Counting Many Blessings at InkHouse

I love Thanksgiving because it draws our attention away from the “what ifs” and toward “what is.” There is no lessening of uncertainty as we continue to see headlines about a drawn out recovery, terrorist resurgences, political squabbling, and scandals galore. That’s a dreary picture, which makes it hard to focus on the positive—what is going well this minute, this hour, this day. So, I appreciate Thanksgiving’s big push toward gratitude.

As I take stock of our fifth year at InkHouse, the “what is” outweighs the “what ifs.” We’ve had another strong year of growth (we made the Inc. 500/5000 list and were named a Pacesetter by the Boston Business Journal), but those are just numbers. The beating heart of InkHouse is our people. Meg and I are proud to have a team who comes to work every morning ready to work hard, think creatively, dig in, and do whatever it takes to get results for our clients. I learn something from them every single day, and equally important, I look forward to the bright spark of their laughter each morning.

Last year, just before Thanksgiving, I began an InkHouse tradition when I asked our team to send me a list of the things for which they were grateful. You can read that post here.

This year’s lists were no less moving and funny, and I will let the InkHouse team’s words speak for themselves:

• Christina: The simple (yet important) things in life, including the opportunity to spend quality time with family and friends.
• Ericka: For having many awesome things in my life right now, including (but not limited to) amazing family & friends, my crazy dog, good health, a job and co-workers who inspire me, my shiny new credentials as a registered dietitian/nutritionist and employers who gave me the flexibility to pursue it. For holidays that revolve around food and not gifts. And that a Wegmans has finally opened in Massachusetts.
• Elizabeth: For a flexible work partner who has allowed me to be a successful PR professional and a working mom, and for my children’s bright smiles and innocence, which keep me going every day.
• Francy: Having a work family who take time out of their busy lives to support me and who make me laugh, even on the toughest days. Beth and Meg, who lead by example and inspire me to be a better person both professionally and personally. My husband for finding me and completing my life.
• GregPC: The absolutely awesome opportunities that are all around us.
• Jen: Having the unconditional love of two happy, healthy boys. Still getting carded when buying scratch tickets. The comfort of knowing my Nana is watching over me and my family.
• Jill: My amazing husband and loving family. A vibrant, exciting place to work where I learn something new every day. Close friends, good books, hot yoga and red wine.
• Jim: My new condo, even though it was struck by lightning. My alarm clock that got me up and out of the house mere minutes before I might have been struck by lightning. And for Metallica, for Ride the Lightning.
• Kristin: My beautiful son—born in April—who made my dream of motherhood come true. A husband who is my best friend, partner and biggest fan. The universe that introduced me to a company that values great work, creativity and family; I look forward to this next year working alongside such intelligent and creative people. The blessing of work that inspires me, when so many people are without. A family who, even though far away, always welcomes me home with open arms.
• Laura: I have a lot to be thankful for this year. As a newlywed, I am grateful for my amazing husband, who has supported me in every endeavor since the beginning of our relationship. I am grateful for my family and friends, who do everything they can to help me be successful in all aspects of my life. I am grateful for InkHouse. I finally have a career in which there is no cap on my growth, and more importantly, I finally have employers who push me to be excellent not just in my career, but in my personal life. 2011 has been the best year of my life, so far, and I can’t wait to see how the years ahead unfold.
• Linda: Roxy Chop, my little pup.
• Lisa: I’m grateful for my parents, because they’re amazing, supportive and make me who I am. I’m grateful for my sisters and their families, because they make my life fuller and love me even though I’m the female version of Paul Rudd’s character in “My Idiot Brother.” I’m grateful for my friends, especially the TWIDY boys, who make starting a Web site about breakups more fun than it sounds. I’m grateful for everyone at InkHouse, because I get to work alongside the smartest, funniest and most creative people in the industry. And I’m grateful for fishing. I love fishing.
• Meg: That I have a daily life that is beyond my childhood expectations. To thank for that, I have a very supportive and easy-going husband, John, two amazing young girls, the world's best business partner (AKA Beth) with whom I share a set of values and aspirations, and a talented team of people at InkHouse to whom I am grateful every day that they have decided to work here. I am also incredibly thankful for clients that bet on us and trust us with their company ambitions.
• Michelle: I’m thankful for a loving family, silly friends, Tuesday night trivia, spiced pumpkin scented candles, delicious beer and mashed potatoes with homemade turkey gravy.
• Patrick: My beautiful and loving wife and daughter. A wonderful family and remarkable friends. Being part of a company that is truly succeeding when many are not. Swells over 3’ and snow over 1’. The Dead.
• Sam: Flexible hours, creativity and the opportunity to write, laughing that happens on a regular basis, diverse music tastes, a regular pay check!, the opportunity to collaborate, a casual dress code and high standards.
• Sarah: An amazing opportunity to work at InkHouse with inspiring—and hilarious—colleagues. For feeling the love and support of my family and friends, no matter how far I am away from home. The MBTA for safely getting me to work every day, and also giving me some great stories to tell. Xavier basketball—go Muskies!
• Scott: Of course, I'm most thankful for family. The highlight of my year was watching the birth of our fifth child—a healthy (knock wood) boy named Brayden entered our lives back in May. But, having a big family means big obligations—i.e., making ends meet. I'm grateful to make ends meet for my growing family at a growing company, doing what I love with people I truly enjoy. Last week alone, I was fortunate enough to work with some of the most innovative defense technologists, pitch exciting cyber security experts, collaborate with wounded American veterans, as well as the Girl Scouts and so many others. All of these folks—along with an office full of talented and supportive colleagues—make coming to work at InkHouse a joy on the best days and bearable on the most challenging ones. So, thanks to all of my clients and co-workers for another professionally rewarding year and Happy Thanksgiving to all!
• Steve: The AP Stylebook—and commas, colons and hyphens. New England Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. Fantastic colleagues who always encourage creativity. Nonna’s gnocchi and pizzelle. My supportive parents, loving girlfriend, awesome brothers and adorable dog—I’d be nothing without them!
• Tina: A career where I can engage my curiosity and creativity, balance work and family life, and laugh a lot during the day. Colleagues who have high standards and great ideas. The completion of my second book (finally). And a supportive and healthy family who keeps it all real!
• Whitney: A loving family who taught me to appreciate the important things, namely: animals, salt air, the Beatles and each other. True friends. My apartment: it’s small and in a not-so-nice neighborhood, but it’s all mine. Getting to spend my day in a place where creativity, hard work and sarcasm are valued. Inheriting my grandfather’s “good strong legs.”

Personally, I continue to have the great fortune of having Meg as my business partner. She tells me when I am wrong and makes my ideas better. I have a wonderful new house that gives me a comfortable sense of permanence. This fall, I became an aunt and have had the privilege of watching my sister create her own map to motherhood that I am proud to say has been a smoother one than my own. I am lucky to have parents who still believe I can do anything I set my mind to. My daughter is the shining star of every single day and night. And my husband, Patrick, carries the weight of my world on his shoulders with apparent ease. Thank you.