Podcasts about Brand Building

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brittany Benson. *** ### **Purpose of the Interview** The interview on *Money Making Conversations Masterclass* aimed to: * Showcase Brittany Benson’s journey as a **brand strategist**, **AI consultant**, and founder of **The Branding Bar**.* Educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on **branding**, **social media strategy**, and the **impact of AI** on marketing.* Inspire listeners to leverage technology and consistency to build authentic brands. *** ### **Key Takeaways** 1. **Early Branding Journey** * Brittany unknowingly started building her brand in college through her TV show *On the Air with Brittany B*. * She leveraged early platforms like YouTube and Facebook before “social media” was a term. 2. **Consistency is Key** * Success in branding comes from **consistent engagement**, even before monetization was possible. * Brittany grew her Instagram following to over 130,000 by focusing on consistency rather than chasing trends. 3. **Influencer Myth** * Large follower counts don’t guarantee success; **engagement matters more than numbers**. * “If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.” 4. **Paid vs. Organic Growth** * Paid ads can help, but **organic growth builds trust**. * Best practice: build an organic base first, then use paid ads to amplify. 5. **Pivot to AI** * Brittany pivoted from a traditional social media agency to **AI-driven branding solutions**. * She creates **AI twins** for business owners—digital replicas that can produce content without the owner being physically present. 6. **Generative AI in Marketing** * AI tools can create graphics, videos, and even voice clones. * Brittany emphasizes AI as a **tool to enhance workflow**, not replace human creativity. 7. **Consulting Approach** * Offers strategy calls to identify problems and recommend AI tools. * Services range from **strategy planning**, **consulting**, to **done-for-you solutions**. *** ### **Notable Quotes** * **On branding:** *“I was always building a brand, even when I didn’t realize I was building a brand.”* * **On engagement vs. followers:** *“If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”* * **On AI’s role:** *“AI is just a tool. It’s not going to replace your job—it still needs human direction.”* * **On staying ahead:** *“I’ve been told I have the gift of insight to see what’s coming, even if it’s not popular yet.”* * **On her pivot:** *“I started generating AI twins for business owners so they could show up online without showing up.”* *** #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brittany Benson. *** ### **Purpose of the Interview** The interview on *Money Making Conversations Masterclass* aimed to: * Showcase Brittany Benson’s journey as a **brand strategist**, **AI consultant**, and founder of **The Branding Bar**.* Educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on **branding**, **social media strategy**, and the **impact of AI** on marketing.* Inspire listeners to leverage technology and consistency to build authentic brands. *** ### **Key Takeaways** 1. **Early Branding Journey** * Brittany unknowingly started building her brand in college through her TV show *On the Air with Brittany B*. * She leveraged early platforms like YouTube and Facebook before “social media” was a term. 2. **Consistency is Key** * Success in branding comes from **consistent engagement**, even before monetization was possible. * Brittany grew her Instagram following to over 130,000 by focusing on consistency rather than chasing trends. 3. **Influencer Myth** * Large follower counts don’t guarantee success; **engagement matters more than numbers**. * “If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.” 4. **Paid vs. Organic Growth** * Paid ads can help, but **organic growth builds trust**. * Best practice: build an organic base first, then use paid ads to amplify. 5. **Pivot to AI** * Brittany pivoted from a traditional social media agency to **AI-driven branding solutions**. * She creates **AI twins** for business owners—digital replicas that can produce content without the owner being physically present. 6. **Generative AI in Marketing** * AI tools can create graphics, videos, and even voice clones. * Brittany emphasizes AI as a **tool to enhance workflow**, not replace human creativity. 7. **Consulting Approach** * Offers strategy calls to identify problems and recommend AI tools. * Services range from **strategy planning**, **consulting**, to **done-for-you solutions**. *** ### **Notable Quotes** * **On branding:** *“I was always building a brand, even when I didn’t realize I was building a brand.”* * **On engagement vs. followers:** *“If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”* * **On AI’s role:** *“AI is just a tool. It’s not going to replace your job—it still needs human direction.”* * **On staying ahead:** *“I’ve been told I have the gift of insight to see what’s coming, even if it’s not popular yet.”* * **On her pivot:** *“I started generating AI twins for business owners so they could show up online without showing up.”* *** #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nima Jalali built SALT & STONE out of his apartment into a $100M+ brand, without ever pitching a single retailer. After an ACL injury redirected his path, he created something he desperately wanted but didn't exist, a high quality, clean deodorant, that actually performs. SALT & STONE has now become one of the fastest growing brands in the space to-date by doing things differently. Even right now, every 60 seconds a SALT & STONE deodorant is bought.  In this candid conversation Nima opens up about transitioning from a pro surfboarder into the Founder role, what it takes to build a killer team, and what keeps him going. He reveals the counter-intuitive strategy that got Sephora to come to him, and how he iterated his deodorant formula through 5 generations before calling it perfect. You'll Learn: Why going through 5+ product iterations beats launching "good enough"The digital excellence strategy that makes retailers chase you (not the other way around)How to build legacy brand positioning even as a one-person startupWhy getting a "no" from retailers too early can kill your momentumThe mindset shift from solo athlete to team builderThe key to building a digital identity that inspires & attracts customersCHAPTERS: 00:00 Introducing Nima Jalali, Founder & CEO of SALT & STONE3:00 Transitioning from Pro Snowboarder to Business Owner 4:55 The 5 Generations of Product Perfection6:45 How to Think Like Nike When You're a One-Man Show8:13 What Nima Did to Build a Brand Sephora NEEDS to Have10:09 Steps to Achieve Digital Excellence 12:39 SALT & STONE'S Philosophy on: Ingredient Sourcing, Product Development & Testing 19:06 How to Set Your Business Up to Grow Into a Legacy Brand From Day 1  22:07 The Retail Strategy That Never Fails 28:35 Tackling Global Expansion & Managing Expectations as a Founder   29:55 Single Most Impactful Thing NIma Did in The First 6 Months That Made SALT & STONE Successful  Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Brittany Benson. *** ### **Purpose of the Interview** The interview on *Money Making Conversations Masterclass* aimed to: * Showcase Brittany Benson’s journey as a **brand strategist**, **AI consultant**, and founder of **The Branding Bar**.* Educate entrepreneurs and small business owners on **branding**, **social media strategy**, and the **impact of AI** on marketing.* Inspire listeners to leverage technology and consistency to build authentic brands. *** ### **Key Takeaways** 1. **Early Branding Journey** * Brittany unknowingly started building her brand in college through her TV show *On the Air with Brittany B*. * She leveraged early platforms like YouTube and Facebook before “social media” was a term. 2. **Consistency is Key** * Success in branding comes from **consistent engagement**, even before monetization was possible. * Brittany grew her Instagram following to over 130,000 by focusing on consistency rather than chasing trends. 3. **Influencer Myth** * Large follower counts don’t guarantee success; **engagement matters more than numbers**. * “If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.” 4. **Paid vs. Organic Growth** * Paid ads can help, but **organic growth builds trust**. * Best practice: build an organic base first, then use paid ads to amplify. 5. **Pivot to AI** * Brittany pivoted from a traditional social media agency to **AI-driven branding solutions**. * She creates **AI twins** for business owners—digital replicas that can produce content without the owner being physically present. 6. **Generative AI in Marketing** * AI tools can create graphics, videos, and even voice clones. * Brittany emphasizes AI as a **tool to enhance workflow**, not replace human creativity. 7. **Consulting Approach** * Offers strategy calls to identify problems and recommend AI tools. * Services range from **strategy planning**, **consulting**, to **done-for-you solutions**. *** ### **Notable Quotes** * **On branding:** *“I was always building a brand, even when I didn’t realize I was building a brand.”* * **On engagement vs. followers:** *“If I have 2,500 followers who listen to me, that’s more powerful than 100,000 who don’t.”* * **On AI’s role:** *“AI is just a tool. It’s not going to replace your job—it still needs human direction.”* * **On staying ahead:** *“I’ve been told I have the gift of insight to see what’s coming, even if it’s not popular yet.”* * **On her pivot:** *“I started generating AI twins for business owners so they could show up online without showing up.”* *** #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSteve Harvey Morning Show Online: http://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode, Joel is joined by an award-winning guest who has been igniting digital strategy conversations for 15 years and counting. Jessica Best is the self-proclaimed email marketing evangelist and Owner of BetterAve LLC. It's the consultancy implementing the same practices she preaches from stages around the world. By turning data into insight and insight into action, she demonstrates the power of data-driven storytelling. Allowing business owners to optimize their results, so they can get back to doing more of what they already do so well.Website: https://better-ave.com/ | https://jessica.best/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestofjesspics/?hl=en Twitter: https://x.com/bestofjess/with_repliesCheck out the conversation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vT2-ylB5XpI

