The Story
Built inside an agency. Shaped by more than 20 years of real client work.
The Spark did not begin as a software idea. It began as the internal system Web Alchemy needed to run its own clients, projects, team, finances and reporting properly.
Nick Hatton
Founder, The Spark and Web Alchemy
Why I built The Spark
Hear directly from Nick about the frustrations that led to The Spark, how it developed inside Web Alchemy and why it is now being built for other independent agencies.
Why I built The Spark
Transcript
The transcript will be published here alongside the video.
“I didn't build The Spark because I wanted to launch another CRM. I built it because, after 20 years running an agency, I still couldn't find software that worked the way I needed it to.”
Where it started
The system that runs Web Alchemy.
The Spark started as the internal system that runs Web Alchemy, a digital marketing and web development agency. Every module exists because a real client, project or invoice needed it.
It has already been through the awkward parts of agency life: managing leads, onboarding new clients, planning workloads, chasing feedback, recording approvals, invoicing and explaining results using real performance data.
Now it is being developed for other independent agencies that face the same problems.
- 01
More than 20 years inside agency life
The workflows are informed by real agency experience, not assumptions about how agencies operate.
- 02
Too many disconnected tools
CRM, tasks, proposals, invoicing, payments, reporting, files, email and client communication had become a patchwork.
- 03
The internal Web Alchemy system
The Spark was built to connect those workflows and became the system used to run a working agency.
- 04
Built for other boutique agencies
The platform is now being developed for established independent agencies that want better visibility, less administration and a more professional client experience.
Principles
What The Spark stands for.
- 20+ years
- of agency experience
- Agency-built
- Developed and used inside a working agency.
- One connected system
- Operations, sales, finance, performance and client activity share the same information.
- Boutique-first
- Designed around established agencies of approximately 2 to 10 people.
- Better for clients
- Clients receive a simple branded portal rather than another complex project management system to learn.