What's Your Story?

Make Your Mark!

Making Their Mark!

Narrowing the focus of a brand is not an easy thing to do.  There's always the allure of being able to be all things to all people.  "What if someone wants toilet paper?" is probably one of the questions Toys R Us asked before deciding to launch their in store toiletries section.  Why?  Because they can.  And because it's extremely difficult for business' today to AVOID trying to be all things to all people....to say NO to anything that distracts from your core and become the true expert in one area -to stand for something specific...something great.

Make Your Mark "celebrates the spirit of female athletes through fun and inspiring apparel.  Our products fit to make you feel great whether you wear them to work out or to hang out.  We hope you’ll find something here that inspires you to make your mark on or off the track, the court, the field… or where ever it is that you chase your dreams."

The focus is clear.  They aren't contemplating the phantom "loss" in future revenue by not making the brand for men too.  They aren't trying to compete with other athletic brands.  They are just being genuine, true and standing for something specific....something great.

They are not only making incredible womens shirts but they partnered with Girls in The Game from day one.  The corporate thing to do is "wait until we have money to give".  Make Your Mark began giving from shirt number one and dreams of someday giving away the kind of money that will make an immediate impact. 

When you are genuine, you don't need to try and impress or try to give back or try to be all things to all people.   When you are genuine - you are simply sharing something you love. This naturally makes you stand out, enabling you to make your mark.

See their current line up at www.makeyourmark.com

What are you doing to make your mark?

Steve gumm

Lake County Announces Fielders Baseball 2010!

The Fielders.  An exciting new minor league baseball team has emerged in Zion for 2010.  The new logo and team name was announced last week at a special "Name The Team Party" at KeyLime Cove Indoor Waterpark Resort in Gurnee.

Kevin Costner is part of an ownership team headed up by Rich Ehrenreich that created the vision for the Fielders.  This vision is about to come to life in 2010. 

18 Stories is very excited and proud to be called upon to head up the merchandising efforts for the Fielders event.  We love participating in new exciting ventures and this one has all the makings of something great. 

Team officials have said they will open a retail shop at Gurnee Mills next week and will offer 2010 ticket sales as well.  Merchandise and tickets can be purchased on the team site at www.fieldersbaseball.com

We'll keep you posted as the new team comes to life and any new merchandise you can purchase. 

Cheers!

Steve Gumm

Incredible Human Ipod: True Genius.

Just an incredible story of true genius.  The human mind works in mysterious ways and shows it's capability in the strangest of places.  Read this story.

http://tinyurl.com/nuachx

Start Your Engines: Friday Freebie

Friday Freebie is now in play! 

I'm not a Nascar fan, beyond all the branding and marketing that goes on - which is fascinating, but nonetheless here is this week's Friday Freebie.

Juan Pablo Montoya 1:24 Scale Limited Edition die cast replica.  Oh yeah, it's signed by the man himself.  I think he's since switched teams. 

Ok - you know the deal:  first one to email me at steve@18stories.com requesting this gets it.  I had to literally go by the email in times last week because everyone wanted the shuffle.  Hilarious.

Anyway - here it is.  If you win or not......check this out for some Friday laughter.  This is hilarious:

http://tweetingtoohard.com/

Have an incredible weekend!

Steve Gumm

Does Your Life Have Theme Music?

I'm not going to go too deep into the topic of how your perception really shapes your entire life and how the media will brainwash that perception for you if you're not strong enough to create your own.

I'm no economist so where the economy is actually going etc is for another time.  What I would like to do is simply give a great example of how your perception of a situation will impact your feelings, attitude and overall well-being.  What if you looked at all the great things in your life everyday and the "bad things" were spun in a positive direction for your perception?  You'd probably improve your life, business, health and relationships 180 degrees in a very short period of time.

I saw this video and besides laughing my ass off - it provided me with a good example of how perception shapes your life.  Watch this video and pay close attention to how you feel, your body language, your anticipation and stress level.  This is what the media will do to your reality......even when it couldn't be further from the truth.  If your background music is always on Jaws mode - you'll probably eventually get eaten by Jaws.  If however it's the theme music to Rocky - you may end up the champ, even when the chips are down.

Think of the news media and what you allow to shape your perception.  If it's fear based and negative......you have to wonder who's in control of that thing you call life.

Disturbing Strokes - watch more funny videos

#1, New Management, The Best

The way companies communicate has always been comical to me.  Yes, I've been guilty of it from time to time so I won't point the finger as if I'm not guilty as well.  The next time you are describing to someone what you do or how you can benefit them - don't be lazy, just tell the truth.

This morning I received an email from a manufacturer with the title "Your #1 Place for License Plates".  I would venture to guess every single business thinks they are #1 so it's the "go to" phrase for lazy marketing.  "#1 in customer service", "Our Sandwiches are Numero Uno", "You Can't Beat #1".  If you have a trophy awarded by the public after a public vote that says you are indeed #1 - then by all means hype it up (at least for that day until the next hotshot moves to knock you out of the spot).  Otherwise, just tell me why I should interact with your company at all. 

On my way in to the office I passed up a Quiznos sub shop with a huge sign out front that read "Under New Management".  Well damn, who isn't going to stop in for that right?  I have to meet this new management!  Again, this is a lazy automatic marketing message.  If they really wanted me to go in the store for something besides the food, maybe a sign that read "Just Hired Mark - new Cashier who can beat box like you wouldn't believe!" I may just check that out.....it's more interesting than New Management. Otherwise I'd simply recommend honesty and go with a sign that reads "Our sandwiches aren't cold anymore, we cleaned the mystery stuff out of the bathroom and you won't wait an eternity for food anymore.  Come on back and we'll give you a reason to love us again".  That gets me in the door.  That says "New Management" without the words even being spoken.

