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Lessons from 1909: Strengthening Our Brand & Business

January, 31, 2025


Over the past six months, we had the incredible opportunity to be part of the
1909 Accelerator Program, an experience that pushed us to refine our offerings, strengthen our brand voice, and deepen our purpose. The program challenged us in the best ways possible, and we’re excited to share what we’ve learned and how it’s helping us better serve our clients.


RAISING THE BAR

One of the biggest takeaways from this journey was learning to value our work appropriately as well as honing in on our pitch & brand voice. Thanks to the mentorship of Linda Andrews and Phillip Jackson, we gained the confidence to raise our rates and position ourselves more effectively in the market. Their guidance encouraged us to recognize the true worth of our expertise and helped us refine how we communicate our value to clients.

The program & our mentors kept us on our toes, ensuring that we followed through on the internal work that nourishes the business that often gets pushed aside. Having structured deadlines and regular check-ins gave us the momentum to tackle the tough tasks and continue moving forward. The pressure was a good thing—it kept us focused, disciplined, and committed to growth.

Every month, we participated in pitch practice, which not only made us more comfortable presenting our work but also helped us sharpen how we talk about our services. These sessions allowed us to refine our messaging, clarify our verticals, and ensure we’re addressing our clients’ needs with clarity and purpose, while getting live feedback from our fellow cohorts. The more we practiced, the more natural and impactful our storytelling became.


THE POWER OF 1909: Building a Stronger Community

One of the most valuable aspects of 1909 is the network of like-minded entrepreneurs we had the privilege to connect with. We formed meaningful relationships with fellow creatives and business owners, including You Should Read, Extra Hands Hospitality, Flavar Co., Recimee, Arya Tea Bar, La Posteritee, Meadhill Market, First Female, Mobl, Fields Functionality, Relli, and 65 Nation. These collaborations and friendships have already sparked new ideas and exciting opportunities within the 1909 community — like the branding project we just wrapped for Whole Story Studio, and the installation were in process with the 1909 team for their new space. We all poured so much into this program—late nights, long weeks, and plenty of learning curves—but every moment was worth it — we’ve shared a glimpse of this journey over on Instagram.

Beyond the program itself, we can’t say enough about how much 1909 is doing for Palm Beach’s entrepreneurial community. From mentorship and funding to strategic guidance and an incredible support system, they’re shaping the future of small businesses in our city. If you have a business concept you’re looking to launch or take to the next level, we can’t recommend this program enough.


LOOKING AHEAD

With all we’ve learned, we’re stepping into this new chapter with clarity, confidence, and big plans for Gather & Seek. We’re excited to continue building meaningful work, elevating our clients’ brands, and deepening our purpose. A huge thank you to 1909, our mentors, and our community for the encouragement and support—this is just the beginning!