Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 477,692 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,285 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 107,665 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,232 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 477,692 cutting edge ideas.

Jes McKay Gilmore, Creator of Species Spectrum (INTERVIEW)

Clean the Sky - Positive Eco Trends & Breakthroughs

Animal-Aware Greeting Card Company

— July 6, 2012 — Social Good
Jes McKay Gilmore is the creator of Species Spectrum, a social business that spreads awareness of animal rescue through products such as greeting cards, pendants and photography prints. Here, we dig deeper into how the company started and what keeps this social entrepreneur creating.

Four Questions with Jes McKay Gilmore

1. How did the idea for the business model come about?

I designed the logo in college and sat on it for a few years. Having worked with many animals, I wanted to create a business that showcased the faces of rescue and sanctuary animals in a creative, positive useful product. Knowing people sometimes feel too uncomfortable to visit an animal shelter, that there are many small non-profits and that animals of all kinds are in need, I started photographing them and sharing their stories with Species Spectrum Greeting Cards.

2. How did you decide to join this sector?

Previously, I'd worked and volunteered with an animal shelter. I had a general idea of creating greeting cards, but knew they had to be good. After a casual conversation with someone in the paper business, she made a few suggestions in regards to designing and branding. One snowy day I created the first greeting card of Enzo, an adopted Italian Greyhound and wrote the caption "The real mountain is within you." That card is still one of the best-selling designs!

3. How do you get your inspiration?

I've always been attracted to social entrepreneurship. Animals and designing are two of my top interests.

Having met and photographed every animal featured in Species Spectrum helps me see what I have created. I want people to have to think about animal rescue as well. I also want to acknowledge the people providing sanctuary to wild animals and others that cannot return to the wild. My inspiration is meeting the animals! Like Manny, the rescue iguana from San Francisco, and Louise, the miniature pot bellied pig who is no longer so miniature, or Holly, a shelter horse in New Mexico. I've spent two hours photographing one Llama.

When I was photographing re-homed parrots, a little Amazon parrot named Chester was watching me photograph another parrot and she said "What'cha doing?" It is a privilege to meet these animals. People often say '"I wish I could do something to help all the animals." That is what Species Spectrum is about.

I also love reading about social entrepreneurship and other people's projects and businesses.

4. How do you reset yourself to be creative? Do you have any rituals?

Step away from the computer, get outside, go for a hike with dogs or visit with a friend! Do yoga. Right now, I am helping to walk/train a young foster dog who is still awaiting her forever home. Sometimes I bake. Sometimes it is suggested I avoid coffee. Always, I make lists and read.
Trend Themes
1. Animal Rescue Awareness - Creating products that showcase the faces of rescue and sanctuary animals to spread awareness.
2. Social Entrepreneurship - Combining business and social impact to make a difference in the world.
3. Creative Greeting Cards - Designing unique and meaningful greeting cards that stand out in the market.
Industry Implications
1. Greeting Card Industry - Exploring new opportunities in the greeting card market by offering innovative designs and concepts.
2. Non-profit Sector - Finding innovative ways to support animal rescue organizations and raise awareness through social entrepreneurship.
3. Photography and Print Industry - Leveraging photography and print technologies to create visually appealing animal-themed products and prints.
1.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness