Welcome back to Mapped Out! Lauren and Aurrie are wrapping up Season 2 with a bang—diving into what made this season special, sneaking a peek behind the curtain of what's coming in Season 3, and giving you the mid-year goal check-in you didn't know you needed. If you've been wondering whether your goals still align with where you're headed (or if you're crushing them so hard you need to level up), this episode is your permission slip to realign and refocus.

→ Visit mappedoutpod.com/newsletter to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00:33] Season 2 recap: 15 episodes of deep-dive marketing strategies and why this format was a game-changer
• [00:01:28] Why Season 2 felt like a mini marketing playbook—and how we took action from these conversations too
• [00:05:49] Season 3 sneak peek
• [00:09:52] Mid-year pulse check: Are your goals still aligned and what's shifted?
• [00:15:29] Lauren's ad campaign update: 1,000+ downloads, new funnels, and approaching that 3,000 subscriber goal
• [00:18:33] Aurrie's merch launch: Using Printify for made-to-order success (link dropping this week!)

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Episodes Referenced

• Stop #1: Goal Planning (still their most downloaded episode!)
• Stop #3: Mapping Out the Funnel (perfect diagnostic when things feel stuck)
• Season 2 as a whole: LinkedIn founder presence, copywriting deep-dives, customer journey mapping, swag shop setup, and more tactical playbooks

Real Business Updates

• Lauren's Ad Results: 1,000+ downloads on lead magnet, strong engagement, almost at 3,000 email subscribers (500 away from goal)
• Aurrie's Merch: Samples approved, using Printify, link launching this week
• Team Growth: Lauren added 2 new team members since beginning of year
• Goal Crushing: Both hosts hitting and exceeding their original bingo card goals

Your Homework

1. Leave a review wherever you listen to podcasts
2. Share your biggest takeaways from Season 1 or 2
3. Mid-year goal audit: Go back to your goals—are they still aligned? Need to level up?
4. Got connections? Know any CMOs, founders, or marketers at household name brands? We'd love an intro for Season 3!

Connect With Us

• Newsletter: mappedoutpod.com/newsletter
• Instagram: @mappedoutpod
• Email: [email protected]

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if this season helped you level up your marketing game—we'll see you at the next stop for Season 3 this fall!

#MappedOutPodcast #SeasonFinale #GoalSetting #BusinessGrowth #MarketingStrategy #PodcastRecap #Season3Preview #MidYearGoals #MarketingPodcast #FounderLife

Welcome back to Mapped Out! Lauren and Aurrie are diving into the unsexy but absolutely critical world of client onboarding. If you've ever wondered why some businesses are sales machines but can't figure out their churn rate, this episode breaks down exactly how to nail the handoff from "yes" to delivery—and why this phase is actually your most important marketing.

→ Visit mappedoutpod.com/newsletter to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Episode Highlights

• [00:01:17] Why client onboarding IS marketing and the most important marketing you'll ever do
• [00:03:39] How mature businesses handle the gap between "yes" and delivery
• [00:05:23] The hidden costs: It's 5-25x more expensive to acquire new customers than retain existing ones
• [00:07:45] The three critical layers: Trust transfer, experience design, and team empowerment
• [00:13:05] Meet Sarah from Vivid Impact Partners with expert insights from scaling an agency to almost $10M
• [00:29:26] The trust transfer breakdown and why signing contracts is the starting line, not finish line
• [00:32:27] The "we vs. I" language trap that keeps founders stuck in every client relationship
• [00:39:00] Metrics that matter: From trust transfer to team empowerment KPIs

Meet Your Hosts
Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Meet The Guest

Sarah – Vivid Impact Partners

• Founder of Vivid Impact Partners
• Strategic partner to agencies ready to scale without chaos
• Mission: Helping agencies grow with clarity, confidence, and zero founder bottlenecks
• Website: vividimpactpartners.com
• LinkedIn: Sarah at Vivid Impact Partners

Brands & Examples Mentioned

• Handwrytten – Used as part of a high-touch onboarding experience to send automated, branded handwritten notes and birthday cards to new clients.
• Monday.com – A project management tool leveraged to streamline due dates and internal workflows across onboarding and offboarding stages.
• Slack – Employed with custom SOPs and pinned templates for seamless sales-to-delivery handoffs, internal team communication, and proactive client updates.
• ChatGPT – Used to analyze client sentiment from onboarding surveys and improve internal processes with clearer feedback patterns.
• HoneyBook – Utilized to automate offboarding workflows and schedule client satisfaction surveys post-project.
• AI Note Takers (like Fireflies or Fathom) – Suggested to summarize client calls and reduce knowledge gaps in the trust transfer process.
• Google Drive – Central hub for branded onboarding documents, client resources, and experience design touchpoints.

