It’s been a busy few weeks for us here at McNary Marketing & Design and in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.
On Tuesday December 5, we opened the doors of our new office and welcomed friends from the community to celebrate with us, alongside with fellow officemates. (You can read more about them and our new space here.) As attendance approached 100, an audible buzz of conversations shared and connections made filled the space where the new McNary Marketing office is headquartered. After an official Ribbon Cutting with the Cedar Rapids Metro Economic Alliance, we enjoyed casual introductions and chats with other local professionals and business owners. Plenty of delicious food was provided by local vendors, clients, and friends Lion Bridge Brewing Company, Great American Popcorn Company Cedar Rapids, Just Like Home Soul Food, and Crazy Good Meats. It was a rare opportunity to have all four of our employees under the same roof at the same time – and an enriching time to relish our vibrant, entrepreneurial community.
Just two days later, Joshua served as the MC at the EntreFest: Entrepreneur Day. The day was filled a number of presentations from local entrepreneurs, who shared their stories and valuable takeaways. (You can take a peek at the day from our coverage on KCRG-TV). Among the most common themes were the ideas of hiring and persistence. We were encouraged to look for solid people to surround ourselves and our brand with. And we were reminded that success only comes through endurance and keeping on. Two priceless messages as we review the year and look forward to our goals ahead. We capped the presentations with Jeff Quint at Cedar Ridge Distillery. He shared his story of persistence, working a 9 to 5 job while building his brand on the nights and weekends. We celebrated the day with some whiskey tastings from Cedar Ridge Distillery.
We ended the day at the Paramount Theater with the Launch Day, where four companies in NewBoCo’s Iowa Startup Accelerator (for which Joshua is a mentor) got to present their vision for their companies. You can read more about the event and those budding companies in The Gazette and on CBS 2.
These amazing events are just a reminder of the growing and energetic community in which we live and work. We are so thankful to call Cedar Rapids home and are eager to see what 2018 has for us.