e.l.f. Cosmetics Revisited: The Broken Brand Promise We Didn’t Expect

August 21, 2025Nina KovnerPodcast

    In this short follow-up episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, we’re revisiting e.l.f. Cosmetics, a brand we recently celebrated for its clarity, consistency, and connection with its audience. But something shifted. After releasing their most recent ad campaign that contradicted their values-forward brand and staying silent when their audience called it out, e.l.f. showed us just how fragile brand trust can be.

    In this episode

    • Why your brand promises aren’t mission statements or marketing, they’re a commitment
    • What happens when brands veer from the values they’re known for
    • Why silence can speak louder than any campaign
    • And what salon owners, hairstylists, and pro beauty brands can learn about consistency, courage, and listening when it matters most

    Because brand trust isn’t built by perfection, it’s built by consistency and alignment.

    You can listen to the original episode on e.l.f. Cosmetics here.

    Thank you so much for listening and sharing with your business besties.

    PS: Mentored. with Nina L. Kovner is coming soon. Be sure to follow @passionsquared on Instagram to be the first to know when Mentored. launches!

    Red Lobster: Losing and Rebuilding Brand Trust, One Decision at a Time

    August 15, 2025Nina KovnerPodcast

      In this episode of BUILDING & BREAKING, I’m diving into the story of Red Lobster’s recent comeback and what it teaches us about brand clarity, decision-making, leadership, and trust.

      From the chaos of the Endless Shrimp promotion to the arrival of new CEO Damola Adamolekun, this isn’t a story about flashy reinvention or performative PR. It’s about showing up, listening, simplifying, and making decisions that align with your brand promise.

      In This Episode:

      ·       How Red Lobster lost alignment with its brand promise and how it showed up to fix it

      ·       Why visible, responsive leadership builds trust (and what that looks like on TikTok)

      ·       The power of simplifying your menu, service offerings, or product offerings

      ·       How to make decisions that strengthen, not dilute, your brand

      ·       Why transparency is one of the most powerful trust-building tools you have

      ·       The role consistency plays in turning things around for good

      And, as always, I connect the lessons back to you, as salon owners, hairstylists, creatives, and pro beauty brand leaders, so that you can apply them in your businesses.

      Plus, I give a little sneak peek into Mentored. with Nina L. Kovner at the end of the episode. Be sure to follow @passionsquared on Instagram to be the first to know when Mentored. launches!

      Thank you for listening and sharing this episode with your business besties!