The Turbo Branding Show

Sue Kirchner

Welcome to The Turbo Branding Show!

Want to discover how to scale your organization faster, easier, and more successfully?

You’re in the right place! Join host Sue Kirchner, founder of Brand Strong Marketing, as she talks with Founders & CEOs of successful businesses on how they leverage their brand to turbo charge their growth.

Don't miss out on the insider secrets from powerful leaders, so you can apply their tactics right away to accelerate your growth.

Subscribe now to the Turbo Branding Show, and share your thoughts by leaving a review and comment!

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S1 · E62
Wednesday · 31 min
Permission to Be You: Turning Your Personality into a Brand Asset
You've been told to "just be yourself" in your marketing. But what does that look like when you also need to look credible, professional and like you have it all together? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, host Sue Kirchner talks with business and personal coach Jill Salzman about why the parts of your personality you've been toning down may be your biggest brand asset. Jill has built businesses ranging from band management and baby jewelry to a global community for mom entrepreneurs, a publishing company and, now, coaching. She's the author of three books, has shared stages with Richard Branson and Sheryl Sandberg, and was dubbed a mogul by CNN Money. Early on, she wore all black and flat-ironed her hair to look "professional." Then one accidental day, she skipped the routine, threw on leggings, and got more compliments than ever. That moment kicked off a career of leaning into her bold, colorful, rule-breaking self. Sue and Jill dig into how your brand's core stays the same while the way you deliver it evolves, why standing out is really about attracting the right people, and why your price says more about your brand than you think. Highlights: - Jill's "accidental awakening" and how dropping the polished look became her brand - The common thread through every business she's built: business doesn't have to be boring - Why being yourself is "both the scariest and the most comfortable thing in the world" - Boundaries, not walls: staying yourself across personal and professional settings - Jill's coaching approach: finding the bridge between who you think you have to be and who you want to be - Why turning away the wrong clients leaves space for the right ones - How AI could smooth out everyone's edges, and why that makes authenticity an even bigger differentiator - Pricing as a brand signal: what a $79 price tag tells your customers, and why your price reflects the value of your service, not your personal worth - The story behind Jill's latest book, a coaching graphic novel that doubles as a coloring book, starring five characters built from clients' biggest "buts" - This episode's brand shout-out: Artisanal Pencil Sharpening, a business that turned a joke into a brilliantly branded success Connect with Jill Visit jillsalzman.com to learn about her coaching and find her books. Enjoyed This Episode? Help us build a strong brand following for the show. Share this episode with a fellow business owner, and be sure to like, subscribe and leave a review. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheTurboBrandingShow #SueKirchner #BrandStrongMarketing #IgniteBigGrowthByLeveragingYourBrand #JillSalzman #PersonalBranding #AuthenticBranding #BrandPersonality #BusinessCoaching #BrandingInsights #BrandDifferentiation #BusinessGrowth #PricingStrategy
S1 · E61
November 4 · 42 min
How Founder Identity Shapes Your Brand, Culture, and Business Value
Your business can only grow as far as your identity lets it. In this episode, Sue sits down with Dr. Daniel Hallak, partner and strategic advisor at The Sage Group and author of The Trust Circle: Unlock the Power of Relationships to Lead with Impact, to talk about what happens when a founder's brand never makes the leap to the organization. They dig into why owner dependency is one of the biggest deal-killers in an exit, how a true brand story (not a tall tale) attracts the right buyer, and why leadership can be lonely — but leaders don't have to be. About the guest Daniel Hallak, PhD, is a partner and strategic advisor at The Sage Group, where he leads the firm's human capital efforts, and a founding member and facilitator of The Sage Group Collective, an advisory board that helps leaders tackle their most complex challenges. Daniel works with CEOs and business owners at critical inflection points — scaling, selling, and succession planning — and shares his message in his TEDx talk, "Networking Doesn't Have to Feel Gross," and his new book, The Trust Circle. In this episode, we cover From the tanning salon front desk to the boardroom. How watching his entrepreneurial dad succeed, and stall, sparked Daniel's passion for helping founders break through their ceiling. The founder is the imprint. Why the value of a business is blocked or unlocked by the founder's identity, and why honest self-examination comes before building the right team. Transferring the brand from founder to organization. Why leaving the brand to form "organically" lets the next layers of leadership define it for you. Brand, story, and your exit. How owner dependency drags down valuation and can force an earnout, and why a true, compelling brand narrative is what helps a buyer see their own future in your business. Exit planning vs. good stewardship. Reframing the sale as a transition that sets the next generation up for success. The Trust Circle. Building an intentional network of "relational investors" for different reasons and different seasons — mentors, advocates, emotional support, and strategic partners. Why networking feels gross (and how to fix it). Shifting from a "greedy transactional consumer" to a "generous relational investor." The book you can read in eight minutes. Daniel's choose-your-own-adventure format, with a quiz that points you to the chapter you need right now. How do you measure trust? The WiLD 33-item trust diagnostic, the link between employee "net trust" and Net Promoter Score, and why culture should be the mirror image of brand. Repeat customers and referrals as the truest measure of whether customers trust you. Episode highlights "The value of a business is blocked or unlocked by the founder's identity." — Daniel Hallak "Leadership can be lonely, but leaders don't need to be." — Daniel Hallak "Culture is the mirror image of brand — or it should be." — Daniel Hallak Brand shout-out Daniel's pick for this episode's brand spotlight is WiLD Leaders (Whole and Intentional Leader Development), a company that has built a brand so magnetic that great people line up to apply whenever they post a job. Resources & links The Trust Circle: Unlock the Power of Relationships to Lead with Impact — available wherever books are sold Daniel's TEDx talk: "Networking Doesn't Have to Feel Gross" The Sage Group: the-sage-group.com Email Daniel: daniel@the-sage-group.com Connect with Daniel on LinkedIn WiLD Leaders: wildleaders.org Enjoyed the episode? Help us build a strong brand following for the show: leave a review, like, subscribe, and share this episode with a founder who's thinking about scaling, selling, or succession.
