Breeze Airways (JetBlue, and others): David Neeleman, Founder & CEO

New Crop Capital: Chris Kerr, Chief Investment Officer: Fabian talks with Chris Kerr, Chief Investment Officer at New Crop Capital, as we go Beyond Meat (yes, that was a brand hint). This show was recorded on May 3rd, 2019, which happens to have been the day after Beyond Meat's stunning and widely publicized IPO. This marked a first for a brand making meat-like products from plants. Chris has been involved with Beyond Meat from the very beginning and we learn what role positioning and branding played in this incredible success story that any brand, may that be food and beverage or not, can learn from. Fabian sits down with Chris Kerr, the Chief Investment Officer at New Crop Capital, who has nearly 30 years of leadership experience with startups and venture capital investing. He has spent the last decade focused on impact investing with a concentration on the plant based foods sector. We recorded this episode the day after Beyond Meat hit the stock market. The brand is a poster child by Hitting The Mark

32 min listen

Wilkmazz: Sam Mazzeo, Co-Founder: Fabian chats with Sam Mazzeo who runs a law office in San Diego together with his partner that they built into a brand that goes against the grain. His firm's brand is built on boldness in an industry that is known for blandness. Wilkmazz's client area is subtly titled 'Lawyer's Shit.' Sam talks about the pros and cons of creating a bold brand and why one needs to keep re-branding over and over again in order to remain authentic. I sit down with my lawyer (indeed!), who has not been my lawyer before I invited him onto my show. I came across their site, wilkmazz.com, after hearing Sam speak in an interview and it took me only a few split seconds to know that I have to get him onto this podcast. I believe in a brand being authentic, and direct, and as simple as being bold sounds, it takes a special personality and lots of guts to actually pull it off and to pull it off successfully, and the partners at this San Diego law firm sure pulled it off. Sam an by Hitting The Mark

35 min listen

Bourbon Barrel Foods: Matt Jamie, Founder: Fabian Geyrhalter speaks with Matt Jamie, a self-taught chef from Louisville, Kentucky. Matt is the founder, president, and CEO of Bourbon Barrel Foods, and the author of the EAT YOUR BOURBON cookbook. Bourbon Barrel Foods is the original microbrewer of soy sauce in America and a manufacturer of gourmet food products that represent the rich history and heritage of Kentucky's Bourbon Country. Today you are in for a treat. A mouthwatering treat that sadly will remain a verbal-only treat to you and me as we will spend this episode with an innovator in a segment a lot of us would love to dive right into: Kentucky Bourbon. If you're a foodie, if you like soy sauce or bourbon, perhaps both, or if you run an F&B business, this is an episode to indulge in. Matt created a brand that is rooted in a romantic story; a story of place, taste, and craftsmanship. A story that created a company that continuously grows between 38-50% a year yet each of the 5 by Hitting The Mark

31 min listen

Dr. Ginger's: Dr. Ginger Price, Founder: On this episode of Hitting The Mark, Fabian Geyrhalter talks to Dr. Ginger Price. Dr. Ginger Price was a leading Cosmetic Dentist for over 30 years. In 2014 she created a unique line of coconut oil oral care products that are all natural, delicious and fun to use. She saw not only a gap in the market as far as coconut oil toothpaste was concerned, but also noticed that there were no brands with a female founder in the industry. Founders creating physical products, even more so if they are consumable, and even more so if they have to show provable results, sure are fascinating! Dr. Ginger's story from a swift idea to a working formula, design and actual consumers picking up a tube of toothpaste in stores around the US is surprising and uplifting. Listen to Dr. Ginger Price and her brand of oral care products, which will soon be seen at Target and Whole Foods stores around the country. by Hitting The Mark

26 min listen

Stacy's Pita Chips, Stacy's Juicebar and BeBOLD Bars: Stacy Madison, Founder: Many of you know Stacy Madison as the Founder of Stacy’s Pita Chips, a brand she grew from a food-stand to a $65 million dollar company that she sold to Pepsi. She is now launching a new brand, the refrigerated BeBOLD bars. I was beyond thrilled and honored to have Stacy on Hitting The Mark as we were talking about how politics and brands mix, what crucial branding mistakes not to make, how to spread your brand’s message and what branding means to someone like Stacy, who has sold her company for a quarter billion dollars. by Hitting The Mark

