Many of you faithful readers of the Daily Fix know first-hand that MarketingProfs has had a very fortunate year. After all, we launched this blog a mere 8 months ago and, thanks in no small part to all of you, have seen it embraced with a big group hug by marketers around the globe. But MarketingProfs is bigger than this blog. In fact, it’s way bigger....

The truth is that the company has had an unprecedented year of growth – both in newsletter subscribers (now hovering ‘round 214,000), Premium members (inching toward 8,000), more Forum members and a new Small Business Newsletter, and in new products (more templates, guides and virtual seminars than ever) and in new business development. This past year, for example, we launched our Corporate Services division, and are now licensing content to Microsoft, Adobe, and others.

Which is great. But that’s not really what this post is about. This post is really about the people who make it happen -– the staffers of MarketingProfs who toil often behind the scenes and without much glory. As the editor of MarketingProfs, I am often its voice (and sometimes its face). But that’s just because my job happens to be more outward-facing than most. The truth is, I work with some very talented and wonderful (and just plain fun people, and I value each and every one of their contributions to the business of Profs, certainly, but also on a personal level.

And so this Thanksgiving, I’d like to embrace a different community along with our blog community – the individuals who are MarketingProfs. Some of you might know some of these people….but for those of you who don’t, I hope you get to meet them at some point. They are truly an asset.

Earlier this week, I asked each of them a simple question, “So, guys, what are you thankful for this year?” The responses are below. What I loved about the answers, by the way, was the mixture of business and personal. Because as fun or successful or profitable or whatever as any business may be, it’s real value is in how it enriches in a larger context – how it contributes to both its customers and its employees.

What are you thankful for?

"My friends and family as well as the community of MarketingProfs—for the members, the Premium subscribers, the advertisers, and the employees." —Publisher Allen Weiss

"Our Premium Plus members and the fun I've had communicating with them every week. And I'm always thankful for my high-speed internet connection and the ability to work in my pajamas if necessary!" —Customer Service Mission Control Shelley Ryan

"My friends and family, my boyfriend Thomas, and that I'm lucky enough to work with some of my favorite people on the planet." —Managing Editor Val Frazee

"Web conference technology that allows us to bring our finest contributors to the desktops of our members all over the world, more than 40 times this past year." —Chief Revenue Officer Roy Young

"After 25+ years of living with HIV, I'm thankful to be alive." —Ad Sales Manager Jim Kelly

"I'm thankful that my beautiful children are healthy and well adjusted (for the most part); my parents are alive and kicking; my sister is happy and getting engaged; and I work alongside the love of my life." —Editor Vahe Habeshian

"I'm thankful for a lot of things... how do I list them in 2 sentences?! I'm thankful to be working here and I'm thankful for my children." —Chief Technology Officer Aaron Lorentz

“I am thankful for the ongoing overall development of MarketingProfs because it allows us to deliver the best product in the market to our readers and corporate clients! I’m also thankful for my dog Bentley, because he makes me laugh when no one else can. (That’s what basset hounds do best!)” -- Director of Business Development & Licensing Kathleen Butler

"I'm so thankful for my aging but healthy dogs, for a loving and supportive husband, who let me quit the corporate job from hell this year. I'm thankful to have a job where I can work from home with talented people. And for the awesome relationship I have with my stepson, he'll be off to college next year. And I am so thankful for all my amazing friends who constantly inspire me." —Traffic Manager Sharon Edwards

"I am thankful for the development of our Corporate Services Division!" —Account Manager (Corp. Services) Jacque Walsh

"Thankful that it's a lot easier to cook now, than for the first celebration! Thankful to have a curious 2-year-old. Thankful for my family and friends and to live in a time and world where what you do can make a difference in someone's life." —Customer Service Ninja Penny Fiederlein

"I'm thankful my daughter has 'found' herself and happy that our family and friends are reasonably healthy." —Production Editor Carrie Shearer

For my part, I'm grateful for so much—the steadfast love and support of my extended family and those closest to me; great friends and colleagues; the joy I get from my dogs (and from embarrassing my children just a little bit now and then); and for this job—both for its challenges and rewards, and because it allows me the privilege to be in touch with all of you, week in and week out.

Blessings to all. May all of you in the US have a restful Thanksgiving break.