HAPPY TURKEY DAY!!!

With just a month over my 1 year anniversary, this is a great time to reflect on just how special this year has been.  So just a small recap of this year and what I'm so thankful for.

1.  I guess the first most important person to thank is my amazing husband.  When I told him a year ago that I wanted to start my own socially responsible design firm he said 'do it!'  Through the ups and downs of entrepreneurship he's been by my side.  For those of you that know entrepreneurship, the special one's in our lives are those that are able to manage our ups and downs.  But the joy is in celebrating even the smallest accomplishment and my husband is the best at finding any reason to celebrate! :)  It's been the most fulfilling journey.

2. My business partner, Katie Crepeau, for joining my mission 6 months into the business to try and better understand the architecture + design industry landscape.  We still haven't cracked the code for transforming a new business model, but we've tested a few methods.  It's been an emotional journey with a lot of busy and late nights and husbands that haven't seen us.  Without Katie, Urban Matters wouldn't be where it is today, touching the lives of more people than I had ever anticipated in the first year!  It's not easy to find a socially impact driven partner and for this I will forever be grateful!  We've pushed the envelope - attended a hack-a-thon, where our project was one of four to win, submitted a business idea for an accelerator program (we've become more tech than I'd ever thought I'd be) and launched a mini development project (seed is planted) that we hope brings urban vitality to vacant lots and builds community throughout the US.

3. Great Clients!!!  We have the BEST clients in the world!!  If you ever get to meet the individuals behind all the companies that we serve, you would be amazed!!  Some of the brightest minds out there, and all doing something so fantastic for our world.  We are so proud and honored to help physically show their amazing mission, values and culture within their environments.  So thank YOU clients!!  We look forward to continully helping you enhance your space and always improving the value that we add!  

4. For our biggest supporters!!!  You know who you are...you make the hard times easy.  You believe in what we are doing and you show it in the best ways by either donating your time to our causes or cheering us on when we most need it.  Thank you for sharing our vision!!  I've been introduced to some of the most giving and sharing individuals this year.  It gives me goose bumps just thinking about it and it's what keeps me inspired each and everyday.

5.  A growing client base! Because of SOCAP, a gathering of some fantastic organizations, we were able to share our vision with companies outside of the bay area, enabling our client base to now spread to the east coast!  We look forward to meeting and sharing more of our expertise with the world.

6. For all the efforts and hard work that has been started by AfH, Public Architecture, bcWORKSHOP and Kounkuey Design Initiative.  Thanks for forging the way for a paradigm shift.  We need you!

HAVE A WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING!  And know that we are toasting to YOU today!

-iheartcities