Welcome Home RGV - Enter your slogan here

Orange you glad we ditched the black?

I find it funny that everywhere I go people are amazed at the fact that just about everything I wear, or have is, well you guessed it - orange. And it's really funny to see how many of you notice that I even paint my toenails orange. Everywhere I go I get asked "why orange?" - so I thought I'd take this opportunity to share my love for the color orange with you. When I was in junior high, I had a favorite shirt that was bright orange and I wore it all the time, probably sometimes twice a week. It was not only comfortable, but wearing it made me happy.

My best friend Kate came down to visit me a few years ago, and she commented on the fact that all I ever wore was black. She said, "remember that orange shirt you used to wear when we were kids - you look so happy in that color, you should wear it more often. Life is too short to wear black all the time". Badabing! From that day on I decided to surround myself with color, my favorite color, orange. Wearing one color also makes it very easy to accessorize. You can afford to keep your toenails painted orange if you know they will never clash with your outfit.

If you do some Googling, you will learn that Orange is a power color and is supposed to stimulate enthusiasm and creativity. One website says that people who like orange are usually thoughtful and sincere. Another site says its the color that is tied with fun times, happy days and energy. That orange is associated with ambition. And last but not least, my favorite "Orange is associated with a new dawn in attitude."

Coincidence? I think not. I am happy to say guilty as charged. We're ambitious, we've got a fresh approach to business and marketing that is founded on being creative, sincere and genuine. We're the real deal - we have fun wherever we go, and we want to make you happy.

If you want to support our efforts here at Welcome Home, RGV, stop by our booth at the Don Wes flea market and pick up your "official FUNraiser" t-shirt and wear it with a smile. You'll not only help us fund special projects - but you'll help us spread some cheer. And you guessed it, they're orange.

416424_10150549904889627_109804319626_8671166_1584406919_o

Hope to see you all real soon,
Kristi

Kristi Collier is the owner of Welcome Home, Rio Grande Valley. She can be reached at kristi@welcomehomergv.com or at 956-687-5115. Visit her website at www.welcomehomergv.com or on facebook at www.facebook.com/whrgv

WHRGV Blog 1/21/12

Planting Miracles

My very first job out of college was working for the Rio Grande Valley Chapter of the American Red Cross. I had the snazzy title of "Development Director" and was assigned the very overwhelming task of raising money for local Red Cross programs and services. I started that job in October, 1995 - with the same gusto and determination that you see in me now (although that was close to 20 years ago so I probably had a lot more spring in my step).

My boss, Judi Oestreich was not only an amazing person, but a great teacher. Judi taught me how to market the Red Cross with a nonexistent marketing budget. She also taught me how to best utilize our resources, and those of others - to get things accomplished. She taught me that you build relationships for life - not for the life of a specific task or project. She taught me that the best way to succeed is treat your business like you would your garden. Plant seeds everywhere you go - and make sure you continuously water them so you can watch them grow.

Any of this sound familiar? It's been four years now since I've been planting seeds in retirement communities across the Valley - and I'm having so much fun watching Welcome Home, RGV grow. The funny thing is - the seeds I have planted have seemed to sprout and multiply and grow at an amazing rate! I guess somewhere along the way I not only irrigated but I must have used a little Miracle Grow as well!

It's really fun to take a step back and watch it - looking back to four years ago when all I had were ideas and to see how far we've come. And the REALLY exciting part is thinking about the future, and what kind of seeds we'll plant next.

Come on out and see us this season - you can log onto our website, www.welcomehomergv.com and register to receive our somewhat weekly e-newsletter to find out where we're going. And don't forget to bring your watering can!

Kristi

WHRGV Blog 1/14/12

Ain't too proud to beg!

After spending 2 days at the McAllen International Travel Show and three days at the All Valley RV Show - I can't tell you how happy it made me to hear you say, "Hi Kristi!" over and over again! After four years of this - I feel like it's finally starting to sink in. I underestimated the effect that last week's column, "who we really are" would have on all of you. So many of you have come out of the woodwork with advice, suggestions, and compassion for all the work we've done. When I sit back and look at it, it really is phenomenal what we've been able to accomplish in such a short time, with such a limited (sometimes not even shoestring) budget.

