In 2016, it all started with an idea—one that wasn’t about building brands at first, but about building connections. A group of friends and I had this ritual we called Unplugged Lunches. Every so often, we’d meet up, completely disconnect from our phones and emails, and just focus on having a conversation.
The lunches became something special. Each time we met, we’d invite someone new to the group, ensuring the table was always filled with diverse, interesting perspectives. The group included professional associates, people we respected and admired, and others who just brought a spark of curiosity or insight to the conversation.
The unplugged part was what drew us in, but what really stood out over time was how much collective brilliance was gathered around that table. We were all smart, passionate professionals from different corners of the creative world—branding, design, strategy, marketing—but working together wasn’t something we’d ever considered. Many of us were at competing agencies or companies, and collaboration just didn’t seem like a possibility.
Then something shifted. I met a couple of struggling entrepreneurs—brilliant people with great ideas but without the resources or experience to bring those ideas to life. It struck me: what if this incredible group of friends and I could come together, not for work as usual, but for something meaningful? Something fun?
I started asking: “Would you ever want to collaborate—just for the joy of it—and help build someone’s brand?”
To my surprise, the answer was an overwhelming yes.
That’s when the idea for the North-Made Project was born. We saw it as a way to channel our talents into something bigger than ourselves: helping entrepreneurs with great ideas but limited resources tell their stories, build their brands, and find their footing. It was a chance to do what we loved, with people we respected, while making a real impact on the community.
What started as a simple idea during an unplugged lunch has grown into a vibrant volunteer-driven initiative. North-Made is still built on that same foundation of collaboration, passion, and giving back, proving that when people come together with a shared purpose, they can create something truly remarkable.
