Building A Better Brand®

Dr. Catrise Austin, better known as The Queen of Smiles™️, has been in the business of transforming smiles for singles looking for love, brides and grooms, business people, celebrities, and simply anyone looking to simply enjoy life with a beautiful and more confident smile Since 1998. 

Having built her BRAND as one of dentistry’s most influential dentists in America, Dr. Catrise has been regularly featured on local and national television network shows including NBC’s Today Show, ABC, and even TMZ sharing cosmetic dentistry tips from both of her #1 international bestseller books, “GetSmiled” and “The Ultimate Guide To Charcoal Teeth Whitening”.

In this episode of Building A Better Brand we’ll chat with Dr. Catrise Austin on how she’s built her BRAND, leveraged her renowned personality  to bootstrap a successful dental business from the ground up, which she eventually sold in 2018, and what it’s like to be ingrained in Hip-hop history after landing a shoutout from rapper Cardi B in the hit song “Bodak Yellow”, causing her business sales to more than triple. 

Connect with Dr.Catrise Austin on Instagram and LinkedIn here. 

Order your copy of “GetSmiled” and “The Ultimate Guide To Charcoal Teeth Whitening”.

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Music by: Yugy

As the branded content market has surpassed 20 Billion USD, and Art Basel attendees peaked at 80,000 visitors last year, more and more activations are taking over Art Basel Miami every season. For this episode, we’re joined live by New York City based visual artist and creative director Alex Alpert to share how this international art week has helped shape his career, why he prefers creating with brands, and his unique journey to becoming an artist.

Working as a street artist while studying music in school - Alex went on to build a career at Universal Music Group (UMG). Here, he excelled in brand partnerships, marketing and artist relations.

While at UMG, he expanded his practice as a visual artist. He began by making pieces for the musicians he worked with, and created live art during concerts and events. After a few years, he was painting murals around the country, drawing live at huge events, and collaborating with major brands, like Nike, American Express, and Formula 1, and celebrities like Doja Cat and The Weeknd. 

In partnership with Baileys Irish Cream and recorded live and produced during NRVLD’s Art of Wellness events during Art Basel Miami, this episode explores an important conversation on collaborations between the art world, commerce and brands, and best ways to blend with authenticity to keep powering society and the world. 

Connect with Alex Alpert on Instagram and online here. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Music by: Yugy

Dr. Marcus Collins is an award-winning marketer and cultural translator. He is the former chief strategy officer at Wieden+Kennedy, New York, a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business, University of Michigan, and the author of the best-selling book, For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want To Be. 

His deep understanding of brand strategy and consumer behavior has helped him bridge the academic-practitioner gap for blue-chip brands and startups alike. He is a recipient of Advertising Age's 40 Under 40 award and Crain's Business' 40 Under 40 award, and a recent inductee into the American Advertising Federation’s Advertising Hall of Achievement. Most recently, he was recognized by Thinkers50 and Deloitte among their class of 2023 Radar List of 30 thinkers with the ideas most likely to shape the future. Marcus’ strategies and creative contributions have led to the launch and success of Google’s “Real Tone” technology, the “Made In America” music festival, and the Brooklyn Nets, among others. Before his advertising tenure, Marcus worked on iTunes + Nike sport music initiatives at Apple and ran digital strategy for Beyoncé.

In this episode of Building A Better Brand we’ll chat with Dr. Marcus Collins on what it was like to run digital strategy for Beyoncé, as well as build strategies and creatively contribute to the launch and success of brands like Google’s “Real Tone” technology, the “Made In America” music festival, and the Brooklyn Nets. 

We’ll also discuss his new bestselling book, For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want To Be, where he examines the influence of culture on consumption and unpacks how everyone from marketers to activists can leverage culture to get people to take action.

Connect with Dr. Marcus Collins on Instagram and LinkedIn here. 

