The Futur with Chris Do

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

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The Truth About Niching Down - With Chris Do | Episode 339 Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I challenge the common belief that you need to niche down to succeed. Many creatives look at artists like Post Malone, who seamlessly transitions across genres, and assume they can do the same. But the reality is, these people mastered one thing before expanding. I discuss why copying someone’s success without understanding their journey is a mistake and why intentional practice and depth of knowledge are key. We explore the concept of the T-shaped skill set, the risks of diversifying too soon, and how social media growth favors consistency. If you’ve ever struggled with whether to specialize or go broad, this episode is for you.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - The problem with copying success

(00:39) - Post Malone’s career evolution

(02:12) - Why success leaves clues

(03:35) - Finding your starting point

(04:17) - The power of deep expertise

(05:00) - Social media and consistency

(06:15) - The restaurant analogy for niching

(07:01) - Outro and call to action

Check out The Futur:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Build, Test, Scale, Repeat - With Hamlet Azarian | Episode 338 Apr 05, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I’m joined by Hamlet Azarian, a seasoned marketing executive with over 20 years of experience in scaling early-stage startups from ideation to success. Hamlet breaks down his data-driven approach to marketing, emphasizing the importance of multivariate testing, customer personas, and psychographics to deeply understand user needs.

We discuss actionable strategies, such as rapid testing of ideas through prototypes and landing pages, and leveraging tools like Hotjar and CallRail to optimize customer engagement. Hamlet also highlights the power of focusing on progress over perfection and shares insights from his journey of building an agency with a mission to educate and empower future marketers.

Whether you’re a creative professional, an entrepreneur, or simply curious about growth marketing, this episode is packed with insights to help you take your ideas to the next level.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction to Hamlet Azarian

(01:30) - Early-stage startup dynamics

(03:00) - Example: Scaling Camino Financial

(08:00) - Multivariate testing and audience targeting

(15:00) - Understanding customer personas and psychographics

(25:00) - Building marketing strategies through interviews

(32:50) - Optimizing landing pages and pre-launch campaigns

(38:20) - Growth mindset and startup culture

(50:30) - Tools and tech stack for data-driven marketing

(54:00) - Closing thoughts and action steps

Check out today's guest, Hamlet Azarian:

Hamlet's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamletazarian

Azarian Growth Agency's Website: https://azariangrowthagency.com/

Hamlet's Website: https://hamletazarian.com/

Check out The Futur:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Empathy in Business: Nice or Necessary? - With Maria Ross | Episode 337 Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Maria Ross, an author, speaker, and empathy advocate, to explore the power of empathy in leadership, branding, and creative work. We unpack the two types of empathy—cognitive and affective—and how understanding them can transform relationships, client interactions, and even pricing strategies. Maria shares insights from her books, The Empathy Edge and The Empathy Dilemma, addressing misconceptions around empathy in business. We discuss how ego and insecurity can block empathy, the dangers of "empathy hijacking," and the balance between compassion and high performance. Whether you're a leader, entrepreneur, or creative professional, this episode is packed with practical strategies to integrate empathy into your work without burning out.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction to Maria Ross

(00:33) - Maria’s background in branding and empathy advocacy

(01:49) - Why empathy matters for small teams and solopreneurs

(02:14) - The business case for empathy in leadership

(07:13) - Why creatives struggle with empathy

(09:03) - The two types of empathy: cognitive vs. affective

(13:33) - Ego and insecurity as empathy blockers

(20:04) - The problem with "radical honesty" and weaponized empathy

(29:07) - How to respond empathetically without "hijacking" the conversation

(36:41) - The power of curiosity in empathy

(40:15) - Empathy in pricing: charging based on client impact

(50:13) - Leadership challenges: balancing empathy and performance

(57:22) - How to build an empathetic workplace culture

(59:10) - Where to find Maria and her books

Check out today's guest, Maria Ross:

