At InnovateLocal 2025, we’re closing the day with two live, real-world case studies from local founders who have done just that—rethought the way they operate, deliver value, and grow. These aren’t big corporations or startup tech giants. They’re independent, Richmond-based businesses facing the same challenges you face: limited time, finite resources, and a desire to make a lasting impact.
🥯 Live Case Study: Baltik’s Bagels
With Yero Rudzinskas
Baltik’s Bagels might look like a classic bagel shop, but step inside and you’ll see a business built on intentional choices. Founder Yero Rudzinskas brings an unexpected background—as a Michelin-level chef, investment banker, and tech executive—to a fast-casual food concept that’s anything but ordinary.
He didn’t reinvent the wheel—he rethought the workflow. Kettle-boiled bagels. A chef-driven menu. A convenient drive-thru. An obsession with guest experience. All rooted in core values that any business can apply.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why starting small can be a strategic advantage
- How to stay high-quality and consistent, even when scaling
- How to define your values and use them as daily operating rules
✨ You don’t want to miss this if: You want to simplify your customer experience, strengthen your brand, or explore new ways to deliver your product or service.
🔥 Live Case Study: Campfire & Co.
With Christie Thompson
Running a business often means choosing a lane: you’re either focused on your service or your space. But what if those two things could reinforce each other?
That’s the question Campfire & Co. asked—and the answer led to a completely new kind of creative agency. Over the last decade, they’ve quietly built a reputation for helping local businesses—from coffee shops to community centers—create spaces that look like their brand and feel like their mission.
In this session, founder Christie Thompson shares how Campfire blended branding and interior design—two disciplines that usually live in separate silos—and why that shift helped their clients build stronger, more cohesive experiences.
This is not a pitch—it’s a peek behind the curtain:
- What led Campfire to rethink what they offered and how they delivered it
- How listening closely to client needs shaped a new hybrid approach
- What they’ve learned from a decade of helping local businesses stand out in saturated markets
✨ You don’t want to miss this if: You’ve ever felt like your business doesn’t quite “look” like what it stands for—or you’re wondering how to evolve your services in a meaningful way.
💡 Real Stories. Practical Takeaways. All Local.
These are not abstract success stories. These are Richmond businesses who’ve rolled up their sleeves and figured out how to evolve—whether that meant adding a drive-thru, rethinking their signage, or building systems around core values.
These takeaways apply to your business, no matter the size or industry:
- You don’t need a big team or budget to make a big impact
- Small changes can lead to big improvements in how customers experience your business
- Your values and your space tell a story—make sure it’s the one you want people to remember
“Innovation isn’t about changing everything—it’s about changing the right things.”
Join Us at InnovateLocal
Be in the room when Yero and Christie share how they’re building better businesses—and learn how you can do the same. Bring your questions. Bring your curiosity. Leave with fresh ideas and a renewed sense of what’s possible.
🗓️ June 2025
📍 Lost Offices Collaborative
🎟️ Register Here
