Branding with Becks

In our first on location episode, we sit down with Tony, co-founder of Stokd Kitchen, to discuss his journey from growing up in the restaurant industry to becoming a snowboarding instructor, river guide, hospitality leader, marketer, and ultimately a successful entrepreneur.

Tony shares valuable insights on branding, community engagement, social media marketing, user-generated content, local business growth, and the mindset needed to overcome fear and launch a business.

You'll learn:

- Branding strategies that helped create STOKD Kitchen
- Why community involvement is one of the most powerful marketing tools

-The importance of user-generated content and customer reviews
- How micro-influencers can drive real business growth
- Why authentic content is outperforming highly polished videos
- The impact of AI on marketing and content creation
- Tips for starting a business with limited resources
- How to overcome fear and take action as an entrepreneur

If you're building a brand, growing a business, or looking for motivation to take the next step in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode delivers actionable insights and real-world lessons.

Learn more: https://stokdkitchen.com/

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe, leave a review, and share it with a fellow entrepreneur or marketer looking to grow their business.

Yousuf Ahmed, founder of B-Sides, shares how he’s challenging the traditional snack industry by focusing on taste, nostalgia, and emotional connection instead of just nutrition labels.

We dive into how upcycled ingredients, bold branding, and storytelling can cut through a crowded market - and why many “healthy” brands miss the mark.

You’ll learn:

• Why consumers choose snacks based on emotion, not just health
• How nostalgia drives buying behavior
• The power of branding and packaging in food products
• Lessons from bootstrapping a CPG startup
• How to validate a food product before scaling
• The role of storytelling and community in brand growth

Whether you're a food entrepreneur, brand builder, or just curious about the future of CPG, this episode is packed with insights.

Try B-SIDES: https://www.enjoybsides.com/

Dr. Lee H. Baucom, a relationship expert and coach with over 30 years of experience helping individuals and couples build stronger, healthier connections is on the show today. We explore how communication, trust, and emotional intelligence directly impact your business, personal growth, and long-term success.

From navigating personal challenges to building a platform through writing, this conversation reveals how strengthening your relationships can unlock clarity, confidence, and sustainable growth.

You’ll learn:

• Why relationship skills are critical for business and career success
• How personal challenges can reshape priorities and growth
• The connection between communication, trust, and entrepreneurship
• How to set boundaries while working from home
• Why focusing your message on one person increases engagement
• How storytelling and long-form content build authority
• Why identifying your unique framework is essential before creating content
• How books can evolve into scalable business models
• How to interpret audience feedback for smarter growth

This episode is a powerful reminder that success isn’t just about what you build, but how you connect.

Learn more: https://booktobusinessblueprint.com/

How do you use marketing to build a business that lasts?

Bron Watson joins us on today's episode to explore how resilience, authenticity, and human connection are the true foundations of sustainable success. Bron is the founder of The Serenity Project and The Social Coach, business owner, speaker, educator, and emerging author based in Australia. From navigating health challenges to reinventing her career, Bron shares powerful lessons on showing up authentically-even when things feel messy.

This conversation goes beyond strategy and into what actually matters: building a brand rooted in trust, honesty, and long-term relationships.

You’ll learn:

• How resilience and reinvention shape stronger, more meaningful brands
• Why authenticity and vulnerability are essential in marketing today
• How to balance science, lived experience, and emotional wellbeing in business
• Practical ways to set boundaries and avoid burnout
• Why long-term connection matters more than short-term ROI
• How storytelling builds trust and community
• Using social media with intention
• Systems, batching, and delegation strategies to free up your time
• Simple techniques for managing stress and regulating emotions

If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, or stuck in the hustle, this episode will help you slow down, refocus, and build your business.

www.bronwatson.com.au

In this episode, Becks sits down with Tom May, CEO and Technical Director of Different Dev, to break down how businesses can build true resilience in today’s digital landscape.

From data protection and disaster recovery to AI-driven risks, Tom shares practical, real-world strategies to safeguard your systems, revenue, and reputation. Whether you're a startup founder or leading a growing enterprise, this conversation will help you future-proof your business against unexpected disruptions.

You’ll learn:

• Why business resilience is more than just backupsCommon mistakes companies make with data protection
• How to prioritize and assess the value of your data
• The role of people, processes, and technology in resilience
• Immediate steps to protect your business today
• How AI is changing cybersecurity (and how to stay ahead)
• Why layered backups and multi-region cloud strategies matter
• The importance of monitoring AI systems and preventing data drift
• When and how to outsource cybersecurity and resilience

If you want to reduce risk, protect your revenue, and build a business that can withstand anything, this episode is for you.

https://differentdev.com/

In this episode, we dive into the cultural resurgence of nostalgia sparked by The Devil Wears Prada 2 and explore why audiences are craving authenticity more than ever in 2026. From fashion trends and immersive movie experiences to AI-generated content and the evolution of social media, this conversation unpacks how emotional connection drives modern culture and consumer behavior.