Connect With Us

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don’t forget to leave a review if this episode helped you tighten up your client process—we’d love to hear from you!

#MappedOutPodcast #ClientOnboarding #RetentionStrategy #MarketingOps #ClientExperience #BusinessGrowth #AgencyLife #FounderLife #ServiceBusiness #CustomerSuccess #MarketingPodcast 

This week Lauren and Aurrie dive deep into the world of branded merchandise strategy with guest expert Amanda Hoffman from Go to Market Studio. This episode breaks down why traditional merch tactics are failing and how to create a strategic approach that actually builds your brand instead of ending up in landfills.

--> Visit mappedoutpod.com/newsletter to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Episode Highlights

• [00:02:19] Why 73% of promotional products end up in landfills within one year
• [00:04:36] The trap of "logo drops" and why bulk ordering is so 1990s
• [00:08:15] How merch strategy should mirror your brand strategy and values
• [00:14:23] Choice vs. bulk: Why offering options dramatically reduces waste
• [00:15:23] The psychology behind making merch that doesn't end up in the trash
• [00:18:33] How to figure out what merch will actually make an impact for your brand
• [00:26:31] The choice principle: Why personalization beats bulk every time
• [00:33:51] Print-on-demand vs. bulk ordering ROI considerations
• [00:36:19] Sustainability metrics as brand reputation protection
• [00:46:17] The mapped out moment: Three action steps for strategic merch

What You'll Learn

• Why most companies treat merch as an afterthought and how to flip that mindset
• The four pillars of strategic merch: choice, brand differentiation, values alignment, and strategic purpose
• How to move from "logo drops" to lifestyle-based merchandise that people actually want
• The difference between disposable vs. sustainable merch strategies
• Real examples of brands doing merch strategy brilliantly (and why it works)
• How to measure merch success beyond "how many did we give away"
• The adjustment protocol for when your merch strategy isn't working
• Creative ways to incorporate your brand messaging into physical products

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Meet The Guest
Amanda Hofman - Go to Market Studio

• Co-Founder & CEO of Go to Market Studio
• Expert in sustainable, strategic branded merchandise
• Website: gotomarket.studio
• LinkedIn: Amanda Hofman (with one F)

Brands & Examples Mentioned

• Bucc-ee’s (nostalgia-driven merch mastery)
• Chuy’s restaurant (creative taco cat t-shirts)
• Book of the Month (strategic bookmark messaging)
• Calendly (functional ring light swag)
• SeaKeeper (clever maritime-themed messaging)
• Seaside (exclusivity and lifestyle branding)
• Goody (choice-based gifting platform)
• Salty Dog Cafe (location-based nostalgia)

Connect With Us

Have questions about merch strategy? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com/newsletter to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

#MappedOutPodcast #MerchStrategy #BrandedMerchandise #PrintOnDemand #SustainableMerch #BrandStrategy #MarketingPodcast #BusinessGrowth #BrandConsistency

Welcome back to MAPPED OUT™! Lauren and Aurrie tackle the AI revolution that's completely reshaping SEO and search behavior. Joined by SEO expert Meg Clarke from Clapping Dog Media, this episode breaks down why traditional SEO tactics are failing and how to position your brand for the new era of AI-powered search.

