Rocky Mountain Marketing- Digital Marketing for Entrepreneurs

Ready to stop doing it all yourself and build a high-performing team?

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, Katie Brinkley sits down with Shawn Quintero, COO and co-owner of Next Step Social & Podcasting, to share exactly how they scaled a remote team that runs on clarity, collaboration, and strong company culture.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Real Challenge in Business

00:45 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

01:19 Meet the COO: Sean Quintero

02:38 The Importance of Hiring and Onboarding

04:01 Building Effective Systems and Culture

05:27 Managing People: Soft Skills and Emotional Intelligence

06:35 Making Tough Decisions: Letting Go and Hiring Right

15:16 Onboarding and Training: Setting Up for Success

20:09 Addressing Performance Issues

24:03 Creating a Positive Remote Work Culture

29:10 Conclusion: People Are People

30:20 Outro: Subscribe and Stay Connected

If you’re an entrepreneur, coach, or agency owner who’s tired of bottlenecking your business, this is the episode that will help you step fully into your leadership role.

Don’t miss it—hit play now and discover what it takes to scale your team with confidence.

Visit Shawn Quintero online:

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

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

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Every time Austin Armstrong joins me on the show, he’s leveled up—and this time is no different. From billions (yes, billions) of organic views to launching tools like Syllabi and ThreadMaster, Austin’s name is now synonymous with AI-powered content creation and repeatable virality.

In this episode, we dive into the systems, frameworks, and mindset behind Virality—his new book that breaks down how to stop chasing vanity metrics and start building real business leverage with your content.

You’ll hear about:

• Why “stop chasing views” is his first message
• The power of thinking like a business owner who creates content—not just a content creator
• His START Video Framework for strategic posts
• How he uses AI tools to create 20+ pieces of content a day (without burnout!)
• The leverage behind vanity metrics when paired with the right backend strategy
• A practical AI prompt you can copy to generate a 30-day content plan

Austin also unpacks what’s actually working right now on social—and how you can implement the same systems to grow your brand, your revenue, and your reach.

If you’re tired of posting with no results, this episode is for you.

Visit Austin Armstrong online:

Website: https://syllaby.io/

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

Virality! (Book): https://a.co/d/4UnuJ0x

Threadmaster.AI: https://threadmaster.ai/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SocialtyPro

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with the incredible Jenn Herman—Instagram strategist, author of Instagram for Dummies, and founder of the Profit Your Profile community. We unpack what’s actually working for organic Instagram growth in 2025 and beyond.

If you’ve ever felt like your content isn’t gaining traction or that the Instagram algorithm is working against you, this episode is your wake-up call. Jenn reveals:

• Why organic reach isn’t dead—it’s just different
• The secret to reels that stop the scroll
• How to balance short-form content with authenticity
• The growing importance of recommended content
• How to keep trust while leveraging AI in your content strategy

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Is Organic Reach Dead on Instagram?

01:09 Guest Introduction: Jen Herman on Instagram Strategy

02:36 The Evolution of Instagram: Features and Functions

05:48 Adapting to Algorithm Changes

08:31 Creating Authentic and Engaging Content

16:56 Leveraging Instagram Stories and AI

24:45 Building Private Communities and Memberships

29:55 Future Trends and Final Thoughts

We also talk about how micro-communities, subscriber-only content, and even Stories are still the highest-converting tools on Instagram when done right.

Ready to future-proof your Instagram strategy? Tune in to hear how you can grow with less, stay real, and leverage what’s actually working right now.

Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you tune in.

Visit Jenn Herman online:

Website: https://jennstrends.com/

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

Profit Your Profile Community: https://profityourprofile.com/

Jenn Herman's Books: https://jennstrends.com/books/

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a business on sticky notes, late nights, and last-minute decisions? I’ve been there. In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down once again with my operational other half and COO, Shawn Quintero, to share the behind-the-scenes journey of turning Next Step Social & Podcasting from a founder-dependent business into a scalable, framework-driven company.

We get real about what it takes to stop doing it all and start leading intentionally. From the CEO-COO relationship, to daily huddles, GWC evaluations, and how we use the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) to guide every move—we're pulling back the curtain on the systems and rhythms that power sustainable growth.

