When I started Chapters Creative almost three(!) years ago, I did it out of necessity.
I had lost my job and didn’t trust anyone to hire me. So I hired myself.
I was unfamiliar with brand strategy, but I fell in love with it and took to it very quickly. It was intuitive for me. I loved being able to find the motivation for brands to live out their missions internally and for their customers.
It was easy for me to do that for others, but for myself, not so much!
I’ve spent the last three years having too many ideas of how to differentiate myself, but it was difficult. I ended up becoming unfocused. And when I went through my exercises I put my clients through, I was confronted with big feelings I was scared of because differentiating myself from others meant I had to be honest with myself and others.
I felt like an imposter.
I felt fear.
I felt shame.
I felt guilt.
It turns out the actual work when you’re trying to build your own business is yourself.
Earlier this year, I came to a crossroads. I could give Chapters Creative the best shot I knew I could or burn it to the ground. I've finally faced those feelings thanks to therapy and some great friends and colleagues.
For a long time, I felt like I was on an island. I didn’t grow up wanting a business. I grew up wanting to be in punk bands. Through punk and DIY touring, I learned that the people I got along with most were the ones who wanted to chase their passions, even if that meant forsaking the typical life for themselves.
Doing brand strategy, I’ve run into those people a lot. I’ve worked with someone who worked at Google and left to do a jewelry business.
I’ve worked with someone who was an academic overachiever and left their finance career to become a nervous system coach.
I’ve worked with an Army veteran who decided to roast his own brand of coffee beans.
All of these people, including many more I worked with, did something that wasn’t expected of them. They gave the middle finger to the typical and wrote their own story and followed their unique narrative.
To me, this is radical. These are my people.
This is what Chapters Creative has always been about, but I didn’t have the courage or words to articulate it. But it’s here, and I’m fucking pumped for it.
I love taking what I know about marketing and storytelling and weaving people’s pasts, passions, and expertise to create narratives and brand/content strategies their audiences are attracted to.
These people started businesses not because they grew up selling lemonade stands and wanted to go to BYU Business school. They’re doing it because they have passions and expertise that lead them no choice but to go against the grain. This was me. I know what it’s like understand that the worker/employee isn’t for you, but I know you have the skills to thrive. All it takes is some focus and strategy.
I want you to start your year right.
I’m giving away one-hour consultations and three-hour Narrative Workshops. There’s a quick application process, so go here.
If you want to cut in line, I’m offering the Narrative Workshops and three bonus weeks of coaching at a discounted $500 until December 19. Hit me up @ chapterscrtv@[gmail].com if this is you!
Thank you to those who have been alongside me and encouraged me through my journey. It took a while to figure it out, but we got there.
Now, let’s go kick 2025 in the teeth.