From Startup to Wunder Brand

With an impressive background at Meta, eBay, McDonald's, and Target, Anya shares her transition from corporate to startup life, the emotional rollercoaster of entrepreneurship, and her mission to reinvent fashion for men who want to look great without the hassle.From her Taiwanese roots and experience in Silicon Valley to building one of the most innovative fashion-tech brands for men, Anya discusses product iteration, AI styling, brand partnerships, sustainability, and the vision to make Taelor a global platform for modern professionals.📢 Call to Action
🎁 Experience effortless style with rental and personal styling services:👔 Taelor – Men’s Clothing Subscription
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Get 10% OFF
🔗 Purchase at: https://taelor.style/products/menswear-rental-gift-card
🎟️ Use code: PODCASTGIFT📧 Connect with Anya Cheng
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://taelor.style🔗 Affiliate Links
Edit your podcasts like a pro:
https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuqJoin me as a guest or start your podcast journey:
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Startup vs. corporate: Emotional highs & lows
01:00 – Meet Anya Cheng: From Meta to McDonald’s to Taelor
03:30 – Why she built Taelor: Solving fashion for busy men
05:15 – Founder insight: Realising her target customer was male
06:50 – From self-styling to a full-on fashion-tech brand
08:00 – Startup mindset: “Your idea is always wrong—iterate fast”
10:30 – AI styling & the psychology of clothing rental
12:30 – Brown is the 2025 fashion colour of the year
14:00 – Understanding the real goals of Taelor customers
15:30 – Marketing insights from direct customer feedback
16:00 – Strategic brand partnerships & global sourcing
18:00 – Addressing the fashion waste crisis
19:30 – Partnerships with dating apps, schools, and corporates
21:00 – Funny story: Shipping to a US ambassador in Southeast Asia
22:00 – What’s next: Licensing Taelor’s AI + global expansion
24:00 – Going public, category expansion, and new corporate deals
25:30 – Inclusivity in fashion: Real customers, real bodies
26:00 – Anya’s hiring callout: Join the mission! Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

Jill unpacks her Return on Kindness (ROK) framework, the secrets behind her Publicity Breakthrough Bootcamp, and how kindness is not just good for humanity—but good for business. If you’re a startup founder, coach, or marketer, this episode will show you how to stand out, build credibility, and land media coverage without spending thousands on agencies.
She shares PR tips you can implement right now, why generosity pays off, and how personal branding and storytelling are crucial in today’s attention economy.🚀 Call to Action
👉 Join Jill’s 3-Day Publicity Challenge:
Get started on your media journey with simple, actionable steps at https://jilllublin.com/start📚 Books by Jill Lublin:Guerrilla PublicityProfit of KindnessNetworking MagicGet Noticed...Get Referrals🌍 Connect with Jill:
Website: https://jilllublin.com
LinkedIn: Jill Lublin
Instagram: @jilllublin🎧 Edit your podcasts like a pro:
https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎤 Be a guest or start your podcast journey:
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Champagne & Introductions
01:00 – Jill’s 4 bestselling books and the story behind “Profit of Kindness”
02:10 – The ROK framework: Return on Kindness vs ROI
03:00 – Kindness as a competitive business strategy
04:30 – Companies doing kindness right: Honda, SF healthcare campaigns
06:00 – Why kindness makes you memorable
07:00 – First step: A conscious act of kindness every day
08:00 – Flexibility and generosity in your business model
09:00 – Pro bono work that builds goodwill—and brings clients
10:45 – Why flexibility builds customer loyalty
11:30 – Networking advice: The 3 C's (Connect, Communicate, Create)
12:30 – Asking “Who do you know?” to unlock opportunities
13:00 – The importance of storytelling and elevator pitches
14:00 – Jill’s 3-part formula: Problem, Solution, Golden Nuggets
15:00 – Why every startup should focus on PR
15:30 – PR for small budgets: The Gorilla Publicity approach
16:00 – Details about Jill’s 3-Day Publicity Challenge
17:00 – Why PR is the gift that keeps on giving
18:00 – Final thoughts & where to connect with Jill Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

