Adventure awaits

Hello Why Team

Steve has been nudging me for the better part of two years to introduce myself to the group. 
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Well, here it goes. I am Tiphanie Gillespie. I am Steve’s Creative Director. I am often the lady with purple hair that you see beside Steve or in the back of the room working. I am frequently filming, photographing or writing while Steve handles the public speaking. My function is to collaborate with Steve, agencies, clients, and media to build a creative vision, and culture to achieve our goals. My job is to lead in the process of creating and turn relevant ideas into reality through stories powerful enough to blur the lines between traditional and creative communication. I stepped into the position of Creative Director about two and a half years ago.

Now with the introduction out of the way lets get to the good stuff.  

Welcome Home Steve!

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Steve has just returned from a huge adventure, Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.
 
Climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro in Tanzania is one of the top bucket-list items for just about any adventure traveler. At 19,341 feet (5895 meters) in height, it is not only the tallest mountain in Africa, it is the highest freestanding mountain in the entire world.

I can honestly say anyone who is part of the Why Team will be blessed by his adventure via the blog.  I desire to give you a small taste of what is to come.  

Steve worked for the better part of a year physically preparing for his adventure.  While it is true that anyone who is in reasonably good physical condition has a chance to make it to the summit of Kilimanjaro, that doesn't mean that it will be an easy stroll to the top. Quite the contrary in fact, as the often steep trails, mixed with relatively high altitude, can make for a challenging trek for those who are unprepared. The entire experience was a more enjoyable one because he arrived on the mountain as physically fit as possible, and prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. ​

As I understand it, there is a myth that surrounds Kilimanjaro that says that anyone can make it to the top. This would lead you to believe that there is a very high success rate on the mountain with just about everyone reaching the summit. The reality is about 60% of those who attempt to climb Kilimanjaro are actually successful. That means 4 out of 10 don't make it to the top, with altitude and health issues preventing them from seeing the Roof of Africa. Thus preparation is everything.  Over the course of a Kilimanjaro climb, trekkers will find themselves challenged on a regular basis. In addition to the long days on the trail, and the difficulty breathing the thin air, they may find that they lose their appetite, have a hard time sleeping, and are routinely uncomfortable due to any number of other factors including the weather, their teammates, and so on.   

I for one can not wait to hear all about Steve's climb to the roof top of Africa.

People, who hear Steve speak often ask me, what he is like to work with?  I never really know how to answer that question.  It’s honestly a loaded question.  Why Team I will give it a try now.  

​Steve is a man who is bursting with hope and optimism.  He is without question the single hardest working card carrying zealous I have ever worked with.  He is a unique individual one of a kind man who knows how to gets sh.. done.  He hired me to teach and share my skill set. But in truth, he gives me his skill set in return and a whole lot more.  

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He lives and truly embodies a coaches mindset. He is a visionary when it comes to supporting and working towards a goal.  He takes a creative approach by establishing a safe environment, based on honesty, advocacy, and trust, where risk-taking and thoughtful experimentation are encouraged, determination and success are expected, and failure is posed as an opportunity for learning and growth. 

As it turns out the world of finance and creative collaboration have common ground.  Who knew?  As it turns out Steve and me.

As a Creative Director, it is pretty much a Godsend.  What more could you want out of creative collaboration?  

Early on Steve and I discovered that we believed in a common idea.  Which is it only takes one idea to spark a revolution, be it professional, political or personal.  Sometimes two worlds fuse in a way beyond our comprehension.  It can start with a brave pioneer in a different field taking your hand, to pull the scales from the eyes so to speak..then watch as a moment of genius takes root.  Which is why I had to say yes to this adventure with Steve. 


Please share your ideas that could spark a revolution.
 Let us take part in your Adventure.

Your Creative Director 

​Tiphanie Gillespie