Most founders don't think about intellectual property until it's already a problem.

Maybe someone copied your product. Maybe you received a cease and desist letter. Maybe you're fundraising and realize your defensibility is thinner than you thought.

In this episode of Branded Assets, Kate breaks down the world of intellectual property in plain English, sharing real lessons from building Loba and navigating patents, trademarks, filings, lawyers, timelines, and the realities of enforcement.

You'll learn:

• The difference between utility patents, design patents, and provisional patents
• What "patent pending" actually means
• How trademarks work and why many names can't be protected
• Why patents and trademarks don't automatically stop competitors from copying you
• The real cost, timelines, and challenges of protecting IP
• How intellectual property impacts fundraising, valuation, and credibility
• Common mistakes founders make when approaching patents and trademarks
• What every entrepreneur should understand before investing in IP

Kate also shares the behind-the-scenes story of Loba's patent and trademark journey, including the surprising reality that some trademark registrations took nearly five years to complete.

Whether you're building a startup, launching a product, creating a brand, or simply curious about how intellectual property works, this episode offers a practical founder-focused introduction to patents, trademarks, and protection strategy.

Know an entrepreneur, creator, or business owner who should understand the basics of IP? Forward them this episode. It could save them significant time, money, and headaches down the road.

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LINKS:

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KEYWORDS:

Intellectual property, patents, trademarks, patent pending, provisional patents, design patents, utility patents, startup founders, entrepreneurship, brand strategy, business strategy, startup funding, venture capital, product development, innovation, Canadian startups, intellectual property law, trademark registration, patent filing, business growth, founder education, personal branding, brand protection, defensible businesses, startup advice, product innovation, small business, scaling a business, startup ecosystem, founder journey, business podcast, marketing strategy, brand building, entrepreneurship podcast, Canadian entrepreneurs, startup lessons, business ownership.

Emma Grede says she spends just three focused hours with her kids on weekends and the internet had thoughts.

In this Rich Girl Rundown episode, Kate Bouchard and Ada Slivinski talk about Emma Grede’s new book, unpack the double standards around motherhood and ambition, and why Emma’s “high impact core memory mom” philosophy sparked such intense debate online.

Then, the conversation shifts to AI and advertising. Why are brands pre-emptively showing behind-the-scenes footage to prove their campaigns were made by humans? From Apple to LEGO to Aerie, brands are now defensively “showing receipts” as audiences become increasingly skeptical of what’s real online. Plus, Kate shares a wild rabbit hole involving a potentially fake AI-generated Toronto fashion boutique.

Finally, the ladies dive into the numbers signalling a shift back to movie theatres. From Wuthering Heights and The Devil Wears Prada 2 to Margot Robbie’s fashion-fuelled press tours and the growing desire for offline experiences, are cinemas seeing pre-COVID levels and growing revenue figures?

Plus:

• The rise of human-first marketing in the AI era
• Wealthsimple’s next moves and the future of trading culture
• KOHO getting into crypto trading
• The latest drama surrounding Lululemon, Chip Wilson, and leadership at the company with the announcement of a new CEO

This episode is part business analysis, part cultural commentary, and part rich girl group chat. Listen now!

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LINKS:

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Connect with Ada on Instagram and LinkedIn

KEYWORDS:

Emma Grede, Emma Grede parenting controversy, women in business, female entrepreneurs, motherhood and ambition, AI advertising, AI generated ads, branding strategy, luxury branding, human marketing, Apple ads AI, LEGO AI ads, Aerie no AI campaign, future of branding, movie theaters comeback, return to cinemas, Devil Wears Prada 2, Margot Robbie Wuthering Heights, Wealthsimple trading, Lululemon news, Chip Wilson, brand strategy podcast, business podcast for women, Branded Assets podcast, Rich Girl Rundown

Should you work in corporate before starting a business?

After a whirlwind few weeks. a sold-out gala, raising over $500,000 for the Looking Glass Foundation, a sick kid at home, and barely making this episode's deadline. Kate is hitting record with something that’s been on her mind lately: career paths.

In this solo episode, Kate breaks down a perspective that might surprise you. Despite being a founder and entrepreneur for the past 8 years, she doesn’t think you should start with being self employed.

Before building two companies, Kate spent 12 years working inside corporations. from global aviation to advertising to healthcare. And she credits that time as the foundation for everything she’s built since.

This episode is a strategic, behind-the-scenes look at what “working for someone else” actually teaches you. not tactically, but at a level most founders skip.

Kate shares the three biggest lessons she still uses every day:

• How to influence (in rooms that actually make decisions)
• How to build a team culture people want to be part of
• How to develop strategy that scales beyond guesswork

She also opens up about:

• Why corporate experience might be the fastest way to learn how businesses actually work
• The financial advantages most people overlook (RRSPs, education, benefits)
• Why this isn’t a binary choice. and never has to be

Plus, a listener question on how small business owners should think about retirement, where Kate shares her honest approach to money, financial planning, and building long-term freedom (without the traditional “retire at 65” mindset).

