Branch’s Post

It gives me great pleasure to re-introduce my friends and colleagues to Team Magpie, the newest company in my empire. 💪😅 https://magpie.team/dash A customer reminded me that 4 years ago today, we held our first "dash". It was during the pandemic, and, through Secret London Runs, I'd announced that we would be holding team treasure hunts for our community to play anywhere in the world. And despite the VERY basic "technology", THOUSANDS of people played my little find-it game, "the dash" with their friends and family in lockdown. The beautiful thing about it was that different members of a team could play together in different locations — so we saw families and friends separated by thousands of miles joyfully come together to dash. That winter, I hosted about 30 Christmas parties around the world with the dash, still using very basic technology. It was going so well that I thought I better find a developer to turn the game into an app, and ended up setting up a new company with Tom. Tom is a very talented developer who may be too cool for LinkedIn, but is the lead developer of Times Table Rock Stars (if your children are a certain age, this is a big deal). Secret London Runs didn't seem like the right company to host the dash — you could play anywhere (not just London), you don't have to run to play, and I wasn't too keen on it being secret! So, through our new company, Team Magpie, and a shiny new app, we continued hosting the dash. But the app was finished just as lockdown ended. And although we had a loyal following of teams who still loved to dash, we struggled to find our place in the post-pandemic world. We took a step back, paused, and focused on our "day jobs". But we both felt like that shouldn't be it for Team Magpie. We've done a lot of research and discovered that private treasure hunts are our future; for corporate team bonding, sports/children's activity clubs and special occasions. Two weeks ago, we announced Team Magpie's return to business. Our loyal followers have been joyfully dashing all over the world, and we're hosting three private treasure hunts for team bonding in the coming weeks - and hopefully more to come. So if you'd like to organise a team bonding event that is: 🔎 Fun and inclusive 🔎 Suitable in any or multiple locations 🔎 Not going to break the bank 🔎 Perfect for all fitness levels (YOU DO NOT NEED TO RUN) Please get in touch with me (either DMs or vanessa@magpie.team). 🎉 Meanwhile, you can see on our website a few dashes that you can try out any time, anywhere, without going private: https://magpie.team/dash I'd also be so happy if you'd follow Team Magpie on LinkedIn. I'll be putting out our first post very soon and would be amazing to have a friendly crowd!

🚀 Today, I had an amazing 1-on-1 call with a member of the Squarespace Circle team! Taylor Lagoy walked me through all the incredible benefits of being in the Circle, and I came away with so much valuable knowledge. From advanced platform insights to networking opportunities, being part of this community is a game-changer for anyone looking to take their Squarespace skills to the next level. 📈 Self-improvement is all about taking steps to invest in yourself, and connecting with platform experts is essential for real growth. Excited to put what I learned into action and continue to level up my skills! #SelfGrowth #SquarespaceCircle #LearningJourney #AlwaysImproving #WebDesign

2025! Sick of New Year posts yet? I haven’t posted much recently, mainly because the last two months of 2024 were absolute mayhem and I didn’t prepare a big 2025 announcement! But here’s what I’ll say: 2024 was my most successful year yet in terms of client diversity, exciting projects and financial growth. I’m incredibly grateful to all the individuals, agencies and organisations that trusted me to capture their video content. That said, 2024 also came with a lot of stress and a serious lack of work-life balance. So this year, my focus is on *FUN*. If it’s not fun, what’s the bloody point?? :) In 2025, I’m excited to grow my business and expand Koru Films further. I already have a fantastic small team of shooters and editors who help bring projects to life, but I’m looking to build on that. To stretch further, I need even more support. With the right team, I can give 100%, not just 50%. It’s so important to me and to the organisations I work with that we share the same values: a passion for the charity and third sector, a drive to tell meaningful stories, and a natural curiosity about the world. So, if you’re a shooter, editor or animator who shares these values, drop me a message. I’d love to chat!

