The C&C Short List

A great deal of C&C’s business model relies on the talent and diligence of our project partners. Those partners range from web developers, artists, stylists, packaging gurus, calligraphers, videographers - you name it. One could argue that without them, C&C would not exist! They are part of the secret sauce.

It pains me to say, finding talent that checks all of the boxes is HARD, which is why I’m very selective with the company C&C keeps. High standards are just plain necessary when it comes to a service-based business. What are those boxes, (apart from sheer ability to perform the hired function), you ask? Dare I say, very simple things. In our modern world, skill only gets you so far. Our clients’ best interests are the single most important thing, which means anyone interacting with them must have the same value system as C&C.

Here are a few of those simplistic “boxes” we aim to check when it comes to qualifying a potential project partner…

FORMAL QUOTE:

You wouldn’t believe how many people still send “quotes” in the body of an email. I wouldn’t forward this on to clients as it looks lazy and lacks thoughtfulness. This is perhaps one of the first opportunities to set the tone for how you operate. Send your proposal and quote in a properly formatted document. Outline your payment terms. Be as clear as possible. Just do it.

COMMUNICATION:

I strongly believe in the 24-48 hour rule. If you can’t respond to an email or phone call within that timeframe, I consider it problematic. Our work is thoughtful and methodical, but we also work swiftly and can’t babysit others. Effective and timely communication is paramount. That also means care should be taken when corresponding. Proofread your emails!

CAN SET & MANAGE EXPECTATIONS:

Most of our creative endeavors are longer term initiatives. Having a keen sense of timeline and deliverables is critical to a successful project roadmap. Project partners should be able to scribe important milestones and dates (and meet those deadlines). If there is a potential variable that will prohibit us from reaching those goals (it happens!), expectations should be clearly articulated. Transparency pays dividends.

SEAMLESS BILLING PRACTICES:

If you want to get paid, make it easy. Right? Invoicing should be seamless, while offering a few payment options. Offering Venmo and Paypal as the only forms of payment does not help legitimize your business. It just doesn’t. Clients don’t want this process to be a headache anymore than you do.

CLIENT-CENTRIC FOCUS:

You bend over backwards. You stay up late dreaming about a project element. You call me just to check-in or to brainstorm…yet, you don’t take things too seriously - after all, this is a creative space! This is the type of person I want to call a partner. The client always, always, always comes first. If something goes wrong (and it will happen!), you offer solutions. You make it right. The white-glove mentality is top of mind and always practiced. You harness positive energy. You are there to guide, please and deliver.

ACCESSIBLE PORTFOLIO:

Having a portfolio that is easy to share and consume is important for so many reasons. Some form of this should be digital. You’re able to visually and verbally articulate your value proposition and speak to your aesthetic and approach.

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While we’re all human, and do things differently, the above is meant to serve as a baseline for expectations. If you have a unique trade, refined skill or innovative approach to your business, and identify with these practices, I’d love to hear from you. Send a note to inquiries@citrusandcedars.com.

MOODY

My life seems to be a series of projects, both professionally and personally. Though most of my work is spent guiding others through creative endeavors, often, when it comes to my own personal projects, it can be easy to flit around from one idea to the next. I find that my mind can quickly get cluttered with a sea of ideas - and with Pinterest, Instagram and a plethora of other visually-driven platforms, those inspirational images can be stored in a million places. When I start to feel overwhelmed, I harness the back to basics approach: a good old fashioned mood board. A mood board doesn’t need to be an editorial masterpiece - as evidenced below - a “copy & paste”, or “upload & place” does the trick!

As we embark on gutting a bathroom in our tiny A-frame cabin, I’ve sifted through my folders and put everything in one place. We’re striving for a clean and easy palette - walls will be shiplapped (even in the shower!), we’ll integrate unlacquered brass fixtures and a console-style sink. I’m especially excited about the sink… the stone top will be constructed with Vermont marble to include a wall-mounted faucet and I want to design a really tall backsplash, as shown above. Colors will be neutrals. Simple, slightly industrial and timeless.

I’m working with Lindebroeke Press to design some personal stationary. When my husband and I got married, I had some stationary made for our impending stack of thank you’s. It was SO fun and helpful. Above is the general direction for our collaboration.

Puttin' on the Ritz

Well, not quite “high hats and narrow collars” as they say, but I’m trying to step up my summer game with the time we have left. That means, more dinners at home under soft candlelight, evening swims at the beach with my husband, and early wake-ups to squeeze the juice out of each day.

I’ve just returned from the west coast and with September on the horizon, it’s time to relish in the time we have left. I’m looking forward to sharing more glimpses behind the C&C curtain in the coming weeks. Our August C&C COMMUNIQUÉ was indeed well received and I look forward to our September COMMUNIQUÉ (sign-up here!).

Pictured above:

Dahlias from Robin Hallow Farm - see here.

Wicker Placecard Holders from Mark D. Sikes’ new collection with Irwin Ribera - see here.

Bespoke hand-painted watercolor place cards by Ashley D. Studio - see here.

Newly acquired hand-painted German Majolica plates - see here.

Aerin Lauder x Williams Sonoma rattan glassware - see here.

It's All Happening

The C&C summer is in full swing. While it’s very much been full throttle in and out of the office (I thrive on chaos!), there have also been necessary moments for pause along the way. We’ve buttoned up several initiatives that will soon advance to new phases and scopes of work. New endeavors are on the horizon for fall & winter. It’s all happening at every angle! Yet, each milestone is a moment for reflection and celebration. They are also opportunities to re-energize creatively. I’m doing my best to do just that. I’m trying to harness my inner book worm by reading Bunny Mellon: The Life of an American Style Legend (am I the last person to read this book?!), carve out time to visit my favorite farm stands and putter around in the garden.

So while I do my darnedest to take a breath and let the good times roll both professionally and personally, I invite you to join me. Life is short, summer is delicious…make it #candcapproved.

Here’s to creativity and squeezing the juice out of summer!