Make first impressions.

Last month I confessed that Tanya and I were trading in Bragg Creek’s forests for Osoyoos’ vineyards. We were downsizing our house, selling our possessions on Facebook Marketplace (which I’ve managed to make new friends on), and discovering that I’d apparently spent decades curating a museum dedicated to “I’ll use this someday.”

This month, I’d like to confess something else. This hit me while I was mowing my lawn the other day (potentially for the last time). AdMaki Creative and I are going to be the new kids on the block. I’m not retiring as many folks think. I’ll continue to live my “functional retirement” (more on that next month).

After 18+ years of building AdMaki in Alberta, we’re positioning ourselves in the Okanagan. I’ll soon be introducing myself to people who have absolutely no idea who I am or what an AdMaki is.

And it’s strangely humbling but exciting. At 65, I thought I’d graduated from first impressions. Apparently not.

Changing your postal code doesn’t erase your experience. AdMaki has spent nearly two decades helping businesses build brands, websites, advertising campaigns, social media, creative content that connects with people. We’ve won awards, met impossible deadlines, defended countless “Can we make the logo bigger?” requests, and built relationships that I value far more than all the trophies and accolades.

None of that disappears when you relocate and it made me wonder how many business owners are limiting themselves because they assume their market has to be local.

Decades ago, that made sense. Today? Not so much. Clients Zoom. Files live in the Cloud. Ideas travel at the speed of light. A business in Bragg Creek can serve Penticton. An agency in Osoyoos can help Calgary. Geography is not a barrier.

While most of today’s entrepreneurs (and customers) are wonderfully practical, it seems they care less about where you are and more about what you deliver. But if a handshake is the better way to start a relationship, I’ll happily grab my shaving kit, jump in my Jeep and hit the highway in order to start a conversation.

I’ll admit, I’m old-school. I’d still rather sit across a table with someone than stare at thier avatar or their forehead on a virtual call. I take what I do very personally. I like visiting businesses, reading the room, and scribbling ideas in my journal. Those moments matter more than ever. It’s what makes the difference between “safe” creative and content that is emotionally engaging. Creative content that makes people say to themselves, “What were they drinking to come up with that idea?”

Maybe that’s the real lesson hidden in all of this. We spend years becoming good at what we do, then convince ourselves our opportunity is limited by a postal code or a border (even one’s age). That’s nonsense. If you’ve built something valuable, take it somewhere new. Test yourself. Knock on a few unfamiliar doors. The worst thing that happens is someone doesn’t know your name, yet. The best thing? They eventually will.

Myself, I’ll keep chasing ideas, build creative campaigns, submit auditions and engage in face-to-face conversations. It’s about giving yourself permission to grow in directions you never expected.

Now go make an impression.

Cheers, mark