In this episode, Shawn Soole sits down with Michael Dargie — branding strategist, creative thinker, and author of BrandJitsu — for a sharp, no-fluff conversation on how brands are really built, why most messaging fails, and how hospitality (and beyond) can stop chasing trends and start creating meaning.
This episode is a deep dive into brand clarity, creative discipline, and strategic storytelling — with real-world applications for operators, founders, and creatives alike.
🧠 What You’ll Learn
• Michael’s path into branding and the philosophy behind BrandJitsu
• Why most brands confuse noise with impact — and how to cut through
• The difference between branding, marketing, and storytelling (and why it matters)
• How creative constraints can actually unlock stronger brand identity
• Live Q&A: applying BrandJitsu thinking to hospitality, personal brands, and businesses
⏱ Timestamp Highlights (Approximate)
• 00:02:30 – Michael’s background and the origin of BrandJitsu
• 00:14:00 – Why most brands fail: clarity vs chaos
• 00:28:00 – Creative discipline, constraints, and brand consistency
• 00:42:30 – Live Q&A: applying branding frameworks to real businesses
• 00:57:00+ – What strong brands get right — and where most go wrong
🎯 Who It’s For
Hospitality operators, founders, creatives, marketers, and leaders who want to build brands with intention, stop chasing applause, and create identities that actually resonate — internally and externally.
✅ If You Loved This Episode
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