Losing his job became the moment Geoff Thatcher stepped into his real work. That setback pushed him to build Creative Principles, a family run creative studio rooted in creative leadership, storytelling and the kind of speed most experience design agencies cannot match. Geoff shows how getting fired can reveal your true value, clear out the noise and give founders the push they need to build something on their own terms. From avoiding minority equity traps to embracing fast cycles and serving the work instead of ego, Geoff offers a grounded playbook for entrepreneurs who want ownership, momentum and clarity. Here are the takeaways every founder can carry into their own messy middle.
Key Takeaways:
1️⃣ A setback can push you forward
Getting fired pushed Geoff into building something better. When your environment stops valuing you, that is often your cue to bet on yourself and make the leap you have been avoiding.
2️⃣ Keep your equity and buy support
Feeling overwhelmed does not mean you need a partner. Founders stay stronger when they hire help instead of giving away ownership they will never get back.
3️⃣ Speed beats perfection every time
Small teams win by moving fast. Quick decisions and rapid cycles create momentum that big companies cannot match and that perfectionism will always kill.
Timestamps
00:14 – Meet Geoff Thatcher and Creative Principles
01:00 – Getting fired and the moment everything changed
04:13 – Glass ceilings and leaving agency life
06:20 – Severance, value and learning hard lessons
09:29 – Why people leave managers not companies
14:13 – Fired as a gift and embracing the chaos
17:22 – Support systems and building a business with family
20:18 – Why minority partnerships rarely protect founders
22:36 – Serving the work instead of ego or shareholders
33:14 – The four questions every brand must answer
37:27 – Creative speed and how agencies get stuck
42:04 – Building IP and the next chapter for Creative Principles
58:39 – Where to find Geoff
Ready to connect with Geoff? Find the links below.
Website: https://www.creativeprincipals.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/geoffthatcher/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geoffthatcher/