Colorado Ace Hardware Case Study
Email Automation | Web Development | SEO | PPC/SEM | Social Media | Graphic Design | Marketing Strategy
Colorado Ace Hardware operates three locations across Colorado – Green Mountain, Golden, and Summit County. Each location had been operating under distinct branding (Green Mountain Ace, Golden Ace, Summit County Ace), creating challenges for unified marketing and customer recognition across their service areas.
Colorado Ace needed to modernize their marketing approach with trackable, data-driven campaigns while unifying their brand identity. With ambitious 2025 goals including 5% year-over-year sales growth and significant B2B revenue expansion, they required a comprehensive strategy that could deliver measurable business results while preserving the local community connections that made each store successful.
Summary
From Three Brands to One Unified Powerhouse
Over the first months of implementation, we focused on brand unification, digital foundation building, and launching targeted campaigns across multiple channels. The results from our initial campaign launches demonstrate the power of cohesive messaging and data-driven marketing in the hardware retail space:
817
NEW SOCIAL MEDIA FOLLOWERS
448
EMAIL SUBSCRIBERS
51.7%
Email Open Rate
1918
GMB DIRECTION CLICKS
948
Phone Calls
4x
Return on Ad Spend (ROAS)
Details
Unifying three successful hardware stores under one cohesive brand while driving measurable growth.
Challenges
- Unify three distinct store identities under one cohesive Colorado Ace brand without losing local community connections.
- Modernize marketing approach from traditional tactics to trackable, data-driven digital campaigns.
- Achieve 5% year-over-year sales growth across all locations.
- Expand B2B revenue significantly across Green Mountain, Golden, and Summit County, with each requiring 33%, 77%, and 16% growth from their 2024 baselines, respectively.
- Compete effectively against big-box retailers while maintaining local expertise and personalized service.
- Establish measurement systems to track ROI and optimize marketing spend across multiple locations.
Solution
Mountain Mojo Group developed a comprehensive 55-page marketing strategy that addressed every aspect of Colorado Ace’s brand and marketing needs. We conducted thorough persona research, developed three core campaign concepts, and created a unified brand identity that honored each location’s local character while establishing Colorado Ace as a cohesive, professional hardware retail presence.
Our approach included a complete digital transformation, from logo design and website development to social media strategy and email marketing automation. We established tracking systems across all channels to ensure every marketing dollar could be measured and optimized for maximum return on investment.
Brand Strategy & Identity
One Name. Three Locations.
Countless Possibilities.
The foundation of Colorado Ace’s transformation began with comprehensive brand development. We created a unified Colorado Ace Hardware identity while developing location-specific variations that honored each store’s local character. The new logo system included one primary Colorado Ace logo plus three secondary logos highlighting Green Mountain, Golden, and Summit County locations.
Our brand strategy established clear vision and mission statements, core values, and comprehensive brand voice guidelines. We developed the tagline “Homegrown, Helpful, Here for You,” connecting to Ace’s national “Helpful” messaging while emphasizing local ownership and community commitment.
Through extensive persona research documented in our strategy, we identified four primary customer types reflecting confident homeowners, legacy customers, outdoor enthusiasts, and B2B decision makers. Each persona informed our messaging strategy and campaign development.
The comprehensive brand guide established a consistent voice, tone, and visual identity across all three locations while allowing for location-specific customization when needed.
HOW WE DID IT: LOGO, WEBSITE + BRANDING
Read more about how we created a cohesive brand identity
across three Colorado Ace Hardware locations.
COMPREHENSIVE MARKETING CAMPAIGNS
Three Strategic Campaigns,
One Unified Message
Supplies & Solutions”
Targeting B2B growth, this campaign positioned Colorado Ace as the premier supply partner for contractors, property managers, and facility managers. We emphasized bulk pricing, dedicated account management, and streamlined ordering processes. Campaign tactics included LinkedIn advertising, B2B email sequences, and targeted outreach to municipal and commercial clients.
