Welcome back to the Big Small Business Podcast! In this episode, Ben Hendrix and Wade Lombard tackle a topic every entrepreneur should master: staying “on brand.”

Starting off with a funny take on high school graduations and parenting philosophies to business decisions and branding missteps, Ben and Wade unpack how sticking to your brand identity helps guide decisions, build trust, and ultimately shape long-term success. They share candid stories from startup lessons and quirky business rules to major brand blunders like New Coke and HBO’s identity crisis.

If you’ve ever been tempted by a “good idea” that just didn’t feel right, or wondered how to differentiate your business in a crowded market, this one’s for you. Learn how guardrails and intentionality can elevate your company and why being “on brand” isn’t about logos—it’s about values.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why every decision should pass through a brand filter

• How to define your brand’s identity and values

• The power of simplicity and intentional guardrails

• Real life examples of brand wins and fails

📱 Follow us on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/bigsmallbusinesspodcast for bonus content, updates, and behind-the-scenes moments.

In this episode of the Big Small Business Podcast, we sit down with Brittany Hendrix—founder of BIEN and a leader in the influencer management world. Brittany shares how she went from teaching middle school to building a thriving agency that represents top-tier influencers. We unpack what business owners can learn from the influencer industry—from branding and authenticity to audience engagement and long-term growth. Whether you’re running a local service business or scaling a startup, this conversation is packed with insights on how to humanize your brand, create loyal customers, and leverage social media with purpose.

Follow Brittany: @bientheagency | bientheagency.com

In this episode of Here and Now (soon to be Big Small Business), Ben and Wade dive into Part 2 of their conversation on how to bring your team together through internal company conferences. They break down how they plan and execute their biannual gatherings—sharing the themes, structure, tips, and even mistakes they’ve learned from along the way. Whether you lead a team of five or fifty, this episode gives you practical insights on how to use conferences to reinforce company culture, cast vision, and have some fun along the way. Plus, expect a few good laughs, personal stories, and an unexpected side quest into Reddit movie rabbit holes.