In this episode of The Brand Herald, Landon Wade chats with Jordan Clemons, Senior Director of Investor Development at Greater Louisville Inc. Their conversation explores the power of relationships and the importance of authentic personal branding. Jordan recounts his career path from a financial advisor to his current role at GLI, highlighting how building connections was crucial to his professional development. He explains that his journey was not about traditional business strategies, but about intentionally cultivating a network and being open to opportunities. 

They emphasize that successful personal branding is rooted in genuine communication. Jordan explains that his effective presence on LinkedIn comes from being an authentic person with a story to tell, rather than a corporate mouthpiece. He and Landon agree that for any organization to succeed, it must focus on building community through authentic storytelling. This human-centered approach creates a connection that is often missing from more traditional, impersonal marketing efforts. 

The episode also highlights the valuable resources and initiatives that GLI offers to the business community. Jordan discusses programs like the Live In Lou campaign and the City Champs training, which are designed to help newcomers and businesses connect and integrate into the city. He advises listeners to be willing to put themselves in uncomfortable situations and to trust that good things will happen if they are persistent. Enjoy!

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Networking
05:49 Building Relationships in a Big Small Town
11:40 Transitioning Careers: From Financial Advisor to GLI
18:13 Leveraging LinkedIn for Personal Branding
19:01 The Journey Begins: From Financial Advisor to Networking Expert
19:57 Harnessing LinkedIn: Strategies for Networking Success
21:51 Authenticity in Branding: Connecting People and Businesses
25:44 Building Community: The Role of Storytelling in Networking
29:15 Maximizing Networking Opportunities: The GLI Experience
31:43 Advice for the Next Generation: Embracing Uncertainty and Action

Resources:

Jordan Clemons LinkedIn

LinkedIn (Greater Louisville Inc)

https://www.greaterlouisville.com/ 

In this episode of The Brand Herald, Landon Wade chats with Heather Priddy, Marketing Coordinator at Stonemont Financial. They discussed the complexities of their business and her role in bringing their brand to life. Heather explains that Stonemont Financial primarily focuses on industrial real estate development. This involves acquiring raw land, developing it, and constructing large-scale industrial buildings—from 50,000 to 500,000 square feet—for warehousing or other purposes, often seen alongside interstates. 

Heather's role as Marketing Coordinator involves a comprehensive approach to brand awareness. Since she started, a key focus has been to get Stonemont's name and projects out to the public, utilizing press releases, media alerts, groundbreakings, and broker events. She emphasizes that Stonemont aims to present a consistent, familiar, and sophisticated brand that aligns with the high-quality industrial buildings they construct. This commitment to quality extends to their promotional items, ensuring that branded merchandise is not only high-end when appropriate but also useful and meaningful to the recipients.

A significant aspect of Stonemont's operations, as highlighted by Heather, is the power of relationships and internal culture. She notes that human connections continue to drive much of their business, leading to multiple deals with the same partners over long periods. Internally, Stonemont fosters a vibrant company culture through initiatives like a social committee, a mentorship program (Stonemont Success), and a volunteer committee (Stonemont Supports). These programs ensure employees feel connected and appreciated, reflecting an understanding that creating an engaging internal environment is critical in today's competitive talent landscape.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Stonemont and Its Operations
03:59 Heather's Background and Career Journey
08:09 The Role of Marketing in Real Estate
12:06 Company Culture and Internal Engagement
14:06 Project Highlights and Marketing Strategies
14:49 The Value of Practical Merchandise
17:50 Strategic Marketing and Project Promotion
20:19 Leasing Market Insights
24:04 Advice for Young Marketers

Resources:

Heather Priddy LinkedIn

LinkedIn (Stonemont Financial)

https://stonemontfinancial.com/ 

In this episode of The Brand Herald, Landon Wade chats with Melissa Bailey about her leap from corporate marketing to independent publishing with Hurstbourne Living, a part of the Best Version Media family. Melissa’s story blends classic entrepreneurial grit with a modern, people-first approach — all rooted in her deep belief in community, consistency, and the long game.

