Tag Archives: Memphis
Featured on Startup Memphis
Midtown entrepreneurs contribute to thriving ecosystem Posted on January 3, 2013 by James Dowd Continuing its emergence as a bustling retail/business center in the heart of Midtown, the Cooper Young community and the area just adjacent to it welcome some new developments here in the first few days of 2013. First, the long-time company Toof Commercial Printing at 670 S. Cooper recently announced plans to acquire American Digital Printing and merge the two operations. The 17 employees of American Digital will migrate to Toof’s headquarters on Cooper and owners say that during the next year the company likely will be adding workers. That’s definitely great news and an indication that Toof, which traces its roots to 1864, is poised to be around for many more years. Second, Ray Rico Freelance has signed a lease for 550 square feet at 2294 Young Ave. Rico has been working on the property, which formerly housed Victory Bicycle Studio and Shoenista’s, by sandblasting the outside bricks and transforming the interior space by erecting walls and adding fresh paint. Plans call for Rico’s team to open a creative co-op within the year. “The move to Cooper Young was deliberate,” Rico said in an email. “Cooper Young was recently named one of 10 great neighborhoods by the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America program. The area is central, diverse and includes a vibrant arts community. Not to mention I live close by. We have big plans for this space.” And that’s not all. Similar to Toof, which plans to generate jobs, Rico has added two full-time spots at the firm (office administration and client development) and will add a Web development position in the coming months. Finally – for now…I’m certain that much more is in store in the days, weeks and months ahead – Kathy Katz has opened Cooper Street 20/20 at 800 S. Cooper. The name is a reference to Katz’s decades of experience as a restaurateur at the Southern College of Optometry. The new market is open from noon to 7 p.m., Mondays through Fridays and features “prepared soups, sauces, entrees and side dishes, featuring fresh, quality foods with local ingredients whenever possible.” Stop by from 4 to 7 p.m. on Jan. 10 for the grand opening celebration and to welcome Katz’s establishment to the neighborhood. Visit www.cooperstreet2020.com to learn more. I realize there’s plenty to be concerned about these days, what with the fiscal cliff stories dominating news coverage and updates on tax hikes creating concern for most of us, but news like this offers a bit of inspiration as we look forward at the year to come. Here’s hoping for the best for these companies and for the rest of our entrepreneurial ecosystem, too. View article here: http://startupmemphis.com/2013/01/03/midtown-entrepreneurs-continue-to-thrive/
Featured in the Cooper Young Lamplighter
Ray Rico Freelance Moves Into Cooper Young, Plans for Creative Co-Op By Kristan on January 10, 2013 After operating six years as a freelancer and hiring strictly contract labor, Ray Rico announced today that Ray Rico Freelance has signed a lease for 550 square feet in the heart of the Cooper Young Historic District {2294 Young Avenue} effective December 1, 2012. The space sits on the opposite corner of the current Cooper Young Business Association office and previous tenants include Victory Bicycle Studio and Shoenista’s. Rico had outside bricks sandblasted and constructed and painted inside walls in order to prepare the space for the opportunities that Ray Rico Freelance can offer its clients and the community. The team has already been working with Eric Mathews of Launch Memphis on its one year growth plan, to open Memphis’ first creative co-op. “The move to Cooper Young was deliberate,” affirmed Rico. “Cooper Young was recently named one of 10 great neighborhoods by the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America program. The area is central, diverse and includes a vibrant arts community. Not to mention I live close by. We have big plans for this space.” Additionally, Ray Rico Freelance has created and filled two full-time positions. Kathy Benefiel, who has a background in the medical field, manages office administration and bookkeeping. Tammy Bryant is in charge of new business development and current client expectations. Bryant’s background is in print sales and advertising. By the first of the year, Ray Rico Freelance will also employ a full-time web developer. About Ray Rico Freelance Ray Rico Freelance is a strategic marketing firm that specializes in branding and design, speedy printing and online marketing including social media and website design. Other services include grant writing, promotional items, copywriting and editing, photography and videography. Because of its small team and network of local vendors, Ray Rico Freelance can be efficient and affordable for small to medium businesses. Community partners include Leadership Memphis, Common Ground, YWCA, Wolf River Conservancy, MASE, MidSouth Pride, Friends For Life and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis among others. Ray Rico Freelance Spends Local Because We Are Local. For more information, visit www.rayricofreelance.com. To see the original story visit: http://lamplighter.cooperyoung.org/2013/01/10/ray-rico-freelance-moves-into-cooper-young-plans-for-creative-co-op/
Featured in The Memphis Daily News
Ray Rico Freelance Moves Into Cooper-Young Ray Rico Freelance has inked a lease for 550 square feet in the heart of the Cooper-Young Historic District after working for six years as a freelancer out of his nearby home and hiring strictly contract labor. The space at 2294 Young Ave. sits on the opposite corner of the current Cooper-Young Business Association office. Previous tenants include Victory Bicycle Studio and Shoenista’s. Rico had outside bricks sandblasted and constructed and painted inside walls in order to better prepare the space for client meetings. The team has already been working with Eric Mathews of LaunchMemphis on its one-year growth plan, to open Memphis’ first creative co-op. Additionally, Ray Rico Freelance has created and filled two full-time positions. Kathy Benefiel, who has a background in the medical field, manages office administration and bookkeeping. Tammy Bryant, with past experience in print sales and advertising, oversees new business development and client expectations. Ray Rico Freelance also plans to employ a full-time Web developer. Ray Rico Freelance specializes in branding and design, speedy printing and online marketing, including social media and website design. Other services include grant writing, promotional items, copywriting and editing, photography and videography. Community partners include Leadership Memphis, Common Ground, Young Women’s Christian Association, Wolf River Conservancy, Memphis Academy of Science and Engineering, Mid-South Pride, Friends For Life Corp. and the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Memphis. – Sarah Baker View article here: http://www.memphisdailynews.com/news/2013/jan/7/digest/
