Pre-Order Liz's book "Flowers Bloom Anyway": https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/flowers-bloom-anyway-a-memoir-liz-fiedler-mergen/1148638651?ean=9781636989273

In this powerful episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative sit down with returning guest Liz Fiedler Mergen—entrepreneur, flower farmer, podcast host, and newly published author—to discuss what’s changed in her business and life since she first appeared on the show.

Liz, the founder of Sunny Mary Meadow, shares how she scaled her brand from a flower cart to a multi-stream business that includes event space rentals, a retail floral shop, a wedding floral design service, and even a flower farm management app. She opens up about launching the Bloom Room, building her retail space The Pharmacy, and navigating zoning challenges—all while writing and releasing her memoir.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a creative entrepreneur, or someone who dreams of turning your passion into a scalable business, this episode is packed with honest insights on brand growth, sustainable scaling, community connection, and building something meaningful from the ground up.

Chapters

00:00 Welcome Back to Behind the Brand

00:36 Catching Up with Liz Fiedler Mergen

01:20 Reflecting on the Podcast Journey

02:36 Liz's Business Expansion

07:02 The Bloom Room and Event Space

10:08 Challenges and Community Impact

12:31 New Ventures and Future Plans

20:30 Launching the Farmers to Florist App

21:13 The Realities of Flower Farming

21:56 Pivoting the Podcast and Business

23:33 Developing a New Software Tool

28:25 Writing and Publishing a Memoir

42:48 Looking Ahead and Final Thoughts

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New Year’s resolutions get a bad rap — and honestly, sometimes they deserve it. They’re often too big, too vague, and built on unrealistic expectations that disappear by February. In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative talk honestly about how they actually approach goal-setting inside a growing creative agency and why intention matters more than arbitrary dates.

They dive into the difference between resolutions and real goals, discuss choosing a “word of the year” like efficiency and wellness, and explain how small systems can create massive improvements in both work and life. From meal planning and personal health to agency growth, budgeting, and team workflow, this episode is a behind-the-scenes look at what sustainable growth actually looks like.

Taylor and Kelly also unpack how Moxie sets business goals, why financial targets are only one part of the picture, and how team goals often emerge organically through better systems, communication, and scheduling. They share honest stories about growing pains, losing a major client, adapting to change, and why progress — not perfection — is the real metric.

If you’re a business owner, creative, or entrepreneur who feels burned out by traditional goal-setting culture, this episode will give you a refreshing, realistic framework for building momentum at any time of year, not just January.

Perfect for: Small business owners, agency owners, creatives, solopreneurs, and anyone trying to grow a business without burning out.

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Isabella sit down with Peter Gillitzer one-third of the ownership team at Milk and Honey Cider. They explore the origins of the cidery, starting from a production facility in 2011 to becoming a beloved community hub and creative space in St. Joseph, Minnesota by 2017. The discussion covers their successful Summer Music series, how they manage to keep the business community-focused, and their commitment to innovative yet intentional brand growth. Peter also shares stories about the partnerships they've built, the evolving craft beverage market, and lessons learned along the way. The episode provides deep insights into balancing vision and customer needs, and the journey of building a brand that has become a regional favorite.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Behind the Brand

00:44 Meet the Hosts and Guest

01:05 Peter Gillitzer's Journey with Milk and Honey

01:47 The Origins of Milk and Honey Cider

02:59 The Cidery and Its Community Impact

04:10 The Inspiration Behind Cider

06:59 The Founders' Backgrounds and Early Days

10:46 The Summer Music Series

14:06 Music and Venue Setup

14:27 Booking Artists and Riders

15:31 Challenges and Successes

16:38 Family-Friendly Events

17:31 Expanding the Orchard Experience

17:52 Trivia and Community Events

18:44 Comedy and Other Shows

19:29 Supporting Local Businesses

20:12 Weddings at the Orchard

21:36 Craft Beverage Industry Trends

25:03 Lessons and Advice

27:23 Conclusion and Thanks

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' hosts Taylor, Mo and Brittany from Moxie Creative, discuss the evolving world of print design. They explore the fundamentals of layout, typography, color, and spacing, while sharing insights on common mistakes businesses often make. With anecdotes from their careers and tips on making print materials impactful, this episode emphasizes why print still holds a crucial place in marketing strategies. They also highlight favorite projects and lessons learned, proving that print is far from dead.

00:00 The Evolution of Print

00:36 Meet the Hosts

01:24 Introducing Brittany: The Layout Queen

02:49 Brittany's Career Journey

04:55 Mo's Print Background

07:13 Design Techniques and Challenges

13:07 Starting Out in the Industry

13:31 Favorite Print Projects

15:05 Challenges in Print Design

17:50 Print Design Mistakes and Lessons

22:09 The Value of Print in a Digital World

23:32 Conclusion and Podcast Wrap-Up

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this special year-end episode of 'Behind the Brand,' hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella of Moxie Creative revisit some of the most memorable moments and insightful conversations with guests from the past year. Featuring a diverse lineup of small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders, this episode showcases stories of passion, innovation, and community impact. Notable guests include founders of Sip and Pass moonshine, White Wolf Custom Apparel, Trust Real Estate, and the St. Cloud area YMCA. The discussions cover a range of topics from building and growing a brand, the importance of community involvement, to the intricacies of rebranding efforts.

