He Snuck Onto Hollywood Lots. Then He Built a Brand Empire.
- Jennifer McPherson
- 17 hours ago
- 3 min read
Marc Gutman is the Founder of Wildstory, a Boulder-based storytelling and content strategy agency that helps brands stand out by creating authentic connections. Under Marc’s leadership, Wildstory has earned a reputation for its unique narrative-driven approach, with Marc himself amassing over 7,000 LinkedIn followers and recognition as an award-winning storyteller and entrepreneur. Before launching Wildstory, Marc began his career in Hollywood as a story editor for Oliver Stone’s company, and he continues to draw on his passion for narrative in his work with businesses of all sizes.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
[01:39] Marc Gutman shares how writing scripts in Hollywood led him to building a branding agency
[05:37] How innovation gets copied and why story matters more
[07:29] Why real experience beats fantasy in every career
[13:02] Tips on being authentic and embracing your unique business voice
[23:08] Leveraging AI to fill your skill gaps
[25:37] The secret power of belief and gratitude for entrepreneurs
In this episode…
Some careers begin with a plan, and others begin by getting close enough to the action that a door finally opens. But how do you turn curiosity, persistence, and a few unlikely breaks into a brand that helps others tell better stories?
Marc Gutman believes the answer starts with finding your people, not simply trying to stand out. Drawing from his experience as a storyteller and brand strategist, Marc explains that the strongest brands are clear about who they are, what they offer, and who they are for. That clarity makes a business more memorable, more human, and far less dependent on chasing whatever everyone else is doing.
In this episode of Own Your Next, Jennifer McPherson is joined by Marc Gutman, Founder of Wildstory, to discuss building a brand through storytelling. Marc shares how sneaking onto Hollywood lots shaped his career, why brands need a clear narrative, and how businesses can use AI without losing originality. Marc also talks about mindset, belief, and staying in the game as an entrepreneur.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Quotable Moments
“Just get to the middle of the action to where the action is, where the industry is.”
“The objective is you need to find your people and you need to find who you're for.”
“Being very clear about who you are, what you do, the value you offer, and who you're for.”
“Being human and leveraging what AI is really good at is our big advantage right now.”
“There is like, no, like finish line, there's no winning this game of entrepreneurship of work.”
Action Steps
Get close to the action in your industry: Immersing yourself where the real work happens creates opportunities, builds firsthand knowledge, and opens doors you may not have planned for.
Clarify who your brand is for: Knowing your ideal audience helps you create stronger messaging, deeper connection, and a brand story that feels specific instead of generic.
Build your brand around an authentic narrative: A clear story about who you are, what you do, and why it matters makes your business more memorable and meaningful.
Use AI as a creative partner, not a replacement: Leveraging AI with strong original inputs can save time while keeping your ideas, voice, and strategy at the center.
Stay committed through the highs and lows: Entrepreneurship has no final finish line, so continuing to show up, learn, and play the long game is part of the win.
Sponsor for this episode...
Chickenango helps brands connect with their communities through thoughtful, strategic communication.
Specializing in public engagement, branding, and messaging for sectors such as transportation, infrastructure, energy, and government, Chickenago turns complex projects into stories people can understand and care about.
With decades of industry experience, their team builds trust through authentic storytelling and genuine collaboration.
Discover how they’re making a difference at chickenango.com.
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