The Futur with Chris Do

In this inspiring podcast episode, we welcome magician, father, and keynote speaker Vinh Giang to the show. Vinh walks us through his fascinating life and career path, sharing powerful personal stories from both along the way. We hear about how Vinh struggled as a shy and seemingly invisible kid and how the allure of magic and showmanship helped instill confidence and paved the way for an even bigger, worldly presence for him. Beyond the craft of magic, Vinh is a teacher at heart. And his topic of choice is communication. Throughout the conversation, Vinh offers actionable tips for how to use your voice and body to become a more effective communicator. Whether you’re presenting on stage, in a board room, or via video call we think you will takeaway at least three valuable communication tips from this episode. So, listen up and enjoy. This episode is sponsored by HelloFresh - https://hellofresh.com/futur50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Emmanuel Probst is Global Lead of Brand Thought-Leadership at Ipsos, a leading market research agency in the world. He is also a WSJ bestselling author and adjunct professor at UCLA. We invited Dr. Probst on the show to share his deep understanding of consumer psychology, discuss how branding has evolved throughout the 21st century, and what it means for businesses to connect with their audience. In this episode, Emmanuel shares his thoughts about what a brand is and what a brand is not. Put simply: brands are not static. They are a dynamic co-creation that live in the hearts and minds of people. Whether you're a part of a small business or a large corporation, Dr. Probst's insights will give you a new perspective on how to connect with your audience and build brand desire that lasts. This episode is sponsored by Factor - https://factormeals.com/futur50 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vince Lebon is a husband, father, and a curious design collaborator. He founded the experiential footwear brand Rollie Nation, where he has designed for and collaborated with celebrities. In this episode, Vince discusses the importance of pursuing what makes him happy instead of chasing money. He shares how he honed his product design skills and started his own footwear brand from scratch. Vince also talks about Rollie Nation's future as an experience-centric brand and how he plans to blur the line between online and offline customer experience. If you aspire to design products people will love or build a brand that resonates with your audience, then this episode is a must-listen. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, we are joined by Marshall Davis Jones, TEDx Speaker and founder of MindBodySpeak. Marshall is a competitive slam poet and world-bridger, known for his voice tone techniques that help people win negotiations, deescalate conflicts, and build business relationships across multiple industries. Throughout the conversation, Marshall emphasizes the importance of voice work in communication and how tonal decision making can impact behavior in others. He explains how mastering words and tone can help individuals read the room, modulate their tone, and communicate effectively, whether they're trying to be assertive, move things along, or slow things down. Marshall draws on his experience with slam poetry and battle rap to explain how he learned to read the room and grow from these live communication mistakes. He also discusses the importance of treating our words with care and understanding that our tone can either be a controlled explosion or a delicate dance, depending on the situation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to improve their communication skills and connect with others through spoken language. This episode is sponsored by by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/FUTUR and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Phyllis Williams-Strawder is a certified brand strategist, life and business coach, and psychology marketing specialist who is known as the Ghetto Country Brandmother®. She has a passion for guiding people and helping them become brand leaders. Phyllis began her career in the food industry. She started by delivering lunches from her dining room table to eventually owning two restaurants and a catering company that generated millions in revenue. Her personal brand at that time was Mrs. Mista, where she was known for her motherly vibe. As her business grew, Phyllis herself grew out of the role and began coaching. She got her certification as a brand coach, and brand strategy allowed her to embrace her ghetto-country roots and find her real voice. And The Ghetto Country Brandmother® was born. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kevin Finn is a TEDx speaker, advisor, internationally recognized branding designer, and author who works with individuals and groups dedicated to creating a positive impact at scale. With 30 years of international experience, Kevin emphasizes that not every business is a brand, and that businesses become brands only when society says so. As an advisor, Kevin challenges his clients' assumptions objectively. He questions their identity in comparison to how their customers perceive them. In this conversation, he shares six fundamental questions that make up the basis of his brand advisory work: What value do you provide? Who are you talking to? What are you saying to them? You’ll have to listen to the episode to hear the other three. This episode is sponsored by Better Help - https://betterhelp.