What comes to mind when you think of the brands Coca-Cola and Patagonia? Now, how do you want shoppers to feel when they hear your brand? What do you want them to think of? A brand is more than just a logo and color scheme, it’s how customers feel about and perceive your brand. Set your brand apart by defining (or refining) your brand strategy in our Building a Brand that Stands Out immersion training.

Whether you are starting up or scaling up, getting the fundamentals right can help you jump to the next level. Over three days, you’ll tackle your brand strategy in a fun and productive way alongside a group of peers while also receiving one-on-one time with your instructor, Brand Strategist, Katie Mleziva. This training runs from 10am till 4pm on May 19th, 20th, and 21st.

In this training, you will…

• Define the key pieces of brand strategy using Katie’s Brand Strategy Streamlined Model: (1) Review competitor snapshot, (2) Create your ideal consumer profile, and (3) Company vision, advantages, pillars, and personality (4) brand story.
• Align every area of your business around your strategy to deliver on your promises and build a cohesive brand.
• Activate by identifying and prioritizing ways you will activate your brand strategy and bring it to life to set your brand apart.
• Communicate your Brand Strategy Summary by sharing with your hosts from FFI and Real Food Brands as well as other participants to get feedback and build your network within the food industry.  

What’s included?

• 3 days of content as a group plus each day includes one-on-one time with Katie
• Brand Check-up and a brief series of questions and exercises as prep-work to utilize throughout the training
• Fillable workbook to define the brand strategy that will help your brand stand out and how to bring it to life
• Contact information for other participants as well as hosts to stay connected during and after the training.
• $100 towards future work with Katie

Who should enroll in this training? 

Food, beverage, and value-added farm founders, entrepreneurs, or marketing leaders of all stages who want an immersive experience to define (or refine) your brand strategy to help set your brand apart. Whether you are starting up or scaling up, getting the fundamentals right can help you get to the next level.  This work is fun and productive – it requires focused attention during all three days of our time together. 

Agenda

• Optional Prep-work
  • Upon registration receive a brief series of questions and exercises to help you think about your brand strategy and get you ready to dig in during your time with Katie.
• Day 1 – Building Your Foundation
  • Documenting your Company Purpose, Vision & Values
  • Creating the Competitive Recap
  • Defining Your Ideal Consumer & Secondary Audiences
  • Homework – continue work on pieces not completed.
• Day 2 – Creating Your Brand Identity/Value/Uniqueness  
  • Outlining your Competitive Advantages
  • Identifying Consumer Value (Pyramid & Benefit Ladder)
    • Brand Pillars
    • Personality
    • Story
  • Homework – continue to work on any pieces not complete
• Day 3 – Tying It All Together
  • Brand Strategy Summary Presentations (includes work time and Q&A)
  • Next Steps: Align & Activate

About the Instructor

Katie Mleziva is a Brand Strategist and host of the Real Food Brands Marketing Podcast. She has nearly 20 years of experience in Brand Management and Marketing across a range of popular brands from Fortune 500 consumer packaged goods to local startups. Katie is driven to help natural food company leaders create clearly defined brands so they can shake up shopping carts and get good food into the hands of more people.

Scholarship Opportunities

• The Food Finance Institute offers an array of training geared towards growing profitable food, farm, and food system enterprises. In order to increase access to our paid trainings we offer scholarships that cover up to 100% training costs for those who are:
  • Pre-revenue or have been in business less than two years
  • A member of an underserved community

More information and request forms can be completed here

• Compeer’s $250 grant is available to any beginning farmer living in Compeer’s territory even if they don’t have any business relationship with them.
  • This program is available to farmers who:
    • Reside in Compeer Financial’s 144-county territory,
    • Have started farming no longer than ten years ago, and
    • Demonstrate that farming is the applicant’s part-time or full-time vocation

Check out Compeer’s Grants for Beginning Farmers and apply here