The Marketing Factor, by Cobble Hill Marketing Factor

Emmett Shine is a creative entrepreneur who has played a major role in the emergence of the direct-to-consumer movement. As the co-founder of NYC creative agency Gin Lane, he helped craft immersive online experiences for the likes of Sweetgreen and Stella McCartney. And with his latest venture, Pattern Brands, he's on a mission to bring more joy and meaning to people's everyday lives through thoughtfully designed home goods.

Throughout his career, Emmett has demonstrated a knack for turning challenges into opportunities and staying true to his vision in a shifting landscape. In this episode of *The Marketing Factor*, he shares his insights on everything from navigating economic disruption to creating authentic brands that stand the test of time. Along the way, he reveals a common thread: the importance of staying curious, adaptable, and true to your core, no matter what may come your way.

On the latest episode of "The Marketing Factor" podcast, we had Lindsey Johnson, CEO and Co-founder of Weezie Towels. Lindsey and her co-founder Liz started Weezie in 2018 to bring a luxury, personalized towel experience to the market after identifying a gap in the industry. Since then, Weezie has grown into a thriving direct-to-consumer brand known for its high-quality, customizable towels and exceptional customer service.

Throughout this conversation, Lindsey shares invaluable insights on how Weezie has leveraged personalization to create a unique brand experience that resonates with customers. From authentic influencer partnerships to maintaining a human touch in customer service, Lindsey dives deep into the nuances of personalization and its major role in Weezie's success.

Carrie Morey is the owner and founder of Callie's Charleston Biscuits and Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, a handmade biscuit company she started 19 years ago using her mother Callie's recipes. With a passion for Southern food and a desire to balance her career with raising her daughters, Carrie embarked on a journey to build a mail-order biscuit business at a time when online shopping was still in its infancy.

In this episode of “The Marketing Factor”, Carrie gets real about keeping an authentic, local feel alive while dreaming big and going global. She spoke on the wild ride of growing her business authentically, from personally dropping off biscuits at local spots to figuring out how to scale up production and distribution without losing that special touch. Carrie's story is all about staying true to your roots while chasing those big dreams.

In Episode 01 of the Marketing Factor, Austin Dandridge sits down with entrepreneur Brooks Reitz to discuss his journey in developing successful brands across various industries. From his early days working in restaurants to launching the innovative Jack Rudy Cocktail Company, Brooks shares insights on how he has cultivated a unique taste and leveraged it to create authentic, compelling brands.

Brooks dives into the importance of storytelling, consistency, and customer service in building a strong brand identity. He also discusses the challenges of maintaining brand consistency in the ever-changing restaurant industry and shares his strategies for staying relevant while remaining true to core values.

Throughout the conversation, Brooks emphasizes the significance of pursuing one's passions, immersing oneself in diverse experiences, and seeking out new knowledge to develop a refined taste. He also touches on the growth of his popular Substack newsletter and the role it plays in shaping his personal brand.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur, marketer, or simply interested in the world of taste-making and brand-building, this episode offers valuable insights and inspiration from one of Charleston's most innovative and influential figures.

Timestamps:
00:00 - Introduction
02:34 - Brooks describes his entrepreneurial ventures
06:04 - Developing taste and seeking out new experiences
13:41 - The story behind Jack Rudy Cocktail Company
20:52 - Defining a great brand
25:26 - Launch and growth of Brooks' Substack newsletter
32:24 - Handling negative feedback and personal branding advice
36:35 - Maintaining brand consistency in the restaurant industry
43:39 - Staying relevant while honoring brand origins
47:17 - The one question Brooks wishes he was asked
50:48 - Contrarian advice for business success
55:02 - Where to find Brooks Reitz online

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The Marketing Factor is presented by Cobble Hill
Produced by Thursday Labs