Finely Crafted

Have you ever looked at a package or an ad design and thought, "That's amazing! How'd they do that?" Or maybe, "Why doesn't my business look that good?"

In today's episode we chat with Christian Helms and Lauren Dickens of Helms Workshop, whose shop has won a ton of awards and has done incredible work with brand's nationwide and around the world (maybe our favorite being their work with Bauhaus Brewery in Minneapolis).

As fellow branding aficionados, in this episode, we unpack the investment of branding, and dive into the details of their creative process. How does a brand develop from ideation to realization? Where do you begin? What questions should you be asking yourself about your own brand's identity? What's next in the development of your brand?

Maybe the next chapter of your brand story can't be written alone. Maybe you need to change up your surroundings to find that creative spark. Maybe the next big step for your brand is a partnering with another. Maybe you just need a little help from a friend.

Singer/songwriter Matt Wertz has been growing in his career as a musician for well over a decade. And today, he's at a crossroads. Having just returned from a two-month stint in Los Angeles, in pursuit of creating music that he fully believes in, it's the support and partnership of others that's pushing him into the next chapter of his career - and life.

Most of you listening aren't in the music business - but trust us, the stuff we talk about in this episode very much applies to us all. How will you change? What lengths will you go to to develop?

Who will help you write your story?

What happens when you have unconditional love for your customers? In the words of Dane Maxwell, leader at The Foundation, "You write better copy. You create better products. Your marketing becomes irresistible. Your clickthrough rates come up. Your acquisition goes down. Your lifetime value goes up. Your competition falls away. And people can’t help but listen to your message."

Our conversation with Dane didn't go exactly as expected, and that's what makes it so good. Dane has an unapologetic and unconditional love for the customer - and at The Foundation, an online platform that helps you start a company with no idea and no money - the emphasis lies on putting the need of your customer first, and carrying it through in everything you do.

In today's episode, we invite you to get a little touchy-feely with your customer. And unpack the brand benefits of "feeling your people".

Spoiler alert: Towards the end of this episode you’ll hear me ask designer, creator, writer, entrepreneur, and rat domesticator Paul Jarvis, “What’s next?”- to which he replies, “I have no idea!” - It wasn’t set to the tone of fear and doubt, but rather, with a voice of confident excitement.

Because that’s who Paul is. He’s launched programs, podcasts, books, courses, guides, and products that range in topic and focus, yet bring together his audience through shared values. He makes stuff that he believes in. He makes stuff for people who want to make stuff.

Paul’s focus has never directly been on growing his audience, but rather, providing tons of value to the audience he already has. And through that unwavering focus, yep, you guessed it, his audience of supporters, fans, and customers has grown exponentially.

In this episode we dive into Paul's approach to building an audience and discuss the ROI of communicating directly to your most raving fans. That, and talk about Paul's pet rats.

Build a business. Live anywhere. Achieve freedom.

This is what drives Sean Ogle - and it's his unwavering motivation to inspire, motivate, and educate others to do the same that's led to his success as an entrepreneur. Sean is the protagonist of his own adventure. A story that starts with the mundane and leads to a tale of wild adventure and possibility.

In this episode, we explore the idea that in business, just like a good novel, the story gets interesting when the characters--the heroes on a journey--begin to believe they can have what they've always wanted. And once they have it--once you have it--your ability to lead, sell, and achieve success and personal fulfillment is limitless.

"You've got to be unique. You have to be different." Has anyone ever told you that?

Let's face it, we've all pursued the idea of being unique--even when we know there's almost nothing in this world that hasn't already been done. In today's episode, Matt and Blake unpack what it means to truly be "unique"--and give a healthy approach to differentiation.

Maybe after listening, you'll realize that being unique isn't about being the "only", it's about being better. And maybe today, you'll realize that everything you need in your pursuit of unique...you already have.

Once upon a time there was you.

Where do you put your flag in the ground? Where are you going and where are you taking the people who will follow? What is the absolute best and most clear thing you're about?

Sarah's a designer, a writer, an author, a creative thinker, a wife, and a mom. Through her various creative pursuits, Sarah's held true to two constants: She'll never stop evolving and pushing herself to be at her absolute best--and she'll always invite others (who she calls her "people") to be a part of her journey.

In this episode, we discuss the value of building trust and building a tribe that supports what you do--even through constant change--and unpack how to create your work in a way that makes people (really) care.

What we've found in our work with brands is that the problem isn’t knowing your story - it’s knowing how to tell it (and tell it well). It’s knowing how and where to invite your audience - your customers, supporters, fans, and followers - to be a part of your story. And how to equip them with a narrative they can relate to and share.

In this “minisode” Blake and Matt dive a bit deeper into the concept of storytelling as it relates to brand development and shed some light on our work with clients on identifying the "perfect customer".

A couple years ago, Brad Montague tossed in what he calls "a hand grenade of happiness" into the internet to see what would happen. With the help of his brother-in-law, Robby Novak, Kid President was born. What's happened since is nothing short of incredible. Kid President has talked with everyone from Beyonce to Barack Obama to Dave Coulier (that'll make sense once you listen to this episode).

And through it all, what's never wavered is Brad and Robby's love for each other and their love to make kids and former kids smile. In today's episode, we dive deeper into the "why" behind the "what," how to manage a brand that becomes (much) bigger than yourself and, of course, have a few laughs along the way.

It all started with a piece of fruit.

Story illuminates opportunities. Story shows you the way from idea to execution to exponential growth. That's exactly what story has done for Stephen Rose, who, with his wife, Jessica, owns The Peach Truck - a household name in Nashville that's becoming a lifestyle brand throughout the Southeast.

Stephen built his business from the beginning with story in mind. He's never lost sight of what got him started, and in this episode we learn how Stephen has been savvy in approaching that why in unconventional ways. Ways that, in just a few short years, have led to growth, success, and personal freedom.