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As a women-owned business, it's important to shout about it! Promotional Partners has held a statewide certification since 2007 called HUB, Historically Underutilized Business which was developed a tool for making introductions & fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in the marketplace. In fact we have several posts around how & why we've chosen to be certified as a HUB business. Through our certification we are offering a choice to partner with a business that previously might not have been utilized us simply because they did not know we exist. Creating opportunities. Opportunities grow business. Understanding HUB Certification: Historically Underutilized Business (HUB) certification is a designation awarded to businesses owned by minorities, women, veterans, or individuals with disabilities. It aims to promote economic opportunities for historically marginalized groups by facilitating their participation in government contracts and procurement opportunities. For women-owned businesses, HUB certification serves as a testament to their credibility, expertise, and commitment to excellence. Opening Doors to Opportunity: For Promotional Partners, obtaining HUB certification validates our company's status, and unlocks resources. There are abundant resources- programs, networking and depending on what works for your business model a plethora of opportunities. It's up to each business to determine if they are going after government contracting, corporate supplier diversity programs, and collaborative ventures with other HUB-certified entities. Make Meaningful Connections. Support & Nurture Relationships Being a woman- owned business, we love it when we can partner & support other women entrepreneurs across any industry. These relationships foster economic development & cultivate a culture of collaboration that supports the entrepreneurial community. Besides, it's fun meeting other purposeful women & building relationships. Together we create!

Provide forward thinking- create purpose, while positioning your brand to consumers. We have the simple steps. Let's do this together. By aligning with purpose driven partners you are able to offer even more impact to your message. Did you know that March is B Corp Month? We're proud to partner with numerous Certified B Corporations that balance purpose and profit. In fact, we have been introducing you to B Corp brands, and the stories behind each for years in our blog. Review here. What is a Certified B Corp? It's a global initiative. A collective of people & businesses pursuing business differently- seeking to make an impact on the planet & people. Thinking differently about how they run their business, to offer a broader impact; focusing on more than just being profitable. By working together, one step at a time- our steps add up to solutions on much larger issues. Sometimes all that's necessary to change is a simple step forward. A few of our favorites? FEED- in fact we are also giving back right now if you purchase FEED bags. Read more here. Hilana- a woman-owned brand bellroy, nimble, TERRA and klean kanteen- which is also employee-owned, are in this link. Make sure to watch the video link too. K'arst tentree- which is also 30% off all clothing till the end of March! Shop here. ChicoBag These partnerships & products are perfect for Earth Day- and beyond. Ask us to share these, and more brands when you visit our showroom. We'll craft a marketing plan that fit your goals. Do more with B Corp partnerships!

Normally wolverines don't conjure images that are positive. Typically these half bear and half wolf creatures are a combination of ferocity & strength that people should avoid, but this Wolverine is brand that is using their ferocity & strength to offer more than meets the eye. By crafting products that are useful to individuals in the our trade industries you are supporting more than hard working people at work- you are literally helping to put individuals to work by supporting #bootstrapproject. Keep reading to learn more about this dynamic brand Why Select Wolverine products? Wolverine tool bags, backpacks and gear are the perfect combination of super-durable materials and hard-working designs. Available in a variety of styles that are built to last, each of their bags and accessories are made to maximize storage, comfort, and functionality — while maintaining the same values that generations have trusted for over 140 years. 