The content on this page was provided by an independent third party and syndicated by XPR Media. Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Network were not involved in the creation of this content.

Faces Over Logos: The Art of Personal Branding in 2025 With JJ Carter and 7 Wonders

AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / June 25, 2025 / In 2025, your logo doesn’t represent the brand. Your face does.

Consumers scroll past polished campaigns. Investors are starting to ignore flashy decks. What is stopping the scroll? What makes people pay attention, what’s actually driving real connection and a 7-figure ROI? The answer is a real person with a genuine story.

That’s not a theory. That’s what JJ Carter, Founder of Gldn PR, a disruptive and results-driven Public Relations firm, has built his company on. And it’s exactly what he recently unpacked in an exclusive interview with Stephen Skeel and Michael Ayjian, the Emmy®-winning founders of 7 Wonders Cinema, a video agency known for crafting the kind of brand stories that don’t just sell, they stick.

The Rise of the Founder-First Brand
What 7 Wonders and GLDN PR are both seeing is this: attention is no longer earned through production value alone. It’s earned through proximity and personality. The founder is now the funnel, responsible for driving narrative, building credibility, and commanding media presence in ways traditional branding can’t replicate.

“The stories that perform best, get shared most, and actually move people to action are always led by the founder,” says Michael Ayjian. “People are drawn to purpose. They want to hear from the person behind the product.”

This idea isn’t limited to big names or bold personalities. It’s playing out across industries from luxury goods to software, e-commerce to private equity. When founders step forward, audiences listen. When they stay hidden, brands struggle to connect.

The reason?

In a saturated, skeptical market, authenticity isn’t just appreciated, it’s required. And the most authentic thing any company can offer is the story of the person who is behind it all.

Why Founder-Led Storytelling Wins
The shift toward founder-led branding isn’t just a trend, it’s a measurable advantage. A 2024 Forbes analysis of startup marketing found that founder-led marketing builds stronger brand loyalty and deeper customer trust compared to traditional campaigns.

Long-form interviews, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and founder-led campaigns are outperforming polished ads across nearly every vertical. This approach is gaining traction not just in startups, but across VC-backed companies, DTC brands, and even legacy industries.

From Cold DMs to Billionaire Backyards
Perhaps the clearest example of this strategy in action came from an unexpected moment that has since become an industry case study.

Without any introduction, JJ Carter sent a cold DM to a billionaire real estate mogul, Jarek Tadla. No warm lead. No pitch deck. Just a strong brand presence and message that communicated credibility before a word was even exchanged.

What followed was a private, one-on-one meeting in Tadla’s own backyard where conversation flowed from media to mission, and a new network began to form.

From just a single encounter:
– The 7 Wonders founders were invited to appear on Tadla’s podcast
Neelish Alwani of Timepiece Trading joined as a guest shortly after
– And just weeks later, Tadla appeared on “School of Hard Knocks” with James Dumoulin, a viral media platform amassing millions of views

All from one cold DM.

No paid sponsorships. No PR spend. Just personal authority leveraged at the right moment.

Why It Worked
This wasn’t luck. It was architecture.

In a media environment where attention is currency, Carter understood one thing: people don’t just respond to strategy. They respond to a story. That DM didn’t work because it was perfectly crafted. It worked because the personal brand behind it carried real weight. The credibility was already there. The trust was already built before the first message was ever sent.

The downstream results weren’t a fluke either. Tadla’s feature on School of Hard Knocks went on to reach millions of views across social media, generating buzz not only for his story but for the ecosystem of founders, creators, and brands that surrounded it. Visibility, relationships, and virality. All driven by proximity to one founder’s personal platform.

The New Playbook for 2025
What Carter and 7 Wonders are showing the industry isn’t a gimmick. It’s a shift.

In 2025, your founder story isn’t a side asset, it’s your engine to grow. Consumers want to buy from people they understand. Investors want to back people they believe in. And the media wants to amplify people who stand for something.

The brands getting outsized returns today aren’t always the ones with the biggest budgets, they’re the ones with the boldest people.

