Meet Cory Grabow | Co-founder and Partner at The Bruxton Group

We had the good fortune of connecting with Cory Grabow and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Cory, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
Hi, my name is Cory Grabow and originally from a small town in Montana. I was raised in the country, by a cowboy turned civil engineer (pops) and a farm girl (madre). My time growing up there was very important to who I am today. To start, my parents never shy’d away from doing anything the ‘right way’ even if it meant it taking longer and we always helped out our neighbors. This was ingrained in me from the very beginning. Whether it be in business, at home, or on the go we always made sure that we were being helpful.

Being the supportive parents that they were, they encouraged me to draw (since that was the only thing I wanted to do). This led me to painting murals on my bedroom wall and all the way to being admitted to the graphic design program at Montana State University Bozeman, MT. Graduating with a BFA and a minor in international business I new I had to get out and explore the world on my own terms. The only thing that mattered to me was making sure that whatever I did, was in preparation for my future advertising agency (later to be called The Bruxton Group).

This is where it gets interesting. I left Montana in search of the hardest place to make it in the US; NYC (side note, I did not make it and left broke driving my car across the country to LA). Its these moments that defined me, allowing my crazy work ethic to continue to drive me. I loved it all. Since that time, I have been in and out of Los Angeles, with a quick year building a tech hardware company in Australia (Byron Bay to be exact). I knew that LA would be my home and needed the ocean to be my peace and center. I say that because, growing up in the mountains, breathing that crisp cold air is bar-none and the only thing close to that is the crashing of the waves in the ocean. I use this for my design inspiration consistently.

The mountains are a part of me just as much as the upbringing from my parents and design is my bridge to the rest of the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I started the Bruxton Group 8 years ago with my partner, Jeff Kraynik. Soccer was how we met, design was our passion, and we both felt the urge to make the world a better place with our new agency. Although there were a lot of unknowns in the beginning, we owned them and pride ourselves in being able to learn and adapt quickly to the ever changing landscape that is running an advertising agency. Through this we have learned that our soul as a company really is to make our clients look good, in every way and every touchpoint. This began as Jeff and I’s personal goals for the company, but soon learned that it is what sets us apart. We have been fortunate enough to work with amazing client such as Walmart, Cal State LA, Claremont McKinna University, Frogtown Brewery, Hello Sunshine, and yes, even ‘the’ Richard Simmons.

Starting an agency in todays world – that’s a challenge; we’re always learning something new or feeling a little bit like a fish out of the water. We have had to invent our own rules. but we also understand the fundamentals of telling a story and how to connect to the community. How to connect to what a client’s needs are and to make their life better, that’s the common thread that no matter what we are working on we are able to achieve.

Lee Clow said it best, “Make it smart, make it beautiful, and have fun.”

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’m not going to spill the beans on all the good spots, but that’s one of the reasons I love living in LA, there are so many!

Not many places in the US are this diverse and that translates into food, in my eyes. So we eat a lot, and many different places.

I would start out at a really good Taiwanese spot in Silver lake called Pine & Crane then walk around the area afterwards to visit all the little shops. This would also give us a chance to see the inner city areas.

Next up would be hiking up in Topanga Canyon and on our way back to LA, stop at Malibu Seafood for their fish and chips (oh and don’t forget to order the coleslaw).

After that, we would spend a day lounging at the beach in Santa Monica with a packed lunch, then ride bikes down to Dockweiler to grill hamburgers on the beach and watch the sun set.

Finally, I would spend an afternoon walking around venice beach and the boardwalk, culminating with us having beers and a burger at Hinano’s.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents and my wife (who, if you want to talk about hard work, she blows me out of the water, a mother of 2 boys, an Australian shepherd, and running her own Acupuncture Clinic – MyQi Wellness)

Website: https://www.bruxtongroup.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bruxtongroup/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/bruxtongroup/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/corygrabow

Image Credits
Andrea D’agosto Photography, Dennis Sosa Photography