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This week, Mike and Mitzi are in the hot seat as the Arcademy interns take over Waves Social. Nyarout Jock and Addi Ninaber, Arcade Studio's inaugural social media interns, host episode 52 for an all-out AMA with Mike and Mitzi. They ask the burning questions new grads and marketers want to know, from how to get started in the industry to tips for staying resilient in an ever-changing industry. Mike and Mitzi talk about how Arcade Studios and Waves Social got started, their work backgrounds and their top tips for new marketers. Then, Nya and Addi put them to the test with a battle of the brands game. This fun episode's packed with takeaways for anyone considering a marketing, social media or design career. Learn more about the Arcademy*: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca5Z_smPu8W/ *We are currently not accepting intern applications at this time, but stay tuned to @helloarcade to be notified when new spots are available! Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: Welcome to the Waves Social intern takeover! Meet Nya and Addi. What’s the story behind Mitzi and Mike merging their companies to create Arcade Studios? Where did the name “Arcade” come from? How did the Arcademy get started? How did Mitzi’s experience as an intern shape what the Arcademy is today? How does the team see the Arcademy evolving in the future? Are these the careers Mike and Mitzi envisioned growing up? How does Arcade differ from other marketing agencies? Would Mike and Mitzi work for Arcade if they weren’t already? How often does the team revisit annual goals? How has the marketing industry changed since Mike and Mitzi have been working in it? Any predictions for the future? The importance of being resilient as a marketer. Why Mike and Mitzi don’t look in their immediate lane for inspiration. Is there a single piece of advice they’d give to someone looking to start a marketing agency? Speed round! Books, go to karaoke song, who would make a better lawyer and more.  Battle of the brands. The best piece of advice Mike and Mitzi have been given. Who are Mike and Mitzi seeing make waves and why?  Discussed in this episode: Nyarout Jock: @nyaroutjock Addi Ninaber: @addibrielle 247 Laundry Service: https://247laundryservice.com/ Anomaly: https://anomaly.com/  The Win Without Pitching Manifesto: https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/the-manifesto/ Shoe Dog, by Phil Knight The War of Art: https://stevenpressfield.com/books/the-war-of-art/  Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

After spending 12 years inside the in-house social media marketing world, Mario Moreno Sears knew it was time to mix things up. Armed with his experience working with Guess?, Forever 21, L’Oréal Paris and H&M, Mario was ready to start his entrepreneurial journey. He has since started a D2C brand, We Spill the Tea, launched his own social media agency, Moonrise Social Club, and has gathered more than 160k followers across TikTok and Instagram. His passion for the ever-changing social media landscape has kept him hungry, passionate and teachable. In this episode, we sit down with Mario to discuss what led him down this path and where he sees himself going in the future. Mario shares advice for overcoming imposter syndrome, sharing what you know and making sure you’re doing what you love. A true pioneer of the social media industry, this episode shows the power a career in social media can have.  Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: Introducing today’s guests, Mario Moreno Sears. Social media guru, entrepreneur and educator.  Where did Mario get his start in marketing?  How Mario got Guess? onto social media.  Mario’s moves from Guess, to Forever21 and L’Oréal Paris.  Navigating the ever changing social media landscape as a marketer. Balancing instinct and research when working in social media.  How Mario’s passion for inclusivity, diversity and inclusion has affected his roles.  How Mario got started on TikTok and what helped him grow.  Figuring out your sweet spot with content.  Does Mario think creators should niche down? Tips for marketers who want to grow their personal brand. What led Mario to the entrepreneurial path he is on now? What has it been like moving from in-house marketing to operating in the agency space? How Mario is unlearning traditional corporate strategies. How to get your D2C brand noticed. Tips for new brands entering the space.  Where did Mario get the inspiration for his Marketing Foundations course? How Mario is working to overcome imposter syndrome. Who’s Mario seeing making waves and why?  Where to connect with Mario. Discussed in this episode: Mario on TikTok: @followmario Mario on Instagram: @followmario We Spill the Tea: https://wespillthetea.com/  Moonrise Social Club: https://moonrisesocialclub.com/  Marketing Foundations Course: https://moonrisesocialclub.com/products/marketing-foundations-e-learning-masterclass  Glennda Baker on TikTok: @glenndabaker Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade.Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

