NThreeQ Media, LLC

Random renting knowledge

2011-09-17T11:03:00.000-07:00

It's been a long while since I have blogged. It has been a busy time full of new projects, new designers and new adventures. I was thinking of a new blog post today and after sharing some juicy of nuggets about renting a house to my boyfriend I thought what a perfect post.

In college I had my own apartment, I didn't want to be smashed in student housing so I had to figure something out. I went to work for an apartment community thus getting about 50% off of rent and being able to afford living. I learned a lot working there, from leases to rules to what rights you had.

After purchasing my own home and then turning it in to a rental property I learned even more about being a landlord. Then in the last 5 years I have moved every year in to new condos - just being able to be so nomadic has been a lot of fun. I've rented from good and bad owners and good and bad rental management company's.

Below is my list of items that you should keep in mind and ask about before renting a home and sometimes even a condo:

When was the last time the A/C/Heater was serviced? If it been a year, request it be done prior to you moving in.
How old is the water heater? Have the elements been replaced if it is older and has it been drained recently? If not, have them do it before you move in.
When are trash days and recycle days? It's a small ticket item but important to know
Who handles landscaping? If you are looking at a place with a lot of yard - trees, grass etc. You will be responsible for the up keep of it and probably be charged if it doesn't look perfect when you leave. Consider asking the owner if they will pay for landscaping or you split the cost with them.
How often has the house had pest control? Have there been any problems? In Az scorpions are a big question. Request a full spray inside and out before you move in. Most of the time you are responsible for pest control, but it's always nice to get a good spray in before your stuff gets moved in.
Who do you call for maintenance and what is the turnaround time? What is considered an emergency? Also find out what you are responsible for, if there is a home warranty many times you pay the service fee. Find out if it is something bad and you have to get it fixed how reimbursement works.
Take a while with your move-in checklist. If you have 5 days to turn it in, take 4. Really live in the place and look high and low for any issues. Make sure the big stuff you notate but also call to get fixed. Anything new can come out of your deposit
Request a walk through prior to signing the lease, make sure it is how you want it or if something needs to get fixed they fix it. Once you sign the lease you are responsible for it and it can be more difficult to get items taken care of.
If you have a dog, find out about neighbor complaints and how they are verified. You don't want to get in trouble for a barking dog but you also don't want to deal with a neighbor that just hates dogs.
Utilities: who pays for water/sewer/trash? Who is electricity through? Is there gas?
Is there an HOA? Get there rules as well, to make sure you have no violations
When you find out who electric is through - call them up to see what the average utility bills are - in AZ they are high in summer so you want to see if you can not only afford rent but afford utilities. Many times you can also go on the equalizer plans, even if you haven't lived there for a year yet, they go off of the previous tenants. Sometimes it too high and not worth it, other times it's totally worth it.
Have the locks been changed? Can you get the house re-keyed. If it's been a rental for a while you want to make sure you and the owner are the only ones with keys. If anything, see about an alarm.

The biggest question to ask, especially now, is if it is a home if it is in good standing and the owner is paying the mortgage and will continue to pay the mortgage. Many times renters are moving in to homes and then getting a letter from the bank they need to move out. You want to make sure that nothing like that happens and it is a good relationship.

Hopefully this has helped! I also have some quick moving and packing tips:

Purge, I am a fan of selling my furniture/stuff on craigs list and buying new furniture, I like fresh starts. When that isn't the case, start tossing stuff you really don't need, it feels good! When in doubt try and sell it any way - you would be amazed what people are looking to buy!

When packing dishes, wrap them up in your towels, curtains and sheets. You have to pack them any way, might as well serve as dish protectants too.

Movers are excellent to hire - if you do make sure they are licensed, bonded and insured. My trick for making sure they take care of your stuff and hustle (you are paying by the hour) - buy them breakfast burritos and supply them with a cooler of bottled water.

To success!
Angelina Gonzales
NThreeQ Media, LLC
www.nthreeq.com

N3Qs 4 year anniversary

2011-06-01T09:25:00.000-07:00

June 1, 2007 I was approved for the creation of NThreeQ Media, LLC. A concept born a few weeks prior on a kitchen table of an old boyfriends house one night. I remember being alone, working on the logo and the name and watching something random on the TV....I can't even remember what it was now.

I don't remember how my dad's card popped in to my head and I don't remember the second that I knew that was the name of my company - but I just knew. I have a sheet of logos that I scribbled out waiting to find the perfect combo and to this day, I have yet to figure out why I choose a blue number 3.

But here, June 1, 2011 - 4 years later I am celebrating NThreeQ's anniversary. A lot has changed in 4 years, I have changed and grown and become comfortable in my own skin. I have my logo tattooed on the inside of my wrist - to always remind me that I cannot quit, I cannot give up. I remember the days of designing club flyers to pay my cell phone bill and living off of broccoli, coffee and rockstar because it was all I could afford - come to think of it, some things never change. I have gone from living as roommates with my step-sister and nephew to living by myself in downtown - finally finding a place where I fit in and enjoy. I never thought that I would like walking everywhere, barely driving, visiting farmers markets and riding a bike.

I have lost long term "friends" and have gained friends that I will have for a lifetime. I have gained many more clients that are great influences in my life and I appreciate every second of them. I still call my dad every other day to talk about business and get advice - it has gone from me being less dramatic about situations and to more matter-of-fact scenarios. The tsunami's of business have quieted to small swells perfect for surfing and not a hard crash in to the water. Once you learn how to ride the waves of life you know you have arrived - the high's and low's are no longer very far apart and they become almost as equally challenging and fun.

Today, also begins a new start for my intern who has braved the craziness the past few months and is now moving to a part time junior designer. She asked me the other day when could she go full time - I laughed and told her when I could afford her - so if you need design work big or small call me!

LOL There's my marketing pitch. I have become an expert in my industry and have built a foundation on a single word, belief and motto to live by - Integrity. As time has progressed I have seen those who have judged and turned on me. Believed one side of the story without hearing the other - but alas, I am too busy to contemplate most of that in any given day. I have grown up and matured and learned how to communicate and talk and not react on pure emotion - quite a feat for anyone who has known me over the years.

I have created a wonderful business partnership with Elements and that continues to grow and strive including the friendship and I cannot forget the relationship that has begun to grow and mature as well - 2 and half years in the making.

I am excited for this next year, big things are in the works and I am excited to build a team of designers now that I have my solid team of programmers. I can't wait to have someone else do my accounting and someone to keep my head screwed on.

I wait for the day that I stop losing my cell phone every 10 minutes.

To coffee and broccoli and rockstar - and not to forget bread and ramen and cheese. To another vacation in Napa - to finally going to Fiji - to never sleeping and always working - to wine, to wine, to wine and margaritas - to friends and family and my extended family of clients - to those who have always stuck by me - to Modena - and most importantly to my dad, thanks for making it a great 4 years and to 5 more and 6 more after that.

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Help support me in the Petsmart Charity walk this Sunday!

2011-02-13T12:25:00.000-08:00

As many of you know I lost my german shepher Modena last year. After that loss I began volunteering for the SW German Shepherd rescue - the white german shepherd division. I pick them up on weekends and take them for playdates in the park - it is something that I aboslutely love!

I am working to raise money for the walk - help sponsor me!

Click me for link

Or go to www.mypetwalk.org and find my name as a walker under Angelina Gonzales. Email me with any questions also: info@n3qmedia.com

I will be there on Sunday with a fur kid in tow walking the walk and raising money for a great cause! Any support is tremendously appreciated! I will post pics after the event - and thanks for the love!

To Success,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

Random Post Generator

2011-02-11T09:36:00.000-08:00

I have thought about a new blog topic over and over again. I'm tired of thinking about this magazine fiasco and dealing with newbie designers going rogue via social media. I wrote a whole blog yesterday about things that you should never do to others in your industry - but honestly if you don't already know how to be professional and ethical one more freelancer out of the biz. I will say one thing though, there are things that you shouldn't do in business and in design. Never turn on your fellow designers, never judge others when you know only half the story and never air your clients operational issues via twitter or anything else via the internet for that matter.

Okay, enough on that topic, although I don't think I have many words of wisdom for this Friday morning. Oh! I took up Bikram Yoga, that is awesome, I escape the workforce early on Fridays and go spend 90 minutes in not sure how hot of a room. I will say that you feel so good and so relaxed afterwards its better than a massage and I think you burn about 900 calories - go me!

I'm excited to be doing something other than work this weekend. Going to the bodies exhibit, have Sunday afternoon Sangria and will probably call the BFF for a night out of girls fun. Get back in the swing of things and have a fun weekend. I also need to finish the wall mural in the kitchen and the seating area in the office - how did I get so behind?!

I've won some pretty great websites lately and we are T-minus a few weeks to launching 2 huge websites. A 3rd one will be sitting on a cloud server with an estimate million hits a month to be predicted - doesn't get much larger than that. A few more are in the works and I have finally found the balance between getting project and not having to sacrifice price. I guess you go into your 11th year of design and 4th year of business you know your quality of work and what you can put out.

Well, I promise I will have a better blog topic over the weekend or perhaps Monday! it's back to work!

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

Things you never do to other designers

2011-02-10T06:35:00.000-08:00

I blog a lot about clients - client relations and just the crazy stuff that I do in my life. But what about the people in my industry? I have had many conversations with fellow web gurus and designers a like and we have always noticed a trend.

I remember when I was a newer designer I looked at other designers as the enemy. That I was better at design than them, I could create files better or do better for my clients. I didn't want to talk to them because I just knew more - ah to be young again right?! But then you realize that we are all on the same side. That working together creates better designs - get 2 designers on one project and see what happens, absolutely beautiful things. I think that the old saying is true, 2 heads are better than one. And that really goes for all industries.

Now, I don't have to state to treat others as you want to be treated, however it might be appropriate for this particular blog. I will say that in all my adolescence of freelance work I still never talked bad about another designer, put down their work or how they did it and never turned on them. I felt that they always had good reasoning - my line to my clients is that it's not bad design just not what I would do. I put my clients to ease to, it's never a good feeling when they feel they were taken advantage or and most time they really work it was just a design marriage that didn't last.

But here are a few things to never do to your fellow designers (or anyone in your particular industry)

Never put down their work and say that it's bad - you know it's really not, but as a designer we have a competitive, tortured artist nature that we want to always just be better.
Never slam other designers. Its all about being a professional no matter how hard you want to - bite your tongue. If you are telling others how bad someone else's work is - you are the one that looks bad and catty.
Never say they built the files wrong or incorrect. I have to do clean up jobs - but was it really a clean up job or just getting the files to my liking and my style, most likely option 2.
Never make judgments when you hear only one side. Your client is going to be in your ear complaining, take the high road, be understanding but don't say anything. There are 2 sides to every story and the truth lies in between. Unless you have talked to both sides and can think for yourself, just move on from that conversation and get the job done.

Truth be told - never be disloyal to the people in your industry. I will always back designers, not speak ill about their work and never steal work from someone else. I will never name names, use social media as my own playground to put others down and I will always be a professional. Karma comes back to bite you and you will be forever known as that designer that when the going gets tough you will turn on them, steal their work and put their craft down - now how long do you think you'll last in my industry?

The thing is, is we are all on the same side and we all working towards the same goal in just different ways. As humans we aren't always nice and we don't always watch what we say - we are human. But in the world of design, it's all about professionalism and ethics. I design so much better when I'm not carrying the emotions of others or judgments on others.

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

The juice not worth the squeeze

2011-02-07T15:44:00.000-08:00

After pulling off the "job of 2011" by putting together a 36 page magazine in 2.5 days I was greeted by a fabulous lecture on being a business owner, unappreciative attitudes and that some how not living up to expectations.