In an era when many consumer brands chased venture capital and rapid expansion, Andrew Benin, CEO and Co-Founder of Graza, took a different path. Since launching in 2022, his olive oil brand has become known for its distinctive squeeze bottle packaging and methodical approach to growth, prioritizing product quality and strategic partnerships over instant gratification. Benin's journey from cooking at Gramercy Tavern to building what he believes will be a top-two olive oil company offers a masterclass in patient brand building. In this conversation, we explore Graza's unconventional approach to sourcing, the strategy behind its iconic packaging, how the brand navigated early retail partnerships, and what Benin sees as the future of consumer brand building.

The college price tag keeps climbing, but draining savings or delaying retirement doesn't have to be your only option. We sit down with Lance Morgan, founder of College Funding Secrets, to map out a step-by-step approach for turning smart real estate moves and tax strategy into a reliable engine that pays for tuition while protecting your future. Lance pulls back the curtain on why many high earners miss out on aid, how 529 plans can quietly work against you, and where short-term rentals can create the kind of “tax scholarships” that rival the cost of a private university.We get specific about the short-term rental advantage: active losses that can offset W‑2 income, the return of 100% bonus depreciation, and the FAFSA timing that makes junior year of high school a pivotal window. You'll hear how to underwrite an STR with real data—occupancy, average daily rate, and seasonality—using tools like AirDNA, and why design, amenities, and ranking on page one are the difference between middling revenue and top-percentile performance. Lance shares practical operating tactics for a hands-off model with management baked into the numbers, so you're not spending weekends washing sheets.We also dig into asset positioning to avoid common aid mistakes. Learn which accounts count against you, why retirement vehicles often don't, how to value property conservatively for aid forms, and when the CSS profile changes the rules for private schools. For liquidity and resilience, Lance explains using a properly structured life insurance policy as a source of low-rate loans for down payments and slow seasons, so you preserve compounding while keeping your real estate plan moving. By the end, you'll have a clear playbook to fund college through cash-flowing assets, reduce taxes, and keep your retirement on track.If this strategy guide helps, follow and subscribe, share it with a friend who's staring down tuition, and leave a quick review so more families can discover smarter ways to pay for college.How to connect with Lance?Website: https://collegecostsecrets.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/collegefundingeducation/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lance-morgan-college-funding-secrets/Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lance_CollegeFundingSecrets Ready to scale your Amazon business? Click here to book a strategy call. https://calendly.com/firingtheman/amazon Support the show

Welcome to another thought-provoking episode of Build a Better Agency! This week, host Drew McLellan welcomes brand strategist and agency veteran Ulli Appelbaum to dive deep into the science of brand associations—a topic that's often referenced but rarely explored with the rigor it deserves. If you've ever struggled to quantify the value of your agency's or your client's brand, this episode will provide you with the data-backed frameworks and practical wisdom you've been searching for. Drawing on decades of experience across leading global agencies and his own consultancy, Ulli Appelbaum shares key insights from his new book, "The Science of Brand Associations: When Minds Win Markets." Together, he and Drew McLellan break down what brand associations really are, why they matter for long-term growth, and how emotional resonance and consistency are critical in embedding brands into consumer memory. Whether you're building brands for clients or shaping the reputation of your own agency, Ulli Appelbaum's science-based approach gives you the tools to move beyond gut instinct towards strategies that drive measurable results. The episode covers actionable strategies for identifying and cultivating the right brand associations, crafting memorable brand assets, and leveraging the power of emotional storytelling—even in B2B environments. You'll also learn how to use frameworks and scorecards to focus your branding efforts on what really matters, ensuring your brand stands out distinctly against competitors. Plus, the discussion explores why brands with strong association networks rebound faster from economic downturns and command higher price premiums.   Don't miss this episode if you're ready to combine creativity and data in a way that elevates your agency's brand work—and your own brand presence—above the noise. By the end, you'll walk away with practical tools to guide both client conversations and your agency's growth, grounded in proven science rather than simple opinion.   A big thank you to our podcast's presenting sponsor, White Label IQ. They're an amazing resource for agencies who want to outsource their design, dev, or PPC work at wholesale prices. Check out their special offer (10 free hours!) for podcast listeners here. What You Will Learn in This Episode: The science behind brand associations and why they matter Data-backed reasons brand associations drive growth and profitability How emotional impact and memory structure strengthen brands The power of consistency and distinctiveness in brand assets Using frameworks and scorecards to build effective brands The surprising resurgence and importance of brand characters Practical tools agencies can use to differentiate themselves and their clients

Send us a textThis episode comes straight from my own breakthroughs. I used to roll my eyes at the whole “build a community online” thing because it felt so cliché. But here's what changed everything for me: a brand is not built by posting more. It is built by creating a place people genuinely want to come back to. A space that feels like a seat at the table, not a pitch. Today I am breaking down how I shifted from pushing content to designing connection… and how that shift has been the smartest business move I have ever madLet's get into it!Grab The Audience Growth Guide: https://www.brittneyceo.com/product-page/audience-growth-guideJoin the Growth Lounge - https://www.brittneyceo.com/growthGet My 7 Figure Guide: https://brittney-ceo.mykajabi.com/offers/fbKnBwSM/checkoutGet my FREE weekly biz babe moves straight to your inboxhttps://view.flodesk.com/pages/624b64b2a15594c239cada7bJoin my Facebook Grouphttps://www.facebook.com/groups/131279237732613Follow me on Ig @brittneyceo for my daily life, hot biz tips, and morehttps://www.instagram.com/brittneyceo/

After a decade in high-performance finance at Goldman Sachs and Oaktree Capital, Hilary Hoffman realized the metrics she was optimizing for were no longer aligned with the life she wanted. She left the boardroom to build Soto Method, a results-driven fitness program rooted in discipline, measurable progress, and the truths she saw in the lives of ambitious, overextended people.In this conversation, Hilary shares the moment passion eclipsed stability, the soft skills she spent 10,000 hours developing in finance, and how these same traits (grit, adaptability, and structured focus) now define her founder journey. “One more second” became the heart of her method. She explains how she engineered recurring revenue to self-fund early growth and how a three-month Tribeca pop-up unexpectedly evolved into a sold-out proof of concept.Hilary also opens up about hiring her first key team member, what “willingness” really means in the people she brings on, and how she's building a meritocratic culture where initiative matters more than résumé. As a new mom of twins, she reflects on redefining success, creating boundaries with urgency, and why structure has become her antidote to overwhelm. From scaling an app into a brick-and-mortar brand to raising a strategic first round for national expansion, Hilary offers a grounded, honest look at what it takes to build something distinct in one of the most competitive industries in the world.Timestamps:[00:00] Introduction[04:52] What signaled Hilary to leave finance[09:38] How adapting your energy shifts how people receive you[13:27] Measurable progress defines Soto Method[17:56] Hiring for willingness reshaped Hilary's first key role[21:44] High performers engineer discipline through structure instead of motivation[26:33] How sequencing sessions, the app, and pop-ups fueled sustainable scale[30:50] How a three-month pop-up became a sold-out launchpad for expansion[34:41] What motherhood taught Hilary about redefining urgency, boundaries, and success[38:55] The simple daily practice Hilary uses to defuse stress Resources Mentioned:Founders Podcast by David Senra | Spotify or AppleLearn more about Hilary Hoffman:Hilary Hoffman | InstagramHilary Hoffman | LinkedInSoto Method | WebsiteSoto Method | InstagramFollow Nancy Twine:Instagram: @nancytwinewww.nancytwine.comFollow Makers Mindset:Instagram: @makersmindsetspaceTikTok: @themakersmindsetwww.makersmindset.com

