The Media Store’s Post

The Home Care Show at the Venetian is just around the corner, and I’m looking forward to the great conversations and connections that always make these events so valuable. If you’re going to be there, let’s chat a dinner and share ideas, discuss projects, or simply say hello. I’m always up for meeting new faces and reconnecting with old friends in the industry. Send me a quick message, and let’s set up a time. Because what’s a great event without a few meaningful conversations? #HomeCareShow #Letstalk #HomeCareConnections #IndustryInsights

🌸We hope you are having a Sweet Thyme this Spring🌿 Are you tired of the same old corporate gifts? This season, we've handcrafted beautiful gift boxes for GK Letting featuring a bottle of honey and a fresh pot of thyme. This company gift is fun and unique whilst still delivering value, which makes it perfect for colleagues and clients. Spread the love this season 💖 Contact us at storme@storm-e.co.za for inquiries. #SweetThyme #SpringGifts #corporategifts #companygifts #creativegifts #marketingmanagement #marketingsolutions #digitalmarketing

"Should we say something?" This question, posed  by a client during the height of the Black Lives Matter movement, immediately prompted my firm response: "No." As a brand and marketing strategist,  the past three years, have been tumultuous waters amidst social upheaval and global conflicts. My first involvement in this complex area began in the wake of George Floyd's tragic death, a period marked by many companies making public stands leveraging everything from social media to PR statements to voice their positions. During a strategy meeting with a client, the question was asked  "Should we say something?" My gut reaction was a resounding "No"—at least, not yet. Reacting to match the actions of others, merely to avoid looking indifferent, seemed misguided to me. I urged for patience, requesting a few days to consider the implications and to create a way forward.  This decision demanded a thoughtful and strategic approach, taking into account the company’s core identity, brand values, and customer base. The client was in the crafting industry, where their products and communities are deeply connected to personal joy and passion. Our customers saw their craft as an escape—a sanctuary where they found peace, shared their art, and experienced unity within the community.  This context made it clear that any statement made needed to be genuine and aligned with the ethos of both the company and its community.  It was essential to craft a message that resonated authentically, rather than one that merely echoed the sentiments of others for appearance's sake.  We never issued an official statement, instead through our online communities and hosted festivals, we championed unity, diversity, acceptance, and change. This was achieved by spotlighting the very art created and shared within our community. Such an approach allowed us to genuinely and thoughtfully express the values of our company and our customers, continuing the traditions of storytelling and unity that define the community we cherish. We've seen brands fall apart overnight often seeming to betray the values, and beliefs they purport to represent. This misalignment has shattered the trust these brands claimed to uphold. My job in a company is not to dictate what's right or wrong; the market has its way of resolving that. My job is to deliberate carefully, understand each business's intricacies, know the customers intimately, and outline a strategic way forward.  I've often wanted to explore this topic in podcasts and interviews, but its sensitive nature and the risk of misspeaking have led to rejections. Now, I'm turning to you, my LinkedIn community, to share these insights. Conflicts and societal issues will persist, and while they are risky to address, they are crucial. How would you handle such sensitive topics in your industry? I'd love to hear your thoughts below. 

Growing something from the ground up is not easy. Especially when you need unlock tools that are specific to what your business needs. Very proud that Talia Hagler and I finally got us to the point to gain access to go live direct from our page The Girl Boss Drink Show. But I’m also proud that when we didn’t, we didn’t stop or pushback production. Instead, we adapted to what we did have in front of us. #proudmoment #nevergiveup #letskeepgrowing #business #storysharing

Are your customers "feeling the love," or are they feeling ignored and taken for granted? Don't assume your customers will also want to work with you. Make sure you go the extra mile to show them you care! #govcon #growth365 #governmentcontracts #governmentcontracting #smallbusiness

One Year of F*cking Fit Over 40. Thousands of pounds of fat lost and lean muscle gained. Bad habits gone, and new fitness-first lifestyle being lived. More energy to build their dream business, close more deals and show up as their best self. One year of transforming driven male execs and founders over 40 into stronger, more confident versions of themselves. This isn't just fitness; it's a movement. It's where male leaders prioritize himself in a healthy way, become the change their company (and family) needs to see, and become the powerful role models their loved ones deserve. Over the past year, we've built more than muscle—we’ve built a network of top professionals who know that success isn't just in the boardroom but starts with the person in the mirror. These men don’t just show up for their partners, kids, and colleagues; they show up for themselves. To celebrate, we’re kicking off our anniversary with a Black Friday special designed for those ready to invest in their greatest asset: their health. Ready to join a network that pushes you to your best? Be part of the next wave of FFIT40 success stories. You're a lion in the boardroom, time to be a lion in life: https://lnkd.in/gSSMVsWx