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part Two of our discussion on when to quit and when to push through, we hear stories from listeners about perseverance and strategic quitting. Joining us again are Nidhi Tewari and Stefan Bucher, who both remind us that joy is an important factor in deciding whether to stay the course or not. If there’s one thing you take away from this conversation, it’s that sacrificing your personal well-being for professional success rarely works out in the long run. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Acclaimed NFL coach Vince Lombardi once said, "Winners never quit and quitters never win." It's a motivating and catchy sentiment, but famed marketer Seth Godin begs to differ. In his book, The Dip, he argues that quitting can be the best strategy. In this two-part episode, Chris is joined by therapist Nidhi Tewari and designer Stefan Bucher to discuss knowing when to quit and when to persevere. Like it or not, the free market rewards exceptionalism. Success goes to the obsessed. But where is the line between intense focus and toxic hustle? And how do you determine if what you're grinding away on is worth it? This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/FUTUR and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Paco de Leon is the author and illustrator of Finance for the People, a practical guide to helping you navigate your financial life, no matter your situation. They also run a bookkeeping agency for creative professionals called Hell Yeah Bookkeeping. This episode focuses on helping creative professionals feel more confident about their finances. From applying value-based pricing to taking proactive steps for the financial health of your business. Biologically, humans have survived by having a scarcity mindset, but a growth mindset can take us further. Paco emphasizes the importance of observing our own thoughts and how others talk about money in order to better understand our relationship with it. Here's a quick financial tip from Paco: take 20 minutes (or up to an hour) once a week to check in on your finances. Doing this regularly will improve your relationship with them. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In Part 1 of this series, we established that boredom is the precursor to creativity. It provides important moments of stillness that allow one's mind to wander. Or as Deepak Chopra puts it, to “dream, imagine, and reflect.” But is that what boredom really is? And why do we associate it with laziness? In Part 2 of this series, we try to make sense of why boredom has such a bad reputation, or if it’s just a matter of semantics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There is no shortage of work to do when you run your own business. However, just because you are busy does not mean that what you are doing is productive; hence the term “busywork”. In this two-part episode, Chris coaches Mo Ismail on how to better spend his time as a business owner. He provides management tips and shares frameworks for hiring, training, and creating time for yourself to think. To quote Chris, “Boredom is the precursor to creativity.” If you have no time for being bored, then you have no time for being creative. And that’s not good for business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jacob Cass is a designer, strategist, and the founder of branding agency, JustCreative. In this podcast episode we talk with him about how to use affiliate marketing and SEO to build a successful online business. Jacob emphasizes the value of search over social media, and how having a blog that uses affiliate marketing and attracts inbound clients can be a key part of building a business. He also talks about how to create effective content that will be seen as authoritative by Google, and the importance of experimenting and analyzing data to optimize performance. If you’re not already using affiliate marketing, then you are leaving money on the table. Take Jacob’s advice and start today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Simon Ong is a personal development entrepreneur, coach, and public speaker. He is also the author of Energize, a book that will introduce you to the art and science of energy management. In this podcast episode, Simon and Chris talk about the role energy plays in our lives. Case in point: you can be ruthlessly efficient with your time, but without enough energy, your returns will be diminished. So, what is the best way to maximize your energy management? According to Simon: plan your day the night before and prioritize rest. If you struggle with accomplishing tasks or are feeling burned out then give this episode a listen. Simon will teach you how to be a better CEO—Chief Energy Officer. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of this series, we are joined again by Nidhi Tewari and Mo Ismail to continue our conversation about the role emotion plays in decision making. As a therapist, Nidhi points out the importance of processing and allowing yourself to feel strong emotions. Chris counters with the argument that emotions cloud the data, especially in business. Science then enters the chat to remind us that most decisions people make are rooted in emotion. So, should you listen to your heart or your mind. We think you should listen to this episode and decide for yourself. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This two-part podcast episode features Chris Do, Nidhi Tewari, and Mo Ismail discussing the merits of whether to make decisions with your mind, your heart, or a little of both. In part one, Chris shares how he processes his feelings, how they affect his decisions, and why leading with rational thought is the best path forward. Chris also explains his own scale of karmic equity and shares stories about how he diverted from the path of logic when making business decisions and how those stories played out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lucy Werner wears many hats: public relations (PR) expert, business owner, author, coach, and mother. She is the founder of The Wern, a PR agency and design shop for startups, entrepreneurs, and independent brands. In her own words, she is a "nobody that helps people become somebody." This podcast episode is all about PR: what it is, what it isn't, and how to successfully use PR for your business (and yourself). Lucy shares her approach for creating meaningful PR and offers actionable tips for presenting yourself. Like what makes for a great headshot, how to write a concise bio, and why you should think of yourself as a magazine. If you're considering hiring a PR agency or looking for meaningful ways to break into publications and trades, then listen to what Lucy Werner has to say. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People love YouTube for a variety of reasons, but it's most popular use: search engine. Unsure how to cut that mango? Here are twelve videos that will teach you. But how do you become that coveted top search result? The best of the best mango-cutting videos, so to speak. The not-so-secret key to success on YouTube is understanding how it works. In this episode, Chris is joined by Tom Ross, CEO and co-founder of designcuts.com, and Benji Travis, a veteran YouTuber and influencer coach. If you haven't guessed already, this episode is all about YouTube. Specifically, how to find meaningful success on the platform. If you struggle with YouTube, aren't seeing the results you'd like, or are looking for a deeper understanding of how YouTube works, then grab your headphones and hit play on this episode. Sponsored by: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

When you run a business, you earn the right to make any decision you want with it. You also accept the responsibility and outcome—good, bad, or otherwise. The choice is truly yours. But how do you know if you are making the right decision? Welcome to part one of our conversation about decision making in business. In this two part series, Chris Do talks with Mo Ismail and Nidhi Tewari about how to make objective decisions and when to trust your gut. They talk about pattern recognition, quick-thinking versus slow-thinking, and how to decipher the quality of the data you base a decision on. Sponsored by First Republic Bank - firstrepublic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dakota Robertson is a professional ghostwriter. Businesses and influencers hire him to write tweets that go viral and amass an audience. And he is damn good at it. In this podcast episode, Dakota shares how he went from working as an electrician to becoming this invisible, content-writing hero for his clients. His ghostwriting business is so successful that he is turning down all new and potential clients. If you write copy or work in the content creation business, then do not sleep on this episode. Dakota and Chris discuss the three content pillars and share five actionable tips for writing better copy. Here's a quick example: use simple language and short sentences. Sponsored by First Republic Bank - https://firstrepublic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What is the difference between self-esteem and self-confidence? And how do they affect who we are and what we believe we are capable of? In this candid conversation, Chris Do answers question from members of The Futur Pro Group. They tackle topics like supply and demand in the service industry, intrinsic beliefs versus extrinsic beliefs, and how to manage your self-talk. If you struggle with confidence or constantly chase external validation, then give this chat a list. Sponsored by: First Republic Bank - firstrepublic.com Ladder - ladderlife.com NordPass - nordpass.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode, Chris Do fields business questions and offers answers live and in real-time. Questions like: how do I raise my rates without losing clients, how do you measure creative impact, and what is the best way to price your service work? Chris is joined by several Futur Pro Group members including Drigo Tasca, Nidhi Tewari, and Anneli Hansson who also weigh in. If you run a creative service business then this episode will resonate with you. Get practical tips and valuable insights from Chris Do’s years of business experience. Sponsored by: Masterclass - https://www.masterclass.com/futur HolaBrief - https://holabrief.com/thefutur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adapt or die is the classic business mantra. To survive and thrive you must remain nimble and ready to pivot. To jump the curve, so to speak. If you could start your business all over again, what would you do differently? In this episode, The Futur CEO Chris Do and brand strategist Anneli Hansson discuss what the future holds for creative service businesses. How will technology like Ai and blockchain change how we run our