Michele DeFilippo has been a pioneer in the independent publishing world since 2001. As the founder of 1106 Design, she’s helped over 4,000 authors bring their book dreams to life — without giving up control or royalties. In this episode, Michele joins Nicholas Kuhne to debunk the myths of traditional publishing, discuss how to turn lead magnets into powerful brand tools, and explain how indie publishing can put four times the revenue in an author’s pocket.🔗 Call to Action
💬 Get Michele’s free guide “Publish Like the Pros”
👉 Download it from 1106design.com and learn how to create a professional, market-ready book that keeps you in control.📢 Connect with Michele DeFilippo
🌐 Website: https://1106design.com
📧 Email: [email protected]
📣 Services: Book editing, cover design, interior layout, typesetting, consulting🎧 Podcast tools & links
🎙️ Edit your podcasts like a pro:
https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎤 Want to be a guest or start your podcast journey?
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne🕒 Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Michele exposes the double-dipping model of middlemen publishers01:00 – Why Michele started 1106 Design & her 50-year industry legacy02:00 – What makes a great lead magnet and how ebooks can drive revenue03:30 – Understanding the customer journey through content05:00 – Most people are better writers than they think — start writing06:00 – Lead magnets often evolve into full books07:00 – Following up after lead magnet downloads (without being spammy)08:00 – Should you make one mega-ebook or a series of niche guides?09:30 – 1106 Design's services and Michele’s “Publish Like the Pros” guide10:00 – Why indie publishing keeps your rights and revenue11:00 – The marketing side of book publishing: Start with your audience12:00 – A book is the best business card you’ll ever have13:00 – Traditional publishers rarely pick up self-published books14:00 – Indie publishing = long-term control over your book and income15:00 – Breaking down royalties: $1.50 vs $6 per book16:00 – Why middleman publishing companies hurt authors17:00 – Print on Demand: no inventory, no upfront printing costs18:00 – 1106's full-service process: Editing, design, typesetting19:00 – Why professional typesetting matters for reader experience20:30 – Children's books: hire your designer before the illustrator21:30 – Final thoughts: Don’t let your book die inside you Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

We unpack her signature use of Jungian archetypes, how to train AI with your unique brand voice, and why Mona believes the human touch is the missing ingredient in most AI-generated content. If you're trying to stand out in the era of mass AI content, this episode is for you.She also reflects on her shift from scepticism to curiosity, empowering others to do the same—especially those who think it's “too late” to embrace AI.🔗 Call to Action
📘 Grab Mona's book: From Grove to Table on Amazon – a poetic journey into the world of olives, Italy, and culture.
🌐 Visit her agency: https://www.BlueApples.ai
📞 Book a discovery call to see how you can infuse your AI outputs with your authentic brand voice.
💼 Connect with Mona on LinkedIn: Mona Bevar🎧 Edit your podcasts like a pro:
https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎙️ Join me as a guest or start your podcast journey:
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Mona on learning to “have fun” with AI at 53
01:00 – From Iran to the U.S.: Her multicultural path to branding
02:30 – Launching BlueApples.ai: AI with authenticity
04:10 – The danger of generic AI content and “prompt Bible” culture
06:00 – How AI has levelled the marketing playing field
08:00 – Why Mona uses Jungian archetypes for brand storytelling
10:00 – A precise, human-led recipe for using AI in content creation
12:00 – Squeezing out your true voice in AI-driven communication
14:00 – Brand voice across channels: poetic, sexy, or bold?
15:00 – BlueApples workshops: hands-on, immersive, no fluff
17:00 – Age doesn’t matter in AI—perspective does
18:30 – The ideal client? The trailblazer archetype
20:00 – The illusion of free AI tools and their limitations
22:00 – How Mona overcame past resistance to tech
24:00 – The “ChatGPT writes it, why pay you?” mindset
26:00 – Real emotional connection converts; AI alone doesn't
27:30 – Hyper-personalisation and standing out in saturated markets
29:00 – The future of AI content is about feeling, not just function
30:00 – Where to find Mona + why you must train your tone of voice Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

Michael Buckbee joins Nicholas Kuhne to break down how AI is disrupting search, branding, and content marketing—and what businesses can do to stay ahead. With a career spanning cybersecurity, marketing, and SaaS startups, Michael is now the co-founder of Knowatoa, a tool that tracks brand sentiment and visibility across AI search engines like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Google Gemini.📣 Call to Action
🔎 Check your brand's presence on AI search engines:
👉 https://www.knowatoa.com
📬 Connect with Michael: [email protected]🎧 Edit your podcasts like a pro:
👉 https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎙️ Join me as a guest or start your podcast journey:
👉 https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – AI hallucinations, six-fingered hands, and early challenges
01:30 – Meet Michael Buckbee: marketing + tech + security + startups
02:10 – The rise of AI search: ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Gemini
03:00 – Why Google is disrupting itself with Gemini
04:30 – Traditional vs AI search: how brand sentiment is now exposed
06:20 – Case Study: What ChatGPT says about Wells Fargo
07:10 – Nicholas tests Wunderbrand across AI search tools
08:00 – How Knowatoa was born (from a script to a SaaS)
10:00 – Fixing brand perception in AI: sentiment, statements & knowledge
11:30 – How to allow AI crawlers to read your site
12:00 – Brand statement content vs traditional content marketing
13:30 – Commercial queries are the new SEO gold
14:30 – Future of search: from search intent to task intent
16:00 – From text to visual + voice + AR: the next frontier of AI interaction
17:00 – How visual AI and wearables will change how we search
18:00 – What kind of content still matters in AI search
19:00 – Repetition and association: How LLMs form knowledge
20:30 – Two kinds of AI hallucinations: a marketing opportunity
22:00 – Startup mindset: from side project to SaaS company
23:30 – Real talk on founder motivation, talking to customers & vanity metrics
26:00 – Who is Knowatoa really for? Agencies & brand-focused companies
27:30 – Potential for a multi-AI brand comparison tool
28:00 – Michael’s past work with presidential campaigns and federal agencies
29:00 – Final tips on distribution, partnerships & making tools that scale Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

