Navigating the post-launch landscape

Launch Diary #05: on belonging, emergence + visibility, plus 25% off access to the Brand Seasons® Clubhouse

This is part of a five-part series documenting the creation and publication of the Brand Seasons® Playdeck and Paper
01 · 02 · 03 · 04 · 05

Six months ago, I launched a Kickstarter campaign to bring the Brand Seasons® Playdeck and This Creative Life into the world. Just a few weeks ago, the final parcels were packed and posted to backers — each one a token of an idea made real.

When a friend asked how I felt as the project crossed the finish line, the first word I could muster was: relieved! After a winter of choosing and checking papers, testing and tweaking designs, and packing and posting boxes — the time had arrived for a deep exhale.

There will always be chapters that ask more of us — times when we’re called to invest wholly and fully in something. Designing a card deck and producing a mini zine was incredibly demanding. But the creative process was also richer than I could have imagined.

I often felt weighed down by my own expectations and that, I have to say, took some of the joy out of the experience. But if I look back closely and honestly, I can see that between the snags, something softer was emerging too; a subtle playfulness at the seams, reminding me that we can show up in ways that are imperfect and impactful at the same time.

On belonging

That voice — who does she think she is? — was loud and stubborn at times. So I kept leaning into how there is so much gain from being messy and human. Seeing each item as a version helped me face perfectionism and make space for possibility.

As a chronic starter and terrible finisher, I know the grit it takes to see something through. And if you’ve ever brought a book, event or idea into the world, you’ll know the post-launch landscape can feel disorienting. You move from external momentum to subdued recalibration — and the sense of belonging that builds during a campaign can slip away.

That’s why I was grateful for an opportunity that arrived alongside the deck and zine: the Brand Seasons® Playgroup. An experience that rekindled a sense of connection and community once the campaign ended. Running a group programme was a stretch for me, but I was so glad of it. Seeing others embrace their own vision and values has encouraged me to keep doing the same — and to lean more deeply into whatever comes next.

On emergence

The slow work of crafting a product and publication was a challenge — one that called for heaps of compassion. I sometimes forget that I was still easing back into running my business after maternity leave when I began planning this project.

My son was born around the time I launched this publication, and those first 18 months brought their share of emotional and physical challenges. But I heal best in the spaces where I can nourish my curiosity and creativity. I knew I needed to move through this process — to accept that it would be a busy season — and in that spirit, I have no regrets about going all in. I’ve come through it tender, sure, but growing — and in many ways, still in that gloopy stage of emergence.

Thankfully, I wasn’t alone in the final stages of developing the card deck and mini zine. Friends joined me to make up boxes and test the deck, while others buoyed me through the final weeks. It was a humbling process — there was so much I hadn’t planned for, simply because so much of it was new — but it was giving in all the best ways. More than ever, it reminded me how collaborative even the most personal of projects can become.

On visibility

Visibility can bring celebration, yes. But it can bring scrutiny, too. One of the quiet costs of stepping into something new is that you might brush up against an unkind comment or a thoughtless remark — and I wonder if that’s why so many of us hold back from showing up in our wholeness, hesitant to claim space that is artfully and rightfully ours.

But I also wonder: what if we let that be the very reason to ground more deeply into what matters? To keep showing up with our art, our ideas, and our words — because they’re vital in a world that needs more light and less shade.

That doesn’t mean it’s painless. I’ve had moments where I wanted to retreat instead of show up. And when people ask, “Would you do it again?” — the answer is a slightly wobbly yes. But not for some time…and not in the same way.

Lessons from the launch

I’ve been thinking about what I’ll carry forward — into my business as well as other creative projects. If that’s something you’re curious about, let’s carry on…

1. I’d allow more space for adjustments and communication.
   While the design, printing and shipping were carefully mapped out, some hiccups with sizing and finishing shifted the schedule. Fulfilment can throw some interesting challenges into the mix and having extra breathing room makes it easier to meet those moments with thought and care.

2. I’d keep a “kind words” folder to reread on the hard days.
   People were incredibly generous throughout the campaign, but I didn’t always take the time to absorb their feedback, and I’d often move onto the next thing on the to-do list. So I’d tuck those little treasures away as reminders of why the work matters because it’s easy to forget.

3. I’d make rest part of the plan, not something to earn.
   My health took a turn in January, and I hadn’t accounted for many pauses in the process. A serious infection led to a hospital stay, followed by recovery, with no buffer in sight. Next time, I’d build in more margin. I’d also treat rest as part of the rhythm, not just the reward.

Looking ahead with Brand Seasons

Running a crowdfunder takes energy and momentum. The process is about building something with, not just for, others…and connection and creation can be demanding.

Now that the Kickstarter is behind me, I'm leaning into the idea that spring can be my winter: the Season of Grounding in the Brand Seasons® Method is a time for curiosity and contemplation, and that’s the spirit I’m taking into this next cycle of creativity.

I’d love for you to join me. So from 1st April, I’ll be opening the doors to the Brand Seasons® Clubhouse — a shared space for paid subscribers to gather and explore the creative rhythms of building a brand.

Inside the Brand Seasons® Clubhouse

Alongside the free diaries, features and podcast, you can enjoy:

• Story Time: A seasonal reflection shared as a private voicenote, filled with branding insights and learnings

• Press Play: A quarterly co-creating session — three spacious hours to make progress and take action together

• Brand Thread: A monthly AMA post where I answer your branding and business questions — plus access to my resource library

Join the Brand Seasons® Clubhouse today and enjoy 25% off for life, plus a copy of This Creative Life through your letterbox if you sign up by Tuesday 1st April.

More for you to explore

Feeling inspired and want to hold a piece of this project in your hands? Here’s where to go next:

This Creative Life – £15
Buy now →

A playful mini zine featuring essays on beauty, creativity and wildflowers, a poetry corner and maker stories, interviews with founders and writers, and so much more. Perfect with a cuppa or tucked into your bag for a creative spark on the go.

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Brand Seasons® Playdeck – £45
Buy now →

A creative companion filled with prompts and practices to help you reflect, explore, and move forward with clarity — vital for anyone building a thoughtful business or developing a creative project. Loved by artists, founders and writers alike.

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Brand Seasons® Playgroup
Join the waitlist →

What began as a surprise addition to the crowdfunder became the heart of it all. For the last three months, we’ve been exploring our brands through the lens of the Playdeck — and the next cohort begins September 2025. Join the waitlist today.

What season are you in right now? What are you recalibrating from or emerging into? And what would it look like to claim your creative space more fully?