ML10

A

Decade

of Great Work
and Good People

Paying Homage to our Past

They would never have imagined it, but InChoon and OkSoon Choi paved the way for Manual Labor’s 10th Anniversary when they moved CEO and Founder Sam Choi’s family from Seoul, Korea to America in 1976.

Faced with a language barrier and cultural differences, her parents stood steadfast in their belief in the American dream—and that Sam and her sisters would have more opportunities to be whoever they wanted. A decade later, Manual Labor carries on that legacy: their “roll up your sleeves and get the job done” philosophy—and most importantly, taking pride in everything you do.

Starting Manual Labor Studio

When Samantha Choi launched Manual Labor (ML) in 2012, she named the company as an homage to everything her parents did: all those untold hours of sacrifice and manual labor that led her to following in their entrepreneurial footsteps.

As a team of one, Sam worked tirelessly to help companies with creative branding, narratives, and visuals.

Growing ML Services

Wanting to transition from working harder to working smarter, 2018 marked the first time the team became more than just Sam. Todd Cadley and Sameehan Patel joined, bringing marketing strategy and user experience services to Manual Labor clients.

GDUSA Winner

Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) Magazine’s American Inhouse Design Awards is the original and premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse graphic designers and creative professionals. In September 2020, GDUSA Magazine awarded ML in two categories for their 2020 GDUSA AMERICAN INHOUSE DESIGN AWARDS including “Branding & Identity Program” and “Logo + Symbols”.

WBENC Certification + Growth

In November 2020, WBENC certified Manual Labor as a woman-owned business – is an important milestone not only for our business but because it's a symbol to other women and young girls that they too can be entrepreneurs and own their own business.

Starting Manual Labor Studio

When Samantha Choi launched Manual Labor (ML) in 2012, she named the company as an homage to everything her parents did: all those untold hours of sacrifice and manual labor that led her to following in their entrepreneurial footsteps.

As a team of one, Sam worked tirelessly to help companies with creative branding, narratives, and visuals.

Growing ML Services

Wanting to transition from working harder to working smarter, 2018 marked the first time the team became more than just Sam. Todd Cadley and Sameehan Patel joined, bringing marketing strategy and user experience services to Manual Labor clients.

GDUSA Winner

Graphic Design USA (GDUSA) Magazine’s American Inhouse Design Awards is the original and premier showcase for outstanding work by inhouse graphic designers and creative professionals. In September 2020, GDUSA Magazine awarded ML in two categories for their 2020 GDUSA AMERICAN INHOUSE DESIGN AWARDS including “Branding & Identity Program” and “Logo + Symbols”.

WBENC Certification + Growth

In November 2020, WBENC certified Manual Labor as a woman-owned business – is an important milestone not only for our business but because it's a symbol to other women and young girls that they too can be entrepreneurs and own their own business.

Great Work...

Manual Labor is proud of all the Great Work over these 10 years: from rebranding B2B tech leaders like Boomi to building ecommerce websites like Rubi Hard Seltzer, ML worked with some of the coolest people at the most interesting brands. ML has found a place as the strategic partner who “connects the dots” for brands and teams: we are there with our hearts and minds for clients to offer outside perspective, guide strategy, and help them make connections they might not otherwise.

Repositioning Boomi for a $4B exit

As a leading B2B SaaS company, Boomi is trusted by more than 18,000 customers globally to discover, manage, and orchestrate data and applications.

Manual Labor partnered with Boomi to identify who Boomi is and created a visual identity that met the personality, tone, and goals of the Boomi tomorrow. The partnership and collaborative work over the past three years resulted in a $4B sale by Dell Technologies to private equity pioneers Francisco Partners and TPG.

Building the Heart of Rubi

With an estimated $8B market, health trends leaning away from to calorie-laden drinks, and consumers always looking for authentic, independent brands, Rubi was launched.

Manual Labor was tapped to build the Brooklyn-based hard seltzer from the ground up. Focusing on setting the brand apart from the existing homogenous market, ML continues to be a key partner in building the brand from what Rubi tastes like, what the brand looks like and how Rubi sounds and connects with consumers.

