Episode Summary
Host Russel Dubree interviews Mark Labriola II, whose journey spans being kidnapped as a child to making it to Hollywood on American Idol, to building Brand Viva Media, a content agency specializing in podcasts and video. The episode dives deep into resilience, mindset, and why building something meaningful requires both passion and process.
Biggest Takeaways:
- Mindset is Everything: Mark’s positive outlook, even in the face of hardship, became a powerful asset in business and life.
- Content as Marketing: Creating consistent, high-quality content helps keep brands top-of-mind and build authority.
- From Side Hustle to Full-Time: Mark turned a layoff into an opportunity to go all-in on his agency dream, reinforcing the power of risk-taking.
Agency Info
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Company: Brand Viva Media
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Guest: Mark Labriola II
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Year Started: 2007
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Employees: 1-10
I started living with expectancy, like something good was always coming.
Mark Labriola II
Key Takeaways
Lean Into Adversity
Mark’s early life included being kidnapped and moving constantly, but those challenges forged a resilience that served him in adulthood.
“No matter how bad things are, I’ve experienced worse. That gives me the strength to keep pushing.”
Passion Can Be a Career Catalyst
From singing in church to fronting a band, Mark’s passion for music taught him the value of creativity, which transitioned into photography, video, and ultimately agency ownership.
Joy is a Competitive Advantage
His positivity at jobs like Apple and RE/MAX set him apart and opened doors.
“Every time I got in the elevator on Monday, I was like, ‘It’s the beginning of the week. Anything can happen.’”
Fail Forward
Whether missing out on American Idol or getting laid off unexpectedly, Mark turned setbacks into steps toward building Brand Viva.
Build the Business You Want
Mark narrowed his agency’s focus to three core offerings: podcast production, educational video content, and professional headshots. He rejected the “be everything to everyone” model in favor of scalable, repeatable services.
Productizing Creativity
He’s currently working on removing himself from daily operations and exploring ways to make the agency scalable and sellable, noting the need for process, systems, and a clear value proposition.
Show Notes
- The Friday Habit Podcast: Mark’s second podcast focused on creative habits
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