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 la...
May 15, 2024•28 min•Ep. 105
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...
May 08, 2024•51 min•Ep. 104
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 product...
Apr 24, 2024•33 min•Ep. 103
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
Mar 27, 2024•46 min•Ep. 102
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 seriou...
Mar 20, 2024•42 min•Ep. 101
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.c...
Mar 06, 2024•33 min•Ep. 100
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
Feb 21, 2024•20 min•Ep. 99
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...
Feb 14, 2024•41 min•Ep. 98
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 Substa...
Jan 24, 2024•47 min•Ep. 97
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 whe...
Jan 17, 2024•56 min•Ep. 96
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
Jan 10, 2024•21 min•Ep. 95
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
Jan 03, 2024•17 min•Ep. 94
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...
Dec 20, 2023•18 min•Ep. 93
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...
Dec 13, 2023•26 min•Ep. 92
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 ...
Nov 22, 2023•45 min•Ep. 91
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 S...
Nov 08, 2023•48 min•Ep. 90
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
Nov 01, 2023•13 min•Ep. 89
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...
Oct 18, 2023•13 min•Ep. 88
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-...
Oct 11, 2023•39 min•Ep. 87
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 advi...
Oct 04, 2023•54 min•Ep. 86
I get hit up by countless veteran entrepreneurs seeking advice on their entrepreneurial journey. Some take my advice and run with it, others not so much. All I try to do is point people in the right direction. Today’s guest, Dominique Wright reached out to me over two years ago, in order to discuss her idea for an app serving collegiate athletes. With the change in policy allowing college athletes to earn income based on their name, image, and likeness, commonly referred to as NIL, Dominique so ...
Sep 27, 2023•52 min•Ep. 85
I know it’s been a while since I’ve been on the Mic, but make no mistake, I’ve been work hard behind the scenes on all things IRONBOUND and DWB. I launched a new series FRAGO Friday, which I drop each week via our newsletter. I got a fellowship to the Fund For New Leadership, a social impact fellowship supporting change makers across the country, and I went on Vacation to Peru. Needless to say it’s been an eventful summer. With that said, I am back and happy to announce our official sponsor for ...
Sep 20, 2023•42 min•Ep. 84
Today on DWB, I discuss why you need to build a damn email list. In case you haven’t noticed, Social Media is rented and if you want to own your audience, you better start building the last. 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...
Jul 26, 2023•16 min•Ep. 83
When it comes to creating content, implementing a new marketing strategy, or wanting to try something new in general, the biggest hindrance business owners have is perfectionism. Rather than trying to be perfect and hit a home run out of the gate, I want to challenge you to start ugly, which I discuss in 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...
Jul 12, 2023•13 min•Ep. 82
Who already has a reason to know, like, and trust you? 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
Jul 06, 2023•4 min•Ep. 81
Today on DWB, I’m joined by fellow Naval Academy grad turned culinary entrepreneur, Jordan Foley, Founder, CEO, and Head Chef at Let’s Chow, a nonprofit Nonprofit providing vocational training in the culinary arts for veterans & military spouses using food trucks. 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 Let’s Chow here: https://www.letschow....
Jun 28, 2023•53 min•Ep. 80
Everyone who has worked with or heard me speak at workshop knows my favorite question to ask when it comes to building a Dog Whistle Brand, Who's Your Perfect Customer? If you’re having trouble answering this question, what if instead, you asked yourself, How does my perfect customer self-identify? 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...
Jun 07, 2023•3 min•Ep. 79
One of my frustrations for the longest time in the veteran space was a lack of agency. That’s one of the reasons’ I wrote the book Black Veteran Entrepreneur, and also why I’m excited about today’s guest Ruben Ayala, An Army Veteran, Green Beret, and Co-Founder of Triple Nikel, a veteran-owned streetwear brand promoting unity and honoring veterans of all shades and color. The name Triple Nikel is derived from the 555th Parachute Infantry Regiement, an all-black unit formed in 1943. Ruben, along ...
May 31, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 78
You know how much I love to geek out on Category Design, and most of the time, I find myself focusing on creating new types of markets, not new kinds of humans. Which is why on today’s show, I’m excited to chop it up with Mason Hamlett, CEO of Woobies Inc, a veteran-owned shoe company serving the protectorate class, you know, the kind of guys and gals that fly below the radar, work for three letter government agencies, the military, and first responder community. Mason and the Woobies team refer...
May 24, 2023•48 min•Ep. 77
Everyone knows that Veterans love Swag, there’s a reason you constantly see us wearing hoodies and T-shirts of the brands we love. Here in Newark, I’m constantly rocking my IRONBOUND Boxing hoodie, not only to bring more visibility to the IRONBOUND brand, but also to symbolize that I’m part of the team and a movement. Apparel is a hard business model to scale, but that hasn’t stopped Army Veteran and West Point graduate, Dean Wagner, from taking his chances. Dean is the Founder & CEO of Auth...
May 10, 2023•45 min•Ep. 76
