Branded Impact Podcast

What if your brand wasn't just something you showed, but something your business actually operated by?

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo sits down with Katherine Covino, Chief Strategy Officer at Athena Actuarial Consulting, to unpack what values-driven branding looks like when it is fully integrated into how a company hires, leads, delivers, and grows.

Athena went from a one-woman shop to nearly 30 professionals in five years, doubling revenue and on track to do it again, without burning out their team. Katherine shares the tactical systems, cultural practices, and branding decisions behind that growth, including why they track overwork just as closely as underperformance.

If your brand looks polished on the outside but something still feels disconnected on the inside, this episode will show you why and what to do about it.

In this episode you will learn:

• What values-driven branding actually looks like in day-to-day business operations

• How Athena monitors burnout before it happens and what most companies measure instead

• Why most businesses struggle to articulate their secret sauce and how to find yours

• Why brand strategy is an evolving journey, not a one-time deliverable

• How to use team feedback, client reviews, and your own core values to refine your brand story

• What sustainable business growth actually requires, including the trade-offs most leaders avoid talking about

Guest Resources:

Katherine Covino, Chief Strategy Officer at Athena Actuarial Consulting 

Website: athenaactuarial.com 

LinkedIn: Athena Actuarial Consulting https://www.linkedin.com/company/athena-actuarial-consulting

 and Katherine Covino: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinecovino

Connect with Jo:

Website: brandingbyjo.com The Branded Impact Podcast is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever you listen.

If this episode resonated with you, share it with a founder or leader who is ready to build a brand that actually reflects how they operate.

Subscribe so you never miss an episode of The Branded Impact Podcast.

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jocelyn Espejo sits down with Sophia Rodriguez, Founder and Head Stylist of The Style Studio, to break down how your style directly impacts your personal brand, confidence, and client perception. With over 15 years of experience in fashion, styling, and brand presentation, Sophia shares how to intentionally align what you wear with the message you want your brand to communicate.

If you’ve ever felt like your brand looks one way online but doesn’t fully match how you show up in person, this conversation will help you close that gap and step into a more aligned, elevated presence.

Key Topics:

Why your “packaging” is a critical part of your personal brand

The connection between style, confidence, and credibility

Common styling mistakes female entrepreneurs make

How to create a consistent, recognizable brand look

Planning outfits for brand photoshoots and networking events

What You’ll Learn:

The 4 questions to ask before choosing any outfit

How to align your wardrobe with your business goals

Why inconsistency in your style creates confusion

Simple ways to elevate your look without losing authenticity

How intentional styling helps attract aligned, premium clients

Chapters:

00:00 The Power of Personal Branding Through Style

02:56 Intentionality in Fashion Choices

05:59 Crafting Your Visual Message

08:34 Overcoming Style Insecurities

11:20 Aligning Outfits with Business Goals

19:48 The Importance of Trying on Outfits

21:01 Establishing Your Brand Through Styling

23:16 Aligning Outfits with Your Brand Story

25:38 Outfit Planning and Brand Colors

27:01 Incorporating Seasonal Elements in Branding

29:14 The Role of Details in Branding

30:10 Reflecting on Branding Lessons Learned

32:41 Rebranding and Growth Journey

Connect with Sophia:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestylestudio.sophia/

Email: [email protected]

🎁 Special Offer:

Get 20% off styling services when you book within 30 days of listening.

Explore Branding by Jo:

www.brandingbyjo.com

You’ve built the business. You’re generating revenue. Your brand looks successful.

So why does your business still feel misaligned?

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo sits down with Morgaine Trine, founder of Honestly Bookkeeping, to break down what happens when your business is growing but your brand, systems, and finances are not fully aligned.

This conversation goes beyond bookkeeping. It explores how your numbers reflect your brand strategy, decision making, and overall business growth, and why ignoring them can keep you stuck even after hitting revenue milestones.

If you are scaling your business but unsure what to do next, this episode will give you clarity on where to focus and how to move forward.

