Branding and Marketing Fundamentals with Kevin Adelsberger
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Release Date: 10/16/2025
Prove Your MVP: The Founder Playbook for a Strong First Launch (with Angelo Zanetti)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’re building a new app or software product, your biggest risk usually isn’t “bad code.” It’s building the wrong thing, shipping it with a shaky first impression, and then wondering why growth never shows up. In this episode of Building Better Developers, Angelo Zanetti breaks it down into a simple founder goal: prove your MVP—prove the problem is real, prove the solution is worth paying for, and prove you can deliver value without burning your runway. About Angelo Zanetti Angelo Zanetti is the co-founder and CEO of Elemental, a South African-based software...
info_outline
Tiered Pricing in the AI Era: What Actually Works (with Dan Balcauski)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Tiered pricing is becoming the simplest way to sell AI-powered SaaS without turning your pricing page into a technical explanation. In my interview with Dan Balcauski, founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, we talked about why AI is forcing new pricing decisions earlier than ever—and why “good, better, best” packaging often works because it keeps buying decisions clear while helping companies manage real AI costs. The AI era is making pricing margin-aware again. Tiered pricing helps you protect margins without forcing buyers to learn your cost...
info_outline
Minimal Viable Pricing: How to Stop Guessing and Start Learning (with Dan Balcauski)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
Minimal viable pricing is the fastest way to stop debating what your product should cost and start learning what customers will actually pay for. In my interview with Dan Balcauski, founder and Chief Pricing Officer at Product Tranquility, we talked about how early-stage teams can set pricing that’s “good enough” to sell, validate value, and iterate—without getting stuck chasing the perfect number. Pricing can feel risky because it shapes perception, positioning, and revenue. But Dan’s message is practical: you don’t need perfect pricing to move forward—you need minimal viable...
info_outline
Workflow Efficiency Metrics: ROI Without Micromanaging (Michael Toguchi)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you want real improvement—not just more dashboards—workflow efficiency metrics have to start with something most teams avoid: visibility. In Part 2 of our interview with Michael Toguchi, we move from “big ideas” into the operational reality leaders face every day: shadow tools, duplicate systems, fuzzy ROI, and the pricing pressure that shows up when AI makes work faster. This conversation is a reality check for ops leaders, engineering leaders, and consultants trying to scale without drowning in tool sprawl—or measuring productivity in ways that break trust. Workflow...
info_outline
Process Before Tools: How to Scale Without Burnout (Michael Toguchi)
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’ve ever felt like your team is running on duct tape and good intentions, you’re not alone. In this Building Better Developers interview, Michael Toguchi (Chief Strategy Officer at eResources) makes a simple point that changes how you approach growth: process before tools. Before you buy another platform, automate another workflow, or roll out a new system, you need clarity on how the work actually gets done—and who it’s meant to serve. You can’t tool your way out of chaos. The real fix starts upstream—before the migration, before the CRM, before the next sprint. It starts...
info_outline
Conversion Rate Optimization: Find Funnel Bottlenecks and Improve What Matters
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
You validated the idea. You built the page. Maybe you’re even getting traffic. And yet… the conversions don’t match the effort. In Part 2 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we shift from “prove the concept” to conversion rate optimization—the discipline of diagnosing what’s actually limiting growth and improving the parts of your funnel that matter most. This isn’t about chasing shiny marketing tactics. It’s about execution: the kind that turns a funnel from “pretty good” into “predictable.” About Samir ElKamouny Samir ElKamouny is an entrepreneur...
info_outline
Market Validation Strategy: Stop Building in the Dark—Validate Your Idea First
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
If you’re a developer or founder, you already know how to build. The hard part is building the right thing, for the right people, at the right time. In Part 1 of our interview with Samir ElKamouny, we dig into a practical market validation strategy that helps you avoid the most expensive mistake in software: investing months of effort into something the market didn’t ask for. Samir’s message is refreshingly grounded: big ideas are great, but execution is everything. And execution doesn’t start with code—it starts with clarity, research, and small tests that tell you whether...
info_outline
New Year, New Momentum: What Developers Can Look Forward to in 2026
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
New Year’s Day hits different when you’re recording with a live studio audience, passing the mic around, and starting the year with a mix of laughs, honest reflection, and big goals. In this Building Better Developers special episode, Rob Broadhead and Michael Meloche kick off 2026 by sharing a “good thing / bad thing” recap from a recent Christmas party—then opening the floor to the team to talk about the New Year developer goals. It’s casual, it’s real, and it’s a reminder that growth (personal and professional) usually starts with clarity. Michael’s 2026 New...
info_outline
2025 Year-End Reflection for Developers: AI Hype, Layoffs, and What’s Next
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
It’s New Year’s Eve-Eve, and instead of recording from our usual virtual setups, we did something we’ve talked about for years: we hit record in the same room. If you’re watching on YouTube, you can actually see us together. If you’re listening on audio, you’ll just have to trust us—this one was in-person. In this special episode of Building Better Developers (our Building Better Foundations season), we keep it simple: a Year-End Reflection for Developers. What are we ready to leave behind from this year? What do we want to carry into the next one? And what’s the reality...
info_outline
Year-End Reset for Developers: A Pre-Christmas Check-In to Finish Strong
Develpreneur: Become a Better Developer and Entrepreneur
The week before Christmas has a way of exposing how the year really went. Deadlines either slow down or pile up, calendars get messy, and the pressure to “wrap everything up” shows up at the same time you’re trying to enjoy the season. In this Pre-Christmas episode of Building Better Developers, and keep it practical: looking back on the year, calling out what worked (and what didn’t), and sharing why a year-end reset for developers is the best way to prepare for a better new year. Why a Year-End Reset for Developers Matters A year-end reset for developers isn’t just...
info_outlineIn this continuation of the Building Better Developers interview series, Kevin Adelsberger—owner of Adelsberger Marketing—returns to explore how businesses can refine their identity and message once the foundation is set. This episode focuses on branding and marketing fundamentals, uncovering what really drives connection, credibility, and growth.
