Marketing Mindset Podcast

What does it really take to scale an agency to $100K months without burning out?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Mike Koziol, lawyer-turned-agency-owner-turned-consultant, who has helped countless service businesses navigate the messy middle of growth.We break down the milestones that matter most, and the traps that stall agencies before they ever reach scale. Why what works at $5K/month won’t work at $50K/monthThe mantra “sell before you build” and how it saves years of wasted effortHow to make your service turnkey so clients don’t feel like they’re doing the workWhy retention is a growth engine that beats new acquisition every timeThe mindset shift from freelancer to business owner (and why so many burn out at $25K)Featuring:If you’re growing an agency or service-based business, this conversation is a roadmap for scaling smarter, not just bigger.

What is a brand, really?Peter Wilken, former agency exec at Ogilvy, BBDO, and Leo Burnett joins the show to dismantle one of the biggest misconceptions in marketing: that branding is just visuals.He shares how great brands are built through emotional differentiation, internal culture, and strategic alignment - not just pretty logos and color palettes.We also talk about:The difference between branding vs. brand buildingWhy most small businesses think they’re “not ready” for brand (and why that’s wrong)How to avoid the AI-driven “blanding” of everythingWhat Peter learned leading brand strategy across Asia-Pacific for global companies, and how those same lessons apply to solopreneurs todayIf you’re struggling to define what your business truly stands for or how to make it stand out, this episode is for you.

Brand building isn’t just about flashy campaigns, it’s about tying every effort back to revenue. In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Katie Cabanas, a consultant who’s helped major organizations (including some names you’ll instantly recognize) craft brands that customers trust and remember. Katie breaks down how to build a brand that actually moves the bottom line, whether you’re running a global company, a local nonprofit, or just starting out.Featuring:Why understanding your customer is the foundation of brand successHow hyper‑local campaigns can outperform massive ad buysUsing quick, simple market intel to shape messagingTurning bold ideas into action (and letting data guide you) If you want practical, revenue‑driven steps to make your brand stronger in 2025, this episode is packed with insight.

How do you future-proof your creative career when AI is disrupting everything? In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Farooq Umer, Brighter Click’s very own lead designer turned creative strategist, to break down his journey from executional design work to owning performance strategy.We talk about:Why most designers never see the data, and how that’s holding them backThe skills that actually matter when shifting into strategy rolesHow learning copywriting and influencer management changed Umer’s career trajectoryWhy AI won’t replace you if you evolve faster than it doesWhether you're a designer, copywriter, or performance marketer, this episode is a blueprint for turning curiosity and grit into a thriving creative career.

Reddit is one of the internet’s most honest platforms, and also one of the most misunderstood by marketers.In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I sit down with Anthony Gonzales, longtime moderator of Reddit’s r/Entrepreneur (4.3M+ members), to explore what actually works when engaging Reddit communities.We discuss:- Why Reddit isn’t just another social platform, and why treating it like one backfires- The art of second-order content and how brands can build credibility without getting banned- How Reddit’s domain authority makes it a sleeper SEO powerhouse- What Reddit’s evolution into video and native content means for marketersAnthony shares insights from running AMAs with startup founders, talking Reddit strategy at CES, and helping brands show up authentically where “hard sells” don’t survive.If you’ve been sleeping on Reddit, or just scared of it, this episode is your cheat code.

How do top-performing agencies actually approach creative testing?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I’m joined by Anze Markovic—founder of Unlock Performance and a seasoned creative strategist who’s worked on campaigns spending well into the 7 figures. How to prioritize messaging angles based on impact and audience sizeWhy iterating on “medium performers” can drive more efficient winsHow to balance client expectations for novelty with performance-driven repetitionWhen to double down—and when to kill a conceptThe underrated power of copywriting in creative success We break down the real workflow behind creative strategy and ad testing:Anze also shares how his team sources and scales UGC, why cross-client benchmarks are essential, and how old-school advertising books still shape his modern playbook.Whether you’re a performance agency, a media buyer, or a founder investing in paid ads—this conversation is a masterclass in thinking like a creative strategist.

How do you scale a brand without losing what made it work in the first place?In this episode of Marketing Mindset, we’re joined by Sean Christman, VP of Ops at Cuts Clothing, a brand that’s not just riding the DTC wave but defining how to build for the long game.  The 3-part framework Cuts uses to plan product and marketing: Same-to-Same, New-to-Same, and New-to-NewWhy creative, not product, is the most important variable to optimizeHow to align seasonal marketing with customer behavior (and avoid ad fatigue)A simple system to preserve institutional memory and avoid relearning the same lessons Sean unpacks the behind-the-scenes playbook Cuts uses to plan seasonal launches up to a year in advance, while still staying nimble enough to iterate monthly on creative, marketing angles, and positioning.We cover:Whether you're a DTC brand or a performance agency, this conversation is a masterclass in turning operational rigor into repeatable growth.

In this episode of Marketing Mindset, I’m joined by Rahul, Head of Paid Marketing at a performance agency managing 7–9 figure brands. Why hook rate and CTR don’t always predict performanceHis exact reporting structure for tracking new customer growthA scrappy influencer hack that landed his brand in front of A-list celebritiesHow to iterate creative the right way (hint: it’s not headline swaps) We unpack what actually matters in creative testing, reporting, and scaling spend.Rahul shares:We also get real about creative fatigue, why Meta’s definition of a “new” asset has changed, and what to track when performance drops, plus the one question you must ask founders before building a report.

In today's rapidly evolving advertising landscape, the line between media buying and creative strategy is blurring—and agencies that adapt are thriving. On this episode of Marketing Mindset Podcast, Justin and Andrew Buckley from ATTN Agency unpack the critical shift from traditional media buying to data-driven creative strategy. Why successful creative strategists must master both analytics and imagination.How brands can effectively scale creative testing without losing their core messaging.The overlooked power of persona-driven marketing for sustainable growth.What future-focused agencies and brands need to do now to avoid being replaced by AI-driven platforms. We dive deep into:From Black Friday bugs to the future of AI-powered advertising, this episode explores actionable insights to keep you ahead of the curve.

How do you carve out your own space in a saturated wellness market? In this episode of #MarketingMindset, we're joined by Karina, a seasoned media buyer working with Bees & Trees—a premium Manuka honey brand from New Zealand. We dive deep into how to differentiate your product by leaning into authenticity and consumer trust.Discover the strategic power of blending holistic education with genuine brand storytelling to reach customers at exactly the right moment.Featuring:Understanding consumer research for deep market positioningWhy discounts aren't always your best marketing playHow authority figures shape consumer trust—and how to leverage them effectivelyCreative strategies to make your brand stand apart in competitive industriesIf you're looking for actionable insights to grow your brand sustainably by resonating deeply with your audience, tune in!