MAPPED OUT

As I, Lauren Loreto, mark the third anniversary of "She's Busy AF," I'm taking a moment to reflect and celebrate the defining moments and lessons from my entrepreneurial journey. From the seeds of ambition planted by my parents to the inception of my first marketing agency, I've been on quite the path that has led to the creation of Brand Good Time. It's truly been a wild ride of building, scaling, and selling businesses. Hear how these experiences have shaped my understanding of work-life balance, my foray into the transformative world of remote work culture, and the surprising twists that brought Brand Good Time to life during a global pandemic.

This episode isn't just a trip down memory lane—it's packed with valuable insights for every business owner and aspiring entrepreneur. I dive into the nitty-gritty of HR compliance and how it's redefining our team dynamics and service offerings, and I get real about gearing up for maternity leave while keeping the business thriving. With a fresh focus on content marketing, strategy, and web development, we're paving a clearer path for growth. For those of you wearing the entrepreneurial hat, there's plenty of encouragement and wisdom on offer, from the significance of strategic investment to the camaraderie found among business-owning mothers. Join me as I share these stories and more, all with the hope of inspiring and empowering you to turn every situation into a 'good time'.

Find Lauren Loreto/Brand Good Time online:

• Our website: brandgoodtime.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• The backstory (00:03:19) 
• Early career experiences (00:07:48) 
• Founding Brand Good Time (00:12:33) 
• Pivoting the Agency (00:18:05) 
• Balancing Motherhood and Business (00:19:58) 
• Scaling the Agency (00:20:58) 
• HR Compliance and Culture (00:25:00) 
• Future Plans and Service Offerings (00:26:57) 
• Reflection and Advice (00:29:04) 

Topics Discussed:
Lauren Loreto, She's Busy AF podcast, Brand Good Time, entrepreneurship, business owner, career experiences, upbringing, pivotal moments, influences, entrepreneurial path, corporate world, freelance opportunities, toxic work environments, marketing agency, LBMG Marketing, burnout, mentorship, remote work culture, rebranding, web design, Showit, resilience, adaptability, mentorship program, motherhood, mompreneur, business growth, team building, HR practices, maternity leave, content marketing, strategic investments, LinkedIn, business development

In this episode of She's Busy AF, Melissa Lohrer, a seasoned expert in business development, shares game-changing insights to redefine your agency's growth strategy. We delve into the delicate balance between scaling and sustainability, with Melissa offering personalized guidance honed from her extensive experience. From prioritizing client relationships over numbers to leveraging unconventional approaches like consults and VIP days, we explore the path to a stronger, more resilient agency model. Discover the transformative power of referral partnerships and founder-led sales, essential for fostering enduring connections in the industry. Join us for a masterclass on revolutionizing your agency into a dynamic, profitable enterprise.

Find Melissa online:

• Waverlyave.com 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-lohrer-49052015/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/waverlyave.consulting/

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Melissa's journey (00:01:27) 
• Profitability of an agency (00:06:46) 
• Cultivating new business through referrals (00:14:25) 
• Ideal client and niche focus (00:19:48) 
• Finding the Right People on LinkedIn (00:21:56) 
• Networking and Referral Partnerships (00:22:51) 
• Investing in Relationship Building (00:25:10) 
• Building Strong Strategic Partnerships (00:27:27) 
• Founder-Led Sales and Business Development (00:34:49) 
• Relationship Building for Sales Success (00:38:13) 
• Biz Dev Challenges (00:43:24) 
• Effective Outreach (00:44:27) 

Our “SuperBowl” as marketers? The commercials for the SuperBowl. In this episode, Lauren brings on two of her team members: Mack (BGT's Marketing Manager) and Hannah (BGT's Content Manager) to go through the best and the worst of the SuperBowl ads from 2024. They're dissecting not just from a consumer POV, but a marketer's POV, and sharing what brands can learn from these campaigns (and tactics we were impressed/surprised to see!)

Find Lauren Loreto/Brand Good TIme online:

• Our website: brandgoodtime.com
• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• The introduction (00:00:00)
• Discussion of the star-studded Super Bowl and demographics (00:02:47) 
• Analyzing the Wicked trailer (00:03:02) 
• Snapchat ad critique (00:08:23) 
• Discussion of the Jesus commercials (00:11:12) 
• Etsy's "Gift Mode" ad (00:17:52) T
• The Paramount commercial (00:18:49) 
• Teemu ads and potential targeting of Amazon (00:22:23) 
• Pluto TV's couch potato farms ad (00:26:05) 
• Google Pixel ad for visually impaired (00:27:54) 
• Verizon Beyonce ad (00:30:23) 
• Uber Eats ad disappointment (00:34:33) 
• Homes.com ad series (00:36:35) 
• T-Mobile Magenta Member Ad (00:39:22) 
• Favorite and Least Favorite Ads (00:41:12) 
• Super Bowl and Halftime Show (00:43:10) 
• Overall Impressions (00:45:07) 

