The definition of the word trademark is simple. It’s a symbol that identifies a company, a product, or a body of work. But at its origin in America, a trademark was something even more personal. It was your mark. It was how you gave your word. It was how you signed a contract, how you did business, how blacksmiths, stonemasons, and silversmiths marked their work so people knew exactly who stood behind it. I’ve always found that interesting. If you ever work with someone who doesn’t want to mark their work, it’s probably worth asking why. Why wouldn’t you want people to know what you built, what you fixed, what you created? This week’s episode is a little different. I’m not sitting down across from a guest. Well, I guess I am. I’m making you the guest. Step up to the line. We want to tell you what we’re doing with Trademark magazine and why. This first issue is titled Leave Your Mark, and the purpose behind it matters. I could try to explain it all in writing, but the reality is that’s why we recorded the podcast. If you want a deeper understanding of why we’re doing this, I open up about some things that aren’t always easy to admit. I ask myself the same questions I ask everyone else. What mistakes have you made? Where have you gotten it wrong? I try to answer honestly, even when it’s uncomfortable.Here’s the truth. Whether you ever listen to the podcast or just read this post, leaving your mark matters. It requires intention. If you’re a business and you’re not telling your story, if you’re not communicating who you are and what you believe, you will struggle to find the right clients and the right people who align with your why. When you communicate your story and build your brand, you begin to attract the people who are aligned with what you’re doing. And when that happens, your work becomes effective on a level that’s hard to explain until you experience it. The podcast is now available wherever you listen. If you’re curious about the heart behind Trademark and why leaving your mark matters, I’d encourage you to tune in. This episode is personal. Step up to the line.