MKTG Unmuted

A brand is more than a logo, a color palette, or a good-looking website. So what actually makes a brand stand out? 👀

In this episode, we sit down with branding expert Rani, founder of Attic Salt, to talk about the thinking behind great branding, building emotional connections, and what it takes to create a brand that feels authentic from the inside out.

We also get into the challenges of getting everyone on the same page, Rani’s journey building her company, and what’s next for her, including a masterclass and a book.

Because looking good is one thing. Knowing what your brand stands for is another.

Chapters

• 00:00 Understanding Branding: More Than a Logo
• 06:51 The Journey to Attic Salt
• 12:38 Method Branding: The Immersion Process
• 20:09 Lessons Learned in Entrepreneurship
• 26:35 Future Aspirations and Projects

In this episode, we sit down with Lanna, owner of Pamprd Soul, to talk about what it’s really like to build and run a business. 💅

From navigating COVID and figuring out marketing to learning what works (and what doesn’t), Lanna shares her experience growing a nail spa and finding her way in the beauty industry.

We also get into non-toxic nail products, industry standards, and why understanding your business goes beyond just knowing how to do what you do.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey to Pamprd Soul
• 06:01 Navigating Challenges During COVID-19
• 11:59 The Emotional Toll of Entrepreneurship
• 18:01 Lessons Learned in Marketing and Branding
• 21:31 Understanding Your Business
• 25:23 The Journey to Non-Toxic Practices
• 29:20 Navigating Competitors and Industry Standards
• 40:44 The Importance of Education and Support

What happens when your spouse is also your business partner? 👀

In this episode, we sit down with Collaborative Sign & Design to talk about building a business together, finding your niche, getting found through AI, working with marketing agencies, and figuring out who handles what when business and life are basically the same thing. 😂

❤️🪧 Love, Marriage & Signs — it’s a little bit business, a little bit marriage, and a lot of figuring it out as you go.

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Collaborative Sign and Design
• 04:04 Marketing Strategies and Target Clients
• 08:50 Navigating Marketing Agency Relationships
• 13:10 The Impact of AI on Business
• 17:36 Educating Clients on Design Needs
• 20:32 Harnessing AI for Business Growth
• 22:26 Building Strong Client Relationships
• 23:41 Navigating Marketing Challenges
• 24:47 Advice for Aspiring Business Owners
• 28:24 Working Together as a Couple
• 33:21 The Importance of Niche Marketing

Photography is so much more than taking a pretty picture. 📸

In this episode, we sit down with Elizabeth Nelson to talk about the real world of wedding photography; from AI and social media to pricing, crazy wedding days, finding your niche, and everything that happens behind the lens.

It’s a conversation about creativity, business, adaptability, and why sometimes you just have to stay in your lane. 👀

Chapters

• 00:00 The Evolution of Photography
• 03:06 The Impact of AI on Photography
• 06:41 The Changing Trends in Wedding Photography
• 09:20 The Fast-Paced Nature of the Photography Industry
• 11:35 The Journey to Becoming a Photographer
• 14:00 Adaptability and Pricing in Photography
• 19:36 Best and Worst Wedding Photography Experiences
• 25:23 The Influence of Social Media on Photography
• 25:59 The Business Side of Photography
• 34:49 Community and Collaboration
• 45:02 Passion and Purpose in Photography

What happens when the person behind the business starts growing just as much as the business itself? 👀

In this episode, we sit down with Alyssa, founder of Cherry Blossom Doula, to talk about what it really means to build a business around something so personal as birth and supporting families.

A conversation about birth, business, confidence, and finding the courage to grow. 🌸

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Cherry Blossom Doula
• 01:15 Understanding the Role of a Doula
• 03:10 Personal Experiences with Doulas
• 03:36 The Misconceptions of Doula Support
• 05:02 The Vulnerability of Labor and Birth
• 06:50 Journey in Marketing and Business Growth
• 07:24 Analyzing Marketing Data and Decision Making
• 12:23 The Fear of Raising Prices
• 16:02 The Impact of Raising Prices
• 18:11 Personal Growth and Confidence Building
• 22:16 The Journey of Rebranding
• 22:42 The Rebranding Process
• 23:40 Team Support and Decision Making
• 25:31 Understanding the Business and Regrets
• 28:21 Elevating the Team and Managing Change
• 31:06 Sharing Experiences and Learning from Others
• 36:47 Mental Health and Business Success
• 38:15 Vision for the Business and Impact on the Community
• 41:05 Supporting Others and Providing Resources

