In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the often misunderstood concept of networking. They explore how networking can be a powerful tool for building relationships and growing a business when approached authentically. The conversation covers various aspects of networking, including community involvement, referral-based models, and the importance of patience and consistency in cultivating connections. The hosts also share personal experiences and insights on how to effectively network both in-person and online, emphasizing the long-term benefits of relationship-building over immediate transactions.

Takeaways

• Networking can change the trajectory of your business.
• Building relationships is key to successful networking.
• Networking is a long-term investment, not a quick fix.
• Community involvement enhances networking opportunities.
• Referral-based networking groups can provide valuable connections.
• Online platforms like LinkedIn are essential for networking.
• Patience is crucial in the networking process.
• Networking should feel authentic, not transactional.
• Engaging in industry-specific groups can boost confidence.
• Effort in networking leads to greater rewards.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Networking

02:53 Building Relationships Through Networking

05:50 The Long Game of Networking

08:53 Networking in the Community

11:59 Referral-Based Networking Models

15:00 Expanding Your Network Online

18:04 Industry-Specific Networking

20:58 Overcoming Networking Challenges

23:39 Final Thoughts on Networking

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, Eric Heipel shares his transformative journey from being a franchisee to founding his own painting business, Heartland Painting. He discusses the challenges he faced during the transition, the importance of establishing a strong brand identity, and the strategies he employed to build a successful team culture. Eric emphasizes the significance of mentorship and planning in entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for aspiring business owners.

Takeaways

• Eric transitioned from a franchisee to a founder after feeling limited by the franchise model.
• He emphasized the importance of brand identity in building customer trust.
• Choosing a new business name was a challenging but rewarding process.
• Maintaining communication with clients during the transition was crucial.
• Eric's experience highlights the need for a solid business plan.
• Hiring the right team members is essential for business growth.
• Creating a positive company culture attracts top talent.
• Mentorship played a key role in Eric's entrepreneurial journey.
• Rebranding can be a time-consuming but necessary investment.
• Eric's story illustrates that change can lead to new opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 From Franchisee to Founder: Eric Heiple's Journey

12:45 Navigating the Transition: Challenges and Strategies

20:00 Building a Brand: The Importance of Identity

23:31 Hiring and Team Culture: Attracting A-Players

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the critical moments when small business owners should consider hiring additional team members. They explore the journey of small business growth, the signs indicating it's time to expand, and the importance of hiring for culture fit. The conversation also touches on managing growth, the dynamics of team relationships, and the balance between outsourcing and hiring full-time employees. The hosts emphasize the significance of having the right team in place to foster creativity and maintain a positive work environment.

Takeaways

• Recognizing when you're overwhelmed is key to hiring.
• Hiring should be based on the need for specific skills.
• Outsourcing can be a viable alternative to hiring.
• Team dynamics are crucial for a creative business.
• Hiring for culture fit is more important than skills.
• Managing growth requires careful consideration of team capacity.
• Sometimes, you need to evaluate your systems, not just add people.
• The right team can significantly impact business success.
• Hiring should be a slow and thoughtful process.
• Creativity thrives in a supportive and well-staffed environment.

Chapters

00:00 Recognizing the Need to Hire

03:01 The Journey of Small Business Growth

06:05 Signs It's Time to Expand Your Team

09:10 Hiring for Culture and Fit

11:50 Managing Growth and Team Dynamics

15:05 Outsourcing vs. Hiring Full-Time

17:58 The Importance of the Right Team

21:01 Final Thoughts on Hiring and Growth

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In this episode, Andrew Guthmiller, founder of Car Concierge, shares his journey of creating a unique car buying service that prioritizes customer experience. He discusses the challenges he faced in the early days, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the importance of branding and marketing in growing his business. Andrew emphasizes the need for continuous evolution and preparation for future growth, offering valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• Many entrepreneurs start a business to solve a problem.
• Best businesses anticipate problems before they arise.
• The car buying process can be overwhelming for consumers.
• Andrew's experience in a dealership shaped his business approach.
• Community values influence Andrew's business philosophy.
• Visibility and brand recognition are crucial for growth.
• COVID-19 disrupted the car industry significantly.
• Investing in branding can elevate a business's presence.
• Hiring the right people is essential for business growth.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success.

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Car Concierge

02:58 Understanding the Car Buying Process

05:52 Challenges and Growth in the Early Days

09:09 Navigating Industry Changes and COVID-19

12:03 The Importance of Branding and Marketing

15:07 Preparing for Future Growth

18:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

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In this episode, the Moxie crew discusses the critical role of social media in modern business marketing. They explore why businesses should engage on social media, the importance of having a well-defined strategy, and the comprehensive process of social media management. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to understand their audience, create engaging content, and actively manage their social media presence to foster community and drive growth. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of social media management, focusing on content performance analysis, the importance of soft selling, the role of visual storytelling, and the considerations for outsourcing social media efforts. They emphasize the need for businesses to understand their audience and create engaging content that resonates rather than solely focusing on sales.

Takeaways

• Social media is essential for staying relevant in today's market.
• Understanding your audience is crucial for effective social media marketing.
• A well-defined strategy can significantly enhance social media efforts.
• Engagement and community management are key components of social media success.
• Content should resonate with the audience, not just the business owner.
• Organic social media can lead to long-term customer relationships.
• Creativity is vital in addressing social media challenges.
• Regular posting without a strategy can waste time and resources.
• Professional content creation is important for brand credibility.
• Social media management requires ongoing effort and engagement. Reviewing analytics helps refine content strategies.
• Engagement metrics are more important than likes.
• Soft selling is more effective than hard selling on social media.
• Visual storytelling enhances audience connection.
• Content should focus on audience experience and results.
• A mix of content types is essential for engagement.
• Understanding your audience is key to successful content.
• Outsourcing social media can provide valuable expertise.
• Polished graphics matter, but content relevance is crucial.
• Building a community around your brand fosters loyalty.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Media Marketing

02:21 The Importance of Social Media for Businesses

10:22 Developing a Social Media Strategy

17:32 The Process of Social Media Management

25:12 Analyzing Content Performance

31:02 The Art of Soft Selling

35:25 Visual Storytelling in Social Media

42:12 When to Outsource Social Media Management

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In this episode, Jason Miller, founder of Trust Real Estate Company, shares his journey of launching a new brokerage after 20 years in the real estate industry. He discusses the evolution of the real estate market, the importance of branding and community involvement, and offers valuable business tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Jason emphasizes the significance of trust in building relationships and the need for realtors to engage with their communities. He also shares insights on overcoming challenges and the importance of authenticity in business.

Takeaways

• Taking bold steps in business requires a strong vision.
• Community involvement is crucial for building a successful brand.
• The real estate industry has evolved significantly in recent years.
• Trust is a fundamental aspect of client relationships.
• Real estate is more than just transactions; it's about community.
• Embracing uncertainty can lead to growth and opportunity.
• Branding should reflect personal values and community ties.
• Authenticity resonates more than perfection in marketing.
• Engagement in local events strengthens business connections.
• Setting clear goals is essential for business success.

Chapters

00:00 Taking the Leap: Jason Miller's Journey

05:47 The Evolution of Real Estate

12:10 Building Trust: The Brand Behind Trust Real Estate

19:33 Community Engagement and Its Importance

25:13 Business Tips and Lessons Learned

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the critical decision small business owners face when it comes to marketing: whether to hire in-house, work with an agency, or manage marketing efforts themselves. They explore the pros and cons of each approach, emphasizing the importance of teamwork, the value of professional expertise, and the challenges of DIY marketing. The conversation highlights the need for strategic thinking in marketing and the potential benefits of seeking external support to enhance business growth.

Takeaways

• Every business hits a crossroad in marketing decisions.
• In-house experience provides valuable insights for agency work.
• Teamwork allows for specialization and better results.
• DIY marketing can be effective but has limitations.
• Cost is a significant factor in hiring decisions.
• Outsourcing can provide access to specialized skills.
• Recognizing when to seek help is crucial for growth.
• Agencies can offer a broader perspective and strategy.
• AI can assist but cannot replace human creativity.
• Long-term thinking is essential for marketing success.

