Can We Get There From Here?

Dear friends,

Long before there was GPS, my college boyfriend took me to see James Taylor at Summerfest in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Because we were college students, we parked on a side street and thankfully found the car after the show but then got lost trying to get back on the Interstate. We stopped at a gas station where he ran in to get directions. When he returned, I innocently asked, "Can we get there from here?" He looked with a straight face and said "No. We can't." And then we both cracked up because of course, we now had directions and we were about to find our way home.

Where do you want to go? How will you get there? What will it look like when you arrive? These are the questions that create lift off when you're launching anything new. Whether it's an idea, a website, a new business or a vacation, we never go somewhere we haven't already gone in our minds.

In this issue of our newsletter, you'll find several stories of successful outcomes that started with an idea. In December, the Madison Ballet launched their Grand Jete' Million Dollar Capital Campaign. You may have read about it in the Wisconsin State Journal or saw on one of the TV news shows. You'll be hearing much more in the year ahead. The impact plans they have are grand indeed but more importantly, they matter most to the child who might not otherwise ever have a chance to dance. Nearly 20% of their students are on scholarship now and these gifts make it possible for them to do so much more and ensure our arts community stays strong in this region.

There are two other events coming up that you're invited to join us at. The Hearts for Homeless Gala for Shelter from the Storm Ministries is on February 10th and the Schools for Haiti Gala is on April 27th. I've seen some of the silent auction items for both events and you will not want to miss them! Plus, you'll be supporting those who are most vulnerable.

Women's Entrepreneurship Day Wisconsin's recap video is also highlighted in this newsletter. Corporate sponsors are needed for 2019. We will be talking with companies over the next few months, so if you would like to play a bigger role in front of this influential audience, now is the time to make sure your company has a prominent place on the stage and in all of the marketing for 2019!

We built a number of websites in 2018 including Just Coffee's website. Just Coffee is a worker-owned coffee roaster dedicated to creating and expanding a model of trade based on transparency, human dignity and environmental sustainability. They build long-term relationships with small-scale coffee growers to bring you and me a truly incredible cup of coffee. My personal favorite is Hummingbird which is a limited release coffee. We serve the Willy Street Blend at The Creative Company and would be glad to share a cup with you and talk about YOUR plans for 2019 and how we can help you get there from here!

Let's make it a banner year!

Laura

MADISON BALLET LEAPS INTO FUTURE WITH GRAND JETé CAPITAL CAMPAIGN

In December, Madison Ballet embarked on an exciting one million dollar capital campaign and enlisted the expertise of The Creative Company for design, press and launch.

The Grand Jeté campaign, meaning ‘big leap’ in ballet, is exactly what the ballet intends to do and will include moving the school to a new location on Odana Road. The efforts gained through the Grand Jeté campaign will allow Madison Ballet to reach more people in an improved facility, strengthening and revitalizing the program. It will also allow more students to achieve their dreams and for more children to experience the dance as nearly 3,000 children have been able to attend the School for free, with this number intended to increase by 15% by 2020.

The Creative Company can help your next campaign take off with a leap of success too. Let our team of experts join you and start planning today!

To arrange a consultation to learn more, please contact us.

If you would like to participate in the Grand Jeté Campaign, secure donations can be made by visiting the Madison Ballet website, by texting 'MadBallet' or 'BigLeap' to 4443-21 or by calling (608) 210-1672. Help Make Dreams Soar! Donate Today!

JUST COFFEE WEBSITE REDESIGN

WEBSITE REDESIGN GROWS MOBILE E-COMMERCE CONVERSIONS 31% IN 2018

It's no secret that most of us are using smartphones more often. And it is also no secret that, in general, e-commerce conversion rates on mobile devices have typically lagged behind desktop rates by 20 - 450%. This is a double whammy, for even trusted online merchants.

The Creative Company worked with Just Coffee Co-Op to address these and other brand issues. Even though Just Coffee's overall conversion rates were above industry averages, they had direct feedback from their committed customers that buying their certified organic coffee online, using a smartphone, was very difficult. A bit wonky, even.

By redesigning Just Coffee's Shopify based website buying experiences, Just Coffee saw a 31% growth in their mobile platform conversion rate in 2018 vs. 2017.

