FROM THE DESK | ISSUE 018

FIELD NOTES | Why Timelines Matter (Even When You Miss One)

Look, we know this usually hits your inbox on a Monday. But it’s Tuesday. And here we are.

Why? Because project deadlines took priority. Suz is in Toronto this week. And I, Rory, am in full solo dad mode. It’s been a blur of lunchboxes, client decks, bedtime stories, and late-night file exports.

Now that I’ve got my excuses out of the way, let’s talk about why this little delay actually makes the perfect segue into something that’s been top of mind lately: Timelines.

More specifically, how setting clear timelines (and sticking to them) has completely changed how we operate, not just as a design studio, but as business owners, partners, and parents trying to do big things without losing our minds.

If you’ve been reading these newsletters for a while or follow us on socials, you probably know our deal: I’m the creative brain, Suz is the strategy and operations whiz. And since she joined the business full-time earlier this year, one of the biggest upgrades we’ve made is tightening our process around timelines.

B.S. (Before Suz)

Before Suz stepped in, I had a rough idea of how long things might take. A gut feeling. A general vibe. I’d tell the client “Yeah, you’ll see something the week after next” and just cross my fingers that nothing exploded between now and then.

It worked… kinda. But it also meant more stress, more back-and-forth, and waaay less clarity for everyone involved.

A.S. (After Suz)

Now? We map out every phase of a project before we even start. From the kickoff to delivery of V1, V2, and V3. From the feedback windows to the revision rounds. We share all the milestone dates and send it out to the client on Day 1.

No more guessing. No more “Hey, where’s that file?” No more mystery about what’s happening when.

And here’s the thing, this ain’t just a “design studio” tip. If you run a business, build things for clients, or juggle multiple priorities at once, you need real timelines.

Not just for the people you’re working with, but for yourself. Because setting deadlines (and respecting them) does more than just keep projects moving. It helps you protect your time, manage expectations, and make space for the stuff that matters most.

And when something throws a curveball in the system (like your partner being across the country for a week), it’s a lot easier to stay focused, pivot where needed, and keep the machine running.

TL;DR?

If you’re not putting real, specific dates on your work, do it.

Even if it’s just a self-imposed deadline to finish that personal project you’ve been dragging out for 6 months. Write it down. Put it in your calendar. Tell someone. It’ll keep you accountable, and it’ll help you actually finish the damn thing.

And hey, if you miss a newsletter timeline? Own it. Then use it as fuel for the next one.

FRESH OFF THE DESK | Reset Retreat

Speaking of solo dad duty… some of you might’ve seen that over the past few months I’ve joined forces with The Fathers Guild to help spread the good word about Dad life.

Well, things are starting to ramp up, and our first retreats are officially on the books, kicking off next month.

These weekends are shaping up to be something special. A whole lot of time outdoors, no cell service, no chaos, just space to reset, refocus, and come back to our families stronger and more grounded.

To help get the message out there, we’ve been cooking up some new badge designs, merch elements, and visual goodies behind the scenes. Because if you’re going to unplug and get real with yourself, you might as well do it in a sweet tee.

You can check out the retreat details at the link below, and if you're a dad, or know one who could use a weekend away, we’d love to see you out there.

ON OUR RADAR | The One App to Rule Them All

Aaand speaking of staying on top of things (see? It’s all connected and planned out, I promise.), let’s talk software.

I’ve been around the block when it comes to productivity tools. Trello, Asana, Airtable, Google Sheets, scraps of paper, notebooks, used them all. And every time, I’d hit some kind of wall. Clunky workflows, too many limitations, or just… it didn’t feel right.

But about 6 months ago, we dove headfirst into Notion, and folks, I think we’ve finally found the one, and the base plan is FREE. Which for the level of capability, is insane.

Now a lot of you will probably already know about Notion, but if you don’t, you gotta get on it. It works the way our brains work, which is a rare thing in the world of apps. It’s flexible, visual, clean, and lets us connect the dots between creative work and operations without losing our minds.

It also has a Desktop App, Mail App, and Calendar app, where you can add all of your business and personal accounts in one place. Which if you’re like me, and need to control my browser tab addiction, then comes in very handy.

So, if you’re someone who juggles a bunch of projects or you’re running a small business and trying to keep your digital life organised, this thing is a game-changer. And if you want a peek at how we’ve got it set up, let us know, maybe we’ll share a little behind-the-scenes of our setup.

That’s a wrap on Issue 018. From better project timelines, to solo dad week chaos, to fatherhood retreats, and singing the praises of the tool that helps us keep it all some-what organised, I appreciate you rolling with us, even when we show up a day late.

If nothing else, we hope this week’s solo issue gave you a helpful nudge toward structure, storytelling, and maybe a new tab system for your life.

We’ll catch you next week, same inbox (hopefully on time),

Rory