Women in Power: Valuing Family, Community and Business
Michiganders, Ann Vidro and Menda Wright, had worked together for seven years before establishing Creative Studio Promotions & Technology (CSP) in June 2012.
From branded merchandise, apparel and employee rewards to custom online e-stores, CSP is a women-owned business that offers various sustainably sourced products and services to 250-plus clients across the state.
Clients measure the success of Ann and Menda’s teams’ efforts based on convenience, efficiency, cost-effectiveness, reporting, scalability and accessibility.
Meet co-owners, Ann and Menda
Specializing in supplying clients with promotional products and technology to help generate brand value and grow business, these “go-getters” also prioritize family, work-life balance and community. Based in Grand Rapids, CSP is located near Corewell Health Place, with fulfillment centers in Grand Rapids and Detroit to accommodate the health system’s needs on all sides of the state.
Co-owner, Ann, is a CPA with a track record of driving results for her clients, building relationships and implementing technology efficiencies. Working alongside Menda, Ann is passionate about providing their partners with new technology to help make their work more seamless and productive. When she is not in the office, the wife and mother treasures spending time with her husband, volunteering for Girl Scouts of the USA or playing piano with her 8-year-old daughter.
The national account and sales manager at CSP, Menda, is also co-owner. She enjoys developing compelling marketing and advertising strategies to support business needs and is passionate about connecting her clients with well-sourced branded merchandise. She cherishes her husband with whom she enjoys hiking, their beloved daughter (in memory), son and newly welcomed daughter-in-law.
The two partners also prioritize mentorship and giving back to the community. Through their large network, they have hosted in-person and virtual career counseling sessions for college students and others looking to start a business. They have also partnered with Corewell Health to help provide job shadowing opportunities to the health systems’ interns.
Creative Studio Promotions partnering with Corewell Health
The promotions and technology company partnered with what was then, Spectrum Health, in 2013 and have been growing since.
A major success of the partnership was launching the health system’s first e-commerce store 11 years ago. They continue to improve and upgrade the digital platform to be user-friendly for Corewell Health team members across the state. Users of the platform can order quality branded materials to support company events and have items shipped across three regions.
They also championed and managed the recent collection of over 85,000 lbs of expired branded merchandise.
Beyond 2024, Ann and Menda are looking forward to continuing to grow and find ways to help the largest health system in Michigan be more efficient and sustainable.
Learning about what drives success
When the duo set out to start their own company, six months had passed before they received their first paycheck.
“Anyone starting a business should understand that it takes a lot of hard work. It was not easy and you may be forced to live beneath your means,” Menda said. “Thanks to the wise counsel we received from other business owners and choosing character first, we’ve been able to maintain and grow our business.”
Eight-time winners of the INC 5000 America’s Fastest Growing Private Companies award, the duo are honored by everything they have achieved professionally and personally in the past 12 years.
“Having a business can feel like a marriage. It is important that your values align with your partners and that you both give 100% ,” Menda said.
The pair have learned that being flexible and trusting their team is what leads to the greatest success.
“The majority of our employees are women, and Michigan woman have grit! For mothers like us, we have learned how to get the job done right while also making time for our families,” Menda said.
As leaders in the promotions and technology space, they are honored to work with local, diverse and sustainable organizations with similar values — faith and family.