The Latest at VOMP Studios - Anything big happen this week, or…?

This week’s riffs for the creative vandals, outlaws, misfits, and pirates of the internet:

• Create Cooler: The reason Futura fucks as a font choice

• Build Better: A short guide to getting unstuck

• Earn Easier: Is empathy the #1 trait in sales?

• Break The Rules: From an IG page to a $100M hot sauce brand

• The Hit List: Music to turn up and tune out

Need Shades, Futura Is Too Bright 😎

Don’t worry - I’m cringing at that article title too and I wrote the damn thing.

Anyways, buckle up kid.

We’re about to dive into the wild, weird world of Futura—a typeface so iconic it’s been to the moon and back. Literally.

In 1969, NASA slapped Futura on a plaque, declaring, “We came in peace for all mankind.”

(Slapping a plaque ON THE MOON is the most American shit ever. I love it.)

But today, when you spot Futura, is it the real deal or just some cheap impersonation trying too hard to “be the guy” in the font game?

The OG Typeface

If you’ve been alive in the past 93 years, you’ve probably crossed paths with Futura.

Or if you’ve seen any advertisement in the history of ever.

It’s the typeface behind Nike’s JUST DO IT slogan, the visual backbone of Volkswagen, and the classic design staple for brands like Ikea and Louis Vuitton. It’s everywhere.

But let’s be honest.

What most of us consider “Futura” isn’t even close. It’s a watered-down wannabe.

Sure, it might carry the Futura name, but it’s likely just some lesser-known cousin, lurking in the background of your favorite retro ad or contemporary Instagram post.

It’s essentially the 3rd Hemsworth brother.

Exactly - you didn’t even know there was a 3rd one.

The Futura You Think You Know

The original Futura was crafted by Paul Renner in the mid-1920s. Renner wasn’t messing around.

He believed in precision and function—no frills, no script kiddie nonsense.

He designed a clean, modernist typeface using the simplest geometric shapes (circle, square, triangle), but spoiler alert—he didn’t cut corners.

Renner made subtle tweaks, compensations, and adjustments to ensure that every letter harmonized in a way that wouldn’t make your eyes bleed.

But here's the kicker: Futura wasn’t the first geometric sans-serif.

No, that crown belongs to Erbar-Grotesk.

And while Futura wasn’t alone in its class, it quickly became the Rockstar of sans-serifs.

Copycats and Wannabes

Futura became so iconic that the floodgates opened for knockoff typefaces.

Mind you this was back in the 1930s and nobody really wanted to deal with licensing or physical records.

So brands started using Futura and changing it ever-so-slightly to not get in trouble.

Vogue even did this. Yes, the magazine. They created a whole Futura knockoff and named it “Vogue”.

… Which is as creative as naming your pup, “Dog.”

By 1937, Monotype launched “Twentieth Century,” yet another Futura-inspired beast.

The competition was relentless—Futura was like the original iPhone, and everyone wanted a piece.

Even during the Great Depression, when the stock market crashed and the world collectively lost its mind, Futura was still going strong in America.

Thanks to Bauer setting up shop in the States, it survived economic turmoil, proving that even a worldwide recession can’t kill a typeface this iconic.

But Futura wasn’t just fighting economic battles. Oh no.

In the 1940s, the “Nazi type” boycott struck, and Futura—designed by a man who actively hated Nazis—was caught in the crossfire.

Because Bauer was German, American designers basically didn’t wanna get canceled.

They’d pick Futura knockoffs instead like it was a rebellion against fonts and not fascism.

Futura Gets a Facelift

As time marched on, the Futura we all know and (kind of) love started to lose its charm.

By the ‘70s, tight, smushed headlines were all the rage, and Futura’s proportions got wrecked by sloppy typesetting. (Think of any bumper sticker ever that says "Groovy” and looks like it belongs on the Scooby Van).

Enter digital typesetting, which did for fonts what bad Instagram filters did for your vacation pics—making everything look like Futura, but feel... off.

And then, just when you thought Futura was down for the count, Monotype resurrected it like MJ coming back from retirement. Twice.

Enter Futura Now: the real, fully updated Futura for the 21st century.

We’re talking 107 fonts, with every optical size, weight, and glyph you could ever need.

Whether it’s for a tiny wristwatch face or a billboard bigger than your entire apartment, Futura Now’s got your back.

It’s a meticulous, high-tech overhaul that stays true to Renner’s original vision.

No more awkward squished letters or lazy knockoffs.

Futura Now is the real Futura, just a little more polished, a little more adaptable.

It’s not just a font; it’s a legacy.

Outlive Hitler, land on the moon, and have a bunch of others try to be you?

Yeah - pretty sure Futura is the GOAT.

How To Get The Fuck Outta Your Own Way

Ever feel like you’re stuck on life’s hamster wheel—doing the same mundane shit on loop despite knowing it’s not where you wanna be?

