November is a month to reflect on that for which we are grateful. I am clearly grateful for the E.B. White’s Elements of Style … leaving no preposition behind.
But, in all seriousness, I am grateful for the P&A team of collaborators and contributors. Each of them brings a unique skillset to our team … from communication skills to business acumen to “a B-S-ometer.” All important in the day-to-day managing of 70 social media channels, multiple websites, graphic design, public relations, and marketing needs of more than 20 clients at any given time.
I am so grateful for those 20 current clients. They are as unique as the P&A team who serves them. They give us a window into business that is invaluable … from the sales cycle of technology to the manufacturing timeline of medical devices. Customer and patient journey maps? Yep, we’re there. Let’s throw in a youth motorsports business, a staffing agency, and a 70+-year-old aggregate company while we’re at it. No day is boring at P&A!
I’m grateful for all the clients we’ve served these last 13 years. We built our business and our reputation with these folks and that’s led to where we are today. Proud to say a couple of those clients were able to sell their businesses for a nice profit — and they’ve pointed to the work P&A did to build their sales funnel, client base, and general brand awareness that led to the sale.
I’m grateful for the technology that enables us to work from our home offices, seamlessly manage and collaborate on projects, and rarely have the need to use a stamp to mail an invoice or a check.
I’m grateful I knew the grind and terror of entrepreneurship when I began my business in 2010. I grew up with entrepreneurial parents. My parents sold their home, moved into an apartment, and used the equity to become a Marathon service station dealer in 1954. They were a team, with my mother serving as the accounting and HR department and my dad a very hands on manager. I saw firsthand the hard work it takes to sustain a business over the long haul. My parents worked EVERY day (though my mother would say her one day off was the day AFTER Christmas as there were no books to be done), and I was part of the team. Usually, one spring break day included alphabetizing the previous year’s (hardcopy) repair orders; likewise, the credit card receipts were chronological. I was loading vending machines, counting change, and giving directions from about the age of 9. I learned to drive a stick shift by pulling the wrecker into the garage. And when the burglar alarm went off in the middle of the night, the three of us piled in the car to meet the police. Not long before he died, I was “running parts” with my dad (aka driving around to parts stores, junk yards and such to gather auto parts for various car repairs … this is what we did pre-Amazon) when he saw some hot air balloons overhead. He noted, “I just want more control over my destiny than that.” Yep, dad. I hear ya.’
I’m grateful for the interns we’ve had along the way. They provide me with comfort that “the world isn’t going to hell in a hand basket,” but that this next generation is fully capable of doing great things.
I’m grateful (and proud) that Pickett and Associates contributes to the economy. We generated an admirable sum of billables last year, enabling us to pay our associates a deserving wage for their time and expertise. We generate accurate 1099s so they may pay their taxes and their share.
Speaking for the whole P&A crew, we are all grateful for our family and friends who support us in our work. The nature of our business means occasionally a “beyond the 9 to 5” assignment, email, text, etc. that requires immediate attention. We try to balance it out with the perk of flexibility, but we understand it can be annoying sometimes. Thanks for hanging with us!
In this season of “giving thanks,” pausing to think about those items on your gratitude list is a great way to check in with your work’s purpose and meaning. Happy Gratitude Day, everyone!
