On this episode of Marketing Wins, I sat down with Mike Young, a fourth-generation almond farmer, entrepreneur, and author, to talk about building legacy—both in business and family. Mike shared how authentic personal branding and storytelling are the keys to connecting with your audience, whether you’re running a multigenerational company or launching your first book. He reminded us that legacy isn’t just what we leave behind, but what we build within people every day. If you’re navigating family business, personal brand growth, or just want inspiration for leaving your mark, this episode is for you.

A Legacy Rooted in Family and Service

Mike opened up about growing up in a multigenerational family business, working alongside parents, siblings, cousins, and more. For Mike, legacy isn’t about what you leave for people, but what you leave in them. This mindset not only shaped his personal journey but also inspired his heartfelt book, “The Farmer’s Code: How Legacies Are Built.” If you’ve ever wondered how to build a family business that thrives across generations, Mike’s story is a must-listen.

Personal Branding: More Than a Logo

Mike emphasizes that a brand is built on your values and authenticity—not just your company logo or website. Even though social media and self-promotion didn’t come naturally at first, he learned that being visible, relatable, and real creates trust and connections. Whether it’s on Instagram, LinkedIn, or in front of an audience, showing up as your true self is key.

Writing & Creativity: Keeping It Authentic

Taking his message a step further, Mike shared his experience moving from nonfiction to fiction. His new novel still weaves in themes of family and legacy, and he describes how his characters almost became real to him, guiding the story in unexpected directions. If you’re toying with writing (fiction or otherwise), Mike’s advice is simple: write what you know, and let authenticity shine through.

Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Leaders & Authors:

• Reverse engineer your brand. Speak directly to the person you once were or someone in your target audience.
• Show up authentically. People connect with people, not facades. Embrace your uniqueness—even if you think your daily life is ordinary!
• Think legacy, not just strategy. Whether in business or personal life, consider the values and impact you’re leaving behind.

Get Inspired & Connect

You can find Mike on Instagram (@mikecyoung), LinkedIn, or at mikecyoung.com. Pick up “The Farmer’s Code” and stay tuned for his upcoming novel!

For the full conversation and more insights, catch the latest episode of Marketing Wins wherever you listen to podcasts.

Here’s to authentic brands and lasting legacies, Valerie Morris & The Marketing Wins Team

In this episode of Marketing Wins, Valerie sits down with Chad Cannon to discuss strategic approaches to business growth, sales clarity, and community building. Chad shares insights from his journey from publishing and working for other thought leaders to his current work with founders through his consulting practice and Zenith Labs. They explore the importance of intentional marketing, quality lead generation, and creating supportive business communities that deliver genuine value.

• Chad's evolution from publishing to founder-focused consulting
• The Founder's Framework methodology
• The critical importance of clarity in sales and marketing strategies
• Building quality-focused lead generation systems
• Creating successful business communities and networking events
• Balancing personal branding with behind-the-scenes expertise

Chad divides his time between fractional work, one-day strategy sessions with founders, and his involvement with Zenith Labs, where they help companies grow revenue and profit in exchange for equity. Chad is currently developing his own methodology called the Founder's Framework and organizing events for business owners in Nashville and San Diego.

One of the conversation's central themes was the importance of clarity in sales and marketing. Chad emphasized that businesses must be direct in asking for the sale and controlling the dialogue rather than passively waiting for opportunities. Both agreed that clear messaging acts as an effective filter, saving time by attracting the right prospects and deterring poor-fit leads.

The conversation explored Chad's deliberate approach to personal branding throughout his career. While he prefers being behind the scenes rather than the face of a business, he recognizes the importance of strategically sharing his expertise and experiences online to establish credibility and connections.

• Chad's consulting company: Zenith Labs
• Chad's methodology: The Founder's Framework

• Follow Valerie on social media for updates when this episode goes live
• Learn more about Chad Cannon and his work with founders
• Stay tuned for more episodes of Marketing Wins!

In this energizing conversation, Valerie Morris sits down with Nir Hindie to explore the intersection of art, creativity, and business. Nir shares his unique perspective as a keynote speaker and coach who brings artistic thinking into corporate business environments.

• Nir introduces his concept of "Business Artistry" and how he's developing courses around this philosophy
• The importance of bringing creative and artistic thinking into business environments
• How the business world often overlooks the value of artistic approaches

• Discussion on how education and society often force people to choose between being creative or analytical, and why we can’t be a mix of both.
• The need for a holistic approach where creativity is valued equally to other disciplines
• The role of storytelling and human emotions in creating meaningful business experiences

• Nir's journey in building his brand and finding believers in his vision
• His successful collaboration with Google for entrepreneurs and creating Google Creativity week
• The separation between his personal brand and his company's brand (The Artian)
• The importance of documentation and social proof in establishing credibility

• Nir's approach to building consistency and value in his online presence
• His weekly Substack newsletter and commitment to providing value
• Insights on publishing content as a non-native English speaker
• Emphasis on commitment and consistency over metrics like follower count

• Overcoming the fear of vulnerability that often prevents people from embracing creativity
• Finding art in small things and everyday experiences
• The value of being present and observant in daily interactions
• Practical ways to incorporate artistic thinking into business practices

Nir Hindie is a keynote speaker, coach, and interactive guide in business schools. Through his company The Artian, he helps businesses tap into creativity and artistic thinking to solve problems and create meaningful experiences for their customers and employees.

• Follow Nir's Substack newsletter for weekly insights on business artistry
• Learn more about his keynote speaking and leadership work.