Thank you, thank you, thank you . . .

Blogger's Note: Warning: Sappy, sissyish post follows. Read at your own risk.

As I get ready for my favorite week of the year, I wanted to take a second to say thanks . . . to a lot of people.

This was a big year for Crescenzo Communications.

A year ago in October, I severed all ties with Ragan Communications, after teaching seminars for them (and writing for them and speaking at conferences and working in the consulting division) for 16 years.

While I wasn't technically an employee . . . I was basically an employee. Ragan accounted for about 85 percent of my work, and my income.

I don’t want to get into the reasons for the break-up, as it wouldn’t serve any purpose. Ragan gave me my start in this business, I met lifelong friends there, and for a lot of years it was a good partnership.

But suffice to say that last October I was given a very clear choice: I could give up a big chunk of my pride, about half my self-esteem, and a big wad of my independence . . . and in return, I’d continue to get a steady stream of almost guaranteed income from doing Ragan seminars, and continue to receive the constant exposure and free marketing that working with Ragan has always gotten me.

Or . . . I could sever all ties with Ragan, and go on my own completely (with Cindy and Zach and Ella and Weezie, of course). I would not have any guaranteed income, and I’d also lose all that free marketing and exposure. It was all or nothing. 

I actually thought about it. I thought about it a lot. When you have a kid, you have to think about it.

And then Cindy and Zach slapped me around and told me to stop being a bed wetter. I remember laying out the situation for Zach, who was all of nine years old at the time. Nine going on 40.

“What’s the question?” he said, after I explained things to him. 

I thought he didn’t understand the situation, and I started to explain it again.

“No, Dad,” he sighed. “I understand what you’re saying. I just don’t know what you’re even thinking about. You need to go on your own. Dad, you can’t be afraid of life.”

My own son was throwing my own motto right back in my face, God love him.

Cindy was even more vocal.

“We’re done with Ragan,” she said. “Period. End of story. Now let’s put a business plan together.”

It was one of the scariest times of my life . . . but we did it. Actually, we more than did it. We kicked ass. We had the most successful year in the history of the company—more successful than any year when we partnered with Ragan on stuff.

We started a brand-new seminar, Creative Communications, that was hugely successful. We started partnering with IABC on Webinars and other speaking engagements. We got quite a few steady clients . . . the kind of regular income you need when you’re on your own.

Our work took us to London, Copenhagen, Switzerland, Rio, and Banff, Canada . . . some of the coolest places in the world. Next year, we’re heading to Hong Kong.

And, for the second year in a row, I was named the #1 rated speaker at IABC’s International Conference. That’s gives me three #1s and a #2 in the ten years I’ve been speaking at International.

We were finally able to buy a condo two blocks from the lake in Chicago . . . our dream home.

(Pause to knock wood really, really hard.)

Now, I fully understand that the nature of working for yourself is that it could all fall apart tomorrow, and I could be tending bar or working as a grill cook to make ends meet. But that’s fine. We made the right move, the bold move, the brave move, and we made it work.

If it all collapses tomorrow, I won't have a single regret. We did it.

But we didn’t do it on our own, that’s for sure. The list of people who were so supportive of us is way too long to mention. People like Kristen Ridley, our Canadian friend who has been a constant source of inspiration and support. There are dozens of people out there like Kristen, who reached out to us after we left Ragan. There's not enough room to thank all of them.

But I did want to throw some serious thanks to people who really helped us out over the year, including:

Rachel Pearson, Colleen Hawk, Joe Ricciardi, and the entire gang at IABC Phoenix. They hosted our first-ever Creative Communications conference, and they were a joy to work with. They gave us the confidence that the seminar could work for any IABC chapter (and we just finalized a deal to bring it up to Toronto next February!!).

The great Robert Holland, one of my best friends in the business, and one of the best communicators in the industry, for helping bring Creative Communications to Richmond, and for showing us his wonderful town.