Topics Discussed: podcast, She's Busy AF, Super Bowl commercials, Wicked, demographics, Broadway, Taylor Swift, celebrities, advertising, marketing, full funnel, Service, Michael Sarah, Etsy, Google Pixel, Verizon, Beyoncé, Uber Eats, Homes.com, T-Mobile, Paramount, Arnold, Christopher Walken, BMW, Popeye's, Google, halftime show, Usher, Ludacris, Alicia Keys, roller skate ring, technology, sleep deprivation

Ever wondered how service-based businesses can tap into the power of paid social advertising? Marketing expert Lauren Ellis joins us to dismantle the myth that social ads are a playground solely for product-based ventures. With a treasure trove of insights, she guides us through leveraging these strategies to catapult your reach and meticulously track your ROI. Lauren's own leap from the structured world of agency work to the dynamic realm of entrepreneurship underpins our conversation, as she shares how a potent mix of strategy, brand strength, and a compelling website can turn social platforms into client magnets.

Find Lauren Ellis  online:

• www.createsocialco.org 
• www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-swirbul-ellis 
• https://www.instagram.com/createsocialco/ 

Find Lauren Loreto online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Lauren Ellis' Background (00:01:41) 
• Misconceptions About Social Ads (00:04:45) 
• Marketing Funnel and Ad Campaigns (00:06:56) 
• Role of Retargeting in Social Ads (00:10:20)
• Creating Compelling Content for Social Ads (00:14:22) 
• Determining Platform and Timing for Ads (00:19:58) 
• Timing and Seasonal Considerations (00:21:09) 
• Effective Calls to Action (00:22:29) 
• Buyer Types and Relationship Building (00:25:32)
• Maximizing ROI on Social Ad Spend (00:28:07) 

In, or approaching, a scale phase in your business? In the growth mode of a business, chaos is almost welcomed. Chaos is where you figure A LOT of things out. But what about when you get to scale mode - when you're ready to take your proven product and 10x your abilities to offer it? In this episode of "She's Busy AF," host Lauren speaks with Caitlyn Wells, founder of Upwell Strategies, about the critical role of systems and processes in scaling a business. They discuss the challenges of scaling without proper systems, the benefits of project management tools, and the importance of clear communication platforms. 

Find Caitlyn online:

• www.upwellstrategies.com
• https://www.instagram.com/upwellstrategies/
• https://www.facebook.com/upwellstrategies
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/caitlyn-t-wells/ 

Find Lauren online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps: 

• Caitlyn's background and passion (00:02:24) 
• The role of systems in business growth (00:03:45) 
• Challenges without effective systems (00:05:30) 
• Impactful systems for scaling a business (00:06:19) C
• Favorite project management systems (00:06:51) 
• Balancing systems with creative flow (00:11:52) 
• Continuous improvement of systems (00:15:20) 
• Must-Have Tools for Scaling a Business (00:22:39) 
• The Importance of Implementing Systems Early (00:24:33) 

Want the lowdown on 2024 marketing trends? In this episode, Lauren discusses the future of marketing, applicable to all business ages, stages and sizes. We're covering: social media marketing, web design, marketing operations and overall strategy trends for 2024. Whether you're a B2B or B2C brand, it's imperative you know what's trending across the board - this episode will help you do just THAT!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BRAND GOOD TIMES: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e7c2d0f354e0ede26ee72a

Find Lauren online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps: 

• Social Media Marketing Trends (00:02:08) 
• Web Design and Development Trends (00:06:20) 
• Marketing Operations Trends (00:10:24) 
• B2B and B2C Strategy Trends (00:14:17) 

Topics discussed:
marketing trends, predictions, 2024, social media marketing, long-form video content, storytelling, closed captions, edutainment content, web design, 3D design, experiential UI, marketing operations, AI, relationship building, B2B businesses, B2C businesses

If you haven’t considered awards as a part of your brand’s PR strategy - you SHOULD! In this podcast episode, host Lauren Loreto interviews Alison Meyer about utilizing awards as a PR strategy for brand visibility. Alison, with extensive experience in marketing and PR, explains the benefits of awards for brand visibility and credibility. They discuss the nomination process, the importance of aligning awards with business achievements, and the broader benefits of winning, such as increased visibility and networking opportunities. Allison offers practical advice on applying for awards, choosing the right ones, and being strategic about the process. The episode is a guide for business owners on using awards to enhance their brand's reputation and recognition.