50 min listen

Plankk Studio: Colin Szopa, Founder: Fabian sits down with Colin Szopa, Founder of Plankk Studio, an on-demand streaming service that lets fitness enthusiasts sweat it out with on the go workouts alongside their favorite fitness influencers. We talk about the art of app naming, how to work with influencers and what branding means to Colin. In this episode, we dive into influencer marketing with Colin Szopa, who created a brand for fitness influencers to connect in deeper ways with their tribes. We debunk the myth that influencers are Prima Donnas to work with, learn about how personal brands support each other versus compete with each other on the same digital platform as well as the art and science of crafting a meaningful and descriptive name for the app store. You can find Plankk Studio in the app store if you are ready to sweat it out with some of the biggest names in fitness. by Hitting The Mark

25 min listen

Anna Sheffield Fine Jewelry & Bing Bang: Anna Sheffield, Founder and Lead Designer: Anna Sheffield launched Bing Bang in 2001, and her eponymous fine jewelry brand followed in 2009. Since then, some fine folks you may have heard of like Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Kerry Washington, Helen Mirren, and Charlize Theron came to appreciate her work. Today we go deep into how Anna created a cult-like following with a brand that was almost created by accident and how creating the actual brand platform just 4 years ago was instrumental to her growth. But, I also take this opportunity to dive into all the questions so many of us have about the industry as a whole: How much in the diamond industry is an upsell? Are lab-grown diamonds really the future? And, I am going a bit witchy, to what extend do reclaimed stones carry the soul of the deceased? Yes, I went there. Anna was a fascinating guest. If you are an artist who wants to turn their craft into a successful brand, if you are a fan o by Hitting The Mark

49 min listen

Charity Water: Scott Harrison, Founder & CEO: Fabian talks with Scott Harrison, the founder of charity: water, one of the most trusted and admired non-profits in the world. Solving the water crisis one donation and one well at a time, Scott and his team created a brand that breaks the stereotypes of what a charity is and how a charity acts. He re-branded 'charity' while creating a beloved brand of his own. Charity: water is a champion in brand messaging, design, and storytelling while leading with technology and innovation. A paramount episode not to be missed. by Hitting The Mark

46 min listen

Parlor Skis: Mark Wallace, Co-Founder: In this episode, Fabian is joined by Mark Wallace, Co-Founder of Parlor, a custom ski brand from New England that is taking the art of customization and personalization to new heights. We learn how Parlor skis are "customized for you, by you and with you, each one as individual as you are." Fabian talks with Mark Wallace for whom skiing has always been the driving force in his life. It took him from Saddleback to Park City and then all over the world as he lived the dream as a semi-pro ski racer. Mark learned the nuances of ski building during a job at a Boston construction firm, dedicating countless hours during nights and weekends. He started Parlor with two friends in an abandoned funeral parlor in Cambridge, honing the science and art of ski building. We discuss his company's focus and dedication to the sport and its tribe, how far the brand is able to take the important brand traits of customization and personalization and how Parlor leads by Hitting The Mark

29 min listen

Journey Meditation: Stephen Sokoler, Founder & CEO: Fabian talks with Stephen Sokoler, the founder and CEO of Journey Meditation. Stephen runs a company on a mission: to help all people live happier, healthier, less stressed lives. Founded in 2015, Journey is building the world's largest, most supportive meditation community both online and off. TechCrunch coined it 'the Peloton of meditation.' Journey also operates corporate programs with organizations ranging from Facebook, Disney, and Nike, to charter schools, hospitals, and non-profits. Take a breather and let your mind wander, away from the Donald Trump and Boris Johnson world on the outside, to start looking within, because here's a thing you don't see mixed very often: meditation and branding. And on this episode, we see the two blend together effortlessly and authentically since Stephen listened to his friend Simon Sinek's advice and asked the question 'why?' at the onset of his new venture, and a great brand foundation derive by Hitting The Mark

