Ready to ignite some real, sustainable growth and ditch the endless sea of me-too brands? Then buckle up.
Recently, I had the absolute blast of going toe-to-toe with the legendary Brad Szollose on his Awakened Nation podcast—talking branding, differentiation, and my new book, Rich Brand Poor Brand: How to Unleash Your David in a World of Goliaths.
Brad Szollose isn’t your run-of-the-mill podcast host.
He’s a renowned author (his award-winning Liquid Leadership (changed the game), TEDx speaker, and downright disruptor when it comes to building brands that actually last.
The Truth CEOs Need to Know About Sustainable Growth
We went all-in on how to stand out—no nonsense, no fluff—just raw strategies to help you unleash your brand’s true potential.
So if you’re ready to toss out the cookie-cutter approach and start living bigger, bolder, and louder, this episode reveals how it’s done.
If you’re a founder, CEO, or entrepreneur—tired of shouting into the void—here’s your backstage pass to turning heads and carving out a genuine market space primed for sustainable growth. Let’s roll.
The Art of Differentiation: Branding Isn’t Just a Logo
One of the biggest misconceptions I still hear—even from CEOs—is, “We have a logo, so we have a brand.” That’s like saying, “I have a steering wheel, so I have a car.” A logo is a component, but it’s not the brand. As covered in Brand Intervention, “Branding is the art of differentiation.”
Your brand isn’t what you say it is—it’s what your customers believe it is.
More to the point is this: Your brand lives out there (in the market), but it comes to life in here (with our people)
The strongest brands carve out a unique space in the minds of their audience. Apple did it. Nike did it. Liquid Death is doing it now. The moment you sound like everyone else, you’re invisible.
How Daymond John Ended Up Writing the Foreword to My First Bestseller
Back when Shark Tank first started airing, my wife and I were obsessed. We never missed an episode.
I was writing for Fast Company at the time, and I broke down what made successful pitches land versus the ones that got shredded by the Sharks. Within a day or two of publishing, Daymond John tweeted, This is the best article ever written on Shark Tank.
That opened a door. I immediately reached out, and I pitched him an idea: “Daymond, you need a slogan.” But before I sent the message, I thought of a killer tagline: A Daymond is a Girl’s Best Friend.
He loved it. That started a conversation, and over time, when I wrote Brand Intervention, I asked him to write the foreword. He agreed. Why? Because I delivered value first. That’s the power of branding—it’s not just about logos and design; it’s about making an impact.
The Sustainable Growth Masterclass:
The Ultimate Branding Experience? (Yes, a Music Video)
When I launched Rich Brand Poor Brand, I wanted to create an experience, not just another book. That’s why I put together a full-blown music video trailer for it.
People make movie trailers—why not a book trailer? If you want people to take your brand seriously, you have to take it seriously. The level of attention you put into your brand signals to your audience whether you’re the garage band, the studio band, or the stadium band.
What’s Quietly Killing Your Brand? Indifference.
A lot of people are afraid of getting haters. Here’s a truth bomb: haters aren’t your problem—indifference is. If people don’t care enough to love or hate you, you’ve lost.
The best brands don’t play it safe. They take a stand. They create a reaction.
Whether it’s Tesla redefining the auto industry, Liquid Death making water rebellious, or Dollar Shave Club dismantling an entire industry with one viral video, the common thread is clear: brands that win are brands that stand out.
Jaguar, Bud Light, and the Dangers of Brand Misalignment
We’ve seen some massive branding misfires in recent years.
Bud Light’s partnership with Dylan Mulvaney? That alienated their core audience overnight. Jaguar’s bizarre, off-brand rainbow makeover? It completely disconnected from their legacy and customer base.
A brand needs to be built on authenticity, not trends. If you start making branding decisions based on what’s hot instead of what’s right for your brand, you’re heading for disaster.
Building a Brand That Stands the Test of Time
In Rich Brand Poor Brand, I break down 20 essential traits that separate brands that thrive from brands that crumble. These aren’t theories; they’re based on real-world insights from legends like Steve Jobs, Warren Buffett, Marie Forleo, and more.
If you’re building a business, you need a brand that’s bigger than you—one that creates a culture, not just a customer base.
The strongest brands are built to last because they’re built on principles that don’t change, even when trends do.
The Bottom Line: Are You Playing Small or Thinking Big?
A lot of brands position themselves based on where they are, not where they want to be. When you build your brand, ask yourself: Are you positioning yourself like a garage band, or are you building a stadium brand? Are you blending in, or are you breaking out?
If you want to build something that lasts, you need to rise above the noise. And if you need help doing that, you know where to find me.
Want more insights? Grab a copy of Rich Brand Poor Brand here.
Follow me on LinkedIn for daily branding wisdom.
And if you’re serious about taking your brand to the next level, let’s talk.
Thanks again to Brad Szollose and Awakened Nation.
Catch it on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
