Stephen Semple and David Young

The Empire Builders Podcast

Business EN ↓ 265 episodes

Reverse engineering the success of established business empires.

Author

Stephen Semple and David Young

Episodes

#063: Black & Decker – Making a better drill. 24.08.2022 14:05

How do you turn it on and off without taking your hands off the device? Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidekick and business partner, Dave Young. Befor...

#062: Price on website? We answer the question. 17.08.2022 22:52

Armadura Metal Roof reveals the behind-the-scenes of putting their prices on the website and the positive change in customer behavior.  Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Steven Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storytell...

#061: Mrs. Fields – Why does the mall smell so delicious? 10.08.2022 18:31

How giving away free samples created an empire of 250 stores worldwide in just 15 years, Debbie Fields’ success as an empire builder is inspiring. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a Marketing Consultant, story collector, and storyt...

#060: Leatherman – Is it a tool? Is it a knife? That was the problem. 03.08.2022 16:31

Why did it take ten years to make the first sale? How did they grow to sell over three million tools a year? I’m not sure I could have done what Tim Leatherman did. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom-and-pop to major brands. Steven Semple is a marketing consultant, story coll...

#059: Demographics – Why there is such a shortage of workers 27.07.2022 18:20

2020 first time in seventy years, people leaving and joining the workforce have reached the balance point. Ten years from now, more people will be leaving the workforce than entering. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story...

#058: Shreddies – Good good whole wheat Shreddies 20.07.2022 19:28

Sold in Canada, UK, and Australia this breakfast cereal was a boring and dying brand until…. Find out how a simple twist made all the difference to their advertising and promotion Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story coll...

#057: Heinz – his favorite number was 5, and hers was 7 13.07.2022 19:48

From debtors prison to the fastest-growing company in America. HJ Heinz is the story of fish guts, watery ooze, and new manufacturing breakthroughs. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller...

#056: Oldsmobile – launched the car industry by outsourcing, creating spinoffs like Dodge 06.07.2022 13:24

They named the band REO Speedwagon from the  REO Speed Wagon , a 1915 truck that Ransom Eli Olds designed. Doughty had seen the name written across the blackboard when he walked into his History of Transportation class on the first day they had decided to look for a name. Oldsmobile introduced the concept of outsourcing Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business own...

#055: Uncle Nearest – Story trumps almost everything 29.06.2022 21:26

For Fawn Weaver the story of Uncle Nearest needed to be told. Learn how Fawn, with no distilling background, turned this story into one of the fastest growing Whiskey distilleries in America. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from Mom and Pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant...

#055.1 – Uncle Nearest Bonus – After listening to the story – you know you want to know how it tastes. 28.06.2022 19:07

Stephen and David invite Gary Bernier and Maurning Mayzes to sample a bottle.  The result – 4 whisk(e)y sommeliers and lots of opinions. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’...

#054: M.M. Lafleur – High Function, High Style 22.06.2022 21:24

That’s not how fashionistas buy clothes, but we make and sell clothes for professional working women—a story about understanding your customer’s needs and developing to their needs. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consulta...

#053: Hallmark – When you care enough to send the very best. 15.06.2022 15:09

It’s rare to find a company founded in 1910 that is still owned by the family today. What’s impressive is that they have achieved greater than 5 Billion in sales annually. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story...

#052: Don’t Mess with Texas – Don’t do it. 08.06.2022 13:29

Discover how the State of Texas saved money and got cleaner highways through an anti-littering marketing campaign that never used the word litter. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m...

#051: Creemore Springs Brewery and the Bavarian Purity Law of 1516 01.06.2022 12:34

There is only one reason to stop in Creemore on your way north or south, Creemore Springs Brewery and their Lager how John Wiggins transformed his town of Creemore. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and stor...

#050: Phone Number Rant – We don’t need them anymore? 25.05.2022 14:56

Nobody remembers phone numbers any more and don’t get me started on LOOOOONG domain names. Your designers and marketers should know better. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners, the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant story collector and storyteller. I’m S...

#049: Kool-Aid – Owning the customer from every angle 18.05.2022 18:57

Edwin Perkins took inspiration from Jello to create a mail order empire.  Oh Yeah! From a General Store to a major brand. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sid...

#048: Rolls Royce – Selling just the Brand. 11.05.2022 15:15

You’ll be shocked when you learn the Rolls Royce and Bentley sale details and what was sold, licensed, and protected. An epic story of Brand. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a Marketing Consultant, story collector, and storyt...

#047: Whole Foods – How passion became an empire 04.05.2022 14:17

Whole Foods was founded in 1980 as a 10,500-foot location in Austin, TX. Thirty-seven years later, in 2017, Amazon bought it for $13.8B. Discover what made it attractive to Amazon. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story col...

#046: Nespresso – 400 Nespresso’s drunk every second 27.04.2022 11:48

Nespresso, a startup that failed twice before it took off, even though the machines were cheaper, no training was required, and it produced better quality coffee. It took glamour to create a successful launch. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders podcast , teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom-and-pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a m...

#045: KFC – The secret 11 herbs and spices 20.04.2022 12:45

He never gave up, put crazy miles on his car, promoted and sold Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), and worked well into his seventies.  Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners, the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Stephen&#...

#044: James Watt – The marketing story of horsepower 13.04.2022 13:19

Cars are marketed today using the term horsepower. However, the term was created long before cars. Find out why James Watt invented the term. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller....

#043: Fox 40 – From referee to whistle entrepreneur 06.04.2022 15:17

Ron Foxcroft launched his new business by blowing a whistle to get everyone’s attention. This quick demonstration showed he had solved the problem and understood his customer. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom-and-pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story co...

#042: Wrigley’s Origin – You buy the baking powder you get the gum 30.03.2022 12:51

How the power of premiums created an empire.  Guess what the baking powder was used to sell? Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector, and storyteller. I’m Steven’s sidekick and business partner, Da...

#041: Nike – It took them seven years to break $1M in revenue 23.03.2022 12:43

It was always about the runner. Nike goes from distributor to shoe manufacturer to work directly with the customer. Dave Young: Welcome to the Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners the not so secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketing consultant, story collector and storyteller. I’m Stephen’s sidek...

#040: IMG – International Management Group. Who are these people? 16.03.2022 13:09

Named the most powerful man in sports by Sports Illustrated in 1990, Mark McCormack founded the International Management Group in 1960. He started with Arnold Palmer and grew a sports management empire. Dave Young: Welcome to The Empire Builders Podcast, teaching business owners, the not-so-secret techniques that took famous businesses from mom and pop to major brands. Stephen Semple is a marketin...