What happens when design is the bottleneck?
You came up with a great business idea, maybe even raised some capital for it, and then decided to hire an outside design agency, like ours at The MisFits, to build your brand identity. You had good momentum at first, but you can’t agree on the right design yet. Now what.
This is a frustrating challenge for the client and the design team. If I sound like I’m speaking from first-hand experience, it's because I am. Design can be a huge bottleneck when launching a venture from scratch, especially if you need it for your website, packaging, and other collateral before you can move forward.
Today on the show, Drew and I discuss the challenges of getting clients through our design process and some words of advice for those of you working with an external design team.
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When I first took the leap into entrepreneurship full-time, back in 2018, one of the first books I recommended was Allan Dib's, The 1-Page Marketing Plan: Get New Customers, Make More Money, And Stand Out From The Crowd. In the book, Allan gives a step by step process for creating a marketing plan that converts warm prospects into paying customers. I use Allan’s framework from the book for podcasts, clients, and my own personal business ventures, including IRONBOUND Boxing and the MisFits.
A few months ago, I signed up for the 1-Page Marketing Plan Online course, which sparked me to finally reach out to Allan and invite him on the show to talk through his framework, and also discuss his more recent book, "Lean Marketing: More Leads, More Profit, Less Marketing". I feel like there’s a lot of woohoo when it comes to marketing, but at the end of the day it needs to be sustainable, and put money in the bank, which is what Allan and I discussed on today’s show.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Check out Allan’s latest book here: https://leanmarketing.com/
How do you drive traffic to your website? I know this is a question that I’ve been pondering lately as we continue to grow the MisFits and think of ways to help our clients. One way is through Killer Creative, badass videos, and other forms of content that catch your perfect customers' attention, leading them down a rabbit hole that eventually converts them into paying customers.
One of the best in the business that I personally know is Rob Mains, Founder of RebelVictory Media, a content production house for emergings brands, including the nationally recognized Beard Club, which Rob is a partner and content creator for. More recently however, Rob’s focus is on helping veterans get the support they need through Guardian Revial, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to revive and preserve the mental health and wellbeing of veterans and first responders — our guardians — at no cost to them.
Like me, Rob is a bit of a bearded Renaissance man, but he’s still a content creator at heart. On the show, we talk about how to leverage video to drive leads, his thoughts on the creative business, and his calling to serve the veteran community at Guaridan Revival.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about Guardian Revival here: https://www.guardianrevival.org/
The moment you start to get comfortable and complacent, you’re already dead; you just don’t realize it yet.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
If you’re afraid to invest in your brand, in the words of Logan Roy from the HBO show Succession, You are not serious people.
I’m all about staying lean, driving sales, and maximizing profitability. I’m a bootstrapper and proud of it. Truth be told, you can start a business these days with a Google Doc, a menu of products and services, and a hit list of potential prospects. I’ve done it multiple times at this point, but even I’ll admit that can only get you so far.
If you want to be taken seriously and become a category of one, you must be willing to invest in your brand, which Drew and I discuss on today’s show.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about Lincoln Design. Co here: https://www.lincolndesignco.com/
“Succession” clip: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIauW3roDm0
Drew and I chop it up with fellow veterans and video storyteller extraordinaire Sean Bell, Founder of Loud Media, which helps brands tell epic stories through video content. On the show, Sean shares how he thinks about storytelling, why he’s so passionate about video,
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur,” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Checkout out Sean’s website: https://loudvisualmedia.com/
Here’s a trailer to Sean’s Film “This is Why We Training” : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baRJa1xvdY4
I share what a local bar and barbershop taught me about brand loyalty.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Checkout our new website: www.IRONBOUNDMedia.com
I discuss IRONBOUND Media’s rebrand and category expansion to serve ‘Underdogs & Misfits’ (Challenger brands led by Veterans, Black women, and anyone else use to being one of one).
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Checkout our new website: www.IRONBOUNDMedia.com
Do you ever come across a founder with an idea that makes you think to yourself, “damn, I really think they’re onto something here.” That’s how I feel about today’s podcast guest, Shante Frazier, Founder of WellCapped, a data-driven beauty company that provides online wig rentals through a monthly subscription. I’m not a venture capitalist yet, but if I was, I would definitely invest in Shante, and you’ll hear why on today’s show
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about WellCapped here: https://wellcapped.com/
Today on Dog Whistle Branding, my boy Drew O’Brien, from the design company “We Make Cool Shit,” chop it up with Legendary designer and studio owner, Dan Janssen, Owner/Creative Director of Lincoln Design Co., a Portland-based branding and design studio that represents the gold standard for modern designers, whose clients include Nike, Hot Wheels, and WWE just to name a few.