businesses? What new opportunities will they provide? And how can you leverage these tools for your business? Sponsored by First Republic Bank - https://firstrepublic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sarabeth Berk is a TEDx speaker and professional identity researcher. She is reshaping how we think about the workforce by shifting and expanding our definition of professional identity. What does that mean exactly? It means that you should not be limited to either/or titles (e.g. specialists vs. generalist). And that there is a third option: hybrid. But does that help or hurt your marketing efforts? Will potential clients and employers be intrigued or confused? In this episode, Sarabeth and Chris Do define and debate the merits of hybrid professional identities. Spoiler alert: Chris is not immediately sold on the idea. Sarabeth argues that what we do professionally is difficult to categorize into simply one box. Many of us find fulfillment and excel at the intersection of several disciplines. Just as our names are unique to us, our titles and what we do follow suit. However, the trick is knowing how to communicate that intersection clearly. If you struggle with the decision of specializing versus generalizing or find yourself living somewhere in the middle then you will enjoy this conversation. This episode is sponsored by by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at betterhelp.com/futur and get on your way to being your best self. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you have to suffer to build character? We get philosophical in part two of our conversation with Baronfig founder and author Joey Cofone. He and Chris continue their discussion about The Laws of Creativity and delve into the role failure—and sometimes delusion—plays in the story of success. We like how Joey explains the concept of creativity: like a musical instrument, creativity is a practical trade that you can learn, develop, and improve over time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joey Cofone is the Founder and CEO of Baronfig, an award-winning designer and entrepreneur, and the newly minted author of The Laws of Creativity. If you have listened to our podcast long enough then you may have heard Joey’s voice before. Way back in episode 57. We are pleased to welcome him back to the show to share what he’s been working on for a long time: defining the laws of creativity. In part one of this conversation, Joey and Chris share some of their most poignant memories of creativity. They discuss the importance of remaining curious, following your instinct, and why what makes you weird also makes you wonderful. Sponsored by Masterclass - https://www.masterclass.com/futur Hookpoint - https://goingviral.pro Ladder - https://www.ladderlife.com/futur The Commercial Break - https://tcbpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Criticism is easily given, but rarely appreciated. At some point we have all had to critique someone else’s work or be critiqued by a client, manager, or teacher. The experience can be emotionally rattling. In part four of our design thinking talk, Eric Moore and Chris Do discuss ways to improve how you give and receive critique. A key component of constructive criticism is having a shared criteria to review the work. During their conversation, Chris and Eric share memorable stories of critique from their experience as students, teachers, and professionals. Pro tip: grab a pen and paper before you listen to this one. You will want to take notes. Sponsored by First Republic Bank - https://firstrepublic.com HolaBrief - https://www.holabrief.com/thefutur Hookpoint - https://goingviral.pro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now that we understand what design thinking is, it is time we learn how to use it. In part two of our design thinking discussion, app designer Deanna joins Eric and Chris to walk us through her practical application of the framework. We start by explaining the four phases of the design thinking process and follow Deanna’s story and design process for context. We also discuss how making empathy maps (and what they are), Eric’s cleverly named rose-thorn-bud concept, and where data analysis and confirmation bias come into play. Sponsored by First Republic Bank - https://firstrepublic.com HolaBrief - https://www.holabrief.com/thefutur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Eric Moore is a communication strategist and champion of design thinking. In this episode, he and Chris debate an eyebrow-raising talk from Natasha Jen called Design Thinking Is Bullsh*t. For context, Natasha Jen is an acclaimed designer and partner at the renowned design studio, Pentagram. In her talk, Natasha criticizes the concept of design thinking, ultimately calling it B.S. But is that true? Is design thinking just a sticky note ladened buzzword, or is it woefully misunderstood? If you are unsure what design thinking is (and whether it is a tool worth learning), this episode is for you. Sponsored by BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur First Republic Bank - https://firstrepublic.