I wrote and illustrated my first book at the age of seven based on a character from a McDonald’s television commercial.

It’s no wonder I found my way into advertising.

Fifteen years in the agency world have taught me a lot about how to sell an idea. I’ve spent most of my career developing brand identities for hospitals, state tourism departments and outdoor retailers. I’ve also partnered with start-ups to help them find their voice and establish a professional image.

But crafty language and flashy imagery only work for the admen of a bygone era. Today’s audience demands authentic expression. It’s my single source of truth - whether that’s laughing at my own mistakes in a travel essay or introducing the talents of an unknown artist in a profile piece.

My process starts with listening - to people, to the audience, to new ideas - and applying creative approaches to solving classic problems. Then, I allow intuition to guide me toward unearthing the one nugget of truth buried deep within every person and brand - the thing that sets you apart from all others.

This is where the fun begins.