Why Perfect Brands Fail & Honest Ones Build Advocacy (Like Ethique) ft. Erica Cocilova

16/04/2025 47 min Temporada 1 Episodio 99

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Episode Synopsis

Why do polished brands stall, while real ones build Advocacy?Because today’s consumers don’t want perfection. They want proof. This week, Erica Cocilova (Chief Executive Officer @ Ethique Beauty) joins Verity in New York to unpack why substance, imperfection, and product obsession are the future of brand building. From rebrands & B Corp audits to salon takeovers that win over skeptics, Erica’s approach proves brand trust isn’t bought – it’s built. Solid product, transparent leadership, and customer service that actually puts you in contact with the CEO? They’re the building blocks to scaling with integrity. Rethink what brand love looks like, as you learn…How To Build Advocacy Through Service, Beyond Storytelling: Every customer DM, email, and piece of outreach gets a reply; and it’s personal. Real care builds real loyalty. It’s about accountability, not automation, when you build Advocacy this way.Ways To Turn IRL Conversations Into Scalable Content: From salon takeovers to consumer-led debates on hair washing habits, Erica shares how small, real-world moments are fuelling content that converts – and creating better educated, enthusiastic Advocates in the process.How To Audit Your Brand’s True Impact: Erica’s first move at Ethique was to strip back 20+ sustainability claims and anchor the brand to one: eliminating plastic. Learn how to run an impact audit that narrows focus, sharpens storytelling, and guides strategy.Advice For Taking Bold, Human Decisions In Public: Erica and her team didn’t hide behind the rebrand, they fronted it. Blogs, open Slack huddles; even customer support tickets answered by the CFO. Transparency isn’t a ‘for the sake of it’ tactic for Ethique, but is part of the team’s culture.Why Bridging Purpose & Product Should Be Seamless: Ethique’s haircare bars aren’t sustainable in spite of their format – they’re better because of it. Function & mission shouldn’t compete. They should compound.This is what it sounds like when a brand listens, adapts, and leads without losing its soul.Chapters00:00 Turning Skeptics into Believers03:30 Branding at the Crossroads of Sustainability & Efficacy08:40 What It Takes to Become a B Corp12:34 Staying Real with Brand Purpose14:36 Building a Community That Advocates18:42 Starting Real Conversations with Consumers20:41 Why Inclusive Events Build Stronger Communities23:39 Authentic Engagement Starts with Listening24:36 How Brand Advocates Are Made25:56 Why First Impressions Still Matter27:12 Shifting the Consumer Mindset28:34 What Legacy Brands Got Right29:45 Direct-to-Consumer: What the Data Shows32:52 Moving Past Fear to Innovate36:14 Building Culture Through Transparency37:26 Rebranding to Be Understood39:36 Helping Consumers Choose Simply41:53 Why Scalp Care Deserves the Spotlight42:22 Getting the Brand Message Right43:47 Advocacy Is Built on ConnectionRate & review Building Brand Advocacy:Apple PodcastsSpotifyConnect with Erica:Via her team @ EthiqueVia Ethique’s Instagram

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