Behind The Brand

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly sit down with Emily Bertram, Director of Marketing and Communications at the St. Cloud Area Chamber of Commerce and Editor of Business Central Magazine. Emily shares her journey growing up in Central Minnesota and her career path that led her to the Chamber. The discussion covers the unique challenges of marketing for a multi-city chamber...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella from Moxie Creative discuss the concept of owned media, which includes channels like your website, email list, blog, and podcast. They emphasize the risks of relying solely on social media platforms and highlight owned media as a secure, long-term asset for businesses. The team explains how owned and social media can complement...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Mo sit down with Mike Lardy, co-owner of Bravo Burrito in St. Cloud, Minnesota . Mike shares his unique journey from being a long-time employee to owning the beloved burrito spot with his wife, Sam, in 2021. They discuss how Mike uses content creation to connect with customers, the importance of community involvement, and his passion for the lo...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella from Moxie Creative discuss the crucial role of marketing in driving business forward, especially during uncertain times. They explore why marketing budgets are often the first to be cut and explain the long-term damage this mindset can cause. The discussion includes practical advice on what a realistic marketing budget should...

In this episode of the Behind the Brand podcast, hosts Taylor and Isabella from Moxie Creative sit down with Joe Berg, also known as Joe Boss, of White Wolf Custom Apparel and Design. Joe shares insights into running a family-owned business in Little Falls, MN, alongside his wife Nancy, and children Cooper and Maddie. The conversation covers the unique dynamics of supporting family-run businesses,...

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' the team at Moxie Creative—Taylor, Kelly, and Michael—discuss the growing influence of artificial intelligence in the marketing industry. They explore how AI tools like Chat GPT are used for various tasks, from generating content outlines to resizing images. They touch on the ethical concerns of AI, especially in terms of copyright and the authenticity of cre...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly of Moxie Creative speak with Deb Krump, owner of Krump Benefit Consulting. Deb discusses her extensive experience in the insurance industry, specializing in supplemental insurance with Aflac and Medicare. She explains what supplemental insurance is, why businesses should consider offering it, and shares practical tips on how to get started. Deb...

This episode of 'Behind the Brand' focuses on the intricacies of successful internships from both a business and intern perspective. Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative share their own internship experiences and discuss what businesses should consider before hiring an intern, the dynamics of a strong intern-leader relationship, and future opportunities for their standout intern, Macki Deters. The...

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' we sit down with Anna Bovitz, the director of Project 37 and the creative mind behind B-Side Indie Music Cafe . We delve into the mission and history of Project 37, its community-driven initiatives, and the opening of B Side, an all-ages and sober music venue. Anna discusses the branding process with Moxie Creative, the challenges and successes of building a...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the team at Moxie Creative discusses the importance of community involvement in building a successful brand. Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella dive into why supporting local communities in central Minnesota is integral to their mission. They share personal experiences and discuss various ways they give back, including pro bono work, mentoring, and organizing events l...

In this episode, Jackie Kuehn (Hyndman) co-owner of Poppy Salon, shares the inspiring journey of building a successful salon in Central Minnesota. From its humble beginnings as a dream among friends to becoming an award-winning establishment, Jackie discusses the importance of customer service, staying ahead of trends, and the courage to pivot when necessary. The conversation also delves into the...

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' the Moxie Creative team reflects on their major milestones, achievements, and learnings from their second year in business. Hosts Taylor, Kelly, and Isabella discuss significant moments such as award-winning projects, launching the company podcast, and onboarding new team members. They also delve into challenges faced, valuable lessons learned, and outline th...

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' hosts Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative team up with Cherie Landwehr, the founder of Landwehr Tax & Accounting. Cherie shares her entrepreneurial journey, describing the evolution of her firm over nearly two decades. The discussion covers the intricacies of managing a financial firm, the importance of hiring the right accountant, and why it's essential...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the Moxie team delves into the fast-evolving world of social media marketing, focusing on strategies tailored for small businesses. They explore effective content trends, the importance of making emotional connections with audiences, and leveraging both user and employee-generated content. Taylor is joined by Gen Zers Isabella and Mackie, the conversation cover...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts Taylor, and Kelly from Moxie Creative discuss the importance of branding, especially for public perception. They delve into their recent collaboration with the Public Safety Foundation to help them rebrand. Jenifer Odette, the executive director of the foundation, shares her journey and the impactful community work the foundation does, including youth...

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' host Taylor is joined by Kelly and Michael Nelson, Moxie's creative director, to discuss the importance of choosing the right website platform. They explore the advantages of WordPress over DIY website builders like Wix and Squarespace, touching on key aspects like customization, ownership, and SEO. They also highlight common pitfalls of using quick-fix platf...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly sit down with Abbey Graves, a former radio personality turned podcast producer. Abby shares her journey from childhood dreams of being a radio DJ to the realities of the industry, including the financial struggles that led her to pivot into podcasting. She discusses the challenges of starting her own business, the importance of networking...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the complexities of work-life balance from their unique perspectives as business owners and employees. They explore the challenges of managing personal and professional responsibilities, the importance of setting boundaries, and the impact of creative burnout. The conversation emphasizes the need for planning, flexibility, and self-care in ach...

In this episode of 'Behind the Brand,' regular co-host Taylor and Mo introduce Macki Detters, their new summer intern from the University of Minnesota Duluth. Macki takes the lead and interviews Taylor and Mo about their careers in the marketing and agency world. They discuss various topics including their favorite walkout songs, most-used emojis, and what they wanted to be as kids. The team share...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, host Taylor, Kelly and Isabella discuss the crucial elements of creating an exceptional client experience at Moxie. From the importance of first impressions to maintaining responsive and personalized interactions, they explore how genuine relationships and a tailored approach to each client lead to trust and referrals. The team emphasizes the significance of tr...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, hosts Taylor and Kelly sit down with Amy Sip of ASIP Consulting to discuss her journey in the human resources field and the concept of fractional HR. Amy shares her experiences transitioning from employee to entrepreneur, the importance of networking, and how businesses can benefit from fractional HR services. The conversation also touches on trends in HR, the...

In this episode of Behind the Brand , the hosts at Moxie Creative dive deep into why creativity isn’t just a nice-to-have in marketing—it’s a must. In a market saturated with safe, forgettable brands, playing it “fine” just doesn’t cut it. From identifying what sets a business apart to translating that uniqueness into a brand identity that truly resonates, the team explores how creative strategy d...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Diana Puterbaugh and Carla Crane from Hops Direct share their journey of transforming a fifth-generation hop farm into a successful e-commerce business. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of adapting to the craft beer boom, the importance of storytelling and marketing, and the innovations in the hop industry. The conversation also touches on the dynamics...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, the hosts discuss the often misunderstood concept of networking. They explore how networking can be a powerful tool for building relationships and growing a business when approached authentically. The conversation covers various aspects of networking, including community involvement, referral-based models, and the importance of patience and consistency in culti...

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Eric Heipel shares his transformative journey from being a franchisee to founding his own painting business, Heartland Painting. He discusses the challenges he faced during the transition, the importance of establishing a strong brand identity, and the strategies he employed to build a successful team culture. Eric emphasizes the significance of mentorship and...