In this episode, Austin Dandridge talks with Jon Howard, founder of JoHo & Co. and longtime outdoor industry marketer, about what it takes to build enduring brands in today’s crowded DTC landscape. From shifting outdoor storytelling beyond product specs to developing data-driven customer personas, Jon shares how to align teams, leverage community marketing, and balance wholesale with DTC growth. They unpack post-COVID trends, influencer credibility, evergreen campaigns, and why clarity—not constant chasing—drives long-term success.
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge interviews Curry Hagerty, the marketing mastermind behind HART Jewelry's explosive growth. Discover how this contemporary jewelry brand scales without heavy discounting and dominates Black Friday with innovative strategies.KEY TAKEAWAYS:
Perfect for e-commerce founders, marketing managers, and jewelry brands looking to scale profitably without racing to the bottom on pricing.
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, host Austin Dandridge speaks with Wil Reynolds, founder of Seer Interactive, about the evolving landscape of digital marketing.
They discuss the importance of embracing a testing mindset, fostering a culture of innovation, and navigating uncertainty in the industry. Wil emphasizes the need for operational transparency over content volume and the significance of cross-divisional collaboration.
The conversation also touches on leveraging AI for insights and the future of marketing in an AI-driven world, along with personal use cases for AI in everyday life.
Key takeaways* Embrace a testing mindset to thrive in marketing.* Fostering a culture of innovation is crucial for success.* Navigating uncertainty requires honesty with clients.* Operational transparency is more important than content volume.* Cross-divisional collaboration enhances marketing effectiveness.* Understanding customer experience is key to marketing success.* AI can provide valuable insights for marketers.* Personal use of AI can enhance everyday decision-making.* Marketers must adapt to the changing landscape of digital marketing.* Continuous learning and improvement are essential in marketing.Chapters
00:00Introduction to the Marketing Factor01:07Embracing a Testing Mindset in Marketing03:22Fostering Innovation and Team Dynamics05:51Navigating Client Expectations in Uncertain Times07:56The Shift from Certainty to Probabilistic Marketing08:52Operational Transparency in Brand Relevance11:19Adapting Strategies for AI and LLMs14:45Cross-Divisional Collaboration for Marketing Success19:01Leveraging Data for Insights22:50The Importance of Customer-Centric Marketing27:16Personal Use Cases for AI in Everyday Life
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, host Austin Dandridge sits down with Suze Dowling, co-founder, operator, and one of the sharpest minds in DTC. From her unexpected path to Gin Lane to her role shaping the brand collective at Pattern, Suze unpacks what it really takes to build emotionally resonant brands in today’s landscape.
They get into the weeds on why email still outperforms, how to hire for curiosity (not credentials), and what a “clarity check-in” can do for your business. You'll also hear Suze’s take on navigating acquisitions without losing a brand’s soul, her personal rituals for staying balanced, and why Melbourne might just be her spirit city.
Whether you're scaling a DTC brand or just trying to get your email flows to convert, this episode delivers sharp insight without the fluff.
Highlights:
Creating tension for emotional connection
The underrated power of email marketing
Why hiring curious people changes everything
Using clarity check-ins to stay focused
What makes a brand acquisition actually work
Chapters00:00
Introduction to Suze Dowling and Her Journey
02:49
Transitioning from Marketing to Brand Building
05:22
The Evolution of DTC Marketing Strategies
08:14
Understanding Consumer Behavior and Engagement
10:42
The Importance of Email Marketing in E-commerce
13:34
Navigating the Challenges of a Holding Company
16:16
The Role of TikTok in Modern Marketing
19:13
Final Thoughts on Marketing Strategies and Brand Growth
25:02
Performance Marketing Insights
26:10
The Clarity Check-In Framework
29:56
The Power of the Pivot
32:22
Hiring for Curiosity
33:53
Evaluating Brands for Acquisition
37:02
Revitalizing Acquired Brands
40:57
Daily Habits for Sanity
43:18
Admiring Innovative Brands
Justin Watt, co-founder of Switchboard and expert in systems design, joins Austin Dandridge to break down how high-performing teams use AI and automation to scale without adding complexity. In this episode of The Marketing Factor, they cover low-lift, high-impact workflows, how to prep your business for AI, the real bottlenecks behind AGI, and why tools like Notion and Airtable are still top picks for lean teams. If you're building a direct-to-consumer brand, creative agency, or fast-growing business, this conversation will change how you think about operations, automation, and modern marketing strategy.
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge sits down with Molly Fienning, the serial entrepreneur behind Babyators, Red Clay Hot Sauce, and now SipLand—a platform redefining non-alcoholic beverage culture through community, content, and curation.
Molly shares what it means to build from the second mountain—a phase of entrepreneurship driven not by scale or speed, but by alignment, intuition, and presence. They discuss how younger founders are rewriting hustle culture, why the future of consumer brands depends on in-person community, and how building for yourself can actually be the smartest strategy of all.