This episode is for you if you’re:

• Early in your career and feeling the pull toward entrepreneurship
• Thinking about leaving corporate. or going back to it
• Trying to build a career that actually supports your life, not the other way around

Because the goal isn’t just success. It’s the freedom to make choices from a place of security.

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LINKS:

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KEYWORDS:

entrepreneurship vs corporate, should I start a business or work corporate, corporate vs startup career, how to become an entrepreneur, early career advice, career path advice, working in corporate vs self employed, founder advice for beginners, how corporate jobs prepare you for entrepreneurship, benefits of working in corporate before startup, when to leave your job to start a business, going back to corporate after entrepreneurship, career advice for women in business, female entrepreneurs, women in business, entrepreneur mindset, business strategy fundamentals, leadership and team culture, financial planning for entrepreneurs, retirement for small business owners, Branded Assets podcast, Kate Bouchard

In this week’s Rich Girl Rundown, Kate and Ada are back breaking down the brand moves, cultural shifts, and billion-dollar strategies shaping what’s next.

First, Sephora enters Formula 1 through a partnership with F1 Academy, and it’s not just about beauty. With women now making up a growing share of the F1 fanbase, this move signals a much bigger shift in where brands are finding relevance, influence, and future growth.

Then, Nike teams up with Louis Theroux to promote Air Max, just days before his “Manosphere” documentary drops on Netflix. We unpack whether Nike is trolling internet masculinity culture… or mastering attention in real time.

And finally, Quince quietly builds a $10+ billion brand by rethinking luxury altogether. With a manufacturer-to-consumer model, “luxury for less” positioning, and lawsuits from legacy brands piling up, we get into what their rise says about consumer behaviour, brand value, and the future of fashion.

Plus, we get into:

• The “Netflix effect” and how entertainment is reshaping entire industries
• Why masculinity has become a branding battleground
• The psychology behind scarcity, dupes, and Gen Z spending habits
• And the subtle shift from brand obsession → value obsession

This episode is a fun one all about brands that know exactly where culture is going next.

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If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow Branded Assets on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and share it with someone who’s building, investing, or simply paying attention.

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LINKS:

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KEYWORDS: Quince, valuation, luxury for less, brands, Sephora Formula 1 partnership, F1 Academy, women in motorsport, Nike, Louis Theroux, Air Max, manosphere, documentary, Louis Theroux, brand strategy, podcast, marketing trends, 2026 consumer behavior, Gen Z, quiet luxury brands, attention economy, marketing, cultural branding strategies

When you’re raising capital, visibility isn’t vanity — it’s leverage.

When Kate was raising for Loba, she kept hearing the same thing: “You’re everywhere.” But behind that perception wasn’t a big budget — it was a strategic (and relentless) push for visibility.

In this episode, Kate sits down with PR strategist Sarah Mawji of Venture Strategies to unpack what actually goes into building that kind of momentum during a fundraise.

Using Loba as a case study, they break down:

• The PR and media strategies that helped build credibility without a big spend
• How to use earned media to get in front of the right investors
• Why smaller publications can sometimes drive more results than major headlines
• And what founders should be doing before they start raising

But this conversation goes beyond strategy.

Kate also shares the side of fundraising that rarely gets talked about:

• Taking investor meetings while postpartum and running on adrenaline
• The pressure to constantly be “on” — pitching, posting, showing up
• Being told to get out there and network… while navigating inappropriate behavior and wasted meetings
• And the reality that you can be “everywhere” — and still not close the round

They also talk about burnout, visibility fatigue, and the mental toll of building in public, alongside the unexpected upside: confidence, clarity, and growth.

This is a candid, unfiltered look at what it really takes to build visibility as a founder, especially when the playing field isn’t even.

If you’re preparing for a raise, in the middle of one, or reflecting on the process, this episode will give you both the strategy and the reality check.

Connect with Sarah Mawji / Venture Strategies:

LinkedIn

Instagram

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If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow Branded Assets on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and share it with someone who’s building, investing, or simply paying attention.

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LINKS:

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KEYWORDS:

female founders, raising capital, startup fundraising, venture capital, PR strategy, public relations for startups, earned media, founder visibility, personal branding for founders, startup marketing strategy, building in public, investor relations, media strategy, thought leadership, startup growth, early stage startups, seed round fundraising, women in business, female entrepreneurs, founder journey, startup storytelling, brand strategy, visibility marketing, networking for founders, pitch strategy, investor outreach, startup PR, media coverage, founder burnout, entrepreneurship podcast

In this solo episode of Branded Assets, Kate breaks down one of the biggest misconceptions in business: that your logo = your brand.

After 15 years in marketing and eight years running her own agency, Kate shares why so many founders skip strategy, jump straight to visuals, and end up building brands on vibes instead of clarity. From what she calls the “canvification of brands” to logos made in Microsoft Word, this episode is a candid look at what happens when convenience replaces intention.

