by Evelyn Starr | Nov 13, 2020 | Brand Experience, Brand Growth & Rebranding, Marketing Strategy
Early November brings certain reliable events to our New England neighborhood. The whir of leaf blowers replaces the buzz of lawn mowers as trees shed their remaining colorful leaves. At least one household begins prematurely displaying holiday lights. Sweaters,...
by Evelyn Starr | Oct 9, 2020 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Brand Purpose & Values, Brand Strategy
When I started my business in late 1999, I spent time interviewing self-employed contacts for advice. One mentor told me she limited herself to working with three clients at a time. That piece of advice has been invaluable to me. A three-client roster does not sound...
by Evelyn Starr | Jul 10, 2020 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Brand Storytelling, Marketing Insights, Starter Set
This post originally appeared in March 2012 and remains one of my most popular. Updated on July 10, 2020. That’s me in the Polaroid instant photo with actor Michael Vale, better known as Fred the Baker, or the guy who used to utter “Time to make the donuts.” Mr. Vale...
by Evelyn Starr | May 15, 2020 | Brand Experience, Brand Growth & Rebranding
I’ve been racking up miles lately. On foot. Power walks were the least frequent choice of my go-to exercise triumvirate – hot yoga, elliptical trainer rides and power walks – until mid-March. Now they are now the most frequent. I walk fast and greet everyone I...
by Evelyn Starr | Jan 10, 2020 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Brands In Adolescence
When I began writing this newsletter eight years ago, my two children were in middle school. Now both are in college. As middle school students they had no idea what they would study in college. Even upon arriving on campus they were unsure. My son AJ went to college...
by Evelyn Starr | Nov 8, 2019 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Brand Purpose & Values, Brand Strategy
**WARNING: Images of red wine stain on white carpet ahead. May not be suitable for all viewers. Red wine and white carpet. Not a winning combination. Our living room is a testament to that fact. We did not choose our white carpet. It came with the house which was only...
by Evelyn Starr | Sep 13, 2019 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Marketing Insights
My toothpaste is giving me a headache. Not a physical ache, but a frustration ache that comes from meaning to buy one variety and mistakenly buying another. My husband Dan has this headache too. Dan’s office is a block away from our closest Target store. I’ve been a...
by Evelyn Starr | Aug 9, 2019 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Brands In Adolescence, Marketing Insights, Starter Set
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with my name during the course of my life. Or I should say hate-love relationship. The dislike came first.In elementary school, I was the only Evelyn. Not just in my class or in my grade. But in the whole school.No one that age wants...
by Evelyn Starr | Jul 12, 2019 | Brand Growth & Rebranding, Brands In Adolescence, Marketing Strategy
What would you do if someone wrote an unflattering tell-all book about your work place?This happened to HubSpot in 2016.HubSpot is a software company in Cambridge, Massachusetts. They develop software to help their customers use inbound marketing to build their...
