Does Ugly Really Exist?

I’ve been thinking about this question a lot lately, does ugly really exist?

When I look at the world, I see that God created everything, every human, every tree, every mountain, every star in the sky. And if God created it, how could it be ugly?

There’s no such thing as an ugly human, not a baby, not an adult, not an elder. Every person carries a story, a purpose, and a reflection of divine design. What one person may see as imperfection, another might see as beauty. That alone proves that “ugly” isn’t a truth, it’s an opinion.

A crooked tree still gives shade. A weird looking mountain still stands strong. A face with lines, wrinkles, or asymmetry carries the story of a life that’s been lived, a life full of joy, pain, growth, and grace. How can that be anything but beautiful?

Maybe “ugly” only exists when we forget to look with love. As I started thinking about this, I wish these thoughts came into my mind years ago.

How This Philosophy Shapes My Approach to Leadership and Marketing

That same belief influences how I lead creative teams, and how I built products and brands. When I work with team members (designers, writers, marketers, developers etc.) I never tell them their work is wrong or not good enough. Creativity, to me, is sacred, it’s the human expression of something divine.

When someone designs, writes, or builds something, they’re creating from the same spark that God placed within all of us. Their version of “beauty” may not look like mine, and that’s okay. In marketing, our goal isn’t to chase perfection; it’s to create connection.

Of course, when you’re building a brand, there are standards. Things have to be on brand, consistent, and aligned with the story we want to tell. But my approach has always been to collaborate, not correct. To guide, not to judge.

When a writer on my team crafts an email or message, I encourage them to express what feels right, as long as they understand our audience, our value proposition, our product positioning, and the action we want the customer to take. That balance between freedom and focus is where real creativity thrives.

If I constantly told my team their work was wrong, I’d be telling them in a sense that their creation was ugly. And I don’t believe in that.

Seeing the Beauty in Every Creation

Whether it’s a person, a piece of art, or a marketing campaign, everything we create carries the fingerprint of its creator. When we stop labeling things as “ugly” and start appreciating others creativity and seeking the beauty in their purpose, we begin to understand the true essence of creation itself.

Just like people, every brand and every message has a story. Some are polished, some are raw, but all have something beautiful to say if we take the time to listen and look with love.

In life, in art, and in marketing, ugly doesn’t really exist.
There is only expression, growth, and the divine reflection of creation itself.

On my “key ring” of life, this is one of the keys that has helped me achieve success with my products, the people I’ve worked with, and the customers I’ve served over the years. Letting them all be. Letting them all shine. Giving them the spotlight so their creations can be seen.

Highlighting the creations they’ve brought to this earth, whether it’s in human form through the birth of a child, art, music, brand, food, or something else entirely. It all grew from God, so all I can do is guide, support, and let God’s work do the rest.