Order your copy of For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want To Be. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Music by: Yugy

An illustrious community of thriving citizens, Serenbe serves as a haven for those seeking sanctuaries away from the bustling city life, yet lust for the bountifulness of a clean, yet urban zen within nature. Serenbe founders Steve Nygren and Marie Lupo Nygren believe that if you want to change the world, start in your own backyard. The couple discovered the property now known as Serenbe on a weekend outing to introduce their three girls to the Georgia countryside in 1991. Weekend visits for the family transformed their lives, and three years later they sold their Atlanta home and relocated full-time to Serenbe.

The vision for the community of Serenbe was born in an effort to protect the beautiful rural land just outside of Atlanta known as Chattahoochee Hill Country. The first house at Serenbe was built in 2004 and today the community is home to over 650 residents. Serenbe has won numerous awards including the Urban Land Institute Inaugural Sustainability Award, the Atlanta Regional Commission “Development of Excellence“ and EarthCraft named Serenbe the “Development of the Year.” They say that if you want to change the world, you should start in your own backyard. If that’s so, then Serenbe is quite a beginning. 

In this episode of Building A Better Brand we’ll chat with Serenbe's COO, Garnie Nygren, and CMO, Monica Olsen on how Serenbe builds sustainable brands, uses wellness initiatives to power their success and why they've  attracted people from all over the world to join their community and commit to biophilic living.

Connect with Serenbe on Instagram and online here. 

Links to connect with Monica Olsen and Garnie Nygren. 

To plan your visit to Serenbe, click here. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Audio Production: Jamal Bethea 

Music by: Yugy

As the Global Co-Lead for Accenture's Black Founder's Development Program, Dujon’s work with Accenture helps to level the playing field for Black technology startup founders and entrepreneurs through investment, mentorship, community, and support. Helping black-owned enterprise tech companies gain access to wealth creation, especially those who previously did not have a seat at the table.

Formerly, Dujon acted as the Midwest Lead for Accenture Open Innovation, forming bridges between Global 2000 companies and the startup ecosystem. Dujon has traveled, worked, and studied in 55 countries and is passionate about connecting technology, culture, and education within communities. He operates professionally and personally at the intersection of his passion and purpose to create space for BIPOC entrepreneurs, creatives, and academics to thrive and grow. 

Dujon currently serves on the Global Inclusivity Board for Soho House (NYSE: MCG) and the University of Birmingham's Business School Advisory Board in the United Kingdom. He is a member of the Scenemaker's Board of the Goodman Theater and the YPC Board of Camp One Step and an active mentor in Chicago's startup community. Additionally, he is the Director of Development for Definition Theatre.

Connect with Dujon C. Smith on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. 

For more info on Accenture’s Black Founder’s Development Program, click here. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Audio Production: Jamal Bethea 

Music by: Yugy

Dr. Constance Craig-Mason, MRFC® is the CEO of Concierge Financial Advisory and the President of Money Concepts Wealth Management & Financial Planning.

As a dedicated Financial Advisor, award-winning Insurance Broker, passionate International Speaker and an x8 Best Selling Author, she teaches her clients to correctly manage their money, so they can live the life they want without worrying about money!

She has received numerous awards for community impact in her field including a medallion “In Recognition of Excellence, Service, & Sacrifice” from the Comptroller of Maryland. Dr. Constance has also received an Honorary Doctorate of Philosophy for her eminent contributions to financial literacy, financial advancement and entrepreneurship empowerment. And she is a 2022 honoree of the Association of African American Financial Advisors’ 50 Under 50.

Dr. Constance is a member of the FDIC’s Money Smart Alliance, National Association of Insurance & Financial Advisors (NAIFA), Financial Planning Association (FPA), International Association of Registered Financial Consultants (IARFC), the Digital Assets Council of Financial Professionals (DACFP) and Strategic Advisor to the Black Women Blockchain Council Board of Directors (BWBC)

Connect with Dr. Constance Craig-Mason on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Audio Production: Jamal Bethea 

Music by: Yugy

Christine Noh is the owner of Nohble, a specialty footwear and apparel retailer with five locations in New York and New Jersey. As a family run business, it’s roots date all the way back to 1982 when her parents opened their first store. Upon graduation from Dartmouth College, Christine started her professional career in investment banking at JPMorgan Chase. She left investment banking to pursue her entrepreneurial passions. In 2013 she opened Nohble's flagship location in Newark, NJ. One of Nohble's core missions is to support the communities we live and work in through good works. Christine advances this mission by advocating youth empowerment through employment training, creative arts expression, and engaging with local organizations and government. 

