As the holidays draw near, people are focusing on giving back, especially to those organizations that are important to them.

By selecting an organization, it not only makes you feel warm and fuzzy but it can also help support your marketing strategy and can even grow your bottom line!

You probably have some of your operating budget allocated to things like donations and charitable giving already. If you’re simply giving to anyone who asks until that budget runs out, you’re doing it wrong. It’s your money/goods/services that you’re giving – make it worth your while!

Your Non-Profit Trifecta

  1. Support an organization that aligns with your values.
  2. Know how much of your donation goes to support the cause vs. operating expenses.
  3. Ensure their supporters are potential customers of your business.

By continually supporting one non-profit, you’re able to build a relationship and establish the fact that this is something you truly believe in. This can go a long way with your customers! Your name may begin to become associated with the non-profit, and with a deeper investment, you can feel assured that your charitable giving is really making a difference.

Don’t know who or what to support these days? Check out the ones that mean a lot to us!

Lindsay is the Publicity Coordinator on the Auxiliary Board.  Lindsay’s daughter performs in the shows!

Children’s Theatre of Elgin / Fox Valley Theatre Company is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization based in Elgin, Illinois. Its two troupes form one of the oldest, largest, and most exciting children’s theater companies in the state.

They develop fun and exciting programs that offer a maximum number of children, youth, and young adults an affordable opportunity to experience the performing arts, either as participants or audience members.

To help support Children’s Theatre of Elgin/ Fox Valley Theatre Company, visit: www.cteelgin.com.

The Founder of True Patriots Care is not only a client but a dear friend that we all have grown to love.

True Patriots Care is dedicated to recognizing and supporting those who have served their communities as first responders and as members of the armed services. The foundation seeks to enrich the lives of these individuals and their families through honor and support.

To help support True Patriots Care, visit www.truepatriotscare.com.

Sin is currently a member on the Board.

Northern Kane County Chamber of Commerce Women in Business is dedicated to the continuing education, development, mentoring and improvement of chamber members as well as a proud chapter of the Dollars For Scholars program providing scholarships for high school seniors and college students affiliated with the NKC Chamber or residing in the NKCCC market area.

The Dollars for Scholars chapter is a nonprofit foundation that supports academic success within the community. As part of Scholarship America’s national network of over 1,000 locally based, volunteer-driven Dollars for Scholars chapters, their mission is to mobilize the community on behalf of postsecondary education success for their students.

To help support the NKCC Women in Business, visit www.NKCCWIB.DollarsforScholars.org.

 

Stellar Edge loves any opportunity to give back to the community and D300 Food Pantry is one of the local organizations that we regularly support.

‘KEEPIN THE KIDS FED!’

D300 Food Pantry provides a consistent, healthy, and varied source of food in a family-friendly environment for households with students within school district 300.

To help support D300 Food Pantry, visit www.d300foodpantry.org.

 

Lindsay’s mom, Mimi, has Parkinson’s.

The Michael J. Fox Foundation is dedicated to finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease through an aggressively funded research agenda and to ensuring the development of improved therapies for those living with Parkinson’s today.

To help support The Michael J. Fox Foundation, visit  www.michaeljfox.org.


MEET CLARE SRAJER

Clare is no stranger to small business having grown up with a mom-preneur who opened Around the Corner Candy in 1998. She grew from employee to manager to co-owner before deciding that she was destined for more than just the sweet life. Clare came to Stellar with a desire to learn new things and put her customer service skills to great use! As Marketing Assistant, she dabbles in a bit of everything from social media to email to web. Hardworking Clare fits right in with her love of animals, music, crystals and plants. Best known for her obsession with vintage horror, Clare’s house is decked out in paintings and prints from old movies & shows like Dracula, The Munsters, and The Twilight Zone.


MEET DEVIN WRIGHT

Devin grew up in a family business quickly learning that marketing is essential. Having graduated from Judson University with a Bachelor’s in Communications and a Minor in Marketing, Devin is infatuated with the art of storytelling. He can spin a client’s vision into a fantastic tale to create value and attract customers with flair. Devin is always one to dress for success… even if the situation doesn’t call for it. A ballroom dance instructor, Devin is an old soul who enjoys classic cars, old movies and collecting vinyl records.


MEET BRIA LANGWORTHY

Bria joined the Stellar team just 2 days after her college graduation… talk about a go-getter! She is driven to help businesses shine combining both creativity and analytics. With a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Bria is ready to take on the world… or at least our amazing Stellar clients. Bria spends her time outside the office thrifting for clothing and collecting antique tea cups. Her unique style is present in her desk décor and the handmade earrings she wears each day! She is a mother… to over 20 house plants.


