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The credit lesson I learned wearing small business owner shoes

Posted by
Doug Case
May 23, 2013 Doug Case
Doug Case

How often have we heard the expression, “you don’t really know somebody until you walk a mile in his or her shoes”?

I think about that expression this time of year when we celebrate the work of small business owners leading up to National Small Business Week. As manager for Wells Fargo’s Small Business Segment, I have a deep appreciation for the small business customers we serve and the life of a business owner because I, too, have walked in those shoes.

As a former co-owner of an independent marketing and communications agency in San Francisco, I learned that it’s essential to understand credit and know how to use credit to manage and grow your business. Let me share with you my experience using credit as a business owner, and how that shapes my approach to the work I do today.

Most of our agency’s client roster was from the entertainment industry. They were exciting clients to support with high-profile productions, and great theatrical talent. At the same time, like all small businesses, we had our share of challenges, such as managing payables and receivables, and balancing the budget while investing in our growth.

We managed our risk as best we could, and stayed conservative about taking on debt. From the beginning, we grew our business only as big as our billable hours would allow. Yet, to take on significant new business, we needed more staff and more office space.

We had trepidations about our growth plans. Would we have consistent revenue sources to cover more expenses? What happens if we encounter customer payment delays? How do we make payroll? It was clear we needed financing, beyond the business credit cards we held to make everyday expenses.

That’s when we turned to our bank and opened our first business line of credit. I remember the sense of security and relief that credit line gave us. We had the confidence to hire the employees and contractors we needed because we had the financing to consistently make payroll every month, without worrying about the variability of payments – due to a billing issue or even the possible loss of a client.

It’s a business line of credit that also made it possible for our agency to move to a larger office location when our lease expired. On our own, our business did not have the cash to pay for a move. It was a line of credit that made it possible to make a seamless move without business interruption – it gave us the ability to make a down payment, and to pay for the move and construction costs in the new space.

Opening our first line of credit was a turning point. Credit enabled us to make sound investments that proved valuable to the growth of our agency.

Oh…and I guess I should tell you that the line of credit was from Wells Fargo. Little did I know at that time that my next job would be with Wells Fargo, where I would have the opportunity to help small businesses every day.

Today, I get the opportunity to see credit from the other side. I consider myself fortunate to draw upon my ownership experience when thinking about how Wells Fargo can better serve and meet the credit needs of these businesses.

Recently, Wells Fargo launched a business secured line of credit. It’s a product in which we identified a real need among a segment of customers we could serve better. Many of the first customers who are using this product have no credit history or past credit challenges. This product is giving them a chance to obtain the essential credit they need today, and build a positive business credit history.

I’m proud to be part of the team at Wells Fargo that’s doing everything we can to help small business owners become financially ready for credit, apply for credit and use it responsibly. From putting in place training which will improve the skills of bankers serving our business customers, to creating content for our Business Insight Resource Center that educates owners on credit topics, we keep looking for more ways to help small businesses.

What is your story about business credit? My team and I would like to hear how a loan or line of credit helped your business to grow and prosper. Share your story in the comments section!

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A championship walk to remember

Posted by
Wayne Thompson
May 3, 2013
Wayne Thompson
Reyhan strolls down the green with Rickie Fowler during the Weds. Pro-Am event at the Wells Fargo Championship.

Reyhan strolls down the green with Rickie Fowler during the Pro-Am event at the Wells Fargo Championship.

There’s a new clubhouse leader in the golf game of life, or there would be if I and several others at the Wells Fargo Championship could create such a title.

That’s 14-year-old Reyhan Griffin of San Francisco, who won hearts with his winsome ways and grace under pressure May 1 in the tournament’s Pro-Am in Charlotte, N.C. He earned the right to play alongside his golf idol, Rickie Fowler, by winning our Succeeding TogetherSM video essay contest for members of The First Tee®, a World Golf Foundation program that builds character through golf. Watch his winning video, if you missed it.

Reyhan’s character was tested from the get-go. On the biggest golfing stage of his life and with Rickie and a large gallery looking on, he faced a tough third shot from the woods on the very first hole.

In what he later told me was the highlight of his day, Reyhan punched the ball out of the pine straw and over the bunkers guarding the green to a few feet from the hole. Then he promptly made the tricky putt and flashed a big smile.

“You the man, Reyhan,” someone yelled. “Keep it up,” a teenage girl told him as he followed Fowler to the second tee, signing the first of several autographs along the way.

That’s kind of how it went the rest of the way.

With a slow, smooth swing and a great short game honed on the Fleming Course at Harding Park back home, Reyhan largely navigated Quail Hollow Club without many hitches. He parred three holes (including a 30-foot putt for par on the 13th hole). And he did all this wearing a wireless mike for most of the way for a video that The First Tee of San Francisco is doing.

Reyhan only lost one ball during his entire round, and that came on the signature par-3 17th hole where he and Rickie engaged in some playful gamesmanship.

When Reyhan’s approach found the water, he said, “That’s OK. I like to swim,” earning laughs from the gallery and a smile from Rickie, who suggested he try again at the forward tee. This time, Reyhan’s shot carried the hazard.

When he closed out his round with another two putts on No. 18, Reyhan and Rickie posed for a quick photo to mark the moment and then shared what he’ll remember about the day: “Getting to play a round like a pro, and talking to Rickie about golf.”

I enjoyed watching Reyhan soak up every moment with Rickie while remaining modest. When one of Reyhan’s few errant shots led to a big score on the third hole, he kept his head held high and shrugged it off when others might have gone into a club-throwing rant.

Well played, young man. Well played!

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‘T’ is for teaching

Posted by
Wayne Thompson
May 3, 2013
Wayne Thompson

His short game clinic over, PGA TOUR pro Scott Langley stood on the practice green of Revolution Park Golf Course April 30 in Charlotte, signed a few more hats, and summarized what the World Golf Foundation’s character-building program, The First Tee, had meant to his own life.

PGA TOUR golfers, Scott Langley, J.J. Henry, Lucas Glover and Ricky Fowler and by Charlotte Community Banking regional President Kendall Alley present a signed flag to First Tee Charlotte.

PGA TOUR golfers, Scott Langley, J.J. Henry, Lucas Glover, Rickie Fowler and Charlotte Community Banking Regional President Kendall Alley present a signed flag to First Tee Charlotte.

Scott went to The First Tee of St. Louis thinking he’d teach golf lessons and wound up learning a great deal himself.

“The First Tee prepared me for the real world, to go to college, and to play competitive golf,” he says. “It’s an organization that really impacts kids, and is really helping people. It’s the best combination: golf—and people learning about life.”

Scott and fellow PGA pros Rickie Fowler, Lucas Glover, and J.J. Henry were at the home of the Charlotte chapter of The First Tee to cap Wells Fargo’s month-long Reading Above Par® program, where volunteers from the company read to First Tee members.

PGA TOUR golfer, Rickie Fowler gives a swing demonstration for students at the First Tee Charlotte.

PGA TOUR golfer, Rickie Fowler gives a swing demonstration for students at the First Tee Charlotte.

The festivities included:

  • A golf clinic
  • Announcement of a $100,000 donation to The First Tee of Charlotte by Charlotte Community Banking regional President Kendall Alley (plus an additional $50,000 for First Tee chapters nationwide)
  • J.J., Lucas, Rickie, and Scott reading portions of the Brad Herzog book, “P is for Putt: A Golf Alphabet.”

The activities were part of Wells Fargo’s broader commitment to education throughout the Wells Fargo Championship.  Another is Succeeding TogetherSM, a video contest for First Tee members that is giving four winners from across the nation an “inside the ropes” experience this week at the Wells Fargo Championship.

As a golfer whose mom drove me and my buddies to a golf course on many a summer morning, I always love covering this event and learning from kids, moms, pros, and volunteers alike about life’s lessons learned on the links.