You know, in that instance there was a wealth of emotions that ran through me but I did not react. I had to decide if the juice was worth the squeeze. And after looking at the juice, adding some sugar, adding some other stuff - it still just tasted bad. Leaving me to only do one thing - toss it and go find some fresh juice.

Everything happens for a reason, everything has a purpose and a place in the world and everything is meant to teach you something - the problem is that most of us turn a deaf ear and go about our business.

Ever meet someone that wakes up every day wondering what the world should do for them?

You win some and you lose some. And you lose some that you never really had (nor wanted) and realize that life is too short and there's a lot of juice out there and maybe you should just go pick some fruit and squeeze it yourself.

I have taken over other designers jobs many times over, pleasing the client or understanding why their designer jumped ship in the first place - usually it's the latter. But we all have to learn our lesson and what I have learned is to never, ever, ever sacrifice my professionalism or reputation at the regards of someone else.

Could this incident damage my reputation? Probably not. I pulled off the job of 2011 with speed and panache and saved a business - hello, Rockstar!? And what has this taught me? I can do this, like really freakin' do this. I have gone from the freelance graphic artist to the company that will not go silently in the night, that will without a doubt, whole-heartedly deliver their best 100% of the time and give nothing less. In the time of anger and frustration and disgust lays a professional that will walk with their head up high - cause seriously - I rocked that project and it's just another milestone step in the world of NThreeQ and all it can offer.

I don't know why I feel so empowered - I think it's because no matter what, I will always keep to my standards, to keep to my professionalism and ethics and not let it get me down. It was a wicked weekend filled with a lot of Why's. And after a great conversation today - the answer is truly Who Cares? I do what I do and I do it well and no one can make me feel insignificant without my permission.

To success

Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Artist

Oh so personal

2011-01-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

There are times that I am on top of the world and other times that I am not. It's invigorating to go through business with the high's and lows. The fear. You have to have the fear, if you don't there isn't anything to fight for or to want.

I have learned so much in this 4 years - mainly about relationships. All sorts of relationships - I have had to swallow my pride, bite my tongue, explain things that under normal circumstances I might just walk away because it's difficult or too hard.

I have often wondered why people tell me that I am easy to talk to - they have no idea why they are telling me what they are telling me - other than I am a good listener. I like it. I didn't used to be. My friends used to tell me that I never listened - or talked too much about me. So I worked at it and reversed the role. I listen now - but I still mess up in my personal life and perhaps even dating. I say or do the wrong things - I worry, I assist so many people in realizing their dreams I wonder if I am meant to have anyone special to me. That's just mine, that's private and special. Or if I am meant to be there for others, to listen and understand and that fulfills my life. I worry and I wonder.

I wonder what might be in store for me next. I am on a rapid growth train, I have one of the most exciting meetings today with a new client and on Friday I will probably hire an intern that has wanted to work for me since June.

I spent the morning walking and running through downtown - missing Modena. No matter how much time has passed, I still miss her, still don't understand why it happened, and why it happened to me. It taught me - 6 months ago about unconditional love. But 6 months later I am trying to remember what that is - what it means and how I can pass that unconditional love to someone that wants to be in my life. Million dollar question - does someone want to be in my life or just hang out on the outside - having fun but never more. Is it a business asset that they want to use me or is it real? Talk about a personal blog. I have to clear my head.

Big day and big week. A lot of people are relying on me and I am relying on one too. It's not the end of the world to not love - but oh how I miss being in love. Being 19 and fearless and jumping head first in to the pool of messy dating and love and mistakes and just going for it. I jumped off that entrepreneurial cliff 4 years ago - with fear so big in my heart it made me fearless and yet, there is still a small hole in my heart that needs filling up.

As I listen to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata I am woken up out of my pitty party, my me party and am back to knowing I have to get to work and get projects done. Push aside the little things and open my heart to the big things. My fortune cookie told me that I needed to slow down - happiness was trying to catch me. I guess I just need to slow down.

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Fortune Cookie

2011-01-21T20:33:00.000-08:00

I needed some serious comfort food today. Oh ya, and I'm not the chocolate cake kind if girl. I am talking some serious chinese food - nothing else will do. After a long day of too much google and a splitting headache all I wanted to do was go to bed but needed some of the good stuff - this little gem by my condo that just knows how to make an egg roll.

I've had another week full of forgetfulness, being crazy busy and problems - I love problems, life isn't complete with out them.

Today started with that darn folder company bugging me again about the folders. Making an agreement with me - delete the "we are a fraudulent company blog" and they will leave me alone and issue the refund. I did it - I was about to offer up blood for them to stop emailing my inbox! So I did, then their clients started emailing me asking me what was going on. Fun enough, this company even had the nerve to send my emails to their clients with some alteration for their benefit. Isn't that awesome? Here's the thing - I'm reminded of Vin Diesel's quote in the movie "Fast and the Furious." - "It doesn't matter if you win by an inch or a mile.....winning is winning." Exactly Vin. In anything it doesn't matter how "close" you are, there aren't any excuses especially when your responsibility directly affects someone else's company. End of story.

Moving on now - for good.

So let's focus back on my chinese food. Oh sweet, sweet chinese food. Friday night with good old Netflix, my laptop and chinese food. Awesome for a Friday night. Yes, I admit it and I'm proud of it. So full circle back to my fortune which is really why this blog turned less in to evil evil folder company and more in to really just enjoying my life and my favorite food.

"Look around; happiness is trying to catch you." That was my fortune. Okay, I hear you loud and clear! My morning started out with a great Groupon - do you belong? If you don't join! I'm very excited for my Groupon, awesome restaurant called Noca had a deal and I just couldn't resist. I had a friend text me this morning to see how I was doing - and I actually just said that everything was ok. It is, I'm very happy with how everything is going - and I'm excited that happiness is trying to catch me. That means I need to slow down!

This weekend I am painting my kitchen - not the whole enchilada - more like a mural. I want to paint grass and a dandelion. I have the green just need to buy some other colors. Taking a break and focusing on nothing but blades of green apple colored grass and a pale yellow and black dandelion. A big one - right next to my fridge. I'm so excited about it.

This weekend - slow down and let happiness catch you. I'll post pics of my dandelion and how the happiness factor goes. I'm off to go finish my Chinese food.

To success,

Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

New Year, New Frontier Imaging!

2011-01-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

I haven't even had a chance to come up for air since 2011 hit. I have been non-stop on the go working, fixing issues and all the fun stuff that goes in between. I hadn't even had a chance to announce our first website launch of the new year until just now. Just finished making my coffee and loading some Depeche Mode on You Tube, I'm ready to get all blog-tastic.

Our first launch that is a very large and in charge website is www.NewFrontierImaging.com A state-of-the-Art imaging facility located in Rock Springs, Wyoming. This is one of the only clients address's that I have memorized because for the last 2 months all I've done is ship, ship and ship more stuff. And I have to add - their marketing materials - freaking gorgeous. We are talking silk laminated, spot UV pocket folders, silver foiled business cards, give-aways galore, skinny cards, tri-sized flyers and more. I love what I do and this project was amazing.

Have you looked at the website yet? Roll-over images with pop up more information? The eagle doing it's thang - and yes, we created that too. Black and Red and in your face to match the colors of imaging and X-ray. Start reading about the equipment. I will tell you one thing, if I ever have to get a CT Scan or MRI or my family does they are going to just have to fly to Wyoming to have it done. The level of thought that went in to getting this cutting edge equipment is amazing. This is what is going to help save the world - earlier detection, stronger technology, instant images due to digital X-ray and more. In many health-related cases it's all about catching it quickly - well this center will be able to do just that. And the people behind it - Super Heroes. The real kind.

And that's where we move in to the CEO of this bad-boy - Maria Holtan. Wife, mother, entrepreneur and friend. She's amazing and someone to look up to and look out for. Educated, driven and kicking butt in a male dominated industry - she's taking this by storm. And it's about time. She welcomes challenges, learning, teaching and downfalls. It doesn't get her down - she's part human part robot. Your Android phone has nothing on this girl and it's only just begun.

I met Maria almost 2 years ago when we built www.AltitudeAnalysis.com. This is a lab that handles drug testing, taking blood and more. They work with the DOT (department of transportation) for their required testing and has started to work with the TSA for fingerprinting. She has a lab in both North Dakota and Wyoming - again offering state-of-the-art facilities with top-notch people.

Maria hires the best and expects nothing else, and I couldn't agree more with her thought-process. You have to deal with people and health and sensitive issues I want nothing but the best. And to top it of - she gives back to the community. Makes donations to local charity organizations and enjoys building that community that her business's are in.

I could go on for much more on the extraordinary person Maria is and the company's that she built - however they can speak, no scream, for themselves at how great they are. I love what i do because of the amazing people that I get to meet and work side by side with. I have no problems being a side kick because what I have learned and how I have developed as a person is in large part due to who I get to work with.

Check out the sites and to success in 2011!

Angelina
NThreeQ Media
Phoenix Graphic Design

End of the year

2010-12-31T14:28:00.000-08:00

We are coming upon the end of the year and this is my last blog post of the year. *sigh*

I am going on year #4 from the start of my company - I can't believe that it's been 4 years already. What some waves I have gone through and I am so excited for 2011. Work has not even slowed down - not even on Christmas day.

2010 have been a year full of growth, tragedy and soul searching. I have experienced love and loss and everything in between. Here's what I have loved and what I have lost.

WHAT I'VE LEARNED

I learned that living and spending time with my 3 year nephew was both rewarding and frustrating. Rewarding to see such a little person grown and learn. Frustrating for 3am chocolate milk demands. :0)
I learned that if you are liked by everyone you are doing something wrong
I learned what unconditional love was - losing my great love, my German shepherd Modena.
I learned that being surrounded by a handful of people that only want the best for you is better than being surrounded by a 100 of your "closest" friends
I have learned to stop being a people pleaser and allowing others to take advantage of my kindness. "Never mistake my kindness for weakness"
I have learned not to dwell on people I can't control and things that should not matter
I have learned balance between personal time, work time, love and friends
I have learned that when all my bills are paid in the beginning I sleep better
I have learned to love what I do once again and empower others
And most importantly - I have learned that Dreams Do Come True

I made a great decision on how I am spending my New Years Eve, although not agreeable to everyone. I almost changed my mind and was going to go out but I learned this year to not let others push me in to making decisions I'm not comfortable with.

I have made amazing project pieces this year and 2011 will be starting off with a bang with 2 very large websites launching in January and February. My non-profits are making huge strides and I cannot wait to see what new clients and projects I get next year.

I will still be working with the German shepherd rescue organization - I recently named a new comer, her name is now Juliet. I plan on walking in the petsmart charities walk to support the rescue in February so stay tuned for more information on that!

Have a very safe New years eve and a very happy new year!

To success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer

NThreeQ Media, LLC

Building StrongFamilies.com Launch!

2010-12-07T13:32:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite clients to work with has launched their new website with a new look! I have had the honor for working with John Trent for the last few years and I truly love what his ministry does! His goal is to reach out to parents, singles, children and every one in between to help build a strong family.

This website is about 114 pages, flash banner on the homepage and custom built e-commerce. Just beautiful!

Check out the website, the material, the speakers and the bookstore for great information!

www.strongfamilies.com

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Just Moved! Remodel!

2010-12-03T09:12:00.000-08:00

After many months of a gigantic website the launch or JustMoved.org is finally here! Standing at 350 pages large, admin console to control the entire website, a public forum and shopping cart this giant of a website has been re-faced, re-build and re-launched.

Just Moved is an organization that helps women who are moving - especially in the military. They are an international ministry that strives to connect women with each other - assisting with friendships, contacts, help for their children and just a shoulder to lean on.

It's organizations like this that help us to help one another during difficult times like a move. Check out the website, pass it along, browse the cart and enjoy! These women are doing something great!

