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Earning Recognition: 5 Tips for Winning Small Business Awards

Small businesses are the foundation of the U.S. economy. According to a recent survey, the U.S. has 30 million small businesses which make up 99.9% of all companies. These small businesses employ a total of 47% of all workers in the US.

When entrepreneurs establish their businesses, they do so for many reasons. They include pursuing one’s passion, making profits and creating jobs. As time goes by, the small business will grow. To stay ahead of your competition, you need to do something different.

Small business awards are coveted American awards that can help you attract customers. They can enhance your brand’s credibility and make you a leader in your niche. But how do you get one?

In this article, we discuss 5 tips for winning small business awards.

Do Your Research

Before applying for the coveted small business awards, take your time to research. Start with Google, then the Chamber of Commerce and local business development authority. Try to find what awards are available and how they impact your business.

Are they the best fit for your small businesses? Are they reputable? Can the award help you gain national awareness?

Make Your Application Stand Out

Every year, small business award organizers receive many applications. In one category, you might find that there are over 100,000 applicants. To stand out, your application should highlight your unique selling points.

Don’t copy and paste your business goals and mission statement in the application form. Take your time to tell your unique story.

How did you start your business? What challenges did you face? How did you overcome them? What have you learned so far? What is your business culture?

Always Follow All Instructions

A lot of small business award applicants fail to follow instructions. This leads to failure as the judges will disqualify the applicant. To ensure that your application is considered, follow all the instructions.

That includes submitting the application before the deadline and label everything carefully. Doing this gives you an edge against other applicants.

Enlist the Help of Your Team

To improve your chances of winning the best business awards, you need to enlist the help of your team. They can gather information such as customer testimonials. They can also help you create a presentation that inspires, informs and motivates.

This will make your application stand out. Remember, if you win an award, don’t forget to recognize and thank the team in your speech.

Promote the Awards

Thanks to social media, you can now give some online love to the award organizations. To do so, use branded hashtags and tag the SBA awards organization in your posts. Promoting the awards will create awareness in your community. In case there is polling, your community will come forward and support you to get the award.

Getting Small Business Awards

The return on investment for small business awards is great. All you have to do is research, fulfill all the requirements and follow the instructions. Not only will your business get recognized but it will put you ahead of your competition. This helps you attract high paying customers.

Want to gain publicity by winning a small business award? Talk to us today!

Six Tips to Achieve Luxury in Printing Without Blowing Your Budget

If you’re involved in the creation of the design or business marketing strategy for your company’s brand, adding a print component is worth serious consideration.

People are hard-wired to pay attention and respond to touch, and print’s tangible nature commands attention and generates feelings of authority, higher emotional engagement and pleasure. And as multiple studies from organizations like Canada Post and Temple University (for USPS) have revealed, the likelihood of brand recall is also elevated with print. All of these attributes are especially desirable if the goal is to promote your brand.

But don’t think you have to blow the budget to illustrate luxury in print. While oversized printed pieces with multiple inks and post-press techniques will certainly captivate any audience, it’s absolutely possible to achieve a sense of luxury in print for your business marketing without spending a fortune as this article first published by Lithographics of Nashville will reveal.

Keep these top six tips in mind, and your printed piece will be well on its way to delivering elevated status for your brand.

6 Tips to Achieve Luxury in Print Without Blowing Your Budget

1. Choose a Paper that Enhances Your Story and Message

Paper is the canvas that not only brings your projects to life, but it also provides the tactile sensation that subconsciously delivers messages to the recipient. If you’re new to the world of paper,Coated vs. Uncoated Paper – When to Use Which by Jill DiNicolantinio is required reading. This blog provides a great overview to key differences between coated and uncoated papers, including aesthetic qualities and what can be expected from print results. Uncoated papers have a very warm and tactile nature that many consider luxurious. If a coated paper is your go-to, conveying a feeling of luxury might be as easy as switching to uncoated for your premier projects. And if you choose a high-quality uncoated paper (like an option from our Cougar or Lynx brands) you can also expect vivid color and crisp image.

