The first memory of Baron Germain was the castle on the other side of the Loire valley. Squat and aggressive, it dominated the view and his life. The source of conflict for the last three generations of his line: sortie after sortie, raid and reprisal after raid and reprisal. One day the Baron decided enough…
The story of Cinderella (and problematic positioning)
In the Grimm Brothers version of the Cinderella story, one of the wicked and vain stepsisters – let’s call her Charise – claimed that she was the rightful wearer of the glass slipper. Only problem? Her feet were too big. No problemo, says Wicked Stepmother. Out comes the kitchen knife, slicey slicey off goes Charise’s…
Money and meaning. Money OR meaning.
If you could choose big huge wobbly piles of money OR a life full of purpose and self-expression, which would you pick? Yes, I’m aware that you want both. I’m not saying you can’t have both. But when resources (time, cash, attention) are limited, you might have to choose: lots of one, only a taste…
Demographics suck
Yep, demographics suck ass. You know why? Demographics are boring. No-one thinks to themselves, “I’m a 25- to 35-year-old woman on more than $45,000 a year. What kind of bicycle would someone like me buy?” That’s not how we identify ourselves. We think of ourselves as sporty, or well-read, or blunt, or trendy, or common-sensical….
Generosity and how to do it right
These are jelly snakes from the Natural Confectionery Company: one of my most favourite lollies. Except for the yellow ones. I’m not a huge fan of the yellow ones. So when I have a packet of these delightful sweets in front of me and you saunter up and ask for one, guess which kind I…
A love letter to my Wrong People
Dear Wrong People, I adore you. Thank you so much for helping me learn more about myself. Thank you for disproving my first naive and hopeful, “Oh, I’ll work with anyone,” marketing. For reminding me, again and again, that my Wrong People are not Bad People. There’s nothing at all wrong with you, or with…
