John Colasanti was CEO of Carmichael Lynch before going out on his own in 2011 to start Solve. It’s a much smaller agency, but that’s what Colasanti wanted—an agency with a more direct and personal relationship with clients. And he has made it work: Even with (or maybe because of) its size, Solve has garnered big brands, notably Porsche and True Value, as well as more local ones including Green Giant and Cascadian Farm. In 2013, Solve ranked as one of AdAge’s small agencies of the year in the Midwest. In 2016, look for this lean, multi-function shop to become a little less small.