If you’re rethinking how (and why) you build your brand, this one’s essential.
⏱️ TIMESTAMPS:
00:42 – Meditation, Joe Dispenza, and tuning in
04:15 – The “second mountain” and redefining success
09:58 – Starting Babyators and spotting market gaps
13:30 – SipLand: a new vision for non-alc community
19:42 – Gen Z founders, boundaries, and new energy
27:57 – Gut vs data: how Molly makes decisions
30:38 – Building real-life brand experiences
33:50 – SipLand as a brand consultancy
37:53 – Who you think your customer is vs who it actually is
43:37 – Why Molly builds for herself first
47:42 – DTC, margins, and what to avoid in CPG
50:13 – Where to find Molly and learn more about SipLand
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge interviews Lucas Ballasy, CEO and partner at Barrel, a specialized CPG commerce agency. Lucas shares insights from his journey from freelance designer to agency leadership, while discussing his popular weekly newsletter and approach to creative work.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:41 - Lucas's journey with writing and creative expression
03:46 - The process of writing a weekly newsletter
12:38 - From freelance designer to CEO at Barrel
19:06 - Finding focus in the CPG space
23:53 - Effective landing page strategy for CPG brands
29:20 - Why headless commerce rose and fell
33:20 - When brands should invest in custom vs theme websites
38:03 - Evolution of website development methodologies
43:58 - Current trends in e-commerce and CPG
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge sits down with acclaimed photographer William Hereford to explore what truly makes brand photography authentic, the critical elements of a great creative brief, and how the rise of AI is reshaping the creative industry.
William shares his unique insights from years of working with iconic brands like L.L. Bean, Untuckit, Tumi, and Bonobos, emphasizing the importance of stripping back unnecessary elements to capture genuine, resonant imagery. From why hiring professional models isn’t always the best decision, to the necessity of clear creative direction in challenging shoots, William explains how brands can get maximum impact—even on a limited budget.
Austin and William also discuss the provocative topic of artificial intelligence. William reveals his personal and professional stance on AI-enhanced images, questioning the very definition of authenticity in photography and how brands might navigate this rapidly evolving landscape.
Whether you’re a marketer, photographer, or entrepreneur looking to elevate your brand’s visual storytelling, this conversation provides critical guidance on balancing authenticity, budget, and technology in the modern age of content creation.
Key topics covered:
• Why brands should rethink hiring models and stylists
• Crafting effective creative briefs that deliver better outcomes
• The ethical and professional implications of AI-enhanced imagery
• Maintaining authenticity and integrity in photography
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, host Austin Dandridge sits down with Shae Fascenda, Senior Email Strategist at Cobble Hill, to uncover the advanced tactics driving ecommerce growth through strategic email marketing. Shae shares her battle-tested expertise on planning holiday campaigns months in advance, why SMS has become non-negotiable with its 98% open rate, and how strategic segmentation outperforms volume every time. Whether you're looking to improve your deliverability score or create more effective SMS campaigns that feel like texts from a friend, this conversation delivers actionable insights for marketers ready to elevate their ecommerce results. Don't miss Shae's compelling case for why the most successful brands are already planning their Black Friday campaigns in March and how proper email fundamentals create the foundation for sustainable growth.
Running a creative business is never straightforward, but partnering with someone who complements your strengths can truly transform your trajectory. In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Hart Hagerty and Curry Uflacker, the dynamic sister duo behind HART Jewelry, provide fresh insights into the value of strategic partnerships, the realities of scaling a brand, and the delicate balance of authentic storytelling in digital marketing.
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, I catch up with Ellison and Bryant Thomas at Ellison's waterfront studio. The Thomas Brothers are Charleston surf scene legends and the creative force behind both a thriving video production company and east coast surf community platform, Ninety-Six Wave. We dive into their journey building a surf lifestyle brand, talk marketing strategies that actually work, share some health wisdom, and explore how to stay stoked in both business and life. The brothers' authentic approach to combining passion with entrepreneurship makes for a conversation that goes well beyond just surfing. Whether you're a wave chaser, creator, or business owner, there's something here for you.
In this episode of The Marketing Factor, I sit down with my colleague, Jackie Thomson, founder of Of Counsel, to explore the transformative world of PR. With more than 13 years of experience, Jackie shares insights into how PR has evolved from traditional media relations to a multifaceted practice encompassing storytelling, influencer partnerships, and purpose-driven events.
In the latest episode of The Marketing Factor, I sat down with Peter Kang, co-founder and chairman of Barrel Holdings, who has built a portfolio of agencies that has redefined what strategic growth looks like. In this conversation, Peter revealed how intentional positioning and systematic thinking have shaped his approach to building and scaling multiple successful agencies. As someone who's followed Peter's weekly newsletter and insights for years, I was particularly interested in understanding how his methodical approach to agency specialization could benefit brands looking to partner with agencies. His journey offers valuable lessons for both agency leaders and brands seeking the right partnership.