For episode 50 of the Waves Social podcast, we are joined by the co-founders of THE NEW SAVANT, Ingrid Nilsen and Erica Anderson. We talk about their respective journeys, from working in tech and content creation to running a D2C brand that builds one-of-a-kind olfactory experiences. Ingrid shares her decade-long journey growing her YouTube channel to over 3.5M followers and 6M across platforms, her experience interviewing President Obama and choosing to retire from content creation to explore a new path. Erica shares her experience working with MTV News, becoming one of the original Twitter employees and working at Google and Vox Media before deciding to go into business with Ingrid. True forces to be reckoned with, Ingrid and Erica show what it means to never settle for being predictable. Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: Meet today’s guests, Ingrid Nilsen and Erica Anderson of The New Savant; a candle brand that’s disrupting the fragrance industry.  How did Erica and Ingrid meet? What were their respective careers like before starting TNS? First, we dive into Ingrid’s career in content creation. Erica’s former career in the tech world, working with companies like: MTV News, Twitter, Google, Vox Media and more.  What was it like for Ingrid to interview President Obama? Discussing the responsibilities creators have as role models, spokespeople and members of their communities.  How TNS is working to disrupt the fragrance industry.  What does it take to do a major career pivot? How Ingrid approached the creative process. How TNS is driving sales through organic social content and social selling.  Elitism in the scent industry and how TNS is investing in their community’s education.  Customer retention strategies they’re trying.  What’s it like to create a fragrance? Why did they choose to make candles over another medium? How their unique backgrounds help them to build scents unlike any other brand.  Balancing a romantic and professional relationship. The best pieces of advice Ingrid and Erica have been given.  Who is TNS seeing mak Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify The Proffitt Podcast Thinking about starting a podcast, YouTube channel or repurposing old blog content? Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Welcome back to the Waves Social podcast. For episode 49, we are joined by business analyst and entrepreneur Dulma Altan. Dulma is the founder of Makelane and Startup Stork, and has over 63k followers on her “B-School for women” TikTok account. In this episode, Dulma shares her advice for D2C brands and business owners looking to build community, improve their cash flow and grow their online following. She shares her journey with her businesses and her growth on social media, advice for celebrities and influencers looking to start a brand and cautionary tales for business owners. Dulma also shares stories from her “100-day challenges,” including when she ended up in the hospital during a challenge. If you’re interested in starting a business, or are looking for advice for your existing one, this episode is packed with advice for you. Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: Meet Dulma! Where her experience in the D2C space comes from, her career history and her love for social media. How Makelane got started after she chose to close another business.  Advice on walking away from your first business. When it’s time, the two main points of resistance you’ll feel and how to move on.  What are business showers? Talking about Dulma’s TikTok: how she got started, her “100-day challenges,” and choosing a niche.  The mission behind Dulma’s TikTok page.  How long does it take for Dulma to create one of her videos? Tips for creating a space online that energizes you.  What are identity-based brands and how can they cultivate community? What brands are doing a great job in the identity-based market?  Can a brand reverse engineer their values? What is the “curse of capital?” Talking celebrity and influencer brands. Other revenue streams celebrities and influencers should consider.  One piece of advice that’s stuck with Dulma.  Who is Dulma seeing make waves online? Discussed in this episode: Dulma on TikTok and Instagram: @iamdulma Makelane: https://www.makelane.com/  Startup Stork: https://www.startupstork.co/  Topicals: https://mytopicals.com/  We’re Not Really Strangers: https://www.werenotreallystrangers.com/  Emi Jay - https://www.emijay.com/  Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) aGrow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Welcome back to another solo episode of the Waves Social podcast. This time, we’re sharing the six routines and non-negotiables we live by now that we didn’t five years ago. A lot has changed since we started our business, and we’ve learned that many of our old habits weren’t going to make us successful in the long run. Over time we’ve developed these six routines that help us stay happy, healthy and creative as partners and individuals. From setting time boundaries to pursuing hobbies outside of work, these are the strategies we live and breathe by daily. We take a deep dive into what each one is, why we started to do it and what impact it has made on our lives. If you feel like you could use a reset, this episode is full of strategies you can use today to set yourself up for a better tomorrow. Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: Introducing today’s topic, “6 routines and non-negotiables we follow now that we weren’t 5 years ago.” When in life did we start to re-establish routines on our own? How Mike’s mindset about routines has shifted since his 2016 TEDx Talk. The burnout signs we’ve experienced.  Non-negotiable #1 - Not working evenings and weekends. Why we used to do it, why we don’t anymore and how we’ve achieved this structure.  How we’ve learned to detach ourselves from our work during downtime.  The discipline of boundaries and how we deal with “off limit” topics during downtime.  #2 - Prioritizing personal health practices. How we’ve budgeted to be able to invest in our health. #3 - Taking vacations vs traveling and working. The importance of being fully on a break while you’re on vacation.  #4 - Finding hobbies and passion projects to keep you motivated and avoid burnout. Why it’s important to keep some projects just for yourself.  How hobbies and side-projects keep your brain sharp and improve creativity. #5 - Physical boundaries with work. Why we love working from our office and our tips if you don’t have an office or spare room to work from.  #6 - Delegate, delegate, delegate. How we learned to let go and allow our team to take over the tasks we love, but don’t have time for anymore.  How to get out of your own way. Discussed in this episode: Mike’s TEDx Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NposdDXqT74  Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

With 145k subscribers on YouTube, Scott Yu-Jan’s thoughtful storytelling style has undoubtedly resonated with watchers. His YouTube maker videos bring an approachable feel to the craft, inspiring audiences of all ages to test their creativity. For this episode, we sat down with Scott to talk about creativity, content creation and everything YouTube. We dive deep into the struggles of creative blocks and explore strategies to leverage the good, inspiring days. Scott takes us through his personal storytelling ‘rules,’ equipment setup and branding tips. With many practical takeaways, this episode is equal parts valuable and motivating. Show Notes: Introducing today’s guest, Scott Yu-Jan, and talking about the important role your community plays as a creative.  What inspired Scott to get onto YouTube and what has kept him motivated as he’s grown? Dealing with the “cringe” you feel when watching old content.  How to find your voice, your taste and your content style. How to take the first steps with a new project and get past creative blocks.  Was there a certain video that helped Scott get traction on his channel? What has growth on YouTube been like? How did Scott settle on his video and storytelling style? Scott’s storytelling rules. How is Scott able to make complex material approachable?  What kind of storytelling did Scott look to for inspiration before getting on YouTube? YouTube and monetization: When to explore it, tips to manage the process and how to make sure your brand is ready for outside influence. The difficult realities of creating content.  Tips for creators looking to get started on YouTube.  Digging into Scott’s creative process: How does he come up with ideas, how long does it take to film and edit and what storytelling process does he use? What tools Scott uses to film and edit his videos.  What parts of the creative process Scott loves and which parts he hates.  The best advice Scott’s been given.  Who is Scott seeing make waves online? Discussed in this episode: Scott’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ScottYuJan/featured  Scott’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scottyujan/?hl=en  Harold Edgerton Photography: https://www.icp.org/browse/archive/constituents/harold-eugene-edgerton?all/all/all/all/0  Baron Ryan on TikTok: Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

