The Kurty D Show
057 - Building Brands That Soar with Erik Huberman
Episode Summary
I’m excited to share my conversation with my friend Erik Huberman-Founder & CEO of Hawke Media. We explore his entrepreneurial journeys, from growing up in Ojai to founding Hawke Media, the fastest-growing marketing agency on the US West Coast. We explore the power of emotional connection in branding, paralleling Nike's strategy, and delve into Erik’s book, "The Hawke Method,”--emphasizing the importance of awareness, nurture, and trust in brand building. We delve into the perils of client concentration, the role of in-house recruiters, the growth strategy involving mergers and acquisitions, and Hawke Ventures--a VC fund that he spun out of the agency. Additionally, we touched on the impact of AI on the economy and the importance of adaptability, networking, and resilience in business. Our conversation also covers the challenges of managing energy and balancing business with personal life. Erik also shares his personal story of overcoming intense anxiety during a tumultuous period, highlighting the significance of empathy and self-care. Erik is one of the good guys, and the number of insights we packed into this episode is fantastic.
Episode Notes
Episode Highlights:
- Insights into the Broken Marketing Ecosystem and the genesis of Hawke Media
- Publishing of Erik's book, "The Hawke Method."
- Brand building and energy management
- Shared roots in Ventura County and experiences growing up
- Significance of the “Red Hawk” with the brand and emotional aspect of marketing
- Importance of managing energy and balancing business responsibilities with personal pursuits
- Impact of AI on the future of work and the economy
- Challenges of entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining mental and physical health
Tweetable Quotes:
- “I'm a firm believer that the brand is what you make of it.” — Erik Huberman
- “People use logic to justify emotions, but we're emotional creatures.” — Erik Huberman
- “I think the logo needs to be a symbol that people can rally around. But the symbol needs to be meant more internally than externally.” — Erik Huberman
- “Businesses fail for two reasons only; one: they get underwater on debt or capital and they can't get above water and two: the leaders give up.” — Erik Huberman
- “The consistency of what you do is what becomes your brand.” — Erik Huberman
- “When you’re part of an early company that turns into a powerhouse, that’s really rewarding.” — Erik Huberman
- “If you want to keep something long-term and sustainable, fight for that!” — Erik Huberman
- “If you're gonna jump into something, you should have some proprietary knowledge or some connections to build a business.” — Erik Huberman
- “It is really easy to find the energy when you feel like your time is gaining momentum and you're on the upswing and everything is going well — that energy comes easily.” — Erik Huberman
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