Rickie, who earned his first PGA TOUR victory in 2012 by winning the Wells Fargo Championship, shared how his grandfather took him to a driving range at age 3—and from that point on he simply followed his passion, no parental pushes required.

Mom Amy Belsito introduced me to her son, Quentin, and his friends, Brandon and Matthew Vu, all learning golf together and becoming great friends in the process. When I asked Quentin what The First Tee has taught him most, he gave the same answer I heard countless times that day: “Respect for other people.”

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School's Ann Clark, Alley, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, Grainger, and The First Tee of Charlotte's Board Chair Dan Cottingham with Wells Fargo's $100,000 donation to the chapter.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg School’s Ann Clark, Alley, N.C. Gov. Pat McCrory, Grainger, and The First Tee of Charlotte’s Board Chair Dan Cottingham with Wells Fargo’s $100,000 donation to the chapter.

Earlier, Ike Grainger, executive director of The First Tee of Charlotte, shared with me the difference our volunteers are making, and how our latest financial support will allow the nonprofit to extend the program to 40 more elementary schools in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg system next year.

“We obviously have some good golfers but I’m more interested in the good character,” Ike says. “That, to me, is what it’s all about, and what you at Wells Fargo are helping instill.”

As is the case every year, I drove away from the 2013 Reading Above Par finale with a lot of good memories:

  • Youthful voices counting out loud, at Henry’s urging, to see how long it would take his high driver shot to land.
  • Scott and Rickie exchanging their left- and right-handed clubs and hitting chip shots toward holes on the practice green in friendly competition.
  • Lucas smashing a long drive down the practice range with his smooth swing and handing a little girl named Emma a pint-size driver, teeing up the ball for her, and clapping along with the crowd when she hit it.

Thank you, J.J., Lucas, Rickie, and Scott for helping remind us again that “T” stands for teaching.

Those lessons are for life.

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A response to Frontline regarding 401(k) plans

Posted by
Doug Caldwell
May 1, 2013 Doug Caldwell
Doug Caldwell

Editor’s Note: After Frontline aired a report last week about 401(k) plans, Karen Wimbish, director of Retail Retirement and Laurie Nordquist, executive vice president and director for Wells Fargo Institutional Retirement and Trust have provided a response below.

Nordquist

Nordquist

Wimbish

Wimbish

As two professionals with a combined 50+ years of experience in the financial services industry, we looked forward to PBS’s Frontline documentary “The Retirement Gamble” that aired last week (April 23rd).  Retirement is a topic that we think about every day – and we are fortunate to help both companies and individuals take steps to improve retirement security for millions of Americans.

The Frontline program made some good points and illustrated the complexity of the issues with examples from real people and their personal challenges.  However, some of the points made during the program need illustrations that present a more balanced view of the issues.

The program pointed out the history of 401(k) plans and reminded us that the responsibility of saving for retirement has shifted to the individual. Compared to the 1970s when many Americans had a pension plan, the shift is significant – but the responsibility for most is shared by the individual, the employer (through a match and Social Security funding) and the government (through Social Security).  One of the best ways for individuals to find success with their portion of this shared responsibility is to leverage their company sponsored plan. It offers automatic savings via payroll, access to institutionally priced investment options and often times a match. In addition, the employer is acting as a fiduciary to ensure that the plan offers an array of appropriate investment options rather than having individual shop the market on their own.

The title of the show “the Retirement Gamble” suggests that the system operates like buying a lottery ticket where if you win, it’s simply luck. They suggested fees were primarily at fault for the lack of retirement savings. No mention was made of the actual savings amount as being the biggest determining factor. Some of the information on fees that the show dispensed was very helpful but some was simply incomplete.