Connect with Christine Noh on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Co-produced by: Dobi Kwe

Music by: Yugy

Kibi Anderson is an LA based business executive and Emmy Award winning producer with over 18 years of experience in strategy, business development, media, entertainment, tech, finance and entrepreneurship. 

As President of Red Table Talk Inc., Kibi worked directly alongside actress and producer Jada Pinkett Smith, and was at the helm of driving growth, strategic partnerships, and assessing new business opportunities for the global brand. Prior to joining Red Table Talk, Kibi was the Head of Digital Strategy and Business Development at Bloomberg Media where she oversaw new partnerships and strategic relationships, and assessed new business opportunities focused on growing the global business.

Also working in executive roles at ABC News (Senior Manager, Business Strategy and Operations), and Broadway Federal Bank (VP/ Business Development Manager) she’s become recognized for her ability to mix comprehensive industry insight, entrepreneurial acumen, and strategic communications skills to build digital businesses and brands globally.

As an Emmy-Award winning Independent Film producer, Kibi has produced a variety of short and long-form content under her independent production company banner Key Bee Entertainment. 

Connect with Kibi Anderson on Instagram and LinkedIn. 

Connect with Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), Tonytriumph10 (Twitter), LinkedIn

Co-produced by: Dobi Kwe

Music by: Yugy

Mikhail Damiani is a founding partner and CEO at Blue Bite LLC, an IoT tech company striving to improve lives by connecting people and information through the physical world.

Started by best friends Mikhail Damiani and Tom Duncan in 2007, Blue Bite was born to change the way people interact with the world by connecting digital information to physical things.

Blue Bite’s patented platform empowers creators to build dynamic digital experiences and channel them through physical items using technologies like NFC, QR and geofencing. Because physical things are made smarter, users can access valuable content with just a tap or scan of a phone.

Mikhail hails from Moscow, Russia and has flown on, piloted, and jumped out of a plane. His best friend and Blue Bite Co-Founder is Tom; they’ve known each other since the 7th grade.

Follow Bluebite on Instagram and Facebook

Follow Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), @Tonytriumph10 (Twitter) 

Co-produced by: Dobi Kwe

Music by: Yugy

Melissa Gonzalez is a pioneer in bringing the pop-up retail format to the mainstream. She is the founder and CEO of The Lion'esque Group, a firm of award winning retail strategists and pop up architects™ as well as a Principal and Shareholder in MG2, a global architecture firm. 

Beginning with a deep dive into strategy, Melissa helps clients rethink environments and in-store experiences to convey compelling stories – ones that animate discovery and engagement – attracting new customers, elevating loyalty with existing customers, and building a platform for their future evolution. Some of her impressive clients include brands such as Amazon, COTY, Estee Lauder, M.Gemi, Nordstrom, Purple, Stella & Dot, The RealReal, YUM brands, and others, as well as property groups such as GGP Properties (now Brookfield) and Steiner & Associates.

She reflects on her work in her best-selling book, The Pop-Up Paradigm: How Brands Can Build Human Connections in a Digital Age. Melissa is a regular go-to expert in retail and is often featured in Forbes, Fortune, WSJ, Business Insider, Glossy, Digiday, Retail Touchpoints, WWD and on Cheddar and CBS News. She is also a regular contributor for ABC LA Radio, Yahoo Finance and Advertising Week 360. Follow Melissa @Melsstyles and The Lionesque Group @Lionesquegroup

Follow Tony Triumph: @tonytriumphofficial (IG), @Tonytriumph10 (Twitter) 

Co-produced by: Dobi Kwe

Music by: Yugy