<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms">Send us a text</a>In this episode, we sit down with Dan Forster, an award-winning lettering artist and designer with over 25 years of experience. Dan has crafted stunning custom lettering for brands, agencies, and clients worldwide, but his journey into the world of type wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by frustration, perseverance, and an unexpected return to his roots.Dan shares the story of his late father, a renowned lettering artist, and how clearing out his dad’s studio after his passing led to a creative revelation. We talk about his early struggles with drawing letters, his detour into graphic design, and the moment he realized that lettering was his true calling.We also dive into:✔️ The painstaking process behind mastering letterforms (and why drawing a single Helvetica “a” for hours was a turning point).✔️ His time at top agencies like Elmwood and the leap into freelancing.✔️ The evolution of lettering in branding and why some iconic wordmarks, like Kahlúa, needed a refresh.✔️ How he approaches complex lettering projects—including a 30-day masterpiece that landed in Communication Arts.✔️ The importance of showing process work to clients and why observing letterforms is just as crucial as drawing them.✔️ The push-and-pull between modern digital tools and the lost art of hand-lettering.We wrap things up with a discussion on the blandification of branding (looking at you, Johnson &amp; Johnson) and the challenge of preserving craft in a world moving toward simplicity. Plus, Dan shares why he thinks it’s never too late to change career paths and go all-in on what you love.If you’re into typography, branding, or just love hearing about the obsessive world of letterforms, this episode is a must-listen.More about Dan Forster: <a href='http://www.danforster.com/'>www.danforster.com</a>Connect with Dan: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/danforster/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/danforster/</a><a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts">Support the show</a>About Kirk and Andy. <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'>Kirk Visola</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>MIND THE FONT</a>™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>http://www.mindthefont.com</a>. <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'>Andy Kurts</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'>Buttermilk Creative</a>. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&apos;s work <a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'>http://www.buttermilkcreative.com</a>. Music for Kirk &amp; Kurtts intro &amp; outro: <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'>Better</a> by <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'>Super Fantastics</a> Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee: <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'>Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we sit down with &lt;b&gt;Dan Forster&lt;/b&gt;, an award-winning lettering artist and designer with over 25 years of experience. Dan has crafted stunning custom lettering for brands, agencies, and clients worldwide, but his journey into the world of type wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by frustration, perseverance, and an unexpected return to his roots.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Dan shares the story of his late father, a renowned lettering artist, and how clearing out his dad’s studio after his passing led to a creative revelation. We talk about his early struggles with drawing letters, his detour into graphic design, and the moment he realized that lettering was his true calling.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We also dive into:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ The painstaking process behind mastering letterforms (and why drawing a single &lt;b&gt;Helvetica “a”&lt;/b&gt; for hours was a turning point).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ His time at top agencies like &lt;b&gt;Elmwood&lt;/b&gt; and the leap into freelancing.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ The evolution of lettering in branding and why some iconic wordmarks, like &lt;b&gt;Kahlúa&lt;/b&gt;, needed a refresh.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ How he approaches complex lettering projects—including a 30-day masterpiece that landed in &lt;b&gt;Communication Arts&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ The importance of &lt;b&gt;showing process work&lt;/b&gt; to clients and why observing letterforms is just as crucial as drawing them.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ The push-and-pull between modern digital tools and the &lt;b&gt;lost art of hand-lettering&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We wrap things up with a discussion on the &lt;b&gt;blandification of branding&lt;/b&gt; (looking at you, Johnson &amp;amp; Johnson) and the challenge of preserving craft in a world moving toward simplicity. Plus, Dan shares why he thinks it’s &lt;b&gt;never too late&lt;/b&gt; to change career paths and go all-in on what you love.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re into typography, branding, or just love hearing about the &lt;b&gt;obsessive&lt;/b&gt; world of letterforms, this episode is a must-listen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;More about Dan Forster:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;a href='http://www.danforster.com/'&gt;www.danforster.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Connect with Dan: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/danforster/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/danforster/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;About Kirk and Andy.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'&gt;Kirk Visola&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;MIND THE FONT&lt;/a&gt;™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;http://www.mindthefont.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'&gt;Andy Kurts&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;Buttermilk Creative&lt;/a&gt;. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&amp;apos;s work &lt;a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;http://www.buttermilkcreative.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Music for Kirk &amp;amp; Kurtts intro &amp;amp; outro: &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'&gt;Better&lt;/a&gt; by &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'&gt;Super Fantastics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Dan Forster, an award-winning lettering artist and designer with over 25 years of experience. Dan has crafted stunning custom lettering for brands, agencies, and clients worldwide, but his journey into the world of type wasn’t a straight path—it was shaped by frustration, perseverance, and an unexpected return to his roots. Dan shares the story of his late father, a renowned lettering artist, and how clearing out his dad’s studio after his pass...

