1st Shot on Target

You may know me by Wendell. For this newsletter, I’ll go by “Apollo,” the greek god of the arts, archery, medicine, prophecy, and a few other fields dependent upon the story rendition. Otherwise, Apollo is the name for NASA’s manned moon missions, and the historic Harlem theater known for breaking the world’s biggest entertainment acts.

I don’t think I’m a greek god—the name is a necessary separation from the physical me to an idea to strive toward.

This newsletter will chronicle my journey of creating a brand. I’ve been working on the brand narrative, designs, and business plan for Eye of Apollo since 2019.

I’ve filled desk-side trash bins with drafted ideas in fear of failure to execute perfection.

Two weeks ago my sister revealed my scalp’s mortal reminder— a long gray hair stating, “My time on Earth is limited.”

There is no time for potential, only what can be perceived, touched, and tended. Suddenly, I developed the need to execute perfection while accepting the failures to be endured in pursuit of revolutionizing my mind.

The execution of perfection requires the acceptance of failure.

Entering The Fray

Photography, videography, and graphic design aren’t my native tongues.

The visual backgrounds of great, contemporary creative directors encouraged me to feel out of place, like I needed to mimic their rise for my brand to have a chance.

I was stuck in tutorial hell, trying to find more information to store “just in case.” This was a cowardly lack of confidence. We may only teach, and learn, through action.

Obstacles become the way. How would Harry Potter become “The Boy Who Lived” without “He Who Shall Not Be Named”?

Trailblazing paths have a series of unique trials with common themes.

My experience in language arts creates opportunities to tell a novel story and carve the Eye of Apollo brand in stone.

Language is an art form.

Hence, the purpose of this newsletter: making meaning by documenting the journey of creating a brand.

To clarify…

For the purpose of Eye of Apollo, “brand” does not mean “a vehicle for profit.”

Instead, brand means “a philosophy embodied within goods, services, and people.”

The main objective of Eye of Apollo is to create a socialistic, humane, business system that is symbiotic with the environment.

There will be some profit. Our aim is not to be rich, but instead to create a system conducive to the creation of sustainable goods and services.

I aim to prove kindness always wins for all humane processes made by mankind.

Our mission may be perceived as utopian— hopefully it is.

Whether you’re reading this in August or December, I thank you. Time is the only true currency, and I promise to do my best to add value to our time in this world.

If you’re like me, you question systems. “Must it be this way?” and, “Is it real?” are my favorites. The answer is overwhelmingly ‘no.’

Perfection is a mythical path we may only pursue if we have the courage to destroy it. You will never live a perfect life without the humility of error.

Everything I’m Not Made Me Everything I Am

I am no tailor or carpenter, but my heart is in building. By education, I am…

an economist
an athlete
a marketer
a barista
a writer

I won’t detail the utility of each, for now.

I used to view fluid identity as contradictory obstacles to the pursuit of purpose. My multifaceted nature is a dynamic key for opening the doors to a fulfilling future. I may use my training to build. Ignorance is only temporary if one is humble enough to seek a proper path.

Writing and psychological studies are evergreen skills, especially with the infusion of A.I. into contemporary systems. As is, all human systems are built to serve humans. Some humans, at least.

We approach singularity, wherein technology revolutionizes society beyond current recognition. The future of industry will never be the same, thus wisdom suggests preparation for the inevitable:

Change.

Maybe we’re approaching universal basic income aka UBI. Maybe inequality will grow. Or maybe, just maybe. There is a door #3. History suggests the answer is clear.

I will stop here. As a “creative,” I feel pressure to “set the tone” with the first newsletter, but I accept that, hopefully, I will cringe at the formatting of past work. Then, I will know I made progress.

Either way, please reply to this email with praise and/or critique. Without it, I may not grow. I will be forever grateful for your attention.

Until next week, Wolves.

Kindness always wins,

Apollo