The Power of Showing Up for One Another

The Birth of Falcon Design Studios

It's not that every interaction needs to be heavy or or philosophical, but the ability to have those moments in crucial.

Sometimes, life throws challenges your way that force you to stop and reflect—not just on your circumstances but on the people who surround you. Over the last year, I’ve been through some of the toughest times in my life: losing a job I loved, grieving the loss of loved ones, and navigating the emotional and financial weight of it all. But through these challenges, two things have stood out to me: the power of creativity and the importance of showing up—for yourself and for others.

I was talking to a friend yesterday, and we were discussing how rare it is—especially for guys—to have friends who can engage in deeper conversations, let alone initiate one. We've both experienced loss: grandparents, friends, and more. Through all of that, I struggle to understand how some people can completely ignore an issue. I get that it might make them uncomfortable, but sometimes, a simple "I'm sorry" or "How are you?" is all someone needs. Yet, those words can be surprisingly hard for some friends to say.

Falcon Design Studios was born during this difficult chapter. It started as an idea, a way to channel my energy into something creative and meaningful. Over time, it grew into a mission: to help businesses, nonprofits, and communities share their stories in ways that resonate. But the more I’ve worked on this business, the more I’ve realized it’s about more than just design. It’s about relationships. It’s about showing up, building trust, and creating connections that matter.

The Power of Showing Up

That philosophy isn’t just something I bring to to Falcon Design Studios—it’s how I live my life. My wife and I have always felt like we’re cut from a different cloth. A perfect example is how we respond when someone we care about experiences loss.

It must be the Italian culture in me, but in my office, I keep a small wooden box. Inside that box are prayer cards from every single wake or funeral my wife and I have attended. I’ll tell you this: there are a lot of cards in there, representing a lot of loved ones—many of them belonging to friends. We’ve always made it a point to show up, unasked, for the people in our lives.

Yet when my grandfather passed in 2016, none of my best friends showed up. The same thing happened in 2021 when my grandmother passed, and earlier this year when my wife’s grandmother passed away. It’s not to say that people need to drop everything and rush to a funeral home. But after years of showing up for others, it stings to realize that when it would’ve meant the world to have even one or two of those people show up for us, they were nowhere to be found.

Surface-Level vs. Deep Friendships

This is why I’ve been thinking so much lately about what it means to truly connect. Surface-level friendships are fine for what they are—lighthearted distractions or quick check-ins. But the friendships that really matter are the ones that go deeper. They’re the friendships where someone not only asks, “How are you?” but sticks around to listen to the answer. Those are the connections that heal.

Carrying the Legacy of “Motor”

I’m realizing now that maybe this tendency to “run around” for others, to show up, and to keep moving forward, is in my DNA. Recently, I learned something about my great-grandfather Anthony Pellegrini—someone I already knew I strongly resembled. I always thought his nickname, “Motor,” came from a love of working on engines. But I recently found out that it had nothing to do with mechanics and everything to do with his energy. He was always running around, like a motor, always in motion. His nieces and nephews even called him “Uncle Motor.”

Learning this made me smile. If I’d lived in that generation—where every male relative seemed to have a nickname like Motor, Bubbles, Pee Wee, Spuzzy, Spetcha, Jiggs, and Puppy—maybe I would’ve been “Motor,” too. Or, who knows, maybe “Uncle Mo.” There’s something reassuring about seeing yourself reflected in the people who came before you.

I think about my great-grandfather’s nickname often now as I dive deeper into building Falcon Design Studios. FDS isn’t just a business to me—it’s a way to honor the values my wife and I hold dear. It’s a way to set an example for what a small business can and should be: showing up for others, building meaningful relationships, and creating something special.

For the first time in my life, I feel truly excited about what I’m doing. Am I making enough money? Not yet. But that’s not the point right now. The point is that for the first time, I feel like I’m building something that matters.

Connections, Creativity, and Finding Strength

Falcon Design Studios isn’t just about design. It’s about connection. It’s about carrying forward the legacy of those who came before me and setting an example for what it means to be there for someone. If we can continue to grow this business into what I believe it can become, we’ll not only make a difference but have a lot of fun along the way.

This business isn’t just a livelihood—it’s a reflection of the values that I hold dear. Whether it’s showing up for a friend in need, lending a hand to a community project, or preserving memories in creative and meaningful ways, Falcon Design Studios is built on the idea that relationships matter. Every design, every project, and every collaboration is approached with the same dedication we would offer to the people we care about most.

At the heart of it all is a desire to leave a lasting impact. It’s about more than just producing logos, apparel, or websites—it’s about building trust and fostering relationships that stand the test of time. In a world that often feels rushed and impersonal, Falcon Design Studios serves as a reminder that showing up, being kind, and putting in the effort to connect can transform not just a business but the lives of the people it touches.

Let's Work Together!

Whether you’re looking for a partner to help tell your story, or you just want to connect and chat about how creativity and connection can make a difference, I’d love to hear from you. Together, we can build something meaningful—and who knows? Maybe we’ll even find a way to leave a legacy of our own.