During this 217th episode of “Marketing Today,” I interview Ziad Ahmed, chief executive officer, and Shaina Zafar, chief people officer, at JUV Consulting.

On the show today, we talk about how these young entrepreneurs began their already remarkable careers and JUV’s first big break. We talk about JUV’s purpose-driven mission and its unique workforce of Gen Z consultants.

Ahmed and Zafar share how JUV has innovated and grown beyond their expectations. They emphasize their focus on big purpose-driven ideas. Zafar says, “As a purpose-driven company, we always think about people and purpose first.” They explain their services and provide the example of fourteen-year-olds consulting with Fortune 500 companies on campaigns that are fundamentally disruptive. They emphasize that JUV is not business as usual, and they do not believe their clients are always right.  Ahmed speaks with passion when he says, “I would rather lose every client that we have by speaking truth to power than ever gain a single client by being something that we’re not.” As they discuss the significant events of 2020, they speak with hope about the future. Ahmed says, “We exist to empower young people. That was always true, and we’ve always shown up for that.” We have an exciting conversation that highlights young entrepreneurs that are genuinely making a unique impact. 

Highlights from this week’s “Marketing Today”:

  • How JUV began. 02:27
  • Concerns and worries JUV faced in the first couple of years. 04:13
  • JUV’s first big break. 06:32
  • JUV’s services. 08:11
  • Shaina’s daily life. 09:49
  • How they get started with clients. 12:11
  • JUV’s unique market positioning. 15:19
  • The impact of 2020 on JUV. 18:54
  • How JUV differentiates itself. 25:34
  • Shaina and Ziad reflect on their purpose. 30:28
  • JUV’s long-term goals. 35:19
  • Shaina shares a defining experience. 37:36
  • Ziad shares a defining experience. 40:22
  • Shaina reflects on advice she would give to her younger self. 43:00
  • Ziad reflects on advice he would give to his younger self. 44:56
  • Ziad shares about an impactful purchase he made in the last 6-12 months. 46:41
  • Shaina shares about an impactful purchase she made in the last 6-12 months. 47:22
  • JUV’s take on the top opportunity and threat facing marketers today. 49:41

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Alan B. Hart is the creator and host of “Marketing Today with Alan Hart,” a weekly podcast where he interviews leading global marketing professionals and business leaders. Alan advises leading executives and marketing teams on opportunities around branding, customer experience, innovation and growth. He has consulted with Fortune 100 companies, but he is an entrepreneur at his core, having founded or served as an executive for nine startups.