2x CMO. 2 acquisitions. 3 books. 1 llama merch line.

Meet Kyle Lacy, current CMO of Jellyfish. Not only is he a renowned CMO and thought leader in marketing, but he’s also a family man who's managed to strike an enviable balance between his professional and personal life. He’s authored a couple of successful books and has over 45,000 LinkedIn followers, and Kyle stands out not just for his marketing brilliance but also for his down-to-earth insights on work-life balance. And his creativity for marketing (specifically merch drops) is one of the most memorable and impactful things he has brought to companies he has worked for.
In this episode, we’re diving into how to create swag that people actually want to wear (and buy), his “surprise and delight” brand philosophy, and the nitty-gritty of managing work-life balance (and/or guilt, to be honest). Here are a few of my favorite takeaways:

• Incorporating merch stores as a part of the sales cycle can surprise and delight prospects. It's more than just a revenue stream; it’s a differentiator.
• Unique and creative experiences resonate more than generic gifts. (Cue Kyle’s story on Lessonly’s golden llama.)
• Balancing work and family life is an evolving art. Kyle shares how he’s learned to shut off on weekends after experiencing burnout, including how to communicate with your kids about your work life to prevent guilt, build connection, and share teaching moments.

This episode is a goldmine for anyone grappling with the balance of ambition and family or looking to elevate their brand game to new heights. Let’s get into it.

Jump into the conversation:

(01:33) Meet Kyle Lacy

(03:27) Wins & Losses in Writing 3 Books

(12:43) The Golden Llama: How to Create Great Merch

(27:38) Surprise and Delight in Sales

(29:09) The Role of Great Design in Client Experience

(37:15) Balancing Career and Family Life

(48:43) Communicating with Kids About Work

⬛ Follow Kyle on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylelacy/