What does it really take to build a brand that lasts — one that outlives the hype and becomes part of culture?
In this episode of THE PARABLES®, Ejay Cruz reconnects with Andy Nguyen — the creative force behind Afters Ice Cream, Hello Kitty Café, MATTE BLACK Coffee, and the new Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Pizzeria.
Andy breaks down the real formula for building brands that last — the one no marketing course can teach. From creative breakthroughs and failed ventures to collaborations with icons like Snoop Dogg and Nickelodeon, this episode dives deep into what separates short-term hype from legacy-level impact.
We cover:
· 💪 Overcoming failure and pivoting when things fall apart
· 💡 Turning ideas into culture-shifting brands
· 🔥 The truth about marketing, timing, and staying authentic
· 🤝 Why loyalty and integrity build lasting success
· 👨👧 How fatherhood shaped Andy’s business mindset
· 🚀 The mindset behind creative longevity and legacy
If you’re a creator, entrepreneur, or visionary who wants to build something real, lasting, and authentic — this is the conversation you can’t afford to miss.
📺 YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@EjayCruz
🍕 Follow Andy Nguyen
https://www.instagram.com/andythenguyen
✅ Follow Ejay Cruz
https://www.instagram.com/itsejaycruz/
✉️ Join My Newsletter
https://ejaycruz.myflodesk.com/newsletter
📷 My Content Gear
#BrandBuilding #EntrepreneurMindset #CreativeEntrepreneur #Business #MarketingStrategy
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
The Joe Rogan Experience
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.