In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Isabella sit down with Calen Kirkland, Sales Director of The Barrel Mill, a renowned family-owned cooperage in Avon, Minnesota. Known for its high-quality oak barrels, The Barrel Mill has partnered with Moxie to refresh its brand and overhaul its website. Calen shares insights on how the rebrand has modernized this heritage brand while maintaining its artisanal craftsmanship. The discussion also covers The Barrel Mill's innovative products like the Infusion Spiral, which offers rapid aging techniques for spirits, and the company's expansion into new markets. Calen talks about his experience in the industry, the challenges of merging tradition with innovation, and provides advice for other businesses looking to step out of their comfort zones. Tune in to learn how this historic company is growing its reputation both locally and globally.

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Mo discuss the growing trend, or maybe declining trend, of side hustles. They explore personal experiences, the influence of millennial culture, the balance between passion and burnout, and the impact of side hustles on creativity and income. The trio also touch on the generational perceptions of work, the balance between full-time jobs and side gigs, and how side hustles can either complement or stretch one's professional capabilities. Tune in to hear insights on how side gigs can both fuel your creativity and potentially lead to burnout.

00:00 Introduction to Side Hustles

00:33 Meet the Hosts

00:54 Diving into Side Hustles

01:41 The Millennial Influence

03:10 Balancing Full-Time Jobs and Side Hustles

04:44 Personal Experiences with Side Hustles

09:27 Creative Outlets and Side Hustles

11:09 The Reality of Side Hustles

11:53 Generational Perspectives on Hustle Culture

13:01 Personal Stories and Side Hustle Experiences

14:39 Balancing Passion and Practicality

17:57 The Sticker Printer Side Hustle

18:58 Final Thoughts on Side Hustles

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative converse with Diane Hageman—a trailblazing leader known for her impact on female leadership and community service. Diane shares her journey from a marketing career in healthcare at St. Cloud Hospital and CentraCare, to volunteer work and a significant position at the YMCA. She discusses her transition into a second career through the University of Minnesota's Advanced Careers Initiative and the balance between professional life, grandparenting, and caring for her mother. The discussion highlights the importance of adaptable work environments, especially for working parents, and fostering a culture of lifelong learning and community impact.

00:00 Introduction to Diane Hageman

00:58 Meet the Hosts and Diane's Connection to the YMCA

03:05 Diane's Early Career and Impact at St. Cloud Hospital

04:40 Transition to Senior Care and Community Involvement

06:45 Freelance Work and Family Commitments

13:10 Advanced Careers Initiative and Fellowship Experience

16:29 Joining the YMCA and Fundraising Efforts

19:39 Balancing Work and Personal Life During the Pandemic

20:13 Navigating Career Transitions and Personal Growth

20:41 Challenges and Changes in the Workplace

22:48 The Evolution of Work Flexibility

27:03 Technology and Parenting in Modern Times

32:30 Reflections on Retirement and Continued Engagement

34:52 Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly of Moxie Creative discuss the importance of blending digital and traditional marketing strategies for small businesses. They explore how integrated campaigns can create a cohesive story that reaches audiences in multiple ways. The team is joined by Michael Nelson to delve into the evolution of digital marketing and its relationship with traditional methods. Key topics include the history of digital and traditional marketing, effective tactics for small business marketing, and the importance of a well-rounded strategy. The episode emphasizes the need to meet audiences where they are and to use a variety of marketing tools for the best results.

00:00 Introduction to Integrated Marketing

00:32 Meet the Hosts and Guest

00:52 Diving into Integrated Campaigns

01:55 Traditional Marketing Explained

03:42 The Evolution of Digital Marketing

07:43 Combining Digital and Traditional Strategies

10:50 Challenges and Solutions for Small Businesses

12:16 The Power of Integrated Marketing

12:37 Choosing the Right Marketing Tactics

13:15 Digital vs. Traditional Marketing

13:48 Targeting Your Audience Effectively

14:41 Case Study: Marketing for a Hop Farm

16:23 The Importance of Strategy in Marketing

18:29 Traditional Marketing Favorites

19:34 The Value of Tangible Marketing Materials

20:37 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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This episode of 'Behind the Brand' features Jenna Kingsley, the Fund Development Director at the St. Cloud Area YMCA. Jenna shares her journey from her first job in high school to her current role, emphasizing the YMCA's expansive community programs beyond just fitness and recreation. The discussion highlights the YMCA Promenade, an annual fundraising event, detailing its creative planning, sponsorship, and community impact. The hosts from Moxie Creative, who actively participate in organizing and marketing the event, also share insights into the event's success and their personal experiences. This episode sheds light on the vital role of community involvement and creative efforts in fostering a supportive and connected community environment.

00:00 Introduction to the YMCA

00:09 Meet Jenna Kingsley

01:56 Jenna's Journey with the YMCA

04:19 The YMCA's Community Impact

07:10 Fundraising and Events at the YMCA

08:21 Behind the Scenes of the YMCA Promenade

15:24 Themed Events and Community Engagement

18:09 Social Media and Event Photography

19:04 Planning the Event Theme and Decor

20:27 Integrating Graphics and Decor

25:35 Volunteer Contributions and Event Setup

28:02 Event Day and Reflections

32:05 Sponsorship and Community Impact

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In this real-talk episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Mo from Moxie Creative discuss the challenges and triumphs of being working parents. They dive into personal experiences of juggling deadlines, meetings, and family responsibilities, highlighting the importance of a strong support system both in and out of the workplace. The conversation touches on flexible work schedules, relying on coworkers and friends for support, and the societal expectations placed on parents, especially the difference between moms and dads.. Whether dealing with childcare logistics or managing work-life balance, this episode offers an honest and relatable look into the lives of parents striving to excel in their professional and personal roles.

