Pretty Funny Business

It’s hard out there being a LinkedIn thought leader, let alone a LinkedIn Costco Rotisserie Chicken. Lauren and Sydney are representing the “LinkedIn Thought Leadership Committee” to dive into:Are you a thought leader or really a loss leader?What sh** posts went viral The second-hand embarrassment of LinkedInWhy ChatGPT shouldn’t be your ghostwriterPlus, we play Buzzword Blitz, where we roast buzzwords like “fail fast”, “human-centric marketing”, and “synergy”.Loss leaders, UNITE!👀 Subscribe for new episodes featuring candid convos, wild work stories, and hot takes on corporate nonsense.📍 Timestamps00:00 Aspiring Thought Leader Initiative03:59 Authentic LinkedIn Posting Challenges07:09 "Personal Branding Challenges Online"10:25 AI Comments on LinkedIn Posts14:55 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Content Creation19:47 "Reject 'Fail Fast' Mindset"21:10 "Join MarketingOps Community Today!"25:24 "Adobe Roadmap Insights"27:55 "Embrace Indifference for Innovation"Connect with us:Lauren → / laurenaquilino Sydney → / sydneymulligan 👗 Try Nuuly and get $30 off your first rentalNuuly – Sydney’s Invite Link: https://share.nuuly.com/sydney9937 Nuuly – Lauren’s Invite Link: https://share.nuuly.com/lauren42247🛠 Tools we swear by (affiliate links – we earn a small commission):Fathom for meeting notes: https://fathom.partnerlinks.io/dpta8s... Airtable to manage workflows: https://airtable.com/invite/r/NHkCkkSD Run your whole business like a pro with Google Workspace: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/qEow 🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at https://www.emmieco.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Lauren and Sydney dive deep into the sometimes cringey, always interesting world of networking—especially for introverts. The conversation kicks off with hilarious banter about dreaded networking mixers, awkward icebreakers, and the classic name-tag dilemma (should fashion and function ever clash?). Lauren and Sydney, representing the extrovert-introvert spectrum themselves, swap personal stories about their own networking wins, fails, and full-blown party meltdowns. From planning the "perfect" networking event to the anxiety of making the first move, they get real about what works (and what absolutely doesn’t) for connecting with others. Whether you're a social butterfly or the person hiding by the guacamole, this episode is packed with practical tips, heartwarming anecdotes, and plenty of laughs—proving that anyone can build their network, one authentic interaction at a time.00:00 Introvert-Extrovert Networking Challenges03:26 "Introvert's Party Observations"07:51 "Walking Sparks Creativity"11:43 Networking Progression Steps13:04 "Light-Hearted Questions Requested"17:14 Building Valuable Consulting Connections19:17 "Dance & Pilates Connection"23:05 Networking Mishap: Reply-All Blunder25:43 "Choosing Home Isn't Neutral" This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Season 3 of Pretty Funny Business is HERE — and so are the cameras 👀 New mics. New format. Same unfiltered hosts.* LinkedIn’s most cringe post formats* Brutally honest skills we should endorse each other for* Why “corporate authenticity” is a lie (but also? kinda fun)* A client who smoked a literal pipe on a Zoom call* The infamous iTunes gift card scam moment (it’s real, and it happened live)We’re talking about the gap between how people show up online vs. real life, and why LinkedIn is basically Instagram with blazers.👀 Subscribe for new episodes featuring candid convos, wild work stories, and hot takes on corporate nonsense.📍 Timestamps00:00 "PFB Podcast Video Pilot"06:03 Expert Napper07:16 "Unfiltered Authenticity"10:39 Marketing Help by Emmy Collective15:31 Humor Thrives on LinkedIn17:48 Socializing & Networking Focus20:29 Awkward Encounter with Colleague24:48 "Will Aitken's LinkedIn Ambition"29:12 Leveraging LinkedIn for Business Opportunities32:34 SDR Scammed for iTunes Gift Cards33:15 Regretting Lost Meeting Recordings36:33 Retro Pipe-Smoking Fascination40:56 "Secrets Left Untold"🎙️ Just us this season. The fits are planned. The takes are spicy.Connect with us:Lauren → laurenaquilinoSydney → sydneymulligan 👗 Try Nuuly and get $30 off your first rentalNuuly – Sydney’s Invite Link: https://share.nuuly.com/sydney9937Nuuly – Lauren’s Invite Link: https://share.nuuly.com/lauren42247Try Rent the RunwaySydney’s RTR Link: https://www.renttherunway.com/shares/671db119003ed70111af06740773c5af9820aacb-payPerSwap-publicLink-1749051041584🛠 Tools we swear by (affiliate links – we earn a small commission):Fathom for meeting notes: https://fathom.partnerlinks.io/dpta8s... Airtable to manage EVERYTHING: https://airtable.com/invite/r/NHkCkkSD Run your whole business like a pro with Google Workspace: https://referworkspace.app.goo.gl/qEow🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe!📧 Want to work with us? Find out more at https://www.emmieco.com/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Alright, buckle up, because in this episode of Pretty Funny Business, Lauren and Sydney bring on a very special guest, Juanita Woods, their legendary bookkeeper. Yep, the woman who keeps their financial chaos in check! Juanita spills the tea on how she went from a stable government job to running the show behind the scenes at PFB HQ.The convo kicks off with Juanita’s early love for numbers (yes, some people actually enjoy math), her side hustle adventures, and how she became an irreplaceable part of the team. From there, they dive into some real talk about the struggles women face in business especially when it comes to the wild world of MLMs and why knowing your worth is non-negotiable.Of course, it wouldn’t be a PFB episode without a deep dive into money talk. The trio breaks down why cash flow is everything, how automation can be both a blessing and a curse in bookkeeping, and the financial must dos every small business owner needs to survive. Spoiler: if you don’t know where your money’s going, you’re in trouble.And because we love a good laugh, they throw in a fun Q&A with Juanita, where she dishes out her best tips on expense categorization (yes, it can be fun) and managing inventory like a pro. They also get real about client relationships, the power of setting boundaries, and why entrepreneurs need to stop trying to do everything themselves hire the dang specialists!The episode wraps up with some heart-to-hearts on personal growth, self-worth, and why having a solid community is a game-changer in business. It’s equal parts educational, hilarious, and very PFB. Don’t miss it! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

