Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why hiring top-tier talent is worth the investment – Rahul explains how underpaying staff hurt his business early on, but investing in the right people transformed everything by streamlining leadership, management, and execution.

2. How AI like ChatGPT can replace and outperform traditional content workflows – He shares how using AI saved him time, boosted productivity, and allowed him to batch-create content faster than any human copywriter ever could.

3. Why your website’s first impression matters more than ever – From voice AI tools to leveraging online reviews, Rahul breaks down how to turn static websites into interactive, persuasive sales machines that impress visitors and increase conversions.

About Rahul and Custom Creatives:

- Website: https://customcreatives.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rahulalim/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why non-alcoholic drinks are about more than sobriety—and how they help people find new rituals and habits.

2. What makes a non-alcoholic brand stand out in a market with thousands of options.

3. How hospitality culture is slowly shifting to make space for premium non-alcoholic experiences in bars and restaurants.

From how Spirited Away curates its products to why the bitter aperitif category is booming, Alex offers a smart, honest look inside a thoughtful, fast-evolving industry. Whether you're sober-curious, in hospitality, or just love great drinks—this one’s for you.

About Alex Highsmith & Spirited Away:

- Website: https://www.spiritedaway.co/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-highsmith-1144035a/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. How AI tools are helping businesses personalize customer outreach at scale while keeping messages human and on-brand.

2. Why it’s crucial to design AI systems that include human touchpoints, especially in high-stakes areas like sales and customer support.

3. What the future may look like as AI becomes more “human,” and why clear expectations around its role in business processes will matter more than ever.

About Michael Gadsby and O3:

- Website: http://www.o3world.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgadsby/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Creative Marketing Challenges: Hear a fun "Market Me This" segment where we develop a marketing plan for an absurd product, highlighting innovative strategies for product positioning and influencer engagement.

2. Marketing Conference Takeaways & Experiential Marketing: Learn about key trends and insights from a major marketing conference, including the impact of AI, lessons from unexpected brand gurus like Martha Stewart, and the effectiveness of immersive brand experiences.

3. The Human Element in Marketing & AI Integration: Discover how lessons from the service industry emphasize the crucial role of listening to customers, and explore practical ways AI tools are being used to enhance communication, streamline tasks, and empower marketing teams while maintaining human oversight.

About Alynn Beyder and PEER39:

- Website: http://www.peer39.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alynnbeyder/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. The company grew by strategically hiring and training individuals with potential rather than marketing experience. By productizing their services, they enabled efficient client management at scale, allowing young team members to learn and thrive while helping Evergrow operate leanly and effectively.

2. How culture fit is just as important as qualifications – At a startup, one bad hire can disrupt everything. That’s why they use quirky but intentional filters in the job application process to find people who match their values.

3. Instead of traditional outreach, Jake emphasized providing value in online communities through detailed, unsolicited help. This positioned Evergrow Marketing as a trusted expert and led to clients reaching out organically — a strategy he believes is more aligned with the services they offer.

About Jake Hundley and Ever Grow Marketing:

- Website: https://evergrowmarketing.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jake-hundley/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Founder-Centric Approach: Naked Development emphasizes a founder-focused vetting process, selecting clients based on their potential for success and realistic expectations. This ensures compatibility and alignment with their mission, fostering a supportive ecosystem for startups.

2. Value in Communication: John advocates for clear and concise communication about what their agency does. They emphasize the importance of simplifying messaging to avoid confusion, demonstrating how effective marketing can often be about saying less while conveying value effectively.

3. Avoiding Competitor Comparison: Constantly comparing oneself to competitors can hinder innovation and growth. Instead, focusing on providing unique value and understanding user needs leads to success. The analogy of being the "hot girl at the bar" illustrates the idea that attracting interest comes from confidence and a focus on others, rather than being preoccupied with competition.

About John Driscoll and Naked Development:

- Website: https://nakeddev.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejohndriscoll/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. The impact of AI on web design – While Big Orange Planet hasn’t fully adopted AI into their workflow, Ali compares the AI revolution to the rise of WordPress templates—both empowering non-designers but requiring pros to adapt to stay ahead.

2. Why web design is never one-size-fits-all – From high heels to oil rigs, Ali explains how they assign designers based on project needs, ensuring each client gets a tailored experience, no matter how wildly different the industries may be.

3. Why your agency’s own site needs to shine – Ali shares that they’ve rebuilt their site multiple times over 20+ years and believe looking good online is essential—especially when your credibility depends on building standout digital experiences for others.

About Ally and Big Orange Planet:

- Website: https://www.bigorangeplanet.com/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ally-lennon/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast

Here are three things you’ll learn in this episode:

1. Why neutrality is often a mask for fear, and how it leads to invisibility instead of impact.

2. The internal pressures executives face when balancing company values with personal livelihood.

3. How staying consistent with your brand’s core values—especially in the face of backlash—can attract a stronger, more loyal audience.

About Keu and SPREAD:

- Website: https://spread.company/

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keureyes/

✨Sponsors✨

Penji, the human-first creative subscription service for agencies and teams.

Enter code for 15% off your first month: FULLYMANAGED15

• Website: https://penji.co/pricing/
• Subscribe to Penji’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@dotpenji
• Subscribe to Penji's Podcast Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@penjipodcast