In this episode of the "Business Growth Hacks" podcast, hosts we are joined by Danielle Meadows-Stinnett from Octane Design Studios. They discuss the essence of branding, emphasizing that it encompasses a brand's core values and principles, going far beyond mere visual elements like logos. They explore the challenges faced in branding projects and share valuable insights into staying true to one's principles and vision in both business and life. Aspiring entrepreneurs are provided with advice that underscores the importance of persistence and embracing one's unique identity. The episode is a dynamic and informative journey through combat sports nostalgia, branding wisdom, and actionable advice for entrepreneurs and creatives.

Key Points :

• Overcoming Resistance: Danielle shares her recent experience of speaking for a 4-hour marketing seminar, initially resistant but ultimately gaining new relationships and customers.
• Reflection on Challenging Upbringing: Both hosts discuss their challenging childhoods and how it influenced their characters, emphasizing the importance of stepping out of their comfort zones.
• Lessons from Poverty: They agree that their difficult experiences, while not something they'd wish on others, have shaped them into better individuals.
• Perspective on Privilege: Andrew reflects on how privileged kids often don't understand the value of what they have, contrasting it with his own upbringing.
• Being Present in the Moment: Andrew wonders if he could have been more present in the difficult moments of his life and less focused on escaping those circumstances.
• Challenges in Staying Connected: Andrew acknowledges that he's still motivated by money and success due to his upbringing, making it hard to stay connected with loved ones and appreciate what he has.
• The Essence of Branding: They delve into the concept of branding and emphasize that it's more than just logo design. Branding is about defining core values, principles, and beliefs that a brand stands for, similar to an individual's identity.
• Challenges in Branding Projects: They talk about challenges in branding projects, such as clients wanting additional services for a small price, even if it doesn't align with the brand's vision.
• Staying True to Your Vision: The conversation highlights the importance of staying true to your principles and vision. They discuss the need to avoid distractions and focus on nurturing the core aspects of your business.
• Overcoming Buyer's Remorse: The guest shares an experience of agreeing to a project but feeling buyer's remorse afterward because it didn't align with their vision and goals.
• Personal Identity and Brand Identity: They draw a parallel between personal identity and brand identity, emphasizing that a brand's identity goes beyond visual elements and includes values, principles, and who the brand is at its core.
• Advising Aspiring Entrepreneurs: The guest advises aspiring entrepreneurs to be persistent, find their passion, and take action. They stress the importance of staying true to yourself and embracing your unique identity.
• Incorporating the Mindset into Creative Endeavors: They discuss actionable steps for incorporating the mindset of being more than just the "what" into creative endeavors, including persistence, staying true to one's vision, and embracing one's identity.

Quotable Moments:

"You're the water, not the glass." - [00:39:33:23]

“We lose sight of what's right here in front of us because we're distracted by what's to the left and right." - [00:40:09:12]

"Be persistent. Stay true to yourself. Embrace your unique identity." - [00:45:49:06]

LINKS MENTIONED:

https://lexoctane.com

https://www.trustyourwingman.com

https://beefymarketing.com/

https://beefymarketing.com/blog/

https://beefymarketing.com/small-business-nation/