After spending eight years working in the creator economy, Kayley Reed realized the gaps she was working around wouldn’t go away on their own. That’s when she decided it was time to build a solution and began working on norm., a unique tech resource for influencers. In this episode, we catch up with Kayley about how the needs of the creator economy have been drastically changing over the last few years. We dive into the growth her influencer marketing agency, Hermana, has seen, how brand partnerships have changed, the best social platforms to grow on today and what influencers and brands can expect from her new company, norm. As someone who has worked on every side of influencer marketing, Kayley is extremely knowledgeable on what it takes to turn content into profit for both creators and businesses.Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: We’re celebrating Arcade Studios’ 4th birthday! Reminiscing up on some of the big changes we’ve made over the years.  Catching up with Kayley and the growth of her influencer marketing agency, Hermana.  What has the transition from acting as an agent to managing a team and starting a tech company been like for Kayley? How to let go of the tasks you love to do as you grow your business and move into a management role.  How has the relationship between brands and influencers changed over the last few years? Exploring the new ways content creators are monetizing their platforms.  The different services Hermana offers that makes them stand out from a traditional talent management company. How can up and coming creators get noticed by agencies? How important is it to define a niche with your content? Is TikTok still the place to go for quick growth?  How to run a brand page on TikTok.  Should every brand be on TikTok? Discussing the major pain points Kayley has seen in her 8+ years in the creator economy. How is she working to solve problems influencers face? What is norm. and what problems does it solve? What are some future plans for norm.? What has raising venture capital been like? How has Kayley kept Hermana going while building norm.? The best career advice Kayley’s been given.  Finally, who is Kayley seeing make waves online? Discussed in this episode: Kayley’s Instagram: @kayley.e.r Kayley’s TikTok: @itsactuallykayley Norm.ai: https://www.itsnorm.ai/  Hermana Agency: Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

How often do you sit down and really hash out your quarterly goals with your content? If you said ‘never,’ you’re not alone. In this episode, we talk with Austen Tosone about how she’s grown her blog, “Keep Calm and Chiffon,” into her full-time job by treating it like she would any other career. She explains how she got started, the important role SEO has played in her growth, how she sees which keywords competitors are using, the importance of setting goals and why never burns a bridge. With a background in the publishing industry, Austen has been at the forefront of the pivot to digital content and is a true OG in the blogging field.  Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: Who is Austen Tosone and how did she get started with her blog, “Keep Calm and Chiffon.” How did Austen leverage the blog in its early days to get internships at magazines? How does Austen make sure her content has served her audience’s needs over the years?  Advice for someone starting a new blog.  How to flip your audience from one platform to another.  The importance of building content based on your customer acquisition strategy.   The basics of SEO every content creator should know.  How to find what keywords your competitors are targeting.  Cool thing’s Austen got to work on in the print industry.  What Austen learned working at Nylon when it folded. How to pivot careers.  How to pitch yourself as a content creator to brands.  Does Austen still consider herself to be in the fashion and beauty niche? The importance of treating your content creation as a proper business.  How Austen builds her goals around her fiscal year.  How to evolve your content niche.  The difference between creating content for growth and creating content for your current audience.  Tips for landing paid brand deals. Why Austen doesn’t believe in burning bridges.  Who Austen is seeing make waves online.  Discussed in this episode: Austen’s Blog: https://www.keepcalmandchiffon.com/   Austen’s Instagram: @austentosone Lissette Calveiro on Waves Social: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/waves-social-podcast/id1484888104?i=1000531689762  Moz: https://moz.com/  Keywords Everywhere: https://keywordseverywhere Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

