The Waiting Game

Two things that a company needs to really start forming a personality is a logo and a tagline. I had a rough idea that I passed on to Cam and he got to work a few of weeks ago. I honestly wasn't expecting him to get back to me with anything workable for a while. We had some t-shirt designs we were still not happy with so I assumed that we'd be discussing those when we met a week ago.

After discussing some of the designs and a high-five or two over some really great ones, he pulled up another file. It was the logo ideas that he had. There were about four in total. We scanned through them together, huddled over the prized MacBook Pro that houses all of Cam's priceless artwork. Some were similiar, one I joked that we might look like we sold surfboards, we giggled and came back to one that I had seen earlier.

"I really like that one", I said as I pointed to the screen.

"That's funny, it's the first one I worked on", he said almost in disbelief.

We stared at the design for a minute and I looked over at the face of my partner looking as if there was something he wanted to say. I wanted to know what he was thinking. He just reiterated that he was pleasantly surprised that this one was the original piece.

"Change the fish to red" I said.

Voila! The logo is done. We love it. In fact, whenever we see it, we say so. Our tagline is also complete. It came to me from something that Cam said during his 'interview' with me.

It is great to be excited but my job at Ichthus is to do all the boring stuff, like protecting our assets. It would be my great joy to post the new designs, logo and tagline with lightning speed. Problem is, we need to be sure that we follow the proper process to copyright and trademark what is ours. Time and diligence are what is needed to do everything we can to be successful. As soon as they are ready, I will be posting them all. We went over our business cards the other day too. I was so overjoyed to see my name and our logo on a card that I almost cried right there at Panera Bread.

Lastly, our company has its first interested client. We are pleased to be in talks with a motivational speaker who may offer some of our designs as part of his marketing packages, as well as, hiring us to do some design work for him. All this, of course, hinges on getting the designs up so people can see samples of our work! Ah yes, discipline is a key factor even when it is hard.

More to come and thanks for sharing this journey with us!

Cam's Story

If you spend any time at all with Cameron MacKenzie, Chief Branding Officer for Ichthus Versewear, you'll see a whirling ball of positive energy. Quick with a smile, Cam always leans in and looks intently at the person speaking in his direction. His sense of the presence and concerns of others wraps you up when he is around you. His charisma for life makes you want to jump on board with whatever he has in mind.

When I asked him why he wanted to start Ichthus Versewear this is what he had to say, "I hate to sound like a 'Cheese Ball' but but I hope it makes the world a better place by putting the Good Word out there".

"I'm not out there with messages. It's kind of more personal to me but I am proud to be though. Ichthus works for me because I am the message without having to walk up to someone and start a conversation out of no where".

Cameron has been making and writing music since he was a kid. His father, an accomplished pianist in his own right, starting him playing the piano at a young age. "I played piano as a kid and when I got older, I tried the drums. My favorite instrument to play though is the guitar". As he grew up to be a teenager, singing called to him and he developed his voice in his early 20's with his 10-year tenure as the front man for the Boston-based band, 'Plank'. When he was brought the marketing idea of taking Ichthus on the road to sell t-shirts at Christian music festivals around the country, Cameron was sealed in his commitment to kick off the endeavor. "Connecting the message of the t-shirts to music, it's like connecting my two passions. It makes it extra cool".

Cameron brings 16 years of graphic design and marketing experience to Ichthus Versewear. He has worked with some of the best companies and agencies in the Boston area. Cameron's clean, simple and yet powerful designs make Ichthus come alive. From the mind of one becomes an image on MacBook of another. There is no more thrilling high than seeing your dreams and ideas become something tangible.

"If everyone could be more public with their faith, the world would be a much happier place".

It is my great pleasure to not only introduce you to my business partner and friend but the man behind the image, look and feel of what is Ichthus Versewear. We will have a website up soon and hope to show off our shiny new logo and some beta designs. Stay tuned!

When God Hits The Accelerator

Ichthus is in it's infancy. The business plan is being executed and we are in the middle of producing our product offering. It's exhilarating to see your ideas become something tangible.

Seeing Cam's designs on the computer screen gave me the tingling sensation that this was a real thing that was actually going to happen. The giddiness was almost impossible to contain as we huddled around his MacBook at a Panera Bread table in the middle of a busy lunch hour.

I've been working on the business end of the deal while Cam continues to fine tune the creative piece, and most importantly, finalize our logo. Reaching out to contacts at all the venues we plan to be at has been a very pleasant and encouraging experience. It is so refreshing to work with fellow Christians and help build momentum for a mutual interest, making Christ famous.

Doing the arduous things in building a business can be discouraging at times even when you have the best people around you. There will be days where we will wonder if this will turn out the way we want, we'll wonder if we have enough money to move on what we need to, we'll disagree on something, there are all these things that will come our way. Add to the fact that we are also serving the Lord in what we do and you can bet the other camp is going to bring trouble. Hinderance is their specialty. In times like these, we'll need to remember what it is that we are doing and remind ourselves and each other about what the big picture is. Where is God in this and do we have the right motives. If we do, then press on.

My first idea is now a final design and I can't wait to wear it. It is my hope to have it in my hands and ready to wear for Soulfest, where I will be volunteering in August. If you see a little blonde woman with a very cool t-shirt on there, that's me! Since we've been reviewing designs, my mind won't stop coming up with new ones. Seems like every day I come up with two more and I want to put them in front of the Design Guru but I don't to overload him either. At times, I am like "Whoa, Lord, slow down!" but that is just how He is. When He finds people who are receptive, He wants to show you what He is all about with great passion. I am just trying to stay in the flow and not get overwhelmed by what is coming at me.

Next post will be about the logo and where to get the beta designs so stay tuned!!!

Every Great Idea Has A First Day

I tried to give this idea away, if you can believe it. I wanted to see it become something but I was too busy writing a book. The problem is, nothing ever happened to my idea. I tried to shut it out, I was too busy to take this on. It kept haunting me. Months later, after being tired of wrestling with whether or not to put this idea into action I asked to see a great friend in order to solicit his help. Something was growing.

I sat down with my friend over a smile, a notebook and a sandwich and began to speak. As I started to unveil my idea, he listened intently but with an odd look on his face. "Ah" , I think as I speak, "he's not interested". I finished speaking. A long pause followed by a hard blink came from across the table. "I have wanted to do something like this for a long time". I almost fell over. "Let's do it". The fish was beginning to take form.

Today, designs have been discussed and business plans agreed upon. On this day, May 20th, 2011, Ichthus Versewear becomes a reality. The fish has hatched.

"I want to talk to people about God but I don't know how to start the conversation" or "I wish I was as comfortable talking about the bible as you" are common things I have heard from people over the years. I had been in business for a while. I am also a voracious researcher of things biblical. The conversations are not an effort for me. I don't want them to be an effort for you either.

Ichthus Versewear is a way for you, the participant, to wear your ice breaker. Our unique T-Shirt designs bring the conversation to you and create your opening line. All you have to do is speak and share.

Look for coming articles as you take a journey with us in hatching our company and making it swim!