Services
A one-time brand diagnostic and an ongoing partnership for DTC founders. Positioning, identity, and storytelling — from a dedicated strategist in Tokyo.
Work with me
I help DTC founders close the gap between a great product and an underbuilt brand — through positioning, identity, and storytelling. Always in that order.
When you work with me, you work with me. No junior teams. No handoffs. No layers between you and the thinking.
I've been based in Tokyo for three decades. That distance is the point — outsiders see what insiders miss.
Note: If you're pre-product-market fit or below $2M revenue, my services aren't right for you yet — start with the newsletter. It's free forever with optional upgrades for direct access to me.
Brand Diagnostic
A clear-eyed assessment of where your brand stands today. I review your full online presence, record a private walk-through video, and deliver a PDF report with prioritized recommendations. We close with a 60-minute strategy call to talk it through. Everything within 10 business days.
Best if you want an honest outside view before deeper work — and a clear path forward if you do.
The full $997 applies as credit toward your first month of Brand Partnership if you move forward within 30 days.
Limited to five slots.
Brand Partnership
Your dedicated brand strategist — for as long as you need one. We start with a 90-minute kickoff call, then build your brand's strategic foundation: positioning, then identity, then storytelling, in that order. Most brands move through the foundation in two to four months.
Once your foundation is approved, I stay on as your strategic partner. I produce your brand's storytelling — articles, newsletters, social, scripts — and apply your strategy to your website and social profiles. Same strategist, no handoff to a content team or developer.
Includes a weekly 60-minute strategy call with follow-up and async access through your client portal with a 48-hour response time. You get your own project board for briefs and requests — most delivered within 5 days. Additional calls available on request.
Month-to-month. Pause or cancel anytime — just email me. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your billing period. No refunds for partial months.
If you're not satisfied with the work in any given month, tell me before your next billing date. I'll revise the work or refund the month — your choice.
Best if you want consistent strategic support without hiring full-time.
Limited to five slots.
Discounts for existing clients:
- Atelier: Apply after the first 3 months of Atelier for $497 off your first Partnership month.
- Brand Diagnostic: Apply within 30 days for $997 off your first Partnership month.
Is this for you?
I work with premium, founder-led DTC brands — usually in the $2M–$10M revenue range. Considered purchases where craft, quality, and aesthetics matter.
This is a good fit if:
- Your product has real craft and clear product-market fit — but growth has stalled
- You're established enough to invest in getting the brand right, but don't have strategy in-house
- You want a strategist who challenges your assumptions, not one who takes orders
- You've heard yourself say: 'We sound like everyone else' or 'We've outgrown our brand but don't know how to evolve it.'
This isn't the right fit if:
- You're pre-product-market fit (the brand is not your bottleneck yet — the product is)
- Your revenue is below $2M (premium strategy fees compete with survival, and that's a fight strategy can't win)
- You want someone to execute tasks while you call the shots (this is strategic partnership, not a vendor relationship)
- Budget is your primary decision filter (this is premium pricing for a specific reason — see "Why $4,997/month" in the FAQ)
If any of those apply, the newsletter is the right place to start. It's free forever with optional upgrades for direct access to me.
Not sure where to start?
Book a free 15-minute discovery call. I'll point you in the right direction — even if that's not working with me.
Prefer email? Send a message to [email protected]. I'll get back to you within 72 hours.
FAQ
Can I see examples of your work?
My published writing — playbooks, articles, and brand breakdowns — is my portfolio. It shows you exactly how I think and work. My recent client work is under NDA, which is standard for subcontracted strategy. Read the newsletter, evaluate the thinking, and decide if it's the kind of work you want behind your brand.
Why $4,997/month?
Premium pricing for a specific structure. You get one strategist — me — for as long as you need one. Weekly 60-minute strategy calls, 48-hour async response, and the same strategist who builds your foundation also produces your storytelling. The in-house equivalent is a senior brand strategist at $250K+ a year, plus benefits and recruiting time. The agency equivalent is higher, and you'd usually be working with a junior team — not the senior who pitched you. Brand Partnership is the senior, every month, month-to-month, pause or cancel anytime.
How quickly can we start?
Typically within one week. If my schedule is full, I'll let you know the earliest start date before you commit.
Do you sign NDAs?
Yes. Client confidentiality matters to me. I'm happy to sign a mutual NDA before we begin.
Can I pause and resume later?
Yes. The Brand Partnership is month-to-month. Just email me at [email protected]. I'll process your request within 1 business day. No penalties, no long-term commitment — pause or cancel anytime, for any reason.
What if we need help with more than one brand?
Parent company, subsidiary, product line, collection, media property, founder's personal brand — I work with all of them. The approach is the same regardless of brand type. Bundling is possible — we'd talk first so I can understand the full picture and recommend the right scope.
What about the time difference?
I'm based in Tokyo (GMT+9) and typically work 9 am to 6 pm, Monday to Friday. You'll have access to my calendar booking link to choose a slot that works for you. That usually means early morning for me and evening for you, or the other way around.
What countries do you work with?
Worldwide. As long as we can communicate in English and handle payments in USD, location doesn't matter.