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made Meraki Creative Agency into the business it is today.
“I just hit a wall with what I wanted to focus on with creating my dissertation, and then I started diving into color,” Echeverri stated. “I was trying to find different ways to create a bigger impact and a bigger impression than just the normal stuff.”
The agency’s glamorous balloon fixtures, ornate murals, party packages, tasteful large-scale installations, and unique artistic projects are all eye-catching and dazzling. It’s hard to think that it all began in an alleyway just two years ago.
“We kinda did a test run, an experiment and it was that alley downtown, right next to the Taphouse. We cleaned it up and painted it and hung the umbrellas on the alley,” Echeverri stated. “Everything’s super colorful, everything’s just a lot of a lot.”
The owners say the company's creative repertoire is vast. “Our communications [are] pretty visible, so it exposes us a lot in that way,” Echeverri said. “When you create something so unique, it’s going to stay on people’s minds. And, as a business, that’s marketing.” Clients can pick from the plethora of options listed on the agency’s website. However, in addition, Echeverri and Cobb say they are more than happy to work with a client’s vision. “We want to create joy. We want people to feel happy,” Echeverri said. “We love it now, whenever people reach out to us, they can say, ‘We want to do this. Just do your thing.’”
Assembly time varies from project to project, but ever since moving to their larger brick-andmortar location on Marlborough Road, the company can cut preparation time by assembling their creations prior. Clients have the option of curbside pickup, or the agency will prep the installation on the site of their event. The installations are stable. “We always have to tell them [clients], ‘You will have to pop them!’” Echeverri said.
Their artistry and engineering behind each and every project Meraki takes on is evident, but of course, none of them are complete without a hefty sprinkling of fun, and none of them possible without heart. “We pour ourselves into it. Thankfully, it shows, so it’s nice that people feel that and get to see that. That’s how that trust has been built with our clients,” Echeverri said.
Everything at Meraki Creative Agency means something, from their creations right down to the agency’s name. “A lot of people don’t realize this but the name ‘Meraki’ is Greek for doing everything from the heart, leaving a little bit of you in everything that you do,” Echeverri said. “And that’s what we do – we pour ourselves in everything we do.”
— Karoll Echeverri Meraki Creative Agency
PHOTOS BY MERAKI CREATIVE AGENCY The owners’ unique designs make events fun and memorable.
Echeverri and Cobb’s creations have been seen at multiple notable events, including the Dogwood Festival’s VIP tent, Campbell University’s summer orientation setup, Methodist University, the Systel building, Habitat for Humanity, Fayetteville Academy, and the Holly Day Fair, just to name a few of the their clients.Meraki Creative Agency brings something special to every event, making it unforgettable.
For Echeverri and Cobb,the party doesn’t stop, not even in the face of a global pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 brought unexpected challenges for every business. Being a party business in the age of social distancing may seem counterintuitive. Meraki Creative Agency took every precaution into consideration to ensure people could still have their special days safely.
“It was an interesting time,” Echeverri said. “Whenever they did virtual meetings, we would create something for the back corner, that way you still have your virtual meetings except it was a little more colorful, a little more vibrant.”
Meraki has worked with clients creating special decorations for driveby parties, showers, and other events. The agency found plenty of opportunities with supplying decorations for outdoor events and no-contact assembly. “The people were still wanting to celebrate,” Echeverri said. “People still wanted to do things for their people.”
Evoking joy and making memories are some of the goals of Meraki Creative Agency. “People will remember if you created something – like, they’ll remember that specific piece because it’s going to evoke something in them. So, it really is up to anybody who wants to create a nice memory and just wants to have something joyful,” Echeverri said.
Clients have options of choosing to have photo ops at their house for parties, bigger ones and smaller ones. The agency calls those ‘Instagrammable art installations,’ and it’s all to promote making memories. There is something particularly endearing about a company that’s not just selling a product, but a company that sets the stage for moments everyone will remember for their whole lives. “Creating memories, and joyful ones. Once you realize what it really is, it just brings something different to it,” Echeverri said. With the creative utilization of color coupled with the company’s positive philosophy, Meraki Creative Industries makes great strides in spicing up today’s business scene. “Everything is what you make of it,” said Echeverri. “Anything that we do, we try to do it abundantly, and that’s what brings the joy.”
Harnett County Government welcomes new HR director
JANICE LANE, a lifelong Harnett County resident will be heading up the county Human Resources Department following an announcement from Harnett County Director Brent Trout. With over 20 years of experience, Lane has served in all areas of Human Resource management in the private Lane sector including policy development, performance management, conflict resolution, training and development, recruiting, and benefits administration. Lane has also developed and implemented successful recruitment and retention programs, and supported employee engagement during organizational changes.
