Where Brands Get Their Edge

Most founders don't actually own a business. They own a job that pays them better. In this episode, Borzou and Amanda sit down with **Jordan Solender** — operator across IT services, event and concert production, video, telemarketing, and a Maryland DJ company — who's known for one thing in particular: getting himself out of every business he touches in **6 to 9 months**. Jordan walks through the...

Most founders are either tool-hopping or sitting on the sidelines. Both are losing strategies. In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Edge , Borzou and Amanda sit down with Seema Alexander — Co-Chair of DC Startup Week and AI transformation consultant — to break down how founders actually need to be thinking about AI in 2026. Not as a shiny object. As infrastructure. Guest Seema Alexander , AI...

Send us Fan Mail Forget the game. This episode is all about what really mattered during the Super Bowl: the ads, the halftime show, and what they reveal about where brand, creativity, and culture are headed. Borzou Azabdaftari and Amanda Fisher break down why this year’s Super Bowl leaned harder than ever on celebrity over creativity, why surprise has quietly disappeared from advertising’s biggest...

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to build a cult brand in a trend-driven industry? In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Edge , Borzou and Amanda sit down with Amir Mostafavi, founder of South Block , to unpack how a local smoothie shop grew into a 21-location brand by obsessing over product, culture, and community. From pioneering açaí bowls on the East Coast to building a leadership...

Send us Fan Mail Bermuda isn’t a tax haven, a loophole, or a shortcut—and that’s exactly why serious founders are paying attention. Connect with our Hosts: Borzou:   https://www.instagram.com/bronxzou/  https://www.linkedin.com/in/borzou/ Amanda: LinkedIn  https://www.linkedin.com/in/akfischer/ And give some love to our sponsor: https://nickelbronx.com/ In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Ed...

Send us Fan Mail Domino’s just dropped a new logo, new packaging, and a fresh jingle… but did they actually take a risk or just turn the saturation up a notch? In this episode of Where Brands Get Their Edge , Borzou and Amanda break down Domino’s latest brand evolution: the brighter blues, the refined logo, the “mmm” sonic branding, and the Shaboozey jingle that lasts about as long as a TikTok. Th...

Send us Fan Mail Whether you plan to sell your company or die at your desk, you’re going to exit one way or another. In this episode, Borzou sits down with Jessica Fialkovich , founder of Exit Factor and author of Getting the Most for Selling Your Business , who’s overseen more than 1,500 business sales . They break down: Why 95% of exits are unplanned How burnout kills business value The 3 things...

Send us Fan Mail From Reality Bites to Lululemon logos—style used to signal subcultures. Now algorithms and fast fashion flattened the look. What didn’t flatten? How generations buy. In this episode, we map platforms and messaging that convert Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha —without watering down your brand. Connect with the Hosts! Borzou: Instagram & LinkedIn Amanda: Linked...

Send us Fan Mail Search is changing — and it’s changing fast. Instead of endless Google results, AI tools are delivering one answer. If your brand isn’t optimized for AEO and GEO, you risk disappearing. In this episode, Borzou and Amanda  unpack: The rise of AEO (Answer Engine Optimization) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimization) Why traditional SEO still matters — and how it overlaps with AI sea...

Send us Fan Mail Marketing in 2025 is noisy, but there’s one thing that still works: consistency. In this episode, Borzou and Amanda talk with Joe Fuld , founder of The Campaign Workshop , about what’s really working for businesses, advocacy groups, and entrepreneurs trying to reach their audience. Joe has been running smart campaigns since 2013, building an email list with a 65% open rate , and e...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts Borzou and Amanda sit down with South Florida hairstylists Francesca and Zach to talk about building more than just great hair—they’re building a brand. In this episode, we cover how social media reels bring in real clients, why engagement beats follower count, and how clear values and bold risks can grow a business. Whether you’re in beauty or any small business, Francesca...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, ⁠⁠Borzou⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠Amanda⁠⁠ discuss the rapid advancements in AI technology and its implications, particularly focusing on AI's self-preservation behaviors. They then transition to the role of HR in shaping company culture and branding, emphasizing the importance of empathy and transparency in HR practices with ⁠Sarika Lamont,⁠ the VP of People at Vidyard, shares he...

Send us Fan Mail Hosts:  Borzou : https://www.instagram.com/bronxzou/  Amanda : https://www.linkedin.com/in/akfischer/ Guest:  Nema Semnani : https://www.linkedin.com/in/nemasemnani/ In this conversation, the hosts discuss the implications of Meta's new AI app, privacy concerns, and the role of AI in social isolation. They explore generational perspectives on technology, the challenges of aligning...

Send us Fan Mail Join our personal brand mastermind - Only Bosses Branding: https://www.nickelbronx.com/obb Borzou and Amanda discuss the critical importance of personal branding in today's marketing landscape, emphasizing how it builds trust and authenticity. We're joined by Hilary Corna, who shares her insights on email marketing best practices, segmentation strategies, and the significance of c...

Send us Fan Mail In this conversation, ⁠Borzou⁠ and ⁠Amanda ⁠are joined by ⁠Daniel Rafeedie⁠ with ⁠Paystead⁠y discuss the importance of maintaining marketing efforts during economic downturns, the dynamics of hiring and managing sales teams, and the necessity of having structured processes in place for sales success. They emphasize the need for businesses to adapt their marketing strategies based...

Send us Fan Mail The team explores the rise of OnlyFans and its impact on traditional businesses like Hooters, the importance of personal branding in business growth, and strategies for effective content creation across multiple brands. The speakers discuss the challenges of brand messaging and the future of influencer marketing, emphasizing the need for consistency and engagement in content strat...