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@JoelECarlson- Hello everyone, and welcome to Twitterview with our guest , @alleecreative [Melissa Harrison]. Must be “creative day” today. :)

@alleecreative – Thanks for having me, @JoelECarlson!

Q – #1   So @alleecreative, tell us – Where did you grow up? What steps in life got you from High School up to today?

A:   I grew up in Sun Prairie and DeForest, WI. Came to MN for college (U of M), B.A. in strategic comm.

I was always interested in business and communications so I did a lot of that in high school leading up to college.

I was fortunate to get a great position in marcomm right out of college, stayed there for four years until I decided to start my biz

I have always had the entrepreneurial bug, even when I was little!

On the family side, I met my husband in college. We have three kids (5 yrs and under!) and 1 on the way. You could say I’m busy!

Q – #2   Yes you are! So what kind of business is @alleecreative, and what is your role?

A:   Allee is a strategic communications and design firm. We specialize in serving nonprofits in the Twin Cities with their marcomm needs.

Formerly Harrison Communications, we just launched our new name/brand in May and have been really pleased.

We worked with @affinadesign through the branding process. It’s great to have an outside eye when you’re also in the creative biz.

I started the biz in 2006. We’re small, virtual. My role is to gather new biz, but I also get down & dirty in the creative process

We do a lot of print work (annual reports, newsletters, magazines) and also long-term marcomm planning and PR for orgs.

Depending on the need, we also have clients that we consult with on new media initiatives.

I like to collaborate w/other businesses similar to ours on client projects. Keeps ideas fresh and the best minds working on things

It’s also helpful because we are small and want to make sure we’re providing expert services in areas of clients’ need.

Q – #3   Wonderful! As a small business that does BIG things, how has Social Media helped your company?

A:   This year was really our big push for using social media. For us, Facebook works best (its where our clients are)…

but I am intrigued and learn more each day about how Twitter can be beneficial as well.

We present case studies to clients on the potential for social media use

think it’s easier, sometimes, to stay on top of it from a client side than for your own biz, but we’re getting there!

SM is great for keeping up your networks and learning about what others in your field (or entirely outside your field) are doing

And personally, I love SM because it allows me to keep connected with family and friends across the globe (and share my biz w/them)

SM in general has really just helped open doors and made @alleecreative presence known on a broader scale

and being that SM is a constant conversation, it gives us the opportunity to put personality behind our brand.

Q – #4   Who are 5-10 people that you follow that either inspire, educate or entertain your?

A:   Twitter peeps that inspire/entertain me: @karyd, @jenkaneco, @jeffbullas, @briansolis, @lulugrimm, @saramasters, @Nylons, @bloisolson

and of course, you, @JoelECarlson!

Q – #5   That’s very kind of you! FAVS questions: Favorite – restaurant, store, summer activity & website?

A:   Fave restaurant: anywhere that’s “upscale” where my husband and I can sit alone and eat a meal without interruption of kids

Fave store: @target!

Fave summer activity: sitting on a boat/near the water in the sun, with an adult beverage in hand (not so much this summer!!)

Hmmm, fave website: probably @facebook I’m kind of an addict. I like news mobile sites too like m.kare11.com

Q – #6   I see. If you could invite anyone (dead/alive) for dinner. who would you invite and why?

A:   I’m typically not one to go presidents, but maybe Obama. Or my grandma. Hmm, or Brett Favre (it’s Pack vs. Vikes in our house!).

ops, and why, you say? Well, the Packers vs. Vikings kind of explains itself for Brett Favre. And grandma, to show her my kids

And Obama, he just seems like a fun guy to have dinner with.

Favre being a Viking has probably caused some “family issues”. To end, what thought or mantra would you like to share?

I’m always pushing myself to the next level and encourage others to do the same.

What’s the saying? “Shoot for the moon; even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.” I love that.

@JoelECarlson – hat’s a new one to me. Well thank you very much for you time of sharing today. Have a good evening @alleecreative!

@alleecreative – Thank you, @JoelECarlson. It was great talking to you. Have a wonderful holiday weekend!

@JoelECarlson – Hello everyone, and welcome to today’s Twitterview of @rightbrainjane. Time to get the creative side turned on and Tweet away.

