Ep. 075 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 5: Creating Work/Life Balance

Brian Walker

Brian Walker

One of the biggest challenges faced by any business owner, and by startup founders in particular, is creating a balance between your working life and your personal one. According to AE Marketing Group founder Brian Walker, “The work/life balance is probably the hardest aspect of owning a business.”

In this final segment of the interview with Brian, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles discuss the many personal stresses and challenges of running your own business, from knowing when to check email to finding the right balance of traits in new employees. Continue reading

Ep. 074 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 4: Brand Narrative and Messaging

SIB-Blog-2Brand perception is a huge factor in a startup’s long-term success, and getting that brand narrative right isn’t something you want to rush. As AE Marketing Group founder Brian Walker recalls, his company didn’t even have a website for most of their first year of business, opting instead to build the fundamentals of their business over their online messaging.

But does that mean that your online branding isn’t important? Hardly! In part four of this five-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about seeking out customer feedback, knowing when to “fire” a customer, the importance of your brand’s online reputation, and much more. Continue reading

Ep. 073 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 3: C-Suite Relationships and the Trouble with Hype

SIB-Blog-1As the founder of the Chicago-based AE Marketing Group founder, Brian Walker, knows a thing or two about building a sustainable brand. Surprisingly, hype-generating advertising and marketing isn’t always the best answer. In fact, Brian claims it can be a distraction from the important business of building the brand narrative.

In part three of this five-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about building C-Suite relationships, big mistakes young brands make, the problem with the MVP approach, and much more. Continue reading

Ep. 072 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 2: The Value of A Sales & Marketing Background

Brian Walker

Brian Walker

How valuable is a sales and marketing background for entrepreneurs? For AE Marketing Group founder Brian Walker, it can mean the difference between a slow burning startup and one that hits the ground running.

In part two of this five-part interview, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about sales as a tool for business development, branding as a core business value, and much more. Continue reading

Ep. 071 – An Interview with Brian Walker, Part 1: “Whitewater Growth” and Startup Priorities

Brian Walker

Brian Walker

After spending over a decade working at marketing and advertising agencies, Brian Walker had an epiphany. “Everyone is expendable.” In that moment, Brian decided that making others wealthy without even the promise of security wasn’t a sustainable life. In the middle of one of the worst economic climates in modern history, Brian struck out on his own, launching his own marketing firm from a walk-in closet turned office.

He’s done pretty well for himself. As the founder of the Chicago-based AE Marketing Group, Brian has overseen 18 straight quarters of profitability, and 200% growth. He’s also a Graduate of Goldman Sachs Small Business 10K Program. In this episode, host Tom Ryan and co-host Jason Pyles talk with Brian about his background, his company, and his mission. Continue reading