In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Sidney Blank, Head of Digital at MBLM Agency. Sidney shares his fascinating journey from studying architecture in Germany to becoming a leader in digital media and brand communication in New York. He reflects on his creative roots, his passion for interactive design, and how architecture shaped his approach to crafting compelling brand experiences.

The conversation dives deep into MBLM’s philosophy of brand intimacy, the science and strategy behind building meaningful relationships between people and brands. Sidney explains how his team uses research, design, and digital innovation to create lasting connections, and highlights memorable projects like the American Airlines brand rollout. This episode is full of insights for marketers, agency leaders, and creatives who want to better understand how design and intimacy drive brand success.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness from fjorge sits down with Kristen Sweeney, founder of Every Little Word, a boutique content and communications agency. Kristen shares her unique path from the world of musical theater to building a thriving B2B content firm. Through freelancing, self-education, and a deep passion for meaningful storytelling, she’s carved out a niche helping organizations earn attention and build trust with expert-led content.

Listeners will gain insights into how Kristen’s team collaborates with subject-matter experts to transform complex ideas into authentic, high-value marketing content. We explore the challenges of brand voice, the importance of internal knowledge sharing, and why effective B2B content starts with real conversations. Whether you're on the marketing team or leading strategy, you’ll walk away with ideas to improve how your organization communicates its expertise.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Ross Phernetton of Shinebox Agency for a candid conversation about the power of strategy, storytelling, and staying true to your creative point of view. Ross shares how an early career pivot from English major to agency leader shaped his path, and why Shinebox’s commitment to deep strategy and singular creative concepts has driven their success over 15 years. From moving into their new Minneapolis office to producing live-action films in a 48-hour challenge, Ross gives listeners an inside look at how Shinebox’s passion and culture fuel their work.

The discussion also dives into some of today’s hottest industry topics, including the hype around artificial intelligence and the risks of brands losing their authenticity in a world of misinformation. Ross explains why a beginner’s mindset and a clear, shared belief system are critical for brands hoping to build trust and stand out in the market. Tune in for valuable insights, inspiring stories, and a fresh perspective on what it takes to thrive in the ever-evolving marketing landscape.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Dan Smink, Founder and CEO of Refract ROI, a Denver-based digital marketing agency that helps mid-sized companies turn marketing into a measurable revenue driver. Dan shares his unique journey from high school teacher to product manager in the medical device world, and ultimately, to agency owner, explaining how each step shaped his approach to marketing strategy and business growth.

Dan dives deep into the philosophy behind Refract ROI’s full-funnel, omnichannel approach and why so many B2B companies are still relying on outdated sales-driven models. He discusses the financial case for shifting marketing from a cost center to a growth engine, how to balance short-term conversions with long-term brand building, and why pairing execution with true strategic leadership (via fractional CMOs) is a game changer. Whether you’re leading a marketing team or trying to scale your agency, this episode is full of actionable insights.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Joe Skibbie, founder of JRS Mar/Com, to explore the realities of marketing for small and mid-sized businesses. From his early fascination with advertising to launching his agency during the 2008 economic downturn, Joe shares how a deep curiosity and drive for measurable results led him to build a nimble, results-driven team that serves as a full-scale marketing department for clients who can’t afford the Super Bowl but still want Super Bowl-level impact.

Joe dives into how his agency helps small businesses punch above their weight by focusing on smart strategy, cost-effective content, and data-driven results. Whether it’s bringing legacy businesses online, building SEO and social strategies from scratch, or competing against VC-backed national brands. Joe and his team are proving that "doing something" often leads to significant gains. From classic car washes to community colleges, this conversation is packed with insights for any business looking to modernize their marketing without losing their roots.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Michael George, technology leader at Avoq. Michael shares his fascinating career journey, from an early start in the airline industry to pioneering travel tech solutions and now driving innovation at a top PR and government relations agency. Along the way, he discusses how his diverse background, including public speaking and authorship, has shaped his leadership style and team culture.

Joe and Michael also explore how technology and PR increasingly intersect, from advanced data targeting to navigating the political landscape in Washington, DC. Listeners will hear insights on team building, leveraging big data for smarter marketing, and maintaining bipartisan collaboration within an agency. It’s an engaging conversation packed with practical takeaways for marketers and technologists alike.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Tim Berney, founder and CEO of VI Marketing and Branding. With over three decades of experience in the advertising world, Tim shares how a twist of fate in 1989 led him to start his own agency and how his passion for marketing began long before that. From mowing lawns at age 10 to building a nationally recognized firm in Oklahoma City, Tim’s journey offers insights into staying relevant and impactful in an evolving industry.

Together, Joe and Tim explore the emotional core of consumer decision making. Highlighting the staggering statistic that 95% of purchasing choices are emotion driven. They discuss how brands that tap into emotion consistently outperform those relying solely on logic. Tim also offers a behind-the-scenes look at VI’s unique verticals, including behavior change, tourism, and B2B marketing.

In this episode of Mind Your Own Marketing Business, host Joe Barsness sits down with Nick Grzechowiak from The Ricochet Moment podcast to dive deep into the pivotal moments that have reshaped some of the world’s most iconic brands. Nick, a self-proclaimed brand nerd and seasoned creative leader, shares how his passion for legacy branding has led him to uncover the stories behind bold decisions that altered the course of companies like Netflix, Pabst Blue Ribbon, and even Birkenstock. From the power of storytelling to the role of risk-taking in brand evolution, Nick illustrates how these ricochet moments often separate brands that thrive from those that fade away.

Listeners will be inspired by Nick’s unique lens on branding and the importance of recognizing opportunities for reinvention. Whether it’s navigating plateaus, challenging internal “permissions,” or crafting new narratives, this episode is packed with insights for marketers, business leaders, and creatives alike who are looking to make bold moves and future-proof their brands.

In this episode, host Joe Barsness chats with Justin Komosa from Videospan, exploring the critical role of video in today's digital landscape. They discuss how Google's algorithm changes, particularly the "Hidden Gems Update," have prioritized short-form, vertical video, making it essential for businesses to adapt. Justin shares his journey from Groupon and Kind Snacks to Uber and Zoom, ultimately leading him to Videospan, where he's helping B2B brands create impactful video content at scale.

Justin explains how Videospan simplifies video creation, addressing the common challenges of time, cost, and creative ideation. He details how their platform uses AI and customizable templates to produce branded videos in minutes, eliminating the need for extensive editing or dedicated video teams. They delve into the differences between B2B and B2C video marketing, highlighting why Videospan focuses on empowering B2B brands to capture attention and drive engagement with authentic, user-generated content. Tune in to learn how to leverage video effectively and stay ahead in the competitive marketing arena.

On this episode of the Mind Your Own Marketing Business Podcast, host Joe Barsness chats with Todd Leyse, President of Adams Pest Control and Blu Star Software. Todd shares his unique journey from computer science to leading a successful pest control business, including the development of their proprietary CRM software, Blu Star. They discuss the evolution of marketing in the pest control industry, from the days of yellow pages to today's digital landscape, and how Adams Pest Control has adapted and thrived.

The conversation delves into the challenges and misconceptions surrounding pest control, including the perceived toxicity of chemicals and the importance of customer education. Todd also reveals how Adams Pest Control is leveraging AI to improve operations, from transcribing and summarizing customer calls to developing a sophisticated chatbot for employee support. They explore the future of AI in the pest control industry and how it will likely shape customer service and operational efficiency in the coming years.