I'm looking for small-to-medium sized shops with strong creative leadership, with a corporate culture that emphasizes one-to-one relationship building with their clients. Why? Because I want to send people to shops that I know will click with them and me. The ideal shop will also specialize in a subculture or community as opposed to "servicing a vertical".

I'm willing to go interview the shops in person, if they are within a 50 mile radius of Nashua, NH, so I can get a better idea of the breadth of their services and leadership.

This is a work in process. The ultimate goal is to have a concise list of people who I have met with in person, worked with, or otherwise have seen the quality of their work from the inside.

I'm planning on resurrecting the freelance referral network criteria in evaluating shops.

Web Agencies

• Kelley & Ian Muir / SunderMedia - I know Kelley and Ian from South by Southwest, Barcamp Manchester, and various social media / technology events, many of them spearheaded by them. Creative, personable, and highly likable. Their latest project is Float Left Labs, a non-profit oriented school of mentored awesomeness. Need to compile a list of their general offerings and specific arcane specialties.

• Mark J. Reeves / SlimKiwi - I know Mark from the one Refresh Boston meeting I attended years ago, and have spent several rewarding lunches talking about the business of being an independent creative. They're doing some nice work over at SlimKiwi, though I haven't reviewed their services in quite some time.