How did a hard kombucha brand manage to disrupt the alcohol industry and reach a net-zero carbon footprint while simultaneously building a powerful ambassador program? Ask JuneShine, a hard kombucha brand based out of San Diego. For episode 44 of the Waves Social podcast, we sat down with Annie Atwell, Director of Marketing at JuneShine, to talk about her experience working for a leading-edge, sustainable alcohol brand. We learn how JuneShine came to be (and how alcohol was never the priority), how they’ve managed to keep their values central even as they’ve grown and what’s next for the brand. Annie also talks about her own career path in marketing and the top advice she gives to other marketers.  Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: What is JuneShine and who is their audience?  What hole did JuneShine fill in the alcohol market? How did Annie get started with JuneShine and what has her career path been like? Explaining the concept of ‘clean alcohol’ and what inspired JuneShine’s disruption in the industry. What were the most pivotal moments for JuneShine’s growth in the early days? Annie explains why she attributes JuneShine’s success to their local community.  The importance of creating an amazing in-person brand experience. JuneShine’s ambassador program: How ambassadors are chosen, their involvement in the business and how the program contributes to business objectives. How to activate your local community and the importance of patience.  How JuneShine deals with marketing restrictions on their industry.  How to build a successful lifestyle brand. How JuneShine hit a net-zero carbon footprint and what’s next for their sustainability journey.  Is it hard to share the sustainability messaging with new consumers? What’s the best piece of career advice Annie’s been given? Where does Annie find her career inspiration and how does she balance her multiple career passions? Tips for avoiding going into career ‘auto-pilot.’ Finally, who is Annie seeing make waves online? Discussed in this episode: JuneShine - https://juneshine.com/ JuneShine Instagram - @juneshineco Annie’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/annelieseatwell/  Annie’s Instagram - @alsoknownasannie  Blue Land - @blueland Grove - @grovecollaborative By Human Kind - @byhumankind The Package Free Shop - @packagefreeshop Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

What does it take to tell a really good story? For episode 43 of the Waves Social podcast, we’re joined by renowned documentary filmmakers, Mark Bone and Michael Del Monte, to talk about their successful online course, ‘The Art of Documentary.’ We discuss what led them to filmmaking in the first place, what impact social media has had on the industry and how creators can find their niche in saturated markets. True storytellers themselves, Mark and Michael explore what it takes to be the best at what you do and what happens once you get there.This is Mark’s second time on the Waves Social podcast! You can listen to the first episode we recorded, here: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/waves-social-podcast/id1484888104?i=1000470218126  Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch  Show Notes: How did Mark and Mike get into the filmmaking industry and what was it like to build their course, ‘The Art of Documentary?’ How did Mike’s academic background impact the way he views stories as a filmmaker? Michael explores the struggle and tension in changing his expected career path. We explore the different ways to find your niche and choose a subject as a filmmaker. Why did Mark and Mike build their course and how did marketing help? How did Mark’s online presence help generate organic traffic for ‘The Art of Documentary?’ What soft skills are needed for filmmaking? What does it take to find your unique voice in a saturated market? Mark and Michael share their take on the impact social media and short-form video content has had on the film industry. How do you find the best team for you? Exploring t Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify The Proffitt Podcast Thinking about starting a podcast, YouTube channel or repurposing old blog content? Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Global Podcast Editors The LIVE Global Podcast Editor Chats are twice a month on YouTube. It's a rotating... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

For episode 42 of the Waves Social podcast we’re joined by stylist and social media phenomenon, Charly Goss. Charly dives into what it has been like to grow her presence online through the pandemic, how she leaned into passive income streams to exponentially grow her business, her experiences fighting cancer twice and how she’s built trust with her audience. Charly is a hilarious, no-nonsense entrepreneur whose personality has been a key piece in growing her social media and business following. She explores dealing with rapid online growth, the importance of diversifying your social media presence, balancing a business with motherhood and embracing the grit life has given you. Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch Show Notes: How Charly got into personal and interior styling, how being “bossy” helped grow her business and discussing her experiences with having cancer twice. Did Charly ever envision having the team she has today and being an entrepreneur? What’s it like to hire, delegate and manage a fast growing company. And, does she wish she started earlier? The importance of showing up on social media. How do you do it? And how do you not let people’s opinions get to you? What has it been like to experience such massive growth in under a year? Which content series had the best ROI? How do people respond to Charly’s tough-love style? Dealing with criticism and asking for what you want. Finding the joy in the chaos. What’s next for Charly’s business? What are her aspirations for future growth? How did Charly get into selling digital Guides and products? What is it like to grow a passive income stream through social media? The future of the Guides; what’s next? Major takeaways from Charly’s first year running this business. Plus, how to build trust with your audience. The importance of diversifying your social media presence. Charly’s health journey and how getting cancer made her tough(er). Discussing the importance of valuing people’s time and showing that you care. Discussed in this episode: Charly Goss - @charlygoss Charly Goss Style Inc. - https://www.charlygoss.com/ Diana Dares - @diane.dares Katy Sturino - @katiesturino Melanie Laurene - @melanielaurene Maria José - @aglimpseofmaria Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/Grow with the Flow A podcast to help firms and organisations transition to Agile HR, Performance... Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Finding Freedom with Simple Systems Learn how time management & systems can bring more success in business & freedom in life. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify Being Boss: Mindset, Habits, Tactics, and Lifestyle for Entrepreneurs Discover what it takes to start and grow your own business. Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