Should you really be spending money on ads yet? 👀

In this episode, we sit down with Tyler Smerz to talk about what happens before you hit “launch”; from understanding your customers’ biggest pain points to turning those problems into creative ad angles that actually grab attention. 🎯

We also get into AI, negative reviews, content vs. paid ads, agency red flags, and the realities of putting your own money on the line when building a business. 💸

Basically, a conversation about marketing, money, mistakes, and figuring things out as you go. 

Chapters

• 00:00 The Journey of Choose Pluto
• 01:27 Pivoting in Business Strategy
• 08:18 The Role of AI in Marketing
• 19:18 Dealing with Negative Feedback
• 22:52 Handling Negative Reviews
• 23:20 Ad Trends and Ethical Practices
• 25:13 Identifying Pain Points for Ads
• 27:47 Red Flags in Hiring Agencies
• 36:34 Starting a Business: Financial Preparation

We’re joined by Coach Troy to talk about what actually makes marketing work; from knowing when to outsource (and when not to), to understanding what stage your business is in and making smarter decisions along the way.

Plus, the “pinch of salt” philosophy, marketing pitfalls, data, and why you should always be the master of your own marketing. 👀

Chapters

• 00:00 The Supportive Coach
• 01:21 The Pinch of Salt
• 03:08 Mindset Shifts
• 06:51 Hiring and Pitfalls
• 09:33 Business Growth Phases
• 11:03 Agency Pitfalls
• 15:07 Data-Driven Marketing
• 19:51 The Pitfalls of Offloading Marketing
• 24:08 Clarity in Business and Marketing
• 27:15 Strategic vs. Tactical Marketing
• 29:09 Brand Development and Revenue Stage
• 31:02 Building Brand and Proving Concepts
• 34:25 Matching Stage with Resources

Episode 03: When AI Gets It Really Wrong 🤖

AI, marketing trends, difficult clients, bad feedback, and unconventional business ideas… this episode has a little bit of everything. 👀

We’re joined by Daniel to talk about AI’s biggest limitations, the future of search with AEO and GEO, why human context still matters, and the marketing lessons you only learn along the way.

Plus, why feedback is a gift, the struggle of working with people who don’t get marketing, and why weird business ideas might actually be worth exploring.

Chapters

• 00:00 AI's Role in Marketing
• 03:33 AEO vs. GEO: How AI Search Is Changing SEO
• 05:30 What AI Search Gets Wrong
• 06:47 Why Human Context Still Matters
• 07:20 How Marketers Stay Ahead of Trends
• 08:30 How Joseph Studios Started

What happens when you put the human back into social media?

In Episode 02 of MKTG Unmuted, we sit down with Hannah Mickelson (@hannahrmickelson) for a fun and honest conversation about social media, creativity, trends, and what really connects with people.

We talk about staying timely without losing your voice, creating content that feels human, choosing the right platforms for your brand, and why genuine relationships still matter in a world that's becoming increasingly digital.

• Social media trends require staying on top of current content and being timely in participation.
• The human aspect and personal connections are crucial in marketing, and businesses should choose social media platforms that align with their brand voice and audience.

• 00:00 Staying on Top of Social Trends
• 01:14 Content Creation and Timeliness
• 03:02 The Role of AI in Marketing
• 03:35 The Importance of Human Creativity
• 06:23 Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms
• 10:10 Building Personal Connections in Marketing
• 17:13 The Impact of AI on Marketing
• 24:01 The Human Aspect in Marketing
• 28:32 The Role of Personal Relationships in Marketing

What happens behind the brands, the businesses, and the success stories we see?

Welcome to MKTG Unmuted, a podcast where we go beyond the highlight reel to uncover the conversations, experiences, and lessons that usually stay behind the scenes.

From entrepreneurship and marketing to leadership, growth, and the stories that shape successful businesses, each episode brings you honest conversations with the people behind the journey.

This trailer is just a glimpse of what's coming.

Subscribe and get ready to hear the stories you never hear.