You’ll learn:

• What a brand is not Why brand strategy is a strategic asset, not a nice-to-have
• How a strong brand makes hiring, partnerships, marketing, and scaling easier
• The real difference between brand strategy and visual identity
• Why skipping this work early will cost you more later

Kate also answers a community question: “If I have a product idea, where the heck do I even start?”

She walks through her own early-stage approach, from validating market demand and defining the problem to researching materials, manufacturing, and competitive positioning. If you’re sitting on an idea and feeling overwhelmed, this section is for you.

Whether you’re a startup founder, small business owner, or creative building something new, this episode is a reminder that your brand is the emotional connection people form with you over time. And that connection starts with clarity, not Canva.

If you’re interested in joining the waitlist for Kate’s upcoming Brand Strategy Workbook, visit armaturecollective.com and scroll to “Get the Brand Workbook.”

Subscribe, leave a review, and share your biggest takeaway. The early support for Branded Assets means more than you know.

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LINKS:

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Follow Kate on Instagram, TikTok and LinkedIn

Join the Brand Strategy Workbook waitlist at armaturecollective.com

EXCLUSIVE OFFERS:

Get 20% off Skin Edition with code BRANDEDASSETS at shopskinedition.ca

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Keywords:

Branded Assets podcast, brand strategy, building a brand, brand vs logo, visual identity, Canva branding, small business branding, marketing strategy, business growth, brand positioning, intentional branding, brand assets, startup branding, founder tips, product launch strategy, brand workbook, Armature Collective, business strategy, marketing for entrepreneurs, branding mistakes, developing a brand

What does it really mean to be “rich” in 2026?

In this episode of Rich Girl Rundown, Kate Bouchard and Ada Slivinski break down the biggest stories shaping business, brand, and culture right now—from a $125M funding round to a marketing controversy that refuses to stay in the past.

They cover:

• Kindred’s $125M raise and the rise of home swapping as consumers shift from ownership to access
• Frida’s resurfaced marketing controversy and what it reveals about brand longevity, cultural shifts, and crisis response
• The rise of experiential retail — from Aritzia’s massive new Vancouver flagship to Netflix’s move into real-world “Netflix House” experiences Why brands are investing in IRL experiences as digital fatigue hits a tipping point
• Plus, in their “brands we’re watching” segment: The risks and rise of prediction markets like Polymarket And why MrBeast entering financial services might signal a much bigger shift

This episode explores the intersection of consumer behaviour, brand strategy, and cultural power—and what it all means for the future of business.

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Follow & Subscribe If you enjoyed this episode, make sure to follow Branded Assets on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube, and share it with someone who’s building, investing, or simply paying attention.

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LINKS:

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Keywords:

experience economy 2026, experiential retail, Kindred home swapping, Airbnb alternative, Frida Baby controversy, brand marketing controversy, crisis management brands, Netflix House, Aritzia flagship store Vancouver, retail trends 2026, consumer behavior trends, access over ownership, prediction markets, Polymarket explained, future of travel, brand strategy podcast, marketing trends podcast, business news podcast, female founders startup funding, venture capital trends, digital vs physical retail, cultural trends business, brand storytelling, modern marketing strategies

Celebrity brands used to feel like a guaranteed win. Attach a famous name to a product and watch it sell. But in 2026, that strategy isn’t working the way it used to.

In this episode of Branded Assets, Kate Bouchard breaks down why celebrity alone is no longer enough to build a successful brand. From Hailey Bieber’s billion-dollar Rhode exit to the quiet shutdown of Kim Kardashian’s SKKN by Kim and the struggles facing brands like Fenty and Good Clean Goop, the reality is clear: fame may open doors, but it doesn’t build loyalty.

Kate explores why so many celebrity consumer brands are failing despite massive audiences and marketing budgets. She also shares what actually drives brand success today, including product quality, authenticity, audience alignment, and strong execution.

Plus, in this episode’s community question, Kate answers a common founder concern: How do you share a startup idea without worrying someone will steal it? She explains how trademarks, patents, and NDAs work in practice and why execution matters far more than protecting the idea itself.

If you're a founder, marketer, or brand builder navigating today's attention economy, this episode breaks down the real lessons behind celebrity-driven businesses.

In this episode:

• Why celebrity brands are becoming oversaturated
• The difference between hype and sustainable brand building
• What Rhode did right compared to other celebrity brands
• Why brands like SKKN by Kim and Good Clean Goop struggled
• The real drivers of loyalty in consumer products today How founders can protect their ideas while still building publicly

Key Takeaway:

Celebrity opens the door. But authenticity, product quality, and brand story are what keep customers coming back.

Follow Branded Assets for more insights on brand strategy, modern wealth, and the business behind cultural moments.

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LINKS:

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EXCLUSIVE OFFERS:

15% off from Dear Lucy at dearlucyskincare.com

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Keywords:

Celebrity brands, celebrity brand failures, celebrity business strategy, influencer brands, brand strategy, Hailey Bieber Rhode, Fenty Beauty business, Kim Kardashian SKKN, Gwyneth Paltrow Goop, celebrity marketing, startup intellectual property, trademarks and patents for startups, NDAs for investors, protecting a business idea