@rightbrainjane – Hello @JoelECarlson. I am so glad to be talking with you today!

Q – #1   So @rightbrainjane, tell us – Where did you grown up? What steps have you had in your life from High School up until today.

A:   I was born in International Falls, MN. Adopted at 7 months. Grew up in Edina. 2 years at an all-girls HS then Edina High School.

So many steps between then + now! First job out of college: Dayton’s. Then sales at Deluxe Corp, then moved into Advertising w/them.

My job at Deluxe put me on the design path. After St. Thomas I went back to school for design degree. I love to learn.

Since then I’ve done freelance design, my own design (under Right Brain Jane) and working on-staff. Spent almost 7 yrs at Target.

I’m now looking at widening my career options and embracing the idea of doing many things to earn a living.

But at the core is design, art + creativity! And that can be applied in so many areas, not just the print world.

And if what I do is green and eco-friendly and able to help the planet, even better!

Q – #2   @rightbrainjane – How were you drawn to design? What sorts of things inspire your creations?

A:   Drawn to design? Love the pun. So I’ll share something with (you + the Twitterverse) that will probably garner a few chuckles.

When I was very young, my Dad gave me the nickname “Pinky Doodle”. I still find it endearing. :-) So what “drew” me to design?…

Art and design just felt natural to me. I learned early on I was not a “math” kid. There were two camps and I was in the artsy one.

Looking back it was a lot of things: TV cartoons, my 4th grade teacher Mrs. Stifter, art class. I lived in my imagination a lot.

I am inspired by nature, film, textiles, all visual arts and the seasons. And music. @ProjectRunway is inspiring. And other artists.

I also can get inspired at Home Depot or AxMan. And I love to upcycle things, so what might normally be tossed is prime for me!

Q – #3   Eco-Creative! Has Social Media helped you with your business, and how has it helped you individually/personally?

A:   I knew of Twitter a few years before getting on board. I was a little skeptical. But now, obviously, I am a solid convert

So much to say about Social Media! It’s (especially Twitter) enabled me to meet people and clients I might not normally meet.

I’ve met (virtually+IRL) so many people doing awesome things. I probably would not have known about @ericamayer if not for Twitter.

There are 100′s of people I could mention! In a nutshell, Social Media has allowed me to dream bigger and further.

And Social Media has also allowed me to learn about and support others who are dreaming bigger + further.

Q – #4   Who are some local or national people that you follow that provide inspiration/creativity for you?

A:   Here are some of my favorites for inspiration: @brainpicker Always interesting and thought-provoking, usually obscure.

Faves: @HuffingtonPost and @mashable Essential reading. And two sources I trust.

Faves: @GOODfeed @TreeHugger @BohoMag @grist For my Eco-fix. Always inspiring.

aves: @Margoandhow @JohnFugelsang @ebertchicago I just love how they say things. They make me go “Hmmmmm…”

Faves: @sophieuliano Her book “Do It Gorgeously” is my eco-beauty bible.

Local faves — so many! A few: @the_wedge @letoilemagazine @metromag @fabuliss @ericamayer @nicycle @mossenvy @MantraArt @firstavenue

Q – #5   FAVS questions: Favorite – restaurant, store, summer activity & scissors?

A:   FAVS: Restaurant: @Ecopolitan Store: @WholeFoods Summer activity: Going to art fairs and indie crafter shows. Scissors: Fiskars

Q – #6   Wow, an hour can just FLY bye. Last point – what thought or mantra would you like to share today?

I still remember walking out of the film “Dead Poet’s Society” at Suburban World in Uptown in 1989. I was blown away by it.

My favorite mantra comes from that film — “Carpe Diem!” We all know that’s “Seize the day”. Truly, we have one life here…

…and like someone recently said “It is later than you think”, we really must seize our days and make the most of them.

@JoelECarlson – “Captain, my Captain.” I know that movie well! :) Thanks for sharing and for your time today

@rightbrainjane – I LOVE that scene! I replay it over and over. Gives me goosebumps. And I watch #DeadPoetsSociety at least once a year.

Thank you for your time today, Joel! It was a such a pleasure. #jectv #gratitude

@JoelECarlson – Thanks again @rightbrainjane!