Just Moved!
www.justmoved.org

To success!
Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

Gift Card Galore

2010-11-19T07:31:00.000-08:00

I didn't sleep well last night. I was worrying a lot about a lot of little things that really aren't significant in the grand scheme of things. I woke up for my run - first run since I've had food poisoning all week. Felt good to get outside in the fresh air with my iPod and just go.

I live in downtown Phoenix and I run through a park that is on Central. There are many people that sleep there and a few that live there. 2 in particular have become friends of mine and we chat, say good morning and have light conversation. They are are very nice and as the weather has gotten cold I have worried about them. I brought them breakfast and hot coffee last week, figured I would do that each week.

Today I talked to them and learned that one of them has been in downtown for 38 years, I am still trying to figure out his whole story. I learned that he has 4 blankets and where he sleeps at night because he prefers this over chaos in one of the shelters. The other one, I don't have his whole story. He came walking back as we talked. He goes every morning and gets coffee from Krispy Kreme for a $.27 refill - today he learned that they raised their coffee price to $1.25 a cup and they cannot afford it anymore.

I smiled and told them to have a nice day they told me the same. I felt bad. I was worrying about small stuff but as I looked at my bed I sleep in every night and took my hot shower I realized that nothing is that bad. I decided that I would go to Kripsy Kreme today and buy them a gift card to use for coffee and stop and the sandwich place next door and get one from there too.

Then it started me thinking. Kristi told me she has gift cards that are 2 years old that she will never use - I have a few friends that told me that. So I decided to start asking anyone if they have a fast food gift card that they will never use - I have a few in my wallet. Every week or so I'm going to give them to my homeless friends in the park so they have the ability to get something warm to eat and drink.

Downtown is a community and we look out for one another. So if you see someone where life has served them up something not so sweet maybe a gift card would help - it's actual food not money or bringing food. If you have some and want to mail or drop them off to me let me know! I will make sure that they get in the hands of someone that needs and deserves it. I'll even talk them in to letting me get their picture.

I wrote a check the other day for St. Mary's Food Bank and I know that will be put to good use for families but I enjoy seeing what I can do as a direct impact. I always told myself that as soon as I had a little to give that I would give it and now I'm getting that opportunity.

So dig in your purses, wallets, dresser drawers and junk drawers - find those gift cards and lets put them to good use!

To Success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Better not Bitter - so appropriate

2010-11-18T20:54:00.000-08:00

I came across an article the other day talking about facebook and relationships. As a website company we push and push and push for social media and facebook pages and fan pages but if you are in a relationship - what does it do to that?

A society driven so much by technology that we become socially unaware of how to communicate with people - we text or email and phone and face to face conversation becomes obsolete. And then what happens when the dreaded - I was deleted feeling comes over you. You broke up or things just didn't work out and then all of a sudden you aren't facebook buddies anymore - and it hurts your feelings.

Astounding right? We use social media to stay connected to people - see what they are up to, promote our business, say what we are up to and generally stay connected 24 hours a day. Remember when the news started coming on 24 hours a day? It used to just be 2 or 3 times a day - now it's 24 hours a day.

We are social creatures by nature - and human beings with feelings. So here's what the article suggested - either you and your mate are not connected to one another on facebook or you don't visit one anothers page. If something bothers you talk about it - but really don't give them a reason to. Ultimately don't let facebook rule your personal life - only your business. I have said it in the past there is barely separation between the 2 however this is case where it's possible.

The biggest thing is really, if you get deleted I promise you it's not the end of the world. It is always difficult to lose a friend but then again there is always a reason to. And if you did the deleting - well I hope it was worth it. Hey, I've deleted and been deleted - quite frankly the amazing part is, is live goes on.

My fortune cookie said today that "The difficulties in life are supposed to make us better, not bitter." So appropriate.

To success,

Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media, LLC

A super hero

2010-11-07T16:36:00.001-08:00

I'm dedicating this blog to my good friend Kristi. Who, after 11 years still knows how to drive me crazy but pick me up off the concrete crying only to make me feel like a super hero again. She told me I was her super hero last night, when I was having a moment of feeling sorry for myself because even at the top of my game - it's still lonely and nothing is ever perfect. But perfection really is in the eyes of the beholder and Kristi and I have learned over the years that we accept each other for who we are - we don't always agree and we definitely get angry at each other but at the end of the day - when the tears flow - words aren't necessary.

Everyone should have a Kristi in their life and here's why. She never sugar coats anything for you - but will be there when you screw up. You can literally tell her anything and she will annoyingly tell you how to turn it in to a positive. She knows how to not dwell on the bad and to appreciate the life that has been given to her. She'll tell you to go change or she's not going out with you - but you better believe she would have to go change too. She'll defend you at your most vulnerable point or talk to the guy you are dating to put in to words what you cannot express properly.

She's not afraid of love or to go for what or who she wants. She's not afraid to walk up and talk to anyone. She's quite an amazing person.

Among all the wolves and predators that are out there in the big bad world. I have learned to only let those in that truly deserve it and then never let them go, including family. They are truly the only advice that you should listen to and take because they are only looking out for what's in your best interest and nothing else.

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

A wolf in sheep's clothing

2010-11-03T09:24:00.000-07:00

remember the days of being a fresh graphic artist/webmaster and thinking that I knew everything. And then coming to find out I still had so much to learn. I never wanted to let anyone in or listen to what they know how to do. But seriously, hands down if you are smarter or know skills I don't I will listen.

It's funny too - when you meet other graphic artists you can tell the ones that are new to the business and the ones that have been around for awhile. The new ones look at you as competition, they flex their guns and knowledge and treat you not very nice. The old ones - well we figure out who is good at what. What projects we have going on and how we can work together to get even more work. No 2 designers have the same skills - some are good at grunge or edgy some are good a corporate or professional some are right in the middle. Some claim to be it all, graphic artist good at all and web programmer good at all too. Well, that's just not so. You are either a programmer or a designer and although you can do both either the programming lacks or the design lacks. Really, you can do more and build more when you aren't doing it all yourself - this is why I have programmers - experts in their own fields and we all work together.

And why am I on this triad about the good designers versus the bad? Well I believe I have a wolf in my circle of sheep. I have this sneaking suspicion that there are some ulterior motives. It's quite interesting - I do enjoy when others doubt me - my knowledge or my skills. I don't enjoy feeling like someone is getting close to me in hopes of who knows what - I'm going with a newbie feeling the need to take me out versus work together with me. Or get close to learn secrets - LOL!

You know, it's not the skills that one has that makes you successful it's the entire package. I guess I've just reached level 5 right? Getting bigger so now it's on to this. This could be fun!

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Pet Blessing and Benefit Sat Nov. 6th!

2010-11-01T10:41:00.000-07:00

As many of you know I lost my German shepherd back in May. I have begun volunteering with a local German shepherd rescue where they will be a part of this benefit where all the proceeds benefit animal rescue. I have had the opportunity to meet 2 great white German shepherds - the most recent is Bryce. He will be with me on Saturday showing his stuff to potential adopters. Come on out, it's a great event with an even better cause.

Date: Saturday, November 6, 2010
Start Time: 10:00 am

Location: New Vision Center for Spiritual Living
18010 N Tatum Blvd. Phoenix AZ 85032 (directions below)

Description
Join us for our annual Pet Blessing and Adoption Fair! It’s a day to celebrate our animal friends. A lot will be happening from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm!

Enjoy:
Blessing of the Animals - Please bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier for the Blessing of Animals by Rev. Michelle.

Pet Adoptions - Rescue Groups with healthy, adoptable dogs, cats, rats and rabbits will be available. This is the time to adopt a new, loving companion. So many have lost their homes and need your love and assistance right now.

Pet Fostering - If you can’t adopt right now, we have a great need for foster families for abandoned pets. A special senior subsidized foster program is also available.

Also Pet Communicator Debbie Johnstone, Animal Chaplains Donna Rae Yuritic and Kris and Craig Haley will be present. Raffle items and animal specific vendors will also be on hand for this event.

Special Drawing - Donate a bag of dog or cat food and receive a free raffle ticket for the drawing for pet supplies, services and other great items.

Directions
New Vision Center for Spiritual Living located on N. Tatum Blvd, between the 101 and Bell Road - across the street from Moon Valley Nursery.

A Domain Name and the Lost World

2010-10-21T10:28:00.000-07:00

I have learned a few more things about domain names, customer service and registrar company's of domain names. I use GoDaddy - I'm a big fan. I'm an affiliate of their products and I just love them. CEO Bob Parsons is actually one of my marketing heroes - he knows how to push the envelope just enough to get media attention but not be over the top and offend - it's quite a difficult balance to obtain.

Here's what I have also learned - GoDaddy has amazing customer service - 24/7 and guess what? Their nice and you can tell that they enjoy their jobs. You ever call your cell phone company or utility company and you know that these people just hate their jobs and are having a bad day and just want to make your day bad too? Those are the people that I kill with kindness - quite fun actually.

So here's the issue - Network Solutions - if you have domain names with them transfer to GoDaddy for $7 and run!!! I have always not been a fan of Network Solutions - they charge $34 a year for a domain name - the same name at GoDaddy is roughly around $10. How's that possible - quite frankly I have no idea. That's not my biggest problem. They have a rule: if your domain name expires you get 45 days and 2 emails then they release it. Really? GoDaddy - gives you an email every other day to renew and about 60-90 days - why? They must like their customer more?

Here's the problem. We all have things go on in our lives and yes domain names expire and sometimes you run out of time. My client had this exact problem, he has tons of domain names with them as well as a "Gold VIP Member" which apparently means nothing to network solutions because at midnight of day 45 they released the domain to the lost world. Now it's in "redemption land" and for the bargain price paid to network solutions of $150 they can get their domain name back or what 3-4 months until they release it out of redemption land to try and get it again.

Are you kidding me? I have been slowly migrating my clients services from network solutions to GoDaddy so I called them to see if they could help. Their representative actually took the time to really research and see if there was anything that they could do - that's customer service! He couldn't - because of the death grip that they have on it - but the fact he tried made all the difference.

We haven't decided which route we are going to go - pay $150 for a domain name they already own or let it go....my point don't do business with a company that doesn't value you as a client. The rep from Network solutions told me that in her opinion 45 days was plenty of time - you know what? Life Happens. Don't lecture me, help me.

My advice: stop paying $34 a year and move to GoDaddy for $10 a year where you can call a number at midnight, have a human answer and stay on the phone with you to answer all your questions.

In this world - customer service is everything.

To success!
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer

St. Mary's Foodbank Damaged in Phoenix

2010-10-18T08:30:00.000-07:00

I was told about this over the weekend - I think I must be in a cave for not watching the news! Phoenix was hit the other week with a powerful hail storm which caused the skylights at the St. Mary's Food bank to be broken out and the place filled with water. St. Mary's provides food to many needy families in the Valley. I have included the link to the video from the news on what happened and how to help. I know I'll be hitting the grocery store today and dropping off some canned goods!

To success!

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

One of our biggest projects - Literally!

2010-10-11T08:36:00.000-07:00

I finally was able to take a drive out to Maricopa to snag some pictures of the billboard we did for a real estate agent. The billboard is 40ft. x 10ft. and is truly amazing! I posted some pics below!

NThreeQ can do it all - design, web, print!

To success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Design

N3Q and it's Extreme website!

2010-10-07T10:44:00.000-07:00

As a designer I try and distance myself from my designs, can't become attached because your feelings can get hurt and that's not what it's about - it really has nothing to do with me. However, we have just built-designed and launched probably one of the coolest websites. My programmer and I after 10 years in the industry are just giddy about it! Check it out - let me know what you think!

We did the logo, the entire website design and layout - we are doing stickers, t-shirts,and designed all the stationary and sell sheets. The book launches next year - it's just too exciting.

Website is livinginextremeways.com - and if you appreciate extreme sports check out the videos - there's a twist to this site but very cool.

To success!

Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media, LLC

Social Media from one spot!

2010-10-06T08:42:00.000-07:00

I'm in love with postling and have to share it with the world. As a graphic artist and business owner it's important that I connect to as many social media outlets possible. I constantly drive SEO home to my clients and have gotten in the habit of testing all my theories first. There are many of these systems out there for social media and so far my favorite is postling.com. It's a way for you to consolidate all of your social media in to one area so you are not having to log in to your wordpress, log in to tumbler, log in to facebook, log in to twitter etc. You can connect all of them to postling, log in there and if you write a blog you can select which blog you want it to post to, you want to update your status? You can do that and instantly post to your FB and twitter accounts. You can even insert the link from your blog on wordpress in to your status update for twitter.

It also gives you the ability to publish your posts now or later - you can schedule them to post even when you are doing other things. If you updgrade to their premium it shows you tracking and who's interacting with what the most. I love it, it's such a time saver and it gives me the ability to really work on spreading the word without having to log in to many, many other sites.

Check it out! You can even add your yelp and flicker accounts.

To success!
Angelina

Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media, LLC

Change of Scenery

2010-10-01T09:24:00.000-07:00

I'm an artist. I can't conform to the norm. Nor do I want to. Nor do I have to!

Sure I can set my own hours and what not but every morning I still have to walk downstairs to my office. Sit in the same spot for 12 hours taking little breaks to go upstairs to get coffee and make a salad for lunch, but oh how is that getting to me! I don't have to get ready, and spend half the day in my running clothes before jumping though the shower but still....

So I think I'm going to coffee shop hop today. I'm starting at paradise bakery and will move around from there. Why not? People bar hop, why can't I coffee shop hop and hook up to free wifi spots? I am jamming out on my headphones to music and I'm sure a sight to see with my head bopping and shaking and mouthing the lyrics - at least I'm not singing out loud.

I needed a change of scenery, can't sit in that office any more and some how I feel very light-hearted and good today. A little refreshed I suppose - I was actually in my car at 8am driving which I believe it has been about 2 years since I have done that. I'm currently at paradise bakery having coffee and a muffin but I think that after that and my meeting I will go find another place to drink more coffee and find wifi and people watch - which happens to be one of my favorite things to do.

Who knew that's all it took to recharge yourself?!

To success,

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

Insert Subject Line Here

2010-09-28T10:07:00.000-07:00

I have written and re-written about 3 blogs this morning and I don't like any of the topics. I began by talking about TBD - too busy disorder because I have been hearing that a lot from one of my friends and it is very annoying. Truly, we are all busy. I either hear too busy or how their world is ending due to some type of unforeseen circumstance. Here's the thing, people are losing their homes, cars and jobs. If it's not one of those I can assure that your world is not coming to an end. It sounds alittle harsh but we run through life so focused on ourselves or what isn't going right for us that we forget about the big bad world out there. The people that really need our help, the animals that really need our help. There's cancer and sickness, home foreclosures, car repossession and job loss. Seriously, it's crazy out there. I've even had to slap myself a few times when I feel like complaining and stop it. Things are tough sure, I worry about paying the bills all the time, have to come up with X amount of dollars in the next 4 days to pay rent but shoot, life is good and I'm not going hungry. Although, I really like ramen and it's quite fulfilling - just add a slice of cheese and some garlic pepper and you go "gourmet".

So then off to topic 2 that was deleted too. Mindy, amazing German shepherd rescue dog found a new home. I actually couldn't be more thrilled. I think that friends and family alike were worried that I would do something dramatic at the thought of that but I was really really happy to find out that that crazy puppy who was abandoned in Cali and brought Az just found a loving home. There are 4 more shepherds coming to this rescue this week and now I get to play with another one and show them love until they get a good home too. Makes it all seem worth it....although I would prefer to have my German Shepherd back it seems like a piece of her lives in all of these dogs - Mindy was the same little princess as Modena and it warmed my soul.

Off to topic 3. My cup is not running over right now. So, oh universe that I love so much I am putting it out there that I need some big projects. I am going to manifest big projects, win the ones that I bid on last week and win the proposal that I just wrote for a government project. Oh yes, I am submitting on this amazing project that would be awesome to have, it would mean - dare I say the scary word that artist's shy away from so much? Stability. Oh yes, I said the word. that gets submitted this Friday and I'll know by Oct if I am the winner - which of course NThreeQ Media ultimate graphic design firm in Arizona will win it.

Topic 4. I have an old childhood friend find me through this blog and on facebook and we recently reconnected. That is always crazy to me. I hated school, really hated highschool - so much that I graduated early and ran off to Arizona to go to college where I then fell in love with school and now have a master's degree. Funny how the universe knows better than you. I stopped trying to force things ages ago and just go with the flow now, find the road or new road or new track or lets just cut through and go over the mountain for fun? At some point in our messaging he told me I was an inspiration to him. Isn't that funny? I would have never thought that I would be inspiration to anyone and here we are - Angelina. Inspiration. I think that's kind of awesome.

So I sit here with no topic that I can decide on to talk about and am in a very strange but good mood for a Tuesday. I have another new hair color - bright red, and my landscapers still have planted my grass outside. My A/C went out on my rental house but my renters were totally amazing and understanding - it's fixed again. We are about to move in to October and for the first time in years I am contemplating a Halloween costume and am excited about it - I blame my new BFF Jen for that one.

To sum everything up: we are given a life but it is up to us to live it. We live through the negative because we become better because of it. Stop whining. If we dwell we will never be happy, if we settle we will never find our destiny. If this were your last day on earth would you have done everything that you wanted to do? If not, do it. Smile at a stranger, say good morning to everyone you see, hug your kids/family/friends/clients. Look to the sky and say what a great day.

To success!

Angelina
NthreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

I cannot lie - I play FB Farmville...

2010-09-20T15:33:00.001-07:00

I have a confession - I make time to play Farmville on Facebook - laugh if you must but it's true. However, there's a story behind that might be a shocker.

I moved in to a new place in June and my mom came out to help me clean and put it all together - thank goodness I thought I was going to lose my head! I was checking my FB page one day and I saw that my brother's girlfriend had posted new pics of their kid - so I asked my mom if she saw the new pics. She said no and where could she see them - I told her Facebook. She had no idea what I was talking about - let's recap my mom. She's a preschool teacher - has been for the last 20 years and she just now got away from a "Pre-paid" cell phone - although I'm told it's still a "flip phone."

So, low and behold a few days after my mom leaves Phoenix to go home she friends me on Facebook. I was surprised, she had a profile picture and everything! She began reconnecting with my cousins and Uncles and Aunts and her friends and then me and my cousins re-connected and us crazy Italians all re-connected on Facebook - very cool I might add.

Then, my mom begins writing on my wall, and she even posted on my birthday how she remembers giving birth to me which is about as bad as being 10 and your mom uses her spit to clean your face. I'm a grown woman here - but as I have learned life is precious and I am grateful to have such a great family.

But now back to Farmville! My mom has gotten used to sending me emails just asking to email her back and let her know I'm alive - it's been too long since she's heard from me. Now with this FB reconnection she see's my posts and knows I'm alive, what my mood is and how my days going. She then decided to get in to Farmville and so did my Uncle - they are like level 59 which is probably farmer ninja for all I know. I think I just made it to level 15!

My mom asked me to get a farm and be her neighbor. My Uncle is my neighbor too. And we all play Farmville. I told my mom she was crazy to make me do this - how will I find the time! But every morning my mom and Uncle's little character is there to offer help and every night she fertilizes and takes care of my farm. It seems to be our little family game time as I've grown to an adult and moved away.

I'm even neighbors with one of my clients and we help each other's farms out too.

Every morning I take 15 minutes to plant new items and plow my field, accept my families help and send them gifts while accepting their gifts. Every night they each post a surprise gift on my FB page.

I know what you are thinking, your laughing, I am too. My friends laugh too but says it's sweet. Times have changed since I used to sit on the floor and play memory or Candyland with my mom. How funny how life can be so cyclical!

So, if ever I have told you that Social Media is a must for business it is! Blogging and key words and SEO and tweeting and posting is a must. But, my little secret is out - I also use social media to let my parents know that I'm alive and what I'm up to. Just the other day my dad told me how much he enjoyed reading my blogs - who would've thought?

So keep up the social media - while keeping connected with your family too! You never know who's reading it!

To success,
Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Arizona Graphic Design

A friend is a friend until there's a problem

2010-09-17T10:48:00.000-07:00

I subscribe to a newsletter that is specifically for graphic designers and I had to laugh at the last one's topic. I felt that it was so appropriate from everything that has gone on in my business world the last few weeks that I just had to share it with you!

The title was great: How to get better clients

It opens up with a story about someone in a legal battle over $50,000 worth of work with a client. And as this person is telling their story they drop the F bomb - and I'm not talking about the bad word. He said that he thought that this client was his FRIEND and he could not believe that this was happening. He said that disagreements started about the project and then his client tells him that they need to stop the project. His client low-balled him with a number to pay him for all of his work which seemed like more of an insult than anything else. He had nothing in writing however his attorney told him that he had a good case. He said something that really stuck with me: Good contracts make great clients.

I have had this happen to me too - a friend hired me to do a project that turned out to be a giant mess. In a business relationship there is a level of trust that needs to occur. If you are hiring a graphic artist or web developer you are hiring them because they are an expert in their field and you aren't. Which is okay. I'm not a legal expert, or an accounting expert - hence why I have attorney's and accountants. In business you have to all work together for the common good. Every subconsultant that I work with has to sign an NDA - no matter how long we have worked together or our level of tust. That's the same thing that my dad said. I told him, frustrated one day that I just needed to stop working for friends. He said "No, you need to make sure there is a clear understanding from the beginning." He is so right.

So here are the tips for designers to avoid something like this happening - but in my opinion if you are reading this you are shkaing your head because you have probably had a certain circumstance occur. These tips can work for both the hired person and the person that hired them. Clear lines and boundaries!

1. Always have a contract - CYA and put it in writing!

2. Outline expectations for both parties. Remember outlines? Revive them from the dead and start using them!

3. Agree to structure and timing of project - one of the most difficult things I had to learn was needing more time due to unforseen issues. It was a giant site that had nothing that wasn't custom programmed - put it in the contract that things can happen when it's all custom. Focus on milestones, and keep strong communication when issues arise.

4. Outline structure of confidentiality

5. Client approval - what your roles and responsibilities are

6. Terms of payment - money will get you every time. It's the easiest thing to argue about. Make sure that it is clearly outlined how and when you are going to get paid.

7. Communicate! Even on the phone. Emails can be misunderstod more often than not. You may think someone is upset but talking on the phone it's not the case. We are a society that assumes the worst and we have to work on re-training ourselves to not jump to conclusions and pick up the phone!

Now, like I said. I'm not an attorney nor well versed in the law. But every time something goes awry or a client gets difficult I take time to decompress the situation and figure out what I could have done differently or said differently. Regardless, it's going to happen. And as I have learned over the last few weeks - I can't please everyone no matter how hard I try and making sure everyone involved understands the expectations.

I actually had to keep telling myself over and over again last night that I am only human. I really am. Not sure if I forget that or other people forget that. But I am human, I do make mistakes and things aren't always perfect nor will they ever be. I think what sets me apart is my passion, compassion, dedication and honesty. Sometimes it bites me in the you know what - but I would rather be compassionate for my work and clients than a robot who never absorbs anything I create.

It's a give and a take - it's all about relationships and as most of you know - I'm no good at those. But I am good at business and strategy and giving people what they want - and if I could be a giant purple super hero I would consider it. But alas, I am not. I am just me trying to build my graphic design empire one project at a time.

have a wonderful weekend! My will be set creating some new goals, throwing out some old ones and re-organzing my ancient white board that keeps me on my task list.

