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Case Study: How Spectruss is Helping Full Throttle Distillery’s Online Presence

Rustic copper still at Full Throttle Distillery with an American flag in the background, showcasing the craft of Tennessee moonshine making
Inside Full Throttle Distillery – where authentic Tennessee moonshine is crafted with heritage and tradition.

A strong digital presence is critical for businesses today, especially in industries like craft spirits and hospitality. Full Throttle Distillery, known for its authentic Tennessee moonshine and rich history, recognized the need to enhance its website while staying true to its roots. That’s where Spectruss came in.

Our goal? Create a new website that reflects Full Throttle’s brand, improves functionality, and enhances user experience—without losing the authenticity that makes them unique.

About Full Throttle Distillery

Located in Trimble, TN, and Estes Park, CO, Full Throttle Distillery is a brand that embodies tradition and craftsmanship. Their moonshine, inspired by early 1900s recipes, is crafted using authentic copper stills for a true taste of history. Visitors enjoy on-site tastings, guided tours, live entertainment, and Southern hospitality, making the distillery a must-visit destination.

However, their existing website didn’t fully showcase the energy and experience that customers get in person.

The Challenge: Keeping Authenticity While Modernizing the Website

Full Throttle Distillery wanted to update their main website and multiple location pages, but they had some key requests:

  • Maintain their brand identity—Rustic, bold, and true to their Tennessee heritage.
  • Improve functionality—A smoother, more intuitive layout for visitors.
  • Enhance SEO—Better rankings for “craft moonshine distillery Tennessee” and other high-intent keywords.
  • Mobile Optimization—A seamless experience for users on any device.

With multiple locations and offerings, their digital presence needed a clear, engaging structure that could attract new customers and drive more in-person visits.

Our Approach: Blending Heritage with Digital Innovation

At Spectruss, we believe a business’s website should tell its story while delivering a smooth user experience. Our plan for Full Throttle Distillery focused on three major improvements:

1. Keeping the Brand’s Identity Intact

Full Throttle Distillery’s authenticity and history are central to its brand. We worked closely with their team to preserve their voice, rustic aesthetic, and storytelling elements, while improving usability.

2. Website Design & Functionality Enhancements

To make the website more engaging and functional, we implemented:

  • A streamlined layout for easier navigation.
  • High-quality visuals & storytelling to immerse visitors in the Full Throttle experience.
  • Interactive elements like a tasting reservation system and updated event calendar.
  • Call-to-action buttons such as “Visit Full Throttle Distillery” and “Subscribe to Our Newsletter” for lead generation.

3. SEO & Digital Marketing Optimization

A visually appealing website isn’t enough—it also needs to rank well on Google. Our SEO improvements included:

  • Keyword optimization for “best moonshine in Tennessee,” “handcrafted spirits Trimble TN,” and more.
  • Location-based SEO to improve searches for “moonshine distillery near me”.
  • Mobile-friendly enhancements to ensure a great experience across devices.

We also incorporated local search optimization strategies similar to those recommended by Moz (link), which can help businesses rank higher in regional and industry-specific searches.

Beyond the Website: Expanding to Multi-Location Pages

Since Full Throttle Distillery has multiple locations, we’re also revamping their Trimble, TN and Estes Park, CO location pages. Each will have:

  • Customized local content that highlights regional experiences.
  • Easy navigation for customers looking for location-specific details.
  • Consistent branding across all platforms.

This strategy ensures that each distillery location maintains its unique identity while staying connected under one strong digital presence.

The Expected Impact: What This Means for Full Throttle Distillery

With the new website, Full Throttle Distillery can expect:

  • Higher engagement from visitors exploring their services online.
  • Increased bookings for tastings, tours, and events.
  • Stronger brand storytelling that connects with their audience.
  • Improved search rankings, driving more organic traffic.

A well-optimized website is a powerful marketing tool, allowing businesses to reach customers before they even step through the door. Research from HubSpot (link) confirms that well-designed websites with strong SEO can increase conversions and customer trust.

