DON’T ROCK THE BOAT
I’d like to apologize to Keith. Although I really don’t know his name, for the purposes of this apology, I’ll just call him Keith. This week I finished my epic boat journey, bringing The Tug Life back from Fort Lauderdale to my home port of Urbana. It was smooth sailing until we ran into Keith. We were about a quarter-mile north of Osprey Marina in the deepest, darkest part of the Waccamaw River. That’s where he saw my boat. I didn’t see his.
I drove too fast past Keith’s boat, and for that, I want to apologize. In my defense, he was wearing camouflage from head to toe and in a boat that matched his outfit. Even his baseball cap was green like the swamp behind him. Keith must take his hunting and fishing seriously because he even painted his Mercury Outboard in a camouflage pattern. Emerging from the swamp, he rode up beside The Tug Life and gave me a middle finger salute. “You almost swamped my boat, you %^&* $!#$%^&”. Seeing a young man with a mullet and a Tom Selleck mustache chasing your boat at daybreak can be quite disconcerting. I tried to apologize and told him I couldn’t see him. The apology fell on deaf ears.
Under different circumstances, I am sure Keith and I could’ve been friends. We both like camo, boats, Bud Light and fishing. Instead our paths literally crossed at the wrong moment and I will forever be the “A-hole” who almost drowned him.
If you’re ever cruising the Intracoastal Waterway, be on the lookout for Keith and his friends. And make sure you go extra slow next to Osprey Marina. I am telling you this because there are no signs telling you it’s a no-wake zone and Keith and his boat are extremely hard to see.
When was the last time you’ve had a real conflict with a stranger in your life? Do you ever wonder how it could have turned out differently? I’ve run across many many people over the course of my life and 99% of them have been positive experiences. But I’ve always tended to focus on the 1% I’ve had conflict with. How could I have solved that conflict? How could I have avoided it? The older I get the more I realize that “save the drama for your mama” might have been the best piece of advice I ever got. Most conflict is not just worth the aggravation. Dale Carnegie Rule #5: Smile.
MONDAY:
BARTENDER’S CHOICE
Before our amazing and talented Account Manager Allison Nida goes on maternity leave, she worked on another video shoot for our client A. Smith Bowman Distillery with Creative Director Art Webb. At a super-secret location in Washington D.C., we partnered with Salt Fire Studio to film new cocktail videos for A. Smith Bowman’s website and social channels. The shoot went well and any day now, the team at Madison+Main will be trying one of these new cocktails and toasting the new mom-to-be! Looking for inspiration yourself? We recently updated A. Smith Bowman’s website to include numerous new cocktail recipes! Check out these delicious bourbon beverages you can make at home. Try to make all of them this weekend. I dare you.
TUESDAY:
MOLLY MOTIVATES MANY!
I always call Molly Whitfield our Fearless Leader. And she is. Except she hates public speaking. She may be reluctant to step into the limelight, but Molly has really become an EXCELLENT presenter. Molly nailed this point home last week when she participated in two very important virtual events — The Richmond Ad Club’s Women in Advertising Panel and Maryland’s Distracted Driving Summit. It was a pleasure to watch her (and learn a thing or two) during both sessions. A bunch of Madison+Main-iacs tuned in, including Senior Graphic Designer Erin Rebmann’s baby daughter, Averly. We believe it’s good to give children quality educational content.
This Tuesday, Communications Director Kent Brockwell attended the grand opening of Pinnacle Living’s newest venture at Cedarfield — Household. The $16 million, 16,000-square-foot, 40-apartment facility offers a new person-centered household approach to deinstitutionalize senior health care and services in Richmond, and it is a beautiful, revolutionary space. Read all about it in coverage from the Richmond Times-Dispatch and Henrico Citizen. Good job, folks. Mr. Brockwell even wore a suit — albeit it was made of Carhartt duck canvas.
WEDNESDAY:
ALL THE WAY
Last week, my two restaurants in Lynchburg got some much-deserved publicity. Texas Inn’s General Manager RhondaRankin was interviewed about our partnership with Goldbelly, a website where you can order food from more than 800 legendary restaurants and bakeries across the country. It’s been an incredible feat to ship our world-famous CheesyWesterns and super-secret chili around the country, but we think everyone deserves some T-Room lovin’, not just Virginia. Also special thanks to the city of Lynchburg’s LYH Blog for the special shout-out as a must-visit restaurant of Lynchburg! In KariSmith’s words, “If you have not experienced the T-Room, have you REALLY experienced Lynchburg?”
THURSDAY:
LET’S FACE IT, IT’S TIME
Our entire team of Account Managers finally had their first in-person meeting in more than a year. Since everyone has been vaccinated, they all met for lunch at New York Deli. Maybe in-person meetings will start happening again. Please say it’s so. I am so over Zoom.
FRIDAY:
I CARE
Our clients at the City of Chesapeake’s Economic Development recently put out a fourth round of Small Business COVID-19 Recovery Grants for businesses in Chesapeake! After incredible success with the first three rounds, the city is offering even more relief for businesses that have been hit the hardest by the pandemic. Do you know someone who might qualify? Have them apply here!
Also, if you didn’t know, we’ve partnered with Chesterfield Economic Development for their upcoming CARES Workshops. If you’re a business owner (restaurant, retailer, etc.) in Chesterfield, you can have a marketing consultation with me. Sounds pretty good if you ask me. And seriously, ask me, I want to answer your questions.
A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE EVENTS
Chesapeake Business Appreciation Golf Classic
Friday, June 4, 2021 | Greenbrier Country Club
Looking fore an excuse to hit the links? Head to Chesapeake for their 21st Annual Business Appreciation Golf Classic! Proceeds will support a local charity. For all inquiries and sponsorship information, please contact Curtis Cobert at ccobert@cityofchesapeake.net or call (757) 382 – 8040.
Got an upcoming event you want to share? Can we come? Send us the deets!
“I went to buy some camouflage trousers the other day but I couldn’t find any.” — Tommy Cooper