I’ve been walking past the Catalyst building for years, noticing the vibrant colors and visual appeal. In my opinion, it helps give downtown Fort Wayne a “big city” feel. Last November, I was on my way to a show at The Embassy and I took a couple minutes to peek in the windows. To my surprise, it was a marketing design company. I immediately went home and checked their website for any internship openings, but at that time, there were no available positions posted.

About a month later, a marketing internship became available and I sent my resume in right away. It was a week later when I got the call to interview; I was thrilled, but nervous at the same time. What would it feel like to interview for the internship of my dreams, yet not be the candidate chosen? The day of the interview was finally here and I did my best at putting together a trendy outfit to match the décor of Catalyst. I was given a tour of the building and met most of the staff that day. I left the interview feeling confident but that feeling can sometimes trick me. You know the feeling when you leave an exam thinking you aced it, only to find out later, you didn’t. Yeah that was the feeling.

I was lucky enough to receive the position and I started working at Catalyst on January 4. I felt an overwhelming sense of ease as I was entering the building on day one. My orientation process was fast but enjoyable. I was able to sit down one on one with all the members of the Catalyst family to learn what they do here. One of my favorite parts of the orientation process was taking a personality test and learning about everyone else’s results. It’s a great tool for small businesses because it really helps you understand why people do and say certain things.

I’ve heard horror stories of internships and all the silly errands they run on a daily basis because they are at the bottom of the food chain, but I am so blessed to be working for a company that values each member and their opinions.

I have been working here for about a month and have been busy every second. One of the first things I noticed about Catalyst is how well they research and do their homework to ensure the clients are receiving their best work. I have worked on three different research projects so far and they are much more enjoyable than the ones I have done in college. I have been included in more meetings than I can count and have learned so much in my first month.

I’m looking forward to spending more time in the office, building relationships with my coworkers and learning as much as I can about strategy and marketing. If you’re looking for a “big city” agency with small town values and service, we would love to talk with you. Even if you just need some homework done, I’d be happy to have a new project to work on!

Only released in beta version a little over a year ago, and already voted one of the “50 Best Websites of 2011,” Pinterest.com is a new social media phenomenon. It is a “mood board” style sharing site, where users create their own boards based on themes that interest them. Users “pin” URLs and photos to their theme boards, which are then shared with followers and other users. The site offers a “pin it” utility to allow users to quickly and easily pin something they see on any site on the web. Pins can be repinned, or liked, and allow other users to comment also.

To join Pinterest, you must be invited. You can get an invitation emailed to you from a current user, or go to Pinterest.com to request an invitation. When you are invited you can register through your facebook or twitter accounts.

I just started using Pinterest and I will say that the site has become a major source of inspiration and ideas for everything – cooking, fashion, home decor, art, design, technology, and much more. The search feature is useful when I’m curious about what’s been “pinned” on a particular topic. I started pinning favorite things of mine right away, and I also do a fair amount of “repinning” ideas that I see from other users that I want to save to my boards, too.

It will be interesting to see how companies and brands can promote products on the site. I’m sure many companies are already looking into how to incorporate Pinterest in a way that won’t alienate users – especially when their rules of etiquette are clearly opposed to overtly promotional activity on the site. As part of an overall social strategy, it appears that Pinterest is a site that should be considered, particularly if the brand can provide helpful, interesting, or inspiring information “pinners” would appreciate.

Have you started using Pinterest? Will it be part of your social media strategy?

Some wisdom from smart people, some things you learned from your mom, and some seriously random stuff…

1. “In this business, you can never wash the dinner dishes and say they are done. You have to keep doing them constantly.” Mary Wells Lawrence
2. No whining.
3. “People who read the tabloids deserve to be lied to.” Jerry Seinfeld
4. Failing does not make you a failure.
5. “The consumer isn’t a moron; she is your wife.” David Ogilvy
6. Never leave a man behind.
7. “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.” Winston Churchill
8. “I’ve learned any fool can write a bad ad, but it takes a real genius to keep his hands off a good one.” Leo Burnett
9. Tip your servers.
10. “You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.” Plato
11. Always stick together.
12. “Never trust a smiling cat.” Garfield
13. A little goes a long way.
14. Lefty loosie, righty tighty.
15. “Floating the flop to bet on the turn.” Ted Kucinsky

Does this happen where you work? Nearly every day of the week, two or more people at Catalyst are dressed alike. No, Ted and Shannon haven’t instituted a uniform policy (what would Catalyst uniforms look like I wonder…), but it is a strange cultural thing here at the agency. And I’m not talking just once in a while. It is nearly every day of the week.

Ted and Jeff will often be wearing the same style AND color of shirt. Jude, Jeff, and Ted will be seen sporting long sleeve, striped shirts all on the same day. One day, Melinda and Christy both looked cute in their nearly identical, v-neck embellished knit tops. Another time six people in the conference room were all wearing blue. Some days it’s plaid shirt day, other days everyone’s wearing black. Go figure.

The all-time most bizarre was when Shannon and Ted showed up on a day when they were heading out of town together for a new business meeting. Shannon wore a light gray skirt and a pale pink sweater (very chic!), and Ted wore a light gray suit with a pink tie. Same shade of gray. Same shade of pink. They looked like they were going to the Business Prom. No doubt they would be crowned king and queen!

I don’t have an explanation for this phenomenon. How could the yellow button up shirt just happen to come up in the rotation on the exact same day for Ted and Jeff? Why do the guys all reach for a striped shirt on the same day? How could Ted and Shannon both wake up and think “gray and pink” for the day?

If I had to say, I would guess that this has something to do with the fact that we work so closely together that we’re starting to rub off on each other. Like when a husband and wife start looking alike, or like people who resemble their dogs.

This has nothing to do with branding, marketing, or business. It’s just a Catalyst thing. See if you notice it next time you visit. (If you haven’t been here it might just be worth the trip!)

(Side note: The day I wrote this article, I walked around wondering if I was wrong, because I saw no one dressed alike. Then someone came around the corner and pointed out that Connie and I were wearing darn near the same sweater. What a relief that was!)

For the past 14 years, Steve Jobs has been at the forefront of Apple’s technological reign. He brought to us the iPod, iPhone, iPad and so much more. But with the recent announcement of Jobs stepping down from his current position due to health reasons, many wonder if Apple will be able to maintain their momentum.

In a recent poll by Twtpoll, the question was posed. “Will Steve Jobs’s resignation hurt Apple?” 40% said that Steve Jobs IS Apple. Is this true? Does Apple’s brand rely solely on one man? If so, then Apple will be in trouble.

Realistically, Apple may be hurt temporarily without Jobs, but it will carry on. But it does bring a caution to many existing brands out there. Don’t rely on a human to be the focus or leader of your brand. Many companies do this and what they fail to remember is that brands can last forever, people don’t. It’s fine for an individual to be a leading spokesperson for your brand, but when they begin to become your brand, then that’s another story. Many companies do it and it’s a risk. Let your brand speak for itself and let your spokesperson highlight the brand. The brand needs to have a life of its own. It needs to live on with or without the spokesperson.

When the iPhone 5 comes out, the truth will be told as to whether or not the Apple brand will suffer. When the iPhone 6 comes out will be when we know that the Apple brand has a life of its own.