Vision Session
Artifact info
Title:

Vision Session 1

Engagement:

Uncommon Partners

Client:

Uncommon Partners

Meeting Date:
September 9, 2025
Next Meeting Date:
January 7, 2026
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December 2, 2025
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September 16, 2025
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September 4, 2025
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People
Peter Wrinch
James Redenbaugh
Ellen Keith Shaw
Artifact Image
Meeting Summary

Overview:

Initial brand vision session for Uncommon Partners, a strategic accompaniment business serving retreat centers and social change organizations. Peter shared his background bridging cerebral analysis with somatic/spiritual practices, developed through 25 years in social change work. Discussion focused on defining brand personality, visual aesthetics, and target audience positioning. Key themes emerged around authentic accompaniment, provocation balanced with care, and creating resonant rather than typical retreat center marketing.

Notes:

🌟 Opening & Intention Setting (02:15 - 06:00)

Peter opened with reading from Deepak Chopra's Seven Spiritual Laws about conscious choice-making and awareness practice. Shared framework of examining "what am I practicing?" in daily decisions without judgment, emphasizing awareness over performance.

🎯 Founder Background & Positioning (11:43 - 18:38)

Peter's lower-middle-class, single-mom upbringing identified as "superpower" differentiating from typical elite consultants. Direct, unpretentious communication style builds trust with wealthy clients by avoiding deference and performance. Example: asking billionaires "what the f*** do you do?" - they responded positively to authentic directness. 25 years social change experience combined with 10 years somatic/spiritual development at Hollyhock creates unique bridge between cerebral analysis and embodied wisdom.

💡 Business Philosophy & Differentiation (20:50 - 35:34)

"No excuse for being lackluster" philosophy from early mentor - nonprofit/social change work must be excellent, not use mission as excuse for poor execution. Business positioned as accompaniment rather than traditional consulting - emphasis on walking alongside clients versus delivering documents. Strategic planning as relational/somatic process recognizing multiple forces at play beyond spreadsheets (example: married co-founders running retreat center need space to discuss marriage separately from business strategy).

🔄 Service Model & Client Experience (43:34 - 46:47)

Clients typically request "philanthropic strategy" but actual value is ongoing relational accompaniment and emergent outcomes. Contracts built with flexible deliverables allowing evolution based on what emerges from first meeting. Product is "so much bigger than strategic document" - focused on how clients feel: heard, accompanied, seen, relieved, intrigued. Avoidance of typical retreat center marketing clichés (campfires, handholding).

🎨 Visual Identity & Aesthetic Preferences (55:10 - 1:17:44)

Clean lines, limited palette - influenced by Japanese aesthetics and Soviet-era design. Preference for whites, blacks, grays but also drawn to local Pacific Northwest colors: green (cedar/fir), blue (sky/ocean), brown (sun-baked cedar wood). Important to avoid clinical sterility while maintaining clarity. Space metaphor: Japanese-influenced architecture with wood, natural light, meaningful objects with stories - coherent but not cluttered.

🌌 Metaphors & Inspiration (47:30 - 51:20)

Stars in infancy clustering together, then separating at maturity - powerful metaphor for accompaniment and relationship. Uses space/cosmic imagery in presentations but conscious of edge between inspiring and appearing "flaky." Emphasis on finding grounding and authenticity to balance spiritual elements with practical effectiveness.

🎭 Brand Personality Definition (1:19:30 - 1:27:40)

Target feeling for clients: Excited with mild edge of provocation, but also held, safe, seen, and empowered. Tone of voice: Engaged, alert, soft, and patient - avoiding monologues, maintaining relational flow. Brand as person: Real, thoughtful, empowering, with some fun and depth - avoiding being boring, typical, or "sold to."

Action Items:

Peter Wrinch:
  • Send team presentations, visuals, fonts, and images reflecting aesthetic preferences
  • Provide photos of local Pacific Northwest palette (cedar/blue/green colors)
  • Request testimonials from current 5 clients for authentic social proof
  • Share images of architectural spaces matching described brand personality
James Redenbaugh:
  • Create meeting recap and share with team
  • Schedule follow-up meeting for same time next week for visual language development
  • Prepare color palette exploration and pattern development based on discussion
Ellen Keith Shaw:
  • Facilitate brand personality questionnaire completion and interpretation
  • Support cohesive narrative development around brand emotional framework
  • Help translate brand insights into practical messaging guidance

Next Steps:

Team to reconvene next week at same time for deeper visual language development and color palette refinement. Focus on translating brand personality insights into concrete visual elements while maintaining authenticity and avoiding retreat center clichés. Priority on developing "resonant artifacts" that convey multi-dimensional nature of accompaniment work.

Relevant Initiatives

Phase 1: Discovery & Vision

Priority: 
High
Size: 
M
Completing

Phase 2: Structure & Content

Priority: 
High
Size: 
L
Creation Stage

Phase 3: Site Design

Priority: 
Medium
Size: 
L
Coordinating

Phase 4: Development

Priority: 
Low
Size: 
M
Planning Stage
Transcript