Dear Friend,
I just returned from a trip to Atlanta. It's been a while since I took a few days away from the business to work on the business. I spent a couple of days with other firm owners where I felt challenged and encouraged. I also felt energized. I could hardly sleep the night before coming into work upon my return.
For many of us, taking on a new challenge or simply being open to the invitation of something new can be a little intimidating. Before I left for the trip, when I thought about the cost, I felt a little uncomfortable. And then there was the time away from my team and clients at the company that made me pause.
Taking this time for me to think about the business in new way and to be surrounded by other like-minded individuals doing their best to lead and manage turned out to be the best decision I could have made.
As I pondered my own company's positioning and lead generation plan and our future, it was clear we need to be more strategic than before. The market is a vast sea of opportunities and yet it's easier than ever to get lost in the noise. I'd rather mean a lot to fewer people than to be a blip on the screen to the masses. The constant noise of social media creates an atmosphere of disconnection and discontent, the feeling that no matter how hard you work, it's impossible to be known. We need to continue to push against a system that is meant not to serve us but to serve their stakeholders. Eye balls and impressions don't equal a relationship. This is my personal challenge in 2025 and maybe you'll join me in it.
How can we create more real-time connections with people? How can we narrow in on our most enthusiastic fans and best clients and customers?
Instead of widening our sphere, maybe we should consider doing the harder thing of actually being fully known to a smaller group of people who, through relationships, can build each other up.
I also have a book recommendation for you. If you haven't yet read "How to Know a Person" by David Brooks, it's the most important book of our time. It's well worth the price of admission many times over.
Last but not least, thank you to those of you who voted for us in the Executive Choice Awards for In Business Magazine. Of all the honors and accolades, this win means the most, as it means we've earned your respect and trust. We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that trust is well-placed.
With an eye towards 2025, a full heart, and a sense of gratitude for the year wrapping up, I wish you happiness. I pray the story you're living with your one and only remarkable life makes you come alive with curiosity and hope.
Laura Gallagher,
President and Founder of The Creative Company
2021 Governor's Business Plan Winner, 2019 SBA Women in Business Champion of the Year, Wisconsin Trailblazer, Author, Speaker
The Creative Company is Rated A+ from the Better Business Bureau.
The Creative Company is the 2022 Recipient of the Dane County Small Business of the Year Award.
Willy Street Co-op’s Holiday TV Commercial
You may see the Willy Street Co-op's TV commercial on Wisconsin Public Television, Channel 3,000, and on streaming channels (OTT). It was filmed on location at the Co-op and at The Creative Company in our community space. Our friends at Literacy Network joined in on the holiday fun by being actors in the commercial. It's wonderful to bring two fantastic community entities together to do good! The Willy Street Co-op is celebrating their 50th year in business!
The co-op has over 30,000 owners and three locations in Madison and Middleton plus Aubergine, community space on Williamson Street. Willy Street Co-op is the Madison area’s largest consumer-owned neighborhood grocer, offering organic, locally produced, and conventional foods. The co-op believes that a sustainable local economy is vital to the health and well-being of everyone in the community.
Anyone can shop at the co-op, and everyone is welcome to join and become an owner.
What Our Clients Say, Real Stories, Real Results
More Articles from our newsletter
