Client Highlight: Angel Mamas

Today I wanted to highlight one of our clients, Angel Mamas an organization of mom’s who donate their time, resources and services to other organizations within the Phoenix Valley.  We are so proud of each and every one of you.

Their mission, as posted on their website: The mission of angel mamas is to make a community impact through charitable donations, and to benefit selected charities with financial and volunteer contributions. Our organization empowers mothers to translate the nurturing of motherhood to the community by helping those in need.

Silver Spoon Studio designed their logo and we were so happy to have done this for such an amazing organization full of incredibly beautiful-souled women.  Angel Mamas card member holders receive a 15% discount off Silver Spoon Studio services.

If you own a business in the Phoenix valley, we recommend providing a discount to this wonderful organization.   It’s a great way to spur on the Angel Mamas that do so much good for those around them.  Contact Patrice Metzler, the Sponsor Liasion, fundraising@angelmamas.org.

Check out their site, no, we didn’t build it, but it is absolutely darling.  www.angelmamas.org.

 

SpirituallyShe

I have yet to write a post exclusively on SpirituallyShe, LLC, a new business venture with my best girlfriend, MK.  We’ve been doing this for the past year and now our ducks are in a row. We’ve set up the LLC, designed the business cards, set up our PO Box, fax, restructured business protocol and duties, brainstormed ideas and read scripture to design the packaging, order rules and fulfillment obligations.  Did you catch all that?

I’ll be slowly winding down business here for Silver Spoon Studio until January 2010 (of course client updates and such are most welcome).  I feel the Lord is calling me to concentrate on building his kingdom and out of  joy, excitement and obedience, I am happy to oblige. 

We are a stationery line which focuses on spreading the gospel and encouraging women of faith to memorize scripture to fully equip them on their spiritualwalk.  Our most advertised item are our scripture sets which include 55 beautifully designed cards with a cross that are left intentionally blank along with a guide that give suggested bible verses to write on the blank cards.  There are three packs which you decide you’d want, mostly determined upon your age group.  We left them blank so women could use their own preferred bible translation.  After doing several bible studies together, we knew that obedience isn’t enough but knowing how to accurately recite and find scripture is important in our Christian walk.  I am always thinking of, James 1:21 which is written on a Post-It at my work computer, “Therefore put away all fithiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.”  His word saves us from drifting away from him.  It is our prayer that our products do the same for our customers.

MK and I are happy to introduce SpirituallyShe to the world. 

The company: 

The mission of SpirituallyShe is based on 1 Thessalonians  5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”  As Christians, we believe the Bible, the scriptures of the Bible, both the old and new testaments, to be the verbally inspired word of God and instruction book for life.

In order to live a life the way God intended, we use the Bible as the only reference for life’s decisions.  It is a necessity for us as sisters in Christ to understand the importance of using scripture to witness, and encourage not only ourselves, but fellow believers at any stage in life – whether it’s rejoicing, comforting, or simply a reminder of God’s sovereignty. “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have home.” – Romans 15:4 (NIV)

The products of SpirituallyShe are to serve as convenient and beautifullydesigned tools to inspire and encourage believers of all stages.  Whether our products are used by new or old believers or simply by those curious, it is our prayer that our line of products be uplifting and allow sharing and learning God’s word more delightful as they continue on their spiritual journey.

The duo:

Finding your kindred spirit is rare, but that’s exactly what Diana Jung and Meagan Kimmerle found in each other the day God brought them together at work – right next to each other to be exact.

Daily the two encouraged one another and did the typical things best girlfriends did.  But it was more than their worldly common interests, but their love and dedication to the Lord that solidified their friendship.

One day, the idea of memorizing scripture on a weekly basis turned into a discussion on finding beautiful cards to write them on, because displaying God’s word on any index card just wouldn’t do for these two girls of grace.

The idea of creating products to spur other women of faith was an incredible opportunity.  God laid the idea of starting such a business on their hearts and considering Diana’s experience in business and graphic design and Meagan’s education and experience in sales and marketing, SpirituallyShe was born.

Visit our website: www.spirituallyshe.com read more about us, buy our products online, or come to an Open House. 

Our Open House schedule:
June – Buckeye
July – Tempe
August – Glendale
September – Scottsdale (tentative)
November – Phoenix

If you can recommend a church or store for us to connect with, please send an email to info[at]spirituallyshe.com. 

Connect with us now:
Facebook
MySpace
Twitter 

Next weekend MK and I will be taking photos with Trudy Hill with CottageInk .  We’ll be posing with our products and to use on our website and new marketing material.  I’ll be sure to share them when we get them.

 

Business stuff.

I am a CPA’s worst nightmare.  Or perhaps one of their favorites since I arrive prepared.  With one day job, running two businesses, modeling/acting, and investments, I’m a complex client.  Receipts, Quickbooks, Quicken, mileage, you gotta keep track of it all.   Oh the neverending requirements to be organized.  I found this on SeeJaneWork.com, the BEST site for all things cute for business gals. 

I wanted to share some of my favorite things that are on my wish list:

Leather Mileage Tracker, $12 at SeeJaneWork.com
It’s leather and has 160 page that will hold 11 trips on each page.

8 days-a-Week Planner, $16. 
If this came with an extra day in the week, I am soooo sold.  I need this.  Desperately.

Pocket To-Do List, $10 at SeeJaneWork.com
With white lined perforated sheets with tick off squares next to each line.
Time to get movin’.

 

Photography Essay: Babies at 3 mo.

This past weekend I was telling PM how much I love JM and she said JM thinks I hung the moon. I giggled. I say this because you can tell how much I absolutely love JM and MB. (If you do a search you’ll see how many times I mention them). I took pictures at the baby showers, you can see JMs here and MBs here.

