Start your Saga Brand by Dominic de Souza
The Relentlessly Helpful Guide for Total Beginners & Visionary Founders to Build a Brand with No Permission, No Budget, and No Limits—in Just 100 Days.
How do you start a brand with no budget, no audience, and no credibility? Just an idea and the drive to make it real?
This book is a field-tested, step-by-step plan to help college students, startup founders, and entrepreneurs build something real—fast.
In just 100 days, you’ll go from idea to impact, using a framework that forces you to take action: story, action, goals, adventure.
After 25 years studying and creating fiction, 10 years on thousands of marketing projects and hundreds of freelance customers, and now serving as the Marketing Director for a national nonprofit, this is Dominic de Souza’s playbook—the one he wished he had growing up.
This is a survival guide for the founder, creator, or entrepreneur who refuses to wait. Every chapter is packed with step-by-step strategies, real-world examples, and built-in ChatGPT prompts to refine your ideas instantly.
The only thing standing between you and a brand that demands attention is the decision to start. Start your SAGA brand now.
“Knowing how committed Dominic is to everything he does, I was more than happy to read a draft of his marketing book. I didn’t expect to get so emotionally involved!
“Not only is it packed FULL of insight and ideas for marketers at all levels and for all stages of your business, it has a personal story running through so beautifully written you can’t help but fall deeply into the pages, like you’re reading a novel. You’ll be inspired to build and develop your brand at every turn, but also recognise what an accomplished and evocative writer Dominic is, generous with his knowledge and expertise.” – Natalie Smithson
From the Book
Does the 100-Day Framework Work? Yes—Because I’ve Done It Over and Over Again.
Most people overthink launching a brand. They wait until they have money, credibility, or some perfect plan.
I never had any of that.
But I did have a plan in the back of my mind—one I followed again and again, whether I realized it or not.
I’ve used this exact 100-day framework to launch multiple brands from scratch. No budget. No authority. No audience.
Ten years ago, I desperately needed this book.
I spent ten years collecting advice from experts, only to realize none of it works for someone like me—someone starting with nothing.
And that’s exactly why this book exists.
Most branding books are written after success—after the author has figured everything out, made their millions, and now wants to tell you how they did it. That’s not this book.
This is not a victory lap. This is a real-time field guide for the visionary founder, the rebel creator, and the relentless entrepreneur who are still in the fight—just like I am.
Seth Godin said this one line: “We are the kind of people who show up with no permission, no budget, and make a difference in a hundred days.”
That’s who this book is for.
I wrote this book because ten years ago, I desperately needed it. I was a young entrepreneur, full of ideas but constantly scattered, drowning in advice from experts who already had everything I didn’t—money, authority, connections. I wanted to build something meaningful. I wanted to make an impact. But I didn’t have a roadmap.
So I started making my own.
Every strategy, every insight, every framework in this book is something I have tested, refined, and written down for myself—to bring clarity to my own process, to keep me from feeling lost, and to make sure I don’t waste time on things that don’t move the needle.
Now, I’m handing it to you.
This book is for two kinds of people:
The Visionary Founder Who Feels Scattered. You have big ideas but struggle to turn them into something clear, compelling, and structured. You know you’re meant to build something great, but you don’t know what to do first—or what actually matters.
The Young Entrepreneur Who Wishes They Had a Roadmap. You’re at the start of your journey, overwhelmed by advice that doesn’t apply to you. You want to build a brand, but you don’t have a budget, authority, or connections—and you don’t know where to begin.
If either of those sound like you, you’re in the right place.
There are a lot of books out there about branding, marketing, and business. Some of them are fantastic. But most of them assume you already have resources—money, a team, or at least a clear starting point.
This book is different because it’s designed for people who don’t have any of that yet.
It’s a survival guide, not a theory book. Most business books assume you have time, money, and a clear path forward. This one is written for people who don’t.
It’s relentlessly actionable. Every section builds on the last, forcing you to take real steps, not just consume ideas. Or tries to. You decide.
It’s built on storytelling, not sales hacks. People don’t just buy products—they buy into purpose. This book will show you how to turn your brand into something people want to be part of.
It’s written by someone who’s still in the trenches. I’m not writing from the finish line. I’m writing from the road, sharing what actually works, so you don’t waste time on what doesn’t.
