O R I G I N

Who doesn’t love a good merch drop?! The cat is out of the bag. 👀 The new merchandise (and first look at the brand identity) for Hagerfest Music & Art Festival, available tomorrow! Come show some local love to artists, musicians, muralists and foodies alike for a fest that celebrates and amplifies all genres of creativity.

Feeling incredibly grateful and excited to share that I was invited to speak at Hagerstown’s 2024 Start Up Week, a phenomenal conference for dreamers, doers, inventors, makers, entrepreneurs, and small business owners. Next month marks Origin's sixth year in business, and this was my first solo speaking engagement as an expert to build a workshop and talk about my craft: the power of branding and its ability to make deep connections between companies and their audiences.

Despite speaking, guiding, and presenting to clients daily, this opportunity unexpectedly brought on severe anxiety. So much so that I lost 5lbs in the two weeks leading up to the talk! 😅 My grandmother didn't quite get it, saying, "You're good at public speaking, and you talk to your clients all the time. What’s the big deal?” While I might appear cool, calm, and collected on the outside, inside was a whirlwind of nerves. I always tell students when I review their portfolios and notice them rummaging through their notes to be confident. "No one knows your work better than you do."

So I prepared, practiced, and channeled my passion for branding. When done right, intentional branding helps a business thrive, understand itself and its audience on a profound level, helps companies speak with confidence, and even have the staying power to outlive its founders.

Doing things for the first time is often a chicken-and-egg scenario. We crave validation and confidence before we act – whether it's raising our prices, starting a business, traveling abroad, trying a new sport, or, one of the most common fears, public speaking. But confidence comes after taking the plunge. This experience reminded me that it's been far too long since I did something that truly scared me. And honestly, it felt invigorating. So here's a little reminder: feel the fear, and do it anyway.

All that anxiety buildup, and for what? The talk went amazingly well. It was a small, intimate group, and everyone was engaged. They sat upright, took notes, asked thoughtful questions, and shared their own business struggles. I'm incredibly thankful for my attendees and for them listening to me geek out for an hour.

A huge thanks to Hagerstown Start Up Week for the invitation, my supportive family for being my guinea pigs, and my bestie who helped calm my nerves and celebrate with me afterward. 🌟✨ I think I'm ready for round 2. 😬

Hagerstown Startup Week
https://www.hagerstownstartupweek.com/

Exciting reveal at BCA, Inc! 🌟 New signage, fresh apparel, and a heart full of gratitude on Company Appreciation Day. Big shoutout to the incredible BCA staff - your dedication makes the Breast Cancer journey brighter and more hopeful for countless families. Today is all about celebrating and appreciating you!