Our journey into writing and sharing our thoughts and insights has been quite the ride. At first, I found it pretty tough, probably not as much for Russell though. He’s a natural at writing and always has a wide range of opinions, topics, and musings to share. For those who know me, you’ll know I love having abstract conversations that often go off on tangents. Sometimes I lose track and, occasionally, I might even come across as a bit confrontational. But it’s all to push our discussions forward. Trying to harness and structure my writing has been a challenge, especially being dyslexic. But getting into the rhythm of writing regularly and finding interesting topics has been rewarding and cathartic.
In our working relationship, we complement and juxtapose each other’s points of view and work styles. We often challenge each other, offering different perspectives on our experiences, topics, and even our articles. Take my piece “Embracing Life's Joy” for example, which talks about the joy dogs bring to life and the lessons humans can learn from their behaviour. On the other hand, Russell’s “The Art of Self-Care” uses the behaviour of cats to draw lessons about self-care and boundaries. These differing viewpoints are typical of our day-to-day form over the years of working together.
Sharing Our Thoughts
Part of our goal was to get more comfortable with being uncomfortable and to experiment more with new formats. We believe in sharing our thoughts— ‘better out than in!’—and this has driven us to explore and document our ideas.
We were also inspired by a presentation we did for a football client over a year ago. After a long, winding conversation about their brief, challenges, and ambitions, one of our new team members commented, “Hey, you guys know your stuff!” Russell and I are quite down-to-earth and don’t typically think of ourselves that way. I’d say we are more learners than speakers, but this comment lit a spark for us to consider sharing our thoughts with a wider audience.
Reflecting on Our Articles
My articles tend to be more personal, community-focused, and inspirational, while Russell’s are more analytical, reflective and focused on branding and professional growth. This highlights the dynamic of our relationship and often plays out in our projects and client relationships.
My Articles
Personal Growth and Overcoming Adversity: I often write about personal growth, resilience, and turning challenges into strengths. For example, in “A Chip on My Shoulder,” I discuss using personal hardships as motivation for success.
Community and Local Engagement: I frequently explore the importance of community in both professional and personal contexts. “From Transactional to Relational” highlights building community-focused brand spaces, and “Thinking Global, Acting Local” emphasises glocalisation and the significance of local culture in global branding.
Running and Personal Stories: My articles often include personal anecdotes and experiences, such as “Running with the Flow,” where I talk about the unexpected connections and opportunities that arise from running.
Russell’s Contributions
Branding and Business Strategy: Russell focuses on branding, business strategy, and applying these concepts to personal development. “Taking Your Work Home” discusses applying brand wisdom to personal growth.
Cultural Insights and Reflections: He provides deep reflections on cultural trends and their impacts. “Modernising Heritage” explores how brands can stay relevant without losing their authenticity.
Personal Experiences and Lessons: Like me, Russell also shares personal stories, but often with a focus on how these experiences inform his professional insights. “Did I Party Too Much?” reflects on how his social life has influenced his understanding of culture and people.
Conclusion
Looking back on our year of writing for Unorthodox Blend, it’s clear how much we’ve grown and how much we’ve enjoyed the process. Through our contrasting styles, we’ve discovered shared themes and complementary insights that enrich our work. Both of us emphasize the importance of integrating personal experiences with professional development. While I focus on how personal growth and community engagement can drive professional success, Russell highlights the application of professional strategies to personal life. Our articles often touch on the significance of community, whether it’s through local engagement or the shared experiences of running groups. This theme underscores the value of building strong, supportive networks in both personal and professional contexts.
Authenticity comes out as a crucial element in both of our writings. Whether we’re discussing personal resilience or heritage branding, staying true to oneself and one’s values is essential. Additionally, adaptability is highlighted as key to navigating changing cultural and professional landscapes. By embracing authenticity and adaptability, we continue to evolve and inspire each other and our readers. This journey of writing and sharing has not only been rewarding but has also deepened our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.
Written by Mark