When your vision turns reality

A few years ago, I came across a lime green couch that I knew needed to be in my life. It seems silly that I would grow so close to a piece of furniture, but I'm a firm believer in following your gut-so we bought it. For a while it sat in our studio as a place for meetings, but as the years have passed I felt like it had a higher purpose. I have had ideas that never came to fruition, some that I thought were awesome, and some that were not. I always knew it would have something to do with helping people, but could never put my finger on it. One day it clicked after an impromptu brainstorming session with the Worx team. Risk takers spilling their gutsy is the purpose of the couch.

Late 2013 we started to develop the look of the brand. By the way, if you are a creative, or know someone who is, you'll know that creating your own stuff is the hardest. Quite frankly it's a pain in the rear. But when you hit that moment-ahhhhhh! The gates open, angels sing and the idea that was once lost in your head starts taking form-it becomes real.

Fast forward to just a few days ago. After six months of interviewing, filming, photographing, writing, designing, listening and inspiring, the website for The Green Couch Project went live. It's one of my favorite moments because everything you've worked for comes to life!

If you've ever poured your heart and soul into something, you know the emotions that come along with it. It's part of the deal when you're an entrepreneur. Here are some that I experienced, perhaps you can relate... 

• Excited!! Wow this is really happening!
• Scared. What if people hate it. What if no one cares?
• Fulfilled. This is something I've wanted to do for a lonnnnng time.
• Nervous. Now we have a promise to fill. There are expectations out there now.
• Happy. I love it! Every time I look at it I am filled with joy and peace.
• Anxious. I want to keep this momentum, lets keep moving forward!

All of these emotions and feelings are completely normal. I want you to know that you're not alone when you go from happy crying to scared crying within a moments notice. Starting and running a business is challenging. But notice that I did not mention regret. Were there hard times? Absolutely. Running Worx and creating a whole new side project is no easy task! But where there is passion and a vision, all things are possible.

If it's encouragement you're seeking today, I hope that the story behind The Green Couch Project is proof that it can be done. I encourage you to visit the site, listen to the stories and absorb the journeys of people just like you. 

If you're hungry for more, join the conversation by signing up for our newsletter and visiting the blog where the gutsy stories continue. Go ahead. #spillyourgutsy

People Matter.

When a client trusts us to collaborate with them in the development of their brand, the best results are achieved. Preferred Maintenance Group (PMG) contacted us to develop a logo, stationery and website to jumpstart the PMG brand. Delivering your message to the right audience is crucial to having a successful brand. PMG focuses on the client as an individual, giving them personalized and professional service like no other. They do things a little differently, focusing on building a trusting relationship with each client and taking care of every employee as if they were family. They needed us to help them communicate this with their brand.

Clean medical facilities are essential to the health of people, and the focus on health was a catalyst for forming the company. PMG specializes in commercial cleaning for medical facilities, professional centers, and multi-tenant buildings. Not every solution is one size fits all, and each contract is tailored to the needs of the client. A key component in their brand development was to communicate the benefits of using this service over another company on the website.

We were inspired by such a young talented entrepreneur and enjoyed the entire process from concept to completion. For more information about PMG, check out the website at http://www.preferredmaintenancegroup.com

We joined the circus!

Ok, so we haven't officially lost it. However, we did join some amazingly talented people at the 2013 AAF-GF ADDY Awards in February! What a night. Sword swallowers, a unicyclist, jugglers and creatives of all kinds came together for a spectacular night to recognize local talent. (and it wouldn't be a proper Worx photo if we weren't being crazy!)

We went in not knowing what to expect. If there's one thing that the ADDYs have taught us is that ANYTHING can happen. Anything.

The anything was in our favor this year. One by one we were called up to receive awards for our work.  A silver for Innovative, Inc's ad campaign (as seen in Hagerstown Magazine), three gold for packaging done for the talented Mary Kate McKenna Photography, two gold for last year's ADDY collateral, gold for the new Worx website and gold for the Worx 5 year anniversary campaign, Hi5. We finished off the night with a Judge's Choice Award for Mary Kate's packaging!

