Shows
Kickstart Your WeekWhy Showing Who You Are Sells More Than What You DoEver notice how the most talked-about Super Bowl ads aren’t explaining features—they’re making you feel something? We take that lesson and turn it into a practical playbook for small businesses: lead with brand personality, earn attention with emotion, and guide people to the details when they’re ready. Using standout examples like Uber Eats’ star-powered humor and Coinbase’s karaoke twist, we break down why entertainment-first storytelling sticks and how you can translate that into everyday content without a stadium-sized budget.We share simple ways to move beyond dry product lists. Think lifestyle shots over spec sh...
2026-02-2307 minKickstart Your WeekBig Game Ads, Small Business Wins: How Nostalgia and Storytelling can Boost Your MarketingWe break down our favorite "Big Game" ads and translate big-budget ideas into simple plays small brands can use now.In this episode, we unpack four standout ad spots and show how to turn their big-budget strategies into small, repeatable plays you can run this week.But first, we share our podcast rebrand from "Toucan Talks" to "Kickstart Your Week" and why shorter, focused Monday drops help you start fast. Then, we dive into Uber Eats’ “football sells food” world where Matthew McConaughey, Bradley Cooper, and Jerry Rice do more than cameo—they advance a...
2026-02-1621 minKickstart Your Week3 Practical Tips to Improve Local SEOWant to show up first when nearby customers search on Google? We break down the simplest path to local visibility with three moves you can start today: fix and sync your listings, write for local intent, and build a steady stream of real reviews that you actually respond to. No fluff—just the practical steps we use with service businesses and brick-and-mortar shops to win the map pack.We start by cleaning your data across the web. Your Google Business Profile is the anchor, but Bing, Yelp, Facebook, and niche directories also feed Google’s trust signals. When...
2026-02-0914 minKickstart Your WeekFrom Vision To Action: Mindset And Micro Tweaks For Small Business OwnersGoals don’t stick because they’re loud; they stick because they’re aligned. We sit down with Buffy Andrews, owner of the Made Well Center for Wholeness and Executive Director of Wellness Without Walls, to reset the rushed energy of January and build a saner, more effective plan for February and beyond. Together, we unpack how to choose goals that match your values and bandwidth, avoid performative growth, and use small, compounding improvements to move the numbers that matter.We dig into the real-life rhythm of business ownership—capacity, seasonality, and the honest recalibration that foll...
2026-02-0316 minKickstart Your WeekConsistency Beats Intensity with Steady Marketing TacticsThe first rush of January can feel electric—until it doesn’t. When the hype fades, growth belongs to the brands that show up on schedule, speak with clarity, and keep promises week after week. We unpack a practical framework for making consistency your competitive edge, even when energy dips and the calendar gets crowded.We start by reframing intensity as a spark, not a strategy. A standout video or campaign can open doors, but predictable results come from a quarterly plan anchored to one strong asset—think hero video, guide, or webinar—and a steady stream of repur...
2026-01-2609 minKickstart Your WeekThe Focus Shift: Doing Less, BetterThe fastest way to create momentum this year isn’t adding more to your plate; it’s choosing one focus and building everything around it. We dig into how a single quarterly objective clarifies decisions, reduces noise, and improves your results, then show how to turn strategy into action with simple, reliable execution habits.We start by picking a priority KPI for the quarter, like lead capture, and shaping a plan that aligns content, budget, and measurement to that singular goal. Using a dental practice example, we explore how one strong offer can drive first visits: highlight what...
2026-01-2014 minKickstart Your WeekCreative Resets For A Calmer Year in 2026The rush to reinvent everything on January 1 sounds exciting until the pressure spikes and the planner gathers dust. Let's take a different route: start with a pause, get your nervous system calm, and let simple, offline creativity make space for better choices. Instead of stacking goals, we strip back the noise and build from what actually feels good and true.Kerry Mulhern, marketing consultant, social media manager, mom, and host of Reset with Kerry, joins us to unpack creative resets you can use anytime. We explore why “creativity” isn’t just painting or perfect output; it’s any smal...
2026-01-1219 minKickstart Your Week2026 Planning: Set Up Your Marketing Flywheel Before JanuaryIf your marketing ends at “closed won,” you’re leaving growth on the table. We turn the funnel into a flywheel and show how small changes to attract, engage, and delight can lower acquisition costs, increase retention, and make every customer add force to the next one.We start by reframing the goal of content: not just traffic, but momentum. You’ll hear how to find the posts worth scaling, package them into lead magnets, and build clear next steps that convert attention into owned audiences. From there, we unpack the engage stage with segmented drips, timely retarget...