3 Key Distinguishers QUALITY A combination of proprietary industrial grade nailhead fabric, Wolverine guardian cotton, high density canvas, and other premium materials make for the highest quality gear. Other features like YKK® zippers and Duraflex® plastic components give these bags all the toughness they need to withstand long workdays. COMFORT With enhanced comfort features like padded haul handles and breathable shoulder straps and back panels, these bags feel great while working hard. DURABILITY Wolverine products are designed to withstand even the most demanding work and outdoor conditions — with a reputation for durability and comfort — they are trusted by professionals and outdoor enthusiasts alike. Shop products here. How about 3 more reasons to LOVE this purpose driven partner? Only 9 percent of high school students pursuing careers in the trades, skilled labor is in short supply. Wolverine has assembled a team to champion these important jobs by starting Project Bootstrap to advocate for the skilled trades. Through strategic partnerships and initiatives, Project Bootstrap works to break down common misconceptions around the skilled trades industry, while supporting and inspiring the next generation of skilled trades workers in effort to close the trades gap. So far, Wolverine has donated over $2 million to advance the skilled trades. Read more about each of these three programs: SkillsUSA is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preparing middle-school, high-school and college students for careers in the skilled trades industry. Since 2020, Wolverine has been a supporter of the SkillsUSA Hope Fund, an initiative that offers financial support to students in crisis. YouthBuild is a nonprofit organization that helps young people between the ages of 16 and 24 get their high school diploma or equivalent, while also earning a construction certificate and learning other life skills. A part of Metallica's All Within My Hands Foundation, Metallica Scholars is a nonprofit organization created by the members and management of Metallica that provides financial support to individuals pursuing a skilled trade education. Including two North Carolina colleges, Guilford Technical Community College - Jamestown, North Carolina and Central Piedmont Community College - Charlotte, North Carolina. Are trade skills important to you? Our owner Olivia has been an advocate for years. Her first year teaching was at a high school with a robust trade program, preparing many students with the skills necessary to begin work after receiving their diploma or preparing them to master skills and earn certifications at local community colleges such as Wake Tech, here in the triangle.

Pearls have always been a significant symbol to women especially. Symbolizing grace, power, and beauty all in one. We thought, in order to have every woman be able to have “pearls” in her life, we should share some Pearls of Wisdom from some of our women in business friends who have surpassed hardship and continued to grow into leadership positions in their fields. Each woman will offer different “pearls” into how they became the successful person they are today. The next woman we would like to highlight in this series is Marci Strupp who is the Group Controller at John Deere. Marci positively shared some insight into her experiences as a woman in business and some past advice that she herself was given. Marci begins by sharing some of the pearls of wisdom she shares with others. Marci states “We have so much on our plates & in our heads and often put so much pressure on ourselves to balance EVERYTHING.  Think about the number of times you compare yourself to someone else who seems to "do it all" and you aim to be like that.” She continues by explaining “We have so many balls in the air.  You have to 1st be OK with some of those balls dropping.  It doesn't mean you're a failure!  You are human.  2nd you have to distinguish between the balls that, when dropped, will bounce and the ones that will shatter.  BE ok with those bounces and prioritize the avoidance of the shattering. The people who seem to "do it all" are also dropping the balls - just not the ones that shatter.” Marci also gives her insight into how we should view new opportunities that come our way by stating “As we are looking at different opportunities, we are quick to go to a fixed mindset and think of different reasons why we cannot embark on that opportunity - I don't have XYZ skillset, I'm not good at ABC things, I only check 80% of the required skill sets…First - add "Yet" to the end of all of those statements and put yourself into a growth mindset instead of a fixed mindset. And Second - ask yourself what would it take for you to say yes to that opportunity.” Olivia & Marci connected in the Fuquay-Varina Chamber of Commerce, both serving on the board for several years. Marci was the part of the executive board, as the Treasurer while Olivia served as President Elect, President and Past President with Marci. Olivia reflects on her service with Marci as rewarding and fun, stating, "Marci has such a warm inviting personality and a funny side - which I love in a person that's also a numbers whiz. She is solutions oriented and up for any challenge. She embraced innovative ideas and was so supportive as a volunteer partner. " Marci Strupp has shared her Pearls of Wisdom with us by offering great advice for many different scenarios. This pearl will be able to guide you through many tough situations in your career with inspiring optimism. Make to sure to follow up with Marci on LinkedIn here. Keep up with our socials for more Pearls of Wisdom from women industry leaders, including our latest post, here.

