Here is St. Louis

A few months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Matt Seilback and his wife Kelli when they stopped at my stand in Soulard Market.  Matt was carrying a very nice and obviously expensive video camera. 

He hadn't heard about my business at the time but was intrigued and asked if he could shoot some footage and I said sure!  He set up and I continued conducting business barking at the passersby saying "This is the best store on the planet!  All St. Louis Originals!" or "Hey you know what goes GREAT with that Bloody Mary?  Red Hot Riplets!  You can spice up your drink by dipping a chip in it then eat it!  Your happy, your drink is happy, your tummy is happy, I'm happy, everybody wins!"  No one has fallen for that one yet but I'm optimistic. 

Matt is Co-Owner of Anastasis Films along with John Pa.  They are a St. Louis based video production company who's primary goal is to tell stories through his camera of the human experience.  And they do it with precision, heart, and soul! 

From Anastasis Films homepage: 

We tell stories through moving images. Let us tell your story.

Anastasis Films creates videos that tell human stories beautifully. Capturing the eye is essential, but we go further; we seek to move our viewers’ hearts and compellingly invite them to act. Our goal is to show the world who you are and what you can do in a way that is magnetic, winsome, and beautiful.

Matt explained to me that he was going around the city filming different landmarks and attractions to produce a video about St. Louis.  I  thought that was great idea but didn't imagine the finished product would be as moving as it is.  It is the best video about St. Louis I think I have ever seen, and there is no narration!  The quality is impeccable, the background music smart and engaging, the choices caught on film excellent!

Anastasis Films can do virtually anything and they do it with pride and integrity, from films such as the one you will see when you click the link below to real estate to biographies and documentaries.  I encourage you to contact them when you need a crisp, professional video produced.

Take a tour of the city we call home and marvel at it's life and beauty!

Now... Here is St. Louis

Error correction - I misunderstood the email I write about in the story that follows.  I am NOT telling their story.  I was invited to listen to their story be told.  So as you read remember I composed this under the impression that they asked me to tell the story of Millie's. :)

Last night I received an interesting email, one that I never expected.  Craig Brown and his wife Toni are the owners of St. Louis' own Millie's BBQ Sauce.  Craig and I talked many months ago about selling his Sweet & Tangy and Sweet & Spicy sauces at It's a St. Louis Thing but for some reason it never materialized.  My best guess is I dropped the ball being the scatter brain I am.

You see, Craig and Toni were once homeless after being displaced from their jobs. They struggled, clawed their way from desperation, and are now successful business owners.  The Browns are a true inspiration for anyone who lives thru the motto "can't".

We never talked on the phone and only exchanged a few emails last Winter.  Last night's email caught me off guard and actually helped me realize the kind of impact a business like mine can have for a city so loved by those of us who are lucky enough to call St. Louis, a dramatically underrated city, home.

My dream when I started It's a St. Louis Thing was to make money.  Plain and simple!  Along the way I developed a deeper, more St. Louis socially driven purpose and that purpose is to spread the word not only of the great many products and creations made right here, but to get St. Louisans to actually learn something about the people and inspirations behind those creations.  In my mind nothing brings a community, people, together better than knowledge of themselves. I didn't know where to start. I had no idea!  Craig's email showed me the way!

Remember, I never met them in person, so I was very surprised when Craig asked me, a struggling Realtor just 15 months ago spending more money advertising my services than I was bringing in, to tell their story in front of an audience at the Missouri History Museum wrapping up the series "Stories of Resilience and Hope in St. Louis".  Wow!  What an honor!  Of course I accepted and look forward to spending time with Craig and Toni in the days leading up to the event to learn about their lives and how they persevered when things surely looked bleak.

Please join us for this free event on December 6th at 7:00pm in the AT&T Foundation Multipurpose Room at the Missouri History Museum located at the intersection of Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park. Stories Of Resilience: The Story of Millie's BBQ Sauce.  Free tastings of Millie's BBQ Sauces available.  How can you say no to that!

OK, I'm going to try this once again!  I haven't been very good at keeping up with Blogging in the past but maybe it's true what they say...third time's a charm!  Whoever "they" are!  WELCOME to It's a St. Louis Thing.  From time to time I will write about St. Louis Original items such as food, art, books, crafts, Blues, Cardinals, Rams, and whatever else floats my boat regarding this amazing and highly underrated city that I love!  I hope you follow me, share my posts that you enjoy, and spread the word about the amazing creations from our friends and neighbors (assuming your neighbors are your friends).  I welcome any and all comments.  Thanks for allowing St. Louis into your life.