Cover Brand

Struggling to unite your many passions under one compelling brand? You’re not alone! In this episode, Ethan Decker welcomes Amelia—an innovator, storyteller, and founder of The Z Tasty Life—who shares her journey from the structured world of corporate and academia to launching a soulful, multifaceted personal brand. Discover actionable strategies for clarifying your brand identity, finding your “icebreaker” focus, and transforming ...

Struggling to get your B2B brand noticed by the right people without a huge marketing budget? This episode is your blueprint! Host Ethan Decker sits down with Jack and Justin from The Caisson Company to address every small business’s million-dollar question: How do you break through the noise to reach the real decision-makers—especially in specialized industries like construction?

You’ll learn why 95% of your audience isn’t ready to...

What is the real financial impact of branding? In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker welcomes Rocky Longworth of Equilibrium Advantage to unpack the misunderstood role of brand in business growth. Too often, business owners focus on easy-to-measure metrics like daily sales, missing the long-term value that true brand-building delivers.

You’ll learn how to reframe the conversation with stakeholders (and even the CFO!) to r...

Struggling to get your current customers to buy more? Wondering if a clever campaign can boost visit frequency—or is that just marketing wishful thinking? In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker sits down with research consultant Carol Kauder to peel back the curtain on the true power (and limitations) of advertising and brand communications. They unpack why well-intentioned campaigns often fall flat and why “reminding” beats ...

What does it really mean to build a "personal brand" when you’re the business? On this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker and Jeff Leitner dig into the sometimes-cringey world of personal branding and offer an empowering alternative: focus on your reputation. They break down why memorable individuals—like Steve Jobs, Anna Wintour, or even a local blacksmith—stand out not just for their skills, but for the simple, symbolic traits ...

Are you struggling to define your brand’s voice in a competitive market? This episode is your roadmap. Nikki Nagy, founder of Las Olas Luxury Living, joins Ethan Decker to unpack her journey from frustrated shopper to innovative business owner—building a pool furniture brand that bridges the gap between luxury and affordability. Discover how Nikki leveraged clever design innovations (like a two-piece pool lounger!) and a smart ship...

Confused about branding or think it’s only for consumer giants? In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker welcomes Perry Maughmer, an experienced Vistage chair, to break down the real-world impact of brand science for leaders of growing organizations. Discover why your first brand campaign should always be internal, how to translate your company’s core beliefs into concrete behaviors, and why even B2B businesses can’t overlook t...

If you’ve ever wondered how to differentiate your brand in a crowded (or even overlooked) market, this episode of Cover Brand is a must-listen. Ethan Decker sits down with Lili Siegelson, founder of Gelt+Glow, a bold new brand shaking up the Hanukkah gift-giving scene. Lili shares how spotting a gap in the market—lackluster Hanukkah wrapping paper—sparked her entrepreneurial journey, as well as the realities and rewards of launchin...

Are you a small business or startup fighting for visibility against big, established brands with deep pockets? In this inspiring episode of Cover Brand, host Ethan Decker sits down with branding pro T Strickland of Zocco Print and Promo to dig into three powerful strategies every challenger brand can use to win. T shares her journey from agency life to launching a family-run merch business, as she and Ethan explore how to amplify w...

Are you struggling to set yourself apart in a world where fitting in feels like the safest bet? This episode of Cover Brand is your guide to breaking free from blandness and forging a personal brand that truly reflects who you are. Ethan Decker is joined by Anne Macomber, who shares her experience coaching students on how to lean into what makes them unique, even as they navigate the traditional expectations of the corporate world.

Are your brand values more than just words on a wall? In this episode of Cover Brand, host Ethan Decker sits down with expert Steve Morris to discuss the significance of brand values in cultivating an authentic business identity. Discover the techniques that Steve employs to guide clients toward defining and living their core values, turning abstract concepts into powerful, tangible actions. From hiring practices to recognizing emp...

In the world of branding and marketing, staying top of mind is crucial, especially with lengthy sales cycles. Join Ethan Decker and Steven Bell on this episode of Cover Brand to explore an unexpected yet effective strategy: using high-quality merch to maintain a delightful presence with your prospects. Delve into real-life examples from branding giants like Coca-Cola and insightful tips on how to create merch that people love, not ...

Join Ethan Decker and guest Chelle Johnson as they unravel the importance of defining your Ideal Customer Profile (ICP) and its impact on successful branding and marketing. With five years of business experience, Chelle shares the increasing trend of honing in on a focused customer base. Ethan and Chelle delve into how focusing on a niche can streamline your efforts, enhance your marketing strategies, and make your brand resonate b...

In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker and Rajev Sivarasa explore the challenge of maintaining brand uniqueness as businesses expand, particularly emphasizing the role of brand behaviors and authenticity. Rajev shares insights from his journey in the IT services industry, spotlighting how personal touches and a distinct company culture can set a business apart. Discover how Rajev uses unique selling propositions like the catc...

Join Ethan Decker and guest Dan Smink on this episode of Cover Brand as they delve into the nuances of branding within the manufacturing sector. Highlighting the difference between big B and little b branding, they discuss how even the smallest brand details can significantly impact a company's market reputation and sales. From the importance of premium perceptions to ensuring brand consistency, Dan and Ethan share practical insigh...

Are you struggling with the age-old challenge of aligning sales and marketing efforts? In today's episode, Ethan Decker dives into this common corporate conundrum with sales veteran Andy Wilson. They explore the concept of "brand body language," a transformative perspective that equates your brand's image to the non-verbal cues in a personal interaction. Discover why these subtle signals are vital to gaining customer trust and how ...

Join Ethan Decker on Cover Brand as he chats with Sima Ali, founder of the Ali Law Group and HRtelligence. This episode covers the killer concept of your “brand neighborhood,” a method to define where your brand stands in the market (aka your ideal brand position). Whether you’re a business owner launching a new product or revisiting your company's image, this episode provides a clear, simple tool to help you effectively position y...

In this episode of Cover Brand, Ethan Decker sits down with Marc Wallace, a Vistage master chair and seasoned executive coach, to discuss the multifaceted world of branding. What is a brand? How is it defined? How do different elements like logos and reputation play into a company's overall image? Listeners will gain insights into the importance of both "Big B" branding, which encompasses a company's entire reputation, and "Little ...

Join Ethan Decker and his guest, Peggy McCartha, as they explore the intricacies of brand architecture in the latest episode of Cover Brand. Peggy, with over 36 years of experience in photography and business strategy, shares her journey of managing multiple business brands, including Headshots by Peggy, Quintesphere, TimeBenders, and Global Business Plaza. They tackle the challenges of creating a cohesive identity when multiple of...