Q&A: Once Blind Studios

Last week, Cincinnati was one of 34 cities across the country recognized for a new national arts funding initiative: ArtPlace. This project combines the resources of America's top foundations and the clout of the National Endowment for the Arts' to support economic revitalization through the arts.

Cincinnati's ArtWorks received a $150,000 grant for its place-focused and arts-centric business development program, Springboard.

This week, we begin a series of stories about members of Springboard's first graduating class.


Many move west with dreams of rising through the ranks and becoming successful artists and entertainers. And while very few achieve stardom, even fewer leave that success once they find it. Enter Over-the-Rhine's not-quite-home-grown Once Blind Studios, proud breakers of stereotypes.

Randy Wilcox worked in design for 20 years for companies like Easton sports, where he designed the current logo. Leisa Wilcox worked as associate producer on The Dr. Phil Show, with Sony Pictures and the Emmy Awards. On the side, Randy freelanced for his own company, Once Blind Studios, a mix of graphic design and branding.

As the side business grew, the Wilcox's became too busy to maintain it along with full-time jobs. They decided to make Once Blind their sole focus. Leisa manages projects and client relationships while Randy does the graphic work.

The Wilcox's have now been residents of Over-the-Rhine for one and a half years and run their boutique graphic design firm out of their Main Street apartment. Among the first class of graduates of ArtWorks business-building SpringBoard program, the couple is now immersed in the community.

They sat down with Soapbox to tell their ever-evolving story.

So, why OTR?
L:  We had friends here, and they wanted us to come visit. Honestly, we thought, 'We are going to waste our vacation on Ohio?' There are so many other places to go. We finally came to visit and fell madly in love. We walked around OTR and knew this is what we always wanted. LA doesn't have places like this. We looked at each other and knew we had to find a way to move here. We went back, sold one of our cars and moved here three weeks later.

Why did you like it so much?
R: The architecture, the diversity, the community. Everything is very close-knit and we love the walkability. The people in LA love their cars. Everyone expects an hour commute each way. You drive everywhere there, you can't even think about walking. Because of that people don't get home until late and there isn't the same sense of community. In LA, we built businesses. In OTR, we can help build community.

Have you felt like you have become a part of the community?
L: Personally, we really feel like we are connected here. The first day we were here I put a message out on Twitter about being happy to be in our new home in OTR. Strangely enough, I got a message back from a guy from Choices Café. He ended up being our first client in Cincinnati. Other people recommended other people to follow and some of those people are now our friends. I feel like every time we walk out the door, we run into people we know. This is our hood now and we want to support it.

Can you give me an overview of your business?
R: We do graphic design, branding; we also support product photography and a lot more web design over the last few years. Our real goal is to help companies that have been invisible, hence the name Once Blind, and help them compete in the marketplaces. It's amazing here, but there is so much that still needs to be done, and that's where we can help; building new companies' images and brands so people notice them and bring in business.

How long have you been in business?
L: Since 2001, but it was a part-time gig for a while. Randy has been in design for 20 years and he handles all the visual, and I do project management and make sure we have all our assets in line. Basically, I crack the whip.

If you were already in business, why did you decide to enroll in Springboard?
L: We were new here and were having a little trouble breaking in. So we thought we should take everything back down to the root level. We knew being in a class with creative, like-minded people would help, and maybe we would find out something about Cincinnati that we are missing. Just because something worked in LA that doesn't mean it will work here.

What's the plan for the future?
We are looking at buildings that we can make our office. We aren't developers, so we don't have the amount of money it takes to rehab these buildings that are so far gone. Right now, it's almost cheaper to build a new building than it is to rehab one of these old beautiful buildings. We don't want new, though. We don't want to live anywhere else than OTR, so we are going to make it work down here. We love Main Street but right now it's pretty full. We are looking for the next spot in OTR that is going to develop. Be it Elm or McMicken, or wherever. People keep telling us we could find space in name-your-suburb, but we have no interest in that. So many people have made their businesses work down here; we are going to do the same.

All photos by Scott Beseler.
Top: Leisa and Randy Wilcox, R. Wilcox's art, Losantiville and NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman (in town to tour ArtPlace grantee, ArtWorks).