Celebrating 5 years of a new business is a pretty great feeling. Looking back at the beginning of “will we make it?” and “are we really doing this?” seem like so long ago… and at the same time… feels like just yesterday. When I left my marketing job with Caribou Coffee, it was a dramatic departure with weekend meetings with the VP & phone-ins from the CEO, who later returned from vacation for a one hour meeting with me to tell me I was making the wrong decision. I did however have supporters – and those supporters truly helped make this a success.

When Daniel and I started this little agency on Grand Avenue on November 2, 2004, we spent the first six months doing anything to gain experience, learned from Photoshop for Dummies, and made cold calls to everyone we knew. Slowly, we gained one customer at a time. It officially started with a sign job on Grand Avenue for a remodeling company, then Fabian Hoffner and Brad Palecek hired us to to create ad campaigns, Orandi Pistachio’s direct mail campaign, Grand Avenue Business Association’s annual meeting invitations, Centennial Buildling Restoration’s brand identity and the list started to go on. Within the first 6 months we had about 15 clients. The following 6 months we had over 50 – so once it started…. it really started.

Today, 5 years later, we’ve moved offices 4 times, had big anniversary parties and small ones, had great months and very scary slow months, we’ve had great times and rough times, worked with small clients and big ones, been proud of our work and slightly embarrassed, but in the end, we’ve made it.

When I wake up and begin my work day, I find gratitude in it every single day. I am grateful that I’ve been able to work with my best friend in building something that is solely ours. I am grateful that I’ve been able to be my own boss and where jeans and T-shirts to work (most days). I’m grateful that I’ve had food to eat, house to live in and have paid my bills because of this job. Today I’m especially grateful that we’ve made it five years. That’s something to be proud of – and I am.

So thank you first and foremost to Daniel for being a very smart, creative, and fun partner, my family Brent, Nancy, Nicholas and Sarah for the continued support, and to all of our clients for giving us a chance, sticking with us, and spreading the word to help us build a successful company with many years ahead.

My best, my thanks, God bless,

Nathan