As 2025 wraps up, Dave Charest and Kelsi Carter take a look back at the biggest lessons from a year’s worth of Be A Marketer conversations.

From Neil Patel’s timeless marketing fundamentals to Christina Tosi’s community building and the Savannah Bananas’ fans-first approach, this episode revisits the key themes that defined 2025, and what every small business can carry forward into the new year.

Dave and Kelsi reflect on what it means to stay curious, keep experimenting, and keep showing up for your audience. Plus, a special announcement about what’s next for the show in 2026.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• How to Build a Brand that Lasts with Dr. Knowles
• Destination Marketing Strategies with Aljolynn Sperber
• Building Multiple Revenue Streams in Real Estate with Jacqui Luberto
• Bake Club's Recipe for Community Building with Christina Tosi and Shannon Salzano
• Building a Fans-First Business from the Ground Up with The Savannah Bananas
• Ways to Turn Loyal Customers into Your Best Marketing Channel with Gail Goodman
• Using LinkedIn to Grow Your Business with Lea Turner
• Art, Story, and the Business of Wonder with Gregangelo Herrera and Team
• Building a Passion-Fueled Business with Jason Shron
• Building a Real Estate Powerhouse with Anthony Lamacchia
• Changing Your Behavior to Build a Stronger Business with Carissa Reiniger
• The Future of Small Business Marketing and How to Keep Up with Frank Vella
• Practical Marketing Strategies to Grow Your Business with Neil Patel
• Real Estate Teams, Systems, and Family with Verl Workman
• Smart Ways to Use AI as a Solopreneur with Mike Allton
• Preparing Your Business for the Future with Dr. Ja-Naé Duane

Meet Today's Guests: Dave Charest & Kelsi Carter of Constant Contact

🚀 What Dave does: He is the Director of Small Business Success at Constant Contact. He helps small business owners make sense of online marketing and hosts the Be A Marketer podcast.

💡 Key quote: “Storytelling, of course, plays a big role here. Sharing your experience — the things that you’ve done and the things that you’ve helped your customers do, that’s how you bring those things to life. Because AI doesn’t have those stories, and those are how you connect with people.”

👋 Where to find him: LinkedIn

📝 What Kelsi does: Kelsi is the Brand Production Coordinator at Constant Contact and produces the Be a Marketer podcast. She also writes the Be a Marketer newsletter for Constant Contact's LinkedIn page.

💡 Key quotes: “A lot of people don’t really like being marketed to. But if you’re providing them with some valuable content or something educational, they’re more likely to gravitate towards you.”

👋 Where to find her: LinkedIn

👋 Where to find Constant Contact: Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube

When you’re stuck, sometimes the best solution is to stop thinking conventionally.

Paul Sloane, innovation expert and founder of Destination Innovation, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to show how lateral thinking can unlock breakthroughs in business. With over 20 books written and keynote speeches delivered worldwide, Paul has taught companies like Microsoft, IBM, and Disney to reframe challenges and discover fresh solutions.

In this episode, you’ll hear what lateral thinking looks like in practice, why small businesses have an edge when it comes to agility and innovation, and how Paul uses tools like Constant Contact and AI to keep his own marketing sharp after decades in business.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Understanding contact segmentation
• Using click segmentation in an email
• Overview: Email reporting

Meet Today’s Guest: Paul Sloane of Destination Innovation

👤 What he does: Founder of Destination Innovation, a consultancy based in the UK that helps organizations spark creativity, challenge assumptions, and solve problems through lateral thinking and innovation workshops.

💡 Key quote: “Lateral thinking is approaching problems from a fresh direction. The best solutions often come from stepping away from the obvious path.”

👋 Where to find him: LinkedIn | X | Instagram

👋 Where to find Destination Innovation: Website | Facebook

Do the fundamentals of marketing still matter in an age of AI, social, and shiny new tools?

Neil Patel, entrepreneur, bestselling author, and co-founder of NP Digital, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to share why timeless fundamentals are the foundation for any successful marketing strategy. Named a top marketer by Forbes and the Wall Street Journal, Neil has helped businesses of all sizes, from Amazon to startups, drive growth by focusing on what works.

