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When we learned of the Bleeding Heart Bakery in Chicago, we knew that we had to visit.

Friends know of the Bleeding Heart as a punk rock bakery.

Call it marketing, call it good business or call it punk rock, but Bleeding Heart has differentiated themselves from nearly every other bakery in the nation. They're organic. Their concoctions are original and have personality. They ship cupcakes. (We've been to a lot of bakeries - and trust us - this is a feat.)

They've extended their brand to ancillary products too - kick ass t-shirts, punk rock tote bags and other things that people who are passionate about sugary goodness will likely enjoy.

They bleed personality. Add all of this up and you get a successful business that's not afraid to be who they are, and speak to a niche audience. Loudly.

We enjoyed meeting the Garcias and enjoyed the Smore's brownies and cupcakes even more.

Labels: branding, chicago, cupcakes, yummy food

posted by darryl ohrt at 9:00 AM 0 Comments

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If you wander down 1331 North Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago, you'll come across the Boring Store. From the outside, the sign reads Not a Secret Agent Supply Store. Walk inside and you'll see a retail space devoted to super fun spy supplies. But there's more going on at the Boring Store.

The Boring Store is actually a front. In the "back room" of the boring store there's a giant classroom and educational area. The Boring Store is a part of the 826 organization, and they offer a variety of creative writing, tutoring and creative educational programs for kids age 6 to 18. For FREE.

826Chi students get to publish their own books, get writing, photography and other creative education from professionals who are world renowned in their crafts.

We are inspired by this organization because they've taken an incredibly unique approach to marketing, fundraising and connecting with their community. Each of their locations features an equally creative storefront. The retail sales support the programs that take place in the classrooms, while offering a window to what's actually going on.

It's true. We shopped the Boring Store (and bought some FUN toys and gifts) while peeking in on a classroom of kids going through a super fun writing exercise. How many non-profits have you given to where you saw the results in front of your eyes??

Other non-profits can learn from the 826 organization and know that it's ok to be unique. Just because you're a non-profit doesn't mean that you have to be "boring." Sometimes it's ok to visit the back side of boring.

If you're not in Chicago, that's ok - you can visit one of the many other 826 locations across the nation. And if you're in Chi-town, know that there's something going on at that North Milwaukee store. Something more than boring.

(See more of the boring store and an interview with their top secret agent on the PlaidNation Chicago wrapup video.)

Labels: boring store, chicago, nonprofit

posted by darryl ohrt at 8:23 AM 0 Comments

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If you've heard of Threadless, then you're already jealous of our visit today. If you're just discovering the crowd-sourcing t-shirt/art/product company, then you'll love getting a glimpse of their Chicago headquarters.

We were inspired by their incredibly unique workspace. Like a company that came alive from dot com success, they have ping pong tables, open workspace and lots of toys in an open warehouse building.

Recently, Threadless took their interior space to the next level. Divided into work zones, they held a contest giving each department the opportunity to decorate their work area. We're not talking paper cutouts on cubicle walls. We're talking intensive makeovers and themed spaces.

Threadless workerbees turned their spaces into a Victorian mansion, a country lodge, a skate park and many other wonderous creative playlands.

The result? Threadless has a workspace that is indeed a playspace. A workspace that employees have invested in. A workspace that employees are stoked to come into each morning. And a workspace that generates pride, enjoyment and productivity. Everyone wins.

This took some letting go...the company couldn't dictate what the space would look like. No color schemes, no thematic control, no control at all. Could you do that with your company? Would you? Are you willing to give your employees control of the space they spend the majority of their waking time at? It could pay off big time.

(Watch the wrap up video for Chicago, and you'll see some of the Threadless space plus Marketing guru Bob Manna chat about what works for them on Facebook and elsewhere for the brand.)

Labels: chicago, threadless, workspace

posted by darryl ohrt at 7:06 AM 0 Comments