In this episode, I’m breaking down the most common reasons marketing feels awkward—and how to reframe it into something that actually feels good and works.

You’ll learn:

• Why “sounding salesy” isn’t the real issue
• What’s actually missing when marketing feels off
• The difference between vague and magnetic messaging
• How brand clarity changes everything
• And why the goal isn’t to convince—it’s to invite

Whether you’re DIY-ing your brand or leveling up your content strategy, this one’s a mindset reset you don’t want to skip.

🔗 Links mentioned:
→ Book a free discovery call here
→ Follow on Instagram: @raquel.furman
→ Explore coaching & strategy here

—

💌 Like this episode? Leave a review or share it with a creative friend who’s stuck in guesswork mode.

In this special episode, I’m joined by my very first podcast guest—Morgan Barkus! Morgan is a powerhouse: body confidence coach, author, speaker, and host of Your Unapologetic Life. With degrees in Psychology and Marriage and Family Therapy, plus a background in exotic dance and fitness, she brings a wildly unique perspective to helping women reclaim their confidence—especially in midlife.

We talk about what it really means to show up authentically in your brand, the emotional rollercoaster of being visible online, and how body confidence influences everything from your content to your creativity. This conversation is a breath of fresh air and a permission slip to take up space in your work and your life.

• Morgan’s unconventional path from therapist to body confidence coach
• The link between body image and showing up in your brand
• Managing visibility burnout and social media noise
• Tuning out the negative and knowing your truth

🎙️ Your Unapologetic Life podcast → Listen here
📸 Instagram → @morganbarkus
🌐 Website → morganbarkus.com

Website: www.vignettebrandstudio.com

Book your discovery call here.
📱 Instagram → @raquel.furman

In this episode, I’m sharing something personal — my own brand reinvention story. I’m still mid-process, but I wanted to bring you along for the ride and give you a behind-the-scenes look at what happens when a brand coach has to coach herself.

Inside this episode:

• Why I'm rebranding
• Why even brand coaches aren’t immune to the messy middle
• Emotions I didn't expect!
• How I’m finding clarity even before everything is fully finished

Whether you’re mid-reinvention, contemplating a shift, or want a little reassurance that you’re not behind, you’ll find something here for you.

💡 Want help with your own brand clarity? Head to my calendar for a free discovery call, or get coaching program details here.

Have questions or ideas for the podcast? Just want to say hello? Find me on Instagram or email me at [email protected]

In this episode, we'll uncover the hidden branding blindspots that could be holding back your marketing efforts. I'll walk you through the interconnected touchpoints of your marketing ecosystem, explaining how everything from your website to your social media, email marketing, and lead generation efforts needs to work together in harmony.

Key Takeaways:

What is a marketing ecosystem?
A marketing ecosystem includes all of your brand's touchpoints—online and offline—and it's crucial to understand how each piece works together to create a seamless experience for your audience.

The impact of branding blindspots
Blindspots are gaps in your brand strategy that you might not even know exist. These could be anything from unclear messaging to technical oversights in your lead-generation efforts.

Common mistakes to avoid
Raquel shares stories about businesses that faced these blindspots, like launching a quiz without knowing the necessary tech setup or having a content strategy that doesn't tie back to their brand or business goals.

How to identify your own blindspots
Learn how to assess your marketing touchpoints, from your website and social media to your email funnels and lead magnets, and determine if you're missing any critical elements that could hurt your marketing efforts.

Actionable steps to fill the gaps
Discover ways to refine your brand messaging, plan your customer journey, and ensure all tools and platforms integrate smoothly to avoid unnecessary delays and costs.

These tips will help you streamline your marketing ecosystem, saving time and energy while making sure all your efforts are working toward building a stronger, more cohesive brand.

Links:

Schedule your free 60-minute discovery call with Raquel here.

Follow on Instagram.

Drop a line or ask a question.

Don’t forget to subscribe for more tips on creating a marketing ecosystem that works for your brand!

