Faced with relentless change in the workplace, what do you value most? If you’re like me, it’s relationships. Friendships that have stood the test of time. Colleagues who have your back. Mentors, if you’ve been lucky. Professional relationships based on trust and mutual respect.
When I founded G Strategic Branding & Communications in 2010, my goal was to create positive change by helping my nonprofit and public sector clients do well while doing good. Over the years, GSBC grew from a branding and graphic design consultancy to encompass market research, web design, and copywriting. I am so proud of the work I’ve done with many outstanding organizations in the past decade.
They say you’re only as smart as the people you surround yourself with. Since meeting Tina Finelli in 2015, I’ve been feeling very smart indeed. Founder of Etal Marketing, Tina answered my call for a strategic partner to help me take my company to the next level. Tina has been building custom “dream teams” to overcome any challenge her C-Suite clients have thrown at her for over two decades. We clicked immediately, partnered up on an initial multifaceted capital campaign branding and marketing project, and have been collaborating ever since to offer senior-level strategic and creative services with a no-fuss, friendly approach our clients love.
Ask any branding expert about their biggest challenge and you’re likely to hear that it was branding (or rebranding) their own company. When I realized that GSBC’s website was falling short in expressing my company’s evolution, I decided to seize the opportunity to rebrand. It occurred to me that the word that best encapsulated both my eclectic career and my passion for the work I do had been with me all along, in GSBC’s “inspire change” tagline.
As I celebrate my first decade as an entrepreneur, I couldn’t be prouder to finally launch my new company, G4Change. Plus ça change…
Do you find the idea of constant change stressful, or stimulating? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Sherri-)
I was thrilled to attend the launch party of the new CCRC branding a few days ago. It was touching to see the logo I designed start it’s new life working hard for a wonderful organization that helps so many. You couldn’t find a nicer group of people, their dedication to turning things around for vulnerable Peterborough residents and an ongoing influx of refugees is truly inspirational. Executive Director Casey Ready explained: “Our new logo with its sweeping leaf in green and blue reflects comments from our clients that CCRC helps them turn a new leaf, make a fresh start or new beginning and turn things around in their lives” Shout out to my friends at Laridae Communications for bringing me on board.
Who attends a fundraising professionals networking event on a sultry August evening? Only some of the very best development pros in the GTA, of course ;-) Out of a pleasant encounter featuring icy drinks and warm conversation I made a connection that would soon bear some lovely fruit, and am happy to have recently completed a first project with Mackenzie Health Foundation. Welcome MHF!
Sunday evening I had the pleasure of attending Ve’ahavta’s annual gala Starry Nights at the beautiful Koerner Concert Hall in Toronto. It was a great event featuring Ve’ahavta’s ‘Tikun Olam’ awards celebrating the outstanding contributions of some seriously impressive individuals, several moving stories and presentations, and an inspiring keynote and performance by rapper and human rights activist Emmanuel Jal.
And then there was the launch of the new branding. I could not be more delighted as the identity I designed was introduced. The rebrand video (see below) played next, and as the show wrapped up a group of volunteer students in t-shirts sporting the new logo took to the stage. Applause!
A bit of back-story: I had first approached Ve’ahavta last May searching for volunteer opportunities for my son and stepdaughter as they prepare for their bar and bat mitzvahs, which led to the three of us sharing an unforgettable experience helping out on the Ve’ahavta MJRH (Mobile Jewish Response to the Homeless) van in July. As my kids were working through their transformational year, Ve’ahavta was approaching it’s own auspicious milestone – it’s 18th anniversary. One thing led to another, and I’m proud to have offered Ve’ahavta my services to bring their new brand to life.
Here’s hoping the new branding will help this wonderful organization prosper, grow and help more people in need – wherever, and whoever they are.
The video I produced about the new Ve’ahavta branding:
A couple of weeks ago I braved the crowds at the Toronto Mini Maker Faire 2014 at the Toronto Reference Library and all I can say is WOW, if that was mini, then maxi would definitely require a bigger venue! The event was packed with makers, tinkerers and visionaries and their wares: 3D-printers, drones, robots (and every conceivable combination thereof), fun workshops ranging from electronic circuitry fashion accessories to low-tech screen-printing and origami, a team of (fully functioning) R2D2 droids, and for a special treat for this print design enthusiast: a coffee drip printer invented by Ted Kinsman. Amazing.
Here I am with Alison Evans Adnani, founder of Maker Junior at her booth. I felt a bit of shared ownership as I’ve designed all print and digital graphics for Maker Junior from day one, including of course the logo featuring mascot “LEDy”. Only one negative item that day – Maker Junior sold out of their adorable and educational kits early on day 2. To compensate they DID win Best in Show!
Last week’s highlight was Designthinkers 2014. This year was exceptionally inspiring with keynotes and breakout sessions by an amazingly talented and generous international roster of presenters. Standouts for me included Debbie Millman, Paula Scher, Marty Neumeier, Erik Spiekerman, Irma Boom, Javier Mariscal, and Andrew Zolty. So many great talents with a bit of a common theme – follow your passion and the work you want to do will come. I’m already halfway there…
A couple of weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending a fantastic fundraiser for Old Brewery Mission at the Centre des Sciences in beautiful Old Montreal to kick off OBMs 125th anniversary Capital Campaign. With winter approaching it was only fitting that the 125th anniversary campaign “125 Montreal Winters” that I recently designed for the organization welcomed guests to a sparkling event dedicated to changing the conversation around homelessness. With the delightful Mélissa Bellerose, Communications Manager, OBM.