We dive into the evolution from "Scale Mail" to Sherlock, their direct mail strategies, and why personal branding is the next growth lever. Oh—and he used to row for Oxford and coach at Princeton. Yeah, it's that kind of episode.🔗 Call to Action
👉 Check out Sherlock:
🔗 https://sherlock.to
🔗 https://sherlockgrowth.com👤 Connect with Michael Cofone:
🔗 LinkedIn🎧 Edit your podcasts like a pro:
👉 https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎤 Be a guest or start your own podcast:
👉 https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Hyper-personalised outreach with Sherlock
01:00 – Meet Michael Cofone & the origin of Sherlock
02:00 – What Sherlock actually does (and why it matters)
03:00 – Why they ditched email: the new cat-and-mouse game
04:30 – Using vector databases to personalise LinkedIn content
06:00 – Real estate & hyper-local direct mail tactics
07:00 – Ideal clients for Sherlock: data-driven companies
08:00 – Direct mail is back—and here's why
10:00 – How they personalise outreach for real-world events
11:00 – Yes, they literally pack boxes in Michael’s garage
12:00 – From Scale Mail to Sherlock: The rebranding journey
14:00 – Willem’s role as creative director & brand designer
16:00 – The importance of personal brand vs company brand
17:30 – Olympic rowing, Oxford, and building resilience
21:00 – From history major to AI entrepreneur
24:00 – The startup that's not a startup: Sherlock's growth
27:00 – 2025 goals: $5M ARR, partner expansion, acquisitions
30:00 – Controversial goal: replacing 80% of sales teams
32:00 – Where to find Sherlock online Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

Matthew Lesko—the man in the question mark suit—isn’t just a media personality with over 100 TV appearances on Oprah, Larry King, and Good Morning America. He’s a bold truth-teller with 50 years of experience helping everyday Americans find billions in government grants and funding. In this episode, we dive into how Matthew built a legendary personal brand, what keeps him going at 81, and why your heart—not your brain—is the key to success.🔗 Call to Action
🔍 Find free money and funding opportunities with Matthew Lesko
👉 https://leskohelp.com📲 Follow Matthew Lesko on Social Media
YouTube, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram: Search @MatthewLesko🎧 Edit your podcasts like a pro:
https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎙️ Be a guest or start your podcast journey:
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhne⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – How Matthew Lesko became a TV icon (Oprah, Larry King & more)
01:30 – Why government grants being cut doesn’t matter
03:10 – From Navy ship driver to Washington DC funding expert
04:30 – Personal branding: why being outrageous is an asset
06:00 – Failing forward: why Lesko gave up chasing corporate success
07:45 – Why fun and authenticity beat strategy every time
09:00 – How to get national media attention without paying a cent
10:40 – Staying relevant and driven at 81
12:00 – Work vs. joy: How to find purpose instead of a paycheck
13:45 – Discovering your superpower by embracing what makes you weird
16:00 – Dealing with haters, setbacks, and self-doubt
18:30 – How Lesko's look became a magnet for smiles and kindness
20:00 – The real strategy behind being a media guest
22:00 – How to prep for interviews like a pro
24:00 – Final takeaways from 50 years of Lesko wisdom Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

