Too Legitimate to Quit: Growth Strategies with a Pop Culture Spin

Is your personal brand still important when you're scaling a business? How can your values and flair create a bedrock for company culture? And what the heck is the right balance between personal and professional content on social media? We'll answer all that and more in this week's jam-packed episode. 

This week, Annie P. Ruggles is joined by Caitlin Penny, the powerhouse behind Copper Theory Creative, and they dive deep into authenticity (yep, it's still "the thing"), hiring the right people, and fostering honest-to-goodness real relationships inside your sphere of influence. Plus, this episode is loaded to the gills with Parks and Rec insights and references. What can we learn about outbound marketing from Tom, Leslie, and Ron? You don't have to go to Pawnee to find out.

This one's for you, L'il Sebastian.

Parentpreneur Advisory: This episode contains some colorful language.

*Connect with Caitlin through her website, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

*For a free 30 minute brand assessment by Copper Theory Creative, click here!

*Annie P's LinkedIn group, The Legitimati, is about to blow up. Claim your space in an upcoming zany collaboration here.

04:12 - So how can you really, truly know your target market?!

08:44 - Parks and Rec characters have unique brands.

12:26 - Authenticity and personal branding can go awry.

17:11 - Embrace personal brand, expand reach, amplify.

22:25 - The Leslie Knope method of ecosystem growth

25:15 -  Demographics don't define individual wants and needs.

27:26 - Unexpected details in my hidden website bio.

30:49 - Workfam relationships provide critical relationships for solopreneurs and business owners.

37:19 - That could be Oprah!

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Are you drowning in "shoulds?" Bogged down in the expectations of yourself, your clients, and even your paid advisors? And, to top it all, is one-size-fits-all marketing or the newest high-priced fad failing to bring in the right people? It's time to shake things up, y'all. This episode will help you do exactly that.

This week, Annie P. Ruggles is joined by the creative engine known as Megan Gersch. Megan is a branding and web design expert, specializing in "music industry disruptors who want to build an empire." Megan is the go-to for brands that want to stand out in crowded markets - without falling prey to the trends. Thanks to her savvy analysis, the conversation is a masterclass in differentiation, self-representation, and brand evolution. Then, the two focus on a mutual love for the pioneering, rule-breaking, ever-evolving sensation known as Radiohead. What lessons can be learned from their example of shaking off "shoulds" and doing things their way? Let's find out.

Connect with Megan through her website, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube

Don't forget to listen to her podcast, Your Sparkly Brand.

Download her Elevated Web Presence Checklist and other goodies at megangersch.com/resources

Annie P's LinkedIn group, The Legitimati, is about to blow up. Claim your space in an upcoming zany collaboration here.

00:00 -  Embracing confidence online takes practice and time.

05:12 - Building a brand is an endurance sport, not a sprint.

10:05 -  Clarity in design attracts ideal clients, and repels others.

16:53 -  Drive, vision, systems, automation, repurpose, content, consistency

19:36  - Shift from perfect to real: Marketing transforms.

24:58  - Tracking content across platforms creates omnipresence online.

30:44  - Key role of style guide in business.

36:17  - Radiohead at Lollapalooza: a perfect experience.

40:31  - Radiohead is brilliant at creating fan experiences.

48:33  - Thank you for 3 years of support!

51:03  - Homework: Evolve your thinking to evolve your brand.

53:36 - Join us on LinkedIn!

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What the heck is "warrior energy" and how can it be harnessed in our personal and professional lives? How can we best balance head and heart during moments of stress and overwhelm? And how can we break ourselves of toxic self-sacrifice and really, truly practice self-compassion amid societal pressures and inner child tantrums?

This week, Annie P. is joined by the soulful and brilliant Jennifer Urezzio, founder of Soul Language. Her specialty is helping movers and shakers honor their own wisdom, connect with Divine support, and co-create with the energy of their businesses.

Together, they explore their mutual love for Peanuts, "The Lord of the Rings" and more before focusing on "Star Trek," drawing parallels between the emotional depth of iconic characters and their own experiences. They delve into the concept of purpose (and its myths), share personal anecdotes (AKA fangirl a little), and offer practical advice for self-compassion and self-awareness. It's an uplifting, empowering listen for Trekkies, the woo-woo, and all entrepreneurs, bravely and boldly going where no one has gone before. Engage!

