Madison Ruggieri, Co-owner of Motley Brands, shares the not-so-easy two-decade journey for this direct-to-consumer company, how customer feedback directly impacted and shaped market strategies, the ah-ha moment when women inquired about using their product line of men's skin care products, and why creating alcohol-free fragrances is so important to this fragrance company. Sean Ryan, host of Strange Currencies, explores why Madison and her team thrive in a competitive men's grooming and fragrance industry. Learn more about the iconic fragrance, Santal Era, by onekind: https://onekind.us/en-ca/products/santal-era-perfume-oil Do you feel that navigating digital media sucks? Join 2 million men who wake up to a daily publication full of interesting roadmaps: https://www.rotarydigital.net/ Hang with Sean on X: https://x.com/RotaryFounder Prefer YouTube? Watch Strange Currencies on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@StrangeCurrencies-SeanRyan Produced and Edited by Your Podcast Sidekick: https://yourpodcastsidekick.com/p/yps-overview

Welcome to Strange Currencies, a podcast where Sean Ryan, Co-Founder of Rotary Digital, sits down with people he admires to discuss the challenges of building a brand. In Episode 9 Part 2, Ryan Coulter, the James Brand, joins to discuss breaking trail in the ‘everyday carry’ category- including pocket knives and carabiners. He talks about utilitarian values while expanding the portfolio outside of just ‘outdoorsy’ sharp knives.

Welcome to Strange Currencies, a podcast where Sean Ryan, Co-Founder of Rotary Digital, sits down with people he admires to discuss the challenges of building a brand. In Episode 9 Part 1, Ryan Coulter, the James Brand, joins to discuss how his experiences at Burton and Nike influenced how he runs his EDC accessories brand. ‘Modern Minimal Everyday Carry’ has become not just a phrase but a mission. Also, he advocates for an entrepreneur to have a varied number of experiences in the corporate world to learn different models to running a brand and creating a brand mission. 

Brad Neathery, Oak and Eden, joins to discuss the importance of partnerships and honoring your partners’ skillsets when building a brand under a shared vision. In addition, when it comes to branding, giving creatives the space to operate and produce amazing content.

Brad Neathery, Oak and Eden, joins to discuss using past wisdom learned with his print publication Modern Huntsman to tell novel stories. Positioning and perception is crucial to whether or not a brand succeeds, particularly in the whiskey industry. It’s a combination of a quality product and unique branding, with an emphasis on functionality not just aesthetics. In addition, he talks of how a 1/1 bottle idea led to a test kitchen in Texas, and a customer driven portfolio.

Welcome to Strange Currencies, a podcast where Sean Ryan, Co-Founder of Rotary Digital, sits down with people he admires to discuss the challenges of building a brand. In Episode 7 Part 2, Alex Realmuto, Founder and CEO of Rubik’s Agency, discusses the growth methodology at his agency, focusing on leveraging technologies to allow his team to be strategic and provide a boutique level of care to clients.

Welcome to Strange Currencies, a podcast where Sean Ryan, Co-Founder of Rotary Digital, sits down with people he admires to discuss the challenges of building a brand. In Episode 7 Part 1, Alex Realmuto, Founder and CEO of Rubix Agency,  joins to discuss how his agency interacts with brands and utilizes affiliate marketing & complimentary partnerships in performative PR.

Welcome to Strange Currencies, a podcast where Sean Ryan, Co-Founder of Rotary Digital, sits down with people he admires to discuss the challenges of building a brand. In Episode 6 Part 2, Paul Ferrago, Founder of Ace Marks, joins to discuss the challenges of customer acquisition and how the pandemic influenced Ace Mark's growth strategy. The Buy Back program allows customers to keep returning and earning credit while donating lightly used dress shoes to programs that help those in need return to the workforce.