5 steps to celebrating milestones

Working towards a goal is sometimes easier said than done. Obstacles get in the way, time seems to fly by and before you know it its time to start the next big thing. But wait! There's a really important step that needs to happen first! YOU MUST CELEBRATE!

Something that I have to remind myself to do is stop and smell the roses. I've always got my eye on goal setting - what can we accomplish it and when? I'm training myself to stop and celebrate milestones. Sometimes victories are the smallest things, like cleaning out my inbox to read zero! Other times there are huge things to celebrate. We recently were chosen as one of the Blue Ribbon Winners for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Dream Big Small Business of the year award. This prestigious award ranks us among the top 100 small business in America! We could not be more grateful!! Here's what the U.S. Chamber President and CEO had to say about all 100 businesses:

“While our economy still struggles to reach its full potential, small businesses like our Blue Ribbon Award winners have continued to act as examples of the resilience, ingenuity, and opportunity at work in the free enterprise system,” U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue said. “Times can be tough, but these businesses have proven that they can be too. And by taking risks, watching out for their employees, and giving back to their communities, they’ve shown that success is achievable.”

To celebrate, we got some party supplies; noise makers, streamers and silly string and recorded a short video celebration to share with our friends, families and clients. We also had cupcakes and a group hug (yes, there were tears). View the video on our Facebook page!

I encourage you to celebrate your milestones. Even the smallest victories are victories! Here are a few things I recommend:

1. Celebrate as a team. Join in recognizing the person that has accomplished a goal or hit a milestone. Don't let them celebrate alone, bring everyone in! Everyone deserves time in the spotlight.
2. Go out of your way to verbally recognize. I love recognizing a team members accomplishment as a group but also in private. Tell your team how proud of them you are, what they did that you loved and how you've seen their growth. Spread some smiles and encouragement. 
3. Treat them when you can. A little thank you present goes a long way. Your team loves to feel needed and appreciated. It could be something as little as coffee on you! Know your team well enough to know what excites them. Treat them to something that shows your appreciation.
4. Share the love! Share your accomplishments with your peers and clients. Not in a bragging way, no one wants to hear that, but in a way that shows how grateful you are. Reaching goals and growth shows stability and success which gives peace and comfort. 
5. Treat yourself! If you've been working hard towards something, treat yourself when you reach it! Do something you love to do that you don't get to do very often. You've worked hard!

Last but not least, I give you permission to drive to your local party store, purchase some ridiculous noise makers and make a mess! It feels so great to take a break and look at what you've been working towards from a different perspective. Building on accomplishments gives everyone the energy and excitement they need to work towards the next one.

**Help us get to the next level by voting for us here!

Celebrating Our Risk Takers

2014 was a pretty incredible year for a lot of businesses. I could list all day why The Worx Girls love what we do. One of our biggest passions is being part of someone else's dream on a daily basis. We work with risk takers, big thinkers and passionate, driven people that are excited about making a difference in their life and the lives of others. We get to ride along in the side cart of their motorcycle and help them visually navigate through the twists and turns of entrepreneurship. We watch their success story unfold as they take the thought that once scared them and turn it into a lifestyle that fulfills them.

In 2014 we were blessed to have branded over 40 new or growing businesses (you can see a few of them above). 40 companies that are following their dreams, boosting our economy, solving problems and creating jobs for others. They took the first step into living the life they want!

In addition, we launched over 15 websites, kicked off The Green Couch Project and expanded our office space (much needed!). It's been a beautifully busy year for The Worx Family!

We're constantly blown away by the innovative and amazing people that knock on our email doors every week. Here are a few that we're especially proud of:

Innovative, Inc. and NOVA Corporation both made the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies in the US list for 2014.

In addition, Innovative, Inc. has opened a second location in Frederick and continues to grow their dynamic team to serve growing IT needs.

Nova has created 170 new jobs in the past 3 years and was named the 2014 American Indian Business of the Year award.



