We had the good fortune of connecting with Eben Greene and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi EBEN, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I started my business in the late 80’s, the world was beginning to use computers, today, everyone carries a phone that can do almost anything with AI-powered apps. So, after many years of brand marketing design, I repositioned as a strategic change agency in 2022 to help organizations grow forward by embracing innovation, building brand culture, and marketing smarter. Essentially, we create opportunities for business growth by “shifting things up” to stay in step with the time.

ShiftUp Agency makes it easier to navigate change by turning values into victories with clarity, trust, and action.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a logo design specialist, I have enjoyed “solving puzzles” for over 1000 brands (see client list https://www.shiftupagency.com/shiftup-client-list) and I also enjoy creating positive products for change (apparel and accessories) and colorful abstract value-based art.

You can see examples at www.shiftupshop.com

What sets me apart from many other graphic designers and artists is my focus on values and highly creative/practical themes that encourage people to be themselves more. My mission is to create more unity in the world with values-based communications.

I am very proud of the 56 valyou symbols that I created to help people better understand what they believe. 80% of people are visual or kinesthetic learners, so, it helps to have a symbol, work and colors to help people relate to values, which can sometimes be hard concepts to understand.

Uniting Humanity
Inspiring people to clear their fears and express their best is what our community events, workshops and products are all about. Liberating soul is the goal as we bring awareness to the process to: heal > grow > empower.

Are your beliefs asleep?
The ValYous™ were created to remind people to live true – to be their most authentic self.

You might want to share the cool random value cards and quotes that show up at this website: www.valyous.com

This is an expert from the book Be You More, Live Your ValYous. – a bit about how the values came to be.

“While in his early 20s, Eben Greene had the epiphany that there needed to be other recognizable symbols for common values beyond the peace sign. From that point forward, he has been curating a collection of 56 symbols to help connect people to their ValYous. Starting out as sketches on paper, these symbols have evolved into tangible representations of our beliefs. Over the years, the ValYous have inspired art experiences, workshops, summer camps, and community events. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the ValYous served as a foundation for a virtual happy hour, a Be You More Coaching frame-work, and a Return to Center Workshop to help bring people closer together. Now, not only are they integrated into every fiber of ShiftUp but are beginning to be adopted into our daily lives, influencing how we grow personally and connect with others.”

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When I head back to Yellow Springs from Seattle, I usually go around the 4th of July as lots of people head back in the Summer. It’s been a few years, so, I am excited to see the new comedy venue and restaurant that Dave Chappell recently opened on Corry Steet. YS is a small village, however, the various shops (like Mr. Fub’s Party) and restaurants (like The Winds Cafe) are fun to explore when walking downtown. You can’t miss an opportunity to go hiking in Glen Helen to see a few small waterfalls and the famous, refreshing Yellow Springs.

Are you making a trip to Seattle? Start with a 3 mile walk around Green Lake (the neighborhood where I live) and work your way south into the city, stopping in funky Fremont to explore eclectic shops and visit the Troll under Highway 99, the Seattle Center to see the Space Needle, Blown Glass, and MoPop Museum. From there, hop on the Monorail down to Pike Place Market, Seattle Aquarium, and the original Starbucks. So many good places to eat all around, however, Capitol Hill is a great place to explore. If you can, get to Golden Gardens or West Seattle Alki Beach to get some Puget Sound beach time or simply get on a WA State Ferry to one of the Islands for a day’s adventure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a starting point, I am grateful to Yellow Springs Ohio for shaping my inclusive values and worldview. To this day, I draw strength and inspiration from my many friends and extended community support.

I would also like to recognize Joey Viola, from Columbus. He and I worked together in Seattle as I was setting the foundation for the new business model. He took the lead in supporting a nationwide network of like-minded Change Champions during the pandemic. Our collaborations working with ShiftUp clients were very successful, especially, several video projects.

Working with many talented people over the years has been very rewarding. My past, current and future employees, contractors, and partners have all contributed uniquely. I am excited to highlight Jillian Ballas as she and I recently completed our first book together called Be You More – Live Your ValYous.

Website: https://www.shiftupagency.com

Instagram: [email protected]

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiftup/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ebentobiasgreene

Image Credits
Photo by Sophia Greene

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutOhio is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.