As a brand consultant, I don’t just consult on companies, products and services. I also consult with people who want help with personal branding, often with the goal of becoming a thought leader within their chosen field or on a…
Eight years ago, the South Carolina Bar Association was feeling bruised and battered. Nikki Haley had just been elected South Carolina’s first female governor. Her winning campaign included bashing trial lawyers, which didn’t sit well with the Bar’s membership. A…
I hate to admit it, but I’m an email junky. When I hear that ping, something goes off in my brain that compels me to see who’s sent me what… Oh look, a discount from Williams Sonoma and (gasp!) free…
A former colleague has extended an invitation to speak to her public relations students at the University of South Carolina this spring. I’m flattered, but a little apprehensive. Public relations is not dead, but it’s much different than it used…
I ran across a great article by in INC on the importance of getting a company name just right. In it, author Adam Fridman puts forth a very strong premise: Your company name plays a monumental role in a brand’s growth…
Ben Pidgeon knows a good pitch deck when he sees it. He should. As the executive director of VisionTech Angels, one of the Midwest’s most active angel investing groups, Ben is responsible for screening up to 400 startup companies a…
If you’ve ever sat through a pitch deck heavy on bullet points and short on impact, you know what a snooze fest it can be. Whether you’re pitching for funding or presenting to a potential client, don’t waste the opportunity.…
Never underestimate the power of social media to put two-and-two together. Whether you employ content marketing strategy or kismet, it works. Those who know me know how much I love art. Paintings. Bronzes. Crazy yard art. I like to say…
It started innocently enough. I was 12 and needed a pair of cowboy boots for horseback riding. My mother took me to a farm supply store and bought me a pair of Wrangler boots for $27. Instantly I was transformed…
I almost choked on my coffee – black, no soy, no syrup, no nothing – when I read the U.S. fantasy football market has 59 million players who spend $7 billion annually to play. Holy smokes! What’s motivating this? I…