Paula Cassin, Christie Ly, and the IABC L.A. chapter, for bringing us out there, where we had an awesome group—and an ice cream sundae bar at the afternoon break, a first for Crescenzo Communications!

Melinda Guravich, Scott Cytron, and the IABC Dallas crowd. That was our biggest group, and our most successful seminar. And IABC Dallas was awesome . . . as were all the communicators from Mary Kay, Inc.!

And I really want to send a huge thank  you to Chris Grosscart and Angela Franta from IABC. When I split from Ragan, I was finally able to re-establish ties with IABC, and it’s been one of the highlights of my career. Working with IABC is like working with family. If you happen to like your family, I mean.

I also want to thank the dozen or so IABC chapters and regions who brought me in to speak, as well as the clients who brought us in to do audits, consulting, vehicle analyses, and other work.

And I'm not sure the seminars ever would have happened without Eliot Yamashiroya, aka "The Big Jap," who helped us navigate the tricky world of hotel meeting rooms, food and beverage minimums, AV costs, etc. If your company needs a travel guru who can do it ALL, you need Eliot.

And of course I want to thank my VP of HR, Zach, who puts up with all the travel without ever making me feel bad about it, and for giving me the kick in the ass I needed to make the move.

But most of all, I want to thank Cindy. My wife, my partner, my best friend, my motivation, and my one-woman support system. Without her, I would never have had the guts to make the move.

She motivates me, she manages me, she inspires me, she kicks my ass when it needs kicking, and kisses my bald head when it needs kissing. She’s the true brains behind the business . . . and somehow manages to manage me and run the day-to-day operations of the business, and at the same time handle her own clients. I’ve come to realize that there is nothing she can’t do.

Being able to work and travel with someone you are deeply in love with is such an incredible experience . . . and I am the luckiest person on the face of the earth for getting to do it.

Have a great Thanksgiving, everyone. Here’s looking to another great year in 2010.

Comments

[Kristen]

Sniff, sniff, sniff. Way to make people cry in the middle of the business day, Steve!

Seriously, what a lovely post [and not just because my name appears in it!] and a great reminder to all of us to focus on the long list of things we all have to be grateful for, not just at Thanksgiving but all the time.

I CANNOT WAIT for you to bring the seminar here to Toronto!!! I'll be there with bells on . . . oh ok, I'll wear clothes too . . . Maybe.

[Robert J Holland, ABC]

My friend, I can totally relate to what you're feeling! Next spring, it will be 10 years for me. I get kinda mushy myself when I think of all the people who've helped me along the way.

We're grateful for you, too. I know I continue to learn and be inspired by you.

And by the way, real men love the women in their lives and say so publicly. You're a real man. No matter what your readers say.

[Michael Foster]

Well, I just have to thank you guys for lteting me play Dr. Frankenstein with your website... wait till you see the new revisions! I'll be working on them during the Thanksgiving break.

Seriously, it is an honor to work with such fabulous people. Fuzzies back at you.

[Michael Foster]

And to think I could spell letting right the first time. Sheesh.

[Michael Foster]

COULDN'T COULDN'T SPELL LETTING RIGHT... wow. Insert foot in mouth. Losing confidence...

[Will Daniel]

Thanks for coming to Richmond this year, Steve. Hope to see you back here again! Congratulations on a great year.

Will

[Steve Crescenzo]

Robert and Kristen:

I love you both. Cindy and I are trying to figure out a way to get all the great people to come to Chicago for "professional development" that will also include boating, a Chicago festival or two, a Cubs game, and other fun Chicago summertime activities. Stay tuned for details . . . it'll be an offer you won't be able to refuse.

Steve C.

[Steve Crescenzo]

Will . . . it was great to reconnect with you in Richmond. Love the new blog!

Michael: You were CERTAINLY on the list of people I want to thank. You are such a talented guy . . . it's been an honor to get to know you, and get to work with you a little. We're going to bring Creative Communications to Seattle!!

Steve C.

