Behind The Brand

Takeaways High-functioning stress often hides behind competence, not incompetence, which is exactly why it goes unaddressed for so long. Not all stress is bad. The goal isn't eliminating it, it's building the flexibility to turn the volume up and down as needed. "False truths," the limits we quietly impose on ourselves, drive a lot of pressure that was never coming from anyone else. Knowing your i...

Takeaways Words like quality, experience, trusted, and great service are usually true, but when every competitor uses them, they stop meaning much of anything and stop setting you apart. Quality work, expertise, and caring about customers are what customers already expect. To differentiate your business, describe how you deliver, not just that you do. Your differentiator is rarely something to inv...

Takeaways Entrepreneurship rarely goes according to plan. Even a brand as established as Minneapolis Cider Company nearly lost its only customer before selling its first can. Speed can be a real competitive advantage. Trail Magic went from concept to shelf-ready product in 19 days and became Minnesota's first THC beverage brand. Regulatory uncertainty is one of the biggest risks in an emerging bev...

Takeaways AI can produce a design in seconds, but speed isn't the same as strategy. When every business pulls from the same tools and trends, the output starts to look the same across the board. Cutting corners on design sends a signal to customers. If your marketing looks cheap or generic, people start wondering what else about your business might be cutting corners too. AI still can't replicate...

This episode of Behind the Brand is a Best of Summer 2026 roundup, a mashup of the conversations from the past few months that Taylor and Kelly keep coming back to. They're taking a short break before the fall rush hits, but they didn't want to leave listeners without something useful in the meantime. The episode opens with a catch-up with Isabella Severson, a former Moxie team member who left the...

Takeaways A logo is not a brand strategy. Positioning, personality, voice, audience personas, brand story, and elevator pitch all come before the visual identity, and they're what actually make the visuals work. If you can't explain your business in one line, or your whole team would describe it differently, that's a signal you need a brand strategy, not more marketing. Marketing struggles are oft...

Folsom Prison Experience: https://folsomprisonexperience.com/ Takeaways A tribute act only becomes a business when you treat it like one. Jay Ernest turned "sounding like Johnny Cash" into Church of Cash, a touring act that now plays roughly 20 to 25 shows a year across the country and has toured Europe for over a decade. Your brand has to match the quality of what you're selling. Once Folsom Pris...

Takeaways One marketing tactic is not a marketing plan. A single ad, one email blast, or one social platform will never carry the weight of a full strategy on its own. Positioning is knowing what problem you solve for your customer. Messaging is how you communicate that. Get either wrong and no tactic will save you. Design and creative aren't decoration, they signal quality to your customer whethe...

Takeaways A "wrong" first career isn't wasted. Isabella's esthetician training and years in sales and marketing all fed directly into the skills she uses today. UGC (user-generated content) is not the same thing as influencing. Creators don't need a following. They just need to make content brands can use. Authenticity keeps winning as a marketing trend precisely because it's the one thing AI can'...

Takeaways A slow season is normal, not a sign something is broken, and having a moment (or a full tantrum) about it is allowed, as long as you do not stay there. Cutting your marketing budget the second business slows down is one of the fastest ways to guarantee it stays slow. The first move in a slow season is getting back to basics: follow ups, referrals, pipeline tracking, and reconnecting with...

Check out Betsy's work: https://www.onbrandpromo.com/ Takeaways Promotional products work best when they're chosen around your specific audience and budget, not picked at random off a catalog. Custom branding rarely costs significantly more than a stock item. The real investment is time, so plan ahead. Always ask for a sample before committing to an order. A vendor who won't send one is telling yo...

Takeaways Great marketing starts with strategy, not creative. Every design decision, campaign, and recommendation at Moxie Creative is built on a foundation of research, competitive analysis, and business consulting — most of which clients never see. Design is not decoration. It is communication. From billboard copy to website layout, design choices are strategic decisions that directly affect whe...

