Baltimost is a Baltimore Fishbowl feature series that asks locals what they love about their city. The idea is to celebrate Baltimore and the people who make it so unique.
So what makes Baltimore the Baltimost to you? It could be a favorite place, a great meal, a memorable interaction or something else entirely. Email suggestions to Karen at Knitkin@baltimorefishbowl.com.
Jessica Watson, 35, is the founder of marketing firm Points North Design Studio and the Have a Nice Day Project.
In her words: “I started the Have a Nice Day Project in 2015. It’s a happy hour, once a quarter in a local establishment in Baltimore. You’re essentially coloring at the bar, but really you’re writing positive messages to fellow neighbors in Baltimore who you’ll never meet.
I got the idea at Koba Café in Federal Hill. The coffee cup sleeves had ads on them. The ads had nothing to do with Baltimore–a sales rep had just dropped them off. I realized that if I give a coffee shop free sleeves they will use them.
I hosted the first event at Koba Café. It was a brunch. I brought coffee cup sleeves and Sharpies. For the first one, I gave out suggestions for what people could write on the coffee cup sleeves, but I don’t do that anymore. People come prepared. They have taken full ownership and I love it. We usually get around 70 people. We give the decorated sleeves to Koba, the host, and other local cafes.
The next one is July 23, 6 to 8 p.m., at the HandleBar Café.
I’m originally from D.C., but I’ve spent my entire adult life in Baltimore. I got my communications degree at McDaniel College and worked in corporate America before starting my own business nine years ago.
At the time it was such a big decision to go out on my own, but looking back it seems like a natural choice. We have a core team of seven people, plus freelancers.
We do branding, website design and development, and online marketing. We love working with very passionate businesses and organizations.
One thing I love about Baltimore is people-watching in Fells Point. It still has this Old World charm, with its cobblestone streets and taverns that Edgar Allan Poe could have stumbled out of.
First, go to Pitango Gelato. I get a cone with a scoop of crema and a scoop of espresso. It’s like a nice creamy cup of coffee. Then park yourself on a bench on Broadway Square or overlooking the water. When people come to visit me in Baltimore, this is what we do.”
