Chapter 16 - Summer Horizons
The summer heat in Richmond settled over the historic streets like a warm, heavy blanket, but inside Vance & Co. Design, the air-conditioning hummed steadily while our creative engines roared at full speed. We were deep into the digital rollout phase of The Oakhaven Inn project in Charleston, coordinating web development, social media asset creation, and print collateral for their grand autumn reopening.
My team had grown from three junior designers to a robust staff of six talented professionals. I had even promoted Marcus to Associate Creative Director, a move that allowed me to step back slightly from day-to-day production tasks and focus on high-level agency growth and client acquisition.
On a sultry Friday afternoon in July, my phone buzzed on my desk while I was reviewing architectural color swatches for a new boutique café client in downtown Richmond. I glanced at the screen and saw an unfamiliar Charleston area code.
I picked up. "Vance & Co. Design, this is Abby."
"Abby Vance?" a crisp, professional female voice inquired.
"Speaking."
"Hello, Ms. Vance. My name is Elena Rostova. I’m the senior acquisitions editor for *Southern Living & Design* magazine. We are putting together our upcoming autumn special edition highlighting exceptional independent commercial design studios across the American Southeast, and your agency’s work on The Oakhaven Inn has caught our editorial board's eye. We’d like to feature Vance & Co. in a six-page spread."
I froze for a second, my heart skipping a beat. *Southern Living & Design* was one of the most prestigious regional design publications in the country. Landing a multi-page editorial feature in their pages was the kind of career milestone that elevated a boutique studio into a nationally recognized powerhouse.
"That... that is incredible news, Ms. Rostova," I replied, keeping my voice professionally steady while my mind raced with excitement. "We would be honored to be featured."
"Splendid," Elena replied. "Our photography team will be driving up to Richmond next Thursday to capture your studio space and interview you regarding your design philosophy. I’ll email over the production schedule shortly."
"We'll be ready. Thank you so much."
After ending the call, I sat back in my leather chair, a slow, triumphant smile spreading across my face. I picked up my phone and immediately dialed Grandma’s number. She answered on the second ring.
"Grandma, you are not going to believe this," I said, unable to contain my excitement. "*Southern Living & Design* just called. They want to do a six-page feature spread on Vance & Co. for their autumn edition—specifically highlighting our work on The Oakhaven Inn."
There was a brief pause on the other end of the line, followed by the sound of Grandma letting out a triumphant, ringing laugh that echoed straight through the phone line.
"Oh, my darling Abby!" Grandma cheered, her voice thick with pride and absolute delight. "Did I not tell you? Did I not say your creative genius would take the world by storm? I am ordering a case of champagne to be delivered to your studio this very afternoon!"
"Thank you, Grandma," I laughed, shaking my head with pure joy. "For everything."
May you like
"Nonsense," she replied warmly. "I merely handed you the canvas. You painted the masterpiece yourself. Now go make sure the studio floors are polished—you're going to be famous."
***