The Name You’ll Know”
This brand awareness campaign managed the transition from individual store names to unified Colorado Ace branding. Campaign messaging emphasized continuity – “New name, same service” – while introducing the updated brand identity across all touchpoints, including in-store signage, social media, email announcements, and direct mail.
Your Store”
This DIY-focused campaign positioned Colorado Ace as the trusted partner for home improvement projects. Content included how-to guides, project inspiration, and expert advice from store team members. The campaign utilized social media engagement, email newsletters, and educational blog content to build relationships with DIY customers.
WEBSITE DEVELOPMENT & SEO
Building the Foundation for Growth
Colorado Ace’s new website launched in May 2025, replacing separate location-specific websites with a unified coloradoace.com presence. The new site features dedicated location pages with specific store managers, phone numbers, and unique value propositions for each store.
Key website features include:
- E-commerce integration with existing POS systems
- Location-specific service information and contact details
- Mobile optimization for on-the-go customers
- SEO foundation targeting local hardware and DIY keywords
- Analytics tracking for conversion measurement
The website serves as the central hub for all digital marketing efforts, providing conversion tracking for email signups, contact forms, phone calls, and e-commerce transactions. Since launching, the site has supported lead generation campaigns and serves as the destination for all paid advertising traffic.
Social Media Strategy
Unified Presence, Local Connection
The content strategy balances general hardware content applicable to all locations with location-specific posts featuring local team members, community events, and area-relevant products and services. This approach maintains each store’s community connection while building a stronger unified Colorado Ace brand presence.
817
Total new page followers across all three locations (May-June 2025)
17,325
Paid social reach from targeted campaigns
24,500
Organic reach across all
platform
4x
Positive ROAS on follower acquisition campaigns
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EMAIL MARKETING AUTOMATION
Building Relationships One Inbox at a Time
The system includes:
Welcome Journey Automation: New subscribers receive a series introducing Colorado Ace’s services, locations, and expertise.
Monthly Newsletter Campaigns: Featuring seasonal DIY tips, product spotlights, and location-specific promotions.
Lead Generation Campaigns: Strategic campaigns offering valuable content like our Garden Guide generated 448 email subscribers in just 8 weeks.
42.8% – 51.7%
open rates (industry average: ~22%)
3.7% – 6.0%
click rates (industry average: ~2.3%)
The email system integrates with our broader content strategy, featuring blog content, seasonal promotions, and educational resources that position Colorado Ace team members as local hardware experts.
PAID SOCIAL MEDIA STRATEGY
Strategic Investment,
Measurable Returns
Our paid social media strategy focuses on local market penetration across all three Colorado Ace locations. We’ve implemented targeted campaigns designed to increase brand awareness, generate leads, and drive store traffic with geo-targeted approaches that ensure budget efficiency across three distinct markets.
Social Media Advertising Results:
- Page like campaigns generated 817 new followers with positive ROAS of 1.48x – 1.94x
- Lead generation ads captured 448 email subscribers in 8 weeks
- Campaigns reached 17,325 people through targeted paid social efforts
Each campaign includes comprehensive tracking through Meta Pixel and Google Analytics to measure ROI and optimize performance continuously.
LOCAL VISIBILITY & GOOGLE MY BUSINESS
Connecting Customers
to Storefronts
- 1,918 direction clicks across all locations
- 948 phone calls from GMB listings
- Optimized listings with location-specific photos, posts, and regular customer engagement
Our GMB strategy includes regular posting, photo updates, customer review management, and location-specific content that helps each store connect with their local community while maintaining brand consistency.
WHAT MADE THIS WORK
Strategy First, Tactics Second
Implementing tracking and measurement systems from day one enabled real-time optimization and clear ROI demonstration across all marketing channels.
Rather than focusing on single tactics, our approach integrated website development, social media, email marketing, and paid advertising into a cohesive system.
Deep understanding of hardware retail challenges, customer personas, and competitive landscape informed every strategic decision.
