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🎙️ Episode 1: How Losing Everything Became the Start of Everything

Welcome to the relaunch of The Unscripted Climb, where business isn’t always pretty—but it’s always real. Host Chris Beecham kicks things off by sharing his own story of screwing things up, starting over, and building again (and again).

From riding high in real estate to bottoming out in bankruptcy court, Chris talks through what it actually takes to rebuild a life and a business—without the LinkedIn fluff.

This is for the entrepreneurs who’ve cried in their car, second-guessed everything, and kept going anyway.

What You’ll Hear:

• How the 2008 market crash wrecked his first business
• The gym that bankrupted him 
• How Empire Painting rose from the ashes
• Why Perch Merch exists (and how it’s still fighting to grow)
• Juggling two podcasts, multiple businesses, and some mild sanity

🚨 Sponsored by Real Life (and also: Perch Merch + Oh Hello Agency)
We’re not here to sell you cheap pens—we help businesses build brand loyalty through custom merch, smart marketing, and premium design.

💥 Want a free merch or brand audit? Just ask. No pressure, just people helping people.
 👉 Perch-Merch.com
👉 OhHelloAgency.com

⏱️ Timestamps for the Skippers:

• 00:42 – Losing it all in the 2008 crash
• 08:57 – Buying a gym (and regretting everything)
• 18:54 – Rebuilding with Empire Painting
• 27:31 – Starting Perch Merch while still figuring it out
• 36:23 – Lessons in trust, marketing, and sheer survival

📈 Keywords
 entrepreneurship journey, business after bankruptcy, real estate market crash, failed gym story, starting over in business, building a painting company, starting a screen printing business, promotional products, brand marketing agency, Perch Merch, Oh Hello Agency, podcast for business owners, real business advice

💬 Brought to you by Perch Merch — where your merch game levels up, or you don’t play at all. And Oh Hello Agency — where brands get their act together.

💥 Want a free merch or brand audit? Just ask. No pressure, just people helping people.
👉 Perch-Merch.com
👉 OhHelloAgency.co

🔗 Connect with Us:

• Chris Beecham on LinkedIn
• Natalie Micale on LinkedIn

Check out our podcast website here

Send us a text

In this conversation, Natalie discusses the significance of visual identity in branding, emphasizing that it encompasses more than just a logo. She highlights the importance of consistency in visual identity to make brands memorable and professional. For solopreneurs, she offers practical advice on how to start building a brand identity on a budget, suggesting the use of freelance platforms and the importance of a clear vision before hiring a designer.
takeaways
Visual identity is not just a logo; it's a comprehensive expression.
A strong visual identity evokes clear feelings and associations.
Consistency in branding is crucial for memorability and professionalism.
Solopreneurs can start with freelance designers to create a visual identity.
Building a Pinterest board can help clarify brand vision.
Investing in a professional agency is important as the business grows.
Merchandise should align with the visual identity of the brand.
Colors, typography, and graphic elements must work together cohesively.
Avoid perfectionism; focus on getting started with branding.
Customer data should inform future branding investments.

💥 Want a free merch or brand audit? Just ask. No pressure, just people helping people.
👉 Perch-Merch.com
👉 OhHelloAgency.co

🔗 Connect with Us:

• Chris Beecham on LinkedIn
• Natalie Micale on LinkedIn

Check out our podcast website here

Send us a text

Part 2 of 10 of this mini marketing series- In this episode of The Unscripted Climb, Natalie delves into the intricacies of brand strategy and positioning. She emphasizes the importance of understanding your customers through buyer personas, conducting market research, and analyzing competition. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to differentiate themselves through unique branding strategies that resonate with their target audience. Natalie also discusses the significance of crafting compelling brand messaging and the foundational work required before developing a visual identity.

takeaways

• Branding is an intangible asset that impacts ROI over decades.
• Strong brand positioning creates a lasting impact on business.
• Understanding your customers is crucial for effective branding.
• Buyer personas should reflect customer concerns and desires.
• Market research validates assumptions about your audience.
• Analyzing competition helps identify unique positioning opportunities.
• Great brands take calculated risks based on future trends.
• Brand messaging should articulate beliefs and values clearly.
• A successful strategy energizes both owners and employees.
• Visual identity development follows strategic groundwork.

💥 Want a free merch or brand audit? Just ask. No pressure, just people helping people.
👉 Perch-Merch.com
👉 OhHelloAgency.co

🔗 Connect with Us:

• Chris Beecham on LinkedIn
• Natalie Micale on LinkedIn

Check out our podcast website here

Send us a text

summary

Part 1 of 10 of this mini marketing series- In this episode, Natalie discusses the significance of branding in both personal and business contexts. She emphasizes that a brand is more than just a logo; it encompasses values, belief systems, and visual identities that resonate with customers. The conversation explores how to differentiate oneself in the market, the importance of authenticity, and the need for brands to take a bold stance to connect with their audience effectively.

takeaways

• A brand is a collection of values and belief systems.
• Differentiation is crucial for standing out in the market.
• Great branding is bold and memorable.
• Building a brand requires backend strategy and positioning work.
• Brands should take a stance to connect with their audience.
• Authenticity in branding attracts the right clients.
• Founders must align their values with their brand.
• Core values should be more than just integrity and reliability.
• A brand experience should communicate the company's beliefs.
• If your strategy is not bold, it is not effective.

💥 Want a free merch or brand audit? Just ask. No pressure, just people helping people.
👉 Perch-Merch.com
👉 OhHelloAgency.co

🔗 Connect with Us:

• Chris Beecham on LinkedIn
• Natalie Micale on LinkedIn

Check out our podcast website here