Centralia: A Heartfelt Story of Growth and Relationships
In the quaint town of Centralia, with a population of just 485, one local entrepreneur is changing the landscape of marketing through the power of relationships and creativity. Let’s take a closer look at Tim Strathman, the founder of 6S Creative, a full-service marketing agency that has quickly become a critical player in the agriculture industry.
A Rural Beginning
Tim’s journey began in Bern, Kansas, where he grew up surrounded by his grandparents’ farm. Attending a small school with only ten students in his graduating class meant that Tim had a unique educational experience. “In our small school, teachers had to cover a lot of different subjects,” he recalls. This environment helped ignite his passion for technology when he took an introductory web design class, quickly realizing that he had an affinity for creating websites.
Seeing potential in Tim, his teacher arranged for him to help teach the class the following year. By the time he reached his senior year, Tim was already building websites for local businesses, setting the stage for his future career.
From Web Developer to Entrepreneur
After completing a program in software development at Manhattan Tech, Tim married his wife and settled in Centralia. He landed a job as a web developer for a local manufacturing company, where an unexpected opportunity changed everything. The owner approached him one day and asked if he could fly a drone to capture aerial footage in Oklahoma. Tim jumped at the chance, and that was the beginning of his love for video production.
In 2017, he began working for a Kansas City technology startup but found the long commute exhausting. Seizing the moment, he pitched the idea of handling their marketing on his own terms. “I told my wife, ‘I’ll either not have a job or I’ll have a client,’” he reflects, and thankfully, it turned out to be the latter.
6S Creative: A Name with Meaning
In 2022, Tim fully committed to his marketing dreams and launched 6S Creative. The name has a special meaning that reflects his family. “Our initial is S and my wife and I have four kids, so there are six of us,” Tim explains with a smile. Moreover, saying 6S fast sounds like “success,” which is the ultimate goal for all of Tim’s clients.
“It took off faster than I ever would have thought,” he admits, as 6S Creative has evolved into a comprehensive marketing agency, providing services like branding, web design, digital strategy, content creation, video production, and photography.
Connecting with the Agricultural Community
While Tim’s agency works across various industries, a significant portion of their clientele comes from the agricultural sector. “Ninety-five percent of our work is in the ag industry,” he shares proudly. Many small companies have noticed the difference when they decide to work with 6S Creative. “They tell us they’ve worked with agencies from big cities—Chicago or Dallas—but those creative minds didn’t understand agriculture. With us, they know we get it.”
Tim’s passion for agriculture fuels his work. He travels extensively, often visiting different states each week to connect with clients and learn their stories. “I’ve been in a different state every week since April,” he notes, embracing the fast-paced life of a rural entrepreneur.
Sharing Stories Through Video
One of his proudest achievements is creating videos that capture the heart and soul of agriculture. One viral video featured a Kansas rancher dealing with extreme cold. It beautifully showcased the hard work that goes into farming, amassing over two million views! “The rancher said, ‘We work too hard for people to put ketchup on their steaks,’” Tim recounts with a chuckle.
A Vision for the Future
As 6S Creative continues to thrive, Tim hopes to branch out into podcasts and videos that tell more agricultural stories. “I’d like to share fascinating tales and build connections with the public,” he says, demonstrating his commitment to fostering relationships.
Despite Centralia’s small size, Tim’s work is making waves, proving that creativity, passion, and strong connections can elevate businesses—even in rural communities. Tim Strathman and 6S Creative exemplify how life truly does move at the speed of relationships, making a meaningful impact in their community.
We’re excited to see what the future holds for Tim and his family, as well as the stories he plans to share with the world!
Author: STAFF HERE PLYMOUTH WRITER
The PLYMOUTH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPlymouth.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Plymouth, Wayne County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Plymouth Ice Festival, Art in the Park, and the Plymouth Fall Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Plymouth Community Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Plymouth, plus leading businesses in automotive and retail that power the local economy such as Roush Industries and Downtown Plymouth businesses. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREDetroitMI.com, HEREGrandRapids.com, HERENorthville.com, and HERENovi.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Michigan's dynamic landscape.
