From local roots to national reach: Blue River Digital’s 3x growth journey with Vendasta
Blue River Digital is an Indiana-based, full-service marketing agency.
Serves diverse verticals like auction companies, equipment dealers, contractors, landscapers, and nonprofits.
A Vendasta partner since August 2023.
The Challenge:
Blue River Digital’s mission has always been simple but powerful: put people first. As they grew, they faced the challenge of scaling their high-touch, relationship-driven service model without compromising on personal connections.
With a small but mighty team of 15+, their rapid expansion meant that manual processes, disjointed reporting, and capacity constraints could no longer support their growth. They needed a scalable platform that could help them organize, streamline, and empower their clients—all while protecting what mattered most: their relationships.
That’s when they partnered with Vendasta.
The results of scaling smart: Revenue, retention & nationwide expansion
$240K
Gross marketplace
revenue
Unlock new revenue opportunities and scale service offerings through Vendasta’s Marketplace.
99%
Client retention
rate
Drive long-term success with a people-first approach and streamlined communication.
33
States served
across the USA
Scale beyond local limits and build a nationwide presence through a winning partnership.
Background
Blue River Digital began with a bold vision and a clear purpose. From their roots in rural Indiana, they set out to build more than just a marketing agency—they set out to build lasting relationships. Fueled by a passion for people and a belief that marketing is a people business, they grew steadily year after year.
But as their reputation grew, so did their reach. Suddenly, they weren’t just serving local contractors and nonprofits—they were supporting auction companies, equipment dealers, and small businesses across 33 states. That growth brought new challenges.
As their team of 15 continued to grow, they found themselves navigating the challenge of balancing high-touch service with increasingly complex operations. Manual processes and scattered reporting systems that once served them well began to show their limits. With expansion came the realization that upholding the promises their business was built on—fast turnarounds, clear communication, and personalized care—required a more scalable approach.
They faced a crossroads that many growing agencies know all too well—how do you scale without losing what makes you special?
That’s when they found Vendasta.
At first, the agency hesitated. Like any smart business, they were careful with their investments and skeptical of new technology. But over time, they realized they didn’t just need a platform—they needed a partner who could help them organize their chaos, scale their operations, and continue delivering real value to their clients.
Looking back, Nick Prentice at Blue River Digital reflects on what shifted:
“Vendasta didn’t just give us tools—they gave us structure. They pushed us to get organized, to scale responsibly, and to keep showing up for our clients in the way we always have.”
That decision to partner with Vendasta became a turning point. Today, Blue River Digital operates at a national level, drives over $240K in marketplace revenue, and maintains an industry-leading 99% client retention rate—all while staying true to their people-first roots.
Objectives
Blue River Digital’s strategic objectives with Vendasta were clear:
- Scale nationwide: Expand operations across the U.S. while maintaining high-quality service.
- Improve client retention: Achieve and maintain near-perfect retention.
- Enhance transparency & reporting: Give clients clear visibility into their marketing performance.
- Drive engagement & upsells: Encourage the adoption of tools that foster long-term relationships and create upsell opportunities.
- Leverage AI & automation: Increase efficiency and lead generation through AI-powered solutions.
With a clear vision and the right partner, Blue River Digital was ready to turn ambition into action—and scale their success with Vendasta.
Execution
Blue River Digital leveraged Vendasta’s platform to transform their business:
1. Streamlining processes & organization
Vendasta’s systems required Blue River Digital to rethink and restructure their processes. “Vendasta forced us to organize,” says Nick Prentice. This enabled them to operate more efficiently and scale without overextending their team.
2. Business App Pro for transparency & client engagement
Initially, the agency used Vendasta primarily as a fulfillment platform. Over time, they adopted Business App Pro and began giving clients direct access to dashboards and reports. This improved transparency, accountability, and trust.
Their 2025 goal is to 4x Business App Pro subscriptions, making clients “sticky” and opening the door for upselling additional services like Google Ads and Social Media Management.
3. Improved client reporting & communication
By leveraging Vendasta’s Snapshot Reports, Business App dashboard, and automated reporting tools, Blue River Digital enhanced client communication. Monthly review meetings now center around data-backed performance insights, helping clients see real, measurable value.
Reporting has always been a headache, but Business App brings everything together. We now have monthly meetings with every digital client to walk through the dashboard. It keeps us front of mind and helps clients see the value we’re delivering,” explains Nick.
4. Early AI adoption for lead generation
Blue River Digital began implementing AI-powered tools like Web Chat, Social Marketing, and Reputation Management. A standout example: their largest digital client generated 13 high-value leads via Vendasta’s AI Web Chat tool in just a few weeks—leads that could drive millions in revenue for that client.
Through strategic use of Vendasta’s tools, the agency didn’t just streamline operations—they built a smarter, scalable business model that continues to deliver real value to their clients.
Results & impact
What started as a small, service-focused agency evolved into a nationwide operation powered by organized systems, transparent reporting, and scalable solutions—all while keeping their people-first philosophy intact.
Here’s how the numbers tell the story:
| Metric | Before Vendasta | After Vendasta |
|---|---|---|
| Client retention rate | High but untracked | 99% |
| Monthly recurring revenue | Limited and inconsistent | $25K |
| Engaged accounts | Small client base | 105 active accounts nationwide |
| Service fulfillment | Manual, time-consuming | Streamline & scalable with Vendasta platform |
| Client communication | Ad-hoc, scattered | Centralized & transparent through Business App |
| AI Adoption | None | Captured 13 high-value leads within weeks via AI Web Chat |
For Nick and the team at Blue River Digital, the biggest win isn’t just in the numbers—it’s in how the partnership has empowered them to grow without losing their core values:
“Vendasta didn’t just help us scale—they gave us the structure and tools to stay true to who we are. We’re not in the marketing business; we’re in the people business. And with Vendasta, we can now show up for our clients at scale.”
By combining people-first service with scalable technology, Blue River Digital now delivers measurable results, maintains strong client relationships, and continues to expand their reach—all while proving that growth doesn’t have to come at the cost of personal connection.
What’s next?
For 2025, Blue River Digital is laser-focused on:
- Growing Business App Pro Subscriptions: From 20 to 80 by year-end.
- Scaling Nationwide: Expanding presence beyond 33 states.
- Deepening AI Integration: Further adoption of AI tools to drive efficiency and client retention.
- Empowering Clients: Continuing to improve transparency, reporting, and hands-on service.
With Vendasta, they’re building a future where technology supports—not replaces—their commitment to relationships, transparency, and client success.
“What I appreciate most about our partnership with Vendasta is how it’s helped us grow without sacrificing who we are. Their platform gave us the ability to streamline, scale, and better serve our clients—so we can focus on building real, lasting relationships.”
Nick Prentice
Sales & Marketing Manager, Blue River Digital
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Conclusion
Blue River Digital’s success story proves that meaningful growth doesn’t require sacrificing what matters most—people and relationships. Through their partnership with Vendasta, they’ve transformed the way they work, streamlining operations and empowering their clients while staying true to their people-first values.
With the right tools and a clear vision, they’ve built a foundation for long-term success—and their journey isn’t over. As they continue to grow, Blue River Digital remains focused on what has always set them apart: serving clients with integrity, care, and a commitment to delivering real value.
Looking to grow your agency without losing what makes you special?
Join the many agencies like Blue River Digital who have scaled smarter with Vendasta.
Let’s grow together.