A workshop where clarity, strategy, and self-belief took center stage
By Stylish Magazine
It was a gray, rainy Monday in Quezon City but inside Launchgarage, the energy was warm, intentional, and quietly electric. The Maude Method: Blueprint Sessions for Strategic Brand Growth gathered a room full of business owners, creatives, and leaders for something uncommon in today’s fast-paced world: a pause to reflect.
“It’s rare to attend a workshop where every question actually hits. I walked away with more clarity than I have in months,” shared one participant after a series of guided reflections, live mentoring, and honest breakout conversations.
The day began with Maude Labs founder Tin Santos laying the foundation: “Strategy isn’t just what you do, it’s who you are when you lead.” From that moment, the sessions invited attendees to strip away the noise and sit with the deeper questions behind their brands.
Erika Aquino, global advisor and co-author of Unreserved, led one of the most stirring panels. “People who align with you tend to just show up at your door and the opportunities come,” she said, sparking a rush of questions from women navigating major business shifts.
Jay Fajardo, tech founder and Launchgarage partner, delivered a dose of tough love in the afternoon: “If you can’t explain your startup or your business in two or three sentences, you don’t know what you’re doing and there’s a lot of people who are struggling with that.” Attendees scribbled notes and reworded their brand stories on the spot.
Then came Jared Dillinger, 9x PBA champion and Let It Fly CEO, who shared the reality behind athletic fame. “For basketball, it’s less than five years… so just utilizing being an athlete, starting as soon as you can and building your network [because] your network is your net worth.”
Beyond the insights, the day was full of thoughtful rituals: coffee from Let’s Meet Café, soft-lit headshot portraits, and workbook sessions that felt like guided journaling. Attendees also brought home curated gifts from Pili Ani, as well as colorful trinkets from Craft Planet.
Other partners included Engkanto, Sip PH, Nutrifizz, and Daredevil Media, with media support from Metro Edit, Metro.Style, and Try Local PH.
Next up for Maude Labs: Polished and Powerful, happening September 6 at Manila House. After a day like this, one thing’s clear, strategy can feel human again.
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