Typically, November and December allow us a time to review the current year, and then turn our focus to internal strategy and plans for the upcoming year. 2007 was a little different because we basically decided to completely tear our building apart and renovate everyone’s working space and environment.
We are blessed to be in a very nice building that Ed Carson built in 2000 to house his expanding custom Hershey wrapper business. From his start in his garage to a new 16,000 sq. ft. facility, the business had come a long way.
However, it was time to make some new improvements, enhance the environment and really reward our team members who work hard every day to make our customers happy. My partner in work and life, Sharon, has a bachelor degree from Miami University in Interior Design, and she is truly a master at seeing the potential in any space. She began planning for the new environment in the Spring of 2007, working with an unbelievably talented group of designers at Enriching Spaces. Together they came up with a space plan that focused on bringing our group closer together, promoting greater teamwork, efficiency and also fun. We tore down walls, displaced everyone, ripped up carpet and made a real big mess in the process, which was really not much fun.
Nonetheless, even in the mess and chaos we continued to maintain focus on what was most important--our customers--and getting their Holiday Season orders out with our utmost care. No one who ordered with us from November through January would have ever guessed we were working out of a total disaster of a building that we were also trying to put back together.
The final result is something that is amazing, and we are extremely proud of our new environment.
Our General Contractor and all around handy man is Tim Jaroscak, and this is one guy who can handle just about any challenge you throw at him...and boy did we throw challenges his way. Tear walls down, but keep it quiet so we can answer our customer’s phone calls…don’t create too much dust, because we have printing equipment that cannot get dirty...move this now, but we cannot move that until after we close for the day...that part of the job has to be done on the weekend when no one else is here...we just had a lot of obstacles, but Tim never flinched and helped us do anything needed. Never once did he say, "that’s not my job." He just got ‘er done!
When it all came down to the wire, we had carpet being ripped up, walls being painted, new carpet being laid and new furniture being put on it as soon as the glue was dry. People were working right behind each other and as soon as the group ahead of them finished, they would do their part.
After about 2 months of having work crews everywhere every day, I think we were all ready for it to be over. Sharon had also been introduced to Edward Casagrande, a truly talented artist who works mainly with metals and creates the most wonderful and unique sculptures. Edward has done sculptures for many years, and his work is on display all over. His art is whimsical, yet has meaning as well as function. He introduced elements of our business in his pieces. In his own words, “Throughout the entire facility are candy colors and Hershey's memorabilia. It wasn't difficult discovering an inspiration.“
What we have now completed is a true showcase facility that is stylish yet practical. Every piece put into place has a purpose and adds efficiency, while paying homage to our roots both as a company and our connection to Hershey’s chocolate. Included in the renovation is our own, “Hershey Museum”, which displays our many Hershey artifacts for all of our visitors to see. This is also where our newest purchase will soon be on display, the “Eye Candy” dresses created on the tv show, Project Runway.
I’ve always enjoyed coming to work, but now, it is even more sweet!
This year was the first year of the “Carson Concert Series” at 
Last month, a 
