Lessons from Big Business Branding with Adele Mulford

Chicks Who Give a Hoot

In this episode, we chat about:

• Our first meeting and connecting via Instagram.

• Community and collaboration in the creative industry.

• The importance of building relationships with people who do the same work.

• Insights on creative industry, public speaking, collaboration vs competition.

• Adele’s experience in the creative industry.

• The importance of intentionality in business and personal relationships.

• Collaboration over competition in the creative industry.

• Personal and professional growth in branding.

• The value of different skill sets in a team.

• The importance of inclusivity and celebrating diverse perspectives in a creative team.

• Larger issues in creative communities like elitism and ego.

• The challenges and rewards of working with larger organizations.

• Balancing creative freedom with parameters in branding.

• The value of small businesses and community impact over big brands.

• Redefining success in terms of personal impact and fulfillment.

Resources + Links:

Follow Adele on Instagram | @AMulford

Check out her business on Instagram | @the_cultivate_company

Dive deeper into her work at we-cultivate.com

Connect with Adele on LinkedIn

Grow your brand, income, and impact! Learn more on our website ellyandnoracreative.com

Connect with Sara on Instagram | @sarachamberscreative

@ellyandnoracreative

For show notes, resources, and more, visit Chicks Who Give a Hoot

Follow along with the podcast on Instagram | @chickswhogiveahoot

Show Notes:

In this episode of the Chicks Who Give a Hoot podcast, I welcome the incredible Adele Mulford, a seasoned creative director and brand strategist. We reminisce about our first meeting at Phoenix Design Week, dive into the importance of community over competition in the creative industry, and tackle the daunting challenges of public speaking.

Adele, known affectionately as a "professional cat herder," shares her extensive experience working with both large organizations and smaller businesses, showcasing the value of authentic branding and collaboration. With over 30 years of experience as a strategic visionary for top global for-profit and non-profit brands, she excels at unlocking opportunities at the complex intersection of business, brand, creative, and people needs.

We explore the hurdles of transitioning from a structured corporate environment to entrepreneurship, discuss the power of love and diversity in business, and celebrate the empowerment found in forging one's own path. Both Adele and I emphasize the need for a supportive community among creatives and the lasting impact of intentional branding for businesses of all sizes.

01:00 Introduction and Meet Adele Mulford

01:46 The Power of Public Speaking

04:44 Journey into Branding and Design

06:50 Collaboration Over Competition

08:55 Defining Success in Branding

22:42 Lessons from Big Brands

30:08 The Fear of Inconsistency in Branding

31:05 Exploring Brand Identity and Flexibility

32:35 The Cultivation Metaphor in Branding

37:26 Navigating Entrepreneurship and Self-Reflection

41:17 The Power of Community and Collaboration

44:04 Embracing Diversity and Love in Business

46:32 Challenges and Opportunities for Female Entrepreneurs

52:05 Encouragement and Unique Journeys

53:45 Conclusion and Contact Information