99.9% of businesses in the US are considered small businesses, employing over 61 million Americans, or nearly half of private sector employees. This makes small businesses a critical part of the business world and the communities they serve. I’m Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington Virginia. The role of Economic Development is to retain and attract businesses where workers can live and thrive in a great community even when the work world...

In this episode, host Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy at Arlington Economic Development, explores the vital role of innovation in fostering vibrant communities where people want to live and work. Joined by Natalia Micheletti, co-founder of the Pryze app, they discuss the importance of economic development in retaining and attracting businesses, even amid changing work environments. The conversation highlights various initiatives like BizLaunch, the significance of placemaking, and...

Today we’re going to talk about the role of the arts in building a great community that people want to live and work in. Susan Soroko, Director of Creative Economy in BizLaunch at Arlington Economic Development talks with Alissa Maru, Associate Curator at Mason Exhibitions Arlington at George Mason University Also don't miss the 2024 Arlington ArtWalk on October 5. More information here. Resources Mason Exhibitions website: www.masonexhibitions.org AED Art Walk...

In this episode of Brand the Change, Bonnie Habyan has a fireside chat with online community creator Scott MacGregor. Scott is the founder of The Outlier Project, a unique community and model that blends learning, networking, and experiences. Technology, the craving for community and the delivery of engagement at new levels with the likes of CEOs, Olympians, and navy seals are bringing online communities to new levels. Learn how the combination of innovation and technology is delivering new...

This episode digs into rapid change and shows how branding - both personally and professionally, drives positive results in a world where the only constant is change. In this episode of Brand the Change, Bonnie Habyan chats with two of USA Today's leaders, Kelly Andresen, President, USA Today National Sales, and Jenny Huang, Director, B2B Brand Marketing, to talk about the decades of innovation surrounding the country's first national newspaper, the evolution of content consumption over the...

In this episode of Brand the Change, Host Bonnie Habyan sits down with podcast expert Brandy Whalen to talk about the explosive podcast industry and to provide listeners tips on how to leverage podcasts to grow their brand. This episode explains the strategy of podcasts in a marketing strategy to help build a brand. Whether you're a CEO of a major brand, a solopreneur, a founder of a start-up, or an executive, this episode takes a deep look at the growing influence of podcasts and why they...

In this engaging discussion, Maarten Van Kroonenburg discusses his entreprenurial background and how it led him to develop a tried and true process for innovation that companies large and small can adopt. Innovation isn't driven by an epiphany and it is not an unreachable goal, it is the outcome of following a process, as unintuitive as it may seem. Don't miss these insights and more in this compelling episode spanning two countries and one innovative topic! Maarten van Kroonenburg is the...

This is a special episode brought to you by Arlington Economic Development in Arlington, Virginia. Since 1996, when Arlington Cultural Affairs ‘Arts Incubator’ was the first government arts program to win an Innovations in American Government Award from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government and the Ford Foundation, support for arts organizations set the path for a thriving cultural sector. Today we’re going to talk about the role of cultural affairs and the arts in a thriving...

In this episode of Brand the Change we are talking about the importance of automation in in growing the brand of a small and middle-market business. As Generation Z becomes a larger part of the consumer base, the digital first experience has never been more in demand. Leigh Hocker Radtke, Head of North America Product for Visa Commercial Solutions, shares some of the latest automation solution approaches for entrepreneurs, small and middle market companies that are supporting growth, reducing...

This is a special episode brought to you by Arlington Economic Development in Arlington, Virginia. Today we’re going to talk about Public/Private partnerships and how they are essential to the visibility of creative and cultural expression in Arlington. The uniqueness of these initiatives is key to attracting and retaining businesses of all sizes to an area, and today we’re going to talk about this with someone who is directly involved in this. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to...

Today, we're talking about the increasing allure of the TEDx speaking circuit for professionals, entrepreneurs, and those who feel passionate about having an idea worth spreading. Despite its highly competitive environment, many aspire to present on the TEDx stage, hoping to share their stories from the iconic red dot. Resources The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news...

Today we’re going to talk about the future of commercial office space and how partnering with economic development organizations can help businesses maintain vibrant communities that create great places for people to live and work. This is a special episode brought to you by Arlington Economic Development in Arlington, Virginia. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Ryan Touhill, Director of Economic Development, Arlington Economic Development. Resources The Innovation Economy...

