Jacob Cass started a blog in 2007 as a design student in Sydney, documenting his learning journey. That simple act of sharing imperfect work caught the attention of a New York agency and launched a career designing for Disney, Nike, and Red Bull. Nearly 20 years later, Jacob has traveled to 88 countries as a digital nomad, hosted the Just Branding podcast for six years, and founded Brand Builders Alliance — a thriving membership community serving brand builders across 29 countries.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How a student blog documenting imperfect design work landed Jacob a dream job in New York
• The visa rollercoaster: getting denied in Canada, kicked out of the country, and learning never to get comfortable
• Traveling to 88 countries while working four hours a day as a fully booked visual identity designer
• Why South Africa's private game reserves were the top travel experience
• How losing 90% of his blog traffic became the catalyst for building Brand Builders Alliance
• Why he'd give student Jacob the same advice today: keep sharing where you're at, even when work isn't polished
• Taming the "advice monster" and why asking questions beats giving answers
• Running a global community with four young children: work-life integration and boundaries
• Pivotal moments: getting fired, discovering brand strategy, major setbacks, and adapting
• Why sharing process matters more than polished outcomes
• How podcasting gets easier after doing the reps

Jacob's core philosophy: share your process, not just your final work. Don't wait for impressive results before building an online presence. Share the journey of learning itself and let opportunities find you.

ABOUT JACOB CASS: Jacob is an Australian brand designer, community builder, and founder of Brand Builders Alliance. He started his career with a student blog in 2007 that led to designing for major brands in New York. After several years as a digital nomad traveling to 88 countries, he now co-hosts the Just Branding podcast and leads a membership community focused on helping brand builders master branding and build thriving creative businesses.

CONNECT WITH JACOB:

Brand Builders Alliance: https://joinbba.com

Website: https://justcreative.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/justcreative/

Just Branding Podcast: https://justcreative.com/podcast/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jacobcass

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CAPTNOffScript

MORE FROM CAPTN OFFSCRIPT:

Website: https://captnoffscript.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captnoffscript

Newsletter: https://captn.myflodesk.com/newsletter

What do you want to be known for in five years? Austrian brand designer Geri Kriechbaum asks himself this question constantly — and it's transformed how he builds Stroncton, his brand design studio. In this episode, Geri shares his journey from technical engineer to self-taught designer, the trademark setback that led to Stroncton's creation, and why putting your work out there (even when it's imperfect) is the most important thing you can do.

In this conversation, we explore:

• How Geri left his engineering job after realizing the nine-to-five mindset didn't align with his creative calling
• The story behind Stroncton's name and the anchor-lighthouse symbolism that drives his brand
• Why he spent nearly 10 years building apparel brands before offering design services to clients
• Overcoming imposter syndrome as a self-taught designer without a formal degree
• The difference between intrinsic motivation (genuine passion) and extrinsic motivation (money, status)
• How to define your designer identity instead of constantly comparing yourself to others on social media
• Why sharing imperfect work creates opportunities — and how you can put yourself out there so "luck" can happen
• Burnout lessons: Why sustainable daily progress beats unsustainable all-night work sessions

Geri's core advice to young designers: Stop waiting for your portfolio to be perfect. Start by designing for yourself, share your work publicly, and regularly ask yourself "What do I want to be known for in five years?" This question will clarify your identity, focus your efforts, and help you build a creative career on your own terms.

ABOUT GERI KRIECHBAUM: Geri is an Austrian brand designer and founder of Stroncton, a brand design studio specializing in visual identity, logo design, and brand strategy. Originally from a technical engineering background, he's completely self-taught in design and spent years building personal apparel brands inspired by skateboard culture before transitioning to client-focused brand work.

CONNECT WITH GERI:

Website: https://www.stroncton.com/en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stroncton/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geri-kriechbaum-9a1233169

WATCH THE FULL VIDEO EPISODE:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CAPTNOffScript

MORE FROM CAPTN OFFSCRIPT:
Website: https://captnoffscript.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/captnoffscript

Newsletter: https://captn.myflodesk.com/newsletter

In this episode, I sit down with Scott Fuller to talk about what it truly means to succeed as an independent designer.

We move beyond surface-level advice and dig into the realities of building a sustainable design career. Scott shares how consistency, reliability, and long-term thinking have shaped his path, and why independence requires more than just talent.

A large part of our conversation focuses on client relationships. How do you win trust? How do you maintain it? And how do you position yourself as dependable in a competitive industry?

We also talk about creative discipline, comparison, imposter syndrome, and the emotional weight of working independently. Scott speaks honestly about competing with himself rather than chasing trends, and why focusing on steady growth often beats short bursts of attention.

This is a grounded conversation about creative independence, responsibility, and playing the long game in design.