And while founder-led storytelling might sound like a buzzword, the results speak volumes:

– Higher engagement across content formats
– More inbound opportunities
– Faster & warmer trust from customers, partners, and talent
– And in some cases, access that money simply can’t buy

Final Thoughts
Whether you’re leading a billion-dollar company or building your first brand from scratch, the truth is the same:

“Your logo might represent your company. But your face is what makes people believe in it.” – Stephen Skeel with 7 Wonders.

The era of faceless marketing is over. The era of founder-led brands is here.

And for those willing to step forward, show up, and share the story behind the business?

The room is already waiting for you.

JJ Carter
jj@gldnagency.com
737 747-7625
Austin, Texas

SOURCE: JJ Carter

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire

Information contained on this page is provided by an independent third-party content provider. XPRMedia and this Site make no warranties or representations in connection therewith. If you are affiliated with this page and would like it removed please contact pressreleases@xpr.media

Stan Fitzgerald Appointed Acting Press Secretary for Veterans for America First VFAF Georgia State Chapter

Stan Fitzgerald Appointed Acting Press Secretary for Veterans for America First VFAF Georgia State Chapter

VFAF Veterans for America First’s Stan Fitzgerald Named Acting Press Secretary for the Georgia State Chapter of the original Veterans for Trump national organization. Jul….

July 14, 2025

A Neurologist and a Mom Join Forces: the Real-World Evidence in the Fight for NurOwn’s Approval for People with ALS

A Neurologist and a Mom Join Forces: the Real-World Evidence in the Fight for NurOwn’s Approval for People with ALS

The Real-World Evidence in the Citizens’ Petition Supports the Accelerated Approval of the Stem Cell Therapy that Was Helping People with ALS Live Longer and…

July 14, 2025

KCON LA 2025, 106.3 RAIN FM ‘Take Over’ Special Event

KCON LA 2025, 106.3 RAIN FM ‘Take Over’ Special Event

24-Hour Broadcast Featuring Only KCON Performers’ Songs and Instagram Prize Event Jul. 14, 2025 / PRZen / LOS ANGELES — 106.3 R.A.I.N. FM Launches KCON…

July 14, 2025

Why Hair Transplant in Turkey is So Popular: Hair Center of Turkey Experiences

Why Hair Transplant in Turkey is So Popular: Hair Center of Turkey Experiences

Best Hair Transplantation Clinic in Turkey 2025 Guide ISTANBUL, TR / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / In recent years, Turkey has become the…

July 14, 2025

Carmel Green Lantern Inn Enhances Ocean Views, Elevating Beach Rentals in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Carmel Green Lantern Inn Enhances Ocean Views, Elevating Beach Rentals in Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA

Carmel Green Lantern Inn guests are now enjoying refreshed views of the Pacific Ocean following the recent removal of several trees that had previously blocked…

July 14, 2025

Toughook USA Introduces Picture Frame Collection Designed to Work Perfectly with Toughook Hook Racks for Educational Spaces

Toughook USA Introduces Picture Frame Collection Designed to Work Perfectly with Toughook Hook Racks for Educational Spaces

Toughook USA, the exclusive distributor of Toughook products in the United States, proudly announces the launch of its new Picture Frame collection, expertly crafted to…

July 14, 2025

A Parent Media Co. Inc. Expands Programmatic Portfolio Through Strategic Transaction With Filmzie

A Parent Media Co. Inc. Expands Programmatic Portfolio Through Strategic Transaction With Filmzie

APMC Enhances Programmatic Ad Monetization Capabilities and Reach DALLAS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / A Parent Media Co. Inc. (APMC), a…

July 14, 2025

AmeriLife’s Saybrus Partners Strengthens Life Insurance and Annuity Market Position With SterlingBridge Insurance Agency Partnership

AmeriLife’s Saybrus Partners Strengthens Life Insurance and Annuity Market Position With SterlingBridge Insurance Agency Partnership

Acquisition Reinforces B2B and Direct-to-Consumer Position to AmeriLife’s Powerful Wealth Distribution Platform HARTFORD, CONN. AND CLEARWATER, FLA. / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 /…