In this episode of the Waves Social podcast, we dive into 5 things we’re starting in 2022 and 5 things we’re leaving behind. From content creation to client relations, we explore what has and has not been working for us as an agency. We discuss the importance of creating video content that’s personable, in the moment and low-fi; we explore client dynamics and how we’ve learned how to say ‘no’ to projects that aren’t our best fit, and we talk about why we’re going to be providing more free content than ever this year. Drop something you’re starting in 2022 in the comments below! Shop Waves Social merch: https://www.wavessocialpodcast.com/merch Show Notes: Today’s episode dives into 5 things we’re starting in 2022 and 5 things we’re leaving behind. We kick things off with what we’re leaving behind. First, why we’re no longer relying on advertising for sales. We discuss the changes we’re seeing in the digital advertising industry.  Second, why we’re no longer posting static images or filler images for client social media accounts. What we’ll be posting instead.  Third, it’s time to stop gatekeeping. There is room for everyone in our industry to succeed and we talk about how we’ll be sharing more value.  Fourth, why we’re no longer operating as a one-stop social media shop. Exploring how being selective is helping us align with the right clients and the power in saying ‘no.’ Fifth, why we’re no longer taking on personal brand clients. The power in showing up authentically online and what audiences are wanting from thought-leaders. Moving on to what we’re doing more of. First, we’re working to be more agile with content creation. How we’re practicing this internally.  Second, we’re doubling down on email marketing. The pros of owning your audience and the importance of personalization.  Third, why it’s more important than ever to be leading with your values. How we’ll be challenging clients to lead with theirs.  Fourth, we’re getting comfortable with creating digestible content in the moment. Turning into a content machine and when to move away from perfectionism.  Finally, we’re prioritizing creating desire over optimization. Why optimization won’t matter if you haven’t built a strong foundation around your brand. Discussed in this episode: Tea for Lunch - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tea-for-lunch/id1600923965  Mary Young - https://maryyoung.com/  RNDSQR - https://www.rndsqr.ca/  Rachel Saunders - https://rachelsaundersceramics.com/  Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Welcome to Episode 40 of the Waves Social podcast. On this episode, we sit down with Gary Williams, Chief Creative Officer for Creative Theory Agency, to talk about his experience scaling the agency over the last year. Creative Theory is a culture-focused agency that has worked with big names like Google, Meta and YouTube. We talk with Gary about how the team knew it was time to grow, what it was like bringing in HR, how they work to keep their mission central to the work they do, the important role leadership plays in maintaining their culture and more. Gary takes a deep dive into Creative Theory’s mission to elevate the voices of Black and Brown people, as well as underrepresented groups. He explains why he’s staying rooted in DC and why they chose to open Gift Shop in addition to their agency work.  Show Notes: Gary dives into handling sudden growth as an agency and why it’s important to hire with intention.  Talking about how Creative Theory scales efficiently, decides when to grow and when they knew it was time to bring in an HR team.  How to take calculated risks with growth and hiring. How leadership can drive and protect culture as your business shifts and changes. Creating your mission and keeping it first. Why Creative Theory has decided to keep growing and how they’re making sure their team is supported. How Gary went from working as a photographer to running a creative agency. What did that change look like? Advice for marketers and agencies aspiring to create award-winning work. Plus, finding and standing in your why. What work is Gary most proud of?  What is the Gift Shop and where is it going? How Creative Theory is taking tangible steps to support Black and Brown artists. Who is more of the risk taker between Gary and Tamon? And, how to decide on the right types of risks to take as a business. Why Gary’s staying planted in DC. How to get started with whatever it is you want to do.  Who’s capturing Gary’s attention right now? Discussed in this episode: Gary Williams: @masterwilliams Creative Theory Agency: https://creativetheory.agency/ Micaiah Carter - @micaiahcarter Abad Studio - @abad_studio Beyond 8 - @beyond8_ Joshua Kissi - @joshuakissi Inari Briana - @inaribriana Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

Welcome back to the Waves Social podcast. For Episode 39 we are joined by Alyssa Lau, founder of the popular slow fashion web-store, New Classics. Alyssa is a Chinese-Canadian photographer, creator and new mom. On this episode we discuss how Alyssa went from studying chemistry in Edmonton to running an online boutique, a YouTube channel with 30k+ followers and working with brands like Chanel and MAC while balancing life as a partner and new mother. Alyssa dives into what helped her and her partner, Eric, discover the essence of New Classics, how they plan content shoots, the struggles the sustainable fashion industry faces and what it’s like to work with your partner. A “true classic” herself, Alyssa is raw and real as she opens up about her journey through life, business and motherhood. Show Notes: How Alyssa went from studying chemistry in Edmonton to running an online style blog, Ordinary People, and diving deep into sustainability. What inspired Alyssa to create New Classics? Discussing the importance of education and awareness in the fashion industry. Why Alyssa knew that making a sustainable fashion brand wasn’t enough to help with the sustainability crisis our world is facing and leaned into educating her audience. Exploring life as a business owner, a partner and a new mother. Can there be a balance? Why did it take Alyssa three years to decide on a logo? Exploring what it takes to find your brand’s essence.  Why Alyssa wouldn’t change anything if she had the chance to go back to when she first founded New Classics. Growth on YouTube: Why Alyssa isn’t following the advice YouTube gave her. Finding inspiration from outside the algorithm; where to turn to to find ideas from outside the trend cycle. Alyssa's top tips for brands looking to create their own content and why over-preparing is her key to success. How her dream collaborations with brands like Chanel and H&M came to be. Final words of wisdom from Alyssa and discussing who she’s watching make waves online. Discussed in this episode: New Classics: https://newclassics.ca/  Ordinary People: https://www.ordinarypeople.ca/  Alyssa’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/AlyssaLau/videos  Alyssa’s Blog: https://www.imalyssalau.ca/  Leslie Zhang: https://www.instagram.com/lesliezhang1992/  Book - Naked Fashion: https://safia-minney.com/naked-fashion/  Waves Social with Mike (@mmmiiike) and Mitzi (@mmmitzi).  For more from Arcade, follow us on Instagram and TikTok @helloarcade. https://www.arcadearcade.ca/

