YESTERDAY, I QUIT . . .

I quit thinking small.

I quit thinking I need to do it all myself.

I quit discounting my talent and services.

I quit thinking I am supposed to know how to do everything.

TODAY, I  BELIEVE . . .

I believe I only attract those people who are excited to be working with me.

I believe I’ve “GOT THIS”!

I believe it’s OK to take breaks during the day and let my mind rest while NOT working.

I believe what I do contributes to the positive awakening of the world.

And tomorrow . . . I TRUST everything will work out just dandy.

Because, after all . . .

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Certain things are not meant to be lukewarm.
Showers. Hot Chocolate. Eggs. Gravy. Relationships.
. . . and why not “dougwarm” or “anniewarm”?
Research shows the word “lukewarm” popped up around the 14th century as meaning “slightly warm”.  “Luke” is derived from “lew” or “lewk” or “leuk”, in Middle English, which meant “tepid” (slightly warm). This in turn came from the Old English adverb “hlēowe,” which means “warm or sunny.” Additionally, “hlēowe” came from the Proto-Germanic “hlēwaz,” meaning “warm.” Within two centuries, it also began having a figurative meaning, that of “lacking in enthusiasm.”
Here in the United States, lukewarm tends to connote “less than” warm . . . as in, were things to be ideal, what you have in front of you (hot chocolate, eggs, a first date) should be warmer. . . and warmer would be better, if not best.
At Davis Creative, we don’t do lukewarm.
Our clients reach out to us because they know they will never get “lukewarm” nor “almost.” We don’t do things “almost” . . . we do them right the first time, with enthusiasm, excitement and eagerness.
You deserve the best, you expect the best, you get the best. 
Now . . . if you are Dutch, and just happen to be living in the US . . . and just happen to be working with Davis Creative, feel free to use the word, “leuk” (pronounced LUKE). Research also shows that the Dutch currently use this word as in “cool” or “nice.”
So, if you like the services we have provided for you, please feel free to respond enthusiastically with “LEUK!”
We’ll think you are pretty-cool, too.
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Serenity, Simplicity and Sanity will always
OUTSHINE & OUTLAST
Chaos, Clutter and Confusion 

. . . whether it comes in the form of personal relationships, world politics, that spare closet, or your marketing message. Like attracts like. What we put out into the world gets reflected back to us . . .
Driving home last week from an early evening event, the neighborhood was already engulfed in darkness at 6pm, even with streetlights. As I turned onto my street, another car was headed towards me, and as it got closer, I noticed the car manufacturer’s logo on the front grille was back-lit, ever-so-subtly, catching my eye and drawing attention to it. It was a Mercedes . . . with an “Extra TOUCH” to draw me in.

Now, I’m not a “car” person, but I love fine design. Movado watches. Chanel. The Republic of Tea. Korbel Brut Champagne. Mercedes.

What I passed on the road was not one of those cars which had been retro-fitted with neon “running lights”, hyper-extended chassis, thrust mufflers, and boom boxes (showing my age?!). That is NOT what I saw the other evening. What I saw was the epitome of refined design. A simple whisper which spoke volumes . . . and got me to notice.
What seems, at first glance to be uncomplicated, minimal design . . . is actually, just the opposite. It takes more time and thought to create the designs which epitomize great products and services  . . . to add that Extra TOUCH of refinement.

Adding the Extra TOUCH to a brand begins with . . .

  • T – Timeless simplicity
  • O – Optimized awareness of your audience
  • U – Uncomplicated, uncluttered elements
  • C – Creative, memorable design
  • H – Honest, authentic, lasting impression

So, when you are ready to Shine, Stand Out and Get Noticed for all the right reasons . . . reach out. 

We can help you find that one, unique Extra TOUCH, specifically for YOU and your brand.
We Brand, We Design, We Publish.
We Help You Shine.
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We were craving Chinese food and our usual local favorite restaurant was under new ownership. The quality of the food had diminished drastically, and it was time to find a new favorite.

For several months, we have been asking friends and neighbors for suggestions. One, in particular, kept coming to the top of the referral list, so we decided we were ready for a new adventure. As we walked towards the restaurant from the parking lot, we could see through the front glass windows and noticed someone running to greet us. As she swung open the front glass door, she offered a loud and robust, “Welcome Home!”.

