Fun fact about me, I’m a runner. I never thought I’d be a runner, but I turned into one. I like to think of myself as the world’s most okay-est runner because I’m definitely not the fastest! Ha! I have met and reconnected with some of the best people in the world because of running. It was recommended to me that I become a Brand Ambassador of RaceAdvisors.com. “Raceadvisors.com is your one-stop-shop for all things racing! Race reviews, for you, by you!” Like TripAdvisor, if you are traveling far away or even around your neighborhood, racers all over the country are reviewing races to help you decided which races you might want to do.
What were the requirements? Participate in 5 races per year. Check. Write a review after doing the race. Can do! And promise to shout out RaceAdvisors.com whenever you can. Sign me up!
I was given access to a small Facebook group of runners and racers from all over the country who all loved similar things as me. How perfect. One day, Lauren Brueckner, the founder and one lady show of Race Advisors, said, “Hey, I’m making t-shirts, what do you guys think?”
A lot of people had feedback, some feedback was found more helpful than others. Some I agreed with, some I didn’t. Anyway, 18 comments into this on Facebook, I decided to take out my computer, take all the ideas and combine them into a few new ideas. I’m more a visual person and I thought it would help us pinpoint down the best solution.
As any good designer should, I presented the group with a few different design ideas and then gauged the reaction of the crowd. I think Lauren’s reaction was the best of all, “Holy cow, how did you do this? They are awesome!” I should’ve known this was just the beginning of a great friendship.
Lauren was able to take these ideas back to her designer at the OC New Wave, Ocean City’s Original Screen Printer, and they tinkered here and there because my design was just a rough proof to get ideas onto paper (figuratively speaking).
It was so surreal when the final product showed up in my mailbox because Lauren was nice enough to provide all her ambassadors with t-shirts to promote her brand!
A few months after all of that, I was reading the Speedy Times, Race Advisors informative newsletter on all things running. I sent Lauren maybe a 1,000 word email including screenshots and ideas for a new Masthead. I thought maybe I was overstepping my boundaries, she’d never asked for help. I was met with another overwhelming, “Oh my gosh Katie, These are amazing suggestions! I love all of them.”
Together, we made some changes to the Speedy Times newsletter. See below:
Finally, it seemed like we’d emailed A LOT. So finally I made arrangements with Lauren to meet in person, and she is (if possible) sweeter in person! She and her two daughters cut out a chunk of time on a Saturday to meet me while I was in Ocean City, MD. I’m sure not every moment of being a strong business woman feels amazing, but Lauren is truly amazing and inspiring. It has been so great getting to know and being able to work with her. I’m so excited what the future holds for her and our newly found partnership. Whatever it is, I hope it includes more snack dates with her adorable girls!!
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