Articles Tagged with: design

Turning Carbon Footprints into Climate Solutions: John Mead’s Innovative Approach to Concrete Construction

Concrete is a cornerstone of modern construction, from towering skyscrapers to humble homes. However, its environmental cost is staggering.

Cement, a key ingredient of concrete, accounts for approximately 7% of global carbon emissions – a significant contributor to climate change. Beyond cement production, the environmental toll of concrete includes mining and quarrying resources like limestone, heating limestone with fossil fuels, and transporting materials.

Recognizing the urgent need for change, John Mead has made it his mission to transform concrete from a climate culprit into a solution. He achieves this through Solid Carbon, a company he co-founded in 2022.

Solid Carbon is pioneering carbon-negative construction, reducing emissions by producing sustainable, durable concrete that sequesters carbon rather than releasing it.

Concrete that Reverses Climate Impact

According to John, a pound of carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere for every pound of concrete produced. Solid Carbon’s innovations are designed to flip this equation.

By incorporating biogenic carbon-based materials, their concrete absorbs and stores carbon during production and use, creating a built environment that actively contributes to climate change.

Their products also emphasize that sustainability doesn’t come at the expense of quality or profitability. Solid Carbon’s products are durable and versatile, suitable for structural and decorative applications in both commercial and residential projects. From factory floors to winery conversions, their concrete proves that sustainability and performance go hand in hand.

From Innovation to Impact

Solid Carbon’s success is fueled by collaboration with key partners such as the McMinnville Economic Development Partnership (MEDP), the Strategic Economic Development Corporation (SEDCOR), and Business Oregon.

With a $241K High Impact Opportunity Grant, the company partnered with Oregon State University for solution testing and community projects. These community projects included pilot pours for the Miller Woods welcome pavilion and the Alpine Crossing patio. These initiatives have expanded their capacity to revolutionize the construction industry.

Since then, the company has worked on significant projects such as:

  • Homes for Habitat for Humanity in Gig Harbor, WA
  • An installation of vertical walls and a tunnel for Burnside Skatepark in Portland, OR.
  • The 5,000 square-foot floor of Remy Wines’ winery production space
  • The 440 cubic-yard factory flooring of New Energy Works in McMinnville, their biggest pour to date

Impressive achievements and recognition have marked Solid Carbon’s journey.

In 2022, it received the SEDCOR Innovative Product Award, which honors its groundbreaking work in sustainable concrete. 

In 2023, MEDP celebrated its contributions to local sustainability efforts with the McMinnville Innovator Award.

In 2024, Building Green Magazine included Solid Carbon’s concrete among its Top 10 Products list, acknowledging their industry-transforming innovations.

For Solid Carbon, profitability and sustainability are not at odds – they are essential to creating a better future. John believes in leaving the planet better than we have found it. Through innovative materials and visionary leadership, John and Solid Carbon prove that even the most entrenched industries can become agents of climate action.

Hear John Mead’s Story at the LMV Startup Bootcamp

From January 31 to February 2, 2025, John will share his vision and story at the Launch Mid Valley Startup Bootcamp. He will show how businesses can grow and profit while positively impacting society and the environment.

The Startup Bootcamp is an excellent opportunity to learn how to take your business to the next level. Save these dates and stay tuned for details.


Is Your Brand Ready for the Coming Transformative Cosmic Shift?

The stars are aligning – quite literally – to create an unprecedented opportunity for brands and businesses to grow with purpose, authenticity, and creativity. At Sacred Fire Creative, we’re inspired by a fascinating alignment of cosmic energies reshaping how we approach relationships, self-discovery, and creativity.

These shifts aren’t just esoteric ideas. They offer real, actionable insights that businesses can use to thrive in the digital age. Here, we explore three cosmic shifts and provide an action plan to help you leverage these shifts to create a brand that truly resonates with your audiences.

Quantum Relationships: Building Deeper, Purposeful Connections

By 2027, we’ll enter what’s known as the Cross of Sleeping Phoenix, a period where people will increasingly seek connections based on shared values, authenticity, and purpose rather than quick, transactional gains. This shift represents a powerful movement towards quantum relationships, where brands can create meaningful, lasting connections.

How to Leverage Quantum Relationships

  1. Identify and clarify your core values. Definite what your brand stands for – sustainability, inclusivity, innovation, or integrity. Align these values with your mission and ensure they are present in every aspect of your branding, from your messaging to customer interactions.
  2. Create purpose-driven content. Share stories and content that echo your audience’s values and demonstrate how your brand aligns with their ideals. Authentic, relatable stories highlighting your brand’s commitment to these values will attract a loyal audience.
  3. Nurture long-term relationships. Rethink your approach to customer relationships by investing in loyalty programs, personalized interactions, and follow-up engagement. Encourage long-term loyalty rather than focusing solely on immediate sales, as the power of a dedicated audience far outweighs the benefits of quick transactions.
  4. Collaborate with like-minded brands. Partner with brands and influencers who share your values to expand your reach and credibility. Look for partnerships that can create a win-win scenario where both parties enhance each other’s mission and values.

Inner Power and Self-Reliance: Trusting Your Vision for an Authentic Brand

The Age of Aquarius is more than a hippy Fifth Dimension song – it’s a call to shift inward, encouraging us to trust our intuition and allow our vision to lead us forward. This era emphasizes the importance of inner power, self-reliance, and authenticity. It’s a reminder that your brand’s unique identity should come from within.