To success,
Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Arizona Graphic Design

Personal and Business - not so seperate

2010-09-15T10:55:00.001-07:00

It is time to look at my goals - and no, I didn't come up with that idea by myself. No, as I'm talking to my dad for the 80th time about business and things going wrong he asks me if I have looked at my goals recently, and the answer is no. I mean technically no.

They exist, they hang behind me - poking at me and nagging at me to make sure that I am on track. But alas, I am not on track. I'm very off track. I've actually decided that I'm just going to build new track right here. Bright and shiny and new.

So as I listen to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata I blog my very personal blog about my life because personal and business is not so seperate and I enjoy sharing me, because this is me. Designer, Entrepreneur, Heart on my Sleeve - me.

Since May, there has been drama every single month since then. It's September and I think I have found the last shattered piece of my heart and have used the last drop of super glue to put it all back together.

You see, I'm a planner. A perfectionist. Everything has to be just so. I don't do spontaneous. The last spontaneous thing I did was taking off to LA for a little down time. I drove with friends half the night to LA, spent the day at the beach, the night at a club and the next day packing and heading to LAX while on the phone with my dad booking me a flight - get me the heck out of LA and back to Phoenix. Thank goodness too - I was so busy with work that it was not the right time for me to leave. Work is my life, and although I try to step out of my comfort zone, this is where I am comfortable. Home with my only dog, computer and Hulu.

And lets not forget the death of my faithful friend, then the moving in to my dream place away from my sister and 3 year old nephew. The toxic relationship that only lasted as long as it did because he tried to save my dog only to make me feel awful about myself and trapped. Yes, I was the girl who sat at home waiting because we had made plans and he never showed up. I was the girl waiting by the phone when he said he'd call and never did. And lets not forget the moment I found his online dating profile but there were "no other girls". Yes, I was THAT girl.

All the while trying to keep it together, keep myself together and more and more stuff piling on. The loss of friends who stabbed me in the back over business. Time for another round of friend changes because that is the way life goes, as you grow some grow with you and some grow apart. More and more loss I have experienced.

Then my rental property was all of a sudden vacated early and I had to spend the last 2 weeks putting it back together and getting it rented again so I don't have to figure out to pay a mortgage payment on top of my bills.

All the while I have a company, that is growing like wildflowers in the sun and I think that it is beautiful and wonderful and I want to make everyone happy and give them everything that they want but I've had to steal away moments to myself. I have forced myself to make time for the rescue dog Mindy because she's had a harder life than most and it's not fair to complain about my petty problems. She actually brought my soul back to life, she's so silly and fun it's hard not to laugh.

So anyone that says "it's just business" is wrong or I'm wrong? Or I've just built a business on compassion where I feel my clients pain or frustration and take it on as my own and try and fix it. I don't let my clients know what's going on in my life, I don't apologize I just fix it, find a solution and move on. But maybe I should? It's been a hard few months, and I haven't cried, or been angry I've just pushed it aside and kept going. But the last 2 weeks have been tough. Having to re-prove myself to people, step up my game even more and get on top of it.

My new plan. This weekend I look at my goals and get on my new bright and shiny track and start going again. Taking a breath and getting it all done. I'm a fighter and always will be, but it's back to basics and re-analyzing my strategy. After all, that's what I'm good at - strategy, like really good at it.

Much Love and To success,
Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Arizona Graphic Design

Not just for design

2010-08-31T10:32:00.000-07:00

As most everyone knows, my life is my company, my clients and my dogs. In May, I lost my German Shepherd Modena unexpectedly. The loss took a toll on me and I was fortunate for all the support I received from my friends, family and clients. I had decided that I would never own another dog again, as the loss of Modena was difficult enough.

Then I began googling recently. I found a local German Shepherd rescue and decided to reach out. I am not sure about a dog or any of the sorts but Modena and I ran every morning for years and that was what I missed. I asked the rescue if I could volunteer to take one of their shepherds on play dates and they said absolutely.

I am enjoying my involvement with this organization and it is definitely healing my heart after Modena, I feel that she would be happy. I have had the opportunity to spend time with Mindy, a young white German Shepherd that is nothing but full of life.

I was never sure if there were opportunities that could be found to volunteer and take rescue dogs on outings. I am excited to become even more involved with these amazing dogs. I encourage others, especially if you are like me and enjoy running with an animal companion. There are so many dogs that need love and attention, as more homes goes in to foreclosure people are abandoning their homes and their pets in the backyards or cannot afford their pets. There are ways to help other animals without taking on the responsibilities of a new pet.

Mindy has changed my heart forever and I am grateful. I hope to spend even more time with more shepherds and watch them find great homes.

It's all about community whether you are in business or not!

To success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Design

It's a

2010-08-27T08:25:00.001-07:00

When hiring a graphic designer to handle your design needs, website needs, SEO or marketing there has to be a level of trust between you and your designer. If you have chosen a good one, they will do everything they can that is in your best interest to make you successful. If you don't have full trust in them the relationship will never work.

Like any relationship, it is built on trust, honesty and communication. Same goes with your designer. You need to be able to communicate what you want, if you don't like something, if you want to change something, or go in a different direction. Although some conversations might be difficult, it is your business and they are assisting you with your business.

You don't have to use every bit of advice that they give you but always take it in to advisement. One of the best things that my dad ever told me was to listen to people that are wiser and more sucessful than you. Ultimately, I always make my own decisions, but not before consulting my dad and other business associates first.

I think that one of the keys to being sucessful in business is listening. The others? Always being professional, ethical, honest and good to others. It's important to have a great product, get it to market, advertise and saturate the market. But if you don't play well with others or treat other business's by being dishonest, or unethical then you won't get very far in business.

In the amount of time that I have been in business, I have always held on to those rules - although sometimes difficult. NThreeQ is built on those standards and always raising the bar higher to treat our clients with the most respect and make them happy.

To success!

Angelina Gonzales

Phoenix Graphic Designer

Social Media

2010-08-10T19:49:00.000-07:00

Social Media - an ultimate necessity for any business. Don't think that you need it - you are wrong.

You need it, more than ever and quicker than your competition. Facebook. Twitter, SEO all of it you need it. Sharing your information, what's new with your company, focusing on key words and content is so important. The key? You need an expert. And that's not a sales pitch to hire my company - although I do hope if you are reading this and agree you are emailing me right now for more information - here, let me make it easy for you. agonzales@nthreeq.com

But truth be told, over the last few weeks I have been assisting a client in cleaning up another SEO company's mess. This is where the knowledge is power comes in to play. When they guarantee you top Google rankings in less than 3 months run. If they guarantee tons of traffic to your website all of a sudden, run again. If they guarantee that they can track people throughout the Internet and place strategic banner ads run. Especially with the tracking - as web browsers get so amped up on security and privacy it's difficult to do any type of tracking like that.

The key - one is Google Analytics. 2 is blogging. 3 is social media. 4 continue continue continue.

In order to get strong Google rankings you need to do it organically - it takes time but once you get those rankings you hold them - it's not a jump and then a tank down to the number 50 spot.

Here is just a 16th of information about social media but hope it helps.

To success,
Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Artist

Mid-Year

2010-05-07T09:49:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that we just hit May. It's unbelievable, we are almost in the middle of the year and before I know it we will be in 2011. Wow, how time flies. I can't even keep track of it any more. Some things seem like it just happened last week and it was months ago.

I have learned a lot, as I always seem to blog about. But even more so in the last month. I am FINALLY beginning to learn about balance and how many people I have surrounded myself with that care about me. It's truly an honor to have these people in my life.

So now what? Find people that care about you and are supportive. Work with clients that are supportive and where they trust you and your judgment. I'm lucky to be able to tell my clients it might be a few hours - taking care of my dog and they understand. We have a working relationship but we are also family. That's how I enjoy working with my clients, I think that it's important to just enjoy what you are doing, everything else will come.

To much success,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Never, Never, Never Quit.

2010-03-28T12:26:00.001-07:00

NThreeQ Media's history goes back longer than it's creation 3 years ago. And although I have learned a lot and continue to learn about business and people we have come a very long way.

My dad drove down to Phoenix recently to spend some RR with me and we began talking about NThreeQ's inception. It means to Never, Never, Never Quit. When the going gets tough you just keep going. My dad's philosophy is also "Ever Forward". We can never go back so we must move forward. We must focus on the opportunities and we must never quit.

There will be those that will help and those that will hurt but bottom line is that "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." Eleanor Roosevelt said that. And it is very true.

NThreeQ has continued to grow through a down economy, and as the economy picks up it is the company's that made it through this that will now reap from it's benefits. As things look up we must move ever forward and never give up.

We specialize in small business's and business's that want a re-face. We excel with our non-profit organizations and truly believe in their missions to help people. We understand budgets and your mission, we enjoy the opportunity to assist in your goals.

To success,
Angelina

NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Design

Some of the best advice

2010-03-16T19:55:00.001-07:00

I love when people are passionate about what they do. It's inspiring, to hear what they believe and where they came from - I could listen to people talk about how staying positive and putting things out in the universe that you want will ultimately give you something in return. Sometimes disguised as something else, but never the less a beautiful little gem of a gift for life.

So here is what I got from this conversation:
Rather than reflecting on the here and the now, focus more on opportunities and possibilities. I have repeated that over and over in my head for the past week, and it is truly changing the way that I think. Every time there is a negative or something that is difficult that comes up in business I just focus more on the future and the opportunities and possibilities that lie ahead.

Which, if you really think about it, could literally be anything. It's quite impressive. Imagine just putting it out there that this is what you want and that the here and the now is only the foundation of getting those amazing possibilities?

I love it.

Stop focusing on the money. If you do what you love and stop focusing on the dollar amount, on what you have or don't have or what material things you want, you will never be happy. I went from wanting to make a dollar amount to just wanting to be happy, successful and able to travel and live life and pay the bills. I no longer have some number in my head that I must achieve, I believe that when you focus on the opportunities and possibilities - the money will come. And when it does, you will be happy with where you are at that it won't define you anymore.

It's very freeing, and it just opens my mind.

I hope that I get to have lunch with this person again. He just knows how to life your spirit up and now I just know that building what I am building it will happen and that success and happiness and over all joy for life is just around the corner.

To success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media, LLC

Business brings amazing relationships

2010-03-10T10:34:00.000-08:00

People come in to your life for a moment, an hour, a day or a lifetime - that's what people say and it is oh so true.

My journey has only just begun and I feel like a child all over again looking at the world from below rather than above. My original 5-year plan at the age of 21 was to have my own office, in a large corporate building in a power position. 5 years later I had my own, very nice office on the 7th floor of a Biltmore office building and free rein to rock the company and make changes.

I got bored.

So now, it's my new 5-year plan. Take over Phoenix as the optimum choice for graphic and web design needs. Hire employees with massive talent and just build our client's business by bringing them to the next level.

The people that I have met along the way these past 3 years have changed my life, brought new perspective and gave me thicker skin to handle anything.

I feel like 2010 is going to be amazing, not only for business but also for my self. I'm making big strides to changing my life, taking healthier options, and being not only a friend and a sister but a teacher.

To success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media. LLC

Growth Train

2010-03-04T07:54:00.000-08:00

All aboard!

We are on the growth train and cruising right along! In the last 3 years NThreeQ has doubled it's size and now for 2010 we want to triple.

I have learned a lot along the way. I have learned all about thick skin and trust and people. How to handle situations and push my feelings aside. Not to sweat the small stuff and to surround myself around like minded individuals. Some times, you trust those that you shouldn't but those same people teach you valuable lessons.

So for 2010 and all the valuable lessons I have learned along the way I am excited to say I have 2 new designers. I was very lucky in finding my programmers, they are talented and like-minded individuals. Designers were not as easy to come by. Being that I am a designer, it takes a certain personality to mesh right within my company's standard.