What This Means for Your Business

Does your business need a website upgrade while maintaining its brand identity? Whether you run a distillery, restaurant, or any business in Chattanooga, Spectruss specializes in:

  • Custom web design tailored to your brand.
  • SEO strategies to help you rank higher.
  • Engaging digital experiences that drive real results.

If your website needs a refresh, let’s talk—we can help you create a digital presence that truly represents your brand.

Contact Spectruss today! Spectruss.com

FAQ: Full Throttle Distillery’s Website Revamp by Spectruss

1. How will the new website help Full Throttle Distillery attract more visitors?

The updated site will feature clear navigation, high-quality visuals, and strong calls to action to encourage users to book tastings, explore products, and visit the distillery. Improved SEO strategies will also help increase visibility in search results for moonshine enthusiasts and tourists.

2. Will the website include e-commerce features for purchasing Full Throttle’s spirits online?

Currently, Full Throttle Distillery’s website is focused on visitor engagement, tastings, and location-based experiences. 

3. How does Spectruss make sure the website keeps Full Throttle’s authentic brand identity?

We work closely with their team to match the rustic, bold aesthetic that represents their heritage and craft spirit industry roots. The design, colors, imagery, and storytelling will all align with their authentic brand voice while improving user experience.

4. Can Spectruss help other businesses in Chattanooga improve their websites too?

Absolutely! Whether you run a distillery, restaurant, retail store, or service-based business, we specialize in custom web design, SEO, and digital marketing to help you grow. Contact us today to see how we can elevate your online presence. 

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Uncategorized

What Does Your Brand Say About You? How to Keep Your Authenticity as You Scale

Small business owner holding an open sign, symbolizing brand authenticity and a welcoming local presence.
Brand authenticity in action: A local business owner’s welcoming approach helps build strong customer connections.

For many small and mid-sized businesses in Chattanooga, TN, scaling is a primary goal. But as you grow, it’s crucial to stay true to your brand’s original identity. Authenticity is what helps customers trust you, especially in a community-focused market like Chattanooga. At Spectruss, we know the struggle of selling but keeping authentic, that’s why we specialize in helping businesses expand without losing the qualities that make them unique.

Why Authenticity Matters for Growing Businesses

Brand authenticity is the foundation of trust, especially as customers increasingly value transparency and real values. When a business grows too fast, it risks diluting what made it appealing in the first place. For Chattanooga businesses, staying grounded in local values and community engagement can create a strong differentiation from competitors. Customers often choose brands that reflect their own values and personality, and this is particularly true in local markets.

As a local digital marketing agency, Spectruss understands how to maintain your brand’s authentic voice while scaling. We love to prioritize the characteristics that resonate with Chattanooga audiences, your brand can expand without compromising its identity.

Revisiting Your Brand’s Core Values and Mission

Before scaling, it’s important to revisit your brand’s core values and mission. What your business stands for? Why it resonates with customers? This often includes values like community involvement, reliability, and customer-centric service. Take time to ask yourself:

  • What unique qualities define my brand?
  • Which values should stay central as the business grows?
  • How can I communicate these qualities effectively?

At Spectruss, we help businesses in Chattanooga identify and refine these essential elements. Our approach allows clients to scale while ensuring that their brand message remains consistent, relatable, and grounded in local values.

Building a Consistent Brand Message

As your business grows, maintaining a consistent message becomes vital. Your messaging should align with your brand’s core identity across all channels, from your website and social media to advertising. A consistent tone and voice prevent confusion and reinforce trust.

For Chattanooga businesses, a straightforward, approachable tone often resonates best. Avoid complicated language and speak directly to your customers. Make sure each piece of content, from blog posts to ad copy, reflects your brand’s personality.

Spectruss helps clients develop a cohesive message tailored to the Chattanooga market. We create content and ads that speak directly to the community, using local language and themes that build strong connections.

