Our Story
Ape Forge was built on the idea that creativity should be bold, approachable, and purposeful. What started as a small freelance project has grown into a full-scale creative agency crafting brands, websites, and digital experiences that help businesses move forward with confidence. Serving small and medium sized business across the United States, Ape Forges reach and scope of services is wide and purposeful.
Our Community
Missoula has welcomed us with open arms, and we’re proud to give back through partnerships and creative collaborations that strengthen our local economy and culture. We’re members of organizations such as the Downtown Missoula Partnership and continue to work alongside local businesses, nonprofits, and events that make this city thrive.
Our roots may be in Ohio, but our heart belongs to Montana.
From Ohio roots to Montana mountains, this is our story.
One milestone at a time.
Before Ape Forge, Matthew Sanchez helped Northwest Ohio businesses establish their digital presence through Social Media, Websites, and Branding. Originally operating as 'Matt Sanchez Design', it transitioned to Ape Forge in 2019. Many of his early clients continue to be integral to Ape Forge. With over 12 years of experience and specialists like Lisa Ward overseeing social media, Ape Forge offered targeted creative solutions for business growth.
Ape Forge was officially organized on January 15th of 2019, by owner Matthew Sanchez. Ran from a single bedroom apartment in Perrysburg Ohio, Matt grew the business into a reputable company within 6 months. At the beginning of the 2020 Covid-19 Pandemic, businesses needed to pivot quickly to a digital format, and Ape Forge was there to help. By the end of 2020, Ape Forge had helped over 20 businesses launch new websites.
In 2020, Ape Forge entered a pivotal growth phase. We moved to a new office on North Michigan Street, Toledo, Ohio, initially settling into a 250 square foot space. However, as our projects grew in number and complexity, the need for expansion became clear. Later that year, we upgraded to a larger office within the same building, reflecting our expanding horizons and team's capabilities. This transition wasn't just about size; it signaled our commitment to larger, innovative projects. That year, we also welcomed ReBecca as our Administrative Assistant. Her role quickly became crucial in streamlining our operations, helping the team navigate the new influx of projects.
In 2022, Ape Forge experienced significant growth and a redefined team synergy. We moved into a spacious new office on Adams Street, Toledo, Ohio, underlining our commitment to cultivating creativity. We welcomed talented creatives to the team, starting as interns but rapidly advancing to a full-time role. Additionally, Ape Forge began engaging the community, and supporting local enterprises. As our workspace and team expanded, our aspirations scaled up too, driving Ape Forge to achieve new heights in creativity and collaboration. Beyond mere growth, 2022 epitomized the realization of our potential, uniting fresh perspectives with our established proficiency.
Ape Forge again invested into creative space and expanded into an additional office location in Maumee, Ohio. Along with this additional work space, the creative team shut down for a week to attend the Into The Woods Creative Conference in Portland, Oregon. The trip was more than an enriching experience, it was an exchange of ideas and exposure to fresh ideas, which significantly broadened our horizons and infused fresh inspirations into our creative arsenal.
The growth we've achieved has been nothing short of phenomenal. Every stride, whether it be in expanding our team or the geographical and intellectual boundaries, has been a step towards delivering superior value to our clients. The journey, laden with learning, evolving, and expanding, reflects our unwavering commitment to pushing the creative envelope while staying rooted in our core values.
As Ape Forge transitioned to cater to more diverse and dynamic clientele, powered by the success the introduction of Expeditions, we set our sights on new and exciting prospects across the country. From the bustling streets of New York to the vibrant hubs of Los Angeles, Ape Forge proudly serves a broad range of clients and their expanding businesses. In line with this nationwide focus, we phased out our Maumee office to better align our resources and attention towards our nationwide clients.
In the summer of 2024, we took the opportunity to redefine what Ape Forge would become in its next chapter. With our nationwide reach and a growing roster of clients across the United States, we decided to move our core operations to Missoula, Montana. A place that matched our creative spirit and love for wide-open thinking.
This move challenged every aspect of our history and pushed us to rebuild with intention. Surrounded by mountains and makers, Missoula has inspired a renewed focus on craftsmanship, community, and creativity. Helping us forge ideas that feel more grounded, authentic, and alive than ever before.
Our Philosophy
Be bold.
Stay curious.
Create with purpose.
We believe creativity thrives where curiosity meets strategy. Every project starts with a conversation where ideas spark and direction becomes clear. From there, we guide each brand by designing, building, and refining every detail until it feels authentic, functional, and built to last.
