IAM1513 – Creative Director Helps Small Business Owners Turn Their Vision Idea Into a Design

Russ McIntosh is the owner and creative director of Vision Idea Design, an all-inclusive graphic design firm in Fairfax, VA. From logo concept to product packaging, from trade show banners to exterior signs, as well as book publishing and printing. Vision Idea Design helps small businesses and entrepreneurs in the community achieve their goals and pursue their vision to success. Russ is always lending a helping hand to the community as much as possible. Through Chamber membership and networking groups, as well as art showcases and mentorship.

• CEO Story: Russ has been an artist all his life, doing graphic designing for 25 years. Started working part-time designing, while doing a full-time construction job, studying, and taking care of his family. Russ did full-time graphic designing and learned digital graphics with Adobe which helped him work in various companies. Until one day, when his daughter enlightened him to start his own design company. And so in 2017, Vision Idea Design was born. Not an easy start, but a progressive and changed course many times. Now part of the chamber that helps one another. Russ and his company love to help small businesses as a partner.
• Business Service: Graphic design, logo concept, banners, exterior signs, book publishing, and printing.
• Secret Sauce: Experience. Sit down and listen to clients. Help clients create that vision and make that design for them. Seeing the success in others and trying to help them with it.
• CEO Hack: AI Software mentions: All-E 2 and Midjourney – imagination into an artwork. Useful as a building tool.
• CEO Nugget: Relax, take time, take a break. Recharge and rejuvenate. Learn to love yourself and appreciate your friends and loved ones around you.
• CEO Defined: Being an educator – helping and understanding. Creating every opportunity to help others.

Website: www.visionideadesign.com

Facebook: VisionIdeaDesign , RussMcIntoshArt

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12993692

https://bit.ly/FairfaxMeetup

https://vision-idea-design.square.site/product/the-mindscape-of-russ-mcintosh/68?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=7

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00:25 – Intro

Do you want to learn effective ways to build relationships, generate sales, and grow your business from successful entrepreneurs, startups, and CEOs without listening to a long, long, long interview? If so, you've come to the right place. Gresham Harkness values your time and is ready to share with you precisely the information you're in search of. This is the I AM CEO podcast.

00:56 – Gresham Harkless

Hello. Hello. Hello. This is Gresh from the I AM CEO podcast. I have a very good friend. That's on the show today. I have Russ Macintosh of Vision Idea Design. Russ, super excited to have you on the show.

01:05 – Russ McIntosh

Hey, thank you very much, Gresham. I've been a fan of the CEO, I AM CEO podcast for so long. I'm glad to be on here now.

01:12 – Gresham Harkless

Yeah, absolutely. We're able to kind of get some time from your schedule and able to kind of get you on to hear about all the awesome things that you're doing. And of course, before we jumped into that, I wanted to read a little bit more about Russ so you can hear about some of those awesome things. Russ is the owner and creative director of Vision Idea Design, an all-inclusive graphic design firm in Fairfax, Virginia.

From logo concept to product packaging from trade show banners to exterior signs as well as book publishing and printing, Vision Idea Design helps small businesses and entrepreneurs in the community achieve their goals and pursue their vision to success. Russ is always leading a helping hand to the community as much as possible through chamber membership and networking groups, as well as art showcases and mentorship. Russ again, excited to have you on the show to hear about all the awesome things you're doing. Are you ready to speak to the I AM CEO community?

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01:59 – Russ McIntosh

Yeah, I'm definitely ready.

02:01 – Gresham Harkless

Awesome. Well, let's get it started then. So to kind of kick everything off, I want to rewind the clock here a little bit more on how you got started with a Carrier CEO story.

02:09 – Russ McIntosh

All right, well, I've been doing graphic design for 25 years, but I've been an artist all my life. I'm the middle child of an older brother and younger sister, and I had the art inkling at a very young age. My brother was like in kindergarten or first grade or something and had a homework assignment of draw, draw where you live. Well, I'm the younger brother and I wanted to be like my older brother he was sitting at the dining room table drawing his house and we live right next to a bridge.

So there's a house and a car going over the bridge while sitting on the opposite side of him and I drew the exact same picture with the house and the bridge, but it was mirrored. So when the car was going left on my side, it was g the house is on the left on mine. And even his lit windows were a little sl another mine were slanted way. My mom saw that at s she encouraged me and bel me into the art realm. We slanted one way or another the same exact way.

03:11 – Gresham Harkless

My mom young age and she encouraged me and propelled me Well, one day at the local was a high over in Minnie City Virginia

03:12 – Russ McIntosh

Gentlemen saying sign company needs I'm like, oh, I can't really work part-time. I've got a family, I've got a wife and kids, and I've got this full-time job as a construction worker making really good money. But sign installation sign helps that's kind of like artwork. I can see drawing things and everything. So I gave him a ring and I was like, Look, I've got a full-time job. I've got a wife and kids. I'm trying to go to school. I was on the seven-year Nova two-year course.

