In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts at Moxie Creative dive deep into why creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have in marketing—it’s a must. In a market saturated with safe, forgettable brands, playing it “fine” just doesn’t cut it. From identifying what sets a business apart to translating that uniqueness into a brand identity that truly resonates, the team explores how creative strategy drives impact. Tune in as they unpack the power of bold ideas, collaboration, and customer insight to elevate branding that sticks.

Takeaways:

• Creative marketing is essential for brand success.
• Settling for "fine" leads to forgettable branding.
• A great brand should feel unique and personal.
• Strategy and creative must work hand-in-hand.
• Know your audience—it’s key to effective branding.
• Good design should communicate and connect.
• Investing in creativity pays off in the long term.
• Customer feedback can reveal what makes your brand stand out.
• Collaboration strengthens the creative process.
• Growth happens when you embrace boldness in branding.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Behind the Brand

01:12 The Importance of Creative Marketing

06:03 Breaking Free from 'Fine' Branding

13:57 Understanding Great Branding

15:27 The Role of Creative in Marketing Strategy

21:19 Tangible Steps to Elevate Your Brand

27:40 The Rewards of Creative Work

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Diana Puterbaugh and Carla Crane from Hops Direct share their journey of transforming a fifth-generation hop farm into a successful e-commerce business. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of adapting to the craft beer boom, the importance of storytelling and marketing, and the innovations in the hop industry. The conversation also touches on the dynamics of working in a family business and offers valuable advice for others in similar situations.

Takeaways

• Hops Direct launched in 1999, ahead of the e-commerce trend.
• The craft beer boom significantly impacted their business growth.
• Storytelling and marketing are crucial for connecting with customers.
• Innovations like hop gummies and hop water are emerging trends.
• The partnership with Moxie has been instrumental in their marketing strategy.
• Patience and flexibility are essential in a family-run business.
• They have 19 different hop varieties
• The industry is facing challenges with oversupply and competition from distilling.
• Social media plays a vital role in engaging with brewers and homebrewers.
• Independence in farming is important for success.

Chapters

00:00 The Digital Transformation of Hops Direct

05:59 Craft Beer Boom and Its Impact

11:54 Innovations in the Hop Industry

18:08 Navigating Challenges in a Family Business

24:00 Advice for Legacy Businesses

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the often misunderstood concept of networking. They explore how networking can be a powerful tool for building relationships and growing a business when approached authentically. The conversation covers various aspects of networking, including community involvement, referral-based models, and the importance of patience and consistency in cultivating connections. The hosts also share personal experiences and insights on how to effectively network both in-person and online, emphasizing the long-term benefits of relationship-building over immediate transactions.

Takeaways

• Networking can change the trajectory of your business.
• Building relationships is key to successful networking.
• Networking is a long-term investment, not a quick fix.
• Community involvement enhances networking opportunities.
• Referral-based networking groups can provide valuable connections.
• Online platforms like LinkedIn are essential for networking.
• Patience is crucial in the networking process.
• Networking should feel authentic, not transactional.
• Engaging in industry-specific groups can boost confidence.
• Effort in networking leads to greater rewards.

Chapters

00:00 The Importance of Networking

02:53 Building Relationships Through Networking

05:50 The Long Game of Networking

08:53 Networking in the Community

11:59 Referral-Based Networking Models

15:00 Expanding Your Network Online

18:04 Industry-Specific Networking

20:58 Overcoming Networking Challenges

23:39 Final Thoughts on Networking

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Eric Heipel shares his transformative journey from being a franchisee to founding his own painting business, Heartland Painting. He discusses the challenges he faced during the transition, the importance of establishing a strong brand identity, and the strategies he employed to build a successful team culture. Eric emphasizes the significance of mentorship and planning in entrepreneurship, offering valuable insights for aspiring business owners.

Takeaways

• Eric transitioned from a franchisee to a founder after feeling limited by the franchise model.
• He emphasized the importance of brand identity in building customer trust.
• Choosing a new business name was a challenging but rewarding process.
• Maintaining communication with clients during the transition was crucial.
• Eric's experience highlights the need for a solid business plan.
• Hiring the right team members is essential for business growth.
• Creating a positive company culture attracts top talent.
• Mentorship played a key role in Eric's entrepreneurial journey.
• Rebranding can be a time-consuming but necessary investment.
• Eric's story illustrates that change can lead to new opportunities.

Chapters

00:00 From Franchisee to Founder: Eric Heiple's Journey

12:45 Navigating the Transition: Challenges and Strategies

20:00 Building a Brand: The Importance of Identity

23:31 Hiring and Team Culture: Attracting A-Players

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the critical moments when small business owners should consider hiring additional team members. They explore the journey of small business growth, the signs indicating it's time to expand, and the importance of hiring for culture fit. The conversation also touches on managing growth, the dynamics of team relationships, and the balance between outsourcing and hiring full-time employees. The hosts emphasize the significance of having the right team in place to foster creativity and maintain a positive work environment.

