Erin Taylor came to Transcend Ideas for a website to help market her wellness and intuitive leadership coaching practice. It was a pleasure to help Erin find her voice, her focus, and lead the approach of her site design.
“Between stimulus and response, there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.”
— Victor Frankl
Erin Taylor Coaching offerings are:
Life balance, mindfulness in the workplace, wellbeing, and intuitive leadership. She offers keystone speaking, individual coaching, and group training. Erin loves to reference Victor Frankl in how she shows up in her coaching, helping her clients discover the space between.
Often it’s the simple things that make a big difference:
Icon sets can help break up content and help the visitor organize content
Utilize bullet points so it’s easier for them to scan your content
Using subtle geometric parallax backgrounds, it helps break up the sterile white background
Seeing her face in her portrait(s) throughout the site is important for her potential clients to see who they will be working with
Humanize herself by sharing more about her journey and her “why”
The clarity, the simplicity, and relatability of Erin will help rope in clients into her coaching practice.
Learn more about how Transcend Ideas can help your vision for your business come to life.
LIFE BALANCE, WELLNESS & INTUITIVE LEADERSHIP COACHING
As the seasonality around us changes, we also change! Humans are not separate from what you see happening in nature, in fact, we are in sync. It’s important to acknowledge change and work with it both for your personal growth and your business growth.
ch-ch-changes
Change is inevitable
The seasons change and so do our businesses and the services and products we offer our audience. There is a shift in preparation as we polish off Q3 and enter Q4.
Whether your business is based on the seasons or you offer services all year round we want to get you thinking about your messaging to your audience.
Here are some seasonal topics to consider when you enter into Q4 and items to consider for seasonality:
Autumn/Fall – the parallels of the shift outside and inside ourselves, preparation for the winter months
Winter – hunkering down in those cold temperatures, what do you need to do that and live comfortably?
Black Friday – What kind of offerings can you provide for your followers considering doing business with you.
Holidays – Celebration of family, friends and community, unifying messages
Thankfulness – Reflecting on what you are thankful for in your life
Gift Giving – Gift ideas and pairing/bundling products to make a “spa gift bundle” for example and price accordingly
Giving Tuesdays – Tuesday, November 29 and give to a non-profit organization that you vibe with
New Year 2023 – Newness and renewal to look forward for your personal growth and goals
New Year Resolutions
New Business Ventures
Turning a New Leaf
seasonal topics
Shifting in priority and life-changes reflected in how we behave
Your customers shift and change naturally as their priorities and lives change, similar to seasonality changes. Here are some other topics to consider addressing in your messaging to reflect back to them based on some 2022 projected trends.
Healthy relationships
Time management
Managing money
Home improvement projects
Start your own business/side hustle
Travel Wishlist
Life balance
Body positivity
Celebrate differently
Bucket list
Self-love/self-care
Consider using Pinterest.
It’s a search engine and NOT a social media platform. When the platform began, I used to collect ideas for planning my wedding, finding new recipes, scoping mom hacks, things for the baby, decorating my house, etc. It’s STILL that, but it’s also a place for folks to discover new products and services and find ways to show up better in their lives. See what Pinterest image/video sizes to use when you share your pins so they stand out among the other pins. Certainly the pins that standout the most are the animated/video ones. Follow our Pinterest, you’ll see more from us soon!
Check out Jana O. Media; she is a Pinterest pro, and I greatly respect her hard work and know-how! I have learned a lot from her expertise in her Masterclass and her Clubhouse rooms she moderates.
consider using pinterest
In conclusion, embrace the change and get started on that content marketing. Your audience wants to follow along with you on what your season looks like and how they can engage with you.
Websites for your Business to Meet Your Unique Needs
I am a 90’s kid, so you can imagine how much technology has changed since the dial-up age. I have witnessed so much technology over the years, and one thing that has evolved is websites! We still need them, but the function has changed, the language has changed, how we utilize them has changed, and frankly behaviors have changed.
We hope with this conversation it will help you consider how to take an informed approach to websites for your business and keeping your consumers in mind. Much of what frightens business owners is that they don’t know where to start and they want to make the right choice. We hope to reassure you CAN make choices on your own and decide what’s best for YOU and your business. You don’t have it have it all figured out up front but you can phase in new versions of the site as your business grows. Think of it as Apple software updates coming, that number incrementally grows with each upgrade. Begin with 1.0 and move forward from there. We hope you will absorb some helpful tips and resources that you’ll takeaway from this conversation.
Heather DeVine and Heather Cox have 32 years combined of website experience! Eekkk..