- Connect with Jennifer (JU) through her website and Instagram.

- Grab JU's jaw-droppingly good free guide, The Myths of Purpose.

- Don't forget to listen to her podcast, Ask & Answered By Soul.

06:09 Acknowledging divine backup

13:57 Accepting change brings unexpected discoveries.

19:48 Head and heart balance

26:15 Warriors, inner children, and the Peanuts gang

29:50 Choice is essential for our well-being.

37:06 Embracing rebranding

40:15 Picard, Troi, and a reminder about Vulcans

45:43 LeVar Burton is a gift to the world. 

48:57 Homework: "Embrace self-awareness and compassion for success."

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Should tiny businesses be worried about the huge issues of inclusion and diversity? Why does allyship really matter - beyond just wanting to be (and be seen as) a good person? And how can we all go beyond performative acts into real, bottom-line shifting, glass ceiling shattering, stigma-debunking change-making?

Welcome back to another episode of "Too Legitimate to Quit" with your host Annie P. Ruggles. This week, Annie is joined by the inspirational force known as Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence. (She says, "Don't forget the "H" in Raymona." Annie says," Don't forget the 'Dr.'") This no-holds-barred, real and relatable, multi-racial discussion on representation, advocacy, "white tears," and more, is equal parts motivational, challenging, and actionable.

Then, Annie and Dr. Raymona conclude a two-part discussion on the reality phenomenon "Love is Blind" and its connections to identity, trust, cultural lenses, and deepening understanding! (Don't miss part 1 with the fabulous Emma Tessler!)

- Connect with Dr. Raymona through her website, Instagram, and YouTube

01:44 Helping businesses embrace DEI strategies and training.

08:25 Personal and professional allyship are intertwined.

12:18 Brands show support for specific causes conveniently.

22:44 Marketing and sales use assumptions to understand customers.

24:59 Know your lens to understand your beliefs.

30:55 Allyship can be scary. Do it anyway.

39:19 ROARing into Love Is Blind

45:21 Perspective shapes experiences, even in relationships.

51:16 Homework: Create lasting impressions, show trust, increase success.

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Is "vision" really all that important or is it a distraction? How can we act as if our goals are already happening, rather than just waiting for them to happen? And, how do we balance entertainment and educational content on social media?

Welcome back to another episode of "Too Legitimate to Quit" with your host Annie P. Ruggles and very special guest, Emma Tessler, founder and CEO of 95 Media. This episode runs the glorious gamut of topics, from the importance of authenticity in business and personal branding, why video still reigns supreme, and how to commit to your 5-year vision every single day.

Then, Annie and Emma kick off a two-part discussion on the reality phenomenon "Love is Blind" and its connections to authenticity, representation, and self-presentation! (Be sure to head back next week for round 2, with the incomparable Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence!)

- Connect with Emma through her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn

- Access her free course, Master Your Marketing, to create content that converts in less than 30 minutes each day: masteryourmarketingcourse.co

- Don't forget to check out Emma's own podcast, Stop Scrolling, Start Scaling

[00:02:42] Authenticity drives successful video content creation.

[00:05:21] Creating content doesn't have to be hard.

[00:11:30] Balancing fun and growth in business journey

[00:16:46] Commitment to evolving vision drives team success

[00:18:16] Recognizing exhaustion, workaholism, and business growth

[00:32:33] Abundance of role models, authenticity, opportunity

[00:39:03] Respond to important issues, not trivial comments

[00:47:32] Reality TV thoughts: love it or hate it

[00:48:44] Homework: Promote your cause, be authentic, and attract attention.

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Are self-care and productivity opposing forces? Must you choose one or the other? Absolutely not! This episode seeks to prove that self-advocacy and self-preservation are among the most efficient, effective choices you can make - if only you allow yourselves the space, and learn to work with your fears.

This week, Annie is joined by the incomparable Sacred Walker - therapist, minister, and force for good. Together, they unpack the complex role fear and doubt play in business growth, deep dive into self-awareness, self-validation, and ultimately self-fulfillment and share their personal practices for creating sacred space within. Then, they pull inspiration from one of the greatest divas of all time, Whitney Houston.