So instead of taking 2 years, it took me 7 years. And I was like, I've got a lot of things going on, but I'd like to get like a foot in the door and learn about the industry and how to become a graphic designer because I've been helping my friends with flyers and stuff and that's some way to get in and he took me under his wing and he helped me. I would work every other day for a few hours in the evening when I wasn't going to school. I'd work on the weekends. I had a little toddler at the time and he had a toddler.

So we'd bring them both into the office on the weekends while we're making the signs and we're using skill saws. And this was right in the late 80s, early 90s before the computers were so advanced. And then around the early 90s, computers started doing more and more in the workforce. And Adobe came around and he started teaching me, well, we both started learning Adobe at the same time. Just over a short time, it gave me enough of a foothold. It gave me an education in computer systems and using Adobe and the different sign industries and graphic design industry software.

That I was able to parlay that and get into a full-time job at another company. I kept plateauing out on these different companies within the sign industry. I ended up working with FDA News and we did everything from book publishing to newspaper layout to online newsletters it was a great experience because it was such a news setting that you see on TV and movies, like the bullpen with the editor over here and the reporter over there. And I'd been working all these jobs and getting up to the management spot and then having a shift.

And when my youngest daughter, turned 18, she was like, Dad, why do you keep working for these companies when we can see that you have a passion for doing this? You have all this knowledge. Why don't you start your own company? From the mouth of babes, it's like, I've been telling them to live their dreams and now she's telling me to live my dream. And I'm like, I really should. And I started putting things into place and one day It was in October, so we're coming up on 5 years ago, that I was working with My Marketing Matters in Gaithersburg. She said, live my dream and pursue this. So I think this is my moment. And I called up 2 of the designers that work with me and one of the sales reps.

And I was like, I had a Jerry McGuire moment, come on gang, let's do this. And so the next day, Friday, October 13th, 2017, I started Vision Idea Design and we've been off and running ever since and in the last 5 years we've changed courses so many times. I ended up working with a government contractor who helped me set up a lot of things in place. Solutions granted. Jess over there she helped she helped me with my business and she was very, she knew I was starting my business. She's like, oh, well, you need to do this, Ross. You need to do this.

And she helped me with my business aspect and they're great clients. I've had them now for several years and they kind of helped keep my roof over my head it's a good friendship that we have and like I'm part of the team even though I don't have solutions granted on my business card. I've definitely helped build that company up and I'm glad to help them with that, I kind of noticed that I need to focus smaller, not think big.

And so within, right before COVID hit, I started focusing more on keeping it in the city, within Fairfax City and the surrounding North Virginia area and just helping these small businesses and entrepreneurs that, you know, we don't have much when we started business, but I know everybody needs a little help. And I'm just one of those helping guys that I know, you know, don't need my graphic design work now, but I've got a lot of connections. So if you need somebody that's a CPA, I've got 3 CPA friends, You can talk to one of them. I've got 4 realtor friends. I've got, if you need a household, I bet if you need something, I've got a friend that's in the industry that can help you.

And I like making those connections. That's one of the great things about focusing on the city of Fairfax is I joined the Chamber of Commerce and I became a cheerleader for the Chamber and helped each other out. And that's kind of what the Chamber means to me helping other businesses and seeing each other grow and thrive together. And that's kind of where we're at today vision, idea, design we love helping small businesses and we're definitely a community. And we see each other as a partner in your team and love helping.

08:30 – Gresham Harkless

I appreciate you telling your story and, you know, success and being able to kind of, you know, make that impact is not always a straight path and you have to kind of reinvent yourself and do so many, you know, different things. So, I know I touched on a little bit when I read your bio, you did as well too. I want to make sure that we touch on all the aspects of how you serve clients. And if you kind of maybe even touched on what you might feel like is your secret sauce, the thing you feel kind of sets you apart and makes you unique.

08:52 – Russ McIntosh

Yeah, well, there are several different graphic designers out there. I mean, there's 5 or I've got George Mason in my backyard. There are plenty of designers out there. But what kind of sets me apart is that I've got the experience. I've listened to my clients. Well, if you just sit down and listen to them, and that's the key thing, hear them out. I know you've got an idea. I mean, that's kind of my company vision, idea, design. So they've got an idea in their head and we've got to help create that vision for them and make that design. T

hey can't always verbalize it, but it's kind of like, you have to be a little bit of a mind reader, be a graphic designer, and try to extract that information. You have to see like, how are they, how's their body posture? What do they look like? How do they dress? Are they something classy? Are they more laid back? So You can extrapolate that without them saying so much and kind of figure out where they want to go. And I think that's kind of like my special sauce is being able to listen to clients and figure out and grasp all that. Just from my years of experience seeing you succeed makes me succeed and it fills me up.

That's my secret sauce seeing the success in others and trying to help them with it. Yeah. I had asked you, I had asked some of my friends and they're like, Russ, your secret sauce is you. And I'm like, I don't get it. Oh, I do get it now.

10:20 – Gresham Harkless

Yeah, it's so we're so close to ourselves recognizing that everybody does this, but everybody does that. So that's why I love Secret Sauce is You and y the way that you don't, I much to abundance too because people are thinking and win or lose. But you have that opportunity and scenarios and opportunity to switch gears a little for what I call a CEO hack. So this could be like an app, a book, or a habit that you have. But what's something that makes you more effective and efficient?

