Jay Mena

• Founder, Partnerships & Strategy @MindfulMotif
• Seasoned process architect and brand strategist
• Crafter of brand-centric systems #MindfulSystems

[Mindful Motif @MindfulMotif]

Most people see a logo, we see a series of decisions.

Safe Landing Capital's identity began with a challenge that had little to do with its visual expression.

The question wasn't about visual choices, colors, typography. It was about Trust. 🧵 👇

#DesignStrategy #Branding

[Alex Cristache @AlexCristache]

There are no shortcuts to making something that works, that lasts, and that you're proud of.

When I created @MindfulMotif with my partner, @MrJayMena we knew the road was long. We had the knowhow, we had the experience and expertise, we had what we are still 100% sure is a differentiator, but nothing else.

That meant we had to create everything from the ground up, from process and procedures, to tools, documentation, and everything a business requires.

It took a while, but the journey was worth the patience. We closed November with a wonderful project that I can't wait to share, because we can create a case study, and the client has been absolutely exceptional. The project retrospective effortlessly turned into the most amazing testimonials a client could give you.

We started December with a new client, new project, with added complexity and barely a week into the project we're already looking at doing another one in January. And these will turn into public case studies as well.

The journey was worth it. There are no shortcuts, just hard work with your head down, and immutable belief in what you're creating.

Publicly, we say Mindful Motif is a Design Strategy consulting firm, with a heavy accent on strategy. What we came to learn through experiences is that, for our clients, it feels a lot like Design Therapy, a process of self-alignment from marketing, branding, and digital design that they haven't experienced before.

Proud of what we're building.
Mindfully.

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

I have a personal share regarding the Coca-Cola-themed posts.

It turns out, I worked on an ad for @CocaCola a couple of decades ago.

I wasn't the photographer or the designer. I was not the producer or set manager.

I'm the guy in the back showing big white teeth, yelling like I'm going into battle, and a misshapen, wavy afro like I'm a Boondocks. character.

Yep. That's me.

The guy with the dreads in front, that's my cousin. That was a fun, hot day in Miami.

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

They were treading water, fast.
Sinking in the bubbles of their own drink.

This is a follow-up to the article "Paused, Refreshed, Conquered," in which I explored how Robert Woodruff transformed Coca-Cola from a struggling company into a global icon through cross-functional alignment.

Read about the three core principles from Woodruff's 1920s turnaround. https://t.co/3LZO0Fq3Eg

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

They were drowning.
Sinking in their concoction of a drink that should not have survived. But did.

By 1919, Coca-Cola was facing a corporate horror movie.

Read my latest article, "Paused, Refreshed, Conquered." To learn about this fascinating transformation: https://t.co/GsfX70SXEu

@MindfulMotif

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

"Sugar Shack" sold for $15M, but Eddie Murphy owns the original?

While everyone was talking about the $15 million auction sale, Murphy matter-of-factly revealed on Jimmy Kimmel Live that he's owned the first version since 1982.

Read more: https://t.co/6ErVR0LbXw

#ChangeManagement #ChangeLeadership #ArtHistory #SugarShack

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

Even if your last masterpiece felt like a miracle, I bet you have another one in you.

#ChangeLeadership #MarketingLeaders #SugarShack

@MindfulMotif

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

"It's the end. It's all over for me."

The desperate inner voices of sudden drastic change.

When a 6'6" NFL defensive lineman's career-ending injury forced him to find a new path, he didn't see failure. He saw freedom.

Read my latest article, "From Dirt to Sugar" To learn about Ernie Barnes' remarkable story and get the "Sugar Shack" Change Management Principles Resource. https://t.co/OmWrvUlezl

[Alex Cristache @AlexCristache]

One color palette, five beautiful #gradients.
#MindfulPalettes no. 205

1. FFFAF0 → FFBD2B
2. FFBD2B → F08300
3. FFBD2B → 3D6C54
4. F08300 → FFBD2B → 3D6C54 → 19443C
5. 19443C → 12221D

[Alex Cristache @AlexCristache]

Gradient-based visual created with the #MindfulPalettes no. 205 color palette.

#DesignInspiration

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

@eternal_arka "Can you just make it pop?"

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

‼️ Found it! My hotel room key for the Cerulean Tower in Shibuya. I believe it's the only one I have kept after a trip. I need to go back!

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

My visit to Japan was a turning point.

Standing at Shibuya Crossing, watching thousands move in harmony.

Everyone talks about the crossing. The busiest intersection in the world. Their very own Times Square, with considerably more concern for traffic laws.

But some of the greatest lessons weren't in that famous dance.

They were hidden in the narrow Shibuya, Tokyo, side streets.

Read more: https://t.co/tcvDFZ6hoe

#ClientPartnerships #Leadership #StrategicDesign

@MindfulMotif

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

"Even when the steps felt a bit clumsy, you found the rhythm. Don't stop dancing."

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

The Toyota Floor Walk That Changed Everything. It set a standard.

Toyota's quality reputation didn't come from boardroom strategy sessions. It came from leaders walking factory floors, every single day.

Read more: https://t.co/4x5lhlOw0t

#ClientPartnerships #DesignStrategy #ProcessImprovement

@MindfulMotif

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

@MindfulMotif I love me some "good friction". Mindful pushback produces more wins than careful silence.

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

If you haven’t heard it lately, none of this could have happened without you. Thank you.

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

@Kovalchuk_logos 2

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

How about I still have my wrinkled middle school gym t-shirt? Virgil I. Grissom on the chest, Earth, and capsule logo. I would have taken a selfie, but it would have been a belly button pic. So, no.

[Jay Mena @MrJayMena]

This feels wrong. We may want to rethink this. Virgil I. Grissom warned them. Engineers dismissed his feedback. Unfortunately, he proved he was right.

Read more: https://t.co/mJJpB5f00z

#Leadership #TeamDynamics #MarketingLeaders #ToTheMoon