As much as we might try to avoid it, (loves a hibernation, me) - humans thrive on connection, especially during hard times. It's no wonder that this past month has been all about offering our time and skills to help others. Without even seeking it, a theme always seems to emerge, and this month’s is clear.
We've felt a strong urge to reach out to fellow business owners, offering help and support wherever possible. This has led to our brand clinic—a free 40-minute session every Tuesday. You’ll be surprised (as we have been!) how much can be achieved in a little window of time and how quickly your energy can shift from stuck to focused.
Lights, camera, shoes, dragon, design work
These are a few of my favourite things (and things that I hate, like being in front of the camera) connecting, sharing skills and creative juices! We’ve had a massive 3 day photo shoot with Helen from Get Content over the last week. We were so excited to unleash creativity with another creative. Hot on the heels of a social media workshop we’re going to have a library of images that tell our brand story, this will make it so easy to put a post together whenever we have a thought. Do you ever get that you’ve got something to say but no image to go with? Or the opposite, banger image and nothing to say? My advice would be to find someone that can fill in the gap for you.
Latest projects
We put together a slide deck presenting research and qualitative data for our client Weaving Insights. Results were visually appealing and easy to digest for the reader. You can view the whole thing here.
I recently had to create some new business cards for the fine folk at Horowhenua Family Violence Intervention Services HFVIS (what a mouthful) which got me thinking about the branding I created for them five years ago that continues to hold its own today.
I absolutely love it when a client has a clear idea of what needs to be in their branding - they know who they are and what they do. The team at HFVIS all had creative input based on their experience in the organisation. A real collaborative effort.
The flax represents whānau, community and growth.
The hands - specifically not to be touching, represents how the team hold space for their clients, they are in supporting roles in their client’s journey, it also forms a koru which is all about growth, strength and peace.
The colours - green for growth, health and balance. Purple for wisdom, peace and mindfulness.
Other than these projects, it's been brands brands brands all month long, they go a bit like - consult, ponder, ideate, create, wait and see. Looking forward to being able to share these with you (and the world) soon.
Workshops, networking and 'humaning'
After attending a networking event in Porirua last month about content, Helen and I took up the opportunity to learn more at the speaker's free workshop held in Wellington. We took away practical tips on how to create social content, and a few choice words on breaking down the barriers that hold you back from posting. It was worth a morning in the capital.
We also made an appearance at the more local Business After 5 run by The Horowhenua Company. The speaker was none other than Brewtown GM Phil Gorman from Upper Hutt. A self-confessed bogan, he spoke about his love for his town and his journey in economic development, how he made Brewtown a reality and Upper Hutt a destination. Inspiring to say the least, we couldn't help but draw parallels to little Levin and opportunities for our little town.
Reflections
Is it too much that our reflections are rainbows this month? They have been everywhere for me. They’re showing off and saying there’s still light and fun to be found, even in the cold and grey and we have been finding it and doing our best to share it.
You have to wonder, are we more aligned because we’re being creative or more creative because we’re aligned? Either way we’re feeling gooooood.
Boo the Dragon
Boo is in good spirits and has retreated to the quiet palatial grounds of her enclosure after a positively exhausting few days of modelling, sunbathing and judging. Here she is behind the scenes.
