In this episode of The Home Care Experience with T&A, hosts Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks welcome guest Denise Bell—former home care agency owner, skincare brand founder, and bold advocate for personal growth. From Kodak cubicles in the '80s to Grammy swag bags in 2024, Denise walks us through her transformative journey through entrepreneurship, burnout, and rediscovery.She shares how home health taught her about the selflessness of nurses, why she left it all behind, and what it really means to prioritize your own needs in a caregiving world. Expect unfiltered real talk, emotional insight, and laughter you didn’t know you needed.📌 Chapters:00:00 – Intro 02:15 – Kodak beginnings and the power of customer service 06:00 – Getting into home health: family, Craig Carter, and career pivots 11:00 – Burnout in caregiving: the warning signs and what comes next 17:00 – Reinventing herself at 44: Esthetician school and Five Circle Skincare 24:00 – The psychology of self-talk and finding your voice 29:00 – Practical self-care vs. performative wellness 36:00 – Rituals, relationships, and the ice cream story 39:00 – Denise's message for overworked women and caregivers 40:00 – Outro and future topics🎧 Listen on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts | YouTube | thehomecareexperience.comMentioned in the Episode:Five Circle Skincare (Denise’s brand)Baldwin Beauty School, AustinCraig Carter and the role of cost reporting in home care

In this episode of Unpacking the Brand, hosts Ken Theriot and Randy Kessler sit down with Katie Graham, Regional Marketing Communications Manager at Bobst North America, to explore how customer-centric marketing is changing the face of industrial branding.From long sales cycles to global communications challenges, Katie breaks down what makes manufacturing marketing so unique — and how aligning messaging, analytics, and authenticity can help even the most technical brands stand out. They dive into topics like digital transformation, CRM adoption, and the importance of personal branding in the B2B space. Whether you're in sales, marketing, or leadership, this is a masterclass on how to build real value in modern industry.Chapters00:00 – Intro: Welcome back to Unpacking the Brand01:44 – Guest intro: Katie Graham of Bobst North America03:00 – Why manufacturing marketing is different05:00 – B2B brand building and customer engagement07:15 – Global marketing vs. regional strategy09:00 – Tech, CRM, and digitalization at Bobst12:00 – Strategic filtering: which initiatives to pursue14:05 – Case study: Building a new market presence17:00 – Sales and marketing alignment done right20:15 – How perception shifts drive brand expansion23:00 – The role of personal branding on LinkedIn25:00 – Katie’s top advice for new professionals30:00 – The future of AI and marketing analytics33:06 – Rapid Fire: Brands, books, and beachside insightsMentionedAtomic Habits by James ClearWomen of FlexoBobst Competence Centers in Atlanta and L.A.

In this debut episode of Unpacking the Brand, hosts Ken Theriot (TheRiot Agency) and Randy Kessler (Labels and Labeling) are joined by John Hirko, Director of Growth at TheRiot Agency. Together, they explore the evolving role of growth leaders and how companies can align sales, marketing, and customer success through systems that scale brand intimacy.From CRM adoption to bridging relationship selling with digital strategy, John shares actionable insights for manufacturers and B2B companies looking to modernize how they grow.Chapters00:00 – Intro: Why we launched Unpacking the Brand01:28 – Guest intro: John Hirko and his role as Director of Growth03:17 – The evolution of the "Director of Growth" title07:13 – Common growth challenges in manufacturing08:53 – Why sales and marketing misalignment is so common10:52 – From people-to-people to brand-to-people trust13:21 – The importance of systems and centralized data15:17 – Case study: Helping a hidden champion scale up18:10 – Overcoming CRM adoption resistance from seasoned sales teams24:26 – How long does CRM implementation really take?30:06 – Practical branding tips for businesses on a budget32:58 – The 4 pillars of any successful growth effort38:35 – Investing smartly in marketing roles39:23 – Why marketing now leads sales in the B2B journey42:10 – Rapid Fire: John’s favorite brand, Super Bowl ads & moreMentioned in This EpisodeBook: Traction by Gino Wickman (EOS/Entrepreneurial Operating System)HubSpot’s stat: 80% of purchase decisions are made before talking to sales

Understanding Texas Medicaid Rate Enhancement—and why it matters for Personal Assistance Services providersIn Episode 5 of The Home Care Experience with T&A, Amy Taylor and Troy Brooks unpack the complexities of this powerful but often misunderstood Texas program. From how to enroll and measure compliance, to using bonuses strategically and avoiding devastating recoupments, this is a must-listen for PAS providers and agency owners.Whether you’re new to rate enhancement or trying to protect your current reimbursement level, this episode gives you actionable insights to protect your business and support your staff.🔗 Explore more episodes & show notes: https://thehomecareexperience.com

Episode Description: Welcome to Unpacking the Brand, your go-to podcast for everything business, branding, and innovation! Hosted by industry experts Ken Theriot (TheRiot Agency) and Randy Kessler (Labels and Labeling), this show explores what it really takes to build, grow, and differentiate a brand in today’s competitive landscape.In this teaser, get a sneak peek at the exciting conversations ahead—insights from branding pros, real-world success stories, and cutting-edge strategies to help you stay ahead. Whether you’re a marketing professional, entrepreneur, or business leader, Unpacking the Brand delivers valuable perspectives you can apply right away.Subscribe now, because the best brands don’t just happen—they’re built.Show Notes:📌 What to Expect in Unpacking the Brand:Expert insights from branding, sales, and marketing leadersReal-world case studies and success storiesStrategies for brand differentiation and customer engagementThe intersection of print, packaging, and digital brandingActionable advice for business growth🎙 Featured Voices in this Teaser:Ken Theriot – Discussing brand differentiationKatie Graham – The importance of customer-centric brandingJohn Hirko – Sales and marketing alignment for business successRandy Kessler – Brand perception and customer touchpoints🚀 Subscribe & Stay Connected:Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite podcast appFollow us on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates and insights📩 Have a topic or guest suggestion? We’d love to hear from you! Email us at podcasts@theriot.agency.👉 Don’t forget to rate and review the show—it helps us grow and reach more listeners like you!