Every business evolves—or at least, it should.
Sometimes it’s gradual. Other times, it’s a choice. You reach a point where you’ve outgrown the old shape of your work. The questions get bigger. The risks feel different. And suddenly, what used to be second nature starts to feel just a little less certain.
That’s where I’ve found myself lately. After years of building a reputation in branding, design, and creative execution, I’ve decided to pivot my company. I’m focusing more intentionally on healthcare, medtech, and similarly complex, regulated spaces. It’s not a massive leap—these are clients I’ve worked with before, industries I understand. But deciding to double down on this path has brought a certain vulnerability with it.
It’s one thing to be good at what you’ve always done. It’s another to step into something new and try to carry that confidence with you.
What I was looking for
I wasn’t looking for a retreat. I was looking for reassurance. I was looking for a little clarity, a little momentum—some grounding in the midst of a season where I’m building in unfamiliar directions. I wanted to be around people who had walked this road before—or were at least brave enough to admit they didn’t have it all figured out.
And that’s how I found Morepalooza.
Morepalooza is a retreat-style event hosted by Mike Janda, a veteran creative agency owner turned author, speaker, and coach. Mike built and sold a successful agency, then shifted his focus to helping others do the same—with intention, structure, and sanity. His work at More Creative Academy is rooted in practical frameworks, yes—but also in heart. And that’s what Morepalooza really is: a space to get your head and heart back on the same page.
It’s not a conference. It’s not a sales funnel. It’s not an ego play. It’s an invitation to get honest—in a room full of people who get it.
A slow burn
I didn’t go to Morepalooza expecting a transformation. I went because it sounded interesting, because I admire Mike, and because London seemed like a beautiful place to take a beat. But almost immediately, I realized just how badly I needed a pause.
The creative agency world is fast. Even when it’s good, it’s nonstop. Morepalooza was… the opposite. Slower. Softer. Intentional. There were workshops and conversations and panels, yes. But the real value was in the gaps between them. The unstructured time. The walks. The late-night chats. The space to be a human, not just a strategist or designer or founder.
We don’t always realize how lonely this work can be until we’re sitting at a table with people who’ve felt the same thing. Freelancers, studio owners, creators, team leads—we all wear the same dozen hats. We all wonder if we’re the only ones winging it. We all carry some version of “Is this working?”
The answer, of course, is that none of us have it perfectly figured out. But together, in that room, we found something better than certainty. We found camaraderie. Laughter. Candor. Relief.
Some of the industry’s most recognized names were there—Logo Geek’s Ian Paget, James Martin, AKA MadeByJames, YouTuber Will Paterson, Myth Studio’s James Finley, Danny Allen Page, Danielle Clarke, Thad Cox. But it wasn’t about credentials. It was about character. Every conversation felt less like a pitch and more like a peer check-in.
We talked business, sure. But we also talked about parenting. About grief. About doubt. About pricing. About pride. There were moments that felt like therapy. Others like confession. And through it all, a thread of mutual respect ran deep.
This is the work
In an industry obsessed with scaling and output, it’s easy to forget that growth doesn’t always look like a metric. Sometimes it looks like slowing down. Like laughing with someone who sees you. Like admitting you don’t know what’s next—and realizing that’s okay.
Morepalooza gave me that. Not in a lightning bolt, but in a quiet re-centering. It helped me tune back into the questions that matter. Not "How do I get more clients?" but "What kind of work actually matters to me?" Not "How do I scale this?" but "What’s worth scaling in the first place?"
That kind of clarity doesn’t show up in your inbox. It happens in places like this.
What I brought back
Yes, I came home with a notebook full of ideas. But more importantly, I came back with people. Relationships that will outlast the retreat. Some had done exactly what I hope to do. Others reminded me of things I’d already learned but forgotten. And the best part? None of it felt transactional.
These weren’t just industry connections. They were actual connections. Built on stories, meals, shared vulnerability, and generosity. I left with reminders of how I want to lead, how I want to collaborate, and who I want beside me while I do it.
And none of this happens by accident. Morepalooza is Mike Janda’s vision, but more than that, it’s an extension of who he is. Mike is generous, thoughtful, and deeply committed to building things that matter. He’s a systems guy with a soft center—a rare blend of strategic clarity and emotional intelligence.
He doesn’t just say he values community. He makes it real. He makes it feel like a standard we should all strive for.
So thanks to Mike—and to everyone who showed up, fully. You made space for something rare.
And we're all better for it.
Thanks for reading,
—Ryan
Big shoutout to the crew, apologies in advance if I've missed anyone: Haakon Eltvik, Simon Ellery, Bruce Christy, Omeir Saleh, Adele Kelly, Nicole Rogers, Amy Renaud, Jena Gribble, Jennie DeBusk, Adam Horwood, Bri Taylor, Brianna Calero, Joanna Potter, Lori McMinn, Nadine Noble, Fay Hawkins, Dr. Helal Al-Helal, and Karla Pámanes
Path Picks
Cool stuff to help you forge your path to greatness.
Note: The Path Weekly is reader-supported. As such, I may be using affiliate links below. If you want to support the newsletter at no additional cost to you, please consider using the links below. If you’d rather not, most items below are widely available anywhere you want to shop. Thanks! –R
Reading list
If you're looking to go deeper on the themes from this week's newsletter, here are a few books that pair well with the conversation and offer a broader perspective:
Burn Your Portfolio: Stuff They Don’t Teach You in Design School, But Should by Mike Janda
A practical, straight-talking guide to the business side of creative work. Mike pulls back the curtain on everything from client management and pricing to communication and professionalism—the things that make or break a career beyond raw talent.The Psychology of Graphic Design Pricing: Price Creative Work with Confidence. Win More Bids. Make More Money. By Mike Janda
A deep dive into the mindset and mechanics of pricing creative services. Mike gives creatives strategies and frameworks to price with clarity, present proposals with confidence, and build stronger, more sustainable businesses.
More to explore
Connect with Michael Janda:
Official Website: https://michaeljanda.com/
More Creative Academy: https://morecreativeacademy.com/
MorePalooza London 2025: https://morecreativeacademy.com/morepalooza-london/
LinkedIn: LinkedIn Profile
Work with me
Ryan Roghaar - Fractional CMO/Creative Director/Art Director: https://rogha.ar/portfolio
R2 - Creative Services for Agencies and SMBs: https://www.r2mg.com
***NEW*** R2 Health - Healthcare branding & strategy that connects, inspires trust, and drives results. Powered by R2. https://www.r2mghealth.com
Eggs! The Podcast: https://www.eggscast.com
Would you like a personal introduction to any of the incredible leaders featured in The Path Weekly to explore business or other collaborative opportunities?
Contact me here to learn more about my B2B matchmaking service.
Get featured
Do you want to be featured in a future edition of The Path Weekly?
Contact me to learn more.