May, 2010

design / food / drink — No Comments
17 May 10

Storyville Coffee unwrapped

So my Blue Wagon partner Ryan has spent three weeks in the last month 0ut west working on the production for Storyville Coffee. They are shooting high end pieces for their company’s product, process and mission. I’d not heard of the company til he told me about them. However, after looking into it a little more (their story/model is very unique) I was really impressed by the design and branding. For a brand new company, I’m really impressed by the polished nature of everything they do. I ordered a half pound in the mail and the physical packaging didn’t disappoint.

The box and label are very attractive.
Storyville CoffeeInside, underneath the branded tissue paper and sticker is a detailed letter to the buyer with an intro to the product and company.
Storyville CoffeeFurther inside is the coffee in a very well assembled bag, along with a sexy DVD and booklet with company info and brewing instructions.
Storyville Coffee

society & culture — No Comments
05 May 10

It’s what’s on the inside…

Dong Ye office

Take a look at this picture and ask yourself if you’d be interested in having needles inserted into you, herbs concocted for you, and your credit card information on file here. I would venture to guess you’d opt out.

The reality is that I just returned from one of many trips to this Eastern medicine center where I did all of those things. My wife and I have been regulars there for about a decade and it never ceases to amaze me how the external representation of the business is nothing like the quality on the inside. The staff are some of the nicest people and the results that we’ve experienced have put traditional American medicine to shame more often than not.

It reminded me of Scott Belsky’s example at the 99% conference about the Joshua Bell experiment – “Don’t let your genius go unnoticed.”

Part of me wishes they would move into a more traditional and comfortable office space in order to be respected for the facade in front of the practice. On the other hand, it’s kind of nice to know the well kept secret that many people drive past each day unknowingly.