How to Build a Brand Fueled by Inner Power and Self-Reliance

  1. Strengthen your brand story. Your brand’s story should reflect its authentic purpose and vision. Why was your business created? What impact do you aim to make? Articulate this story clearly and consistently across all your communications to foster a genuine connection with your audience.
  2. Encourage team creativity and autonomy. Empower your team members to contribute ideas, embrace creativity, and take ownership of projects. By creating an environment that values individual contributions, you’ll foster a culture of innovation and authenticity.
  3. Invest in self-discovery and growth. Just as we look inward for personal development, business leaders and teams should continuously work on developing their understanding of the brand and its purpose. Consider regular strategy sessions focused on the brand’s vision, where team members can realign with the purpose and share new insights.
  4. Be true to your unique voice. Allow your brand’s voice to reflect its true personality, whether playful, inspiring, or innovative. Consistency in your brand’s voice will attract an audience that resonates with your message and sees your business as a genuine, relatable entity.

The Age of Intuition and Technology: Balancing Strategy and Creativity.

According to Chinese feng shui, we’ve entered Period 9, or Jiu Yun, a time that values creativity, intuitive technology, and the empowerment of feminine energy. In this era, AI, cloud-based solutions, and collaborative creativity will shape the future, making it essential to balance the strategic with the intuitive for optimal growth.

How to Leverage Intuition and Technology for Your Brand

  1. Adopt AI and automation thoughtfully. Invest in AI-driven tools that free up time for creative and strategic work. Use technology to enhance customer experience, streamline processes, and provide insights, but don’t let it replace the human touch that builds connection.
  2. Embrace intuitive creativity in strategy. Go beyond data and metrics by listening to your gut when exploring new ideas. Host brainstorming sessions that allow for a mix of structured and free-flowing creativity, encouraging your team to think outside the box.
  3. Integrate empathy and feminine energy into leadership. Feminine energy in business means emphasizing collaboration, compassion, and intuitive thinking. By balancing this with strategic decision-making, you’ll foster a culture that appeals to today’s values-driven customers. This approach creates a brand that feels deeply connected to its audience.
  4. Use technology to create personalized experiences. Harness the power of AI to gather insights and deliver customized experiences to your audience. Personalized recommendations, targeted email campaigns, and tailored interactions can make your customers feel truly seen and appreciated.

These cosmic shifts we’re experiencing are more than just trends – they signal a new way of doing business. Embracing them can transform your brand from just another business into an impactful entity that resonates with audiences on a deeper level. Brands emphasizing purpose-driven relationships, authentic identity, and intuition balanced with tech will thrive and stand out as leaders in this new era.

Ready to make the shift? Sacred Fire Creative supports entrepreneurs with a clear vision they want to translate into reality. Contact us today, and let’s see how we can collaborate.


Little Nestlings Early Learning Center to Be Featured on KOIN

What do you do when a good friend tells you they will be on TV? You get excited for them and save the date of their appearance on your calendar, of course.

Well, that’s what the Sacred Fire Creative team feels right now. We’re so thrilled to announce that our client, Little Nestlings Early Learning Center, will be featured on the KOIN network soon.

The details are still being worked out, but we can’t wait to see Colleen Cleary and the Little Nestlings team on TV. Stay tuned!

At Little Nestlings, the environment plays an essential role in learning.

Little Nestlings Early Learning Center is a new preschool that opened in Fall 2024 in West Linn, Oregon. Headed by veteran educator Colleen Cleary, the school offers a curriculum inspired by the Reggio Emilia philosophy.

In the Reggio Emilia philosophy, children are seen as capable of directing their learning, and the environment acts as a teacher. The little ones are encouraged to be curious, explore their surroundings, observe their senses, and ask questions. Much of the study time takes place outdoors.

Through this model, children get to develop a sense of discovery and a deep love for learning. They get to build a solid foundation that will serve them throughout their school years and later in life.

Little Nestlings’ TV appearance is part of an ongoing branding campaign.

We’re happy to say that Little Nestlings’ upcoming TV appearance results from Sacred Fire Creative’s ongoing campaign to bring awareness to the school’s brand.

Since early 2024, we’ve been on a multi-tier marketing campaign for the school. This campaign included designing and search-optimizing their website and populating their social media channels. We’ve also been conducting mainstream media and community outreach. 

We believe in the impact that Little Nestlings Early Learning Center will bring to early education and the community as a whole in West Linn. It’s an honor for us to be part of their journey.

Your brand is your legacy. At Sacred Fire Creative, we can help you build a legacy that will leave a lasting and positive impact on your community. Contact us today and discover how we can collaborate.


[CASE STUDY: BEFORE] *ARTIST WEBSITE DESIGN*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzEzcRd9crU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzEzcRd9crU

[CASE STUDY: BEFORE] *ACUPUNCTURE WEBSITE* PORTLAND, OR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0518vnDsLU

[CASE STUDY: BEFORE] *CONSCIOUS LIVING*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hr7DJuL6rU

[CASE STUDY: BEFORE] ONDA FOODS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oa2ql5NgDe0

[CASE STUDY: AFTER] *RESTAURANT*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZL378i7GB5o

[CASE STUDY] *One Call Downsizing*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grZHBusfb2U

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