S1 · E60
October 28 · 41 min
How to Define Your Unique Value Proposition and Drive Business Growth
Value isn't invented. It's discovered. Most founders believe they know exactly why clients choose them. John Ravaris has watched that belief get overturned again and again. In every deep-discovery project he's run, the owner has been surprised by one, two or three things that were right in front of them. Usually those surprises are good ones. John is the founder of UVP Solutions and author of Define Value, Drive Growth. He started as a marketer by education and a sales professional by trade. Early in his career he worked inside a company that built its value propositions by asking clients what they actually wanted. That company was expected to sell for $90 million and sold for $132 million, a 47% premium that John traces directly to the clarity of its value proposition. In this episode, Sue and John unpack his framework for turning a clearly defined value proposition into an engine for growth. That growth can fund a higher valuation at exit, a succession plan, new markets or simply more options for the founder. Connect with John Ravaris: Website: https://uvpsolutions.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-ravaris/ Book: Define Value, Drive Growth, available on Amazon Brands mentioned: Chewy and Kwik Trip Episode highlights 1. Learning from "utopia." John began his career at a company that validated its value proposition with clients. Only after he left did he realize how rare that clarity is. 2. Founders are always surprised. In every client, employee and competitive interview project John has run, owners discovered strengths they were too close to see. Some founders have gotten emotional hearing how their employees really feel. 3. Culture as a differentiator. Strengths like strong financial discipline or an unusually talented IT person often go unrecognized because founders assume "everybody has that." 4. Client value is a math problem. Reduce client pain, add to client success, and you've created client value. 5. The four D's. John's framework runs from defining your uniqueness and your clients, to deploying the value proposition across the whole organization, to delight, which means activating clients as advocates. 6. "Everybody sang from the same sheet of music." A client once told John his team won the business because sales, operations and quality assurance all described the same deliverables. 7. 50 words or less. Websites have under 30 seconds to capture attention, so clarity and alignment matter more than ever. 8. Launch internally first. "You don't have time not to do it." 9. Growth is an organizational strategy. When sales slow, ask what's wrong with the organization, not with sales or marketing. 10. Discovered value pays off at exit. A $90M expected sale became $132M, a 47% premium John ties back to the company's value proposition and sales process. 11. Equip everyone, then evaluate. Give the whole team a robust sales toolkit and your A and B players sell faster, while the gaps in C players become obvious. 12. Growth is oxygen. Value creates growth, and growth gives founders flexibility: to exit, fund succession, expand or hand the business to the next generation. 13. Business-led, coached or consulted. UVP Solutions offers UV AI, a Business-Led + Coach program, and consulting to meet businesses where they are. Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/
S1 · E59
October 14 · 33 min
Stop Saying Yes to Every Stage: The Speaking Strategy That Builds Your Brand
Episode Summary: Business owners hear it all the time: just get out there and speak. Heather Black says that advice leads to burnout when there is no strategy behind it. Heather spent more than 20 years as a meeting planner, choosing who got on stage. She now runs Phoenix Collaborations, where she helps CEOs, speakers and thought leaders get booked on the right stages with a repeatable system she calls the Phoenix Effect Framework. In this episode, Heather and Sue Kirchner talk about how speaking builds a personal brand and a company brand at the same time, how to tell a good stage from a waste of time, and what event planners look for when they choose a speaker. Heather also covers the two mistakes she sees most, how to prepare when you are nervous, which numbers tell you a stage was worth it, and when to host your own event. Guest Bio: Heather Black is a speaking and event strategist and the founder of Phoenix Collaborations. After more than 20 years in events and stage strategy, she helps visionary CEOs, speakers and thought leaders get booked on the right stages using her Phoenix Effect Framework. She describes herself as a spicy Carolina girl bringing southern charm to the neon world of Las Vegas. Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Heather to learn how to build your personal brand through strategic speaking, get booked on the right stages, and turn visibility into meaningful business growth: Website: https://www.phoenixcollaborations.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phoenixcollaborations/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/phoenixcollaborations/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/phoenixcollaborations Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/
S1 · E58
September 30 · 33 min
Leadership Is Your Brand's First and Last Line of Defense
Episode Summary: Host Sue Kirchner sits down with Tami Chapek — founder and head coach of We Inspire We, and author of Leadership Redefined: Defy the Ordinary to Unleash Your Potential — to explore one of the most overlooked branding tools in business: leadership development. As companies scale, employees stop taking cues directly from the founder and start taking them from managers, who each interpret the brand through their own lens. Tami and Sue dig into how leaders become the true stewards of a company's brand (or its biggest liability), why culture is really just "the worst behavior a leader is willing to tolerate," and how strong leadership development has become a genuine competitive advantage for hiring and retention. Guest Bio: Tami Chapek has spent over 25 years in corporate coaching, training, facilitation, strategic performance management, operations, and communications. Nine years ago, she founded We Inspire We, which now serves small-to-medium-sized businesses (especially professional service firms) with strengths-based, authenticity-driven leadership development. She is the author of Leadership Redefined: Defy the Ordinary to Unleash Your Potential. Episode Highlights: Tami's origin story: a rough first management role at 26 taught her the gap between intention and impact, and a 2016–17 “midlife crisis” led her to leave corporate life and found We Inspire We. Why the name “We Inspire We”: a deliberate rejection of a personality-cult coaching brand in favor of collaboration and a “ripple effect” of inspiration. Who she serves: small-to-medium businesses, mostly professional service firms, at every level from newly promoted managers to C-suite executives. The core idea: “Culture is the worst behavior the leader is willing to tolerate.” Small unaddressed slips (lateness, missed deadlines, disrespect) quietly become the real, lived brand — no matter what's on the wall. Intention vs. impact: high performers are often given a pass because they hit their numbers, even while creating a toxic or controlling environment for everyone around them. Personal brand vs. company brand: leaders need to reconcile how they show up individually with the organization's stated values — and be honest when there's a real mismatch. Fixing the disconnect starts at hiring and onboarding: most interviews are purely skills-based and skip culture fit entirely, and onboarding is often just a handbook hand-off with no real conversation about expected behaviors. Leadership as a competitive advantage: strong leadership development attracts and retains talent — roughly 70% of people leave jobs because of bad bosses, while investment in people builds loyalty. Tami's book, Leadership Redefined: written to counter affinity bias (hiring people who are “just like us”) and to push leaders toward authentic, strengths-based leadership rather than one-size-fits-all management. Preview of Tami's second book, focused on culture, and her belief that culture only sticks through ongoing reinforcement, not a one-time rollout. Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Tami to learn how to develop stronger leaders, build a culture that reflects your brand, and create a workplace where people can thrive: Website: http://www.weinspirewe.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/weinspirewe/home/ Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/weinspirewe Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WeInspireWe/ Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E57
September 16 · 39 min
Change Your Circle, Change Your Business: The Personal Branding Secret
