Over its 13-year run, Riser was privileged to work with an exceptional range of global brands. Our first client was Sony, our largest billing client overall was Disney, and Google became our largest client in the final three years.

Additional clients and brands included National Geographic, Warner Bros., ABC, NBC, Fox, Kraft, AOL, FX Networks, YouTube, TV Guide, HBO, ABC Family, Neopets, Bratz, Lego, Nike, Hulu, Pepsi, and hundreds of small and mid-sized businesses.

Riser earned consistent recognition for both creative excellence and business performance, including Inc. 500 / 5000 honors, multiple national and international design awards, and 17 Best of State awards across graphic design, web design, and interactive multimedia. These accolades reflected not just standout work, but the strength of the systems, culture, and leadership behind the studio.

In 2013, Riser was recognized as one of the fastest-growing privately held companies in the United States, ranking #1657 on the Inc. 500 / 5000 list. In addition to this national recognition, Riser was named one of Utah’s fastest-growing businesses six times—validating the agency’s sustained growth, operational discipline, and long-term viability.

Riser’s first studio was located in the basement of the least expensive office space I could find near my home in Utah—a decision driven by financial discipline and early-stage paranoia. As the agency grew, we moved into progressively larger spaces, culminating in the purchase and custom build-out of our final studio in 2012.

I personally designed and oversaw every aspect of the space, treating it as a large-scale 3D design project. From the floor plan and desk configurations to cabinetry, fixtures, signage, conference tables, and wall art, the studio was intentionally crafted to support collaboration, creativity, and a culture of working hard while enjoying the process.

Over the course of 13 years, I hired and worked alongside 72 talented creatives across account management, design, development, strategy, sales, and office operations. Riser was never built by a single person—it was shaped by a constantly evolving group of people who brought their skills, ideas, and ambition to the agency at different moments in its history. Some team members stayed for a decade or more, while others joined for a shorter chapter and made a meaningful impact along the way.

As the founder, I felt a deep responsibility not only to the work, but to the people behind it and the families who depended on the company’s stability. Without outside investors, Riser was built on trust, discipline, and shared commitment. I’m grateful to everyone who took a risk on the company—and on me. In this section, you’ll see photos from both the early days and later years of the studio, reflecting the evolution of the team, the culture, and the journey we shared together.