That translates into real dollars now and should continue to provide project ROI well into 2019 and beyond.

Do you have concerns about your mobile conversion rate? Would you like to build a new website We're here to help!

Connect with Craig Hadley, Lead Generation Specialist TODAY!

WEDWISCONSIN 2018 IN REVIEW

On November 19th, 2018 women entrepreneurs, business owners, founders, executives, policy makers and change agents came together again at a sold-out WEDWisconsin 2018.

We know that when leaders grow, revenues grow, jobs are created and lives are changed. 

Save the date for 2019 when we'll be back at the Monona Terrace on November 18, 2019. Sponsors, we are planning on having 70% of our sponsorships in place by May 30, 2019 so we can spend more time working on programming. You can find sponsorship information here. To schedule a time to meet with Laura about how your company can be a part of the movement that is making a real economic impact in the lives of people in this region, email or call her today.

WHAT DID ATTENDEES THINK OF WEDWISCONSIN 2018?

SAVE THE 2019 DATE: NOVEMBER 18, 2019

UPCOMING EVENTS

Shelter From The Storm - Hearts for the Homeless 4th Annual Fundraiser

Hearts for the Homeless is Shelter From The Storm Ministries, Inc.premier fundraiser that funds our privately funded shelter for single moms and their children who have found themselves homeless in our community.

Please come to mingle and enjoy live entertainment by Nine Thirty Standard, delicious hors d’oeuvres, carved ham with assorted mustards, cash bar, dessert, helicopter rides and live and silent auctions. Get your tickets today!

• February 10th, 2019
• 4:00 - 7:00 PM
• Buck & Honey's - Sun Prairie
• $50 per person

SAVE THE DATE! SCHOOLS FOR HAITI - 6TH ANNUAL FUNDRAISING GALA

You're invited to join us for the Schools for Haiti 6th Annual Fundraising Gala on April 27th to support a brighter future for children in Haiti while enjoying an evening of fellowship and philanthropy.

The Gala includes dinner, silent & live auction, great presentations on Haiti, and live music.

Today, Schools for Haiti educates over 1,700 students in the poorest nation in our hemisphere at 10 schools and provides nutritious daily meals, school clothes, and most importantly, hope! We also employ a staff of 159 which are entirely Haitian, greatly contributing to the local economy.

Evening Schedule:

5:00 p.m. Networking & Silent Auction

6:30 p.m. Welcome & Dinner

7:30 p.m. Program featuring former All-Big10 Badger & NFL Wide Receiver

Brandon Williams: Keynote Speaker

Doug & Lois Fearing of Fearing's Audio Video Security are personally dedicated and passionate about this cause and would love to see you at the Gala. 

• April 27th, 2019
• 5:00 - 8:30 PM
• Madison Marriott West, 1313 John Q Hammons Drive, Middleton, WI 53562
• $75/Person | $140/Couple
• Get your tickets or become a sponsor now!

MEET TRACY BROOKS, OUR NEW ART DIRECTOR

The Creative Company has welcomed Tracy Brooks as its new Art Director. With her extensive background in Environmental Design, Graphic Design and Marketing, Tracy will be able to take the Creative Company’s clients to the next level.

Tracy is an experienced and passionate marketing professional with a demonstrated history of cultivating relationships, inspiring brand champions, and prompting thought leadership while improving project management procedures and outcomes. She is known for creating striking and cohesive campaigns utilizing social media, direct marketing and traditional advertising methods achieving desired results.

Tracy will help clients brand their environments to help tell their story visually. “I am thrilled to have Brooks join the team,” said Laura Gallagher, CEO. “I’m looking forward to new opportunities she can bring to the Creative Company through environmental design.”

Previously Brooks worked as a marketing leader at McFarland State Bank, a Graphic Designer for Andy Garcia Productions, and an Interior Architect for the State of Wisconsin. “The Creative Company truly understands the value of telling your story, improving brand recognition and loyalty. I am thrilled to be part of such a talented team and look forward to bringing my variety of skills to each client served,” said Tracy Brooks.

Does your business have a need for creative design? Tracy's talents can help tell your story in fresh and engaging ways. Connect with her today!