10:53 – Russ McIntosh

Recently, I've been playing around with new AI software, Mid Journey and Dali 2, that a lot of people are like, oh, this is going to get rid of graphic designers and so forth. And I've actually been using it as a very successful tool. It helps me with mockups. So instead of drawing everything out all the time, I can just type in, oh, the customer needs like 3 different mockups. There are 3 different mockups that the AI can produce really quick, low resolution, and I can send them off.

And he's like, no, I like this one. I don't like this one. I do like this. Okay, well, I like this element. And then from there, I can build off of it. And it's, I've been using AI, the Dali 2, and Mid Journey as a building feature. And yeah, I see people are using it right now to just type in, ooh, Garfield flying a plane, or Batman doing this. And it's fun for a little hilarity here and there, but it's not a good focus thing. But it's a good thing to use as a tool.

11:59 – Gresham Harkless

Yeah. I love that you gave those examples. And I feel like that's even a deeper lesson with all these AI tools and things that are coming up in so many that it's a tool that can support, you know, the PE expert that has all that So what would you consider to be what I like to call a CEO nugget? This is a little bit more word of wisdom or a piece of advice. I usually say it might be something you would tell your favorite client, or if you have to do a time machine, you might tell your business.

12:28 – Russ McIntosh

Relax, take time away. It's the, I know being an entrepreneur or CEO, it's constantly work, work, work, work, work, work, work. But if it constantly works, you're gonna feel it in your bones, you're gonna, your family's gonna notice it and you need to take a break stop. So today, that yeah, at 1230, I'm going to be ending my workday and not picking it back up until Monday because you need that time to relax, relax, recharge, rejuvenate. You definitely need it because if you're just focused, focused, focused 24/7, I mean, I dream about working in my sleep.

So I'm even working when I'm sleeping. So it's one of those things that you need the time off. So That's one of the main things is to learn to love yourself and relax and appreciate your friends and loved ones around you for several hours a day for the weekend, just stop, calm down, and relax.

13:29 – Gresham Harkless

I love that, that relaxed piece. And I love that, you know, that self-love aspect that you kind of talked about. And so, wanted to ask you now my absolute favorite question, which is the definition of what it means to be a CEO. We're hoping to have different quote-unquote CEOs on the show, so Russ, what does being a CEO mean to you?

13:42 – Russ McIntosh

I love helping. So it's being an educator, helping, understanding, and helping, Our friend Reggie Holmes, was on your podcast back in season 2, and he had the perfect thing. It was a What is CEO? It's creating every opportunity. And that's what I love doing. It's helping and creating an opportunity to help others. It's that connection. It's like that person wouldn't behave that have made that connection without me being able to offer them that opportunity. So it's that wisdom that helped that opportunity creating every opportunity. I think that was the best one that Reggi had.

14:25 – Gresham Harkless

Yeah, absolutely. Check out Reggie episode number 459. And yes, that was a phenomenal kind of definition and perspective. And I love obviously, you know, that definition, but I love even more in hearing and all the aspects that you're doing. And Russ truly appreciates that definition. Of course, I appreciate your time even more. So what I wanted to do now is pass you the mic, so to speak, just to see if there's anything additional that you can let our readers and listeners know. And of course how best people can get out of you, find out about all the awesome things that you're working on.

14:52 – Russ McIntosh

Well, if you're an entrepreneur or CEO, I definitely recommend joining your local Chamber of Commerce. It's the lifeblood of your business, and of your community, and it's a great resource and asset to have. You'll meet so many other people that you'll be able to assist.

15:10 – Gresham Harkless

And people that want to get a hold of you, what's the best way for them to do that?

15:13 – Russ McIntosh

I'm Russ at visionideadesign.com. The website is visionideadesign.com. I think we'll have the Facebook link. Well, Facebook is again Vision Idea Design. It's really very simple. Also, I host a monthly business meeting, in the middle of the month, middle of the week, and middle of the day. We meet at the Patriots P VIP classroom over there. Have a different speaker, the community helping out the realm, or an educator. Design, Fairfax business day. I've got my platform.

15:51 – Gresham Harkless

Absolutely. You definitely why I appreciate your career you know, we can get the opportunity to hear about all the awesome things you're doing and the encouragement that you provide to others. You also provided here today. So of course, like Russ mentioned, we're going to have the links and information in the show notes too. I'm going to hopefully get my towel back and everything. But Russ, truly appreciate you for taking time out again, my friend, and I'll be able to come out for the rest of the day.

16:11 – Russ McIntosh

I hope you do too. Thank you, Gresham.

16:14 – Outro

Thank you for listening to the I AM CEO Podcast powered by Blue 16 Media. Tune in next time and visit us at iamceo.co I AM CEO is not just a phrase, it's a community. Be sure to follow us on social media and subscribe to our podcast on iTunes Google Play and everywhere you listen to podcasts, SUBSCRIBE, and leave us a five-star rating grab CEO gear at www.ceogear.co. This has been the I AM CEO Podcast with Gresham Harkless. Thank you for listening.

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