Dan Forster, Lettering Artist and Type Designer

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms">Send us a text</a>In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Meredith, a brand and visual designer specializing in custom-crafted design through lettering and illustration. Lindsay’s work has been featured in Logo Lounge and includes collaborations with major names like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Disney, and professional and collegiate sports organizations.From growing up watching her father pinstripe cars to becoming an expert in brand identity, Lindsay shares how her early exposure to lettering and design shaped her career. She walks us through her journey—from starting in screen printing to navigating the challenges of freelancing and ultimately honing her niche in sports branding and custom typography.We dive into:✅ The impact of early artistic influences and how Lindsay’s dad’s craft set the foundation for her career✅ The evolution of her work, from offset printing to digital illustration and custom lettering✅ How she balances branding, illustration, and lettering to create unique, memorable logos✅ The power of self-initiated projects and why personal work can attract dream clients✅ Lessons learned from building a sustainable freelance business✅ Why animation and 3D design are next on her creative radarLindsay also shares insights into her design process, how she captures the essence of a brand, and the importance of presenting work in context to help clients see the bigger picture. Plus, we geek out over the Omaha Supernovas, her sports branding projects, and what it’s like to see Jason Derulo rocking one of her designs.If you’re a designer looking to carve out your niche, embrace creative exploration, or break into sports branding, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.🔗 Learn more about Lindsay Meredith: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseykm/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseykm/</a>View her work here: <a href='https://www.lindseykm.com/'>https://www.lindseykm.com/</a>Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow creative! <a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts">Support the show</a>About Kirk and Andy. <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'>Kirk Visola</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>MIND THE FONT</a>™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>http://www.mindthefont.com</a>. <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'>Andy Kurts</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'>Buttermilk Creative</a>. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&apos;s work <a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'>http://www.buttermilkcreative.com</a>. Music for Kirk &amp; Kurtts intro &amp; outro: <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'>Better</a> by <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'>Super Fantastics</a> Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee: <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'>Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Meredith, a brand and visual designer specializing in custom-crafted design through lettering and illustration. Lindsay’s work has been featured in &lt;em&gt;Logo Lounge &lt;/em&gt;and includes collaborations with major names like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Disney, and professional and collegiate sports organizations.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From growing up watching her father pinstripe cars to becoming an expert in brand identity, Lindsay shares how her early exposure to lettering and design shaped her career. She walks us through her journey—from starting in screen printing to navigating the challenges of freelancing and ultimately honing her niche in sports branding and custom typography.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive into:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✅ The impact of early artistic influences and how Lindsay’s dad’s craft set the foundation for her career&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✅ The evolution of her work, from offset printing to digital illustration and custom lettering&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✅ How she balances branding, illustration, and lettering to create unique, memorable logos&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✅ The power of self-initiated projects and why personal work can attract dream clients&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✅ Lessons learned from building a sustainable freelance business&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✅ Why animation and 3D design are next on her creative radar&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Lindsay also shares insights into her design process, how she captures the essence of a brand, and the importance of presenting work in context to help clients see the bigger picture. Plus, we geek out over the Omaha Supernovas, her sports branding projects, and what it’s like to see Jason Derulo rocking one of her designs.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;If you’re a designer looking to carve out your niche, embrace creative exploration, or break into sports branding, this episode is packed with valuable takeaways.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🔗 Learn more about Lindsay Meredith: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseykm/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/lindseykm/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;View her work here: &lt;a href='https://www.lindseykm.com/'&gt;https://www.lindseykm.com/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a fellow creative! &lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;About Kirk and Andy.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'&gt;Kirk Visola&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;MIND THE FONT&lt;/a&gt;™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;http://www.mindthefont.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'&gt;Andy Kurts&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;Buttermilk Creative&lt;/a&gt;. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&amp;apos;s work &lt;a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;http://www.buttermilkcreative.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Music for Kirk &amp;amp; Kurtts intro &amp;amp; outro: &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'&gt;Better&lt;/a&gt; by &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'&gt;Super Fantastics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text In this episode, we sit down with Lindsay Meredith, a brand and visual designer specializing in custom-crafted design through lettering and illustration. Lindsay’s work has been featured in Logo Lounge and includes collaborations with major names like Hasbro, Nickelodeon, LeapFrog, Disney, and professional and collegiate sports organizations. From growing up watching her father pinstripe cars to becoming an expert in brand identity, Lindsay shares how her early exposure to lett...

