From Unemployed to Entrepreneur — Mealtickets Celebrates 10 Year Anniversary
October 25, 2011
10 Miles Down the Road Less Traveled
11-1-11 is the anniversary of the day I let go of the the 8-5, steady paycheck life and slapped on a new name tag: Entrepreneur.
I had just lost my graphic design job, after 9/11 collapsed the travel industry, taking with it our ad agency’s biggest client. So there I stood in my Robert Frost moment, facing two roads diverged. I took the road less traveled by. It lead to the start of a little card company called Mealtickets & Unusual Ideas.
Now here we are, 10 years later. Still alive, still creating, and still working to promote the Traverse Area to the hundreds of thousands of visitors who travel to northern Michigan each year.
In honor of this milestone I decided to throw a party to thank my clients and friends in the hospitality industry, without whom my little business wouldn’t have grown.
On November 1, 2011 we’ll mark that moment in time when faced with two roads I took the one less traveled by…and that has made all the difference.
Mealtickets 10 Year Anniversary Celebration
Date: 11-1-11 from 5:30pm - 7:30pm
Food & Wine Pairings | Giveaways | Door-prizes | Drink Specials
We’re hosting a Happy Hour reception for our clients and guests to celebrate, with fabulous door prizes, Traverse Traveler swag and a throw-back to old fashioned social networking: face to face!
Want to join us?
Rate our app on iTunes and you’ll be entered to win a special Traverse Traveler prize pack including a guest invitation to our party!
Here’s how to enter:
1. Rate the app on iTunes
2. Email Brandy at info@mealtickets.com with a copy of your review!
We will draw names from the emails we receive and announce the winners on Friday, October 29th!
This event is by invitation only, so rate the app Today!
Shop Your Community Day | Downtown TC Gives Back 15%
October 14, 2011
Shop Your Community Day is November 12, 2011
Downtown Traverse City will continue to give back to the community on Saturday, November 12, 2011 during Shop Your Community Day. For every purchase made at the following stores, 15% of the sale will be donated to the participating organization of the customer’s choice! It’s that easy to support your favorite non-profit, and get a jump start on holiday shopping. In 2011, with the support of our community, Downtown Traverse City gave back a record setting $23,000 during this one-day promotion. The goal is to exceed the $25,000 mark this year.
Downtown Traverse City has always put charitable donations high on the priority list. Donations including goods, services and sponsorship of events benefit the local community all year long. When making local purchases, the business keeps three times more dollars in our community, supports and strengthens local jobs and preserves and enhances our unique neighborhoods, parks and public services here in Traverse City. Shopping local keep’s our community alive and has a profound economic impact on the Traverse City.
“We are blessed with a healthy Downtown here in Traverse City, but continued support of our local businesses is critical. A commitment to do so during this one-day event will also result in greatly benefiting the nonprofit organizations in our community. This truly is a win-win,” says Colleen Paveglio, DDA/DTCA Marketing Director.
Support your favorite organization and your local economy on Saturday, November 12, 2011 just by shopping Downtown. Look for the shopping bags with balloons to signify participating stores. Following is a list of participating Downtown merchants and non-profit organizations.
Shop Your Community Day is sponsored by the over 200 merchants, restaurants and businesses who are members of the Downtown Traverse City Association. Please contact the Downtown Traverse City Association at 922-2050 or e-mail colleen@downtowntc.com for further information.
Traverse Traveler App Featured in New Visual Marketing Book
September 20, 2011
I’m thrilled to announce the Traverse Traveler app will be included in a new creative idea book featuring 99 examples of successful marketing strategies.
Visual Marketing: 99 Proven Ways for Small Businesses to Marketing with Images and Design, by Anita Campbell & David Langton — To be released on September 29th
Here’s an excerpt from their publisher, Wiley:
“This book is an idea starter. Expect this book to stimulate the senses, inspire and spark ideas,” says Langton. “The 99 handpicked examples in this book are from organizations that have successfully used visual elements in their marketing—with solid results.”