Welcome to The Vignette Effect!
Today’s episode explores The Impact of Visual Branding and why it’s so much more than just a logo or color palette. Your visual identity is your audience's first impression—so what does it say about you?

• The Art of Presentation: Visual branding is like plating a dish at a restaurant—how you present your brand affects how it’s perceived.
• What Happens Without Visual Branding: You'll hear a personal example of a business that’s been around for 20 years but is missing the impact of strong visual branding, costing them potential growth.
• The Benefits of Visual Branding: From attracting the right customers to creating an emotional connection, discover why your visuals matter.
• How Strong Visual Branding Can Boost Your Business: Learn how effective branding can help you stand out in a crowded market, build brand recognition, and inspire customer action.
• Actionable Tips: You don’t need to start with a huge investment. Start small, but make sure your branding aligns with your message and values.

Ready to refine your visual branding?
 

Schedule your free 60-minute discovery call with Raquel here.

Follow on Instagram.

Drop a line or ask a question.

Thanks for tuning in—don't forget to share this episode with someone who could benefit from a visual branding conversation!

In this episode, we dive into the power of brand messaging and positioning—how your brand’s core identity can stay consistent, while tailoring your message to different audience segments and how both the copy and the visuals impact the message.

What’s in a Brand Position?
Learn the importance of knowing what you offer, what you’re about, and who your brand is for to make sure your content connects with the right people.

Brand Messaging Examples:
We break down how Jones Road Beauty and Liquid IV adjust their messaging to appeal to different audience segments while keeping their core brand message intact.

• Jones Road Beauty: Busy moms, lazy-girl makeup fans, and on-the-go professionals all get targeted with tailored messages for their unique needs.
• Liquid IV: Hydration for different lifestyles, from busy parents and wellness enthusiasts to social drinkers.

Why Specific Messaging Doesn’t Exclude People:
We talk about how being clear on your messaging allows you to attract the right customers without leaving others behind.

Want Help with Your Brand Messaging?
If you’re ready to refine your brand’s message, get actionable advice, and create content that actually connects, schedule a free discovery call with me here! 

Get coaching program details here.

Or, have questions, topic requests or want to connect? Get in touch here.

Brand photography isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about strategy, you know I’m a strategy-first gal. And if you’re not thinking about it that way yet, you might be missing out on photos that actually work for your brand and you want to make sure you get the most out of everything you’re doing for your business.

In this episode, I'll give you my best tips to plan a photo shoot with variety, depth, personality, and everything you need for your website and marketing. 

If you want to grab the Brand Shoot Planner Workbook, you can get it here: raquellauren.kit.com./brand-shoot-planner

Get my coaching program details here.

Find me on Instagram and say hello! 

Do you have a solid brand strategy? If you're feeling stuck anywhere in your business, from coming up with what you want to talk about to planning a photoshoot or working with a designer, a lack of clear brand strategy can sneak in and steal your confidence in your brand and cause a lot of frustration. I hope this episode helps, and I'd love to hear your questions!

Schedule your free discovery call with me here.

https://www.instagram.com/raquel.furmanFind me on Instagram and DM me to say hello or ask questions.

or

Sign up for my weekly-ish email, The Gloss, here. (raquellauren.com/podcast-email-sign-up)

My journey into brand strategy started with a single photo shoot—one that completely changed how I saw branding, storytelling, and the role of visuals in business. In this episode, I’m sharing how that experience shaped my approach to brand identity, why strong visuals matter, and what I’ve learned about creating a brand that truly connects. 

You'll also hear about the old days of shooting on Polaroids and film, the rise of the internet, and the shifts brands had to make to exist online suddenly after primarily focusing on print and packaging.

If you want more conversation, weekly photo, content, and branding tips and ideas, sign up for my weekly email, The Gloss, or find me on Instagram and drop me a line to say hello.

If you want to talk about how we can work together on your brand, schedule your free discovery call here.