Client Testimonials
Matt McKee, Principal
Matt McKee Photography
I have worked with Irene on both sides of the client/vendor fence. She has hired me in the past to create photography for some of her marketing projects. During that process, I was impressed with the depths of her knowledge about branding and marketing. We had a lot of great conversations about how and why we were creating the pictures.
A few months ago, I decided to hire her to help me refocus my business and refine my own marketing message. And, I couldn’t be happier with the results.
Her process honed in on what I wanted my brand to be about, and exposed a few areas where my message had become muddled. She helped me to get back on track and look at the future of my company and its target audiences.
She is extremely easy to talk with and keeps you on track, toward your goals. She is positive and pointed when the situation calls for it. And her insight into the marketing world keeps finding opportunities that I would have missed in the past.
At the end of our sessions, we had created a branding goal, a marketing message that could be refined for multiple vertical markets and a new web site that reflected all of that. Except, the sessions, at least to me, are never going to be really over. As my business grows and evolves, I want Irene on my team, helping me to evolve my targets as well.
She has helped me to refocus, refine and reengage my marketing with my audience.
Beth M. Veneto, Owner
Ginger Betty’s Bakery
Irene Buchine (aka Auntie Irene) is creative, smart, and straightforward. She has the unique ability to bring out in her clients, the inner entrepreneur.
Working with Irene has allowed me to tap into my original ideas and to reacquaint myself with my earliest business plan and dreams. Together with her exceptional creativity and strong marketing sense, I now have the clarity and vision to guide my brand and business to the next level. Thanks Irene you’re the best!
Valerie Cook, President
Effie Noren
Effie Noren Graphics relationship with Irene Buchine dates back to 1984. Irene has worked with us since she began in the marketing industry as a print rep, then as the owner of her design firm, Applegraphic, and over the past 10 years as a Marketing Consultant.
Irene’s depth of knowledge in marketing communications, branding and the print process and the web is beyond extensive. Working on projects with Irene is very satisfying because she speaks our language. Irene understands her customer’s needs, the value of the work, how to expedite a project effectively and efficiently.
Recently the tides turned and EN went from being Irene’s vendor to becoming Irene’s client!
It was time for our own company to create a web site. We did some competitive shopping and weighed both the process and the return. In the end we felt we’d accomplish the best results by hiring Irene for the job.
Having worked closely with Irene on many of her own projects we knew she had the ability to see us for who we truly are. We hired Irene to help us get perspective and offer an objective view of a company we are so immersed in. Irene consulted with us as we developed our new identity and then oversaw the development of our new website from start to finish. Through her positioning process, Irene brought clarity to what Effie Noren brings to the table. Her analysis enabled us to identify what makes us both unique and vital to our industry. Irene helped us to embrace our past, own the present and look to the future.
Having known Irene for so many years as a respected vendor, it was truly enjoyable working with her from the other side of the desk. As her client I was impressed with her thorough fact-finding during the initial meetings. Even though she knew the company so well, she did not make assumptions and direct us to who we were, but instead guided us and collaborated. Her approach was very open and resulted in a website that is appealing, functional and informative, and we couldn’t be happier.
Irene is a seasoned and dedicated Marketing Specialist. Her high professional standards and extensive experience in communications ensures great value, competence and satisfaction for her clients. I wholeheartedly recommend her.
Lisa Prior, Principal
Prior Consulting
After nine years of consulting, it was time to sharpen the focus and image of my consulting practice. Irene guided me through a process of analyzing past accomplishments and translating them into future success. Prepared now with perspective and confidence, the firm’s branding and services are aligned, all to the benefit of my work and my clients.
If you’re looking for an experienced thought partner who cares about you and your business with the same level of concern as a friend, then you’ll find what you’re looking for in Irene. Listening intently to your goals, Irene hears you. Her process is creative, outcome-oriented and customized to what a small business owner truly needs: someone who gets to the core of what makes your business unique, and moves ideas from concept to reality.
