Evan Urbania
Meet Evan Urbania, CEO of ChatterBlast Media, a digital media and online strategy agency based in Philadelphia. As a long time entrepreneur, Evan firmly believes in the power of mentorship and support systems as success drivers and relied heavily on both in ChatterBlast’s early days.
An appetite for calculated risk-taking is crucial for an entrepreneur and having unwavering support and mentorship from other business owners and professionals is a necessary element in getting comfortable with risk and mistakes, whether they are related to bidding on a project, securing office space, or retaining employees. “There's a lot of stuff you can figure out on your own,” Evan says, “but usually doing it alone takes longer. We’re just super grateful to have a really great network of folks that want us to be successful.”
Penn clearly shows its dedication and commitment. In his case, the Expos have been not only a way get in front of internal buyers and meet other suppliers, but also a means of finding new business partners.
Evan’s entrée as a Penn supplier is tied to his decision, very early on, to firmly root ChatterBlast in data and results measurement. He has always been committed to using processes and technologies that help his clients (and his own team) understand what works and what doesn't. It was during a meeting with Penn’s Business Services team that he was able to hear about a number of challenges across digital and lay out several data-driven solution options and begin building trust. That was the beginning of a long-term relationship with Penn that has since expanded to the Graduate School of Education, Wharton Digital Press, Global Youth, and being tapped to be the social media agency of record for the Wharton School’s communication department.
Evan notes that ChatterBlast has benefitted from Penn Supplier Diversity’s ongoing efforts to open avenues for partnership in local and diverse communities through events such as the annual Supplier Diversity Expo – where he believes Penn clearly shows its dedication and commitment. In his case, the Expos have been not only a way get in front of internal buyers and meet other suppliers, but also a means of finding new business partners. Networking at Expos has led to ChatterBlast finding subcontractors for their own work as well as learning about large projects where they were ultimately chosen as a subcontractor themselves.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a surprising silver lining for ChatterBlast. As safety protocols forced everyone to spend more time on their computers, companies had to rethink how they would do business. As a digital-first business to begin with, ChatterBlast was able to leverage its investments in digital support for clients and helping them be proactive in maintaining operations.
To aspiring suppliers, Evan has this to say: “Being a good supplier is being able to deliver on what you promise…Penn wants, honesty, transparency and commitment to what you can and can't do. I think if you get the opportunity, that opens a lot of other doors.”