2. Bring on the Heavyweights

Think about your initial reaction when someone hands you their business card printed on heavyweight paper—the immediate response of most people is an undeniable WOW factor. Heavyweight paper conveys an undeniable sense of importance and status in your business marketing efforts, and the feeling is often carried over to the brand or individual that the printed piece represents.

3. Image Selection is Critical

Think about the printed pieces that come from the luxury brands you love. Now, think about the images featured within that piece. Across the board, most feature custom photography with striking detail from photo shoots that were created specifically for that brand. In many cases, the image tells the story and evokes a feeling in a printed piece more so than actual words.

Even if a photo shoot isn’t in your budget, make a point to select stock photography that showcases excellent detail, vibrant color and lifelike skin tones. While highly stylized images might look appealing on their own, they have the potential to detract from the message and the brand when placed in layout.

4. Be Strategic with Post-press Techniques

Don’t dismiss post-press techniques as being out of your budget before talking to your printer. The size of an area of a foil, for instance, is one of the main factors in the cost. Next time you want to convey luxury on a budget, work with your printer to come up with the best solution to generate the biggest impact for your buck.

5. Size Matters

This is especially true if you’re mailing. There are countless instances where a graphic designer paid the utmost attention to the paper, printing method, etc. in order to keep costs down only to have the budget blown apart with mailing costs. Please, please, please do not wait until the end of a project before thinking about mailing! Keep mailing costs top of mind at the beginning of the project when considering size, weight, etc. and stay in contact with your mail carrier to make sure your project stays within your mailing budget. For a thorough outline of various direct mail types (and many more fascinating tips), invest in a copy of Designing For Print by Marina Joyce.

6. Don’t Discount Digital

Still thinking of digital printing only as an option if you want a low quantity job printed inexpensively for your business marketing needs? If so, you are way behind the times! While digital printing is still a great option for small quantities, more and more creatives using it as an option for exclusive and high-profile projects. A great example is featured in the video below and in a recent Gallery Spotlight: The Sterling Collection VML’s 25thAnniversary Book. With a front cover that showcases a brilliant silver foil and interior pages printed on 65 LB. Cougar (featuring the vivid color and crystal-clear reproduction that any creative would expect from this elite brand of paper), this piece is definitely a show-stopper. And considering that this piece was digitally printed on an HP Indigo 7600, it’s a true testament to how far digital printing has come.

In conclusion, print products clearly have an important place in your brand’s marketing strategy. For more insights about how to use printing to elevate your brand, contact Lithographics of Nashville. As a Middle Tennessee Best in Business award winner, we are certain they can help you achieve your goals!

The Business Benefits of Applying for Company Awards Programs

How do company awards set your business apart from the rest? Is it really worth all the hype of applying for industry recognition programs? Find out here…

Applying for company awards programs takes up valuable resources. It’s another time-intensive project on the to-do list for your busy team.

Is it worth it? Do the benefits outweigh the costs?

The results of a study of 600 quality award winners say yes. The University of West Ontario and Georgia Institute of Technology study showed that quality award winners outperform the competition by:

34% in stock price
48% in profit

It’s worth it to your bottom line. But that’s not the only benefit of company awards.

Here are some of the key benefits:

Credibility

Customers give their hard-earned money to companies they trust. They research the market before they choose which company they believe in.

Company awards boost your company’s credibility. They are a seal of approval for your company’s standards. They tell customers about your company’s dedication to excellence and quality.

Winning a prestigious award raises the profile and status of your company in the local community. It elevates your company. It helps others see you as one of the leaders in your industry.

These benefits make it more likely that customers will choose your company.

Visibility

To generate revenue, you need to convert potential customers into paying customers. To get more paying customers, you need more leads in your pipeline.

