Independence Day Archives

04 Jul Happy Independence Day. #BabyYoureAFirework

Posted at 16:12h in Digital, Inspiration, Just For Fun, Motion

Baby you're a firework...

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BOOM Creative is at Connellsville Area Middle School.

3 days ago

Excited to share this TV PSA we directed, shot and produced for Fayette County's Effective Prevention in Connellsville Communities "Falcons for Families" program. Thanks to Mark Spaeder for his wonderful storytelling vision, as well as all the parents and kids who volunteered to be in this spot. (Agency Version) ... See MoreSee Less

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2023 EPICC "Falcons for Families" TV PSA :30

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BOOM Creative is at Keystone Oaks High School.

1 month ago

A long-ish holiday story.

In November of 2021, we were facing the challenge of finding suitable EndOfYear/Holiday gifts for our clients and partners. The year after Covid lockdown with so much transition everywhere, had left everyone shell-shocked and a little uninspired. After all we’d been through, would anyone really want a scarf or a candle from BOOM?

As things opened back up, Shadyside Nail Gal • Eastside Salon 7 and I found ourselves at our favorite local maker event — the Handmade Arcade at Pittsburgh’s Convention Center.

The event is huge. About halfway through, we came across an unusual vendor set-up. There were about nine uniform-clad teens at their table, proud and excited to be showcasing their wares.

I looked for a sign telling us who they were. It was a student-owned-and-run business based out of — OMG — my high school Keystone Oaks High School ! The company is called Golden Oaks Designs and is part of the Edcorp International program and part of Real World Scholars.

These students were awesome spokespeople and salespeople. They explained that they do engraving on a CNC machine, use lasers to cut out patterns, and that they turned the pens and pencils by hand, paired them with custom cases and created the pen/pencil sets that I was excited about (as well as a slew of other items).

I got an idea. Could they make a bunch of these for us to give away as client appreciation gifts? Yes, they could. Could they put the BOOM logo into their engraving software? Yes, they could. Could they personalize each set? Yes, they could. Could they — and here was the big one — complete a large order so that we could send them out as holiday gifts in 14 days? Maybe. Possibly.

We had the order figured out that same week. These kids were great. Super responsive, polite, helpful —better than many vendors we work with daily. I made a list, talked to Rob Nyde Handley about the design and then sent everything over to them. They had a mock-up sample ready in about 3 days. It looked great.

And then – the supply chain issues that the entire world had been experiencing hit our project like a freight train. They couldn’t get the hardwood. The case provider had stopped making the cases. It was one setback after another. We wouldn’t make our holiday date for 2021. No matter, we can send them out in January.

Aaaand then we didn’t make our mid-January 2021 date. Okay, maybe next year. And here we are - it’s “next year” and I’m happy to say that we’ve got the majority of our sets shipped.

The teachable moment here and across the whole project was that these students didn't give up even once.

At any point in this journey, I was expecting some of these kids to bail, make mistakes, become disillusioned with the project, or even just age out of high school (like Menudo). Sure, they can hustle and make a bunch of stuff to sell-out at a pre-holiday craft show. But this was a large, private order. Estimates had been issued. Expectations had been set. Dates had passed.

If every business ran the way these students ran theirs, the world would be a better place. They handled every challenge with professionalism, courtesy, and perseverance. Never once did they tell me they couldn’t do something I asked them about.

I credit their individual spirit but also many kudos go to their leadership. Among other advisors, Craig Wetzel, the technology educator at Keystone Oaks High School, is the kind of teacher I wish I had when I was in school, and one that I hope every student has an opportunity to experience. And our project coordinator, student Abigail Branik is a rock-star who is going to be and do whatever she wants to be and do.

I get the impression that these kids have a blast with this. Not just the making of things, but the whole business process. And if there’s one thing I would try to impart to anyone about to go up and out to college or trade school, or to pursue a career — do what you love, and let people know it. You’ll never work a day in your life.

BOOM has been incredibly fortunate to be able to say that we honestly love the work we do and the people we work with and for.

Merry Christmas! Hanukkah Sameach! And a joyous new year to everyone! We appreciate you all.

Scot Fleming, Rob Nyde Handley, tara taylor, Mark Spaeder, Darice Nagy, Christie Bauer ... See MoreSee Less

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Shannon Tiernan, This post belong’s to my future brother-in-law. I see E is a member of this group ☺️

Awesome! Thanks so much for talking about this. EdCorps by Real World Scholars (www.realworldscholars.org - NOT the link for Edcorps intl above) is proud to say we've impacted thousands of students across the United States and in Pittsburgh over the past 9 years with our entrepreneurial experiential learning e-commerce platform. We love Craig and Dennis and their group of students doing things right over there at Keystone Oaks. 🙂

BOOM Creative is at Connellsville Area Middle School.

2 months ago

BOOM Creative spent a beautiful day in Connellsville, PA on location film capture for Effective Prevention in Connellsville Communities + Fayette County Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. working with some awesome teens, parents, and facilitators getting footage for their 2023 Falcons For Families programs. Thanks to Connellsville Area Middle School for the run of their wonderful facilities.
Here's a little behind the scenes phone capture. (Real commercial directed, shot and edited by Mark Spaeder coming soon!)
With Mark Spaeder Photography, Rob Nyde Handley, Scot Fleming, Kayla Lukaesko, and Joelle Rosky
Commonwealth Prevention Alliance PAStart • Start Building Healthy Kids Campaign ... See MoreSee Less