The Playbook With David Meltzer

Today’s episode is a fireside chat with Entrepreneur’s Editor-in-Chief Jason Fiefer discussing the ABCs of building a brand. When you understand how to combine traditional and digital media and create emotional connections through your content, you will be able to build a brand that stands out from the rest. Timestamps: 3:40 - Not everyone needs a brand to be successful 6:14 - Brands evoke emotion and people buy on emotion for logical reasons 7:34 - The clarity of your brand’s message 10:45 - Why Disney’s 75 year old content still wins today 11:30 - How are people going to access your content? 17:12 - What’s the objective of your brand? 18:47 - We study history to predict the future 20:45 - How to monetize your brand and ask your audience to buy 23:00 - What made me a great salesperson 23:45 - Why Apple is the best at monetizing their brand 28:02 - If you can’t quantify your own value, you aren’t ready to sell 35:45 - People aren’t willing to pay for things that they can get for free 38:23 - Can someone else be the face of your brand? 42:40 - Spokesperson vs the brand 46:18 - How to amplify and perpetuate your brand

Mike Massimino, Senior Advisor at the Intrepid Museum, talks about how he had given up on his dream of being an astronaut before being inspired by the movie The Right Stuff to keep chasing his dreams. Massimino discusses topics such as his work on the Hubble Space telescope and how his time in space has influenced his views on time and spirituality. Massimino and host of #ThePlaybook, David Meltzer, share insights on topics such as how to handle risks and associated fears, whether there is extraterrestrial life in the Universe, and why it is harder to be an astronaut than a Hall of Fame athlete.

Campbell McLaren, CEO of Combate Americas and co-founder and co-creator of the UFC, discusses how the MMA league is reaching an untapped Hispanic audience and how their team is working to scale their digital sports content. On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Campbell McLaren, co-creator of UFC and founder of Combate Americas, shares his ideas on: [2:14] Why word-of-mouth was so important to the marketing of the UFC [3:58] Some of the advantages that Combate Americas holds over its competitors [18:40] How storytellers should use the power of emotion when marketing athletes [21:14] What he would choose for his senior quote if he had to pick it today

Hey podcast listeners! Today's episode is a response to the question "how do you deal with the fear of the unknown?" Don't forget to text me 949-298-2905 to be the first know when I'm in your city hosting open session Q&A meetups. Timestamps: [1:44] - Look for the positive perspective in everything [6:26] - Why I was afraid to ask for help

Hey podcast listeners, today's episode features four strategies you can immediately implement to maximize your side hustle or increase revenue streams for multiple businesses. This audio is from a recent meetup in Kansas City, make sure you text me (949) 298-2905 to receive notifications for all future meetups when I'm in your city. Timestamps: [1] 1:24 - The Power of 64 [2] 4:55 - The Vertebrae Approach [3] 7:15 - Stimulate Interest [4] 8:57 - Ask & Attract

Scott Allan, SVP and Global General Manager of Hydro Flask, talks about the evolution of his career, which was influenced by an uncle who was both an engineer and an entrepreneur. Allan discusses what he learned about engineering through education and internships, and what it was like taking a sales job after graduation. Allan and David Meltzer, host of #ThePlaybook, cover topics such as seeking out experienced employees to learn more about a career or industry, when to divert from the career plan that you have laid out, and how Scott uses his education and Silicon Valley experience to help grow the Hydro Flask brand.

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Daina Trout, Co-Founder and CEO of Health-Ade Kombucha, chats about: Why a change of circumstance means you need to learn to play a “new game” [3:38] What drove the founders to start Health-Ade [4:55] Handling challenges with manufacturing and capital needs in the company’s early years [9:56] Her future goals for the Health-Ade brand, including getting into every fridge in America [16:26]

Scott Deviney, President and CEO of Chicken Salad Chick, provides insights on the origins of the restaurant, his approach to finding franchisees who are aligned with the company’s goals and vision, and why a franchisee agreement is just like a marriage. Scott and host of #ThePlaybook, David Meltzer, share their thoughts on topics such as the brand’s goal to make a positive impact on everyone who walks into a store, how to land a “dream job” in sports, and what the Chicken Salad Chick team looks for in terms of capital requirements and real estate opportunities. The pair also talk about instilling a “team-first” mentality, as well as how to communicate and reinforce company values.