Sarah Ford, Performance Artist & Writer
Georgia & Me
When I began working with Irene I had temporarily lost my identity…what I would call…“situational amnesia”! I had moved from New York City to the woods of Massachusetts becoming a wife for a second time. The excitement and adventure eclipsed the challenge that I faced. Fortunately, I had a project that would not leave me alone but didn’t know how to build on what Irene would describe as my “current platform.” Irene not only reminded me of who I was but led me on a journey of discovery and reinvention that has changed my life! Before we were complete in our work together, I was finally able to pinpoint my real identity…
Pam Driscoll, Founder
The Singing Bowl
I was in the process of reinventing myself professionally, easing out of the world of high tech and into the nonprofit sector. I had a wonderful concept for a new venture, and endless enthusiasm, passion, and commitment, but I had no idea how to turn that energy into a viable business.
Irene took the time to understand my own personal and professional history in order to guide me into the next phase of my life. She kept me focused on my connection to what I was creating; knowing that if I was not passionately engaged, then my new venture would not succeed. With her years of business experience she was able to transform my concept into a healthy and sound organization, helping me to clearly define a mission and vision, identifying our market and competition, and providing invaluable direction creating our logo and branding.
Irene helped bring The Singing Bowl into the world, just like a midwife, coaching me through the labors of creating a new entity. I relied on her professional expertise, as well as her unique perspective on ‘reinvention’, and supportive enthusiasm, to allow me to reinvent my life.
Mark D’Agostino, President
RF D’Agostino Insurance Agency
We hired Irene Buchine in mid 2007. At that time my father was about to retire from the agency he had started and I was about to become its new President. It was a time of transition and as a small business we faced many unique challenges. One of which was that company had no brand image, whatsoever. As my father was leaving, we realized the necessity to establish a presence that embraced our history and also speak to the next generation. Though Irene was hired to help us with our marketing efforts, we soon found out she provided much more than that. Having been the owner her own marketing company, Irene brought keen insight into the dynamics of a transitioning small business and her strengths and expertise as a business consultant became highly valued.
Irene guided my father and I through a process that helped us to clarify who and what we represent as a business. Once we understood our unique position, Irene orchestrated the process to establish our new identity. Then we looked at the bigger picture together and developed a marketing strategy and Plan. More recently, Irene came up with a campaign concept that kicked off our first TV commercial and is tied to the revamping of our direct mail program.
We continue to work with Irene as she helps us build our brand with cohesive marketing communications. Our agency had been growing every year at a time when my competitors are struggling to stay even. Irene’s skill has been an instrumental part of that.
John Allaire, Owner
Easton Real Estate
I have known and worked with Irene for over twelve years. Since 1997 she has been a most trusted advisor, consultant and friend. That is something that separates Irene from many other professionals. She takes her projects and work seriously while also acting with compassion and empathy when it is called for in a situation. Irene has shown again and again to have the highest level of thinking in a situation. She has the ability to both view a situation from a broad perspective, while also being able to attend to the details of the matter at hand. It is a rare quality to find someone like Irene who can handle both ends of that spectrum in business situations. Irene’s value is truly beyond words and her compensation only partly pays for the amount of business acumen and value she brings to the table. I most highly recommend any business owner or manager to bring Irene on board for a day, week, month or year and benefit from a very high “return on investment.”
Chuck Lewin, Founder
Performance Motion Devices; New Generation Energy; Art Interactive
I have worked with Irene Buchine in a number of capacities beginning in 2000, when she helped explore business models and positioning approaches for Art Interactive, an art gallery located in Cambridge MA. Since that time I have utilized her as both a marketing/brand development specialist, and a business development generalist in other ventures including a large fundraiser, a new for-profit business venture, and a nonprofit in the renewables space. Irene is a gifted, hardworking, and creative marketeer who has a profound ability to drill down to the core value of a venture, map that core value to the customer space, and create a communications and messaging strategy to develop, and grow sales. She is a person of tremendous integrity, and always professional and pleasant to work with. I hold her in the very highest regard, and unreservedly recommend her.
Kristen Walsh-Nirenberg, Broker-Owner-Realtor
Troup Real Estate
Irene is wonderful. She approached us and our needs with open arms and understanding. She was able to take what we were thinking about our business concept and allowed us the ability to develop our ideas and identify our missions in our business. She spent quality time with us and helped us work through some tough decisions. She continues to be supportive and we look forward to continuing our partnership together to grow our business. Irene comes hightly recommended!