Join us as we explore the power of story telling for entrepreneurs! Learn essential business tips and how to adopt the right entrepreneur mindset. Discover how a creative strategist can leverage branding and marketing digital to grow your business with compelling stories.Jake Isham is a filmmaker-turned-brand strategist and creative director who helps founders and entrepreneurs turn their expertise into authority through powerful storytelling. Over the past decade, Jake has worked with more than 150 entrepreneurs and companies— including Grant Cardone, Callaway, 5.11 Tactical, and Travis Mathew—creating content that's generated over 1 billion views online. Jake focuses on blending his background in filmmaking with deep marketing strategy, with creating digital shows and social media content for CEOs and entrepreneurs to cut through the noise by crafting content that builds trust, drives visibility, and creates true omnipresence across platforms.Whether scaling a founder-led brand or launching a thought leadership show, Jake brings a unique creative lens and proven playbooks that turn storytelling into growth.Company: Creative MindsWebsite: https://digitalshow.creativemindsofficial.com/ Email: create@creativemindsofficial.com Social Media:LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jakeisham/ Instagram - https://instagram.com/Jakecreativemarketing Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing. Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. 

In this episode of Scratch, Viren sits down with Alex Ames, Marketing Director at Manors Golf, the challenger brand bringing new energy, creativity, and cultural relevance to a sport long seen as elitist and inaccessible. Manors believes golf is a game to be explored, not mastered, and they are reshaping the category one cinematic campaign at a time.Alex unpacks how Manors went from a small rebrand to a movement inspiring a new generation of golfers. He dives into the brand's early struggles (“the Dark Ages”), how events helped them rediscover momentum, and how the team realised that attention—not product, was their true currency. He reveals the internal creative engine behind Manors' iconic films, from Monday forensic reviews to Thursday idea punch-ups, and how viral thinking shapes every concept.The episode covers everything from the Reebok partnership (and why they avoid “brand soup”), to location-led campaigns, to how everyday golfers and celebrities ended up sharing the tee sheet at Manors events. For marketers, the message is clear: if you want to change a category, change the story people tell about it.Watch the video version of this podcast on Youtube ▶️: YT Link          

For Steve Dennis and Michael LeBlanc's final episode recorded live at the CommerceNext Growth show, they welcome two visionary leaders from Tapestry, the global house of brands that includes Coach and Kate Spade: Pooja Chandiramani, VP Global Media Strategy & Planning, Marketing Analytics, Operations and Transformation, and Avinash Kaushik, Brand Strategy & Marketing Transformation.Pooja and Avinash unpack Tapestry's ongoing transformation, which embeds analytics as a core pillar of brand growth. For Coach in particular, analytics isn't just incremental—it's a complete transformation journey. By using data to generate insights that directly drive business impact, Tapestry ensures marketing investments are accountable, measurable, and tied to outcomes.Avinash, a globally recognized thought leader and author, explains how Tapestry embraces intent-centric marketing to connect authentically with consumers. Moving beyond the outdated “accessible luxury” positioning, the company has shifted toward "expressive luxury"—a modern framework that reflects values-driven, authentic consumer engagement, particularly resonant with younger audiences.The conversation dives into the cultural foundations necessary for analytics to thrive. Avinash emphasizes that “culture is more important than data,” crediting Tapestry's CEO Joanne Crevoiserat and senior leadership for creating an environment where data can challenge assumptions and guide decisions. This culture enables bold experiments, including measuring the incrementality of brand marketing—one of the toughest questions in retail.Pooja highlights how creative pre-testing has become a critical unlock. By partnering with Human Made Machine, Tapestry tests campaigns with real audiences before investing media spend. This approach ensures that creative—responsible for up to 70% of marketing impact—delivers measurable results in driving brand awareness and incremental sales. It's a cultural shift, moving from subjective opinions about creative to decisions grounded in data.The episode also explores the role of AI and machine learning in accelerating agility, simplifying decision-making frameworks, and enabling global scalability. Both leaders stress that outcomes-based planning—rather than activity-based planning—keeps Tapestry aligned with its ambitious growth goals.  About UsJennifer MarloHead of Content, CommerceNextJennifer Marlo drives industry-leading programming at CommerceNext, drawing on experience from Ascendant Network and iMedia Connection, where she spearheaded content strategies to inspire retail, brand and agency marketing leaders. Guided by the belief that “a rising tide lifts all boats,” Jennifer uses in-person and digital platforms to educate and foster industry collaboration. Steve Dennis is a strategic advisor and keynote speaker focused on growth and innovation, who has also been named one of the world's top retail influencers. He is the bestselling authro of two books: Leaders Leap: Transforming Your Company at the Speed of Disruption and Remarkable Retail: How To Win & Keep Customers in the Age of Disruption. Steve regularly shares his insights in his role as a Forbes senior retail contributor and on social media.Michael LeBlanc is the president and founder of M.E. LeBlanc & Company Inc, a senior retail advisor, top retail influencer, keynote speaker and media entrepreneur. Michael produces and hosts a network of leading retail trade podcasts, including the award-winning No.1 independent retail industry podcast in America, Remarkable Retail with his partner, Dallas-based best-selling author Steve Dennis; Canada's top retail industry podcast The Voice of Retail and Canada's top food industry and one of the top Canadian-produced management independent podcasts in the country, The Food Professor with Dr. Sylvain Charlebois from Dalhousie University in Halifax.

Only 15% of brand assets are truly distinctive. GoodRx broke their industry's mold with a prairie dog sidekick and singing cowgirl. But behind the bold creative lies a data-driven philosophy that challenges everything performance marketers think they know.This week, Elena, Angela, and Rob sit down with Ryan Sullivan, CMO of GoodRx. Ryan shares his evolution from hardcore performance marketer to someone who questions the very foundations of digital attribution. Learn why he's skeptical of multi-touch attribution, how GoodRx measures success through triangulation, and why increasing "surface area" matters more than hyper-targeting.Topics covered: [05:00] Why brand search attribution is misleading[08:30] The hidden costs of programmatic display advertising[15:00] GoodRx's unique challenge of reaching out-of-market consumers[19:30] Creating distinctive brand assets with the Savings Wrangler[32:00] Building confidence through triangulated measurement[36:00] The concept of "free marketing" and reducing control To learn more, visit marketingarchitects.com/podcast or subscribe to our newsletter at marketingarchitects.com/newsletter.  Resources: 2025 eMarketer Article: https://www.emarketer.com/content/goodrx-s-new-feel-good-campaign-seeks-break-through-healthcare-advertising-noiseRyan Sullivan's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryanjsullivan/GoodRx Website: https://www.goodrx.com/ Get more research-backed marketing strategies by subscribing to The Marketing Architects on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

If Oasis did Supper Clubs they wouldn't come close to HUNGRY Productions Bonfire Banquet.Okay…okay… I jest... I jest.But, my wonderful friends, this one was a CERTY BANGER!!!Absolute Wave Donny speaker line up:- Imme Ermgassen, Botivo Drinks | B corp- Andrew Salter, DIRTEA- Perry Haydn Taylor