Whether it’s that project you keep punting, a fitness routine gathering dust, or some overdue life overhaul, we’ve all been there.

I set up camp there and got way too comfortable for a while.

But here’s the dirty little secret I’m currently using: nothing changes if nothing changes.

It’s about grabbing my issues by the horns - even if I’d rather high-five a cactus.

If I do that, life flows from me instead of feeling like it’s hurling at me like a Randy Johnson wild pitch.

I’ve done some research on this and compiled a list of ways that have helped me in the past and right now in my life.

I’m honestly writing this article TO myself as much as “for you”.

We all gotta call ourselves out on our bullshit sometimes, ya know?

Step 1: Face the Mess Head-On

If you’ve been side-stepping your mess—whether it’s unpaid bills, a “draft” project, or quitting nicotine— nothing changes until you do.

Facing your issues feels like diving into ice water, but it’s the quickest way to kickstart change.

That’s a lie. It can feel like diving into traffic sometimes.

Stuck? Turn toward it. Meet the mess. Shake its hand. Give it a petty little nickname. Then, get your ass to work.

Step 2: Make A Damn Decision

Want change?

Quit dating the idea of it and put a ring on it.

Half-committed “maybes” and “should I’s?” are just excuses with better outfits.

I’m a guilty “planner”. I’ll catch myself procrastinating and calling it planning all the time.

Make the decision. Commit. Let go of the teeter-tottering, “What if I fail?” and plant a flag in, “I’m doing this.”

Then, set an intention—a goal that keeps your head in the game.

Step 3: Don’t Be a Dick to Yourself

Screwed up again? Good—welcome to the human race.

We all stumble, so don’t add a side of self-loathing to the main dish of “I’m trying to improve.”

This one’s a big one for me.

Replace the “I’ll never change” talk with some good ol’ self-compassion.

Beating yourself up just adds another barrier between you and progress.

Remember: kindness isn’t weakness; it’s fuel.

Give yourself the damn pep talk. Just don’t head butt the mirror after.

Step 4: Run with a Pack

Trying to go solo? Congrats, you just made life harder.

Stubborn independence feels noble, but it can backfire and is a sign of a poor leader.

Asking for help or support can feel like hearing your least favorite politician say “moist” repeatedly. I get it.

Find people to run with.

Accountability partners, challenge groups, wolf packs—they’re all about showing up for each other.

Having others in your corner turns that internal “I can’t” into “We can.”

Step 5: Schedule It Like a Real Adult

Say it with me: “If it ain’t scheduled, it ain’t happening.”

Wanna meditate? Exercise? Eat fewer donuts?

Commit it to the calendar.

This is HUGE for my morning routine as I’m making some changes to mine lately.

And better yet, make it a date with someone.

If it’s just you, “meh” can too easily replace “commitment.”

With a scheduled practice, you’ll build momentum, not just intentions.

Step 6: Celebrate the Small Wins, Baby

Transformation isn’t flashy.

It’s built on small, barely noticeable steps that add up like that one saying about Rome.

Set the goal of going to the gym 3 days per week to start. You don’t even have to workout. Just commit to getting there.

That won’t make the transformation happen. No shit.

But it will build the momentum to form the habit.

And that’s no small win, baby.

Step 7: Aim for Progress, Not Perfection

Perfection’s a sham unless Coach Boone from Remember The Titans demands it from you.

If you miss four days of meditation, high-five yourself for nailing three and start over.

Every step forward counts.

Don’t worry about the perfect streak; focus on the progress.

These are some of the tools I’m using.

Call it the Middle of Q4, a Winter Arc, or Getting My Shit Together…

It doesn’t matter.

The only thing that matters is starting.

Change causes change.

How To Stop Selling Your Stuff Like A Robot

If you’re in sales and empathy’s not your thing, you’re about as useful as a screen door on a submarine.

Empathy’s not some fluffy feel-good vibe you can choose to ignore.

It’s the secret sauce to actually getting people to trust you, buy from you, and maybe—just maybe—recommend you to their friends.

It’s NOT Sympathy

Empathy is not “feeling sorry” for someone; that’s sympathy’s gig.

Empathy is slipping into your customer’s shoes, feeling what they’re feeling, and seeing the world through their eyes.

It’s like having x-ray vision into their needs, fears, and desires.

And guess what?

The people who use empathy to sell aren’t the slimy types who just wanna meet their quota.

They’re the people customers actually like.

You know EXACTLY what this feels like when you’re a customer.

Your Trust-Building Superpower

Zig Ziglar said it best: “If people like you, they’ll listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you.”

That trust? Empathy builds the shit outta it.

When a salesperson genuinely gets their customer, it creates an authentic, open connection.

Trust doesn’t just help you close the deal; it makes you the person they’ll call back next time, too.

Remember, people buy from people they trust—not sales bots.

Create Raving Fans

Empathy lets you read between the lines.

You’ll see the fears they’re not spelling out and know exactly how to speak to their hidden desires.

