Sanger and Eby: Through Thick and Thin

The story of Sanger & Eby Design begins with a tale of two companies: one young and promising, and one venerable but faltering-a giant on the verge of demise.

The design firm is a partnership between creative director Lisa Sanger and business-development manager Donna Eby. They set up shop in 1988 across the street from the headquarters of Federated Department Stores-the owner of Bloomingdale's and Lazarus department stores-in downtown Cincinnati.

Because of their proximity, Sanger and Eby got to know folks from Federated, who soon called on the firm to do small jobs. At first, they'd ask for help with a software problem or request a design for an invitation or a booklet cover. But not long after the firm moved in, Federated declared bankruptcy to reorganize more than $8 billion in debts. Despite tight budgets, Sanger and Eby continued to do their friends favors.

In 1994, Federated emerged from bankruptcy and acquired Macy's. "There was suddenly a ton of work," Sanger says. Because Sanger and Eby had helped them when they had no money, Federated stayed loyal, sending much of their design work across the street to the studio.

To this day, Federated is one of Sanger & Eby's most treasured clients. In fact, the stories behind the partners' client list-from Roto-Rooter to the University of Cincinnati-sound very similar, characterized by long-lasting relationships and binding mutual trust.