Madison+main's Weekly Report - October 3rd, 2014

Time Flies When You’re Having Fun

Hey Folks,

This week’s Weekly Report comes to you from beautiful downtown Doswell, site of the State Fair of Virginia. Today also marks the 9th Anniversary of Madison+Main. On October 3rd, 2005, my friend and Art Director Scott Clark and I moved our two computers into a closet at the Advantech Business Incubator. Thanks to dozens of friends, colleagues, partners and clients, we have managed to grow to 14 employees. Along the way, we’ve had a lot of fun, but we’ve worked hard. So to reward ourselves, we took the day off, and did what every nine year old wants to do on his or her birthday… we went to the State Fair and ate some deep fried Snickers and almost lost them on “The Zipper”.

Monday, September 29th – The former Miss Molly Quarles, now Mrs. Molly Whitfield, was in the office this week, which made everyone happy. At the MMMMM (Madison+Main Monday Morning Meeting) there was lots of good news to share: Lindsey walked five miles to River City Diner for brunch , Jessica celebrated her Grandma’s 80th birthday in Nags Head, and the Alberta Smith Sharks scored their first touchdown of the season. It’s been a tough season for the Sharks, going 0-4 so far, but I consider it a victory since 13 out of 17 players have never played football before, no one has been seriously injured and only one player quit the team.

The real “Football Night in America” at Midlothian Middle School last Saturday night.

More good news came Monday afternoon from our friend Greg Green at Davis & Green Electrical. Greg is going “Over The Edge” for Special Olympics, and will raise over $1,000 for this worthwhile charity, with your help. Click here to join us in supporting Special Olympics.

Tuesday, September 30th – It was a small but rambunctious crew at Midlothian Rotary Tuesday morning, perhaps it was because we were meeting in Visions Nightclub instead of our normal meeting room. In the old days, we would have ordered mimosas and bloody marys. In 2014, it’s yogurt, bran muffins and black coffee. Special thanks to Dr. Jim Schroeder for speaking to the club. His new venture, Leadership By Design, is as impressive as his reputation. Jim has been practicing dentistry in Midlothian for years, but his service as the Midlothian school board representative earned respect from all of us. Learn more about Jim here.

Our friend Greg Green made an appearance on CBS6, Virginia This Morning and meanwhile back at the office, I was “shadowed” by an impressive young lady named Vanessa Brown, Junior and PR major at Virginia State University. We are always happy to host young people who want to learn more about marketing and PR and thank Jonathan Young, Director of Corporate Relations at VSU’s School of Business for sending some bright young folks to us.

Wednesday, October 1st – “Out in the West Texas town of El Paso…” was the song playing in my head on Wednesday, as I spent most of my day in West Chesterfield County, which used to be rolling fields, but now boasts a bustling and vibrant business community. We are proud to say that we have eight clients based in Chesterfield County. On Wednesday, I got to meet with two of them, Village Bank and Vera’s Fine Jewelers. First we want to say congrats to Kristen Sims, Village Bank’s new Marketing Coordinator… and former Madison+Main intern. We are so happy to be working with Kristen again. I also got to meet with two of my favorite people Mike and Vera Caniglia, Owners of Vera’s Fine Jewelers. We presented some new TV concepts and fleshed out plans for holiday marketing. Vera’s Fine Jewelers has been a client since 2005 and we appreciate their faith and continued support of our firm. Wow, I can’t believe its been 9 years. Time flies when you’re having fun!

On Wednesday night, the Madison+Main-iacs, several clients, and partners joined me at the 26th Annual Magnificent Midlothian Food Festival. They all reported that they had a great time. I wished I could have joined them, but the festival requires all hands on deck, so I collected tickets, checked IDs, put wristbands on patrons and poured Bud Light and Shock Top most of the night.

Thursday, October 2nd – On Thursdays I’m conflicted. I love seeing friends and colleagues at myInsiders Club meetings, but I hate having to dress in a suit in order to gain entry to theCommonwealth Club. I’ve had several people ask me about joining the venerable Richmond establishment over the years, but in the words of Groucho Marx, “I refuse to join a club that would have me as a member.” In 1987, I worked as a banquet server at the Commonwealth Club while attending VCU. In 2014 I get to walk through the front door… in a suit. Time flies when you’re having fun!

On Thursday afternoon, I raced from Ashland to Midlothian for back-to-back meetings with my friend and colleague Brian Harding, incoming President of the Chesterfield Chamber. He made the journey in 30 minutes and it took me 45 minutes… mainly because I’m a marketing guy and he’s theUPS guy. He’s beginning another year with the Chesterfield Chamber and I am wrapping up my three years on the board. Time flies when you’re having fun!
Friday, October 3rd – We got a late start today. Even when we try to take a day off, it’s hard to drop everything when you have so many things to do.

I’m proud of my crew.

We’re celebrating today, and for a good reason. We are grateful for many things and want to thank you for your friendship, support and encouragement over these last nine years. On October 3rd, 2005, the City of Richmond issued seven business licenses to new companies and in 2014, only one company remains… ours. Nine years in business, with nearly seven in a recession. Wow. Its been a wild ride and a lot of hard work, but it seems like yesterday.

Time flies when you’re having fun!

Dave

Look ma, we have a blog!

Madison+main’s Weekly Report – October 3rd, 2014