By Keith Gibler
As I begin my 60th trip around the sun, I’ve been thinking a lot about the people who’ve shared this journey with me. That reflection really hit home after my most recent trip to Orlando for a UASG meeting. Somewhere between the handshakes, the laughter, and the long conversations over coffee, drinks, and a little axe throwing, I realized just how much the friendships and connections I’ve made over the years have shaped not only my career—but who I am.
There’s something about being surrounded by good people who share your passion that reminds you why you started in the first place. Sitting in that room in Orlando, I looked around and thought, these aren’t competitors—they’re colleagues, friends, partners in the same mission. I’ve never once felt that I had “competition” in my industry. Instead, I’ve always seen people working side by side, learning from one another, and helping each other grow. That spirit of cooperation and collaboration has been one of the greatest gifts of my professional life.
When Sir Graphic started back in 1988, it was built on that very same purpose—the idea that friendship and cooperation make for better business. From the beginning, the goal wasn’t just to create great work, but to build great relationships. Over the years, those relationships have been the heart of what keeps Sir Graphic moving forward. Every project, every partnership, and every client has been a part of a larger story about connection and trust.
The older I get, the more I see that the same truth applies to life in general. We aren’t meant to do it alone. The friendships we build, the family we cherish, and the communities we serve are what keep us grounded, inspired, and moving forward. Family, especially, has been the steady heartbeat behind everything I’ve done. Their support and love have carried me through the long days, the big dreams, and the moments of doubt.
A real friend—or a close family member—doesn’t just show up for the celebrations; they’re there when things get hard, too. Sometimes they’re a voice of reason, other times a quiet listener, and every once in a while, they’re the one who just makes you laugh when you need it most.
That’s the magic of connection. It doesn’t matter whether it’s personal or professional—when people come together with open hearts and genuine respect, great things happen. I’ve seen small businesses grow stronger because they chose to collaborate instead of compete. My wife’s RE/MAX brokerage, for example, often teams up with local artists to help sell their work and promote our city. Those kinds of local partnerships do more than help a business—they breathe life into the community, showcase local talent, and remind us all that we’re better together.
After sixty years of circling the sun, I’ve come to believe that success isn’t measured by trophies or titles—it’s measured by relationships and family. The people who’ve stood beside you, believed in you, and shared the journey with you. Those bonds are what make the work worth doing and the road worth traveling.
So as I step into this new chapter, I do it with deep gratitude—for my family, for every colleague who became a friend, for every partnership that turned into purpose, and for every shared moment that reminded me why we do what we do. That trip to Orlando wasn’t just another meeting—it was a reminder that life, business, and Sir Graphic, since 1988, have all been built on connection, family, and community.
Author Bio:
Written by Keith Gibler — proud member of the UASG since 2001 and Sir Graphic family, celebrating sixty years of friendship, cooperation, and community in life and business.
