Kelly Moir, left, and Sam Eastman have co-founded a new marketing firm called Lake Effect Studio. Handout/Sarnia Observer/Postmedia Network�C.MULHOLLAND�/�SUPPLIEDA new business is launching next week in Sarnia-Lambton despite the COVID-19 pandemic.Called Lake Effect Studio, it�s an environmentally conscious branding and marketing firm, according to its website. After months of planning, the business will officially open Monday and the occasion will be marked that afternoon by a virtual ribbon cutting with the Sarnia Lambton Chamber of Commerce � Lake Effect recently became a member and operates its SLEP News � and some local politicians.�It�s really fun because we don�t have a physical storefront at the moment anyways so the whole virtual ribbon cutting is a cool nod to the digital marketing field that we�re in,� co-founder Kelly Moir said Friday.Moir and co-founder Sam Eastman, who met at Northern high school and have been �attached at the hip ever since,� have joked over the years about starting a business together. Now that they�ve both graduated university and returned to their hometowns � Moir is from Bright�s Grove and Eastman Sarnia � they felt it was time to follow through.COVID-19 wasn�t going to stop them.�We just had this idea and we�re like, �Why not?� Perfect time while we�re all stuck at home to just build something that we�ve been talking about for a while,� Moir, 22, said.�I feel like the whole pandemic situation has really accelerated this industry,� Eastman, 23, added.The name, which came to Eastman one day, ties into the geographical area and the effect they hope to have on their clients.�The more that I kept repeating it the more that it made sense in so many different ways,� Moir said. �Especially with our focus on the local community, it�s a nice homage to that.�Moir, who last year helped create a group of young environmentally conscious people called�the Sarnia Sustainability Ambassadors, said they specialize in waste-free event planning and digital marketing, but they will outsource for printed materials if necessary in the hopes of being a one-stop shop.Short term, they�re focusing on building their brand awareness, but eventually hope to have a downtown storefront and hire some staff.�I think the fact we�re bringing this environmental aspect will really allow us to stand out,� Eastman said.@ObserverTerrytbridge@postmedia.com
