Zgraph

Zgraph develops software and provides digital marketing services in a wide range of industries including real estate, hospitality, professional services, manufacturing, and more. We help businesses streamline operations, expand marketing opportunities and grow their bottom line.

FOUNDED IN

1996

INDUSTRY

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services

COUNTY

Volusia County

REVENUE GROWTH

26% increase from
2017 – 2020

EMPLOYEE GROWTH

70% increase from
2017 – 2020

Bill Zachary

CEO

Where did you get the idea for your company?

I first had the idea for Zgraph with the advent of the World Wide Web back in 1994. It wasn’t much of a business-focused environment at the time but I remember seeing the very first Amazon home page and Yahoo! directory… that was an Ah-Ha moment. AOL and Compuserv were cool, but this was something new, widely accessible, and free. The huge potential for a revolution in how we communicate was there to see. My finance education at UCF opened my eyes to the possibilities in business… and along with my graphic design work experience and computer science interests, it seemed like a great fit for the new world of websites and digital marketing. Back in the gold rush era, companies made money supporting miners, building railroads, and more. I initially had my eyes set on investment banking and corporate finance, but instead, I dove into the sea of business and created Zgraph to help businesses navigate the new digital realm.

Entrepreneurship has always been in my blood. I’ve liked the creative aspect of building my own thing for as long as I can remember… and even as a teenager I remember skateboard customizing services to my friends and friends of friends (some of the coolest grip tape art you’d see!). I don’t think I would have it any other way.

Tell us about your business and the value it brings to your customers.

Zgraph offers a wide range of digital marketing services to companies of all shapes and sizes and industries… we help them increase their brand awareness, generate sales, and otherwise successfully navigate our increasingly digital world. We’ve also evolved into a software firm with some exciting SaaS products in the real estate and marine industries that are meeting our customers’ needs. That’s our major growth area and something we’re excited about.

Explain the culture of your organization. What’s it like working at your company?

Zgraph is dedicated to a company culture built upon great work, mutual respect, and fun. In general, even though we are a small business, we work to adopt values, goals, attitudes, and practices that might typically be found in companies of a much larger size. We are huge fans of a team approach and think some of our best work is done when we collaborate… both in-person and online in our hybrid office and remote work environment. We incorporate company lunches, parties, and a weekly happy hour to help foster team comradery and fun. Our people are our lifeblood, and we try to make our company culture something that makes working at Zgraph rewarding.

What is your competitive edge?

First and foremost, I think our team is a big differentiator. It all starts first with the professionals on our team… a great group of talented people with a diverse range of backgrounds, education, and experience. Another key differentiator for Zgraph is our proprietary software both for marketing automation and also for key industries. For example, our Build A Boat customizer systems in the marine industry and our MLS/IDX search system in the real estate industry. Those proprietary systems have enabled us to match up with client needs in very specific ways that meet their needs and given us a strategic advantage for growth in the marketplace. We also use our unique software for our internal processes to streamline client marketing campaigns and other efforts. It enables us to be more thorough, efficient and competitive in growing our company.

Are there any benefits operating in Florida for your future growth plans?

We have offices and employees in other parts of the country, but we’re proud to call Florida home. It offers so many advantages that continue to help us grow, including a diverse talent pool, a business-friendly environment, and a terrific lifestyle. You can’t beat the Florida education system, and we’re fortunate to have Gators, Seminoles, Hurricanes, and Knights on our team. Our low tax and pro-business policies help growing companies like ours have an edge over other areas. Last, and maybe the most compelling, is our warm weather and our beautiful natural environment. That’s a draw that is hard to beat. Having our headquarters in Florida will continue to be a key part of our growth in the future.

What are some major challenges you’ve faced growing your business?

As Zgraph has grown, there have been some major challenges that we’ve overcome to keep on our path to success. One key moment was a time in our history when we lost three key employees all at once. It had a big impact upon our company at the time, making it crystal clear how important our employees are. The Covid 19 pandemic was also a pivotal event in our company’s history. It affected our bottom line and also forced us to work remotely.

How did you overcome or solve them?

Our employee defection helped propel us in the direction of a more team-oriented culture with better training and processes. We’re also leading the charge with competitive compensation, top-notch benefits, and a continuous desire to have as rewarding a work environment as possible. In response to Covid 19, we worked to foster even better communication and strategy with tools and processes that merged in-person and remote work more effectively.

What keeps you up at night as a business owner?

We are in a fast-paced and competitive industry, so we always have to be hyper-client-focused and on the path of constant improvement. Finding our next superstars is also a challenge that we face. Keeping a growing team focused on making great products and offering terrific services for our clients keeps me up at night.

Looking ahead, what are your goals for the next few years?

We see our business further evolving in the direction of software and high-growth SaaS products, while also growing our core digital marketing services. We’re expanding our headcount and our geographic and industry reach.

What is your proudest moment as CEO?

I’m more proud of the overall journey from a $1,200 shoestring budget to where we are now than any one specific moment. Every time I think about the team we have and how far we’ve come… that makes me proud.

What does it mean to you to be selected as a GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Honoree?

It’s a huge honor to be selected as one of GrowFL’s Companies to Watch. We’re in great company with our fellow honorees and it gives us that much more motivation to continue to succeed.

What about to your employees?

It means a lot to our employees that their hard work is paying off and that they’re with a company that has a promising future ahead.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank?

I owe so much to my parents who have supported me through thick and thin… and they’re a part of the Zgraph team to this day. I would also like to thank all of the Zgraph team, both past and present… without them, we wouldn’t be where we are today.

My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is…

"There are a few key nuggets of advice I would give to aspiring entrepreneurs. Never give up and preserve, because there will always be challenges. Make sure to recognize the power of a team, and work to foster cohesive teamwork with great support around them. Hire great people and let them shine. Don’t hesitate to get help in terms of mentorship, financing, and more. Sometimes it’s lonely being an entrepreneur, but if you have a network of other business professionals it can help immensely. Lastly, always have a humble attitude of not knowing enough and always be in a state of learning."

Celebrate with the Zgraph team!

Tickets are on sale now for the 11th Annual GrowFL Florida Companies to Watch Awards Celebration! Don't wait, they will sell out!

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