Helping Alef take on the Big 3 Carriers in Mobile 5G

In the world of 5G, the words ‘transformation’ and ‘connection’ carry a lot of weight - and real impact. Alef, a pioneer in mobile edge computing, needed to ensure its brand reflected the opportunity and momentum: the art of the possible.

Alef’s leadership and marketing teams partnered with Manual Labor to re-brand, re-position, and launch Alef to drive the next mobile wave of technological innovation that improves the way we live, work, play - a $4.1 trillion economy by 2030.

Joining the United Nations Global Call Out to Creatives

In March 2020, the United Nations sent a global call out to creators to help stop the spread of Covid-19. The UN asked creatives to help translate critical public health messages into work that will inform and engage people across different communities, cultures, languages and platforms.

Manual Labor quickly responded to this callout and designed a "6 Feet Together" campaign — with the sentiment that while we were physically separated, but we don't have to be separate.

Repositioning Boomi for a $4B exit

As a leading B2B SaaS company, Boomi is trusted by more than 18,000 customers globally to discover, manage, and orchestrate data and applications.

Manual Labor partnered with Boomi to identify who Boomi is and created a visual identity that met the personality, tone, and goals of the Boomi tomorrow. The partnership and collaborative work over the past three years resulted in a $4B sale by Dell Technologies to private equity pioneers Francisco Partners and TPG.

Building the Heart of Rubi

With an estimated $8B market, health trends leaning away from to calorie-laden drinks, and consumers always looking for authentic, independent brands, Rubi was launched.

Manual Labor was tapped to build the Brooklyn-based hard seltzer from the ground up. Focusing on setting the brand apart from the existing homogenous market, ML continues to be a key partner in building the brand from what Rubi tastes like, what the brand looks like and how Rubi sounds and connects with consumers.

Helping Alef take on the Big 3 Carriers in Mobile 5G

In the world of 5G, the words ‘transformation’ and ‘connection’ carry a lot of weight - and real impact. Alef, a pioneer in mobile edge computing, needed to ensure its brand reflected the opportunity and momentum: the art of the possible.

Alef’s leadership and marketing teams partnered with Manual Labor to re-brand, re-position, and launch Alef to drive the next mobile wave of technological innovation that improves the way we live, work, play - a $4.1 trillion economy by 2030.

Joining the United Nations Global Call Out to Creatives

In March 2020, the United Nations sent a global call out to creators to help stop the spread of Covid-19. The UN asked creatives to help translate critical public health messages into work that will inform and engage people across different communities, cultures, languages and platforms.

Manual Labor quickly responded to this callout and designed a "6 Feet Together" campaign — with the sentiment that while we were physically separated, but we don't have to be separate.

Good People...

Even more importantly than Great Work is Good People. The most valuable thing to come out of this decade-long labor of love is what Manual Labor calls the Good People Network.

Since 2020, ML has doubled in size –– which is more than we imagined even three years ago. We've been able to increase capabilities as an organization, which has fostered us to think more about other opportunities. The more great work we do, the more good people we attract, and the more friends and peers we have who inspire each other.

Good People Network

ML Love

Doing great work with good people extends beyond our day-to-day job. As an expression of ML Love, last year and during our tenure, we have donated to the following organizations (below) that are close to every team members' heart.

It's important for us to build the type of organization around the company we keep, and the organizations who do so much for our society and world.

ML Gives Back

What’s Next

The ML LOVE PROJECT: When Sam Choi started Manual Labor in 2012, she had no idea what to expect in 10 years. As we approach this wonderful milestone, one of the ways we want to celebrate is by giving back.

However big or small, each one of us has an opportunity to make an impact on another human being. It's hard to ignore the fact that these last few years have been fueled by so much violence and hatred. This is why we are launching the LOVE project.

10 Years, 10 Stickers, and $10,000.

Our hope is that with 10 different designers, we'll create a Love sticker sheet that anyone can purchase with ALL profits donated to two foundations that address human rights and human needs - ACLU and World Central Kitchen.

Manual Labor is kicking it off with a $10,000 donation and we hope you will support us and them too! Love has no bounds.

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