Episode Summary: Host Sue Kirchner (founder of Brand Strong Marketing) sits down with Jamar Jones — founder of Foureva Media, international keynote speaker, and author of Change Your Circle, Change Your Life — to unpack how personal brand positioning drives visibility, opportunities, and revenue. Jamar shares his “Wiki Famous Audit” and iceberg-style self-discovery exercises, breaks down the three things every entrepreneur needs to get right before chasing bigger stages, and explains why the people in your circle quietly shape everything you attract in business. Guest Bio: Jamar Jones has spent 11 years building Foureva Media, helping transform the businesses of more than 2,500 entrepreneurs through personal brand positioning. He's secured over $500K in sponsorships, is an international keynote speaker, and is the author of Change Your Circle, Change Your Life. Before this business, Jamar spent 11 years as a hip-hop artist — opening for T.I., Snoop Dogg, Keyshia Cole, Common, and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, and performing roughly 100 shows a year — an entertainment and self-promotion background he now applies directly to branding entrepreneurs. In This Episode: Jamar's story: from the stage to the boardroom 11 years fronting a hip-hop career (booking, promoting, and marketing himself before it was “personal branding”) that ended when he tore his vocal cords — and how that entertainment lens now shapes how he builds brands for entrepreneurs. A corporate/IT background added a second lens: how to lead and operate inside traditional business spaces. Change your circle, change your life Most people default into their circle through school, work, and family — they never intentionally choose it. “Vampires vs. shepherds”: vampires quietly drain your energy and take without giving; shepherds are the positive, guiding people worth staying close to. The best opportunities tend to come from people a few steps ahead of you — their mindset and philosophy “trickle down” and expand what feels possible. The caveat: changing your circle cuts both ways — it can take you down a worse path just as easily as a better one. Finding a brand you can't quite see yourself The Wiki Famous Audit: write your own Wikipedia-style bio — your highlights, achievements, and the story of how you'd be introduced for a lifetime achievement award — as a way to surface your own X-factor. The iceberg exercise (Sue): what people see above the waterline is how you present yourself; what's underneath — your real story — is what actually builds connection. You can't fully identify your own brand alone. Ask former clients and colleagues how they'd describe you — the answers often surface the “intangibles” (energy, trust, style) that never make it onto paper. The 3-part brand positioning framework 1) Brand positioning — are you actually ready for the opportunity you're chasing (the keynote, the podcast, the big stage)? 2) The pitch — most people are weak at introducing themselves in the 30 seconds to a minute they actually get. 3) The offer — does what you're offering line up with the positioning you just built? The through-line across all three: spark curiosity. “Does your intro spark curiosity, or are you just another expert consultant — one of a thousand?” Connect with Jamar to learn how to strengthen your personal brand, position yourself for bigger opportunities, and build relationships that fuel your growth: Website: https://www.fourevamedia.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/relatablejamar/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fourevamedia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fourevamedia YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@FourevaMedia Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/
S1 · E56
September 2 · 43 min
How to Attract High-End Clients: Luxury Branding Secrets
In this episode, host Sue Kirchner sits down with Allison Michels to unpack why marketing tactics fail when the brand underneath them is blurry. Allison shares her unexpected path from engineering and technical communications into marketing, the leadership lesson she learned as a struggling middle school track athlete, and how those two threads, strategy and leadership, now shape how she helps founders build premium brands. The conversation covers what it really takes to attract high-end clients, why "audit before action" beats jumping straight to logos and websites, the risks of AI-generated content in luxury marketing, and why brand belongs at the C-suite level, not just in the marketing department. Episode Guest: Allison Michels — Fractional CMO, business strategist, and author of Launch Your Dream. With nearly 20 years of experience inside luxury and premium brands across financial services, real estate, and pharma, Allison partners with CEOs and founders to elevate their marketing, attract high-level clients, and scale with clarity and alignment. Episode Highlights: Allison's origin story: from a technical degree to a $23M condo redevelopment marketing project The track-team story that shaped her view of leadership Why high-end/luxury marketing requires uncovering things clients aren't consciously aware of The CEO interview and audit process that surfaces a business's true differentiators The luxury home builder story: skipping brand work to "start building" — and why that backfired Why building rapport and trust is a prerequisite for getting real answers from clients The gift of clarity: how brand clarity reconnects founders with why they started their business Why hiring an agency without strategic positioning creates a costly disconnect What a Fractional CMO actually does, and the origin of Allison's own fractional practice The 5M–20M "sweet spot" companies that benefit most from fractional marketing leadership Why AI can't replace human connection and strategic judgment in premium branding Brand as a leadership and retention issue, not just a marketing issue (with a healthcare industry example) The risk of a brand being tied to one person (e.g., a single customer service rep) instead of the organization Allison's new book, Launch Your Dream — the story behind it and who it's for Buy Back Your Time by Dan Martel (recommended by Allison as a great resource for business owners) What resonated most with you from this episode? Is your brand clearly communicating the value that makes your ideal clients want to choose you? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Allison to learn how to strengthen your brand positioning, attract high-end clients, and grow your business with greater clarity and alignment: Website: https://launchsuccess.co/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allisonliddle Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allisonrmichels/ If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandstrongmarketing Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turbo-branding-show/id1771868942 Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheTurboBrandingShow #SueKirchner #BrandStrongMarketing #IgniteBigGrowthByLeveragingYourBrand #AllisonMichels #LuxuryBranding #PremiumBranding #FractionalCMO #BusinessStrategy #BrandStrategy #HighEndClients #ClientExperience #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #LeadershipBranding
S1 · E55
August 19 · 38 min
Your Business Might Be Worth $0 — And You're the Reason Why
80% of Businesses Never Sell. Here's Why Yours Might Be One of Them. In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Len Bruskiewitz, Focal Point Business Coach and Certified Exit Planning Advisor, reveals why being the face of your business can become one of the biggest obstacles to building its value. Working with business owners generating $2–15 million in revenue, Len shares how owner dependency, weak processes, and a lack of transition planning can make even successful businesses difficult to sell. Episode Highlights: Why "owner as brand" is a hidden business problem, not just a personal one Len's professional journey — from growing up in a family small business to working at Intuit, Constant Contact, and Grasshopper before becoming a coach The demographic wave: 51% of US businesses with 1–20 employees are owned by people 55+ Len's 3-step client process: Valuation → Evaluation (red/yellow/green scoring) → Implementation (the blueprint) Why the ideal exit planning window is 3–5 years out, and what happens in a "fire sale" 90-day exit Real examples of founder-brand transfer, including a Portland HR staffing company owner and the Ben & Jerry's model The two places "special sauce" must go: your people, or your documented processes How to prove brand and customer loyalty to a skeptical buyer using objective metrics (like retention rate) Two big reasons owners delay exit planning: "time is not on your side," and not having a post-sale plan that replaces their sense of meaning Why sellers — not buyers — are the ones who usually get cold feet in due diligence Two sobering stats: ~80% of small businesses listed for sale don't sell, and the average owner has ~80% of their net worth tied up in the business The three big reasons businesses fail to sell: unrealistic price expectations, owner dependency, and poor financial/process documentation The ripple effect of a business closing — on family, employees, vendors, customers, and community Len's 4-part starting checklist for any owner, at any revenue level, thinking about "what's next" How having multiple owners/partners changes the process, and why a buy-sell agreement is non-negotiable Small Business Brand Shout-Out: Sparks Hockey and their tagline "Own Your Edge" What resonated most with you from this episode? If you stepped away from your business tomorrow, could it continue to succeed without you? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Len to learn how to reduce owner dependency, increase business value, and build a company that is ready for whatever comes next: Website: http://www.greaterheightscoaching.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lbruski/ X: https://x.com/lbruskiewitz If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandstrongmarketing Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turbo-branding-show/id1771868942 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36WHgCvt5CcgBkQVye4xp4?si=a59dfc28e6034b1a Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheTurboBrandingShow #SueKirchner #BrandStrongMarketing #IgniteBigGrowthByLeveragingYourBrand #LenBruskiewitz #ExitPlanning #BusinessValuation #BusinessGrowth #BusinessStrategy #SuccessionPlanning #BusinessLeadership #BusinessValue #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth #BrandStrategy #BusinessExit
S1 · E54
August 5 · 31 min
How Physical Space Shapes Your Brand
What story does your physical space tell before anyone says a word? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Joel Berman, Founder & President of Berman Architecture, shares why your physical environment is one of the most powerful expressions of your brand. Drawing on decades of experience designing restaurants, retail concepts, franchises, and commercial spaces, Joel explains how great design goes far beyond aesthetics—it communicates your story, creates memorable experiences, strengthens company culture, and helps businesses build lasting customer loyalty. Episode Highlights: The origin story — Joel traces his path into architecture back to childhood: building forts, sewing stuffed animals, and buying a kids' drawing book with his own allowance money. Founding the firm — Started in 2002 after years of practicing since 1986; grew up around small-business owners (including his grandfather) and always wanted to "control his destiny." Rebranding as a creative combine — In 2017, after realizing franchise work often meant fixing mediocre prototypes, Joel rebranded the firm to bring architecture, interior design, and graphic design under one roof — "architect-led, technical." The prototype concept — Instead of scattered documents (construction sets, kitchen packages, graphics), Berman Architecture builds one unified, photorealistic 3D package franchisors can use for both construction and sales/marketing. Balancing brand consistency with local flavor — Examples include a "Local Burger" concept using zip codes, and a build where 80–90% of the design is standardized with blank walls left for a local artist to finish. Case study: In Fine Spirits Wine Bar — A low-budget build using plywood and solid trim, with wine displayed at eye level (mid-priced bottles in the center). Result: one of the highest per-square-foot sales stores in the country. Building brand from scratch — Joel's process starts with a deep conversation about the founder's story and how a space should feel, not just look. Managing a global team — Employees across the US, Canada, Korea, and India; daily standup calls, in-person visits (India, weddings, universities), and letting the team co-author the company's cultural pillars. Cultural nuance in design — Stories about designing an Indian restaurant (getting deity placement right via a local contact) and a Kyrgyzstan restaurant, built by a multicultural team interpreting an unfamiliar culture together. Design for employees, not just customers — Examples include adding natural light to a bakery kitchen and rethinking a warehouse/test kitchen to feel more human. Shoutout segment — Joel nominates Mean Mugs, a milkshake sub-brand of A10 Entertainment, for its playful, over-the-top branding aimed at families. What resonated most with you from this episode? How does your physical space reinforce the brand experience you want customers to remember? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Joel to learn how intentional design can strengthen your brand, elevate customer experiences, and support long-term business growth. Website: https://www.bermanarchitecture.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joel-berman-5151b0/ LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/2906516 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joel.berman.58/ Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/BermanArchitectureDesign/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bermansketching Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E53
July 22 · 36 min
Reputation, Reviews & Revenue: Why Service Businesses Live or Die by Their Brand
Can a strong brand become one of your business's most valuable assets? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Joe DeRamos, Certified Focal Point Business and Executive Coach, shares why branding isn't just about marketing—it's a key driver of growth, reputation, and long-term business value. Working closely with contractors, trades businesses, and small business owners, Joe explains how a trusted brand attracts customers, builds credibility, supports business valuation, and creates a stronger foundation for scaling. He also shares why strategy, customer experience, and consistent execution matter just as much as the logo on your truck. Episode Highlights: Background & Journey Joe pivoted from a 20-year corporate career (commercial banking and insurance) to business coaching in July 2020, inspired by watching local Oak Park restaurants struggle during the pandemic and the "Take Out 25" community relief movement. He's part of Focal Point Coaching, a global franchise, and has carved out a niche as "the tradesperson coach" — working with contractors, HVAC companies, and landscapers. Why Branding Matters for Trades Businesses Branding isn't just for big companies — it becomes essential once an owner wants to scale beyond just "surviving," since it anchors the company's vision and mission for both employees and customers. A strong brand directly impacts business valuation: "Joe's Plumbing" won't command the same sale price as a well-branded operation like "Supreme Plumbing" when it's time to exit. Key Story: The Surprise Exit Strategy Joe shared a memorable case where he was coaching an operations manager, only to discover — after finally meeting the business owner — that she planned to retire within the year. He had to quickly pivot the coaching engagement into a full exit/succession strategy. The handoff succeeded, with the owner announcing retirement at her birthday party and Joe's client taking over the business. What resonated most with you from this episode? How are you building a brand that creates trust, attracts opportunity, and supports your long-term business goals? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Joe to learn how to strengthen your brand, build a scalable business, and create a strategy for sustainable growth: Website: https://joederamos.focalpointcoaching.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jderamos/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/focalpointjoe/ Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E52
July 8 · 29 min
Before AI Drowns Out Your Brand: What Smart Business Owners Are Doing Now
