In this episode, I had the pleasure of talking shop with Jacob Cass.

We cover a lot of ground, including:

• Jacob’s own journey from brand designer to brand strategist • The role of a brand strategist • How brand builders can become a strategic partner to their clients • The biggest challenges facing designers and brand builders • What’s happening at the Brand Builders Summit on 16-19 Sept >>> Get your FREE Summit ticket here

About Jacob Cass:

Jacob Cass is a brand designer, strategist, educator, and business coach, as well as the founder of JUST Creative - a renowned branding and design consultancy that also serves as an industry-leading blog and vibrant community. He is also the brains behind the Brand Builders Summit.

Connect with Jacob on Instagram

Connect with Bec Hughes:

Check out The Brand Method

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Brand archetypes are everywhere—but are they really helping your strategy?

In this episode of Brand Strategy Unwankified, I share why I don’t use brand archetypes and what I do instead.

I cover:

• Why archetypes seem appealing but lead to sameness

• How they amplify industry clichés

• Why the illusion they create of strategy is only skin deep

• What I focus on in my brand strategy process instead

That's right. I want you to ditch The Explorer, The Magician and The Sage, and think differently.

Want to connect with me?

The Brand Method program

Free Brand Strategy Confidence Training

Find me on Instagram

Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh

In this podcast, I welcome one of the founders of The Designer Boss Summit, Anna Dower.

We go deep into the female experience in the design industry.

From money blocks, time and head space, confidence to lead, self-belief, role models to aspire to and platforms to get our voices heard, we explore what women need to succeed.

What I loved about this episode is the honest exploration of the female experience and the many rebirths we go through in our lives.

And what I love about Anna is how she balances being gently and authentically unfiltered.

>>> YOUR FREE TICKET to the Designer Boss Summit on 27-29 August 2025

About Anna Dower:

Anna is a graphic designer, entrepreneur, and sought-after creative mentor with 25 years of industry experience. She’s passionate about enlightening, empowering, and elevating the businesses of graphic designers who are eager to make their mark

Connect with Anna on Instagram

Connect with Bec Hughes:

Check out The Brand Method

Find me on Instagram

We’ve been told that design should be quicker and more decisive. That strategy should make things certain and predictable, and guarantee success.

I want to challenge those ideas.

Because what if strategy isn't about logic and certainty at all? What if those things destroy creativity?

Instead, what if brand strategy is about invention, and re-imagination.

About finding the 'unbland' spaces and helping businesses take a calculated risk in an otherwise uncertain world.

Want to connect with me?

Subscribe to The Brand Brief

Free Brand Strategy Confidence Training

Find me on Instagram

Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh

If you’re already offering brand strategy and wondering how to sharpen your process, this episode’s for you.

I’m sharing 5 practical shifts I’ve made that have unlevelled my client experience and outcomes.

• Why I ditched the questionnaire • A smarter way to share research • The power of presenting in person • How to stay curious longer • Why ruthless simplification is your biggest value-add

Small, intentional changes that can elevate your strategy work in a big way.

Want to connect with me?

Free Brand Strategy Confidence Training

Find me on Instagram

Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh

Ever handed over a 30-page brand strategy doc no one read? Let’s fix that.

In this episode I'll share an approach your clients will love you for:

• The 7 elements every one-pager brand strategy should include • Why simple brand strategy is smarter (and more powerful) • How to position, prove, and differentiate a brand on one page

If you want your brand strategy to be understood and used, positioning your work as high value, this episode is your blueprint.

Want to connect with me?

Check out The Brand Method

Find me on Instagram

Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh

Jaz, aka Your Pricing Queen, sharing all her wisdom on pricing your creative work.

In the value packed episode we cover:

• Mistakes creatives make with pricing

• Charging your worth vs charging your value

• Creating solutions based on 'problem pathways'

• Getting the right product and pricing mix

As so much more!

About Jaz, Your Pricing Queen:

Jaz is the driving force behind Your Pricing Queen. She's helped hundreds of freelancers, creatives, and designers find pricing confidence so they can know their worth, charge their value and run highly successful creative businesses

Connect with Jaz on Instagram

Explore the Creative Business Kitchen Website

Want to connect with Bec?

Check out The Brand Method

Find me on Instagram

Design isn’t just about what looks good, it’s about what works. But when strategy’s missing, there are gaps you can drive a bus through.

• Vague briefs that leave you guessing

• Research that doesn’t go anywhere

• Design without a clear purpose

• Over-investing in concepts that don’t land

• Feedback that turns into a subjective free-for-all

In this episode, I define what simple strategy actually is. It's really not that complicated. I also share five ways strategic thinking can bring focus, direction, and confidence to your design process.

Want to connect with me?

Check out The Brand Method

Find me on Instagram

Book a Strategy Springboard Sesh