Using Local Marketing to Build Authentic Connections

Local marketing is one of the best ways to maintain authenticity while scaling, especially for Chattanooga-based businesses. By focusing on community engagement and local relevance, you can grow while staying connected to the audience that matters most.

Local SEO and Social Media Engagement

Optimizing for local SEO can help your business appear in local searches, bringing in customers who are actively looking for your services in Chattanooga. Setting up a Google My Business profile, using Chattanooga-specific keywords, and responding to local reviews are practical ways to boost visibility.

On social media, engaging with local groups and participating in community discussions can reinforce your brand’s commitment to Chattanooga. Share stories that highlight local events, customer success, or your business’s involvement in the community. This approach shows that your brand is more than a company—it’s part of the community.

Scaling Responsibly with a Customer-Centric Approach

Growth should never compromise the quality of customer experience. In fact, prioritizing customer relationships as you scale can enhance your authenticity. A customer relationship management (CRM) system is essential for managing and tracking interactions, ensuring no customer is overlooked.

For Chattanooga businesses, a customer-focused approach often means maintaining personalized service, even as the client base grows. By actively gathering feedback and responding to customer needs, you demonstrate that their voices matter. Listening to customers also reveals insights that can guide your expansion plans.

For example, our Spectruss CRM to support personalized interactions and monitor feedback. This customer-centric strategy helps businesses build loyalty and trust that endures, even as the company scales.

Avoiding Common Pitfalls that Undermine Authenticity

While growth is essential, it’s easy to make mistakes that can harm your brand’s authenticity. Here are a few pitfalls to watch out for:

  • Adopting Generic Messaging: As you expand, avoid the temptation to appeal to a broad audience by watering down your message. Chattanooga customers value brands that feel familiar and local.
  • Ignoring Local Relevance: Failing to localize your content can make your brand feel distant and impersonal. Stay connected by creating content that reflects Chattanooga’s culture and community.
  • Focusing Solely on Metrics: While metrics are important, don’t let them dictate every decision. Prioritize the values that made your brand successful.

Keep Growing Without Losing What Makes You Unique

Expanding your business doesn’t mean you have to leave your brand’s identity behind. By focusing on your core values, consistent messaging, and local connections, you can grow while staying true to what makes your brand unique. Authenticity isn’t just a quality—it’s a strategy for building long-term trust and loyalty.

Ready to scale while preserving your brand’s identity? Contact Spectruss to explore how we can help you expand sustainably and authentically. Let’s keep your brand’s voice strong as your business grows.

FAQ: Keeping Brand Authenticity While Scaling

  1. Can brand authenticity impact my sales and revenue as I scale?
    Yes, brand authenticity significantly impacts sales by building trust and loyalty. When customers perceive a brand as genuine, they’re more likely to choose it over competitors, resulting in repeat business and positive referrals. Maintaining authenticity ensures that your business keeps attracting customers who align with your values, even as it grows. Harvard Business Review’s article on brand trust provides insights into the direct impact of authenticity on customer loyalty and revenue.
  2. How can I adapt my brand for new markets without losing authenticity?
    To expand into new markets while staying authentic, focus on universal brand values and adapt your messaging to be locally relevant. For instance, if you’re expanding beyond Chattanooga, find connections between your brand values and the culture of the new market. This localized approach helps you maintain a consistent identity while still appealing to different audiences.
  3. Should my brand’s visuals (logo, colors) change as I grow?
    As a brand scales, visual updates may be necessary to modernize the brand or appeal to broader markets, but any changes should align with the brand’s core identity. A visual refresh, like updating colors or modernizing the logo, can enhance brand perception without sacrificing its essence. However, ensure that any redesign still reflects your original brand values to maintain customer recognition and loyalty.
  4. How can I measure whether my brand is perceived as authentic?
    You can measure brand authenticity through customer feedback, engagement metrics, and online reviews. Surveys, social media comments, and customer testimonials provide insight into how people view your brand. If customers frequently mention qualities like trustworthiness, reliability, and local connection, it indicates your authenticity efforts are succeeding.
  5. Can partnerships or collaborations help me maintain brand authenticity?
    Yes, partnering with businesses that share your values and community focus can strengthen your brand’s authenticity. Collaborations with local Chattanooga companies, nonprofits, or events highlight your brand’s commitment to the community and can expand your reach in an authentic way. Spectruss can help identify strategic partnerships that support your brand’s growth and resonate with your target audience.
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Business

