Understanding Consumer Behavior with John D. Marvin

Want to grow your business like a CEO leading a $100M+ company? In this episode of Happy Productive, Jennifer Dawn talks with John Marvin, President & CEO of Texas State Optical, about how understanding customer behavior is the secret weapon for scaling any business.
You’ll learn:
• Why most business owners fail to see the big picture
• Two simple, low-cost ways to uncover what your customers really want
• How to deliver services that create loyal clients and steady growth
• The leadership mindset that drives long-term success Whether you’re running a small business or scaling to 8 figures, these insights will help you align your strategy, team, and client experience for next-level results.
Don’t just listen. Implement. That’s how you build a freedom-fueled business.
Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to John Marvin and the four Ps of marketing
01:03 – Jennifer welcomes John Marvin to the show
02:12 – John shares his small-town roots and journey to becoming CEO
03:03 – How faith shaped John’s mindset and business priorities
03:50 – The real meaning of marketing beyond promotions
04:27 – Why understanding consumer behavior is mission-critical
05:20 – The pandemic’s impact on customer habits and expectations
06:45 – Lessons from running a two-year market research study
08:22 – From consultant to CEO: John’s journey with Texas State Optical
09:30 – The importance of tracking consumer behavior continuously
10:32 – Practical tips for small businesses to understand customer needs
11:40 – Hosting customer lunches and gathering feedback
13:47 – Secret shopping competitors for powerful insights
15:27 – Adapting customer feedback strategies for virtual businesses
17:03 – Modeling customer-first leadership for your team
18:42 – Helping teams understand they work for the client, not the owner
19:52 – Shifting mindset: why your business exists for client outcomes
21:04 – Defining your ideal customer and their needs
22:08 – Bringing purpose and passion into service delivery
23:11 – Why delivery is just as important as the product itself
24:59 – Creating remarkable client experiences in service businesses
25:12 – Where to connect with John Marvin online
26:00 – Jennifer’s key takeaways and action steps
Connect with John Marvin:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdmarvin/
https://www.instagram.com/jdmarvin/
https://www.facebook.com/jdmarvin
Follow Jennifer Dawn for more business growth strategies
https://www.linkedin.com/company/jennifer-dawn-coaching/
https://jenniferdawncoaching.com/
https://www.instagram.com/jenniferdawncoaching/
Take the Freedom & Adventure Business Quiz here: https://app.jenniferdawncoaching.com/freedomquiz