[Sonya]

Steve...awesome post...what a lovely way to give thanks to all the important people in your work and personal life! I am so glad that you've had such a great year...no one deserves it more!

[Steve Crescenzo]

Thanks, Sonya! I know it was a big year for you, too! Hope everything is going great down there!

Steve C.

[Jean]

What? No thank-you to the IRS? We get so few, you know. Mary, thank you for bringing Steve to us at this year's Atlanta CPE. He was fabulous!

[Barbie Hines]

Wow...what a great journey...congratulations Steve, Cindy & Zach...what a wonderful reflection on a wonderful year...enjoy the holidays!

[Steve Crescenzo]

I was going to thank the IRS!!!!! But the damn post was getting too long. You guys are the best.

One person that ABSOLUTELY needs to be up there (in fact I'm editing the post to add him) is Eliot, our travel and hotel guru.

There's so many people to thank!

Steve C.

[Steve Crescenzo]

Barbie:

After Thanksgiving, let's get the calendar out and figure out a time to have drinks in the city. You can come by the new place, or we can meet you somewhere!!!

Tell your family I said to have a great Thanksgiving!

Steve C.

[Diane]

That was . . . beautiful. As usual, I cried after reading your blog but for a very different reason. :D

[Rachel Pearson]

Steve, I'm so honored to even be included on this list of people. Having you and Cindy here was definitely one of my biggest highlights as IABC Phoenix president. I'm thrilled to hear how much success you've encountered along the way, but can't say I'm surprised - you guys are the whole package. Wishing the entire team (including the IT kitties) a Happy Thanksgiving!

[Frank Roche]

Way to go, Steve. That is a great one...and continued success.

My biz partner and I stepped off the big consulting grind 6 years ago and have had a blast, mad more money than we could have dreamed of, and have been able to hire a lot of incredibly talented and spirited people. It was great...scary then and great now. WTG.

[Colleen]

I should - and will - thank YOU, Steve. You've made me a better writer and a better strategist - and you make me laugh as I learn. But most of all, I thank you and Cindy for the gift of your friendship and being such great company while consuming libations and comestibles.

[Barbie Hines]

Yes...drinks in the next couple of weeks...I'm in the city most Tuesdays & Thursdays now...let me know what works!

All the best!

[Chuck Gose]

Hey! Want about your trip to the lovely city of Indianapolis? You know, people are dying to have you and Cindy back. Zach's welcome, too.

I wish you and Cindy all the best and know that you two only continue to be more and more successful. And I know I like to take a few jabs here and there but just remember this. I kid because I care.

[Amy]

YOU GO, Cindy and Steve. You ROCK corporate comms. And you have an amazing dinner waiting for you with me when you next hit DC. - Amy

[Jeremy Schultz]

Well done, Steve! Meeting, speaking alongside, and watching you at the IABC world conference was one of my highlights of the year. Cheers!

[Eliot]

Here I thought I was special until I read the comments. Editing the post to include me? I knew I was always an afterthought. None of this thanks stuff is fooling me Steve; you still owe me two dinners.
Having said that I'm proud of you buddy. I know what it's like to start something up from scratch and though you had a solid foundation prior to your departure from Ragan, you definitely were able to build on it this year despite the fact that economically this was one of the worst times to start a new venture. (Some might claim it was Obama's stimulus package that helped you out but I know the true reason is that fat, bald, wise ass, Oprah hating, Favre loving men are recession proof.)
Thanks to you, Cindy and Zak for letting me be a part of your world this year.

[Mary M.]

Thanks for making your friends at the IRS better communicators, Steve. I hope you, Zak and Cindy have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Congratulations on a great year!

[Steve Crescenzo]

This truly is a great Thanksgiving. I'm overwhelmed by these comments. You know something special is in the air when Chuck Gose AND Eliot both say NICE things in the SAME thread.

The stars must be aligned. Thank you, all of you, for the nice comments and the support over the past year.