From fake packaging to authentic branding: Why AI can't replace human emotion - and the brutal truth about building a 100K personal brand, seven-year journeys, and the public speaking industry that pays five figures per gig. In this explosive episode of Konnected Minds, a transformative conversation dismantles the dangerous delusion keeping African entrepreneurs trapped in fake-it-till-you-make-it cycles while the world rewards authentic substance amplified by technology. This isn't motivational branding advice from Instagram gurus - it's a systematic breakdown of why branding without substance is fraud, why AI should handle mundane tasks while humans do the emotional heavy lifting, and why the public speaking industry isn't just motivational speakers - it's business technicians, innovation consultants, and futurists getting paid thousands of dollars per presentation because they deliver structured knowledge in an age of information overwhelm. Critical revelations include: • Why packaging is exaggerating nothing while branding is amplifying real substance for humans with distorted perception systems • The fraud principle: when people are attracted to your brand and don't get the results you presented, that's advertisement under false pretense • How branding works: here are real skills, experiences, and giftings - here are real solutions - here's proof and results - come for the same • Why knowledge is becoming a commodity and AI creates information overload - making structured data synthesis the premium skill AI cannot kill • The AI detection industry emerging: anti-AI systems diagnosing fake videos, deepfakes, and content cloning for court cases and brand protection • How humanly charged content becomes premium: how long did it take, how much emotion went into this, how much human touch separates you from AI • The robot cook reality: premium restaurants will charge extra for human chefs while AI handles mass production - both coexist, human becomes luxury • Why you don't need seven years anymore: leave mundane tasks (research, captions, hashtags, data analysis) to AI and focus on human-specific work (ethics, emotion, connection) • The 20K to 136K growth strategy: one team member churned out 20 pieces of content daily using AI systems, hitting year-end targets months early The conversation reaches its uncomfortable peak with a truth that destroys fake branding culture: there was a Volta Region trip - expensive, disappointing, complete fraud. Restaurants that look nothing like their platforms. Advertisement under false pretense. We package emptiness and call it branding, fake it till we make it, and wonder why customers never return. Meanwhile, the person who builds real substance first, then uses AI to amplify reach while maintaining human emotional connection, scales from 20K to 136K followers because the brand delivers what it promises - and that's the only formula that survives long-term. From understanding that branding is drawing attention to real value because humans have broken perceptive systems, to recognizing that WiFi giving you a rose flower works not because of the product but how it makes you feel, to accepting that AI will make humanly charged stuff premium while robots handle commodity production - this episode proves that the future belongs to those who blend technology efficiency with human authenticity. The robot can cook 2,000 meals, but the bourgeois concept restaurant in Cantonments will charge premium for the human chef experience. AI can generate 20 content pieces daily, but the emotional connection in your personal story is what converts followers into paying clients. For the African entrepreneur, content creator, and public speaker seeking to build a legitimate brand that commands premium rates instead of becoming another fake-packaging casualty, this conversation offers the unfiltered blueprint: build real substance first - skills, experiences, results, proof. Use AI for research, data analysis, content production, and efficiency tasks. Focus your human energy on ethics, emotion, and authentic connection. Understand that public speaking isn't just motivation - it's business insights, technology trends, and innovation consultancy that pays five figures per gig. And remember - don't be so future-minded that you become present insignificant. We extrapolate from the past to learn today so we can project into tomorrow. The question isn't whether AI will change your industry. The question is whether you'll use it to amplify authentic substance, or keep packaging emptiness until your brand becomes another disappointing Volta Region trip nobody recommends. Host: Derrick Abaitey IG: https://www.instagram.com/derrick.abaitey YT: https://www.youtube.com/@DerrickAbaitey Join Konnected Academy: https://konnectedacademy.com/

Welcome to MAFFEO DRINKS. For many years, I've been known as the "built bottom-up" guy. But many people misunderstand what bottom-up actually means. Bottom-up means building at a pace that doesn't jeopardize your future. Doing the right things on the ground while managing expectations from above.That's it. It doesn't matter if your brand is small or big. It's a mindset.I'm Chris Maffeo, Drinks Leadership Advisor. 20 years in drinks across 30+ markets. I've been in the boardroom but chose to stay connected to the field. That's where I founded MAFFEO DRINKS.We help drinks leadership bridge the gap between bottom-up reality and top-down expectations. Stakeholders want numbers. Your team wants direction. You are caught in the middle. And that's where we come in.This podcast is about honest conversations with drinks builders: founders, distributors, commercial directors, CEOs, F&B directors. But this isn't a show about biographies. Every guest is here to show their thinking, not their resume.We talk commercial strategy, route-to-market, distributor relationships, trade marketing, and all the plumbing of brand building that nobody discusses on stage. How the industry actually works, not the conference version. How to master the unscalable things while building scale.Beyond the podcast, we offer Bottom-Up Intel & Principles: episode deep dives that you can buy for a monthly subscription (Patterns from drinks builders for the leaders building with them).And for leadership teams who want a thought partner who has been in their chair and still walks the field, we offer advisory.Find out more at maffeodrinks.com.And remember that brands are built bottom-up.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Renard “Ray” Sims. Topic: Entrepreneurship, property management, and building generational wealth through real estate. Ray Sims shares his journey from government employee to entrepreneur, founding a property management company in the Metro DC area. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into business ownership, the structure of his company, and the importance of networking, automation, and community service.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lamar Tyler.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lamar Tyler.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Renard “Ray” Sims. Topic: Entrepreneurship, property management, and building generational wealth through real estate. Ray Sims shares his journey from government employee to entrepreneur, founding a property management company in the Metro DC area. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into business ownership, the structure of his company, and the importance of networking, automation, and community service.

Phil Masiello is a visionary entrepreneur, best-selling author, and host of the popular show Crunching Your Growth on e360tv, bringing over two decades of proven experience in e-commerce, digital marketing, and disruptive brand building. As the founder of CrunchGrowth Revenue Acceleration Agency, Phil strategically guides consumer-focused startups and brands to achieve rapid and sustainable growth by harnessing innovative digital strategies, powerful storytelling, and deep consumer insights. His practical, real-world experience, illustrated through successful ventures like 800razors.com and Raw Essentials Skin Care, helps startups overcome common scaling obstacles, optimize their sales channels, elevate brand visibility, and engage deeply with customers, driving accelerated revenues and profitability.Connect with Phil here: https://philmasiello.com/Don't forget to get our FREE LinkedIn Content Prompts here:https://www.thetimetogrow.com/ecsposttemplates

Taza Chocolate didn't follow trends—it built a lasting brand by doubling down on its differences. Founders Alex Whitmore and Kathleen Fulton share how staying true to their product, owning their manufacturing, and leading with purpose helped them weather crises and grow a resilient business.For more on Taza Chocolate and show notes click here Subscribe and watch Shopify Masters on YouTube!Sign up for your FREE Shopify Trial here.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Renard “Ray” Sims. Topic: Entrepreneurship, property management, and building generational wealth through real estate. Ray Sims shares his journey from government employee to entrepreneur, founding a property management company in the Metro DC area. He discusses the challenges of transitioning into business ownership, the structure of his company, and the importance of networking, automation, and community service.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lamar Tyler.

