Jason and Shannon Faulkner researched several cities in which to open their business before they landed in Gig Harbor with Delphis Creative Business Solutions.

The business, which opened in September, supports others by offering their services as a marketing support team.

“What we do is come in and help develop a marketing plan,” Jason said. “Basically, we get businesses connected with the community.”

Shannon said one of the reasons they decided to set up here was the Gig Harbor Chamber of Commerce.

“We were trying to decide where we wanted to start our business, and we felt like the community here was more accepting, but also the Chamber of Commerce folks were so kind and so excited about our business,” she said.

The Faulkners feel like they’ve become friends with chamber staff members.

“They are excited about our business and have helped us connect with the community,” Shannon said.

The Faulkners were married in June, and both of them brought children to the relationship.

“Family is our No. 1 priority,” Jason said.

Those values transfer to their business, as well. The Faulkners have a rigid schedule, and when they are working, they are totally involved with their clients. When they are at home with the family, that time is dedicated to their children.

Shannon has eight years of marketing experience, and those skills help run their new company. Jason said he’s the people-orientesd part of the equation.

“Jason can make a friend no matter where he goes,” Shannon said. “He is very sparkly.”

Dr. Laura Waters, owner of Peninsula Pet Hospital, is one of the Faulkners’ clients, and she said they’ve helped her clinic grow.

“They are really good at what they do,” Waters said. “They are people- and relationship-oriented.”

Waters, who has three young children and runs her own clinic, said she has little time to devote to the marketing aspect of her business. The Faulkners stepped in and gave her the tools to market Peninsula Pet Hospital throughout the community.

Waters said the Faulkners took the time to research her business and come up with a plan that works within her budget.

“They are honest and dependable, and they don’t tell you they are going to call and then not call,” she said.

The Faulkners suggested that Waters take part in several local events that afforded the clinic more visibility. They went to the Harbor Hounds event with Waters and sent thank-you notes to people who visited the booth. They also collect business cards wherever they go.

“Our goal is to meet with eight to 10 businesses a week and find out what they do and who they are,” Shannon said. “Then we call and offer to see them and set up a marketing plan. We want to find out who they are and encourage them in their business.”

There are four areas in their marketing plan: community, business to business, brand marketing and Internet marketing, and they ask prospective clients if they would like them to develop a plan for them.

They work with local vendors, such as Internet companies or web designers, and they can pass that information on to new clients.

“We believe that business is about relationships and keeping costs affordable,” Jason said. “We feel that getting out into the community is a must, and businesses need to invite people to come to them.”

The Faulkners can be reached at 253-509-0170.