The Daily Valet. - 7/30/22, Saturday
✔️ Weekend Reading: The Designer's Morning Routine
Weekend of July 30th
This month, our “Morning Routine” subject is an easygoing designer who shares my affinity for sleeping in.
Cory Ohlendorf , Editor ⋯ @coryohlendorf
Weekend Reading
The Designer’s Morning Routine
Waking up slowly with Misc. Goods Co.’s Tyler Deeb
Tyler Deeb isn’t afraid of hard work. He sweats the details. You have to in his line of work. He's a designer and creative director, but he's also a business owner and dedicated family man. That is to say, the guy wears a lot of hats. Thankfully, he's really into hats these days. You likely know Deeb's brand, Misc. Goods Co., from a deck of handsome playing cards which launched the company with a wildly successful Kickstarter campaign. Since then, Misc. Goods has grown into a lifestyle collection of personal products—from ceramic flasks and leather wallets to fragrances and deodorants. What they all have in common is that they're made with integrity and are all incredibly good looking.
Now, with a solid set of products, they're focusing on growing the business to get those products into the hands of more people. But it's not easy. “I built this business from an interest to design,” he says. “Revenue was never a primary interest. I was just focused on building products and a company culture—but now I get to design in different ways.” And he's never been one to shy away from a challenge. A few years ago, when giving a talk at CreativeMornings, he came up with what's now become a personal mantra: “Don't chase the glory, work hard and be satisfied.” I wanted to learn more from this hardworking creative, so I caught up with him one morning recently to find out how he starts his day.
I’m not the most disciplined morning-person right now.I wish I was. Between having five kids and running a business I find it difficult to add any additional challengers to my plate ... like an early morning. So I usually take what comes to me, and lately that's been extra sleep. But I do have a desire to get back to long, quiet mornings.
On the upside, that means I get more sleep.I'm usually averaging a solid eight to nine hours. And that makes a big difference in my overall day.
I very rarely use an alarm.Honestly, I don't need one because surely, one of my children will be up too early. If I do have to set an alarm, I get up when it buzzes—I won't hit snooze.
My kids make the morning more interesting.My nine year old son Win is usually the first person I talk to. There aren't many sure things in this world, but him being awake before me is a sure thing.
I have been making the bed more lately.I've found that it really does affect my mood. But I usually don't do it until I get back from work.
I try to mentally prepare for the day.Again, I'm currently not very disciplined in the morning. But I will be again someday and when I am, I've always enjoyed getting up early, making a cup of coffee and sitting down with a book or two.
Reading in the morning is a great way for me to disconnect.I'll start with my Bible, followed up with reading another book of theology. The text really pulls me away from myself and my tasks and re-orients me towards a more holistic living.
Good coffee is crucial for a good morning.For a good day, really. I've been making my coffee via an Aeropress for the last several years, but just recently my wife bought me a La Pavoni Professional espresso machine for my 39th birthday. It's by far the most expensive gift I've ever gotten and it's a gift that really speaks to who I am. I love hospitality and it allows me to make special little drinks for all my friends and family. I am concerned about my impending caffeine intake, but for now all is good.
I don’t eat right away.In 2018 I made an almost fatal mistake. I bought a house that had been abandoned for 25 years and renovated it for my family and me to move into. After 16 months of work, I had developed a stomach ulcer from the stress of it all. Since then, I haven't had much of an appetite in the morning. I usually need to wait until noon to eat—if I'm still at home then I love a simple plate of fried eggs and toast.
But I do hit the inbox immediately.I like to plow through my entire email list first thing in the morning so I don't have it weighing on me throughout the rest of the day. That really helps change the tone of the day.
I think the most important thing is to have a sincere goodbye with my wife and kids.It's easy to get swept up by the day before you leave the house and leave with a quick and cheap interaction. But in almost every case that happens, it sets me and my family up for a harder day. They need to feel seen and encouraged.
Fitness is important to me, especially with the older I get.The way I control it the most is being conscious of what I eat. There have been seasons where I was in intense workouts with Crossfit, but I have to be honest, I really don't miss that. My favorite activity for staying in shape is mountain biking. I also take Vitamin C and D supplements.
I’m the type of person that doesn’t like to think about a decision until five minutes before it needs to be made.Which is rarely a problem for getting dressed in the morning, but can be an issue for running a business.
My grooming routine is simple. Almost non-existent, I would say. I take a shower every day. That's it really. I don't fuss over it. I've been growing my hair out since the start of the pandemic and now it's super long. It's simpler for me to use a hair tie over hair product.
Clockwise, from top left: Underhill natural deodorant, $15 by Misc. Goods Co.; Grassland eau de cologne, $98 by Misc. Goods Co.; Natural hair ties, $15 by Package Free; Professional lever espresso machine, $1,279 by La Pavoni; Beach stoneware cup, $48 by Helen Levi; Super C with Vitamin D3 & Zinc supplements, $17.99 by Nature Made; Natural peppermint toothpaste, $9.95 by Davids; Bamboo toothbrush, $16.99 (for a 4-pack) by WooBamboo
Hats make it easy.Due to the longer hair and—as you've noticed, my inattention to fussing over myself—I'm always wearing a hat lately. My top three favorites are 3sixteen's corduroy hat, Stetson's open road hat and the OH no typography hat.
The pandemic changed some things.Not so much in regard to getting to the office and operating the company. But in terms of strategy, a lot changed. We lost over 50% of our overall revenue over night and we had to get creative. But I feel we rose to the challenge.
Never leave home without ...
My signet ring from Studebaker Metals, which is my wedding band.
Custom brass signet ring,starting at $88 by Studebaker Metals
See you Monday.
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