The Boondock Story

Some of the best ideas make landfall as a fleeting idea, an inspired sketch on a napkin, or a hand drawn map to a new destination.

When it came to naming our new partnership, we travelled quick to the list — running the terrain of creative names, fishing for clever word plays and crafty, emblematic names for our firm.

In the end, most of these felt empty. Unreal. Unfit.

In a sense, one name took us furthest from shore, and for each partner, took on great new meaning. That name was Boondock Walker.

Where it began.

Like most innovations, this was powered by passion. For former Navy submariner and TRW pipe fitter, Don Moss — it was a machine born out of a love for fishing. Partner David Moss never knew his grandfather, but there was much he'd heard over the years about Don’s invention, the Boondock Walker.

The original device was actually a modified garden tractor that Moss built in the late 1940's in rural Huntsburg, Ohio. It had a differential with axle, a frame for the motor, and a series of clutches. The "Walker," or so he called it, was first used to cultivate a plot for gardening.

Later dubbed the "Boondock Walker," Moss modified and hauled it north to a string of lakes he and his buddy Stan Swontek frequented in Quebec. It was made to be easily taken apart and placed in the boat for travel. He used the same differential and axle from the original Walker, added a new frame for the boat, and attached a mercury clutch to the motor — allowing the pair to easily "walk" or portage the heavy fiberglass boat from lake to lake. Thus, the name.  

Where it continues.

Boondock Walker is simply the perfect metaphor for our way of discovery. A symbol of the way we lead our clients from the waters they know, to new markets, new message, and new meaning for their brands.

It’s more than a name for our company, it’s a state of mind.

And since we’ve moved forward with our new partnership, we’ve charted a number of portages of our own. From private label vodkas to out-of-home media for hospitality brands — we never know where the next journey will begin, or where we’ll end up with our clients objectives and strategies for communication design.

One thing we do know at Boondock Walker... we’ll take the back way to a better brand, any day.