Whether you're a solopreneur with a team or a visionary ready to scale, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The turning point when we shifted from solopreneurship to a true business model
• How hiring for growth (not relief) changes everything
• What it really means to become a CEO vs. just being a founder
• Why EOS became our growth framework
• How we run our business with vision, data, and process clarity
• Daily huddle structure that keeps our team aligned and efficient

Chapters:

00:00:00 Introduction to Business Scaling

00:00:00 Introduction to Business Scaling

00:03:00 Transitioning from Solopreneurship

00:06:00 Strategic Hiring and Systematization 

00:09:00 Understanding EOS and Its Components

00:12:00 Building a Strong Business Partnership

00:15:00 The Role of Vision and Delegation

00:18:00 Implementing Daily Huddles and GWC Test

00:21:00 The Importance of Complementary Skills

00:24:00 Maintaining Alignment and Communication

00:27:00 Scaling with Structure and Systems

00:30:00 Conclusion and Call to Action

Visit Shawn Quintero online:

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

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

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Matthew Rouse—author, agency owner, and AI startup founder—to talk about the real state of AI in business. Forget the hype—Matt and I dive into practical AI tools, how to build better automations, and how small businesses can scale smarter without sacrificing authenticity.

We explore:

• What AI is actually doing for businesses right now
• Creative AI workflows that go beyond social media posts
• Why automating your reporting could save you hundreds of hours
• How to train AI to support your team without replacing them
• The #1 automation every small business should implement before the year ends

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to AI and Job Security

00:30 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

01:00 Meet Matt Rouse: AI Expert and Entrepreneur

01:26 The Reality of AI for Entrepreneurs

06:18 AI Tools and Their Applications

14:03 Using AI for Creative Processes

18:32 Automating Business Tasks with AI

23:28 The Future of AI in Business

28:58 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Matt also shares insights from his book Will AI Take My Job Too?, plus his approach to building powerful AI agents and automations that actually move the needle.

Tune in to learn how to stop fearing AI—and start using it to make your business more efficient, impactful, and human.

Listen now on your favorite podcast platform and don’t forget to subscribe!

Visit Matt Rouse online:

Website: https://matthewrouse.com/

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

SMB Autopilot: https://smbautopilot.ai/

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Will-Take-Job-Predictions-Corporations/dp/B0CL9NWGGL

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing and a personal branding strategist, to unpack what it really means to build an authentic brand in today’s AI-saturated world.

Kelly shares how she accidentally built her personal brand over 15 years ago, and how that journey led her to help other professionals turn their expertise into influence. We dive into the importance of authenticity, how AI tools like ChatGPT and Quso can elevate your voice—not replace it—and why your story still matters more than ever.

We also explore:

• What the “Authority X-Factor” is and how to find yours
• Why AI-generated content lacks the human touch
• How to use AI tools the right way for repurposing your content
• Whether writing a book still holds power in building thought leadership (spoiler: YES)
• Tactical tips to grow your personal brand using speaking, podcasting, and LinkedIn

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to AI and Personal Branding

00:24 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

00:54 Meet Today's Guest: Kelly Schuknecht

01:25 The Importance of Personal Branding in the Age of AI

02:36 Kelly's Journey to Personal Branding

04:14 Challenges in Defining Personal Brand

08:47 The Role of AI in Content Creation

14:56 AI Tools for Personal Branding

18:51 The Power of Writing a Book for Personal Branding

25:06 Getting Started with Personal Branding

28:40 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Want to know if your personal brand is working for you? Take Kelly’s Thought Leadership Scorecard at twomilehighmarketing.com

Visit Kelly Kelly Schuknecht online:

Website: https://kellyschuknecht.com/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/kellyschuknecht

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What does it really take to scale your business without losing your sanity?

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with my friend, business partner, and COO of Next Step Social & Podcasting, Shawn Quintero. Shawn pulls back the curtain on the systems, strategy, and mindset shifts that have helped us scale Next Step Social & Podcasting —and support clients doing the same.

We talk about:

• How to shift from founder-dependence to system-dependence
• What makes a marketing campaign actually work
• Why our VIP Day is a game-changer for businesses of all sizes
• What it takes to turn your podcast into a lead-generating machine
• The one business principle that will eliminate overwhelm

Timestamps

00:00 Introduction: Scaling Your Business

01:02 Meet the COO: Shawn Quintero

01:57 The Importance of Systems in Business

03:34 Challenges of Founder-Dependent Businesses

10:18 Strategic Incentives and Marketing Campaigns

12:53 VIP Day: A Game Changer for Businesses

17:14 Client Success Stories

21:20 Finding Clarity and Solving Problems

25:13 Looking Ahead: Scaling in 2026

26:52 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Whether you're a solo business owner or managing a full team, this conversation will give you a behind-the-scenes look at the intentional design that drives real business growth.