Everything we make gets dumped right back into this project, and we rely on the resources of our friends and advertisers to make things happen. We're not too proud to ask for help, and it's fun to think about how we really DID have to beg (and plead!) people in the beginning. It's getting easier, that's for sure - and I attribute that to all of you. It's far from easy, but I have faith that over time it won't be quite as difficult. People are finally starting to take me serious and realize that there really is more to this project than happy hours and line dancing (although we do squeeze that in every second we can).

It may seem like what we do at Welcome Home, RGV is all fun and games, but there is a whole side of it that most of you will never see. The nuts and bolts of it - the economics, the demographics, the budgeting, paperwork and months of planning during the off season. But we don't mind, as a matter of fact ~ we enjoy it. Knowing how happy we make you and the fact that you appreciate all that we do means so much to us, because we take our "jobs" very seriously. I say "jobs" extremely loosely - because everyone who works at Welcome Home, RGV loves what they do. We wouldn't do it if we didn't - trust me. We all believe that we are making a difference in your lives, and knowing that is the best feeling in the world.

With that being said, we're celebrating our four year anniversary in February. We're going to have an anniversary party on February 29th. We thought it was fitting to host it on Leap Year Day as we are celebrating four years of service. We're not too proud to beg - so we're inviting you all to come and join us. We're calling it our FUNraiser, so stay tuned for more information, we'd love to have you join us.

Kristi

WHRGV Blog 1/7/2012

Trophy_Gardens

It never ceases to amaze me how receptive you all are to this crazy project of mine - this year, one of my resolutions was to improve my communication skills - not only with my family, but with all of you as well as my sponsors - those that make this project possible. Over the last four years I've spent countless hours doing presentations and educating the business community about all of you, and how much you bring to our economy, and how they can better serve you. I've also worked very hard to reach out to you in every way possible, to let you know that we are here to make your experience in the Rio Grande Valley the best ever.

With all of that being said, I think it's time that I tell you who we REALLY are, as many of you think that I am part of a chamber of commerce, or a city or government employee - but that is the farthest thing from the truth. Welcome Home, RGV is MY company - I started this project almost four years ago with only $200 in the bank. Why? Because I saw that there was a need for it. I may have only had $200 bucks to work with but I have the passion and drive that is worth a million marketing budget. And honestly, I don't think I've slept much since. Passion for what I do, and being of service to all you, is what keeps me go volunteers

ing.

I'm sure many of you have managed or owned a business of your own, so you know that you never stop working. You also know that you have to have your heart, 150% into it or it just doesn't work. I want you to know that I'm in it for life - you don't have to worry about me going anywhere, thanks to the support of my family, my sponsors and all of you. It's not easy balancing and juggling it all, but when I see you smile it's the best bonus anyone could ask for.

I hope you will stop by and see us this season - and please sign up for our E-Newsletter on our site. If you are planning on coming to the RV Show this weekend, come to one of my seminars. We've got $1 off coupons on our website, www.welcomehomergv.com.

Welcome Home RGV Blog

bigbandblogphoto

Ring it!

I have to say, I absolutely love this time of year. There is nothing like the week between Christmas and New Years - when there are leftovers in the fridge, family in town (or out of town depending on who they are), new toys to play with and the final week of indulgence and gluttony before the diet begins.

This year, I plan to take the week off to do a little organizing, planning and most of all resting, as January has proved to be such a hectic, fast paced month in the Winter Texan world. Just off the top of my head we kick off January with the McAllen International Travel Show, the All Valley RV Show, the Winter Texan Expo, the National Professional Bull Riders in Mercedes and Winter Fest down at South Padre Island (for dates, times and more info go to our website, www.welcomehomergv.com). February comes barreling towards us at the speed of light, and before we know it we'll be celebrating Valentine's Day, attending the Rio Grande Valley Music Festival and serving my famous smashed potatoes at the Smokin on the Rio BBQ cookoff. Next thing you know we'll be planning St. Patty's Day, and somewhere between now and then I will have blown my diet on more than one occasion.

This is Welcome Home, RGV's fourth full season, so at least we know what we're up against and take it all in stride as we identify new programs & services and blast forward with the enthusiasm and energy that you help fuel. I can't think of anything better to celebrate than the fact that we've made it this far so fast. It hasn't been by accident, each and everyone of you had something to do with our success - from your words of wisdom to your encouragement & support. This New Year's - I will be raising my glass to all of you and resolving to work harder, practice patience, improve communications and alas, add losing another 15 pounds to the list of things to do. Cheers!