- Connect with Sacred through her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

- Don't forget to listen to her own podcast, Self Love Letters for Everyday Superheroes!

- Annie's award-winning sales course, Sales for Empaths, is now available as a Pay What Feels Right! Grab your seat at http://www.anniepruggles.com/NSSA

• Self-care IS productive (3:13)

• Recovering from negativity (16:23)

• The Everyday Epiphany (18:55)

• Bobby Brown on Your Shoulder (30:41)

• Cultivating Sacred Space Within (37:21)

• Reimagining Personal Stories (51:23)

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If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed because your current website design is not attracting diverse customers or fostering a sense of connection, then you are not alone! Perhaps you've been relying on generic templates and stock images, failing to capture the unique experiences of your target audience. Instead of cultivating empathy and inclusivity, your website may be leaving potential customers feeling unseen and excluded. What's a heart-centered small business owner to do?

Thankfully, Iris Goldfeder is here to break down the essentials of accessibility, inclusion, and empathic design. (And by here, I mean literally on the floor of FAN EXPO Chicago with Annie!) It's a must-listen for nerds, empaths, and technology haters alike. Then, Iris and Annie share lessons learned from The Mandalorian, and go searching FAN EXPO for Grogu (aka Baby Yoda aka The Child). Trust us, this is the way (to fix your website)!

- Connect with Iris through the GasStoveCreative website and her Linkedin.

- Don't forget to check out her podcast, GasStoveCreative presents The Cookbook.

This episode was made possible by the generosity and support of FAN EXPO Chicago's media and PR team. THANK YOU!

To see a gallery of Iris and Annie's favorite Mandalorian finds, visit http://www.anniepruggles.com/grogu

Special thanks to The Legging Lass, Whirl & Twirl, EWAcats, DisParody, The CroChic Shop, Tristan Young, The Pink Yodette, and Drew Blank (who was also featured in last year's episode!) for allowing me to include and share your art with this episode. Again, the link to the gallery is http://www.anniepruggles.com/grogu

FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively it hosts more than one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada™, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Dallas™, FAN EXPO Boston™, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo. In 2022, FAN EXPO HQ presents six new shows previously organized by Wizard World: FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO St. Louis, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, and FAN EXPO Cleveland. The latest schedule of events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong.

00:03:14 - ADA Compliance and Small Business Owners,

00:05:15 - Future Trends in Website Accessibility,

00:08:40 - Empathy and Inclusivity,

00:11:47 - Websites as Virtual Brick and Mortar,

00:18:11 - Tips for Ensuring Inclusivity and Compliance, 

00:26:56 - The Power of Inclusive Marketing,

00:29:52 - Rejecting Irresponsible Marketing,

00:32:28 - Importance of Accountability,

00:34:02 - Small Mistakes Reflect on Big Ones,

00:40:45 - Entrepreneurship and Choice,

00:46:30 - Creating a Community,

00:47:40 - The Path of the Jedi,

00:50:31 - Intentionality and Choices,

00:53:07 - Babysitting Grogu,

00:55:40 - Hmk: Audit Your Homepage,

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How can businesses build trust, foster human connection, and align with shared values in the age of AI and technology? And why on Earth does Facebook feel the need to change its advertising platform every four seconds? (Ok, we can't answer the second question there. Ask Zuckerberg.) But in this episode, we wholeheartedly tackle the first.

Jenn Neal of Formula Done joins Annie P. to candidly share her best tips on leveraging Facebook’s functionality amidst recent policy changes, and strategies for overarching marketing success with and without AI.

Then, Jenn dives into her lifelong passion for different racing disciplines, including Formula 1. You'll be amazed how much it has to do with social media! Tune in for an insightful discussion filled with thrilling anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, a drag race romance, and plenty of laughs along the way.

- Connect with Jenn through her website, Instagram, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennneal.

