Weird for a marketing guy to say, but I’ve never been comfortable promoting myself or my work. Because to me, the most interesting part of what I do has always been identifying and solving the core challenges of my client partners. It’s kind of like how your favorite movie is your favorite movie because of the story and not because of who the executive producer was. So I’ll rip off the band-aid and tell you as quickly as I can why I’m uniquely qualified to work on your business.

For starters, I have more than a decade of experience working at, for, and with, advertising agencies – from the impossibly huge conglomerates to the adorably tiny boutiques. (I was even a managing partner at an agency in San Francisco for a number of years). Then I quit agency life to start a business of my own. Designing all kinds of products, sourcing manufacturing overseas, expensive trade shows, private label manufacturing for department stores...the whole shebang. It became incredibly popular from the get-go, and stayed profitable for more than 20 years. (It still is, actually.) Through that business I wrote and illustrated a little book about parenting that became a perennial best seller, a globally recognized meme, and the first-born of a number of other publishing projects (There’s a new one launching October 2021). And while I was doing all of that, I began working directly with clients of all sizes, on projects ranging from event posters to multi-million dollar corporate rebrandings. I even served client side as a full-time CMO for two years.

This is a really simple exercise I sometimes share in presentations. Which place would you go for fresh eggs? How about skydiving lessons? This, in a shell, is why my portfolio is so full of vastly different visual and verbal communication. I’m always working toward the perfect solution to every individual challenge. — **This is a really simple exercise** I sometimes share in presentations. Which place would you go for fresh eggs? How about skydiving lessons? This, in a shell, is why my portfolio is so full of vastly different visual and verbal communication. I’m always working toward the perfect solution to every individual challenge.

Ok, I’m glad that part’s done. Because now I can get to my favorite part – how all of that history benefits you. I’ve got a lot of experience at being more than a creative. And the lessons of those broad experiences inform the solutions I bring to you. Look, a lot of people can generate fun, creative ideas. But it takes years of broader experience to be sure those ideas check all the boxes required for the best chance of success. Does the solution fit the budget? Does it make business sense? Is it embraceable by your employees? Is it sellable by your sales team? There are so many considerations, which is why I self-edit most solutions before they ever make it to a presentation.

While my process is the same for every project, it’s also wildly different for every project. That probably doesn’t make sense, but I can explain. Each project, client, business, and challenge is unique. I never, ever, ever, give anyone a #43. So here are the process tenants I apply to every project I work on:

Understand a client's business, professional aspirations, personality, and audience, as quickly and completely as possible

This is something I loved about working at/with/for ad agencies.You had to get smart about every business you worked on...FAST. From NFL teams to really complicated tech. It helps to be a quick study, but also a good listener who asks the right questions.

Boil down the challenge to a single, simple action item

You can’t find a solution until you succinctly identify the problem. While this is a lot of what I learned working in advertising, it took being a business owner myself to truly understand which questions identified the elements of a problem (or hidden solutions to it). Once we all agree on the actual challenge, only then can we work together to solve it.

Concept multiple disparate approaches to the specific challenge that can be executed within the project parameters

There are a thousand ways to skin a cat. And this is my favorite part of the process. You’ll get an array of vastly different, smart, creative, and affordable solutions to every challenge. And if you aren’t currently getting this treatment, you’re going to love this part as much as I do.

Execute quickly and efficiently

This is where the rubber hits the road. And it’s where my love of checklists reigns supreme. Good planning and being organized is the only way to avoid costly surprises so we can stay within your budget.

Capitalize gains. Adjust when necessary

Being a fellow business owner, I know (believe me) nothing is assured. You have to be flexible and always ready to capitalize on the best outcomes, but be completely prepared for the worst. That’s probably the most vital aspect of my being so uniquely qualified to help you. I see your business as my business.