September 25, 2020
reader,
Hello again! I wrote in my regular weekly blog that I'd be back today because I'm celebrating the 20th anniversary of my company, Gish Creative, this week. I wanted to share some things with you...here we go!
At my 10th anniversary, we had a big ole' party for my very first client, SWAMP, at the River Oaks Theatre. Unfortunately, there's a pandemic out there...so no party this time. However, I'm helping out another client in a different way...please read about that and MUCH MORE below.
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Musing on 20 years of GISH CREATIVE |
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It's been a fantastic 20 years! THANK YOU to all of you who have been along for the ride -- helping me find cool culture, supporting my products with your dollars, and following my happy trail of adventures all over Houston. It's the most diverse city in the country and I'm so grateful it's my playground! I hope I've inspired you to explore it too. It's full of fun people, places, and things.
I call myself an "info-preneur" because I love to gather information and share it with others. The mission of my company is to champion culture, ignite lives, and create connections.
Here are some of my projects:
▶️I started Gish Creative as a marketing/PR company and I'm proud to say that I've helped hundreds of businesses over the years with marketing, advertising, and business consulting.
▶️I created this GISH PICKS blog in 2004, and it's still going strong.
▶️In 2003, I started publishing THE SUMMER BOOK, which was a printed guide that later became an online database. I now offer CAMP PICKS -- roundups of holiday day camps for kids -- as well as my new pandemic-inspired EXPLORE PICKS -- roundups of extra-curricular programs for kids during the school year.
▶️My passion -- and my forever work -- is my IGNITE YOUR LIFE! art project. I created it in 2013 in honor of my brother, Geoffrey Gish, with this goal: to inspire everyone around the world to light a fire to their own passions and to create connections among people.
I have been sober since January 8, 1985 (heaps of gratitude for that!) and I have had other mental health challenges. I bring that history and my recovery into my art, workshops, writings, talks, and more. The centerpiece is my "12 Ways to Ignite Your Life Daily" and I have found that if people do all of those things, they will have a firewall to depression, addiction, anxiety, and isolation. I'm writing a book about the project so please send good vibes my way!
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This pandemic has been so hard on the arts so I wanted to give back to the client who has supported me the most financially over the years. Please consider giving at least $20 to them in honor of my 20 years in business -- 20 for 20 in 2020. Enjoy my video about them -- and please click here to donate. Thank you!
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There are so many places and arts & culture organizations that I love in this city -- the most diverse one in the country -- where over 165 languages are spoken daily. Houston isn't perfect, but as a heat-seeking wanderer, I love exploring it...and bringing ya'll along for the ride!
My gift to you in honor of this 2-0 anniversary is this list of 95 of my favorite places and arts and culture organizations in this wild and woolly city. I wanted it to be 20, but ya know.
Of course, THERE ARE SO MANY MORE, so I hope you'll add your own picks! And I didn't include two of my favorite things in Houston -- our live oak trees and the bayous -- because not everything has a handy dandy website or organization attached to it.
Enjoy!
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One last mention before I sign off: I am forever grateful to my friend Phyllis Bailey who encouraged me to go into business for myself and who generously shared her business forms, her pricing structure, and so many specifics with me. I would not have had the courage to venture out on my own, nor known HOW to do it, without her! When I met Phyllis, she was the owner and president of 3B Resources Group, a Houston-based firm specializing in public relations, media relations, and special events that she started in 1998. She is now enjoying her family and serving as a consultant (Want to use her expertise? Shoot her an email).
Thank you, Phyllis!
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There you have it, ya'll! Lots of chatting, lots of info, and lots of fun. I'll be back next week with my regular weekly blog featuring my ARTS PICKS Spotlight and my VIRTUAL PICKS. Until then, stay healthy and get out and explore!
Sincerely,
Sarah Gish
713.492.1173
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