Earn Your Leisure Podcast: Branding Secrets & Vendor Success at Invest Fest
Episode Release Date: August 9, 2025
Hosts: Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings
Guest: Brandon [Last Name Unspecified]
Introduction
In this episode of Earn Your Leisure, hosts Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings delve into the intricate world of branding within the context of the annual Invest Fest. Featuring Brandon, a seasoned entrepreneur and vendor marketplace expert, the discussion offers listeners invaluable insights into effective branding strategies, vendor success, and the importance of personal connections in business.
Branding Strategies for Standout Presence
Brandon emphasizes the critical role of branding in distinguishing oneself in a crowded marketplace. Addressing the hosts, he states:
"Every single year my goal in the vendor marketplace is how can I stand out, right? And so that's what everyone should be thinking about. How can I stand out? How am I going to get people to come over to my Booth."
[02:26]
He elaborates on the dual aspects of branding:
- Visibility and Engagement: Creating an attractive and interactive booth to draw attendees.
- Memorability and Connection: Ensuring that interactions leave a lasting impression, making the brand memorable beyond the event.
"You can't deny that you've seen this big 20 by 20 booth. And we're playing games and we're interacting and, and so when it comes to Brandon, I think that is so important."
[03:00]
Evolution of Branding Approach
Transitioning from year to year, Brandon shares his shift from focusing solely on having the "best booth" to adopting a more service-oriented approach:
"This year, the reason why I decided not to do a booth, because I do feel like I'm queen of the marketplace. I had the best booth. And so I said, you know what? How about I take a step back and, and not be competition, but be help. How can I serve the vendors."
[03:45]
This strategic pivot aims to foster a collaborative environment rather than a competitive one, positioning his team as a support system for fellow vendors.
Empowering Vendors Through Education and Support
Brandon underscores the importance of preparation and strategic engagement at Invest Fest. He discusses his upcoming webinar designed to equip vendors with essential skills:
"My entire presentation is talking to them about not only first, how do you prepare for the vendor marketplace, then how do you actually, how do you, when you're there, how do you grasp the attention, how do you actually create that transaction?"
[04:43]
Key components of his training include:
- Preparation: Understanding the marketplace dynamics and setting clear objectives.
- Engagement: Techniques to capture and maintain attendee interest.
- Post-Event Follow-Up: Strategies to convert initial interactions into lasting business relationships.
He emphasizes that success isn't just about immediate sales but about building a network of contacts for long-term growth.
Personal Connections and Lasting Impressions
A recurring theme in Brandon's approach is the significance of personal interactions. He believes that how attendees feel during their engagement with a brand profoundly impacts their perception and future interactions.
"People will forget what you said to them. They will never forget how you made them feel."
[08:21]
To facilitate this, Brandon commits to:
- Active Presence: Personally engaging with attendees, answering questions, and ensuring meaningful interactions.
- Team Support: While his team manages various aspects, Brandon ensures he remains accessible to maintain personal connections.
- Proactive Engagement: Approaching attendees who may appear hesitant or are simply passing by to initiate conversations.
Supporting the Vendor Community
Beyond personal branding, Brandon is dedicated to uplifting the entire vendor community at Invest Fest. This year, his team is dedicated to:
- On-the-Ground Assistance: Providing vendors with resources such as content creation, meal provisions, and general support.
- Interactive Competitions: Encouraging attendee participation through voting in various categories, thereby increasing booth traffic and engagement.
- Workshops and Seminars: Hosting sessions that focus on business growth, tax savings, and wealth-building strategies tailored for entrepreneurs.
"We're making sure we're bringing that energy to the marketplace but then also showing business owners how to make Invest Fest the Most. Like it's 20,000 people there."
[06:03]
Webinar Announcement and Details
Brandon announces an upcoming webinar aimed at further assisting vendors and entrepreneurs in maximizing their Invest Fest experience:
"It's actually on the 7th at 8pm."
[06:08]
The webinar will cover:
- Preparation Techniques: How to effectively prepare for the vendor marketplace.
- Engagement Strategies: Methods to capture and retain attendee interest.
- Conversion Tactics: Turning initial interactions into profitable transactions.
This session promises to be a comprehensive guide for both new and returning vendors aiming to enhance their presence and profitability at Invest Fest.
Conclusion: Investing in Relationships and Growth
Wrapping up the discussion, Brandon reiterates the importance of mutual support within the entrepreneurial community. He encourages attendees and vendors alike to leverage the opportunities at Invest Fest to network, invest in themselves, and build lasting relationships.
"Everybody has taken that step to invest in themselves. So take that opportunity to network, to show up and to just make people feel good. You can't go wrong with that."
[09:41]
His message resonates with the podcast's overarching theme of blending business acumen with personal growth, positioning Earn Your Leisure as a bridge between professional success and personal fulfillment.
Key Takeaways
- Stand Out Through Strategic Branding: Focus on both visibility and memorable interactions.
- Shift to a Service-Oriented Approach: Support fellow vendors to create a collaborative environment.
- Emphasize Personal Connections: Ensure interactions leave lasting positive impressions.
- Educate and Empower: Provide resources and training to help vendors succeed beyond immediate sales.
- Leverage Networking Opportunities: Use events like Invest Fest to build a robust professional network.
Ready to elevate your branding and business strategies? Tune into Earn Your Leisure for more in-depth discussions and expert insights.