Episode 591 of the Lawyerist Podcast explores one of the most urgent questions facing law firms today: how do you stay findable when Google and AI are rewriting the rules of search? SEO expert Cyrus Shepard explains how zero-click search, AI-generated answers, and new “experience” signals are transforming the way law firms must think about content, visibility, and online authority.  Cyrus and Stephanie discuss why informational blog posts no longer drive the traffic they once did, how to structure content so LLMs can “read” and reference it, and why brand signals now carry more weight than keywords. They also cover how to evaluate SEO vendors, what metrics matter in an AI-first world, and simple steps lawyers can take to establish trust and expertise online.    Links from the episode:  lawyerist.com/scorecard  Zyppy.com    Listen to our previous episodes about Practical AI for Law.   #562 – Beyond ChatGPT: The AI Revolution Happening Inside Your Firm, with Charreau Bell — Apple | Spotify | LTN  #565 – Becoming the AI-Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods — Apple | Spotify | LTN  #452 – Managing AI in Your Practice, with Ed Walters — Apple | Spotify | LTN  #501 – Future-Proofing Your Firm in the Age of AI, with Jack Newton — Apple | Spotify | LTN    Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!  If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.  Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.    Chapters / Timestamps:   00:00 – Intro & Scorecard03:53 – Meet Cyrus Shepard05:12 – How AI Is Changing Search06:00 – Zero-Click & AI Overviews07:26 – Why Old Content Tactics Fail08:57 – Shifting Toward Brand Authority10:09 – Writing Content LLMs Can Read11:33 – Showing Experience with E-E-A-T14:23 – Reddit, YouTube & Source Signals15:51 – Where New Firms Should Start17:18 – Brand Building as SEO Strategy18:27 – Vetting SEO Agencies Today20:40 – Metrics That Actually Matter22:03 – Real-World Visibility Wins22:21 – Wrap-Up & Where to Find Cyrus 

Episode 591 of the Lawyerist Podcast explores one of the most urgent questions facing law firms today: how do you stay findable when Google and AI are rewriting the rules of search? SEO expert Cyrus Shepard explains how zero-click search, AI-generated answers, and new “experience” signals are transforming the way law firms must think about content, visibility, and online authority.  Cyrus and Stephanie discuss why informational blog posts no longer drive the traffic they once did, how to structure content so LLMs can “read” and reference it, and why brand signals now carry more weight than keywords. They also cover how to evaluate SEO vendors, what metrics matter in an AI-first world, and simple steps lawyers can take to establish trust and expertise online.    Links from the episode:  lawyerist.com/scorecard  Zyppy.com    Listen to our previous episodes about Practical AI for Law.   #562 – Beyond ChatGPT: The AI Revolution Happening Inside Your Firm, with Charreau Bell — Apple | Spotify | LTN  #565 – Becoming the AI-Driven Leader, with Geoff Woods — Apple | Spotify | LTN  #452 – Managing AI in Your Practice, with Ed Walters — Apple | Spotify | LTN  #501 – Future-Proofing Your Firm in the Age of AI, with Jack Newton — Apple | Spotify | LTN    Have thoughts about today's episode? Join the conversation on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X!  If today's podcast resonates with you and you haven't read The Small Firm Roadmap Revisited yet, get the first chapter right now for free! Looking for help beyond the book? See if our coaching community is right for you.  Access more resources from Lawyerist at lawyerist.com.    Chapters / Timestamps:   00:00 – Intro & Scorecard03:53 – Meet Cyrus Shepard05:12 – How AI Is Changing Search06:00 – Zero-Click & AI Overviews07:26 – Why Old Content Tactics Fail08:57 – Shifting Toward Brand Authority10:09 – Writing Content LLMs Can Read11:33 – Showing Experience with E-E-A-T14:23 – Reddit, YouTube & Source Signals15:51 – Where New Firms Should Start17:18 – Brand Building as SEO Strategy18:27 – Vetting SEO Agencies Today20:40 – Metrics That Actually Matter22:03 – Real-World Visibility Wins22:21 – Wrap-Up & Where to Find Cyrus  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of OnBase, host Paul Gibson sits down with Soumyajit Dey for a deep dive into why continuous brand building outperforms one-off campaigns every time, and how ABX becomes truly powerful only when rooted in purpose, consistency, and relevance.Soumyajit shares his journey from early days in experimental digital marketing to leading global campaigns at ThoughtWorks, where he merges brand strategy with buying-group intelligence to drive sustained account growth. He explains why brand versus demand is the wrong debate, why ABX should be an experience, not a tactic, and how companies can orchestrate connected outreach that resonates emotionally and commercially.From the importance of purpose-led storytelling, to measuring brand influence, to navigating AI and evolving buyer behavior, this episode is a masterclass in modern B2B marketing that actually works.Key TakeawaysBrand and demand shouldn't compete, they should connectSoumyajit argues that ABX succeeds when it amplifies a strong brand narrative. Disconnected efforts create drop-off; integrated storytelling builds trust that sustains long-term growth.ABX is an experience, not a pipeline hackEffective ABX expands reach inside accounts, engages the full buying group, and nurtures trust over time. It's a long-term motion, not a magic wand for instant deals.The tech stack makes or breaks digital ABXIntegrating engagement scoring, intent, and outreach into a unified ecosystem creates the intelligence needed for relevance and personalization at scale. At ThoughtWorks, this has driven an 18–23% increase in reach.Purpose-driven brands outperformBuyers, especially millennials and Gen Z, make decisions based on values like transparency, ethics, and inclusion. Purpose creates memorability and long-term loyalty.Sustained brand building warms the ground for ABXWhen a brand shows up consistently through content, social proof, thought leadership, and human storytelling, ABX campaigns land on receptive audiences, not cold inboxes.AI orchestration and buying-group intelligence are the futureAgentic AI, buying-group-level insights, and responsible use of automation will redefine how teams run always-on ABX and brand plays.Quotes“Brand creates receptivity. ABX activates relevance. Together, they expand your circle of influence.”Resource recommendationsPodcasts:B2B Marketing and More with Pam DidnerBooks:ABM is B2B: Why B2B marketing and sales is broken and how to fix it — by Sangram Vajre & Eric SpettAbout the GuestSoumyajit Dey is a digital first marketing and communications leader with 20 plus years of experience at the intersection of marketing, technology and communication. Currently, he serves as the Global Head of Digital Campaign Delivery and AI for marketing Lead at Thoughtworks. He has worked with multiple global tech organizations in various capacity and is equally at home with campaign delivery, execution and executive strategy. Soumyajit is passionate about building future ready functions and teams that blend in creativity, automation and measurable performance.⁠Connect with Soumyajit⁠.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

Marty Ozinga IV is chief executive officer of Ozinga. Founded in 1928, Ozinga is a fifth-generation family enterprise best known for its red and white striped concrete mixer trucks. In 2012, Marty took the reins of running the family business as CEO/president from his father, Marty Ozinga III. Marty is joined by his five brothers and one cousin in the fourth generation of ownership. There are thirty-two family members in the fifth generation.Marty earned a BA in economics and business from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA, and an MS in communications from Northwestern University. He has served on numerous not-for-profit boards, including currently serving on the board of the Luke Society. Marty and his wife Amy have six children. They reside in the Little Italy neighborhood of Chicago.Ozinga is a purpose driven business whose purpose is to have a positive impact on individuals, their families, and the community for generations. This purpose is rooted in the Ozinga family mission to first and foremost honor and glorify God and to serve the crown of His creation. In 2019, Ozinga received the Dean's Award from the Illinois Family Business of the Year Awards for excellence social enterprise, supply chain management or emerging markets. Ozinga has 2,000+ employees with operations primarily in Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan and Florida. Thank you for listening to "Can You Hear Me?". If you enjoyed our show, please consider subscribing and leaving a review on your favorite podcast platform.Stay connected with us:Follow us on LinkedIn!Follow our co-host Eileen Rochford on Linkedin!Follow our co-host Rob Johnson on Linkedin!