July 14, 2025

Unusual Machines Announces Pricing of $48.5 Million Registered Direct Offering of Common Stock

Unusual Machines Announces Pricing of $48.5 Million Registered Direct Offering of Common Stock

ORLANDO, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Unusual Machines, Inc. (NYSE American:UMAC) (the “Company” or “Unusual Machines”), a leader in drone technology…

July 14, 2025

Epique Realty Expands into Commercial Sector  with Launch of Elite ‘CORE’ Division

Epique Realty Expands into Commercial Sector with Launch of Elite ‘CORE’ Division

New Division to Combine Specialized Commercial Expertise with Epique’s Disruptive, Tech-Forward Brokerage Model HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Epique Realty…

July 14, 2025

Epique Realty Reinvents the Client Moving Experience with Epique Connect, An In-House Utility Concierge Service

Epique Realty Reinvents the Client Moving Experience with Epique Connect, An In-House Utility Concierge Service

A revolutionary, in-house utility and home service concierge HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Epique Realty recently announced the upcoming launch…

July 14, 2025

Job Loss Can Trigger IRS Debt – Clear Start Tax Explains How Unemployment, 401(k) Withdrawals, and Gig Work Increase Your Tax Liability

Job Loss Can Trigger IRS Debt – Clear Start Tax Explains How Unemployment, 401(k) Withdrawals, and Gig Work Increase Your Tax Liability

Clear Start Tax breaks down the hidden tax risks of sudden income changes – and how to recover before penalties build up. IRVINE, CA /…

July 14, 2025

ABC Plumbing Wins 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Drainage and Sewer Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

ABC Plumbing Wins 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Drainage and Sewer Services in Dallas-Fort Worth

DALLAS–FORT WORTH, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / ABC Plumbing, a trusted family-owned company with over three decades of expertise, has won…

July 14, 2025

Brenmiller’s bGen is Part of a Sustainable Heat Project to Receive Funding from European Union Innovation Fund: €4,000,000 Estimated for Brenmiller Europe’s Supply of bGen

Brenmiller’s bGen is Part of a Sustainable Heat Project to Receive Funding from European Union Innovation Fund: €4,000,000 Estimated for Brenmiller Europe’s Supply of bGen

bGen was selected as the thermal energy storage system for a large-scale solar energy project led by a top European utility company Marks the second…

July 14, 2025

Dateline Resources Appoints Mining Veteran Simon Slesarewich as Chief Operating Officer to Lead Development of U.S. Gold and Rare Earths Project

Dateline Resources Appoints Mining Veteran Simon Slesarewich as Chief Operating Officer to Lead Development of U.S. Gold and Rare Earths Project

Dateline COO to accelerate development of Colosseum Gold and REE project SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA AND SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025…

July 14, 2025

Dallas Central’s Welborn Garage Receives 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Garage & Overhead Doors

Dallas Central’s Welborn Garage Receives 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Garage & Overhead Doors

DALLAS, TEXAS / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Welborn Garage, a trusted provider of garage and overhead door services across the Dallas-Fort Worth…

July 14, 2025

Plano Overhead Garage Door Celebrates 14th Consecutive Consumer Choice Award for Garage and Overhead Door Services

Plano Overhead Garage Door Celebrates 14th Consecutive Consumer Choice Award for Garage and Overhead Door Services

PLANO, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / Plano Overhead Garage Door, the most awarded garage door company in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,…

July 14, 2025

Mentavi’s Diagnostic Evaluation Offers Critical Mental-Health Support to Primary Care Clinicians

Mentavi’s Diagnostic Evaluation Offers Critical Mental-Health Support to Primary Care Clinicians

Mentavi’s innovative online asynchronous assessment, validated in a clinical study presented at the 10th World Congress on ADHD, provides clinicians with an efficient, comprehensive diagnostic…

July 14, 2025

Adaptive Clinical Protocol Design for Phase II MPox Clade I Treatment with a Novel Broad-Spectrum Drug NV-387 is Almost Complete, Reports NanoViricides