She unpacks what it really takes to build trust in business: showing up, sticking to your word, and yes, sometimes learning the hard way on how to delegate. From sharpening her sales skills to refining a multi-channel marketing strategy, Melissa shares the behind-the-scenes work that’s gone into growing her publication, Hurstbourne Living, and her brand.

This isn’t a fairy tale about quitting your job and finding instant success — it’s a grounded look at what it takes to build something that lasts. Whether you’re leading a team or launching your own venture, this conversation is full of insights, a few hard truths, and more than a little encouragement to stay the course. Enjoy!

Chapters:

00:00 From Corporate to Entrepreneur: A Journey Begins
03:09 Building a Community Magazine: The Best Version Media Model
05:57 The Power of Local Publications: Relevance in a Digital Age
09:00 Navigating the Transition: Challenges and Strategies
11:57 Sales Training and the Road to Success
15:01 The Multi-Channel Approach: Beyond Print
18:03 Hitting Baseline: The Reality of Entrepreneurship
21:01 Looking Ahead: Growth and Future Opportunities
25:30 Client Care and Business Growth
26:56 Nurturing Client Relationships
28:29 Learning to Delegate and Sell
30:02 Overcoming Sales Objections
32:58 Building Trust Through Consistency
35:01 Brand Building Strategies
39:00 Expanding into New Markets
41:00 Advice for Aspiring Publishers

Resources:

Instagram (Best Version Media)
LinkedIn (Melissa Bailey)
Best Version Media

In this episode of The Brand Herald, we’re joined by David Fishburn, Marketing Manager at WireCrafters. David shares his journey into the world of marketing and the evolution of the WireCrafters brand—highlighting how strategic content, including their well-known “Mondays with Milt” video series, has helped them stand out in the industry.

He and Landon dive into the value of building genuine community around a brand, the power of video, and the role branded merchandise plays in deepening customer connection and visibility. They also share advice for new marketers on navigating market dynamics, measuring engagement, and finding the right tone of voice in content creation.

It’s a thoughtful conversation packed with insights and real-world experience. We hope you enjoy it.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Wirecrafters and David Fishburn
03:09 David's Journey into Marketing and Wirecrafters
06:02 Understanding Wirecrafters' Products and Market
09:10 Building a Brand with Personality
11:50 The Impact of 'Mondays with Milt'
15:01 Video Production and Marketing Strategies
17:51 The Role of Branded Merchandise in Marketing
20:03 Promotional Merchandise and Brand Culture
20:59 Advice for New Marketers
22:00 Understanding Market Dynamics
22:58 Measuring Marketing Engagement
24:00 Lead Generation Strategies
25:00 Tools for Driving Leads
25:58 Content Creation and Tone of Voice
27:53 Reflections and Lessons Learned
29:58 Rapid Fire Questions and Personal Insights

Resources:

Wirecrafters
David Fishburn LinkedIn

Bonnie Logsdon, a lactation consultant and the founder of Bonnie Knows Breast, joins The Brand Herald this month! Bonnie shares her journey from Nashville to New York City and eventually to Louisville, sharing how she established her practice and created a unique and approachable brand in a unique field. The conversation explores the importance of mental health in lactation consulting, the challenges of transitioning to telehealth, and the evolution of her services, including the establishment of a local resource for new mothers through her Pump Bar, which provides essential lactation supplies.

Bonnie emphasizes the crucial role of community and support for new moms, highlighting her Afterglow group that fosters connections among mothers. The discussion also delves into the significance of networking and referrals as key components of business growth in the wellness field. She also talked about her upcoming conference focused on the business side of lactation consulting practices, addressing the lack of practical business education in her industry, and reflects on the challenges of running a small business and the importance of having a clear purpose.

Her insights offer valuable lessons on creating a strong brand identity, fostering community, and navigating the entrepreneurial journey.

Enjoy!

