Built with Intention
Blog
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Wine Sales: The Upsell In wine sales, the upsell matters. Moving one bottle to two.Two to four.Four to six.Six to eight.Eight to a case. These small steps are often the difference between a good day and a great one—for the winery, for the staff, and for the long-term health of the business. Upselling doesn’t have…
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Brand Study: Apple Observed through a seven-section, descriptive framework 1. Why This Brand Is Worth Studying Apple is worth studying because it became one of the most influential consumer brands in history without competing primarily on price, specifications, or speed to market. Its success reshaped how consumers evaluate technology products and how companies think about…
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Among the Billions: Simon Sinek Series — Among the Billions Across billions of people who speak, advise, teach, and lead, only a small number change the language others use to understand themselves and their work. Simon Sinek stands out not because he invented purpose, leadership, or trust—but because he made them clear, repeatable, and culturally…
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Brand Study: SBD How one exceptional product became the foundation for a category-defining brand Brand Overview SBD operates in the highly specialized category of competitive powerlifting equipment. Within this niche, the brand has achieved a level of authority that makes it a default choice for serious lifters. SBD is not a lifestyle brand, nor does…
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Among the Billions: Tim Ferriss Tools, experiments, and the craft of intentional living One of a Kind Intellectual: Tim Ferriss does not fit neatly into a single category. He is often described as an entrepreneur, author, or podcaster, but those labels undersell the core of his work. At his best, Ferriss functions as a professional…
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Among the Billions: Dan Carlin Craft, obsession, and the long-form revival of history Context: Why Dan Carlin Belongs Among the Craftsmen Dan Carlin belongs in a category of creators defined less by output volume and more by depth of commitment. His work is not optimized for algorithms, release schedules, or audience churn. Instead, it reflects…
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Wine Sales: Closers Get Cab At some point, the sale has to be made. Business has to happen. Money has to change hands—for the winery to survive, for jobs to exist, and for salaries to be paid. Wine may be romantic, cultural, and deeply human, but it is also a business. And businesses do not…
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The Connection: The Business of Rapport In the tasting room, connection is everything. The relationship between the wine educator and the tasting group is the foundation of both the sales proposition and the guest experience. Long before a bottle is purchased—or a wine club decision is made—the guest is deciding how they feel about the…
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Brand Study: Patagonia A strategy-focused analysis, with personal context and practical takeaways Origin Overview: How Patagonia Started Patagonia began not as an apparel brand, but as a tool-making operation for a niche athletic community. The company’s roots trace back to Yvon Chouinard, a climber who initially made reusable steel pitons for rock climbing. These tools…
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Brand Study: Alo Marketing strategy, sales model, influence, and differentiation Overview Alo occupies a distinct position within the athleisure market by approaching apparel not primarily as performance gear, but as a visual and cultural extension of wellness. While competitors often emphasize either technical performance (Lululemon) or everyday versatility (Vuori), Alo focuses on yoga as an…
