God has been blessing us as of late. After wandering through the valley (in what seemed like an eternity) things have certainly turned around. There are still many things to figure out, but in a whirlwind, we are overwhelmed with blessings. So, if you all haven’t heard, here is some of the latest (I posted on my work site, but I’ll copy it here for you all):
In the past months incredible things have been brewing here in Cincinnati. Busy, yes. Stressed, yes. Profitable, no comment. As the work kept coming, the exposure and “good buzz” spread far past my expectations or effort (I just wanted to do the best work possible for my clients, who knew it might actually pay off). Soon there were few offers on the table. Phone calls late at night. Hours explaining what I do, why I do it, and why I am not interested in doing or being anything else. Being my own entity, the lone gunman, a solitary criminal of design – I typically immediately balk at any offers to be absorbed, hired, or in anyway loosing what I’ve worked hard (and selfishly) for – the freedom of answering only to myself. Little did I know there was an offer approaching that I couldn’t believe (or refuse).
Wiseacre Design Studio was approached in November of 2004 by Design Innovations Paradigm, an full service marketing and design firm located in Last Chance, Colorado (you know, the standard offerings of “brand” development, consumer product placement, corporate collateral, viral marketing, interactive technology creation, blah blah blah). At first I thought I would have the same answer; “thank you, but no”. They were persistent. They flew me and the whole family to Denver, picked us up in a limo, and drove us to a resort in Glenwood Springs. They wined, dined, wooed and made us feel important (whether or not they were sincere is hard to know). Sonya had a good feeling, and that for me cinched it – that and a 6 figure salary.
The new company is called Design Innovations Paradigm / Wiseacre Asset Development, or D.I.P.W.A.D. for short. The rights of all design, intellectual property, technology development, clients and emerging ideas have been purchased by D.I.P. I will still be able to work from home, keep my own hours, and have complete creative control and input in other areas of design, development and planning. It’s an enormous step up. A move, both literally and figuratively, in an upward direction. With most “deals”, there is always a hitch — but the upside was so tremendous, that I couldn’t resist. They have already purchased our house, in the mountains. We have new cars. New furniture. Appliances. The only major “deal” is that we have to legally change our surnames to “DIPWAD”. Not a big deal — considering all my dreams have come true — what’s an identity when you have stuff, and lots of it!?
So, come next month, the Dipwad family will be moving to the mountains of Colorado. Big things. Big things.