Lindsey Meredith, Logo/visual Brand Identity Designer, Letterer, Illustrator

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms">Send us a text</a>The Rainmaker is back! In this powerhouse episode, Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, joins Kirk and Andy for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, burnout, and the journey back to balance.Jake’s infectious energy and passion have fueled Mid-Day Squares’ rise from a startup to a $47 million business. But with success came immense pressure, a relentless pursuit of “winning”, and ultimately, a wake-up call that forced him to reassess everything. He shares his personal struggle with burnout, the mental and physical toll of constant hustle, and how he rebuilt himself—one small step at a time.🚀 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:✔️ The cost of chasing external validation and redefining success.✔️ Jake’s breaking point at Expo West—and why it changed everything.✔️ How hypnotherapy helped him regain control and mental clarity.✔️ The power of showing up, making real connections, and being present.✔️ Why authenticity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a competitive advantage.From family business dynamics to building an emotional brand that resonates, this episode is packed with raw insights, hard-earned lessons, and straight-up real talk. Whether you’re a founder, creative, or just someone grinding toward their goals, Jake’s story is a must-listen.💡 Final Thought: “All that matters is where your two feet are.” – Jake Karls👉 Tune in now and let it rain! 🎧🔥📍Get your Mid-Day Squares fix: <a href='https://www.mid-daysquares.com/'>mid-daysquares.com</a>📍Connect with Jake here: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/</a>🎙️ Don’t forget to rate, review, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it!<a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts">Support the show</a>About Kirk and Andy. <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'>Kirk Visola</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>MIND THE FONT</a>™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>http://www.mindthefont.com</a>. <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'>Andy Kurts</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'>Buttermilk Creative</a>. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&apos;s work <a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'>http://www.buttermilkcreative.com</a>. Music for Kirk &amp; Kurtts intro &amp; outro: <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'>Better</a> by <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'>Super Fantastics</a> Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee: <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'>Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;The Rainmaker is back! In this powerhouse episode, &lt;b&gt;Jake Karls&lt;/b&gt;, co-founder of &lt;b&gt;Mid-Day Squares&lt;/b&gt;, joins Kirk and Andy for an unfiltered conversation about &lt;b&gt;entrepreneurship, identity, burnout, and the journey back to balance&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Jake’s infectious energy and passion have fueled Mid-Day Squares’ rise from a startup to a $47 million business. But with success came &lt;b&gt;immense pressure&lt;/b&gt;, &lt;b&gt;a relentless pursuit of “winning”&lt;/b&gt;, and ultimately, a &lt;b&gt;wake-up call&lt;/b&gt; that forced him to reassess everything. He shares his &lt;b&gt;personal struggle with burnout&lt;/b&gt;, the &lt;b&gt;mental and physical toll of constant hustle&lt;/b&gt;, and how he rebuilt himself—&lt;b&gt;one small step at a time&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🚀 &lt;b&gt;What You’ll Learn in This Episode:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ The &lt;b&gt;cost of chasing external validation&lt;/b&gt; and redefining success.