Two Conferences, a Speaking Panel and a Bowling Alley?

No, this is not the beginning of a bad joke…

After a whirlwind of conferences, panels, …and a bowling alley in the basement of the hotel (yes, you read that right), I’ve finally had a chance to reflect on an eventful October. From San Diego’s Global Summit hosted by 1% for the Planet®, where I had the honor of speaking on a panel, to a local Minneapolis conference focused on Fractional work, it’s been a month packed with insights. Here’s my recap, along with a few key takeaways.

The  conference itself was one of the warmest, most welcoming gatherings I’ve attended. As you may know, 1% for the Planet is a nonprofit founded by Patagonia’s Yvon Chouinard and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies. The idea is simple but powerful: businesses pledge to donate 1% of their annual sales to environmental causes, helping make a tangible impact on the planet.

The panel I was on was called, Infusing your 1% for the Planet Commitment into Your Marketing Strategy and I focused on how brands can seamlessly weave the 1% logo and messaging into their design, creating a genuine  alignment between values and visuals.

A  big thank-you goes to my fellow panelists: Michelle Mayther of The  Green Marketing Academy, Courtney Hume from Dandelion Branding, and Erika Nadi from Nadi Marketing. It was a fun exchange, and I left with a  few new ideas for myself!

The 1% team truly went all out, from an opening celebration at Pure Project North Park Brewery to two full days at the Natural History Museum (or  “The Nat” as the locals call it) in Balboa Park, complete with dinosaur skeletons towering over us. Meeting other businesses and environmental advocates was a reminder of why I joined 1% for the Planet last year; it was energizing to connect with people who share a commitment to environmental impact.

One of my favorite moments was a session by Ron Finley, also known as the  “Gangsta Gardener,” who shared this inspiring message: “Don’t wait for  the perfect moment; take the moment and make it perfect” (a quote by  Zoey Sayward). It resonated with me and reminded me that we shouldn’t hold back our marketing until it feels “perfect”—just get it out there  and let it grow. (That’s what I’m doing with this newsletter!)

From  San Diego, I returned to Minneapolis for the FRAK conference. Curious  about the buzz around fractional work, I soon realized I’ve been doing  this all along as a Fractional Creative Director, guiding clients on a  project-by-project basis to strengthen their branding and marketing.

One  memorable session came from Dr. Amber L. Wright of Words Well Said. She  explored ways to bring your authentic self into your marketing by  leaning into unique personality traits (whether that’s your astrological  sign, Myers-Briggs type, or enneagram). This approach resonated with  me, and it aligns with how I support my clients. For instance, as a  Libra – the scales of justice sign representing equilibrium –, I bring a  calm, balanced approach that helps clients feel at ease. When they’re  overwhelmed by marketing decisions, I’m there to lighten the load with  thoughtful questions, attention to detail, and, as of 2025, it will be  20 years of design experience to guide them. My clients appreciate the  thoughtful, harmonious results that set their brand apart while staying  aligned with their values.

Thanks for following along! There’s much more to come, and I’m looking forward to sharing it with you in the next OxyNotes.

And if you want a copy of the slide deck from the speaking panel, just reply to this message and I’ll send it along.