To get more leads, you need more people to know about your company. Company awards increase your company’s visibility in the community.

They provide free advertising for your company. They highlight your company’s strengths. That’s an important step in converting them to loyal customers.

Want to see this visibility in action? Check out our award recipients.

Employee Engagement

According to Gallup, only 34% of the U.S. workforce is engaged at work. Most workers don’t look forward to work. They don’t give their best effort at work.

This impacts the financial performance of the company. It’s also detrimental to company culture.

Company awards can improve this situation. They give you the perfect opportunity to boost employee morale.

When your company is nominated for an award, say thank you to your employees for their efforts and contributions. If your company wins an award, celebrate the win as a team and recognize the accomplishments of your teams.

Often when employees feel valued, they invest more of themselves in the company. They’re more motivated to take ownership and accountability. They’re more likely to stick around instead of joining the competitors.

Competing for Company Awards

There are no free lunches in life. Competing for company awards takes time and money. And there’s no guarantee you’ll win.

Why apply for them then? Because it’s an investment in your employees and company that produces long-term returns.

Company awards help your company stand out from the competition. They help your company become a leader in your community. They shine a light on the great work of your talented employees.

They’re worth the commitment. Don’t apply for just any award though.

Go after awards you’ll be proud to win. Go after the best company awards. Learn more about Best in Business Awards.

Healthcare Professionalism: How to Choose an Exceptional Healthcare Provider in Middle TN

Healthcare Professionalism: How to Choose an Exceptional Provider

All healthcare providers have the education to practice their specialties, but do they also possess healthcare professionalism?

Healthcare professionalism is a wide range of characteristics that enhance the healthcare experience. These include great communication skills, trust, and sound judgment.

But, how can you know if a healthcare provider has these characteristics before visiting their office?

Finding a long-term healthcare provider is sometimes challenging. You want to make sure you find a great match but may not know exactly how to do so. You also would rather not waste your precious time seeing multiple doctors to find the right one.

So, how can you get a better idea of which healthcare provider will be right for you in Middle, Tennessee? Read on to find out.

Healthcare Professionalism: Finding the Best Doctor in Middle, TN

Great healthcare is always worth the expense. Getting quality healthcare means your doctor works to understand your needs, gives sound medical solutions, and provides great customer service. Explore the following ways to know if your healthcare provider exceeds at healthcare professionalism.

1. Website Design

Healthcare providers interested in providing quality service will have a professional website. Their website will be up-to-date, explain their specialties and background, and their treatment goals. They will also explain how they do business and what patients can expect from their experience.

Look for healthcare provider websites that include testimonials, contact us pages, and sophisticated website designs. Putting the effort into perfecting their websites shows they care about how they’re viewed and their patient’s healthcare experience.

2. Patient Referrals

Word of mouth is still a very powerful tool for assessing a business. Online reviews can also be helpful. Ask your trusted friends, family, and colleagues who they trust with their healthcare needs.

If they have a healthcare provider that is a true professional, then you can expect them to be more than happy to refer you to their practice. Make a note as well of healthcare providers that your trusted sources tell you to avoid.

3. Awards and Recognition

Take patient referrals a step further and see which doctors have awards from third-parties for providing outstanding service.

To receive awards, businesses need to be in good standing and be nominated by their patients. Third-party award companies will then interview the healthcare provider and put them through an extensive selection process.

If the healthcare provider received good marks during the selection process, then they will receive a distinguished award. The healthcare provider can then display their awards on the websites and in their office. This way they can let patients know they excel in service and healthcare professionalism.

Ready to Select a Healthcare Provider Who Exceeds at Healthcare Professionalism?

Healthcare professionalism is essential when receiving health advice and treatments. It’s imperative we know who we’re trusting our health and our lives with so we can feel at ease.

Want to know who received a Best in Business Award in Middle, TN? Review our list of recipients to find out.

How do you select a high quality service company for your home?

