Submitted by Gatlin Johnson
“There are just too many talented ‘creatives’ in the Tacoma area to not have a community. A community for creative connection, collaboration and education—for designers, developers, photographers, videographers and writers. We wanted a vehicle to facilitate such a community,” says Rhonda Negard, Creative Alliance of Tacoma co-founder.
As independent creatives in the daily trenches of doing the work while chasing business, four local entrepreneurs realized there is strength in numbers. By bringing people together, they look to make it easier for creatives to continue to do what they love and improve on it.
This need sparked what is now the Creative Alliance of Tacoma (CAT), founded by designers Rhonda Negard and Doug Hudak, developer Jared Eddy and writer Gatlin Johnson. The mission — connect creatives with each other and with those who hire creatives while providing education and opportunities for all.
How will CAT achieve this mission? The founders plan monthly meetings with key issues directly affecting creatives and other businesses alike in the Tacoma area. For example, the first meeting will cover topics like showcasing the creative community in Tacoma as a fierce and capable competitor for large and small local creative projects. No more leaving Pierce County for the foreign and exotic creative talent. It’s all in our backyard. Other topics will include consistency in branding (for creatives and businesses), realizing the value in attitude and how it’s used to develop the best products and services, and business success on the web. Future meetings will include local creative celebrities and leaders in a panel discussion on finding the right clients and negotiating for creative worth/value.
Alliance Members
Rhonda Negard, is the alpha dog and graphic designer at Fat Dog Creatives. While new to the area, she spearheaded the creation and evolution of CAT, and hopes to make Tacoma the creative advantage over Seattle. “Seattle is great and has lots of excellent talent. So does Tacoma. While the Tacoma creatives do not match the sheer quantity of talent in Seattle, they certainly match Seattle’s quality. An organization like this can help showcase our creative community’s enormous talent quality. Businesses and public agencies can learn just how powerful this community is and the value of keeping it local.”
Doug Hudak, owner and graphic designer at BAM Design says, “I’ve always been impressed by what can be accomplished when high-caliber people come together. Having belonged to a group like this in the past, I can’t wait to see what this combination of talented folks can accomplish.” A native of the area, Doug’s connections and seasoned experience provide access to local businesses that newcomers may need years to earn. Doug provides the needed introductions and strategic relationships to help others grow.
Jared Eddy, owner and developer at Sites Realized, also a native of the area, joined CAT because of his desire to make a positive impact in the business community—repairing some of the negative perceptions of web developers that paved the rocky road before him. “I didn’t build my business alone. Tacoma is filled with a lot of talented people who can learn from one another. My hope is we can build a creative community that allows us to do that.”
I’m Gatlin Johnson. Gatlin Johnson Copywriting was founded in April of 2016 when I moved from South Dakota to Washington. I supply people with the right words in the right tone of voice, allowing them to effectively get their message across. Honestly, it’s an honor to be a part of this talented and inspiring group. Moving out to the Pacific Northwest has helped me in an abundant number of ways. The support, encouragement, and advice I’ve gotten from the others needs to be paid forward. The Creative Alliance of Tacoma can be a place for collaboration and inspiration.
CAT will be holding its first workshop and mixer on April 5, 2017, at the Tacoma Public Library. This event will give creatives, marketers, event planners and other business professionals an opportunity to meet, learn and collaborate. When asked of the value of this event, Rhonda says, “It allows people to learn the importance and keys to good design from branding and marketing to web sites for creatives and small businesses. It’s the first step in the process of becoming a huge informational and educational resource for Tacoma and the surrounding area.”