OUR FIRST IRL PODCAST!!!Count down from 12 with us as we share our FAVORITE PICKS of 2024!Holiday cheer and a whole lot of laughs! Join us as we navigate the highs and lows of creating a podcast live, all while juggling our personal and business lives. We share everything from Diet Coke anecdotes to our latest self-care rituals, like keeping up with perfect acrylic nails.The convo takes a turn as we dive into the yolo strategy of implementing Salesforce for EMMIE because hey, who said you can’t balance the holiday fun with a little tech talk? Even though it’s not all business, we get real about the importance of our team’s fractional support and how it’s been life saving in keeping things running smoothly.We also take a deep dive into our latest fashion addiction: Nuuly subscriptions. Whether it’s a risky new outfit or something we can only wear once (because we all know how that goes), we spill the tea on our favorite fashion finds (not literally). And, of course, we share our excitement for the future of Pretty Funny Business because there’s so much more to come.So grab your favorite holiday drink, sit back, and tune in for this festive episode full of laughs, insights, and all the feels!PS Here is Lauren’s Nuuly link, you’ll get $30 off! AND HERE’S SYDNEY’S! PICK YOUR FAVORITE!!! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode of Pretty Funny Business, we’re chatting with Phil Gamache, the genius behind the Humans of Martech podcast. Phil takes us on a journey through his world of marketing automation, the wild ride of podcasting, and even the creative chaos of AI-generated content.We dive into what it’s like to turn a passion project into a full-time gig, the ups and downs of small business life, and how to keep your industry connections alive while chasing big dreams. Plus, Phil gets real about balancing work, family life, and parenting-cue the toys! (Yes, we’re talking Barbies, Hot Wheels, and even the Yoto player. Get your kid’s Santa lists ready!)And let’s not forget his aspirations to write a sci-fi novel (because who doesn’t want to escape reality sometimes?) and how owning your own domain name is basically adulting 101. This one’s packed with laughs, insights, and those “yes, same” moments about work-life balance, parenting wins, and the magic of community.Grab your coffee (or wine-we don’t judge) and tune in for a mix of real talk, relatable moments, and a few unexpected giggles. You’re going to love this one, almost as much as Phil loved the self portrait that Lauren made for him: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode, Pretty Funny Business gets a bit of a glow-up with marketing ops powerhouse Helen Abramova, Director of Marketing Technology at Avalara joining us. Helen talks us through her journey from tech newbie to full-blown ops expert, with all the twists and turns along the way. We dig into her new role, get the lowdown on her approach to leveling up in marketing ops, and swap notes on the art of balancing work and life.We also dive into her passion projects — think: teaching tech skills, helping Ukrainian immigrants, and running Big Sur by happenstance. She tells us how she also mastered her accent with the help of improv classes (yes, really!) Helen’s got us inspired to keep learning, growing, and, of course, laughing. Catch this one if you're up for some genuine insight with a side of humor and a big dose of heart. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

