All posts by

Denise Stoppleworth

Okay, we’ve all read that famous poem about everything you needed to know about life was learned in Kindergarten. True and poignant. Got me thinking. There are so many crossovers in life where basic rules and lesson apply.

I recently directed the Christmas program at my church. Trust me, working with 40-plus kids under the age of 13 to pull off a meaningful program is about as far from my normal day-to-day life as you can get (though I do often accuse Mitch and Kevin of acting like children!). But, in the process of practice and directing, I found myself conveying messages that aren’t uncommon to what I tell clients and staff on a frequent basis.

So here are the marketing lessons Continue Reading →

Denise Stoppleworth

Last year, I “suggested” everyone write a Thanksgiving blog. (Those of you who know me, know that suggest may be a “mild” term for it.) Everyone – even the designers traditionally opposed to copy – found a way to communicate those things for which they are thankful. If you recall, Mitch’s blog entry was quite clever. Check it out. This year however, Mitch put his foot down and said, “No Thanksgiving mandate.” Every once in a while, Mitch has to win a battle, so I gave him this one. No suggestion. No prompting. Not even a polite request was made. But you see what happened? They (the Thanksgiving blog entries) still appeared. They came without mandate, begging or prompting. Perhaps because none of us can let this time of year pass by without being grateful.

I too can’t help but express my gratitude. I know I’m truly blessed – with a wonderful husband, three great kids, good health, strong faith and a myriad of personal blessings that leave me filled with gratitude no matter what challenges arise. But it’s even more than that. I feel Continue Reading →

Denise Stoppleworth

Ten years ago yesterday marks a memorable event for all Americans. It was the day our vision of the world changed. Our sense of security shattered. Our resilience and sense of humanity tested. Just as the assassination of JFK was a minute frozen in time for my parents’ generation, the September 11 attacks will forever be frozen in time for this generation. No doubt all of us can remember where we were, what we did. I remember leaving work to pick up my young children and meet my husband for a mass and prayer vigil for the victims of the attack, and I recall that helpless feeling – like things will never be the same again. I remember thinking “How can we ever feel safe again?”  “How will we know Joy again?” But out of the most contemptuous and vile event came the most coveted and reviled response. Continue Reading →

Denise Stoppleworth

You may recall, in an earlier blog, I pondered how the characters of Tigger and Eeyore could be used to classify most personality types. On one hand, you have the eternal optimist – full of energy and seeing no boundaries. On the other, the eternal pessimist, always waiting for the rain to start and sure of his or her bad fortune anytime it does. However, as I was once again reading the Grand Adventures of Winnie the Pooh with my son, I realized there was one character and defining personality type that I neglected to recognize – Rabbit.

Okay, Rabbit is not the strongest character in any of the stories and isn’t one of the first characters you would name Continue Reading →