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The word authentic gets thrown around a lot, especially when describing brands. But what is an “authentic” brand? And why do some brands garner loyal customers while others do not? In this episode, Anneli and Chris discuss the traits of what they refer to as magnetic brands. That is, brands that customers prefer over others and that have true fans. If you are interested in branding, brand strategy, or trying to figure out how to bolster your brand, then give this conversation a listen. Sponsored by: Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of our discussion about detachment, Chris and Anneli dive deeper—and more personally—into how practicing detachment benefits your life. It's easy to attach your value and identity to your work. But that attachment then often becomes the root of your unhappiness. If your work is undervalued or criticized, then you feel personally undervalued or criticized. In this conversation, Chris shares his steps to practice meaningful detachment and explains key concepts that he follows. If you struggle with criticism, perfectionism, or taking ownership of your response in a situation, this episode might help. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you’ve listened to the podcast long enough (or watched enough videos), you will have heard the joke about Chris being a robot. That is to say; he always keeps his cool. But how does he do it? How does Chris regulate his emotions so well? Especially in the face of aggressive internet criticism. In part one of this two-part episode, Chris and Anneli discuss the art of detachment. By definition, detachment means being free from bias or prejudice. And that is key to Chris’s ability to remain objective. Sponsored by Wix - https://wix.com/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sean Cannell is a YouTuber, international speaker, and the founder of ThinkMedia. His mission: help entrepreneurs build their influence and go full-time doing what they love through the power of online video. In 2022, Sean took a huge risk by throwing a live personal branding event in Las Vegas, NV. He booked guest speakers like Gary Vaynerchuk, Alex Hormozi, and Vanessa Lau, which put tremendous pressure on his team. Pressure to make this event memorable for guests and profitable for his business. Fortunately, it worked out for the best, but not without making a few mistakes. In this unique conversation, Sean shares why he hosted an event of this magnitude and what he learned from the experience. He and Chris talk about event marketing strategy, booking high-profile guests, and the value of putting yourself in a challenging situation. Sponsored by: Gusto - https://gusto.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kate Pincott is a product designer, design coach, and CEO/founder of Remote Design Coaching. Her mission: reconnect designers to their intuition and creativity. At the peak of her tech-design career, Kate burned out. She had been running at full speed in shoes that did not fit. But instead of taking a sabbatical or falling into distraction, she made an interesting choice. Kate took what worked (and what she had become quite good at) in product design and applied it to her life. She started prototyping herself. Think of it as taking incremental steps toward improving your life. For Kate, step one was simply working outdoors in nature. In this candid chat, Kate shares her process for prototyping herself and offers guidance about how you can reconnect with your body, mind, and intuition. It is a fascinating framework. Kate even coaches Chris during their conversation, so you can see how her coaching process works in real-time. Sponsored by: The Commercial Break - https://tcbpodcast.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joana Galvao is the founder of award-winning branding and web design agency GiF Design Studios. She is also on a personal mission to help fellow creative service providers stay booked solid. In this special episode, Joana takes us through her entire marketing funnel. You will hear how it developed and how she automates nearly everything to maximize efficiency. Joana’s marketing process worked so well that she took four months of maternity leave and did not check her email once. If that doesn’t impress you, we don’t know what will. Better yet, Joana was kind enough to share this process as a free download to The Futur Podcast listeners. Download the document and follow along as you listen (or save it for later). Sponsored by Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neil Hoyne is an author, researcher, and marketing executive working at Google as Chief Measurement Strategist. He is also a senior fellow at The Wharton School and an advisor for Capital G. Neil specializes in building strong customer relationships by analyzing data like customer lifetime value (CLV) and consumer psychology. In this informative conversation, Neil and Chris discuss the power and pitfalls of relying on data to make business decisions. They start by defining what “data-driven” means and how awkward current marketing tactics are when you think about it. It’s easy to get caught up in data analytics, which is why we like Neil’s advice: you don’t have to be the best; you simply need to be better than the alternatives. If you are confused by your customer data, this episode will help dispel some of that analytical haze. Sponsored by Peloton - https://onepeloton.com/app Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Susana Chen is the founder of the Asian Creative Foundation (ACF). ACF is a community organization that helps entry-level creatives find opportunities, navigate their career paths, and help make the creative industry a more inclusive place. Roles get flipped in this episode. In this conversation, Susana