Spectruss Launches Video Production Services with Recent Hire, Nick Friend

A Chattanooga-based marketing agency expands in-house services for clients

 

Chattanooga, TN – July 9th, 2018– Spectruss, a marketing agency based in the Chattanooga, TN area, is thrilled to introduce Nick Friend as the Director of Photo and Video Production for the agency’s growing client list. This new addition will expand Spectruss’s wide variety of offered marketing services. 

Nick Friend joins Spectruss with an extensive background in filmmaking from major sets like Terminator: Genisys and Planet of the Apes, and Jack Reacher, as well as TV shows like True Detective, VICE, and Togetherness. From pre-production all the way to final delivery, Friend is in charge of making sure that Spectruss’s vision, along with their clients, is realized through photography film, and videos.

“I’m most excited to be a part of a close-knit tribe of ambitious professionals. Having worked freelance for most of my career, I’ve found absolute value in the people with whom I work. I think that the people that we meet and the places we go inspire the stories that we tell. I truly believe that progress can be dangerous but comfort is always lethal, so I’m really excited to join a new team and contribute to new and challenging projects, ” said Friend.

The Tennessee-based filmmaker takes an organic, collaborative approach to content creation. Above all, he believes that story is king and with a good story, comes great content. Here is the link to his film reel, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fptkqqoekrM.

Prior to Spectruss, he specialized in original, thought-provoking films and videos for brand and companies across the country. Friend has a Bachelor’s degree focused in documentary film from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, with a minor in creative writing.

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ABOUT SPECTRUSS

Spectruss is a Marketing agency based out of Chattanooga, TN that specializes in Marketing Solutions utilizing custom website development, graphic design, photography, online and print advertising, social media management, review management and data analysis. Its mission is to exert passion through every project, design, or website development they touch.

For more information about Spectruss, its clients, and services, visit https://spectruss.com.

 

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Marketing

Why Use Video Marketing?

Video marketing is here, and it’s here to stay

Today, video marketing usage is rising rapidly among brands and marketers. Having a strong video marketing strategy plays a crucial role in the success of your outreach and branding efforts. It’s one of the most effective ways to thrive in your industry and attract more clients. This is mainly because it’s the fastest and easiest way to learn and retain information. Hubspot recently reported that 99% of those who already do use video, say they’ll continue to do so in 2018 and 65% of those who don’t currently use video, say they plan to start in 2018. What does this mean? That video is here to stay.  Think about this: A Facebook executive predicted that the platform will be ALL video in less than five years, and we already see that coming true. 

Other reasons why marketers rely on video:

  • 97% of marketers say video has helped increase user understanding of their product or service.
  • 95% of people have watched an explainer video to learn more about a product or service.
  • 76% of businesses say it helped them increase traffic.
  • 83% of consumers would consider sharing it with their friends.
  • 80% of marketers say video has increased dwell time on their website.
  • 85% of people say they’d like to see more video from brands in 2018.

How to use it to your advantage:

Live Video/ Live Streaming

  • 82% of consumers prefer live video from a brand instead of social posts.

Live videos give a unique perspective on the behind-the-scenes of our company. Here you can live stream interviews, internal and external events, Q&As, presentations, and encourage engagement with viewers by commenting with questions.

