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Under30CEO - Young Entrepreneurs & Young Professionals - Startups
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Brand Building: The Foundation of Marketing Success
When we decided to partner Hawke Media with STS, we recognized an untapped opportunity in the brand development space. Great marketing isn’t just about clever campaigns or strategic advertising—it starts with a solid brand foundation. Building a strong brand identity creates the consistency needed across all marketing channels. This consistency is what builds consumer trust and ensures your company’s longevity in the marketplace. Why Brand Consistency Matters I’ve seen countless businesses pour money into marketing without first establishing who they are as a brand. This approach is backward. Without brand clarity, your marketing efforts will always feel disconnected and fail to resonate with your target audience. The STS team brings sixteen years of experience building hundreds of successful brands across various industries. Their portfolio includes iconic names like Prime and Ghost—brands that stand out in crowded markets because of their distinct identities. What makes these brands successful isn’t just their products but the consistent experience they deliver across all touchpoints. This consistency doesn’t happen by accident; it’s the result of thoughtful brand development. View this post on Instagram The Brand-Marketing Connection When we work […]
Persistence: The Only True Difference Between Success and Failure
Success isn’t complicated. After years of building businesses and mentoring entrepreneurs, I’ve collected plenty of advice, but the most powerful insight came from an unexpected source: Seth Rogen. His observation cuts through all the noise about success strategies: “The difference between people who make it and people who don’t is the people who made it never quit.” This might sound simplistic, but its truth is undeniable. If you quit, your failure is guaranteed. It’s mathematical certainty. The path to achievement in any competitive field—whether it’s marketing, entrepreneurship, or entertainment—follows this fundamental principle. The Power of Constant Pressure What separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest isn’t just talent or ideas. It’s sustained pressure. Think of success like breaking through a wall. Some people hit it once or twice, then walk away when it doesn’t immediately crumble. Others keep hammering, trying different spots, using different tools, but never stopping. My journey building multiple businesses, including growing Hawke Media into what it is today, wasn’t a straight line of victories. For every success story I can tell, there were numerous setbacks that could have been ending points if I’d allowed them to be. The entrepreneurial path requires: Consistent effort even when results aren’t […]
Instant IP Strategies for Inventors to Prevent Intellectual Property Risk
To create a new invention is a significant accomplishment, but such achievements are often swept aside by a lack of intellectual property (IP) protections. Inventors tend to rush the build, pitch, and publishing process, exposing their original concept to risk. The lack of a protection strategy opens new inventions to the risk of IP theft, so one must take action to avoid common IP missteps along the way. Don’t Share an Idea Too Soon The urge to share a new idea can be a powerful one, but doing so before an invention is properly protected can expose inventors to the potential for theft. A post on social media, a pitch event, or even a casual conversation might seem harmless, but if someone can protect an idea first, they will likely hold the rights. Before sharing a concept or invention, it is essential to secure authorship over that idea. Aside from the risk of IP theft, this kind of public disclosure could disqualify an idea from patent eligibility entirely. If a concept is sufficiently widespread, a court may choose not to grant an inventor rights over their own invention. With Instant IPᴵᴾ, an inventor can create a blockchain-verified smart contract in […]
Conservation Must Start With People, Not Just Animals
Flying over the tiny Gombe National Park was a turning point in my understanding of conservation. Below me stretched a landscape that told a complex story – one where the fate of chimpanzees and humans were deeply intertwined. For years, I had focused on studying chimpanzees, documenting their behaviors and raising awareness about their declining populations. I learned extensively about habitat loss and its devastating effects on chimp communities. But what became increasingly clear was that I had been seeing only half the picture. The communities surrounding chimp habitats face overwhelming challenges: Crippling poverty that forces impossible choices Lack of access to adequate healthcare Limited educational opportunities Degraded farmland that yields less each year These challenges create a situation where local people have no choice but to cut down trees to grow food or earn income through charcoal production and timber harvesting. It’s not destruction for destruction’s sake – it’s survival. Conservation Through Community This realization fundamentally changed my approach to conservation. We cannot save chimpanzees without addressing human needs first. The two are not separate issues but deeply connected parts of the same problem. This insight led to the creation of the Jane Goodall Institute’s TACARE program. Rather than […]
