CHRISTOPHER FOUS, 25, is a dynamo. This past August, he joined forces with business partner, Leon Stamatis, 24, and opened Devious Design Studio, an advertising agency specializing in corporate image, advertising and Web design. In short order, the two found that pro bono work pays when a corporate logo design they had created for Women In Business, a networking group affiliated with the Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce, won a Gold ADDY from the Advertising Federation of Southwest Florida.

At the award show, they were recognized with nine Gold and four Silver ADDY awards. The awards, which recognize excellence in marketing and advertising, were significant considering the firm had just opened its doors.

From their downtown Fort Myers studio, the two project an uptown image. They plan to continue networking through the chamber, and are having a good time creating what they describe as "edgy, out-of-the-box and deviously creative" work for clients including the Bamboo Dance Club, Palm Point Riverfront Towers and the Boston Red Sox.

"We're just a couple of young guys doing our thing," says Fous. "Starting a business has been the best move I've ever made, and I do not regret a single second."