KARIN HAGGÅRD On Adversity and the Art of Brand Building

It’s a Saturday afternoon at Holsem Coffee, an eclectic coffeehouse located in the epicenter of San Diego’s North Park District. While drinking a dirty chai that afternoon, I noticed a small tribe of people trickling in. They gathered at the tablespace next to me.

Hugs. Conversations. Friendships. Connections. Community.

Amidst this group of kindred spirits, one particular individual stood out. She was stylishly dressed with a glowing presence that exuded world-class professionalism. Feeling the need to get to know her, I wormed my way into the group and with extended hand introduced myself:

“Hi, my name is Michael.”

“Well, hello. I’m Karin,” she responded back with the soft, measured tone akin to that of a lifelong Zen practitioner.

Karin Haggard is her name. And she is, in my humble opinion, a designer and brand consultant of amazing talent. But the story behind how she got to where she is today is so compelling that I asked her to sit down with me and open her heart. Here is what she had to share:

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