Koyoti Small Business Podcast

Koyoti

While Koyoti Inc. is a marketing and design studio here in Toronto, we’re going to try to go beyond our own comfort zone and talk about all elements that pertain to Small Businesses. From social media marketing to book keeping; and from sales to mental health. 

  1. 3d ago

    Resource Library - Building the Version of Yourself Your Business Needs

    Summary Amy Lenius of Next Level University shares her journey from registered massage therapist to coach, speaker, and personal development mentor. Drawing from her experience overcoming chronic illness and building a career centred on growth and service, Amy explores the difference between self-belief and self-worth, the role of consistency in achieving goals, and how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change in both business and life. Takeaways Self-belief is built through action, not through thinking alone.Self-worth often determines whether you can sustain the success you achieve.Motivation comes and goes, but consistency creates lasting results.Success should be defined by your own values, not by society's expectations.Small, sustainable habits outperform dramatic short-term changes.Identity plays a major role in the goals we set and the actions we take.Great coaches help uncover blind spots and accelerate personal growth.Comparing yourself to others is only useful when it inspires action.Intentionality can transform ordinary daily routines into meaningful self-care.Business success becomes more fulfilling when it aligns with health, relationships, and personal values.Want to learn more? Contact Amy here: Email Website Phone Instagram Facebook Would love to hear from you! Drop us a line! Please help the humanitarian efforts regarding the current conflict in Ukraine. Please help by donating, or by spreading the word.For more information, please click here Building a small business community for small business. Sharing experiences, information, stories, and tips to help grow the community. New Episodes every Monday! For more information about Koyoti, please visit: www.koyoti.com Have questions or comments about what we're doing? Email us here!

  2. Jul 27

    Conquering Brand Beasts - Why Great Products Create Their Own Marketing

    Summary What can a rugged pickup truck teach small business owners about branding? In this episode of Conquering Brand Beasts, Thomas and Jonathan explore the legendary reputation of the Toyota Hilux and its North American cousin, the Tacoma. Rather than focusing on advertising campaigns, they look at how an exceptional product created its own marketing through real-world stories. From surviving impossible abuse on Top Gear to helping people escape wildfires, the Hilux became a symbol of durability because customers proved it was. The conversation highlights a key branding lesson: great brands aren't built solely through marketing. They're built by understanding how customers actually use your product and embracing the stories that emerge. Takeaways Great brands start with great products, not great advertising.Pay attention to how customers actually use your product, not just how you intended it to be used.Real customer experiences often become more powerful than any marketing campaign.Quality and reliability create long-term brand reputation and loyalty.Look for unexpected use cases that reveal new opportunities and audiences.Showcase customer success stories instead of constantly talking about your own achievements.Community stories help customers feel seen, appreciated, and connected to your brand.Invest time and resources into improving the product before increasing marketing efforts.Ask how your product makes your customers' lives better and lean into that message.Strong brands are built alongside their communities, not in isolation from them. Would love to hear from you! Drop us a line! Please help the humanitarian efforts regarding the current conflict in Ukraine. Please help by donating, or by spreading the word.For more information, please click here Building a small business community for small business. Sharing experiences, information, stories, and tips to help grow the community. New Episodes every Monday! For more information about Koyoti, please visit: www.koyoti.com Have questions or comments about what we're doing? Email us here!

    Conquering Brand Beasts - Why Great Products Create Their Own Marketing
  3. Jul 6

    Resource Library - The Most Expensive Wallpaper You'll Ever Buy

    Summary In this episode, Joel Miller from the Sky Floor shares insights on marketing, branding, and the importance of understanding client needs. Topics include the value of authentic branding, effective website strategies, and leveraging AI tools for business growth. Takeaways ·  Don't hire a marketing agency before clearly defining what success looks like.  ·  Own your domains, hosting accounts, advertising platforms, and digital assets.  ·  Marketing should focus on outcomes, not hours worked.  ·  A website is only valuable if it helps achieve a business objective.  ·  AI can improve efficiency, but expertise still determines the quality of outcomes.  ·  Ask deeper questions to uncover the real problem you're trying to solve.  ·  Build an audience before you need one.  ·  Track marketing performance and understand what you're paying for.  ·  Great partnerships are built on transparency, accountability, and shared goals.  ·  Strategy matters more than tactics. Want to learn more? Contact Joel here: Website Email Phone LinkedIn Instagram Would love to hear from you! Drop us a line! Please help the humanitarian efforts regarding the current conflict in Ukraine. Please help by donating, or by spreading the word.For more information, please click here Building a small business community for small business. Sharing experiences, information, stories, and tips to help grow the community. New Episodes every Monday! For more information about Koyoti, please visit: www.koyoti.com Have questions or comments about what we're doing? Email us here!

  4. Jun 29

    Conquering Brand Beasts - The Power of Weird in Building a Brand

    Summary In this episode of Conquering Brand Beasts, we break down how Skittles built one of the most enduring brand campaigns in modern marketing. From the shift to “Taste the Rainbow” to decades of surreal, unexpected advertising, Skittles carved out a distinct identity by leaning into weird, playful, and culturally relevant creative. We explore how consistency, bold differentiation, and a strong brand world helped Skittles stand out in a crowded category, while continuously evolving across formats from traditional ads to live experiences. Along the way, we unpack practical lessons for small business operators, including the importance of testing ideas, not getting attached to early concepts, and staying aligned with your brand voice. If you want to create marketing that people actually remember, this episode is a playbook on building a brand that lasts. Takeaways Make your tagline open-ended so customers can project meaning into it. Stay consistent with one core idea to build long-term brand equity. Stand out by doing what competitors are not doing. Commit to a clear brand personality and own that space. Build a cohesive brand world so campaigns feel connected. Align your marketing style with cultural trends to stay relevant. Create memorable experiences instead of running standard ads. Test different versions of your marketing even with a small audience. Generate lots of ideas and refine down to the best ones. Use exaggeration to make humour land more effectively. Make sure your messaging fits your brand before following trends. Know your audience and speak in a way that resonates with them. Would love to hear from you! Drop us a line! Please help the humanitarian efforts regarding the current conflict in Ukraine. Please help by donating, or by spreading the word.For more information, please click here Building a small business community for small business. Sharing experiences, information, stories, and tips to help grow the community. New Episodes every Monday! For more information about Koyoti, please visit: www.koyoti.com Have questions or comments about what we're doing? Email us here!

    Conquering Brand Beasts - The Power of Weird in Building a Brand
  5. Jun 22

    Resource Library - Decoding Your Business Financials

    Summary In this episode, Monica Roca-Quesada shares her journey from criminal justice to accounting, emphasizing the importance of understanding small business finances, leveraging technology, and planning for legacy. Discover how small business owners can decode their financial stories, automate processes, and prepare for future growth. Takeaways Your numbers tell a story. Learn how to read them.Bank metrics and business metrics are not the same.Extra spreadsheets usually mean broken accounting.Revenue is vanity. Profit and cash flow matter more.Cash flow decisions quietly make or break your business.Outdated books lead to blind decision-making.Fear keeps owners from facing their numbers.Delegate bookkeeping as soon as it becomes a burden.Financial clarity helps businesses survive longer.Data without interpretation is not enough.AI will replace tasks, not real-world judgment.Plan your exit long before you need one.Want to learn more? Contact Monica here: Website Email Phone Facebook LinkedIn Instagram Would love to hear from you! Drop us a line! Please help the humanitarian efforts regarding the current conflict in Ukraine. Please help by donating, or by spreading the word.For more information, please click here Building a small business community for small business. Sharing experiences, information, stories, and tips to help grow the community. New Episodes every Monday! For more information about Koyoti, please visit: www.koyoti.com Have questions or comments about what we're doing? Email us here!

  6. Jun 15

    Yips, Pips, and Yaps - Running Through an Airport Saved My Life

    Summary Thomas shares a close call during the 2011 Bangkok floods, where a tightly scheduled business trip nearly left him stranded. Ignoring early warnings, he only recognised the severity after arriving, seeing flood defences and hearing firsthand accounts from locals. He managed to catch the last outbound flight just before conditions worsened, reinforcing lessons about building flexibility, trusting local insight, and the value of strong relationships during uncertain situations. Takeaways Leave room in your schedule so you can adapt when conditions change.Trust warnings from people who are closer to the situation.Understand the full risk instead of relying on surface-level planning.Strong relationships drive real support when things get difficult.Show empathy and recognise when others are under pressure.Pay attention to early signals that something isn’t right.Move quickly once you realise the situation has changed.Real-world experiences often teach more than theory ever will.Would love to hear from you! Drop us a line! Please help the humanitarian efforts regarding the current conflict in Ukraine. Please help by donating, or by spreading the word.For more information, please click here Building a small business community for small business. Sharing experiences, information, stories, and tips to help grow the community. New Episodes every Monday! For more information about Koyoti, please visit: www.koyoti.com Have questions or comments about what we're doing? Email us here!

    Yips, Pips, and Yaps - Running Through an Airport Saved My Life

About

While Koyoti Inc. is a marketing and design studio here in Toronto, we’re going to try to go beyond our own comfort zone and talk about all elements that pertain to Small Businesses. From social media marketing to book keeping; and from sales to mental health.