Visual Marketing displays creative marketing campaigns that brought attention to small businesses in unique, compelling, and unexpected ways.
“We explored every aspect of marketing – from traditional to high tech, “adds Campbell. “We show examples of how print ads and marketing materials are evolving, how social networking sites and the world of mobile apps have redefined how people communicate and how quickly new marketing technology, such as QR codes, come along as technology progresses.”
I’m anxiously awaiting a copy to see the creative ideas from other designers, artists, entrepreneurs and small businesses featured in this collection. I hope you’ll pay a visit to your local bookstore and pick up a copy. It is also available on Amazon and in eBook format for those who love their tablets!
10 Places I’ve Never Been: Country Christmas
August 19, 2011
This summer I’m on a mission to explore uncharted territory in my own backyard, and improve Michigan’s economy one purchase at a time.
The strategy is simple. Visit 10 places I’ve never been before…just because, I’ve never been. Next on my list: Country Christmas
This is another one of those places that every local has driven past at one time or another. Located on the uphill side of highway M-72 as you’re headed out of Traverse City towards Empire is Country Christmas. This cozy cottage-like place, painted red with green gingerbread trim is the perfect spot for a crafty couple like Bill and Lee Smith.
It was Tuesday when I walked in, completely unannounced and was met with a smile by Tracy Smith. Standing behind a desk, and in front of a beautiful antique hotel key box, was his father, Bill. I was immediately impressed when the first question they had for me was, "Have you been in to visit us before, or is this your first time?"
I introduced myself and explained the concept for the 10 Places I’ve Never Been article series. With a nod of recognition, they quickly responded, "You’re going to want to talk to Lee." Around the corner she came.
The story of Country Christmas always goes back to Lee, and her love of homemade holiday crafts. For years Lee sold her creative Christmas decorations at arts and crafts fairs. She recycled and repurposed every piece of material, paper or holiday-themed gift that she came across. Pipe-cleaners, old spools, candy boxes, corks, cards, bits of fabric and ribbon all became materials for Lee’s creations. She saw potential in everything, and nothing was wasted.
In 1983 the antique store on these grounds came up for sale, just as their dreams of living on the bay were dashed by the housing market. A move to the country was in store, and their house suddenly sold to make it possible. That’s when Lee, Bill and their three sons went into the Holiday business.
Upon taking a tour to learn more about their products, Bill really came to life. As he guided me through the three main rooms he was so proud to show off each of his wife’s creative designs. We saw angels made with spools and tulle, simple clusters of corks loved by wine-tasting tourists, Santas painted on driftwood and little boxes designed from bits and pieces she collects. Each ornament brought a smile to his eye and a nod towards Lee.
But the store isn’t just filled with Lee’s handiwork. Over the years they’ve built relationships with artists all over the Midwest. In fact I began noticing red tags hanging on nearly half their merchandise — a sign that the piece is handcrafted and locally made. They were approached by one of the first Bronners employees who asked if the Smiths might like sell his handmade mangers. Since then Bill has begun decorating some with stones he finds along Lake Michigan.
They also have handcarved Santas, bells on leather straps from Ohio, and some very colorful handpainted ornaments from Traverse City artist Keith Smith. If handmade Christmas ornaments are what you’re shopping for, this is the place to go.
Another unique item Lee began to make and sell is called Chalkware. They started collecting antique tin folding chocolate molds. Lee fills the molds with a chalky plaster and when set, she paints the figurine. Each piece is handmade and unique.
There are many well-known collections available at Country Christmas. They carry Buyer’s Choice Carrolers, Santas, nativities, German glass ornaments and vintage pieces. Trees throughout the store show off collections of ornaments that will suit any holiday decor. I even found some lime green trees and modern fused glass pieces that fit the theme in my house.
If you’re looking for a personalized gift, you’ll love the solid cherry baby blocks which are laser-cut and personalized with your choice of designs on each side. With Lee’s steady hand she will paint a personal message or family name on nearly any item you wish.
