DVB began brainstorming in October of 2019 on tagline ideas that would be hard to forget. Extensive research was done about what makes a good tagline stick. Despite being a small business in Delmarva compared to the global companies being studied, one thing remains the same: We want to leave the world a better place than we found it. It’s rare these days for small business to take the time to examine their own company culture and check the pulse of the current state of the world to devise a good tagline.
Our creative developer, Jenny Kerr Schroen, did not want to settle for the mediocre when it came to this important decision. Not being from the building industry, she had a unique perspective once she came on board with DVB in January of 2019. Here's her take:
Creative developer Jenny Kerr Schroen
When I began working here, I was intrigued by the extreme pressures people who work in the building industry face every day. Deadlines are always looming, shipments have to be ordered in time, the weather is unpredictable. Our project managers are warriors. It's a constant balancing act- the relationships with clients, owners, architects, vendors, sub contractors and employees. It's not for the faint of heart. It is CHALLENGING. Everyday, I watch my coworkers go to battle, a battle for creation. It's a significant thing to make your mark in the world, and being in the building industry gives you the satisfaction to say "We built that" and say it with pride. It's literally the blood, sweat and sometimes tears that construct the things we see every day. But there is also JOY.
Instead of seeing obstacles as a deterrent, I observe my team using it to sharpen their skills and character. It's a constant, evolving process. No two days are alike. The times where we band together as team, lift each other up and press on toward the goal, are the times when we are at our very best.
I admire the veterans we hire to work here including our founder Chris Eccleston and Field Operations Manager Kenny Kirk. The sacrifices they have made to serve our country our enormous. It's a feeling of gratitude on my end. It makes me feel even more patriotic. I also have admiration for our people out in the field every day, our laborers, carpenters and superintendents. Not all are vets, but they all have the heart of service members. They are on the front lines every day, keeping the wheel turning and adding to another successful year at DVB. I can't express how much respect I have for them and the job they do.
After a brainstorming exercise I had a realization, DVB is at its best when we persevere. I was encouraged to think that so many of us at DVB have stories of overcoming and "charging the storm" when times are tough. It also made me realize that happiness means different things to different people. Some companies convey ideas of exclusion and privilege or excellence and quality which are a dime a dozen and honestly, forgettable. We think differently. DVB’s heart is service, gratitude, family, fun, and a humble but fighting spirit. We take care of our own, but we help people up and include people along the way. Then it hit me, the word I was trying to come up with to describe my coworkers was right in front of me. GRIT. I started researching Grit. I got chills reading various definitions of Grit.
Tagline Inspiration wall at DVB
Grit: firmness of mind or spirit : unyielding courage in the face of hardship or danger
Studies have been done about Grit by people such as Psychologist Angela Duckworth, who gave a TED Talk on the importance of Grit. You can see more of her work here: AngelaDuckworth.com
I could not think of better definition than what was right in front of me. Our veterans know these qualities already but for all our people in the building industry, this same attitude of Grit is demonstrated EVERY DAY. Now that I had identified the word Grit, I wanted to take it further.
What are some historical examples of Grit? Being a history fan, i was immediately drawn to one of the most important stories in human history: America's "Greatest Generation". If anyone could call one group out to be the poster child for Grit it would be them. I spent countless hours watching old films and listening to audio recordings of FDR. It really spoke to me in a different way this time. They not only used military people to achieve victory- they also relied on everyday people to step up, ban together, to accomplish something that was greater than themselves. In a way it was an example to everyone who has a job to accomplish, that all people can contribute, roll up their sleeves, work hard and collectively achieve great things.
Then it hit me like a ton of bricks: I wrote it down on my wall at work:
Grit Leads to Greatness.
Grit Leads to Greatness
It was like an ahha moment that I always dream about as a creative but it's rare to really enjoy that moment. The phrase meant something to me. I believe it speaks to everyone, regardless of military affiliation, economic status, race, gender or occupation- we all have the ability to become greater. I already knew that my fellow coworkers feel the same, we have that inner drive to not just do great work, but, like I said earlier, we want to leave this world a better place than we found it. I wrote it in honor of all the inspirational people throughout history that have made sacrifices and who continue to make sacrifices in this day and age we live.
There is no blame with Grit. Grit forces you to face whatever it is you're going through, and tells you to keep going. We can't always know the outcome of our circumstances, but we have the ability to find it in ourselves to place our best foot forward and say we were relentless, brave, determined, courageous. People with grit will be remembered.