In this episode, we’re talking about the growth trajectory of content creation and the innovation that is supporting its evolution. Brand the Change is honored to sit down with Authored Up’s Founder Ivana Todovoric, who talks about the platform’s quick evolution in supporting LinkedIn content creators. She shares her future outlook on the growth of creators and also talks about the various levels of social media influence evolving – not just influencers, but there are subcategories that are...

Storytelling has become a powerful differentiator and critical tool in B2B marketing. In order to stand out in a digital world of noise, being able to connect with people is paramout. And the thing is, businesses are made up of people. The Business of Story Founder Park Howell has a very specific story framework structure he encourages businesses and companies to use for B2B marketing to stand out amongst the clutter of messaging, and he shares that framework on this Brand the Change...

Today we talk about the ABC's of Innovation with Robyn Bolton, Founder, MileZero. I don't mean the alphabet, what the ABC's refer to is the architecture, the behavior, and the culture of organizations that successfully drive innovation from within. Robyn is a passionate partner to business looking to take the nest step and this insightful conversation will surely touch on topics that seem familiar but are presented in a succinct and impactful way that can help to drive value creation in your...

In this episode, we delve into the future of personal branding and the data that supports how and why one person can have more influence on trust than an entire organization. Dr. Talaya Waller is an expert on all things personal branding and she breaks down the different layers. Whether you are an influencer, a thought leader, or a subject matter expert - there are a variety of ways to position yourself and leverage your strengths, and she explains how. It doesn't matter what path you select,...

Today we’re going to talk about some of the unique challenges and opportunities in branding and marketing a location, and in particular, the considerations and implications in reaching a Business to Business audience. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Kelly Rindfusz, Communications Director at Arlington Economic Development in Arlington, Virginia. Resources Arlington Economic Development Website: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy...

Host Adam Chen talks with TJ Carvis of Gresham Smith about the impact of the physical environment on the employee experience. Resources Arlington Economic Development Website: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter here: https://agilebrandguide.com/ Get the latest news and updates on LinkedIn here: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/innovationeconomy/ Listen to our other...

Today we’re going to talk about resiliency in the commercial real estate market and how innovative solutions matched with realistic expectations can mean good things for the industry, and for the businesses utilizing office space. To help me discuss this topic, I’d like to welcome Marc McCauley, Director of Real Estate Development, Arlington Economic Development, in Arlington, Virginia. Resources Arlington Economic Development Website: https://www.arlingtoneconomicdevelopment.com The...

In this episode, we are talking one of the most progressive, forward-thinking executive resume and LinkedIn branding experts out there. Sarah Johnston is the Briefcase Coach and she shares the secret sauce to standing out in our digital-firstt world. From messaging to marketing, she approaches the resume through the one proven method that cuts through the clutter. Two words. Story telling. Sarah herself has quite a story as she is approaching one million followers on LinkedIn. How in the...

In this episode, I speak with the co-founders of Propexo (formerly Propify), a company focused on integrations between property technology solutions and the core property management software in use in the industry. The discussion highlights their journeys from working on product at Hubspot to their latest start up venture, the lessons they have learned along the way and what they endeavor to carry forward. Don't miss this insightful conversation. Resources Propexo website:...

In this episode, co-host Adam Chen speaks with Joshua Secrest, a global talent thought leader and innovator who helps lead a new vision for HR software and experience through conversational AI. We discuss how to evaluate talent, how to nurture talent, and what environments people actually want to work within. Don't miss hearing the strategic and tactical insights and advice stemming from years of experience in the talent acquisition and HR tech space. Resources The Innovation Economy...

In this conversation we dig into how to create a culture where innovation can thrive from a technology executive who also had a hand in giving our host, Adam Chen, the room to innovate within The Amenity Collective. Listen to the episode to glean advice on how to best let go and build trust in your teams to deliver the outcomes you strive for. Resources The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up for The Agile Brand newsletter...

In this episode I speak with Rachel Druckenmiller, founder of Unmuted and keynote speaker/corporate facilitator. Rachel's unique journey is explored as well as how she found her passion in life helping individuals unmute themselves and stop the self-silencing behavior we all experience. Rachel opines on how internal and external obstacles can be overcome in both work and life to realze our full potential. Resources The Innovation Economy Website: https://www.innovationeconomy.show Sign up...