Here’s what we’d say about fees. High fees can reduce your earnings and as with all purchases, you want to understand what fees you are paying. However, the show sensationalized the fee topic by depicting that 401(k) fees hover at 2% or more and erode two thirds of the fund’s potential value over the course of 50 years – but that calculation was based upon a zero return over that same 50 year period, which is an extreme example. The average fee as reported by Deloitte in a recent study was .93%. If you are in a 401(k) plan, you can find out what you are paying by looking at your recent fee disclosure and quarterly statement, or on the website.

As with all purchases, the lowest cost is not automatically the best. Yet, you do want those fees to be reasonable. When you buy a car or a house, you don’t buy just based on the lowest cost.

The debate on the show around actively managed funds compared to index funds focused only on fees. Index funds can be great vehicles and in fact almost 60% of the plans we work with at Wells Fargo have chosen to offer these funds to their participants. Yet most employers decide to offer both actively managed and index funds – giving participants choice. There are good actively managed funds that many participants have chosen as part of their portfolio.

What the show did demonstrate is how important it is to have a plan for retirement savings.  Your plan should consider these key items:

1. Start early and strive to save 10% or more of your compensation each year.

2. Enroll in your 401(k) and get the company match; if you don’t have a 401(k) plan, open an IRA.

3. Invest in a diversified portfolio that’s appropriate for your age by either picking funds yourself or choosing a pre-mixed option like a target date fund.

4. Examine the fees you pay.

Take advantage of any opportunity and resource available to you to increase your understanding and financial literacy, and you can turn a retirement gamble into a retirement journey.

This article is presented to you for illustrative and educational purposes only.  Although this article may provide information relating to approaches to retirement, Wells Fargo and its affiliates are not providing investment or tax or legal recommendations, advice, or endorsements.

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Every day is “Earth Day”

Posted by
Jon Campbell
April 25, 2013 Jon Campbell
Jon Campbell

Last week, while gearing up for Earth Day and our announcement of 64 nonprofits receiving $3 million in environmental grants, I was in Chicago attending Wells Fargo’s first Environmental Summit. I was lucky to leave the Windy City just before the pounding rains caused massive flooding and a state of emergency in many communities across the state. My heart goes out to those who suffered from damage to their homes and neighborhoods.

At this event, team members from all over Wells Fargo convened for the first time since Wells Fargo announced its environmental sustainability goals last year. We were joined by futurists, environmental experts, NGO’s, nonprofits, and leaders in the business community who shared best practices and encouraged important dialogue. I was fortunate to participate in a Q&A session with Mary Wenzel, Wells Fargo’s head of Environmental Affairs, and Joel Makower, Chairman and Executive Editor of GreenBiz.com. We captured some highlights in the transcribed session below.

Joel Makower (JM): What is the business case for increasing Wells Fargo’ environmental sustainability? Why is it a business imperative?

Jon Campbell (JC): It’s all about the future. First of all, environmental opportunities are an important source of future revenue growth for our company. The work we’re doing to support alternative energy customers, and broadly in meeting the financial needs of a rapidly expanding environmental industry, is very important. Second, given our size and scope, we need to make sure we’re taking an active role in helping to improve the environment. We’re of course responsible for our own operations and footprint. But our power is really in our ability to impact all that we touch.

JM: What are those impacts?

JC: For example, who are the customers we’re choosing to do business with and are they the best of the best from an environmental standpoint?  If we take a leadership position in our policies around energy lending, then other banks will follow. We use a lot of suppliers, and the decisions we make about who we use and what we buy has another important impact. We also know this work matters to our customers and team members. If our team members are engaged, then they’ll do a better job for our customers.  

JM: What does the C-suite think about this work?

JC: Senior leaders understand the importance of this work, and that every day is Earth Day. They especially understand it from a risk management perspective…we manage risk for a living! And we take enormous risk when our customers do not take their environmental responsibility seriously. So it’s important that we continue to further develop our lending policies and due diligence to make sure they are the best of the best across a variety of sectors.

JM: How are you different from companies in your industry?