In this episode, you’ll hear why Neil believes in “search everywhere optimization,” how ugly marketing often outperforms polished campaigns, and why the fundamentals earn you the right to experiment with trends.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Try Constant Contact
• Easily create a multi-channel campaign out of a single email, social post, or SMS
• Create a Social Post and schedule it to publish on social media

Meet Today’s Guest: Neil Patel of NP Digital

👤 What he does: Co-founder of NP Digital, a global digital marketing agency with offices worldwide. New York Times bestselling author and one of the world’s most recognized marketers.

💡 Key quote: “If you do the fundamentals, you earn the right to try the shiny objects.”

👋 Where to find him: Website | LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube

👋 Where to find NP Digital: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn

What if the biggest advantage your business has is actually its size?

Dr. Ja-Naé Duane, behavioral scientist, entrepreneur, and co-author of Super Shifts, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to help small businesses navigate the structural and technological changes shaping the future. A longtime innovation leader (and former member of Constant Contact’s own team), Ja-Naé works with organizations worldwide to anticipate change before it hits.

In this episode, you’ll hear why adaptability is small business owners’ superpower, how to prepare for AI-driven shifts in customer behavior, and what you can do now to stay competitive tomorrow.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Use the Content Generator to write email, landing page, social, and SMS content for you
• Create lists and segments

Meet Today’s Guest: Dr. Ja-Naé Duane

👤 What she does: Behavioral scientist, entrepreneur, and co-author of Super Shifts. Former Constant Contact innovation team member, now helping leaders worldwide embrace change and prepare for the future.

💡 Key quote: “The size of your business is your greatest advantage, because you can adapt faster than anyone else.”

👋 Where to find her: Website | LinkedIn | X | Instagram

What does it take to scale an $80M global business while still staying ahead of the competition?

Kunal Madan, co-founder of Amarra, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to share how he and his brother grew a formalwear design house into one of the largest in the world, with dresses in over 800 boutiques worldwide. From zero marketing experience to mastering email, design, and relentless testing, Kunal’s story shows what’s possible when you refuse to settle.

In this episode, you’ll hear why balancing marketing to both wholesalers and end consumers has been key to growth, how beautiful imagery and strong email campaigns keep Amarra top of mind, and why email data like open rates and clicks help Kunal close more sales.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Using the Contact Management Dashboard
• Understanding contact segmentation
• Overview: Email reporting

Meet Today’s Guest: Kunal Madan of Amarra

👤 What he does: Co-founder of Amarra, a global formalwear design house and wholesaler based in New Jersey, distributing to boutiques across the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

💡 Key quote: “Even if you have the best product, it doesn’t mean you’ll make sales. Marketing is the biggest component.”

👋 Where to find him: LinkedIn

👋 Where to find Amarra: Website | TikTok | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn

How do you take a nonprofit that relies entirely on donations and turn it into a thriving community hub for wildlife, education, and conservation?

Lisa Franco, Director of Development at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge in New Jersey, joins the Be a Marketer podcast to share how she combines a marketing background with a passion for wildlife to grow support, increase donations, and strengthen community ties.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Lisa balances fundraising with education, why storytelling is her most powerful tool for driving engagement, and how Cedar Run uses creative approaches like “Weddings in the Wild” to reach new generations of supporters. Lisa also explains how Constant Contact helps them segment audiences, simplify giving, and keep donors connected to the impact of their contributions.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Understanding contact segmentation
• Add your contacts' details to an email
• Customize what each contact sees in your email with dynamic content
• Use the Content Generator to write email, landing page, social, and SMS content for you

Meet Today’s Guest: Lisa Franco of Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge

👤 What she does: Director of Development at Woodford Cedar Run Wildlife Refuge, the oldest and busiest wildlife hospital in New Jersey, which also serves as a sanctuary and education center. Lisa oversees fundraising, donor stewardship, communications, and special events.

💡 Key quote: “The best marketing is just being genuine. For us, it’s easy because our mission is a good cause. There’s nothing bad about saving animals and protecting the environment.”

👋 Where to find her: LinkedIn

👋 Where to find Cedar Run: Website | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | TikTok

What does it take to grow from 100 to nearly 400 franchise locations in just five years, without losing sight of people first?

Marcus King, Global CEO of House of Colour, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to share how the UK-founded style and image consultancy scaled internationally by balancing empathy with structure. With operations in seven countries and rapid growth in the U.S., Marcus explains how the franchise has managed to maintain its personal, one-to-one impact while equipping stylists with the systems they need to thrive.

In this episode, you’ll hear why empathy and structure are the secret ingredients to scaling a people-first business, how House of Colour empowers solo entrepreneurs with marketing and operational support, and why Marcus sees email as a critical channel for maintaining brand consistency and driving ROI. You’ll also learn how the company uses community, culture, and communication to turn growth into something sustainable.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Constant Contact Multi-Account Solution
• Constant Contact for Franchises

Meet Today’s Guest: Marcus King of House of Colour

👤 What he does: Global CEO of House of Colour, an international franchise helping people discover their best colors and styles, with operations in seven countries and rapid growth in the United States.

💡 Key quote: “Empathy and structure are the secret ingredients to scaling a people-first business.”

👋 Where to find him: LinkedIn

👋 Where to find House of Colour: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Evan Kirstel, tech influencer and founder of eViRa Health, has built one of the largest B2B social audiences by showing up consistently, curating conversations, and turning digital presence into measurable influence. He joins the Be a Marketer podcast to explain why small businesses shouldn’t obsess over going viral and what really matters when building an audience that drives results.

In this episode, you’ll hear how showing up as a person, not just a logo, helps build trust online, why consistency and community outweigh follower counts, and what Evan recommends if you only have 15 minutes a day to market your business. You’ll also discover why documenting your journey, highlighting others, and focusing on trust over trends can be the difference between noise and real impact.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Create a Social Post and schedule it to publish on social media
• Use the Content Generator to write email, landing page, social, and SMS content for you
• Allow Constant Contact to publish to your social media accounts

Meet Today’s Guest: Evan Kirstel of eViRa Health

👤 What he does: Tech influencer, B2B content creator, and founder of eViRa Health, a Boston-based agency that helps executives and companies grow influence and customers through social media.

💡 Key quote: “It’s not about the number of followers, it’s about being a trusted source of content.”

👋 Where to find him: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | X

👋 Where to find eViRa Health: Website | LinkedIn

What happens when you build a law firm designed around education first, not billable hours?

Peter Nieves, founder of Nieves IP Law Group, joins the Be A Marketer podcast to share how he turned decades of intellectual property experience into a business that helps small businesses, startups, and creators protect what they’ve built—without getting lost in legal jargon or surprise fees.

In this episode, you’ll hear how Peter went from running a top-ranked IP department at a large firm to launching his own practice and educational platform, why small business owners need to understand the risks of AI-generated content, and the most common intellectual property mistakes entrepreneurs make (and how to avoid them).

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• How to Add a PDF to Your Constant Contact Email
• Downloading .PDF Files After Form Submissions
• Nieves IP Legal Services

Meet Today’s Guest: Peter Nieves of Nieves IP Law Group

👤 What he does: Founder of Nieves IP Law Group, a New Hampshire–based law firm and educational institution dedicated to making intellectual property law accessible for small businesses, startups, and creators.

💡 Key quote: “If you get to the top of the mountain and you’re alone, you did something wrong. Somebody should be at the top with you to enjoy the view.”

👋 Where to find him: LinkedIn | Facebook

👋 Where to find Nieves IP Law Group: Website | LinkedIn

How do you keep a member-driven organization relevant year-round without overwhelming people? Gloria Hammond, Director of Communications at the National Golf Course Owners Association (NGCOA) Canada, pulls back the curtain on how a tiny but mighty team serves golf course owners and operators across the country. She walks through the pillars they run on (advocacy, research, education, and member marketing) and how smart segmentation keeps the right messages in front of the right folks. 

Gloria also shares the system behind their communications calendar, why she caps weekly sends to avoid fatigue, and how email is the primary engine that drives traffic and action. If you’re juggling limited bandwidth and big goals, her playbook for consistency, measurement, and member value is refreshingly doable.

If you love this show, please leave a review. Go to RateThisPodcast.com/bam and follow the simple instructions.

Additional Resources:

• Understanding contact segmentation
• Use the Content Generator to write email, landing page, social, and SMS content for you
• Overview: Email reporting

Meet Today’s Guest: Gloria Hammond of NGCOA Canada

👤 What she does: Director of Communications at National Golf Course Owner’s Association Canada in Ottawa. She’s been with the organization since 2006, starting in events before moving into her current role in 2018.

💡 Key quote: “Two minutes after that communication goes out, I have my first survey response.”

👋 Where to find her: LinkedIn

👋 Where to find NGCOA Canada: Website | LinkedIn | X | Facebook