Esi Eggleston Bracey is the Chief Marketing and Growth Officer of Unilever. Esi joined the company in 2018 and has served as President of Unilever USA and CEO of Personal Care in North America. Prior to this, she led their $5 billion Beauty & Personal Care portfolio for North America as EVP and Chief Operating Officer which included responsibility for brands such as Dove, TRESemmé, Suave, Vaseline, Degree, Axe and more. There's a reason why this is a brand building masterclassEsi has been recognised with many industry awards including being named as one of Forbes World's Most Influential CMOs, a Forbes Entrepreneurial CMO 50, Women's Wear Daily Marketer of the Year, ADCOLOR Legend, Ad Age Vanguard Award and more.Timestamps00:00 - Intro00:54 - From P&G to Unilever, Esi's career journey03:09 - How important is breadth of experience as a marketer04:54 - How to increase your marketing budget07:45 - Why Esi has growth in her title and not just Chief Marketing Officer08:36 - The most surprising thing about running 400 brands10:37 - What skills do marketers need to be successful today?12:08 - Esi's thoughts of AI in marketing17:14 - How to win the hearts of your consumer19:48 - Unilever's SASSY framework for winning hearts and minds21:45 - Why we buy more when we feel more23:27 - The secret behind the groundbreaking Dove marketing26:45 - Why Uniliver are spending 50% of media on social and 20x spend on creators29:18 - How the Vaseline Verified campaign took off30:37 - Unilever's framework for successful social media campaigns32:29 - Applying the SASSY Framework to innovation35:19 - Unilever's collaboration with Crumbl Cookies37:42 - How Unilever uses AI39:45 - Which Unilever brand would Esi buy?41:46 - The power of consistency42:43 - How do you nurture the next $1b portfolio brand

In this episode of BRAVE COMMERCE, hosts Rachel Tipograph and Sarah Hofstetter speak with Matt Blevins, Chief Marketing Officer at Heaven Hill Brands.Matt shares why long-term brand building remains essential in the spirits category and how disciplined measurement guides smarter decision-making. He explains how digital discovery, from YouTube mixology to Reddit communities, shapes in-store behavior, and why premiumization, moderation, and innovation are the real forces reshaping today's beverage alcohol landscape.Additionally, he also breaks down how Heaven Hill decides when to modernize a brand, why nuance is missing from industry headlines, and what it takes to stay grounded in consumer truth while the marketing world chases real-time optimization.Key takeawaysLong-term brand building and strategic patience remain essential in spiritsDigital discovery now heavily shapes in-store purchase decisionsPremiumization, moderation, and innovation continue to drive category trendsBrand modernization works best when rooted in product truth and distinctiveness Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Tech On Demand, host Bill Calkins is joined by two experts from Epicor—a software company delivering comprehensive ERP solutions, as well as CRM tools and a range of supply chain management systems. Epicor truly understands the green industry and partners with garden centers and nurseries to customize business tools. Kerrie Jordan, Epicor's chief marketing officer and Sam Kirkland, a national business development strategist are on the podcast to talk A.I. and ways to take the data you have, digitize it and apply A.I. to use it even more effectively. A.I. has the capability to assist in all fundamental business processes—from product procurement and cash flow management to employee productivity and customer engagement. That's just a snapshot of what Kerrie and Sam share in this episode. Bill and his guests spend time discussing what exactly A.I. means for green industry businesses and applications from other industries can be transformational, as well as ways A.I. can help personalize businesses to level up the customer experience. They close looking to the future and what might be possible as this technology continues to evolve. PODCAST: Artificial Intelligence in the Green Industry (Part 1): https://techondemand.podbean.com/e/artificial-intelligence-in-the-green-industry-part-1-ft-clint-albin/   MORE RESOURCES: Epicor—Artificial Intelligence: https://www.epicor.com/en-us/solutions/technology/people-centric-ai/ ARTICLE: AI—Gaining Back Time: https://www.greenprofit.com/Article/?srch=1&articleID=27602 ARTICLE: Why You Need AI, No Matter Your Size: https://www.greenprofit.com/Article/?srch=1&articleID=27544 ARTICLE: Using AI to Shorten the Customer Journey: https://www.greenprofit.com/Article/?articleid=27702 PODCAST: Next-Level Engagement, Growth & Brand Building with Sam Kirkland: https://youtu.be/P_VMRu0wTHU?si=fBJr9uzxOT4UZu3C

Marina Middleton, CEO & Partner at Create & Cultivate, joins Stephanie to talk about how building a powerful personal brand can change your life and career. A first-generation Egyptian immigrant and former single mum, Marina shares the journey from corporate roles at Yahoo, Yahoo News, and Tumblr to co-owning Create & Cultivate and founding Empowered Confidence. Together, they unpack what a personal brand really is, why it matters in 2025, how to decide what you want to be known for, and simple first steps you can take today to be seen, trusted, and chosen for bigger opportunities.Books MentionedBuilding a StoryBrand by Donald MillerHow to Make a Few Billion Dollars Podcasts MentionedWorkParty Podcast — hosted by Jaclyn Johnson and Marina Middleton (Create & Cultivate)Marina Middleton is the CEO & Partner at Create & Cultivate, the largest events and media platform for ambitious women — the go-to place to connect, learn, and grow. A first-generation Egyptian immigrant and former single mum at 23, Marina started sharing her story online over a decade ago. That honest storytelling became a personal brand, a community, and eventually Empowered Confidence, a personal brand development company helping women leverage their stories and authenticity to build stronger brands, businesses, and communities. Marina Middleton+3Apple Podcasts+3jamieratermann.com+3After building digital media campaigns for major global brands at Yahoo, Yahoo News, and Tumblr, Marina went on to co-own Create & Cultivate with its founder, Jaclyn Johnson. As CEO & Partner, she has raised just under $3M in venture capital and is leading the company's expansion into large-scale experiences like the world's largest festival for women in business and CONNECT, an AI-powered matchmaking program that helps women meet exactly who they need to meet. She is also the co-founder of The Blueprint Mastermind, a six-month program for women entrepreneurs, and the host and co-host of multiple podcasts focused on women, work, and ambition. iHeart+4Create & Cultivate+4PR Newswire+4Our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/womendontdothatRecommend guests: https://www.womendontdothat.com/How to find WOMENdontDOthat:Patreonhttps://www.patreon.com/womendontdothatInstagram - http://www.instagram.com/womendontdothat/TikTok- http://www.tiktok.com/@womendontdothatBlog- https://www.womendontdothat.com/blogPodcast- https://www.womendontdothat.com/podcastNewsletter- https://www.beaconnorthstrategies.com/contactwww.womendontdothat.comYouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@WOMENdontDOthatHow to find Stephanie Mitton:Twitter/X- https://twitter.com/StephanieMittonLinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniemitton/beaconnorthstrategies.comTikTok- https://www.tiktok.com/@stephmittonInstagram- https://www.instagram.com/stephaniemitton/Interested in sponsorship? Contact us at hello@womendontdothat.comProduced by Duke & CastleOur Latest Blog:https://www.womendontdothat.com/post/confidence-is-an-advocacy-tool-what-selena-rezvani-taught-me-about-speaking-up-and-being-heard Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Content vulnerability hangover is real, and it's holding back countless entrepenuers from building authentic brands that truly connect. If you've ever felt exposed after sharing something personal, or found yourself stuck in a cycle of overthinking and perfectionism, you're not alone. This episode dives deep into the emotional side of content creation, offering a roadmap for sharing your story in a way that feels both safe and strategic. We'll explore the difference between connection stories and credibility stories, and why both are essential for a brand that resonates. You'll learn how to open up without oversharing, and how to avoid the pitfalls of turning your content into a diary or trauma dump. Instead, discover how to make your experiences relevant to your audience and your business, so every story you share serves a purpose. Setting boundaries around vulnerability is key, and we'll talk about practical ways to protect your energy while still showing up authentically. From journaling prompts to reflection exercises, you'll get actionable tools to help you decide what to share, when to share it, and how to keep your content aligned with your values. In today's episode, we're chatting about: The difference between connection and credibility stories Sharing personal experiences without oversharing Making your story relevant to your audience and business Setting boundaries for safe, sustainable vulnerability Exercises to uncover and shape your brand-defining stories Connect with me:  Website Join our email list! Instagram Pinterest Become the celebrity of your niche and learn how to turn your marketing into a campaign that actually sells out. In the Campaign Crash Course™, you'll learn how to build anticipation and sell your offers with the same strategy behind brands like SKIMS, Poppi, and Rhode — all in just 60 minutes. https://highflierpowerhouse.com/course Get creative support to turn your content into sales before, during and after your launches. From content classes to learn new campaign marketing skills, to custom designed assets completely done for you, we've thought of it all inside Sales Studio. Join today: https://highflierpowerhouse.com/retainer  Get the photoshoot, website, and content strategy you need to increase your business revenue and reputation. Apply for The Rebrand Experience https://highflierpowerhouse.com/rebrand-experience  