Forgiving ourselves is an important step in our personal growth. I've always been a "rusher", check my grade school report cards. Though I rush to the next task, that doesn't mean I don't spend time in the rearview mirror. By revisiting my actions, I hope to produce a different outcome; next time. Sigh. No amount of reflection has ever changed my ability to remove my typos. Instead, I embrace this flaw saying, "I am a Typo Queen." Some things can't be perfect in my life. Sitting down recently with the Chief Operating Officer of Wake Tech Foundation, Stephanie Lake to prep for our pearl video, we caught up on life. As we discussed our families and careers we realized our pearl should be around self-forgiveness. We both agreed, to strive for excellence, but don't beat yourself up for imperfect moments. In today's workplace mental health & self-care are discussed in the open, rather than in a storage closet; not the norm when we started our professional journey. Over coffee, we found ourselves pondering the roots of our own confidence and insecurities. Stephanie wondered where I developed an ability to forgive myself for easily corrected mistakes such as spelling errors, typos, and even mispronunciations in a professional setting. Reflecting, I realized my mom & her mom (MeeMaw) excelled in many areas, yet let other aspects of their life go. Neither felt a need to be perfect everywhere, all the time. Remember our post with Julianne about quilting & not matching? My grandmother was amazing in the kitchen. She never used recipes. Housekeeping? Not flawless. My mom wasn't a whiz in the kitchen, but amazing behind a sewing machine. As a teenager, I was already into design. I was constantly trying to get my mom to change the house- update the interior or buy new things. Instead, she told me "the house" was fine, change didn't matter. She was not trying to please everyone, it was her home. It escaped me till this pearls series that Mom & MeeMaw gave me a great gift. They owned their personal space and it didn't matter what others saw - it was perfectly fine to them. After all, perfection is someone else's moving target. There is only one of you. Watch our upcoming videos on socials and keep following our pearl posts as we feature more amazing women sharing their pearls of wisdom. Did you miss our last post? Follow all the previous pearls' connections here. As a footnote to this pearl post the photo selected has a lipstick case because my mom never wore makeup. However, when she got "fancy" she put on red lipstick. By contrast, I wear makeup during the week, but not always on the weekend; yes even public! Yet, I never lipstick! It's too fancy for me. It's just not my kind of perfect.

Another innovative, inspiring woman who has shared her pearls of wisdom with us is Christine Hilt, who started her own Landscape Architecture firm and has grown to work on projects at places such as NC State, the North Carolina Zoo, and much more. After forty years of running her own business, Christine has a vast amount of wisdom to share with us about being creative in business, lessons she has learned along the way, and her input on the business world today. The interesting aspect of gathering metaphorical pearls is that we often gather knowledge without realizing we are gathering. We absorb so much from our surroundings. It's our experiences that shape us. However it's the conversations we have with trusted friends that provide us a comfortable space to reflect and nudge one another when we are stuck. When Olivia & Chris sat down to talk they realized how much they'd been influenced by the arts, by their fathers, and by a love of creating & collaborating. Each pursued creative career outlets. Both had fathers who basically cheered- "you go girl" and each has enjoyed designing their own life. As we taped their pearls of wisdom, it was fascinating to see how the cultural of their generation played into their life choices. Each woman found their own voice & navigated their path, found footing and designed the chapters. It was also obvious both women share passion for community service. As a creativity-driven company ourselves, we wanted to make sure we asked Christine about her own drive that helps her keep creating. Christine stated, “A 40-year career in the design field has taught me that there are an infinite number of ways to solve a problem and that the only dead-end is the one you create for yourself when you keep doing the same thing, the same way, over and over again.” She continues by explaining how shifting her mindset has been beneficial to her creative drive by stating “I apply that “Let’s look at this through a different lens” approach to pretty much everything I do. I love to cook. I never follow the same recipe twice. Drives my husband nuts.” Christine also explained how one teacher from high school impacted her life so much and pushed her to continue her ambition for design. Christine tells us of the moment that changed her life by explaining “Taking advertising art in high school from a retired marketing director for an advertising firm in Charlotte. Mrs. Berryhill taught me that my artistic talents and creativity could take me somewhere. I wouldn’t have applied to NCSU’s School of Design without her encouragement. It’s amazing to me what a difference one teacher can make in the life of a student.” This was the beginning of Christine's journey in design, and after forty years there is a valuable lesson that she wishes she knew from that first day. Christine shares this lesson with us by saying she wished she knew “To not sweat the small stuff. Seriously. At the end of the day, it’s about what you produced or the challenge you solved, not the bumpy trip you took to get there. I look back at the most stressful moments of my career and, at the end of the day if the solution was the right one and it worked, that’s all anyone remembered.” She continued to explain how knowing this lesson from the start of her career could have changed her relationships with the people she worked with by expressing “I regret how the stress affected my relationships with the folks with whom I worked so don’t sweat the small things. Ever. They don’t matter.” Continuing to reflect on her career Christine shares something she embraces now that was hard for her when she first started her professional life. Christine admits she wishes she embraced “Humor. I could be funny but was afraid to use it as a tool to get and keep clients. By the time I was in my forties, I learned that disarming folks with relevant humor in interviews was actually a skill set and an icebreaker. While you have to know when to use it and when not to, it’s a great tool.” Christine also shares with us her secret to refreshing her mindset after a setback by explaining how “Not languishing in the setback. It’s good to create a “Note to Self” on the why, when, and how of the setback but then move forward from it. And always remember that you will always think the setback is worse than it really was if you continue to look back. Eyes forward, always.” Going along with this train of thought she shares one word that she believes should be in everyone’s vocabulary. She believes the one word included in everyone's vocabulary should be “Resiliency. That ability to pivot, bounce back.” She continues by saying “In my profession, Landscape Architecture, we use it to define a design that adapts to changing climates and environs, but it applies to us as people too. The most successful people have built-in resilience.” Finally, we wanted to ask Christine about her opinion on what is missing in business relationships today. She states “Face-to-face/voice-to-voice communication. So much gets lost in text or email translations. Pick up the phone, face time or just skoot, segway, or drive to whomever you need to talk to. Case in point, a younger person in my firm made a pretty big mistake on a project and was going to text the client an apology. Nope. 130 miles later they were in the client’s office holding their hand out and apologizing face-to-face. The client called me to rave about that young partner. Still a client today and the employee was elevated to partner. Just saying…” Christine Hilt has shared her pearls of wisdom with us and we hope that her insight into the business world and her own experiences can inspire others, like you. To keep up with Christine you'll need to join her and Olivia at an Apex Rotary meeting & follow their club page. You'll find out why they both love this club and spoiler alert- you might be handed a clip board and asked to help with the annual Christmas parade! Keep up with our socials for more Pearls of Wisdom from women industry leaders! Did you miss our last pearl? Catch up with the threads here.