For the final episode of our fourth season, we are joined by Franke Rodriguez, Partner and CEO of Anomaly, a global strategic and creative marketing agency. Franke’s desire to take Anomaly to new heights made him the perfect fit for his role as the youngest-ever CEO of their New York and Toronto offices, and he has worked with major blue-chip brands such as Nike, Budweiser, Captain Morgan, Carnival Cruises, and Google in their marketing missions. In today’s episode, he nerds out with us about staying hungry, being humble, and always being in “beta,” walking us through what that looks like practically for his teams at Anomaly. We discuss what the future of agency work looks like in a post-COVID world, how to preserve your team and culture as you grow, the value of investing in your people, and the ins and outs of creating a Super Bowl commercial. We also touch on creating the company you want to build by working backwards from a very specific vision, and talk about the power of a single impact brand moment versus broader social awareness, making this conversation equal parts inspirational and practical. Tune in today to learn more from Franke Rodriguez, a true ‘anomaly’ in the industry!   Key Points From This Episode: Find out what Franke has been up to recently and how he is prioritizing work-life balance. Some of the ways that moving to a fully remote model changed the way he does business. What it means to Franke to be a leader during COVID: finding new ways to help people cope. His predictions for what Anomaly’s hybrid approach to work will look like post-COVID. The importance of having a vision, starting with the end in mind, and working back from there. Find out how Franke preserves team and company culture by focusing on joy.  What an Anomaly holiday party looks like and what Franke means when he says, “What you celebrate, you duplicate.” How Franke nurtures Anomaly’s corporate values and the maxim: stay hungry, stay humble. Franke reflects on what ‘always in beta' looks like at Anomaly and how they keep innovating. The process of creating a Super Bowl commercial from someone who has created nearly 30. Franke on whether or not Super Bowl campaigns are still effective and how they’ve evolved. The benefits of the single impact moment versus broader social awareness for brands. Some of the brands Anomaly has produced and why they have taken that approach. Learn more about Anomaly’s Funded program, which is like their own version of Shark Tank. Franke highlights the power of investing in your people by rewarding entrepreneurial spirit. Why committing to the culture means feeding it, nurturing it, and helping it grow. Franke on who is making waves right now and why: triple threat, Anthony Ramos. Final words of wisdom from Franke: creative storytellers are the ones that people will look to when the going gets tough. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Franke Rodriguez on LinkedIn Franke Rodriguez on Twitter Franke Rodriguez on Instagram Anomaly Avec Eric dosist Obie The Moto Social Lone River Ranch Water Anthony Ramos on Instagram

Despite being an experienced flyer at the peak of her career, a panic attack brought on by the prospect of another plane journey changed Sophie Gray's life forever. Instead of getting on the plane, Sophie and her husband tackled the long trip home in a car while the panic attacks continued. It was then that she realized that she needed to change something. After setting out to learn about her own mental wellbeing, she founded DiveThru, a mental wellness platform that partners with mental health professionals to help people take charge of their mental well-being. In this episode, Sophie opens up and shares how she came to start DiveThru and we hear about how the platform separates itself from others in the space. Our conversation dives into Sophie's experience as a female tech founder and what it has been like raising capital, DiveThru's marketing and SEO strategies, and advice for those looking to launch or grow their own startup. Tune in to hear it all!   Key Points From This Episode: Get to know today's guest, Sophie Gray, and the circumstances that led her to launch DiveThru.  What happened after the panic attack that changed Sophie’s life, and the decisions she made after.  Sophie's advice for those who feel like they might be headed toward burnout.  How Sophie achieved early success on Instagram.  What DiveThru offers and the unique services the platform offers.  Sophie’s perspective on toxic positivity, and what it really means to  take care of your mental health.  How Sophie feels about being a tech founder, a title she was reluctant to hold.  Sophie's experience fundraising and the challenges she has faced.  Advice for those who are looking to raise funds for their startups.  Strategies that DiveThru has used to drive adoption.  DiveThru's SEO strategy and the results that this has produced.  Why the company decided to create a podcast network.  What the DiveThru team looks like currently and the roles they occupy.  The fulfillment Sophie feels from building a truly healthy workplace.  DiveThru's reach and the markets they have set their sights on.  Why it is so important that most of DiveThru is free.  The distinction that set DiveThru apart from competitors.  Who Sophie thinks is making waves. Tweetables:  “We often think that our mind is overthinking; we know we're anxious and we can label it, but when have we actually paused and enquired about that feeling?” — @iamsophiegray [0:11:42] “It's interesting to see how the industry I come from isn't necessarily respected in the way that other backgrounds are in tech.” — @iamsophiegray [0:25:17] “Get very clear on the mission of your company, what you're looking to accomplish because you will face so much rejection that you need to be able to validate yourself.” — @iamsophiegray [0:30:37] “For us, mental health access is the number one priority.” — @iamsophiegray [0:43:52]   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:  Sophie Gray DiveThru The Power of Now Whitney Wolfe Herd

