I was talking to one of my clients the other day, discussing the importance of emotion when it comes to any buying decision, and we got to talking about our most recent car ownership experiences: He had had a horrible experience, ironically, with a start-up claiming to be fixing the customer experience for buying and selling automobiles. “Even their emails felt generic,” he remarked. “I got the sense that they didn’t even know my name.”
Oh geez, I almost felt bad telling him my story since I had had a series of “wow” moments both during and after my car’s…
The Joke: A Daneson Fan Fiction “Pick”
Thompson let out a purposeful sigh when they pulled into town, dust kicking up as Nestor jerked the Bronco to a stop in front of what could only be called a watering hole. The dilapidated building looked like something out of Western, crooked sign (“Big Juan’s” in faded paint), dark windows and all. Shabby bleak.
“You sure this is it? Don’t look like much,” grumbled Thompson.
“Do you see another Big Juan’s anywhere? This is it. Besides, we’re not here for a drink,” replied Nestor.
It was around dusk, and…
Before streaming reigned supreme, a little outfit called MTV revolutionized what it meant to “listen” to music. And thanks to YouTube, music videos will always be around in some form or another, archived away just waiting to be (re)discovered.
To that extent, there’s something about the early years of any medium that remains propulsive and original. Yes, there were music videos and even movies, plus “live” performances designed for TV audiences, but the format of a single video — made especially for a song — felt new and a little untamed.
What follows aren’t necessarily the best music videos ever…
This year has been one with a lot of choices. Choose to wear a mask or be a dick. Choose to leave big cities or stay and complain about it. Choose to support local businesses or shutter in.
In terms of work/life, I chose to slim down my hours and focus on being a Dad and house husband, at least half of the week. My wife Jane (we tied the knot online back in September!) works full-time (translation: 6–8 zooms a day) at Patreon and I’m a semi-retired marketing consultant for hire, so it made sense for me to spend…
People are always asking me about my favorite cannabis brands, so here’s a quick list on some products I think are doing it right. As context, I was once hired to create the perfect dispensary right here in San Francisco. My creative director and I worked tirelessly to design the brand and story, partner with architects and artists to concept visuals and layouts, and offer opinions on what merchandise we’d like to see carried on the shelves.
Regrettably, the company that we worked for imploded due to a lack of leadership and middling management, but if you ever see a…
Closing in on 50 but not quite, I wanted to ruminate on my last few hours before turning one year older. Nothing and everything happened, find out more below!
7–7:45am. Got up and jogged. Through most of my forties, I’ve managed to generally avoid exercise, but it definitely is catching up to me, blood pressure, cholesterol, and all. This was my attempt to start my new resolve early. Will these new trainers help do the trick?
7:45-8:30am. Read the news on my Android, even though my laptop was next to me. Saw that there was an earthquake in Nevada, and…
It’s Friday and normally I’d be fantasizing about dining out, having drinks with close pals, and otherwise being the opposite of socially distant. This is a heads-up to the following San Francisco establishments so that they will be ready for me to spend large chunks of time and turnips within their doors, once the world resets itself:
>>> Foreign Cinema<<< I am not sure if I’ll first come in for a 2.5 hour boozy brunch, or a sweeping dinner against the backdrop of a classic screening… perhaps I’ll call it an entire day and hang out at the FC bar…
Crazy days we live in, but sometimes that triggers some semi-deep thoughts. For instance, the other day, I was texting with a pal (who happens to be a venture guy at a firm that rhymes with Hey, Sock), and we were sharing a laugh over The Uncomfortable, a collection of “deliberately inconvenient” from the mind of the architect Katerina Kamprani.
Being the predictable fellows that we are, the conversation shifted to why most start-ups fall far from their original ambitions. When design and features overtake function and purpose. Were there actions one could take to keep a fledgling company on…
About a year ago, I went through the aging hipster phase known as Buying A Record Player, in my case a relatively sleek one from Pro-Ject Audio. Yes, I am one of those people who fights for analog (thanks, David Sax!) on a daily basis. Music can and should be art, not just entertainment. Slow down, you move too fast, you’ve got to make the morning last.
I’m also a dad to a 12-year old boy who thinks a great deal about Star Wars, PlayStation and Lego, but is also starting to become aware of Springsteen, The Beatles and Led…
Show Me The Love (or why b-r-a-n-d-i-n-g matters above all else)
As a consultant and advisor to start-ups and big brands, the very first thing I ask founders and key decision-makers is WHY? As in:
Why did you start this? Why now? Why should they — customers, fans, the media, employees, investors, the competition — care?
7 times out of 10, I know they are driving into darkness by their inability to answer WHY with conviction, differentiation, and brevity.
Think about yourself as a great customer. Granted, most people are complacent and just follow along, but I’m hoping you are…
NishRocks
Dad in a world gone mad.