Pearls have always been a significant symbol to women especially. Symbolizing grace, power, and beauty all in one. We thought, that to have every woman be able to have “pearls” in her life, we should share some Pearls of Wisdom from some of our women in business friends who have surpassed hardship and continued to grow into leadership positions in their fields. Each woman will offer different “pearls” into how they became the successful person they are today. A woman we would like to spotlight is B.A., who is the owner/operator of Total Construction Solutions. We sent some questions for B.A. to answer, and she enthusiastically shared her wisdom with us. Looking back on her life, B.A. describes a valuable lesson she has learned over the years. She states “When someone tells you no, when someone gives you a roadblock, when someone tells you something can’t be done….look for a different route….go around it.  Make your own path. Create your own destiny.” She continues reflecting on her career, reminiscing about her growth as she expresses what she is comfortable with now that was difficult for her at the beginning of her career. She states “Learning that change is good.  Change can be scary, but when one door closes another one will open.” As her company handles remodels and design work for homes, we wanted to know what sparks B.A.’s creativity day after day. She accredited her creative inspiration to be  “Happiness…It shows on the customer’s face when we bring their vision to reality.” B.A. also believes the word “kindness, is such a simple yet powerful word,” and should be in everyone's dictionary. In an ideal world, we would all like to look back on the skills we have now and change how we handle situations in our careers. Since we do not have a time machine, we thought it would be important to ask B.A. what her advice is when she faces a setback so hopefully, we can all continue to develop skills that are resourceful in any situation. B.A. expresses “Every day we face challenges. In my industry, we don’t have the luxury of curling up in the fetal position and putting our heads in the sand. We have to tackle the problem and head to the next one.  When I receive a setback, I literally take a deep breath, walk away for a bit, clear my thoughts, and come back to “it”.  You have to be resilient.” The biggest reflection we could ask B.A. was what her opinion is about how business is handled today, specifically considering what could be improved for the modern workforce. B.A. states “I think it’s very easy for people to communicate and “hide” behind emails and texts. The thing that is missing is the good old-fashioned telephone conversation.  I’ve found most conflicts can be resolved by talking to someone…and most importantly, listening to someone.  Just pick up the phone.” As a woman running her own business, B.A.'s wisdom adds a candid look behind moving past our obstacles & pushing forward. Olivia & B.A. also share common ground in navigating how the loss of those we love does not always fully hit is until much later when we realize the pearls we did not realize we were experiencing till we reflect on those cherished moments. Check our her company website here. Keep up with our socials for more Pearls of Wisdom from women industry leaders! Did you miss our last pearl about conquering fears and embracing the talents of your team? Our series started with this first pearl in our thread.

The words influencer, hashtag & individualism are all words associated with standing out from the crowd; being recognized or you might say commanding attention. It's your choices & your actions that are truly defining moments. Everything about your brand should make an impression, from your social media, to your website to the moment an individual walks into your business. Own your space by filling the footprint with visual reminders of who you are, what you value, the people behind your success and where you invest in the community. Think of your space more like a gallery. Select images that represent the story behind your business. Maybe 2024 is the year you invest in yourself. Simple improvements can be made as you have budget or dive into a complete re-fresh of your space. Think of your business space more like a retail space. A well merchandised store creates visual appeal and keeps consumers engaged. Use the space to promote, communicate, create and advertise. Here are 10 key areas to explore- we have samples in the showroom & design studio to compare next time your at our suites. Removeable graphics for the walls & floors. Items that hang from the ceiling Floor matts for visual message, safety and anti fatigue- even colorful pops of color with plush carpet like mats, that are easy to roll up and take to another space. Framed prints with easy to change graphics Sleek aluminum prints Modern acrylic prints Maybe rustic wood is more your vibe Use barrier style - convention walls to share messages, divide space and add privacy. Wayfinding Signs Don't be afraid to go custom So many ways to have fun with the surfaces in your space! Do you have a favorite?

It's all in the flick of the wrist. Have you ever watched someone form a mug on a potter's wheel, or a chef quickly dice a vegetable or flip risotto in a pan with the flick of a wrist? Those are visual examples of seeing professional development at work. Experience & training are harder to see when professional skills aren't as visually obvious. Our industry has 5 key metrics to guide measurable results, yet all promotions & partners are not the same. The secret is to a successful promotion includes an experienced hand. It's true that advertising & marketing with products has a greater impact on consumer behavior than any other medium, but are all promotions crafted the same? No way. Beyond the data, creating an impression happens because of marketing strategy, creative thinking & knowledge. Sure, applying a logo correctly is a step in the process, but it's just a step. One can have knowledge around graphic design and still not have the depth of expertise, creativity or knowledge found in a seasoned partner. Creating a brand experience has four essential steps. A valuable partnership relies on a partner that consistently invests in professional development, then applies that knowledge. The artistry & knowledge from a team that's been investing in certifications since 2007 is similar to our earlier cooking analogy. The same ingredients in the hand of an award winning chef will yield a different outcome. If you follow our socials, then you saw some reels from our graphic team at work this month- after-all, it's creativity month. We posted blogs earlier this month directing you to case studies that showcase how our core value play out into promotions for our clients that produce results. Each story of collaboration, also showcases our creative approach to creating brand engagement. Farm to Table Rewarding Brand Enthusiasts Building Community Relationships Between Law Enforcement & Kids Creating a Ripple Effect for Giving Fundraising with Something to Bark About We can't wait to share innovative programs we are offering in 2024. Your February newsletter has the full details.