Food Safety Training Solutions, Inc. has expanded their marketing reach with over 7,000 Facebook likes from 45 countries. Every month they email thousands of viewers from 8 countries to keep them informed on #keepingyourfoodsafe. They are Nationally training the hospitality industry on Food Safety and have worked with some of the countries largest corporations, such as McDonalds, Starbucks and Dunkin' Donuts.




Nothing makes me happier than to hear a client say, "WOW. You made this real for me. This is something I can now show people instead of just telling them. I can't wait to use it!!" As an entrepreneur, it is easy to get stuck inside your own head. But when you partner with someone that believes in your passion as much as you do, beautiful things can happen.

Are you one of the passionate, big thinkers that we'll get to work with in 2015? I want to see your logo at the top of this page next year because that means you'll have taken the first step to change your life forever. Cheers to 2015 friends.

Top 3 reasons brands don't survive

Branding. It seems like such a strange word to those outside of our office. What is it anyway? Some might say a logo; some might say a color scheme. And while both of those things are right, they are just small portions of a company's brand. 

Branding is a combination of every interaction you have with your customers. When people see you, they see your company's brand. Are they having the same experience across the board? Here are a few branding elements that you may not be aware of:

• How you answer the phone
• The type of information you share on social media
• The type of music you play in your lobby
• The tone you use in your verbiage (website text, email signature, blog posts)
• Customer experience - how do you make your customers feel?

The strongest brands are born from leaders and team members living the brand. It should become second nature to walk the walk and talk the talk. As an example, I'll share a little about the Worx brand.  Our company culture is all about being authentic and enjoying life. We care for our clients in a way that they become family. When my team is excited and happy, our clients are excited and happy. That's why it is important to me to take care of my team. I invest in their knowledge, push them out of their comfort zones and celebrate their victories. And to me, this is second nature. It's not forced it's just the Worx brand, which happens to be the Laura, Amber, Kassie and Momina brand. We're the same people from 9-5 as we are from 5:01pm- 8:59am.

As an entrepreneur, I understand that everyday things can get in the way of growing your brand. Here are the top 3 reasons I think brands don't make it...

1.  Not educating your staff. Often your team is interacting with your clients more than you are. If your team does not understand what your company stands for, how to communicate with customers and have a big picture of where the company is going, then how can they be advocates of your brand? Your employees should be part of your business, not just working hands. Invite them to understand your company culture and be part of the big picture. Get them excited about working for you and that will translate into your customer’s experience. 
2.  Not being consistent. When you start your business, you get everything in place. Your logo, business cards, website, brochures and social media are all set up and in place. But do they look the same? Is your brand consistent wherever people are seeing you? Perhaps it was when you first set things up, but a few months have gone by, and now you've gotten lax on your brand. You’re using different fonts, not following up with clients how you used to and have stopped updating your social media. It's important to be aware of how your clients are or are not seeing you.
3. Not trying new things. It's so easy to get in your day-to-day operation. Paperwork needs filing, products need to be made and bills need paid. All very important things. But staying stagnant with tunnel vision can ruin a brand. What is up and coming in your industry? Or better yet, what trend can you set? What can you add to your marketing strategy that keeps people’s attention longer? What new method could you introduce? If you keep doing the same things, you'll keep getting the same results. Spruce it up from time to time!

Your team and your clients deserve the best you. If you want people to keep not only coming back, but turn into cheerleaders for your company, treat them well, every time. Give them the same experience no matter how they are connecting with you and bring them new and innovative ideas that position you as the leader in the industry. Why would they go anywhere else when they have you!

It started with a couch.

Seven years ago I started my business adventure from my couch. I was 6 months pregnant with my son, so putting my feet up was an added bonus. Each morning I cleared off our coffee table, set up my files, pulled out some pens and started to work.

Over time, the 4-5 hour days turned into 5-6 hours. Then 6-8 hours. Before I knew it, I had a "normal" workweek and the couch wasn't cutting it anymore, so I upgraded to an iMac and took over our kitchen table. Every night we'd clear the table and transform it from an office to a dinner table and then back again. I can tell you that got old. Quick. You also come to a point when you realize that you are only one human that would like to see the outdoors again. That's when it's time to hire.

