Branding, Business, and Breaking Hearts: How One Creative Agency Is Ending Sex Trafficking
Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Brandon West, Chief Purpose Officer and founder of PHOS Creative, in an honest conversation about what it really means to build a faith-driven business from the inside out. Brandon shares how a 12-year journey from a home office — teaching Greek, Latin, and algebra on the side — became a 24-person creative agency on a mission to cultivate flourishing in people and organizations everywhere they touch.
But this episode goes far beyond marketing strategy. Brandon opens up about the year his mom died, his team faltered, and his leadership was tested — and how that same season became the catalyst for a vision so big his leadership team laughed when he first said it out loud: launching North Central Florida's first-ever sex trafficking safe house. Today, PHOS has launched 37 care centers around the world — five years ahead of schedule.
This is a conversation about awareness and trust, excellence and authenticity, uppercase Purpose and lowercase purpose — and what happens when an entrepreneur finally asks: what if God positioned this business for something greater?
Key Topics:
- Why excellence alone isn't enough — the case for authentic, Christ-driven branding in the marketplace
- The "Flourishing Framework": PHOS Creative's six-dimensional model for caring for team, clients, and community
- From one Compassion International child to 37 care centers: the stewardship mindset that changes everything
- How a cleaning crew employee became the first sex trafficking survivor reached in Gainesville, Florida
- Why the problems of the world can't just be someone else's fight — and how to take your first step
- The difference between ‘uppercase P’ Purpose and ‘lowercase p’ purpose — and why it matters to your team
- "It is not your business to succeed": How C.S. Lewis's words reframed how Brandon measures everything
Notable Quotes:
"God has positioned this business for something greater. As we live that out and be that authentically to the world — authentically behind the scenes and then authentic in public — I do think that is where the sweet aroma of Christ begins to be so beautiful." — Brandon West
"Do for the one what you wish you could do for the many." — Brandon West (quoting a mentor)
"If you have something that's enough to chase, maybe you have enough to share." — Brandon West