Finding good quality service companies is a common challenge that many home owners face. It seems like there are so many specialists that sometimes a new home-owner feels the need for a small team of experts to keep their investment in good shape. Home owners often wonder who they can trust that will do a good job for a fair price. With all the advertising out there, it’s hard to know which companies to trust. Here’s a short outline to help make it easier to spot good quality companies.

Use On-line Business Directories to find Quality Service Companies

What is ironic is that there are more ways than ever before to find good quality companies. The first on-line source most often checked is the Better Business Bureau. And while the BBB certainly is one source to look at, it is not always the most reliable. The reason for this is that many clients may get frustrated, but not enough customers will file a complaint with the BBB. As long as no complaints are made, the company retains their positive rating. And contrary to popular belief, reputable companies also can also get bashed on the BBB website despite taking serious steps to resolve a complaint. This happens when the consumer refuses to be satisfied with the company’s resolution efforts.

Look for On-line Reviews from Real Customers to find Quality Service Companies

So, what is the next place most often checked when trying to find good quality companies? On-line reviews on third party platforms like Yelp, Google, and Yahoo. These type of on-line directory (or search) services are always worth looking into. However, there are still issues to be had in this category of research as well. First, Yelp is notorious for blocking legitimate reviews due to ‘grammar, punctation, etc.” And in today’s text-friendly world, reviewers are often not grammatically correct. Google is also often considered an excellent source for 3^rd party verification of a company’s reliability & credibility. Unfortunately, Google reviews need to be taken with a grain of salt as well. With fierce competition in many industries, many business owners will admit they have been plagued by false negative reviews (with little recourse). What is the solution? Ultimately, it involves reading through enough reviews on these platforms to get a sense for the overall theme.

What kind of themes are you looking for in the reviews posted? Here are a few questions to ask:

Is the overall sentiment positive?
Do the negative reviews cite specific issues that the company is trying (or has tried) to address?
Do the reviews seem genuinely written by actual customers? (too many that are all the same or 80% similar content could indicate false reviews)

Look for Award-Winning Companies

Another way to you can check out a business is to see what types of awards and recognition it’s recently received. In North Alabama, there are several recognition programs that try to use objective criteria, in addition to the Best in Business Award. As an award program that is designed to recognize excellence, the Best in Business Award Program uses several metrics to determine which local companies should become recipients each year.

In addition to the Best in Business Award Program (which serves Alabama, Middle Tennessee, and Georgia), the Chamber of Commerce Association of Alabama (CCAA) and the Business Council of Alabama (BCA) also recognizes “Small Business of the Year Awards” and those companies are announced at the CCAA/BCA Partnership Annual Meeting/Luncheon in Birmingham, Alabama. In addition to associations and organizations, local chambers of commerce will often provide recognition to local companies for their outstanding contributions or services.

The answer to the question that started this blog is the same as it has been for the past 20 years: Research your service providers as thoroughly as possible. The twist is that now all that info is on-line, and the consumer is tasked with integrating information from several sources:

Cross Reference Multiple Sources to Find High Quality Service Companies

Recommendations from friends and neighbors
On-line reviews
Third party recognition programs (like Best in Business Award, Chamber of Commerce Associations, etc.)
Personal interactions/interviews

There are really many excellent service providers out there that are willing and able to do good quality work- don’t let a few bad news stories cause excess worry! With all of the on-line tools available, finding good quality services that are reliable can be as easy as drinking a cup of coffee in front of your computer!

NXTSTEP for families in crisis

When Joe and Louise first married, they promised to stay together for better or for worse. Twelve years and two kids later, “worse” came, and their lives were turned upside down. Though they tried to make things work, the situation became miserable for the entire family and difficult choices had to be made.

Fran was terrified that she might not be able to hang on to her two boys. As a single mother, the challenges she faced on a daily basis weighed heavily on her, and now the threat of losing custody of what she cared most about in the world was overwhelming.

