Being a Weirdo & Distilling Your Secret Sauce
Let’s be real—being a little weird is the best thing you can do for your brand. In a world full of sameness, it’s the memorable quirks, the unexpected twists, and the “wait, who are you?” moments that make people pay attention.
I’ve taken an unconventional path to get here (think: almost failing design school, living in a van in Australia, running a wedding company in China—yeah, it’s a story), and along the way, I realized that the magic in branding isn’t about fitting in. It’s about helping people own what makes them different and turning that into a brand that feels like them.
We’ll talk about:
- Why your weirdness is your unfair advantage
- How to help clients find their real brand essence (aka their secret sauce)
- Creative confidence—showing up fully as yourself
- The unexpected paths that lead to success
If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit the mold—good. That’s exactly why you’re going to thrive. Let’s talk about it.
Maria Lobo is the founder and creative mind behind Planet Lobo, a high-end design and marketing studio specializing in brand strategy, web design, and digital storytelling for visionary businesses. With a global upbringing spanning Australia, Japan, and Hong Kong, Maria brings a unique cross-cultural perspective to her work, blending ethnology, design, and marketing to craft brands that resonate on a deep level.
With over a decade of experience in branding and creative direction, Maria has worked with corporate clients, solopreneurs, and high-ticket brands, helping them build bold, strategic identities that stand out in competitive markets.
Now scaling Planet Lobo into a multi-seven-figure agency, Maria is passionate about brand transformation and business growth, mentoring creative entrepreneurs and businesses on how to build compelling, high-impact brands.
- How to validate and monetize a side hustle
- Choosing the right marketing model (inbound vs. outbound)
- Choosing the right pricing model (one-off, subscription, retainers)
- Scaling a side gig while working a full-time job
- Automating and delegating to free up time
Why bother joining this session? Because I’ll take you through the practical “A to Z” steps for your very first sale to growing your business with new income streams.
Join me if you’re interested in any of these:
1. Generating profitable ideas from your existing assets
2. Developing and refining products from concept to MVP
3. Creating offers your customers actually want to buy
4. Pricing your products effectively
5. Crafting differentiated brand positioning that attracts your ideal buyers
6. Launching new products and optimizing marketing and sales processes
7. Scaling existing products and adding new income streams
No fluff, no B.S. Just what you need for the 7 points above.
I've taken my side hustle which helps entrepreneurs test their business ideas and create messaging that resonates with customers, to a full-time venture. In this talk, I will talk you through the early stages of developing an idea and how to validate this idea with potential customers, through to building on this by monetising and transitioning away from a side-hustle to a full-time venture.
For years, product managers and other professionals have been conditioned to follow a linear career path—climbing the corporate ladder step by step, often constrained by company politics and rigid promotion cycles. But the landscape has changed. No longer do ambitious professionals have to wait for a title bump to advance their careers.
In this session, we introduce the "Career Lattice"—a dynamic and flexible approach to career growth that allows individuals to expand their skills, impact, and income beyond traditional promotions. We’ll share how product leaders, executives, and professionals can create new opportunities on their own terms—leveraging side projects, consulting, cross-functional collaborations, and strategic skill-building to shape fulfilling, financially rewarding careers without leaving the security of their full-time job.
Key Takeaways:
- Why career growth isn’t just about promotions—and how focusing solely on climbing the ladder can hold you back.
- The Career Lattice framework—how moving sideways, diagonally, or even taking a step back can open bigger doors.
- Real-life success stories—case studies of professionals who have successfully navigated non-linear career growth.
- Actionable strategies—three practical steps attendees can take to start applying the Career Lattice approach immediately.
Audience Engagement & Format:
Storytelling & Case Studies – Examples of individuals who have successfully built careers outside the traditional mold.Interactive Reflection – Guided prompts for attendees to assess their own career aspirations and opportunities.Actionable Framework – Attendees will walk away with a practical roadmap to implement the Career Lattice approach in their own careers.
This session is perfect for professionals looking to expand their career potential without sacrificing their current stability. Attendees will leave empowered with a fresh perspective, tangible next steps, and the confidence to take control of their career trajectory—whether through internal moves, side gigs, or passion projects.
