Ever wonder why some businesses look like a million-dollar operation while others — offering the exact same service — seem forgettable? The answer almost always comes down to branding.

In this solo episode, Lyon Creatives founder Svenja walks through the real difference between a logo and a full brand identity — and why confusing the two is one of the most expensive mistakes a service business owner can make. If you're a coach, consultant, or service provider wondering whether it's time to invest in professional branding, this episode will give you an honest, no-fluff answer.

You'll learn what a $500 logo actually buys you (and what it doesn't), the hidden long-term cost of under-investing in your brand, and 10 questions to audit your brand right now.

Free Brand Audit Scorecard: www.lyoncreatives.com/#brand-audit

Book a Free Brand Strategy Call: lyoncreatives.com/contact

In this powerful episode, host Svenja Lyon sits down with Michele Schalin, mental fitness coach and author, for an inspiring conversation about what it truly means to thrive in today's high-pressure world.

Michele brings deep insight into the connection between our inner world and outer performance — exploring why emotional resilience isn't just a "nice to have," but an essential skill for modern life. Together, Svenja and Michele unpack the hidden toll that technology and chronic stress take on our mental health, and why so many of us feel stuck despite our best efforts.

This episode is a heartfelt guide to inner transformation, covering the foundational role of self-love and forgiveness in personal growth, practical techniques to manage stress and sharpen mental clarity, and how to create the conditions — both internally and in your environment — that make lasting change possible. Michele also shares her perspective on conscious parenting in the digital age, offering grounded advice for families navigating screens and emotional wellbeing.

Whether you're in the middle of a major life transition or simply feeling the weight of everyday demands, this conversation will remind you that reinvention starts from within — and that compassion is always the first step.

🌐 Website: mschalin.com 

📸 Instagram: @mschalin 

▶️ YouTube: youtube.com/user/mschalin

In this episode, Svenja Lyon and Nicoline Huizinga delve into the concept of authenticity in business and marketing, exploring how human design can serve as a tool for self-discovery and alignment. They discuss the challenges entrepreneurs face in being authentic, especially in the context of social media, and the importance of finding marketing strategies that resonate with individual energy types. Nicoline shares her journey from traditional coaching to human design coaching, emphasizing the need for personalized approaches in business. The conversation also touches on the pitfalls of fake authenticity and the significance of genuine connections in entrepreneurship.

In this episode, I sit down with Sarika Sake, founder of The Sarika, to talk about reinvention, cultural preservation, and building a business rooted in identity.

Sarika began her career at the United Nations and never imagined she would leave that world. But what started as an unexpected love for sake during a family trip turned into a mission: preserving Japan’s 2,000-year-old sake tradition at a time when consumption in Japan is steadily declining.

We talk about what it really looks like to pivot careers, start a business during a global pandemic with zero prior experience, and move forward despite imposter syndrome.

Sarika shares how networking and collaborations became her marketing foundation, how her award-winning Sake Beauty Balm was born from personal ritual, and how she blends face yoga with skincare to create a holistic approach to beauty.

We also dive into gender equality in Japan, the realities of being a Japanese woman in business, and how her 18-generation family lineage continues to shape her sense of responsibility and legacy.

This is a conversation about courage, culture, and starting before you feel ready.

In this episode of This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast, I’m joined by Ali Meehan, founder of Costa Women.

Ali shares how Costa Women began as a way to find connection after moving to Spain and grew into a global community of women from 137 nationalities. We talk about networking as a lifestyle, collaboration over competition, and the importance of mentorship and shared experience for women living and working abroad.

This episode is a thoughtful reminder of the power of genuine human connection.

• Costa Women: https://costawomen.com
• Podcast: This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast
• Hosted by Svenja Lyon of Lyon Creatives

In this episode of This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast, I sit down with La'Zendra Danforth, CEO of Studio D Meetings & Events and founder of Konfetti Carts.

We talk about turning creative ideas into profitable businesses, building premium brands rooted in experience, and the role community and visibility play in long-term growth. La’Zendra shares how emotion-driven marketing, intentional brand decisions, and strategic networking have shaped her success across two very different—but connected—businesses.