--> Visit mappedoutpod.com/newsletter to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Episode Highlights

• [00:02:56] Why clients don't ask about "getting on the first page of Google" anymore
• [00:05:26] How search behavior has fundamentally shifted beyond Google
• [00:07:14] Why AI search tools prioritize authority over engagement
• [00:09:02] The four pillars of strategic SEO in the AI age
• [00:16:32] Page purpose strategy: Making your value proposition findable
• [00:18:51] Domain authority secrets: Why LinkedIn posts now show up in search results
• [00:21:07] AI optimization: What search bots look for to verify expertise
• [00:24:47] Meg's breakdown: Traditional SEO vs. AI search visibility
• [00:26:06] The EAT framework: Expertise, Authority, and Trust
• [00:31:44] Why 75% of AI tools surface answers without linking out
• [00:38:58] The adjustment protocol for low AI visibility

What You'll Learn

• How the game has changed when it comes to how people use search engines
• The psychology behind how people actually use AI search tools
• Why search engines now prioritize expertise over keyword optimization
• The exact difference between traditional Google SEO and AI search visibility
• How to structure content for citations rather than clicks
• The metrics that actually matter in AI-powered search
• Why cross-platform visibility is now essential for search authority

Flight Facts Featured

• 27% of Americans now prefer AI chatbots over traditional search engines (December 2024)
• 75% of Gen AI search tools surface answers directly without linking out
• Wine label branding agency example: Hyper-niching leads to #1 ChatGPT ranking

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Meet The Guest Meg Clarke - Clapping Dog Media

• SEO expert specializing in AI search optimization
• Expert in the transition from engagement-based to expertise-based search
• Focus on building authority across multiple platforms
• Website: clappingdogmedia.com 
• LinkedIn: Meg Clarke

Resources Mentioned

• SEO research tools: Answer the Public, SEMrush, Keywords Everywhere
• AI search platforms: ChatGPT, Perplexity, Google AI Mode, Claude

Connect With Us 

Have questions about AI and SEO? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com/newsletter to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

#MappedOutPodcast #AISEO #SearchOptimization #AISearch #DigitalMarketing #SEOStrategy #ChatGPT #Perplexity #MarketingPodcast #SearchMarketing #BusinessGrowth

GET ON OUR FLIGHT DECK EMAIL LIST: https://mappedoutpod.com/newsletter

Welcome back to MAPPED OUT! Lauren and Aurrie dive deep into email marketing that actually moves the needle in the middle of the funnel. Joined by email marketing strategist Gabriella Rezex, this episode breaks down why most brands are doing email wrong and how to fix it with three simple pillars: design, data, and deliverability.

Episode Highlights

• [00:01:00] Why your email subscribers are skimming, not studying your content
• [00:09:29] How to think about flows as your 24/7 sales team
• [00:13:26] The four biggest email mistakes brands make (and how to avoid them)
• [00:16:03] Segmentation strategies: engagement, interest, location, and action-based
• [00:17:11] Why you need both sales AND nurture content (not just one)
• [00:18:26] The quarterly flow audit that protects your email success
• [00:20:58] Why your email footer is precious real estate you're probably wasting
• [00:23:17] Essential flows for product-based businesses vs. service-based brands
• [00:29:11] Creative ways to grow your email list (beyond the basic pop-up)
• [00:42:27] Troubleshooting guide: High opens but low clicks, low engagement, and more

What You'll Learn

• Why segmentation from day one yields results faster than generic welcome sequences
• The exact flows every product and service business needs to convert subscribers
• How to use your email footer to build authority and drive additional engagement
• The psychology behind why people actually read emails (hint: it's not what you think)
• Data-driven approaches to A/B testing that actually improve performance
• Creative list-building strategies that go beyond discount pop-ups
• How to balance nurture and sales content without being spammy
• The metrics that matter most (spoiler: it's not open rates)

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Meet The Guest 

Gabriella Rezex

• Email marketing strategist specializing in middle-of-funnel conversion
• LinkedIn: Gabriella Rezex

Resources Mentioned

• Jeff Felten on Threads: @heyjefffelten (original quote about how subscribers really read emails)
• Corrie Meyers newsletter: Featured example of using Loom videos in newsletters (example Loom video)
• Email inspiration sites: milled.com, reallygoodemails.com, emaillove.com
• Platform recommendations: Flodesk, ConvertKit, Klaviyo, and MailChimp
• Superhuman for email management
• Exit-intent and scroll-based pop-up strategies

