by thesavageway | Feb 3, 2015 | clean graffiti, services
Clean Graffiti is an innovative, sustainable form of messaging that is eye catching at its core. In fact, it’s just a clean message on a dirty sidewalk! However, when a client decides to be witty or clever with their message, Clean Graffiti has an even bigger impact.
Enter the NC Music Factory.
When we approached the Marketing Director (and Social Media Cowgirl herself), Corri Smith about using Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory (NCMF), she was immediately interested. It also happened to be perfect timing since they were in the midst of a big re-launch of their brand identity. Clean Graffiti became a natural (no pun intended) addition to their marketing efforts. It would become that 4th or 5th point of contact for the consumer to become familiar with the NCMF brand.
Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory.
Everyone knows the NCMF as a great place to catch a concert (Fillmore, Uptown Amphitheatre), however not everyone knows that you can catch a comedy show, enjoy a nice plate of sushi or even play a game of sand volleyball. With the new re-launch, the NCMF began showcasing everything that their facility offers. Running billboards, radio spots and print advertising, their city-wide campaign touted the tagline “Made Fresh Nightly.”
NC Music Factory Facebook Cover Photo for the Made Fresh Nightly Campaign.
NC Music Factory Printed Ad in the Made Fresh Nightly Campaign.
Example of the NC Music Factory Made Fresh Nightly Campaign Neon Sign.
The agency behind the “Made Fresh Nightly” campaign is Centerfold Agency. The team decided to take the creative route in using reverse graffiti and use some witty play-on-words.
Creative Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory.
New Clean Graffiti for the NC Music Factory.
With phrases like “Enjoy the Flavor Flav of our Burgers” and “Refreshing Ice-T Served Daily,” the NCMF is bringing attention to the fact that yes, they have concert venues, but they also have a ton of delicious restaurants (something that Charlotteans should be aware of)!
Our hats off to Centerfold and the NCMF for showing their corporate social responsibility and using Clean Graffiti to round out their marketing campaign!
by thesavageway | Nov 12, 2014 | services
Fearless. Giving. Empathetic. Kind. These are the characteristics of one Jen Band – Executive Director of Playing for Others (PFO). We’ve gotten to know Jen and PFO over the last few months. From that first cup of coffee we shared at Smelly Cat Coffeehouse in NoDa, we both knew that she was put into our lives for a reason. Jen is the kind of person that gives you that “You will change the world” feeling and you believe it. Her sincerity is refreshing and something we all need more of in this world.
Playing for Others Executive Director, Jen Band.
Playing for Others is an organization that “provides a space for teens to explore and answer the questions, “Who Am I?” and “How will I give of that?” through programming in Personal Development, Service and the Arts.” The main focus of this non-profit is to develop teenagers into the thoughtful, compassionate and accountable leaders of tomorrow.
We love how PFO addresses the very questions we should all be asking ourselves everyday, “Who am I?” and “How will I give of that?” Taking time to reflect on your purpose in this world is one of the many reasons we love this group. Later this year we will be given the chance answer the question “How will I give of that?” when we speak to the PFO leadership committee about social media and how each of them can be thoughtful media practitioners.
Recently, we joined several other people who believe in what Jen is doing at a PFO Gratitude Dinner. We were treated to a five-course food and wine pairing at the lovely Café Monte in Southpark. The evening was a beautiful showcase of the incredibly talented teens in the program. Singers, slam poets, writers – PFO has it all.
PFO Gratitude Dinner at Cafe Monte.
Photo Credit: Cafe Monte
PFO slam poet Lucy Murrey.
Now on the surface you may be wondering why #thesavageway, a sustainable media company, is spending time getting involved with PFO. However, for us it is simple. It’s not about “what will we get in return,” it’s about aligning ourselves with companies who are doing impactful, positive things that we want to stand behind. What Jen has created at PFO is the exact type of organization that we want to support.
We believe in everything this group stands for – empowerment, confidence, leadership, entrepreneurship and creativity! We’ve left every single encounter with the PFO team feeling that we could make significant changes in the world. There’s no issue too small, no dream too big, and if you believe you can make a change – you will!