In season one, Kimi Corrigan joined us for a snake draft of our dream MOPs teams. Now, we’ve cornered her to focus on the star of the show. Us. I mean. Her.Get ready for a wild ride as bestie-of-the-show Kimi Corrigan, VP of Marketing Operations at DataRobot, spills all about her latest chaotic weekend, from party-planning headaches to dreaming up future gatherings (with a little less chaos next time). We dive into the good stuff, like the all-too-real struggles of home repairs, wardrobe planning for the new season (fashion is serious business, people!), and the unpredictable life of parenting teenagers.Kimi opens up about her unexpected passion for golf and gives us a peek into her team’s quirky work culture—think The Mighty Ducks, but make it corporate. You’ll feel like part of the team as she shares the inside jokes, camaraderie, and why they don’t just work together, they root for each other, too.Kimi teases some exciting projects on the horizon, like her current obsession with collecting fun, out-there domain names (for that one day they’ll come in handy) and her plans to launch a YouTube channel dedicated to Rummikube, where she’ll mix strategy with laughs. Get ready for an episode packed with relatable chaos, good vibes, and a peek into Kimi’s entrepreneurial brain. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.comSPOILER ALERT: THE MOMS ARE ALWAYS RIGHT.Will Aitken joined us for episode 12 of Pretty Funny Business Season 2, and logged a major grievance against his wife, Mary Lynn, who allegedly chose to not pick up a Cinnabon for him while she was out running solo errands across the street from the mall. Will called up Mary Lynn to interrogate her live, but unfo…

Podcast Description:On this episode of Pretty Funny Business, Lauren and Sydney chat with sales trainer and content creator Will Aiken. They dive into his journey from sales to becoming a LinkedIn sensation, his thoughts on the role of humor in business, and why he’s not sold on AI in sales. Will also shares hilarious personal stories from life in Nova Scotia, including his tragic Cinnabon craving, and discusses the ongoing rivalry between sales and marketing. It’s a blend of laughs, insights, and off-the-cuff banter you won’t want to miss! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode, Sydney, Lauren, and Laura dive into the magic of those so-called "weak ties" and how they can actually be a game-changer for networking and landing new business opportunities. Laura gets real about how she launched her quirky dinner series, Weak Ties/Strong Bonds (yes, it’s as fun as it sounds), and how it’s been a goldmine for building connections. They also get into the nitty-gritty of email marketing vs. social media—spoiler alert: personalized emails win every time.Of course, it wouldn’t be an episode without some laughs. They share hilarious stories about the most random ways clients have come into their lives—like, ever gotten a client from a weird email thread? Yeah, it happens.Laura Maurer opens up about Weak Ties/Strong Bonds, a community and networking dinner series dedicated to uplifting women and gender diverse entrepreneurs and sparking collaborations to create a space where they can thrive together. And guess what—it’s already happening. People are linking up, making deals, and referring clients left and right. She also spills on the tricky part of hosting these events: balancing sponsor value while keeping the whole thing fun for attendees.And because they can’t help themselves, they wrap things up with a lighthearted chat about the weird world of domain names and a rapid-fire round on personal faves. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

In this episode, we chat with Michael Eckstein, the accountant who's making waves in the marketing agency world—and not just because he’s dubbed himself ‘LinkedIn’s cutest accountant.’ Michael spills on the wild side of accounting, like that time a client casually mentioned a safe stuffed with cash or another who brushed off a $140,000 tax bill like it was no big deal. We dive into how Michael’s all about those deep, personal connections with his clients, going way beyond the usual number-crunching to offer a service that’s as high-touch as it gets.But it’s not all sunshine and spreadsheets. Michael opens up about the frustrations of the accounting world, from the cold, impersonal help desk software that’s creeping into the industry to his own dreams of becoming an influencer and setting up an affiliate shop—only to find out that the accounting world isn’t exactly brimming with opportunities for that. We also get into the sketchy side of affiliate marketing and how some companies are pushing boundaries in all the wrong ways.Of course, no convo would be complete without a little AI talk—Michael shares his take on the challenges of integrating AI into accounting software and why it’s crucial to keep advocating for clients amidst all the tech changes. Plus, we dish on the invite-only retreats we've been to and why keeping a balance between work and life is non-negotiable. Oh, and there’s a bit of HR talk too, because boundaries, am I right?In the next part, we dive into the fun stuff—parties, surveys, and pricing strategies. We swap stories about a wild party in Scottsdale, the headache of crafting the perfect survey, and why sometimes, you just gotta raise those prices. Social media’s influence gets a mention, as does our itch to hit up the next big marketing event. And yes, there’s even a segment on tattoos and our signature scavenger hunt!Finally, we wrap things up with some real talk on everything from the daily struggle of outfit repetition to the lack of accountant representation in media. We get into domain name drama, the challenges of being a woman in a male-dominated field, and brainstorm ideas for accountant merch. The episode caps off with a laugh-out-loud story about a podcast sponsorship that went hilariously off the rails.Take Michael's Survey here! https://survey.restingbusinessface.com/JGOOlrzRmDzCJb3qPCWH This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