“I am excited that Janice has joined our Harnett County leadership team,” stated Trout in a press release. “Janice’s professional experience in the private sector in Human Resources policy development, performance management, recruitment and benefits administration, along with her personable leadership and communications is a great fit for our organization. I look forward to seeing the impact she makes for our employees.”
A Summa Cum Laude graduate of Mount Olive, Lane holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management and Organizational Development along with a minor in Human Resources. She is also a certified Professional in Human Resources by both the HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management. “I am excited for the opportunity to lead the Human Resources Department and invest in our employees so that we can continue to help Harnett County thrive,” Lane said in a press release.
Lane will be focusing on strategies to recruit and retain qualified candidates for County government positions, leading efforts on the County’s upcoming compensation study, enhancing employee training and development, and managing the annual employee performance review process.
Fayetteville insurance agent continues to achieve success
What are you and your peers achieving? Have you reached a new goal? Have you acquired another business? Maybe your business has a new hire you would like to highlight. Greater Fayetteville Business Journal wants to hear from you and your business to shine a spotlight on your accomplishments.
To nominate someone for GFBJ’s Achievers section, email editor@bizfayetteville.com with the subject line “Achiever.”
sales agent with Olde Fayetteville since 2012, continues to bring his agency pride. Clemmons is recognized by life insurance
Clemmons sales organization the Million Dollar Round Table as one of the top 5% of professionals in the world.
He has also won the 2021 Silver Agent award for the second highest sales in life insurance for the American National Insurance Company, and the Chieftains Award as one of the top two qualifiers for the organization's conference.
City of Fayetteville welcomes first woman director of FAST
TYFFANY NEAL has been named as the new Fayetteville Area System of Transit Director by the City of Fayetteville. Starting in August, Neal will become the first ever woman to direct the system following the retirement of current director, Randy Hume, who is retiring this September.
Along with taking over management of FAST’s $13 million annual budget, Neal will also oversee the Transit Development Plan which will work to make FAST a system of choice, and begin transitioning to electric buses by 2024, both projects she began working on during her time as assistant director.
The FAST system continues to serve community transportation needs by providing more than 1.6 passenger trips per year through regular bus routes, FASTTRAC! ADA services and is an essential part of the City’s emergency responses.
In the past few years, FAST has received more than $20 million in federal and state grants, CARES Act and American Rescue Plan funds to expand services to more residents. Neal will be taking over at a time for more growth potential for the system. “Fayetteville is experiencing exciting levels of development and growth and I realize this is a great opportunity for FAST to transition from a need-based transit system to a CHOICE mode of transportation for every resident within our community,” Neal said in a press release. “I am excited for the opportunity to continue working towards ensuring the value of FAST permeates throughout our community.” Neal has served in positions in transit systems in Charleston, South Carolina, Greensboro, Chapel Hill and Washington, D.C. and has been serving in Fayetteville since 2017. “During her career with the City, Tyffany has proven to be a smart, attentive and passionate leader who will have the ability to continue our success in Transit,” City Manager Doug Hewett said in a press release. “She brings innovative solutions daily and has earned the respect of her Neal peers. I am excited for the future of FAST under her capable leadership as we transition to electric buses and cashless payment options that better serve our riders.” Neal is a graduate of Strayer University, where she earned her Masters of Public Administration Degree and also has a bachelor of arts degree from South Carolina University. Neal is also a member of the North Carolina Public Transit Association (NCPTA) Board of Directors and the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials.
News & World Report as a Best Regional Hospital
U.S. News & World Report has declared Cape Fear Valley Medical Center a Best Regional Hospital for 2022-23, a recent press release from CFVMC said.
“We are pleased to receive this recognition from U.S. News & World Report. Providing exceptional healthcare for all our patients has always been our top priority,” said Mike Nagowski, CEO of Cape Fear Valley Health. “Our team of caregivers is committed to the highest standards for quality and safety, and this recognition is a result of that commitment.”
The Best Hospital rankings have been ongoing for 33 years and “are designed to assist patients and their doctors in making informed decisions about where to receive care for challenging health conditions or for common elective procedures,” the press release said.
Additionally, the hospital was deemed as “High Performing” for several conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, colon cancer surgery, diabetes, heart attack, heart failure, kidney failure, and stroke.
Moreover, the rankings Health Equity measure indicated that Cape Fear Valley Medical Center has more representation of low-income patients compared to other counties. Health equity was measured by data on “various dimensions of equity for historically underserved patients,” the release said.
Arts Council staff selected as review panelists for grant programs
Three staff members of the Arts Council of Fayetteville|Cumberland County will serve as reviewers for various prestigious grant programs in North Carolina, Kentucky, and throughout the United States.
Director of Operations ANTONIO RENTERIA, Executive VP KENNON JACKSON, JR., and Director of Grants and Allocations MICHAEL HOUCK were