MEET HARRY SEMERJIAN

If you need something cleaned, call Harry. Seriously! Even if it’s not his mess, he’ll offer to fix it for you. As Stellar’s SEO expert, Harry's insight into a client's business is a valuable tool reaching more than just online audiences, but customers in the real world too! Harry has owned a handful of businesses since the ripe old age of 13 ranging from manufacturing to real estate to business services. A true Renaissance man, Harry can speak with someone for less than 30 minutes and have a complete business strategy worked out in his head leading them to definite success. A father of two teenage boys, Harry knows a thing or two about dealing with people on the brink of insanity. He fits in well at Stellar.


MEET BODHI

Named after Patrick Swayze’s character in Point Break, Bodhi joined the Stellar team in May 2017 and we don’t know how we got through the prior 6 years without an office dog! Adopted from Animal House Shelter, Bodhi is a Pitbull/American Bulldog mix that his human Lindsay cannot believe someone gave up. Bully breeds definitely get a bad rap because there is nothing sweeter than this 65-pound “lap dog” climbing into someone’s chair as we gather around the conference table. With as much charisma as his namesake, Bodhi greets visitors to the office with a toy in his mouth ready to play. He hasn’t quite developed any marketing skills just yet, but he can spot a duck or another dog out the window like nobody’s business.


MEET KRISTIN KILIAN

Anything that gets thrown Kristin’s way is handled with ease… at least as far as we know. Coming from the retail industry, Kristin is no stranger to a fast paced, ever-changing environment and has no problem adapting to the chaos that comes with managing Stellar’s high profile clients. With years of experience managing all aspects of communications for Fortune 500 companies, Kristin is able to schmooze clients, conquer any task, and ensure everything is running smoothly… even when it’s not! A Hallmark movie fan, Kristin loves spending time with her firefighter husband and rambunctious toddler.


MEET STACY KRUPA

As an expert on all things entertainment, Stacy really knows how to roll out the red carpet for Stellar clients! Her background with Fortune 500 companies makes her well equipped to deal with the ups and downs of any industry. Stacy lives for creative marketing – finding award-winning ways to entice audiences to click, download, buy, or visit through branding, social media, web design, and merchandising. When she’s not dazzling customers, she’s hitting the gym or spending time with her family. A mom of two, she’s used to working well under pressure and taking the lead to make sure sh*t gets done – traits we welcome in the Stellar office!


MEET LYNNE HARKIN

Using a space heater at her desk year-round, Lynne is no stranger to turning it up. With a background in retail and corporate sales, Lynne brings practical knowledge to help Stellar clients determine their path to success. As our content writer extraordinaire, Lynne helps brands find their voice and reaches a whole new world of customers. You may hear her getting flustered from time to time, but it’s always short-lived. Her get ‘er done, take charge attitude works in her capacity at Stellar and as the busy mom of 3 busy boys.


MEET CHRISTINA WOJTOWICZ

As a lover of spicy treats, Christina is a no-nonsense, get the job done kind of a girl. Any task thrown her way is done quicker than you can say Siracha! As our resident Web Developer, troubleshooting issues is her specialty… just like at home as the mother of two young sons! Christina’s ad agency background and experience developing websites adds another layer of insight to our client’s marketing efforts. You’ll often see her hiking and biking with her family (with a stop off at their favorite Dairy Queen for a treat!).


MEET MOLLY FIVELSON

Known around the office as Molly Pee Pee Pants, our resident Graphic Designer has more than just a small bladder. Her experience designing logos, developing brands, and creating amazing materials for Stellar clients brings a fresh perspective and artistic flair.  Molly’s easy-going attitude makes her the perfect candidate to work with constant changes and multiple ongoing projects. When she’s not out saving lives along the side of the road, she lives as a baseball widow and chauffeurs her kids to all their activities.


MEET SIN VAN V

Known for her rainbow hair, Sin is never one to settle for just one style. She pushes the Stellar team to think outside the box and consider things they would have never done before. Her Bachelor’s in Graphic Arts & Illustration from the American Academy of Art is just the tip of what she’s learned. With real-world experience in business management, marketing and promotions, event planning, and vendor coordination, Sin’s experience gives Stellar an Edge over the competition (see what we did there?). Despite her edgy moniker, Sin is a kid at heart riding her scooter, dragging the Stellar team on crazy outings, and smothering her adult son and daughter with embarrassing hugs and kisses.


MEET LINDSAY COATS

Known as the Dream Crusher, Lindsay’s level head keeps the office running like a well-oiled machine. When everyone else is trying to get in human-sized balloons and doing mid-day yoga, Lindsay is crunching numbers in a spreadsheet – literally one of her favorite things to do. With a Bachelor’s in Business Administration, Lindsay has the know-how to help Stellar clients make the right decisions to reach their goals. She loves problem-solving and making things work. She has a soft spot for kids and animals… she’s been known to grab babies from strangers and roll on the ground with any dog that will snuggle her.