Branding that feels right, speaks clearly, and inspires action.

The real work starts with your heart, not your logo.

I help thoughtful founders find the words and visuals that make the right people say, “Yes. This.”

  • Agency veteran who ditches bloated agency BS for actual momentum

  • Builder of my own businesses—where rapid clarity was non-negotiable

  • Creative strategist who turns your “why” into a brand people feel

So I created Startwith: a faster, clearer way to build brands that actually work—in less time, with fewer headaches.

Let’s talk about your brand.

A smiling man with short dark hair and a beard, wearing a white button-up shirt, sitting at a desk with his hands clasped. Framed posters are visible on the wall behind him.

Stick around
if you also believe:

  • Inclusivity Branding that welcomes, not gatekeeps—and makes everyone feel seen.

  • Empowerment Your voice matters—and so does theirs.

  • Honesty Truth with kindness and clarity outperforms polished marketing-speak.

  • Simplicity Less isn’t lazy—it’s smart.

  • Kindness houghtful delivery beats flash every time.

Line drawing of a man and woman sharing a yellow umbrella, with the man having an arm around the woman.

Before I founded Startwith,
I was a creative who kept asking…

“Does it have to be this shallow and complicated?”

I spent two decades at West Coast agencies, learning exactly what doesn’t work.


Agency Days

Deadlines trumped meaning, flash beat clarity, and strategy sessions went nowhere. My values didn’t always fit the room—and those few hits taught me there’s a better way.

Entrepreneur Experiments

So I left—and built businesses of my own. I co-founded a nonprofit, launched my wife’s invention into thousands of stores, and wore every hat to keep things moving.

Startwith Origins

Having lived the messy middle—juggling budgets, roles, and soul-tugging choices—I know a brand shouldn’t be just for show. Today, I help mission-driven businesses craft identities that feel like them, truly connect with their people, and do real good (not just chase growth).

Simple line drawing of a man wearing a black t-shirt, writing in a notebook, resting his head on his right hand, looking forward.
A series of historical black and white photographs depicting indigenous people and traditional dwellings, including women with headscarves, a woman in traditional attire, a woman with a long braid, a grass hut, and individuals paddling canoes.

Land Acknowledgement

As the founder of Startwith, I acknowledge that I operate on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory of the Tongva (also known as Gabrielino) people, who have been the traditional caretakers of the land now known as Pasadena, California, since time immemorial.

I recognize the Tongva people's enduring relationship with this land and honor their past, present, and future contributions to our community. The Tongva continue to maintain their cultural practices and connection to this region, despite historical displacement and ongoing challenges.

As a small business owner based in Pasadena, I commit to educating myself about Indigenous history, supporting Indigenous-led initiatives when possible, and seeking opportunities to build respectful relationships with local Indigenous communities.

This acknowledgement is a small step in my ongoing commitment to justice, reconciliation, and a more inclusive future for all.

A few fun facts:

🙃 I don’t take myself too seriously.
Silliness sparks creativity, fuels joy, and reminds us we’re all human.

🧘🏻 I’m a certified meditation teacher.
Taught full-time for two years—and now developing a meditation course for entrepreneurs.

🪓 I carve spoons from fallen branches.
A hands-on escape that (one day) might even bankroll my super-yacht dreams.

A man smiling and holding a jar with a blue cocktail inside.
Man meditating on a large fallen tree trunk in a wooded area, with a stone wall and trees in the background.
Wooden spoon, carving knife, and a pile of wood shavings on a rustic wooden surface.
Illustration of a light bulb hanging with a tangled, scribbled line above it, representing a chaotic or confused idea.

Think we might
be a good fit?

Let’s chat.
You bring the questions, I’ll bring my best ideas.
One hour, no pressure—just real strategy and honest insight.

Even if you’re not 100% ready, this is a no-strings chance to get a fresh perspective and see what’s possible.