Tomorrow is Small Business Saturday on Saturday, November 26th, and you’re encouraged to support the small businesses you know and admire. It could be your favorite Thai place, a gift shop, a magical massage therapist, a web designer, a dog groomer, a hairstylist, a favorite sandwich shop, or a coffeehouse. Wherever and whatever they sell or offer, they can not stand without your support. Shop small, support people.
The global pandemic was an indicator of how important the support of all of us has on the small business model, especially those that thrive as a brick-and-mortar establishments. So many small businesses had to pivot into a different model to survive the moment and the circumstance at our feet. Find more information about Small Business Saturday at the Small Business Administration site here.
Transcend Ideas giveaway: post-it notes, sticker, business card & a special thank you from me!
Shop small business giveaway
Transcend Ideas is proud to offer a “Shop Small Business Giveaway” this Saturday.
Enter the giveaway by using Instagram or Facebook:
Take a photo/video of the item/service you purchased
Tag @transcendideas and the business you are supporting
Like our social media post and give @transcendideas a follow too
I will mail you stickers, post-it notes as a thank you by snail mail. You will be contacted by DM notifying you that you won.
When you do business with small businessesand shop small and support people.
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.
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.
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.
Radcliff “Rad” Spencer was a man of laughter and traditions.
The definition of essential is what’s absolutely necessary, extremely important.
The question: “Are you essential?” was posed to our community group Mindfulness for Mamas here in Jackson, Wyoming. The mama group shared so many different ways in which we’ve experienced the past 2.5 years during a global pandemic as mothers, as wives, as partners, and as career-oriented women. The pandemic has brought a lot of big questions to our lives about our significance and our importance. How do we decide to spend our time? How do we want to show up in our lives? Who do we want to spend on our time on? What do we decide to pour our time and energy into?
We are all essential to someone, right? The first thing that comes to mind is if you have lived, you have mattered to someone. Our community suffered a recent loss of Radcliff “Rad” Spencer, 27 years old to the mountains. The loss felt deep and wide in the community. Rad was our real estate agent that helped us with the purchase of our very first home in October 2021. He was the youngest partner at age 24 at Neville Asbell Spencer team at Compass Real Estate. He was way more than his occupation though, he was a son, a brother, a friend, a mountaineer, a skier, a lacrosse coach, a breakfast and coffee lover, and even a hot yoga guy! Rad lived up to his name, a person and a name you could never soon forget.
Is your business essential to the community?
It’s important to ask ourselves this question to have a moment of pause and reflection. How can we be better servants to our community? What kind of impact do we want to have on our community?
Peel back businesses, there are people behind them. No matter the size, no matter the industry. People reside.
We all need to have opportunities to think and reflect on how we live our own lives. When we lose someone that was an essential part of the community we have an opportunity to take stock. Despite how many years of experience I have in serving businesses and nonprofit organizations I can still learn something new. I tell my son when I send him off to preschool, I say “You go to school. Mommy goes to ‘life school.’” When you stop learning you stop living.
How will you be essentially rad in your own way?
Rest in Peace, Rad! This is not goodbye, but see you bassoon!
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.