Mary Wenzel (MW): I think our secret sauce is how we’ve engaged our team members across the enterprise. In the last few years, our culture has transformed in a way that’s hard to measure. We see it in the support from senior leadership and their increased understanding for how focusing on environmental substantiality is a business opportunity. We see it in the expanding number of team members joining Green Teams or volunteering in sustainability projects. The Environmental Affairs team didn’t develop our renewed environmental commitment. We had many partners at the table – from product groups to risk management to corporate properties –who took ownership for setting, tracking and achieving the goals. Our work in this space has transitioned from the work of a few to the work of all.

JM: Tell me more about your Green Teams and what they do?

MW: Our Green Teams have been evolving over the years.  Originally they started with passionate team members who really advocated for us to do things like improving our recycling capabilities and eliminating Styrofoam. Now each Green Team actually has a business plan tied to contributing to our broader company goals. So we’ll start to see and track how a local action rolls up to support our corporate goals and initiatives.

JM: Three years from now, what is the story you’d like to be able to tell that you can’t tell today?

JC: Again, it’s about leadership. With our size and scope, we truly have the ability to make a difference.  I hope that three years from now I can say we took a leadership position on something, and that others followed us, and it truly made a difference. That’s the biggest compliment we can get.  But I’m not sure what that something is just yet.

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A new store in the neighborhood

Posted by
Wayne Thompson
April 24, 2013
Wayne Thompson

Editor’s note: Following the April 15 opening of our first neighborhood bank concept in the NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood of Washington, D.C., we thought we would invite Store Manager Jahreem to talk about the store, its high-tech, high-touch customer experience, and what it means for  his Wells Fargo career.

Jahreem Edwards

Jahreem E.

A highlight of my banking career occurred on April 15. That’s when my teammates—Personal Banker Lawrence, District Manager Ben, and Customer Service Representative Mauricio—and I opened the company’s first neighborhood bank concept store in NoMa.

I’m excited about our neighborhood format for a good reason: at 1,000 feet and one-third the size of a traditional location, it allows us to make banking even more convenient for customers in large urban neighborhoods like NoMa where the available real estate would make it difficult to open a traditional-size store.

Plus, as a millennial myself, I love the way the store’s blend of new technology and customer service allows us to provide a high-tech, high-touch customer experience members of my generation demand.

Jahreem_500x341_topoption1

Jahreem rolls out the welcome mat on opening day.

Sure, my smartphone is my checkbook, too, but there are times when I want to talk to someone in person about my financial needs. At my store, help is just a wireless tablet away, with Lawrence or Mauricio there for guidance.

That’s one thing I think that makes our approach different: the combination of technology and human support vs. self-service. Also, the store has all kinds of neat features—the built-in seating; the new ATMs that dispense multiple denominations of cash; the sales and service area; the use of secure, wireless tablets; the WiFi hotspot for customers; and how the space converts into a self-service lobby and provides 24-hour ATM access.

Wells Fargo team member Lawrence P. helps a customer with their banking needs.

Wells Fargo team member Lawrence P. helps a customer with their banking needs.

My favorite features: How the design and the largely paperless workflow allow customers to access 90 percent of the space; and the convertible workstations that can be flat or, with the pop-up monitor and keyboard, a place where bankers can access our systems and serve customers.

My store’s features and design remind me of our new advertising, which talks about how we make it easier for customers to get their banking done in the normal flow of their lives. At our store, we can interact with the customer at any point anywhere, fulfilling any financial need. Let’s say you’re at the online banking station but then decide you want to open your child’s first checking or savings account. In a traditional branch, we’d have to walk back and transition to an office or desk. Here, we can do it right there on the spot with you. Also, how many times have we all been to the supermarket and stood in a long line and only had one or two items to purchase? With the new ATMs, you can get your banking done quickly, and not miss a beat in your day. But if you need help or run into any problems, we’re just a few steps away.

