Several years ago, I visited a small tackle retailer in Branson, Mo., near Table Rock Lake. Though it was spring and the fish were biting, I was there for business—to learn how this 1,200-square-foot store thrived despite fierce competition from a nearby big-box retailer. His answer was simple: “I’m different.” “Those [other retailers, which included … Read more
As a consultant, your personal brand is crucial to your success—and a key component of that brand is your worldview. This isn’t just a buzzword; it’s a guiding principle that influences your approach to business, decision-making, and client interactions. Let’s break down what a worldview is, why you need one, and how it can help … Read more
Yes, branding is important for your small business, too. No matter how many times I tell small business owners that “branding is like the air in your lungs, essential for your survival,” they still think of it as something they’ll do later, once they are bigger or more profitable. They lack an understanding of the … Read more
Social psychology teaches us that panhandlers asking for specific amounts of money are typically far more likely to receive a handout. A specific ask conveys an effort to complete a clear-cut task, which makes it easier for normally apathetic passersby to assist in what they might now view as a worthwhile effort. This psychology works … Read more
How innovation and unique branding give small businesses an unfair advantage I’ve been blessed to work with some amazing brands over the last fifteen years, many of which weren’t even around when I was born. I can still remember sitting at the large conference room table at one of the largest health equipment makers and … Read more
Demystifying the power of branding “What is branding, anyway?” That’s one of the most-asked questions I get from small business owners. “A brand refers to the unique, intangible, and often indiscernible, association prospects and customers have regarding your products and services,” I say to them. Having a respected brand helps you stand out from the … Read more
My opening to the group of entrepreneurs I spoke to earlier this week was “You must build a brand. The success of your business depends on it.” During the talk, sponsored by Selph Marketing, I shared how-to advice on a number of topics I’ve seen hold small businesses back, and needlessly so. Chief among those … Read more
Many years ago, during an initial client engagement, the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) for the brand I was about to start working with shared a user manual of sorts with me and his then-new team. Having never seen such a manual before, I didn’t know what to expect, but I quickly learned that the document … Read more
Your brand story succinctly outlines your business’s reason for existing. An effective, compelling story creates resonance with your ideal customers and delivers top-of-mind awareness that drives return visits. Once you find your brand story, it helps cement in everyone’s mind—from owners to junior employees and brand advocates—the importance of your place in the market. Recently, … Read more
In today’s digital age, your personal brand is more than just a professional reputation—it’s how you present yourself online and offline. Whether through the content you share, the reputation you build, or the relationships you foster, personal branding has become essential for standing out in a crowded, attention-driven world. Branding is not optional. But personal … Read more
Many small business owners don’t think branding is essential to their success. They think of branding as something big companies do. They assume that their customers know who they are based on what they sell or the services they provide. That is, until a prospect, who has never heard of them, shows up and asks … Read more
In college, I studied Disruptive Innovation, the theory pioneered by legendary Harvard Business School professor Clayton Christensen to describe how new entrants to a sector initially thrive to meet the under-served parts of the market but quickly move upstream upon gaining traction. When they move upstream, however, the encounter entrenched market leaders who’ve often dominated … Read more