Author: Becky Feinberg-Galvez

A few weeks ago I had a quick procedure at the hospital that meant I would be going under for about 30 minutes.  While for most people this wouldn’t be a big deal, I was quite frightened about the anesthesia.  I’ve never gone under before and the thought of being knocked out scared me. They present you with the worst case scenarios beforehand and you have to sign so many waivers.  It’s no wonder when your head starts taking you to the “What if….?” places.  

When I was on my way home from my recent Entreprenuer's Organzation (EO) forum retreat in Austin, I was asked by a one of my group colleagues if I sometimes felt like I was on a lonely island. I replied with, “Yes, that is exactly what I feel like.”  He then told me that the saying “It’s Lonely at the Top” doesn’t just refer to big companies -- it also hits close to home with many small business owners who share this common sentiment.  You see, it can be very lonely owning a small business and being the visionary for your company ... at least until you meet your people who are willing and want to go on that journey with you.  Then we can start to fill that desolate road and populate it with like-minded, motivated, and inspiring individuals.

        In honor of Small Business Week, I have decided to give honest insight into the typical day of a small business owner.  You see, as a small business owner, you aren’t just the owner; you wear many different hats daily. You can have the strongest team on the planet (and we have an incredible team) and still be pulled in a million directions.  At the end of the day, no one cares about your business as much as you do. It’s like you wake up and go to bed every day dealing with your “third baby” -- your business!

The Salvation Army originally started in London in 1852, and expanded into the United States around the late 1870s.  From that it grew into an international organization covering 128 countries and has a membership of over 1.7 million people.  The Salvation Army Southern Territory, founded in 1927, now covers fifteen southern states in the US and is headquartered in Atlanta, GA.  We have been working with the Salvation Army Southern Territory for more than three years now, and so we thought we'd shine a spotlight on the many good deeds that they do!  We asked Service Operations Manager Elfreda Parks for more info.

For March, in honor of St Patrick's day, we're proud to showcase fellow Chicago locals, the City of Chicago Pipe Band!  We asked Andrew Hoinacki, leading drummer, to tell us a bit more about the band.

February is American Heart Month, and so we decided to speak to our customer Marcia McCoy, the director of the Muriel I. Kauffman Women’s Heart Center at Saint Luke's in Kansas City about their efforts to reduce heart disease.

In mid-2017, we designed a shirt for a great organization: Tricia's Troops Cancer Connection, a non-profit that connects cancer patients to resources and volunteers.  We wanted to learn more about this incredible group from Bill Wright, Tricia Wright's husband, and about the person this all inspired.

We find that the holidays are an inspiring time to give back to our communities.  So on Giving Tuesday 11/28, we are asking you to join us in sponsoring Twist Out Cancer, an incredible non-profit that provides community and support through the arts to those affected by cancer.  

Now by popular demand, we are offering custom Infinity Scarves Ready for infinite design possibilities, wearing style, and fabrics? So are we!

Last November, our CEO Becky met up with one of our long-time customers Peg Reagan of Through Jimmy's Eyes.  Then we learned more about the history of our partnership with them to bring artist Jimmy Reagan's work to a broader audience.  Today we wanted to follow up and find out more about the artist himself and his latest exhibition.  As Jimmy was diagnosed with complex autism and has limited lingual communication, we asked his artist representative and mother Peg Reagan for more about this incredible painter.