Over the next few years we went through a number of office transitions, starting with the remodel of the back half of our garage. Each time we added a team member, it was like the next Tetris piece coming down and we needed to find the best space for them. First Amber, then Kassie and most recently, Momina. 

Now, picture this: a 12' x 13' room, 4 women and their desks, 2 filing cabinets and a shelving unit. It's a great thing that we all get along really well because we were close. Really close. For the last year, that's how we've been producing. The positive? We could chat and review things quickly. The downfall? We have supplies in the garage, under our desks, and everyone has to be silent when someone is on the phone. After 5 office reworks, it was time for expansion, again. 

We were so fortunate to find a house that was not only in our budget but had a full, unfinished basement that would triple our workspace; it would take a lot of work, but it would be so beneficial.

Getting into this space has been no easy task. For 29 days straight, day and night, we worked on finishing the basement ourselves with the help of some very talented and dedicated friends and family members. It's not easy to move your entire life in one month. Not only did we move the house, but we finished the new office and then moved it too. A quote comes to mind,

”If you’re going to do anything great in life there will be opposition, setbacks, delays, critics. When you have big dreams you’re going to have big challenges."

It has been quite a challenge to get to the point where I am sitting in my new space writing this blog to you. I also know that you have to work really hard to achieve your dreams. The word resilient comes to mind when I think about the last 7 years and 6 office upgrades we've worked through. Each one had its season and celebration. Each one is tied to a time during the Worx story and I am grateful to have experienced each one of them.

I chose to share the journey with hopes to inspire someone else to follow their passion and craft the life they want. I started this business from literally nothing but the idea that I wanted to raise my son from home while fulfilling my passion of being a designer. From the couch to the new space, I have treasured each step knowing that without that phase or challenge, I'd never get to the next victory.

As I sit here and look around, I see that victory. It's not just about more space and storage areas, it's about having a vision and watching it come to life. Today I am able to reflect on all of our accomplishments as a family, team and as an individual and am forever grateful for everyone who has supported the Worx team throughout the build out and over the years. I can promise you that the best is yet to come. 

If you're sitting there wondering how on earth you'll make your dreams come true, just trust that you will and work your tail off until you do. And you'll have bigger dreams to work towards by then! And in case you're wondering, we've built in space for the next 1-3 future Worx employees : )

Cutting Edge, Fast and Well-Crafted

When Eric and Jonas shared the dream of business ownership, they joined forces to create a full fabrication shop in Chambersburg, PA. The advanced equipment of YB Welding produced faster turnaround time and a higher standard of craftsmanship for the finished product. With more capabilities, the possibilities are nearly limitless on welding products they can manufacture.

YB Welding came to us with the need for a fresh, updated brand image. The first step in our process was a logo redesign that would represent the company as a cutting edge, state-of-the-art facility with a highly capable staff. To visually capture the positive outlook and expertise of the team, we spent a day immersed in their metallic world photographing their environment for future collateral. The next intentional step was to redesign the website, shifting the focus and welding sparks from custom trailers and trailer parts to emphasis on custom parts. This shift positioned the company to attract their ideal client - custom projects that would give clients an opportunity for custom design, ongoing work and relationships. The website is a direct reflection of the care and precision that goes into each project. Now, when browsing, users can see YB Welding using that cutting edge technology in capable hands, and the fewer limitations on what they can accomplish.

Featured on the new website is a 4-minute video that takes viewers into the world of YB Welding. Worx in collaboration with Cheick Kebe of Screen Storytellers was able to capture the industrial, advanced technology being used to craft incredible pieces. It was important that potential clients could see each step of the process so they know they can depend on accuracy and quality in a well-crafted product, many of which resemble art.

When a client trusts someone with a project, they deserve a superior finished product at a fair value. With a revitalized brand image, including a redesigned logo, website, and promo video, YB Welding can showcase their wide of range of fine tuned capabilities while building credibility and awareness in their industry with just that. Superior branding for their superior work.   