Chapters:

00:00 The Impact of Lactation Consulting
02:59 Building Relationships and Community
06:08 Bonnie's Journey: From Nashville to New York
08:54 The Transition to Lactation Consulting
11:59 Creating a Unique Brand
15:00 The Challenges of Telehealth
18:12 Approaching a Sensitive Topic
20:58 Services and Evolution of Practice
23:17 The Pump Bar: A Local Resource for New Moms
26:27 Building Community: The Afterglow Group
30:34 Networking and Referrals: The Power of Community
37:55 The Business of Breastfeeding: A New Conference
39:55 Overcoming Business Challenges: Lessons Learned

Resources:

Bonnie Knows Breast
Instagram

Brad Luttrell, founder of Prologue, joins The Brand Herald to discuss strategic storytelling and brand building. Luttrell shares his journey from growing up in Appalachia and working in journalism and agencies to founding GoWild and his current venture, Prologue. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, knowing your brand's core identity, and connecting with the right audience.

The conversation delves into Luttrell's experiences at GoWild, where a focus on community building and personal connection with users was key to their success. He compares brands like Patagonia, which stay true to their values and connect with their core customers, with those like The North Face and Southwest Airlines, which have diluted their brand by trying to appeal to a mass audience. Luttrell highlights the significance of building an ecosystem around a brand and the power of storytelling in creating a strong connection with customers.

Luttrell also discusses his work with Prologue, where he helps businesses refine their messaging and connect more authentically with their audience. The discussion touches on the challenges of scaling a business while maintaining its core values and the importance of focusing on the right customers rather than trying to appeal to everyone, especially on the internet.

Luttrell shares his vision for the future of Prologue, including plans to develop scalable products that help businesses with their strategic storytelling. He encourages aspiring entrepreneurs to start now and embrace the opportunities available in the current landscape. Enjoy!

Chapters:

01:42 Brad Luttrell's Journey and Background
10:29 The Transition to Prologue and Storytelling
17:44 Building Authentic Brands and Community
23:36 Navigating Challenges in Brand Storytelling
27:58 Managing Customer Expectations in Custom Products
29:19 Navigating Client Expectations
32:14 Understanding Sales Dynamics
34:56 Building Relationships Through Community
37:54 The Importance of Customer Feedback
40:11 Future Aspirations and Business Models
45:46 The Shift in Startup Culture

Resources:

Prologue
Brad Luttrell LinkedIn

Jared Doerfler, founder of Hanna Golf, joined The Brand Herald podcast. Hanna Golf makes handcrafted putters in Iowa. Jared discusses his journey from a corporate career in medical sales to pursuing his passion for golf and entrepreneurship. He touches on the fragility of life and the importance of pursuing one's dreams. He emphasizes the importance of authenticity, simplicity, and a focus on the process rather than just the results.

We talk about his personal story, including his college golf experience, his father's health challenges with MS, and the inspiration behind Hanna Golf's name and branding. He also discusses the challenges and rewards of starting a business, the importance of learning from failure, and his admiration for entrepreneurs like Sam Walton and Elon Musk.

The conversation also touches on the importance of building relationships with customers and the unique opportunity to connect with the person making the product. Doerfler shares his vision for the future of Hanna Golf, including new putter models and a limited-edition release. He highlights the importance of sourcing high-quality materials and his commitment to making cool putters and providing excellent customer service.

The episode concludes with Doerfler providing information on how listeners can connect with him and learn more about Hanna Golf and his Perfect Putt newsletter. He also teases an upcoming article on the business case for a shot clock in golf.

Enjoy!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Jared Doerfler and Hanna Golf
02:46 The Journey from Corporate to Craftsmanship
05:56 The Impact of College Golf on Life and Career
09:05 Family, Health, and the Spark for Entrepreneurship
11:59 The Genesis of Hana Golf: A Personal Story
15:00 Creating the Perfect Putter: A Hands-On Approach
18:10 Building a Brand in the Golf Industry
21:05 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations
23:00 Understanding Manufacturing and Material Choices
25:01 The Inspiration Behind the Putters' Names
27:00 Lessons from Generational Sacrifices
28:58 Branding and Design Philosophy
31:02 Sales Journey and Early Successes
33:49 The Importance of Persistence and Learning
38:57 Insights from Successful Entrepreneurs
41:00 Future Aspirations and Customer Relationships

Resources:

Hanna Golf
Hanna Golf Instagram

Ryan Jones, COO at Jones Plastic & Engineering, joined The Brand Herald podcast to discuss the importance of branded merchandise and company culture. Goodson has been a long time partner of Jones and it was great to get a behind the scenes look at operations and branding!

