Why Finding the Right Career Fit Changes Everything with Laura Hartog of Bad Habit Brewing

Why Finding the Right Career Fit Changes Everything with Laura Hartog of Bad Habit Brewing

Takeaways * Career alignment matters more than staying comfortable * Growth often starts when you allow yourself to explore change * Strong businesses survive by staying connected to community What happens when the career path you've spent years building no longer feels right? In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Laura Hartog, Managing Director of Bad Habit Brewing Company, to discuss career pivots, burnout, leadership, workplace culture, and building businesses centered around community. Laura shares how she transitioned from a long career in marketing and education into brewery leadership, what pushed her to make a difficult career change, and how finding the right fit professionally transformed both her work and personal life. The conversation also dives into what makes Bad Habit Brewing successful in an increasingly competitive craft beverage market, why community matters more than product alone, and what modern leadership really looks like. Key Topics Covered: * Career pivots and recognizing misalignment * Burnout and protecting your mental health * Leadership lessons from managing teams * Building businesses around community * Marketing and branding in craft beverage industries * How Bad Habit Brewing is evolving in a changing market * Creating company cultures people genuinely love Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

What Really Happens When You Hire a Marketing Agency

Takeaways * Why free discovery meetings are critical to building better marketing strategies * How great agencies uncover what clients actually need versus what they think they need * Why trust and communication are the foundation of successful client partnerships When people think about marketing agencies, they often picture logos, websites, social media posts, and creative campaigns. But behind every creative decision is something much bigger: strategy. In this episode, Taylor and Kelly pull back the curtain on what actually happens when someone reaches out to work with a marketing agency. From discovery calls and first meetings to proposals and long-term partnerships, they explain why great marketing starts with understanding people, business goals, and solving the right problems. They also tackle common misconceptions about agencies, explain why pricing is rarely one-size-fits-all, and share what small business owners should really expect when exploring a marketing partnership. Key Topics Covered: * What happens during a first marketing agency meeting * Why agencies need strategy before quoting pricing * Common misconceptions about agency partnerships * Why trust matters more than tactics * The proposal and onboarding process * How agencies uncover what businesses actually need Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

Building Community Through Hospitality and Historic Spaces with Casey Austin

Takeaways * Career pivots can lead to opportunities that feel more aligned than the original plan. * Community involvement and networking create unexpected professional opportunities. * Foley Mansion is redefining event experiences by blending history, hospitality, and memorable moments. Summary of the Episode In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly sit down with Casey Austin, Director of Operations at Foley Mansion, to talk about career transitions, community connection, and creating unforgettable experiences. Casey shares her unconventional career journey from earning a degree in early childhood education and teaching preschool to working in banking, nonprofit leadership, and ultimately stepping into her current role leading one of Central Minnesota’s most unique event venues. They dive into the fascinating history behind Foley Mansion, the restoration of the historic property after a devastating fire, and how Casey is helping shape the next chapter of the venue through events, hospitality, and community engagement. The conversation also explores the importance of networking, embracing unexpected opportunities, and having the courage to take the next step even when the path forward feels uncertain. Key Topics Covered: * Casey Austin’s career journey and unexpected pivots * Lessons learned from teaching and community leadership * The history and restoration of Foley Mansion * Building a hospitality experience people remember * Why networking and chamber involvement matter * Career growth through relationships and referrals * Hosting unforgettable events and experiences * Advice for navigating career transitions Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

Why Blogging Still Matters for SEO in 2026

Takeaways * Blogging directly improves SEO by creating more indexed pages and keyword opportunities. * Strategic blog content helps businesses rank for customer questions and search intent. * Modern SEO requires ongoing website updates, internal linking, and content structure. * Businesses that consistently blog build stronger authority and long-term organic visibility. * AI and evolving search behavior are changing how websites should be built and optimized. In this episode of Behind the Brand, Kelly and Taylor from Moxie Creative dive deep into why blogging still matters and how it directly impacts SEO in today’s digital landscape. They unpack the evolution of search engine optimization, how AI is changing search behavior, and why static websites are no longer enough to stay competitive online. From cornerstone blog strategies and internal linking to Google Analytics insights and customer-driven content ideas, this episode breaks down practical ways businesses can improve online visibility through blogging. Kelly also shares behind-the-scenes insights from rebuilding a client’s blog strategy from the ground up, including lessons learned about content structure, SEO organization, and why “more blogs” does not always equal better results. If your business has struggled with SEO, online visibility, or knowing what to write about, this episode offers actionable insights to help you rethink your content strategy. Key Topics Covered: * Why blogging improves SEO * How blogs create more opportunities to rank on Google * The role of cornerstone content and internal linking * How AI is changing SEO and online search behavior * Why businesses need ongoing website optimization * Common mistakes businesses make with blogging * Blog content ideas for small businesses * The relationship between blogging, authority, and trust * Why consistency matters more than perfection * The future of SEO strategy for service businesses Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]

How Jeremy Salzbrun Turned H&S Heating and Air Conditioning Into a Community Powerhouse

Takeaways * Why trades careers can create incredible financial opportunities without traditional college debt * How Jeremy Salzbrun transformed H&S Heating and Air into a service-first business during the recession * The importance of community involvement and relationship marketing for local businesses In this episode of Behind the Brand, Taylor and Kelly from Moxie Creative sit down with Jeremy Salzbrun, second-generation owner of H&S Heating and Air Conditioning. [https://hsheatingandair.com/] Jeremy shares the story behind the family business, how he purchased the company during the recession, and what it takes to grow a trusted HVAC brand in Central Minnesota. The conversation dives into family business dynamics, entrepreneurship, trades careers, leadership, community involvement, and the importance of building strong customer relationships. Jeremy also opens up about balancing business ownership with family life, raising a son who may become the third generation in the business, and why serving people during difficult moments gives his work deeper meaning. From lessons learned in the trades to scaling multiple businesses and creating a lasting legacy, this episode is packed with honest insight and practical wisdom for entrepreneurs and small business owners alike. Key Topics Covered: * Growing up in a family-owned HVAC business * Taking over H&S Heating and Air during the recession * The value of skilled trades careers * Building a service-first company culture * Marketing strategies for local businesses * Expanding through acquisitions and new service divisions * Family business succession planning * Leadership, faith, and community impact * Creating long-term business growth through relationships Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative [https://www.youtube.com/@wearemoxiecreative] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.facebook.com/wearemoxiecreative] Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/ [https://www.instagram.com/wearemoxiecreative/] Behance: https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative [https://www.behance.net/moxiecreative] LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative [https://www.linkedin.com/company/wearemoxiecreative] Website: www.moxiecreative.com [http://www.moxiecreative.com]