Maria's book website: https://theempathydilemma.com/

Maria's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariajross

Maria's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/redslicemaria

Check out The Futur:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Risk, Failure & Growth: The Truth About Entrepreneurship - With Mike & Kass Lazerow | Episode 336 Mar 26, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Mike and Kass Lazerow—serial entrepreneurs, business partners, and husband-and-wife duo—to discuss the realities of entrepreneurship, leadership, and working together as a couple. We dive into their journey from launching Golf.com to selling Buddy Media to Salesforce for $745M. Mike shares his instinctive, visionary approach to business, while Kass offers sharp operational expertise, revealing the balance that has fueled their success. We talk about the myths of entrepreneurship, the importance of embracing failure, and how firing people with kindness can change lives. The conversation takes a candid turn as we explore what it means to navigate business, marriage, and parenting while staying aligned. If you've ever struggled with leadership, scaling a business, or balancing work and relationships, this episode is full of valuable insights and honest reflections.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(05:10) - Mike & Kass’s journey from Golf.com to Buddy Media

(11:45) - The biggest myths about entrepreneurship

(18:30) - Learning to embrace fear and uncertainty in business

(25:55) - How Kass approaches firing people with kindness

(32:40) - Navigating marriage and business: The challenges and rewards

(39:15) - The importance of trusting your gut vs. making data-driven decisions

(45:50) - How social media has changed entrepreneurship

(52:30) - The right way to pivot when a business idea isn’t working

(59:05) - Leadership lessons: Why transparency matters

(1:05:40) - The mental load of running a business and parenting

(1:12:15) - Shoveling Sh*t: A sneak peek at Mike & Kass’s new book

Check out today's guests, Mike and Kass Lazerow:

Mike and Kass' Website: https://www.kassandmike.com/

Mike and Kass' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kassandmike/

Mike and Kass' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kassandmike/

Shoveling Sh*t Website: https://shovelingshit.com/

Check out The Futur:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vulnerability Meets Growth Strategies - With Eric Siu | Episode 335 Mar 22, 2025

Show notes

In this engaging crossover episode, I join forces with Eric Siu’s Leveling Up podcast for a thought-provoking conversation. Together, we explore the art and strategy behind building personal brands and creating authentic connections in the digital age. We dive into the intricacies of running masterminds, including their pros, cons, and the lessons learned.

Eric and I discuss the value of storytelling, self-awareness, and vulnerability in establishing a meaningful online presence. Whether you're considering launching a mastermind, enhancing your personal brand, or looking to deepen your connections with your audience, this episode delivers a mix of actionable advice and honest reflections.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction and episode setup

(02:00) - Building authentic personal brands

(06:30) - Vulnerability and Storytelling online

(11:15) - The power of masterminds

(16:50) - Structuring masterminds effectively

(21:30) - Balancing personal growth with branding

(27:00) - Social media strategies and engagement tips

(35:20) - Long-term brand-building insights

(42:00) - Overcoming criticism and self-doubt

(48:15) - Closing thoughts on authenticity

Check out today's guest, Eric Siu:

Eric's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericosiu

Eric's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ericosiu

Single Grain's Website: https://www.singlegrain.com/

Check out The Futur:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Unlocking Your Storytelling Superpower - With Andrea Sampson | Episode 334 Mar 19, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Andrea Sampson, a seasoned strategist turned storytelling coach, to explore the power of storytelling in branding, leadership, and public speaking. Andrea shares her journey from the high-pressure world of advertising to coaching TED speakers and thought leaders. We discuss the essence of compelling storytelling, how personal experiences shape narratives, and how anyone can harness their unique voice to captivate an audience. Andrea also breaks down the psychology behind storytelling, the role of emotional connection, and why differentiation is key in personal branding. Whether you're a creative professional, a speaker, or an entrepreneur, this conversation is packed with insights to help you refine your messaging and make a lasting impact.

Timestamps:

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:39) - Chris Do on storytelling & self-consciousness

(01:11) - Andrea’s career shift from advertising to TED coaching

(05:17) - What does a strategist do in advertising?