Most branding books either overwhelm you with theory or focus only on making money. This book does both—helping you craft a brand that stands out while giving you the exact steps to turn it into something real, sustainable, and successful.
It’s designed as a 100-day roadmap, meaning it’s structured to:
Keep you moving. No long-winded explanations, no unnecessary fluff—just clear steps forward.
Prioritize clarity. You’ll refine your message, your audience, and your brand identity with precision.
Build momentum. The goal isn’t to launch a perfect brand—it’s to get something real into the world and improve it as you go.
Each chapter is designed to be direct, and immediately useful. By the end, you won’t just understand branding—you’ll have built something tangible, something that actually works.
You will:
Clarify Your Brand. Define what you stand for, who you serve, and why people should care.
Build an Audience. Learn how to get attention and attract the right people without spending a dime.
Create an Offer. Make something so valuable that saying no feels like losing out.
Launch & Grow. Get your brand into the world, build momentum, and turn it into something that lasts.
This is not a book about raising capital, chasing viral success, or becoming the next big thing overnight. It’s about getting unstuck, making an impact, and finally building something real.
This book is a challenge.
It’s not for people who just want to think about starting a brand—it’s for people who are ready to take action.
I’m not going to tell you it’s easy. It’s not.
But I am going to show you that it’s possible.
If you’ve been waiting for permission, this is it. If you’ve been waiting for a sign, here it is.
This book isn’t the map—you are. Your skills, your story, and your dream for a brand are the guide. The question is: Will you step forward, or stay behind?
Your Saga Begins
Before you can grow a brand, you need a strong foundation. This section helps you cut through the noise, uncover your brand’s true identity. This is a section about mindset.
Skip ahead to Part 1 to start building.
Why Your Brand Must Be a Saga – Weak brands only sell products. A Saga leads a brand - something bigger than sales. Learn why great brands tell unforgettable stories—and how yours can too.
The Spirit of Saga – What makes a brand legendary? It’s not luck—it’s a mindset. Tap into the relentless, purpose-driven energy that turns small ideas into lasting legacies.
No Money, No Authority – Stop making excuses. You don’t need a budget or permission to build something powerful. Learn how to leverage what you already have to create unstoppable momentum.
Stop Waiting for Permission – No one is coming to pick you. Leaders take action before they feel ready. This section will show you how to claim your space and lead with confidence.
Why No One Cares About You (Yet) – Hard truth: people don’t care about your brand until you give them a reason to. Learn how to craft a message that gets attention and makes people want to follow you.
AI Is Your Ghostwriter – AI isn’t the enemy—it’s your secret weapon. Discover how to use it to streamline your content, sharpen your message, and scale your brand’s impact faster than ever.
The 100-Day Sprint – You don’t need years to build influence. Follow this high-impact plan to go from unknown to unstoppable in just 100 days.
PART 1: STORY – The Call to Adventure
Before your brand can grow, it needs a foundation—a story so compelling that people don’t just listen, they belong. This chapter gives you the clarity to build a brand that isn’t just another name in the crowd but a call to adventure that people rally behind.
Starter or Stayer? – Are you built for the long game, or do you burn out fast? Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, stay motivated, and turn your passion into something lasting.
Your Dream is Your Business – Your brand is more than a product—it’s a mission. Discover how to structure your dream into a business model that fuels both impact and income.
How to Craft a Magnetic Brand – Weak brands sell products. Strong brands lead people. Learn the key elements of storytelling, messaging, and positioning that make people lean in, not tune out.
The 12 Archetypes – Every great brand fits a timeless archetype. Which one is yours? Understanding your brand’s personality will make your content, messaging, and marketing effortless.
Your Brand Lives or Dies by Its Story – The brands people remember aren’t the ones with the biggest budgets—they’re the ones with the best stories. Learn how to craft a narrative so powerful that customers feel like they’d be missing out if they don’t join.
PART 2: ACTION – The Great Journey
Building a brand isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about executing relentlessly. In this chapter, you’ll get the exact playbook to turn your idea into a brand, even if you have zero budget, no audience, and no clue where to start.
Turn Your Website Into a Sales Machine – Stop treating your website like a digital brochure. Learn how to design it for conversions, guiding visitors from “curious” to “customer” with clarity and urgency.
The Blurb Formula: Hook, Convince, and Convert: If you can’t explain your brand in a single compelling sentence, you’re already losing attention. Master the art of the hook so people instantly understand—and care—about what you offer.
The $0 Marketing Cheat Code – No budget? No problem. You’re sitting on a pot of gold right now and haven’t even realized it.
The Content Program– Never run out of things to say. Develop a simple, repeatable system for creating valuable content without burnout.
Truths about Social Media That Marketers Don’t Want to Admit– It’s not about doing more, but picking your lane and going social with the people who matter most.
Email: Your Most Powerful and Underrated Asset– The most underrated tool in your arsenal. Learn how to craft emails that get opened, read, and acted on—building relationships that drive sales.
Mastering Video & Podcasts– Hate being on camera? No problem. Master simple, effective ways to use video to build trust, authority, and attention.
Lead Magnets That Actually Convert (Without Feeling Like a Gimmick) – Create irresistible freebies that turn casual visitors into loyal subscribers and buyers.
PART 3: GOALS – The Secret Map
Building a brand isn’t just about having a great idea—it’s about making sure the right people care. This chapter hands you The Secret Map, a powerful strategy to turn obscurity into influence, confusion into clarity, and random followers into a thriving community.
The Empathy Shortcut: How to Win People Over & Get What You Want (Without Manipulation) – Connection beats persuasion. You’ll learn how to make your audience feel seen in seconds, using a simple 3-step framework to build trust fast.
Finding Your Niche: Overcoming Fear, Building Momentum, and Learning as You Go – Stop overthinking and start owning your space. This section helps you refine your message, attract the right people, and stand out—without feeling trapped in a tiny box.
Partnership Growth Hacks: How to Borrow Other People’s Audiences – Want to grow faster? You don’t have to do it alone. Learn how to tap into existing communities, collaborate with key players, and gain influence without starting from scratch.
No One Knows You (Yet): How to Get in the Room, Get Noticed, and Build Trust Fast – The biggest brands didn’t wait to be discovered. They forced people to pay attention. Here’s how you can, too—ethically, strategically, and without being annoying.
How to Build a Community That Grows Itself (Even If You Have 0 Followers) – A brand without a community is forgettable. Learn how to create action around your message so that people don’t just follow you—they rally behind you.
PART 4: ADVENTURE – The Saga Begins
You’ve built the foundation. You’ve taken action. Now, it’s time to turn your brand into something that lasts. This section is about scaling your impact, monetizing your mission, and creating a brand that thrives—without burning out.
Monetization 101 – Making money isn’t selling out; it’s what keeps your brand alive. Learn the simplest way to start generating revenue while staying true to your mission.
As Simple as 1-2-3: How to Make an Offer That Sells Itself – If people hesitate, your offer isn’t clear enough. Master the formula that makes buying from you feel like the obvious choice.
The No-Excuses Course – You don’t need a massive audience to create a transformational course. Learn how to package your expertise into an experience people finish—and rave about.
The Storytelling Playbook for Building a SAGA Brand – Stories sell. Learn how to find, craft, and tell stories that make your brand unforgettable.
The ‘1000 True Fans’ Strategy – You don’t need millions of followers. You need the right followers. Learn how to create a loyal community that buys everything you offer.
What’s Next for YOUR SAGA BRAND – Through the lens of storytelling, strategy, and real-world examples, this chapter will challenge you to think bigger—without falling into the trap of chasing endless growth.
Turn Ideas Into Action
Most people read books, get inspired, and then… do nothing. Not this time.
At the end of every chapter, you’ll find a Take Action section designed to get you moving immediately. Because reading without action is just another way to procrastinate. Clarity comes from doing, not thinking.
Here’s how this works:
Action Steps – Small, simple, immediately doable tasks that create momentum. Micro-wins stack fast, and before you know it, you’re making real progress.
ChatGPT Prompts – Take your notes, drop them into ChatGPT, and get instant feedback to refine, clarify, and strengthen your ideas. No more staring at a blank screen wondering if you’re on the right track.
This book isn’t just here to inspire you. It’s here to get you building—one step at a time.
By the time you’re done reading, you won’t just have a clearer brand. You’ll have something real, tested, and already in motion. No more waiting. No more guessing.
Start now.
Let’s go.