Dynamic Duos: Building a business and a life together
This week in Dynamic Duos, we hear from Brand Rebellion's founder and MD, Bryden Campbell, and partner, David Campbell.
In Dynamic Duos, Mumbrella each week asks two colleagues with a professional and personal affiliation to share with readers the importance of workplace relationships in an increasingly hybridised world of work.
David Campbell:
Bryden and I have been happily married for over 10 years, and we’ve built a wonderful life together with our two kids and two cavoodles. We met many years ago at a sports club where I worked behind the bar and Bryden worked in the bistro — definitely not your typical Hollywood love story, but one with a very happy ending.
Over time, our relationship has evolved to include a professional dimension as we co-founded Brand Rebellion. It was Bryden’s dream to run the business, and I felt I could help her turn that vision into reality. Together, we then realised we could build something impactful where we could contribute our passions on a larger stage.
Our business partnership works because we each bring something unique to the table. Bryden’s expertise is in brand and marketing, while my background is in workforce consulting. While our skill sets differ, our approach to work aligns, and we’ve found that our distinct areas of expertise complement each other. The creativity and vibrancy Bryden brings to the table enhance the work I produce and vice versa.
Working together is a great experience because we each have our own style. Bryden is the creative force with vibrant energy, while I tend to be more analytical, often mapping out strategies at my computer. The balance between our approaches really brings the Brand Rebellion narrative to life. Over time, we’ve developed a deep understanding of each other’s values and strengths, which makes supporting each other, both in life and business, that much easier.
Having two kids means there’s no real boundary between business and family life — we integrate both seamlessly. And knowing each other so well gives us a head start in working together; there’s a comfort and familiarity that only enhances our dynamic.
Bryden Campbell:
When David first said he wanted to join Brand Rebellion, I genuinely thought he was joking. He was on paternity leave, we had literally just switched the baton and I had resigned from my job thinking, well, if this all goes belly-up, at least one of us still has a paycheck. So, when he was serious about it, I was honestly flabbergasted.
But then I got excited. I knew that with our combined skillsets, his deep expertise in workforce strategy and my brand and marketing background, we had something really special. Something that didn’t really exist in the market.
I realised we worked ridiculously well together when we were sitting in the lounge room with the kids, using this tiny, makeshift whiteboard to brainstorm our corporate values. The fact that we were totally aligned on what we wanted to drive through the business, that was a lightbulb moment. I knew we were building something awesome. And those values? They still resonate so strongly with our team today.
Our working styles couldn’t be more different. David is logical, precise and no-nonsense. He cuts through the noise. I, on the other hand, live for the story (I mean, I work in brand and marketing — of course I do). I’ll go on a tangent, connect different ideas, and weave it all together. But the trust and respect we have means we can call each other out and still allow each other to be 100% ourselves.
David on Bryden:
Most memorable moment with Bryden: Outside of our wedding day and family milestones, I’d say the most memorable moment was seeing Bryden win the Canberra Business Woman of the Year and Canberra Small Business Woman of the Year awards in 2024. It was incredibly special because not everyone sees the dedication, sacrifice and effort that goes into running a business.
When you’re responsible for other people’s livelihoods, it’s not just about living your dream — it’s about creating something sustainable where others can thrive. Watching Bryden receive the recognition she deserves was a moment I’ll never forget. It was such a proud moment, not just for me and her, but for the entire Brand Rebellion team and our networks.
Best word to describe her: Lively.
Bryden brings energy, warmth and positivity into every room she enters. When she sets her mind to a goal, she’s unstoppable. Her energy is infectious and creates a space where people feel comfortable being themselves. Whether she’s talking about the business, our family, or the latest trend, her passion and enthusiasm shine through.
It’s that spark she brings that helps bring others along on the journey — whether it’s in a meeting or in casual conversation. She has this incredible ability to make everyone around her feel welcome and motivated, and her liveliness sparks collaboration and connection. It’s that little internal smile she gives those around her that creates momentum and encourages others to step up.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour she has: If Bryden had any annoying habits, I’d be a brave husband to list them out! But, honestly, it’s hard to find anything annoying besides our rush to always find her keys.
Her most endearing behaviour is definitely her passion and energy when she speaks about the things she loves — whether it’s our family, Brand Rebellion, or coaching the under-6 girls in little athletics. Ask her about any of those things, and you might need to cancel your next meeting because she’s sure to go into detail with so much enthusiasm. It’s contagious and shows just how deeply she cares about the people and causes she’s involved with.
Bryden on David:
Most memorable moment with David: One of our biggest moments was landing our first Australian Government contract just months into Brand Rebellion. We had no office, no staff, just a laptop, a lot of ambition, and a tiny human or two crawling around. When we got the email saying we had won the work, we just sat there in the lounge room, looking at each other like, Did this actually just happen? We’re on here.
It was the moment we knew, this wasn’t just a side project or a temporary thing. This was it. Our big break. Our oh, there’s no turning back now moment. We celebrated with a bear hug, a glass of wine, and then immediately back to work figuring out how we were going to go above and beyond in delivering it.
Best word to describe him: Driven.
He’s the kind of person who just keeps going. His ability to break down complex challenges, bring structure and push through even the toughest problems is something I deeply admire. He has a ridiculous level of attention to detail, whether it’s picking data apart, refining a strategy, or making sure every single word in a document is right. He holds everything to the highest standard, and when he says something is exceptional, you know it’s the ultimate compliment.
But what really sets him apart is how much he genuinely cares. He doesn’t just understand workforce strategy – he understands people. He’s always checking in, making sure everyone on the team is supported, and reinforcing that while we work hard, life outside of work matters just as much. That’s something he lives by, and it’s why people trust him.
Most annoying habit or endearing behaviour he has: His ability to weave sports into any conversation. Branding, workforce planning, even client meetings, somehow, there’s always a sports analogy thrown in.
And I mean all sports. The stats and names he can pull out across women’s cricket, soccer, rugby league and basketball are next level. I once went to a Women in Sport event, and he gave me a full rundown on injuries, form and key players beforehand. It was like having my own personal sports analyst, and the knowledge was incredibly valuable.
The team enjoys sport too, just not quite at his encyclopaedic level. So, while we all love a good chat about a game, David takes it to another level, pulling out stats and player histories like a human sports database.
Keep up to date with the latest in media and marketing
Got a tip?
Lauren McNamara is the associate editor at Mumbrella, covering the agency beat. She joined in November 2022 as editorial assistant, after completing a Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) at UTS.
Linkedin
Have your say