Why the new website?

I’ve spent a lot of time and effort looking at my business, and myself, over the past couple of years. This has been a period of growth and reflection for Borrow and for me. At times it’s been pretty painful, but like most difficult things, the positive direction and self-fulfillment I’ve reaped throughout this process has been undeniable. I’ve reclaimed the why of Borrow and myself. I’m comfortable with my mistakes. My eyes are to the future. I am a creative person pushing to master and grow a creative business. I want to do it the right way—not only because I know this means continued growth for my business—but because it also means growth for the people who invest their hearts into Borrow. My team is a huge part of Borrow’s why. I’m excited to continue to move forward on this journey with them. And goddammit, we’re going to have laughs throughout the process or I might explode!

Borrow’s old website was pretty, but it missed the mark. Here was our challenge: How do we revamp a website that reflects all that we do without it feeling like a boring info dump? I’ll start with what not to do. This falls under Business Owner Mistake tab #5136. (I’m not all doom and gloom—there is a Killing It tab too!)

Last year, I decided we needed a new website. I contacted the first name I received for someone “inexpensive” and plowed forward. Six months later the site was… uh…. not good. After spending time and money for a website that wasn’t what I needed, I really started doing my homework.

Enter Charity from Chartreuse Design. Charity is a good friend of mine and her firm is a veteran in the graphic design arena. With Chartreuse Design handling the branding update to make things fresh, Charity brought in Kelsey from Pinegate Road to handle the web work. Borrow’s new website was officially underway. This project felt totally different from the start. We had timelines, objectives, branding presentation, and conversations about the what and why. Kelsey sent videos along the way explaining developments. All the information was clear, concise, and innovative. Charity and Kelsey both do the thing that sets leaders apart from the pack: They do what they say they are going to do.   

My experience with Charity and Kelsey helped me realize something important: You and your business are as good as the company you keep. It’s ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE.

Borrow will kick ass if we have A+ players in the right positions on our team. We will kick ass if we choose to work along side A+ players who are constantly doing what they do best. We will be able to realize our dreams more fully if we surround ourselves with people with similar passions, values, and creativity.  

Making the decision to go with Chartruese and Pinegate gets filed under the Killing It tab. I’m so excited to see the new website come to fruition. I’m excited to continue to flesh out its potential over the next year and to keep growing.