Whose business is it anyway?

INC. THIS MORNING Whose business is it anyway? Good morning, Sooner or later, if moderately successful, most entrepreneurs get persuaded by their peers that only the superior wisdom of a branding and marketing agency can set them on the road to exponential growth. But putting your brand in the hands of an unknown entity comes with a number of potential pitfalls. As Carey Smith, founder of Big Ass Fans and Unorthodox Ventures, found, some agencies are more interested in promoting their own brand and vision than promoting yours, and aim to mold your company’s appearance into their own interpretation. That’s why, as Smith found out, it’s crucial to either develop a team to handle branding internally or find an agency you can trust. Otherwise you may fall for an illusion of expertise that doesn’t add value--and that can cost you a huge chunk of your marketing budget. Read more on [what you should consider before hiring a branding or marketing agency](. SPONSORED CONTENT [Lead Generation like you always imagined.]( Ready to sell more and sell faster? Identify and connect with leads in real-time — with [bant.io]( the all-in-one B2B lead generation service. JOIN US: As co-founder and CEO of &pizza, a fast-casual pizza chain constantly ahead of the curve on technology, Michael Lastoria is paving the way for how the food and beverage industry should treat employees. Join Inc. for what promises to be an inspiring conversation as Lastoria shares pivotal moments in his personal and professional journey. - Wednesday, November 10, 2021, 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM ET - [Register today]( HERE'S WHAT ELSE I'M READING TODAY: Businesses with more than 100 employees now have until January 4 to [make sure their workers are fully vaccinated]( under Biden’s federal policy. --Inc. Several members of Congress are hoping to get [additional cybersecurity training]( in the hands of business owners. --Inc. [Pinterest TV]( is here and it may be your next live shopping solution. --Inc. After an intense 20 months of pandemic work and life, many are reaching a breaking point. Here’s [how to retake control](. --WSJ Your ability to [unlearn, learn, and relearn]( is vital for long-term success, especially during a period of transition. --HBR ONE MORE THING: [Daylight saving’s time]( doesn't have to interrupt your sleep or productivity. --Inc --Brit Morse Assistant editor, Inc. How are we doing? Send me ideas and feedback at [BMorse@inc.com](mailto:BMorse@inc.com?subject=Inc.%20This%20Morning%20Feedback) and on Twitter at [@britnmorse](. Join the visionaries who choose Inc. as their trusted source for the most accurate reporting on business. [Join Inc. Unlimited today.]( [Click here]( to forward to a friend. This email was sent by: Mansueto Ventures 7 World Trade Center, 29th Floor New York, NY, 10007, [Unsubscribe]( • [Update Profile]( • [View in Browser]( • [Privacy Policy](