The DaveHillJr.com Backstory
In January 2021, I launched a new website (this website!) called DaveHillJr.com.
I've been coaching for many years and advertised my services on Go2MarketCoach.com, but I found the name led to some confusion about who I am and what I do. Am I a consultant? Am I a coach? A fractional CMO? A mentor?
I've done all of those roles but have decided that coaching is really what fills me up and where I feel I have the most impact. I still do some occasional mentorship when needed. But, I've put a concerted effort into upgrading my certifications and crystalizing my identity as a coach. (If you have questions about my coaching or how I work with clients, please feel free to contact me or read my FAQ.)
From Daydream to Metaphor: How I developed my new site identity
As I went to create my new site, I did the classic fumbling around with images, logos, color palettes, etc.
I began to settle into some nature themes. I am now living back in the Pacific Northwest and enjoy the green hikes along rivers, canyons and mountains nearby. Despite their beauty, the evergreen Cascade mountain metaphors just weren't feeling right. Sure, most people enjoy getting out in nature and we know it has rejuvenating qualities (right, Doc?) But a significant part of my coaching work involves metaphors, so I felt there had to be more meaning than just choosing some nice looking stock images.
So I kept thinking, and walking, and asking Jimmy (my website guy) and Andrew (a new graphic artist I met) for ideas. And then, like many projects you put on a back burner, something started to click after looking at some different seasons of some familiar nature scenes.
I realized that coaching is really about change. And to me the best reminder of change is the autumnal leaf drop and color explosion — the glorious death of last year's leaves falling away in a myriad of colors while leaving their steady trees naked in their wake.
Obviously, the trees don't die. Instead, they shiver through the winter, feeling a bit stark and wobbly in their leafless existence. This, too, is similar to an experience we all go through as we change and challenge ourselves to grow and learn new ways of approaching what is most important to us. In just a few months, we see most of these trees boasting a new coat of green leaves as their new way of waving to the world is reborn.
Another metaphor that I decided to place throughout my site was running water. As a coach, my role is to hold the banks of the river or creek and to compassionately keep the program on track. These river beds represent me holding the stream moving lightly and supporting however the client needs to go today. We may need to move through or around some rocks together, or even form a new river bed.
To me, these images are a great backdrop to my coaching practice and I hope you agree. One downside is that my site will only be “in season” for a quarter of the year. However I believe we can grow anytime we choose, and I prefer to choose all the time.
Please let me know what you think about the site or what types of topics you'd like me to write about. This blog is dedicated to my dear clients, past and future. I never use my client’s names but instead write articles that I hope are helpful, inspiring and pointing towards new perspectives that can help us all grow.
Thanks for reading!
Dave