2025-11-2414 minKickstart Your WeekThe Death of Vanity Metrics: What Really Matters in 2025Vanity metrics look shiny—but they don’t pay the bills. In this episode, we break down the difference between numbers that look good (followers, likes, views) and the metrics that actually move your business forward. You’ll hear how we think about CAC, LTV, conversion rate, retention, and engagement quality, plus how to stitch reporting together across ads, website, and CRM so you can make smarter decisions—faster.In this episode, you’ll learnVanity vs. value: Why engagement metrics matter contextually but shouldn’t be your north star.The business metrics that count:
2025-11-1714 minKickstart Your WeekEmail Is Back: Why Email Marketing Outperforms Social MediaTired of chasing algorithms just to have 5% of your followers see your content? You’re not alone. This week, we’re breaking down why email, yes, email, is having a major comeback, and why it’s outperforming social media across nearly every metric that matters.We start with the obvious question: if organic reach on social is at an all-time low, where are people actually paying attention? Turns out, it’s the inbox. With email, there’s no algorithm deciding who sees your message. It’s a direct line to people who want to hear from you.You’ll...
2025-11-1015 minKickstart Your Week2025 Marketing Hot Topics: From Rebrands to RelevanceIn this episode, we look at two of the year’s biggest marketing moments: Cracker Barrel’s quick “un-rebrand” and Duolingo’s “Duo is dead” campaign. Both sparked huge reactions for opposite reasons, and we break down what worked, what didn’t, and what you can learn for your own brand.We start with Cracker Barrel’s redesign that went too far—modern logo, white walls, and minimalism that erased the comfort customers loved. Thousands spoke up, and the brand reversed course. We discuss how to balance updates with authenticity, gather feedback early, and recover when a strategy misses the...
2025-11-0308 minKickstart Your WeekWhy Customer Experience IS MarketingWhat if the most effective marketing you’ll run this quarter isn’t an ad at all? We make the case that customer experience is your strongest growth channel, and we break down exactly how to design it so referrals, reviews, and repeat purchases happen on purpose.In this episode, we start by defining customer experience as every interaction across your website, social, chat, store, and support. Then we connect the dots: fast replies, a clear return policy, and an easy booking or checkout flow communicate brand value more loudly than a tagline ever could. ...
2025-10-2012 minKickstart Your WeekWhat We’re Watching: 3 Marketing Trends Heading Into 2026The future of marketing is rapidly evolving, and this week's conversation dives into the trends shaping 2026's digital landscape. Did you know videos under 90 seconds achieve 50% higher retention rates? This statistic sets the stage for our discussion on why short-form content continues to dominate—not as a replacement for comprehensive messaging, but as a strategic gateway driving audiences toward deeper engagement.Email marketing emerges as a powerful counterpoint to algorithm-dependent social platforms. While many have predicted its demise for years, email offers something increasingly unique: direct access to your audience without fighting unpredictable algorithms. We unp...
2025-10-1309 minKickstart Your WeekHoliday Marketing Starts Now: Why Waiting Until November Is Too LateTiming is everything in holiday marketing, and waiting until November might be your biggest mistake this season. Our latest Kickstart Your Week episode dives into why October is the critical month for launching your holiday campaigns and how this simple strategy shift can dramatically improve your results.Ad costs skyrocket during the Black Friday to Christmas window as competition intensifies across all platforms. Companies that rarely advertise suddenly appear, while regular advertisers increase their budgets substantially. By starting in October, you avoid the most expensive period while your campaigns complete their learning phase. This optimization process, where...
2025-10-0608 minKickstart Your WeekMaximizing Video Content: How to Turn One Video into Multiple AssetsEver feel like content creation never ends, or it's too overwhelming to even begin? You're not alone. In this practical conversation with our videographer and podcast producer Joshua, we unlock the secrets to making your video content work harder for your business.Creating high-quality video is an investment, whether that's time, money, or both. As a business owner, you need to understand how to extract maximum value from every minute of footage. In this episode, we break down exactly how to plan your brand videos and podcasts with repurposing in mind from the very beginning, e...
2025-09-2908 min
Kickstart Your WeekHow to Prep Your Marketing for Q4 Without Burning Your BudgetFeeling the pressure of year-end marketing goals while watching ad costs climb? You're not alone. The holiday season brings opportunities but also challenges as advertising platforms become increasingly competitive and expensive. In this return of our "Kickstart Your Week" series, we're tackling Q4 marketing strategies that won't deplete your budget.Digital advertising costs, especially on platforms like Meta, see significant increases as brands compete for consumer attention around Black Friday and throughout the holiday shopping season. Your regular ad budget simply won't stretch as far during this period. But don't panic, higher costs don't necessarily signal campaign...
2025-09-2208 min
Kickstart Your WeekVideo Trends for 2025Video marketing has evolved beyond trends to become an essential business tool, with specific approaches that capture audience attention and drive meaningful engagement in today's digital landscape.• Short-form content remains dominant, requiring hooks that capture attention in the first 3-5 seconds• Effective videos combine compelling visuals, catchy music, and on-screen text – the "three-headed monster" approach• Authentic slow-paced content offers viewers a break from high-energy videos and stands out by being deliberately calmer• Long-form content continues to thrive with more niches finding audiences and platforms extending video length thresholds• Creating long-form content allows for efficient re...