🚀 Today is the day! 🚀   We did it. After months of tough decisions, learning new skills, and perfecting old ones, I’m thrilled to announce that alongside my business partner Tomaz Castelão, we’re finally launching Pato Bravo Creative Studio. What once was a small and distant idea has now become a tangible reality, bringing our vision to life, and marking the beginning of an exciting new chapter in our journey.   Now, you might be thinking: "Does the world really need another creative studio?" Well, Yes. We believe the world needs more Creative Studios that champion transparency, innovation, and collaboration, and we are committed to setting a new standard in the industry. • We’re all about work-life balance –  walking the talk. • We’re open about our salaries. No taboos, no grey zones, no tough questions. • Got spare time? Work on your own projects and pursue your passions. Foster your creativity. • Finished your to-do list early? Go home. Everybody knows that being (or looking) busy doesn’t necessarily mean you're being productive.   All in all, and as Tomaz recently shared, we’re building the workplace we dreamed of when we left university—a high-quality studio where people take pride in what they do and go the extra mile out of passion and perfectionism, rather than obligation.   As a matter of fact, the formula is quite simple actually: Happy employees = Better work. Better work = Higher quality. Higher quality = Exceptional results.   Again, simple, right? Maybe not to everyone.   This is what we stand for. This is Pato Bravo. Join us on this journey. What’s your take on these thoughts? 🌍 (I hope you enjoy this video. We draw inspiration from nature, our greatest source, because it is boundless, ever-changing, and meaningful—something we’ll always strive to embody. We will be releasing a new one every week so stay tuned!) 😉

Taking the Leap, Building Connections, and Crafting a Community with BoardBuddies When you start something new, isn't there’s always that moment of uncertainty. Will it work? Will people show up? Will it matter? When I started BoardBuddies in 2023, I began with those very questions. But today, after hosting 100+ events and connecting with over 4,000 individuals across corporates, cafes, pubs, and communities, I can confidently say — we’re here to stay, and we’re just getting started. What began as a simple desire to bring the joy of board games to people has turned into something much bigger. We started the FIRST board game meetup in North Bangalore and it was a humble start. We had no grand strategy, just a clear vision: to create spaces where strangers could become friends, where laughter could fill the air, and where meaningful connections could flourish over a shared game. Why did I get into this? In a fast-paced, digital world, there’s a hunger for authentic human interactions. BoardBuddies was born out of this need — the need to slow down, to put away the screens, and to truly connect with others. Whether it’s energising corporate teams, bringing together diverse communities, or simply lighting up a weekend at your favourite café, our journey has been about more than just games; it’s been about building bonds. And the journey so far: From hosting board game nights in bustling cafes and pubs to organising team-building sessions in many corporate offices, every event has been a step forward in this adventure. The stories, the smiles, the unforgettable moments — they’re all proof that people are craving real connections, and board games have been our way of bringing that to life. And what's the future looking like? As we step into this next chapter, we’re ready to push the boundaries even further. We’re gearing up to introduce new experiences, expand to new locations, and, most importantly, continue building a community where everyone feels welcome. This is just the beginning of what we hope will be a long and exciting journey ahead. To everyone who’s been part of this journey so far — thank you for believing in us, for showing up, and for playing along. Here’s to many more games, laughs, and connections. 🎉 #BoardBuddies #BuildingConnections #EngagementThroughPlay #CommunityMatters #NewBeginnings

Did you know that VanVanU offers a review and gift system? Fans can show their appreciation for creators by leaving reviews and sending virtual gifts, further enhancing the bond between creators and their audience. #Reviews #VirtualGifts #Appreciation Come together with us Don't let your dreams be dreams! Start your career journey with us today. Let's conquer the world together. #CareerGoals #NewBeginnings #JoinUs

What Happened in last 6 Months It’s been 6 months since I returned to Australia and started my job hunt. Looking back at this journey, I would like to share some of my thoughts: It's a challenging time for designers. 🙍 I have applied for over 100 positions and only secured 3 interviews, which has left me feeling very anxious about my career and life prospects. Despite this, I refuse to give up. I know and trust in my passion.Starting from November 2023, after two months of intense job searching without employment, I realized that this was not the way forward. 💰 I needed to cover my living expenses, seek external help, explore more possibilities, and continue learning. 🤝 Fortunately, I met Amanda Restovic on adplist.org, who became my mentor and provided invaluable advice and encouragement regarding my career and resume. Thank you so much, Amanda! Your encouragement has fueled me to keep moving forward.👼👼 🏢 From February onwards, during the day, I work part-time as a building manager to support myself financially. （Thanks to my CX experiences and skillsets) 📖 At night, I continued to learn about the latest AI, technologies, and design knowledge, keeping up with the latest design trends。 Through proactive outreach and networking, I joined a small professional team working on an AI productivity product and became the designer for this product (launching soon!). This opportunity has allowed me to keep my design passion, skills, and experience updated. I am thrilled to have met Peng xiao and the team and learned much more beyond product design. In my free time, I was fortunate to connect with the Australian Refugee Volunteers Inc organization through Cindy lin and recently started helping them with a heuristic review and consulting for their official website. This has given me the chance to understand their stories and contribute my skills to enhancing the digital experience of the organization, making more people aware of their efforts. A shout out to other designers going through tough times—I understand how difficult it is and can feel everyone's frustration and helplessness. It sucks!!! But please don't give up on your passion. Even if there's only a slim chance, we must push forward to make ourselves stronger and fight for our lives! #UX #designer #mental #careers #design

