If you grew up in the ’90s, the “¡Yo quiero Taco Bell!" chihuahua commercial was inescapable. Remember the vital-to-surfers sunscreen Sun Bum? Both of these memorable branding moments were created by serial entrepreneur Tom Rinks.

Inc. executive editor Diana Ransom sat down with Tom for this episode of From the Ground Up to discuss his unusual path to becoming a branding whiz—and what he’s learned about identifying human desire along the way. His early job of selling furniture taught him how to read people, and his first branding deal, with the University of Michigan’s Fab Five, immersed him in the skills needed to identify talent. Diana and Tom discuss the complex art of brand-creation, company-building, and finding the niche audience who will fiercely love your product. They also discuss Tom’s most recent branding venture, the oral-care line Made by Dentists.

Additional research and information:

Visit: ⁠Made By Dentists ⁠

Visit: ⁠Made by Dentists’s profile ⁠

Visit: ⁠Made by Dentists’s educational page⁠

Visit:⁠ Sun Bum⁠

Visit: ⁠Sun Bum’s profile

(Original Air Date 12-16-2024)