2025-04-1522 min
Kickstart Your WeekMarketing in 2025: What's Already WorkingMarketing never stands still, and as we move through 2025, several key trends are already reshaping how successful brands connect with their audiences. In this episode of Toucan Talks, we unpack the strategies that are delivering real results right now.Short-form video leads the charge, with platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok continuing to offer exceptional reach potential. We break down what makes these videos work - from capturing attention in those crucial first three seconds to delivering genuine value that keeps viewers engaged. The days of posting multiple times daily are firmly behind us, as quality now...
2025-03-1717 min
Kickstart Your WeekSuper Bowl Commercials: Hits and Misses from 2025Season 3 is here! We’re kicking off the new season of Toucan Talks with one of our favorite topics—Super Bowl ads! In this episode, we break down the biggest marketing moments from the 2025 Super Bowl, sharing which ads we loved, which ones missed the mark, and a few that left us scratching our heads.Super Bowl Ads We Loved:✅ Uber Eats – A Century of Cravings: Star power featuring Matthew McConaughey and a clever script made this a standout.✅ Doritos – Abduction Commercial: A mix of humor and sci-fi w...
2025-02-1826 min
Conversations over Coffee with Kickstart VenturesJoan Yao on startup survival, strategies for tough timesBit Santos listens to Joan Yao of Kickstart Ventures, as she shares her 12-year experience navigating the highs and lows of the startup ecosystem. Learn how founders can foster success through founder selection, strategic patience and the art of adapting to financial winters and tough economic climates.The startup journey is an exhilarating ride of ups and downs especially in the bustling Philippine ecosystem. In the latest episode of Conversations Over Coffee, Bit is joined by Joan Yao, VP of Investments at Kickstart Ventures and who has been a cornerstone of the ecosystem for over a...
2024-03-1345 min
Kickstart Your WeekEP28 Minisode - Harnessing Humor and Nostalgia: Making Successful Video CampaignsTune into this week's episode of Toucan Talks as Luke and Joshua Break Down Mess Hall's Good Burger Ad. Ever wondered how a dollop of humor and a dash of nostalgia can turbocharge a marketing campaign? Get the inside scoop on how we transformed the essence of "Good Burger" into a feast for the funny bone that not only entertained but struck a chord with viewers. Our discussion peels back the layers of the conceptualization process, illuminates the hurdles of crafting comedy that clicks, and demonstrates the magnetic pull of a well-timed giveaway—ingredients that when mixed just right, ca...
2024-03-1213 min
Kickstart Your WeekEP27 - Will Hardison: Marketing Mastery and the Entrepreneurs JourneyTune into Toucan Talks this week as we chat with Will Hardison of Creative Outdoor Solutions. Once a cover band member and DJ, he started a successful marketing agency and worked with an innovative e-commerce business selling meats online. Now he is working on a new venture called Creative Outdoor Solutions to help keep you home safe with storm shutters. As we chat, we peel back the layers of this entrepreneurial venture, examining the essentials of targeting the right customer base. Will has good advice that's especially pertinent for those just stepping onto their entrepreneurial path. We...
2024-03-0531 min
Perfect Pitch by KickstartThe Tactical Entrepreneur’s Playbook: A Conversation with Wade Anderson, President and COO of ElementsRunning a startup is like building a car while you’re driving. We’re talking with an entrepreneur who does it all while staying buckled in. Join us in today’s conversation with Wade Anderson, President and COO of Elements, and investor Tanner Potter of Kickstart (a VC firm for startups in Utah, Colorado, and the Mountain West) as we bring you both sides of a Perfect Pitch. In this episode, we’ll talk about: Starters and joiners: why you don’t need to be a founder to be an entrepreneur The steps Wade took to determi...
2024-03-0531 min
Kickstart Your WeekEP26 - Jacob Tippett: Business and Strategy with a Serial EntrepreneurJacob Tippett joins us on this week's episode of Toucan Talks to unravel his journey as a serial entrepreneur. With ventures ranging from e-learning platforms like Production Online to the innovative Sticky Notes, Jacob imparts a masterclass in steering businesses through the tides of time zones and the subtleties of product design. Get ready to immerse yourself in the entrepreneurial ethos as we explore the intricacies of crafting business strategies and attainable objectives. We delve into essential insights for small business owners, including when to scale up and the resilience needed to overcome setbacks. Expect some lighthearted...
2024-02-2730 min
Kickstart Your WeekEP25 - Minisode: Breaking Down This Year's Super Bowl CommercialsJoin us as we breakdown some of our favorite Super Bowl ads from this year. This episode pulls back the curtain on big-brand maneuvers, revealing how they can be scaled for small and medium-sized businesses. From the importance of generating pre-launch buzz to the clever use of witty humor, this episode can help you with creating content that's not just seen but felt. We dive deep into some of the common themes from this year's big game, covering everything from big celebrities to dark humor and nostalgia. We analyze how brands can create memorable moments with giveaways a...
2024-02-2040 min