Jones Plastic & Engineering has been in business since 1961 and was started by Ryan's grandfather and his twin brother. The company started by making whiskey bottle caps for Jim Beam and has grown to over 3,200 employees and eight facilities.  

Ryan discussed how the company has been able to grow and adapt over the years. He also spoke about the importance of building a strong company culture and investing in employees. He attributes the company's success to its focus on safety, quality, maintenance, HR, and efficiency; he called it their “pyramid of decisions”.

Ryan also shared his thoughts on the importance of branded clothing and promotional items. He believes that these items help create a sense of community among employees and is a great way to keep your brand in front of customers.  

Chapters

00:00 Welcome to the Brand Herald Podcast
06:33 The History of Jones Plastic and Engineering
15:56 Value Addition in Manufacturing
22:45 The Importance of Safety and Quality
28:54 Training and Onboarding New Employees
36:01 The Impact of Connection in the Workplace

Melissa Geertz, Senior VP of Marketing at Gray, joins us in this episode of The Brand Herald podcast. Melissa shares her journey in marketing, her insights into Gray's evolution as a family-owned business, and how relationships and core values have shaped the company's success.

Melissa and Landon discuss the importance of branding beyond logos, touching on the challenges of managing marketing for a large organization. She highlights how internal collaboration and external expertise play a huge part in the brand’s development and event management. Melissa also emphasizes the role of high-quality merch in building brand identity, enhancing employee connections, and creating impactful trade show experiences.

Lastly, Melissa explains Gray’s commitment to authenticity in branding, the role of company culture in brand perception, and the value of staying flexible in today’s market. Melissa shares actionable advice for creating meaningful brand experiences, rebranding to better reflect core values, and how to leverage competitive research.

Whether you’re exploring rebranding, navigating marketing challenges, or looking to elevate your brand experience through promotional items, this episode is a must-listen. Enjoy!

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Branding and Relationships
02:21 Melissa Geertz: A Journey in Marketing
07:19 Understanding Gray: A Family-Owned Business
10:34 The Value Gray Adds to Customers
12:24 Core Values and Company Culture
16:30 The Gray Brand: More Than Just a Logo
23:30 Managing Marketing in a Large Organization
25:41 Leveraging External Expertise for Brand Development
30:02 The Importance of Internal Collaboration in Event Management
30:29 The Role of Merchandise in Brand Identity
40:56 Creating Impactful Merchandise for Trade Shows
45:30 Authenticity in Branding and Rebranding Strategies

Links:
Goodson Clothing & Supply Co
Gray Construction
Melissa Geertz

Sierra Baumle, Marketing Director for Buffalo Construction, joins us in this episode of The Brand Herald podcast. Sierra shares her journey from graphic design to the construction industry. She talks about Buffalo's growth, the company's relationship-first approach, and the role of branding and marketing in construction.

Sierra dives into internal and external marketing strategies, the recent brand refresh, and the challenge of maintaining brand standards as Buffalo grows. She and Landon discuss how branded merchandise strengthens Buffalo Construction's identity and builds lasting customer connections. 

They also cover the company's future goals, the importance of collaboration, and quality in their work. Finally, they offer advice for building a brand from the ground up, stressing the need for a clear vision and the right branding partner. Enjoy!

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Background

02:54 Sierra's Journey in Marketing and Construction

06:56 Buffalo Construction's Growth and Focus

10:24 Unique Value Proposition of Buffalo Construction

12:26 Internal and External Marketing Strategies

14:03 Brand Refresh and Evolution

16:33 The Importance of Brand Standards

20:25 Marketing Trends in the Construction Industry

21:25 The Role of Branded Merchandise in Building a Brand

29:29 Creating Memorable Gifting Experiences

35:09 Future Directions for Buffalo Construction

37:14 Starting a Brand from Scratch