Shane’s parents had always put him first, and now it was his turn to take care of them as they both struggled with debilitating health issues. The situation was made much more stressful by disagreements with Shane’s siblings about what was best for them, and it was becoming very confusing.

When a family finds themselves in the middle of a crisis that is emotionally, financially or mentally devastating, not knowing what to do can make the situation even worse.

Kris Sexton and Coby Boswell understand this very well; they are the partners at NXTSTEP Family Law, P.C., and their mission is to help mothers, fathers, children or grandparents resolve family law issues, and take the next steps to a new life. Every case – every family – has its unique challenges and circumstances, and should be treated that way. That’s exactly what happens at NXTSTEP.

What is truly unique about this firm is the importance they place on accessibility. When someone like Joe, Louise, Fran or Shane hires this firm, they will gain access to their own team of caring, legal experts. From the first call to the final resolution, every client has a connection to an entire team of professionals who will keep them informed and reassured every step of the way.

NXTSTEP Family Law, P.C. has earned recognition in the law industry for their work, and continues to be awarded accolades. Besides becoming a recipient of the Best in Business Award, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce named Kristina Sexton as Young Professional of the Year 2018 and in 2017 the firm was awarded Emerging Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce. In 2017 & 2018 Coby Boswell was named a Rising Star by Super Lawyers. Kris and Coby both maintain an Avvo Rating of 10. Kris named by the American institute of Family Law Attorneys as one of the 10 Best Female Attorney in Alabama. Kris and Coby both have also garnered recognition for the National Advocates Top 40 under 40. The firm was recognized by the Alabama State Bar in 2017 for their contribution to Equal Justice in Alabama for the pro bono services they provided to clients who were qualified by the Madison County Volunteer Lawyers Program for the same.

These awards point to the success of NXTSTEP’s work and client satisfaction. Equally important, though, are the many testimonials from people who have faced the most turbulent times a family can go through, and found that right in the middle of the turmoil, NXTSTEP is the source of calm reason and orderly direction. As Kris says, “We see people go through all the stages of grief during this process, and emerge from the experience changed. They find closure, resolution and a sense of peace about the future.”

501(c)(3) Charity Recipient Named Again for Second Year in a Row

We are very pleased to announce that Kids to Love has again been named the 501(c)(3) charity recipient for this year, 2020. They were also our 501(c)(3) charity recipient for 2019 as well. For this very special Best in Business Award, North Alabama recipients area were asked to nominate a non-profit they feel is worthy of this award distinction. It is always difficult to decide on this, as our community has many well deserving charitable organizations.

The staff of Kids to Love will be invited as our guests of honor at our Best in Business Award’s annual reception for its recipients.

ABOUT KIDS TO LOVE

Since 2004, the Kids to Love Foundation has directly impacted the lives of more than 250,000 foster children. Their goal is to find “forever families” for children who are waiting to be adopted. The work this organization does is quite incredible; not only do they find families for many of these children, but they have provided scholarships to high school students and offer KTECH, which is Mechatronics/Advanced Manufacturing training. As a part of the KTECH training, young adults are able to learn life skills through LifeLab.

There is so much to this wonderful organization, please visit their website for more information.

Good Samaritan Hospice: The Shoulder Northern Alabama Leans on During Painful Times

Good Samaritan Hospice director Jim Pride, a former business owner and realtor, was asked by Janet Melton to come to work at her new company in 2009. And he did. “While I enjoyed the work, it wasn’t something I was passionate about,” Pride admitted. But then, something amazing happened.

He had been working there for a few months when he received a phone call one Friday at 4 p.m. One of his patient’s wives was asking for some help. Her husband was under hospice care and he needed some supplies for the weekend ahead. Pride volunteered to drop off the items Good Samaritan Hospice provides to their patients. He arrived at the South Huntsville residence and knocked on the door. The wife asked him to bring the items into her husband’s bedroom. “There was a frail older gentleman suffering with COPD,” Pride recalled. “His head perked up and he asked ‘Who are you?’ As I was telling him who I was, I ended up sitting down and chatting with this elderly couple for quite a while. When I left, all I could think about all of the way home was that I actually made a real difference in their lives that day.

