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Silver Linings - Finding A Path Forward Through Challenging Times

To Our Community,

First and foremost I want to reiterate that the inequitable and brutal treatment of black people in our country must end. We stand united with the black community against acts of racism. 

As innovators, business owners, and entrepreneurs, this is a critical time. We are living in a period of incredible disruption, turmoil, and change. There will be no return to 'business as usual'. We are experiencing one of the most important times in history. It can feel overwhelming, that's because it is.

However challenging, the situation presented to us can also be pretty focusing: Do you want to help rebuild the fabric of society, end systemic racism while building a racially equitable society? While at the same time, building resilience in yourself, your family, your business, and your community, so that you are able to survive current and future pandemic and global health issues? Yes? Us as well. 

At Smashing Boxes we are motivated by this challenge, and focused now more than ever on work that matters, investing into ourselves to build resiliency, and continuing to build community albeit through different modes than before. 

This edition of our newsletter has been created to highlight some tips, thoughts, and ideas from our team and our network on ways to move forward towards positive change, and towards growth as a community, industry, and society.

Nick Jordan
CEO

Smashing Boxes

Tips, Ideas, and Thoughts on Moving Forward

Evaluate, analyze, and refresh. 

Over the last few months we've been in the shop dissecting, reconsidering, standing-on-our heads, and finally designing a new Smashing Boxes identity and website. Motivated by a desire to elevate our branding and messaging to capture some of the core competencies and centers of excellence, that we have built over the years around health care, IOT, blockchain, and startups. Check out our adaptation of the 80s inspired neon trend currently resurging throughout the design world at smashingboxes.com.

Invest in your Team 

We have upped our leadership game and are hiring more senior and executive-level leaders than ever before. Why? Whereas when we are in person, leadership can have a larger halo effect, but as distributed and remote teams, we need smaller more autonomous units with built-in leadership. Stay tuned for an important announcement on specific movements and additions to our leadership team!

Restart your engines

What might have been a good opportunity prior to COVID might not be a good opportunity now. Take a serious look at your prospects and make a pivot if needed. 

Here are a few SB clients and partners leading the way in innovating and adapting to the challenges of our world today. 

Minnesota Online High School (MNOHS)

MNOHS (pronounced "minnows") is Minnesota''s outstanding, accredited online public high school for full-time and part-time students. In the face of the coronavirus pandemic, online learning has transitioned from a convenience that allows flexible working hours, no limitations of physical location, and an inclusive structure more welcoming to students with physical disabilities or illness to a requirement for safely continuing education. 

Gopher

Gopher is an on-demand marketplace app that facilitates the delivery of any goods and/or services. They''re the perfect companion for the "need-it-now" customer. In addition to food delivery, Gopher users can use it to make some unique requests like grocery delivery, courier service, junk removal, dog walking, Rx refill pick up (non-controlled), ride-sharing, propane refill and more. The application is unique in that the requestors set the value by naming their price and time preference.

Koru Mindfulness

Koru Mindfulness is an evidence-based program for teaching mindfulness & meditation to college students and other young adults. When the future is unclear and our path forward is out of our control, it can be tricky to stay calm and grounded. The Koru Center for Mindfulness has put together some resources to help us be ready to respond with thoughtfulness and wisdom to whatever comes our way during this uncertain time.

Pixel by LabCorp

Pixel by LabCorp enhances patient convenience by offering consumer-initiated wellness testing featuring sample self-collection anytime and anywhere, and personalized online results. Most recently they introduced the first at-home COVID-19 test kit authorized by the FDA. Kits are available to all individuals who meet the screening criteria for COVID-19 testing.

Build Community, just Differently  

We are excited to announce the launch of Next Matters Most, a podcast on the future of business, technology, and entrepreneurship. The first three episodes are available now on all podcasting platforms!

1. Becoming an Entrepreneur with Jess Averhart
2. Politics and the Tech Industry with Eric Porper
3. The Evolution of Healthcare Amidst COVID-19 with Michael Levy