43 min listen

Rogue Brands: Raaja Nemani, Co-Founder: Fabian Geyrhalter talks to Raaja Nemani on this inaugural episode of Hitting The Mark. Raaja is the Co-Founder of Rogue Trading Company (the parent company to Rogue Advising, MarketerHire, and Rogue Brands). Previously, he was the Co-Founder and CEO of Bucketfeet (a D2C, artist-designed footwear brand). Bucketfeet was acquired in 2017 by Threadless. We dive into his factory-direct platform and how brand strategy has affected his recent company launches as well as his time launching and scaling the successful footwear marketplace Bucketfeet. Fabian Geyrhalter talks to Raaja Nemani on this inaugural episode of Hitting The Mark. Raaja is the Co-Founder of Rogue Trading Company (the parent company to Rogue Advising, MarketerHire, and Rogue Brands). Previously, he was the Co-Founder and CEO of Bucketfeet (a D2C, artist-designed footwear brand). Bucketfeet was acquired in 2017 by Threadless. We dive into Raaja's factory-direct platform and dis by Hitting The Mark

24 min listen

Tinybeans: Eddie Geller, Founder: Fabian talks branding with Eddie Geller who founded Tinybeans, an all in one app that provides a safe and loving space for parents to document their child's lives. We dive into the importance and power of naming and how to get it right from the get-go. In this episode, we break new ground with Eddie Geller, a startup founder who is well beyond his brand's IPO. His app has accumulated a staggering three million users, yet many of you may have never heard of it because he has a very targeted appeal: Young parents and their parents. We talk about the difficulty of marketing across generations, creating a brand name that can be used as a verb, and how going against users' expectations may turn into your startup's most important feature. Learn more about Tinybeans; and also check out this episode's sponsor, Mister Maginsky, a startup that is changing men's underwear forever. by Hitting The Mark

27 min listen

Double Dutch: Raissa & Joyce de Haas, Co-Founders: On this episode, Fabian talks with 26-year old Dutch identical twins Raissa and Joyce de Haas, who have built Double Dutch, a London-based brand of award-winning premium mixers that sold well over 10 million bottles to date. We dive into the story from idea to shelf while building a beloved brand along the way. We talk about their story from idea to bottle to shelf, the advantages of having a co-founder, how the brilliant name Double Dutch came about (yes, it all happened at a bar), how the brand's fun copy has come together organically over the years and why Joyce and Raissa (who made it onto the Forbes 30 under 30 list this year) wish they would have paused and created a more cohesive visual and verbal brand when they saw initial interest in their products. You can learn more about Double Dutch and see where you can get your mixers for the perfect cocktail at www.doubledutchdrinks.com by Hitting The Mark

27 min listen

Antis Roofing & Waterproofing: Charles Antis, Founder & CEO: Fabian sits down with Charles Antis, a founder who has been at it for 30 years. His is not a new brand, nor one that is shockingly innovative or disruptive at all as it relates to the services it provides, but Charles Antis, founder and CEO of Antis Roofing and Waterproofing, has built a brand on the power of good a long time before it became a mainstream business etiquette and to an extent most can only aspire to. This episode dives into how being empathetic, being adaptive, having high emotional intelligence and being a critical thinker can create a strong culture, a better planet, and an admired brand – even in commodity-type service categories where true brand thinking is rarely even being considered. by Hitting The Mark

43 min listen

Peel Away Labs: Maxwell Cohen, Founder: Fabian Geyrhalter speaks with Maxwell Cohen, who founded the innovative startup that developed Peelaways, the bedding industry’s first multilayered, disposable, waterproof fitted sheet designed for the home, industrial and healthcare markets. Maxwell created his company while in college as a requirement from his parents. Fast forward and he appeared on Shark Tank and flopped. Today Maxwell is successfully running an array of disposable bed sheet brands that are available internationally. He shares how changing the brand name was a game changer for his startup, why the .com still reigns supreme, how carefully crafted words will lead to sales, and how he learned to persevere regardless of how often you hear the word 'no' along the journey – "Just get to that word quicker." You can learn more about his products at Peelaways.com or reach out to him directly via LinkedIn. by Hitting The Mark

