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You’re not a Brand but a Human Being
Welcome to Episode 26 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Grant Gavin sits down with Ross Drakes, the founder of Nice Work, a Cape Town-based branding and strategy agency that helps businesses communicate complex ideas in ways people care about.
Ross Drakes has spent nearly two decades helping businesses clarify their message, communicate complex ideas, and create work that people care about. With a deep interest in curiosity, human behaviour, creativity, entrepreneurship, and technology, he brings a grounded and refreshingly honest perspective on what it means to build a business and show up authentically in the AI era.
Grant and Ross explore entrepreneurship, leadership, personal branding, conflict avoidance, COVID’s impact on business, and the importance of reconnecting with why you do what you do.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, creative, marketer, or someone trying to build a more meaningful public profile, this episode will make you rethink what it means to be visible, valuable, and human in a world where everyone is being told to become a brand.
⏱ Timestamped Overview
01:10 – Introduction to Ross Drakes.
04:36 – Who the Brand, Nice Work, Helps Best.
07:01 – Losing 80% of Revenue During COVID.
08:23 – Why Am I Doing This?
10:22 – Rediscovering Energy and Momentum.
16:47 – Why Trust Must Come Before Conflict.
21:22 – AI, Commoditization, and What Makes Us Human.
25:04 – Three AI Lessons Every Entrepreneur Needs.
27:10 – Hold Strong Ideas Lightly.
31:23 – The Value That Guides Every Business Decision.
34:02 – Why Nice People Matter in Business.
💬 Quote of the Episode
“You’re not a brand. You’re a human being.” – Ross Drakes
👣 Relevant Links
Website: https://rossdrakes.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossdrakes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossdrakes/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCABt6rxUy0dXjNabjIzI5uw
Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossdrakes/
🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy
Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/
Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.
View all episodes
By Grant GavinWelcome to Episode 26 of the Thoughtonomy Podcast! In this inspiring episode, host Grant Gavin sits down with Ross Drakes, the founder of Nice Work, a Cape Town-based branding and strategy agency that helps businesses communicate complex ideas in ways people care about.
Ross Drakes has spent nearly two decades helping businesses clarify their message, communicate complex ideas, and create work that people care about. With a deep interest in curiosity, human behaviour, creativity, entrepreneurship, and technology, he brings a grounded and refreshingly honest perspective on what it means to build a business and show up authentically in the AI era.
Grant and Ross explore entrepreneurship, leadership, personal branding, conflict avoidance, COVID’s impact on business, and the importance of reconnecting with why you do what you do.
Whether you’re an entrepreneur, business leader, creative, marketer, or someone trying to build a more meaningful public profile, this episode will make you rethink what it means to be visible, valuable, and human in a world where everyone is being told to become a brand.
⏱ Timestamped Overview
01:10 – Introduction to Ross Drakes.
04:36 – Who the Brand, Nice Work, Helps Best.
07:01 – Losing 80% of Revenue During COVID.
08:23 – Why Am I Doing This?
10:22 – Rediscovering Energy and Momentum.
16:47 – Why Trust Must Come Before Conflict.
21:22 – AI, Commoditization, and What Makes Us Human.
25:04 – Three AI Lessons Every Entrepreneur Needs.
27:10 – Hold Strong Ideas Lightly.
31:23 – The Value That Guides Every Business Decision.
34:02 – Why Nice People Matter in Business.
💬 Quote of the Episode
“You’re not a brand. You’re a human being.” – Ross Drakes
👣 Relevant Links
Website: https://rossdrakes.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossdrakes/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rossdrakes/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCABt6rxUy0dXjNabjIzI5uw
Twitter: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossdrakes/
🌐 Connect with Thoughtonomy
Grant Gavin Website: https://grantgavin.com/
Thoughtonomy Website: https://thoughtonomybook.co.za/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grant_gavin0
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ggavin
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grant-gavin-9a120a4
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Thoughtonomy_Book
🎧 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review! Let us know your biggest takeaway from this episode on social media.