Nine? Did that really just happen?

I've had a few weeks to let all this soak in and find myself reflecting on the last 5 1/2 years. We've grown; not just in size, but as creatives, mothers, wives, business women and friends. We've learned so much, met many amazing people and feel like the fun is just getting started.

We have an amazing support system of spouses, families and friends. The Worx team goes far beyond the three of us! We are forever grateful to our clients. Thank you for inviting us to be part of your journey!

Focus on What You Do Best

We'll handle the rest.

From impressive degrees and certifications to hard-workers who have been in the industry for 15 or more years, Innovative Inc. is a talented and ambitious bunch. Since 2001, they have been providing the area with top notch IT services. They came to Worx several years ago when they outgrew their ability to handle marketing in-house.

By handing over their marketing and advertising, Innovative was able to focus on what they do best. As they continue to grow, Worx has become an integrated part of their team. The Innovative brand experience is seamless and gives customers a level of comfort unmatched by other IT companies.

To reflect the experience of working with Innovative, we collaborated on a website that focuses on the user. The scrolling design is easily viewed on a mobile device or home computer, has less loading time, eliminates the need to click from page to page, and all content can be seen with the swipe of a finger.

"I'm very pleased that we decided to use Worx Graphic Design for our new website.  Laura and her team have been very intimate with our marketing efforts over the last few years – so it only seemed natural that they should redesign our website. The process was organized and comprehensive, yet unobtrusive. It was also very refreshing to meet all of our timeline goals and launch our page on budget and on time!" 
-Jason Rappaport, President and CEO

For more details on how Worx has collaborated with Innovative, watch the video below:

The Glass is Half...

The edge that successful people have over others is their thought process. There are two types of people in the world: optimist and pessimists. Of course there is some overlapping at times. You could be the most optimistic person in the world and still have negative thoughts from time to time. It's human nature.

But here is the real difference. Pessimists tend to think that the negative situation that they are facing will last forever and is completely their fault. They throw their hands up and give in to defeat. Optimists see the same situation as a temporary setback. They know that external circumstances such as choices from others or bad timing can often affect us. Most importantly, they know and accept that this may not be their fault and move on. They believe their way through it.

Think back to a time where you allowed fear to make a decision for you. Is it a personality trait that holds you back? Maybe you procrastinate. Are you terrified of public speaking? The poison behind these things are not the traits themselves, but the mindset you have. "I've always done things at the last minute so I always will."

Here's the key: Shift your mindset! If you believe that you will always procrastinate, then you will. But if you slowly start incorporating things into your life that help you avoid procrastination, you will eventually kick the habit! What if instead of "there's no way I can do that," you said "I know I have potential in this." Set yourself up for success!

Optimistic people tend to live longer, are less likely to have depression and are most likely to be more successful in business and in life. A little self pep talk can go a long way!

(Photo courtesy of Julia Balfour, LLC)

Size Matters.

The positioning of a company is one of its most valuable assets. Since 1983, The Jewelry Shop has been selling quality jewelry at competitive prices, followed with uncompromising service after the sale. They have developed life long relationships with many of their customers over the years.

2012 was a year for change at The Jewelry Shop. To continue growing, they came to Worx to revamp their image and better reflect the quality business they are. The process began with a new logo, which served as the launch pad for the development of stationery, business cards, and a website with a mobile version.

“We wanted to work with someone who could take our ideas (our wish list) and execute it into a wonderful website. After meeting with several companies, we chose Worx. Laura requested a planning meeting with us and came to our store with her staff so that they could understand our business image and listen to our thoughts and suggestions. It was a productive and beneficial meeting to the development process.

We didn’t realize it until we began the process, but we needed and received a more cohesive brand. The Jewelry Shop has a beautiful, classy logo, new stationery and business cards, new email accounts and a new website! We also have a great partner to work with to continue to refine our business image going forward. The professionals at Worx Graphic Design are a fantastic team with which to work.”

Marjorie Motichka

Advertising.Marketing.Promotions.Sales.

The Jewelry Shop