What does community mean to you? That’s an excellent question to consider at any stage of our lives. The word has a different meaning based on our priorities and when the question is asked. You would have received two different answers if you asked the 28-year-old me versus the 38-year-old me.
Community can be explored in different lenses, here are a few to observe:
Geography (city, state, region)
Identity (how you identify yourself)
Gender
Race
Sexuality
Marital status
Parents/caregiver
Age/time in life
Health
Ability
Culture
Occupation
Business owner
Religion/spirituality
Politics
Affinity (shared interest)
Support groups
Sports/Recreation
Hobbies
Animal lover
My definition of a community is just that, ALL of them. Wherever I find that human connection, I feel like THAT is community. If you look at the word community, the latin root is the word “common” and then “unity.” So community is people coming together because they have something in common.
What makes me curious about the term community is the power of that unity. There was a video the other day of a group of strangers coming together to help flip a car that was upside down after a car accident. Fifteen people cooperated to flip the car and get the person out of the vehicle. That’s just one example of when there is a shared intent and action taken together.
The community can bring many unexpected people together for something like a movement or a belief. When we deeply identify and root ourselves in a society, we can make beautiful things happen that bring people together in a real positive way.
How can business/nonprofits stand by community?
Businesses are uniquely positioned to lean into the community. Money is an excellent way for a company to say, “hey, I care about this thing” however businesses can also:
Host a fundraiser event to house a cause they care about.
A special campaign with a certain percentage of their earnings go towards an organization.
Sponsor an events, causes, and/or organizations to show their support.
Sell swag and/or share info to build awareness of a shared interest or cause.
Nonprofit organizations already serve community and many of them team together with others to further deepen their work and their reach. It’s a natural thing to want nonprofits to link arms and make an impact together.
This rather anticipated event every September in Jackson Hole, Wyoming has now raised $208 million philanthropic dollars for nonprofit organizations. Each donation is then matched, deepening the impact of those serving the Jackson Hole community. This right here is a philanthropic event I care about with 200+ participating nonprofits that are all well deserving of gifts of support for the work they provide the community.
Figgie’s Deli & Market
When community is top of mind..
One client, Figgie’s named their Deli & Market after their beloved dog. The main logo is not the dog however. They decided to use it as their secondary logo, a portrait of Figgie (the dog) has been logged away to be used when they decide to show their outward support of animal adoption and rescue efforts. They are already looking ahead into how they want to show their support for community even prior to officially opening their doors.
However you decide to define community in your own life as a business owner or nonprofit, keep an open-mind to possibilities of that community expanding and changing as your priorities and likes change.
Barking Goat Studios offers custom illustrations hand drawn by Stacey Barker of Pocatello, Idaho. He is a nature loving trail runner, skier, artist, veteran, illustrator, printmaker, graphic designer, and owner of Barking Goat Studios. Stacey draws much of his inspiration from adventures in the mountains, deserts, and coastlines of his travels while honoring the personal taste and design needs of his clients.
Here are a few projects Transcend Ideas already completed together in 2022:
JH Nordic NoSoPatches
Jackson Hole Nordic is one of those collaborative projects we’ve worked on. Much of what Stacey is interested in focusing on with his illustrations are conservation and recreating responsibly outdoors.
JH Nordic wanted to try something new and fun for Winter 2023. This new NoSoPatch is used to patch up outdoor gear or just slap it on gear just because it’s cool.
We took a poll among JH Nordic’s audience and this variation was popular among the Nordic community in Jackson.
JH Nordic NoSoPatches
Aquatic Invasive Species Guide
Aquatic Invasive Species Guide
Teton County Weed and Pest had another pocket guide they wanted to print for the 2022 Summer season. The cover art needed a little omph and we had a feeling Stacey could help with that little something. He illustrated some different aquatic invasive species (AIS) for the front cover and a boat for the back cover.
This guide offers information on the AIS you might find in the Greater Yellowstone and best practices on how we can minimize the spread of invasive species.
“One of the most exciting things to me is being able to be creative. Having total freedom to be to expressive with my art is a great feeling.”
The People Spread Love Starter Kit just didn’t seem complete until Barking Goat Studios added a little something to the mix. This “Smile” Eagle coloring page was included among the rest of the kit that appeals to all ages that volunteer to write notes of love.
Meet Stacey Barker with Barking Goat Studios
Stacey Barker in his studio
1. Tell me something about you that’s not in your bio or resume.
My family and I bike, camp, hike and ski together as much as we can!
