Friends,

At this time of year I, like most others, begin to reflect on what I did and didn’t do over the past 12 months. I start to separate the “good” from the “bad” in my head as I give myself my yearly review. I stopped making (and breaking) News Years Resolutions a long time ago, even though in the back of my mind I make “quiet lists” or goals, if you will. I evaluate how I performed over the past year. How did I do? Did I help anyone? Did I reach my goals from a year ago? And this, my friends, is how I find my strength and direction.

I’ve had so many people over the years ask me, “How are you so strong?” or “How did you make it here?” Answer: I make goals. I have yearly weekly, monthly, yearly, and life long goal lists. The life goal list is the fun one which includes my favorite bullet point: a ranch in the wild, among other wishes and dreams (3 horses, kids, visit Africa). I know one day they will come true. I don’t always reach every goal I set, or else I would really be Wonder Woman, but I like having things to strive towards. It’s the most rewarding feeling when I do reach them though, and I hold onto that until I reach the next one.

photo by Craig Beckman

2011 was a big year for transformation, change, and reflection. The people I have met this year have changed me for life. 2011 really picked up around mid year when I was invited to attend The Summit Series at Sea, with 1000 other entrepreneurs. The 4 day adventure was beyond eye-opening. I had never been surrounded by people who live to reach goals, just like me. They have dreams that other people might think are impossible, but they are willing to try it out, and in most cases prove them wrong. If we fail, we learn and try again. My life was forever changed after that.

After Summit, many doors began to open. I had freelance projects coming in left and right, in addition to happy hours to attend, emails to respond to, meetings to run to, new friends to get to know, old friends to keep up with and so on. It was busy. Busy good though. There’s so many people doing so many amazing things. Just as hard as I worked this year with Nut-rients, I can see all these amazing people doing some astonishing things. As I look forward, I’m excited to figure out a new mission. I dream of helping young women one day. I want to help them understand their strength, their options, and find their happiness Too many women are in pain in America and I’d love to help them see things in a different light. I’ve been there, and I’ll never forget. I hope to use my own story to help others. This is one of my goals for 2012.

 

I began to open up first this year, with the help of fellow Summit Series companion and dear friend, MeiMei Fox. I opened up for the first time to MeiMei after she asked to feature me in an article for the Huffington Post. It was quite the honor. It was also quite difficult as MeiMei helped me for the first time, tell the world about the skeletons in my closet. I have had quite the journey to get where I am today, but like I mentioned before I owe it all to my strength to want to achieve goals. I will forever be grateful for MeiMei’s muscle to encourage me to publish the story, for her wanting to write it and for her warmth and sincereness while I told her my story.

Around that time I decided to leave my job at Goodby, Silverstein & Partners. I am forever grateful of the amazing time I spent there. For over three and a half years I poured my heart into that agency. I love the people that work there, the smart creative work they produce, and of course having had the chance to work and get to know Jeff Goodby himself. It was an honor. Leaving GSP was one of the hardest decisions I’ve had a to make in a long time. I knew though, I wanted something different. I want to grow. So I took the job as a Creative Technologist at a smaller agency called Pereira O’Dell. I couldn’t be happier with my new position. I have that list of goals in my back pocket, but this time the goals aren’t just about me; they’re about the agency too.

I’m feel so lucky to have the people in my life that I do. My fiancé, best friends, and my family and acquaintances. My co-workers, new and old – you have stuck by me, and as they know they mean the world to me. There’s no point to doing this “life” thing if there’s no one there to enjoy it with us. I know I need to take time from my busy days and remember this. We all should.

Like wishes, you shouldn’t talk about your goals, until they come true. Just know that 2012 is exciting to me. I turn 30 in 2012, and with 30 comes a whole new set of dreams and goals.

I can’t wait.

Thank you for being you. You have in one way or another made me smile this year and I love you for that.

Here’s to another great year – cheers.

xoxo

Lindsay

Share on Facebook

It’s been awhile on my end. Sorry for the lack of updates in the land of Lindsay. I recently started a new job at SF advertising agency, Periera O’dell as their first Creative Technologist. It’s been an amazing first couple weeks, as I settle in. What better position for me, than helping to be the bridge between clients, creative and production. And if anything, it’s helping me to stay on top on the latest and most exciting technology uses and updates out there. We sure are living in an amazing time!

