What Business Owners Get Wrong About Branding & Marketing | Interview with Joshua Hays

In this episode of Let’s Bee Real, Bee Powell sits down with Joshua Hays, founder of New York Ave, to unpack one of the most misunderstood topics in business: the REAL difference between branding, marketing, and advertising—and why most business owners get it wrong.

Joshua shares his journey from childhood entrepreneur to leading one of Central Florida’s most respected marketing agencies. Together, Bee and Joshua dive into branding values, community impact, AI’s disruption of the marketing industry, and how small businesses can stay connected to their audience in a noisy digital world.

If you're a business owner, marketer, entrepreneur, or local community leader, this conversation is full of practical insights on brand identity, strategy, consistency, and the future of digital marketing.

🔍 Topics Covered


✅ Branding vs. marketing vs. advertising
✅ Why core values matter more than logos
✅ The biggest marketing mistakes business owners make
✅ How AI is transforming the marketing world
✅ Staying creative and inspired in a changing industry
✅ Why local businesses fuel local communities
✅ How consistency builds customer connection
✅ Real-world brand success examples

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – Favorite colors banter
00:15 – Welcome to Let’s Bee Real
00:22 – Introduction of guest Joshua Hays
00:48 – Josh’s background in entrepreneurship & marketing
01:50 – Why Josh loves building teams
02:51 – Childhood inspirations + core values
03:45 – Integrity in marketing
04:29 – Branding vs. marketing vs. advertising explained
06:17 – Real estate branding and the meaning behind colors
07:07 – Bee’s yellow brand identity
07:48 – Color psychology + brand meaning
08:56 – Biggest marketing mistakes business owners make
10:12 – Why business owners spread themselves too thin
11:03 – What brand success really looks like
12:27 – Building authentic connection with your audience
13:35 – Staying consistent in a noisy digital world
14:17 – The rapid evolution of tech + AI
15:22 – How Josh uses AI for strategy & creativity
16:10 – What keeps Josh creative
17:59 – Supporting the local community through local business
19:16 – Why “shop local” matters
20:11 – Local branding vs national brands
21:11 – Lightning round: fun questions
22:13 – Favorite candy bar (and a surprise!)
22:29 – Marketing pet peeves
22:56 – Dream home vibes
23:25 – The billboard question
23:54 – What business owners misunderstand about branding
24:19 – Finish the sentence: “The best marketing is…”
24:36 – Closing thoughts with Bee Powell

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Call us 📞: 386-279-7522

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