From using AI to create content that ranks to turning one blog post into 10+ videos, Matt breaks down his full process, step by step. If you’re overwhelmed by SEO, stuck on content ideas, or trying to figure out LinkedIn, this episode is a goldmine. We talk tools, tactics, and the mindset shift needed to grow in 2025.🔗 Call to Action
🎯 Find Matt Diamante here:
Instagram: @mattdiamante
Website & Tools: https://heytony.ca🚀 Check out Matt's Free SEO Course and innovative tools like the Watchdog SEO monitor and Content Analyzer at heytony.ca/tools⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Why omnichannel marketing is a must for survival
01:00 – Meet Matt Diamante: The face behind Hey Tony
02:30 – Instagram vs TikTok vs LinkedIn: Platform strategy banter
03:30 – SEO and cookies: The case for multichannel marketing
04:15 – The overwhelm for small business owners
06:00 – AI hack: Use Zoom + YouTube + ChatGPT to create blogs
08:00 – SEO content on a shoestring budget
10:00 – Repurposing AI blog content into social video
11:30 – How to film & edit your first batch of Reels
13:00 – Why repeating your message is necessary
14:30 – Matt’s Facebook Ads Library hack that hit 1.5M views
16:00 – Authenticity over AI: Finding your voice
18:00 – Destroying SEO myths & scammy agencies
20:00 – Reading a touching email from a grateful course taker
22:00 – Why Matt gives away so much free value
23:00 – Turning viral videos into ads that convert
24:30 – Pinterest, Threads, BlueSky: What’s hot & what’s not
28:00 – The #1 way to monetise your audience
29:00 – Email marketing vs social media reach
31:30 – Matt’s monetisation stack: services, tools, products
32:30 – Watchdog SEO: A tool that spies on your competitors
34:00 – The future is micro-tools, not mega-software
36:00 – Final thoughts + why he charges in USD now 😆#omnichannelmarketing , semrush vs ahrefs, free seo tools, ai content creation Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

Richard Levy, founder and CEO of Sophera Marketing, joins host Nicholas Kuhne on From Startup to Wunderbrand to share how startups can thrive by using strategic marketing over big-budget tactics. From real-world case studies to practical frameworks like the Three C’s of Positioning and the importance of diagnostics before tactics, this episode is packed with lessons for any founder, marketer, or brand strategist looking to build a business that scales and succeeds.Call to Action
Learn more about Richard Levy and how Sophera Marketing can help your business thrive:
🌐 Website: https://sophera.co.uk
🔗 LinkedIn: Richard Levy🎙️ Edit your podcasts like a pro:
https://get.descript.com/mrzy10nwivuq🎙️ Join me as a guest or start your podcast journey:
https://www.joinpodmatch.com/nickkuhneTimestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Welcome & Guest Intro: Richard Levy’s global marketing journey
02:00 – GE days: Learning from the giants, scale, and execution
04:00 – The need for continuous learning in marketing
06:00 – Big company advantages vs small business agility
09:00 – Why startups shouldn’t copy big brand strategies
12:00 – The Three C’s of Positioning: Customer, Competition, Company
14:00 – The biggest mistake in marketing: jumping to tactics
17:00 – Commercial thinking: Why marketers must know numbers
19:00 – Branding without profit? The reality of startups
21:00 – How data and customer insights shape winning brands
24:00 – Case Study: Turning around a real estate company with strategy
27:00 – Why talking to customers is your marketing superpower
30:00 – The market in marketing: Why it's vital to know your landscape
31:00 – Dream client profile & the startup sweet spot
32:00 – Where to connect with Richard Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy

In this episode, Nicholas Kuhne welcomes back Robert Indries, a serial entrepreneur with a remarkable journey from engineering geek to building and exiting multimillion-dollar businesses. Whether you’re a manager, an aspiring entrepreneur, or a business owner aiming to empower your teams, this episode is packed with practical, unfiltered advice you can apply immediately.📢 Call to Action
🎯 Get your copy of Unshackled: The Seven Levels of Business Excellence and unlock actionable frameworks to build high-performing, self-sustaining teams.
👉 Visit theunshackledlife.com for bonus content and exclusive perks.
🔗 Connect with Robert Indries at robertindries.com⏱️ Timestamps & Key Topics
00:00 – Robert Indries’ early success, mentorship, and business growth journey
02:00 – Engineering background and building 11 companies, with $20M in exits
04:00 – Key to success: Partnerships, humility, and data-driven strategy
05:00 – Emotional intelligence and autism: Navigating global business with empathy
07:00 – Cultural challenges working across Mexico, Russia, and more
10:00 – Real-world multicultural team management – the global business circus
13:00 – The clash of communication styles: Dutch bluntness, Indian diplomacy
15:00 – Why Robert and Aaron wrote "Unshackled" and their unique perspectives
21:00 – Who is this book for? Managers, leaders, and those scaling businesses
24:00 – Entrepreneurship is overrated – the untapped power of great managers
27:00 – KPIs, self-sustaining teams, and managing smart people with empathy
30:00 – Real stories of staff growth, career pivots, and building company culture
36:00 – The reality of entrepreneurship: Stress, HR, taxes, and legal complexity
38:00 – Transforming lives through leadership – from interns to high-earners
39:00 – Where to get the book and connect with Robert Indries Connect with me on:All my linksBecome a guestSign up for RiversideGet Descript #DigitalMarketing #Branding #PersonalBranding #MarketingInsights #SocialMediaStrategy