Bay Roan Creative

11/14/2025

🎬 New video project complete!

We recently produced this brand commercial for Phil Hager Insurance Agency, a family-run, independent agency that has served Smith Mountain Lake since 1984.

Bay Roan Creative handled scriptwriting, direction, and creative strategy. Visualeyez Media captured and edited the visuals. The result speaks to Phil Hager Insurance Agency’s legacy of trust and personal service in our community.

📍 Shot at the Phil Hager Insurance Agency office in Westlake
✍️ Produced by Bay Roan Creative
🎥 Videography and editing: Ian Kyle, Visualeyez Media

Whether you need a brand video or commercial that tells your story authentically, let's talk.

07/22/2024

This project was the most fun labor of love! Doesn't get much better than boat trips to find the best views at Smith Mountain Lake 💙 🛥️

07/19/2024

Smith Mountain Lake welcomed two new businesses that provide fun, memorable experiences this week!

Hawaii Fluid Art
Wind Vineyards at Smith Mountain Lake

We can't wait to watch you grow and thrive!

07/19/2024

We're proud to announce that our CEO/Director of Design & Marketing, Gretchen Hager Tipps, has been chosen as a founding board member of FemCity® Smith Mountain Lake. Our local chapter of women in business hit the ground running in June -- over 25 women attended our very first meeting! We're actively growing our community with an abundance of support and uplifting vibes.

07/10/2024

It's been seven years since I had my professional headshot done, so yesterday, I stopped by Jollyjenphotography and sat for portraits. This shot won the day -- my 12-year-old gave it his ringing endorsement by telling me that I look like a "deluxe" version of myself 😎😂

Thank you so much to Jen Pierce Chaconas for, well, everything! The entire experience was top-notch. Scheduling was simple, the studio was comfortable, and the turnaround on receiving the proofs and the final, touched-up version of my top choice was incredibly quick. And most importantly to me -- a person who is happier on the other side of the camera -- Jen is just a friendly, welcoming, delightful person to be around. She puts you right at ease.

Thanks again, Jen! I love my new headshot!

-- Gretchen Hager Tipps

06/26/2024

We've been so busy handling our clients' social media and websites that we've completely neglected our own! Isn't that the case for all business owners, though? That's why we're here, to do that work for you so that you can focus on what you do best!

In the spirit of building our own business, here's a reintroduction!

Hi! 👋 Nice to meet you. I'm Gretchen Hager Tipps, and I own Bay Roan Creative, along with my husband, Ryan Tipps. Ryan has a separate full-time job, but he graciously handles my bookkeeping.

As for me: I create marketing plans and design all sorts of print and digital assets -- websites, ads, billboards, flyers, brochures, magazines, etc. I specialize in business marketing audits, where I conduct a comprehensive interview with business owners and then create a marketing plan for you to follow in order to grow. And if those things are outside your comfort zone -- hello, websites and social media -- I can take them off your plate.

I'm the one behind the scenes handling marketing strategy and social media at:
✅ Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Smith Mountain Lake Real Estate
✅ Westlake Cinema
✅ Phil Hager Insurance Agency
✅ and more!

My most recent website designs are for
🌐 Reel Connections for Kids at https://reelconnectionsforkids.org/
🌐 Lake Christian Ministries at https://www.lakechristianministries.org/
🌐 Roosters Rise -N- Shine Distillery at https://roostersdistillery.com/

✅ For all of these, I built beautiful, uncomplicated websites, following requests and feedback from the clients, and then trained their staff on how to use the platform themselves so that they have full control in the future. That's something I believe in strongly -- creating assets that normal, busy people feel confident handling on their own.

✅ I redesigned the website and created a brand kit including logo, standard colors/fonts, and social media image design for LAT Wellness Studio and turned the Canva folder over to its owner, Laurie Andrews, so she can edit the branded designs herself or hand them over to another marketer as needed. I also designed the logo for the SML Turkey Trot for Laurie -- that was such fun!

