Did you fail at something in 2022? What a depressing question to launch our 2023 newsletter, but here’s why we pose the question. Failure remembered indicates that you’re pursuing something of meaning. Failure leads to regret and regret leads to action. What’s critical to our response to regret is whether we choose to fail forward. What does it look like to fail forward? First, lets look at what it isn’t. Actions that cover up, hide, or disguise the failure are just attempts to downplay its impact. These neither right the wrong nor improve the situation. They only deepen the pain by adding a new layer of regret to your relationship to the event or person.

Let’s consider failure as the launching pad for goals in the coming year. Rather than creating a check list of ways to right the wrongs, how might we use failures as tools for growth. First, let’s clear up one important fact. Failing something does not make you a failure. It does not define you. In fact, it empowers you to act. It gives you something to aim for. The pain of failure creates a yearning for success. Failure is fuel to propel you toward your goals. 

As entrepreneurs, artists, and creative thinkers, failure is expected. It’s a sign that we haven’t settled, that we’re willing to break things in order to build sustainable ideas. Efforts to build something great starts with a simple mark on paper. Some of the best ideas are birthed from sketchy marks on cheap paper (napkin sketches) over lunch with a colleague.

Here are a few examples that come to mind:

• Chicago’s grid of streets: inspired by a tic-tac-toe sketch during a social event with Ebert and Burnham. 

• A Bug’s Life, Monster’s Inc., Finding Nemo, and Wall-E: sketches on napkins during a lunch conversation between Lasseter, Stanton, Ranft, and Docter. 

• Super Bowl trophy: Oscar Reidner (Tiffany & Co.) sketched on a napkin his trophy idea at lunch for Commissioner, Pete Roselle.

So, here’s an idea to get the year started. Sketch out your best failures on napkins. They don’t have to be fancy. In fact, the simpler, the better. When you’re finished, step back and take a look at your sketches. What do you see? Do the shapes remind you of anything? Do you see words repeated? Do the scribbles inspire feelings? These sketches are now a part of a piece of paper that is typically disgarded...who’s original purpose was to make something clean. 

Next, grab another napkin. Image it’s December 31, 2023. What goals have you attempted to achieve during the year?  How did you fail forward? What did you attempt that didn’t work the first time? How did you leverage that failure to try again until your solution met the problem head on? Glancing back at the first napkin(s), notice what you learned from 2022’s failures. How might you apply those fail forward lessons to your goals for 2023? Chances are, your success will be found in your biggest failures, so lean into them and launch this new year with a few napkin sketches full of insight so you’re free to fail forward toward success!

Through subzero degree temperatures, hurricane strength winds, rain, snow, and a few days of sunny weather, the Stagg’s team finished tiling the entire facade of the Kennedy Art Center/Marion Design Co. studio! Once the black and silver metal trim arrives, it will be installed above the tile between the first and second story. 

The brick wall on the back alley has a new opening for an exit door. Currently a interior wall is being built that will separate the future interior back staircase from the kitchen to the basement. In the basement, concrete block walls that previously housed the old HVAC system have been cut through to make way for a pantry and hallway that will lead to the print/production area. The stone walls are being sealed on the inside to prevent moisture from penetrating the walls. Watch on Instagram and Facebook for updates!

A key part of our criteria for saying yes to projects is ensuring it fits our mission to empower community through sustainable design solutions. This top priority allows us to step into stories of so many great people doing good things in our community. One example of an ongoing relationship is with the Third Path Cohort Grant, led by Meagan Mathias at the Community Foundation of Grant County. She first approached us in 2020 to lead a day long design thinking session at the Marion Public Library with 40 individuals, all a part of different organizations in the community. The COVID pandemic forced the session to take place on Zoom. Our team of designers and interns pivoted the design of all of the materials for the digital screen. From that session, three combined teams emerged with successful grant applications for projects that brought groups together who had never worked together previously. The grantees were awarded the grant for three consecutive years to continue pursuing projects to improve life for the people they’re serving.

The following year, we lead the three combined teams during a second design thinking session at CoFo’s 505 building for a full day of face-to-face activities. From that work each team did during that session, Carey Services, Crippled Children and Adults, Hope House, College Wesleyan Church, Grant County Rescue Mission, and Thriving Mill Township created goals and initiatives to achieve their goals for the second year. From an outdoor community center to the restoration of a historic building to serve families, to services and training for those with accessibility needs, each of the three collaborative groups have been empowered to create meaningful projects for Grant County. To find out more or donate to the projects, go to https://givetogrant.org/third-path-cohort/.

We’re preparing for the third and final design thinking session to be conducted January 13th to help each team ensure their project is sustainable after the grant ends. We know that needs don’t stop when the money stops, so each team will work to structure their programming so it’s able to continue for years to come! We’re honored to partner with this important organization who’s strengthening families and individuals who call Grant County home and are excited to usher them into this final phase of the Third Path Cohort Grant!

They don’t necessarily tell the story of the dream that starts a business. They don’t tell the story of the memories, the frustrations, the celebrations, and the life-changing relationships that are experienced and formed along the way. Most importantly, they don’t tell the story of the clients that the business serves. 

Why is it important for a business to share its story? Sharing stories shows a willingness to collaborate, to show transparency and to be vulnerable. It connects people to the business’ purpose and furthers their mission. 

How does Marion Design Co share its story? We focus on relationships and research ways to satisfy our clients’ needs. We then work with our clients to ensure our final product completely satisfies their needs and wants. Finally, we share those clients’ stories with others through the work we have done for them. A good story shows the heart behind the numbers and the idea. Look at the stories we are telling and let us help you tell your own.

- Angie Thompson, Chief Financial Officer

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