Takeaways Being a Big costs nothing and asks for very little: just two hours a month, no financial commitment required. A 30-year study from the national Big Brothers Big Sisters office and the Treasury Department found that mentored kids close the socioeconomic gap by two-thirds and often out-earn their Bigs as adults. You don't need a special skill set to mentor a child. You just need to show up...

Takeaways Sustainable growth isn't always linear. Year three for Moxie Creative brought more challenges than year two, and Kelly says that working harder for the next client has actually made it more fun, not less. Communicating the value of senior creative expertise is one of the hardest things an agency can do. The work is better because the people know better, and finding the language to say th...

Takeaways Turning a creative passion into a full-time business requires persistence, adaptability, and a willingness to learn. Success in photography is about much more than taking photos. Client communication, marketing, editing, and systems matter just as much. Community and networking can create opportunities that would never happen otherwise. Creative entrepreneurs often work far beyond tradit...

Download the Checklist: https://moxiecreative.com/blog/why-q4-winners-make-their-moves-in-july/ Takeaways Q4 success doesn't start in October — it starts in summer. Businesses that wait until fall to launch campaigns, redesign websites, or start digital ads are setting themselves up for missed opportunities and under-optimized results. Digital marketing takes time to work. Ads need weeks to optimi...

Takeaways Career alignment matters more than staying comfortable Growth often starts when you allow yourself to explore change Strong businesses survive by staying connected to community What happens when the career path you've spent years building no longer feels right? In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Laura Hartog, Managing Director of Bad Habit Brewing Company...

Takeaways Why free discovery meetings are critical to building better marketing strategies How great agencies uncover what clients actually need versus what they think they need Why trust and communication are the foundation of successful client partnerships When people think about marketing agencies, they often picture logos, websites, social media posts, and creative campaigns. But behind every...

Takeaways Career pivots can lead to opportunities that feel more aligned than the original plan. Community involvement and networking create unexpected professional opportunities. Foley Mansion is redefining event experiences by blending history, hospitality, and memorable moments. Summary of the Episode In this episode of Behind the Brand , Taylor and Kelly sit down with Casey Austin, Director of...

Takeaways Blogging directly improves SEO by creating more indexed pages and keyword opportunities. Strategic blog content helps businesses rank for customer questions and search intent. Modern SEO requires ongoing website updates, internal linking, and content structure. Businesses that consistently blog build stronger authority and long-term organic visibility. AI and evolving search behavior are...

Takeaways Why trades careers can create incredible financial opportunities without traditional college debt How Jeremy Salzbrun transformed H&S Heating and Air into a service-first business during the recession The importance of community involvement and relationship marketing for local businesses In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative sit down with Jeremy Sa...

Takeaways Google reviews heavily influence customer decisions before they contact your business Consistently asking for reviews is key to maintaining a strong online reputation Responding to both positive and negative reviews improves credibility and SEO Before a customer ever calls, clicks, or walks through your door, they’ve likely already formed an opinion about your business based on your Goog...

Takeaways Building a strong wellness brand starts with trust, consistency, and patient experience. Clear messaging helps chiropractic and wellness clinics stand out in a crowded market. Purpose-driven branding creates stronger community connection and sustainable business growth. In this episode of Behind the Brand , Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative sit down with Dr. Cheri Carlson of Synergy C...

Takeaways Video is one of the most important tools in modern marketing for brands that want to build connection and drive engagement. Strong video content requires strategy, scripting, planning, filming, editing, and brand alignment. Short-form video has changed how businesses communicate, making concise storytelling more important than ever. In this episode of Behind the Brand , Taylor and Kelly...

Takeaways Commercial real estate decisions should support your business plan, not just your current space needs. Leasing can be a smart strategy for preserving capital and maintaining flexibility as your business evolves. Business owners should think ahead about growth, transitions, and exit planning before making major property decisions. In this episode of Behind the Brand , Taylor and Kelly fro...