Unsinkable: Meet Plucky & Hammie, BrightHelm's New Mascots
I've always carried a piece of the Navy with me, even after I hung up my uniform.
It's not just the leadership lessons or the spirit of service or even the camaraderie, although those things shaped who I am. It's something smaller, easy to miss, but it makes all the difference.
It's the rooster and the pig.
A Sailor's Good Luck Charm
For centuries, sailors have tattooed a rooster on one foot and a pig on the other. Not because these animals are particularly nautical—in fact, quite the opposite. Neither roosters nor pigs can swim.
But that's exactly the point. Let me explain.
Ships have always carried livestock to provide food when far from shore. Goats meant milk, chickens meant eggs, and pigs were… well, tastier things. Goats tended to be kept fairly loose, but chickens and pigs were kept in wooden crates. When the vessel sank, those crates would float, carrying the animals to safety. So sailors believed that having these animals tattooed on their feet would protect them from drowning. No matter how rough the seas, no matter how dire the circumstances, they'd find a way to stay afloat.
They were unsinkable.
Why This Matters for Mission-Driven Organizations
When I left the Navy and became a Salesforce consultant, I didn't expect to see the same kind of resilience I'd witnessed in service. But I've found it everywhere – in the nonprofit fighting homelessness, in social workers striving to support their clients and their families, in the public servants trying every year to do just a little bit more with a lot less, in the university trying to modernize systems that haven't been updated in a decade, in the faith community figuring out how to serve their congregation in an increasingly digital – and sometimes frightening – world.
These organizations face rough seas too. Budget cuts. Capacity constraints. Technology that feels overwhelming. Stakeholders pulling in different directions. The feeling that you're in over your head.
But here's the secret I've learned across hundreds of implementations: the organizations that thrive aren't the ones with perfect conditions.
They're the ones who refuse to sink.
They're the ones who hold onto their mission like a piece of driftwood and keep floating, no matter what.
Meet Plucky & Hammie
So today, I'm thrilled to introduce you to BrightHelm's new mascots, inspired by that old naval tradition.
Plucky 🐓
Plucky is our rooster, and she doesn't mess around. She's sassy, determined, and direct—the kind of partner who won't let you settle for "we've always done it this way" when there's a better path forward. She's here to push you toward excellence, to ask the hard questions about your processes, and to give you the tough love you need when your Salesforce data model is a disaster.
Plucky's the one who says, "Rise and grind!" on Monday mornings and means it. She’s the voice in your head reminding you that you didn't come this far to only come this far. When your implementation hits a roadblock, Plucky's the one charting a new course and refusing to accept defeat.
Plucky's motto: "No excuses, just results."
You'll see her sharing technical tips with a side of sass, calling out common Salesforce mistakes (constructively, of course), and motivating you to tackle the projects you've been putting off.
Hammie 🐷
Hammie is our pig, and he's the eternal optimist. Happy-go-lucky, supportive, and always ready to celebrate the small wins, Hammie reminds us that progress matters more than perfection. He's here to keep spirits high when the work feels overwhelming and to point out how far you've already come.
Hammie's the one who says, "We've got this!" and actually makes you believe it. He's the cheerleader who celebrates when you finally clean up that duplicate contact list, who encourages you to start small when a project feels too big, and who reminds you that every journey—even a complex Salesforce transformation—begins with a single step.
Hammie's motto: "Progress over perfection."
You'll see him sharing beginner-friendly tips, celebrating our clients’ victories (big and small), and making complex Salesforce concepts feel approachable and achievable.
Together: Unsinkable
Here's the thing about Plucky and Hammie—they need each other. Plucky without Hammie would burn everyone out with relentless drive. Hammie without Plucky might never push past the comfort zone. But together? They're the perfect crew.
One pushes forward, the other keeps spirits up. One demands excellence, the other celebrates progress. Together, they embody what resilience really looks like: determination paired with optimism, grit tempered with grace.
Together, they're unsinkable.
And that's exactly what your organization needs when you're navigating Salesforce implementations, digital transformations, or any of the countless challenges that mission-driven work throws your way.
What This Means for You
Starting now, you'll see Plucky and Hammie around—on our social media, in our blog posts, maybe even at Salesforce conferences (we're thinking stickers, OBVIOUSLY). They'll be sharing tips, offering perspective, celebrating your wins, and occasionally delivering some tough love when it's needed.
But here's what won't change: the same expert Salesforce consulting you've come to expect from BrightHelm. The same experience and certifications. The same deep understanding of nonprofit, public sector, and higher ed challenges.
The same commitment to your mission.
Plucky and Hammie aren't here to replace expertise with personality—they're here to make that expertise more accessible, more engaging, and more fun. Because Salesforce implementations don't have to feel like drowning. With the right crew, you stay afloat.
The Design: Sailor Jerry Style
One more thing: if you know anything about traditional naval tattoos, you know the name Sailor Jerry. That iconic old-school American traditional tattoo style—bold lines, limited color palette, timeless imagery. That's the aesthetic we chose for Plucky and Hammie.
It's a visual nod to the tradition that inspired them, and it's also a statement: we're not following trends. We're building something classic, authentic, and built to last. Just like the organizations we serve.
Welcome Aboard
So that's the story. A rooster and a pig. An old sailor's superstition. A belief that no matter how rough the waters get, some things just won't sink.
Your mission is one of those things.
Welcome aboard, Plucky & Hammie. Let's chart a course together.
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Want to meet Plucky and Hammie in action? Follow BrightHelm on LinkedIn and Facebook to see them share Salesforce tips, nonprofit wins, and the occasional sassy reality check. And if you're navigating choppy Salesforce waters and need a crew that won't let you sink, let's talk.
Stay unsinkable,
Hayley
Founder, BrightHelm Partners
21x Salesforce Certified | Navy Veteran | Your Unsinkable Salesforce Partner