How do you make sure AI understands what makes your brand truly different? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Natalie Benamou, Strategic Growth Advisor and Founder of HerCsuite®, shares why authentic personal branding matters more than ever in the age of AI. As AI increasingly shapes how people discover expertise and credibility, Natalie explains why original storytelling, thought leadership, and genuine human connection have become your greatest competitive advantages. She also shares practical insights on career evolution, collaboration, and building a brand that remains relevant in a rapidly changing world. Episode Highlights: Natalie's Journey — After nearly three decades in trade shows and product launches, Covid became the catalyst for Natalie to go all in on her passion for lifting women up. She launched Her C-Suite in 2020 and has since built multiple platforms focused on executive women, AI leadership, and women's health. The Common Thread Across Her Brands — Everything Natalie does is connected by one core lens: helping women in the second half of their careers lead with purpose and intention. Collaboration and impact are the through lines that tie all her platforms together. The Power of Colab Three — Natalie champions a "power of three" collaboration model, where three women with complementary strengths come together to create exponential results. Research shows that when three women collaborate, the result isn't 3X — it's 9X. AI and Personal Branding — AI has flooded the content playing field, making authentic voice and original storytelling more critical than ever. Natalie points out that Reddit and LinkedIn are becoming the most trusted sources AI looks to first for credibility, making it essential to show up consistently and authentically on those platforms. The Question Every Business Owner Should Ask — Natalie reframes a classic networking question from "What is one thing Google doesn't know about you?" to "What is one thing AI should know about you?" — a powerful prompt for uncovering your most authentic and differentiating stories. Pivoting in the Second Half of Your Career — Whether moving into consulting, board roles, entrepreneurship or multiple revenue streams, Natalie encourages women to think of their career like a pie — how are you slicing it? There is no one-size-fits-all answer; it's deeply personal. Branding for a Board Role vs. a Client — Landing a corporate board seat requires a completely different approach to personal branding. It's about elevated, minimalist positioning — a narrative board bio, refined LinkedIn language and relationship-driven outreach — not a resume or a service pitch. The Experience Dividend — Women in the second half of their careers have an edge a 25-year-old simply cannot replicate: decades of experience, perspective, relationships and wisdom that form a uniquely powerful personal brand asset. Brand Spotlight: Natalie nominated Coco Sellman of A Force for Good — a five-time entrepreneur with an eight-figure exit who is on a mission to help 1,000 female-led businesses in ten years. Known for her free daily resources on LinkedIn and her book A Force for Good Business. Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Natalie to learn how to strengthen your personal brand, lead with authenticity, and stay visible in the age of AI: Website: https://hercsuite.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nataliebenamou/ LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hercsuite-womens-network/ Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/
S1 · E51
June 24 · 32 min
Using Your Brand as a Business Framework: How One Accounting CEO Scaled with Clarity, Culture, and Core Values
What if your brand could become the framework for every decision you make in your business? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Megan Schwan, CEO and Founder of Sidekick Accounting Services, shares how she transformed her brand into more than a marketing tool—it became the foundation for building culture, hiring the right people, serving ideal clients, and scaling a profitable business. From creating a memorable superhero-inspired brand to helping entrepreneurs gain financial clarity, Megan reveals how strong branding and strong financial systems work together to drive sustainable growth. 𝐄𝐩𝐢𝐬𝐨𝐝𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: 𝐁𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝-𝐎𝐮𝐭 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 Megan started in accounting at age 15 and always knew she wanted to break the mold of the "boring accountant" stereotype She became known early on as "the accountant with the bedazzled shirt" at networking events When she rebranded after a divorce, she chose the name Sidekick Accounting to reflect her mission of walking alongside clients — and as a nod to her family's love of Marvel 𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐨 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞 Morning team meetings are called "team-ups" Financial analysis for clients is branded the "Profit Avenger Assessment" Core values include Sparkle and Fun, communication, and accuracy 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐍𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐞𝐭 Megan focuses on women and minority-owned businesses, typically generating $100K–$4M in revenue The approachable brand name and personality help lower defenses around the often-uncomfortable topic of finances She builds trust through storytelling, including sharing client examples to normalize messy financial situations 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐬 𝐚𝐧 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐫𝐚𝐦𝐞𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 After 12 years in business, Megan uses her brand as a strategic lens for decisions — including who to hire, which clients to take on, and which opportunities to decline Clarity on brand makes it easier to say no to poor-fit clients 𝐑𝐮𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚 𝐅𝐮𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐕𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐞𝐚𝐦 Monday–Thursday team meetings with values recitation built in Monthly professional development calls covering topics like time management, communication, and personal wellness Intentional relationship-building coached into client interactions (remembering family updates, vacations, etc.) Continuous feedback loops to monitor and improve the brand experience 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐟𝐢𝐭 𝐅𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 Megan's biggest client breakthrough comes from implementing the Profit First cash flow management system It makes money tangible and bridges the gap between financial reports and real decision-making Clients move from a cycle of never having enough to understanding why — and gaining control 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐜𝐤 𝐅𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐓𝐢𝐩 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐎𝐰𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 Get your bookkeeping in order first Then examine your profit margins — pricing is often the hidden culprit when revenue feels like it's never enough 𝐅𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰 𝐔𝐬 & 𝐒𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐧 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐆𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Megan to learn how to build a brand-driven business, create financial clarity, and scale with confidence: Website: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mmschwan/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mompreneurof4/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmschwan/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8BqJkcOg5wEZr5ZPHWZzVg Subscribe to Our Newsletter: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E50
June 10 · 44 min
Your Career is Your Brand: The Anti-Preneur Strategy for Building Wealth Without Starting a Business
What if you could build wealth, create financial independence, and strengthen your personal brand—without ever starting a business? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Dr. Matt Markel shares why your career may be your greatest wealth-building asset. Drawing from 35 years of experience rising from entry-level engineer to CEO, CTO, and President, Matt challenges the belief that entrepreneurship is the only path to financial freedom. Through his Anti-Preneur movement, he shows professionals how to build wealth, strengthen their personal brand, and create long-term financial independence without sacrificing the careers they’ve worked hard to build. Episode Highlights: From Modest Roots to the C-Suite Matt grew up in St. Louis with a scarcity mindset and a "work hard, be smart" ethos. He built a 35-year career in defense, autonomy, and high-tech — rising from entry-level engineer (with a master's and PhD) to leading companies with nine and ten-figure revenues. A key turning point was surrounding himself with people who had an entrepreneurial and investment mindset, which shifted how he thought about money and financial strategy. The Spark Behind Anti-Preneur The movement was born when Matt watched a brilliant colleague face financial insecurity after a company folded. He realized that smart, talented professionals are never taught how to build wealth — only how to do their jobs. That gap, combined with 93 million professionals in the U.S. workforce and a $7 trillion retirement savings shortfall, became the foundation for his book and brand. What Is an Anti-Preneur? An Anti-Preneur is a professional, practitioner, or expert who wants financial independence without leaving their career to start a business. Matt challenges the hustle-culture narrative that entrepreneurship is the only path to wealth. For many professionals, quitting your job to start a business can be an "irrecoverable financial mistake" — and it strips away part of your professional identity. Instead, Anti-Preneurs build portfolios that eventually generate enough passive income to cover all expenses, achieving true financial independence. Matt's Personal Brand "Operating System" (His 5-Part Manifesto) Rather than thinking of it as a brand, Matt frames it as an operating system: Make the most out of every day — small daily gains compound enormously over a career Always be learning and growing — embrace new skills as opportunities, not chores Take advantage of big opportunities when they arise Always exceed expectations — make every exchange an abundant one How He's Building the Movement Book: Anti-Preneur: Thrive in Your Career, Achieve Financial Success (available on Amazon) Podcast: Thrive and Achieve — available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube Community: Free video library on the Skool platform covering career strategy, financial strategy, deal vetting, and more. A low-cost membership tier offers live sessions with Matt. LinkedIn: Where Matt publishes thought leadership content for professionals — posts on mindset, career growth, financial strategy, and even topics like sugar intake and dementia that have gone viral Connect with Dr. Matt to learn how to leverage your career, strengthen your personal brand, build wealth with purpose, and create financial independence without the hustle-culture mindset: Website: https://anti-preneur.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/drmattmarkel Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matttheantipreneur/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-markel YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheAnti-Preneurs Community: https://www.skool.com/anti-preneur/about Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E49
May 27 · 42 min
Decades of Wisdom, Zero Apologies: Why Your Age Is the Most Underrated Asset
What if the most valuable part of your personal brand is the life experience you’ve been taught to downplay? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Regina Carey shares why women over 50 bring a depth of wisdom, resilience, and earned confidence that make them uniquely powerful in business and leadership. Drawing from more than three decades of coaching high-performing professionals, Regina breaks down how clarity, embodied confidence, and emotional awareness help leaders evolve their brands without losing who they are at the core. Episode Highlights: Who is Regina Carey? Executive coach, speaker, and "Passion Instigator" with 30+ years helping high-performing professionals rethink how they live, lead, and work. Find her at queenofaction.com. Key Themes & Takeaways Repositioning Your Story Regina challenges business owners to ask: are you still describing yourself the same way you did when you started? Your experience is deeper, your story is richer — and your brand should reflect that. The Value of Clarity Regina frames clarity as kindness. Her coaching centers on energy management (not time management), starting with helping clients identify their core values so they can make decisions without guilt or second-guessing. Letting Go & the Role of Grief Any time we grow or pivot, we grieve — relationships, identity, old versions of ourselves. Regina uses tools like the emotion wheel to help clients identify and move through feelings rather than suppress them. Unprocessed grief, she warns, can show up as physical illness. Women Over 50 as Entrepreneurs This demographic brings earned authority, hard-won perspective, and a richness of life experience that younger entrepreneurs simply haven't had time to accumulate yet — and that's a competitive advantage, not a liability. Work Identity & Somatic Coaching Regina incorporates body-based practices — like her "posture stick" exercise and power posing — to help clients stand in their power, literally and figuratively. The Brand Promise Never Changes Whether personal or organizational, your core values and brand promise are your anchor. How you deliver on them can evolve, but the "why" stays constant. Quotable Moments "Clarity is kindness." "We don't see the world as it is. We see the world as we are." "Your brand at this age is as rich as the depth of your life experience." "We do not have permanent personalities. We can change whenever we decide to." Small Business Shoutout Regina spotlights Cravings Popcorn (cravingspopcorn.com) — gluten-free, diverse, and a great example of a brand that has grown and evolved while staying true to its core promise. What resonated most with you from this episode? How has your personal growth shaped the way you lead and position your brand today? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Regina to learn how to evolve your brand with confidence, lead with intention, and turn life experience into leadership power: Website: https://queenofaction.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachmecarey/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/queenofaction/ If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandstrongmarketing Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turbo-branding-show/id1771868942 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36WHgCvt5CcgBkQVye4xp4?si=a59dfc28e6034b1a Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E48
May 13 · 43 min
When Your Brand Name Hurts Your Business: From Rebrand to Successful Sale
What happens when a once-powerful brand name suddenly starts working against your business? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Liz Brohan shares how she recognized the warning signs, led a strategic rebrand from CBD Marketing to 2.718 Marketing, and used that transition to strengthen the company’s future. From team buy-in to client confidence to eventual sale readiness, Liz offers a masterclass in evolving your brand at the right time. Episode Highlights: The Rebrand Trigger Liz's agency, CBD Marketing, ran into an unexpected problem when the cannabis industry boomed — "CBD" became a blocked keyword in corporate email systems, and her clients were becoming the punchline of boardroom jokes. She knew it was time to rebrand. Finding the New Name: 2.718 Marketing The team used a structured brainstorming process — keyword exercises, dot-board visualization, and AI experimentation — before their Executive Creative Director, Mary Olivieri, landed on 2.718, also known as Euler's number, a mathematical constant at the root of exponential growth. It is perfectly aligned with their mission to drive growth for clients. The Rebranding Process Started with internal branding — getting all 40 employees aligned and able to tell the story in their own words Conducted qualitative research with existing clients to build comfort and continuity The full rebrand, including a new website, took six months Selling the Agency When Liz decided to retire, culture fit was her top priority in finding a buyer — she wanted a soft landing for her team. The eventual buyer came through her professional network, a longtime colleague she'd had regular lunches with. Her advice: start networking long before you plan to exit. What Buyers Look For Premier and mid-cap client relationships with longevity Strong revenue and margins A leadership team willing to stay on The Podcasts Words of Wisdom from Kick Ass Women — grew out of a book series Liz's agency produced at five-year milestones; she retained this brand when she sold the agency and turned it into a podcast B2B No Bull — co-hosted with her brother Mark Brogan, focused on cutting through jargon to give marketers clear, actionable insights they can take to leadership Shoutout Flint Rock, founded by Meg Goodman — a multimedia firm producing podcasts, webinars, and conference content. What resonated most with you from this episode? Are you holding onto a brand identity that no longer serves your vision? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Liz to learn how to rebrand with confidence, strengthen market position, and prepare for future success: Words of Wisdom from Kick-Ass Women: https://www.kick-ass-women.com/ B2B No Bull: https://www.b2bnobull.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-brohan-8130291/ If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandstrongmarketing Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turbo-branding-show/id1771868942 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36WHgCvt5CcgBkQVye4xp4?si=a59dfc28e6034b1a Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheTurboBrandingShow #SueKirchner #BrandStrongMarketing #IgniteBigGrowthByLeveragingYourBrand #LizBrohan #B2BMarketing #RebrandingStrategy #BrandGrowth #BusinessExit #AgencyLeadership #MarketingStrategy #LeadGeneration #BusinessGrowth #PodcastHost #BrandClarity
S1 · E47
April 29 · 36 min
Want To Build a Strong Brand? Create a Community.
