The Courage to Start Over

December 18, 2025

In partnership with

Founders know this feeling: one moment everything feels steady, and the next you’re staring at a decision you never asked for. It’s messy and uncomfortable, but it’s also where some of the best moves in business begin. When the old path closes, the real one finally comes into view.

That’s exactly what happened to Geoff Thatcher. Getting fired pushed him to build Creative Principles, a family-run creative studio rooted in speed, storytelling, and leadership. He opens up about feeling undervalued in agency life, the quiet ways glass ceilings appear, and why founders sometimes give away equity when they’re really just overwhelmed and looking for support.

Geoff shares the moments that shook him, the choices that forced him to grow, and the insight that came from stepping into something he believed he could build. His journey shows how setbacks can sharpen you if you’re willing to face them honestly.

His story is a reminder that most of us already sense when it’s time to move. We just talk ourselves out of trusting that inner signal. You don’t need perfect timing or perfect conditions to create something real. You just need the courage to take the next step.

If you’re in a season that feels uncertain or heavy, this conversation will give you a grounded place to start.

🎧 Listen now to hear how Geoff turned a career setback into creative freedom.

If you’d like to be a guest on our Hello Chaos Podcast, ​click here​ for more information and to sign up. We look forward to connecting with you soon!

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AI has changed how consumers shop by speeding up research. But one thing hasn’t changed: shoppers still trust people more than AI.

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The data shows:

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The most effective brands are combining AI discovery with authentic human influence to drive measurable conversions.

Affiliate marketing isn’t being replaced by AI, it’s being amplified by it.