With the rapid onset of AI, the marketing landscape is rapidly changing.Bryan Phelps is the founder and CEO of Big Leap, a digital marketing agency that helps businesses build scalable growth systems through a strategic blend of brand and performance. What began as a self-taught journey in SEO back in 2005 has evolved into a leadership role guiding national brands through today's shifting marketing landscape. Since founding Big Leap in 2008, Bryan has grown the company from a solo consultancy into a 80+ person agency trusted by companies across industries—from high-growth startups to private equity-backed brands. Under his leadership, Big Leap has developed a Brand-Led Performance Marketing framework that helps clients align paid media, SEO, content, digital PR, and revenue operations to build trust, drive efficiency, and improve customer acquisition over the long term. Investors, Founders, and Marketing Leaders alike turn to Bryan and his team when short-term tactics stop working and a more resilient, system-driven marketing strategy is needed.Bryan and his team have led 1,000+ marketing campaigns and bring deep experience in helping brands modernize their marketing foundation while navigating operational complexity. He also plays an active role mentoring marketing leaders and building teams that scale. CONTACT DETAILSEmail: bryan@bigleap.com Business: Big LeapWebsite: https://www.bigleap.com/ Social Media:LinkedIN - https://www.linkedin.com/company/bigleap/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bigleapmktg/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bigleapmktg/ Tiktok - X - https://x.com/BigLeapMKTG/ Remember to SUBSCRIBE so you don't miss "Information That You Can Use." Share Just Minding My Business with your family, friends, and colleagues. Engage with us by leaving a review or comment on my Google Business Page. https://g.page/r/CVKSq-IsFaY9EBM/review Your support keeps this podcast going and growing.Visit Just Minding My Business Media™ LLC at https://jmmbmediallc.com/ to learn how we can help you get more visibility on your products and services. 

Digital Nomading. LinkedIn. Brand Building. Authenticity. Today we welcome, Paige Goldstein — CEO and Founder of The Ripple Effect, soul-led LinkedIn Coach, and global nomad who's empowering heart-centered leaders to show up authentically and build their personal brands with purpose and truth

Mark Thomas walked away from a six-figure salary without a concrete plan.Three co-founders. One investment. Strict 9-month covenants.Then came March: dozens of pitches, everyone loved the vision, but almost no one was buying. The retained leadership search model wasn't landing. They started questioning everything.One week later, four retained searches landed. Revenue hasn't stopped climbing since.12 months in: £1M+ revenue, 75% retained work, and a business model nobody else in insurance recruitment is executing at this level.In this episode:Why he nearly pivoted to golf (and why recruitment pays better)The £150k-£350k leadership gap nobody was serving properlyTurning down every role under £120k to protect the brandBuilding the "Real Madrid of recruiters" with 10-15 elite billersHow retained search gives you three-month revenue visibilityThe profit share model that creates a partnership without equityThis isn't a scale-to-50-people story. This is about building a boutique firm where being the worst recruiter in the room means you've hired brilliantly.For recruitment founders who want quality over quantity and believe 10 great people beats 50 average ones.__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: AtlasAdmin is a massive waste of time. That's why there's Atlas, the AI-first recruitment platform built for modern agencies.It doesn't only track CVs and calls. It remembers everything. Every email, every interview, every conversation. Instantly searchable, always available. And now, it's entering a whole new era.With Atlas 2.0, you can ask anything and it delivers. With Magic Search, you speak and it listens. It finds the right candidates using real conversations, not simply look for keywords.Atlas 2.0 also makes business development easier than ever. With Opportunities, you can track, manage and grow client relationships, powered by generative AI and built right into your workflow.Need insights? Custom dashboards give you total visibility over your pipeline. And that's not theory. Atlas customers have reported up to 41% EBITDA growth and an 85% increase in monthly billings after adopting the platform.No admin. No silos. No lost info. Nothing but faster shortlists, better hires and more time to focus on what actually drives revenue.Atlas is your personal AI partner for modern recruiting.Don't miss the future of recruitment. Get started with Atlas today and unlock your exclusive RAG listener offer at https://recruitwithatlas.com/therag/__________________________________________Episode Sponsor: HoxoEvery recruitment founder is investing in LinkedIn.Spending thousands on Recruiter licences.Building connections. Posting content. Growing networks.But here's the question almost no one can answer:How much revenue is LinkedIn actually bringing into your business?Most founders have thousands of connections but no clear process to turn that attention into cash.That's the problem we solve.At Hoxo, we help recruitment founders build predictable revenue systems on LinkedIn, not just noise or vanity metrics.Our clients are turning LinkedIn into £100K–£300K in new billings within months, using their existing networks and a simple repeatable process.To show you how it works, we've created a short training video exclusively for RAG listeners.In less than 10 minutes, you'll learn:- Why most recruiters are getting zero measurable ROI from LinkedIn- How small, niche teams are generating consistent inbound demand- The 3X Revenue System we use to turn LinkedIn into a predictable cash-generating...