27 min listen

&pizza: Michael Lastoria, Co-Founder: Fabian sits down with creative extraordinaire Michael Lastoria, who, after selling his New-York-based agency to beauty powerhouse Shiseido in 2017, is now Co-Founder of the counter culture pizza brand '&pizza,' which has 36 locations in the U.S. and is rapidly growing based on its inherent brand thinking and employee-first commitment. When your employees and customers alike start tattooing your brand mark onto their bodies, you know that you've been growing a special kind of brand. Full of energy and wisdom, Michael is sharing the stories and recipes behind &pizza's brand success with you on this whirlwind of inspiration we call Episode 16. I first learned about Michael Lastoria when his brand, &Pizza, has been named one of the world’s 50 Most Innovative Companies the second time in a row by Fast Company. Diving deeper into what at first glance would seem like a commodity-type business (we are talking about selling pizzas here after all) soon tu by Hitting The Mark

43 min listen

Farmgirl Flowers: Christina Stembel, Founder & CEO: You may know my next guest from the Capital One credit card ads that she is featured in, or you may be a customer and tribe-member who loves her brand as much as you love her products. Christina Stembel is the widely admired founder and CEO of the quickly growing Farmgirl Flowers brand, an integrity-driven direct to consumer flower shop that is changing an archaic industry by infusing heart and soul. Farmgirl is on track to bring in $32 million this year. On this episode, Christina shares in her outgoing and transparent style how she crafted a beloved brand while being 100% bootstrapped, and not for the lack of trying. You will be surprised that the flower industry is far from being green and that it is yet another business that is run by 'the boys club.' Christina disrupted the industry, and she did so with a brand-first mindset. An episode not to be missed. by Hitting The Mark

46 min listen

Beboe: Clement Kwan, Co-Founder: In this 20th episode of Hitting The Mark, Fabian talks with the first founder of a 'new green economy' brand to make it on this show, Clement Kwan of bespoke lifestyle cannabis brand Beboe. Clement comes from the world of high-end fashion. He helped reposition the Diesel brand for America, moved to Milan to take the license back for D&G (Dolce & Gabbana), and later became the president of Net-a-Porter, the biggest online luxury retailer on a global basis. This episode shows what can happen when you follow your heart and how a brand is being built by adding one authentic layer of story, emotion, and design on top of another. by Hitting The Mark

35 min listen

Bureo: Ben Kneppers, Co-Founder: Fabian is on the line with Ben Kneppers in São Paulo for what must be one of the most inspiring episodes to date. Ben is a co-founder of Bureo, an emerging B Corp focused on creating innovative solutions to ocean plastic pollution. The company is now collaborating with brands such as Trek, Humanscale and Jenga. We talk about how to create real, sustainable change, learn about forming a B Corp, how they secured Patagonia as 'a mentor,' and how to get a community involved in your cause. And so much more. , and he's doing it through his brand that is selling skateboards, sunglasses, surfboard fins, and Jenga games. Ben Kneppers is a co-founder of Bureo, an emerging B Corp focused on creating innovative solutions to ocean plastic pollution. Through the team's initiative, Net Positiva, Bureo has created Chile's first ever fishnet collection and recycling program. Net Positiva provides fishermen with an environmentally sound end-of-life solution for their f by Hitting The Mark

41 min listen

Brazi Bites: Junea Rocha, Co-Founder & CMO: Junea Rocha, co-founded Brazi Bites. Since our last episode, we know it takes no culinary background to create a food product that sells like hotcakes, or in Junea's case, like hot cheese bread. I had such a great time hearing her story, from being a civic engineer to running her brand with her husband. Killing it on Shark Tank, making Inc's fasting growing private company list in the U.S. for the past two years, spending three grueling years on the road selling and testing their product, to today, where they run 8,000 stores. And you will soon know why, as you will be able to witness her drive, her contagious energy, and learn from Junea's vast branding and positioning knowledge. Not only if you're in food and beverage or branding, or if you want to take the leap into entrepreneurship from your cushiony job. No, even if you are a regular consumer, this is a fascinating conversation. by Hitting The Mark