Creatives, working solo can be tough. Sometimes I forget the benefit of having 2 people in the business! I notice it when Victoria’s on holiday. I can start to doubt myself and miss bouncing ideas between us. It’s easy to get stuck in your head and question your progress. That’s why we created the Client Accelerator Program—so you never feel like you’re doing this alone. Right now, we’re offering lifetime access to our platform and Skool community when you sign up for the January program this month. After that, access will be time-limited—this is your chance for ongoing support. It’s a lifetime pass to: → Weekly live collab calls to keep momentum → Fortnightly Focus calls to clarify your next steps → Updated and new training → A supportive community of like-minded creatives The January group is already half full 🔥 Book a call today to join us, or DM if you need help finding a time. #creativecommunity #supportforcreatives #lifetimeaccess #creativebusinessgrowth

This is the last time this year that the big top doors will be opening for new members. Thats right, doors to 🎪The Digital Circus® won’t open again until January 2025 so if you’ve been thinking about joining us now is the time!! Sign up week starts on Monday 3rd June for just 7 days and our brand new cohort [ who we’re naming the Lion Tamers! 🦁] will start working through Foundations, our 6 month entry programme, from July. So if you haven’t signed up to The Digital Circus waiting list yet we will repeat... NOW IS THE TIME!!! The Digital Circus is the place to be if you are a busy business owner trying to make sense of how to take control of your online presence both from a practical, technical perspective and a creative way. It is a community hub crammed full to the brim with actionable knowledge and advice which we promise to be as jargon free as possible. But don’t take our word for it, in a recent member survey one member said.. “ Firstly, I love the knowledge I've gained and the confidence it has given me in working out my next steps! And then secondly, I just love the energy, fun and awesomeness that comes with Emily and Alan! - They are so great to chat to, never make you feel like you're a burden or that you've asked a silly question and they are so reactive when you have a query!” Our core aim is to make it fun and to give you the tools to truly grow your business is a way that feels right to you. Cut out the noise and do the things that are really going to help you online! If you haven’t signed up to the waitlist yet go and make that the first thing you do today…We literally cannot wait to see you in the virtual Big Top really soon. _____________________________________ #onlinepresence #onlinemembership #grouplearning #learninganddevelopment #thedigitalcircus #thedigitalcircusmembership #smallbusinessowner #notamarketingagency #smallbusinesscommunity 

𝗚𝘂𝘆𝘀 𝗜'𝗺 𝗜𝗻! 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗲 𝗧𝗼𝗼! you got 6h͟r͟s I’ve been accepted into buildspace S5! 𝗢𝗸𝗮𝘆, 𝗯𝘂𝘁 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁? It's a community where, whether you have your own project, just an idea, or even if you have no idea. It's okay; we'll figure it out. 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂? Maybe for motivation, commitment, or just for fun. Here 92% of us in S5 are students or have a job, so don't worry, if you think you don't have time. Just give it a try. 𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝘁? No, I have 5 exclusive buddy passes for direct entry. DM me to get your pass. 𝗦𝘁𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗗𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗜 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂? Just attend the 1hr Kickstarter today then we will decide got a deal? 𝗦𝗼𝗿𝗿𝘆, 𝗜'𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳𝗶𝘀𝗵: 100%, It's not for money (Not a paid promotion), not for the team, nothing. It's for me; it makes me feel more committed to it. P.S. 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻𝗱 buildspace 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺: I don't know why, but you guys make me feel like this is my personal project. I love how you've built the whole thing. Had to say that.