Meet Morgan Lopes of Polar Notion in West Midtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Morgan Lopes.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Today, I’m immersed in the world of technology but that began while working for a coffee company. A small, local roaster in Gwinnett, I began designing labels for coffee partnership program. After a few months, I was helping with their web presence and eventually their business operations.

As my experience and portfolio started to develop, I began teaming up with a friend to service freelance projects on the side. At the time, he was fresh out of college with a degree in advertising but was in no rush to join a big ad agency. Each satisfied client led to another, and another. Eventually, our client work began to dwarf the work we had for the coffee company. So, they became one of our first clients and Polar Notion was born.

Soon after, a shift occurred. My focus on software engineering began with a single phrase, “Hey, I’d like to show you something”. The phrase was uttered by, at the time, a mere acquaintance who was looking over my shoulder at the rudimentary websites I was building. Excited about the opportunity to improve my skills, I eagerly accepted his invitation to share his expertise. This led to months of late nights, early mornings, and impromptu meet-ups.

A single dollar never changed hands.

His leadership and guidance provoked me to, “Go and do likewise.”

This gesture of generosity and selflessness has shaped the way I hire, teach, and develop our team. From our first team member to the current apprentice, we seek to embody the same philosophy that changed my life so many years ago; learn then lead. As our team has grown of the years, we’ve not only taken on larger projects, but we have begun training up entry level designers and software engineers in the process.

Early on, we said yes to almost anything but today we specialize in Brand Experience Design and Custom Software Solutions with a team of passion craftsmen and women.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
In high school, I had survey to remove a large mass in my neck that was thought to be cancerous. That’s about as close as I’ve come to inherent challenge.

Nearly every other struggle was self-imposed. I’m a challenger by nature. From the sports I played in school to the career path I chose, I’ve always managed to find opportunities outside my comfort zone. This led to unique circumstances that often forced me to adapt quickly and work for my position.

With the stature more akin to a football player, I worked my way to captain of Cross Country Team. Working my way through college, I learned lead positions in three separate roles. As an inexperienced professional, I stretched my skills alongside a team of seasoned, middle-aged men. Leaving college with a background in education, I put in the time and effort to become a software engineer.

In retrospect, they feel less like challenges and more like steps on journey. There was no shortage of effort, but it was continually in pursuit of something I desired.

Please tell us about Polar Notion.
We are proud to exist as a human-centered business. Continually putting people over process and pushing the limits of transparency and generosity. While we’re a service-based business, we place a great deal of emphasis on ‘how we work’, not just what we do.

We work to create a thriving, enjoyable culture for our team members and our clients. In contrast to the typical chaos and grind of typical agencies, we work to set a different tone. Clear, consistent communication and open and transparent expectations.

Day to day, we help clients design better brand experiences and improve their operational efficiency. With a team of designers and developers, we balance the unique dichotomy of creating of humans while ‘talking’ to machines.

We are rolling out a service to help small to medium sized businesses make monthly investments in their brand. Rather than a large, transactional branding project, we have seen great success in making small, consistent investments each month. It is a more manageable cost for businesses and produces vastly greater results. The Family & Friends program is our tool for small business design solutions.

Do you look back particularly fondly on any memories from childhood?
I’m not sure that it was my ‘favorite’, but it was certainly one of the most impactful. As a teenager, I wrestled with doubt and insecurity about being different. Assertive, talkative, and unwaveringly curious, this created tension with families, teachers, and even friends.

On an afternoon drive, my dad and I were in the car together. It was the first time I heard him admit that he felt the tension too. Until then, it felt like we were all pretending like it was a phase, a season, or that it would pass. It was in that care ride that I felt a sense of empathy. He shared that while he and my mom realized this difference, it was part of what they loved about me. While it had always felt like something that needed to change, my dad called attention to the fact that my unique perspective or behaviors could be a strength.

My parents were always encouraging and supported me and my two brothers, but this first time I felt like I had permission to be truly be myself. I’ve reflected fondly on that moment for over a decade, often laughing at how different life could have been without his vulnerability.

Contact Info:

• Address: 660B 9th Street NW, Atlanta GA 30318
• Website: https://www.polarnotion.com
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/polarnotion/
• Other: https://dribbble.com/polarnotion

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