2014 Playing for Others teens!
One of the most powerful talks from Jen that we’ve heard was that morning over coffee at Smelly Cat. It was her story, her journey from taking this little idea and turning it into what it is today – PFO, a successful non-profit that is directly impacting over 80 teens per year, over 30 children with disabilities and countless local charities.
Jen’s story is so powerful that the forward-thinking folks at TEDxCharlotte thought that other people should know about it too. Jen took the stage on October 24 and ignited a spark in every person in the audience.
“Today. Today is yours, claim it. This life is yours, live it,” stated Jen as she recited her Grandfather’s inspirational poem.
One of our favorite statements from her talk was, “If you’re going to jump, you might as well leap. See when you jump, you get to good. But when you leap, you get to great.”
More here: http://www.tedxcharlotte.com/live-jen-band
We are beyond excited to have a hand in such a positive, motivating venture. Jen has created something truly powerful. Do yourself a favor and check out their next event. You might just leave with the confidence to leap, and we mean truly leap to your potential!
by thesavageway | Oct 31, 2014 | services
Last Thursday, #thesavageway team had the pleasure of attending the media night tasting for the newest restaurant in the NC Music Factory, Eight Sushi & Asian Kitchen. Eight Sushi is located to the left of the famous Fountain Plaza in a quaint yet extremely stylish venue.
The night began with cocktails and kind words with fellow media members – all of us taking in the beautiful atmosphere. The walls were flanked with fun local art. Lots of Asian influence with the wall murals, but one of the coolest aspects was the repurposed-skateboard bar top. The look was put together by the talented influence of The Design Bar, John Hairston, Matt Hooker & Matt Moore.
Gorgeous Eight Sushi & Asian Kitchen located in the NC Music Factory.
The visual stimulation continued at the table. We were treated with sake that was served in a traditional box (meaning prosperity in Japanese culture). Talk about an unexpected yet memorable service experience.
Traditional Sake at Eight Sushi.
Soon after the food presentation began. First up were delicious Korean Beef Skewers marinated in chili sauce and garnished with pearl onion & mushrooms.
Korean Beef Skewers at Eight Sushi Asian Kitchen.
Next came roll after roll of sushi. There were so many varieties including the refreshing Miami Roll with blue crab, avocado, cucumber roll wrapped with mango & avocado and the Pink Roll that featured crunchy tuna and avocado in a pink soy crepe with house sriracha mayo and angel hair kanikama.
Eight Sushi’s Miami Roll.
The Pink Roll from Eight Sushi.
However, the highlight of the tasting menu had to be the Panko Tuna Roll – a spicy yet light roll made with tuna, crab, avocado, ponzu and a house made sriracha, Japanese mayo! Talk about tasty!
Panko Tuna Roll served at Eight Sushi & Asian Kitchen in the NC Music Factory.
The evening wrapped up with several more courses and a few more glasses of wine surrounded by good people. Eight Sushi & Asian Kitchen has everything you look for in a new hot spot – good food, amazing art, great craft beer & cocktails and an intimate atmosphere. Go check this place out next time you’re at the Music Factory!
Eight Sushi & Asian Kitchen.
Details:
Eight Sushi & Asian Kitchen
Address: 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28206
Hours: Tues -Thur: 5pm – 10 pm / Fri & Sat: 5pm – 12am / Sun & Mon: Closed
Phone: 704.900.6147
by thesavageway | Oct 21, 2014 | services
Balance. It’s the one thing in life that we are all seeking. It’s a sense of peace when it comes to work, relationships, family and life. Balance is quintessential to happiness, especially when you own your own business.
#thesavageway doing work!
#thesavageway has been in business for 2.5 years now and man how time flies! Owning a business is a highly stressful thing at times. Though rewarding, there are times when things are overwhelming. Thinking about your product, sales goals, PR plan, accounting, receipt tracking, client relations, bills, 5-year growth plan, and much, much more is a 24/7 job. There isn’t an IT department to call or HR when there is an issue. You are dealing with EVERY aspect of the company. It is extremely easy to become addicted to your work – putting in 14-hour days, running on fumes and drinking way too much caffeine (thanks to NoDa for having so many amazing coffee shops!).
As a result, every 6 months or so, #thesavageway team does a “Get Your Mind Right” Challenge to bring back the balance to our lives. We both (Torrie and Paula) make a conscious effort to take a few weeks to clear our minds, treat our bodies as we should, and in turn become more productive and happy.