Key Topics

Brand and business misalignment after growth

The real meaning behind “should” in your business

How bookkeeping reflects your operations and decisions

Moving from reactive to proactive financial strategy

When to outsource and get support

What You’ll Learn

How to identify misalignment in your brand and business

Why your numbers are a key part of your growth strategy

How financial clarity builds confidence and better decisions

When it is time to stop doing everything yourself

How to use your numbers to guide your next level

Guest

Morgaine Trine

Founder, Honestly Bookkeeping

https://honestlybookkeeping.com

Free Quiz:

https://honestlybookkeeping.com/gifts

Explore Branding by Jo at www.brandingbyjo.com

If you want to build a magnetic personal brand that attracts clients, speaking opportunities, and real influence, this episode will shift how you think about your brand.
Because it is not about more credentials.
It is about how you show up, communicate, and tell your story.
In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo sits down with Mary Gardner, known as the Charisma Coach, to break down how storytelling and charisma create a brand that connects, builds trust, and drives results.
Mary shares how storytelling helps you stand out in a crowded market, what authenticity really means (and what it does not), and why your ability to communicate is often more powerful than your qualifications.
You will also learn how to become more confident on camera, shift your identity as you grow, and align your brand with the next level of your business.
What You’ll Learn
Why storytelling is the foundation of a strong personal brand
What authenticity really means in today’s market
How to build a magnetic personal brand through storytelling
Why credentials alone will not create influence
Practical ways to become more confident on camera
The identity shift required to grow your brand
Resources & Links
Connect with Mary Gardner:
https://marygardner.com
Work With Jo
If you are ready to build a brand that reflects your next level and attracts premium clients:
https://www.brandingbyjo.com
Subscribe & Share
If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone who is ready to elevate their brand and step into their next level.

You know that quiet whisper telling you there has to be more than just getting through your days? That same feeling often shows up in your business when your brand no longer matches the level you are stepping into.

If you are showing up consistently but still not attracting aligned clients, this is the conversation you need to hear.

Full Episode Description

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, I sit down with Jennifer Blanes, founder of Planning Wellness, to talk about what it really takes to build a brand that attracts clients, creates meaningful experiences, and supports real business growth.

Jennifer shares how she transitioned from luxury hospitality into building a wellness brand rooted in experience, and why the way your brand makes people feel will always matter more than just how it looks.

This conversation goes deeper than retreats.

We break down how personal branding for business growth actually works, how to create a high-touch brand experience, and why getting in the right rooms will move your business faster than posting more content.

If your business is growing but something still feels inconsistent, this episode will help you identify where your brand may be out of alignment and what to do next.

Key Topics

• Personal branding for business growth

• Brand experience versus visual branding

• How to attract aligned clients

• Building a luxury brand through experience

• The power of networking and relationships

• Retreats as a business growth strategy

What You Will Learn

• Why your brand, not your content, is the reason you are not converting

• How to create a brand experience that builds trust and drives sales

• The most effective way to grow your business faster

• What you need in place before hosting a retreat

• How clarity and consistency attract the right clients

Chapters

00:00 The moment you realize there is more

02:30 From hospitality to wellness brand

05:00 What luxury branding really means

08:30 Brand experience versus visuals

12:00 Social media, email, and networking

16:00 Getting in the right rooms

21:30 How to start a retreat

26:00 Common mistakes when hosting retreats

30:00 Final advice for building a brand that thrives

Connect with Jennifer

Website: www.planningwellness.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/planning_wellness

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/planning-wellness/

Call to Action

If you are ready to build a brand that attracts, connects, and converts, explore Branding by Jo at www.brandingbyjo.com

Hashtags

#branding #personalbranding #businessgrowth #brandstrategy #womeninbusiness #brandedimpactpodcast #brandclarity #visibilitystrategy

If your business is growing but your brand still feels disconnected, this episode is for you.

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo sits down with Lisa Lord, branding expert, marketing photographer, and founder of LiLo Photography and Branding, to talk about what actually drives brand growth, visibility, and revenue.

With over 15 years of experience, Lisa shares how personal branding is not just about looking polished. It is about building trust, attracting aligned clients, and creating a brand that works for you.

One of the most powerful takeaways from this conversation:Your face makes you money.

Inside this episode, we break down what that really means and how showing up consistently can directly impact your ability to attract clients and scale your business.

You’ll learn:How personal branding supports business growth and revenueWhy visibility is the missing piece for many entrepreneursThe biggest mistake female founders make when it comes to showing upHow to build trust faster through your brand presenceWhy branding is a must-have, not a nice-to-have

This conversation will challenge how you think about your brand and help you see it as a strategic growth tool, not just a visual asset.