Today on the podcast, we welcome Sara McCabe, business coach, consultant, box-breaker, and not-so-secret dancer. After spending over a decade leading and developing teams across North America, she left the corporate world to help creative entrepreneurs work and lead in a way that actually works for them. Sara is Mitzi’s personal business coach or, as Mitzi likes to say, her ‘business therapist’ and, in this episode, she shares some of her business consulting strategies, coaching skills, and advice for creative entrepreneurs who are ready to start building the business they want. We discuss the antidote to your unhealthy relationship with work, how to set boundaries and create space for creativity, as well as intrinsic motivation and how that translates to your values as a person and a business leader. Anyone who works within a team or leads a team will gain immense value from this episode, but everyone will benefit from Sara’s specific brand of candid insight, goofy anecdotes, and practical advice. After all, it’s not just about leading a team; it’s also about leading yourself. Tune in today! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to Sara McCabe and how she found coaching by asking ‘why?’ Why Sara’s definition of coaching involves treating the people she works with as the experts. How she empowers her clients to redefine leadership for themselves through collaboration. Making an ethos tangible by shaping systems and structures around it. Hear the story of when Sara decided to pursue leadership coaching full-time. Why you can’t lead a team or a business if you don’t truly understand yourself. Learn about her digital presence and why she chose to represent herself candidly. What she has learned about boundaries; the antidote to an unhealthy relationship with work. Hear about some of her personal boundaries, including keeping her work laptop in her office. Find out why she suggests checking in with yourself before engaging with content. Sara shares how she uses a Notion dashboard to plan her TikTok content. Some deeper insight into her TikTok content strategy, including how she scripts’ the hook’. TikTok versus Instagram communities and why Sara prefers the intimacy of Instagram. Where Sara has seen the best ROI in her marketing strategy; TikTok for growth, Instagram for building relationships, newsletters for launching. How she remains consistent in her offerings by redefining what ‘consistency’ mean to her. Sara elaborates on the importance of building systems that are conducive with who you are and what you want to create. Why clearly defining your values is key to help you make decisions and build your business. Intrinsic motivation and how it translates to your values as a person and a business leader. Defining your values as a business versus as a team; shaping company culture at scale. Who is making waves and why: Lillian ‘FlexMami’ Ahenkan and Maceo Paisley. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Sara McCabe Sara McCabe on LinkedIn Sara McCabe on Instagram Sara McCabe on TikTok Launch It – Discount Code: WAVES Notion Lillian ‘FlexMami’ Ahenkan on Instagram FlexMami The Success Experiment Maceo Paisley

Welcome to our first ever ask-us-anything episode, where your hosts, Mike and Mitzi, answer the questions you’ve been asking on Instagram. Many of you may know that we run an award-winning digital agency called Arcade Studios, which specializes in digital strategy, content production, social media, and email marketing. Our company has doubled in size over the last year and, in order to scale our agency that quickly we have had to learn a lot of important lessons along the way! In today’s episode, we unpack some of those learnings and we look back on our highlights from the last 12 months, such as landing our first celebrity client and winning our first Webby Award. We believe that there is so much potential in digital marketing, now more than ever, which is why we have decided to pull back the curtain on how we have built our business, how others can learn from our mistakes, and how to establish healthy relationships. While this episode will obviously be beneficial for listeners looking to start agencies, launch their freelance careers, or build their teams, creatives and entrepreneurs will also gain value from our insights into finding clients, evaluating new hires, and balancing personal and work commitments. We also touch on our exit strategy, why we started a podcast, and what parenthood has taught us about our business. Make sure to tune into this jam-packed conversation today!   Key Points From This Episode: Mitzi reflects on the moment that inspired us to start Arcade Studios. Get a glimpse into our rebrand and how we figured out what to call our new agency. How we found clients in the beginning (and still do): through our network and referrals. Find out why Mike says that the hardest part of his job is being involved in execution. Mitzi shares her struggle with client services, especially in moments of conflict. How we navigate losing a client, especially when we invest so heavily in our relationships. How we have worked to distinguish our business identity from our personal identities. The importance of ending a client relationship on a positive note; never burn a bridge! What we look for in our new hires, from hunger and humility to how you use social media. The value of using the word ‘we’ more than ‘I’ and demonstrating curiosity. We defend our reputation for hiring our friends; being friends with someone on the team will get you through the door, but it won’t keep you there! Balancing personal and work commitments and why we describe ourselves as ‘busy flexible’. How Mike developed the awareness to prioritize his commitments based on self awareness. The benefits we have seen in shifting from a poverty mindset to one of abundance. We share some of our big ideas for new businesses, podcasts, and brands. Find out why we would sell Arcade in the future and what a past offer taught us about the value of our company. Mitzi on why we started a podcast as an outlet for thought leadership and connection. Some of the differences between a blog and a podcast and the benefits of each format. The podcast as a marketing channel for the agency, one that isn’t directly profitable. Opening another office in a different city and viewing office space as a luxury post-COVID. Kanye versus Drake, guilty pleasures like fantasy football or reality TV, and more! What parenthood teaches us about business, including patience and embracing the process. Rapid-fire finale: find out who is funnier, who is the better cook, who needs more sleep, which of us is a picky eater, and more!   Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Mitzi Payne on Instagram Mike Payne on Instagram