And yes, we are all now on board and cruising on the growth train! I am excited about these designers, I am excited for them to bring a new flavor to NThreeQ, a new style and a new attitude. That's what growth is right?

We are all in this big world in an industry where there is heavy competition - wait, what competition?! My programmer's and designers a like are ready to rock and roll and show Phoenix and the world what we have to offer.

Sometimes in business and in life there are set-backs and mistakes that are made. I have been dwelling on a mistake for the past few weeks. But it is time to get over it and move on - we all make bad decisions but it's what we do with those decisions that matters. So what did I do?

I reached out to some old friends. Found new, fresh talent and as one of my dad's favorite sayings is: "ever forward!"

To success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Artist
NThreeQ Media, LLC

Out with the Old, In with the new

2010-02-17T06:43:00.000-08:00

I was having a conversation with my programmer the other day about finding the right people - and boy is it very difficult. You will never find someone as motivated as you because it's not there's - but you do hope that you can find someone that is dedicated and can do a good job. I have learned that not everyone has great work ethic and that people can pull the wool over your eyes to believe that they are something that they are not.

It seems like those people are in the wrong positions at the wrong company's. Nothing is wrong with not being a good fit somewhere - and that is another tough learning lesson. I am glad that I can continue to learn and grow and grow NThreeQ Media into a top design firm.

It is going to require many hours of work and finding the right fits and working with the wrong fits until they learn and they must move on. But I am excited for that. I am excited to teach designers what I know and help them to grow their own careers. I don't ever want to lose site of why I do what I do and why I love it so much.

So, as my programmer and I laughed about all the ups and downs of business, I am glad to have so many outlets to talk business to and understand what you are dealing with. I mean, we all have to stick together if we all going to make it. And that's what it's all about, finding where you fit and then loving what you do.

To much success,
Angelina
Graphic Artist
NThreeQ Media, LLC

Testing 1..2...3

2010-01-28T20:51:00.000-08:00

I'm sleeping on my floor - well, thanks to Angel on an air mattress but never the less the floor. Perhaps you may think that I am doing an Ode to Van Gogh - who always slept on the floor, he didn't need those types of material items in his life, a tortured artist he truly was.

But alas, no, it is not that either. I wanted new bedroom furniture but would not buy any until I sold mine - and I did. Didn't think that it would sell so quickly, or that it would take me 2 weeks to find the perfect bed - it took me 10 minutes to find the ultimate mattress however. And when I get that new gem of sleeping goodness I cannot wait to spend my first night on it. The bed will come, in 2 weeks.

Angel and I can do nothing but laugh at how this all came in to place, that I live on the floor of my room and yet - it's still humbling. I've had a week, one of those weeks that no matter what you do - nothing is going your way or turning out right. I lost internet connection at my house at the same time that my blackberry stopped working. My favorite coffee cup broke this morning and after one of my meetings I cried (which is totally not characteristic of me) I have decided that the planets are not currently in line.

But, at the same time, I know that this is a test. Call me crazy but when you become an entrepreneur after awhile you realize that throughout your journey you will always be tested - perhaps for something bigger that is coming down the road or it's just another layer on your already thick skin that needs to happen.

No matter what, this past week has been a test and I'm not sure that I passed. After a few hours I finally figured out how to get internet and spending some time on the phone with Blackberry I finally fixed. I got a new coffee cup which is waiting for it's first cup of java tomorrow morning.

In life, when it all seems like nothing is going well, think of all of the positive. If you can't gain perspective, find a way to gain it. Some how sleep on the floor gives me a whole new perspective of life and what to appreciate.

To success,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media
Phoenix Graphic Designer

My Life's Recap

2010-01-04T12:38:00.000-08:00

It's another new year! And I can honestly tell you that I have no idea where 2009 went. I can actually remember the beginning of 2009 and then before I knew it I lost track of time and
*poof* it's over. I think that the 2 biggest things that occurred in 2009 was the new office, then another new office and the addition of Angel. After a 2 year sick of each other break she came on board to help grow my company and we've been non-stop ever since!

I'm moving again this year, I moved in 2009, in 2008 - twice and in 2007. I'm so exhausted of packing and moving I only hope that the next place I land I will be less inclined to move again. Renting out my house was the best thing I could have done 4 years ago - now I can still own something but at the same time have more flexibility to live where I want to live.

I finally got to take a vacation after 10 years and went to Napa Valley with my dad. That was an amazing trip which has inspired me to take more me time and take trips. With the ability to take my laptop and go I look at all the possibilities of travel and expanding in to as many other states as possible.

I feel that 2010 is going to be a great year, I can't say best ever because they have all been great and full of growth. I have grown and learned a lot. There are still many things that I need to work on, relaxing and taking a breath every now and again is definitely something that needs to be worked on!

I get to do what I love every day, for people that are amazing and doing amazing things. I feel honored to have what I have. I feel that us as a society get all caught up in the negativity or the things that go wrong we forget about what we have and where we have grown from.

To much success!
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer
Phoenix, AZ

Moving On Up!

2009-11-09T08:50:00.000-08:00

NThreeQ is proud to announce that they are moving office locations after only 5 short month's in their current space. With the newest addition - Angel Martinez, we needed more space and our own desks. We are able to take on even more projects and give the same amount of attention to our clients - which is why we do what we do. We enjoy having close relationships with our clients - hearing about their children growing up or about other passions. We wouldn't be where we are without our clients and this new move is no exception. Having our own, independent space is both liberating and scary. As a business owner there are things that you plan and there are things that you don't - in my grand design Angel wasn't in the plan and here she is. A new office after only 5 months in the current office wasn't a plan yet, here we are.

The new office is even closer to downtown Phoenix - our new favorite place to eat and go out. We love the culture and the people of downtown - it's more adult and everyone has a more laid back personality. After spending 4 years going out in Scottsdale it's like a breath of fresh air - it's just beautiful.

We hope to focus our efforts even more with restaurants - our success is great with Central Grille and Loco Patron - we were able to give them exactly what they needed. We now hope to gain even more relationships with the local restaurants in Central, Midtown and Downtown Phoenix. We are also planning on continuing to grow with our non-profits - that is where we started and that is where our passion is - being a part of them is just natural.

NThreeQ was built on clients that are part of the community and want to better it - we have been a part of it since day one and now being closer to the heart of Phoenix just makes us feel the heart beat a little bit louder.

To Success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media, LLC

5 years

2009-11-02T10:18:00.001-08:00

I laid in bed last night thinking of the last 5 years and from then to now what has changed. I feel that prior to 5 years ago I am who I am now. And I spent the last 5 years re-building what I already knew I had but had to fall in order to appreciate it.

I believe that you must lose what you have in order to gain it back and appreciate it even more. See, 5 years ago I was running away from a violent relationship that ended in court dates and orders of protection. I was running in to the arms of someone else that I felt could "save me" but in the end he finished off what was already crumbling.

That is what compelled me to go become the person I knew that I was. Crying on the phone to my best friend she asked me what I wanted, and what I wanted was my MBA and my freedom. And that's exactly what I received. I didn't need anyone - especially to "save me." All the while he lie preying on my feelings and emotions - I thought that he would always be there.

5 years later - he is not beside me - nor was that ever his plan. We have all moved on and grown. Both strong entrepreneur's in our own industries - we run in to one another from time to time. He remembers the good and the fun - I'm reminded of what I was escaping from.

It makes me reflect on the possibility of me ever affecting someone and I think nothing of it and they do. Isn't that always the case? People touch our lives in different ways and some we keep and some we don't but they are a part of shaping us to the people that we are today.

I envision that in 5 more years I will be on the cover of Inc. Magazine - as one of the most successful entrepreneur's of the year - with a top design firm in Arizona and very sought after. I believe that that particular past of mine will be old and very over - seeing him will only be a distant memory left in the vault of "Life's Lesson's Learned." I will say I owe my success to my father and to Angel. To my family for putting up with all my long hours and workaholic personality. And most importantly - grateful of surviving a bad time in life and overcoming it.

Some people think I'm crazy that I'm that open about such a time in my life. I'm not ashamed of it, I don't hide it. Truthfully, I don't know where I would be or who I would be without that particular puzzle piece to my life - therefore I embrace it and hope that others learn from me as well.

So to the next 5 years and beyond that. We can't change the past but we can shape the future. I know where I will be in 5 years - how about you?

Angelina Gonzales
Phoenix Graphic Designer
NThreeQ Media, LLC

If life, no one makes it out alive anyway

2009-10-09T12:17:00.000-07:00

I have a contract with a large real estate company out here and one day the CEO called me to vent. He had had a bad day and he needed to just let it out. I listened, very in tune to his frustrations and thinking to myself "thank goodness I am not the only one that feels this way." He said something that mad me giggle and today I remembered what he said and understood. He told me that he walked in to a meeting where he was looked as "the kid" and what did he know - well what he knows is his industry and how his company is dominating the so called "flat housing market." So "the kid" is going to show them apparently.

Well today, that is exactly how I felt. "The kids" were doubted in a meeting about the capabilities and experience that we could bring to the table. Because we could not provide a guarantee that our marketing tactics would get them published or more people etc. Quite frankly, any one that comes to you with a guarantee like that is lying and is going to take your money and run. But now, Angel and I were just shocked in our dive back to the office, from a meeting that was over before we even got there - not sure why we were there really.

But in business, you win some and you lose some and some you really just want to walk out of the building and scream at the top of your lungs - but it's oh so fun.

Anyways, back to marketing and the no guarantee portion. Whether there are "kids" in the room or not I can only market as good as the product is and as well as the people working for that company are. If you are suffering for business and don't believe in marketing that's only half your problem. If you can't ask for referrals and if you have a so called "target market" that is so wrong for your organization it's almost humorous - there isn't any amount of press or guarantee's that going to fix that.

It's almost like repairing plumbing - I'm sorry I watched Bones the other night and there was a fixing plumbing part. When you put the gooey purple stuff on the pipes and connect them you have to wait 24 hours before water can go through them or they leak - if you jump the gun your pipes will leak. Then you have to yank (yes, technical term) them apart and start over.

Kind of like marketing, sometimes it sticks and sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes you have great timing and it doesn't leak and sometimes you jump the gun and have to start over - but again no fail safe guarantees. And here I thought that us Entrepreneur's were all crazy enough and willing to take chances - there aren't any guarantee's in business ownership either - but here we all are.

So bad meeting, Kids in the room and wrong marketing ideas. We lost the project - well sort of, they weren't a right client for us anyway. No meshing of the personalities, no great vibe, no fun.

There came a time when I realized that I love what I do and who I do it for and no amount of zero's on my check make that feeling better or worse. I may not have many zero's on my paycheck but I have great people doing great things. And when you meet someone who's only in it for the money you feel partially sad for the and partially that you want to run from the building like it's on fire.

All I can say is that life has no guarantee's but you might as well enjoy it. Do what you love and believe in others - guaranteed or not.

To much success,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

So many important changes!

2009-09-14T14:44:00.001-07:00

NThreeQ has a new office located near downtown Phoenix! We were offered an opportunity of a lifetime to share office space with some amazing architects and we jumped at the position to work around other artists. Now, we are even more equipped to work one on one with our clients in a great space and a great conference room.

NTheeQ is now DBE Certified! We are expanding as often and as quickly as we can. This gives us a great market edge with city municipalities and government contracts for design work. Being a woman and Hispanic owned company, NThreeQ has always been able to offer unique designs, remarkable turnaround times all within budgets of all kinds. We are now looking towards the future of working with cities and other government agencies with their graphics.

NThreeQ has expanded! I am elated to announce that my dear friend Angel has come on board as VP of Marketing for NThreeQ. We met 6 years ago working for a printing company and we both moved on to marketing positions. When the time came around, Angel took the opportunity to take the reins and soar NThreeQ to even greater levels.

