Time for a change

2 years ago Illumin8 woke up.

We figured out who we were and we made the bold call to never go back. We figured out "WHY" we existed, and worked damn hard to make sure that was reflected through all channels be it digital, print or verbal communications.

Yep, there was some fear involved.

What if no-one connects to who we see ourselves as?

What if we can't live up to the expectation that we set for ourselves?

But for me, I was more afraid of a different thought.

How could we really live with ourselves if we are not being authentic? It's not worth living the lie.

Sure - we are accountants, bookkeepers, business advisors and all-around troublemakers. But to us, this shift represented a change from having staff and clients, to having a TRIBE.

So we went from this

TO THIS

Fast forward 2 years and we have seen some incredible things as a result of the brand we have built. All based on authenticity, no bullshit, and a load of laughs. Ensuring our values of compassion, rebellion (for a cause), innovation, fun, familiar and engaging, playful and youthful, shared experiences and solutions flowed through everything we did.

Recently our head of communication Brooke Holmes made the massive call to pack up her life and head for the hills. I couldn't be happier for her, but it also left us in the lurch. She has been monumental in driving who we are forward, connecting with our peers, driving conversations with prospective clients, encouraging our team to shake off the old accounting feel and embrace the Illumin8 way and being an all-around legend (I mean she is that good Practice Ignition included her in their top 50 most influential women). Oh and she even let us take our Christmas photo even after tumbling down the stairs at the office....

Who was going to help me champion the continued development of brand illumin8?

Well, after a couple of months full of conversations meetings (some on the other side of the world), and reviewing proposals, I am stoked to announce that we have made that decision.

Welcome to the family Marcel McCarthy, from OneToo. Marcel helped build our website two years ago, and has been journeying quietly in the background with us over the past couple of years. And besides the fact that I have never seen him wear the same pair of socks more than once, he is a skilled communicator with great insight into modern marketing approach. Marcel will drive our regular strategy, implementation and guide our team internally.

AND

Welcome to the family Kevin Anderson, from The Story Edge. I have watched Kev from afar as he stepped into the self-employed world. So when I was in Scotland recently (massive blog to come), I had to find a way to meet up with him. I'd share a photo of our time together, but he was too short and didn't make the photo.....Kevin will be helping our team as a marketing/communications advisor and mentor. Supporting our vision and direction, as well as providing his high level of skill where required.

AND

Yes....another and......We are now on the hunt for a marketing intern. Someone who is looking for that experience as part of their university studies. Losing someone like Brooke, makes us realise all the little things that happen to bring everything together. So rather than doing it ourselves (cause hey...we should be doing accounting/advisory work) we want to offer an opportunity for someone to work with a bunch of misfits who give a shit.

So if you know anyone who will smash it out of the park - get them to give us a buzz!

So there ya go - baton being passed. Brooke has a couple of months left with us until the full transition happens. I can't thank her enough for the years of commitment she has given Illumin8. I also can't wait to get my teeth sunk into the future.

I know it's bright!

(get it.....like a lightbulb.....you know.....like Illumin8.....)

Peace out

Andrew