From over two decades of growing brands of all sizes and verticals, I’ve learned that the transcendent characteristic of category leadership is persistent curiosity. It’s a parallel thirst for understanding and novelty: Know your customer better than they know themselves. And become indispensable in their life in a way nobody else can match.The most commercially rewarding way to get there is by leveraging smart data. Not data minimalism, not data proliferation, but the exact data necessary to get as intimately connected to your customer as appropriate – the perfect collection of facts to uncover a truly powerful insight that has the power to move people to both feel and to act.Activating that insight takes strategic vision and grit. It takes a multi-horizon approach. It is fed by empathy. It requires vulnerability. It embodies an analytical and technological savviness and a keen focus on outcomes. It masters storytelling. It finds roots in cultural marketing. It depends on cross-functional influence. And it cascades from a dynamic leadership presence. I like to think it’s the same combination of capabilities I’ve polished through my own persistent curiosity. The vision for myself I’ve been following is to combine strategic acumen, data literacy, and empathetic cultural insight with the ability to communicate, inspire, and adapt. For me, excellence is bringing an actionable vision, deep customer centricity, and the ability to lead an organization through significant evolution.Here's some of the clients I've helped grow:Instant(Pot) Brands, RedBox, New York Life, Aon, IG, Nadex, Fiserv, Zelle, Lukka, Pathway Veterinary Clinics, Covetrus, Trupanion, Navistar, International Trucks, Rivian, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Ford, FLIR, Blue Buffalo, Zurich, Nokia, AT&T, Buddig, Old Wisconsin, Bosch Tools, Dremel, Stokke, Raymarine, Electrolux, Frigidaire, Venmo, Bemz, Momondo, Rivers Casino, Landry's, Synchrony Bank, Perfect Game, Heartland Dental, UofM Ross, Archer Daniels Midland, True Value, Blue Cross Blue Shield.