Connect With Us 

Have questions about email marketing? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

#MappedOutPodcast #EmailMarketing #MiddleOfFunnel #EmailStrategy #MarketingAutomation #EmailDesign #ConversionOptimization #MarketingPodcast #EmailSegmentation

Lauren and Aurrie dive deep into LinkedIn strategy with expert Molly Godfrey, who breaks down her three-posts-per-week framework that's helped over 200 founders build their voice and generate real business on the platform. If LinkedIn has ever felt like a chore or a weird networking event, this episode will completely change your approach.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00:37] Why LinkedIn feels like a chore and how to change that energy
• [01:16] The shift toward humanizing brands through founder presence on LinkedIn
• [06:21] Core frameworks for creating content without it taking over your life
• [13:50] The three-part content strategy: Value, Personal Story, and Social Proof
• [14:46] Why thought leadership posts need to dig deeper than basic how-tos
• [17:42] Bottom-of-funnel content that actually converts to sales
• [20:31] How LinkedIn works as a relationship nurturing tool
• [22:29] Using LinkedIn to warm up prospects after sales calls
• [36:40] Metrics that actually matter on LinkedIn
• [41:12] Mapped Out Moment: Your three-post framework homework

What You'll Learn

• How to create a sustainable three-posts-per-week LinkedIn strategy
• The difference between value content that builds trust vs. basic educational posts
• Strategic personal storytelling that connects without oversharing
• How to create social proof content that naturally leads to sales conversations
• Why giving each post a specific job (trust, connect, convert) improves results
• How to use LinkedIn as a nurturing tool for sales prospects
• Metrics that matter more than vanity engagement numbers
• How to format posts for easy reading and better engagement
• The power of boilerplate signatures to reinforce your expertise

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Meet The Guest Molly Godfrey

• LinkedIn strategist and coach
• Helped over 200 founders build their voice on LinkedIn
• Advocates for minimalist, strategic approach to LinkedIn content
• Find her on LinkedIn: Molly Godfrey
• Newsletter: https://molly-godfrey.kit.com/mailinglist?_gl=1*5tydo3*_gcl_au*NDE2MDE5NDExLjE3MzgwMDE1MzQ.

Resources Mentioned

• Three-post weekly framework: Value, Personal Story, Social Proof
• LinkedIn boilerplate strategy
• Post formatting for easy reading
• Sales Navigator for outbound strategy
• Conference networking + LinkedIn content combination

Connect With Us 

Ready to implement Molly's strategy? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper LinkedIn tactics and templates.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if this episode helped clarify your LinkedIn strategy!

#MappedOutPodcast #LinkedInStrategy #ContentMarketing #ThoughtLeadership #B2BMarketing #PersonalBranding #SocialSelling #LinkedInContent #FounderLife #BusinessGrowth

Welcome to another episode of Season 2 of MAPPED OUT! Lauren and Aurrie dive deep into the art and science of sales copy with messaging strategist Lucy Bedewi of My Write Hand Woman. If you've ever struggled with writing copy that converts or wondered why your beautiful words get compliments but don't drive sales, this episode breaks down exactly how to create messaging that triggers decisive "hell yes" or "hell no" responses.

Episode Highlights

• [00:01:17] Why handpicked experts matter and the problem with AI-generated copy
• [00:02:12] The difference between copy that gets compliments vs. copy that gets conversions
• [00:04:18] Lauren's framework: storytelling over literal benefit listings
• [00:07:03] The jargon trap and when technical language belongs
• [00:08:43] Lucy's approach: dismantling vs. differentiating in sales copy
• [00:19:03] Lauren and Aurrie's biggest takeaways from Lucy's framework
• [00:21:13] How to get weird and specific with your messaging
• [00:24:17] The toddler book test: why shorter sentences win
• [00:26:04] How messaging shows up in paid ads with specific examples
• [00:30:33] The Numbers Game: conversion rates, A/B testing, and quality metrics
• [00:34:58] Troubleshooting high traffic/low conversion scenarios
• [00:37:20] LinkedIn storytelling vs. story selling strategies
• [00:39:01] Speaking to humans, not robots - the power of authentic voice

What You'll Learn

• Why copy that gets compliments rarely drives sales
• How to identify and articulate your unique "dismantle"
• The psychology behind visceral verbs and sensory-focused language
• Why your sales copy should repel wrong-fit clients
• How to write concisely without losing impact
• The difference between copy that sells vs. content that nurtures
• Specific tactics for A/B testing messaging effectiveness
• How to troubleshoot messaging when attracting wrong clients
• Why authentic, human voice beats polished perfection
• Real examples of spicy ad copy that converts

Meet Your Hosts

Lauren Loreto

• Founder of Brand Good Time
• Expert in content marketing and web design
• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime

Aurrie Hicks

• Founder of Hopson Rae
• Expert in digital content and brand strategy
• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae

Meet The Guest

Lucy Bedewi

• Founder of My Write Hand Woman
• Sales copy specialist focused on conversion over compliments
• Expert in positioning and messaging with conviction
• Offers sales page writing services and messaging assessments
• Instagram: @mywritehandwoman (w-r-i-t-e)
• Website: mywritehandwoman.com

Resources Mentioned

• My Write Hand Woman messaging superpower quiz
• Hotjar for website heat mapping and user behavior analysis
• ChatGPT for visceral verb brainstorming
• A/B testing tools for landing pages
• Heat map analysis for page engagement
• Quality lead tracking metrics

Connect With Us

Have questions about sales copy and messaging? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic - this week we're diving deeper into sales page strategy!

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

#MappedOutPodcast #SalesCopy #Copywriting #Messaging #MarketingStrategy #ConversionCopy #BusinessGrowth #MarketingPodcast #SalesStrategy #

Welcome to Season 2 of MAPPED OUT! Lauren and Aurrie are kicking things off with a new format and a deep dive into paid advertising with guest expert David Nipps of NIPPS Media. If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the idea of running paid ads or wondered if they're worth the investment, this episode breaks down a VERYYYY practical, approachable framework for success.

Episode Highlights

• [00:00:33] Welcome back to Season 2 with a brand new format
• [00:02:12] Introduction to the voice memo guest format and paid ads focus
• [00:03:38] The non-negotiable nature of paid ads for visibility and growth
• [00:05:44] Introduction to David Nipps, founder of NIPPS Media
• [00:06:34] David's three essential mindset shifts for successful paid advertising
• [00:08:27] Why your audience IS on social media (no matter what you think!)
• [00:09:28] The three-phase cycle: Ignite, Optimize, and Scale
• [00:14:25] Vertical vs. horizontal scaling and how to protect your margins
• [00:17:37] Why measuring daily is critical for learning and pivoting quickly
• [00:21:27] The importance of creative and messaging in ad performance
• [00:24:24] Why ad length isn't as important as an engaging hook and story
• [00:29:11] Real-world testing strategies and funnel optimization
• [00:31:14] Using automation to track and celebrate conversion wins
• [00:34:13] B2B vs B2C advertising considerations

What You'll Learn

• Why viewing ads as an investment (not an expense) changes everything
• How to test small audiences before scaling your budget
• The exact formula for increasing your ad spend (15-20% per day)
• Why conversions require more skill than just getting clicks
• When to cut underperforming ads and how to duplicate winners
• The balance between highly produced ads and authentic UGC content
• Practical metrics to track daily to protect your margins
• Real examples of ads that maintain audience attention beyond the first few seconds
• How to optimize landing pages based on ad performance

Meet The Guest

David Nipps

• Founder of NIPPS Media
• Expert in paid advertising strategy
• 3+ years collaborating with Aurrie on successful ad campaigns
• Website: nippsmedia.com
• Instagram: @nippsmedia

Resources Mentioned

• Three-phase ad approach: Ignite, Optimize, Scale
• Meta Ads Manager
• Slack automation for conversion tracking
• ChatGPT for marketing strategy integration
• Flodesk for email marketing
• Superhuman for email management

Connect With Us

Have questions about paid advertising? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com to join our email list and get our weekly Flight Deck newsletter every Friday with deeper insights on each episode's topic.

Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this episode!

#MappedOutPodcast #PaidAds #DigitalMarketing #MetaAds #MarketingStrategy #AdStrategy #BusinessGrowth #MarketingPodcast #ROI #ContentCreation

🎯 Mapped Out Moment (Your Homework)

1. View ads as an investment machine, not an expense. When you see paid advertising as a system that can turn $1 into $5 rather than just another bill, you'll approach scaling with excitement instead of hesitation.
2. Follow the three-phase cycle: Ignite, Optimize, and Scale. Most businesses fail because they collapse these phases. Start with small tests, cut what doesn't work, and gradually increase spending on the winners.
3. Measure your ads daily with intention. The businesses that successfully scale with paid ads monitor daily like a ritual, allowing them to learn faster and pivot quickly when performance changes.

In this week's Flight Deck, we're sharing some of the love we received from season 1, talking about our favorite moments, and giving you a huge sneak peek into what's to come for season 2. 

GET ON OUR EMAIL LIST so you don't miss a beat!: www.mappedoutpod.com (in the footer!) 

Connect With Us:
@mappedoutpod | mappedoutpod.com

Meet Your Hosts:

👩‍💻 Lauren Loreto Founder of Brand Good Time, Lauren specializes in helping disruptive, founder-led brands break through the noise with bold, strategic marketing.

• Website: brandgoodtime.com
• Instagram: @brandgoodtime
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto

👩‍💻 Aurrie Hicks Founder of Hopson Rae, Aurrie has over a decade of experience developing marketing strategies and managing brand identities for 130+ clients.

• Website: hopsonrae.com
• Instagram: @hopsonrae
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/aurriehicks

Ready for your next marketing destination? Don't forget to subscribe to Mapped Out wherever you get your podcasts and leave a review to help us improve the show!

In this special season finale, Lauren and Aurrie sit down with Meredith and Melissa of Agency Darlings to discuss how to scale your agency or service-based business on your own terms. The conversation dives deep into the power of niching, lead-gen strategies, and redefining what success looks like for you as a founder beyond traditional growth metrics.

Episode Highlights

 [00:07:52] Melissa's perspective on redefining growth beyond traditional agency models
 [00:09:36] The founder's compass: Why vision is your North Star for scaling
 [00:13:07] Meredith's engagement ring story and how it applies to business vision
 [00:17:55] Why social media can be misleading when comparing your growth journey
 [00:20:11] The power of transparency in business reporting and benchmarks
 [00:22:53] How niching actually expands your business opportunities rather than limiting them
 [00:26:01] The essential layers of niching beyond just picking an industry
 [00:32:26] A real case study: How niching helped a business grow from $500K to $1.5M
 [00:36:02] Why process breakdown is the key indicator it's time to niche
 [00:42:42] Recognizing "dream clients" vs settling for any client that comes along
 [00:45:50] Confidence and its critical role in scaling your business
 [00:50:10] Why relying solely on referrals keeps you stuck in your past
 [00:52:11] The 95% statistic every business owner needs to understand about leads

What You'll Learn

• How to determine if your vision for scaling aligns with your personal values
• Why traditional agency growth models might not be right for your business
• How to identify your unique niche based on who you love working with
• The importance of creating repeatable processes for your ideal clients
• Why referrals based on your past might be limiting your future growth
• How to build meaningful relationships with leads who aren't ready to buy yet
• Practical strategies for weeding out the clients who aren't a good fit

Meet Our SUPER Special Guests

Meredith Fennessey-Witts & Melissa Lohrer

• Hosts of Agency Darlings podcast
• Consultants specializing in helping agency owners scale on their own terms
• Advocates for intentional niching and relationship-driven business growth
• Website: agencydarlings.com
• Instagram: @agencydarlings

Resources Mentioned

• Copper CRM and Lead Generation Playbook (co-created by Melissa)

Connect With Us

Have questions about scaling your agency? Our DMs are open! Visit mappedoutpod.com for more episodes and to connect with us for our next season.

Subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts, and don't forget to leave a review if you enjoyed this season finale!

#MappedOutPodcast #AgencyScaling #Niching #BusinessGrowth #AgencyDarlings #ServiceBasedBusiness #LeadGeneration #Scaling #BusinessVision #MarketingStrategy