Building Trust Before Advertising: Why Brand Comes First
In today’s world, starting a company has never been easier. With a few clicks, anyone can find a product and launch it online. But this accessibility creates a significant challenge: standing out in what has truly become an attention economy. As a marketing entrepreneur who’s helped hundreds of businesses grow, I’ve seen firsthand how many founders rush to advertise before establishing their brand foundation. This approach almost always leads to wasted marketing dollars and disappointing results. If you haven’t established a differentiated brand with an authentic story behind it, you simply won’t capture attention in today’s crowded marketplace. Without that attention, success becomes nearly impossible. Why Brand Must Come Before Advertising When I work with new clients, many are eager to jump straight into advertising campaigns, email marketing sequences, and other tactical revenue drivers. I understand the urgency—these activities directly generate sales. However, I always caution against this approach. Here’s why: without a compelling brand story as your foundation, marketing tactics become exponentially more expensive and less effective. Think about your own purchasing behavior. When you encounter a new product or service, what makes you trust it enough to buy? What convinces you to return for repeat purchases? What inspires […]
Why Branding Matters in a World of Endless Options
As a brand owner, I understand the struggle of juggling multiple marketing initiatives with limited resources. The question often arises: with so many priorities competing for attention, why should branding take center stage? The answer is simple yet profound: In today’s marketplace, people don’t just buy products—they buy stories and emotional connections. This reality has transformed how we must approach business building. Standing Out in the Noise Walk into any Target or browse Amazon for a few minutes. What do you see? An overwhelming sea of options. For nearly any product category, consumers face dozens if not hundreds of choices. Creating another product and placing it on these shelves might generate some sales, especially if you’ve developed an interesting formulation or design. But that’s not enough anymore. To truly stand out—to make your product’s power reach your intended audience—you need more than just a good product. You need a brand that resonates. What separates successful brands from forgettable products? I’ve found it comes down to these key elements: A clear understanding of why you’re doing what you’re doing A story that connects with your target audience Visual and verbal identity that reflects your values Consistency across all touchpoints An emotional […]
Why Finding Your Tribe Is Essential for Personal Growth
At twenty-one, I faced a devastating medical prognosis. The doctor entered my hospital room, looked me in the eye, and delivered the crushing news: “You’ll probably never walk without a stick. And climbing? Be realistic—you’ll never climb again.” Those words shattered me. Not just because I loved climbing, but because of something much deeper that I only understood years later. My entire social world—my tribe—revolved around climbing. In my young mind, losing climbing meant losing my community, my sense of belonging, and my identity. The Power of Community in Our Lives This experience taught me something fundamental about human nature. We are social creatures who thrive on connection. When faced with losing my climbing community, I wasn’t just mourning a hobby—I was facing isolation from the people who understood me best. That fear became my greatest motivator. It wasn’t simply about proving the doctors wrong or returning to the physical act of scaling mountains. It was about maintaining my place in a community that gave my life meaning and purpose. Looking back, I recognize this as a universal human need. We all seek our tribe—people who share our passions, understand our struggles, and celebrate our victories. This tribal connection is […]
Why The National Anthem Still Matters Today
Recently, I found myself reflecting on the opening lines of our national anthem. “Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light, what so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming.” These words, written over 200 years ago, still resonate with me in profound ways. As an entrepreneur who has built and sold multiple businesses, I’ve come to appreciate the symbolism of perseverance and hope embedded in these lyrics. The anthem describes a moment when, after a night of battle, the American flag was still flying—a powerful metaphor for resilience that applies to both our nation and our personal journeys. The Entrepreneurial Connection The national anthem speaks to me as an entrepreneur. That flag, still standing after a night of bombardment, mirrors what many of us face in business. We weather storms, face setbacks, and sometimes wonder if we’ll make it through the night. Yet, like that flag, we’re still there when morning comes. I’ve experienced this firsthand. Before launching Hawke Media, I grew and sold other ventures. Each had moments when success seemed uncertain—my own “perilous fights.” But persistence paid off, just as it did for our young nation. View this post on Instagram More Than Just […]