Opening day was great, and several people demonstrated their trust in us by opening

Lawrence (left), Ben, Jahreem and Mauricio

Lawrence (left), Ben, Jahreem and Mauricio

accounts and becoming Wells Fargo customers. I loved hearing my team greet people by name throughout the day and welcoming them because that’s what drew me to Wells Fargo from a competitor: the “big bank” capabilities combined with the small-bank detail, feel and personal service.

During my time at Wells Fargo and previously, I’ve worked hard as a teller, a customer sales and service representative and a personal banker – and am now proud to be a store manager. Hard work, results, and a constant focus on my customers and our neighborhood have been the keys to my success and this opportunity, along with the guidance and leadership of my teammates.

I view this new position as a new challenge and another step in my hopefully long career with Wells Fargo. If you’re in the neighborhood, come by and see me and my team!

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Have kids? Teach them money management skills early

Posted by
Angel Zapata
April 23, 2013 Angel Zapata
Angel Zapata

If you’re reading this blog, you’re probably the kind of person who likes to embrace paperless options. So you might not even balance your checkbook anymore. These days, computers and online banking do it all for us! We have new generations that will likely grow up without ever even having a physical checkbook. Checkbooks might be a thing of the past, but the concept of money will never go out of style.

I’m a parent myself. My daughter, who’s in middle school now, definitely knows how to spend money. It seems like our culture sends our kids so many messages about the things they can buy, but it doesn’t do a very good job talking to them about saving for the future. That’s our job as parents. I’m constantly talking with my daughter about “needs” versus “wants”…and what that means in terms of budgeting. If you have kids, you probably know how hard it can be to get your kids to focus on those kinds of conversations. Fortunately, there’s help for us.

Each April Wells Fargo puts the spotlight on financial education by taking part in the American Bankers Association’s Teach Children to Save Day. This year it falls on April 23, but Wells Fargo devotes the whole month to financial education. We think it’s important. For Wells Fargo, financial literacy isn’t just a periodic thing. We’re committed to financial education throughout the year. Our free, non-commercial Hands on Banking® program gives our team members the opportunity to help their community by visiting classrooms to teach students about valuable financial skills, like how to start saving, how to make a budget and plan for expenses, how to use credit responsibly, and more. These are critical life skills, and we believe that the sooner young people learn them, the better off they’ll be as they grow older and face life’s challenges.

Another tool we offer parents trying to teach their kids how to manage money at an early age is the Junior Agent Saver Club. This savings program was designed for children ages 5 to 12 and complements a Wells Fargo savings account that a parent opens for the child.

J.J., the new Junior Agent Saver helps teach kids basic money management.

J.J., the new Junior Agent Saver helps teach kids basic money management.

By joining the free Junior Agent Saver Club, customers will receive a Junior Agent Saver Club Program Kit which provides clear, step-based instructions and tools to help the child set savings goals and manage their very own savings account. They also get a Junior Agent Saver Club activity book which contains fun puzzles and money exercises to help promote problem solving skills and the development of good savings habits.

If you have kids or other young people in your life, here are some tips on how to help them become skillful and responsible money managers:

  • Teach money management skills early. Most kids begin to understand the concept of money pretty early in life. Trust me – once they know what money does, they’re interested. So you can start teaching them the value of saving and other important lessons before your kids even start school.
  • Focus on goals. Have your kids make a list of the things they want and what they cost. Then use that list to teach them about making choices and saving money toward their goals.
  • Give your kids an allowance. It doesn’t have to be a big allowance, in fact it’s a good idea to keep it modest, but it should be enough to help them learn how to begin to appreciate and manage money.
  • Build a budget. Help your kids think about their allowance and savings by building a budget around what they can “spend,” what they should “save,” and on opportunities to “give” a portion of their money to a charity.
  • Use free resources. Check out your local library or Hands on Banking.
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‘Hops of Hope’ touches young lives

Posted by
Wayne Thompson
April 23, 2013
Wayne Thompson

Springtime is always hopping for Wells Fargo team member Karl Hansell of Miami.

