Topping Consulting

07/20/2026

We can't all have ALL the skills. No one would need anyone.

AAAH!

I geek out about multi-page publications and love finding where can I be of service. Recently, I put my skills to work for an organization looking to enhance their publication and make it more professional looking.

Counting my blessings. ...45...46...47...

07/14/2026

A conversation led to the reminder of this dear sweet project. In 2019, I volunteered time to create the logo, brochure, and website for the Sevier County Heritage Museum. It was so fun to meet with the volunteers, see some of the county's history, and well, make stuff happen for the area. (Hello Jim and Reid!)

Then 2020.

There has been such hard work and dedication for this place since then, in hopes that it will re-open. I am hoping they do– and selfishly as a designer, I dream that they keep this logo. (:

As someone who did really crappy in high school history, I am making up for it in my dedication to preserving it. (Can I NOW get a higher grade???) I wanted to walk down memory lane for a moment about this design project. Thanks for joining me.

Have a good day now.

07/13/2026

Today's Thought Topping:

When you use ChatGPT for your flyers and posts, it is giving you a lovely image. But "lovely" does not look on brand. It is better to be ugly and on brand than lovely and not on brand.

You become the same flower in a field.

I decided to do a test and tell ChatGPT (I named it Chabbity)what I thought about it's general design capabilities when it created an image for me. It looked like EVERYONE ELSE's AI imagery.

Please read how it responds: "...unless it (AI) is heavily directed." That's all I am asking you to do. If you don't hire me to help build your brand, at least... AT THE VERY LEAST, direct AI to a higher level to be on YOUR brand.

OK. Go be on brand!

06/26/2026

I've been beating this drum for awhile now. Current situation is the sameness of the AI advertisements/posts/logos.

Listen.

I am not knocking that you use AI, my branding heart is sad to see you fall into the sea of sameness. You need to be prompting to your brand. Your brand is the experience for your clients. The posts, the marketing materials, those are all the first impression of your overall brand that they will be seeing/experiencing.

PLEASE consider that for your next iteration.

You are better off making a Microsoft Word Art flyer with your brand colors than using ChatGPT.

Unless you prompt it as such.

At least if you don't listen to me, listen to Gary Vee.

06/11/2026

Neither does your hardware store, retail shop, salon.... etc.

Make people experience your brand, not the product.

Stand out.

02/16/2026

https://youtu.be/vkHbEfDU0YI?si=HNXZjhJ1vEiFYNOF

You’re competing with thousands of brands every day—and most brands just get ignored.In this episode, you’ll learn how to create a logo that’s memorable, int...

02/12/2026

01/08/2026

PSA: This is a bit of an aside but I want to expand on a post by someone looking for a recommendation. This is important.

So many times people have made recommendations based on only a business card/knowing someone’s name. I think this needs to change. Recommendation should come from working with the person AND listing out what was completed. And then maybe your background. Then people have something in which to base decisions. I am a very small business and may need something different than a multi tiered office. Therefore if I just throw out a name, it technically means nothing more than a popularity contest. If you throw out a name/business- say whether you have worked with them- or just say- “I heard so and so but can not speak to doing business with them directly.”

I take who I recommend seriously and follow up with the requestor if I know they chose my recommendation. Someone can be a brilliant such and such but not the right fit for the one asking.

If you want to be truly helpful to your friend, give more details in your recommendation.

11/20/2025

My heart is full! ANNND so is this gift basket I won. A huge WOW and THANK YOU to CD Technology for their wonderful prize donation at this morning's Seymour Area Chamber of Commerce Breakfast Buzz. I will put this to use!

See everyone at the next!