New year, new Earned! In our first episode of 2021, Conor sits down with entrepreneur and brand builder Kevin Gould, founder of talent management firm and digital consulting agency Kombo Ventures, as well as the co-founder of three digitally native powerhouse brands that pulled in a combined $75 million in revenue last year: Insert Name Here, Glamnetic, and Wakeheart. First, we learn about Kevin's background at talent agency WME (William Morris Endeavor), before hearing why he decided to start Kombo Ventures in 2012. Kevin then reveals how and why he began building consumer brands of his own. We learn how Kevin, who currently heads four different companies, stays focused, and he shares key strategies for building and scaling digital-first brands profitably. Conor and Kevin also discuss the importance of community building, and we learn Kevin's philosophy on working with creators, and common mistakes he sees brands make in the influencer space. To close the show, Kevin describes the pivots his teams have made in response to COVID-19, and discusses how he is already planning for a future of live commerce.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.