interviews Chris for an ACF-hosted virtual event called Asian Creative Festival. And they cover a lot of ground. Like what inspired The Futur’s mission to teach 1 billion people, how Chris manages stress and the story of how Chris first learned about graphic design. The two also discuss an important and divisive topic: design school. If you’re new to the creative industry (or considering joining it), then you’ll enjoy this conversation. And if you’re not so new to it all, don’t fret. Chris offers advice for you too. Sponsored by The Angry Designer Podcast Gusto - https://gusto.com/futur BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Daniel Priestley is an entrepreneur (several times over), but you may know him best from his book Key Person of Influence. Over the last decade, Daniel noticed a trend in successful businesses: visible (and often outspoken) leadership. Steve Jobs. Richard Branson. Elon Musk. These CEOs leveraged technology to wield influence and change how we think about the world and their products. In short, we buy into the people behind the business before we buy from the business. You may not aspire to be the next Elon Musk, but you can apply the same approach and hasten the growth of your own small business. In this episode, Daniel and Chris discuss the benefits of being a person of influence and study the five common things you need to do to become one. But before you start that process, ask yourself this: what kind of dent do you want to make in the universe? Sponsored by Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the final episode of our series on self-sabotage, we pick up where the conversation between Nidhi and Chris left off. If you missed the first two episodes, we suggest you go back and listen to those first. At this point in the story, Chris is betting his future (and the future of his staff) on pivoting into a new teaching venture then called The Skool. But to do that, he must abandon his design agency. Everywhere Chris looks, he sees doubt. Doubt from internal management, creative teams, and even his business coach. At the time, that doubt seemed reasonable. Why leave a business earning $4 million annually in favor of something that generated a mere $10K the previous year? What everyone didn’t know was that Chris had a plan. And a quantifiable vision of what success looked like for The Futur. Sponsored by BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur Wix - https://wix.com/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In part two of our three-part series on self-sabotage, Nidhi speaks with Chris about his decision to abandon Blind and start The Futur. Blind was Chris’s branding and design agency. He started it in 1995 primarily as a motion design studio. The company focused on creating design-focused video work like commercials and branded content. But after two decades of growth, Chris noticed a decline in work. He saw the inevitable writing on the wall and had to make a decision: stay the course or pivot. In this episode, Chris talks about how he made this life-changing decision. What he was thinking, feeling, and the uphill battle he fought to create what we know today as The Futur. Sponsored by Feedback Loop - https://go.feedbackloop.com/chris Dragon Ball Z - https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/dragon-ball-z-kakarot Gusto - https://gusto.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever worked so hard on something only to find yourself stuck and caught in what feels like a complete slog? At that moment, you may think: This isn’t working. It’s time to pivot. But what if, on the other side of that discomfort, awaits everything you want? More importantly: how do you know if it’s time to pivot or push through the discomfort? Welcome to part one of our three-part series tackling the concept of self-sabotage. Why we do it, how we do it, and finding the right balance between hard work and self-care. In this episode, mental health therapist Nidhi Tewari joins Chris to discuss the differences between an unhealthy grind and determined grit. While the two hold different perspectives on the path to proverbial success, they agree that many of us quit working before it gets good. If you’re at a crossroads and deciding whether to press on or pivot, this conversation is for you. Sponsored by Hubspot - https://hubspot.com Wix - https://wix.com/partners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Neville Medhora is best known as a copywriter. But that doesn’t mean he just writes copy. According to Neville, effective copywriting means communicating a message from your brain to millions of other brains using the best technology available. Hundreds of years ago, a carrier pigeon was the best option. Today, it’s probably a brief email that includes curated animated GIFs. In this episode, we talk with the author and copywriter about why he dropped out of college, his direct approach to helping clients, and why he actively keeps up with marketing trends. One universal tip Neville shared that might help you (and your business) is that familiarity ruins your ability to critique something. You can’t relive a first impression, so try introducing fresh eyes to your problem. It will almost always lead to better insights. If you’re interested in learning how to improve your copywriting, you might like Neville’s copywriting course. Sponsored by LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/futur Dragon Ball Z - https://www.bandainamcoent.com/games/dragon-ball-z-kakarot Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kyle T Webster is an award-winning international illustrator. His work has appeared in The New Yorker, TIME, Wall Street Journal, The Atlantic, Nike, IDEO, and several other distinguished clients. Acclaimed industry publications like the Society of Illustrators, Communications Arts, and American Illustration have recognized his illustration work. Kyle also teaches at UNC School of the Arts and works for Adobe, hosting workshops and helping to make digital products like Adobe Fresco. But you may better know him by his best-selling Photoshop brushes. The Origin of KyleBrush As an illustrator, having a distinct visual style is a point of pride. But that's not something Kyle was interested in. He wanted to offer clients a range of illustrative styles. And to do that, he needed a range of flexible tools. As a result, KyleBrush was born. KyleBrush is a collection of thousands of high-quality digital brushes originally created for Adobe Photoshop. What started as a practical necessity transformed into a full-time business. Kyle's products became an industry staple. You could find his digital brushes everywhere, from Pixar to boutique animation studios. In 2017, Adobe acquired KyleBrush making all of his digital brushes available to anyone subscribed to Creative Cloud. They also hired Kyle to help their product team develop new digital drawing tools. In this episode We talk with Kyle about navigating the creative industry, price negotiation, overcoming anxiety, and the calculated career risks he took along the way. Beyond that, Kyle also offers a variety of practical tips that you can apply to your professional life right now. In particular, a clever way to connect with seemingly unreachable people. Sponsored by Hubspot - https://hubspot.com Superside - https://superside.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In 2017 Natasha Takahashi completed her first semester at the prestigious (and quite expensive) college, University of Southern California. She'd spent many nights writing essays and working tirelessly to attain any scholarship she could find to pay her tuition. But Natasha had a scary epiphany halfway into her second semester: This is not for me. Frustrated and unhappy with her USC experience, she decided to drop out. She even wrote a letter to her parents expressing her gratitude and reasoning. Five years later, Natasha sounds more than happy with her decision. She's started two businesses and is well on her way to achieving the goals outlined in the letter to her parents. In this episode, we discuss Natasha's business focus: messenger automation. Whether you were aware of it, you've probably encountered (and talked with) a chatbot. But have you ever thought about how messaging automation might help you and your business? If you get overwhelmed with DMs or want to learn more about how chatbots work and the benefits that come with them, then give this episode a listen. Sponsored by BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur Wix - https://wix.com/partners Superside - https://superside.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Just when you thought you had the internet figured out, new waves of technology approach. With them come a torrent of unfamiliar terms: non-fungible tokens, web3, DAOs, the Metaverse. Are they real, hype, or are they keys to solving the world's biggest problems? In this episode, we host investor and futurist Lisa Andrews. She's fascinated by this new technology and sees an opportunity in it to create a positive impact on humanity. As Lisa puts it, we are living in the phigital world. That is to say, a hybrid of the physical and digital world. Think about the life you lead online and the one you lead offline. They're not the same but are closely related. The Metaverse is where those two worlds start to converge. And therein lies a new opportunity for innovation, creativity, and of course, business. If you think you've missed this new wave of technology, think again. There is plenty more to learn and discover. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Franklin is a filmmaker, photographer, and budding YouTuber helping clients, and fellow creatives meet their goals. He's also a Futur Pro Group member, which is where he met and connected with Chris Do. In this friendly conversation, Chris shares his career path and how he went from studying pre-med biology to now running a thriving video production business. Spoiler alert: it wasn't a straight line from point A to point B. It took Chris time and inward reflection to understand who he is and what drives his motivations. And that kind of introspection is never easy. If you're interested in video production or are unsure about your path forward, this conversation might help you. Sponsored by Better Help - https://betterhelp.