Takeaways

• Recognizing when you're overwhelmed is key to hiring.
• Hiring should be based on the need for specific skills.
• Outsourcing can be a viable alternative to hiring.
• Team dynamics are crucial for a creative business.
• Hiring for culture fit is more important than skills.
• Managing growth requires careful consideration of team capacity.
• Sometimes, you need to evaluate your systems, not just add people.
• The right team can significantly impact business success.
• Hiring should be a slow and thoughtful process.
• Creativity thrives in a supportive and well-staffed environment.

Chapters

00:00 Recognizing the Need to Hire

03:01 The Journey of Small Business Growth

06:05 Signs It's Time to Expand Your Team

09:10 Hiring for Culture and Fit

11:50 Managing Growth and Team Dynamics

15:05 Outsourcing vs. Hiring Full-Time

17:58 The Importance of the Right Team

21:01 Final Thoughts on Hiring and Growth

Stay connected with us!

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode, Andrew Guthmiller, founder of Car Concierge, shares his journey of creating a unique car buying service that prioritizes customer experience. He discusses the challenges he faced in the early days, the impact of COVID-19 on the industry, and the importance of branding and marketing in growing his business. Andrew emphasizes the need for continuous evolution and preparation for future growth, offering valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs.

Takeaways

• Many entrepreneurs start a business to solve a problem.
• Best businesses anticipate problems before they arise.
• The car buying process can be overwhelming for consumers.
• Andrew's experience in a dealership shaped his business approach.
• Community values influence Andrew's business philosophy.
• Visibility and brand recognition are crucial for growth.
• COVID-19 disrupted the car industry significantly.
• Investing in branding can elevate a business's presence.
• Hiring the right people is essential for business growth.
• Continuous learning and adaptation are key to success.

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Car Concierge

02:58 Understanding the Car Buying Process

05:52 Challenges and Growth in the Early Days

09:09 Navigating Industry Changes and COVID-19

12:03 The Importance of Branding and Marketing

15:07 Preparing for Future Growth

18:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Stay connected with us!

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Website: www.moxiecreative.com

In this episode, the Moxie crew discusses the critical role of social media in modern business marketing. They explore why businesses should engage on social media, the importance of having a well-defined strategy, and the comprehensive process of social media management. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to understand their audience, create engaging content, and actively manage their social media presence to foster community and drive growth. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of social media management, focusing on content performance analysis, the importance of soft selling, the role of visual storytelling, and the considerations for outsourcing social media efforts. They emphasize the need for businesses to understand their audience and create engaging content that resonates rather than solely focusing on sales.

Takeaways

• Social media is essential for staying relevant in today's market.
• Understanding your audience is crucial for effective social media marketing.
• A well-defined strategy can significantly enhance social media efforts.
• Engagement and community management are key components of social media success.
• Content should resonate with the audience, not just the business owner.
• Organic social media can lead to long-term customer relationships.
• Creativity is vital in addressing social media challenges.
• Regular posting without a strategy can waste time and resources.
• Professional content creation is important for brand credibility.
• Social media management requires ongoing effort and engagement. Reviewing analytics helps refine content strategies.
• Engagement metrics are more important than likes.
• Soft selling is more effective than hard selling on social media.
• Visual storytelling enhances audience connection.
• Content should focus on audience experience and results.
• A mix of content types is essential for engagement.
• Understanding your audience is key to successful content.
• Outsourcing social media can provide valuable expertise.
• Polished graphics matter, but content relevance is crucial.
• Building a community around your brand fosters loyalty.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Social Media Marketing

02:21 The Importance of Social Media for Businesses

10:22 Developing a Social Media Strategy

17:32 The Process of Social Media Management

25:12 Analyzing Content Performance

31:02 The Art of Soft Selling

35:25 Visual Storytelling in Social Media

42:12 When to Outsource Social Media Management

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In this episode, Jason Miller, founder of Trust Real Estate Company, shares his journey of launching a new brokerage after 20 years in the real estate industry. He discusses the evolution of the real estate market, the importance of branding and community involvement, and offers valuable business tips for aspiring entrepreneurs. Jason emphasizes the significance of trust in building relationships and the need for realtors to engage with their communities. He also shares insights on overcoming challenges and the importance of authenticity in business.

Takeaways

• Taking bold steps in business requires a strong vision.
• Community involvement is crucial for building a successful brand.
• The real estate industry has evolved significantly in recent years.
• Trust is a fundamental aspect of client relationships.
• Real estate is more than just transactions; it's about community.
• Embracing uncertainty can lead to growth and opportunity.
• Branding should reflect personal values and community ties.
• Authenticity resonates more than perfection in marketing.
• Engagement in local events strengthens business connections.
• Setting clear goals is essential for business success.

Chapters

00:00 Taking the Leap: Jason Miller's Journey

05:47 The Evolution of Real Estate

12:10 Building Trust: The Brand Behind Trust Real Estate

19:33 Community Engagement and Its Importance

25:13 Business Tips and Lessons Learned

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