Chapters

00:00 Navigating Marketing Decisions: In-House vs Agency

10:08 The Value of Teamwork in Marketing

19:46 DIY Marketing: When to Seek Professional Help

29:51 Finding the Right Marketing Support

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Jon, co-founder of Sip N' Pass, to discuss the journey of turning a long-held dream into a reality. They explore the challenges faced in branding and product development, and the importance of taking the first step in entrepreneurship. Jon shares insights from his 20-year journey to launch a unique moonshine product, emphasizing the significance of collaboration, market research, and perseverance. The conversation highlights the emotional aspects of branding and the excitement of finally bringing a product to market.

Takeaways

• Have you ever had an idea that you've talked about for years but never acted on? The most important step is starting.
• Everything is out there that you need to get started, free resources like podcasts, books, and networking go a long way.
• You have to trust the process when starting a new business.
• The Sip n' Pass team wanted something to pop on a shelf. The right branding goes a long way with accomplishing that.
• Working with the right marketing team can make the process easier when launching a new product to the market.

Chapters

00:00 Turning Dreams into Reality

06:21 The Journey of Sip 'N Pass

12:20 The Branding Process Unveiled

14:27 Overcoming Challenges in Entrepreneurship

17:38 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the financial realities of starting a business, emphasizing the importance of smart investments in branding and marketing. They explore the significance of website development and online presence, as well as the balance between organic and paid marketing strategies. The conversation also touches on the decision to outsource tasks versus handling them in-house, the dynamics of hiring new team members, and the debate between maintaining an office space versus remote work. The episode concludes with key takeaways for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• Starting a business requires careful financial planning.
• Investing in branding early can save money in the long run.
• A strong online presence is crucial for new businesses.
• Organic marketing strategies can be more effective than paid ads.
• Outsourcing tasks can free up time for business owners.
• Hiring decisions should prioritize team well-being and workload balance.
• Remote work can be effective, but in-person collaboration has its benefits.
• Every dollar spent in a startup matters significantly.
• Consulting experts can prevent costly mistakes.
• Setting clear business goals is essential for success.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Behind the Brand Podcast

01:55 The Financial Realities of Starting a Business

06:51 Investing in Branding and Marketing

11:10 Website Development and Online Presence

14:58 Organic vs. Paid Marketing Strategies

18:59 Outsourcing vs. In-House Tasks

23:07 Hiring Decisions and Team Dynamics

27:04 Office Space vs. Remote Work

31:01 Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways

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In this conversation, Liz Fiedler Mergen shares her inspiring journey from a hobby flower stand to a thriving business, Sunny Mary Meadow. The discussion highlights the importance of bold moves in entrepreneurship, the transformative power of rebranding, and the clarity it brings to business owners. Liz reflects on her personal experiences, including the challenges she faced after losing her husband, and how her flower business became a source of purpose and connection. The conversation also explores her future plans for expanding her business, including a farm store and event space, emphasizing the importance of branding and marketing in achieving success.

Takeaways

• Bold moves can redefine the trajectory of a business.
• Rebranding can provide clarity and a renewed sense of purpose.
• Personal experiences can fuel entrepreneurial passion.
• A strong brand identity is crucial for business recognition.
• Connecting with customers is at the heart of entrepreneurship.
• Embracing change can lead to unexpected opportunities.
• The public's perception of a brand shapes its reality.
• Creating a supportive community is essential for growth.
• Future plans should align with the brand's core values.
• Every entrepreneur has the potential to inspire others.

Chapters

00:00 Bold Moves in Business: The Journey Begins

03:07 From Hobby to Purpose: The Birth of Sunny Mary Meadow

07:11 A Nurse's Transition: Embracing Entrepreneurship

09:22 The Power of Rebranding: Gaining Clarity and Confidence

16:19 Building a Brand: Connecting Products and Services

19:34 Future Plans: Expanding Sunny Mary Meadow

26:26 Inspiration and Reflection: Bold Moves for Growth

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