Not every brand explodes. Some rise slowly, and win big. In this episode, Jason talks with Nicholas Karrat, CMO of StockX, about the Soul & Science of marketplace models—and what it takes to build brand trust, cultural relevance, and business performance at the same time. A veteran marketer with experience across Fortune 100 companies and DTC startups, Nick has held leadership roles at AT&T, Citibank, Plated, Boll & Branch, and Tommy John. Now at the helm of marketing for StockX, he’s focused on staying true to the brand’s core while expanding its reach. Key Takeaways: ✅ Every channel is both brand and performance—the only difference is timing. ✅ Scarcity still drives urgency, but discovery starts earlier than ever. ✅ Trust and authentic storytelling beat polish when you’re building for the culture. ✅ For trend-driven products, TikTok fuels demand in real time. ✅ Great CMOs trust their instincts and adapt with the people on their team. Memorable Moments: 💡 “Everything we do is brand and everything we do is performance, whether you like it or not.” 💡 “Now you know” isn’t just a tagline. It’s how culture spreads. 💡 “People and vision beat category and paycheck. Every time.” Brought to you by Mekanism.