A mixed bag. On purpose.

Hello friend,

This is a mixed bag edition of Flair. Here's what's inside:

• A different take on the 2016 vs 2026 conversation
• LogoLounge Book 15 and a jury seat alongside legends
• How to Become a Brand Consultant
• New client work and an upcoming speaking gig
• Why Debbie Millman says personal branding is a trap
• Apple vs Adobe vs Affinity
• What I’m reading, listening to, and remodeling
• Brand Builders Alliance turns one!
• A Signature Offer Accelerator update

Let's get into it.

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2016 vs 2026

Everyone’s doing the “2016 vs 2026” thing and while most posts celebrate how far people have come. Mine's a little different. 2016 was the best year of my life. I was homeless*. Here's the story.

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LogoLounge Book 15

I just received the LogoLounge Book 15 in the mail (thanks Bill!). This year, I was privileged to serve as a jury member alongside legends like Paula Scher, Bill Kenney & more.

Two of my logos were also selected for the book:

• The Eye Center
• Circuit of the Americas

That makes it 13 consecutive years of inclusion in their book series, which I don't take lightly.

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My podcasting co-host & brand consulting powerhouse, Matt Davies, is running a live 4-week course on How to Become a Brand Consultant. It starts next week so don't wait. Get an exclusive discount, just reply and I'll send the code.

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More News

I'm currently working on the brand strategy and identity for an activewear startup here in Sydney. I just love working with ambitious founders! Looking forward to sharing this later in the year.

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Upcoming Speaking

I am going to be speaking at the upcoming ConversionFest summit for web designers. My talk will be focused on Building a Signature Offer That Makes Websites Convert. There will be a free workbook included. Links will be shared late Feb.

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Why “personal branding” is a trap

We recently sat down with Debbie Millman on the JUST Branding Podcast. One of the big ideas we unpack is why “personal branding” is a trap. You can listen via JUST Creative.

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Apple enters the chat.

I shared some commentary on Apple's new Creator Studio subscription, and yes, it feels like a clean swing at Adobe. Just after Affinity swung below the belt.

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What I'm into lately:

• Currently reading: Octavo by Marty Neumeier
• Currently listening: Electric Callboy (discovered via our community playlist) which my 7 year old also loves. Who would have known!?
• Currently playing: Call of Duty: Black Ops 7. (Just kidding. My PlayStation has not been turned on in over a year. Four kids will do that.)
• Currently remodelling: My office. New bookshelf. Less stuff. And turning our old laundry into a cardio room.

And the most exciting news...

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🎂 Brand Builders Alliance Turns One!

One year ago, Brand Builders Alliance was just an idea.

A belief that building a creative business should not be a solo sport.

Today, it looks like this...

• 100+ brand builders (close knit!)
• 29 countries
• 8 resident coaches

Building this has been a labour of love. A lot of listening. A lot of refining. A lot of quiet iteration.

But it's thriving! Members are staying. More are joining.

Inside BBA, we’re mastering branding and building creative businesses together. With support, structure, and people who actually get it.

"The absolute BEST decision I ever made." says Karen who launched her business last year and is now fully booked.

If you've been on the fence, Laura's comment below says it better than I ever could.

Want to join us? Reply with 'BBA' to this email.

Signature Offer Accelerator update

We’ve just wrapped session three of eight inside the Signature Offer Accelerator, running through to March 7.

We’re using a simple (not easy) framework to define a clear Signature Promise and this week we're turning that promise into a real, sellable offer.

We're locking down the offer format, transformation path and scope control, so there are no Franken offers or overbuilt messes.

The proof is in the work... there are over 300 comments so far from brand builders pressure testing their offers, giving feedback, and tightening scope in real time.

If you want access to the replays, the next five live sessions, and a room full of brand builders doing this work properly, you can join us here.

Thanks for reading!