Overcoming Fear of Failure: The Path to Unlocking Opportunity
Fear of failure cripples too many potential leaders. I’ve noticed this pattern repeatedly throughout my entrepreneurial journey – people hesitate to take action because they’re afraid of what might go wrong. But here’s the truth: failure is inevitable and completely okay. When people look at successful entrepreneurs, they often see only the wins. They see Hawke Media’s growth or my previous successful exits, but they don’t see the stumbles along the way. For every success story I share, there are plenty of things that didn’t go well – and that’s a natural part of the process. The Power of Taking Action Progress happens one day at a time, one foot in front of the other. This simple approach has guided me through building multiple companies. The fundamental truth is straightforward: If you don’t ask, you don’t get If you don’t try, you don’t make it happen If you don’t take risks, you limit your opportunities I try to instill this mindset in my teams. Taking action despite uncertainty creates momentum that theoretical planning never will. View this post on Instagram Embracing Uncertainty Even […]
Why I Don't Promise Marketing Miracles (And Neither Should You)
Let me be straight with you. If I claimed I could look at your business and guarantee a 10x return without breaking a sweat, you should be skeptical. Very skeptical. Think about it logically: if generating massive returns were that simple and predictable, why wouldn’t I just buy your business and implement these magical strategies myself? The hard truth about marketing is that there are no crystal balls. Anyone promising guaranteed results is likely selling you a fantasy. After years in this industry, I’ve watched countless businesses waste money on agencies that overpromise and underdeliver, leaving clients frustrated and disillusioned. The Reality of Marketing Results What we can offer is expertise, not miracles. At my company, we’ve built our reputation on a foundation of transparency and realistic expectations. We know best practices. We’re skilled at execution. We have access to extensive data that informs our strategies. But we don’t pretend to be fortune tellers. This approach puts us at odds with many agencies that will say anything to keep you as a client. They’ll promise the moon, deliver a rock, and then blame external factors when results don’t materialize. I believe this practice isn’t just dishonest—it’s damaging to our entire […]
Why Authentic Relationships Matter More Than Ever
In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with filtered images and carefully curated social media posts, authenticity has become a rare commodity. I’ve spent years building businesses and brands, and one thing has become increasingly clear to me: genuine connections are irreplaceable. When I observe interactions between couples like the brief exchange I witnessed recently, I’m reminded of how powerful authentic relationships truly are. The simple, unfiltered moment between partners – the knowing glances, inside jokes, and comfortable silences – these are the foundations of meaningful connections. The Power of Being Present Too often in business and personal relationships, we’re physically present but mentally elsewhere. Our attention is divided between screens, notifications, and endless to-do lists. The most valuable gift we can give another person is our undivided attention. I’ve found that the most productive business partnerships and the most fulfilling personal relationships share this common thread: presence. When someone feels truly seen and heard, trust develops naturally. This applies equally to: Customer relationships Team dynamics Personal connections Family bonds Each of these relationships thrives when we bring our authentic selves to the table. Authenticity creates a foundation of trust that no marketing budget can buy. View this post on […]
Artificial Intelligence + Real Wisdom: Avoiding the Pitfalls
The strong push for AI integration into modern businesses isn’t without reason – the capabilities of artificial intelligence are considerable. And it’s probably true that the businesses that fail to adopt it will end up being left behind. Used well, it compresses the time and effort required for tasks. Used badly, though, it can result in outcomes that are worse than those found by businesses that never integrate it to begin with. We’ve talked about how AI tools can accelerate what you do, but just as important is knowing how not to misuse them; let’s address that now. Augmentation, not abdication The biggest mistake a founder can make is outsourcing judgment to an LLM or AI. Judgment is the reason that AI will never make humans obsolete. You can understand context, ethics, and trade-offs in a way that can never satisfactorily be left to a machine. AI is like a power drill: it can make a DIY task much faster and cleaner; it can also cause a disastrous flood. The difference is how it is handled, and that’s the human side of the equation. To look at it practically, ask yourself which part of a task is generative, which is […]