✅ I created a brand kit including logo and standard fonts/colors, and handled the entire rollout of marketing for Bridgewater Grande, the lake's newest waterfront community, on the Franklin County side of the bridge. I also designed its website https://www.bridgewatergrande.com/ and all print/digital ads.

Photo for attention 😍 Me on my bay roan mustang, Stowey, the namesake of my business. Give me a call; I'll be happy to see how I can help your business grow!

https://bayroancreative.com/

04/29/2024

UPDATE: We have a winner! Congrats to Andrea Owens, who commented on our post on the Roanoke Valley Trail Runners group! Andrea, please message this page to receive your code 😁
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👟 ANOTHER FREE RACE ENTRY! 👟

The race entry submissions from our last giveaway were sooo gooood. Really, your comments about what you love about the outdoors had us desperate to ditch the laptop and hit the trails! So let's do it again, shall we?

Bay Roan Creative is so excited to offer one lucky runner a FREE race entry for the Mountain Junkies LLC Conquer the Cove 25K & Marathon Trail Races on May 26! 🏃‍♀️🏃

Comment on this post about the hardest/craziest/most OMG moment you've had on a trail for a chance to 🏆win 🏆 the coupon code 😎

Race Date: May 26, 2024, at 6:30 a.m.
Race Location: Sherwood Archers: 2720 Timberview Road, Roanoke (Carvins Cove Natural Reserve)

Bay Roan Creative is a proud sponsor of the 2024 RNUTS (Roanoke Non-Ultra Trail Series) races.

04/22/2024

UPDATE: We have a winner! Congrats to Joe Bidlow! Please message this page to receive your code 😁

And to everyone who entered -- we have ANOTHER free entry to announce next week, if you'd like a second chance! We hope you like Carvins Cove ;)
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👟 FREE RACE ENTRY! 👟

Bay Roan Creative is owned by runners 🏃‍♀️🏃 and we're pleased to offer one lucky runner a FREE race entry for the Mountain Junkies LLC Trail Nut 10k & Half Marathon on May 4! 🏃‍♀️🏃

Comment on this post about what you love about the outdoors for a chance to 🏆win 🏆 the coupon code 😎

Race Date: May 4, 2024, at 9 a.m.
Race Location: Falling Creek Park in Bedford

Bay Roan Creative is a proud sponsor of the 2024 RNUTS (Roanoke Non-Ultra Trail Series) races.

10/12/2023

New Orleans is crazy 🤪 I loved it but my small-town self is happy to be home in quiet Bedford County VA!

05/22/2023

We already can't wait for Thanksgiving and the LAT Wellness Studio SML Turkey Trot!

It’s here!

SML’s only Turkey Trot!

Located at the SML State Park in Huddleston, this is a 5k walk or run with extraordinary views! 10% of all proceeds are donated to the state park!

The race begins right at 9 AM.
Packet pick up is that morning at 8:15 AM. Awards at 9:45 AM for a runners.
Event ends at 10:30 AM.

Top qualifiers will receive a prize!  🥇

Everyone gets a donut at the finish 👏

Runsignup.com/SMLturkeytrot

If you’re interested in becoming a sponsor, please send us a message to view the options! Great opportunities to be on various networking sites and banners/signs around the lake! 🙌

05/03/2023

Hey, check out this sweepstakes that our friends over at Smith Mountain Lake Insiders are holding! Prizes are valued at more than $1,000!

You could win $100 gift cards to Seafood Pub at The Virginia Dare Marina, Portside Grill and Bar, and the SML Insiders Shop. Prizes also include a two-night stay in a lakeside cabin and tickets for a sightseeing cruise aboard the Virginia Dare! Virginia Dare Cruises and Marina

The contest runs through May 10, 2023, so click the link for more details and sign up soon!

We’ve teamed up with our friends at Portside Grill & Bar, Beacon Seafood Pub and Virginia Dare Marina to bring you an amazing sweepstakes with prizes valued at more than $1,000! See details below. Contest runs through May 10, 2023. First Place Prize Package Two-night stay at one of two lakeside va...