Does anyone know of a nonprofit that would be open to working with Trader Joe’s in Hyde Park to provide food assistance? They cover the cost of limited amounts of food for those who ask for help. But they need help to put a larger system in place. #chicago
I scheduled my first Substack post of the year. Please clap.
open.substack.com/pub/iamvikis...
And for the lady, a Canva logo her nephew made in 2019 that she'll 'fix eventually.
When the frame is missing, every post is a first impression. Every caption has to work too hard. And every thread is a potential fire.
The goal isn't to control how people feel. The goal is to show up so clearly and consistently that people already know where you're coming from.
It means you haven't given enough context to build a solid frame yet, and your audience doesn't know where to put you. When the frame is solid, the occasional misread doesn't cause a spiral. Either your audience asks for more context, or they absorb it and move on because they already know you.
Sometimes your words land somewhere you don't intend and are taken out of context. Nobody's wrong or right. The tone you meant and the tone they received are just not in the same room. Your brand does this too, more than you realize.
And for the lady, brand assets from years ago that haunt her like a bad ex.
And for the lady, a brand that made complete sense five years ago.
And for the lady, six different fonts across her website, menu, and storefront.
It would be great if they did this with some of the abandoned lots around the city.
When all else fails defut to bar food.
Report and Block.
I finally updated the Brand Strategy & Brand Storytelling, Brand Diagnostic Guides on my website. Please clap.
www.iamvikiskull.com/resources
I recently learned that the leading AI data centers are actively shifting toward renewable energy and increasing their energy efficiency.
So, what’s stopping politicians from requiring data centers to rely on 75% or more of renewable energy within a certain time period?
The Garden is brand management for founders who need their campaigns and content handled with the same care they give their craft.
From Pitch decks to Event signage and Social posts. I handle the details that make your brand memorable.
Ready to step inside?
www.iamvikiskull.com/thegarden
Your brand is your most charming employee. It shakes hands on your behalf. It tells your story when you're not in the room.
But charm fades fast when no one's tending the garden.
If you've proven your concept but your brand feels inconsistent, you're not broken. Your brand isn't keeping up.
Sorry, I've been MIA. I've been chipping away at a side quest I've been pushing off for some time now.
NEW — Today, Cook County became the first county in the U.S. to establish permanent funding for guaranteed income at the county level.
The Cook County Board of Commissioners approved $7.5 million for the program through its FY 2026 budget, which totals $10.12 billion.
thetriibe.com/2025/11/cook...
Link to report ISP officers who break the law: www.illinoislegalaid.org/legal-inform...
Make sure this gets to everyone who needs it in Chicago and across the state!
Honestly, I'd rather the terminally ill go out on their own terms. And hope this gets passed.
Let's turn your brand into something magnetic.
My brand design and management services help founders turn ideas into enduring brands, whether you’re crafting a new identity or nurturing your brand’s growth.
iamvikiskull.com
The universe rewards patience, but you have to be consistent. You can’t manifest momentum. You have to maintain it. Enter The Garden, an ongoing brand management subscription that helps your business grow.
Visit my website to reserve your seat.
buff.ly/nBS9ccl
I'm going to The 2025 Creative Strategy Summit! Hosted by @motionapp_
Wanna come? Get your free ticket here: motionapp.com/creative-str...
Your visuals are often the first interaction with your audience. They set the tone long before anyone steps through the door or buys a ticket. Don't waste money hiring the wrong kind of designer because you don’t know the difference. Here’s how to tell them apart.
www.linkedin.com/pulse/brand-...
Knowing the difference means better budgets, fewer revisions, and a brand that actually holds together.
Essentially, a brand designer builds the stage. A graphic designer dresses the set.
If your business feels inconsistent, you need a brand designer. But if your business feels solid, but your visuals need upkeep. Call a graphic designer.
A graphic designer takes that system and runs with it. Creating your marketing materials, posts, and event visuals. They make your brand visible.
A brand designer builds your identity from scratch, with logos, colors, fonts, tone, and visual direction. They shape how your audience feels about your brand.
Most founders hire the wrong kind of designer. And it’s not their fault. The titles sound similar, but they solve different problems.