Video Tutorials/ Demo

  • 91% of customers have watched a tutorial video to learn about a product or service.
  • 79% of customers would rather watch an explainer video to learn about a product than read text.

Showcase how your product or service works. Here you can take someone who is unfamiliar with your products and walk them through how it works to allow prospects to fully grasp its value and potential.

Brand Video

  • 81% of people have been convinced to buy a product or service by watching a brand’s video.

A solid brand video is the best way to increase relatability and trust by showcasing your company’s vision, mission, value, or products and services. You can even display your employee’s individual passions to allow viewers to connect. The ultimate goal is to build awareness around your company and attract your target audience.  Check out the Spectruss video.

Case Study and Customer Testimonial Videos

  • The top three most effective video types are product demo videos (49%), tutorial videos (50%), and customer testimonial videos (51%). (Forbes)

One of the most effective ways to build trust is by showcasing your happy and loyal customers. Describe the challenges and how your company helped them meet their goals.

Expert Interviews

  • 94% of marketers who use influencer marketing find it an effective practice, and can generate up to 11x the ROI of traditional advertising.

Find the influencers or thought leaders in your industry and conduct short interviews on camera. This is a great way to build credibility and establish authority with your target audience.

360-Degree/ VR Video

  • 90% of Americans believe that content will be better in 360-degree video than in a traditional one.
  • 59% of businesses that used VR video for marketing purposes said that is was an effective marketing tool.

Virtual reality allows viewers to navigate and control their experience. Brands should consider leveraging virtual reality at conferences and industry tradeshows.

When creating your video, think about these questions:

  1. Who’s your target audience?
  2. What’s the goal?
  3. When and where to share your videos?
  4. What’s the budget?
  5. Are there additional creative requirements?
  6. Who will be featured?
  7. How long should it be?
  8. Is it a series of videos?
Categories
Events

Spectruss at Hunter Underground

The Hunter Museum hosted their annual “Hunter Underground” event. A combination of gallery art and cocktail chic that featured the much-anticipated “Smash & Grab Gallery”. The proceeds from the night benefited the museum’s educational and interpretive programming.

Artwork traveled to the event from Chattanooga and Asheville galleries and ranged from small sculptures to large oil paintings. The event weaved in between the corridors underneath the Hunter Museum, with artwork displayed on all sides. Pockets into offices became opened up with deep blue atmospheric lighting, exposing rooms filled with creativity and chic lounge space for guest to enjoy the evening.

To find out more about The Hunter Museum you can visit them online at www.huntermuseum.org. You can also visit Spectruss Facebook to see pictures from the Hunter Underground photo-booth.

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Events

Spectruss Hosts Holiday Party!

During this holiday season, Spectruss hosted its holiday party at the local Chattanooga brewery, Hutton and Smith.Clients, friends, and fellow Spectruss co-workers gathered inside the brewery for various beers, snacks, and conversation.

If you haven’t already, check out Hutton and Smith Brewery at 431 East Martin Luther King Blvd in downtown Chattanooga, or online at huttonandsmithbrewing.com.

We hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a fantastic 2016.

Cheers!

spectruss-launch-party

Categories
Projects

Website Launched – CityScope Food and Drink

This week here at Spectruss, the popular local magazine CityScope gets an online face-lift for their “Food and Drink” magazine. CityScope is a Chattanooga-based magazine with many annual and seasonal magazine releases to multiple scenes around the local area, including:  Football, Business, Home & Design, Health, to name a few.

With the launch of the new website through Spectruss, the team at CityScope now has easy control of their front-end website appearance through a personalized WordPress back-end. This is the first website rollout for what will be several websites to embody their brand. The new website features a content management system that will allow CityScope to plug in their own content and take control of what appears on the website.

Spectruss is now beginning development on the “Moth Ball by CityScope” website, which is a great benefit event put on by CityScope and the women of Chattanooga. With that underway, Spectruss is excited to add another great website to the Chattanooga website design community.

