Letter from the Editor-October

By Steve Kelly

“What are you hearing out there?”

I get asked this in most conversations I have with clients. It’s understandable; each day the sales team and I talk to a number of businesses, large and small. Like most things in life, there is no singular answer.

Last week I spent the day in Rockland, Rockport, and Camden. I was on the road by 8 a.m., and as I made my way up the coast, the ominous and dreary late August morning shifted into a bright and sunny day.

In the conversations I had, I was struck by the steadfast optimism I heard from each business. Is everything exactly as they would like it? No. But clients are finding customers. Clients are busy working on projects of all sizes. New businesses are opening.

In the morning I spoke with a builder and a custom supplier. Both had good, sizeable jobs that were not only keeping things going but putting them ahead and helping them strategize their next steps.

I talked with a gallery owner who is having a strong year. While I was there, I couldn’t help but notice all the little red dots affixed next to a number of works. The gallery was lively during my visit. In fact, there was activity everywhere.

I caught up with a long-time client who is having a decent year, seeing forward momentum, riding out the dips with a smile, and looking for ways to navigate the now.

Later in the day, I connected with an interior designer who is expanding, meeting incredible clients, and adapting to the market.

What are the threads linking all these successful businesses? A commitment to quality, a positive attitude, powerful marketing material, the know-how to adapt, and the courage to do the work. Of course, there are times when I hear the opposite, it’s true. But if you ask me what I’m hearing out there now, I’ll tell you: Good things.