Eliot, the Garden awaits. Chuck, let's do something in Indy early next year. Amy and Mary: I'll be in DC early in the year, I believe. Maybe we could put together a fun group and whoop it up!

And Jeremy, it was great meeting you, too. Thanks for stepping up last minute and doing such a great job on the panel!!

Steve C.

[Keith]

Great message Steve! It has to be said though, the list of people that you've helped over the past year would be even longer!

Plus, everyone that's caught one of your seminars or reads your blog now has a shared language. Does anyone actually call I.T. I.T anymore? Nope. It's the bedwetters.

Hopefully catch up in London next time you're over.

[Michael Foster]

Dude, I wasn't offended at all, you NEVER have to go out of your way to thank me... you guys do so on a regular basis.

So, Seattle eh? I say let's take this to the WORLD. Sydney, Barcelona, Dubai, Moscow... Moscow seems like they could use this right? Would they even get it? Would Moscow understand?

[Paula Cassin]

Thanks Steve! You deserve to make it big - we were so happy to have you in Los Angeles. Keep up the good work; and keep lighting up everyone's day

[Allan Jenkins]

You two are an inspiration, a delight, an all-star (or, at least, two-star) team. That you are also funnier than the Marx Brothers is gravy.

[Sarah]

So when are you coming to Hong Kong???

[Sonya]

Steve, things are going great...this fall I actually asked for and was granted the ability to work part-time, only four days a week, to have a little more time with my now 15-month-old daughter. While I lose a little money in the deal, the extra time with Sophie is priceless and I'm so lucky my boss and my company are allowing me to stay on but have more work/life balance!!! Can't wait to hear what 2010 has in store for Crescenzo Communications!!

[Steve Crescenzo]

Allan:

The Marx Brothers? High praise indeed. My favorite childhood memory is every New Year's Eve, having fondue in front of the fire and watching Duck Soup. Glad we got to hang out not once but twice this year!

Sarah: I'm speaking at IABC's big international conference in early April!! I'm giving a session and the closing keynote. Are you over there?

Sonya! Sounds like the perfect situation. I know what you mean . . . I could make more money if I was willing to travel more . . . but my time with my son is more important than anything . . .at least until he turns, what, 13 or so and figures out that I'm a huge dork.

Steve C.

[Nancy Painter]

The thing is, about the time they figure out you're a huge dork, they also discover how much fun it is to have friends in when your parents aren't home, so that won't necessarily leave you any more freedom to travel!

Had a great time at Banff, enjoyed your presentation and participation in the panel, loved the furry hats, and it was great to meet Cindy after hearing so much about her!

[Sarah]

Got it. Yeah - I'm in HK so I'll be signing up! Looking forward to hearing you speak.

[Donna Papacosta]

Congratulations on your first of many successful years as an independent. What a great post.

[Sean Williams]

Hey Steve - can I pick your brain a little offline on a couple of topics, including entrepreneurship? DM me @commammo...
Sean

[Kristin Abraham ABC]

Great post, Steve. I've listened to you speak at a number of IABC events (including Banff last month) and am always a little more inspired, a little smarter, and definitely a little achy from the laughing. You are a great talent and I look forward to seeing you at an upcoming event. Stay the course. And ... when are the Crap Awards coming back?

[Greg Marsh]

You're a big, bad, bald bowl of mush! Very nice! Reading your blog at home, because at work the firewall blocks it for alcohol!

[Steve Crescenzo]

Nancy: Banff was great, wasn't it? I want to go back for pure vacation, so we have time to visit Lake Louise, etc.

Sean, I'll DM you. I've got time this week and next.

Krisin: Thanks for the kind words!!! And I'm in the process now of dusting off the CRAP Awards and making them a monthly feature of the blog. Thanks for the nudge!!

Greg: what do you mean, for alcohol? References to alcohol? What about the profanity? I insist they leave the alcohol alone and ban me for my use of profanity, God damnit.

Steve C.