Find Alison online:

• Indigocomms.com  
• Indigocomms.com/database 
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-meyer-775a105/ 
• https://www.instagram.com/indigo_communication/  

Find Lauren online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps

• Alison’s journey to entrepreneurship (00:01:55)
• The value of pursuing awards (00:04:14) 
• Qualifying for awards (00:10:27) 
• Tangible benefits of awards (00:13:55) 
• Types of award-giving entities (00:16:30)
• Steps to pursue awards (00:19:12) 
• Simplifying the Award Application Process (00:20:28) 
• Telling a Compelling Story (00:20:56) 
• Efficiency and Reusability of Content (00:24:08) 
• Considerations for Pursuing Awards (00:26:08) 
• Assessing Budget and Visibility (00:25:11) 
• Finding Available Awards (00:29:29) 
• Working with Indigo Comms (00:31:43) 

Hire internally... or externally? That is the question! In this episode of "She's Busy AF," host Lauren Loreto explores the decision-making process behind whether a brand should hire internally for marketing efforts or outsource to external agencies. She emphasizes the importance of considering the business's growth and scaling phases, cost, expertise, flexibility, resource allocation, risk mitigation, scalability, and collaboration. Lauren discusses when in-house hiring vs. outsourced hiring might be more effective. This episode aims to provide brands with insights to make informed choices that align with their development stage and marketing needs.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BRAND GOOD TIMES: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e7c2d0f354e0ede26ee72a

Find Lauren online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Growth Phase vs Scaling Phase (00:00:17) 
• Cost Implications (00:01:25) 
• Expertise and Specialization (00:02:35) 
• Flexibility and Agility (00:03:40) 
• Resource Allocation (00:04:40) 
• Risk Mitigation (00:05:47) 
• Scalability (00:06:52) 
• Collaboration and Integration (00:07:56) 

Topics discussed: brand, hire internally, outsource, marketing, growth phase, scaling phase, considerations, cost, expertise, flexibility, resource allocation, risk mitigation, scalability, collaboration, integration, in-house talent, specialized campaigns, agility, external agencies, resource allocation, scalability, collaboration, communication channels, shared goals, transparency, conflict resolution mechanisms, business goals, objectives

While this episode is not about marketing and pushing your business forward with marketing, if you have a team or the intention of growing one, you're going to want to listen up. In this episode of "She's Busy AF", host Lauren Loreto interviews Dr. Noor, a former medical doctor turned health insurance consultant. Dr. Noor shares her journey from practicing medicine to working in the health insurance industry, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and adapting to career shifts. They discuss the significance of health insurance for entrepreneurs and small businesses, with Dr. Noor providing insights on navigating the private and public health insurance markets. She also highlights the need for insurance to cover unexpected medical expenses and the value of working with a professional agent.

Find Dr. Noor online: 

• Website: https://drnoorhealth.com/ 
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnoorhealth/ 
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.noorhealth/ 
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/drnoorhealth 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrNoorHealthcareAdvisor/ 
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbDiF1E40YkDw2OvbblnP9Q
• Think like a woman

Find Lauren online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps

• Dr. Noor's background and medical career (00:04:13) 
• Taking a sales job in the health insurance industry (00:07:24) 
• The importance of health insurance for young adults (00:12:35) 
• Factors to consider when shopping for health insurance plans (00:14:41) 
• The risk of not having health insurance and the importance of getting it early (00:15:27) 
• Accidental and Critical Life Insurance (00:19:41) 
• Considerations for Small Business Insurance (00:24:21)
• Making Insurance Fun and Enjoyable (00:31:58)

Host, Lauren Loreto, looks forward to recording this episode ever year. In this episode, she is giving y'all a raw, transparent look at what happened for her marketing agency, Brand Good Time, in 2023 (the good and the bad!) for their growth and shedding light on their plans for 2024. If you're a B2B service provider, you'll want to tune in.

SUBSCRIBE TO THE BRAND GOOD TIMES: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/64e7c2d0f354e0ede26ee72a

Find Lauren online:

• Follow us on Instagram: @brandgoodtime @shesbusyaf
• Connect with Lauren on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/laurenloreto 

Timestamps:

• Lead Generation Challenges (00:03:32) 
• Networking and Strategic Relationships (00:05:32) 
• Consistent Marketing Approach (00:08:12) 
• Enhancing the Newsletter (00:10:01)
• Strategic Approach to Podcast Guests (00:10:55)
• Nurturing Referral Relationships and Strategic Partnerships (00:11:47)
• The big shift for 2024 (00:19:34) 
• Networking and potential partnerships (00:21:21) 

Topics Discussed:
Brand Good Time, business, scaling, growing the team, networking, marketing, sales, online communities, value, connections, team education, empowerment, creativity, diversity, profit margins, marketing approach, touchpoints, engagement, email marketing, newsletter, Toast Worthy, Brand Good Times, growth, progress, strategies, success, structure, sneak peeks, tips, actionable advice, feedback, podcast, guests, strategic approach, solo episodes, tech tip, referral relationships, strategic partnerships, collaboration, client experience, project management system, new services, ticketing, service offerings, ideal audience, founders, bandwidth, responsiveness, resources, mindset, creating space for growth, curiosity, goals, vision boards, contact information, networking, strategic partnerships, business owners, collaborations.