Its 10:11 on the night before I launch Up Agency and conquer the universe. I’m sleep deprived and malnourished from a diet of coffee and Trader Joe’s Malbec.

Our new Chief of Hospitality & Tourism, Nikki Buchanan is on her way back from a well deserved vacation in California.

Our new PR Overlord, Stacy Pearson just wrapped up her Sunday here at Rivers & Leaves Media Up Agency HQ.

Over the past few days, we’ve all been knee-deep in client work while planning an extensive comm plan for this announcement thing.

Honestly, this is the first time I’ve invested serious effort in my own business development since I opened Rivers & Leaves in 2008. All of my success is based on word of mouth (thanks to many friends/clients in the industry).

Hell. I didn’t have a business card until May of 2010. Never bothered with a logo. Nope, no web presence to speak of.

We were a faceless/nameless ghost for almost 3 years. When cold calls came in to the office, the first thing I would say was “Congrats for managing to get in touch with us, we’re notoriously difficult to reach!”

It was true.

I spent all my time building business for clients and no time on myself.

But now it’s bigger than me. Bigger than Rivers & Leaves.

Now it’s we. Team Up.

But, any modicum of success I’ve had in the past has always been due to the company I kept…

Ben McFadden, my programmer and web developer extraordinaire has been with me for 7 years. As a freshman in high school, he was one of my first interns. He was my Padawan who quickly exceeded the Jedi Master. When I moved to the software industry and needed a seasoned expert, he was my first pick (he was a senior in HS then). After jumping the silicon ship, I asked Ben to jump with me one more time.

He did. And here we are. He’s still with me and I owe him so much.

Then came John. And then went John. And then he came again. Just when I needed him the most, he was there. Personal assistant, savior, salsa dancer… what title hasn’t he earned? Somehow you put up with my craziness. Tolerated my insane ideas. And filtered my raw creativity into effective communications. You’ve been awesome, despite the nauseating McDonald’s bags in the office. You are praised, and forgiven.

Luke, the only thing that could top having a communication Ph.D. and professor at my side is having a best friend by my side. Late night cigarettes and vodka have fueled many creative sessions over the years. Your endless encouragement kept me going during those 90-hour work weeks.

Adam. We still miss you, but you’ve certainly earned Honored Emeritus status. Especially when you strolled into the office today with a loaded serving tray to announce “I made fresh popovers for you two.” Stacy practically shit her pants in admiration when you walked up to the door with a plate of steamy baked goods, honey and butter. Rockstar.

And now the future…

Nikki, we’ve had a hell of a lot of fun these past few years. It’s only just begun. Thanks for taking a leap of faith with me and starting a new adventure together.

Stacy, “fresh popovers” is our version of “look at the Earth!” (an inside joke that I’m ironically not inside, but privy to).

But why look down at the Earth when we can look Up?

Flash forward to 6:09 a.m. today…

During my brainstorming session this morning (a.k.a. the shower), I realized I forgot to say thanks to the folks who made this all possible and will continue to make it possible in the future!

I’m sooooo fortunate to have a primo list of clients who trust me. Thanks for letting me help shape your businesses, products and services. Thanks for hearing out those doodles-on-bar-napkin ideas and trusting me to pull them off.

A statewide culinary event. A restaurant that let’s folks “come together.” A giant wine festival on a farm. “You Can Still Do Your Laundry Here Because I Love You” cookie collections. A talking/flying dog. Foursqaure mayors with true mayoral duties.

We’ll never run out of ideas. Promise.

People think it’s easy to partner with the best brands who already have great stories to tell to the public. I think it’s the opposite.

Working with the best means we have to be on our toes and kicking ass 24/7.

Thanks for partnering Up.