A Big Announcement – and Leaving the Light On

 “Why blame the dark for being dark? It is far more helpful to ask why the light isn’t as bright as it could be.”

— Rob Bell

Earlier this year, I shared with Josh and the rest of the Next Stage team my intention to spin off my own marketing agency that will focus on nonprofits and purpose-focused brands. It’s been my goal for a long time and the timing finally felt right. With the team’s full support, we began planning for an early summer announcement.

Then I got cancer.

The diagnosis was very early-stage breast cancer. It came out of nowhere, the result of a regular screening. No symptoms, no family history, no clue that ‘checking that box’ was going to change life so dramatically.

I would spend the next six months navigating that diagnosis, getting rid of the cancer and working through the physical and mental recovery. Instead of choosing branding, I was choosing a surgical plan. Instead of coffee meetings, I was moving from one doctor’s office to the next. My husband and I were navigating the complexities of kids, schedules, work plans and insurance – at times the darkness and disruption felt absolutely overwhelming.

It is unfortunately not a unique story – but it has been a challenging one.

I’m so grateful that I’m now in a place to announce the launch of Porch Light Creative – a marketing agency for purpose-driven brands. Porch Light Creative will specialize in branding, marketing, web design and campaign development. I intend to pair practical planning with beautiful design to help tell your story and grow your impact.

I named the agency Porch Light because I believe in the warmth, hospitality and safety those lights signify. Porches are a place for debate and story-sharing – and I believe those are qualities that live in all the best marketing efforts.

Nonprofits and purpose-driven brands often work in challenging spaces. I believe that turning the light on for people, no matter how dim it can seem, is crucial to building the kind of community that is safe and prosperous for us all.

I don’t have enough distance from the events of this summer to have profound reflections – but I do know that my family is here and thriving because people ‘turned the light on’ for us in a hundred different ways this year. For now, it’s enough for me to trust that the practice of ‘turning on the light’ is enough to keep lighting the way for ourselves, our community and the ones we love.

Porch Light Creative will begin accepting new clients in January 2025. In the meantime, reach out and let’s grab a coffee or sign up for email updates.