Field Notes:
The DGB Blog!
Is It Influence or Manipulation? How to Be a Smarter Consumer
In the digital age, influencers and social media gurus hold immense power—but at what cost? This blog dives into the hidden dangers of influencer culture, wellness industry manipulation, and how big brands profit from our trust. Drawing from my personal experience in MLMs and working with high-profile wellness brands, I reveal how influencer marketing fuels misinformation, unethical business practices, and social media obsession. Learn how to fact-check online claims, hold influencers accountable, and become a more conscious consumer in a world driven by curated illusions.
Empowering vs. Gatekeeping: Why I Believe in Teaching My Clients, Not Trapping Them
In a world where knowledge is often hoarded and dependency is a business strategy, it’s time to rethink how we serve our clients. This article explores the difference between empowerment and gatekeeping, offering real-world examples of service providers who create false reliance vs. those who equip clients with tools to thrive on their own. We dive into ethical business practices, the importance of transparent education, and actionable steps to build a model that fosters autonomy, collaboration, and long-term success. Whether you’re a designer, coach, strategist, or consultant, learn how shifting to an empowerment-based model benefits both you and your clients.
February Field Guide: Nature Always Finds a Way, And So Can We
In the February edition of our Field Guide, we reflect on the theme "Nature Finds a Way," exploring how the resilience of the natural world offers guidance for navigating challenging times. By observing early bloomers like snowdrops and hellebores and the resourceful nuthatch, we uncover lessons in endurance, adaptation, and creativity. This guide also includes practical garden tips for the month—sowing cold-weather seeds, connecting with your local ecosystem, and setting intentions for your creative and business growth. Step into the season with renewed hope and inspiration.
Non-Binary Thinking: A Guide to Creative Liberation In Your Small Business
This is a story about freedom, creativity, and breaking the rules. Discover how non-binary thinking helped me align my business with my true self—and how it can help you do the same.
These revisions aim to connect emotionally with readers, offering an intimate and inviting tone to draw them in.
Reclaim Connection: How Analog Marketing Creates Deeper, More Human Experiences
In today’s fast-paced digital world, marketing often feels like an endless cycle of chasing trends and algorithms. But what if we slowed down and returned to more human, meaningful ways of connecting? This blog explores how analog marketing—through tactile experiences, handwritten notes, pop-up events, and sensory-driven campaigns—can create lasting emotional connections with customers. By engaging multiple senses and fostering genuine relationships, analog marketing offers small businesses and creatives a sustainable way to build community and make a lasting impact.
Reclaim Your Business from the Attention Economy: Nature-Inspired Growth for Creatives
This blog explores how the dopamine-fueled attention economy is quietly burning out small business owners and creatives. Learn how to break free from social media dependency, recognize signs of digital burnout, and shift to nature-inspired business practices for sustainable growth, creativity, and well-being.
Working Like Nature: Transform Your Work with Sustainable and Regenerative Practices
In this blog, we explore the transformative idea of working like—and for—nature. By aligning with nature’s principles, we can create regenerative systems that nurture creativity, balance, and sustainability. Learn how disconnection from natural rhythms has led to burnout, ecological harm, and disconnection, and why now is the time to reclaim our relationship with nature. From Indigenous wisdom to circular economies, discover practical ways to build a work culture that thrives on collaboration, rest, and reciprocity. Whether you’re a small business owner, creative, or environmental advocate, this article offers actionable insights to align your personal and professional life with the natural world.
Do You Really Need Social Media to Succeed? Re-thinking Marketing for Small Businesses
Social media marketing is often touted as a must for small business success, but is it truly essential? In this blog, we dive into the common frustrations of social media for solopreneurs and small business owners, discussing why it might not be the right choice for everyone. Explore how to uncover your unique marketing style by aligning with your strengths, understanding your audience, and staying true to your values. Discover how alternative, sustainable marketing approaches can drive meaningful results and help you connect authentically with your audience.
The Future of Marketing Is Human: Creative Predictions for the New Year
Explore 2025's creative marketing and design predictions focused on human connection, ethical practices, and sustainability. As businesses pivot away from burnout and generic AI-driven trends, discover how custom design, long-form content, and community collaboration will reshape small business marketing. Dive into actionable insights to prepare for a more intentional and impactful future.