For a firsthand look at the new site, head over to: cityscopefoodanddrink.com.

Categories
Design

Spectruss Lead Designer Justin Aragon Interview

This week we highlight lead designer of Spectruss, Justin Aragon. In this interview, we learn about his design aesthetic to his personal web design treasures!

 

What is your greatest strength when it comes to designing website layouts?

When it comes to designing website layouts, you have to think of who you’re designing it for first. Listening to the client’s vision is a major strength to have and being able to translate an abstract idea to visual communication. Every web design project we work on is custom designed for each client. From the navigation, sizing, text placement, typography, photography, video, film, graphic elements, animations… etc., everything is designed accordingly to best represent who the client is. It is also important for me as a designer to produce unique designs every time. It keeps me creative, playful, push envelopes and maybe raise some eyebrows too!

 

Do you create all the components to the website? (icons, imagery, art)

Yes! I’m very observant… which every designer should be. I look at websites every day. My eyes recognize when certain graphic elements or iconography have been used before in multiple projects by different agencies. Even when I’m driving around the city, it frustrates me when I see the same topography and icons on billboards and posters here in Chattanooga. I like to give our clients designs that they can only call their own. I have Illustrator files that scroll forever full of custom-designed graphics that I consider one of my prized possessions.

 

When working on a project, what is your average turnaround for completion?

Every project has a different timeline, so it’s difficult to give a specific number. It also varies on what kind of project it is. We’ve worked long term with clients on fully functioning custom-designed websites, to as short as two weeks, to twenty-four hours! The average would probably be around three to four weeks. Ideally, we like to have a week for the design phase, another week for edits, and go to the programming phase on the final week.

 

What part does branding and brand identity play in your creative process?

Branding is everything! Branding dictates the overall direction of how to represent your clients. Branding a new company is probably the most creative part of being in this business. We’ve worked with several local clients here in Chattanooga, and it feels really great when people recognize your work just by looking at a signage, logo, and visiting a website. When I moved back to Chattanooga from Architecture School in 2011, there was a growing population in the creative community… which was awesome! But I also noticed that everyone was producing very similar trendy designs. Trends can only last until there is a new one. I’m a huge fan of timeless design that remain significant over years and years. I always keep in mind when designing a logo or any kind of branding that the overall visual appeal would become an instant classic and does not come with an expiration date.

 

Do you favor the idea of working with a company to focus their branding and improve upon it before beginning the website process?

When clients come to us, they are either looking to start from the beginning or unhappy with their current appeal. It is always good to suggest improving certain elements of their brand before further producing major work. When we work with a company that already has their branding established, it is our job to use what they currently have and build the rest of their Identity effectively. Limits can be great. It can be your friend sometimes. When I was studying architecture, I hated working around building codes, but you’ll realize how efficient your designs become. It’s the same with any type of design. You have to be able to work within certain parameters.

 

How would you best describe your design style? (modern, vintage, etc.)

Like I hate labeling my relationships, I don’t necessarily put a stamp on my forehead and say I only have one specific style. I guess I can answer the question in two parts:

Being in the creative industry, you have to be able to tackle different styles. For web design, it is always important to be cutting edge. Since websites are now the new storefronts, you always want your appeal to be fresh and interesting regardless of style, because you are one click away from the x button. If “Advanced” is a style, I would say as a company that we integrate design with the most current technology in our work.

In my personal time, I still do a lot of designing. I’ve been working on conceptual furniture, playing around with new silhouettes for men’s fashion, and currently building ideas for the Millennial House. I could describe my personal aesthetic as modern minimal. I like simple bold statements, solid contrasting gray tones, and honesty of materiality. When you’ve been working all day with information overload on client projects, it’s nice to come home to clean lines, smooth surfaces and pure simplicity because it will always be beautiful. A very small hint of my personal style can be seen in my professional work, but I always make sure that the work remains egoless and not about me.

 

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200 W M.L.K. Blvd
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423.264.2404