In 2012, our account manager from Cambridge, MN, Jake Forslund, met Katie Shatusky. She was his contact at another company he was consulting, and when she left to found her own non-profit organization, Jake was there to help every step of the way. After struggling with her own mental health, Katie co-founded the Thumbs Up 5K Run for Mental Health Awareness with friend and business partner, Jessica Hackenmueller.
“Even when I worked with Katie at her previous job, it seemed like something was bothering her,” Jake explains. “I just wanted to see her succeed with Thumbs Up. I tried to keep her morale up and offer my perspective after building up my own business. We’re both entrepreneurs.”
Over the years, Jake has donated his design time, printed pieces and has helped provide creative solutions in promotional products and marketing strategy for Thumbs Up. Items include apparel, banners, signs, wristbands, pins and other products to help spread the message. Last year, he decided to join their committee and helped organize and work the 5K event.
“I am really proud of what the Thumbs Up organization has accomplished. These smile pins really can make someone’s day, but this group keeps working hard to make someone’s week, month, year, decade, and most importantly the chance to catch those at a difficult crossroads in life…it’s these moments where someone needs every glimmer of hope and light they can get. It might be a button, a cheer bag, or even a scholarship for the mental health field – but the conversations they create can mean the world to someone.” -Jake Forslund, ASB Account Manager
American Solutions for Business is a national marketing solutions company with hundreds of account managers all over the United States. We strive to find creative ways to help our customers succeed across all markets. Find an American Representative near you here or visit our website to learn more about us.
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