Brand vs Marketing, what’s the difference? In this episode, Richard Hill is joined by the Founder of Identity Agency, Thomas Atkins. He delves deep into the process of branding, how you need to constantly adapt to stay relevant and the importance of creating touch points that resonate with your customers. Identity Agency works with brands to help them grow online with a consistent brand image. As a Business Owner, Thomas is very much aware of the challenges of running a company. In this honest and frank discussion, he shares how he handles loneliness and his mental health. Listen to find out how to stand out in a crowded marketplace, develop customer service strategies that delight customers and how work life balance is a myth. It’s time to humanise your brand and connect with your customers at a deeper level. Topics Covered 00:00 - How and why Thomas entered the world of branding  04:49 - Navigating uncertainty as an Agency Owner 07:29 - The importance of branding  10:23 - How to differentiate your brand in a competitive marketplace 14:23 - Humanising business through visual content improves consumer connection and differentiation 17:57 - Consistency across brand touch points is crucial for success. It's easy to neglect maintenance and updates in the excitement of a rebrand or new website 21:08 - eCommerce Owners must invest in strong customer service to compete with tech giants like Amazon 24:59 - Advocates for branding as foundation for growth and marketing 28:45 - Network with diverse Business Owners for support and friendship to alleviate stress 32:15 - Business Owner suggests happy work-life blend over balance for personal satisfaction and adaptation to individual needs 33:18 - Learning to balance work and personal life is important 36:44 - Seeking talented designer to lead and grow their own department within business 40:19 - Book recommendation