The babies are now coming up on four months. I know, time flies, seriously.

Here are the pictures I took of Ethan, MB’s angel:

And now of JM’s tiny tot:

 

 

Campaign by Numbers – Postcard #3

Our third postcard has hit mailboxes by now.  Here it is: 

 One last thing, stay tuned next week to see what the last piece is.   Yes, all good things must come to an end.

Contact us now to get your business going.  You read right – Companies who continue to be aggressive recession advertisers can increase sales by a remarkable 256% after the recession in comparison to those who didn’t keep up their advertising. 

 

Couture Makeup at the Phoenix Bridal Show

Question of the day on Sunday: Have you thought about who’s going to do your makeup on your wedding day? 

Client Couture Makeup by Katy Davis attended the Phoenix Bridal Show (and I was there with her) at the University of Phoenix stadium (let’s just be real and call it the Cardinals’ stadium) on Sunday where nearly 750 brides and their future in-laws, fiances, MOH and gf’s came with.  The booth was ultra glam with frames from Z Gallerie and brides were instantly drawn in.  Katy is booking up fast and signed a several contracts on the spot. 

For brides in the Phoenix and Tucson area (or anywhere in between) Katy Davis is an on-location makeup artist so she will come to you on your wedding day.  She uses high-definition airbrush makeup which means you look flawless and younger.  She demonstrated her airbrush machine all day.  Visit the cute website we made for her here.  She has a cute blog too. 

Silver Spoon Studio branded Couture Makeup from logo, business cards, website, blog, e-newsletters, postcards, booth signage and more.  See her ad in the Arizona Weddings magazine out this summer.  You can see the ad on our online portfolio, click on “print.”

 

Campaign by Numbers – Postcard #2

They should have arrived by now.

Continuing our campaign with our second postcard in our summer campaign by numbers.

 

 

Campaign by Numbers – Postcard #1

I hope this doesn’t come prematurely for my California clients, but postcard #1 has arrived in most mailboxes.  Here’s a glimpse for those of you to keep up who are not on our mailing list.

Stay tuned for more.

 

Campaign by Numbers – Begins Today

Today kicks off our Campaign by Numbers marketing mailer.

Postcard #1 went out to 70 clients and hot leads today. Our group of 70 will be receiving several mailers this month, keep up with us on this blog if you aren’t on the list. If you want to get on our mailing list, email us at info[at]silverspoonstudio.com.

We will publish the details of each mailer when we know they’ve arrived in everyone’s mailboxes as not to ruin the surprise!  Thanks BV for your help!

 

Consistency is King

I came across the article from Advertising Crossing on the web and wanted to share that has to do with company branding.  Enjoy!

Consistency is King
By John Schaub

In today’s marketplace, where a person comes across hundreds of brands in a day, it is important to keep consistency when developing and maintaining a brand. John Schaub, a senior vice president and creative director at Laughlin/Constable, an integrated marketing agency with offices in Chicago and Milwaukee, provides some advice for creating and maintaining a consistent brand image.

The set-up
Let’s say you have a friend you’ve known for 20 years. She’s always well dressed, always thoughtful, neat, organized, and always on time. One day, you meet her after work, and she’s wearing a sweatshirt and jeans with holes in the knees. Something isn’t right. Then, the next time you plan to meet her for coffee, she’s 20 minutes late. That’s just not like her. And a month later, she forgets your birthday. You feel a little unsettled. The place you held for her in your mind has shifted. You can no longer count on her. You can’t stop asking yourself, “What’s going on?”

Okay, what does this have to do with a brand? Well, consumers have the same kinds of feelings when a brand they know and love acts inconsistently. A brand’s look, feel, voice, even where a consumer encounters a brand, must be consistent in order to be effective over the long term.

You are what you wear
The same is true for a brand. It all begins with the brand identity system, and its most prominent element, the logo. A brand’s logo is often the first thing consumers see. It sets the tone for the brand. In essence, it’s a big feature of the brand’s personality. Does it look high tech? Conservative? Fun? Strong? Warm and inviting? Whatever its prominent trait, it must be consistent at each consumer encounter. What else goes into a brand-identity system? Font or typeface, color palette, and supporting graphic elements all interplay to solidify the brand’s presence. Think of them as the accessories. They come together on letterhead, business cards, brochures, annual reports, the web, trade show booths, packaging, and ads. At every consumer touch point, a brand’s identity, or dressing, must be consistent.

What did you just say?
The same goes for a brand’s voice. The printed word and spoken word, and the tone that comes across, must be consistent from consumer encounter to consumer encounter. Is the brand voice casual? Formal? Lighthearted? Serious? Professional? Whatever the trait, it must always be the same voice. This is true right down to the way a receptionist at the brand’s headquarters answers the telephone.

They say a brand is a promise and an expectation.
Let’s say your friend is the brand. The way she looks and acts over the years is her “promise” to you that her personality is just that — thoughtful, neat, organized, and always on time. You, the consumer, have an expectation that she will continue be thoughtful, neat, organized, and always on time. When your friend’s (the brand’s) promise meets your expectation, the brand is solidified. It is complete and working. However, when her promise and your expectation do not meet in the middle, the brand begins to fall apart.

Consistency in branding is at the heart of a strong brand. Consistency helps maintain and build the brand’s value. It helps create brand loyalty. Consistency also creates budget efficiencies, since the brand does not constantly need to define itself. And consistency helps a brand break through the clutter. In other words, brand consistency, simply put, is king.

View pdf file here.