Ep. 09 — Brand Viva Media w/ Mark Labriola II

In this episode of Fast Forward, we sit down with Mark Labriola, founder and CEO of Brand Viva Media, to talk about the long road of building a creative business without shortcuts. Mark’s journey spans from touring as the lead singer of a band to teaching himself photography and video, grinding nights and weekends while working day jobs, and ultimately being laid off with no safety net before going all in on his own company. Nearly a decade later, Brand Viva has grown into a respected creative agency with a team, an office, and a reputation built on trust, excellence, and human connection. This conversation is honest, reflective, and deeply grounded in what it actually takes to build something sustainable while staying present as a creative, leader, and parent. 🎙️ We dive into • The transition from artist to entrepreneur • Building skills before it was easy or trendy • Taking the leap without savings or a backup plan • Learning when to delegate and let go of control • Why hustle culture creates anxiety instead of clarity • Faith, mindset, and trusting the long game • How AI fits into creative work without replacing humanity • The coming reset in AI and digital media • Why human verified content will matter more than ever • Building businesses that serve people, not just growth metrics Mark shares grounded insight on leadership, creativity, delegation, and building a company that reflects who you actually are, not who the internet tells you to be. If you are building a creative business, navigating uncertainty, or trying to grow without losing yourself, this episode offers clarity and perspective. 👉 Learn more about Brand Viva Media brandvivamedia.com 👉 Follow Mark Labriola on LinkedIn and explore The Friday Habit podcast for weekly conversations on entrepreneurship and intentional growth 🔔 Subscribe for more honest conversations with founders, operators, and creators building what is next 🎤 Hosted by Jeffrey Mailey 📍 Fast Forward Podcast #FastForwardPodcast #Entrepreneurship #CreativeLeadership #Founders #AgencyLife #AIandCreativity #LongGame #HumanCenteredBusiness #Podcast⏱️ CHAPTERS00:00 From Music to Media04:25 Building a Client Base the Hard Way08:49 Creativity, Anxiety, and Mindset12:50 Lessons from The Friday Habit16:22 Embracing Individual Paths in Business19:14 Delegation and Letting Go of Control21:18 Using AI Without Losing the Human Element27:49 The Future of Content and Human Connection31:14 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect