHA two years ago, I knew there was something special here that Betsy built—the talent, the culture and the work we deliver to clients,” says Wilson. “In a time when agencies are fragmenting, this foundation combined with our vision to help companies become the leading brands of tomorrow will only strengthen our agency’s position and fuel our future success.”
One thing that hasn’t changed in 25 years: AHA’s core values. “We’re here to do great work, have fun while we’re doing it and have time for the rest of our lives,” Henning says. She measures success not only in financials but also in moving clients toward more purpose-driven marketing, giving employees a forum for creative expression and making a lasting contribution to her community.
“AHA has never been about me,” Henning says. “It’s always been about the people the business supports, the clients we serve and the community we create.”
Henning is an active member of the greater Portland area as a board member at Portland Center Stage, Literary Arts, Columbia Land Trust and the Columbia River Economic Development Council.
About AHA
AHA is a creative agency that works at the intersection of consulting, marketing and journalism with the goal of helping clients earn a meaningful place in people’s lives. For more than 20 years, AHA has worked with Fortune 500 companies and industry leaders such as Charles Schwab, HP and Silicon Valley Bank on their brand strategy, purpose-driven content and campaigns, and a broad range of corporate communications including executive thought leadership, employee engagement programs and corporate responsibility stories. AHA is one of the largest agencies in the Portland area, with a full-time, growing team of more than 60 people. For more information, visit ahainc.com.
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Published Mar 31, 2016 7pm EDT / 4pm PDT / 12am BST / 1am CEST