Aside from being startled and amused, I also noticed how those two little words immediately made me feel . . . well . . . WELCOME and “at home”. They were definitely going the extra mile to welcome new patrons, the food was actually VERY GOOD . . . and the service was even better! The wait-staff kept in contact, yet didn’t “hover” while we ate. We will definitely go back, and I can’t wait to re-experience their “Welcome Home!” (and the food).

During the 4th quarter of each year, we start talking with our retainer accounts about their plans for next year. Many of our clients have been with us for years, and may have started with a simple logo, then moved on to a full re-branding . . . and then eventually come back around and ask for help in publishing their book . . . even their second or third book! We teach them to monetize their passion, watch them start to make more money, and are here when they are ready to take the next step with their messaging
The welcome we got at our neighborhood Chinese restaurant is exactly how we want our clients to feel when they reach out to work with us. Relaxed, at ease, “at home,” WELCOME. We want them to come back.
We love our extended client “family” and love helping them find new ways to monetize their passion. We’d love to help you monetize YOURS.

We Brand. We Design. We Publish.

Posted in Asking for help, Taking a chance, Tell Your Story, Uncategorized and tagged , , ,
A “COMMA CAUSIE” (my newest made-up word) is an example of
when an ill-placed comma, or simply a missing comma,
causes the meaning of your statement to change.
We see these COMMA CAUSIES© all the time. Our clients either have way too many commas, or not enough. They look for areas where they can reduce their budget, and decide they don’t need an editor. Sometimes they elect to use their neighbor’s middle son who is a college journalism student, or their daughter’s 5th grade English teacher . . . all of which may very well be good choices, but perhaps not necessarily qualified to edit their book — making it make it more marketable and easier to read.

It boils down to a Preference for Excellence.

Kind of like deciding to make your wedding cake from a box mix vs. hiring a professional cake maker to create a masterpiece for your daughter’s wedding.
Trust me . . . I love cake, and am certainly the “cake mix” type of chef. Which is probably why Jack now does all the cooking (and baking) . . . you should ask him about his Red Wine Chocolate Bundt Cake or the Lemon Drizzle version (with at least 100 lemons). They are both excellent. I’m drooling.

It’s ALL about Excellence.

Whether we’re talking about writing or design, it’s all about EXCELLENCE. 
Years ago, I came across a copy of a speech given by Milton Glaser, to the graduating class of a prestigious graphic design college. Glaser is considered by many to be an iconic pillar in the world of graphic design. If you have not heard of him, I’m sure you have seen his highly-recognized icon for the city of New York.
I loved the speech enough to have it printed on greeting cards . . . and a very-much-shortened postcard version . . . both of which I often use when sending notes to clients.

Ready for Excellence?
Give me a call. We Brand, we Design, we Publish.

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If you haven’t noticed, there’s a whole lot of negative-energy “stuff” swirling around the planet lately. From hurricanes and earthquakes to political tyrants, tirades and Twitter feeds.

I can easily name a few people who need an official “time out” in a rocking chair with their teddy bear (and I’m not referring to my two darling grandchildren who happen to be outshining ALL the negativity in this world).

I try to avoid the news so I don’t get caught up in all the negative “stuff,” but then I feel guilty not knowing what the heck is going on . . . that I “should” be knowledgeable and have an opinion.

So I peek at the news. DANG.

Yes, I have an opinion . . . and HERE IT IS:

LET IT BE.

LET IT BE ME WHO STARTS THE POSITIVE RIPPLE.

LET IT BE allows me to LET GO of that which I cannot control and focus on solutions. When I focus on the solutions, more solutions appear.

LET IT BE creates a sturdy, positive foundation at home, in my neighborhood, in my community . . . country . . . globe.

LET IT BE does not mean I don’t care . . . quite the contrary.  What we exhibit on the micro level affects the macro level. So I start at home.

LET IT BE empowers me to make positive choices at the micro level to create positive ripples with everyone I meet.

LET IT BEgin with me.

Done preachin’.

Go ahead . . . call me Pollyanna. I know you want to.

And if you’d like to hear my opinion on how to BRAND, DESIGN AND PUBLISH your way into a high-energy, absolutely-positively magnetic brand, give me a call.

I’ve got some pretty good opinions on that topic as well.

Now . . . to go find my teddy bear.

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I spent some time with my two grandsons this past weekend (ages 5.5 and 3). They love electronics . . . our iPad and iPhones have the requisite toddler apps for EDU-tainment.

Their latest attraction, which captures BOTH of their attention simultaneously is called, “Creative Galaxy” which we access through Amazon Prime (the 3-year-old showed me how to find it on the iPad).

Although I didn’t quite follow the storyline, as I “tuned in” late, I DID catch the part about having a “Dream Box”. The animation then cuts away to actual, real-live children who are in a craft-room setting, showing you how to make your very own Dream Box out of a Puffs box or milk carton, or such.

It’s probably no surprise to anyone who knows us (or our daughter), the boys have grown up in a world of art, and a “craft project” is definitely something their mother has made sure was on their list of to-do’s. In fact, they each already have a “Treasure Box” where they store their special finds . . . rocks, marbles, loose change, feathers, lost keys, broken pieces of toys . . . you know . . . TREASURES found along the path of Life.

So, when the oldest asked me, “What’s a Dream Box?”, I jumped at the chance to talk about hopes, dreams and aspirations . . . the invisible stuff you hope (learn?) to manifest. OK, so maybe the word “manifest” is a bit much here for the audience, but when the 3-year-old tells me, “I want a Manta Vest” . . . I’ll work on finding one.

So, we talked about the invisible stuff . . . how fun it would be to grow up and be a robot . . . and work on a construction site driving a “mixer” (but it has to be air-conditioned) . . . and eat chocolate cake every day . . . with pears. We talked about drawing pictures of things we want to do and adding them to our Dream Box . . . kind of like a 3-D Vision Board. Pretty Cool, huh?!

I WANT A DREAM BOX! . . . Guess what just got moved to the top of my weekend “do something creative” list!?

SOOOO . . . What would YOU put in YOUR Dream Box ? . . . and how can I help you make it a reality?

Our clients come to us with a vision . . . a dream to attract more clients, help more people . . . and yes, make more money.

Share Your Dream. Share Your Vision. Share Your Wealth.

Give me a call . . . I’d love to hear ALL about what’s in YOUR Dream Box and help you make that happen.

Brands. Books. Dream Boxes.

What size Manta Vest do you wear?

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My mother’s birthday was July 4th.

And, YES, she was one heck of a FIRECRACKER. She LOVED being the focus of attention, and knew how to make that happen.

She always led with her “sparkling” personality, and it always served her well. Even after she moved to a nursing home, she landed on the front page of the Webster Kirkwood Times at least twice.

As I look back, I now realize (in her own way), she was teaching me to be a “Firecracker”. . .

After all . . . Fireworks Get Noticed.

I now use my Mom’s “how-to-be-a-firecracker lessons” for creating my own “Fireworks” in business:

  • GREET and introduce yourself to everyone you meet.
  • SMILE and the world smiles back (she wrote this one in her high school year book).
  • SPARKLE and always dress to impress — whether it’s your wardrobe or your website.
  • GIVE of your Time, Treasure and Talent.
  • COMMUNITY — surround yourself with supportive people.
  • PERSISTENCE — if there is something you want, ASK for it.
  • HAVE FUN — people want to work with people who are having fun.

If you are in business for yourself, and are ready to get noticed, give me a shout . . . I bet we can create some great fireworks together . . . I learned from the best!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MOM!

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At Davis Creative, our mission is to “create positive ripples”, and our purpose is to help YOU (our clients) help more people. You rely upon us to help you Look Good, Attract More Clients and Make More Money, and we love helping you create a “Happy, Healthy, Heart-filled Planet” — be it the mental-, physical-, financial-, or social-health of an individual, business or community.

From logos and taglines to business cards and books . . . our client base spans the globe with sales in all 50 states and in 17 countries. We help the “helpers and healers” . . . the life coaches, mentors, therapists, physicians, educators, authors, speakers, and a spectrum of professional service providers — all having one thing in common — they are making this world a better place.

Our RIPPLES . . . Our Core Beliefs . . . Our Client Commitment:

  • RESPECT: We value diversity, unique perspectives and positive experiences.
  • INTEGRITY: We take responsibility and do the right thing.
  • PASSION: We love working with people who are passionate about their business and about helping others.
  • PROMISE: We keep our word and make a commitment to support our clients’ best interests.
  • LEGACY: We give. We give back. We give our clients their brand advantage.
  • EXCELLENCE: We believe “Good Design is Good Business”, and good design encourages an atmosphere of excellence.
  • SHARING: A peaceful world starts with sharing a single smile.

Sharing our RIPPLES . . .

The greatest compliment we receive is your repeat business. The second greatest compliment we receive is your referral to a new client! If you know someone who you think would be a great fit and needs our help, have them give Cathy a call at 888-598-0886.

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