In this episode of Decision Points, Doug Hudson and Scott Wood chat with Emily Barahona, the founder of E3 Studios and The Culture Agency, about the powerful connection between branding, culture, and personal purpose. With years of experience in design, hospitality, and branding, Emily explains how she’s helped clients like Vibe Restaurants grow their businesses with intention and heart. Her philosophy is simple: aligning personal growth with professional success is the key to creating lasting, meaningful brands.
Emily also opens up about her own journey-from Ecuador to the U.S.-and how her love for surfing, family, and life transitions have shaped her unique approach to business. She shares real-world strategies for building a strong company culture, focusing on how aligning a company’s mission with the purpose of its leadership can transform the entire organization. Her down-to-earth insights on self-awareness and people-focused business strategies are not just inspiring but incredibly practical.
If you're a business leader, entrepreneur, or someone passionate about creating impactful brands, this episode is filled with personal stories and lessons that you can apply to your own work. Emily’s perspective on branding and culture is a refreshing reminder that success isn’t just about growth-it’s about building something that truly matters.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction and Welcome
00:25 Emily Barahona's Background and Career Journey
01:23 Life Transitions and Family
01:38 Surfing and Personal Interests
03:10 Educational Background and Early Career
08:02 Founding E3 Studios and Transition to Branding
14:05 Establishing The Culture Agency
20:49 Scaling and Duplicating Brand Identity
22:20 Introducing Vibe Concepts in Established Brands
23:04 Aligning Culture and Operations
26:36 Core Values of The Culture Agency
29:03 Evaluating Potential Clients
32:11 Implementing Culture Throughout the Organization
35:36 Challenges and Growth in Leadership
46:23 Aligning Personal and Professional Purpose
51:12 Conclusion and Final Thoughts