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The Ace of Stays

When we were planning our trip down to Seattle Design Week, the event organizers recommended hotels out near the University District close the conference. I’m not sure what they were thinking exactly. Other than the convenience factor, why would we want to stay way out there? Not a chance. We were coming to one of the most design-centric cities with some of the coolest neighbourhoods in America. Instead, we booked ur stay at our old favourite, the Ace Hotel in Seattle’s uber hip Belltown District near Pike Place Market.

Greeting us upon arrival were the ever-smiling front desk staff. Even under pressure from a reservation mix-up, Claire, Ed and Misty handled themselves with grace and style. We were settled in and off to enjoy the conference and explore the city knowing we had the hippest rooms in town waiting for us when we returned. And within walking distance of some fabulous restaurants, shopping and live music venues.

If you have a designer’s aesthetic, and especially if you know what someone means when they say “It’s so Bauhaus”, then you must check out this hotel next time you are in Seattle. It’s style is elegant, clean and stylish. The minimalist-inspired interior is nearly all white with stainless steel and leather accents. And best of all, the prices are very affordable with flexible rooms available from standard (with shared bath) to deluxe with gorgeous amenities. Either way, you won’t regret it.

Branding a branding company

If you are a business owner working on the development and growth of your own company it can be a challenge no matter what industry you are in. This can range from generating more sales, creating or finessing your marketing plan, sourcing manufacturing or creating a new brand for your business. It is your business, your baby, you want to make the right decision and you often question what the right decision or direction is. And, at the end of the day, it’s your bottom line that is affected so you’ll want to make a good decision.

So when Industrial Brand Creative choose to re-brand we knew it was going to be an interesting journey.

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Continue reading "Branding a branding company"

Posted by Matt SamyciaWood on November 14, 2008. | No Comment

Partner for good times and bad

I was recently asked to submit an article about partnerships for the Small Business section of Business in Vancouver magazine. The article, called Is a partnership the right choice for your business to weather these stormy times?, found in the Small Business section of this month’s issue is reprinted below:

As the economy sags many business owners are starting to think pretty radically about what they can do to preserve and prosper. Some are look for ways to reduce spending or downsize. Others might consider merging with a competitor. And still some wonder about taking on a partner to share the burden. But is a partner the right choice for you? This choice comes at the cost of giving up ownership of the company you worked so hard to build, so be very careful, do your homework and protect yourself.

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Continue reading "Partner for good times and bad"

Posted by Mark Busse on November 14, 2008. | No Comment

CAPIC: How to sell your work as a Photographer

I was recently honoured to be invited to sit on an expert panel at a CAPIC event for their Portfolio Series called Your Body of Work: Launching a Creative Vision for your Photography. The event was about how image makers such as photographers and illustrators can best promote themselves using portfolios, websites and marketing initiatives.

The panel was made up of me, Anya Lewise and Cathy Mullaly from Canada Wide, John Edmonds from Grey Vancouver, Tim Hoffpauir from DDB and Chris Peacock from Cossette—all experienced in choosing and working with photographers. We were all asked to consider some key questions which we then later discussed in an open forum, sort of townhall meeting style. The questions plus my notes and thoughts are reproduced here now:

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Continue reading "CAPIC: How to sell your work as a Photographer"

Posted by Mark Busse on November 7, 2008. | No Comment