38 min listen

The Futur: Chris Do, Founder: Fabian Geyrhalter talks with Chris Do, the Emmy award-winning designer, director, strategist, lecturer, consultant, and serial entrepreneur who is out to disrupt the world of education through his latest venture, the online content and education platform, The Futur. I made a promise to myself to never feature a client - or former client - of mine on the show, but I am good with sprinkling in an entrepreneur now and then who I also call my friend. Today is such a moment and I am sure you will all appreciate that I did so. I personally am always delighted to talk with him, learn from him and be the critic he never asked to have. If you are a founder, marketer, designer or just a curious human being, this episode is not to be missed as it clearly shows us why Chris Do, and his online platform, The Futur, have such a fanatic following and why the company is seeing 300% growth year over year. Chris shares his insights on how his passion project turned into a by Hitting The Mark

40 min listen

Frank Demmler, Angel Investor: Fabian talks with Frank Demmler, who Inc Magazine dubbed Pittsburgh's 'startup whisperer.' We discuss how branding can set the direction for a B2B brand and how vintage inspired clothing brand Modcloth used crowdsourcing on many innovative levels to turn into a brand that was worth between $51 million to $75 million to Walmart. In this episode, we talk with Frank Demmler, who can take credit for 500 companies, some 10,000 jobs, and $1 billion of investment capital. For over 30 years he has been an investor, advisor, and educator in Pittsburgh's technology-based entrepreneurial community, which hardly existed when he first started but has grown to be one of the most active and desirable entrepreneurship hubs today. We dive into two of the companies he assisted, Automated Healthcare, which deploys robots in hospital pharmacies and has been acquired by McKesson for $65 million, and clothing brand Modcloth. He shares Modcloth's startup story from college sw by Hitting The Mark

26 min listen

Fourth & Heart: Raquel Tavares, Founder & CEO: Fabian sits down with Raquel Tavares, the founder and CEO of Fourth & Heart, an artisanal food brand based in Los Angeles, set on a mission to modernize ancient pantry food staples – starting with a line of grass-fed, flavored, pure spreadable butters known as 'ghee.' A fascinating story on how to make it in the food business while coming from a marketing background, how to utilize branding to introduce a product in a category unfamiliar to many shoppers, why crafting messaging from your heart is key, and how to juggle family and entrepreneurship. by Hitting The Mark

30 min listen

Clare: Nicole Gibbons, Founder & CEO: Interior designer Nicole Gibbons set out to 'take the pain out of paint' through her brand Clare where she has pioneered an easier, faster, and more inspiring way to shop for paint. Fast Company proclaimed “The Warby Parker of paint is here” and Nicole has just been named one of Inc’s 100 Women Building America's Most Innovative and Ambitious Businesses. In a fascinating conversation, we dive into sustainability, physical retail experiences versus D2C, Clare’s unique brand language, and of course, the meaning behind the brand’s name, which could have easily been Nicole, but ended up being Clare. And you will get to know the very misleading and dangerous side of the paint industry. by Hitting The Mark

40 min listen

Cameo: Devon Townsend, Co-Founder: Fabian talks with Devon Townsend who co-founded Cameo, a platform that lets you book personalized video shoutouts from your favorite celebrities. Devon is 28, received 15.8 million in funding, and runs a 60+ employee company that both Howard Stern and Ellen love, and Snoop Dogg fully embodies. As you may imagine, Devon knows a thing or two about creating a brand that people will love, and he is sharing all of it with you on this episode. Dive right in! I chat with 28-year old Devon Townsend, who quit Microsoft, became a viral Vine comedy star and yet he ended up creating Cameo, a platform that lets you book personalized video shoutouts from your favorite athletes, actors, and entertainers. His 60+ employee strong company, which has received 15.8+ million in funding to date, dispatches over 1,000 videos a day and signed up well over 10,000 celebrities, from Ice-T to Kevin O’Leary and from Charlie Sheen to Snoop Dog who are all happy to send you or you by Hitting The Mark