Julianne Walther’s journey with Cary Quilting Company, an extension of her first venture, Patchwork Memories, speaks volumes of her creative vision and entrepreneurial spirit. From its humble beginnings to its current 6,000-square-foot space, adorned with tools, notions, and patterns, her dedication to the quilting community shines through. Awards adorn her name, a testament to her ingenuity and artistic prowess. In kicking off our pearls series, it seemed fitting for President's Day to capture two women- both leaders of their companies discussing the journey around becoming entrepreneurs. Olivia shared with Emily, "Initially, we connected as creative people getting outside our normal areas of expertise and diving into the operational parts of running a business that have nothing to do with creativity- or at least on the surface. For me personally, my grandmother was a quilter more from necessity, yet never followed a pattern and my mom was an avid sewer yet always followed a pattern. I was immediately drawn to how Julianne used her love of quilting to paint with fabric- a bit like Miriam Shapiro. Perhaps our love of art and mixed media design has also translated into how we see the operational side of a business. We both discovered we have a desire to see others around us succeed and united on allowing each person's talents to take center stage within the footprint of daily operations. The result creates a blend of talents, working together in a supportive workplace that translates the consumer experience. " Emily, who's helping craft this series with me is along for the ride- the interviews & stories behind the scenes. It's important to me that the perspectives shared blend our voices, because experiences shape each person differently. We perceive and reflect comments & experiences both similarly and differently. Here's where Emily picks up the story. Sitting across from Julianne, Olivia was eager to delve into the heart of her success. How does creativity fuel prosperity in the realm of business? Her answer, woven with threads of insight, revealed a woman deeply connected to her craft. She states, “You have to think of out-of-the-box ways to get people’s attention so, I think I try to figure out where creativity can fit into the system of running a business…I look for ways to provide creative outlets for my staff members and my customers.” From crafting samples that adorn the walls to infusing marketing strategies with artistic flair, Julianne's approach is as unique as her quilts. Selecting fabrics and patterns isn't just a task; it's an artistic curation, a symphony of colors and textures that resonate with her customers. Setting her business apart isn't just about products; it's about people. Julianne prides herself on assembling a team of experts who not only sell fabrics but also offer invaluable advice and guidance. It's a collaborative effort, where creativity thrives in the shared space of like-minded individuals. Reflecting on her journey, Julianne shares insights into the fears she's conquered and the lessons she's learned. Managing a team wasn't as daunting as she initially imagined, thanks to the camaraderie of her all-women crew. Their support and collaboration have transformed challenges into triumphs, proving that strength lies in unity. Julianne explains “I thought it would be really scary to manage people. To be honest, most of the people who work here are older than me so it felt weird, you know. But, it's such a great group of women.” She continues by expressing how women can be placed into unwanted boxes in business and be labeled as “competitive” but she explains that “We are all supportive, we’re all collaborative, and we all celebrate each other’s wins.” As Julianne recounts her experiences teaching classes and publishing her own book, I'm reminded of the power of mentorship and shared knowledge. In a world where creativity knows no bounds, her dedication to nurturing others' creative visions is both inspiring and humbling. In the tapestry of entrepreneurship, Julianne's story stands as a testament to the transformative power of creativity, collaboration, and unwavering passion. To learn more about Cary Quilting Company, check out their website here. Keep up with our socials for more Pearls of Wisdom from women industry leaders! Make sure to read our last blog post explaining the Pearls of Wisdom series here. Emily is a communications major at ECU and has been part of our team since the summer of 2023!

