Justin Watt, co-founder of Switchboard and expert in systems design, joins Austin Dandridge to break down how high-performing teams use AI and automation to scale without adding complexity. In this episode of The Marketing Factor, they cover low-lift, high-impact workflows, how to prep your business for AI, the real bottlenecks behind AGI, and why tools like Notion and Airtable are still top picks for lean teams. If you're building a direct-to-consumer brand, creative agency, or fast-growing business, this conversation will change how you think about operations, automation, and modern marketing strategy.

In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge sits down with Molly Fienning, the serial entrepreneur behind Babyators, Red Clay Hot Sauce, and now SipLand—a platform redefining non-alcoholic beverage culture through community, content, and curation.

Molly shares what it means to build from the second mountain—a phase of entrepreneurship driven not by scale or speed, but by alignment, intuition, and presence. They discuss how younger founders are rewriting hustle culture, why the future of consumer brands depends on in-person community, and how building for yourself can actually be the smartest strategy of all.

If you’re rethinking how (and why) you build your brand, this one’s essential.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:42 – Meditation, Joe Dispenza, and tuning in
04:15 – The “second mountain” and redefining success
09:58 – Starting Babyators and spotting market gaps
13:30 – SipLand: a new vision for non-alc community
19:42 – Gen Z founders, boundaries, and new energy
27:57 – Gut vs data: how Molly makes decisions
30:38 – Building real-life brand experiences
33:50 – SipLand as a brand consultancy
37:53 – Who you think your customer is vs who it actually is
43:37 – Why Molly builds for herself first
47:42 – DTC, margins, and what to avoid in CPG
50:13 – Where to find Molly and learn more about SipLand

In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge interviews Lucas Ballasy, CEO and partner at Barrel, a specialized CPG commerce agency. Lucas shares insights from his journey from freelance designer to agency leadership, while discussing his popular weekly newsletter and approach to creative work.

TIMESTAMPS:

00:41 - Lucas's journey with writing and creative expression

03:46 - The process of writing a weekly newsletter

12:38 - From freelance designer to CEO at Barrel

19:06 - Finding focus in the CPG space

23:53 - Effective landing page strategy for CPG brands

29:20 - Why headless commerce rose and fell

33:20 - When brands should invest in custom vs theme websites

38:03 - Evolution of website development methodologies

43:58 - Current trends in e-commerce and CPG

In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge sits down with acclaimed photographer William Hereford to explore what truly makes brand photography authentic, the critical elements of a great creative brief, and how the rise of AI is reshaping the creative industry.

William shares his unique insights from years of working with iconic brands like L.L. Bean, Untuckit, Tumi, and Bonobos, emphasizing the importance of stripping back unnecessary elements to capture genuine, resonant imagery. From why hiring professional models isn’t always the best decision, to the necessity of clear creative direction in challenging shoots, William explains how brands can get maximum impact—even on a limited budget.

Austin and William also discuss the provocative topic of artificial intelligence. William reveals his personal and professional stance on AI-enhanced images, questioning the very definition of authenticity in photography and how brands might navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.

Whether you’re a marketer, photographer, or entrepreneur looking to elevate your brand’s visual storytelling, this conversation provides critical guidance on balancing authenticity, budget, and technology in the modern age of content creation.

Key topics covered:

• Why brands should rethink hiring models and stylists

• Crafting effective creative briefs that deliver better outcomes

• The ethical and professional implications of AI-enhanced imagery

• Maintaining authenticity and integrity in photography

In this episode of The Marketing Factor, host Austin Dandridge sits down with Shae Fascenda, Senior Email Strategist at Cobble Hill, to uncover the advanced tactics driving ecommerce growth through strategic email marketing. Shae shares her battle-tested expertise on planning holiday campaigns months in advance, why SMS has become non-negotiable with its 98% open rate, and how strategic segmentation outperforms volume every time. Whether you're looking to improve your deliverability score or create more effective SMS campaigns that feel like texts from a friend, this conversation delivers actionable insights for marketers ready to elevate their ecommerce results. Don't miss Shae's compelling case for why the most successful brands are already planning their Black Friday campaigns in March and how proper email fundamentals create the foundation for sustainable growth.

Running a creative business is never straightforward, but partnering with someone who complements your strengths can truly transform your trajectory. In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Hart Hagerty and Curry Uflacker, the dynamic sister duo behind HART Jewelry, provide fresh insights into the value of strategic partnerships, the realities of scaling a brand, and the delicate balance of authentic storytelling in digital marketing.

In this episode of The Marketing Factor, I catch up with Ellison and Bryant Thomas at Ellison's waterfront studio. The Thomas Brothers are Charleston surf scene legends and the creative force behind both a thriving video production company and east coast surf community platform, Ninety-Six Wave. We dive into their journey building a surf lifestyle brand, talk marketing strategies that actually work, share some health wisdom, and explore how to stay stoked in both business and life. The brothers' authentic approach to combining passion with entrepreneurship makes for a conversation that goes well beyond just surfing. Whether you're a wave chaser, creator, or business owner, there's something here for you.

In this episode of The Marketing Factor, I sit down with my colleague, Jackie Thomson, founder of Of Counsel, to explore the transformative world of PR. With more than 13 years of experience, Jackie shares insights into how PR has evolved from traditional media relations to a multifaceted practice encompassing storytelling, influencer partnerships, and purpose-driven events.

In the latest episode of The Marketing Factor, I sat down with Peter Kang, co-founder and chairman of Barrel Holdings, who has built a portfolio of agencies that has redefined what strategic growth looks like.

At 19, while most of her UNLV classmates were figuring out their next move, Whitney Bansin launched a styling company that would end up working on TV shows to movies. That evolved into running all the creative direction at Zappos, where she got an inside look at how fashion and commerce intersect.