If you are ready to stop blending in and start building a brand that reflects the level of business you’ve created, this episode will give you the clarity to move forward.

Connect with Lisa Lord:

Website: https://photolilo.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lilophotographyandbranding/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/denverbrandingphotographer/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lilophotographyandbranding

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/LiLophotographyandbranding

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-brand-believer-branding-marketing-faith-and/id1778109207

Free Resource: Website Report Card

https://lilophotographyandbranding.myflodesk.com/report-card-podcast

Work with Jo:

If your brand no longer reflects the level of business you’ve built, it may be time for a strategic shift.

Branding by Jo helps established women entrepreneurs align their brand, visuals, and positioning so they can attract higher-level clients, increase visibility, and scale with more ease.

Learn more:https://brandingbyjo.com

🎧 If this episode resonated, follow the podcast and share it with another entrepreneur who is ready to elevate their brand.

What if scaling your business did not require more hustle, more networking events, or more communities?

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo sits down with Meghann Conter, Founder and CEO of The Dames, to talk about a different way to grow a business. Meghann shares her perspective on right scaling and why the depth of your relationships matters more than the number of rooms you are in.

The Dames is a global business accelerator designed for six, seven, and eight figure women entrepreneurs who want to scale their businesses without sacrificing themselves in the process. Meghann explains why joining too many communities can actually create a relationship deficit instead of a strategic advantage.

This conversation explores the power of curated connections, personal brand authenticity, and the importance of building deep relationships with the right collaborators and communities.

If you are a woman entrepreneur who wants to grow your business with more alignment, stronger relationships, and less burnout, this episode will change how you think about scaling.

What You Will Learn

• Why scaling your business is about the quality of relationships, not the number of connections

• The concept of right scaling and how it creates sustainable growth

• Why joining too many communities can slow down your visibility and influence

• How personal branding rooted in authenticity attracts aligned opportunities

• Why relationships will always matter even in a world influenced by AI

Key Topics Discussed

• Scaling a business without hustle or burnout

• The power of curated communities for women entrepreneurs• The importance of showing up authentically in your personal brand

• Building social capital through meaningful relationships

• How the right rooms can accelerate business growth

Memorable Quote from the Episode

"You can only grow professionally to the extent you are willing to grow personally."

About Meghann Conter

Meghann Conter is the Founder and CEO of The Dames, a global business accelerator for six, seven, and eight figure women entrepreneurs who are right scaling their businesses without sacrificing themselves.

Through curated connection, strategic Think Tank Circles aligned to revenue stage, and high caliber collaborations, The Dames helps women leaders build credibility, sharpen strategy, and accelerate results while creating sustainable success.

Connect With Meghann Conter

Website https://www.thedames.co

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/meghannconter

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thedamesco

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheDamesCo

YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@thedamesco

Featured Resource

The Dames Connect Experience https://www.thedames.co/roundtable

Connect With Jo Espejo

Explore Branding by Jo https://www.brandingbyjo.com

Follow Jo on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/brandingbyjo

About The Branded Impact Podcast

The Branded Impact Podcast is for women entrepreneurs who want to build bold, aligned brands that attract the right opportunities and support sustainable business growth.

Hosted by Jocelyn Espejo, each episode features conversations with founders, experts, and leaders who share strategies, mindset shifts, and insights that help entrepreneurs elevate their brands and create meaningful impact.

What happens when your life, business or career looks successful on paper…but feels completely misaligned inside?

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, I’m joined by Kacie Lett Gordon, Co-Founder of IT ALL Media, for a raw conversation about identity shifts, corporate burnout, entrepreneurship, and the deeper work behind personal brand alignment.

This is not a tactics episode.

This is about the internal foundation that determines whether your business feels expansive… or exhausting.

If you’re a high-achieving woman who has:

• Outgrown the version of success you once chased

• Hit revenue milestones but still felt restless

• Built a brand that looks polished but doesn’t fully reflect who you are

• Wondered whether you need to pivot again

This episode will challenge and affirm you at the same time.

Because burnout doesn’t start with overwork.

It starts with misalignment.

In This Episode, We Discuss:

• Why scaling isn’t always the goal — sustainability might be

• The hidden cost of copying other entrepreneurs’ branding strategies

• How misalignment shows up energetically in your content

• Why your top two values should drive every business decision

• The Inward → Outward → Onward framework for aligned growth

• Redefining ambition without abandoning drive

  
  

  Key Takeaways

  Your personal brand is not your logo, it’s your lived story.

  Alignment creates consistency.

  Misalignment creates resistance.

  If your power feels shaken, a core value is being violated.

  Sustainable businesses are built around capacity, not ego.

  You can pivot without failing.

  
  

  Timestamps

  00:00 Identity shifts and corporate leadership

  07:10 The power of defining your values

  18:19 Alignment vs burnout

  33:04 Authenticity in branding

  36:02 Practical steps to identify your top values

  39:01 Self-mastery and entrepreneurship

  
  

  Connect with Kacie Lett Gordon

  🌐 https://itallmedia.co

  🔗 LinkedIn: Kacie Lett Gordon

  🎙 IT ALL Media + “Fuck It All” Podcast

  
  

  Ready to Build a Brand That Feels Like You?

  If this episode resonated, it may not be a marketing problem.

  It may be an alignment problem.

  Explore Branding by Jo at: www.brandingbyjo.com

  Because when your brand reflects who you truly are, success doesn’t require sacrifice.

  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  

How to Build a High-Retention Team as a Woman CEO featuring Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady® on The Branded Impact Podcast

You can grow your brand. But can your leadership grow with it?

Many women entrepreneurs focus on visibility strategy, content that converts, and scaling their business, yet overlook the one factor that directly impacts retention, culture, and revenue: mentorship and intentional leadership.

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo, Founder of Branding by Jo, sits down with Wendy Sellers, known as The HR Lady®, to explore how training, mentoring, and structured hiring practices shape long-term business growth. Together, they unpack the connection between leadership development and brand authority, and why companies that invest in mentorship outperform financially.

This conversation is especially powerful for women-led businesses building teams, refining their brand strategy, or preparing for their next level of growth. You will walk away with practical insights you can apply immediately to strengthen retention, clarify expectations, and align your internal systems with your external brand presence.

In this episode, you will learn: • Why mentorship significantly increases employee retention • How to use company values as a hiring and performance roadmap • The role personality styles play in communication and leadership • Why training upfront reduces costly turnover • How branding and SEO build authority and long-term visibility

If you are serious about scaling your business, strengthening your CEO mindset, and building a team that supports your brand clarity and growth, this episode is for you.

Tune in and start building a brand and leadership strategy that lasts.

Guest Resources

Website: thehrlady.comLinkedIn: Wendy Sellers, The HR Lady®

Explore Branding by Jo at www.brandingbyjo.com

Have you been second-guessing a pivot in your business?Holding back your message?Following branding strategies that look good but do not feel like you?

Your intuition is not separate from your business strategy. It may be the most powerful brand clarity tool you have.

In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo, Founder of Branding by Jo, sits down with Brittany Carmichael, psychic medium, transformational coach, luxury retreat host, and founder of The World by Britt. Together, they unpack how intuition, identity shifts, and authenticity directly impact personal branding, visibility strategy, and long-term business growth for women entrepreneurs.

Brittany shares her evolution from luxury salon owner to spiritual mentor and retreat host, and how staying aligned with her authentic self shaped her brand authority. Jo connects those lessons to what many successful founders experience as they scale: fear of change, pressure to follow trends, and the struggle between strategy and alignment.

If you want a personal brand that feels powerful, magnetic, and true to who you are, this conversation will challenge you to trust yourself more.

In this episode, you will learn:

• How intuition can become a strategic advantage in business

• Why authenticity accelerates brand authority and visibility

• How identity shifts signal your next level of growth

• What to do when marketing advice does not feel aligned

• How to create branding and content that converts because it sounds like you

• Why mindset and strategy must work together for real business growth

This episode blends mindset, personal branding, and visibility strategy into one powerful conversation designed for women founders ready to scale with clarity and confidence.

🎙 Connect with Brittany:Website: https://brittneycarmichael.com

Instagram:@theworldbybrit

LinkedIn: Brittney Carmichael

Facebook: @BrittneyCarmichael

Pinterest: Brittney Carmichael

Explore Branding by Jo at www.brandingbyjo.com