When we use the phrase a clear choice- it's implied, "well duh- the answer is right in front of you." A clear choice. The winner. Items that are clear also offer value add, a clear winner when it comes to brand real estate for your message. Take a look at how these pints have a little "pun" when a wrap imprint is applied to the surface. The extra content area was perfect for our upcoming sponsorship. What's peeking out? Those are runner's gloves, perfect for those chilly mornings to use the touch screen feature for your playlist. Are you signed up yet? Sign up here. Maybe you have an event that could use some fun- unbreakable fun? Silipint is perfect for outdoor events because it's so resilient. The fun colors are perfect for diversity & inclusion themes. Which one is glass? The clear whiskey glass on the top is a silipint, not real glass. The one on the bottom is real glass, which is perfect for a commemorative event! We've always have our vision set on options that help others see you are the clear choice for partnership! We think these new silipints are perfect for our quirky enough to work series, would you agree?

We hope you've enjoyed our 150 stories this year! We took the Town of Apex's suggestion to "go all in" this year and celebrate 150 years of the Town of Apex. Along our journey we attended many events, watched many stories from the video vault discovering back stories behind what makes the town's SESQUICENTENNIAL celebration special. Don't miss the special exhibit at the Halle Cultural Arts Center till the end of February to see all the special exhibits from the 150 celebration. In our blog this year, we posted numerous stories- not 150, but many stories around the local community. Today's post, is about Horse and Buddy, which is a non-profit organization located in New Hill, North Carolina. Their organization offers therapeutic horse riding lessons for kids, teens, and adults! Horse and Buddy officially became a non-profit organization in 2004, but has been working as a therapeutic horse riding center since 2001. That is 21 years of working directly with those with diverse needs and their four-legged riding companions! Over the years, Horse and Buddy has become a valuable part of the New Hill community serving individuals with diverse needs including Down syndrome, autism, genetic disorders, anxiety, and many other diagnoses. The staff at Horse and Buddy works hard at making their main vision a reality which is to be a center of excellence in their field and transform lives in our community. In order to attain this vision, the organization promotes its five main values that every staff member, human staff, and horse staff, follow to ensure Horse and Buddy is a safe, inclusive, and caring environment. The values are as follows: Safety; is their number one priority to ensure the riders, instructors, and horses are able to complete their tasks in the safest matter. Professionalism; every instructor at Horse and Buddy follows the PATH standards and certification requirements. The horse buddies even go through a 60-day training period! Compassion; everyone from the riders, to the instructors, volunteers, donors, and especially the horses are treated with compassion and understanding at Horse and Buddy. Respect; Horse and Buddy values the act of giving and receiving respect to everyone involved in the organization and everyone seeking the many benefits of their work. Last, but certainly not least, Horse and Buddy wants everyone to have FUN! These 5 core values guiding the staff and volunteers at Horse and Buddy, the experience for the riders is nothing short of excellent! The horses help individuals build confidence, self-esteem, and muscle strength. They also give the kids, teens, and adults an opportunity to work on their social and communication skills. The staff members work closely with the horses to make the therapeutic riding lessons a lot of fun for the riders and work to promote independence. Horse and Buddy continue to extend their helping hands by offering many different experiences to a wide range of people. Some of these experiences include their Silver Saddle program, which offers horse riding lessons to the senior communities in our area. Another program that is offered at Horse and Buddy is their Equine Facilitated Psychotherapy experience which is offered to those experiencing depression, anxiety, PTSD, or grief and loss. This program is assisted by a licensed mental health professional, a PATH-certified staff member, and a certified therapy horse. In addition to the two exceptional programs listed above, Horse and Buddy also offers an Equine Assisted Learning experience. The Equine Assisted Learning experience offers a unique experiential learning approach that promotes the development of life skills in partnership with horses. If you or someone you know is interested in making a donation to Horse and Buddy, an online donation can be placed here.