Trail running is one of my big loves! Several ultras have been fun to train for in the last few years. Training for a 50K in Oklahoma this fall has taken up a good amount of my time.
Live music is so important to me. I use to play in a metal band, but I’ve grown to love folk and bluegrass music!
2. What are your strengths and how do you apply them to your life?
I think one of my strength is being able to endure through a problem, whether that be an art project or something in life.
3. Tell me about your entrepreneurial journey. How did you know this path was the right move for you?
Being an entrepreneur, the one thing I’ve learned is that you never know until you ask. The worst case scenario when you approach someone or a business to work with is them saying no.
If you are okay with that, you learn to realize that a lot of people also say yes to working with you.
4. Tell me about you and your business more. What about your industry that most excites you?
One of the most exciting things to me is being able to be creative. Having total freedom to be to expressive with my art is a great feeling.
5. What are your weaknesses and how do you overcome them?
Being a creative does have some difficult moments. Sometimes it takes some time to find to proper mindset before diving into a project.
Finding balance with family, work, social media is always something that I strive to improve upon.
6. What would you say to another person considering this field?
I would say that it is the most rewarding feeling that someone wants to pay you for your art. I would also say that this is hardest job I’ve ever had and worked many long hours into the night.
7. How can people be in touch with you about your services?
That’s a tough one! I might have to say a doughnut!
– top favorite 3 songs?
This a very tough one! I love listening to punk, ska, metal and bluegrass.
Here’s 4 songs that I’ve been digging recently.
Tyler Grant- Believe
Todd Snider – Play a train song
Greensky Bluegrass – Windshield
Twiddle- Lost in the cold
– a good cry or a belly laugh?
A belly laugh!
– favorite movie right now or all-time movie? I use to love zombie movies and Star Wars. Now I love to watch ultra running and climbing documentaries!
9. Do you have any specific updates for your business that you want to highlight here?
I am getting ready to for a few art events coming up.
I’ll be set up at:
Pop up Shop at Fireweed in Driggs, Idaho on August 20th
East Idaho Art Market in Rexburg, Idaho on August 27th
Hyde Park Street Fair in Boise, Idaho on Sept 16th-18th
Stacey is currently accepting new clients for any graphic design / illustration / painting commissioned projects. Email him at stacey@barkinggoatstudios.com to inquire on his work.
Figgie’s came to Transcend Ideas for help on a brand new logo for their deli and market in Driggs, Idaho. What they wanted to achieve was a simple approach with black, white and bluish-greys.
Deli and Market Branding
Figgie’s is looking to open in August 2022 with sandwiches to begin. And throughout the evolution of the restaurant, a market for residents to pick-up items for their convenience and ready-made meals.
Must Love Dogs
The owner’s love for dogs comes out in this third variation of the logo with their dog’s hand drawn portrait. Figgie’s is in fact the name of their sweet terrier. His sweet eyes gaze right at you and draws you into his cuteness and into the doors. This rescue dog, Fig is an affectionate dog pal and in a large part of why the owner loves to support animal rescues. They also envision portraits of local animals on the walls and plans to continually support Teton Valley animal rescue organizations.
Hannah McClellan (left) and Carol (right) are rocking the sando lunch rush! Hannah opened up Figgie’s Deli just weeks ago in Driggs, ID.
Crazy for Food
Figgie’s Deli & Market opened last month! My favorite sandwiches so far: Robear and The Stallion
I love helping friends!
Find them here: 528 Valley Centre Dr Unit 4 in Valley Centre (across from Teton Valley Historical Museum) Open M-F / 11 am – 2 pm
Do you have more than 10 tabs open on your browser right now?
Try this, close them and JUST focus on this blog post. Go ahead, I know you can do it. Our minds can not be completely quieted. It feels virtually impossible but we can help focus our minds on one thing at a time. We are meant to have thoughts pop-up constantly throughout our day. In fact, there are thousands of thoughts a day. The truth is that we can begin new routines in the noticing. Maybe you are reading this right now and have looked at your phone a few times. Have you put your ear buds in listening to a podcast?
I just listened to a podcast myself which allowed me to get curious on why I make the decisions I do. I decided to sit down and focus my attention on writing this out. The wonderful Brené Brown seems to always capture my attention and focus with her captivating guests she has on her Dare to Lead podcast. This topic became even more attention grabbing because, well the text states Focus and Attention.
Dr. Amishi Jha explores how the brain works around focus and attention. Her pivotal moment hit while raising her 2 year old and realized she couldn’t possibly give attention to her work, her child and her husband without really working on focusing her attention. Rather than this myth of multi-tasking. I too grew upset that that’s not really a thing. Dr. Jha uses the analogy of a flashlight to indicate attention on a specific person, place or thing. When we shine our light we can take in that information and connect.
