Small Business Award winner spotlight: Bird Creatives

At the heart of the creative industries, Bird Creatives is redefining what it means to be a consultancy. By seamlessly blending creativity, strategy and industry insight, this dynamic local team offers innovative, tailored solutions to organizations in the arts, culture and creative sectors.

Recognized this year with the Air Canada Community Champion award at the Calgary Small Business Awards, Bird Creatives was celebrated for not only their unique approach to project management and creative strategy, but their dedication to community engagement. As a trusted partner for navigating the complex landscape of the creative world, Bird Creatives continues to expand, drive meaningful impact and creative initiatives that leave a lasting mark.

A need for a creative approach

Founded in 2020 by Kaley Beisiegel, Bird Creatives emerged from Kaley’s years of independent consulting work, which she had been doing while balancing her career as a touring musician.

“I was a touring musician for many years and my background was in arts and cultural management and business management,” she explains. In between her musical gigs and tours, Kaley would take on contract work in the arts, culture and creative industries.

Her passion for creativity and community building ultimately led her to create Bird Creatives. As Kaley reflects, the pandemic made her realize there was a pressing need for creative approaches to problem-solving, especially as organizations faced challenges they had never encountered before.

“I think during the pandemic, it really amped up the need for creative approaches,” she says.

The shift to digital tools like Zoom also meant that organizations were expected to accomplish more with the same or fewer resources, further driving the demand for innovative, creative solutions. This realization prompted her to grow her individual consulting work into a full-fledged business.

Kaley’s approach to consulting has always been community-driven, a value that stemmed from her love for group collaboration, whether through sports teams or playing in bands. “I’ve always been a social being. I love community building,” she says.

Over the years, Kaley gathered a talented network of creatives, many of whom have become key members of Bird Creatives.

“I just really enjoyed learning from them. I enjoyed working with them,” Kaley says, highlighting the collaborative, team-based environment she nurtures at Bird Creatives.

Champions of the local community

This year, Bird Creatives received the Air Canada Community Champion Award at the Calgary Small Business Awards, highlighting and celebrating their hard work and dedication to the local community. For Kaley, the award is a meaningful recognition of the team’s relentless effort.

“Our team works so hard and we’re relatively new to this,” she says. “We’re going to be five years old this year and we’re still gig workers, always hustling to secure the next project.”

Winning the award was a significant milestone for the team, especially since it confirmed the value of their community-driven approach. Kaley also emphasizes that they are committed to projects that align with their values. She points to their work with the Special Olympics and the West Anthem music project as examples of initiatives that were incredibly fulfilling on a personal and community level.

“We really care about community. We’re very relational,” she says. “We do sometimes take on projects that aren’t necessarily lucrative, but we align ourselves with organizations and projects we’re passionate about.”

The recognition has been a powerful motivator for Kaley and her team, reaffirming that their unique approach is making a difference in the business and creative communities.

“It’s a nice recognition for the work they do because it’s not every day that you get recognized. It’s just a testament to the value that we are providing to the greater community.”

The small business club

As Bird Creatives continues to grow, Kaley is excited about the future and the opportunities that lie ahead. From a small team of consultants to a staff of nine, the company’s progress reflects the success of their unique, relational approach to consulting.

“We’ve had consistent growth. Every year, we’re just pushing forward,” she says. “It’s really exciting to see that growth and to see the value we’re providing.”

The company also recently signed on for a three-year contract with Chinook Blast, a partnership that further affirms the strength of their client relationships and engagement with the local community.

“I love being part of this club of small businesses,” Kaley says. “It just allows you to operate and connect within your community in a different way.”

With creativity, community and connection at the heart of their work. Bird Creatives is ready to continue building meaningful relationships and making a difference in the local community.

To learn more about Bird Creatives, visit birdcreatives.com. See the full list of winners from the 41st Calgary Small Business Awards.

Small Business Week is proudly presented by our Small Business Pillar Partner, Rogers Business. To learn more, visit calgarychamber.com/small-business.