In this episode, we’re joined by Jordan Mix, partner at Late Checkout, for an in-depth discussion on how startups can build a million-dollar brand in today’s hyper-competitive landscape. Jordan introduces the concept of digital gravity—a framework for creating “mass” on the internet that draws customers into your brand’s orbit. The conversation explores how companies can move beyond linear funnels and embrace orbit-based growth, where repeated brand interactions across multiple channels drive purchasing decisions.
Together, we break down actionable strategies for generating traction, including the smart use of AI agents, automation, and vibe marketing. Jordan shares insights on balancing transactional marketing (like paid ads and cold outreach) with long-term brand-building investments, while emphasizing the role of creators, content flywheels, and the importance of being discoverable in AI-driven search results.
Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction: Building a million-dollar brand in 2025
00:27 - Meet Jordan Mix and overview of Late Checkout
01:10 - The idea of digital gravity and mass in the AI era
03:00 - Funnels vs. orbits: How people really buy
06:15 - Automation, AI agents, and vibe marketing explained
10:45 - AI SEO, branded search, and surviving the law of shitty click-throughs
15:20 - Building discovery flywheels and creator-driven growth
20:30 - Strategies for leveraging YouTube, Reels, and creators at scale
25:00 - Managing creator risk and internal content strategies
28:00 - How to start creating digital gravity without overwhelm
Key Points:
• Digital Gravity Framework — Customers enter your orbit through repeated brand interactions, not linear funnels. The goal is to create mass (content, tools, assets) that attracts and retains attention.
• AI Agents + Automation — Jordan highlights practical uses of AI agents, like automating outreach campaigns, creating dynamic ad workflows, or scraping competitive data to inform marketing.
• Transactional vs. Brand Marketing — Early traction often comes from transactional tactics (ads, cold outreach), but long-term success requires investment in brand and content that lowers acquisition costs over time.
• SEO in the Age of AI — With LLMs scraping Google’s top pages, brands need to dominate bottom-of-funnel keywords and question-based queries to appear in AI search results.
• Creator-Led Growth — Partnering with creators can trigger a viral cascade where hundreds of pieces of content are generated without direct cost, building digital gravity passively.
Key Takeaway:
Startups should focus first on finding where their customers spend time, test 2-3 channels, and double down on what works. From there, build repeatable processes and automate intelligently. The goal: maximize digital mass where it matters most, so your brand becomes the natural choice when buyers are ready.
Notable Quotes:
• “Funnels create linear growth. If you want exponential growth, you need digital gravity.” — Jordan Mix
• “Where are your customers? Build as much mass as possible in that space.” — Jordan Mix
• “Every ring you put out is like a mini-funnel — together they form the black hole of your brand.”
Guest Socials:
X: @jrdnmix
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-mix1/
In the Pit with Cody Schneider | Marketing | Growth | Startups