Crafting a Sustainable Marketing Strategy: Shifting from Short-Form Content to Intentional, Long-Form Marketing
Learn how to craft a marketing strategy that reflects your values, avoids the noise of short-term trends, and prioritizes sustainability and authenticity. This blog offers actionable steps to help small business owners break free from cookie-cutter approaches and embrace a regenerative marketing mindset.
How to Honor the Holidays Without Centering Consumerism in Your Business
Learn how to navigate the holiday season as a conscious business owner without falling into the traps of overconsumption and materialism. Discover actionable strategies for fostering connection, sustainability, and authentic impact while aligning your holiday marketing with your values. Explore anti-capitalist marketing approaches, slow business practices, and ways to reduce holiday stress while building meaningful relationships with your community.
Transform Your Marketing Approach with Marketing Ecosystem Mapping
Discover how our Marketing Ecosystem Mapping service transformed a hypnotherapist’s business from overwhelmed to empowered. Learn how we created a sustainable strategy to align their goals, grow their audience, and reconnect with their mission.
Escape the Creative Constraints: Why Creative Freedom is Key to Impactful Marketing
Discover the transformative power of creative freedom in marketing with "Escape the Creative Constraints: Why Creative Freedom is Key to Impactful Marketing." This blog explores the significance of aligning your unique vision with authentic expression to foster deeper connections with your audience. Learn how breaking free from industry norms and societal pressures can not only enhance your marketing strategy but also cultivate a more fulfilling and impactful creative journey.
Sharing Your Work as a Creative: How to Confidently Showcase Your Unique Gifts
This blog explores the importance of understanding your creative style to effectively share your work. It emphasizes the value of authenticity, community contribution, and detachment from results, while offering practical tips for nurturing your creative expression.
Humanizing Your Brand: The Role of Personalization in Marketing
In a world where traditional marketing often exploits insecurities, personalization emerges as a key strategy that resonates with consumers. This blog explores the importance of personalization as a fundamental approach to marketing, emphasizing the human need for belonging, connection, and community. It highlights the emotional intelligence required to build authentic relationships with customers and underscores why the human touch in marketing cannot be replicated by AI. Readers will discover effective strategies for personalizing content, including understanding their audience, crafting tailored messages, and engaging in community-building efforts. Ultimately, this blog champions personalization as a means to create sustainable, long-lasting relationships that enhance brand loyalty and foster a sense of belonging among consumers.
What is Slow Entrepreneurship?: An Overview of Slow Business Practices
This blog explores the concept of slow entrepreneurship as a mindful, sustainable approach to running a business. It emphasizes quality over quantity, community engagement, and social and environmental responsibility. Readers will discover practical tips for implementing slow entrepreneurship, including setting intentional goals, embracing flexibility, and prioritizing self-care. The article connects these principles to the broader themes of anti-capitalist entrepreneurship, offering insights into creating a fulfilling and impactful business model.
Why Chasing Micro Trends in Content Marketing Isn’t Sustainable (And What to Do Instead)
In the fast-paced world of content marketing, micro trends can seem irresistible. However, this obsession with chasing the latest viral fad not only harms your brand's credibility but also contributes to a cycle of overconsumption and environmental degradation. This blog delves into the detrimental effects of micro trend marketing, drawing parallels with the fast fashion industry’s impact on our planet and psyche. Discover why focusing on timeless, high-quality content is the key to building genuine connections and a sustainable online presence. Learn practical strategies to honor your creative process, foster authentic engagement, and invest in meaningful content that truly resonates.
How We Elevated a Brand’s Pinterest Results for Higher Traffic and Sales
In this blog, we share how we revitalized a brand’s Pinterest presence that was struggling with a 50% decrease in reach and outbound clicks. Through a customized strategy involving detailed analytics tracking, trend analysis, and creative optimization, we successfully increased their visibility, website traffic, engagement rates, and sales. Explore our comprehensive approach and see how a targeted Pinterest marketing strategy can elevate your brand’s online performance.
How to Grow Your Business on Pinterest in 2024: Debunking Myths and Best Practices
Discover effective strategies to harness Pinterest's potential for business growth in 2024. We debunk common myths holding back your success and explore best practices tailored to maximize engagement and reach on this dynamic platform.
Building a Stronger Brand: The Role of Marketing Ecosystems
In this blog, we delve into the concept of a marketing ecosystem and its crucial role in achieving sustainable business growth. Learn about the interconnected elements—from content creation to customer engagement—that form the backbone of a successful digital strategy. Discover practical strategies and expert tips to optimize your marketing efforts and enhance your brand's visibility and impact online.