Because I’ve started a new job, doesn’t mean I’m going to quit doing my other projects. Nut-rients has had an exciting few months as I build out version 2 of our website which will include a store where you can buy peanut butter that saves kids lives! Production is set to start any day now.

Stoke Interactive is up and running, and our concentration has been focused lately on one project, where we’re talking version 1 from 2008, to version 2 set to go live in February 2012. I’m working with an amazing team of guys, from all over the world. So our middle of the night calls are becoming more common as we push forward.

Thanks to everyone for all your support over the past few months.. I think we’re onto something here

Share on Facebook

I had a chance to speak with Christina Vuleta of 40:20 Vision, as you can read here. It was exciting to try and help 20 something women understand how life can change quickly, and how to live for the future and in the moment, rather than dwelling on the past. My biggest peice of advice to anyone in their 20′s? TRAVEL, MOVE, EXPLORE! You learn so much about life and yourself by emerging yourself in other forms of life. Just open your eyes to what’s out there. Nothing is final when you can make the next move.

Share on Facebook

I am speechless, humbled and honored to have such an amazing team to work with. The founder of Nut-rients, Will Laughlin, has written an amazing blog all about me. It’s been such a life change to tell my story, but to have people like Will respond makes me want to continue to tell my thoughts, feelings and passions in reguard to the path that brought me to where I am today. I hope you enjoy!

read it here

Share on Facebook

even though my name is spelled wrong… here it is!

Academy of Art University Web Design New Media Promotional Video from AAU Web Design & New Media on Vimeo.

Share on Facebook

As some of you know, I’ve had quite the journey to get me where I am today. It’s a pretty deep story, filled with road blocks and challenges but I made it out and never stopped smiling.
I hope, as someone who means a lot to me, you enjoy reading my story and pass it along. Thank you all! Please help me get this story out so others who may be struggling with life have some inspiration. All I want is to be able to help someone else out there, because that’s what I needed most and didn’t have.

Here’s a look into my journey to today. I don’t regret anything about my past, because it made me who I am today. I wouldn’t change a thing. I hope you enjoy!

Share on Facebook

A few weeks ago, I was lucky enough to be sent by GSP (Goodby, SIlverstein & Partners) to Toronto for FITC . It was amazing to be around folks that I’ve been following for awhile now. Lots of people who are the leads when it comes to my industry and pushing the limits on the technology I use everyday. It was an exciting week where I learned a lot and got totally inspired to keep learning. I love being in an industry where there are boundaries to push and rules to break. I want to truly thank all the folks I met there. Your passion will stick with me for a long time, please stay in touch!

Share on Facebook

Recently, I’ve been able to have the chance to give back as an alumni of The Academy of Art. I had a great experience at AAU (started in 2003 and graduated in 2008), and I honestly can say I wouldn’t have made it where I am without what they taught me.

I remember the one time I put something up for critique and my teacher basically laughed and said, “who’s is this and how have you gotten so far in this program?” I vowed to myself then and there that I would never feel as shitty as I did at that moment. And I haven’t. As much as the truth hurt at the time, I got better and by the next semester I had work in the spring show.

Another time I actually cried in my directors office. And let’s remember, I’m NOT the girl that cries. I had just had my first Flash class and I hated it. I was having a very hard time understanding the basics and said I was going to just stay a print designer. He looked at me and said, “Lindsay, I know you can do this, and so do you. This is going to open the world to you, so just learn it.” The day I told him I was hired at Goodby, Silverstein and Partners as a Flash Developer he just looked at me with a smile of accomplishment and pride.

So now, 3 years after graduation they’ve featured me and my team at GSP in the Academy of Art Alumni Newsletter (or see the local version below). Scott Shue and Curtis Steckel, my team mates, are also AAU Alums, and the best team mates ever. I mean ever. I was so stoked to tell my side of the story, so have a read and enjoy!

About a week after the interview, I got a call from the AAU saying they heard about the story and wanted to use the 3 of us in a new Academy TV ad. So we did. It was quite an experience, and as soon as it comes out (summer-ish), I’ll get it to you and tell you all about it. Till next time….

UPDATE: Here’s the TV ad!

click to enlarge

Click to enlarge

Share on Facebook

Made this site for around 40 families that have autistic children. Love being able to help people connect via technology that I coded. I think this baby turned out pretty great!

Share on Facebook

Official Nut-rients cards, in hand!

Share on Facebook