Lifestyle Profiles
Truematter - Web usability firm finds its True calling
What’s good for Innovista will also be good for nearby creative agencies like Truematter, an Interactive consultancy that specializes in Web usability.
“Innovista will bring a lot more volume to the area. New businesses will mean new opportunities,” says Rusty Farrell, president of Truematter, located at 717 Lady St. in the Vista.
‘We like living here’
Truematter opened its doors five years ago behind Farrell and Dean Schuster, who joined creative forces after
working together at Renaissance Interactive, a former Web development company in Columbia.
Both admit that starting their business in Columbia was a personal choice. “In the information age, one is less constrained by location than ever before,” says Schuster, a partner and expert on designing user-friendly, interactive interfaces. “Why not live in a place with low cost of living and high quality of life? Columbia offers both—we like living here it’s nice that we can work here as well.”
A Who’s Who of clients
Clients are drawn to Truematter’s business style and usability niche. Its client list has a national flair, including Johnson & Johnson, Humana, and Wachovia. It also has a strong client base in the state, with Carolina First, SCANA, Mungo Homes, CSi and Edens & Avant. Current and former clients also include the personal site of PGA star Davis Love III, Love Golf Design, and Kinderlou Forest Golf Club.
“We seek out the type of projects we want,” Schuster says. “Often, our work involves repeat business and referral business. When we created the site for Davis Love III’s golf course design business, he became interested in having us create his fan site.”
— By Suzanne Natoli
Partners Rusty Farrell and Dean Schuster lead the Truematter team.
Photo: University Marketing and Communications