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kindra Hall is a storyteller, acclaimed keynote speaker, and bestselling author of Stories that Stick: How Storytelling Can Captivate Customers, Influence Audiences, and Transform Your Business. She's here to remind you how important storytelling is, especially for your business. We all recognize the need for connection, now more than ever. And telling stories is an excellent way to connect with people, but being a great storyteller is not easy. Like most important things, great storytelling requires strategy and effort. It's more than simply reporting information. You've got to feel it. By feel, we mean you have to care and communicate emotion in your story. That doesn't mean sharing your deepest, darkest, most private pieces of yourself. It could be fundamental, like feeling frustrated, nervous, or curious. In this episode, Kindra offers tips on what makes for good storytelling and how you can practice telling them. According to her, there are four critical components to storytelling, and you can start using them right now. Whether you give weekly presentations or are working on your very first, Kindra's advice for telling better stories can only help. Sponsored by Athletic Greens - https://athleticgreens.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Storytelling is one of the fundamental ways humans connect. It’s how we learn, exchange ideas, and entertain ourselves. At its core, storytelling is communication. This episode comes from a live Twitter Space talk Chris Do, and Anneli Hansson hosted. The topic: how to tell your own story. The conversation opens with how powerful good storytelling is. A well-crafted story is relatable and will draw you in, making the storyteller themselves inherently more interesting. Storytelling plays a crucial role in the world of branding and marketing. How you present yourself, your business, and your work tell a story. Often, that story looks and sounds like many other people’s stories, which makes it challenging for you to stand out in a crowded market space. The good news is that everyone has a unique story to tell. And by sharing it, you create a unique space for yourself. The challenge is learning how to be your true self and not the idealized version of you. To quote Emma Coates’ 22 Story Rules, “You admire a character for trying more than for their successes.” If you struggle with standing out or think that your story isn’t interesting, this episode is for you. Chris shares several valuable tips and methods for finding and telling your own stories. Sponsored by BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mika Saulitis is the Director of Creative Strategy at branding and design studio, Trollbäck+Company. But what does a Director of Brand Strategy do exactly? As Mika puts it, there are two core components: strategy and creativity. Strategy involves strategic thinking, writing positioning statements, and determining the brand’s voice—the invisible traits of a brand. Creativity arrives in more tangible forms, like campaigns, videos, concepts, and copywriting. In this episode, Mika shares how he navigated the design industry and transitioned from fetching lunch orders to facilitating high-profile strategy sessions. Mika and Chris delve into how brand strategy works. The process, the pitfalls, and why the last thing a client wants is a “yes” person. If you work in or are curious about brand strategy, what it is, or how it works, then give this episode a listen. Mika is generous with what he’s learned and how he learned it. Maybe his story can help you. Sponsored by: Athletic Greens - https://athleticgreens.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Graham Cochrane is an entrepreneur, YouTuber, and business coach whose mission is to help other people start their own businesses. You might be thinking, “Great. Another online business guru telling me to sign up for their seminar while they pose in front of a rented Lamborghini.” But you would be wrong. In 2009, right after the financial collapse, Graham was laid off. He and his wife had recently purchased a house and just had their first baby. Not a great place to be. After struggling to find work and being unable to make enough through freelance work, Graham saw an opportunity, and a side project was born. Graham had unintentionally founded The Recording Revolution, the world’s largest online audio recording and music production resource. Years later, that little side project evolved into a seven-figure business with over twenty-thousand customers. The magic formula? Serve others. In this episode, Graham shares how spending his time and effort serving others has served him well. He and Chris talk about non-traditional ways to earn a living being creative, how to build a community, and why you don’t need to be an expert to teach. Graham was also generous enough to share the nuts and bolts of his business model and its financials. His first year in business, he earned $5,000, but by the end of his second, he was at $65,000, all from selling courses based on his experience. Sponsored by BetterHelp - https://betterhelp.com/futur Athletic Greens - https://athleticgreens.com/futur Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jason Fried is the founder and CEO of Basecamp. Once a web design firm (and operating under the name 37Signals), Basecamp unintentionally pivoted into building software with their namesake product. They also created the email app HEY, a fresh take on an old idea. As you can imagine, Jason is no stranger to change. In this episode, he shares how Basecamp accidentally came to be and the struggles they’ve encountered along the way. Like working remotely, building new products, and taking calculated risks that from the outside might look crazy. Change is inevitable, but it’s rarely easy, especially for a company where people are the driving force. Shifts in direction profoundly affect company culture, and how you manage that change can make or break your business. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices