Into the Time Machine: #TBT to Leaving WPPI in 2009

I am a part of all that I have met.

by Skip Cohen

It's 17 years ago today that I decided to resign as president of WPPI and Rangefinder Publishing and start my own business. It was 2009, we were in a recession, and just about everyone thought I was nuts. Well, in a way I was...I was tired of fighting with the owner of WPPI and didn't agree with how he treated the team. One of the things I learned along the way in my career, which more managers need to remember...your people are your most valuable resource, NOT what you do or sell.

Speaking of looking back, the two videos below are favorites of mine—though honestly, they're also the only two I could find this morning!

Each summer, some of the speakers helped promote Skip's Summer School. Still, a classic and one of my favorites was thanks to a good friend, Jerry Ghionis. The first video below was in promotion of the 2011 program, and nobody does it better than Jerry!

The second video was put together by another good buddy, Adam Sherwin and the team from Resource Magazine who that year was a sponsor of the event.

The speaker lineup for 2013

The challenge of doing a program like this each summer became incredibly labor-intensive. And with so many online programs getting started back then, along with other workshops, 2013 was the program's last year. We then expanded the SCU blog with a stronger online presence, guest posts, and podcasts.

Reflecting on those summers, I realize how fortunate I've been in this industry, with a journey that's never slowed down. Working alongside talented artists throughout these programs has fueled my growth; their patience, style, and individual contributions have shaped both our industry and my life in immeasurable ways.

My opening quote from Alfred Lord Tennyson above says it all. We're all connected, and everybody we meet becomes a thread in the fabric that makes us who we are!

Happy Throwback Thursday! 

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