I am so excited for all of the wonderful changes that are occurring and the opportunities for NThreeQ to grow even more. I could not have done it without the wonderful people that are my clients and so much more like family to me.

Angelina Gonzales
NThreeQ Media
Phoenix Graphic Artist

Opinions

2009-07-20T10:57:00.000-07:00

Everyone has one, but Everyone doesn't always want to hear it.

I think that as business progress's and grows you find yourself surrounded by many opinions - some good, some bad, some that just don't make sense. I find it hard to listen to them all - especially if they aren't in my industry and especially if they are still in the corporate rat race and not on their own.

It's difficult. It's hard and some days you wonder why you do it - but then every day gets better and you remember why you love what you do. I think that over the last year and a half I have gained a lot of respect for my previous boss's and/or owners of the company's that I worked for. Now, lets not be mistaken - not ALL of them deserve it but many do. :0)

It is hard when you are the sole decision maker and what you do affects more than just you. I remember being on the other side not understanding why they were making the decisions that they were making. Now, it totally makes sense to me.

I was one of the people who spoke too freely with my words at times, was more than judgmental on certain decisions and didn't understand why someone just couldn't run the company. Now, I understand. It's not just black and white. It's completely different when you are in the hot seat and well, I don't really want people opinions on my decisions unless I ask for it.

And unless you are my dad, my best friend who's my marketing guru or running a huge advertising, design or something similar industry - I don't want your opinion.

Sounds hard right? Not really. It's just business - it's just what you have to do. I learn everyday of the right and wrong decisions that I made. I learn everyday how to gain more clients, keep my current ones and how every time I design for free for an acquaintance it ends up badly.

I enjoy the hot seat. I enjoy having no other buffer other than me when something goes wrong. I enjoy the fact that I am growing each and every day and it is due solely because of the faith I have in my self and the faith that other people have for me.

I don't enjoy the opinions and the long drawn explanations that I don't really need. But it's all about the good and the bad and if you want to good than you have to take it all!

Much success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Reflection

2009-06-26T09:41:00.000-07:00

I recently read a blog about someone not believing in "everything happens for a reason." I thought, what a silly thought. If everything doesn't happen for a reason then what are we are doing here? What purpose do we have if it doesn't? How do we cope with a tragedy or move on with our lives over unforseen circumstances? No, everything DOES happen for a reason. Everything that occurs in my life has served it's purpose one way or another - taught me some type of lesson and I have grown from it.

Its almost like the movie "Groundhog Day." He has to keep repeating the same day until he gets it right. We may have to learn a lesson more than once until we actually get it in our heads. I also believe that we all serve a purpose and we are on this earth to realize our potential. Want to know where I got that? The book - Releasing Your Potential by Dr/ Myles Munroe. Haven't read it? You should. Its amazing. Talks about the most simple instances and the great impact that it makes. We are all here for small instances to make a huge impact.

Haven't you ever wondered what you have done to impact someone else? I have. Amazing. I have found my purpose in life - and I love it. I love what I do and who I do it for. I love my friends, family and clients. I love the people that are in in my life and helping me grow.

I stopped reading the news, about the economy. I am aware that it is bad - however, I cannot focus on the bad - I can only focus on moving forward - which is something that everyone should do. My dad's greatest sayings? Ever Forward. And that is what we must do.

Ever Forward.

To success!
Angelina Gonzales
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

TBS

2009-05-20T09:54:00.000-07:00

What is TBS you say?

Too Busy Syndrome. When did everyone become too busy for everyone else. It's annoyingly amusing when my friends and other's tell me how busy they are. They couldn't do this because they are too busy, they couldn't get her because they were too busy, they couldn't answer this because they are too busy and so on and so forth.

When did we become too busy to eat? To sleep? To do anything but be too busy? And what, might I ask are they too busy doing? Have you ever had someone that is always too busy and yet you have no idea what they are doing? I have a few of those.

My latest favorite? Sending me an email, when I never asked for one, about what they are doing and how busy they are. We can't go for coffee but you can type an email telling me how busy you are. What happened?

I had a boss that was like that. She was always to busy doing nothing in her office. Quite amusing if you ask me I suppose. I try, very hard, to never tell someone I'm too busy. I might be in the middle of a project, working on a design, running errands, running my dog - I may doing other things and have a hectic day but I'm not too busy to forget all my responsibilities.

But some are. Some have been diagnosed with TBS - and as far as I know, there is no cure. So don't let you catch the bug of being too busy.

Life is short, and very fun. I have a friend that I tell that he is a roller coaster to me. We have high's and low's and turn's and loops and it may be crazy, may make me sick but it is always oh so fun!

So be a roller coaster - go for afternoon margarita's or for a massage instead of work - you can avoid TBS.

Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

2009-04-16T12:10:00.000-07:00

this month I celebrate my year anniversary. One year ago I left the corporate world in hopes of turning my moonlighting graphic designing in to an empire. And low and behold, one year later and I am well on my way. More projects have come my way, more clients have come my way and many great relationships have formed. I am excited for year number 2, the first hurdle is over and the 2nd hurdle has begun. 5 years is when you know you are solid and going to survive. I cannot wait to see where I am at in 5 years.

I met with an executive coach when I first started, the biggest struggle that I knew that I would face would be not having thick enough skin and be too sensitive. I believe I have overcome my biggest hurdle. Things don't affect me the way they used to, business is just business and I actually think that I have wound down a lot. I used to be alot more uptight and now things don't affect me the way they used to.

In this year, I have learned who is true to me and who isn't. I have learned about creating balance in my professional live versus my personal life and making decisions no matter how difficult it is.

I am excited for year 2, I am excited for what is next to come.

Angelina Gonzales
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix Graphic Designer

It's just business

2009-03-14T18:11:00.000-07:00

When I first started my business I had an executive coach. She asked me what were some of the things that I wanted out of it. other than the usual, large company, great income, everyone knows you, I also wanted thicker skin.

I'm sensitive and I know it. Take things too much to heart and don't quite know how to separate where my feelings don't get hurt. I wanted to be able to say it's just business or hear it's just business and let it roll off my shoulder.

Friday the 13th came yesterday and I got my in my order of thick skin. How amazing - such a day for bad luck and I have had nothing but the best luck since yesterday. Not to mention, my big order of thick skin.

In business, it is just business sometimes. You are forced to make decisions that are difficult and people aren't always thrilled with - but that's the price of business. You have to do what you have to do for the best interest of your clients and your company.

So yes, Friday the 13th led me to make a decision that did not please everyone involved however it was necessary. And when asked why and the anger rose all I could say was "It's nothing personal, it's just business."

Thick skinned,
Angelina Gonzales
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix AZ Graphic Designer

In Business, People Lie

2009-02-24T13:52:00.000-08:00

Who do you believe? Yourself.

People will protect themselves and their own assets before any one else - they will harm you to save themselves.

You can hire whomever you like. Work with whomever you like and work for whomever you like.
When you are the owner you are the one that has to make those decisions.

You can prepare however you like to begin your business, but you will never be prepared for the people that you come in to contact with.

Here are my top 10 things I have learned in the last year of business and what to watch out for:

If someone is too willing to help you - keep them at arm's length
Keep business as business and friendship as friendship - no mater who you are - it won't work
Make you own decisions about your business - appreciate others advice however you are the final say
Do not give control of your domain names, email or website to any programmer or hosting company - you can host without losing any control
Know the difference between a project lunch and a project date
Know what is going on in your business - never say "oh so and so did that or knows that" You are the owner you need to know where money is going, what is happening, and what people are doing
Quickest way to losing a friend is money - quickest way to lose a business deal is being a liar
If you trust someone to handle your SEO know what they doing, what your rankings are - never trust a competitor to do your SEO they will sabotage you.
Pay your people as promised, take care of your sub-consultants - never break that bond
The truth will come out, who would people rather hear it from - you or the internet?

"Truth is a tenacious battler, eventually it will come out." -Unknown

Take care of yourself and your business. People are counting on you, it's your fault when things go wrong. You have the best interest of your company in mind - and no one else, even if they are getting paid, will.

Take care,
Angelina Gonzales
Phoenix Graphic Designer

Quote of the Week

2009-02-17T17:29:00.000-08:00

"If you have chosen self employment as a means of expressing your purpose, your business will fundamentally reflect you. That is, your business will mirror your strengths, deficiencies, challenges and beliefs, among the rest. In that light,investing in your personal development is the best way to give your business a boost."

~Lynn Scheurell

Angelina Gonzales
Phoenix AZ Graphic Designer

Google Apps

2009-02-11T22:46:00.001-08:00

Let me just start by saying how GREAT Google apps is!

I recently made the switch from a regular email hosted on a regular server to the almighty powerful Google. My email isn't your typical "gmail" or any other generic address @ it coincides with my web URL nthreeq.com. Isn't that great?! Now I can access my email anywhere from any computer.

With Google email you have all of your emails, which will also download to your Outlook or Entourage and whether you send through Outlook or Google it shows up on both. You can also be logged in from multiple computers - which helps us graphic artists when we work on both MAC's and PC's at the same time.

What a time saver! It also can do videos, documents and has a calendar - which will also sync right up to your Outlook calendar, iCal or Entourage calendar.

Next greatest feature?! Back up and the power of the Google servers. If your computer crashes - your email is safe backed up and stored within Google. And think about this - what are the odds of your hosting company's servers to go down? Or get hacked? Pretty good. Now, what about this. What are the chances that Google is going to go down or get hacked? I take the bet to be safe with Google.

Another feature?! Unless you need crazy space - like a graphic designer in Phoenix, i.e. me - it's free. And if you want crazy space - um $50 a year. And if you are a non-profit like many of my clients - extra features!

Best of all? Security. My Google email actually tells me how many computers I have logged in and from which IP addresses it is logged in from. So know your IP address and how many computers are logged in. Don't recognize the IP - it's not yours? Your in the bathtub and a friend calls you and says hey - I thought you are in the bath why are you logged on? Quickly, shut all IP addresses out and go in to security mode.

That'll teach anyone to get in to your personal email - besides - isn't there a law about accessing someone's mail without permission or consent? I think there is.

So, Google Apps - all the way! Contact me today if you have any questions - it's the next greatest thing out there! Need a computer backup solution for all your files? I have found one of those too! Contact me to find out more!

Take care,
Angelina
NThreeQ Media, LLC
Phoenix AZ Graphic Designer

F - A - I - T - H

2009-01-29T13:55:00.000-08:00

Faith.
5 letters that mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Something that we forget about, or only call upon in times of need or sorrow.

Faith.
Something my mother continually tells me every time I am down, every time something doesn't go my way, every time I feel that the road less traveled is hard.

Faith.
The leap that I took to start NThreeQ, a successful graphic design company in Phoenix, Arizona.

Faith.
The 3rd chapter in my Think and Grow Rich book that my Women's mastermind group is reviewing.

So what's it to you or me for that matter? I'm listening to my ipod right now, fighting like hell for new project work, new clients all the while trying to keep my sanity as well as everyone else around me. I hate it when people blame the economy for bad times, I hate it we get ourselves in to our own problems and want to feel sorry for ourselves rather than fix it.

Did you know money is actually easy to make? It's getting to that mind frame that is the most difficult - finding the way is the most difficult? Can you believe that I am the one saying this? I just had this conversation with a millionaire - who has all their assets tied up in their new company - a broke millionaire - fabulous right? What have I learned about millionaire's and successful people? They know how to make money - they re-create, re-invent, and re-do what they've done to make more. How many times has Donald Trump filed bankruptcy and come back with a vengeance?!

So why Faith? If you haven't read Think and Grow Rich go to the bookstore and buy it - tonight. Read it, take a deep breath and do you taste that? Inspiration. Fight like hell and win.

Faith - to believe in the impossible, to literally in vision exactly what it is you want and make it happen. Address a room full of billionaires for 90 minutes and leave them all in awe when you leave the podium - that's what happens in chapter 3.