SummaryIn this episode, Sydney and Lauren interview Jon Miller, the OG founder of Marketo (among other successes, of course). They discuss various topics, including Jon's experience with yoga, his new startup, and what his family thinks he does for a living. They also delve into the early days of Marketo and the challenges of being an entrepreneur. The conversation touches on the differences between Marketo and HubSpot, as well as the evolution of marketing automation platforms over the years. The conversation covers various topics related to the history of Marketo and the experiences of the speakers at Marketo Summits. They discuss the early days of Marketo, including the first Marketo Summit at the San Mateo Marriott and the rebranding of the company's colors. They also share personal stories from the Summits, such as meeting Will Smith and Hillary Clinton. The conversation touches on the domain gate incident in 2017 and the creation of the Phil's Housekeeper Twitter account. Finally, they mention the new rules of B2B marketing. The conversation explores the shift from the old marketing playbook to the new rules of marketing. The old playbook focused on generating leads and nurturing them through the sales process, while the new rules emphasize building relationships and providing value to customers. The old playbook relied heavily on measurable metrics, while the new rules appreciate the complexity and nuance of the customer journey. The conversation also touches on the importance of managing energy and incorporating daily exercise, as well as the use of prediction markets in politics. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

In this mini episode, Lauren and Sydney celebrate the second birthday of their company, EMMIE Collective. They reflect on the growth and success of the company over the past two years, including the number of listeners to the Pretty Funny Business podcast, the number of signed consultants, and the number of clients. They also discuss their profit-sharing and charitable donation initiatives, as well as their pop-up parties and merchandise sales. They express gratitude for their dedicated listeners and discuss their plans for the future, including outsourcing certain tasks to manage their growing workload. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Lauren and Sydney review their trip to Denver, discussing their reasons for choosing the city, their matching pajamas, and their sales kickoff and planning retreat. They talk about their stay at the Trailborn Hotel in Estes Park and their hiking adventure to Emerald Lake. They share funny moments, such as their disappointment with the Wendy's Biggie Bag, their encounter with a marmot, and Sydney's phone falling off a cliff. They also discuss the concept of 'raw dogging' a flight. Lauren and Sydney share their hiking adventure, including encounters with a judge, a camp counselor, and a broken phone. They discuss raw dogging a lake, the challenges of hiking, and their hilarious interactions with fellow campers. The conversation is filled with humor and funny anecdotes. The conversation concludes with Sydney and Lauren recapping their experience at the Denver party and their journey back home. They discuss the fun and chaotic moments at the party, including the presence of the Bufkin family, the challenges at the Apple Store, and the enthusiastic crowd. They also mention their plans for future parties in Portland and Cleveland. Overall, the conversation highlights the excitement and challenges of hosting events and the importance of staying organized and adaptable. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Per usual, we chat about many topics, both personal and professional.Chloe shares her story of moving to France and working in marketing. She's been active in the MOPs community, speaking at AntiCon and MOPs A Palooza coming up!Learn more about the pros and cons of living in France while discussing life and work in general. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Lauren and Sydney record a special bonus episode to recap a pretty funny business story that happened in the marketing slash sales ops space.For your entertainment only, a few quotes from the episode:* "Hello and welcome to the most chaotic episode of Pretty Funny Business to ever be recorded!"* "I don't think I know how to be petty, but this may be as petty as I get."* "Dearest listeners, may ye be reminded that I have incredible phone anxiety. Like, will not make a phone call." This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

David Kreitter joins us! His background in marketing automation started with his journey working at Marketo to and now with his own automation consulting business. He's a real OG. We chat the importance of the Marketo community and the development of best practices within the community. Plus, where should marketing ops sit in the org?The conversation touches on topics such as the role of automation in marketing, the challenges of working with different marketing tools, and the future of marketing automation.Then of course we cover the best candies in America, where we should live, and a couple anecdotes about first jobs. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

AJ Navarro isn't just any Marketing Ops pro. He's a meat smoker, a car rental tips machine, a watch guy, and has a top tier manager (hi Cam). We met AJ at MOpsapalooza last year (buy your tickets for this year!!!) and had a blast getting to know him better on this episode of Pretty Funny Business. Learn about how AJ is shaping his own career path and what his Barbie accessories would be. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prettyfunnybusiness/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prettyfunnybusiness/support This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe

Heyo! Our first episode where YOU, dear listener, can ask us ANYTHING -- but mostly it was Cam Conrad this time around. What's our favorite MarTech tool? What is the biggest difference between consulting and working in-house? Why don't sales people just click the right buttons in their CRM? Is Taylor Swift on the downswing? Do you miss working in an office? What did you want to be when you grew up? Who would win in a footrace?And MORE!--- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prettyfunnybusiness/messageSupport this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/prettyfunnybusiness/support This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.prettyfunnybusiness.com/subscribe