“The next morning, my wife and I were drinking coffee and I told her then, ‘I really believe I’m going to work on Monday morning with a different outlook. I can see now that I can make a difference, and I can help people. That was my moment of clarity.” Pride has been there ever since.

Over the next few months, Pride got more engaged. He started a program he continues to this day, calling all of his patients on Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings to see how they’re doing and learn if they’ll be needing supplies over the weekend. “It’s often the caregiver whom I talk to. They seem to appreciate that call every week. When I am done asking about the patients and their supplies, I always ask, ‘How are you doing? Is there anything we can do to make things easier on you?’ They really appreciate that.”

Pride spends many of his days presenting to local groups, educating them on the role hospice plays during end of life care. For example, Pride discovered that the general public often doesn’t realize that hospice is a benefit, usually covered by either Medicare, Medicaid or private insurance. “The inability to pay should never disqualify any individual from receiving quality end-of-life care,” Pride reassured.

Another misconception is that people associate hospice with the last few weeks or days of someone’s life. Contrarily, people can have hospice for as long as they continue to meet criteria. Pride explained, “In the most basic sense, if the patient is still declining, you have an unlimited number of certification periods for hospice to serve you, as long as you meet criteria. The criteria vary for different diseases.” Pride went on to explain that there are two consecutive 90-day certification periods at first, and if the patient continues declining after that six months, their team can re-certify them after that for an unlimited number of 60-day periods as long as needed.

Pride shared that it takes a special person to do hospice work, and when they recruit staff, they typically seek out people who have done this type of work before. Another large part of their support is their non-denominational chaplains, providing emotional and spiritual support. “Often, we have unchurched patients,” Pride elaborated. “We are really pleased that our chaplains are often asked to officiate at the patients’ services. It says a lot.”

Best in Business Award recipient Good Samaritan Hospice serves all of Northern Alabama. For more information, please visit gshospice.com or call (256) 772-8108. Consultations are always complimentary.

Fly Away Airport Parking: The Nashville Traveler’s Alternative

Did you know that the average driver anywhere around the world spends 20 minutes per trip trying to find a parking space?¹ Sound familiar? Add to that the stress of having a plane to catch, and perhaps an entire family to corral, and it quickly becomes a recipe for anxiety attacks. But for Nashville business and leisure travelers, there’s an alternative: Fly Away Airport Parking, the off-airport parking alternative. Located at the south side of Nashville Airport, the lot consists of 10 prime acres, with spaces for up to 1,500 cars at one time.

Fly Away Airport Parking is the cost-effective, easy way to park and fly without the hassle of waiting in line. Users simply set up an account online with their credit card—PCI compliant–and Fly Away Airport Parking does the rest. When a traveler drops off their vehicle, the attendant provides them with a ticket, billed to their credit card, and the Fly Away Airport Parking shuttle bus takes them to the airport. Upon the traveler’s return, they can text the claim check number to Fly Away, and the Fly Away valet will have their car waiting for them, along with an ice-cold bottle of water. (Fly Away founded this tradition several years ago after finding most of their customers are dehydrated after a long day of traveling).

Fly Away Airport Parking customers earn 10 points for every 24 hours they park with them. Once they traveler has reached 50 points, they’re eligible for one full 24-hour day of free parking. “We have some customers with more than 1,000 points,” said Yonas Yakob, General Manager. Fly Away Airport Parking also offers aggressive digital coupons, often as much as 40% off.

As proud supporters of the U.S. military, merchant marines, and first responders, Fly Away ensures they receive the largest discount of any program they offer, as low as $6.95 a day. Many Fort Campbell travelers from Kentucky take advantage of that program, Yakob notes. At the Nashville Fly Away office, the large American flag and the five services flags underscore their commitment to our patriots. “It’s the right thing to do, morally,” said Yakob.

