Wise Wednesday

What makes a brand memorable? Sometimes, it's not what you sell, but how you tell your story.

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton sits down with Jeff Dutton, copywriter, book publisher, and brand strategist at Wise Bear Creative, to explore the power of words, storytelling, and authentic communication.

Jeff shares his unconventional journey into writing and branding, the experiences that shaped his creative perspective, and why finding your unique voice is essential for building a meaningful business.

Together, they discuss personal branding, developing a strong verbal identity, and how businesses can communicate in ways that genuinely connect with their audiences.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, marketer, writer, or business owner looking to sharpen your message, this conversation offers fresh perspectives on making your words work harder.

No scripts. No fluff. Just real conversations about building something meaningful.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

What does it take to build a business that means more than just making money?

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton sits down with longtime friend Gary Boyd, co-founder of Unicorn Tavern and The Dragon and the Mermaid in Grand Haven, Michigan, and former co-founder of BarFly Ventures.

With more than 30 years in hospitality, Gary shares the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, community, and creating places where people feel welcome.

Their conversation explores Gary's journey through Michigan's restaurant and craft beer industries, the personal challenges that changed his perspective, and the determination required to turn an old auto shop into a distinctive Grand Haven gathering place.

Gary also reflects on the importance of mentorship, building a strong team, and creating a legacy through purposeful hospitality.

An honest conversation about entrepreneurship, perseverance, community, and finding meaning in the work we do.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

What separates a brand people recognize from one people genuinely want to follow?

On this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton sits down with Mat Beeler, filmmaker, marketing strategist, and VP of Branding at Nevo Solar, to explore the power of storytelling in business.

Mat shares his unconventional creative journey, from filming rollerblading videos as a teenager to working with major hip-hop artists, building a video production business, and eventually finding a new opportunity in the solar industry.

Together, Jake and Mat discuss how authentic storytelling builds trust, why personal branding matters, and how creating content people actually want to watch can transform the way businesses attract customers and talent.

They also explore the importance of developing your creative style, taking risks, and recognizing when a compelling story is worth pursuing.

Whether you're a business owner, filmmaker, marketer, or entrepreneur, this conversation offers practical inspiration for building a brand that connects with people.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

What happens when you walk away from a comfortable six-figure career to bet everything on yourself?

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton sits down with Brad Starnes, serial entrepreneur and founder of TalentFuze, to explore the unfiltered realities of building a business.

Brad shares his journey from launching a startup that ultimately failed to leaving corporate America, accumulating debt, and building his own marketing agency. Along the way, he discusses the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with family life, navigating financial uncertainty, and learning how to build businesses that don't depend entirely on their founders.

They dive into the importance of delegation, scalable systems, hiring the right people, and the lessons that come from taking risks when the outcome is anything but guaranteed.

Whether you're running an agency, considering entrepreneurship, or trying to reclaim your time as a business owner, this conversation is a reminder that building something meaningful rarely follows a straight path.

Connect with Brad Starnes:

TalentFuze: https://talentfuze.io

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bradstarnesofficial/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BradStarnesOfficial/

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

Great storytelling starts with curiosity, human connection, and the willingness to see the world from a different perspective.

On this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton reconnects with longtime friend Philip Carrel, a Detroit-based freelance filmmaker and photographer.

Philip shares how his creative journey began with a family camcorder, filming skateboarding, and discovering a passion for video production that eventually led him into professional filmmaking.

Together, they explore creativity, visual storytelling, collaboration, and the role of authenticity in creating meaningful work for people, organizations, and brands.

A conversation for filmmakers, photographers, creative professionals, and anyone passionate about telling stories that matter.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

What happens when an entrepreneurial mindset meets a passion for craftsmanship?

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, Jake Britton welcomes Adam Fox, founder of Fox Woodworking, to discuss his unconventional journey from a marketing background and 43 different jobs to building a woodworking business and personal brand.

Adam shares how his varied career experiences helped shape his approach to business, creativity, and storytelling.

They explore the transition into woodworking, the importance of showing up authentically, and how social media can help a craftsman build an audience around the work they love.

An engaging conversation about resilience, entrepreneurship, and finding a path that fits.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

Not every entrepreneur starts out with a plan to build a business. Sometimes, the opportunity develops naturally through creativity, relationships, and experience.

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, Jake Britton sits down with Allé Smith, owner of Open World Design, to discuss her path into entrepreneurship and the unexpected journey of building a creative business.

They explore the intersection of creativity and business ownership, following opportunities, and finding your own direction as an entrepreneur.

An insightful conversation for designers, creatives, small business owners, and anyone considering turning a passion into a profession.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

Leadership isn't simply about having a title. It's about recognizing opportunities, making decisions, and learning how to guide a business forward.

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton welcomes Paul Goudreault, an experienced executive leader, author, and business advisor.

Together, they explore Paul's entrepreneurial and leadership journey, the opportunities that shaped his career, and what it means to take responsibility for leading an organization.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, an aspiring leader, or an established business owner, this conversation offers perspectives on professional growth and leadership.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

What does it take to build a business when things don't always go according to plan?

On this episode of Wise Wednesday, Jake Britton sits down with Bruce Osterhaven, owner of Big O Smokehouse, to explore the realities of entrepreneurship, the complications that come with running a business, and the resilience needed to keep moving forward.

Bruce shares his perspective on navigating challenges, learning through experience, and becoming stronger through the process.

A conversation for entrepreneurs, business owners, and anyone building something meaningful.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative

In this episode of Wise Wednesday, host Jake Britton sits down with Austin Mariglia of Austin Automates to talk about entrepreneurship, automation, and the challenges of turning great ideas into real results.

They explore why execution is often harder than coming up with the idea, the lessons learned while building a business, and how technology can help entrepreneurs work smarter.

Whether you're starting a business, growing an agency, or looking for ways to improve your processes, this conversation offers a fresh perspective on what it takes to move forward.

Hosted by Jake Britton | Wise Bear Creative