My journey in branding began unexpectedly. Before starting college, I renamed and repainted the facade of a small gift shop in Washington D.C., leading to doubled revenues within a year. It was my first encounter with the concept of “rebranding,” a term I soon discovered held immense economic power. This sparked a decades-long passion for understanding branding’s true purpose and how it drives growth and value in businesses.
After relocating to Los Angeles for graduate school, I transitioned into freelance graphic design before co-founding Boardwalk, an award-winning brand design agency. Our very first project, the rebrand of Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, helped solidify the institution’s reputation as an international leader in healthcare. Before long, Boardwalk became a leading resource for corporate identity and an in-demand brand development partner for major entertainment corporations in L.A.. We enjoyed the trust of top-tier clients like Disney, Bank of America, NBC Universal, Fox, Transamerica, News Corp., The Los Angeles Dodgers, and more.
Today, I leverage this extensive experience as an independent brand strategist, offering customized solutions to small and middle-market enterprises (SMEs). While I typically work independently, I collaborate with a network of trusted experts to ensure clients benefit from a broad range of strategic insights and creative talent. Additionally, I guide clients through complex branding challenges, often acting as their advocate with specialized agencies to align marketing tactics with strategic goals.
My passion for the economic impact of branding is reflected in my work as an author, speaker, and thought leader. I’ve been quoted by publications like The Los Angeles Times and guest-blogged for the Association of National Advertisers. I was also the creator of the long-running branding blog Brandtalk, which attracted an international audience. Recognized by LinkedIn as a key influencer in branding and marketing, I regularly lead workshops for business leaders and have lectured at institutions such as UCLA Extension and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
In addition, I authored The New CEO’s Branding Handbook and several white papers that outline the core principles of effective branding for executives.
Why partner with me? I bring decades of proven success in driving brand value for businesses across diverse industries. But more importantly, I remain as curious and passionate as ever about brands. I especially want to know what made you think about yours today—and how I can help elevate it to its full potential.