Episode Summary:"You don't have to monetize every gift. Creativity is something you steward, not something you have to prove.” -Steve BrockIn this special episode, host Lisa Smith talks with Steve Brock, the author of "Brand Something Beautiful: A Branding Workbook for Artists, Writers, and Other Creatives." Together, they discuss the intersection of faith and artistry, exploring what it really means to create as an act of grace. They also dive into the challenges of calling, the process of getting unstuck, and how to build a brand authentically.This Episode's Resources: Download your FREE Vocation Trap Tracker: www.soulmakers.org/bemakedo Discover Your Artist Archetype → Take the Free Quiz at soulmakers.org Download the Full Artist Archetypes Guide for deeper insight: www.soulmakers.org/bemakedo Steve Brock's brand new book, Brand Something Beautiful Steve Brock's website: https://www.exploreyourworlds.com/ Connect & Share: Connect with Steve Brock:stevebrock.substack.comwww.instagram.com/StephenWBrockwww.facebook.com/MeaningfulTravwww.pinterest.com/ExploreYourWorlds Subscribe to Be. Make. Do. for more in the Vocation Traps series Share this episode with a friend or creative you know Join the conversation on socials using #VocationTrapsPodcast Join our brand new Instagram Broadcast Channel!Up Next: Join us as we discuss setbacks and mistakes of the vocation traps.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Katrice Miller. A nationally recognized labor relations expert and career coach. The conversation explores her journey from federal government service to corporate leadership, her insights on labor law, personal branding, and how individuals can navigate layoffs, negotiate salaries, and build resilient careers.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald, interviewed Katrice Miller. A nationally recognized labor relations expert and career coach. The conversation explores her journey from federal government service to corporate leadership, her insights on labor law, personal branding, and how individuals can navigate layoffs, negotiate salaries, and build resilient careers.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lawrence Phillips. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Lawrence Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey from engineering to founding Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers. To highlight the significance of Black Ambition, an initiative by Pharrell Williams supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To inspire listeners about resilience, innovation, and the importance of culturally inclusive travel resources. Key Takeaways Background & Career Shift Phillips studied Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and worked at Accenture in IT consulting for nearly a decade. Despite career success, he felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue his passion for travel, leading to the creation of Green Book Global. Travel Experience Traveled to 30+ countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica, in less than a year. Realized the need for a platform addressing “traveling while Black” concerns—safety, cultural acceptance, and inclusivity. Green Book Global Inspired by the historical Green Book (1936–1966), which guided Black travelers during segregation. Offers city-level Black-friendly scores, road trip planners, and Black-owned restaurant recommendations. Over 150,000 app downloads in 2025; partnered with Expedia; strong social media presence. Black Ambition Program Phillips applied three times before reaching semifinals, emphasizing persistence. Program provided funding opportunities and a transformative Evoke Wellness experience. His personal “why” statement:“I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” Impact & Vision Advocates systemic change by partnering with destinations to improve inclusivity. Highlights the economic power of Black travelers (over $140 billion annually). Encourages Black travelers to explore global opportunities beyond U.S. racial constraints. Notable Quotes “You can be successful and still not be happy.” — On leaving a lucrative career for passion. “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” — His guiding principle. “There’s riches in niches.” — On unapologetically focusing on Black travelers. “Just because somebody said no doesn’t mean they said no to you—they said no at that time.” — On persistence in entrepreneurship. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Lawrence Phillips. Purpose of the Interview To showcase Lawrence Phillips’ entrepreneurial journey from engineering to founding Green Book Global, a travel review platform for Black travelers. To highlight the significance of Black Ambition, an initiative by Pharrell Williams supporting Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To inspire listeners about resilience, innovation, and the importance of culturally inclusive travel resources. Key Takeaways Background & Career Shift Phillips studied Electrical Engineering at Georgia Tech and worked at Accenture in IT consulting for nearly a decade. Despite career success, he felt unfulfilled and decided to pursue his passion for travel, leading to the creation of Green Book Global. Travel Experience Traveled to 30+ countries across all seven continents, including Antarctica, in less than a year. Realized the need for a platform addressing “traveling while Black” concerns—safety, cultural acceptance, and inclusivity. Green Book Global Inspired by the historical Green Book (1936–1966), which guided Black travelers during segregation. Offers city-level Black-friendly scores, road trip planners, and Black-owned restaurant recommendations. Over 150,000 app downloads in 2025; partnered with Expedia; strong social media presence. Black Ambition Program Phillips applied three times before reaching semifinals, emphasizing persistence. Program provided funding opportunities and a transformative Evoke Wellness experience. His personal “why” statement:“I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” Impact & Vision Advocates systemic change by partnering with destinations to improve inclusivity. Highlights the economic power of Black travelers (over $140 billion annually). Encourages Black travelers to explore global opportunities beyond U.S. racial constraints. Notable Quotes “You can be successful and still not be happy.” — On leaving a lucrative career for passion. “I’m a protective and innovative steward of Black restoration and healing.” — His guiding principle. “There’s riches in niches.” — On unapologetically focusing on Black travelers. “Just because somebody said no doesn’t mean they said no to you—they said no at that time.” — On persistence in entrepreneurship. #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to Barn Talk! In today's episode, Sawyer and Tork are joined by brand builder, restaurateur, and bourbon aficionado Tim Jones. From his small-town Kentucky upbringing—where cattle farming, moonshining, and greeting card factories shaped his early days—to working with iconic bourbon brands like Buffalo Trace and Weller, Tim Jones shares his journey through the world of creativity and entrepreneurship. We dig into the grit behind building great brands, Tim Jones's leap into owning his own businesses, including the buzzworthy Boondogs hot dog joint, and how bourbon became a centerpiece of his story. Plus, hear about Tim Jones's behind-the-scenes experiences on Discovery Channel's Moonshiners and Master Distiller, and the lessons learned from both triumphs and setbacks (including exploding cans!). This episode packs practical wisdom, laughs, and inspiration for anyone chasing their own vision—whether you're a farmer, a founder, or just a fellow bourbon lover.Shop Farmer Grade

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Felecia Hatcher. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To promote the upcoming Black Ambition Demo Day and Fundable Founders Forum in Miami. To inspire entrepreneurs by sharing insights on scaling businesses, accessing resources, and building wealth. Key Takeaways About Black Ambition Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Has invested in 131 companies over five years. Provides capital, mentorship, and holistic support (including mental health). Event Details Demo Day (Nov 14): Entrepreneurs pitch and receive funding. Fundable Founders Forum (Nov 15): Masterclasses with industry leaders like Steve Stoute, Nancy Twine, and Linda Clemens. Focus on actionable strategies, not just inspiration. Competition Structure Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications. Categories include HBCU founders, national finalists, top prize winners, and people’s choice. Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Top 20–25 awarded funding. Challenges & Advice Many entrepreneurs fail due to rushed applications and lack of preparation. Success requires persistence: “Apply again” if you fail. Building a team is essential—Black Ambition does not invest in solopreneurs. Impact on Black Women Fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs but often limited by resources. Need to shift from solopreneurship to team-building for scalability. Pharrell’s Motivation Believes in democratizing opportunity. Inspired by those who invested in him early in his career. Goal: Close wealth and opportunity gaps quickly—“Wealth has a need for speed.” How to Get Involved Visit blackambitionprize.com and join the newsletter for alerts and resources. Past winners share insights in info sessions. Notable Quotes On closing gaps:“People are too comfortable wasting the time of Black entrepreneurs with misaligned resources and low vibrational mentorship.” On persistence:“If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.” On Pharrell’s vision:“Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.” On entrepreneurship mindset:“We have to start enjoying the process that molds us, not just say, ‘I didn’t make it, I’m upset.’” On Black women entrepreneurs:“They’re the fastest growing, but largely solopreneurs. We need them to think about building teams.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSupport the show: https://www.steveharveyfm.com/See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Felecia Hatcher. Purpose of the Interview To spotlight Black Ambition, a national initiative founded by Pharrell Williams that funds and mentors Black and Brown entrepreneurs. To promote the upcoming Black Ambition Demo Day and Fundable Founders Forum in Miami. To inspire entrepreneurs by sharing insights on scaling businesses, accessing resources, and building wealth. Key Takeaways About Black Ambition Founded by Pharrell Williams to close the opportunity gap for Black and Hispanic entrepreneurs. Has invested in 131 companies over five years. Provides capital, mentorship, and holistic support (including mental health). Event Details Demo Day (Nov 14): Entrepreneurs pitch and receive funding. Fundable Founders Forum (Nov 15): Masterclasses with industry leaders like Steve Stoute, Nancy Twine, and Linda Clemens. Focus on actionable strategies, not just inspiration. Competition Structure Annual national competition with 2,500–3,000 applications. Categories include HBCU founders, national finalists, top prize winners, and people’s choice. Process: Applications → 250 semifinalists → 3-month cohort → Top 20–25 awarded funding. Challenges & Advice Many entrepreneurs fail due to rushed applications and lack of preparation. Success requires persistence: “Apply again” if you fail. Building a team is essential—Black Ambition does not invest in solopreneurs. Impact on Black Women Fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs but often limited by resources. Need to shift from solopreneurship to team-building for scalability. Pharrell’s Motivation Believes in democratizing opportunity. Inspired by those who invested in him early in his career. Goal: Close wealth and opportunity gaps quickly—“Wealth has a need for speed.” How to Get Involved Visit blackambitionprize.com and join the newsletter for alerts and resources. Past winners share insights in info sessions. Notable Quotes On closing gaps:“People are too comfortable wasting the time of Black entrepreneurs with misaligned resources and low vibrational mentorship.” On persistence:“If it doesn’t work on you in that moment, it works for you in that moment. Either way, it works.” On Pharrell’s vision:“Talent is not equally distributed by zip code, but opportunity can be.” On entrepreneurship mindset:“We have to start enjoying the process that molds us, not just say, ‘I didn’t make it, I’m upset.’” On Black women entrepreneurs:“They’re the fastest growing, but largely solopreneurs. We need them to think about building teams.” #SHMS #STRAW #BESTSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Dr. Will Moreland.