Heading Back Home
Last week I had the opportunity to present at another lunch and learn with WI Life and Style. It was an amazing event and I had the pleasure of connecting with business owners and marketing professionals in the Green Bay area.
The event took place in downtown Green Bay, in the Rail Yard district – a 22 acre urban development of businesses and homes. This area is particularly important to me, as it is home to my very first post-grad office at KHROME, a local full-service advertising agency. In fact, the KHROME team spent time in three different office spaces in the building. We were one of the first tenants of the entire district and our fearless leader (and the agency owner), Jim Rivett, knew there was something special about the community there.
Not only were the buildings unlike any other space in Green Bay (they were once home to Larsen Canning, a local canning factory which boasted high ceilings and unique industrial features), they would also soon be the heart of Green Bay’s newest development and innovation district. From a bomb x-ray technology company (yes, you read that right), a farm-to-table restaurant (which made fresh cheese curds daily), to the Greater Green Bay Community Foundation, and Titletown Brewery, we had it all right in our building…plus a rooftop bar!
These buildings also hold some of the most special memories I have. From Jim dancing to Jonas Brothers on the windowsills for all Broadway to see, to the time we decided to host 200+ people for the American Advertising Awards (ADDYs) before our agency was even a year old. Photo evidence below for one of my favorite nights ever and an accomplishment I’m still so proud of!
This area and these buildings are also home to some amazing friendships. From coworkers to clients, every day in our office and in our building was an adventure and brought a new lesson. The work wasn’t always easy. We were a small team and constantly pulling off more than agencies and team twice our size. I credit my time with KHROME to my willingness to learn how to do anything and everything when it comes to digital marketing. If I don’t have the answer you need, I’ll figure it out for you so we can both learn!
Now, almost 7 years since I first stepped food in the Rail Yard District, I walked in with countless new memories and experiences. Rather than heading up to the third floor to my desk, I’m meeting with clients and presenting to dozens of business owners…as a business owner myself. I no longer call Green Bay home, but I am welcomed to the building with an overwhelming sense of pride and happiness.
So much has happened in the world, in my life, and in the lives of all those that walk these halls. We’ve learned so much, lost people we love, changed careers, moved, gotten married, started businesses, and more…
But wherever I end up, Green Bay (and this building) will still always be home to me. Home to some of my greatest life lessons, most valued friendships, and the place where I called one of my greatest inspirations in the world “my boss” (although Jim would correct me and say “we’re coworkers”).
Thank you to those of you that have been with me since my KHROME days! And of course to those of you that have joined in on my journey along the way. We’re just getting started!
While Jim deserves his very own post (or 12), and I’ll get to that some day…I want to acknowledge his life and the amazing man that was gone too soon from our lives.
