From a single client to $2.2 million in sales — Letterpress Communications has spent the last decade turning stories into success.
When Ilsa Loeser signed up for a startup course for prospective business owners in 2015, she never imagined her one-woman show would evolve into a thriving rural marketing agency serving clients across Virginia and beyond. Back then Loeser was working as a reporter for The Farmville Herald when an idea sparked. That idea soon took root and started to grow.
“I just felt there were more stories out there that needed to be told,” she said. “Local businesses and nonprofits have stories to tell too.”
Before moving on with her business plan, Loeser contacted the Longwood Small Business Development Center (SBDC) for guidance.
“I enrolled in an SBDC startup business course, a class for prospective business owners that allowed me to gain enough information to be dangerous,” Loeser recalled with a smile. “Sheri McGuire was one of my teachers for that class, and she helped bring me my first couple of clients.”
When fellow Farmville Downtown Partnership (FDP) communications committee member Mary Jo Stockton mentioned that Green Front Furniture had come to the FDP seeking marketing help, it was all Loeser needed to start a career change.
“Mary Jo decided to send Den Cralle to me,” Loeser said. “My first contract with Green Front was for six months, 80 hours and $25 an hour.”
When Cralle signed that contract, Letterpress Communications was born.
Loeser found that she really enjoyed working with small businesses, a demographic that would form the core of her own evolving business.
“Small business owners are really passionate about what they do,” she added. “They really care about their own communities. I found that working with them and promoting what they do served my own personal passion as well.”
As Letterpress developed its client base, a strategy already at work in rural areas took front and center: a community-powered approach.
“As Letterpress grew, we noticed that helping clients tell their own authentic stories not only strengthened their organizations but also expanded their communities,” Loeser explained. “Collaboration accelerated and connections multiplied. A community-powered approach is something rural areas know how to do — it’s something the rest of the nation could learn from them.”
"A community-powered approach is something rural areas know how to do — it’s something the rest of the nation could learn from them.”
- Ilsa Loeser
As Letterpress added services and employees, the business model evolved.
“The first year was about finding any clients who wanted our services,” Loeser explained. “The last three or four years, we’ve focused our services and defined our niche to have the most impact.”
Loeser finds Letterpress employees through networking not only locally but also around the state.
“When I meet someone who has the skills and abilities that could benefit our clients, I’m going to connect them,” she says. “Letterpress has been blessed with a strong reputation in terms of quality of work. That also helps our recruiting.”
A decade ago, Letterpress had one employee. Now there are 10 full-time employees and 20 contractors working through offices in Farmville and Marion. In 2024 Letterpress helped clients secure $30K in grants, hit $2.2 million in sales and contribute $58K in sponsorships and donations.
In 2024 Letterpress also made a transition in leadership.
“The energy I had in the beginning wasn’t necessarily working for a mature company,” Loeser said. “In the spring of 2024, I decided to step back from leadership and appoint Alexandra (Alex) Veatch as chief executive officer and Lyndsie Blakely as chief operating officer. I’ve done what I needed to do to put Letterpress in a good spot, and it’s in good hands now.”
Loeser’s achievements in the business community came full circle in February 2025 during the Farmville Area Chamber of Commerce (FACC) Business Awards celebration when she was named “Young Professional of the Year” for 2024.
“I am thankful to have built a reputation at Letterpress that has allowed me to have impact on a greater level,” Loeser said. “I was invited to be on the GO Virginia Region 3 Council to provide input on economic direction for this region. That feels really good.”
For Loeser, an idea that grew and blossomed over a decade had come full circle.
“Letterpress became more than I imagined and had more impact than I thought possible,” she concluded. “Letterpress provided the ideas, and clients made them a reality. That’s the great part of being an entrepreneur — and that’s why I love it!”