Karl during Hops of Hope at Miami Children’s Hospital.

Karl during Hops of Hope at Miami Children’s Hospital.

From March 20 to 31 each year, he becomes the company’s unofficial head bunny to coordinate our national “Hops of Hope” delivery of Easter and holiday baskets to children in hospitals, homeless shelters, children’s homes, and at other nonprofits serving children from Anchorage to Miami.

Leading the effort, with help from volunteers from other Wells Fargo businesses, are Hansell’s Cash Vault Services teammates nationwide (the folks who process armored deliveries of cash, fill cash orders, balance and post deposits, and scan checks).

Lysandra Leal, Tiarra Ambler, and Fran Moore of Wells Fargo meet Jennifer Booher (right) of Providence Hospital in Anchorage for a Hops of Hope delivery.

Lysandra Leal, Tiarra Ambler, and Fran Moore of Wells Fargo meet Jennifer Booher (right) of Providence Hospital in Anchorage for a Hops of Hope delivery.

The 2013 edition of Hops of Hope set a new record, with 39 deliveries bringing smiles to children in 17 states and the District of Columbia, including three involving the Wells Fargo stagecoach.

When all 3,732 baskets had been delivered, I caught up with Karl to learn the full Hops of Hope story. He told me that it dates back to 2001 when he managed a Cash Vault team in Pompano Beach, Florida, and a team member suggested preparing and delivering gift baskets to patients in children’s hospitals as a way to support the community.

Hops of Hope got its start at Chris Evert Children’s Hospital in Fort Lauderdale in 2001. Karl, who knows hospitals and pain well from his life with juvenile arthritis, could relate to the patients. Although it’s been years, he can still see the seriously ill boy from the very first basket delivery. Tubes protruded from his body and a bank of monitors kept up a noisy, and steady, drumbeat. Then, a team member in a bunny costume arrived, delivering a gift basket.

“He had the biggest smile I’ve ever seen, and his mom told me she never had enough money to buy him a basket before,” Karl recalled. Others involved had similar experiences and volunteer efforts accelerated. By 2004, so many baskets were being prepared by team members that Brinks, one of the company’s delivery vendors, was needed to help deliver them. By 2005, children up and down the East Coast were receiving gift baskets.

Deliveries range from a few baskets to the 500-plus shipment prepared by more than 250 team members for Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Enthusiasm remains high. For the March 30 delivery this year at the Ronald McDonald House in Omaha, Neb., for instance, a call went out for 25 baskets. Team members from several businesses in the city quickly put together and donated 80.

A mother is all smiles after receiving her daughter's Hops of Hope gift basket at Chris Evert Children's Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

A mother is all smiles after receiving her daughter’s Hops of Hope gift basket
at Chris Evert Children’s Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

In Mesa, Ariz., where team members threw a party for at least 150 children featuring baskets, egg coloring, face painting, bean bag throws and stagecoach rides, they told Karl they can’t wait to do it even better in 2014.

Each year, Hops of Hope keeps growing, and Karl thinks he knows why: “Yes, it’s a lot of work,” said Karl, who leads the calls that begin in February and don’t end until every basket has been delivered. “But the reward is worth the effort. Everyone who gets involved sees what it means to the children. I’m proud to work alongside people like this and be part of a team and company so connected to their communities.”

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In Atlanta, a community for creative teens

Posted by
Doug Caldwell
April 22, 2013 Doug Caldwell
Doug Caldwell

Editor’s note: Eunice Kim is a 17-year-old junior at Druid Hills High School in Atlanta and a member of the Teen Council of the Wells Fargo ArtsVibe Teen Program. ArtsVibe is a five-year initiative of the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, funded through $2 million from the Wells Fargo Foundation.

Eunice artFrom jazz bands to art exhibits, I am mesmerized and influenced by the talents of other artists.

Fortunately, in Atlanta, teenagers like me are able to join one big community where all young artists are welcome: the Wells Fargo ArtsVibe Teen Program.