Now what exactly does getting one’s mind right mean? Don’t worry we have a very scientific formula. 😉
Parameters of “Getting Your Mind Right”
- Healthy, Clean Eating! AKA No processed foods
- Eat tons of vegetables
- Be active everyday (exercise, walk the dogs, yoga, running)
- Drink at least two liters of water per day
- Save money (by cooking meals at home and not eating out)
- No alcohol (but hey, let’s be real, red wine once a week is healthy, right?!)
- Take time each day to focus on yourself (meditate, breathe, write in a journal, verbalize something you are grateful for in this awesome world)
Farmer’s market haul by #thesavageway ladies. Eat local whenever possible!
Torrie & Paula hanging at AIR for some much needed exercise!
The beauty of “Getting Your Mind Right” is that there is nothing difficult about it. No tricks. It is simply making the time to treat YOU in the best way possible. This will be the third time that we have done the challenge. Every single time that we finish, we learn something new about ourselves. When you pause and pay attention to the nourishment you are giving to your body, it is so easy to see why we don’t always feel our best. When you put good things into your life, good things will return.
Being an entrepreneur is one of the greatest challenges yet one of the most rewarding experiences either of us has ever experienced. It is so easy to forget to take care of yourself because you’re the boss. There isn’t someone there to tell you to take a break or that it’s okay to have a sick day. When you push yourself to your mental limits everyday, it is easy to overindulge. Taking a few weeks to recharge and get into a balanced place in life is well worth it!
#thesavageway ladies (Paula & Torrie) doing what they do best.
We have found success through this method and encourage you all to go out there and
“Get Your Mind Right” too!
by thesavageway | Oct 14, 2014 | services
This past weekend, we had the amazing opportunity to experience a breathwork class with the wonderful Jonathan Winn of Breathe.
Breathwork is an extremely powerful tool that focuses on the breath in order to heal each of us mentally, emotionally and physically. It is more than just everyday breathing. You go through a journey to relaxation and clarity.
Now it must be admitted that we did not really know what to expect walking into this Saturday morning workshop. We kept asking Jonathan and his clients what the breathwork experience was like, and the resounding response was that, “it’s indescribable, you must experience it for yourself.”
We walked into the Breathe studio (located in the Highland Mill Lofts in NoDa), with open hearts and open minds. The space is refreshingly simple and zen-like. We felt at peace. Jonathan talked about creating a refuge, a safe place with his work and he did just that.
Breathe studio located in the historic arts district of NoDa.
We were in a room with 12 other people who were all looking for a relaxation tool. Some were small business owners (like us), others were corporate lawyers and some teachers. Each of us a different walk of life yet each experiencing the stress and anxiety of life.
At the beginning of the workshop, Jonathan walked us through everything we needed to know. He told us of the ladder that we would climb and then descend all while breathing. There was music playing that aided in the experience. Each of us were wrapped in a blanket and had an eye mask over our eyes in order to block out all distractions. It felt safe.
Breathwork Workshop with Jonathan Winn, owner of Breathe.
The breathwork workshop was unlike anything either of us had ever experienced before. It was a moment to be completely focused on yourself and the stressors in your life. You go to a place in yourself that you didn’t even know was there. The root of who you are as a person. It’s true! Jonathan’s teaching of breathwork is indescribable and something that you MUST experience for yourself.
What we learned at the end of the workshop is that breathwork is so much more than learning how to breathe. It was about embracing whatever happened (be it emotional or physical) in that moment and letting it go. Letting go by breathing through it. Life can be challenging and beyond stressful at times. Breathwork is a great, natural way to take an assessment of what you are feeling and using breath to get through.
Most of us are great at helping others and doing what we can to alleviate any stress from our loved one’s lives, but we aren’t so great at stopping and helping ourselves. Breathwork truly is life changing. Do yourself a favor and sign up Jonathan’s for the next workshop on November 8.
Breathe
Website
Location: 2901 N Davidson St #122 Charlotte NC
Next Workshop: Saturday, November 8, 2014, 10:30am-12pm
Twitter: @BreatheRefuge
Facebook: /BreatheRefuge