If you’re a creative entrepreneur looking to build something sustainable, this episode offers real-world insight and inspiration.

• Studio D Meetings & Events: https://www.lazendradanforth.com
• Konfetti Carts: https://www.konfetticarts.com
• Podcast: This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast

In this episode of This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast, I’m joined by Tayler Cusick Hollman, founder of Enji, to talk about what marketing really looks like when you’re a small business owner doing it all yourself.

We dig into Enji’s State of Small Business Report and unpack what the data reveals about effort vs. results, why so many business owners struggle with marketing plans, and how using even simple metrics can dramatically change confidence and outcomes. Tayler shares practical insights for navigating marketing without burnout—and what small business owners can start doing differently right now.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by marketing or unsure whether what you’re doing is actually working, this episode will feel very familiar—in the best way.

📊 Download the State of Small Business Report
https://www.enji.co/state-of-small-business-report-2025

🌐 Enji Website
https://www.enji.co

📸 Enji on Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/enji_co/

🧵 Enji on Threads
https://www.threads.com/@enji_co

💼 Enji on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/enji/

🎧 Podcast: This Might Get Creative – A Behind the Brand Podcast
Hosted by Svenja Lyon of Lyon Creatives

Finding your niche can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re capable of doing a lot of things well.

In this episode of Behind the Brand, host Svenja Lyon sits down with Becky Imbimbo, founder of The Always Busy Mama and The Always Busy Mama Consulting, to talk about what it really takes to move from chaos to clarity.

Becky shares her journey from launching a handmade jewelry business during the pandemic to building a focused consulting practice rooted in healthcare marketing operations. Along the way, she opens up about postpartum depression, setting boundaries in corporate life, and the moment she stopped saying yes to everything—and started choosing what she wanted to be known for.

This conversation is for anyone who feels stuck because they have too many options, and is trying to find focus without boxing themselves in.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why your niche doesn’t have to be perfect from day one
• How clarity often comes after taking action
• The role boundaries play in building a sustainable business
• How to narrow your focus without losing parts of yourself

If you’ve ever struggled with defining your niche, this episode will help you rethink what clarity really looks like.

Facebook

• The Always Busy Mama
• The Always Busy Mama Consulting

Instagram

• @thealwaysbusymama
• @thealwaysbusymama_consulting

Websites

• https://thealwaysbusymama.com
• https://thealwaysbusymamaconsulting.com

What does it really take to build a brand that lasts?

In this episode of Behind the Brand, Svenja Lyon sits down with Julie Cole, co-founder of Mabel's Labels, to unpack how a simple solution to a real-life parenting problem turned into a globally recognized brand.

From basement beginnings to building trust at scale, Julie shares honest insights on branding, visibility, storytelling, and designing a business that works for real life — not just the highlight reel.

If you’ve ever wondered:

• How important branding really is at the beginning
• How to build trust without feeling salesy
• How personal storytelling can strengthen your business
• Or how to grow a brand without losing yourself in the process

This episode is for you.

Julie’s story is proof that strong brands aren’t built overnight — they’re built with intention.

• Website: www.mabelslabels.com
• Instagram: @mabelslabels
• Facebook: Mabel’s Labels
• LinkedIn: Julie Cole

In this episode of Behind the Brand, host Svenja Lyon sits down with Kathy McNeill, founder and creative director of Creative Pixels Marketing, to talk about the real work behind effective branding.

With a background in publishing and nearly a decade leading her own boutique marketing firm, Kathy brings a rare blend of creative direction, strategy, and data-driven thinking. Together, they explore when businesses should invest in branding, how strategy and analytics shape stronger brands, and why tools like AI can’t replace clear thinking and experience.

This conversation is grounded, practical, and especially relevant for business owners who want their brand to feel intentional—not trendy.

🌐 Website: www.creativepixelsmarketing.com
💼 LinkedIn: Kathy McNeil
📸 Instagram: @creativepixelsmarkting
📘 Facebook: Creative Pixels Marketing