Hey everyone - on today's podcast is a conversation I had with my new "neighbor" Gary Vaynerchuk. If you take one thing away from this episode, I hope it's making the right decision to be happy. Remember, we don't have to do anything, we get to do everything. 11:35 - My ultimate goal from creating content and building a brand 15:00 - I'm not happy all day, but I'm happy everyday 18:05 - We have to make the choice to be happy 20:00 - How I made 7 figures in 9 months after graduating law school 23:20 - The mindset of decision making 25:00 - My content strategy

Ray Anderson, Vice President for University Athletics and Athletic Director at Arizona State University, discusses how his education, as well as his early career in the sports industry, prepared him to handle running athletics at a major university like ASU. Anderson shares his thoughts on fostering leadership development for student-athletes and the need to prioritize their academic success in addition to on-field success. Anderson and host of the #ThePlaybook, David Meltzer, talk about topics such as the path to becoming an athletic director, the importance of radical humility, and how to build a collaborative culture that is focused on teamwork.

On this episode of #ThePlaybook, Ann Rosenberg, author and Senior Vice President for UN Partnerships for SAP, chats about: How her experience living in Denmark informs her approach to creating equality worldwide [4:07] Why she’s writing a book that defines “what it means to win” in business today [7:09] SAP’s involvement and impact on business practices and processes worldwide [12:47] How imagination and science fiction go hand-in-hand for innovators [15:24]

Happy Saturday! On today's episode I had a really deep talk with my friend John Brenkus (Sports Science) about the impact consistency and faith have on our performance. Please tweet or DM me @davidmeltzer your feedback, comments, and what other content you'd like to hear on the podcast. Learn more about John: www.johnbrenkus.com Timestamps: 1:25 - Importance of consistency and why it works 5:14 - "Linsanity" and "TebowMania" were not luck 7:45 - Defining "Faith" in a non-religious sense 14:10 - Why health is my #1 priority 17:18 - What entrepreneurs can learn from elite athletes

Rich Krause, CEO of Capital Brands LLC (parent company of Nutribullet, discusses how consumer brands are able to adjust to the dynamic nature of modern marketing, strategies for creating sustainable growth, and the importance of understanding your customer in order to serve them.

Hey podcast listeners, this episode enters a new era for the podcast. I am focused on putting out more content on here that you have been requesting. Todays episode is a 9 minute keynote from Collision Conference on finding your frequency and building an authentic brand that lasts. Please tweet or Instagram DM me @davidmeltzer with your feedback, comments, and what you'd like to hear more of. Timestamps: 1:45 - Authenticity is the most important thing for a brand 2:05 - Good ideas last forever 4:05 - The "Stage Theory" and how you can use it 8:25 - The biggest mistake people make in branding

Dave Gilboa, Co-CEO & Co-Founder of Warby Parker, delves into his story of identifying an issue within the glasses industry and then launching a business to solve the problem while studying at the Wharton School.

Raj Kapoor, Chief Strategy Officer at Lyft, talks about his path to working for the rideshare company as well as his thoughts on the ways that transportation impacts society, as well as some of the solutions that Lyft is putting in place to push the evolution of urban design and development.

Josh Luber, Co-Founder of StockX, talks about how his previous ventures as an entrepreneur prepared him to change streetwear forever.

Mark Brazil, co-founder of IKONICK, talks about his strategies for winning every day, including the morning routine that he uses to get each day started off right. Mark shares his insights about the difference between the typical East Coast and West Coast approaches to business, as well as his thoughts on the best way to build beneficial relationships.

Damon Wayans Jr., comedian, actor, writer, and co-founder of the app Special Guest, talks about the similarities between the entertainment world and entrepreneurship.

Willie Colon and Large, co-hosts of Barstool Breakfast and the new show Beatz N Eats, talk about why they are such a complementary pair, including having similar core values and upbringings, and what it’s like producing content for one of the fastest-growing media brands in the U.S., Barstool Sports.

Akon, music icon and entrepreneur, shares his thoughts on the importance of mentorship for business leaders and how he works to learn from the next generation of musicians.

Jan Stenerud, the first placekicker to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, talks about coming to the United States to attend college on a skiing scholarship, the unique way that his kicking talent was discovered by coaches, and what it was like as he learned how to play American football.

Kevin Mawae, Pro Football Hall of Fame NFL Center and Quality Control Analyst for Arizona State football, talks about finding faith and spirituality during his time in the NFL and how he makes the most of the platform that he’s built through his career as a professional athlete.

On this episode of the #ThePlaybook, Champ Bailey, one of the newest members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, talks about... His reaction to being the first Denver Bronco defender elected to the Hall of Fame. Why he credits his teammates for all of his accomplishments, both on and off the field. Why he looks to learn from other athlete/investors like Magic Johnson and LeBron James. The main message he wants to get across during his Hall of Fame induction speech.