Bold Takeaways to Focus to Truly Connect:
Close tabs on your browser.
Notice when you pick up your phone – Ask yourself: “why did I did I pick up the phone in the first place?” If you have already picked the phone up, now put the phone back down.
Meditate – I know a daunting practice but with enough dedication, refocusing can become achievable.
Acknowledge when you are task switching – Instead of the multi-tasking (formally called) which turns into fact task-switching, where we perform one task then switch and do another task then another and so on. That’s exhausting! Phew.
Attention and focus means you can have true connection.
Focus to Truly Connect
Why I find this fascinating in this world of people and why I am writing this on our branding and marketing business blog? Well, I am floored by human beings and how with research we can unearth truths we haven’t thought much about but perhaps have struggled through quite a bit. As a marketing and branding company I strive to better understand the people I want to reach. We are all bombarded by the intake of news, social media feeds, and advertisements. Although much of what I just listed on getting your attention helps amplify my client’s messages I also know that we all don’t need the added noise and overload but we need to truly connect.
Focus to truly connect transcends mere mindfulness. When we connect and align with one another we can better build lasting relationships. That’s the best way to stick in our consumers’ minds, connecting often couples with being seen and heard. Our content writer, Meredith made an excellent point in her answer to a question: “Do you have advice to a business that wants to connect with their community and customers these days?”
Her excellent answer: “It’s simple, ask the people what they want.”
This is a new series “Amplify Women,” an interview series to celebrate women and their unique story. This month we are highlighting Akala Lemus with Positive Packages and AK Apothakary.
We will be asking questions to get to know Akala and her WHY. When we begin anything in our lives us women have a story.
Akala Lemus
Akala Le’Ahi (uh-CALL-uh Lay-Awe-He) is her given birthname which means Pink Fire From Heaven.
Favorite Traits: Persistent, Self Driven, A Good Cook, and Creative
Positive Packages was created from her desire to transmute negativity into positivity one package at a time. She had to leave a relationship, a company, and a life she had created for herself in Austin, TX to be of service to her mother who had to have an emergency hip replacement in CO.
“..every time someone has supported, encouraged me, gifted me with anything, or just held space for me to be open and vulnerable, has helped me get to where I am today.”
– Akala Lemus
If you’d like to be a part of this series, contact Heather DeVine on Clubhouse and let’s begin.
When tragedy strikes, we collectively feel it. So many of us feel sadness when something dreadful comes to the surface. A mass shooting, a natural disaster, a pandemic, a war, hate crimes, or any kind of suffering of any form collectively wounds all of us. It’s natural for an individual and a business to have the urge to respond, make a statement, or say something because behind every business are people. Our goal is to help you navigate what to do when tragedy strikes, how to respond as a business.
Uvalde, Texas Mass shooting
Yesterday I cried as I saw what unfolded in Uvalde, Texas where an 18-year-old walked into Robb Elementary School and murdered 18 children and 2 teachers. I am a mother of a 4.5-year-old and immediately my heart shattered scrolling through social media. I felt despair with the news that children were gunned down in their classrooms. Shaking and weeping overwhelmed me as I heard what happened. There are still many feelings around the events of the day. Reaching out to other mothers to find comfort in this shared grief provided the only reprieve amid the news and social media.
I spoke with a friend today and we both agreed there are so many sad feelings even if you aren’t a parent. When we say statements like “I can’t imagine..” well I truly believe you can imagine and we ought to sit in that empathy and compassion together even if the tragedy is not happening in your town or country. When tragedy strikes we all feel it and for years we have experienced so much — too much. I mentioned to my friend that I was frankly tired of seeing statements being released from politicians. It often feels like the bare minimum of what we can do to stand up and take action.
As a mother first I am angered and I feel helpless that change will not take place in response to yet again another mass shooting where innocent children are murdered in their classroom. As a business, I am angered and I feel helpless because I can’t and shouldn’t detach my humanity away from tragedy. This issue in America is a moral one and not a political one.
when tragedy strikes, how to respond as a business
When things feel THIS heavy, I like to take a breath and give the moment breathing space. Holding space. Honoring the loss. Process. Feel the feelings.
What you DON’T want to motivate you to put out a statement:
To make you or your business look a certain way
To just “check it off your list” of things to acknowledge
To profit from tragedy
What you DO want to motivate you to put out a statement:
To be authentic to you and your brand
To share your humanity
To build awareness around an issue you and your business care about
To help support your community
When tragedy strikes, here’s how to respond as a business — be authentic. Be exactly as you are, give yourself grace, don’t rush to make a statement, and allow for your humanness to shine through even and especially in the dark.