At 19, while most of her UNLV classmates were figuring out their next move, Whitney Bansin launched a styling company that would end up working on TV shows to movies. That evolved into running all the creative direction at Zappos, where she got an inside look at how fashion and commerce intersect. Instead of heading to fashion school like she originally planned, Whitney kept building businesses. Her background in dance and years of celebrity styling gave her a fresh perspective on what was missing in the sports world. Now as CEO of The Wild Collective, she's creating the kind of premium sports apparel she always wanted to see. In this episode, Whitney shares her approach to building brands, leading teams, and spotting opportunities that others miss. It's a conversation about seeing possibilities in unexpected places and having the confidence to pursue them.
The world of healthcare design was stuck in a time warp - stock photos, clinical messaging, and designs that spoke more to insurance companies than humans. That started changing when Dan Kenger saw an opportunity to bring consumer-first design to an industry that had forgotten about the consumer. During his Gin Lane days, Dan's content-first approach and selective client philosophy helped create the modern D2C playbook through work with brands like Harry's and Sweetgreen. He'd actually helped create Hims' original brand identity back in 2017, so when he joined as Chief Design Officer in 2020, he was building on a foundation he'd already laid. Whether you're a designer, brand builder, or just curious about how thoughtful design can transform entire industries, this episode is packed with powerful insights.
Starting her career on stage, Sarah Kleist developed a knack for telling stories, a skill she’s since translated into building brands and digital experiences with a business of her own. Her approach centers around engaging her clients’ audiences through clever content strategies on TikTok, insanely fast web design processes, tailored SEO tactics, and more. In this episode of The Marketing Factor, Sarah reflects on how her theater roots help her understand audience psychology, putting her in a position to approach marketing as a blend of art and strategy. Watch the full interview for Sarah’s fresh takes on branding, and read on for five key takeaways from our chat below for a deeper look into some of her insights on engaging audiences.
Influencer marketing has come a long way since the days of trading free products for social shoutouts. Today it’s big budgets, matching expectations, and a new set of challenges to work through. I recently sat down to have a chat with Robyn Nissim, Fractional VP of Social Media + Influencer Marketing at Social Proof Agency. She is a social media expert with 14 years of experience and she broke down how you can get the most out of influencer marketing in 2024. That’s what we’ll cover in this blog, but we get into much much more in the latest episode of The Marketing Factor, including: - The evolution of social media marketing and strategies for adapting to platform changes - Integrating AI in marketing: balancing efficiency with authenticity - Developing effective content strategies across platforms
Wes Carter is the President of Atlantic Packaging and Founder of A New Earth Project. But business success is only part of Wes’ story. In this episode, he also shares his personal journey of self-discovery through yoga and plant medicine, and how these experiences led him to revolutionize Atlantic Packaging's approach to sustainability with A New Earth Project. From collaborating with pro surfers to eliminate single-use plastics in surfboard packaging to helping major brands reduce their environmental impact, Wes shows how focusing on health and wellness can create positive change while still clearing a profit.
Max Berry and his team have taken Allegiance Flag Supply from a garage-based side hustle to a rapidly growing American manufacturing success story. With a background in hotel finance, Max brought a fresh set of eyes to the world of e-commerce, and it's clearly paid off. In just six years, Allegiance has expanded five times and now has over 60 employees in a brand new facility in North Charleston, South Carolina. In this episode, Austin and Max dive into the journey of Allegiance Flag Supply. From the initial spark of inspiration to the challenges of scaling a business, Max shares his insights with refreshing candor and positivity. Perhaps most striking is Max's commitment to building a brand with integrity and purpose. Whether he's talking about the importance of American manufacturing, the discipline of financial management, or the power of teamwork, Max's passion for creating something the right way shines through in every story and piece of advice.
Tony King, CEO of King & Partners, has been a force in luxury and lifestyle branding for over 25 years. His journey began in the late '90s when he moved from London to New York, eventually landing at Gucci where he pioneered their first e-commerce efforts as Design Director. This innovative approach to digital luxury set the stage for his future success. In 2010, Tony and his wife, Inii, founded King & Partners, which they've since built into a globally recognized agency. Today, they partner with some of the world's most prestigious brands in fashion, hospitality, and lifestyle. In this episode, we dive into the evolution of luxury branding in the digital age. Tony shares insights on maintaining brand integrity while embracing innovation, drawing from his wealth of experience working with high-end brands. As we explore the delicate balance between tradition and digital transformation, Tony's perspective offers a fresh take on what it means to be a luxury brand in 2024. Key topics include: - Embracing "Quiet Confidence" and Authenticity in Luxury Branding - Pioneering Digital Transformation in the Luxury Sector - Maintaining Brand Integrity Across Multiple Channels - Prioritizing Long-Term Brand Equity Over Short-Term Gains