Learn how to build a brand that brings people together into a powerful community. In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Joyce Shulman, serial entrepreneur and business coach, shares why sustainable brands are rooted in delivering real value and how community becomes the ultimate growth engine. Drawing from her experience building and scaling multiple multimillion-dollar companies, Joyce breaks down the critical difference between building an audience and creating a true community—one that fuels connection, loyalty, and long-term success. Episode Highlights: Joyce is a serial entrepreneur who has founded, led, and exited multiple multi-million dollar companies across consumer products, digital media, and wellness. She started her first company in law school, and after an early business failure that wiped out nearly everything, she rebuilt and has been building ever since. Building from Personal Need Joyce's most successful businesses — including Macaroni Kid, 99 Walks, and Blue Moon Mahjong — all came from identifying real gaps in her own life. Macaroni Kid was born from the question her young kids asked daily: "Mommy, what are we going to do today?" It scaled to 550 communities across the US and Canada. What Actually Builds a Sustainable Brand At the core of every successful brand is delivering meaningful value. Logo, colors, and aesthetics matter, but long-term growth comes from solving a real problem for real people. Community vs. Audience Joyce draws a sharp distinction between the two. Your email list and social followers are your audience. A community forms when members share a common purpose, communicate with each other (not just with you), and feel a sense of identity and belonging. When community clicks, members bring people they care about into it — becoming your best marketers. Keeping Core Values Alive Many organizations write their core values down and then shelve them. Joyce emphasizes that you have to keep circling back, tying values to real decisions — both what you choose to do and what you choose not to do. Coaching at the Intersection of Personal & Professional Joyce rejects the idea that "it's not personal, it's just business." Entrepreneurs and high-performing women bring their whole selves to their work — which is a superpower, but also leaves them vulnerable to self-doubt, imposter syndrome, and limiting beliefs when things get hard. Decoupling the Founder from the Brand As a company scales, founders often have to step back from being the face of everything. That requires delegation, empowering others, and being honest about the ego piece that comes with letting go. The Ten Touch Strategy Joyce's signature framework for building a business: reach out to ten people per week and invite them into a focused conversation around your goal. Simple, but not easy. What It Takes to Be an Entrepreneur Self-motivation, the right amount of naivety, honesty about your strengths and gaps, willingness to hire great help, and the discipline to work on the business — not just in it. Above all, a genuine drive to solve a problem and make things better for people. The Thread Through Everything Joyce believes human beings need connection more than ever. Every business she has built has been, at its heart, about creating opportunities for people to form meaningful connections with each other. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Joyce to learn how to build a brand rooted in community, deliver meaningful value, and grow with intention: Website: http://www.joyceshulman.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joyceshulman/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joyce.r.shulman/ Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/
S1 · E46
April 15 · 29 min
How to Rebrand After Buying a Business: Strategy, Stakeholders & Day One Communications
What if the success of your acquisition depends on how clearly you communicate your brand from day one? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Ryan and Nancy Quinn, Owners of Quinn Design-Build Inc., share how they successfully rebranded after acquiring Schramm Construction—balancing respect for a 30-year legacy with a bold vision for future growth. They walk through the strategic decisions behind their transition, from aligning stakeholders and teams to crafting messaging that builds trust, clarity, and momentum right from the start. Episode Highlights: The Business Acquisition Ryan came to Schramm Construction as an employee, and through his relationship with the previous owner, an organic opportunity to purchase the 30-year-old company emerged. He and Nancy — both lifelong construction industry professionals — saw it as a chance to build on a strong legacy rather than start from scratch. Why They Rebranded They spent the first year focused on learning the business, building team trust, and earning client confidence before touching the brand. The rebrand wasn't reactive — it was strategic. As Nancy put it: "We didn't want to rent the name. We wanted to own our future." The Rebranding Process Working with brand strategist Sue Kirchner, Ryan and Nancy went through a structured process to define their core values, voice, tone, and target audiences. The process was more strategic than creative — clarifying who they are, not just what they look like. Day One Communications Their launch included emails, physical letters, press releases to local Fox Valley publications, and a subcontractor town hall — ensuring every stakeholder felt informed and included. Outcomes & Surprises Universally positive feedback from existing clients A local bank invited them to set up a display in their lobby for a month, generating new relationships and reconnecting with past clients Stronger sales conversations thanks to clearer positioning Increased internal team confidence and buy-in Top Advice for Business Owners Considering a Rebrand Don't change just to change — have a strategic reason Take time to understand your current brand before defining the new one Bring your team along in the journey Communicate with all stakeholders: clients, employees, subcontractors, and community partners A rebrand is a strategic journey, not an emotional one What resonated most with you from this episode? How are you approaching brand communication during times of change and transition? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Ryan & Nancy to learn how to navigate rebranding after an acquisition with clarity, alignment, and confidence: Website: qdbi.net Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/qdbi.built If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandstrongmarketing Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turbo-branding-show/id1771868942 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36WHgCvt5CcgBkQVye4xp4?si=a59dfc28e6034b1a This Episode’s Turbo Branding Exercise Download the template for the Rebrand Announcement Roadmap: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/rebrand-announcement-roadmap/ Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheTurboBrandingShow #SueKirchner #BrandStrongMarketing #IgniteBigGrowthByLeveragingYourBrand #RyanQuinn #NancyQuinn #QuinnDesignBuild #RebrandingStrategy #AcquisitionStrategy #BusinessGrowth #ConstructionIndustry #BrandClarity
S1 · E45
April 1 · 43 min
The Small Business Strategy for Standing Out and Building Customer Loyalty
Discover how building a community-first brand can unlock deeper loyalty and long-term growth. In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Sharon Ringier, Founder of the Possible Woman Collective and Possible Woman Magazine, shares how she transformed her brand into a powerful movement rooted in connection, consistency, and community. With over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience, Sharon reveals how branded experiences—from meaningful everyday connections to standout moments like Times Square—can build confidence, deepen loyalty, and create lasting impact far beyond traditional marketing. Episode Highlights: Sharon's Journey — Sharon began as an event planner before pivoting to women's empowerment. After hosting a women's conference in 2016, the demand for ongoing community led her to launch the Possible Woman Collaborative in April 2018. Brand as a Movement — Sharon explains that her brand isn't just a business — it's a lifestyle she lives every day. She meets new connections everywhere (including Walmart!) and her personal and professional identity are seamlessly aligned. Why Women? — Inspired by her single mother, her empowering grandmother, and her own experience as a female entrepreneur, Sharon built a safe, judgment-free space where women can support each other without mansplaining or limiting beliefs holding them back. Branded Experiences in Action — Sharon's signature New York Times Square billboard experience gives women visibility, confidence, and a tangible moment to celebrate themselves — paired with magazine features, interviews, and community connection before, during, and after the event. Redefining ROI — Sharon challenges the idea that ROI is purely financial. Return on Investment includes time, relationships, mindset growth, and the ripple effects you create in others — illustrated beautifully through the story of her son absorbing her leadership tapes and becoming a successful property owner. Biggest Branding Lesson — Stop putting expectations on people who aren't your target market — even loved ones. Releasing that pressure freed Sharon to walk confidently in her own vision. Brands Sharon Admires: Donna Bingham — skincare with a self-love message Jillian McCloskey — Momcations, trips designed for moms to recharge Malaika Simmons — Momentology Media LLC, mindset and spiritual practices for entrepreneurs What resonated most with you from this episode? How are you creating meaningful experiences that turn your brand into a community people want to be part of? Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Sharon to learn how to build a brand rooted in community, create meaningful experiences, and turn your vision into a powerful movement: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharonringier Join the Collective: https://possiblewomanmagazine.com/the-collective Learn More Here: https://dot.cards/sharonringier If You Enjoyed This Episode Don’t forget to subscribe to The Turbo Branding Show for more inspiring conversations to ignite your growth by leveraging your brand! YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brandstrongmarketing Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-turbo-branding-show/id1771868942 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/36WHgCvt5CcgBkQVye4xp4?si=a59dfc28e6034b1a Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode. #TheTurboBrandingShow #SueKirchner #BrandStrongMarketing #IgniteBigGrowthByLeveragingYourBrand #SharonRingier #PossibleWomanCollective #CommunityDrivenBrand #BrandedExperiences #CustomerLoyalty #BrandStrategy #WomenEntrepreneurs #BusinessGrowth
S1 · E44
March 18 · 43 min
Brand First, Leads Second:Using AI & Omnichannel Marketing to Grow Your Small Business the Right Way
What if the real key to growth isn’t being everywhere, but being clear about who you are and who you serve? In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Kevin Berrier, Advertising Director at MDDC Advertising Services, shares how small businesses can grow smarter by putting brand clarity before lead generation. He explains how omnichannel marketing and artificial intelligence can work together to create stronger strategies, better audience insights, and more effective campaigns. Episode Highlights: The AI Games Competition Kevin shares how watching Squid Game sparked the idea for his AI Games workshop — a competition where advertising sales professionals work in teams to build a 5-minute marketing presentation for a real brand in just 30 minutes. Teams are scored on a 20-point rubric covering how well they integrated AI into their work, with peer voting to determine the winner. The goal: make learning AI fun and practical. Kevin's Background Kevin's marketing career began in 2001 in newspaper classified advertising. Watching the industry evolve — and being inspired by the storytelling in Mad Men — fueled his passion for branding and eventually led him to his current role at the Maryland, Delaware, D.C. Press Association. The Role of Local Media Kevin makes a compelling case for local media, particularly highlighting how the COVID-19 pandemic underscored its importance. When other channels like social media became unreliable and email marketing saw spiking unsubscribe rates, communities turned to local news for trusted information — and local businesses used it to stay connected to their customers. Biggest Challenges for Small Businesses Small business owners often feel pressure to "be everywhere," spreading their budgets thin across too many channels. Kevin and host Sue Kirchner both stress the importance of stepping back, defining what makes a brand different, and focusing on the right audience and channels rather than chasing leads reactively. Using AI Effectively (and Responsibly) This is the heart of the conversation. Key takeaways include: ✅ You are the hammer; AI is the nail — AI should assist your thinking, not replace it. ✅ Train your model — Feed AI your brand identity, mission, vision, and product info to get smarter, more relevant outputs. ✅ Use AI for brainstorming and persona building — Kevin built detailed audience persona profiles in an afternoon using a custom GPT, work that a research firm might charge $50,000 and three months to complete. ✅ Always gut-check outputs — AI hallucinates (produces convincing but incorrect information), so human review is non-negotiable. ✅ Be transparent — Kevin always tells clients when AI was part of the process, and they see it as a superpower, not a shortcut. ✅ Treat AI like an intern — Onboard it properly, correct it when it's wrong, and keep updating it with what you learn. What resonated most with you from this episode? How are you putting brand first before chasing leads in your business? Connect with Kevin to learn how to integrate AI into your business to work more efficiently, strengthen your marketing strategy, and accelerate brand growth: Website: https://mddcadservices.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-berrier/ LinkedIn Business Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mddc-advertising-services News Media Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13076127/ Facebook Business Page: https://www.facebook.com/MDDCAdServices Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mddcadvertisingservices/ Five Dubs Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/0eqPC0EYwkiEm4uvZsxEAl?si=8170f50f0d3248d1 Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.
S1 · E43
March 4 · 33 min
Building Your Brand Through Transformational Retreats
Elevate your brand beyond transactions and into powerful, loyalty-building experiences that clients never forget. In this episode of The Turbo Branding Show, Lori McDowell, Founder of Your Extraordinary Life, shares how business owners can deepen loyalty, strengthen client relationships, and drive long-term growth through Done-For-You Transformational Retreats. A former chemical engineer turned catalyst for human transformation, Lori explains how intentional, well-designed retreats move beyond one-time events to become powerful tools for retention, referrals, and lasting impact—bringing your brand promise to life in ways traditional marketing simply can’t. Episode Highlights: Guest Background Lori McDowell traded her PhD in chemical engineering for entrepreneurship, now specializing in done-for-you transformational retreats Helps business owners create branded experiences that deepen loyalty, strengthen connections, and generate new revenue Key Insights on Brand Development Finding Brand Clarity You know your brand isn't working when people still ask "so what do you do?" after hearing about your business Broad, generic messages don't resonate—you need to focus on who you serve and the specific outcomes you provide Your brand can remain consistent even as your service delivery evolves Creating a "Living Brand" A brand that feels alive helps people visualize their own transformation Everyone pictures it differently, but they should be able to see themselves in that vision The power of visualization creates emotional connections and alignment The Power of Retreats as Branded Experiences Why Retreats Work Face-to-face experiences create deeper connections than conferences or virtual interactions Well-designed retreats take participants on a transformation journey over 3-4 days Participants leave as changed people, creating lasting loyalty and word-of-mouth marketing Retreat Planning Essentials Start by identifying your vision, values, and desired client transformation Build in downtime for reflection and integration (example: one free day in a five-day retreat) Include pre-retreat meetings and post-retreat follow-up to extend the experience Marketing and Filling Retreats Best Practices Offer a "quick win"—something tangible participants take away immediately Include a community give-back component (10% to charity, volunteer activities) Start by securing a few committed participants you already know Make retreats profitable at 50% capacity to minimize risk Personal contact matters—phone calls and direct outreach convert better than passive marketing Consider "bring a friend" discounts to combine fulfillment with lead generation Practical Advice Locations don't have to be exotic—they just need to break people out of their everyday routine Retreats can work in Airbnbs, local destinations, or conference centers with outdoor activities Design the experience to match your brand values and desired transformation Follow Us & Share Your Insights on Branding and Growth: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suekirchner/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brandstrongmarketing/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandStrongMarketing Connect with Lori to learn how transformational retreats can become a powerful engine for loyalty, revenue, and brand growth: Website: https://yourextraordinarylife.net/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lorimcdowell/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lori.mcdowell.5/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lori.mcdowell.5/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@drlorimcdowell FREE Gift: https://reimagineu.thrivecart.com/breakthrough-blueprint/ Subscribe to Our Newsletter Get actionable branding insights, episode highlights, and strategic resources to help you grow faster: https://brandstrongmarketing.com/stay-in-touch/ 🔔 Turn on notifications so you never miss a new episode.

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