Adaptive Clinical Protocol Design for Phase II MPox Clade I Treatment with a Novel Broad-Spectrum Drug NV-387 is Almost Complete, Reports NanoViricides

SHELTON, CT / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / NanoViricides, Inc., a publicly traded company (NYSE Amer.:NNVC) (the “Company”), and a clinical stage, leading…

July 14, 2025

LUXE Cleaning Services(R) Earns 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Janitorial Services in Tampa

LUXE Cleaning Services(R) Earns 2025 Consumer Choice Award for Janitorial Services in Tampa

TAMPA, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / July 14, 2025 / LUXE Cleaning Services®, a trusted name in residential and commercial cleaning throughout the Tampa Bay…

July 14, 2025

Cerrado Gold’s Lagoa Salgada Project Receives Consent to Submit Revisions to Its EIA Application to the Portuguese Environmental Agency

Cerrado Gold’s Lagoa Salgada Project Receives Consent to Submit Revisions to Its EIA Application to the Portuguese Environmental Agency

EIA Revisions to Address Concerns and Provide Pathway to Approval Without Resubmission of the Full EIA Key Environmental Improvements are being incorporated in the Ongoing…

July 14, 2025

Expedited Tolmer Soil Sampling Tests ~1.9km2 Footprint

Expedited Tolmer Soil Sampling Tests ~1.9km2 Footprint

Following expanded 2,882m RC drilling program (results pending) HIGHLIGHTS Tolmer high-grade silver discovery: expedited soil geochemistry program completed over ~1.9km2 area surrounding recently expanded reverse…

July 13, 2025

Digital Watchdog Launches New myDW Cloud Services

Digital Watchdog Launches New myDW Cloud Services

DW’s new health monitoring solution is a cloud-centric service that empowers system owners to proactively monitor the health of their systems and keep them performing…

July 13, 2025

Drone Light Shows Emerge as the New Standard in Live Event Entertainment

Drone Light Shows Emerge as the New Standard in Live Event Entertainment

As event organizers seek more captivating, sustainable, and social media-friendly experiences, drone light shows are becoming the go-to entertainment solution. Jul. 13, 2025 / PRZen…

July 13, 2025

A Vision of 1984: Social Injustice and Its Enemies

A Vision of 1984: Social Injustice and Its Enemies

Chadwick Lane Murray Issues a Scholarly, Soul-Shaking Clarion Call on Injustice-Rooted in History, Reaching Toward the Future MILWAUKEE, WI / ACCESS Newswire / July 12,…

July 12, 2025

Beyond the Scroll: What Influential People Actually Do Differently Online

Beyond the Scroll: What Influential People Actually Do Differently Online

Ovais Riaz, Waa Say & the Team Editorial – Evrima Chicago.  NAPERVILLE, IL / ACCESS Newswire / July 12, 2025 / In our hyper-visible era,…

July 12, 2025

The Quiet Code: How Digital Leaders Build Trust Before They’re Even Found

The Quiet Code: How Digital Leaders Build Trust Before They’re Even Found

Team Editorial – Evrima Chicago LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 12, 2025 / In an online era shaped by algorithms, avatars, and…

July 12, 2025

Lore Link is Here to Help Organize Your Game

Lore Link is Here to Help Organize Your Game

Jul. 12, 2025 / PRZen / INDIANAPOLIS & DENVER — After 4 years in development, Lore Link is now publicly available as an online management…

July 12, 2025

New to The Street Episode #678 to Air on Bloomberg TV Featuring Game-Changing Innovators in AI, Biotech, Blockchain, and Sustainability

New to The Street Episode #678 to Air on Bloomberg TV Featuring Game-Changing Innovators in AI, Biotech, Blockchain, and Sustainability

Broadcast Premieres Saturday, July 12 at 6:30 PM EST on Bloomberg Television NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / July 12, 2025 / New…

July 12, 2025

Leav & Steinberg LLP Supports City Workers Hurt on the Job With Experienced Legal Representation

Leav & Steinberg LLP Supports City Workers Hurt on the Job With Experienced Legal Representation

