Make Them Feel Something: Wade Breitzke on Brand That Cuts Through the Noise

Wade Breitzke of WeCreate+ didn’t just talk about branding – he embodied it. In a visually rich, fast-paced session for our GTM Workshop, Wade pulled attendees out of pitch decks and into the emotional core of storytelling. His message was simple but profound: if your brand doesn’t make someone feel something, it’s just noise.

Wade began by challenging the audience to define brand not as a logo or a color palette but as a reputation, a vibe, a gut feeling. And more importantly, as a consistent story told over time. Founders were asked to gut-check their own websites, decks, and taglines. Would a stranger feel something after reading them? Or just move on?

He introduced the idea that early-stage branding doesn’t need to be expensive, but it does need to be intentional. Your identity should match your promise. Your tone should match your customer’s worldview. And your visuals should match the level of clarity you want people to associate with your company.

A key framework Wade introduced was “Clarity > Cleverness.” Too many brands try to outwit their audience. But early on, trust is built with plainspoken value. Tell me what you do. Tell me how it helps. And do it with a visual identity that feels credible and distinct.

He also reminded founders that design is not decoration – it’s communication. Everything from your slide transitions to your photography style is speaking for you before you open your mouth. Consistency across touchpoints – from investor emails to your product UI – sends a signal that you know who you are and why you matter.

Key Takeaways:

• Your brand is what people feel when they see or hear about you – not just your logo.
• Early-stage branding should prioritize clarity, credibility, and consistency.
• Match your messaging to your customer’s worldview, not just your product’s features.
• Visual identity should reflect the story you’re telling.
• Branding is the trust layer between product and market.

Wade’s session left founders buzzing, not just with ideas, but with the urgency to tighten up their storytelling and lead with emotion. If your current pitch reads like a list of features, it might be time to flip the script and ask – how do we want people to feel when they meet us for the first time?