On the occasion of One Lucky Guitar’s 25th anniversary, a note of gratitude.
You’re probably familiar with the story of the Ship of Theseus.
The story is a paradox that leads into a philosophical study of identity. Especially, identity over time.
It goes something like this:
In Greek mythology, Theseus (king of Athens) escapes a dark end by sailing his ship across the sea. Over time, and one at a time, the pieces and parts of the ship are replaced, and eventually—in the duration of that yearslong journey—no parts from the original ship remain. When the ship arrives on a shore across the sea, made up of completely different parts than when it embarked, this question is asked:
Is this ship still the Ship of Theseus?
(And if not, when did it cease to be?)
I love this kind of stuff.
Hold up a photograph of yourself at 20 years old, and one taken today. What is it that makes you the same person through time? In the time since that first photograph was taken, no matter your age today, you’re likely made up of all new cells, flesh, bones, and have probably lived a lifetime (or two).
And what is it that makes an organization the same through time—despite all the changes that directly and indirectly influence it?
At One Lucky Guitar, I think our answer to that question would be: “Brand soul.”
And when it comes to brand soul, it’s all and only about the people.
My life was never gonna be the same once I—at the age of 20—heard Bob Dylan sing “He not busy being born is busy dying.” There’s a direct and uninterrupted line between me listening to those lyrics and, six years later, starting One Lucky Guitar.
So I’ll quote Bob once more, as I thank the individuals who have always kept One Lucky Guitar One Lucky Guitar—
“My heart is not weary;
it’s light and it’s free—
I’ve got nothing but affection
for all those who’ve sailed with me.”
(Bob Dylan, “Mississippi,” “Love And Theft” (2001)
There’s no doubt about it: the single-greatest highlight of my professional life is that the individuals below said “Yes, I’ll work with you at One Lucky Guitar.”
My hopes and wishes are that my co-workers have found deep meaningfulness and growth by spending part of their professional journeys at OLG.
Me? I have been lucky indeed to have truly swashbuckling adventures and unrivaled good times with, in order of appearance—
Josh VonGunten
Paige Strong
Nate Utesch
Amy Patton
Tommy Cutter
Suzanne Kopson
Jake Sauer
Heather Schoegler
Drew Kora
Nicole Wilkins
Michelle Love
Bridget Malinowski
Taylor Monaco
Jonathan Barker
Tammy Davis
Leslee Hill
Olivia Fabian
Emma DePrez
Shane Starr
Beth McAvoy
Matt Thomas
Kara Hackett
Jasmine Lobacz
Annie Syrowski
Chelsea Cornett
Zach Vessels
Caity Rose
Zoe Weaver
Nicole Funk-Evard
Erin Blair
Angie Hoffman
Emily Carter
John Jehl
What a group! What an absolute treat, today, to work alongside Jake, Michelle, Bridget, Jonathan, Jasmine, Zoe, Erin, Emily and John, each so incredibly empathic, resourceful, imaginative, gritty and fun. And I have special thankfulness for Michelle for stepping into her ownership role.
Moreover—
While they were never full-time team members, Dusty Neal, Stephanie Carpenter, Emily Mungovan, Kristin Newbauer, Lyndsey Glaze and Alex Fabian were critical contributors to our efforts.
At the annual OLG holiday party, I typically offer a toast, and often apologize to, our team’s spouses and loved ones. I do my best, but it isn’t always easy to work here. (Most of the time, doing remarkable, meaningful work isn’t easy.) And we don’t do it alone. Thanks, again, to those spouses and loved ones who stand beside us. For me, personally, One Lucky Guitar would not have been possible without the support and guidance of my parents, my kids and their mother, each of whom made sacrifices in belief that this company’s mission was worth sacrificing for.
We’ve also been beyond blessed to have fruitful, creative and sincere relationships with the partners and collaborators who have expanded what we’re able to do for two-and-a-half decades. For me, OLG would never have been the same if I didn’t get to work with John Burkett, Lodge Design, Liechty Media, BFA Commercial, the Middle Waves steering committee, The Legendary Trainhoppers, Sam McDonald and Denise DeMarchis. These individuals so passionately elevated and protected and amplified what we do here—and touched me personally—that they often should have had their own OLG business cards.
Finally, none of this works—in fact it all grinds to a staggering and immediate halt—without the trust and collaboration of the clients we get to work for and alongside, who all took a net-free trust fall in deciding to work with this little design shop with an unusual name. From Cheryl Taylor to John Prine, from Alice Robinson to Audrey Riley, many of these individuals have become amongst the most formative and influential people in my entire life. A gift that I never could have hoped for, much less expected.
Today, the wind blows, and the water chops, and the opportunity for us to do our best work yet persists, just over the horizon line.
Our own Ship of Theseus remains at sea—both different and the same.
Forever chasing adventure, and sailing on.
Thank you.
Matt Kelley
Founder
One Lucky Guitar, Inc.
Business card, circa 2000
