Happy New Year from TBH Creative

It was August 2004. I was young and ambitious. I had been working in the traditional 9-to-5 world for a couple years, and I just finished my Masters degree in technology from Purdue University. I had been taking on freelance web projects since college and wondered if I could do the small business thing full-time. With the support of my husband Brad, advice from my dad, and encouragement from a couple of my best friends, I decided to take a chance and start a web design and development agency.

My decision was official, and I applied to make TBH Creative an LLC.

It was really happening.

Cut to today.

While a lot has changed and although there have been many ups-and-downs, my excitement remains. It’s so rewarding to think about how far our modest but mighty team has come and to consider all that we’ve accomplished through tenacity, creativity, and commitment to our clients.


It continues to be a satisfying journey to grow as a company while supporting the growth of our clients, too.

As you grow, we grow. It’s a win-win.

And, as a small business owner, you can’t ask for more than the chance to turn your passion into a reality while helping others succeed.

Apple cofounder Steve Jobs (1955–2011) once said, “Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven’t found it yet, keep looking. Don’t settle. As with all matters of the heart, you’ll know when you find it.”

Here’s to working with you to do more satisfying, great work in 2018.

Happy New Year!

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As a lighthearted way to reflect on 2017, here is a sampling of stories from the TBH Creative team. We share thoughts on making resolutions, riff on 2017 accomplishments, and talk about dreams and goals for 2018.

Do you make New Year’s resolutions?

Kevin: I do. Last years were to exercise and maintain my weight. It did not go well. 😳 😊

Sarah: I do. It’s super helpful to have a record of what I was trying to accomplish so I can look back and say, “Wow, I did a lot.” Having a benchmark helps me look more objectively at my progress.

Kayleigh: Nope, too much pressure. I prefer setting smaller personal goals throughout the year instead of trying to make big changes at the start of the year.

Emily: I sometimes make New Year’s resolutions. It always seems like a good opportunity to try new things. This year, my fiancé and I are going to try run at least one race per month.

Catherine: I love resolutions, and actually make them year ’round. I see life as a process of iterative improvement.

Holly: I say it every year: Spend more time with a paintbrush in my hand.

Joy: I like to believe that any time is good time to make an effort to improve because, as Mary Engelbreit says, “It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”

Brian: No. Why limit changing or improving yourself to once a year?

John: I do. I may not achieve what I set out to do, but it’s certainly energizing to set goals and start moving forward.

What were your best memories from 2017?

Alex: I went back to school to finish my B.S. It is something I have wanted to do for years, and I am finally making it happen. I also helped make a lot of updates to the TBH Creative content management system. The templated components are really cool.

Tatum: I love to work with this team as it continues to change and grow, and I’m proud to be the owner of this small business. At home, my youngest started kindergarten so now I have two girls in elementary school, both growing too fast and it’s making me happy every day to see all that they are learning and experiencing.

Rie: This year I have an opportunity to visit in Greece to visit a Greek woman that I met through social media. Over the course of 2017, she became a dear friend, and now I am trying to master speaking Greek. (Yes, at this point, it’s still all Greek to me!) I had never imagined that I will start learning about a new culture at this point in my life.

Glenda: I’m in awe that I’ve survived the year with a teenage girl and a toddler (also a girl). No, really! Professionally, I built up an impressive portfolio of commercial and product photography, and I totally nailed it.

Brad: Last year I obtained my Salesforce Administration certification, and in 2018 I have plans to get the Salesforce Marketing Cloud and Salesforce Developer certifications. Outside of work, it has been thrilling to watch my children—ages 5 and 7—grow and learn new skills. The smiles on their faces after they achieve something is priceless.

Catherine: My 10-year-old son is really into architecture, and so on a whim we threw a Frank Lloyd Wright birthday party in June. We had about 20 kids over to eat cake and make Frank Lloyd Wright-esque houses out of graham crackers and peanut butter. It was every bit as messy and fun as it sounds.

What are you looking forward to in 2018?

Brian: My teenage daughter is amazing, strong, and beautiful. And, this year, I am going to teach her how to drive a stick-shift. I can’t wait, and neither can she.

Emily: I’m most looking forward to getting married in 2018.

Holly: My family is hoping to take another epic vacation this summer. Last year we went on a long road trip out west to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Badlands, and Mt. Rushmore. The wildlife and scenery were amazing—totally worth the 24-hour drive.

Sarah: I’m looking forward to being a homeowner, and I’m trying really hard to convince my husband we need a new puppy.

John: 2018 is going to be about growing and taking on new challenges, including learning new tools and programming languages.

Joy: I can’t wait for my annual summer road trip with my brother and sister. Please send my way any recommendations for must-see pit-stops in and around Pittsburgh.

Glenda: I am really looking forward to getting back into music composition in 2018. It’s a huge part of who I am creatively.

Kayleigh: My husband and I are hoping to buy a house.

Rie: One of my passions is to mentor people to find their purpose in life and help them “get there.” I learned so much from my mentors this year, and I want to pass that on to others.

Any new-to-you favorites from 2017 that you want to recommend?

Alex: I’m a little late to the party, but I started watching Archer recently on FX, and I can’t get enough.

Tatum: Try the Hawaiian fried rice from Thai Kitchen in Fishers.

Kevin: Watch Stranger Things.

Brad: I rediscovered my love of beets. Cold or hot, they are awesome and good for you in all kinds of ways. My grandma always prepared beets when I visited because I loved them as a little boy. And, I still do!

Drop us a line.