REGISTER NOW: Uncomfortable Conversations: The Skills Crisis
REGISTER: 8THIRTYFOUR Skills Survival School Founding Cohort

Creating Space That Inspires

Share the goods.

A steaming cartoon mug sits on the 8THIRTYFOUR conference table. The mug reads, "Hustle."

As an integrated communications agency, we put a ton of value on visual communication: this especially comes to life in our office. When we designed our space, we worked to bring our brand to life. Our office, located in Grand Rapids’ awesome northeast side, has been described as warm, fun, welcoming, beautiful, the perfect blend of modern meets rustic, energetic, and – not surprisingly – colorful! Our paint colors match our brand guidelines, our core values are posted everywhere, and every work station is personalized.
Every piece of furniture, rug, framed work sample, and even coffee mug, was carefully selected to embody our brand. We want everyone who visits us to leave feeling energized and inspired.
With this is mind, we asked our team to share something in our space that they draw daily inspiration from as they work – check out their favorite things in our office:

Kim


The Original Four
On my office wall, I have pictures of my first furkids – Bentley, Murphy, Jimmy and Apollo. While Murphy and Apollo are no longer with me, the photos remind me to embrace the present and see the gifts that are right in front of you. So often we get caught up in the ‘what ifs’ that we forget to be grateful for the present.

Sarah


All the Cards
Anyone who knows me well is aware of my penchant for sending handwritten notes (people love real mail!). I purposefully hung a corkboard that I look at constantly that is covered in notes that I have received in my time here; some are from back when I first joined the team, while some are notes of thanks or mark other occasions that are significant. All of them are from awesome people. I love looking over and being reminded of the amazing people who fill my life: friends, family, clients, and my team.

Alex


Stay Humble
Prominently displayed above my workstation in large bold letters are the words “Stay Humble.” Gifted to me from 8THIRTYFOUR’s own president, it gives me a constant reminder that no matter how amazing the work we’re doing is we should always stay grateful of those who help us. Whenever I see that I know to take time to appreciate our amazing clients and my rockstar teammates.

Chelsea


Carpe!
I have a small wooden sign sitting on my desk (handcrafted on the streets of Venice Beach, CA) that has “Carpe That F***ing Diem” etched into it. This phrase in Latin translates to Seize That F***ing Day”, and it inspires me every day at my desk to take advantage of the present moment, and continue to work hard at 8THIRTYFOUR.

Emily


Photo Corkboard
To the left of my desk I have a corkboard that has our company core values, a few funny dog stickers and photos of my friends and family. My favorite thing on the board is a picture of my parents sitting together in a dorm room at Aquinas College in the 1970’s. My mom is making a silly face and they look like happy kids. It inspires me because when my parents took that picture they didn’t know what their lives would hold, or what they would do with their careers, but they found their direction and went on to build an amazing life together. It reminds me to stay true to myself, and the people I love, and work hard for the future I want.

Kayden


Vinyl
One of my office walls holds framed vinyl albums of my favorite music including Radiohead and The Beatles. My life has been a journey full of change and evolution, but the one constant has been my passion for certain music. When I need some right-side-of-the-brain-inspiration, these artists help me feel grounded, comfortable, and safe to explore new ideas.
If you haven’t seen our office in person, what are you waiting for?! Stop by for a cup of coffee or glass of wine (depending on the time of day), or better yet, RSVP to our upcoming party to see our space for yourself…we hope you find it just as inspiring as we do.

Want to receive more bomb-ass content? Sign up below to receive email updates!
[contact-form-7 id=”6727″ title=”Email – Blog”]

Leave A Comment

Recent Musings

Something on Your Mind?

We love Dr. Karen May’s mission.

What if we taught our daughters AND our sons about women’s health, hormones, and pregnancy? Not as a whispered “talk” or a one-time awkward conversation. Just normal dinner-table stuff.

The girls deserve to know what’s coming (perimenopause shouldn’t be a surprise party nobody wanted). And the boys? They’ll be partners, dads, coworkers, and bosses to women going through all of it.

Thank you, Dr. May, for sharing your best practices to keep the women’s health conversation going at our Uncomfortable Conversations | The Pause event.
Showing up to an interview with an iced coffee? Not the move… unless it’s for @bodespeaks

#icedcoffee #agency #PR #trending #grandrapids
… and we wouldn’t have it any other way.

Meet Joey, one of @bodespeaks’ nine rescues and 8THIRTYFOUR’s self-appointed office manager. She’ll happily accept head pats and belly rubs, but make no mistake: she’s always watching.
The Women’s Owners Network (WON) is built for smaller businesses that are ready for the next level and need the right support to get there, whatever that looks like.

The six-month program combines the practical side of business with the emotional side. Participants work on leadership, finance, operations, and access to capital. They also get structured support for isolation, emotional volatility, and decision fatigue that come with owning a business.

WON is designed by entrepreneurs who have been there. They know that lasting business growth depends on personal growth and the resilience it takes to keep going.

This program gives women business owners thoughtful, well-rounded support to reach their next chapter, however they define it.

Who is WON built for?
Women founders who are in the thick of it and are:

- Past the idea stage: actively generating revenue and serving customers
- Committed to growth: ready to invest six months in the work, starting in November

Apply for the upcoming cohort at the link in bio. Applications close Oct 1.
Iced coffee is having a moment right now… and we’re sitting back and giving ours a celebratory shake. 

IYKYK: would you bring one to an interview? 

Tell us below.

#icedcoffee #trending #fyp #jobinterview #smallbusiness
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.