From First Gear to Full Speed: Inside Our Ongoing Partnership with Swifts Garage

It didn’t start with a full rebrand or a big campaign. It started with a launch event and a handshake.

Back in 2019, Andrew Swift reached out to Mary Beth Henderson (CEO of The Cohort Collab and founder of Front & Center) for some support with the launch party for Mount Pleasant Collision. One event turned into many conversations.

Over time, we built rapport the same way we build everything around here - through mutual respect, consistent follow-through, and meeting people where they are.

What started with a one-off turned into a dynamic brand and marketing partnership that’s still rolling 6+ years later.

Phase 1: From Concept to Concrete

In 2020, Andrew was ready to go all in on opening his own auto shop on Johns Island. Born and raised on the island, launching Swifts Garage was a lifelong dream. 

He wasn’t just looking for a logo or a website. He was building something that would serve his neighbors, friends, and family for decades to come. And he needed a partner who could help shape not just how it looked, but how it felt.

Front & Center stepped in to bring that vision into being - brand identity, messaging, website, launch campaign. We were literally building the brand alongside the building itself. 

Honored to ride shotgun, within 30-days of opening their doors, Swifts serviced 100+ cars. 

Phase 2: Same Values, New Zip Code

By fall 2022, the parking lot on James Island was full - and so was line-of-sight on the next step.

Andrew already owned Joe’s Garage in Mount Pleasant, a beloved neighborhood staple. But it was time to bring it under the Swifts name. The challenge? Rebrand with care.

We weren’t starting from scratch - we were shifting gears. Mary Beth ushered in the newly formed Cohort Collab to lead the effort, ensuring continuity, clarity, and cohesion across both locations.

The dream team needed to:

• Honor the trust Joe’s Garage had built over 15+ years

• Introduce the Swifts brand with excitement and momentum

• Rebuild the digital infrastructure to support both locations

That meant a new site structure, content strategy, social overhaul, and reclaiming a long-defunct Google Business account that no one had been able to access for years. Not glamorous, but necessary. (And yes, we cracked it.)

In March 2023, the new Swifts Mount Pleasant opened its doors to a full lot and a warm community welcome. Cue victory lap!

Phase 3: Scaling Without Losing Sight

Two thriving locations. 575+ five-star reviews. A brand built on a well-earned reputation and setting the service standard. 

This shows steady, tangible growth, but it was never just about that. Swifts has always prioritized serving neighbors and genuinely leaving folks better than they found them. And that stayed true at every turn.

In 2023, The Cohort settled in to full-service social media and strategy - focusing on visibility, consistency, and values-forward storytelling. Our work highlighted the shop’s personality, community giving initiatives, and no-nonsense approach to customer service.

Then in 2025, when Andrew made the call to sell the Mount Pleasant location and double down on Johns Island? We were there for that too - managing the digital asset transfer, comms strategy, and a smooth pivot that kept the brand (and trust) rock solid.

---

Still Rolling

Swifts Garage trucks on -  one appointment, one 5-star review, one loyal customer at a time. And we’re proud to still be in the passenger seat.

At The Cohort (and Front & Center before it), we don’t do one-and-done. We build brands that grow, shift, and evolve - just like the business leaders behind them.

Ready for a partner that’s a real ride or die? Let’s talk.