Isn't being non-inclusive exhausting? 🤷🏾♀️ . . . Especially when we get called out left, right and centre anyway! Who has heard these phrases before, and how do they make you feel? - 'We don't have the data to back up offering alcohol-free events' 'Our audience isn't from an accessible background' 'Our sponsors aren't asking for it' 'Our clients will refuse it' 'It's just not how we've done it before' For some it feels like the underlying message is - "Stop ruining everyone's fun, just because you want to make it ‘inclusive’” or “Just because you want alcohol-free options, why does that mean you have to stop me from enjoying myself?” Or the absolute kicker to the gut is “Going woke'? I won’t attend"🙄 At Diversity Alliance ®, I will continue to champion the idea that events should reflect everyone and that everyone should feel valued, respected and welcomed. Inclusion starts with a basic Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which is to have food and drink (be nourished) without being excluded. So, here’s my response to those comments: Every single person should be able to have a drink at an event and not feel pressured into something they don’t want or triggered by options that don’t suit them. We don’t know anyone’s backstory… Also alcohol-free choices shouldn’t just be a, coke, orange juice or a sparkling water. They don’t and have never hit the spot… and let’s be frank never will. 📸 Loving this shot of Veronique Goussard at the Rare Founders event, enjoying an alcohol-free lager, with UNLTD a sponsor at the event! ID: The image shows a smiling person at an event, holding a beverage in one hand and an UNLTD alcohol-free lager bottle in the other. They’re wearing a black blazer over a yellow and pink patterned dress, with a lanyard and dark hair styled up. The background features a bar. #InclusiveEvents #AlcoholFreeOptions #EventInclusion #RespectForAll #EventInnovation

2024 work highlights. Thank you to everyone who recommended us, follow us on all our social media pages, liked or commented on our post, and gave us feedback, too. You're the reason we strive to be better than yesterday in all our services deliveries. In 2025, we're committed to serving you even better. Let's do this again tribe. #traininganddevelopmentservices# #sofix_consulting# #Hrmatters# #businessconsultingservices#

Operating a family-owned company isn’t always easy. Add to that the stress of working as business partners when you’re also husband and wife, dealing with a major health issue (mine), running for a political office (him), parenting, and other life occurrences, and it can sometimes be painfully difficult. And yet, here we are — having celebrated our 10th wedding anniversary in October and less than a month away from the 10th anniversary of launching Extol Media. For the past few months, Jason (Applegate) and I have been working together on a project that fills us with excitement as we go back to our roots — but in a new way. Our daily family breakfast talks linger into getting ready time. He purchased a beautiful makeup bag from bonhomia because he knew how much joy it would give me as I get set to embark on a path that looks nothing like 2024, which was primarily spent behind the camera in between far too many medical visits. Each day these past two weeks of holiday break, we’ve worked side by side…just like we did before we debuted Extol. But we didn’t just work: we worked together. And laughed, dreamed, reminisced, and supportively challenged each other to make this year the best one yet. There will be bumps, for sure, but I wouldn’t want to navigate them with anyone else. The same with the successes. It’s not always easy, but when you make a daily commitment to remind yourselves you’re on the same team, suddenly, anything is possible. I can’t wait to prove that to ourselves this year. #familybusiness #newyear #extolmedia

Confession - I am truly an introvert at heart. So big events with 20,000 people attending and 150 trade show booths aren't my idea surroundings. I'd much rather attend an event with 300 people and 8-10 tables to visit. The one and only Morgan J Ingram, my guest this week on Closing Time, says I'm in luck. Smaller, more intimate events are growing in popularity. Here's the crazy part: Social media is actually creating the appetite for these more intimate events. Communities created online (either during or post-pandemic) on platforms like LinkedIn are moving in-person, but staying small to preserve the sense of community that has made them successful. Yahoo for me and all of the other introverts out there. Now, make no mistake, I'm putting Morgan on the FAR end of the extrovert scale 😎 , but we still had a great chat about the power of LinkedIn. Check out the clip below and the full episode on YouTube.