When city workers are hurt on the job, the path to compensation can be complex, involving municipal procedures, strict deadlines, and layers of liability. Leav…

July 11, 2025

Ancient Chinese Wisdom with a Twist: THE CAT CHING or I CHING FOR CATS

Ancient Chinese Wisdom with a Twist: THE CAT CHING or I CHING FOR CATS

Team Editorial – Evrima Chicago HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / July 11, 2025 / From the Translator’s Preface: This is a book by a…

July 11, 2025

Navy Pilots with ALS Fight for Access to the Stem Cell Therapy That Can Help Them Live

Navy Pilots with ALS Fight for Access to the Stem Cell Therapy That Can Help Them Live

Matt Bellina Regained Function After Receiving NurOwn via the Right to Try Law He Fought to Pass and Now He is Fighting for All Americans…

July 11, 2025

Helios Secures $4M Seed Round to Build First AI-Native Operating System for Public Policy Professionals

Helios Secures $4M Seed Round to Build First AI-Native Operating System for Public Policy Professionals

Agentic AI platform built for government interaction gives policy and legal teams leverage to move faster, stay ahead of the compliance curve, and outmaneuver red…

July 11, 2025

JTC Team to Host the Virtual Investor “What’s Your Story” Summer Spotlight On-Demand Conference

JTC Team to Host the Virtual Investor “What’s Your Story” Summer Spotlight On-Demand Conference

– Video webcasts to be available on-demand Tuesday, July 22nd – Participating company line-up to be announced  – “What’s Your Story” Summer Spotlight promo video…

July 11, 2025

VIEWPOINT: How Thermal Energy Storage Can Maximize the Promise and Instill Safety in Nuclear SMRs

VIEWPOINT: How Thermal Energy Storage Can Maximize the Promise and Instill Safety in Nuclear SMRs

This third installment of Brenmiller Energy’s (NASDAQ:BNRG) “Viewpoint” Series explores how the Company’s bGen™ system can help unlock the full potential of Small Modular Reactor…

July 11, 2025

Brag House and FibroBiologics Interviews to Air on the RedChip Small Stocks, Big Money(TM) Show on Bloomberg TV

Brag House and FibroBiologics Interviews to Air on the RedChip Small Stocks, Big Money(TM) Show on Bloomberg TV

ORLANDO, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 11, 2025 / RedChip Companies will air interviews with Brag House Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:TBH) and FibroBiologics, Inc. (NASDAQ:FBLG)…

July 11, 2025

Focus Universal Inc. Starts Internet of Things Production

Focus Universal Inc. Starts Internet of Things Production

ONTARIO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / July 11, 2025 / Focus Universal Inc. (NASDAQ:FCUV) (“Focus” or the “Company”), a provider of patented hardware and software…

July 11, 2025

Gladstone Land Announces  Preferred Stock Repurchase Authorization

Gladstone Land Announces Preferred Stock Repurchase Authorization

MCLEAN, VA / ACCESS Newswire / July 11, 2025 / Gladstone Land Corporation (Nasdaq:LAND) (“Gladstone Land” or the “Company”) announced that its board of directors…

July 11, 2025

Filing Separately Could Cost You More on Back Taxes – Clear Start Tax Explains Smarter Options for Married Couples

Filing Separately Could Cost You More on Back Taxes – Clear Start Tax Explains Smarter Options for Married Couples

Clear Start Tax shows married couples how to avoid costly filing mistakes and save more when back taxes are involved. IRVINE, CA / ACCESS Newswire…

July 11, 2025

MIRA Reports Clear Reversal of Anxiety-Related Behavior in Animal Model Using SKNY-1, an Oral Drug Candidate for Obesity and Nicotine Addiction Under Definitive Agreement for Acquisition

MIRA Reports Clear Reversal of Anxiety-Related Behavior in Animal Model Using SKNY-1, an Oral Drug Candidate for Obesity and Nicotine Addiction Under Definitive Agreement for Acquisition

SKNY-1 was previously shown to achieve up to 30% weight loss, reverse nicotine craving, and preserve muscle mass in an animal model-and is designed to…

July 11, 2025