If you run a small town or local business and feel like “big city Instagram advice” doesn’t quite fit, this episode is your permission slip to do social differently. Laura sits down with Kat Tepylo Murphy, founder of Social Kat Media, to talk about community-driven content, setting healthy social media boundaries as a mom in business, collaborating locally, and why connection beats aesthetics every time. You’ll learn practical ways to attract nearby customers, use Instagram and Threads together, and create simple, real content that actually converts.

In this episode you will hear:

00:00 – Name giggles & real-life vibes

00:29 – Why this topic matters now

00:58 – Meet Kat

02:37 – Entrepreneurship at 21

04:41 – Life comes fast

06:23 – The two-week “leave”

07:45 – What Kat does best

08:04 – From sports to small towns

08:39 – What counts as “small town”?

09:59 – Why local lights Kat up

11:08 – Small town ≠ “online coach” tactics

13:17 – Followers vs. Foot traffic

14:50 – Your socials are a “vibe check”

15:51 – If you’re online-only

17:39 – Be where your locals are

18:18 – Collaboration courage

19:15 – Two big marketing regrets (and what to do instead)

21:22 – Boundaries for social pros

22:58 – The smartest boundary: a business phone

24:44 – “But what about DMs?”

26:08 – Know your intent

27:11 – What to post right now

28:37 – Real > perfect

30:30 – Polished or just post?

30:43 – Do aesthetics matter?

31:49 – Favorite platforms

32:21 – Use Threads as a testing ground

33:52 – Community from unexpected posts

34:27 – You’re not doing it wrong

Kat's Links: 

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

Website: https://socialkatmedia.com/

Join This Mother Means Business : www.thismothermeansbusiness.com

Laura's Links:
• Website
• Laura's Instagram
• LJSocial Instagram
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Pinterest
• TikTok