Dreams came true for me in an otherwise crazy time. I got to create Sweet Sue’s new website and their first ever “official” Facebook page? After being closed for the Covid-19 pandemic, Sue Taylor, the founder, decided to reopen for Take Out and wanted some help. I was thrilled that I got the gig.

Since started her business in 1984 and being famous for the most delicious pancakes that are as big as your head, Sue really didn’t ever have to market her business… It was all just word of mouth. But now we live in different times. Small businesses need a digital footprint to remain relevant and communicate with their fans/customers.

So, she wanted a simple, one page website that communicated the new Take Out policies in addition to her reduced menu. I used a GoDaddy platform site builder to keep her costs down. And the second I made her Facebook page, it was like the flood gates opened with eager fans ready to feast.

Who knows how this pandemic will playout, but I’m happy that my Pancake Dreams got to come true! Bon appetit.

Click here to view the project gallery.

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The day Sweet Sue’s reopened… 6/27/20

Hi, my name is Chris Bick and I wanna be your new marketing guy. My mission is to help small Hudson Valley businesses make and save lots of money! And in this post-Covid 19 landscape, this is an even more sacred task for me.

MY SKILLS: I can manage your social media accounts. I can launch or revitalize your website (utilizing GoDaddy, SquareSpace, Wix or Shopify e-commerce templates) and can design and implement your email marketing campaigns. I can help rethink and re-energize your business both online and on-site. I work hard and never give up. And with over 17 five-star reviews, you know you're getting great service with Pioneer.

Message me today for a free consult and we can review your business goals and budget!

Here’s a “how to” demo on making books as ornaments…

BOOKS AS ORNAMENTS HOW TO:

1. I picked a bunch of books that made nice fans. The paperback “romance novel” size seemed to work the best.

2. I drew lines on the covers where I wanted to cut them. 2 diagonal lines gave me the diamond shapes. Explore shapes!

3. Using my friend’s woodshop, I cut the books using a bandsaw. Be careful… Safety has NO QUITTING TIME!

4. Next, I cut 7/8” red ribbon in all different lengths and hot glue gunned the ends to the spine of the books.

5. Finally I would fan the book and hot glue the covers to each other… Creating an awesome fan effect.

Using my friend’s woodshop, I cut the books using a band saw. Be careful… Safety has NO QUITTING TIME!

Cutting the red ribbon in all different lengths and hot glue gunned the ends to the spine of the books.

About to glue the covers to themselves.

And voila… The finished product!

Wanna see it in real life? Be be sure to visit Half Moon Books on N Front St in Uptown Kingston this Holiday Season. Happy Holidays. xo, Chris

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I love these top nine posts from Instagram. It’s cool to see the bike rack design from 2017 and then it in reality in 2018. Progress happens. Thanks to all my fab clients. Here’s to an amazing 2019! xo

Check out some of my fave Holiday design layouts I did this season! What’s your fave?? I think mine is the Stocking Stuffers layout. Happy Holidays. xo, Chris

Chris Bick's Picks: The Best of Ulster County, Vol 1

Sweet Sue’s: 49 Main St, Phoenicia, NY 12464. Their hours might be early for those who like to sleep in on the weekends (Breakfast/Brunch only: Fri - Mon, 8am-1pm) but the food SERIOUSLY is well worth the early alarm call, trust me. Pancakes as big as your head crafted with Sue's secret recipe… 'Nuff said!

Hot Spot Yoga: 218 Plaza Rd, Kingston, NY 12401. Tucked in the elbow of the Kingston Plaza, this haven of heat (A Bikram Yoga series in a steamy 105° room) has been my ultimate savior for the past few years. Don’t miss their Black Light Class on Black Friday.

Uptown Coffee: 288 Wall St, Kingston, NY 12401. Truly the best chocolate chip cookies in the universe. I'm Cookie Monster so I know. Soft, warm and chocked full of melted chocolate chips. I could just go on and on... Oh, and I'm totally addicted to their coffee and relaxed vibe too!

Sacred Traditions Healing: 530 High Meadow Dr, Kerhonkson, NY 12446. Owners Tammi Price and Steeven Lall Price have created a gorgeous haven of healing and tranquility. Steeven’s “bone setter” massages are incredible and NOT for the faint of heart. Mind, body and spirit healing.

Tender Land Home: 64 Main St, Phoenicia, NY 12464. Store owner Dave Pillard is one of the sweetest, kindest and hottest guys you’ll ever meet. He’s stocked his store with great gifts, accessories and home decor items for every occasion. And if you want to know anything about the Catskills, just ask Dave… He knows!

Bluestone Basecamp: 4170 US-9W, Saugerties, NY 12477. Mark Dunbrack and Ryan Jennings have created this chic yet casual Bed and Breakfast in a beautifully restored brick manor. Downtown NYC LGBTQ performer Justin Vivian Bond is a besties of the guys and and frequent guest star at the basecamp.

Half Moon Books: 35 N Front St, Kingston, NY 12401. Need a book outlining the feminist philosophy of Buffy the Vampire Slayer? Just ask store owner Jessica DuPont… I’m sure it’s on her shelves! And who the heck does those amazing window displays?!?

Antique Barn at Water Street Market: 10 Main St # 501, New Paltz, NY 12561. Where else can you get lost in the various vintage worlds of the past and wind up with a box full of classic mid-century Christmas ornaments, a light up globe lamp and a mushroom yard sculpture... All before 11am?

Woodstock Playhouse: 103 Mill Hill Rd, Woodstock, NY 12498
I think it’s amazing that we can live this far out in the country and still have such talented performers entertain us with incredible Broadway standards. When I saw Spring Awakening there, it changed my life... Forever!

Old Dutch Church: 272 Wall St, Kingston, NY 12401. I love this place. The history, the architecture, the steeple, the catacombs, the gravestones… They’re all symbolic of the rich history we have here in Ulster County. I also love the spooky stories they tell in the graveyard at Halloween time. A total treasure.

ABOUT ME: Hi, I’m Chris Bick, the owner of Pioneer Agency in Kingston, NY. Hope you enjoyed my list. I do marketing, social media, web development, retail window display installations and architectural drafting. I know, it’s a wide array of services but I love the variety. I owned a successful online store in NYC for over 15 years but wanted something more… A quieter life surrounded by nature and authenticity. Hence Ulster County. Now I live in Mt Tremper with my 2 cats Charlie and Vern and I thoroughly enjoy using my marketing experience to help small Hudson Valley businesses fulfill their dreams. You can catch me this fall playing the Subway Ghost at The Center for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck's adaptation of Ghost The Musical.

Lots of fun new clients and websites that I'm working on. I thought I would give a shout out to them all to show my gratitude for the opportunities. I hope you'll visit their sites and book or buy their services. Each one is extraordinary at what they do! xo

Le Shag: the premiere hair salon of the Hudson Valley, leshag.com. Site is live but currently under construction.

Cabane Studios: fine photography for our ever changing world, cabanestudios.com. Site hasn't been launched yet. Stay tuned.

Arcane Cane: the exclusive walking cane for those needing support and protection, arcanecane.com. Site hasn't been launched yet. Stay tuned.

Graydon Yearick Architect: a boutique architectural design firm, graydonyearick.com. Site is live but currently under construction.