Yakob is pleased to report Fly Away Airport Parking has little employee turnover. Similar to Southwest Airlines in their approach to hiring and corporate culture, they seek upbeat employees who joke with the customers and exude a friendly, can-do attitude. Yakob shared that they are currently seeking two more drivers and two more valets for the Nashville location. (The drivers need to be able to drive a dual-axle shuttle, requiring an F endorsement.)

“We have great success in hiring seniors as our shuttle drivers. They’re always here on time and they’re reliable in every way,” Yakob opined. While the shuttle drivers earn $9.00 per hour, they routinely average $150 per day in tips. “We welcome people who have a good work ethic, good decision making skills and who are willing to work hard, fast, and long. If you can do that, we have opportunities for you,” he said.

By 2 p.m., Yakob estimated he had yet another 280 customers landing whose cars his team would valet by day’s end, but he ended the interview by welcoming people to submit their job applications to him via [email protected] or call (615) 367-2200.

IBM Study in 2011: http://www-03.ibm.com/press/us/en/pressrelease/35515.wss

Monica Yother of MY Designs: What Happens When A Traditional Artist Turns Graphic Designer

The old adage, “Find what you love to do, and you’ll never work a day in your life” applies to MY Designs owner Monica Yother. From Huntsville’s Lowe Mill ARTS & Entertainment, Monica is hard at work in Studio 114—she might interject “hard at play”—helping start-ups with their brand identities, refining existing brands and marketing strategies, something she’s been doing since 1987, and in her spare time, using her artistic talent to support non-profit organizations.

“There are many similarities between making art and crafting a design strategy,” she explained. When she first sits down with her clients, she discerns their company’s personality and the market they’re trying to reach, identifying appropriate typefaces and imagery. “Whether my clients are business-to-business or consumer facing, we look at the bigger picture together. We interpret their visual designs to create one cohesive message, so that the customers they’re trying to reach will understand it at a glance.”

Monica is hard-pressed to qualify her perfect client, as she has “so many awesome clients,” including the recent food truck client she helped design their logo and visual branding, but she has a soft spot for the non-profits she supports—the Huntsville Ballet, a local horse rescue in Huntsville, and any non-profits related to horses or the arts. “My favorite things to paint have always been dance and equine art. I paint in acrylics, oils, watercolors and pastels. I do some mixed media, as well.”

In addition to her marketing, creative director and graphic design work, Monica has a separate business called “My Horses Art” where she hosts painting parties for non-profits to fundraise, kids’ birthday parties and for corporate team-building events. She donates 15% of those earnings to the aforementioned Huntsville horse rescue.

In much the way adult coloring books have become wildly popular as a relaxing way to tap into buried creativity, so have the group painting events. “I recently had a dental practice do a team-building exercise here,” she recounted. Her 20’ x 24’ studio accommodates up to 18 people, but her typical group is 10 to 12 painting enthusiasts. “My focus is on creative fun. Everyone walks away with something they’ve painted that is completely different from their neighbor. As for the birthday parties, parents often tell me, ‘This is the quietest kids’ birthday party I’ve ever had!’” she added with a laugh.

Monica’s future plans include growing her one-on-one training workshops. For a $150 fee, she gives two hours of her time teaching people the basics of Photoshop, InDesign, social media graphics, blogging, WordPress and more. “I had one client who needed a book cover, and together, we designed it in two hours. My workshops are economical for business people who need to learn how to do something…we actually work on their project.”

For more information on Monica and her services, please call her at 256-520-4134 or visit her websites as follows:

MyHorsesArt.com (for painting parties, birthday parties and fundraisers)
MonicaYother.com (for commissioning original paintings)
My-designs.net (for graphic design, websites, branding, marketing strategy and booking her 2-hour workshops)