In response to the Uvalde, Texas Mass Shooting..
As a mother, a sister, a daughter, a wife, a community member and human being what occurred at Robb Elementary School was a nightmare. My heart is with all the parents/caregivers that are aching in their grief especially the families of all the little children that were taken away by senseless gun violence. We urge our lawmakers to do the right thing and pass legislation to tighten up gun laws so irresponsible and violent people can not obtain firearms that replicates horrible events such as this.
Take care of yourself. Hold your loved ones tightly. Demand more, demand better for our children that deserve a safe place to learn and to grow.
This is the third of a series of Clubhouse rooms (monthly) that will take a deep dive into starting a business. Our moderators will introduce their why and share tips and guidance on how to start a business. If you miss the room, we will have Replays on so you can listen at your convenience.
Topic: Finance Your Business
A big question that comes along with a great business idea is: where do I get the money to get this off the ground? These questions can be very daunting.
Some questions to ask yourself:
How much do I need to begin my business?
Start-up cost is dependent on the business model (insurance, equipment, office space, software)
Am I selling products or services?
How much do I have in my personal savings that I can invest in my own business?
Where can I go find the funding for my business?
Look at your personal finances
Funding sources: Personal savings, Crowd Funding, Grants, Bank and Credit Unions, Angel Investors, Home Equity Loans
What to keep in mind when you go to banks for funding sources?
Banks review the 5 C’s:
Character (credit history)
Capacity (debt to income ratio)
Collateral (offers of assurance)
Capital (your level of seriousness)
Conditions (interest rate & principal)
Are there benefits of a loan?
Tax benefits
Low interest rates
Favorable repayment terms
How do I increase my business credit score?
Also, what billing system fits my financial needs?
And when should I hire an accountant to make sense of my financials?
Takeaways:
“Get scrappy!” – You can get started by starting small and dreaming big.
ie. Restaurant: Maybe start in someone else’s kitchen so you can begin building up a hype/niche on your product.
Trust in your intuition
Look at your personal finances FIRST
Ask your connections already established: friends, family, colleagues, community members, other business owners in the same industry.
Corporate Grant Opportunities: Look to corporations and their giving season, they want to give your small business money! You don’t have to payback grant money.
Heather DeVine w/Transcend Ideas – Marketing and branding agency serving nonprofits and small businesses. (Jackson, WY) Trudie Ives w/Tru Logistics – As freight brokers, we facilitate the transport of vehicles and freight across the United States. (Palm Beach, FL) Zee Zee Williams w/KW Inc. Insurance Marketing Group – Specializing in final expense, we train, mentor, and grow our agents to be successful in their business. We are dedicated to giving our clients the integrity and service they deserve. (Columbia, SC) Laura Sexton w/Accelerate Your Legacy – Specializes in debt elimination. Laura is all about the money mindset, adjusting money habits and offers up tools you need to succeed with money.
Heather Rodgers is the newest member to the Transcend Ideas team! She will offer support with her design and copywriting skills. She shares a little… Read more: Meet Heather Rodgers
The internet evolves at lightning speed. ⚡️
Trends from a decade ago are long forgotten, and even last year's sensations have faded. With countless accounts competing for attention across numerous platforms, standing out in this saturated digital landscape demands a more strategic approach than ever before.
Fonts tell us a lot about a brand, and there is much to discuss about them. We like to think that fonts have their own personalities, and they make a big difference in how consumers communicate with a brand. We could go on for a while, but we’ll try not to get too nerdy. We’re font fanatics here at Transcend Ideas.
Fundraising for non-profits is exciting when the money is rolling in. More often than not, it can feel like a tireless and thankless job. We love the content that Donorbox, a fundraising platform, put together in a recent webinar to help simplify the steps for non-profit employees to bring back the joy in community work.
The most effective marketing campaign is one that builds awareness on issues. They can evoke a thought, a pause, a consideration, an emotion, an action, a changed behavior, and at times all of those things over time. Learn how you can start building awareness with marketing.
Our team is blown away at all the new apps that have come available in the past year on their site. Canva has unleashed the potential of artificial intelligence with content creation and it is a blast to work with! Enjoy this simple tutorial we’ve put together to show how you can increase your efficiency as a marketer and create content at a rapid pace by mass-creating bulk posts with the Canva AI Tool "Bulk Create" + ChatGPT.
