There’s branding that’s technically checking all the boxes, and then there’s branding that’s alive.

In today’s episode, Raquel is talking about the thing she believes separates truly magnetic brands from the ones that feel like they were built by committee: creative courage.

Because the brands that are winning right now aren’t just clear and consistent. They’re doing something a little unexpected, a little expressive, and unmistakably them. And no, this doesn’t mean neon green logos or chaotic rebrands. It means commitment. Taste. And sometimes, the smallest details becoming the loudest signal.

Raquel shares a personal story that perfectly captures the concept (including her teenage era of blue mascara and literally piercing her fingernails), then connects it to branding, founder-led marketing, and the power of signature choices that make people stop scrolling.

In this episode, Raquel covers:

• What “creative courage” actually means in branding (and what it isn’t)
• Why standing out can feel risky, even when you know it matters
• How her personal style became a blueprint for brand expression
• The subtle ways we shrink when we’re afraid of being judged (hello, small-town comments)
• Brand examples that nail creative courage:
• Gucci’s wildly bold brand experience choices
• Fishwife turning tinned fish into a cultural moment
• Spanx standing out in a painfully boring category with design + visibility

Want help making this real (without going full Gucci)?

There are always ways to bring bold creative choices to life without a luxury-fashion budget. If you want to explore what this could look like for your brand, you’re invited to book a free discovery call here.

And if you’d rather chat casually first, Raquel’s DMs are open too. Come say hi on Instagram. (https://www.instagram.com/raquel.furman)