Issue 40

Best Pies, New Interim Job, Sponsorship, Monk Mode, Photography & Stuff

Sep 16, 2024

Dear readers -

How has your summer been? Mine has been pretty good actually and I am starting to think about Fall and the transition into a new season. Which also means Thanksgiving, which is when the kids and I form a Pie Committee to stuff our faces. Exciting stuff.

We typically make 3 pies and like to mix it up. What are your faves?

Welcome to issue 40.

Month 1 at Niche

I’m now into month 2 as Interim CMO at Niche, and it’s been an incredibly rewarding experience.

As I reflect on life beyond Niche and consider what’s truly important to me as both a human and a professional, a few key themes come to mind:

Leadership.

Leading people is an honor. It’s a privilege to contribute to their growth and development. Most of us are eager for growth and mentorship opportunities.
I want to expand my leadership beyond marketing—to influence company vision, culture, product strategy, GTM approach, and more.
Finding the right people and culture is critical. I seek authenticity, openness, and leaders who recognize and manage their own egos.

Marketing.

Great marketing is simply great storytelling, and I want to tell more stories.
Marketing shines when all its aspects—brand, content, demand gen, product marketing—are aligned toward a shared vision. The trend of pivoting to demand-gen-only teams or placing marketing under sales feels fundamentally flawed (IMHO). I want to tell stories that capture the full scope of marketing.
Too many marketing teams are just biz dev. Customers see through that. Brand building and storytelling are essential.

Fulfillment.

I’ve always said that marketing should be fun. Somewhere along the way, I lost sight of that—thanks to Covid, unrealistic growth targets, layoffs, and budget cuts. But this experience at Niche has reignited my energy and enthusiasm. I’m back.

Whatever comes next, I’m excited to lead, create innovative marketing, and, most importantly, enjoy the ride. After all, marketing should be fun.

Anything you'd add?

Adding a pensive photo of myself for added effect.

I went to a new stylist. She manhandled my head using clippers on the sides and never actually used scissors or touched the top. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Sponsor this Newsletter

We’re looking for a title sponsor for this newsletter, Inc! And when I say “we’re” I mean me.

Nascar racing sponsor hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

Here is what you get in return:

A monthly newsletter with your logo, messaging and link
Seen by HUNDREDS of people
A monthly Zoom call with me
Perfect for a company or individual
Make an offer!

Sponsorship engaged.

Monk Mode

Monk Mode isn’t just a trendy reset; it’s about cutting distractions and focusing on becoming your best self. My confidence has returned, so I am ready to take on the world and want to honor myself by creating the ideal environment for success.

For me, that starts with eliminating (most of) social media. No more meaningless scrolling through other people’s lives I barely know —it’s time to focus on mine. Although I do have a burner Instagram acct to send funny memes to exactly 2 people.

Next, I’m dialing in on physical health: daily exercise, better nutrition, and sleep. At my age, I gotta keep moving. More reading/listening replaces mindless content with books that challenge me to grow.

Therapy? Essential. It’s where I tip toe closer to dealing with ‘stuff’. Mentorship adds the accountability and an uncomfortable (in a good way) environment to inspire a growth mindset.

Creativity. Dusted off the old camera. Getting out the paint. And I’ve also been using a notebook more to collect ideas or simply write.

Monk Mode engaged.

Speaking of Photography

My Fujifilm X-Pro 2 camera has sat dormant for a few years now. Up in a closet, gathering dust, it’s muffled voice too weak to hear. But not anymore! I have put the camera and (7) different lenses on a shelf in my office for easy access. It is my intention to begin shooting again. So much so, that I am announcing it now for maximum accountability. Accountability engaged.

Expect updates in future issues. But for now, please enjoy some of my favorite photos from yesteryear.

From L-R, T-B: Tokyo Vending Machine, Las Vegas Neon Museum Sign, Los Angeles Sunrise, Mumbai Woman, Sydney House Facade, Venezia House Facade

More of my photography

Consumption

All the things going into this brain of mine.

Playing | Reading | Watching | Links

Bye Bye Barry (Amazon Prime). I grew up watching the greatest running back of all time until he suddenly retired. I love this documentary because it sneaks into more of his personality.

Untold: Hope Solo v.s. U.S. Soccer (Netflix). I always thought there was more to her story than met the eye. I also loved this. It is remarkable what humans emerge from.

Me and Hope Solo at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 2011.

Untold: The Murder of Air McNair (Netflix). NFL stardom, an affair, a murder and more.

The Perfect Couple (Netflix) - Incredible cast, a beautiful setting, lots of twists and turns.

Ferrari (Hulu) - this should have been better, but I still watched every minute, yearning for a Ferrari and feeling decidedly underdressed the entire time. And craving Olive Garden.

Star Wars Outlaws (PS5) - it is finally here. The open-world Star Wars video game that we’ve wanted for years. I may have stayed up way past my bedtime a few times playing this.