In this episode, I’m joined by Derek Springston, CEO and Managing Partner of Moxie Sozo—the award-winning, Boulder-based branding and design agency celebrating its 25th anniversary this year. Derek’s journey is a true creative arc: he started as an unpaid intern and worked his way up to lead the agency that now serves some of the most disruptive brands across food, beverage, and beyond.

Under his leadership, Moxie Sozo has created standout work for brands like Boston Beer Company, Campari America, and Danone—along with countless natural food startups and global lifestyle brands. His approach blends design strategy with business acumen, helping brands break through crowded categories with bold, authentic creative.

Inside the episode

• How Derek went from unpaid intern to CEO of one of the most respected creative studios in CPG

• The strategy behind building iconic, emotionally resonant packaging—and why it still matters

• Advice for founders investing in branding for the first time, and what great branding

This podcast episode was made possible by Hummingbirds

Hummingbirds is a platform that connects everyday, smaller creators with brands to share in-store user-generated content, drive brand awareness in specific retailers, and capture competitive market share. They’re an awesome platform that I recommend to all my clients that you should absolutely check out. Go to hummingbirds.com for all the details.