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ Jake’s &lt;b&gt;breaking point&lt;/b&gt; at Expo West—and why it changed everything.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ How &lt;b&gt;hypnotherapy&lt;/b&gt; helped him regain control and mental clarity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ The &lt;b&gt;power of showing up&lt;/b&gt;, making real connections, and being present.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;✔️ Why &lt;b&gt;authenticity&lt;/b&gt; isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a competitive advantage.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;From &lt;b&gt;family business dynamics&lt;/b&gt; to &lt;b&gt;building an emotional brand that resonates&lt;/b&gt;, this episode is packed with &lt;b&gt;raw insights, hard-earned lessons, and straight-up real talk&lt;/b&gt;. Whether you’re a founder, creative, or just someone grinding toward their goals, Jake’s story is a must-listen.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;💡 &lt;b&gt;Final Thought:&lt;/b&gt; &lt;em&gt;“All that matters is where your two feet are.”&lt;/em&gt; – Jake Karls&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;👉 Tune in now and &lt;b&gt;let it rain!&lt;/b&gt; 🎧🔥&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📍Get your Mid-Day Squares fix: &lt;a href='https://www.mid-daysquares.com/'&gt;mid-daysquares.com&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;📍Connect with Jake here: &lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-karls-653106ba/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;🎙️ Don’t forget to &lt;b&gt;rate, review, and share&lt;/b&gt; this episode with someone who needs to hear it!&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;About Kirk and Andy.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'&gt;Kirk Visola&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;MIND THE FONT&lt;/a&gt;™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;http://www.mindthefont.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'&gt;Andy Kurts&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;Buttermilk Creative&lt;/a&gt;. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&amp;apos;s work &lt;a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;http://www.buttermilkcreative.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Music for Kirk &amp;amp; Kurtts intro &amp;amp; outro: &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'&gt;Better&lt;/a&gt; by &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'&gt;Super Fantastics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text The Rainmaker is back! In this powerhouse episode, Jake Karls, co-founder of Mid-Day Squares, joins Kirk and Andy for an unfiltered conversation about entrepreneurship, identity, burnout, and the journey back to balance. Jake’s infectious energy and passion have fueled Mid-Day Squares’ rise from a startup to a $47 million business. But with success came immense pressure, a relentless pursuit of “winning”, and ultimately, a wake-up call that forced him to reassess everything. He...