“Thinking about your brand and overall messaging is more important than color or font,” Kevin explains. “If your brand feels disconnected, no color will fix that.”
The conversation moves beyond logos and design to the deeper work of communicating who you are and what you stand for—authentically and consistently.
Branding: More Than Color and Fonts
While many companies spend hours perfecting color palettes, Kevin challenges that mindset. He believes color psychology is largely a myth, with few industries where color directly affects success. Instead, businesses should focus on how their messaging and visuals align.
Fonts, he adds, do have power. The right typeface can instantly signal tone—formal, playful, or high-tech—but only when used intentionally.
“If you want to be a fun, crazy brand and your visuals feel stiff, no amount of color will fix the disconnect.”
A strong brand reflects alignment: visuals, tone, and message working together to create trust and recognition.
Keep Your Message Steady, but Your Website Fresh
Kevin offers a balanced approach to maintaining your digital presence. Instead of obsessing over analytics or daily edits, he recommends structured consistency:
- Review your website monthly or quarterly for updates or broken features.
- Keep messaging steady, but stay alert for functionality issues like broken forms or outdated information.
- Focus on inbound marketing—making sure your brand is ready when customers come looking—then turn attention to outbound efforts like networking and content creation.
“Most people never look at their website after it launches—that’s a bigger problem than over-tweaking it.”
Once your brand identity and message are established, spend more time sharing your expertise rather than endlessly adjusting pixels.
Marketing Fundamentals for Beginners
For entrepreneurs and small business owners who feel lost, Kevin recommends a few key resources to master branding and marketing fundamentals:
- Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller — Understand how clear messaging connects you with customers.
- EntreLeadership by Dave Ramsey — Learn business and marketing principles from a leadership perspective.
- The Four Conversations by Blair Enns — Explore how to sell through consultative, relationship-driven discussions.
Kevin also emphasizes simple, actionable steps:
- Define your competitive advantages and what makes you different.
- Create a one-liner that captures who you help and how.
- Avoid generic stock photos—real people and stories build trust.
- Feature your leadership team online; authenticity builds credibility.
Learn from Competitors—Ethically
Healthy competition can inspire innovation. Kevin encourages learning from peers and even collaborating with them. He participates in groups like the Bureau of Digital, a network of agency owners who share ideas without direct competition.
“Artists steal,” Kevin jokes, “but the goal is to make other people’s ideas better, not to copy them.”
For those in established industries, he suggests finding professional or ownership groups—places where you can share, learn, and grow together.
AI’s Impact on Marketing and Creativity
The conversation inevitably turns to artificial intelligence. Kevin views AI as both a tool and a threat—a resource that democratizes creativity while also reshaping industries.
He points out the uncertainty around copyright, authenticity, and ethics, but admits that ignoring AI isn’t an option. His team meets weekly to test new tools and evaluate where they can help.
“We use AI to assist us, not replace us,” Kevin says. “It helps us work faster, but not everything it creates is ready for prime time.”
From generating first-draft website content to creating AI voiceovers when budgets are tight, Kevin shows how these tools can fill gaps—without losing the human touch.
Staying Grounded in a Changing Landscape
Despite new technologies and shifting trends, Kevin’s message remains timeless: strong branding is built on clarity, consistency, and authenticity.
As the conversation wraps up, he reminds listeners that tools may evolve, but trust remains the core of every successful brand.
“Stay human, stay honest, and keep refining your foundation.”
A Little Background
Kevin Adelsberger is the founder of Adelsberger Marketing, where they create work that grows their clients’ businesses, in a culture that values their team and the Jackson, Tennessee, community. After founding in 2014, Kevin went on to be a co-founder of Our Jackson Home and host its podcast from 2015 to 2019.
In 2016, Kevin was recognized as an emerging leader by Leadership Jackson. Then, in 2017, Adelsberger Marketing was named the Emerging Business of the Year by the Jackson Chamber. In 2019, Adelsberger Marketing sold partial ownership to Alexander, Thompson, and Arnold, CPAs. In 2020, Union University recognized Kevin with the Distinguished Achievement in Arts and Media award.
Kevin currently serves on advisory committees for Leadership Tennessee and Jackson State Community College and is a board member for theCO in Jackson, Tennessee.
He also hosts a podcast about business in West Tennessee called 40×45.
Kevin lives in Jackson with his wife and business partner, Renae, and their two children. They are active foster parents and are involved members of First Baptist Church, Jackson. They are also some of the few to cheer on the Minnesota Vikings from below the Mason-Dixon line. #Skol
Stay Connected: Join the Developreneur Community
We invite you to join our community and share your coding journey with us. Whether you’re a seasoned developer or just starting, there’s always room to learn and grow together. Contact us at info@develpreneur.com with your questions, feedback, or suggestions for future episodes. Together, let’s continue exploring the exciting world of software development.