Allow us to re-introduce ourselves
Nearing 2.5 years since our inception in January 2021, it felt proper time that Say Hey Social receive a slight brand face lift (not a full makeover) to more effectively showcase who we are and what we’re capable of through copy and design. In exploring who we are now versus where we’ve come, I thought I would share some of that thought process and reflection as our first ever blog post!
looking back
At the end of 2020, I secured two large retainer clients to ensure that when I quit my job the first week of January 2021 I would have financial stability for a minimum of 6 months. My contracts were tight, offering me protection thanks to termination clauses and late fees and my clients peace of mind through clear scopes of work and payment terms.
Throughout my unique experience at varying boutique NYC agencies and tech companies, I was often in positions with radical transparency to the very top. It allowed me to sharpen my toolbox of “C-suite skills” faster than the average professional at a time when marketing began changing at the same speed as culture. Yet, heading into the world of marketing on behalf of small businesses brought about a unique concern in me that I had never experience working at agencies in NYC before — are my chops going to impress early stage entrepreneurs and small business owners? It was an unexpected question of my creative confidence that never wavered in rooms with Fortune 100 CMOs and such. Enter entrepreneurial gaslighting 🤪
The answer then and the answer today is yes and no. Small businesses and entrepreneurs have a different kind of spark. It’s the spark that drove me to want to own an agency myself, too. When bureaucracy is nowhere in site and corporate walls fall down, you’re forced to think smarter, faster, more creatively in all aspects of your business. To be the bones, the builder, the believer all in one. To live in that level, you’ve got to be savvy.
reconnecting with our mission
At our core, we believe that success comes from a combination of strategic thinking, creative problem-solving, and a relentless focus on output. Our brand refresh gives us confidence in copy and color to do all of these things true to us. And that said, we hope it attracts brands with confidence, too. Just like on a personal level being confident in who you are makes the walk through life easier, being strong in your brand marketing so much easier. And, if that confidence comes backed with a great product, tight operations, and a creative voice… forget it. Where do WE sign on the dotted line?
That said, I’m so proud of our new language and identity design. Take a peek, be our guest! While I’ve always been clear on my vision (to empower independent entrepreneurs to be smarter marketers), say hey’s story wasn’t being amplified visually and in writing in the most us way. With the heavy help of our collective member Meg Rushforth, we’ve built more bones to our branding inspired by our commitment to playfulness and polish in all we do.
looking forward
If anyone knows me, you know I’m a melting pot of ideas (good and bad) at all times. Sometimes (oftentimes) it’s paralyzing! Especially when creating on behalf of other brands is the name of your game. Entering year three of business means it’s time to give my brand the same strategy love we give our clients.
2023 is the year I’m tackling some of the ideas I’ve been tossing around for some time now. From streamlined consulting to bigger brand clients to day-long masterclasses to say hey picture days to coworking cohorts… say hey social is moving on from mediocre agency marketing and entering a (dare I say it?) new era! ⚡️