Jake Karls, Co-Founder & Rainmaker of Mid-Day Squares

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms">Send us a text</a>What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Emily Winston, the founder of Boichik Bagels, a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast.In this episode, you’ll hear:• How Emily went from being a mechanical engineer at GM, working on car doors, to a full-fledged bagel artisan.• The emotional connection behind recreating her taste memory of the legendary H&amp;H Bagels from NYC.• The challenges of scaling from a small passion project to multiple locations and a frozen bagel empire.• The historic significance of Boychick’s flagship location, which was the original home of Noah’s Bagels, and how she got the founder’s blessing to continue the tradition.• How Boychick stands out, not just for its bagels, but for its bold social justice stance and commitment to inclusivity.Why listen?Whether you’re a bagel purist, a food entrepreneur, or a branding enthusiast, Emily’s story is an inspiration. It’s a masterclass in following your passion, perfecting your craft, and building a business that resonates deeply with people.Key takeaways:• Great branding meets great product. How the Boichik aesthetic became a symbol of quality and authenticity.• The bagel battle is real. Why Emily believes we’re entering a new wave of bagel wars and how she plans to win.• Managing rapid growth while keeping company culture intact. Insights into leadership, trust, and empowering a team.Don’t just take our word for it—get yourself a Boichik Bagel (especially the frozen ones if you’re not in the Bay Area).Follow and subscribe to the Kirk and Kurtts Design Podcast for more deep dives into creativity, business, and the stories behind the brands we love. Connect with Emily here: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-winston-8392672/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-winston-8392672/</a><a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts">Support the show</a>About Kirk and Andy. <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'>Kirk Visola</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>MIND THE FONT</a>™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>http://www.mindthefont.com</a>. <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'>Andy Kurts</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'>Buttermilk Creative</a>. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&apos;s work <a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'>http://www.buttermilkcreative.com</a>. Music for Kirk &amp; Kurtts intro &amp; outro: <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'>Better</a> by <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'>Super Fantastics</a> Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee: <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'>Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of &lt;b&gt;Emily Winston&lt;/b&gt;, the founder of &lt;b&gt;Boichik Bagels&lt;/b&gt;, a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;In this episode, you’ll hear:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• How Emily went from being a &lt;b&gt;mechanical engineer at GM&lt;/b&gt;, working on car doors, to a full-fledged bagel artisan.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• The emotional connection behind recreating her &lt;b&gt;taste memory&lt;/b&gt; of the legendary &lt;b&gt;H&amp;amp;H Bagels&lt;/b&gt; from NYC.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• The challenges of scaling from a small passion project to &lt;b&gt;multiple locations and a frozen bagel empire&lt;/b&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• The historic significance of Boychick’s flagship location, which was the original home of &lt;b&gt;Noah’s Bagels&lt;/b&gt;, and how she got the founder’s blessing to continue the tradition.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• How Boychick stands out, not just for its bagels, but for its &lt;b&gt;bold social justice stance&lt;/b&gt; and commitment to inclusivity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Why listen?&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re a bagel purist, a food entrepreneur, or a branding enthusiast, Emily’s story is an inspiration. It’s a masterclass in following your passion, perfecting your craft, and building a business that resonates deeply with people.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;b&gt;Key takeaways:&lt;/b&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Great branding meets great product. How the &lt;b&gt;Boichik aesthetic&lt;/b&gt; became a symbol of quality and authenticity.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• The bagel battle is real. Why Emily believes we’re entering a new wave of bagel wars and how she plans to win.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;• Managing rapid growth while keeping company culture intact. Insights into leadership, trust, and empowering a team.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Don’t just take our word for it—&lt;b&gt;get yourself a Boichik Bagel&lt;/b&gt; (especially the frozen ones if you’re not in the Bay Area).&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Follow and subscribe to the &lt;b&gt;Kirk and Kurtts Design Podcast&lt;/b&gt; for more deep dives into creativity, business, and the stories behind the brands we love.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with Emily here:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-winston-8392672/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-winston-8392672/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;About Kirk and Andy.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'&gt;Kirk Visola&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;MIND THE FONT&lt;/a&gt;™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;http://www.mindthefont.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'&gt;Andy Kurts&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;Buttermilk Creative&lt;/a&gt;. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&amp;apos;s work &lt;a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;http://www.buttermilkcreative.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Music for Kirk &amp;amp; Kurtts intro &amp;amp; outro: &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'&gt;Better&lt;/a&gt; by &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'&gt;Super Fantastics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text What makes a bagel legendary? Is it the texture, the crust, the chew, or the history behind it? In this episode, we’re diving deep into the story of Emily Winston, the founder of Boichik Bagels, a Bay Area sensation bringing old-school New York flavor to the West Coast. In this episode, you’ll hear: • How Emily went from being a mechanical engineer at GM, working on car doors, to a full-fledged bagel artisan. • The emotional connection behind recreating her taste memory of the ...