Today’s guests join us to talk about digital advertising and paid media. Affectionately known as our very own ‘Paid Papis', Josiah Sinanan and Benjamin Velazquez bring tons of expertise on the subject. Josiah is the Digital Lead at Arcade Studios, where he provides an array of unique clients from e-commerce to entertainment with paid media strategy and execution. Josiah oversees digital advertising activities for these clients across platforms such as Google, Facebook, and Instagram, and emerging platforms like YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest. Benjamin is a Digital Coordinator at Arcade with a passion for helping founders and entrepreneurs humanize their brands to position themselves as leaders in their respective industries. He is an active leader and learner in the digital marketing industry, striving for both self and brand improvement while contributing to overall success. In this episode, we talk to Josiah and Benjamin about the huge impact that the iOS 14 update has had on Facebook data collection and what this means for advertisers, including some of the workarounds, strategies, and alternative platforms that brands can take advantage of as the need to diversify their channels increases. We also touch on ad creative for new platforms like TikTok, the importance of knowing thyself and thy audience, and the effectiveness of UGC (user-generated content), as well as how to allocate your advertising budget depending on your goals and the platform. Tune in today for all this and more from our advertising experts, Josiah Sinanan and Benjamin Velazquez! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to Josiah Sinanan and how he came to be digital lead at Arcade Studios. What excites Josiah about advertising and digital marketing, including how diverse it can be. A day in the life of an advertiser, from tracking trends to client facing activity. Meet Benjamin Velazquez and hear about his passions and how he came to work at Arcade. What a day in the life looks like, staying on top of strategy and community management.   The impact of iOS 14 on Facebook data collection and what it means for advertisers. How Ben and Josiah combatted the impact on ads, starting with educating clients. Which Facebook tools to take note of; Automatic Advanced Matching and Conversions API. Alternative platforms to take advantage of as the need to diversify your channels increases, such as Google and even Snapchat. Some of the most obvious points of impact, from top funnel activity to interest targeting. How to use Facebook features like Lookalike Audiences and Call-to-Action targeting. Why Facebook ads aren’t dead; how Ben views this as an opportunity for innovation. How brands can make platforms work together to get the best ROI; intentional platform use. Josiah suggests some creative strategies for brands focused on traffic rather than sales. Learn more about implementing a boosting strategy for your social media presence. Mitzi weights in on whether or not email automations are replacing retargeting ad sets. The value of investing in ad creative for platforms like Snapchat, TikTok, and Pinterest. Ben emphasizes the importance of knowing your brand and knowing your audience.  Tailoring your creative to each specific audience and platform in a multi-platform strategy. Examples of ad creative that Ben and Josiah feel are effective, like no name on TikTok. How effective UGC (user-generated content) is and why brands are encouraged to use it in a thoughtful and intentional way. Who Ben and Josiah think is making waves in the industry, like MANSCAPED and Breda. Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode: Josiah Sinanan on LinkedIn

Today on the show, we speak with Lars Bengston, Chief Content Officer at Havas Health & You. Lars has built his career partnering with some of the world’s most ambitious brands and creatives, which you’ll learn a bit more about this interview. He joined Havas Health & You this year as their CCO, with the mission to help the global health industry recognize and actualize their ability to create content that builds deeper and more meaningful connections with HCPs and patients. He came from the world of VICE Media, where he ran integrated marketing and commercial publishing for VICE.com. He also worked with us as the ‘partnership architect’ on Some Good News, as well as at Thrive Global with the one and only Arianna Huffington, helping the lives of both people and corporations through engaging content that inspired them to take action in service of their audience. All this to say: Lars is obsessed with good storytelling and its power to change lives for the better. Some of the topics we cover in this episode include how Lars positioned himself for his dream job with no experience or any real inside connections, how creating reciprocal exchanges of value can set up great partnerships, and the concept of integrated marketing, which isn’t what you expect! Lars shares his belief that, in order to become a great leader, you have to become a better person, lead with passion, and take things less seriously. We also touch on the importance of allowing the story to dictate the format, not the other way around, what informed the success of Some Good News’ brand partnerships, and why the healthcare industry is like the last unturned stone of creativity and audience engagement, as well as the importance of hiring people you like, plus a whole lot more, so make sure not to miss this jam-packed conversation with storyteller extraordinaire, Lars Bengston! Key Points From This Episode: An introduction to Lars Bengston, jumping into his career story just as he got out of college. Find out how Lars used a mutual connection on LinkedIn to get himself a job at VICE. Advice for any young adult wrestling with career options: start with what makes you happy. What Lars’ role as creative development coordinator at VICE looked like. How he made the come up to publisher by relentlessly pursuing actualization and meaning. Lars distills great storytelling into a few key points, like allowing the story to dictate the format. Understand that most of your effort should be put into pre-production and finding the story. Lars sums up his six years at VICE in three words: informative, outrageous, and absurd. Hear about his transition to Thrive Global and how he redefined what ‘cool’ meant to him. Brand partnerships 101: the benefits of creating a reciprocal exchange of value. How Spotify has built partnerships that are endemic to what their audience is looking for. The importance of interrogating your underlying purpose when creating brand partnerships. Learn about integrated marketing; the inherent quest to better understand your audience. How ‘integrated entertainment’ informed the success of Some Good News in 2020. Get an overview of Lars’ role at Some Good News, connecting big brands with big ideas. What it meant to Lars to be invited to work on Some Good News at the height COVID-19. The internal compass that guided Lars to turn partnerships into ‘giving moments’ that also earned brands high volumes of press and credibility. Creating reciprocal value before a brand had experienced it as the ‘partnership architect’. Advice for building teams and becoming a better leader; hire people smarter than you. The importance of hiring people you like and growing as a team. Who is making waves right now in Lars’ opinion: the creators of the world!