AJ Vaden's company has helped Lewis Howes, Ed Mylett and others build massive personal brands and also helped 11 authors hit the New York Times Best Sellers List. In this episode, Chestly speaks with AJ Vaden, CEO and co-founder of the Brand Builders Group and an expert in personal brand strategy; they explore the importance of personal branding in the digital age and how it can help individuals and businesses navigate generational and technological change. AJ shares her entrepreneurial journey and experience working with senior executives from Fortune 100 companies, Hollywood actors, and politicians, providing valuable insights for those looking to build their personal brand.

Chestly also shares a message about the American church's generational crisis and the need to engage younger generations. This conversation is especially relevant for the future of faith and business in America.

AJ shares her and her husband's experiences building their business, Brain Builders Group. They talk about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, including getting fired and sued and losing their social media accounts, podcast, client list, and income overnight. Despite these challenges, they remained optimistic and saw everything that happened as an opportunity to grow and learn.

They further discussed various topics related to personal branding and business, such as building trust with your audience, targeting a specific avatar or audience, and the importance of providing value to your end-users. Listeners can gain insights into the world of entrepreneurship, sales, and personal growth and learn how to create content that genuinely adds value to their audience.

What you will learn:

Join us as we explore the minds of some of the most innovative and creative individuals. From this podcast, you can gain wisdom to help navigate the ever-changing landscape of business and life.

If you want to learn how to change your city for good,, my conversation with Jason Duff is exactly what you are looking for. 

check out the episode page for shownotes: chestlylunday.com/jason-duff

Jason Duff is the Founder of Small Nation. He leads the Small Nation team in developing places, spaces and dreams for small towns and small town entrepreneurs across the country.

Jason spends most of his time with the company establishing the overarching vision, goals and purpose that drive Small Nation forward. He believes in being a hands-on leader however, and can be seen acting as chief negotiator, architect, mechanic, sounding board, and mentor for the Small Nation group of companies at any time.

Jason’s passion for small businesses comes naturally. The 4th generation of a family of entrepreneurs, he has watched his great grandfather, grandfather, father and mother establish and grow successful businesses that impacted the community. As he grew up, he worked in most of these businesses, gaining first-hand knowledge of process, financial practices, and how “Hustling Hard” can bring great success.

In 10 years, Jason and his Small Nation team have completely revitalized the city of Bellefontaine, Ohio. Using their “Hustle Hard” approach, they have managed to renovated more than 56 historic buildings and storefronts that had been sitting empty for decades. Once the buildings were complete, they recruited tenants for 30+ new business concepts; strategically identified to bring repeat commerce and animation to their downtown area. These businesses allowed them to create jobs for more than 190 local employees. They created 34+ new loft apartments, adding a crucial residential component back to the city’s downtown. The combination of retail, restaurant and residential have brought a once barren and decaying small town Main Street back to life.

Jason and the Small Nation team are now offering their lessons learned and “Hustle Hard Approach” to small towns across the country. A Small Nation Mastermind group is currently in development, with expectations to launch in the spring of 2023.

Jason is a nationally published entrepreneurial thought leader and has written or been a contributor in Forbes, Inc. Fortune, Medium, Entrepreneur, The Huffington Post and Time. Jason writes and speaks about small businesses, entrepreneurship, the redevelopment and revitalization of small towns and his team’s groundbreaking “Hustle Hard” approach. He is truly passionate about helping communities develop and grow their “entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Gina Bianchini talks about how community is so important for navigating change and how digital platforms that prop true community building is the future. She also shares what Legacy social media got wrong and how to fix it.

Carey Nieuwhof is a best-selling leadership author, speaker, podcaster, former attorney, and church planter.

Are you a "Type A" leader struggling to care for your soul while you dominate the world? If so, this podcast is for you. Mind shares insights with those who want to find peace without losing their edge.

Carrie Melissa Jones explains why your church might not be a real community. In a world full of innovative disruption, Churches must work to build a community that can withstand the cultural and technological shifts that will change the way we practice our faith. Community isn't the goal, but is a byproduct of the goal. Learn how to build a community that works!