Turning Good Intentions into Reality in Your Career, Business and Life
You have a business and you’re likely wondering if you need to hire a public relations team to help you manage your social media accounts and public persona. The quick answer is probably not right now. And here’s why:
The very basic definition of public relations is to positively promote products, services, or an organization, and persuade the audience to buy into your brand. [Read more…] about The Importance of Public Relations
“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.” – Simon Sinek
Have you ever looked at a logo and instantly connected it to a story? Maybe Pixar’s animated desk lamp logo can instantly put you in a good mood because you know you’re about to see a great film. Maybe your TOMS shoes make you feel good knowing that your purchase also provided a pair of shoes for someone in need. Great brands do more than just sell products, they connect you to a story. So what story are you telling? On today’s episode, Derek & Kari Beth Chitwood, founders of Peach State Pride, talk with Kevin about telling their story through clothing.
The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber
1. Sales tactics are meaningless without a story.
Peach State Pride’s success didn’t happen because they managed to come up with some great marketing copy. It happened because they focused on telling their story. They talked about Derek’s memories of growing up on his grandfather’s peach farm, and all the things that native Georgians can relate to. When Derek told his story, the brand sold itself.
2. Hire for your weaknesses.
Derek is the creative dreamer and creative. Kari is the planner and strategist. Their complementing skills have allowed them to be a great team who can lean into their strengths and trust the other person with their weaknesses.
3. Hire slow, fire fast.
New businesses can sometimes make the mistake of hiring quickly and without firm company values in place. Derek and Kari’s advice is to hire as slow as you can. Take time to fully get to know a candidate before you bring them on the team. And if they’re not a good fit… fire fast.
It’s been a great year of interviews and conversations here at Launch Youniversity! As you begin to wrap up your year, here are a few of our favorites about community, branding, and scaling.
Welcome to Episode 53 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast
Shane and David’s Full Episode
Clay Scroggins on Thinking Critically
Critical thinking is a skill you practice in tandem with choosing positivity. It’s looking at any given situation and asking yourself “How could I or we add value here?”
Eryn Eddy on Building a Community
Don’t use social media as a megaphone. Use it as a way to engage with your audience. Talk with them, not at them.
Shane and David on Personal Branding
Your brand stamp is what you say about yourself, but your brand shadow is what others say about your brand.
Jan Smith on Delegating
If you are willing to replicate and delegate, your business can grow beyond you. Jan could only sell a limited hours of her time so she made an effort to teach and replicate her skills with others she felt had the musical knowledge. This allowed Jan and her team to replicate and delegate efficiently to new staff without losing the quality of working with Jan personally.
Justin Miller on Self-Care
Even passion needs to take a back seat to personal care. For Justin, this means setting boundaries with his schedule. It means time blocking parts of his day to pour into his team. It means acknowledging that even though he is saving lives in Africa, his wife and child always come first. Passion is an incredible thing, but we need to steward it correctly to be successful with it.
This week, Launch Youniversity is honored to have accomplished entrepreneur, Sid Mashburn, join us on today’s episode. Sid is the owner of the number one men’s independent clothing store in the US. This is part one of our conversation with Sid, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so that you don’t miss part two next week.
Welcome to episode 16 of the Launch Youniversity Podcast.
GQ Style’s Profile on Sid Mashburn
1. Do your own research. When Sid was scouting a location for his store in Atlanta, he drove down every single street within a several-mile radius. He looked at the license plates of cars driving around to see what surrounding counties they were coming from. He noted the restaurants, where people were hanging out, who his neighbors would be. After spending time finding out who the people are and what surroundings they enjoy, he was able to determine the need.
2. You can’t go wrong when you put people first. Building community is part of the Sid Mashburn business model. Sid says that when people cross the threshold into his store, they are his guest. What do you do when a guest comes into your home? You offer them a drink. Simple gestures of graciousness, like offering customers a beverage, have turned a clothing store into a place where people come to hang out. The Sid Mashburn store is a place where anyone can shop and everyone is welcome.
3. Great Product. Great Price. If you can accomplish the dynamic duo of fantastic products and prices, you don’t have to live in fear of the ebbs and flows of the economy. Sid launched his store at a time when everyone in retail was trying to leave retail. He knew that if he put out a really great product, at a really great price and wrapped it up in exceptional service, it would be okay. He was right.
