In this episode of the Seven Figures and Beyond podcast, host Greg Shuey welcomes Olivia Janisch, co-founder of the branding agency Superbrand. Olivia shares her fascinating background, growing up between London and South Dakota, which fueled her curiosity about different cultures and ways of life. This curiosity led her to Silicon Valley during the tech boom and later to Silicon Beach in Los Angeles, where she worked alongside innovative startups like Uber. Her diverse experiences and love for brands and storytelling set the stage for her to co-found Superbrand with a mission to bring high-quality branding strategies to emerging companies.

Olivia explains that branding goes far beyond just logos and visual design. It's about creating a holistic and immersive experience for customers. She likens a brand to the sensory experience of walking into a luxury hotel or sitting in a high-end car, where every detail, from the sound of the window to the feel of the leather, communicates the brand's quality and values. For D2C companies, this means obsessing over every customer interaction, from the first marketing touchpoint to post-purchase follow-up, ensuring a consistent and compelling brand narrative.

Building a strong brand, according to Olivia, starts with a deep understanding of the customer. Brands need to be attuned to their customers' needs, desires, and pain points, constantly innovating to provide solutions that excite and satisfy them. She emphasizes the importance of being present in the market, engaging directly with customers through conversations and real-world interactions, rather than relying solely on technology and data. This hands-on approach helps brands discover unexpected insights and opportunities that can differentiate them in a crowded marketplace.

Finally, Olivia highlights the importance of maintaining a strong brand story and staying true to the core mission and values, even as the brand evolves. She cites the example of Liquid Death, a brand that has successfully built a strong identity around its irreverent attitude and creative marketing. Olivia encourages brands to stay curious, embrace new ideas, and be willing to take creative risks. By doing so, they can create memorable and impactful brand experiences that foster customer loyalty and stand out in the competitive landscape.

Episode Links

Greg Shuey LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/greg-shuey/

Olivia Janish LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviajanisch/

SuperBrand.LA: https://superbrand.la/

https://www.stryde.com/the-power-of-a-strong-brand-how-d2c-companies-are-differentiating-themselves-through-branding/