I wanted Dan on today’s show to talk about Lincoln’s unique approach to internal branding, the business of design, and where the opportunity lies in the future for small studios like We Make Cool Shit and IRONBOUND Media.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about Lincoln Design. Co here: https://www.lincolndesignco.com/
In this episode of Dog Whistle Branding, I discuss the problem with focusing on marketing when you should be focusing on sales. Trust me, this problem is more common than you think.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
In this episode of DWB, I reflect on my goal for the new year goal of acquiring 10,000 True Fans, as opposed to 1,000 as recommended by Kevin Kelly in his essay, “1000 True Fans.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
In this episode of DWB, I discuss why “painstorming” is the new brand storming.
Before we jump into the show, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the link in the show notes and also Download the official Dog Whistle Branding playbook at ironboundmedia.com
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Today on DWB, I share my thought process for creating an authority machine at IRONBOUND Media, a process for sharing thoughts and ideas in a systematic way that positions us as an authority on brand building. I share a framework I came up and hopefully, you can apply it in your own business.
Before we jump into the show, make sure you subscribe to my newsletter at the link in the show notes and also Download the official Dog Whistle Branding playbook at ironboundmedia.com
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Today on DWB, I’m joined by Navy Veteran and retired Firefighter, Luke Schneider, Founder & CEO of Fire Department Coffee, a veteran-owned and firefighter-run coffee company that is dedicated to roasting high-quality coffee while giving back to first responders and other heroes in need.
Inspired by the vital role that coffee plays in helping firefighters stay alert and energized through long shifts, Fire Dept. Coffee was founded by Luke and his wife, Kate in 2016 What fascinates me the most about Luke and his company is their ability to gain such massive traction in a saturated market such as coffee and CPG as a whole. On the show, Luke peels back the curtain and brings up to speed on Fire Department Coffee Started, How It’s Going, and what the road ahead looks like.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about Fire Department Coffee here: https://www.firedeptcoffee.com/
Almost a year ago, I had an opportunity to teach a branding workshop to the Founders Institute, The World’s Largest Pre-Seed Accelerator. After the workshop, one of the participants reached me on Linkedin, asking for advice and to keep me updated on his journey. The founder, Blake Berman, was in early stages of launching a San-Diego based premium sparkling soda brand. He sent me early mockups of the brand identity, website, and product. Earlier this year, Blake and his team officially launched Spade, a soda brand for health-conscious consumers like me who refuse to settle for high-sugar formulas and questionable ingredients. I invited Blake on the podcasts to talk about why he and his co-founders decided to go after the soda industry, what they’ve learned since launching, and where the biggest opportunity lies from a category and positioning perspective for Spade.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about Spade here: https://drinkspade.com/
Today on DWB, I share what stop drinking alcohol taught me about competitive alternatives and pricing.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Today on DWB, I’m going to teach you how to close your perfect customer, by taking all the risks off the table and giving them a brand guarantee.
Visit our website to Download your free copy of the Dog Whistle Branding Playbook here: https://ironboundmedia.com/
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
A few years ago, I met an inspiring young female officer, Haley Marie McClain Hill, who was building an apparel line specifically for female warriors. She was still in the early days of launching her venture, while also preparing to transition out of the military. From the moment I met her, I knew that given her background as an Air Force Officer, NFL Cheerleader, and passion for serving others, her business idea had steam. Face forward to today, Haley and her brand Torch Warrior Wear, a direct-to-consumer military apparel line for female service members and first responders, has been featured in multiple media outlets, including most recently, ABC’s hit show Shark Tank. Haley has built her brand through social media and word-of-mouth. I had a chance to interview Haley on my other platform, The Transition for Bunker Labs, two years ago, but wanted to invite her on Dog Whistle Branding to discuss what she’s been up to lately, how she’s approaching growth, and why she wants to continue bootstrapping Torch.
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
Learn more about Torch Warrior Wear here: https://torchwarriorwear.com/
Today on DWB, I’m joined by Army Veteran Neil Whitney, CEO of Plankk, a tech company helping today's fitness brands turn their following into revenue with custom fitness & wellness apps. Prior to becoming CEO of Plankk, Neil founded and exited, Menud’s, which provided personalized & curated meal plans, allowing users to shop for a week's worth of groceries in less than 30 seconds.
Learn more about Plankk at: https://plankk.com/
I get hit up by countless veteran entrepreneurs seeking advice on their entrepreneurial journey. Visit our website to Download your free copy of the Dog Whistle Branding Playbook here: https://ironboundmedia.com/
Be sure to subscribe to the Dog Whistle Brand Newsletter on Substack here: www.dogwhistlebranding.com
Order my book, “Black Veteran Entrepreneur” here: https://amzn.to/3gme7kg
