Dear Starbucks, We've been through a lot, you and I. But it's time for me to see other brands. It's not you, it's me. No, that's a lie. It's totally you. You swept me off my feet in my early 20's and taught me how to love coffee - for that I will be eternally grateful. Late Saturday mornings in Chicago. Stolen afternoons in Washington D.C. Even in Indianapolis - back before they actually … [Read more...]
How to brand your brick and mortar business
If you are fortunate enough to own a sweet little boutique on Main Street or a bustling restaurant along the wharf or a funky pet store in the city’s hippest arts district, I have to admit my jealousy. Brand is just as important to service- providers that survive on a laptop as it is for physical businesses. But there are oodles of possibility for boosting your brand when you have a tangible … [Read more...]
A high-end dive? Uneeda Burger
I'm constantly amazed at how successful restaurants use brand experience to tell a story with everything they have: decor, menu, design, staff. Many of them really get it. I mean, you can get a hamburger nearly anywhere these days, but Uneeda Burger in Seattle's Fremont neighborhood creates a welcome experience of a "premium roadside burger shack" that I've been craving. The brainchild of Chef … [Read more...]