About - Our History

Two knuckleheads with a big dream.

The MINDSCAPE story begins with these two knuckleheads and their crazy dreams. Pete wanted to build a business where friends could come together and have fun while creating incredible work. Paul just wanted to create things no one had ever seen before. So, they came together, built something brilliant, and twenty-one years later it’s still kickin’.

More than anything else, I wanted to build a company with my friends and make a place where you could enjoy yourself during the workday.

Pete Brand, Co-founder

THE TIMELINE

How it all happened.

Throughout our two decades in business, a lot has happened. Good, bad, and ugly — we try to look back on it all fondly because we wouldn’t be who we are today without every success, every failure, and everything in-between.

2000

Pete and Paul join forces.

Our story begins with our founders, Pete and Paul, joining forces at Web Spinners to create website designs that looked amazing and performed even better.

2001

MINDSCAPE is founded.

After a year of working together at Web Spinners, Pete and Paul realize that they want to branch out on their own, so they decide to start a completely new business together. They name it MINDSCAPE.

2002-2005

MINDSCAPE begins to grow.

MINDSCAPE slowly grows, cementing itself as a web design and digital marketing agency and gaining talented employees across Michigan.

2006

MINDSCAPE joins the MCC.

In an effort to grow even more, in 2006, MINDSCAPE joins the Muskegon Chamber of Commerce. There, Pete and Paul learn about owning and managing a growing business.

2007

MINDSCAPE moves to Grand Rapids.

Taking what they learned in the MCC, in 2007, Pete and Paul decide that Grand Rapids would be a better place to work and build their business, so they buy an office, make the move, and join the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

2009

MINDSCAPE teams up with HM.

MINDSCAPE catches the eye of a traditional marketing agency, Hannon Mckendry. They become partners and win the Small Business of the Year Award.

2010

MINDSCAPE is recognized as a growing company.

MINDSCAPE is named one of the fastest growing companies in America.

2011

MINDSCAPE is named an economic bright spot.

MINDSCAPE is named as one of Michigan’s economic bright spots, receives the vendor the year award, and is recognized as one of the best and brightest companies to work for in West Michigan.

2012

MINDSCAPE is named as one of the best and brightest.

MINDSCAPE is named as one of West Michigan’s 101 Best and Brightest companies to work at for the second year in a row.

2013

The awards keep coming.

MINDSCAPE is recognized as one of the best and brightest for the third year in a row. MINDSCAPE also takes home a gold Addy, a silver addy, a judges’ choice Addy, and wins two communication awards.

2014

MINDSCAPE and HM go their separate ways.

MINDSCAPE decides to return to their roots as a digital marketing company and becomes independent from Hannon Mckendry. The choice is a difficult one, but it allows Pete and Paul to refocus on their dream of running a business where innovation and fun are at the heart of the day-to-day operations.

2016

MINDSCAPE wins a Webby and hits premier status.

MINDSCAPE is recognized at the Webby Awards as an official honoree and becomes a Premier Google Partner.

2017

MINDSCAPE is recognized for their work in education.

MINDSCAPE becomes. a finalist for the Small Business of the Year Award, and takes home the bronze at the 32nd Annual Education Advertising Awards.

2018

MINDSCAPE levels up with HubSpot.

MINDSCAPE achieves Platinum Partner status with HubSpot.

2020

MINDSCAPE goes fully remote.

Having already experimented with remote work, when COVID-19 hits in March 2020, MINDSCAPE becomes a fully remote company.

2022

MINDSCAPE Wins Web Excellence Award

MINDSCAPE wins a web excellence award for their work on the Quarry Ridge Stone website.

2023

MINDCAPE Wins HubSpot Impact Award

MINDSCAPE wins HubSpot’s semi-annual Impact Award in the Product Excellence Category for their Service Hub Implementation.

I come from a family of entrepreneurs. I always knew that I would own my own business someday.

Paul Ferrier, Co-founder

Our History