One of my favorite features is actually something the Smith’s started doing to keep children busy while shopping with their parents. Pasted on the front door before you even enter the store, is a sign announcing that Waldo-Clause is hiding inside. The children spend their time searching all the nooks and crannys of the shop looking for Waldo-Clause. Once he is discovered and reported the kids get to select a small prize. But perhaps the bigger reward is the priviledge of hiding Waldo-Clause for the next eager hunter.
After wandering the store, in search of my purchase, I was immediately drawn to some whimsical lime green trees I could use for display. I sheepishly admitted, the holiday I’m really addicted to is Halloween. Sure enough I found a couple candy corn glass ornaments that will look great with my Halloween decorations. So I had my purchase. Now all I needed was a photo of the happy couple who started this quaint little store on the side of the road.
"I always told the kids, ‘Don’t buy me something, make me something’," said Lee. And it’s that philosophy that keeps her creating every day.
With our crafty backgrounds, and ability to see creative opportunities everywhere we look, I knew Lee and I were kindred spirits. It was my pleasure to meet such a sweet couple. And I’m sure I’ll be back to the Country Christmas store.
Country Christmas is open from Memorial Day to Christmas Eve, Monday – Saturday from 10-5pm, and 7 days a week starting on October 1st. You can find them at 9005 M-72 West, Traverse City, Michigan 49684. To place a special order call 231.946.6294. Visit their website at www.countrychristmastc.com. As with all my 10 Places locations, I’ll be adding them to the Traverse Traveler iPhone app — our free mobile guide to the Traverse Area. Download on iTunes here.
If there’s a place in northern Michigan you’ve been dying to visit, but you’ve never made the time, you have one more week to tell me about it on the Traverse Traveler Facebook page. I’ll be choosing my last place from your suggestions!
And stay tuned, as I plan to explore the next stop on my 10 Places I’ve Never Been tour: Two Fish Gallery.
Traverse Traveler Lip Dub Giveaway
August 1, 2011
It’s Official, the Traverse City Lip Dub is online and ready for viewing.
But did you know Traverse Traveler played a role in the production?
Check it out:
When I found out the Traverse City Film Festival was planning on creating a Lip Dub I jumped at the chance to get in on the ground level. After art directing a few TV commercials when I worked at a local ad agency I discovered I loved working behind-the-scenes on film productions. So I thought it would be fun to be involved in a community project that was designed to promote my town, Traverse City.
It turned out to be a great event. Over 100 people attended the kick-off meeting when we didn’t even know what the songs would be. With a handful of meetings and only a couple rehearsals, Max Fisher and the crew at FishSoup Films pulled together hundreds of Traverse City residents who were proud to showcase what an amazing town we live in. From the beginning this was an open event, where ideas were welcomed, shared and incorporated. Community members of all ages participated and represented dozens of organizations, teams, businesses and venues.
I walked into the first meeting expecting to work behind the scenes, and ended up in front of the camera. So I thought I’d have some fun with it. I decided to print a limited edition Traverse Traveler t-shirt to give away to my volunteer "crew" during the lip dub. And when I had one shirt left I saved it for a special givaway after the lip dub’s release. It’s time for that giveaway!
So here’s the deal.
1. Become a fan of Traverse Traveler on Facebook and "like" our page
2. Watch the Traverse City Lip Dub and look for me, and the Traverse Traveler crew (shown above)
3. You have until this Friday, August 5th* to email me with the lines I sing during the lip dub.
*The original deadline has been extended since the lip dub was released later than expected.
A winner will be drawn from the correct submissions. I hope you enjoy the Traverse City Lip Dub. It was a blast to be a part of this creative expression that all started as an idea from a couple of TCFF interns. It just goes to show what you can pull off when you put your mind to it—and spread the word to a few thousand friends on Facebook!
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- 10 Places I’ve Never Been: Nonna’s
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