Emily Winston, Founder & CEO of Boichik Bagels, Engineer

<a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms">Send us a text</a>This week on the Kirk &amp; Kurtts Design Podcast, we’re joined by Joel Herrera—visual communicator, illustrator, painter, storyteller, and former Duke art professor. Joel shares how his love for comic books and a family steeped in creativity shaped his journey as an artist.We dive into:•The accidental (and slightly annoying) way Joel discovered his talent•Why every artist feels like their work isn’t good enough•The importance of putting your art out there—even when it’s scary•Joel’s love for alternative movie posters and storytellingWhether you’re a designer, an artist, or just someone trying to make something meaningful, Joel’s story will leave you inspired and ready to tackle your own creative challenges. Connect with Joel here: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-herrera-ux/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-herrera-ux/</a><a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts">Support the show</a>About Kirk and Andy. <a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'>Kirk Visola</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>MIND THE FONT</a>™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work <a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'>http://www.mindthefont.com</a>. <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'>Andy Kurts</a> is the Creative Director and Founder of <a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'>Buttermilk Creative</a>. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&apos;s work <a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'>http://www.buttermilkcreative.com</a>. Music for Kirk &amp; Kurtts intro &amp; outro: <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'>Better</a> by <a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'>Super Fantastics</a> Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee: <a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'>Support the show</a>

<description>&lt;p&gt;&lt;a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1933171/open_sms"&gt;Send us a text&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;This week on the Kirk &amp;amp; Kurtts Design Podcast, we’re joined by Joel Herrera—visual communicator, illustrator, painter, storyteller, and former Duke art professor. Joel shares how his love for comic books and a family steeped in creativity shaped his journey as an artist.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;We dive into:&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;•The accidental (and slightly annoying) way Joel discovered his talent&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;•Why every artist feels like their work isn’t good enough&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;•The importance of putting your art out there—even when it’s scary&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;•Joel’s love for alternative movie posters and storytelling&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Whether you’re a designer, an artist, or just someone trying to make something meaningful, Joel’s story will leave you inspired and ready to tackle your own creative challenges.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Connect with Joel here:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-herrera-ux/'&gt;https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-herrera-ux/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;a rel="payment" href="https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts"&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;About Kirk and Andy.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='http://www.linkedin.com/IN/KIRKVISOLA'&gt;Kirk Visola&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;MIND THE FONT&lt;/a&gt;™. He brings over 20 years of CPG experience to the packaging and branding design space, and understands how shelf aesthetics can make an impact for established and emerging brands. Check out their work &lt;a href='http://www.mindthefont.com/'&gt;http://www.mindthefont.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;/p&gt; &lt;p&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/andykurtts/'&gt;Andy Kurts&lt;/a&gt; is the Creative Director and Founder of &lt;a href='https://buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;Buttermilk Creative&lt;/a&gt;. He loves a good coffee in the morning and a good bourbon at night. When he’s not working on packaging design he’s running in the backyard with his family. Check out Buttermilk&amp;apos;s work &lt;a href='http://www.buttermilkcreative.com/'&gt;http://www.buttermilkcreative.com&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Music for Kirk &amp;amp; Kurtts intro &amp;amp; outro: &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/album/better/1566950740?i=1566950747'&gt;Better&lt;/a&gt; by &lt;a href='https://music.apple.com/us/artist/super-fantastics/1554679302'&gt;Super Fantastics&lt;/a&gt;&lt;br/&gt;&lt;br/&gt;Show a little love. Share the podcast with those who may benefit. Or, send us a coffee:&lt;br/&gt;&lt;a href='https://www.buymeacoffee.com/kirkandkurtts'&gt;Support the show&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;</description>

Send us a text This week on the Kirk &amp; Kurtts Design Podcast, we’re joined by Joel Herrera—visual communicator, illustrator, painter, storyteller, and former Duke art professor. Joel shares how his love for comic books and a family steeped in creativity shaped his journey as an artist. We dive into: •The accidental (and slightly annoying) way Joel discovered his talent •Why every artist feels like their work isn’t good enough •The importance of putting your art out there—even when it’s sc...

Joel Herrera, Artist, Illustrator, Poster Designer, UX Designer, Product Designer, Instructor, Teacher

Kirk Visola and Andy Kurtts take a fun look and analysis at branding and design. The fun nuances, textures, colors, and disruption that branding and all that goes with it may take on. Their insight is fun and honest with the hopes of educating those who tune in. And, being small business owners, they face many of the trials and obstacles that others face and speak towards that as well. No matter what, it's always a good time when these two get together and you might learn a little something new about that pretty little design or branding that you just saw.&nbsp;

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