What people are saying.

I’ve been on Maryann’s case to do something like [Secret Play Date] since maybe June. Because I thought it would be good for her. And for her people. And because it’s a really terrific idea. But I had no idea it would have such a profound effect on me. -- Havi Brooks, The Fluent Self

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I got so much from the process. I was completely stuck on writing my ebook and doing the Play Date sparked a whole new way of seeing the project. I continued working all through the day on what came up. I can actually see how it's going to look now, and that makes such a difference. It was such a productive and enjoyable experience, Thank you! -- Dave Rowley, artist and creativity coach

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This morning I told myself very, very seriously that there is just no way I have time for another Secret Playdate and at that exact moment I said well, then there is just no way I can skip it. Because it’s exactly when you’re most stressed out that a break for creativity can make an important difference.

Much like last time, I didn’t have a clue that all of this was waiting to come to the surface. And that is its brilliance and power: it lets that other part of your brain come out and play, and it feels so good because you had no idea you were longing for that so badly.

I wanted a simple answer: how to fix the budget and make it work. The numbers themselves knew the simple truth: if you don’t resist it, it’s not even broken. Thanks, Maryann, and thank you Secret Playdate! So awesome, so colorful, so creative, and all on a rainy gray Tuesday. -- Jesse Keen, My Seed House.

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The Play Date was fruitful beyond my wildest hopes. The important things I learned would take up six blog posts. -- Briana Aldrich, The Hopscotch Distillery

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Thanks to your encouragement/inspiration I'll be showing Belle Pietre at the Philadelphia Designers Market in September! I'd NEVER have registered without several wise words thrown my way by YOU not so long ago. Thank you! -- Rebecca Carr, Belle Pietre Jewelry by CaraCarr Designs

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When I began working with Maryann, I was interested in shifting more of my focus to my art, to making connections with distinctions between my more corporate business and my more personal blog. I was confused, so I really wondered if anyone could make sense of what I was thinking. Maryann was able to listen, ask questions, and help sort through what felt like mud. She has deep listening skills and the ability to help make connections between the pieces where a clearer path emerges. She has a solid understanding of the mid career artist and the multitude of paths we have walked, along with the new possibilities that have emerged through the use of technology. -- Christine Martell, artist and co-founder, VisualsSpeak

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Before speaking with Maryann, I was pretty stuck and overwhelmed. I didn't realize I had so many options available to me and Maryann presented them in a way that was focused and clear. Once we began working together my vision for what I could achieve just kept getting larger. I ended up with a real sense of direction, I feel like I have a plan now that is achievable and fits perfectly with my own needs. I also feel better about myself as an artist. I came out of the process with a very clear sense of direction and the confidence to follow through. -- Dave Rowley, artist and creativity coach

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Maryann and Jacquelyn’s call last week inspired me to set up a Facebook page for Making Ideas Visible.Thank you Maryann and Jaquelyn!! I was the person who asked how to set one up — like where you actually go to do it — because from my home page it wasn’t obvious at all.

I set it up that afternoon and within 2 days I had 150 people sign up. And I realized a lot of these people are good friends of mine who haven’t been reading my site/blog so this is a good way to touch more people. -- Julie Stuart, Making Ideas Visible

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Thank you for making me get on Facebook and making it easier for me to do it (and picturing it as a bar - which I now refer to as the Frolicsome Bar!). All of your help and advice helped me do it.

And today I announced this three hour Shiva Nata class in Sacramento and it was Facebook people who signed up faster than anyone. We filled 13 spots right away and it was mostly with Facebook. And the people who signed up referenced Facebook rather than my blog. Anyway, Facebook! I am ASTOUNDED.

Would have done this way sooner if I’d known. -- Havi Brooks, The Fluent Self

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That was the best social media conversation I have ever been a part of. So many people try to fake their way through teaching people about social media strategies, but everything said in the tele-class aligned perfectly with my own experiences and gave me innovative ways to take e-marketing to the next level. Thank you so much! I will spread the word! -- Lindsay Van Osten, teacher, creator, and coloratura

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If you're an artist, you should go over right now to Maryann Devine's super-awesome and useful arts marketing blog, smArts & Culture, and learn new tricks and tips on how to promote your art or arts organization. -- Lauri Apple, artist and co-creator of the Twitter Island experiment