I share personal reflections on fashion, individuality, thrift culture, and the growing desire for real, human-centered content in an increasingly curated digital world. I also discuss why communal experiences like movie theaters continue to thrive despite streaming convenience, and how creators can stand out by embracing personality, originality, and authenticity online.

If you’re interested in fashion trends, social media culture, personal branding, AI’s impact on creativity, and the future of authentic content creation, this episode is for you.

What separates brands that thrive from those that disappear?

In this episode, Joe Gulesserian, seasoned entrepreneur and author of The Guerrilla Guide for Entrepreneurs and the Rest of Us, shares over 30 years of real-world experience in branding, marketing, and business strategy.

From building emotional connections with customers to leveraging AI for a competitive edge, Joe breaks down what actually works in today’s fast-changing landscape-especially in health, beauty, and consumer packaged goods (CPG).

You'll learn:

• Why trust and emotional connection are the core of successful branding
• How to compete with larger brands by creating empathy and value
• Practical ways to use AI in marketing, hiring, and operations
• The difference between premium and practical pricing strategies
• How storytelling and nostalgia influence buying decisions
• Lessons from 30+ years of entrepreneurship and brand building

Whether you're launching a new brand or scaling an existing one, this episode delivers timeless principles and modern tactics to help you stand out and grow with confidence.

Connect with Joe: https://linktr.ee/joegul

What if the difference between being overlooked and being unforgettable comes down to how you tell your story?

In today’s episode of Branding with Becks, I’m joined by Joshua Altman, founder of Beltway.Media and former multimedia journalist at The Hill. Joshua has spent over two decades helping brands, startups, and even federal agencies cut through the noise with clarity, credibility, and connection.

We dive into:

• How storytelling can make your brand impossible to ignore
• Using behavioral science, data, and creativity to refine your messaging
• Tips for startups and creators to stand out in a saturated market
• High-stakes communication strategies for crises or public scrutiny
• How fractional Chief Communications Officers help scale businesses and nonprofits
• Building credibility and authority as a thought leader

If you want to future-proof your brand, scale your message, or finally be remembered for the right reasons, this conversation is a must-listen.

Connect with Joshua Altman & Beltway.Media: https://beltway.media/

Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help more founders and creators discover the show. Remember: great branding isn’t just about being seen-it’s about being understood, remembered, and trusted.

If your audience is watching but not buying… liking but not engaging… following but not committing, this episode will change how you think about visibility.

Today, I’m joined by Candice, a visibility strategist who helps founders and creators focus on what actually drives growth. She’s the creator of ROI-driven VizDev, a framework designed to turn attention into real traction through authority, relationships, and earned media-not just temporary spikes in engagement.

Candice has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurs to build sustainable visibility systems, with her work featured in Forbes and NBC News. In this episode, she shares a practical and honest approach to building a brand presence that leads to measurable results.

We cover:

• Why your content isn’t converting (even if it’s performing)
• The difference between visibility and true brand authority
• How to turn attention into opportunities, leads, and collaborations
• What most founders are doing that feels productive but isn’t driving growth
• Simple visibility systems you can implement this week
• How to build relationships that actually move your business forward
• The real signals that your visibility is working (beyond likes and followers)

If you’ve been showing up consistently but not seeing real results, this conversation will help you shift from chasing attention to building meaningful momentum.

https://frenchpresspr.com/

In this episode, I reflect on a record-breaking season of Branding with Becks, highlighting key lessons on consistency, discipline, and evolving as a brand.

To every guest who joined me this season, thank you. I’m genuinely grateful for your time, your openness, and the thought you brought into each conversation.

To everyone listening along, thank you for being part of this journey. Whether you’ve tuned in to one episode or followed the entire six years of this podcast, your support is what keeps this evolving.

Each episode has offered something different: practical insight, honest reflection, and a closer look at what it really takes to build something meaningful in today’s landscape.

Part Two of Branding with Becks Season 2026 begins next week, with new episodes airing every Tuesday. If you have questions, ideas, or topics you’d like to see covered in upcoming episodes, I’d love to hear from you. If you’re not already following along, you can find updates and new releases on our LinkedIn page.