- Grab her free ultimate guide to content repurposing at https://contentrepurposing.tools/

- Annie's award-winning sales course, Sales for Empaths, is now available as a Pay What Feels Right! Grab your seat at http://www.anniepruggles.com/NSSA

[00:01:14] With algorithms, you'd be surprised how much having fun matters

[00:05:23] Productivity, Dance Videos, and Visibility

[00:12:18] Leveraging the Facebook behemoth

[00:15:12] Visibility mini-masterclass

[00:19:35] Easy, cheap Facebook boosting for more visibility.

[00:21:53] How to liberate your content

[00:26:57] A Drag Race romance

[00:30:40] Elevating the ordinary to the excellent

[00:33:09] Ethics and your best behavior (but in a joyful way)

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If your email marketing was a love story, would the couple get together in the end or would one run away, screaming in disgust? While that second scenario isn't all that likely, entrepreneurs are faced with a very real pain all too often: crickets. We put the best of our brains out there, only to be met with silence and a smattering of lackluster likes. What's a heart-centered service provider to do, to really truly connect?

Allea Grummert joins Annie P." in the studio" this week to demystify the email outreach campaigns that just might matter most - the nurture sequence. It's a masterclass in authenticity and conversion copywriting wrapped in a zany, Jane Austen-obsessed bow. Who would be the better marketer - Mr. Bingley or Mr. Collins? How could Darcy have gotten Lizzie to buy in sooner? And what's the perfect balance between pride and passion in your work correspondence? 

- Connect with Allea through her Instagram.

- Grab her free guide to welcome sequences and more at duett.co/TLTQ

- Hey, are y'all on THREADS yet? If so, be sure to connect with Annie @annieprenenur

[00:06:42] Your story matters; let's share it.

[00:10:53]  The questions that build rapport

[00:13:43] How to ethically engage anxiety, frustration, and confusion

[00:16:09] Experiences shape our preferences and create engagement.

[00:21:31] Sometimes choices are correct, but maybe smelly.

[00:25:15] "Don't let others dictate your content."

[00:26:33] Goldilocks and lead magnets

[00:31:00] Email strategies: insults, flattery, and constant marketing

[00:35:36] Love letters to your customers bring clarity and reflection

[00:46:50] Miscommunication and secrets in classic literature analyzed

[00:53:21] Homework: Consider the tone and persona of your email marketing.

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Have you ever wondered what Hogwarts House would churn out the very best business strategists? Or wished you could celebrate Dobby's canonical birthday with your work friends? Or desperately sought to take back the Harry Potter fandom from JK Rowling's toxic, hateful grasp? This is the event for you!

What does bravery have to do with structure and systems?

What does loyalty have to do with websites?

What does braininess have to do with branding?

And what does ambition mean for non-sleazy selling?

Too Legitimate to Quit - your favorite small business/pop culture podcast, is thrilled to host the Hogwarts House Strategy Smackdown - presented initially live on LinkedIn.

* Representing Gryffindor, we have Meredyth Mustafa-Julock, CEO of Coach Jennie. (www.coachjennie.com)

* Representing Hufflepuff, we have Iris Goldfeder, CEO of GasStoveCreative.

(www.isyourwebsiteeffective.com)

* Representing Ravenclaw, we have Caitlin Penny, CEO of Copper Theory Creative.

(https://calendly.com/hello-ctc/30-minute-brand-assessment?month=2023-06)

* And representing Slytherin, we have Annie P. Ruggles, Founder of Quirk Works Consulting and host of Too Legitimate to Quit.

Throughout, we'll be raising funds for the amazing Transgender Law Center. It's Pride Month, after all! (It's not too late to donate - every dollar counts! So please consider joining the cause at https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/TLC2021/AnniePRuggles1 or by texting TLC202160 to 71777.

So - don your House Colors, grab your wallet, and join us! Dumbledore will be so proud of you!

About Transgender Law Center: Transgender Law Center changes laws, policies, and attitudes so that all people can live safely, authentically, and free from discrimination regardless of their gender identity or expression. Since 2002, they have grown to become the largest national trans-led organization advocating for a world in which all people are free to define themselves and their futures. Grounded in legal expertise and committed to racial justice, TLC employs a variety of community-driven strategies to keep transgender and gender-nonconforming people alive, thriving, and fighting for liberation. Learn more and follow their work at TransgenderLawCenter.org