On Episode 117 of the #ThePlaybook, Nick Baker & Russell Silvers, COOs at AEG, share their thoughts about: How to work your way up the ladder in the sports industry Their best advice for anyone who aspires to find the right job in sports How digital marketing and media has become a part of the “special teams” for professionals in sports business The secrets to creating great brand experiences for sports fans at events

On Episode 116 of the #ThePlaybook, Sid Mashburn, founder and CEO of Sid Mashburn clothing, talks about: Why he staffs his store like the “Ocean’s Eleven” cast How to get the most enjoyment out of whatever you’re doing today Why he doesn’t believe in cutting corners when it comes to their clothing How his team have created a learning environment that leads to more success

On Episode 115 of #ThePlaybook, John Paul DeJoria, co-founder of John Paul Mitchell Systems, founder of Patron Spirits Co., and co-founder of ROKiT phones, shares his thoughts on: The reason he wants all of his children to take a door-to-door sales job What two things every entrepreneur needs to face in order to succeed Why he never sets aside time to work on a particular company Why he thinks executives need to look at a person’s heart during interviews, not just their words or enthusiasm

On Episode 114 of the #ThePlaybook, Dave Asprey, Successful entrepreneur and CEO of Bulletproof, shares his thoughts about: The order of operations that your ego follows before creating a community What one big lesson he learned from losing all of his money in his 20’s How he’s completely changed the way that he views time as an entrepreneur Why your physical health dictates your company’s success and your ROI

On Episode 113 of #ThePlaybook, Peter Murray, CEO of the Professional Fighters League and sports industry veteran, chats about: How sometimes you have to make sacrifices to get to where you want to in life, even if that means starting out in a mailroom. Why working with Nolan Ryan helped him realize the power of sports marketing Why he’s so excited to help the Professional Fighters League drive the evolution of mixed martial arts How the exciting tournament format of the PFL sets the league apart from it’s competitors

On Episode 108 of #ThePlaybook, Phil Hellmuth, 15-time World Series of Poker champion and author of the book #positivity, discusses: Why poker players need to be as introspective as possible in order to win How hate hurts you and his three simple steps to rid yourself of hate Why his journey to being the best poker player ever has been motivated by both desperation and inspiration Why money management is much more important than poker skills such as an ability to read opponents

On Episode 111 of #ThePlaybook, Forrest Griffin, UFC Hall of Famer and Vice President of Athlete Development For The UFC Performance Institute, chats about: Why mixed martial arts is the best sport for individualization [2:00] How platforms like YouTube have forever changed fight sports [4:47] The impact that the vision of the UFC’s leadership team has on the rest of the organization [10:20] Why he thinks that MMA will become the second-most popular sport worldwide [15:25]

On Episode 110 of the #ThePlaybook, Paige Hathaway, fitness model and influencer, shares her thoughts about: How she turned the shame of growing up in a trailer park into motivation [5:32] Her start building a brand as someone who wanted to share her newfound passion for fitness [7:55] Why consistency is essential in all parts of your life, not just fitness [14:54] Why eating healthy isn’t as expensive as some of your other habits [17:37]

On Episode 109 of #ThePlaybook, Scott Harrison, CEO of charity: water and author of the best-selling book Thirst, shares his thoughts on: Choosing to dedicate one year of his life to serving others after “selfishly wasting” ten years as a club promoter [4:30] How he worked to build trust in charity: water by showing donors the impact that their donation has [11:40] The steps he took to make charity: water an “epic brand” that rivals Nike and Apple [14:33] Why he is so enthusiastic about introducing his donors to other charities [18:04]

On Episode 108 of #ThePlaybook, Andy Frisella, CEO of 1st Phorm International and host of the MFCEO Project, discusses: How stealing Kool-Aid as a kid ended up shaping his entire philosophy on life [1:17] Why you should focus on dominating “the game” you’re playing instead of simply winning [5:44] Why growth for entrepreneurs is just like a hockey stick [11:42] The need to create a “Power List” of five tasks to focus on each day [18:59]

On Episode 107 of #ThePlaybook, Alvin Gentry, Head Coach of the New Orleans Pelicans, shares his thoughts about: How a head coach and an assistant coach can best relate to their players [3:17] The key difference between motivating college and professional athletes [6:20] Why analytics has changed the way that coaches approach the game of basketball [14:49] How mentors can utilize psychology to motivate their mentees [18:36]

On Episode 106 of #ThePlaybook, Chris Del Conte, Athletic Director at the University of Texas, chats about: The sacrifices he made early in his career in order to get where he is today [1:42] The three characteristics he always looks for when hiring or choosing mentees [6:22] Why the University of Texas wants student athletes to discover who they are outside of sports [8:52] The importance of blocking out the “noise” from others while you pursue your potential [16:44]

