Mixing personal with business, and I’m ok with that…
Much of the effort with rebranding from Joshua Bane to Evergreen Creative Company was to help separate personal and business. That’s not uncommon to hear and I think theres a time and place for everything, right? However, there’s the ideal of find something you love to do and get paid for it too. I’ve been asked about why I am passionate about photography and videography, to their surprise, I tell them, I’m not.
It’s more about the fulfillment I get from seeing other’s passions highlighted. Bringing out the best in others. Not gonna lie, I do love creating photos and videos, finding those epic shots and telling stories. But it boils down to that last part, telling stories.
Over the last couple years, we have had the fantastic opportunity to work with Southeast Health Foundation on campaigns that impact our community. The amount of emotions and tears while on set and presenting the finished videos have been nothing short of “this is why I do what I do.” I’m literally holding back tears writing this blog because of thinking back to those special moments and hearing about struggles with cancer and other illnesses.
Last fall, we worked on the Champions of Hope campaign with Molly White. Goodness, sigh. Hearing Molly, Taylor, and her loved ones talk about their experiences was just so touching. During the interview with Taylor, he made a statement that caused me to break down in tears. He said “we’re going to be ok.” My dad wrote this to my mom in a note left in her Bible. She found it after my dad passed away from lymphoma cancer.
Jill Hoops was at the video recording that day.
Jill recently started a new position with New Promise Cancer Foundation, where as she described really aligned with what she is passionate about, which is helping families during challenges from the cancer journey.
She remembered me sharing about my dad at the interview with Taylor and asked me to be a Promise Partner for a new campaign in the month of March. This campaign includes 25 individuals who represent different cancers. I was honored to be asked to be a partner.
Evergreen had the opportunity to create headshot graphics to be used for the Give Butter donation page and some social media graphics. I really love how the images turned out. Simple, clean, and represents the colors/cancers well. Personally, I am using my circle headshot image for all my profile pics on social media and iCloud. My goal is everytime someone sees the color lime green, they think of the campaign and ulimtiately dotnates to the cause. I may even switch to one of my Android phones for a couple of weeks during the campaign so when people get a text from me, they see the green bubble!
Ever since I accepted to be a partner, I’ve racked my brain on how I can promote the cause. I’m in all in kind of guy. I want to take advantage of any platform I may have for something like this. Hence, why I am using this Evergreen platform to reach this audience. I’ve got plans to use my Bane Tech platform, too.
Even before the campaign began, there were conversations with other Promise Partners about their cancer stories. When they would come into the studio for headshots or other events, we got to know each other a little more and how cancer impacts too many lives.
Those are conversations I really want to capture. Trey and I have talked about doing a podcast style recording which will one, get our story out there, but provide content to share throughout the month.
Before Evergreen became a thing, I was working with SpectraCare Health Systems as a Prevention Specialist and Social Media Specialist. One of the campaigns I created back then was called No Shame In Talking. The heart of that messaging was when we open up about our experiences, it allows others to open too. It creates common ground and relatability. You never know what someone is going through and sometimes it takes the bravery of someone else’s vulnerability to build up the courage to open up.
I still want to carry on that heart and message.
New Promise Cancer Foundation understands the physical, emotional, and financial challenges individuals and their families face throughout their cancer journey. Their goal is to alleviate some of these burdens by offering high-quality programs and services that meet each patient's unique needs.
I want to do my part in helping families in my local community who are impacted by cancer. I don’t like asking for money at all. It seems like everyone is bombarded with people asking for funding for so many causes. Dothan still steps up and is very generous. It’s reputation of the community that I am proud and impressed.
So here’s the call to action!
I’m asking for your support by donating to New Promise Cancer Foundation. $10, $100, $1,000. Whatever you can do, it matters. I have a personal goal to reach $2,500 (I think we can do more). The overall campaign goal is $60,000. There are 25 Promise Partners who represent different cancers. Your donation will factor into helping many types of cancers, but use my link ;-)
When you donate, you can leave a comment - let me know if the donation is in honor of someone. Feel free to comment, message, or call me to talk about your experiences. If you want to record those thoughts on a podcast, let’s make that happen. Even if you’re not a Promise Partner, you have a voice and your message could really open the opportunity to someone’s relief.
All that to say. This is personal. I’m thankful for a business that has a heart to give a platform for other’s passions to be expressed. Whether that’s mine, or yours.