I must admit, I was a little surprised (pleasantly so) that my last Publisher’s Note was one of the most commented-on pieces I’ve ever written. For those who missed it, I shared how my 9-year-old found his place as a hockey goalie – and the value of having people on your team in the roles where they are most passionate and gifted, too.
In preparation for this issue’s Publisher’s Note, I found myself thinking through other lessons I’ve learned from my littles. Let me introduce you to Luca. He just turned 4, and is as feisty and sassy as they come. Phew! One of the joys when children are littler is hearing their descriptions of the world, pronunciations of words, and overall understanding of things. Here are a few of my favorites from the last year or so.
It is interesting how, as a mom, I can so easily interpret those words or phrases and know exactly what Luca wants. But for the outside world, interpretation can be a little trickier. For example, if you granted Luca’s request of tacos, instead of giving him carrots, I doubt he would be too pleased. And singing Old McDonald Had a Farm won’t bring the same response as getting him a cheeseburger Happy Meal.
So where am I going with all this? I am here to simply encourage you, in a world where words are very important and a reflection on you and your company, choose wisely. For example – instead of describing players in our industry as the “big dogs” and the “little guys” or “mom and pop shops”, try “national brands” and “independent partners.” RIA President Katie Smith hit the nail on the head during the RIA Town Hall in April when she said, “We are all restoration professionals; everyone’s voice counts.”
A brand new, regular column in C&R debuts in this issue – again, dealing with terminology and definitions! You can check out the Restoration Dictionary on page 44 of the magazine!
Please enjoy this edition of C&R – as far as we know, it is the biggest issue in the publication’s history!
In partnership,
Michelle Blevins
Michelle Blevins
Michelle Blevins is a content creator, marketing consultant, and entrepreneur whose career has been centered around education and fostering relationships within the industry she serves.
A journalist by trade, Michelle is passionate about running a publication rooted in integrity and valuable education. She views her role as owner and publisher of C&R Magazine as a bridge between industry experts and restoration and cleaning contractors.
Since joining the restoration industry, Michelle has made it her business to stay on top of the latest industry trends. She has become a go-to resource for anyone looking to learn more about what’s happening within today’s restoration industry. This has earned her a spot on many industry stages facilitating panels and helpful discussion with industry experts on the biggest topics facing restorers and cleaners in the current market.
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