(13:11) - Inside an advertising pitch: E-Trade campaign

(19:50) - What clients look for in an ad agency

(25:11) - Andrea’s soul-searching moment at 50

(31:44) - Discovering TEDx and becoming a speaker coach

(36:12) - Coaching scientists & translating complex ideas

(44:06) - The science of storytelling & emotional engagement

(50:01) - Personal branding: Awareness, authority, and differentiation

(57:36) - How storytelling makes ideas memorable

(1:00:23) - What stories people should tell more

Check out today's guest, Andrea Sampson:

Andrea's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/acsampson

Andrea's Website: https://talkboutique.com/

Andrea's Instagram: https://instagram.com/thisisandreasampson

Check out The Futur:

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Leader or Follower? - With Chris Do | Episode 333 Mar 12, 2025

Show notes

In this solo episode, Chris Do examines the dynamics of leadership and followership, exploring how clearly defined roles can create healthier relationships in teams, families, and businesses. Chris shares his perspective on when to lead, when to follow, and why trying to merge the two often results in frustration.

Using relatable stories, he explains how leaders can empower others by giving them full autonomy while maintaining respect for the roles people play. This thought-provoking episode is a valuable resource for anyone looking to navigate complex relationships with more clarity and empathy.

Timestamps:

(00:00) Introduction to solo episodes

(00:38) Misconceptions about leadership and listening

(01:17) The balance between leading and following

(02:23) The dangers of blurred roles

(03:00) The black sheep’s role in families and teams

(04:50) Institutional knowledge and preserving history

(05:34) Trusting the leader and letting go

(06:50) The frustration of mixed instructions

(07:22) Summary: Defining and sharing roles

Check out The Futur:

➤ Website | Courses | LinkedIn | Podcasts

➤ Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok | YouTube

Check out Chris Do:

➤ Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

➤ TikTok | Threads | Zaap | Clubhouse | Behance

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Discovering Creative Freedom - With Matthew Encina | Episode 332 Mar 08, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Matthew Encina for an intimate look at his inspiring transition from Creative Director at renowned design studio Blind to successful YouTube entrepreneur. Following the viral success of his home office redesign video that catalyzed his independent career, Matthew shares the strategic thinking and creative courage behind his pivot.

We dive deep into his evolution as a product designer, exploring how he artfully balances aesthetics with practical functionality in everything from workspace design to digital products. You'll hear Matthew's unique insights on maintaining creative momentum while working solo, including his morning fitness routine that fuels his productivity. We also geek out over his passion for custom mechanical keyboards and explore how this hobby influences his design philosophy.

Whether you're a creative professional considering the leap to entrepreneurship or simply fascinated by the intersection of design and business, Matthew's candid discussion of risk-taking and personal growth offers valuable lessons for navigating your own creative journey.

From sophisticated workspace solutions to cultivating sustainable creative practices, this conversation delivers actionable insights for anyone looking to elevate their creative game.

Timestamps:

(01:22) - Matthew Encina's Journey: From Student to Creative Director

(02:33) - Venturing into Content Creation

(03:10) - The Big Decision: Leaving The Futur

(06:07) - Success on YouTube: The First Viral Video

(11:58) - Balancing Content Creation and Product Design

(15:11) - Financial Success and Personal Freedom

(17:25) - The Transition to Independent Projects

(24:44) - Collaborating with Grovemade

(29:00) - Reflecting on Gratitude and Success

(30:16) - Diving into Mechanical Keyboards

(31:53) - The Joy of Custom Keyboards

(34:37) - Business Structure and Partnerships

(39:15) - Lessons Learned and Future Plans

(48:32) - Personal Insights

Check out today's guest, Matthew Encina:

Matthews Website: https://matthewencina.com/

Matthews Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/matthewencina/

Mod Musings Website:https://www.modmusings.com/

Mod Musings Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mod.musings/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/matthewencina

Check out The Futur:

Website: https://www.thefutur.com/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-futur/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefuturishere/

Check out Chris Do: