When our reality is shaken by local, national, or even worldwide events, what is a brand’s social responsibility? You might be thinking, is it best to join the conversation, or is it best to stay silent. The answer? As it so often is, “it depends” – but I promise you can do something – especially through #GivingTuesday. 

I want to start off by saying that I am no doctor of psychology or psychiatry. I have never done an extensive study on the effects of positivity or positive reinforcement.

We all need to work from home sometimes — thanks to the cable guy, a sick child or a global emergency. And while it’s tempting to stay in the same sweatpants for a week, it’s not optimal for productivity (or your mental health). As an introverted bookworm/cat lady/ex-freelancer, I feel uniquely qualified to share some advice. Here’s what I’ve learned over years and years of hanging out at home.

You might know her as Sam. Or maybe you know her as her less familiar, totally not-made-up stage name, DJ “Turntables” Turner. Whatever name you know her by, everyone who meets Samantha Turner walks away knowing two things: She and music are one in the same song, and it doesn’t fit any known genre.

The only thing that can match Alexandra Taylor’s intense competitive drive is her unabated ambition.

Let’s make this quick: Aaron Miller is ahead of the curve.

Hailing from a “good-sized town” of Tulsa, Oklahoma came the meek and marvelous Julie Rowell.

In her final semester at OU, Renée Harriman landed an internship at a disruptive agency in OKC. Little did she know that pint-sized firm would become the marketing juggernaut known as VI Marketing and Branding. And perhaps no one could have predicted that Renée would become head honcho of VI's media department. No one, that is, but Tim Berney.

"Each time a woman stands up for herself, she stands up for all women," proclaimed Maya Angelou. 

David Hinds is Oklahoma City.

You’d think a metropolitan area home to 1.3 million people couldn’t be personified into a single soul, but there stands David. At a staunch 6’6, he’s big. And with an easy-going attitude and warm personality, he’s friendly.

Erin Robinson doesn’t need super powers.

Her wit’s quicker than a speeding bullet. Her creativity’s more powerful than a locomotive. And her spirit is stronger than five Incredible Hulks combined (the Lou Ferrigno one more so than Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal).

As a VI Senior Art Director, Erin has been locally and nationally recognized for her strategic and creative brilliance, and she’s won too many awards to count. From art direction to graphic design, cocktail illustrations, wrapping paper design and more, her creative range is limitless. And her killer kindness and positive attitude always instill inspiration around the office.

It’s safe to say: Valerie Trammell eats her Wheaties.