All in Our Company
To celebrate my birthday today, I put my Apple watch into my desk drawer and took my old watch to the jeweler to have the battery replaced. I created an in-office schedule for myself that offers limited yet consistent weekly availability to my clients and an out-of-office schedule that creates more availability to my family. I turned off all social notifications on my phone. I turned off the news. I turned on some Lionel Richie. I felt better.
2020 has sucked, can we just say it? What a horrible, rotten year with loss and grief at every turn, a mean-spirited and endless election, a year of nothingness - no concerts, no openings, no parties, no family dinners, no leisurely strolls through the grocery store to mindlessly select the week’s menu without concern for the availability of food or the need to wear an uncomfortable mask and eye everyone else suspiciously for signs of illness. But wait…there’s optimism ahead?
America is a rich tapestry of geographies, climates, cultures, and people divided and united into states, cities, communities, and neighborhoods. America is a land with a rich history of migration and immigration; it’s a country of pride, passion, and power, as well as one of sorrow, struggle, and strife. There is no one story that fully captures what it means to be American, which is why the PBS American Portrait Storytelling Project was manifested to tell all of the stories.
Expectation of being a WAHM: You stay on top of your career while being present for your little one’s fleeting, formative years.
Reality: It takes 45 minutes to respond to an e-mail because of the endless demands for snacks, diapers, “Can I play with your phone?”, “Come wipe me,” and just, “Mom,” on repeat. The laundry pile looms behind you like the villain in a horror film (just smother me already) while your feral children’s toys multiply and spread through the house until it’s Jumanji. Seriously, who wet the gremlin?
You need help. You became a WAHM to get away from drama and to be the mom you always wanted to be, so what do you do? You get the tools and implement the strategies that puts your sanity first, that ensures your children are still being nurtured and are forming secure attachments, because you all deserve a peaceful, productive workday.
Another good argument for #NoMeetingMondays is that you can start your Monday at whatever time you choose. That sounded nice, didn't it? That was the Pinterest caption from the cutesy, I've-got-it-all-together-all-the-time mom who somehow makes sweatpants look tailored and has mastered whatever makeup trick it is that makes you look really awake/in shock all the time. Here’s the real caption:
The best business storytelling quotes are the ones that inspire you to take leaps of faith, to expose yourself, and to form meaningful connections with your audience based on authentic experience. These are the best quotes about business storytelling intended to inspire you to take your stories to the next level.
Great quotes about storytelling and quotes by great storytellers inspire us to dig deep and to tell our best stories.
Your story is as much of your identity as your profile picture, your business storefront, your webpage, etc. Anything and everything that happens to and in your story is a reflection of you and your brand, which is why learning how to build, protect, and heal your personal brand online is a must-do. At some point, you will likely do all of these things as you strive to achieve success and to maintain a connection with your audience.
This year, as we approach our seventh year, the Storyteller Agency relaunches, as something new, a collection of work-from-home writers offering writing services as well as a lifestyle blog and hopeful community of like-minded and like-living individuals. We are writers and editors, but we are also members of our families and lovers of living on our own time and schedules as much as we can. Those visiting our website will find a common thread and a familiar voice, one that's authentic and meaningful. One that offers wisdom and humor, and one that tells a good story.
There are many charitable organizations in the South Walton community that do incredible work. One organization with a tried-and-true track record of using funds and resources to make a proven impact in the community is Food For Thought, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Not only does Food for Thought Outreach ensures tens of thousands of Walton Country children eat every year, but they have also extended their giving to supporting Hurricane Michael Relief support. It is therefore because of that and for these reasons that we say you should support Food For Thought with your year-end giving.
Since its inception in 2005, the Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation (DCWAF) has donated over $15 million to Northwest Florida charities and has impacted the lives of over 90,000 children and young people through interaction with South Walton charities. A fabulous event characterized by a fast-paced auction, world-class wines, and unique experiences, the Destin Charity Wine Auction is not to be missed.
In less than one month, one of our favorite events will take place on 30A. The Seaside School Half Marathon & 5K and Taste of the Race dominate life on 30A for the weekend of March 2 through March 4, and it’s all for a good cause. If you’ve never been, let us be your guide.
While Beachy Beach 30A real estate agent Cameron Strayhan looks like the girl next door, she’s anything but, which is one of our favorite things about her. Born and bred in New Orleans, former attorney Cameron moved to the coast in 2006 and made a name for herself on the real estate market. She works primarily with 30A real estate, and her listings range from $300K to $3M on a regular basis.
The Seaside School Half Marathon and 5K Run presented by Vera Bradley is one of 30A’s most anticipated annual fundraising events with proceeds supporting technology, robotics, art, dance, music, foreign language, and teachable class sizes for the Seaside School. The event’s 16th annual race is March 2-4, 2018 and features a weekend of events from the fun (and delicious) Taste of the Race with Emeril Lagasse experience to the expo to the big run itself.
Each year, tens of thousands of animals are abandoned, abused, and neglected; in 2007, the founder of Alaqua Animal Refuge, Laurie Hood, could no longer stand idly by and founded the no-kill organization on a sprawling 10-acres of farmland in Freeport, Florida, which is located roughly 20 minutes north of northwest Florida’s Emerald Coast. Through its tireless efforts, Alaqua Animal Refuge continually makes a meaningful difference in the lives of the animals it sees.
Fall –or at least the occasional hint of it—is in the air during October, which makes it that much lovelier to get outside on Santa Rosa Beach. While you probably don’t need a good reason for hitting the outdoors (those pumpkin spice lattes aren’t going to drink themselves), many of our area’s local organizations are hosting fun events that help others while getting you into the spirit of sweater season.
A true steakhouse hearkens to a seemingly bygone era of glamour, charm, swank, and swagger. McKendrick’s Steakhouse in Atlanta is such a steakhouse, the kind of place where Ingrid Bergman would walk in just to rock Humphrey Bogart’s world. “Play it again, Sam” indeed. McKendrick’s Steakhouse was established in 1995 and has consistently been one of the best steakhouses in the country owing largely to its high standards for quality and consistency, its generosity, and its genuine spirit.
As humans, we owe it to our fellow man and woman to see and to act upon needs of others when and wherever help is needed. We say to start giving back where you live. Though idyllic in many ways, our quiet corner of the universe needs our help. The Storyteller Agency has been lucky to help tell the stories of many fantastic nonprofits in our community, and here are some ways you can give back to these organizations in September.
When you think of Sandestin’s inviting Residence Inn at Grand Boulevard and Courtyard Marriott at Grand Boulevard, you probably think “big hotel chain”; however, these two destinations are operated by Howard Hospitality, a group with the motto of “small hotel management company with big ideas,” which means they offer the convenience and guest-satisfaction of large opulent hospitality groups but it’s paired with unparalleled intimacy. Howard Hospitality also stands out for its volunteerism among local charitable organizations. These are the reasons we love working with Howard Hospitality and why we feel they’re overdue for a shout-out.
Our clients do amazing things for people (and pets!), and today we are celebrating you, WellPet! Read on to find out about all the amazing things this national brand is doing for the pets (and owners) of your community today.
