A Few Swishes, Swooshes and a Squiggle

IdeaStar client Technical Consumer Products (TCP) recently held a marketing lunch, and we were invited. The main event featured painting TCP logo art, which will decorate the energy-efficient lighting company's new building in Aurora, OH.

Always creative, IdeaStar's Brent Williams put his plan into action.

Almost finished. Steve Lamb, Brent, and Mary Fisher show off Brent's work.

The finished product. The squiggle toward the middle is the TCP logo.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

They're getting married (but not to each other)

IdeaStar's Doug Hayes and Lia Spithas are getting married - but not to each other. That didn't stop us from hosting a surprise wedding shower for both of them. And it was a surprise! Lia was in the meeting room for about four minutes before she realized the gathering was for her. And Doug was a bit nervous when he was told to meet in the conference room for an important meeting with an upset boss. (Tee hee hee!)


We all had a great time and a lot of pizza to celebrate. Doug and his fiance' Jenna Rainey will be married April 21. Lia and her fiance', former IdeaStar employee Paul Fresty, will be married May 26.

Best wishes to both couples for a long and happy life together.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

L'il Booties, Sleepers, Blankets and Bibs

The ladies of IdeaStar, Lia Spithas, Jane Hudeck, Laurel Baldwin, Mary Fisher, Andi Hoppes, and Christy Svette recently surprised General Manager Susanne Svette with lunch and a baby shower. We thought she could use a few new things for her second baby, which is due any minute. Thanks, Susanne (pictured), for giving us a reason to buy those cute little sleepers, booties and bibs.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

A Visit From Insurance Client IAC

(From L to R) Web developers Lee Chen and Greg Kopp, Project Manager Jane Hudeck, Carolyn Atkins from IAC, and Web Developer Doug Hayes

It's not often IdeaStar has an insurance client stop in. Most contact is usually by e-mail and phone - LOTS of e-mail and phone.

Recently Carolyn Atkins of Insurers Administrative Corporation (IAC) based in Phoenix, AZ decided to stop in our Cleveland, OH office and meet the team she's been working with. IdeaStar is currently developing an online major medical health insurance application, on-line and off-line quote engines, and more for the company.

Carolyn spent the day reviewing our progress and discussing future work. Even more important though, she got to meet in person the people who are developing IAC's Web-based projects.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Photoshopping in Boston

You can't beat PhotoShop World for a lot of learning in a short few days. Brent Williams, IdeaStar Creative Director, and I (Jim Fisher, IdeaStar President) took on Boston and its great seafood restaurants while learning about pixels and curves.


Here's a thrilling picture of us in front of a sign-board. Mary Fisher, IdeaStar communications manager, insisted we get a picture of ourselves at PSW for the blog. But who would take it? Gee, is there a photographer in the house?

We found some guy who just bought a new Canon 'L' telephoto lens. He wanted his picture in front of this sign so we obliged him. Then he did the same for us. Snooze.


There were lots of fun toys in the Exhibit Hall at the show. Brent checks out a Wacom Cintiq display. Wow! Pretty cool except for the price tag. Well, maybe next year's budget. Good thing the finance department made me leave the credit cards at the office. Sorry Brent.


We rode the elevators often in Hynes Hall. End of story.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

Hugs and Kisses from Bompi

General Manager Susanne Bailey Svette, Sam (Bompi) Price, and Business Development Manager Laurel Bailey Baldwin

IdeaStar welcomed a very special guest last week. Sam Price, also known as Bompi by Susanne and Laurel, stopped in to see our office. While Susanne and Laurel showed their grandfather around, he admired IdeaStar President Jim Fisher's photography.

Once an avid photographer himself, Bompi was impressed by the pictures. He traveled to a few of the places Jim's pictures showcased. His favorite was a picture of Big Ben, which he had seen, but never that close or clearly.

Bompi began shooting pictures in the days of black-and-white film, and watched as color film came into fashion. He was amazed as Jim explained the advantages of the new digital format.

Bompi, who is 95-years-young, is a former Clevelander. The accountant spent most of his retirement in Sun City, Arizona and now lives in Louisville, Kentucky with Susanne's and Laurel's aunt and uncle.

We truly enjoyed meeting Bompi. And what better way to end a visit than with TWO kisses at the same time.

Copyright 2007 IdeaStar Inc.

All Rights Reserved.