And soon, ArtsVibe will be hosting a two-day festival for teens, “Voices and Vibes,” providing a great opportunity for developing artists to shine and share their talents. On Friday and Saturday, April 26 and 27, as many as 3,000 teens will take over the Woodruff Arts Center in Atlanta, the home of the High Museum of Art, the Atlanta Symphony, Alliance Theatre, and Young Audiences. It’s the first time these groups have all worked together, and it’s by teens and for teens like me. ArtsVibe is the first program in the country of its kind designed to make art more appreciated and valued specifically for teenagers.

violin

Eunice practicing the violin.

I’ve grown up in an artistic family where both of my parents are professional artists. Whether it was using recycled toilet paper rolls to colored pencils, I loved creating something – and I found creating was more entertaining than watching TV. The arts are fundamental essentials that continue to shape me. I love to explore new media in visual arts, and I think that makes me more open-minded. I am a painter and my medium is acrylic paint, and I specifically love to paint glass. Additionally, I have been playing the violin for eight years. Through art, I can learn more about the world, history, and cultures.

One day, a teacher asked my class: “What is it about art that makes it so appealing and important to people?” In an essay, I wrote that art is a universal language that everyone can learn to speak. One does not need to have complex knowledge or understand complicated equations (like math) to know art. Amazingly, human beings are able to understand art regardless of who they might be, where they are from, or any other particulars.

ArtsVibe is a valuable place where all teenagers who are interested in the arts can gather and meet. ArtsVibe is like a jewelry box. The young artists are valuable, resourceful, and beautiful jewels who gather in one jewel box. We want to be shared and exposed to make art interesting and appealing to other teenagers. Picasso said, “Art is a lie that tells us the truth.” Through ArtsVibe, teens discover truths and knowledge about history and world problems, and above all, why art should be used and appreciated. Put simply, it’s a beautiful way to express ourselves!

ArtsVibe also hosts other incredible events for teens to share their talents such as Open Studio, teen nights, and Gallery SLAM. It provides workshops and master classes for teens to explore new art media and to reach other teens who are not familiar with art. And most of the events are free!

Atlanta is a big city and we teenagers don’t have one specific group or place to spread our talents or to help us gain guidance. But ArtsVibe is here to help us choose better paths as future artists.

The ArtsVibe Teen Council wants many more teenagers to explore the program. And thanks to Wells Fargo, teens like myself are able to expand our talents and interests through ArtsVibe.

Come on, young artists! ArtsVibe still has spots for you to shine!

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News

Check out the winners of our Succeeding Together contest

Posted by
Doug Caldwell
April 18, 2013 Doug Caldwell
Doug Caldwell

Earlier this year, Wells Fargo’s Succeeding TogetherSM contest challenged the 30,000-plus teenage participants of The First Tee®  to share how the game of golf and the core values of The First Tee organization have had a positive effect on their lives and how that has improved their ability to work with others.

Wells Fargo created the contest specifically for teenage participants in The First Tee, a youth development organization that introduces young people to the game of golf and its inherent values at nearly 200 chapters across the U.S.

After much deliberation, our panel of judges from Wells Fargo, The First Tee, and the Wells Fargo Championship tournament office picked four winners from more than 50 video submissions.

Our winners and each of their guests will receive a four-day/three-night trip to Charlotte, NC, to attend the 2013 Wells Fargo Championship and experience up-close the excitement of a PGA TOUR event from inside the ropes. The grand prize winner will play in the tournament’s Pro-Am with defending champion Rickie Fowler on May 1, 2013.

Check out the four winning video submissions below, and you can view all of our participants’ videos at Wells Fargo’s YouTube channel under the Succeeding Together tab.

GRAND PRIZE: Reyhan G. – San Francisco, CA

 

FIRST PRIZE: Jensen R. – Concord, NC

 

FIRST PRIZE: Michael M. – Vacaville, CA

 

FIRST PRIZE: Sara S. – Woodland, CA

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