This means not only closing more sales but also turning customers into superfans who spread the word for free.

When you check in regularly—without a sales pitch—they’ll stay loyal and start seeing you as their trusted go-to, not just another sales schmuck.

Ask The Real Questions

Sales is all about asking smart questions.

The right question opens doors; the wrong one slams them shut.

Empathy makes you a better listener and a better question-asker.

Instead of spewing off the same old questions, you’ll dig deep, peel back layers, and understand your prospect’s true needs.

And that’s where the gold is.

Find the Real Problems—and Fix Them

If you’re just selling a solution without understanding the real problem, you’re basically throwing darts blindfolded.

AKA: luck ain’t a strategy. You’re not that guy, pal.

With empathy, you’re Sherlock Holmes: asking, listening, and piecing together the puzzle.

Once you get the full picture, you’re not just selling them something—they feel like you’re handing them exactly what they need to win.

That’s what makes them see you as a problem-solver, not a hustler.

Go Beyond the Script or Sales Tips

Imagine this: you pick up a call, and the salesperson is clearly on autopilot, reading a script like they’ve read it 50 times today. Snooze.

(Notice how I said imagine above? That’s because I know most people under 35 would rather catch a thrown steak knife than answer a phone call, from anybody.)

You know they’re not listening, and that script might as well be written in hieroglyphics.

Now imagine someone calls, actually listens to what you’re saying, digs into your needs, and genuinely gives a damn.

Which person do you keep talking to?

Empathy makes the difference, unlocking doors that a script never could.

Make Empathy Your Secret Weapon

Empathy isn’t just a “nice-to-have”—it’s a sales multiplier.

When you stop seeing customers as dollar signs and start treating them like humans with real needs, you’ll build trust, close more deals, and create loyal fans who keep coming back.

So ditch the “sales-y” tactics, slap on your empathy goggles, and start making a real impact.

Just a heads up: this entire article applies to general, human conversation too.

How an Instagram Handle Became a $100 Million Hot Sauce Empire

Once upon a time, two guys named Nick met in college.

They didn’t know it then, but they'd soon turn an Instagram handle into a hot sauce empire worth over $100 million.

No, this isn’t a Disney movie.

Here’s how two dudes, one lucky Instagram handle, and a borderline obsessive love of spicy condiments became the story of “accidental entrepreneurship” done right.

From College Bros to Condiment Kings

Nick Guillen and Nick Ajluni go way back to their days at Cal State Fullerton.

I went to Cal State Fullerton too.

For about 13 days before dropping out of college. But that’s a story for another time.

Nick G was already slinging hats and Nick A was in the powdered drink game.

In 2015, after college, Nick G scored a serious digital trophy: the Instagram handle @sauce.

How? No fuggin’ idea.

Instead of wasting it on mediocre food pics, they started posting food content like they were on a mission.

Five posts a day, relentlessly feeding the sauce-loving masses.

And it worked. @sauce blew up faster than a soda in a freezer. (We’ve all been there.)

Then, with a growing audience, they asked themselves: What can we sell to these people?

What’s the Perfect Product for @Sauce?

It wasn’t salad dressing.

The answer was sitting right there in the name. Sauce.

Hot sauce, to be precise.

They dove head-first into the hot sauce market, searching for a gap they could squeeze into like the last slice of pizza on a crowded plate.

And then, inspiration struck: why not make a luxury hot sauce?

Think Gucci but for your taste buds.

Fucking brilliant.

After testing over 300 recipes, they landed on their secret weapon - truffles.

Because who doesn’t want a little sprinkle of decadence on their spicy chicken wings?

By December 2017, they were ready to introduce the world to Truff, the first truffle-infused hot sauce that said, “Yes, I’m super extra—and proud of it.”

Marketing Sauce, the Truff Way

Truff wasn’t just selling sauce; they were selling a vibe.

Inspired by Liquid Death’s viral genius, the Nicks launched a “food fight” campaign where Chicagoans voted on their favorite pizza joint.

The result? 12,000 votes, wall-to-wall influencer hype, and a flood of new followers.

This wasn’t your grandma’s word-of-mouth strategy; this was marketing with a megaphone and no shame.

They kept piling on the buzz until they had a cult following.

Even Kim Kardashian was hooked. And when Kim K loves something, you know it’s only a matter of time before everyone else gives it a look.

Her private equity fund took a minority stake in Truff in late 2023, and by early 2024, Truff had raised another $80 million in growth funding.

Audience First, Product Second

Here’s the real takeaway: they didn’t start with the product; they started with an audience.

While most people are scrambling to find customers, these guys built a following first and then figured out what to sell.

It’s the ultimate “acquire customers for $0” strategy, and guess what?

It worked like a charm.

Maybe building a business doesn’t start with a product after all.

Maybe it starts with an audience that’s hungry for whatever you’re cooking—literal or otherwise.

Different creative pursuits call for different music to jam to. Here’s what I jammed to this week on The Vomp Playlist: