In this episode of the Construction Cowboy Show, Jeff Williams welcomes Daniel Aguilar to share his journey from design school setbacks to founding Reconcile 33 Media Studio, aka Rec33 emphasizing the importance of branding, humility, and faith in business. Listeners will learn practical tips on connecting with clients, managing budgets, and leveraging social media for marketing success. Dan, the creative force behind running a successful media studio, emphasizing the importance of branding and marketing for any business.
In this episode of the Construction Cowboy Show, Jeff Williams welcomes Daniel Aguilar to share his journey from design school setbacks to founding Reconcile 33 Media Studio, aka Rec33 emphasizing the importance of branding, humility, and faith in business. Listeners will learn practical tips on connecting with clients, managing budgets, and leveraging social media for marketing success. Dan, the creative force behind running a successful media studio, emphasizing the importance of branding and marketing for any business.
Daniel's story is one of resilience. He faced significant challenges during his education, including a program discontinuation that forced him to adapt. Instead of giving up, he turned to online resources and taught himself the skills he needed, leading to the establishment of Reconcile 33 Media Studio.
Daniel emphasizes that many businesses overlook branding in their early stages. They often invest heavily in physical assets but neglect their brand identity, which can lead to a lack of customer engagement. "20 to 25% of that budget at the beginning should go to branding and marketing."
By understanding the unique needs of his clients through a detailed consultation process, Daniel helps them recognize the value of investing in their brand from the outset. He believes that effective branding is crucial for business flow and overall success.
Key Topics:
Takeaways:
Chapters:
Introduction and guest background
The story behind Reconcile 33 Media Studio
Overcoming setbacks in design education
The importance of branding in business
Growing up in Chicago and moving to Indiana
Faith and business: The meaning of Reconcile 33
Connecting with clients and understanding needs
Budgeting and pricing strategies
Quality control and personal service
Faith as a foundation for business principles
Identifying missed opportunities in business
Using questions to uncover client goals
Managing client expectations and budgets
The impact of technology and DIY culture
Adapting communication in a saturated market
Practical advice for business owners this week
Leveraging social media and market research
Supporting faith-based entrepreneurs
Connect with Jeff Williams:
Contact: (307) 372-9052 O. (630) 973-6481 D.
Website: www.merchantcommodites.co
Landing Page: https://trailblazerecosystem.com/subscribe/jeffwilliamsmcsolutions
Email: Theconstructioncowboyshow@gmail.com
Email: Jeff@merchantcommodities.co
Email: JeffWilliamsConsulting357@gmail.com
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Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/67ozf16BBSgLnvPHGhU2nc
Jeff Williams (00:00)
Welcome folks to the Construction Cowboy Show. Again, I'm your host, Jeff Williams, and today's episode is marketing and branding your business so people take notice. Again, that's marketing, branding your business so people take notice. You work hard to build your business. Our guest today is someone that can and will, design websites, build your brand, and create marketing materials of all types.
He's been in business and knowledgeable for many, many years. And so let's welcome Daniel Aguilar, owner of
Reconciled 33 Media Studio.
Dan, take us back to when the beginning and
So what led you to start Reconcile 33 Media Studio and what the story behind the name?
Daniel Aguilar (00:43)
Okay, well Reconcile 33 Media Studio came from just the need to be able to make a living. And I'll give you little insight on that. I was in design school and my father got sick, so I had to take some time off. I was in my third year and I took about three semesters off and
Then within the time of being off, they implemented online courses. So the online courses that I was able to take that I had left to graduate, I took those. And then when I had to register to go to on campus classes, when I went there, they told me that my program was discontinued. You know, through all with less than a year to to from graduation, they just completely removed my program.
But we have a new program and that program is willing to accept some of your credits from your old program. So instead of having three semesters left, I ended they wanted me to go back and pretty much do like another year and a half of school with this new program. And as you know how college works and financial aid and stuff, I just didn't have enough left in the financial aid to go back and
recoup those other courses. So basically I was left out in the code by this by this design school. I'm not going to name any names but and obviously God shows up in the end but I basically took the curriculum that I had in my syllabus for my program and I
basically
finished my own training on YouTube university. And I've been running this business for twenty five years, man. And God has instilled the talent and creativity in me and I'm a vessel and I allow him to use me and I get to do what my passion is and I love to do it and I get to provide for my family for it. With
Jeff Williams (02:25)
fantastic. So have you always been in Indiana or did you grow up there or did you grow up somewhere else?
Daniel Aguilar (02:30)
no no, I was born and raised in the south side of Chicago. So yeah, and when I was about ten years old, my father was like, No, we gotta get out of here, it's getting too bad. So we we packed up and we moved across the border into Indiana, northwest Indiana. It's considered a south suburb of Chicago and been here since 1986
Jeff Williams (02:53)
so I'm assuming you're a Bears fan, I'm not for sure, but you know
Daniel Aguilar (02:56)
most definitely. And I am
so excited that they might be moving closer to us. I know a lot of people aren't, but
Jeff Williams (03:01)
Yeah, they may be on the Indiana side or the Illinois side. We
it may be another year before we know, you know, before we learn.
So
Daniel Aguilar (03:10)
yeah, the Chicago Bears, I think,
it doesn't matter where they are, man. You know, I bleed black and silver, I bleed red and black, and I bleed blue and orange.
Jeff Williams (03:20)
Yeah, I'm sure. well I
have to do the same thing because my son in law is all full Bears and so I poke at him a little bit you know, I'm a Bears fan myself, but I'm also a Colts fan and a half a dozen other fans, so
but
Daniel Aguilar (03:34)
Right, right.
Jeff Williams (03:35)
I poke at him when we have a different when we have an Indiana game against the Bears game. I always play with him and and poke at him a little bit. But other than that, yeah. So
Daniel Aguilar (03:42)
Right. Yeah, I
can't I was a Colts fan until you know what happened in the Super Bowl.
Jeff Williams (03:47)
Yeah, yep, yep, yep, yep.
Yeah, I totally agree. So let me ask you another question here, related to your business. But I know I've seen so many great things you've done and and some material that you put together, but you say you work as an integrated part of the client's team. What does that look like in practice and how do you learn what a business really needs?
before creating anything.
Daniel Aguilar (04:11)
well, yeah, that's a big part of it is the initial consultation. throughout the twenty five years I've worked with so many different businesses and industries. you gain a certain level of knowledge on a certain industry, you know, as you as you go along from one client to another. And what what we do is over the years,
It it's like at the in the first two years of the business it was like playing darts in the dark, you know, because you're pretty much in the school of hard knocks with starting a business because I didn't have a business degree. I have an art degree I have an art education. So I went to the business school of hard knocks, trial and error my first two to three years and
I started building a system with what starts by off with a basic like 30 questionnaire. And what we found out was a lot of these businesses they pour all their money and all their capital into their startup and they don't realize that they're neglecting their branding. They're they're putting it into the brick and mortar and
their inventory and all this and all that, but they're they're neglecting their branding. So when they open doors and it's like there's no business flow because they again I hate to say it again, but they neglected the branding. And any business model that you start, you will see that whatever your entire budget is,
20 to 25% of that budget at the beginning should go to branding and marketing. And that's where I come into play with clientele, new clients, existing clients. Sometimes clients pivot and they start new businesses, as apart from the other one I've already worked with them on. And we just we go down that avenue, we have to have a consultation to find out.
what
their goals are, what they want to do. And, you know, like I said, I started this 25 years ago. So the approach evolves as technology evolves. You know, so we do our best to be as personable
my business quality is everything.
You know, quality, creativity, and letting that customer know that we're here for them. No matter I take a call any, time of day or night from any of my clients, because they need to know that somebody's there to back them up.
Jeff Williams (06:23)
Fantastic. So you answered a couple of questions already, so I'm gonna move on. It's really good stuff.
Daniel Aguilar (06:29)
I didn't touch on, and it's okay if I go back to it. You asked
Jeff Williams (06:31)
Yeah, no, go ahead.
Daniel Aguilar (06:33)
what had to do with the name of Reconcile 33 Media Studio. And first and foremost, I think I already made it very clear, but I'm a follower of Christ, and that name is the epitome of who and what Christ did. And He was on this earth.
For 33 years. The last three years was his ministry. And his last act caused us to be reconciled back to God through him. So reconciled
Jeff Williams (06:58)
Fantastic.
Daniel Aguilar (06:59)
thirty-three media studio.
Jeff Williams (07:01)
I love it, man. That's great. That what
a testament. Fantastic. So man, I that's a little hard of one to follow up on, so or follow up with.
you mentioned seeing things others miss. can you share an example of an opportunity, say a business client may have missed? And again, you know, in the in a creative solution wise.
Daniel Aguilar (07:21)
Well, yeah, the I mean we and again, it's principles from the word of God that I operate my business in. And we are the body of Christ. And the ear doesn't ask the nose to smell to hear, you know, and the nose doesn't ask the ear to smell. And any other part, we all have our our functions and what we do. And they have talents in what they do in their business, but sometimes they'll oversight things.
They they're missing things that's right in front of them because that's it's not what they do. You know, so that's why I like to come in and and like I said, over the over the first 10 years of my business, I've I per built and perfected this this questionnaire that what I learned at the very beginning is you sit down with a client and you ask them, what do you want? What do you like to do? What
What
what do you want to achieve for your branding of this business? Well, I really don't know. I don't I and that's I don't know. I don't know how to explain it. And I start I started studying some psychological things on how to word questions to jog the creativity in a person's mind that they won't even know is happening while they're answering these questions and they're actually giving me feedback. So
That those are the that's the sort of questions that I use to get feedback from the clients and they don't even know that they're actually giving me what I need from them.
Jeff Williams (08:38)
Interesting. so to kind of tag on that a little bit more, because yeah, I think you've
Daniel Aguilar (08:42)
Okay.
Jeff Williams (08:43)
already answered it, but business owners have a limited time and marketing dollars, right? And so
Daniel Aguilar (08:48)
Right.
Jeff Williams (08:49)
you've probably already said it here, but when you go into them, is the budgetary question always one of the first things you try to extract out of them and see where they're at? And then how do you lead them into say
the branding material or a website or what are some of the components and you know those different variations in cost, right? So where do you usually take
Daniel Aguilar (09:10)
Right.
Jeff Williams (09:10)
where do you usually take a client in that first, say, I want to call transactional scope of work? Is that a pretty fair question?
Daniel Aguilar (09:17)
Right.
Yeah, very, very fair. And like like I said, this is my passion. I love what I do. I understand I gotta put food on the table, but these people have to do the same thing. And sometimes, especially in today's climate, as far as business owners are concerned, and economic wise, and I've always done this. I will come to them and we will sit down and I will show them
the maximum of what I can do for them. And then we will discuss what their budget is. See you gotta show them what the what the capabilities are and what the maximum is. And then you show them that price. And sometimes you get sticker shocked just like when you go to a dealership nowadays, you know, and you're looking at cars
Jeff Williams (09:58)
Yeah, yeah.
Daniel Aguilar (10:01)
and then you know you love that big old lifted truck with the quad cab and
You see the $96,000 price thing on it. And you're like, whoa, wait a minute. Yeah. But I do that first because I want to let them know I'm not in it for that Because I let them know this is what we can do for you depending on your budget. If your budget isn't this, if your budget is half of this, a quarter of this, we can put a package together that will get you started.
And
then, you know, a year down the line, we can revisit and see if we can grow your system to another level. If it's working for you, that's great. And I've always done this, and I know a lot of companies and my and that and the services I offer don't do this, but I usually do with the majority of my clients the 50% deposit, and then when it's done, the other 50%.
is do. And a lot of people don't a lot of design studios don't do that. And the reason I can do that is because pretty much I'm a one man show. I don't have I don't have a lot of overhead. Because I work from my home office. I don't have a five, ten person staff. I pretty much do everything on my own because I like to have quality control.
I tried hiring people. I tried taking on taking on interns from local colleges. And I just end up doing all the work myself anyway.
Jeff Williams (11:22)
Yeah.
Daniel Aguilar (11:23)
Because the quality control is what it's all about. You know, the creativity. And I've never I never had a customer badmouth me or or put bad reviews up or anything like that. So I think I'm doing the right thing.
It's just that we're in a time right now technology wise and economically wise, everybody's trying to become a DIYer.
Jeff Williams (11:49)
It kinda leads into my that leads right into my question that I'm
sending processing. You know, here's what here's what I wanted to ask you is that competition,
is that because the internet and AI, I'll use AI and internet now at this stage in life, and everybody, even business owners and everybody thinks they're experts at doing their own branding and marketing and creativity. but I find it you know, they love learning this stuff and doing it, and when you probably sit down with them,
They talk to you like they're experts and they're telling you what they want you to do, right? But yet you got twenty-five years experience in branding and marketing companies to help them sell their business. Do you find the conflict really difficult in today's market? And they have you had to shift and learn you see you said it earlier. You've had to learn and shift how to talk and how to kinda have a conversation that's in that is how do I say
Conforming to a relationship, a business relationship. So the question is, do you see that the market has gotten so saturated with technology and knowledge and tools that it's hard to do business with people anymore?
Daniel Aguilar (12:57)
Well, yes and no, because what what I'm learning since 21, 2021 is that it that's when it started for me in my studio, my design studio, is that I had clients coming to me saying, Well, I can do this myself. Okay. I'm like, okay, just hang on to my number.
You gotta respect what they're saying to you. You know, you never want you never want to get on a level of being ignorant or having your feelings hurt or having an animosity because they feel they could do it themselves. one thing I've learned early on as a designer is in Christ is always walking in the humble spirit and the bad and the good, because
On the good side, people will always compliment you. And in human nature, you could get a big head and your ego could start taking over, you know, and all the compliments. And you have to stay humble on both sides. So just hang on to my phone number. If you ever need anything, give me a call. Because what one thing I've learned is AI, I'll give it to it. It produces some cool looking stuff.
But when people have a vision and they know exactly what they want, and AI just gives you what it wants to give you, and you're gonna get what you get and you don't throw a fit, you know, as
Jeff Williams (14:13)
Yeah.
Daniel Aguilar (14:14)
a part to actually sitting down with somebody with human intelligence, human creativity, and can it actually have a conversation
with
Jeff Williams (14:21)
Have a conversation.
Daniel Aguilar (14:22)
you about.
exactly what you want and produce that for you are two different things.
Jeff Williams (14:27)
Fantastic, So I'm gonna kind of wrap and kind of change the direction here towards the show,
Daniel Aguilar (14:32)
Okay.
Jeff Williams (14:33)
towards the end of the show. And before we ride out, I want you to give the listeners one practical move. What can the business owner do this week to improve how they present their business and connect with the right customers? What kind of message can you give that they could do this week that would change the way they market and advertise their business?
Daniel Aguilar (14:52)
study your local business climate. See what see what your competitors are doing. that's the first and foremost. You always got you always gonna, especially if in any type of business, if it's a restaurant, if it's you know, whatever, you're gonna have competition.
And I've learned that very a long time ago in my business. Because I'll say back in 2010 anybody with a laptop and a copy of Photoshop, they killed the climate because they were offering they were offering websites for pennies on the dollar and flyer designs for pennies on the dollar because they had a laptop and you know set up in their
mother's basement, you know, trying to
the market basically, you know. And then you have people that actually own studios And like any business, they know what their value is. So study the market, see what your competitors are doing. It's so easy to do now. You do a Google search on Mexican food and you own Mexican a truck, you know, Mexican food truck or a Mexican restaurant.
And you see what everybody else is doing, and okay, well, I'm gonna come under five percent of what everybody else is doing, and offer a special on Wednesdays and Fridays or a weekend special or whatever, you know, and then you implement that marketing into your business. And with today, I mean, social media has made the world so small, you know.
Jeff Williams (16:14)
Yeah.
Daniel Aguilar (16:15)
the the reach is great now and
Jeff Williams (16:17)
Yeah.
Daniel Aguilar (16:17)
and that's what I would recommend is and if you're not comfortable if you're not comfortable with technology reach out to somebody that is in my position that that offers services like I offer. If it's not me it's someone else, you know? But get guidance because
If you go on there and you make a mistake, the followers and internet, they don't let you forget, man. They will tear you up. So it's better to to have some guidance, you know? It might cost a lot, but it helps in the long run.
Jeff Williams (16:46)
Yeah, sounds great. Sounds great. so let's just stop here for just a second.
Dan, if you would do me a quick favor and just shout out a phone number or an email or website that they can get in touch with you, however you want them to the audience and the listeners to contact you and then we'll make sure that that's in the transcript and and all the publications. But if you just take a second and do that and then we'll come right back to it.
Daniel Aguilar (17:10)
Okay, yeah. my website is Reconcile33.com and my phone number is (219) 678-4957 You can call or text anytime.