00:00 Introduction to Working Parenthood

00:28 Meet the Hosts

01:03 Personal Stories of Balancing Work and Parenting

01:24 Challenges and Support Systems

02:12 Experiences of Working Parents

03:50 Flexible Schedules and Resentment

06:47 Changes Over Time and Technology

10:06 Daycare and School Logistics

13:17 The Role of Family and Community Support

15:03 Missy's Parents and Their Support

15:33 Balancing Work and Parenting

16:42 Supporting Each Other as Working Parents

18:40 Workplace Flexibility and Support

19:54 The Importance of Family First

25:16 Pride in Working Parents

26:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly sit down with Emily Bertram, Director of Marketing and Communications at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and Editor of Business Central Magazine. Emily shares her journey growing up in Central Minnesota and her career path that led her to the Chamber. The discussion covers the unique challenges of marketing for a multi-city chamber, the transition from CVB to Chamber, and the pivotal role of networking, professional development, and advocacy in the Chamber's operations. Emily also talks about the comprehensive array of events the Chamber hosts and the successful collaboration with Moxie on their fresh website launch. The episode concludes with insights on the importance of community involvement and practical steps for businesses to become Chamber members.

00:00 Introduction to Behind the Brand

00:50 Meet Emily Bertram: Marketing Maven

01:50 Emily's Journey to the Chamber

04:30 Transitioning Roles: From CVB to Chamber

08:26 Chamber Events and Networking

11:26 Business Central Magazine

13:37 Smooth Transition and Time Management

13:57 Marketing to Different Communities

16:29 Chamber Membership and Community Involvement

17:39 Website Redesign and Marketing Strategy

21:35 Community and Business Ecosystem

25:50 Conclusion and Contact Information

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In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella from Moxie Creative discuss the concept of owned media, which includes channels like your website, email list, blog, and podcast. They emphasize the risks of relying solely on social media platforms and highlight owned media as a secure, long-term asset for businesses. The team explains how owned and social media can complement each other and stress the importance of maintaining and updating owned media to build direct connections and grow with your business over time. Practical advice on content creation, leveraging email marketing, and auditing your owned media are also covered, making this episode a must-listen for small business owners and entrepreneurs.

00:00 Introduction to Owned Media

00:45 Meet the Hosts

01:06 Understanding Owned Media

01:37 Examples of Owned Media

02:32 The Importance of Owned Media

04:28 Email Marketing Insights

08:57 Integrating Owned Media with Social Media

11:36 Evaluating Your Website's Effectiveness

11:55 The Importance of Regular Website Updates

12:20 Customer Feedback and External Audits

12:35 A Memorable Client Story

13:44 Auditing Your Website's Clarity

14:35 Maximizing Content Across Platforms

16:45 The Role of Social Media in Marketing

19:43 Challenges with E-commerce Platforms

21:15 Final Thoughts on Owned Media

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Mo sit down with Mike Lardy, co-owner of Bravo Burrito in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Mike shares his unique journey from being a long-time employee to owning the beloved burrito spot with his wife, Sam, in 2021. They discuss how Mike uses content creation to connect with customers, the importance of community involvement, and his passion for the local music scene. Mike also offers valuable business tips and insights into maintaining creativity and community engagement in business. Whether you're a business owner, aspiring entrepreneur, or a burrito enthusiast, this episode is filled with inspiring stories and practical advice.

00:00 Introduction to Mike Lardy and Bravo Burritos

00:51 Meet the Hosts and the Guest

01:48 Mike's Journey to Ownership

07:05 Transitioning from Employee to Owner

08:48 Leveraging Social Media and Content Creation

16:20 Community Involvement and Collaboration

18:32 The Power of Partnerships

19:48 Innovating in the Food Industry

22:25 Challenges and Changes at Bravo

26:17 Behind the Scenes of a TV Show

30:24 Social Media Strategies for Restaurants

34:05 Final Thoughts and Business Advice

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella from Moxie Creative discuss the crucial role of marketing in driving business forward, especially during uncertain times. They explore why marketing budgets are often the first to be cut and explain the long-term damage this mindset can cause. The discussion includes practical advice on what a realistic marketing budget should look like, key marketing investments for new businesses, and the importance of ongoing marketing efforts. The episode emphasizes that marketing should be seen as an essential business expense and investment, not an optional extra. It also highlights the benefits of working with professional marketing agencies for efficient and effective results.

00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Marketing

00:35 Meet the Hosts: Behind the Brand Team

00:56 Diving into Marketing Budgets

01:47 The Necessity of Marketing in Business

04:32 Building a Strong Marketing Foundation

06:33 Effective Marketing Strategies for New Businesses

09:24 Understanding Marketing Budgets and Guidelines

10:27 Common Misconceptions About Marketing

11:29 Choosing the Right Marketing Tactics

12:43 Marketing as an Investment

13:09 The Misconception of DIY Marketing

13:40 The Importance of Hiring a Marketing Agency

15:06 Marketing During Economic Downturns

17:01 The Role of Marketing in Business Continuity

18:46 The Long Game of Marketing Strategies

20:04 Adapting and Measuring Marketing Efforts

22:42 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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