In this episode of the Brand Up Podcast, Jesse Cruz dives deep into the strategies that transform good speakers into unforgettable ones. Whether you’re creating content for social media, crafting a video, or delivering a presentation, this episode is packed with actionable insights you can use immediately:

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• Learn how to create attention-grabbing hooks that stop the scroll and keep your audience engaged.
• Master the art of storytelling to connect emotionally and build trust with your viewers or listeners.
• Understand how to position your character in a relatable and impactful way, even if it’s a “villain” persona.
• Discover how to shift your mindset around money to confidently pitch and sell without feeling awkward.
• Balance giving away valuable knowledge while encouraging your audience to take action.
• Explore the power of serving your audience and why selling is simply another form of service.

Jesse also shares his proven frameworks for crafting compelling content, including tips for short-form videos and long-form presentations. He discusses why your struggle is your greatest connection point and how to use it to build a loyal audience.

Stay tuned until the end for powerful advice on embracing your value, reshaping your money mindset, and learning why it’s your responsibility to sell what you know helps others. Don’t miss these expert tips to captivate, connect, and convert your audience!

In this episode of the Brand Up Podcast, Host Marian Esanu, and storytelling coach Jesse Cruz dive deep into the power of storytelling and its crucial role in captivating audiences, whether on stage or in business presentations. Learn why the first 7 seconds can make or break your message and how to avoid the common pitfalls that many speakers fall into.

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Our expert guest Jesse Cruz shares actionable insights on:

 • Crafting a powerful hook to grab attention instantly.

 • Using a proven storytelling framework that blends authenticity with universal principles.

 • Transforming personal stories into tools that connect, teach, and inspire.

 • Delivering a clear, effective call to action that drives results.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this episode will equip you with the tools to engage any audience and leave a lasting impact. Tune in and discover how to become the leader your audience can’t ignore!

🔗 Ready to transform your story? Listen now!

In this episode of Brand Up Podcast, we dive deep into the art of scaling a business—without sacrificing your sanity. Using the real-life example of a lash salon and academy, we explore the two primary ways to grow a business: vertically and horizontally.

Learn how to identify your strengths, leverage your personal brand, and strategically separate it from your business for long-term growth and potential sale. Whether you’re considering launching a personal brand, building a business, or both, this episode will help you:

•Understand the differences between personal and business branding.

•Discover how to scale vertically through coaching, online courses, and products.

•Save money on lead acquisition by building brand recognition.

Don’t miss this actionable conversation packed with insights to elevate your branding game!

In this episode of the Brand Up Podcast, we dive into one of the most overlooked yet impactful aspects of Instagram strategy: the importance of your first nine posts. Whether you’re just starting or revamping your profile, this episode will provide actionable tips to optimize your Instagram presence and connect with your audience effectively.

Here’s what you’ll learn in this episode:

•Why the first nine posts matter: Discover why these initial posts play a crucial role in shaping your audience’s first impression.

•The key elements of a compelling Instagram profile: Learn how to optimize your profile photo, bio, and posts to create a lasting impact.

•Why your face matters more than your logo: Understand the importance of human connection in personal and business branding.

•How to approach professional photos: Get tips on using professional photos strategically and consistently to maintain a polished image.

•The role of Instagram bio optimization: Treat your bio as a mini sales page to grab attention and retain visitors.

•Content strategies for lasting impressions: Explore the balance between reels, professional images, and authentic posts.

•Batch production hacks: Find out how to streamline your content creation process for efficiency and consistency.

Don’t miss this episode packed with practical advice to elevate your Instagram strategy, whether you’re building a personal brand or managing a business account.

Tune in now to start making your Instagram profile work for you!

In this episode of the Brand Up Podcast, I dive into the transformative power of brand awareness and how it can drastically cut your lead costs while driving exponential growth for your business. Think about the difference between competing with thousands of businesses for generic keywords and becoming the trusted name that customers search for directly.

Using real-world examples, including a compelling case study from a beauty academy, I’ll share practical strategies that can help you shift the way you attract and retain customers. Here’s what you’ll learn:

 • How to run highly cost-effective video ad campaigns that target your audience with precision and maximize your ROI.

 • The secrets of retargeting and remarketing to create a consistent presence across platforms like Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, and TikTok.

 • The power of the “know, like, trust” factor to build deeper connections with your audience and turn them into loyal customers.

 • How to audit your business goals to ensure scalable growth that aligns with your personal strengths and vision.

I’ll also explain how to use simple, budget-friendly tools, like a dollar-a-day ad strategy, to make your brand omnipresent and appear larger than life without breaking the bank. Whether you’re running a local service business or scaling an online venture, these insights will help you stand out in a crowded marketplace and attract the right customers.

Tune in to this episode and discover how focusing on your brand name can not only reduce competition but also position you as the go-to authority in your niche. It’s time to make your business unstoppable.

In this inspiring episode of the Brand Up Podcast, host Marian Esanu welcomes storytelling coach and public speaking expert Jesse Cruz to share his journey from struggle to stage success.

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Jesse opens up about the challenges he faced early in his speaking career, including the frustrations of investing in a coach but not reaching his goals. A pivotal moment came when his wife encouraged him to keep pushing forward, sparking his commitment to mastering storytelling and helping others do the same.

