ThinkSmith

From the nonprofit side, corporate giving isn’t just about funding—it’s about partnership.

The strongest relationships aren’t built on one-time checks or annual photo ops. They’re built when:
• the mission is deeply understood inside the organization
• values are aligned with the right corporate partners
• and supporters are invited to experience the work, not just observe it

I wrote a companion piece to my Thanksgiving post that looks at corporate giving through a nonprofit lens—why clarity matters, how to choose partners wisely, and how engagement (not transactions) leads to more sustainable support.

If you’re in the nonprofit world, this one’s for you:
https://thinksmith.guide/from-the-other-side-of-the-table/

Purpose travels further when it’s shared.

From the Other Side of the Table - thinkSmith Consultancy: Branding & Marketing Experts How Nonprofits Can Build Corporate Partnerships That Actually Mean Something Nonprofits talk a lot about mission. Corporations talk a lot about impact. Somewhere between those words, a check gets written, a logo ends up on a banner, and both sides move on until next year’s budget cycle reminds eve...

Coach ≠ Consultant. 🏈

A coach builds the player.
A consultant fixes the game.

One develops you.
The other solves it.

Mix them up, and you’ll have the wrong person calling the plays.

So which do you need right now—a coach, or a consultant?

Nashville’s Big Glow-Up

Remember when was just “Music City” — honky-tonks, the Opry, and maybe the Preds if you were into hockey?

Take a look at this 👇
In 1970, our metro population was under 800,000. Today, it’s over 2.1 million. Tourism? Up from 2 million visitors a year to more than 21 million!

And it’s not slowing down — New Nissan Stadium, Nashville SC, big concerts, MLB talks, a high-speed tunnel from the airport… Nashville is officially playing in the big leagues (literally).

We’re still keeping the music and hot chicken — but the rest of the country is starting to see what we’ve known all along: this city is going places.

Check out the full story and the chart here: https://thinksmith.guide/growth-tech-and-entertainment-drive-nashvilles-new-brand/

I was fortunate to hang out with John Iaccheri and Murfreesboro.com at the new Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Student Performance Center ribbon cutting. Blue Raider Athletics doesn't get the credit it deserves. 95% student athlete graduation rate (I believe I heard, tied for 4th in the country). Quite a few names on that Alum list find themselves on Topps cards.

And this is not including the students behind the cameras, in the training rooms, on the phones, or a hundred other places getting real world experience that can't be taught in a classroom.

This facility is an investment not just for students athletes or anyone's ego. It is an investment in the continuing mission of MTSU to be the best four-year institution in the southeast US for all students.

But, it's also a thing of beauty that should boost any alum's ego just a little.

Fun meets function in this one-of-a-kind bank office. ✨ A few months ago, we wrapped up this exciting project in collaboration with to bring their vision to life.

Can you spot our clever plays on banking terms and design elements? Let us know!

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from the B&C Team!🎄

Wishing you a holiday season filled with joy, laughter, and time well spent with loved ones.