00:00 Welcome to Behind the Brand

00:53 The Story of Sip and Pass

05:43 Rebranding the Public Safety Foundation

10:51 White Wolf Custom Apparel

13:06 Audience Engagement and Social Media Impact

13:18 The Concept of Fun Fridays

13:50 Promotional Items in Marketing Strategy

15:44 Community Involvement and Business Benefits

18:02 Branding and Real Estate Insights

21:06 The Role of Community in Business Decisions

25:19 YMCA and Community Connection

25:56 Event Success and Future Plans

28:41 Conclusion and Takeaways

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this special episode of 'Behind the Brand,' Taylor, Kelly, and the rest of the crew from Moxie Creative take a comprehensive look back at their successful year. They discuss the origin and growth of Moxie Creative, the addition of key team members, and share personal anecdotes about their creative processes and team dynamics. The episode also delves into their commitment to pro bono work, the importance of creating emotion-driven social media content, and highlights the team's involvement in the YMCA Promenade event. The narrative showcases their passion for helping brands build memorable identities while having fun and giving back to the community.

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:31 Meet the Moxie Creative Team

00:52 The Birth of Moxie Creative

01:36 Expanding the Team

02:50 Embracing Social Media

05:00 Mentorship and Internships

07:53 Pro Bono Work and Community Involvement

10:20 Creating Emotional Connections in Marketing

12:46 Instagram Carousels: Adding Sound and Emotion

13:49 The Power of Minimalist Design

14:19 YMCA Prom: A Community Event

18:52 The Branding Process: From Concept to Creation

20:09 Creative Insights and Processes

24:25 Conclusion and Social Media Links

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this special year-end episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor from Moxie Creative sits down individually with team members Kelly, Brittany, Michael, Isabella, Tyler, and Mo to reflect on their experiences throughout 2025. They share their favorite projects, the challenges they faced, and what they're looking forward to in 2026. With highlights like working with Milk and Honey Cider and launching new websites, each team member recounts their personal and professional growth over the past year. Additionally, Isabella announces her exciting plans to travel to Europe, marking a significant personal milestone. As they look ahead to new projects and opportunities in 2026, the team remains optimistic and ready for new challenges.

00:00 Welcome to Behind the Brand

00:25 Reflecting on 2025: Achievements and Challenges

02:19 Interview with Kelly King: Highs and Lows of 2025

10:09 Interview with Brittany Abrego: Personal and Professional Highlights

16:37 Interview with Michael: Creative Projects and Future Plans

23:34 Interview with Isabella: Wrapping Up the Year

23:52 Reflecting on 2025: High Points and Achievements

24:29 Overcoming Challenges and Personal Growth

26:38 Memorable Social Media Trends of 2025

27:59 Exciting Plans for 2026: Travel and Career Moves

30:45 Celebrating Milestones: Turning 30 and Joining Moxie

32:19 Favorite Projects and Team Dynamics

37:55 Looking Forward to 2026: Personal and Professional Goals

45:15 Wrapping Up: Reflections and Future Plans

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative sit down with Klair Black, Workforce Engagement Director at United Way of Central Minnesota. With a rich background in public relations and marketing from St. Cloud State University, Klair has channeled her skillset into nonprofit work to strengthen her community. The discussion covers her journey into nonprofit work, the various United Way programs, and how businesses and individuals can get involved in community giving. Klair highlights impactful initiatives like the Imagination Library book program, the annual Days of Caring volunteer event, and different charity drives. Listeners will also learn about the United Way campaign, how volunteers can participate, and the significance of understanding community needs with compassion. Klair emphasizes both monetary and non-monetary ways to give back, illustrating that even small efforts can make substantial impacts.

00:00 Introduction to Klair Black and United Way

00:41 Meet the Hosts and Klair Black's Background

01:11 Claire's Journey into Nonprofit Work

04:13 Understanding United Way's Mission and Impact

08:04 Fundraising and Community Engagement

09:11 Volunteer Programs and Community Drives

16:29 How Businesses Can Get Involved

18:12 Exciting Campaign Activities

19:01 Unique and Fun Events

19:56 The Rewarding Career of Helping Others

21:09 Networking and Community Involvement

21:37 The Mattress Program

24:49 Progressive Dinner Fundraiser

30:44 Understanding Community Needs

32:52 Ways to Give Back

33:57 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

Recapping AD Connect 2023 with Team Moxie

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the Moxie Creative team—Taylor, Mo, and Tyler—recap their unforgettable experience at AD Connect 2025, the premier conference hosted by the American Advertising Awards.

Tune in as they dive into:

• Key insights from breakout sessions on creative strategy, brand storytelling, and innovation
• The future of AI in the creative process—and how Moxie Creative is using it to boost efficiency without losing the human touch
• An inspiring encounter with design legend Aaron Draplin, plus what they learned from his bold, authentic approach
• Fresh takeaways for keeping creativity client-centered and impactful in a fast-changing digital landscape

Whether you're a designer, marketer, or creative agency owner, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways and inspiration to keep your ideas fresh, your tools sharp, and your vision focused.

00:00 Introduction to Behind the Brand

00:44 Meet the Moxie Team

02:08 Recap of AD Connect Conference

04:12 Insights and Takeaways from the Conference

10:51 AI in Advertising: A Hot Topic

14:49 The Phone and the Northern Lights

15:41 AI and Viral Content

17:28 The Kangaroo Incident

18:07 Introduction to Aaron Draplin

19:23 Draplin's Career and Influence

24:55 Meeting Draplin in Person

26:46 Conference Takeaways and Future Plans

29:01 Conclusion and Farewell

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

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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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative

Website: www.moxiecreative.com