Feeling a little uncomfortable

I have a business motto that I live by: If it doesn't scare me (at least a little), it's not a good idea. Sounds scary, doesn't it? I agree. But here's the thing, if we always did things that we were comfortable doing, we would live the same life forever.

There are two kinds of fear: 

1. The feeling when you know something just isn't right, that what you're being faced with is a bad move or decision - follow your gut on this one.
2. OR the feeling where you know something great is right around the corner, but you're too afraid to take the step towards it - this is the one that gets most of us.

Think back to when you were a child. Everything was unknown! That first time you let go on the merry-go-round, the first time you had a sleep over away from home and the time you took your first bite of what is now your favorite food... although they are all low risk, back then they were huge!

Business is the same way (although some days I wish it were as easy as playing on the playground again). Instead of hiding from fear, embrace it! By taking a risk you open the door to so many possibilities - things that could change your life.

If that risk doesn't work out the way it's supposed to, know that it's ok! Failed attempts are not a sign of weakness but a sign that you've learned an important skill or lesson that will allow you excel at the right time in your life.

The next time an opportunity presents itself and it gives you that unsettling feeling, think about which type of fear it is. Are you going to change your destiny?

Live comfortably by being uncomfortable.


poster by Charly Clements on behance.net

High Five +1

Six years ago this week, in the worst economic downturn of our time, I took a leap of faith. Starting a business and leaving a full time paycheck scared the crap out of me. However, I have a motto that I live by. If it doesn't scare me, it's not a good idea. So here we are.

As a small business owner, I can relate to all the risk takers out there. There's something exhilarating and horrifying about each phase you grow through. One of the things I love most, however, are the endless possibilities. We have the opportunity to work with some of the most unique and dedicated business people and ideas in the world. From artists to doctors, schools and restaurants (to name a few), we've had the honor to be part of their passion. Watching people grow and succeed is priceless.

I've added some pretty amazingly talented people to the worx team along the way. Amber (3 years) and Kassie (1 year) have played such an integrated role in who we are today. I'm a firm believer in surrounding yourself with people that are 1. smarter than you and 2. have a unique talent. It's the distinct differences and talents that make the worx team what it is - fun and modern, precise and dedicated.

We have a pretty amazing support team, including the two cuties you see above. Our kids are our #1 priority and we're fortunate to work from the home office where we can watch them grow! Our husbands and families are pretty awesome too! AJ is a huge help to us, running proofs, monitoring print jobs and being the ring leader in this circus of a home office :)

As a team we've developed hundreds of brands, dozens of websites, and coached countless excited entrepreneurs. Even more exciting is there is so much more ahead! If you're thinking about taking the leap of faith, whether it's starting a business or expanding a current one, I encourage you to do it. The only thing standing in the way of your success and happiness is you.

"You can't try to do things, you must simply DO them." -Ray Bradbury

The Art Behind Flying Pie Co.

Every great concept starts with an idea. It's that gut feeling you get when you know something great is ahead of you. In this case, it was the night that we sat with entrepreneurs Greg & Marjorie Kane in our studio and they shared their passion to open a wood fired kitchen with us. From that moment on, we were all hooked.

Over the last year, we've had the privilege to bring their concept to life through branding and marketing. From helping to name the restaurant to hand drawing illustrations of their atmosphere, we've taken an idea and ran with it.

Some of the fun things that we've worked on with them:

• Concept development - what should the look, feel and tone be like?
• Branding - creating the Flying Pie logo, color scheme and business cards
• Illustration - one of the unique parts of their brand
• Apparel - shirts and frisbees (yes, frisbees)
• Advertising - spreading the word through print and outdoor ads
• Menus - 'cause people gotta eat!
• Social Media - creating a buzz and anticipation through facebook and instagram
• Website - taking the atmosphere online
• Environmental Graphics - signs, signs, everywhere there's signs
• Creative Coaching - being the go-to gals for ideas on decor and direction

One of the things we love most about what we do is being part of our clients journey. It's been an honor to watch the Kane's vision turn into an atmosphere that people love to be in. There's something special about sitting back and watching people enjoy the place you helped bring to life.

So what's next? I guess you'll just have to wait and see :)