Eric Brown

Co-Founder & CEO @whiteboardis

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Celebrating 30 years of design leadership. This documentary honors Paul Rustand’s enduring impact, from shaping thoughtful work at Widgets & Stone to guiding design with clarity and conviction as Chief Design Officer at @whiteboardis.

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Echoing this.

In 2017, a mentor asked @taylorleejones and me, "How's the maker/manager transition going?" We were six years into @whiteboardis.

Our response: "terrible."

Their advice to us was that if we loved making more than managing, we should hire a President. It's the most transformative decision we've made in 15 years.

[Matt Varughese @mattvaru]

One of the best decisions I ever made at 8020 was hiring an operational business partner (in my case, our COO, Joanie.)

On top of 8020 being more stable + healthy of a business than ever before, it's nice to just have someone you can vent to to "share the load."

I ran the company for 3 years solo at the Partner level and looking back, I honestly don't know how I did that.

Agencies can be extremely difficult businesses that consume you, and doing it solo is not for the faint of heart.

If you run an agency and feel similarly today, consider that for your next hire if you can swing it. It made all the difference for me.

[Whiteboard @whiteboardis]

Each year we come together to reflect, celebrate, and strategize for the season ahead. Under the banner of Designed To Grow, we’re renewing our shared commitment to evolve, elevate, and expand what’s possible.

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

In 1995, Widgets & Stone opened its doors in Chattanooga, Tennessee. This is a story that has been three decades in the making—a story about remaining faithful to the craft of design and to a city we love.

We can’t wait to share it with you.

[Whiteboard @whiteboardis]

Coming soon. 👀

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Fifteen years is long enough to see entire technologies come and go and short enough to know we’re just getting started. If history is any guide, the next 15 years will bring tools we can’t yet imagine. Some will dazzle. Others will disappear. All of them will test our ability to adapt.

But one truth remains: tools are only as powerful as the visionaries who wield them. At Whiteboard, we exist to serve those leaders—to make their vision visible, to give shape to the future they imagine.

So here’s to what’s next. To the leaders we’ll serve. To the ideas we’ll help take flight. To another 15 years of change, and another 15 years of constancy.

We know change is inevitable.

But vision—when made visible—endures.

https://t.co/q4rM9u2K1L

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

@ystrickler Cheering y’all on, @ystrickler!!

[Webflow @webflow]

ABM transformed their century-old brand into a digital growth engine, generating $200M in new pipeline while saving $25K a month by partnering with Webflow and Webflow Partner, Whiteboard.

Read the full story here: https://t.co/czE5Y49kXX

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

@mikesmith187 @Smith_Diction Huge milestone! We’re celebrating y’all in the @whiteboardis office today!

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Chills.

[MLB @MLB]

Honoring 715 on 7.15 ❤️💙

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

@ystrickler 🫶

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

@DannPetty 🫶

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

@krispuckett Did you train to run a 5K? 😂

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Genius is everywhere. Courage? That’s rare.

In this episode of Visionaries, I talk with @BrettHagler , founder of @NewStoryHomes , about why bold ideas aren’t what the world lacks—it’s bold action.

If you’re building something that scares you (in the right way), this one’s for you.

Full episode: https://t.co/TPPOkA2hEe

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Chasing core memories on a ballfield.

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

While the rest of the world went all-in on Zoom calls and Slack threads, @BrickyardVC doubled down on something different: physical presence.

Why?

Because founders don’t just need capital, they need collisions and conversations. And it's something you can’t replicate in a Google Meet. In this episode of Visionaries, I talk with

@camdoody and @__MattPatt__ about why they built Brickyard around space—a place where founders can show up, plug in, and grow together.

Full episode: https://t.co/amyAcBSaMC

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

While the rest of the world went all-in on Zoom calls and Slack threads, @BrickyardVC doubled down on something different: physical presence.

Why?

Because founders don’t just need capital, they need collisions and conversations. And it's something you can’t replicate in a Google Meet.

In this episode of Visionaries, I talk with @camdoody and @__MattPatt__ about why they built Brickyard around space—a place where founders can show up, plug in, and grow together.

Full episode: https://t.co/amyAcBSaMC

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Behind every founder who makes it… is a partner who said, “let’s do it.”

Startups test everything...your finances, your sanity, your sleep.

Having a partner who’s all in with you? That’s the real unfair advantage.

Grateful to @camdoody and @__MattPatt__ , co-founders of Brickyard, for sharing their story.

Full episode here: https://t.co/amyAcBSaMC

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

Full episode here: https://t.co/mxbJB2VN6i

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

When you start a company, most days aren’t fun.

It’s doubt. Burnout. No traction.

You’re broke, uncertain, and constantly questioning your sanity.

But ask any seasoned founder, and they’ll tell you: There’s something about those early, brutal days you end up missing.

In this episode of Visionaries, I talk with @camdoody Doody and @__MattPatt__, co-founders of @BrickyardVC, about the paradox of startup life.

[Eric Brown @ericbrwn]

There’s a stretch in every startup journey that breaks people.

Paul Graham called it the Trough of Sorrow—the lonely valley between early excitement and real traction. It's where dreams fade, doubt creeps in, and founders wonder if they’ve made a terrible mistake.

It’s real. It’s ruthless. And most people don’t make it through.

But some do.

In this episode of Visionaries, I talk with @camdoody and @__MattPatt__ about what it takes to survive that stretch—and why they built @BrickyardVC not as a traditional VC firm, but as a founder sanctuary.

Getting through the Trough isn’t solely about grit. It’s about not doing it alone.

Brickyard is a community where founders can be honest, stay sharp, and borrow belief when theirs runs out.

Full episode link: https://t.co/GHzZOd7oa6