Jeff Williams (17:20)
Man, thank you very much. And so I want to take a real quick station break here for just somebody. It and give them a shout out on an ad. it's folks just look into Trailblazer ecosystem. it's a one and all platform for all your social media. If you're an author, if you're speaker, if you're a coach, if you're podcaster or any other kind of social media structure.
This platform is an all-in-one. It's got a CRM and all those things. So again, Trailblazer ecosystem is the name of it. And you can get the link here on our show. So talk to you soon. And so now back to the main topic. I'm gonna shift Dan and I'm gonna get sort of into your personal situation right now. So, Dan, you and your wife, I know your wife is facing some major health challenges right now, and to extend
If you're comfortable sharing what you would like the listeners to understand about your family situation and the reason behind a promotional package, I'm gonna put up the promotional package here so folks can see it. But if you would explain what's going on. So I'm gonna share the screen real quick and show that and then as I'm doing that you can just you know talk to the folks about your wife and the situation.
Daniel Aguilar (18:32)
Right. Okay, Jeff, well first and foremost, I wanna thank you so much, man. you've opened your reach, your network, your podcast to me and my wife. And that we're just we're just so appreciative and and grateful for that. well as most people watching this probably know when you're in the middle class of
of income. you make enough to be able to afford some level of insurance, health insurance, but it's not the best. You can't afford the best. But then you make too much to get any type of assistance. And that's where my wife, me and my wife is at right now. She has some stomach conditions that are going on that that's going to
to require surgery with quite a bit of time off of work, quite a bit of time of recovery. And Jeff has allowed me to come up on here and offer my promotional package. And it's a great package. it's giving you everything you need to boost your branding.
Or if you want to pivot with your business, if you're an existing business and you want to boost a new version of your branding or new businesses. Or if you know somebody in your family or friends that are starting a business, you can share that with them. But you can see the details on there. It it comes with a three-page website, one year of your hosting, one year of a free SSL certificate, logo design.
business card design electronically and print ready if you want to print them. And also your choice of a flyer design or a t-shirt design. So I'm offering this because me and my wife are not one for asking for handouts, but we would ask for support because our goal right now is we need to we need to sell about a 180 of these packages.
in order to to cover the expenses we have for her medical needs. So with a humble heart I thank you guys for listening and hearing me out and let God be God and if you have any questions you can give me a call personally. I shared my phone number. So just thank you so much and God
Jeff Williams (20:27)
Thank you so much.
Daniel Aguilar (20:29)
bless.
Jeff Williams (20:29)
Well, Dan, you know, again, let's go back out to listeners really quick and the followers and folks, you know, get a chance to support what Dan's asking. Again, what I think is extraordinary, he's not asking for the handout, he's asking to do business with him, and trust him. And as a godly man and taking care of his family, he's wanting to earn that.
and the right way and to take care of that. And I think that's a honorable way to to to help out and do the things. So looking forward to the support from the followers and listeners worldwide. So we thank you. Folks, if you've been thinking about getting some creative help or your business, just again take a look at Dan's offering and move forward on some things and reach out to him. and we'll go from there. So
Family story behind the offer again. they're a great family. I've known for many, many years, and in great need. So there's an ultimate branding of the $599 And I'm sure that if there's something else that you can do to help, Dan would appreciate that. And Dan you can create another package for someone that may have a different need. I'm sure that could be also. Yep.
Daniel Aguilar (21:30)
most definitely we offer more
services than just what's on this ultimate branding package. So if you have anything along
Jeff Williams (21:35)
Yeah.
Daniel Aguilar (21:37)
the lines of media, we're also doing more of a professional approach to AI certain AI services, which would be in the realm of content creation for your socials.
We can put packages together for all that. So most definite.
Jeff Williams (21:52)
Perfect. Dan, again, this has been a great time to spend with you. And before we move on, is there anything that you want the listeners should know about or is there anything today that you'd like for them to remember about today's message?
Daniel Aguilar (22:06)
just know that if you were here able to listen to us, God is good. He blessed all of us with another day and let us do our best. That's all we can do.
Jeff Williams (22:14)
Fantastic. So let's see. All right. everyone with us today, thank you for listening to the Construction Cowboy Show. Take care of your people. Stay strong. Keep branding yourself.
And like always, until next time, keep your boots on the ground and stay in the saddle.
Happy trails for now until we meet again.
Bye for now.