Should We All Be a Bit More Rogue?
Right. Let’s talk about something mildly dangerous.
Marketing.
Specifically, the sort that makes you sit back in your chair, sip your coffee, and think, “Is this brave… or have they completely lost the plot?”
I’ve recently been watching the congressional hearings where Pam Bondi is giving evidence to Congress, and I found myself utterly gripped. Not in a popcorn-and-live-tweet (sorry X or whatever it is called now) sort of way. More in that slow, slightly bewildered fascination. The kind where you keep thinking, “Surely she’ll answer this one directly?” And then… pivot. Deflect. Reframe. Repeat.
Now, let me be clear, she’s a very divisive character. That’s the diplomatic version. In my personal opinion (and I suspect I’m not alone), she doesn’t exactly radiate warmth, humility or an urgent desire to engage with the actual question being asked. What fascinated me wasn’t just the politics. It was the performance. The deflection. The refusal to engage directly. The ability to speak at length while answering absolutely nothing. And I thought, slightly alarmed at myself, this is branding. Not necessarily good branding. But powerful. Memorable. Polarising. Conversation-starting.
Which is how I ended up suggesting, to our on site café owner, that we create a coffee called The Pam Blondie (Yes, really!) At The Cluster, our café is run by the legends at The Meet Point Coffee – North Oxford’s top-rated café on Google, which I will continue to mention until legally restrained.
This is how it went…
Shaek, what if we created a limited-edition drink called The Pam Blondie? A bright blonde roast. Slightly sweet, slightly sharp, looks innocent, leaves a bit of a kick.
And here’s the twist, a small amount from every cup goes to a charity. Potentially one supporting causes that don’t exactly align with some of the rhetoric we’re hearing in those hearings. Now before anyone clutches anything, this isn’t about trivialising serious issues. It’s not about cheap shots. It’s about highlighting something very real: division. Aggressive language. The normalisation of not answering straightforward questions.
It’s about saying: let’s talk about this.
Over coffee.
Like grown-ups.
The Slightly Teasing Bit
What’s actually in the Pam Blondie? You’ll just have to try it to find out.
We’re not giving the game away. Consider it our own mildly gripping cliff-hanger. If you’d like a sneak peek, you’ll need to visit The Meet Point Coffee in Summertown, because, much like those congressional hearings, it’s oddly compelling and you sort of want to see what happens next. We are, as far as I’m aware, the only people serving a Pam Blondie. That’s not entirely something we’re proud of. But here we are. A bit of rogue marketing might go a long way or it might be discontinued the same day it launches. Frankly, both outcomes feel on brand. Is It Rogue? Yes. Should We Do It Anyway? Possibly Also Yes.
So here’s the bigger question: should indie businesses and solopreneurs be braver with their marketing?
I think yes. But not reckless. Not attention-seeking for the sake of it. Brave with intention. The Chartered Institute of Marketing talks about the power of brands that stand for something clearly. And the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising consistently highlights that emotionally engaging campaigns outperform the bland and beige over time. In other words: Playing it safe is safe but safe rarely starts a conversation and small businesses? We live and die by conversations.
Will the Pam Blondie raise eyebrows? Almost certainly.
Will some people think it’s a step too far? Probably.
Will it create discussion? Without doubt.
And that’s sort of the point.
The Tightrope
Here’s the reality for solopreneurs: we are the brand. When a global giant does something bold, they’ve got legal teams and crisis comms plans thicker than a Trump late night Truth Social post. When we do something bold, it’s Kevin behind the counter saying, “Right then, shall we have a sensible chat about this?” But that’s also our strength, we’re human-sized, we can explain ourselves, we can listen, we can adjust. Big brands broadcast. Small brands converse.
And in a world that feels increasingly shouty, conversation feels almost rebellious.
The Bit Where I Try to Be Wise
Safe is forgettable. Brave is memorable.
But brave only works if it’s thoughtful, if you’re going to be a bit rogue, know why and if you’re going to raise eyebrows, raise standards too. If you’re going to spark debate, be prepared to sit in it calmly, kettle on. Small brands don’t need to be louder. They need to be clearer.
Stand for something.
Listen properly.
Be human.
And if, along the way, we raise a bit of money for a good cause and serve an excellent blonde roast while we’re at it? Well. That feels like a very Cluster / Meet point Coffee thing!
