Via Canvas Rebel  on May 29, 2025

We were lucky to catch up with Mary Claire Boucher recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mary Claire, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

Yes! I take vacations, and I take them seriously. At least once a year, I plan a trip that is completely off the grid. In recent years, that’s meant river rafting with friends, deep in canyons where there’s no signal, no emails, and no chance of anyone reaching me even if they tried.

It takes some intentional planning to prepare my team and my clients for my absence, but it’s always worth it. Stepping away from the constant noise of day-to-day life gives me space to think clearly and reconnect with what really matters, both personally and professionally. These breaks help me return with fresh perspective, renewed creativity, and often, some of my best ideas.

It’s also a healthy reminder that I don’t need to be in every detail all the time. My team is more than capable of holding things down, and when I’m out of the picture, they get a chance to shine. That kind of trust and autonomy is essential for long-term sustainability for the business, and for my own well-being.

And honestly, if a client can’t support me taking a well-earned week away with plenty of notice, they’re probably not the right fit for MCBCreative. I believe in building relationships that respect boundaries, honor one another’s needs, and value the bigger picture.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Mary Claire Boucher, the Founder and Principal of MCBCreative, a boutique creative agency based in Nevada’s capital city. I built this business on a foundation of determination, resourcefulness, and a deep belief in the power of small business. My path to entrepreneurship wasn’t linear, but rather it was forged through years of working across various industries including hospitality, nonprofit, and corporate marketing; where I honed not only my craft but also my understanding of what small business owners truly need to show up confidently in the marketplace.

MCBCreative provides comprehensive brand development tailored especially for companies who are ready to get serious about their visual identity but don’t have a full marketing department to make that happen. This includes brand strategy, commercial photography and videography, graphic design, and website development. Our clients are often experts in their own fields, but unsure how to translate their values and voice into something visual. That’s where we come in—offering a strategic and stylish approach to branding that’s as thoughtful as it is effective.

What sets us apart is our ability to meet clients exactly where they are. I’m proud to say that we speak fluent “small business.” We know what it’s like to wear a hundred hats and still have to show up with polish and purpose. Our signature product, Brand Illumination™, is designed as a smart, approachable entry point that helps businesses uncover and clarify the “why” of their brand before we dive into the “how”.

I’m proud of a lot, but if I had to pick one thing, it would be that MCBCreative has stayed true to its mission to champion small businesses and amplify the voices of those often left out of the big-agency model. We’re proudly women-owned, certified Made in Nevada, and deeply connected to our local community. I’m a shamelessly proud third-generation Nevadan (which is rare), and love to support a place that has a thriving entrepreneurial spirit.

At the end of the day, I want potential clients and collaborators to know that working with MCBCreative means working with a partner who’s invested, not just in how you look, but in where you’re going. We bring a blend of strategic thinking, visual storytelling, and a fierce belief in your potential to every project. At MCBCreative, we dare to dream of a future where every brand’s potential is fully realized.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

A major pivot in my career came when I was working as Chief of Staff to the CEO of a prominent nonprofit organization in Washington, DC. On paper, it was a dream job—high profile, fast-paced, and filled with responsibility. I nailed it every day. In fact, people around me often said no one before me had done the role as well. Supporting both the CEO and COO, I had a front-row seat to the inner workings of the organization and gained a deep understanding of leadership, structure, and strategy.

But the truth is—it was exhausting. The role was intensely demanding and left little room for creativity or growth. When the CEO orchestrated a shake-up and had the board remove the COO, I saw a rare opportunity to step into a more senior leadership role and finally move up. I expressed my interest, only to be told by the CEO that I was “too good” at my current job and she wouldn’t consider letting me out of it. That was the moment everything changed.

I realized I had hit a ceiling I hadn’t built—but one I had the power to walk away from. I hired a career coach, and through a series of intentional conversations and exercises, I uncovered a truth I had been quietly ignoring: I craved a creative career. My coach helped me gather all the creative threads that had been woven throughout my varied professional path—design, storytelling, strategy—and shape them into a resume that landed me a job in corporate marketing, even though I didn’t have a traditional background in the field.

That move was a massive leap—and it completely redirected the course of my life. I spent years in the corporate marketing world, developing the skills and confidence I would later use to build MCBCreative. Had I not listened to that inner voice—or had I been too afraid to pivot—I’d still be bumping my head against the ceiling of a career that didn’t feed my soul.

That pivot taught me a lesson I now carry into every client relationship: you are allowed to change, to evolve, to rewrite your story. And sometimes the scariest leaps lead to the most authentic chapters.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I believe my reputation in the market has been built on a few key foundations—some practical, some personal.

First, it might sound small, but being a third-generation Native Nevadan has made a meaningful difference. In many circles, especially in rural parts of the state, that local connection builds immediate trust. It’s not just where I’m from—it’s part of how I show up. I understand the rhythms, values, and nuances of this region, and that gives me access to conversations and communities that can sometimes be harder for outsiders to break into.

Second, I made a commitment when I started MCBCreative to show up everywhere —consistently, relentlessly, and with genuine curiosity. Whether it was a networking event, a local mixer, or a casual community gathering, I was there. Not just promoting my services, but really listening, learning, and figuring out how I could be of service to others. That kind of presence creates a ripple effect. Even if someone wasn’t a perfect fit for my work, they’d remember how I made them feel—and more often than not, they’d refer me to someone who was.

I also place a high value on collaboration over competition. I’ve gone out of my way to connect with other creatives and professionals in my field, because I believe there’s plenty of work to go around—and even more to gain when we learn from one another. It’s not about hoarding opportunities, it’s about building a rising tide that lifts us all.

And finally, at the heart of everything I do is kindness. I treat my clients and collaborators like I would a friend—rooting for them, supporting them, and often becoming as emotionally invested in their success as I am in my own. That kind of care doesn’t go unnoticed. It’s what turns one-time projects into lasting relationships.

In the end, reputation is just the result of consistent behavior over time—and I’ve made it my mission to show up with curiosity, generosity, and heart in every interaction.