Featured in the Memphis Business Journal
Ray Rico’s goal is to open creative co-op Cooper-Young just got a bit more creative. Ray Rico has opened Ray Rico Freelance, a marketing firm, in the historic Midtown neighborhood. Rico is leasing 550 square feet at 2294 Young Ave., a space which previously hosted businesses Victory Bicycle Studio and Shoenista’s. He has already been working with Eric Mathews of Launch Memphis on the firm’s one-year growth plan to open Memphis’ first creative co-op. “The move to Cooper-Young was deliberate,” Rico says. “Cooper-Young was recently named one of 10 great neighborhoods by the American Planning Association’s Great Places in America program. The area is central, diverse and includes a vibrant arts community.” Ray Rico Freelance specializes in branding and design, as well as printing and online marketing including social media and website design. Other services include grant writing, promotional items, copywriting, editing, photography and videography. View the story here: http://www.bizjournals.com/memphis/print-edition/2013/01/04/v3-fights-bringing-events-to-sportsouth.html
Holiday Open House
Even though we just opened, we thought it would be nice to have a Holiday Open House and invite our friends to come check out new digs. We had a great turnout and wonderful company. Thanks everyone who made it!
Peace. Love. Pride
This year we had the pleasure of working with MidSouth Pride and we also sponsored the 2012 MidSouth Pride Festival & Parade. Despite the brief rain, the Ray Rico Freelance team were representing at the festival and marched in the parade handing out coozies (which were gone before we made it through the parade!) Special thanks to Suzy for encouraging me to do this and to all of our walkers — Sarah, Beth, Tammy, Tara, Jeff, Joe, Shane, Keith & Corey. It sure was fun! Thanks Tara for allowing us to use your car. And special thanks to Ella for featuring her artwork this year. <3 Here are a few pics from the gay pride festival and parade in Memphis, TN Oct. 6. UPDATE! Hey we were featured in a snippet from a story on Dateline NBC, too. Check it out! Coverage begins @ 11:47 Dateline NBC Reports on The Swing State ft. Memphis, TN Photos by Ella Hernandez, Matt Riddle, Joe Gordon, Randy Brafford and RJ Marshall-Jackson.
FedEx® Small Business Grant Contest
Dear Friends & Family, First of all please forgive me for the long email but it is important! Great news! My grant submission has been accepted and voting has been opened up for Ray Rico Freelance. http://grantcontest.fedex.com/fedex-small-business-grant-voting/microsite/gallery/506a08bd084eecf41600001c?cmp=EMC-1000968-2-1-200-1110000-US-US-EN-GRANTCONTEST000&ACXRID=1219906434&link=vote As you may know, I have been working on building my freelance business for the past several years. But I have BIG ideas of launching something new and exciting for business, the people of Memphis and the art community as a whole. In May of this year, I began a discovery journey to launch a concept of a creative design collaborative. Some of you may know what I’m referring to. This design coop would be open to members to use the most current Mac products, up-to-date software for an array of fields. From novice beginners, to up-and-coming graphic designers, to photographers, to videographers and even fashion designers. The best software on the best machines available right here in Memphis! Taking the time to plan out the execution of this plan is taking patience but little by little I have small successes which we must celebrate. This is another! It would mean so much to me if I could count on you to vote for Ray Rico Freelance. The grand prize award is $25,000! I could use this seed money to achieve my goal and dream of expanding out of my home office and opening this creative design collaborative sooner. Voting is open through November 24th and you can vote once per day. Bookmark this link and vote daily (PLEASE & Thanks… momma taught me manners!) Thank you in advance for your time.
Serving Community: Leadership Memphis
For two years in a row we have been happy to align ourselves with Leadership Memphis. A graduate of the Spring 2010 class, Principal Ray Rico knows the importance of promoting Memphis and how helping to retain young professionals here is. “Going through the program helped not only enlighten me about what was going on in my community but it allowed me the opportunity to make a difference.” By partnering with Leadership Memphis Ray Rico Freelance has become a resourceful resource to many of the communications you receive from the organization. Here are some things you might have seen from us.
Serving Community: Wolf River Conservancy
This year we had the rare opportunity to partner with the Wolf River Conservancy in Memphis, TN. The WRC has been a sustainable resource for Shelby County and Memphis for: • Helping residents protect natural resources and protecting habitat within the Wolf River watershed, • Spearheading the Wolf River Greenway project along the urban Wolf River, and by • Connecting residents of all ages to the Wolf River through education, competition, and leisure. Along with assisting in promotions for the yearly Cycle the Greenway event, Ray Rico Freelance has been instrumental in promoting events with our partner Memphis Orthopaedic Group as the Official Recreational Sponsor. Stay tuned for the Harvest Dinner on the Greenway event, this autumn’s premiere event. Details coming soon! We are pleased to partner not only with the Official Recreational Sponsor – Memphis Orthopaedic Group – but also with the Wolf River Conservancy.