We are the only ones that can make ourselves fail.
We are the only ones that can make ourselves feel inferior to others.
We are the only ones that can completely lead our lives to self-destruction or rise up above it all.

We are the only ones that can live, love and laugh with others.

What do you choose?
I will live, love and laugh.
I will succeed and become the ultimate in graphic design firms.
I will support myself, my family and take care of those that took care of me.
Most importantly, I will do it surrounded with the most wonderful people I have ever met in life.
Together we will become a power inspire others and will achieve our goals.

Write it down - not what you want but you WILL do and do it.

Much love and success,
Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer

2009

2009-01-17T21:32:00.000-08:00

2009 is going to be great! Halfway in to the first month and oh so many changes! Lets start with the excited new of the expansion of NThreeQ Media - The L GRL. A new marketing tool that will assist online daters with their profiles. Whether you have been online for awhile or brand new to the online dating scene The L GRL with help. Visit www.thelgrl.com today!

What else? Focusing on assisting company's with their client follow-up and most importantly continuing to bring award-winning graphic design to my clients.

I have learned a lot, and I am continuing to learn each day about business ownership and taking charge!

I have begun reading "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill with a women's mastermind group and have created my own vision board. Don't believe in the laws of attraction? I didn't either, but try it. Write it down and put it somewhere, you might be surprised about all the good things that will come your way.

I hope that everyone else is moving forward with their business, and if you need help finding love - contact me.

Best to all,
Angelina
Phoenix AZ Graphic Designer

Honesty is the best policy?

2009-01-05T14:31:00.000-08:00

Growing up most children are taught "Honesty is best."

As you get older you learn that honesty is still the best in certain circumstances. However there is no rule book to those circumstances so you have to figure out what is best and what isn't. And sometimes you get it right and other times you don't.

As you get even older, you learn that not many people like to hear the truth, have flaws pointed out, or be told how or what to do. Typically if you feel the need to be truthful with someone the result will not be a thank you it will be an argument, a loss of friendship thus ruining your day.

Business is not all that different. You are required to be honest, but only to a certain extent in certain situations. Often times, someone asks for my honest opinion about their website design, brochure design or logo. I have learned this is a setup most times. If improvements can be made some people are receptive to change, others are not and end up getting upset with you.

It's a give take relationship I suppose. And what about business relationships? People are honest with me all the time. I am told what I should do, where I should take my business, change how I dress, how I approach certain things, or am a sounding board for others to vent on.

I don't know about you, but have you ever tried to turn those odds around? Tell someone your opinion, how you feel, how they should run their business, how they make others feel? To be honest (no pun intended) it never goes very well with me, someone usually ends up mad.

But that's human nature right? We say we can handle it when we can't. We say we can handle criticism when we really don't want to hear it. We tell others to just be honest and when they are, they are mad at you.

My solution, you learn about people. Find the ones that can handle honesty and use it when you can. Find others that cannot handle it, and hold back a bit - try a different way. The ones that have made it one sided - well, you handle them too. You don't say everything you would like to, let them handle their life they way they like it and you worry less about them.

Sounds tough, right? I really like being honest and telling others how I feel or how they made me feel. But it's not always appropriate. Save the real honesty for your close and true friends - you know, the ones where you could use as a punching bag and they still love you the next day. The ones that can't handle it, don't even try.

We live in a world of such diversity it's beautiful. If we didn't have all these different personalities life would be just a little boring and who wants that. Take a deep breath, take it in stride, keep your head up and keep going.

Life gets hard and business is even worse - but the benefits far out weigh anything that I have ever encountered - therefore I am always grateful.

Happy New Year,

Angelina
Arizona Freelance Graphic Designer

2008 Winds Down

2008-12-22T10:20:00.000-08:00

As the year winds down I am amazed at all of the events that have happened, not only in my own life but also globally. I am very excited for 2009 to come, however not before I get to spend some RR with my family back in New Mexico for Christmas then come back to Phoenix and bring in the New Year with my sister!

Running a business is hard, lots of ups and downs. I am glad to have friends and acquaintances to get through it. I haven't totally found my balance yet between friends and work and might not ever - I love what I do for a living. I would rather work and design than go out - that's good, at least for now. The most shocking thing this has happened is people from my past popping back up - I guess some people never totally leave your life. I haven't decided if it's a good thing or a bad thing - maybe I need to stop analyzing.

I am very, very excited. 2009 is going to bring great things, even more great people and overall great projects. I have been blessed thus far with wonderful things since I began my business and things just keep getting better and better. Although there have been rough patches, sad patches, many sleepless nights and difficult decisions that had to be made, overall it's been GREAT! And I am very very excited.

-Angelina

Arizona Graphic Designer

"Always look at what you have left. Never look at what you have lost." -Robert Schuller

Thankful

2008-11-30T12:15:00.000-08:00

As Thanksgiving has passed and other holidays loom near I reflect back on this year and just how thankful I am. I am thankful for all of the bad and tough times because that is what motivated me to become better. I am thankful for all of the good things that have happened because it makes me understand life just a little more.

I am fortunate to have a loving family, wonderful friends and clients who have also become near and dear to me. I am fortunate to have a roof over my head and food on the table and I forget all too often that it is the little things that matter the most. I was reminded of that this weekend, when another bad time came about. But truly I have my friends here and my family near and a heart that knows how to heal.

It is said that when the end of our life happens, we aren't judged by how much money we have in the bank, or how big of a house we lived in, but by the richness of our relationships.

Sometimes people are in our loves for a minute, an hour, a month, a year or a lifetime. No matter how short or long they are in our lives they affect it somehow just how we affect other's lives.

I am grateful for everyone in my life even if it was for only a minute.

Best wishes to all,

Angelina

Balance

2008-11-10T20:04:00.000-08:00

Balance. Balance. And more Balance.

My programmer and I had an interesting text conversation this past Saturday night. We both were left alone because our plans had fallen through. It had occurred to us that after a long week of work and providing our services we had neglected those that meant most to us - our friends. It's difficult to find that balance between project work, clients, networking events, phone calls, and problem solving. Within all of that, calling your friends is not always a priority, and it's very sad to say.

Most of my friends understand my schedule, what I am trying to build and accomplish and want to help me. But I need to help them too, be there too. My family understands even more, however that is difficult too, another balancing act - keeping in touch with my family. And what about "me" time, that doesn't exist.

Monday was another busy day and it's shaping up to be a busy week. However I have created a new challenge for myself. Take a time out for myself, for my friends and for my family. Everyone needs time to relax and decompress - I haven't had a vacation in 8 years.

So it's now my new work in progress. I'll let you know how it proceeds!

-Angelina
AZ Freelance Graphic Designer

Role Model?

2008-10-20T21:07:00.000-07:00

I heard some of the strangest words from my sister the other day - "You're a Role Model." That actually freaked me out. I have many people that I look up to and look to for advice - never have I ever thought that others might do the same to me.

So I decided that it was time to take control! Absolute and total control of my life and business! Everyone has had an opinion of what I am doing right or wrong and I have continually followed advice after advice after advice. Some proving to be great and some proving to be horrible. And why have I followed every piece of advice? Lack of confidence, lack of control and lack of self worth that I have enough business sense to make this happen.

Well, no more!! I am capable of leading my company in the right direction and I have the solid portfolio to prove it. I have also be given many opportunities to work with some amazing companies as well as people. Not to mention some other opportunities I never thought possible.

I was asked if I could do a 45 minute training class at The Center for Women with Vision about graphic design - The good, the bad and the ugly. I am very honored and excited to have this opportunity. I also wrote a speech that I gave at my Toastmaster's meeting last week about women in business. One of my Toastmaster's asked me if I would be willing to be a speaker for a highschool class - again very willing and very honored to do so.

So, with three bad weeks in the past, one great week in the present and a fabulous week beginning for the future I can only hope that this is what everyone was talking about. I would be slow coming at first with my busines and then *BAM* busy, busy, busy and nothing but clear skies and opportunity ahead.

Have a wonderful week everyone!
-Angelina

"Life is thickly sown with thorns, and I know no other remedy than to pass quickly through them. The longer we dwell on our misfortunes, the greater is their power to harm us."
~Miguel de Cervantes

RE-Inspired

2008-10-13T21:51:00.000-07:00

I have, thank goodness, been re-inspired. You have ups and you have downs and I have learned how to handle those ups and downs better and better. It was tough, especially last week. I decided to turn it around, I wrote a speech about it which I will give at my Toastmaster's meeting this Thursday morning. I am going to focus on some new ways to market my company and go get 'em once again! I like this, being re-inspired. I love what I do so much that I can't imagine doing anything else, and I like helping people. Lately, I have had people come to me who are having website troubles, and well, need some TLC. I enjoy helping people, showing them what is possible and fixing a mess someone left before me. Seeing the end result, it's a beautiful thing.

It's tough times right now and it's all about sticking together and helping people out. Learning from our mistakes and moving forward.

"How can I be useful, of what service can I be? There is something inside me, what can it be?" -Vincent Van Gogh

-Angelina
Phoenix Graphic Designer

NThreeQ Media, LLC

2008-10-08T22:41:00.000-07:00

I had a dream about a spider.

I did. Truly. It actually freaked me out a little. I've been known for having wild dreams, I've been the occasional sleep walker when stress is getting the best of me but never nightmares.

My dream was pretty much me watching me sleep and someone yelling at me to get out of bed the spider was coming! It was crawling up my bed at me, and not some small spider - we are talking some giant, furry - fell out of a Harry Potter movie - spider. I found myself jumping out of bed and dashing to turn my light on before I knew what was happening. I feel like I am just al ittle too old to be having nightmares, I might add.

I get I am eccentric, and I am an artist and this is what creativity thrives on - but come on! So I googled what it meant to dream about spiders - and it was very enlightening.

One, spiders can mean feminine empowerment - this is positive for me.

Two, spiders mean you are fearful of something - it's been a tough 2 weeks, busy but not making any money, bills coming up and major stress on how I'm going to pay all my bills. It's been haunting me a bit lately. Makes me work that much harder but still, I fear I won't make my bills.

Three, you are caught in a web of something you can't get out of. Oh, I feel this. It's tough right now in business, it's even harder being female in business. Sometimes business meetings are business meetings, sometimes they are a pathetic plot to have a "business meeting" then talk about dating. I'm serious, very serious about my work, my company and my clients. That's my focus, period. Forbes just published an article about this - Top 25 women CEO's of the world - one of their struggles, this same issue. At least I'm not alone.

My conclusions.

Don't let anyone get the best of me, especially those that don't deserve it.

Embrace being female, talented and a business owner.

Learn the Art of Patience - even if it's the last thing I do. Everything will come in due time

Thank everyone special in my life - my biggest supporters for my company, my family, my friends and Mr. Dj who helps me be creative and funny even when times get tough.

"Today is the tomorrow I worried about yesterday" Thanks Jason,

- Angelina
(Thank you: www.bjorn3d.com for the spider image)

NThreeQ Media, LLC

2008-10-02T12:47:00.000-07:00

Is it hard?
Yes!

Is it worth it?
Yes!

I get these questions fairly frequently ever since I went on my own to start my company, NThreeQ. For starters, my dad named my company. I graduated from college and he gave me a card telling me to always remember N3Q. Created from the Winston Churchill quote "Never, never, never, quit." Three N's and a Q. When I was creating the logo and needed a name, it just made sense.

I've had the company for over a year now. Moonlighting in the beginning then moving to full time. It's a journey, a test of strength, it gets hard and frustrating, my skin grows thick daily however, it's very much worth it. I have met extraordinary people, made new friends and business contacts, joining various groups, was introduced to new types of marketing - it's amazing.

So welcome to my blog, stay tuned for updates, stories, bad days and good days - it's an adventure for sure and well worth the effort.

-Angelina