24 min listen

1 Year Anniversary Special: This episode can be seen as a ginormous tease for those who are new to the podcast. It is concise brand insight overload. And, it sums up the reason as to why I created this show. When I started this journey it was just a little idea that came out of a coffee chat with a friend who insisted that I just had to create a podcast. And since listening is a key aspect of building a brand, I did listen to her that afternoon, and a few months later launched the first episode of Hitting The Mark, relying on the kindness of strangers to sign up as guests to a show that did not even exist yet. One year later we heard from some of the stars of the entrepreneurship world, some celebrated disruptors, and many passionate, up and coming founders who discovered their brand differentiators early on. All of them share the same contagious enthusiasm and drive to build meaningful, sustainable and admired brands. If you had to pick only one episode to listen to, this is the by Hitting The Mark

32 min listen

Dormitus Brands: Mark Thomann, Founder: Fabian Geyrhalter talks with entrepreneur and investor Mark Thomann about his passion for revitalizing beloved but discontinued consumer brands. His portfolio includes CingularWireless, Brim Coffee, Aiwa, and as of late, the 90's PepsiCo drink, Slice. Mark is an entrepreneur who is dedicated to both relaunching iconic dormant brands as well as investing in early-stage consumer packaged goods companies, focused on better for you products. His fund, Spiral Sun Ventures and his brand revitalization company, Dormitus Brands, are currently collaborating on reinventing the soda brand Slice as a "better for you" beverage. This episode is full of branding and startup nuggets that no entrepreneur or marketer should miss out on. This episode is full of branding and startup nuggets that no entrepreneur or marketer should miss out on. Mark has been doing this for a while and gained an enormous amount of knowledge and his passion is contagious. You can lea by Hitting The Mark

30 min listen

Vice Ventures: Catharine Dockery, Founding Partner: From Walmart to Bonobos to running a VC firm that famed investor (and Netscape co-founder) Marc Andreessen invested in that solely funds vice ventures; so any startup others are advised not to invest in (many are even prohibited from investing in) such as gambling, alcohol, sex, cannabis, and nicotine. Not much more needs to be said about my next guest, Catharine Dockery of Vice Ventures, who could not come on in a more timely manner than during this economic downturn where most brands suffer, but her portfolio will strive. Get ready for some fast-talking and a very authentic, hilarious, educating and at one time even shocking episode, one you should not skip. by Hitting The Mark

38 min listen

Distilled Bath and Body (Pit Liquor): Erica and Jason Feucht, Co-Founders: In November of 2017, Erica Feucht, pregnant with her first child, started a natural vodka-and whiskey-based (!) deodorant line together with her husband Jason. The product is named Pit Liquor and I fell in love with the quirkiness of the founders and their soon-to-be brand. This is one of the few episodes where I feature a company that is so young that it is hard to call it a brand yet, but I can bet you that I will have them back in a few years and that based on their brand philosophy, brand name, and innovative product, they will turn into a known and beloved brand within the year. We talk about the ups and downs (or may I say 'pitfalls') of starting a company that leads with a provocative product, name, and brand language, and how the husband-wife team stayed true to themselves throughout their entrepreneurial journey. If you enjoyed the Liquid Death episode (catch it if you have not heard it yet!), you w by Hitting The Mark

43 min listen

IDAGIO: Till Janczukowicz, Founder & CEO: Fabian sits down with Till Janczukowicz, the founder of Berlin-based IDAGIO, which is often described as being the Spotify for classical music. As the future of music listening is streaming and streaming services aren't designed for classical music, Till is on a mission that is much bigger than his product: to save classical music from extinction in the digital age. This fascinating conversation shines a light on how to craft exciting and compelling brand messaging and design that works flawlessly to attract audiences of all ages. by Hitting The Mark

48 min listen

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Breeze Airways (JetBlue, and others): David Neeleman, Founder & CEO

Breeze Airways (JetBlue, and others): David Neeleman, Founder & CEO

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