The Standout People Behind Standout Arts: Michael Ruch

Media & Communications Specialist

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In this ongoing series, we're introducing the talented people whose creativity, dedication, and character help shape Standout Arts and the relationships we build with our clients.

At Standout Arts, we believe great creative work starts with great people.

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Marketing strategies evolve. Design trends change. Technology continues to advance. But character, integrity, humility, and a genuine desire to serve others are qualities that never go out of style. They are the foundation of our team and the reason our clients place their trust in us.

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As our Media & Communications Specialist, Mike serves clients in a variety of ways, including media relations, client communications and follow-up, copywriting, client interviews for spotlight articles, social media engagement for designated clients, special projects requiring one-on-one interaction, and assisting with onboarding new clients. In everything he does, Mike values the "personal touch" when engaging with both clients and members of the media.

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"God has gifted me with gentleness and humility, and I enjoy the natural fellowship that comes as a direct result of those gifts. It's important to me that the people I interact with know they are in a safe place."

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Mike came to Standout Arts with a strong client service and relationship-focused background following a successful sales career spanning more than thirty years.

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"Just about every sale I ever made came as a result of building relationships first. I suppose I could have sold a lot more if I had just focused on sales, but the relationships always mattered more to me than the money."

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Mike's favorite part of his role is the opportunity to interact with clients and ensure we respond quickly to their needs. He also especially enjoys conducting interviews for spotlight articles.

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"It's a wonderful way to get to know people at a deeper level than just through emails and phone calls."

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One of Mike's favorite aspects of working at Standout Arts is the team he works alongside each day. While the work can be hectic and time-sensitive, he says, "Everyone is always so willing to assist in any way they can. With all the moving parts we have, and the tight deadlines, there is a peace that covers all of it."

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As much as Mike enjoys serving clients and being part of the Standout Arts family, serving God through both his life and his ministry takes first priority. Mike serves as the assistant pastor of his church, leads a number of Bible studies, and provides music for worship services.

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In addition, Mike produces a YouTube video series entitled A More Excellent Way, which focuses on God's promise that, in Christ, through faith, He has opened the path for us to become partakers of His divine nature. Most of the videos are approximately three minutes in length, with occasional longer episodes featuring fellow church members sharing their thoughts on God's promise of becoming the fullness of His nature.

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"My passion is for those who have professed Christ in their lives to live lives that allow the full nature of God's love, grace, mercy, goodness, and truth to flow through them in order to reveal the fullness of the glory of God to the world. To do that requires humility and full faith that, if it is what we truly want, God has already done all things in order for it to happen. A key anchor to that belief comes from 1 Thessalonians 5:24, 'He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.'"

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"I just want to do my part to help bring the body of Christ into unity in the very nature of God, so that when Jesus returns, He'll have a body of believers that He just can't wait to spend eternity with."

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At Standout Arts, we believe our clients deserve more than creative solutions. They deserve people who genuinely care about their success, communicate with integrity, and approach every project with professionalism and purpose. Mike embodies those values every day, and we are grateful to have him as part of our team.