How to Build Community with Your Customers
In a podcast with Courtney Johnson, Michael Rangel, Novo’s co-founder, shares his passion for building communities. Listen to the full episode to learn how transparency, inclusivity, and customer involvement can drive growth and foster real loyalty.
.webp)
I truly appreciated it when Novo customer Courtney Johnson invited me to join her podcast, Slay the Gatekeeper. The topic we dove into was something I’m incredibly passionate about: building genuine, engaged communities around your brand. To me, community isn’t just a buzzword—it’s one of the most powerful drivers of growth. Having worked alongside Novo in the trenches, I can confidently say that fostering authentic connections with our customers is transformative.
As the conversation unfolded, I shared my belief that businesses today must go beyond transactional relationships. It’s no longer enough to just sell products or services; it’s about creating a space where your customers feel seen, heard, and valued. The discussion naturally led us to the power of transparency, the importance of inclusivity, and the remarkable outcomes that arise when businesses truly involve their customers in the process.
One of the most exciting moments of the podcast came when I had the chance to speak about Novo’s commitment to being intentionally open with our customers. It’s all about making them part of the conversation—when they know that their feedback isn’t just welcomed but actively sought after. That sense of ownership is powerful. They no longer feel like they're just purchasing a service; they start to feel like they’re contributing to the evolution of a brand they genuinely care about. And that, I believe, is how you build real loyalty.
All too often, brands rush to launch products without first asking their customers what they truly want. But when you actively listen to your community, they become your guide, pointing you toward the best solutions. It’s a two-way street: they help shape the brand, and in return, the brand supports them in ways they hadn’t even imagined.
If this approach isn’t part of your business yet, I highly encourage you to start now. You don’t need a huge marketing budget for that. It’s about putting your customers in the driver’s seat—giving them a voice in your decisions and showing them that their input matters.
A huge thank you to Courtney for having me on her podcast. It was such a rewarding experience to share my experience. I hope the episode provides you with actionable insights for building or strengthening your own community. You can listen to the full episode here:
I’d love to continue this conversation. Reach out with your thoughts or ideas about community-building—I’m eager to hear how you're making your customers feel seen and heard in your business.
Stay Connected with Michael
Michael Rangel is the co-founder and former CEO of Novo. Teaming up with his friend Tyler McIntyre, they co-founded Novo in December 2015, aiming to revolutionize banking for small businesses. After years of development, they officially launched the platform in 2018, and it has since grown to serve over 250,000 customers nationwide.