Together, Marian and Jesse dive into:

 • The common pitfalls that hold speakers back, such as lack of structure and clarity.

 • Jesse’s signature ‘PAY Method’, which helps speakers craft compelling messages:

 • Problem: Define the issue your message solves.

 • Audience: Tailor your message to connect with your listeners.

 • Your Why: Uncover the deeper purpose behind your story.

 • How storytelling can create genuine connections and boost audience engagement.

This episode also delivers practical advice on creating captivating hooks, developing authenticity in storytelling, and pitching confidently—all while focusing on serving your audience and providing value.

Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or just starting out, this episode is your guide to mastering the art of storytelling and taking your speaking skills to the next level.

Tune in now to transform your story into a tool for connection and success!

In this transformative episode of the Brand Up Podcast, Marian Esanu takes you behind the scenes of his incredible journey from an immigrant working three jobs to building a seven-figure moving and storage company—and later becoming a sought-after consultant and business strategist.

Marian shares:

•How he scaled his business while managing it remotely due to immigration challenges.

•The transition from entrepreneur to online marketing expert specializing in sales funnels and automation.

•Proven strategies to identify your ideal clients, grow your email list, and use platforms like YouTube and Facebook for market research.

•Insights into launching a book, choosing the right consultancy, and creating effective offers.

With practical advice and inspiring stories, Marian dives into the power of testing and adjusting your marketing strategies, leveraging podcasting to build authority, and scaling with small budgets. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, small business owner, or influencer, this episode offers actionable steps to unlock your business’s full potential and create lasting impact.

Don’t miss Marian’s expert tips on creating a success map, simplifying sales techniques, and standing out in competitive markets. Tune in and take your business to the next level!

In this powerful solo episode of the Brand Up Podcast, I share my inspiring journey from an immigrant working three jobs to building a thriving seven-figure business. Speaking directly to entrepreneurs and business owners, I break down the exact strategies that helped me scale my company—even when facing unexpected challenges, like being forced to manage operations remotely for seven months.

Key takeaways from this episode include:

 • Marian’s three-step formula for generating leads that fuel business growth.

 • Why leads are the foundation of every successful business and how to create a system to get more of them.

 • The critical differences between building a personal brand vs. a business brand—and which one suits your goals.

 • Understanding Blue Ocean vs. Red Ocean strategies to dominate your market.

 • How to effectively leverage Google and YouTube traffic for long-term results.

Marian also shares actionable tips for identifying your target audience, building omnipresence, and staying focused on what truly matters in business. Whether you’re just starting or looking to take your business to the next level, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration you don’t want to miss.

Join me as I unpack the mindset and strategies that have driven my success and learn how to apply them to your journey.

In this episode of the Brand Up Podcast, Marian dives deep into actionable strategies for leveraging digital tools to grow your personal brand and business. Marian Esanu shares a personal story about pivoting during the pandemic, highlighting how market research and competitor analysis can unlock new opportunities—even in industries you never thought possible.

Discover:

•How to use Google and YouTube auto-suggestions to uncover what people are actively searching for.

•The power of analyzing competitors’ strategies using Facebook Ads Library and ad timelines to identify profitable campaigns.

•Why online courses have become a lucrative avenue across industries and how to explore untapped niches.

•Tips on using ChatGPT to enhance your ad copy, landing pages, and business strategies.

•A breakdown of the differences between personal branding and business branding, and how to leverage both for long-term success.

This episode is packed with insights, tools, and real-world examples to help you master the art of networking, branding, and digital strategy. Tune in and transform your approach to building a standout personal brand!

In this episode of Unlocking Business Growth, Marian Esanu dives into the strategies that drive sustainable business success through leads and traffic generation. Discover actionable insights from a journey of overcoming challenges and scaling a business while being away for months.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

1️⃣ Leads as the Lifeblood of Business – Why having a consistent flow of leads is critical, no matter what you sell.

2️⃣ Personal vs. Business Branding – The debate and strategies to build a brand that stands out in crowded markets.

3️⃣ Understanding Your Audience – Learn how to address different stages of customer awareness to effectively position your solutions.

4️⃣ Blue Ocean vs. Red Ocean Strategy – Create a unique space for your brand to avoid competing in oversaturated markets.

5️⃣ The Two Types of Traffic – Search and discovery, explained with real-life examples and actionable takeaways.

Explore how to master omnipresence and create a brand that stands out in a sea of competitors. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting, this episode is packed with practical advice to fuel your growth.

Tune in now and unlock the potential of leads and traffic for your business success!

Discover the key to building lasting business relationships on this episode of the Brand Up Podcast! I’m Marion, your host, and today I’m joined by Victor and Matt as we delve into the art of networking and the essential steps for creating strong referral partnerships.

We start with my first coffee chat with Matt, where we immediately connected, sparking partnerships that have grown over the years. Matt, a successful realtor, shares his approach to building a network that benefits both his clients and his business. Together, we unpack how establishing trust and maintaining clear communication—especially during high-stress times like a move—can strengthen your reputation and impact your referral success.

From being proactive in follow-ups to fostering personal connections at networking events, we share insights and experiences on creating genuine relationships. This episode is all about shifting the focus from quick gains to long-term collaboration and support. Whether you’re new to networking or looking to elevate your approach, tune in to learn how authentic relationships can transform your business.