Words are very powerful, but most business' and salespeople tend to go after a pre-determined set of words that everyone has become robot like in using.  The next time you look to communicate.....just take a step back and think of how you can communicate to human beings like a human being. 

Who knows, maybe you'll end up #1.

Steve Gumm

Schaumburg Flyers Baseball - Play Ball!

There's something about minor league baseball that I've always appreciated.  I've  been one to root for the underdog.  Minor league ballplayers always seem to have that hunger to be noticed, appreciated and rewarded for all the years of work they've put in on the field.  There's something everyone should appreciate in the never give up attitude of someone chasing a dream.  There's few places you'll see that dream in action than on a minor league diamond.

We're proud to be a sponsor and partner of the Schaumburg Flyers .  The Flyers are proactive in their drive to make the overall fan experience better and truly understand what it means to deliver a unique experience in the sports and entertainment marketplace.  

This is one client we haven't had to explain the benefits of improving the quality of apparel and design - it's something they are demanding....for the fans.  

It's easy to neglect the fans.  Major League baseball has had it's fair share of struggles by simply neglecting their fans.  Raise the ticket prices, sell a beer for $5 and a hotdog for $4, get the people in and get that money!  You'd be amazed at how much fun baseball can really be when an organization decides to put on a show for their fans- and those fans don't need to hold their wallets in panic when Junior asks for yet another hotdog or your buddy raises his hand for the next round......on you.

As a partner we are excited about the opportunities for this season and beyond.  Keep your eyes peeled at the ballpark or online for fresh Flyers gear and an always exciting line-up of additions at Alexian Field to enhance the overall fan experience. 

The next time you are in the Chicagoland area and are looking for some entertainment - check out the Schaumburg Flyers - and don't forget to pick up some schwag while you're there! 

Season Opener is tomorrow, May 22nd where the Flyers play the Joliet Jackhammers.  It's Free peanuts and fireworks to get the season rocking.  Get your tickets and take someone out to the ballgame.

Play Ball!

Steve Gumm

Remember When You Were Just a Kid?

I love this video.  Grasshopper.com recently marketed their name change by doing something only a kid would have the courage to do:  they sent out 5000 chocolate covered grasshoppers to influential entrepreneurs around the country.  Yes, they were real grasshoppers.  That is the kind of thing I love - creative, daring and bold.  It makes news, makes a difference and ultimately sets a company apart.

EVEN IF YOU AREN'T an entrepreneur, the chances are you've had a great idea.  Maybe deep down you want to be a comedian, artist, actress, teacher, florist or auto mechanic.  Everyone has a dream.  Maybe you've seen a better way to do something or a problem that needs fixed in your community.  Anyone who steps up to make a difference is an entrepreneur to me.  It's the fear that stops people from truly being incredible.  The older you get, the easier it becomes to create a million reasons why you can't do something.  Sometimes it's nice to reflect on the time you were a kid - when nothing was impossible......the funny thing is, it's true still today - some people just lose that magical belief in themselves along the way.

On the marketing tip (the purpose of this blog after all) the only thing I have to ask is this:  would they have gotten ANY attention at all with an oversized postcard, a mass mailer to a group 10 times the size in typical letter format, or if they'd mailed this in something other than FEDEX boxes?  Doubtful.  If you want to gain attention in the information age - you have to be bold and you must go at it with the daring confidence of a kid who believes anything is possible.  The amount of blogging, tweeting and media coverage GotVMail has received over this namechange due to this creative mailer is proof positive that having the courage to jump outside typical comfort zones and deliver a TRULY unique message or package is what pays.  Grasshopper.com, grasshopper.com, grasshopper.com -- ok - they got me.

Here's to everyone who dares to believe.

Steve Gumm

$100 Million for Habitat - Not So Evil.

 

Read the Story of this CEO here:

With all the talk of the evil CEO it's easy to overlook the impact creative entrepreneurs can have on their community, the country and the world. 

It's very easy for the public to rally behind the cries agains the evil CEO's, but be careful not to lump everyone in the same category.  It's my experience that a very tiny fraction of entrepreneurs and CEO's are out to get anyone or push on for personal gain.  The majority realize that making others wealthy and improving the lives of those around will ultimately lead to more success.  The media loves a good story and nothing beats the story of the big bad wolf. 

The media, with a following public, is always quick to scream about corporate bonus' and CEO pay.  I'd like to hear people yelling out about paying more and bigger bonus' for CEO's and entrepreneurs who are making a difference.  How many jobs do you think Terwilliger has created in is lifetime?  How many lives has he improved?  How many will be impacted by this Habitat effort? 

We have no problem caughing up billions of dollars to a government who, regardless of your political opinion, is inefficient at best and negligent or corrupt at worst.  But when it comes to a business man or woman creating incredible amounts of wealth - the media and public scream bloody murder. 

If it were up to me - all of my tax dollars would go to guys like Mr Terwilliger.  At least I could be sure he knows how to maximize my return on investment - weather that be financially or for the empowerment of people in need.  My guess is that a guy like this can do things with 100 million dollars that it would take a government 1 billion plus to accomplish.

Next time you complain about the greedy CEO's out there - don't forget to stop and thank the one's providing jobs, creating wealth and taking on all the risk associated with it so you don't have to.

Cheers!

Steve Gumm

World Changing Ideas Auction - Don't Miss It!

"Worldchanging is a website of ideas. And those ideas don't emerge from a vacuum. They're the fruit on an on-going conversation among a community of people."

Thanks to @ev (twitter.com/ev) for the link.

http://tinyurl.com/worldchangingauction