On Episode 105 of #ThePlaybook, Rob Angel, creator of Pictionary, chats about: The origins of one of the world’s most popular board games [1:27] Why every great entrepreneurial journey starts with one step [3:34] The kind of business partners that new entrepreneurs should surround themselves with [6:51] How to invest your revenue when your company starts to get traction [13:36]

On Episode 104 of #ThePlaybook, Tim Draper, founder of Draper Associates and Draper University, provides insights on: Why he made the mistake of turning down Netflix [1:39] The questions he asks when he evaluates which companies to invest in [2:26] How he used Tupperware parties as the inspiration to create viral marketing [6:50] Why the willingness to “complete the mission” is a difference-maker for today’s entrepreneurs [16:03]

Robert Schaeffler, CEO of DevaCurl, discusses the importance of delivering on the marketing promises that your company uses to gain and maintain your customer base, as well as how DevaCurl focused on solving a specific problem in order to build a 9-figure business and ultimately find long-term success.

On Episode 102 of #ThePlaybook, Donovan McNabb, former star quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles, chats about: Why he wasn’t upset after being booed by Eagles fans at the NFL Draft [6:17] How to deal with your toughest critic by being true to yourself [8:00] The importance of keeping the right attitude in the huddle [13:19] Why his personal connections to diabetes have spurred him to use his platform to raise awareness for the disease [16:15]

Ryan Leslie, CEO of Superphone and Grammy-nominated producer, discusses his journey from attending Harvard at the age of 15 to becoming a world-renowned musical artist and entrepreneur. Ryan provides insights on the importance of enjoying the process, why being inspired is key as a musician, how to find your own frequency, as well as how the digital age has changed the way music is marketed.

On Episode 100 of #ThePlaybook, Tilman Fertitta, : Taking his Landry’s restaurants public and then why he bought them back 18 years later [2:09] Why he considers owning the hometown Houston Rockets to be his greatest accomplishment [8:05] What happens to entrepreneurs who live above their means [11:36] Why he’s so proud that of the corporate culture that Landry’s has [14:26] The most important thing he tries to teach his children [15:47]

Taylor Berry, Chief Marketing Officer of Tito’s Handmade Vodka, talks about the origins of the multi-billion-dollar liquor brand and how founder Tito Beveridge’s failures in other industries led him to success as a distiller. Taylor discusses how the vodka brand used philanthropic events to spread, the company’s efforts to create a culture of giving, as well as his own unique journey to becoming CMO.

On Episode 98 of #ThePlaybook, Jake Olson, former USC long snapper and motivational speaker, shares his thoughts on: Why excuses are the difference between successful and unsuccessful people [7:33] The reasons that you should never forfeit your self-worth [9:29] How his mindset was influenced by a “winner” in Coach Pete Carroll [11:48] Why he wants to serve as an example for those people who weren’t dealt the fairest hand in life [17:21]

Mike Moosbrugger, former NFL player and inspirational speaker, shares his story about the devastating personal tragedy that forever changed his life and the invaluable lessons he learned about embracing pain instead of avoiding it.

Jim Kwik, CEO of Kwik Learning and renowned brain expert, shares his tips for maximizing your brain’s performance and enhancing your retention. He covers some of the techniques he’s learned from working with stars such as Jim Carey and Will Smith, and also challenges some of the common misconceptions about how memory reallly works.

Alex and host of The Playbook, David Meltzer, discuss the similarity in their upbringings and how they felt pressure from their parents about what career path to choose. The pair share the insights that they have learned from interviewing some of the world’s most successful people, tips for sending “cold” emails, and how to leave a phone message to get a callback.

Neil Patel, co-founder of Neil Patel Digital, talks about the opportunities that today’s widespread social media platforms offer in terms of building a personal or professional brand. Neil and host of The Playbook, David Meltzer, chat about how it often takes at least three years to be an “overnight success”, the Rule of Seven, and the role that consistency plays in an optimal content marketing strategy.

Todd Herman, author of “The Alter Ego Effect: The Power of Secret Identities to Transform Your Life”, provides insights about how creating an alter ego or persona for yourself allows you to suspend any disbelief you might have about yourself and excel. Todd shares an unexpected story about how Martin Luther King Jr. used a pair of nonprescription glasses to build self-confidence.

Bradley Tusk, founder/CEO of Tusk Holdings, is most known for being Uber’s first political advisor and helped the rideshare company win a landmark regulatory battle in New York City. Tusk’s experience as a “fixer” has helped startups like DraftKings, Lemonade, Coinbase, and Bird breakthrough regulatory barriers and operate at full speed.