Ready to take the next step? Book your VIP Day now at yournextstep.agency and let’s build your custom growth strategy.

Visit Shawn Quintero online:

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

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

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’ll be honest—most business owners and marketers I talk to think their tracking is dialed in… but they’re still flying blind. Why? Because they’re trusting platforms like Google or Meta to tell them what’s working.

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sat down with Zeke Camusio, founder of Data Speaks, to talk about why your tracking pixels might be lying to you—and how to fix it.

Zeke breaks down the flaws in traditional tracking methods and shares a smarter, AI-powered approach to marketing attribution. We dive into the three pillars of unified measurement (media mix modeling, incrementality testing, and attribution) and how they help you make confident, data-driven decisions that actually move the needle.

Whether you’re spending $2K or $200K a month on ads, this conversation will help you:

• Stop wasting budget on campaigns that aren’t converting
• Understand how attribution really works across platforms
• Clean up your tracking for more accurate insights
• Learn how to implement AI-powered analytics without needing a data science team

It’s time to stop guessing and start scaling with accurate marketing data. You won’t want to miss this one.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Problem with Tracking Pixels

00:24 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

00:59 The Inaccuracy of Tracking Pixels

01:43 Introducing Zeke Muccio and Data Speaks

02:30 Are Tracking Pixels Reliable?

05:03 Challenges with Tracking Pixels

08:21 Unified Measurement Framework

11:19 AI in Marketing Analytics

14:48 Practical Steps for Business Owners

17:32 The Role of UTM Tags and Pixels

22:39 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Visit Zeke Camusio online:

Website: https://dataspeaks.ai/

LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/zekemuccio

Free tools: https://dataspeaks.ai/resources

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if your website could generate leads while you sleep?

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Wes Towers, founder of Uplift 360, to talk about what most business owners get wrong about their websites—and how to fix it. Wes shares his innovative approach to Search Everywhere Optimization, explains how to build an AI-proof content strategy, and breaks down how to make your website your #1 salesperson.

We also unpack:

• The future of SEO in an AI-powered search world
• Why your website’s design may be costing you conversions
• How to create content that gets picked up by AI and voice search
• Why human-first branding still matters—and how to lead with it

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: The Hardest Working Sales Rep

00:44 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

01:18 Meet Wes Towers: Embracing AI and Human Connection

02:37 The Importance of Your Website as a Sales Rep

06:31 Search Everywhere Optimization Explained

11:06 Practical Tips for an Effective Website

20:02 Leveraging AI While Doubling Down on Human Connection

22:03 Key Takeaways and Conclusion

If you’re a coach, consultant, or small business owner who wants to future-proof your brand and actually see results from your website, this episode is your game plan.

Visit Wes Towers:

Website: https://uplift360.com.au/

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@uplift_360

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When crisis strikes, will your business be ready?

In this episode of Rocky Mountain Marketing, I sit down with Mike Swenson to uncover what every small and mid-sized business must know about crisis management. Mike shares his 30+ years of experience in public relations and walks us through a five-step framework for creating a crisis plan that actually works. From social media slip-ups to data breaches, we explore real-world scenarios that can put your reputation at risk—and how to protect it before it's too late.

We also talk about why a crisis communication plan should be considered part of your marketing strategy, not just your PR playbook.

• The biggest mistake small businesses make when it comes to crisis planning
• Why your credibility is your most valuable asset—and how to protect it
• The five must-have steps in a crisis management plan
• The importance of designating a crisis team (even if you’re a team of 5!)
• How communication can make or break your business during a crisis

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction: Facing a Business Crisis

00:45 Welcome to Rocky Mountain Marketing

01:23 Meet Mike Swensen: Crisis Management Expert

03:02 The Importance of a Crisis Plan

08:01 Steps to Create an Effective Crisis Plan

12:05 Real-World Examples and Lessons

18:25 Actionable Steps for Entrepreneurs

22:28 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Whether you’re a solopreneur or scaling a business, this episode will leave you thinking differently about how to prepare for the unexpected.

Visit Mike Swenson:

Website: https://crisistrak.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikeswenson1/

Learn more about Katie and Next Step Social & Podcasting:

Speaking: https://katiebrinkley.com/

Website: https://yournextstep.agency/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiebrinkley

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/@rockymountainmarketing

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/socialprofitlab

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.