From Corporate Climb to Creative Entrepreneurship

Josh Pritchard ’05 embodies the spirit of entrepreneurial drive and personal growth. Josh, who is currently serving as the president and co-owner of Anchour, a thriving advertising and branding agency based in Lewiston, Maine, has had a journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. This career change is a testament to the transformative power of self-discovery and taking risks.

Anchour was recently selected as the second-place winner of Best Companies Group’s Best Places to Work in Maine in 2023 for small businesses and third place in Ad Age’s Best Places to Work 2024 list among marketing agencies in the U.S. with fewer than 200 employees.

Reflecting on his career trajectory, Josh shared, "I spent the first portion of my career climbing the corporate ladder in banking and felt fairly depleted when I got home from work at the end of each day. I felt somewhere deep in my heart that there had to be more to life than the financial security banking offered." This realization led him to embark on a journey to find a career path that resonated with his personality and lifestyle goals.

Josh's pivotal moment came about 11 years ago when he met his current business partner, who was contemplating starting Anchour.

"We hit it off immediately," Josh recalled, "and I joined him, helping build the company ever since. It's been an awesome ride."

Attributing much of his success to his education at Colby-Sawyer College, Josh highlights the valuable lessons he learned, particularly in organizational leadership.

"The broader perspective of business that the CSC education offered helped me gain a more holistic understanding of organizational structure and leadership," he said.

When asked about his favorite professors and memories from CSC, Josh fondly remembered the impact of professors like Leon Malan’s and Tony Quinn.

"I learned a lot about life, love, self-discipline, course correction and business," he shared, reminiscing about his college experience. “I started out as a young kid who had no idea how the world worked and left as a young man who knew how to present himself to a world full of opportunity.”

Beyond his professional endeavors, Josh finds fulfillment in his faith, family and personal hobbies.

"Jesus has been the biggest influence on my life," he said. "I actually started a deep process of discovering my faith during my freshmen year at CSC, thanks in part to Cindy and Benny Benson, two incredible people who ran a campus Christian-based organization.” His dedication to his family, including his wife and five children, serves as a cornerstone of his personal growth. “I've learned that it's not about being perfect; it's about showing up consistently in their lives and doing what I can to be the best father and husband.”

In his leisure time, Josh enjoys surfing, hunting and running, finding solace and fulfillment in these activities. Looking ahead, he envisions a future where he continues to prioritize his health, family and professional growth, with aspirations to travel the world with his loved ones. Josh is looking forward to running the Maine Marathon this fall.

Reflecting on his journey, Josh offered advice to his younger self and current CSC students.

"Bring your authentic self to every situation,” he said. “Spend time getting to know your passions and life interests and develop them now... Stop often and assess if you're on the path that leads to personal fulfillment. It takes courage but it's such a valuable exercise."