Build an Obsession Brand

The truth no one talks about: incredible challenger brands aren't failing because they lack strategy—they're being crushed by a system that was never built for them.  In this raw, unfiltered episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on why mission-driven brands like Ami Cole are shutting down despite doing everything "right."  We're diving deep into the expectation mismatch that's killing these brands, what the data actually shows, and what needs to change if we want innovation to survive.  This isn't just about business metrics—it's about legacy, identity, and protecting the brands that represent the communities that need them most. What You'll Learn: Why the "harvest model" is destroying cultivation-stage brands The real reason brand awareness isn't enough (and whose job it actually is) How to measure challenger brand success beyond traditional velocity metrics The portfolio strategy shift that could save emerging brands Why 18-24 months of focused support beats endless pivoting What retailers and investors need to do differently to share the risk How consumer data could revolutionize discovery for underrepresented brands The infrastructure changes needed to make inclusion more than just shelf space This episode is for founders feeling like they're falling short, decision-makers with power to change systems, and anyone who believes challenger brands deserve a real fighting chance. ✨ CONNECT: 📧Substack: Brand Growth Journal 📷 Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 🎥 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel 💼 Connect: Connect Here  

Walking into Sephora for my sister's 21st birthday skincare haul completely changed how I view beauty retail. What I discovered wasn't just overwhelming—it was eye-opening. The narrow aisles, tiny shelf space, and massive brand signage told a story that every challenger brand needs to understand. Sephora has quietly transformed from a discovery destination into what I call a "fulfillment center"—a place where customers come to collect brands they already love, not discover new ones. And if you're building a challenger brand, this changes everything about your strategy. What You'll Learn: Why LVMH brands occupy 50% of Sephora's shelf space (and what this means for you) The four pillars of becoming a "wanted brand" that customers actively seek out How to turn your website into your greatest competitive weapon Why fan cultivation beats big budgets every single time The real reason discovery is dead in beauty retail How to build negotiating power with retailers through genuine demand Bottom Line:  Stop trying to outspend the giants. Your superpower isn't breadth—it's depth. While big brands win through visual dominance, you win through genuine connection and surgical precision. Thanks for tuning in, don't forget to subscribe for the latest episodes. ✨ CONNECT: 📧Substack: Brand Growth Journal 📷 Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 🎥 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel 💼 Chat: Connect Here

Retail won’t save you and free samples won’t land the deal. In this episode, I’m joined by retail strategist and former grocery buyer Allison Ball to bust some of the biggest myths about getting your product on shelves. From the real cost of sampling to the metrics that actually matter to retail buyers, this conversation is a must-listen for any founder dreaming of Whole Foods or Target. If you’ve ever wondered how to pitch without losing profit or how to compete when big brands dominate the shelf space, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: Why free samples often backfire (and what to do instead) The buyer psychology founders overlook and how to build for it What a pitch deck really needs (hint: it’s not fancy design) The KPIs buyers care about and how to align your business around them The difference between in-store and online storytelling—and how to win at both How to build brand pull-through before ever landing retail About Allison Alli Ball is the founder & CEO of Food Biz Wiz and the creator of Retail Ready®, an online program that has provided strategic support, curated curriculum, and values-aligned community for over 3,000 producers of packaged products in the food industry.  As a former grocery buyer-turned-wholesale consultant, Alli has helped thousands of emerging brands understand what it takes to get on the shelf and have high sales once you’re there. Find her on her website here or on Food Biz Wiz®, her award-winning podcast about wholesale strategy, which contains a library of 250 episodes. Connect with Allison Allison@alliball.com Website: www.foodbizwiz.com Instagram: @foodbizwiz LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aball/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/foodbizwiz  Food Biz Wiz Podcast: www.alliball.com/foodbizwiz ✨JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Get Weekly Strategic Insights on building Obsession-Brands:  Subscribe to brand growth journal.  ✨ CONNECT: 📧Substack: Brand Growth Journal 📷 Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 🎥 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel 💼 Consulting: Connect Here

You are not your business, but you do owe it your leadership. In this episode, I’m joined by powerhouse founder, coach, and podcast host Eleanor Beaton to unpack what it really takes to build an enduring brand. From mastering premium positioning to separating your personal identity from your product, Eleanor drops truth bombs every product-based founder needs to hear. What You’ll Learn: Why being obsessed with your customer is your most underutilized advantage The mindset shift every founder must make to scale sustainably Why women entrepreneurs over-rely on marketing and how to fix it with sales The real difference between producers and replicators (and why it matters for growth) What Fenty and Good American get right about brand positioning If you’ve ever felt like you’re too close to your business to sell it, or you're relying on marketing when it’s a sales problem, this conversation is your wake-up call. About Eleanor Eleanor Beaton is the founder of Safi Media, a coaching and education company dedicated to doubling the number of women founders who sustainably scale to $1M+ by 2030, and the host of the Woman Owned podcast, now ranked in the top 0.5% of all podcasts globally, providing insights and strategies to empower women entrepreneurs. Since 2016, Eleanor has provided training to over 25,000 women entrepreneurs worldwide. A former chair of the Visiting Women’s Executive Exchange Program at the Yale School of Management, Eleanor has won national awards for her achievements in entrepreneurship, leadership development and business journalism. She lives in Nova Scotia with her husband and two sons. Connect with Eleanor https://www.safimedia.co  https://instagram.com/eleanorbeaton  https://www.linkedin.com/in/eleanorbeaton/  https://safimedia.co/podcast/  ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision? Connect With Me ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel  

Growing up, I learned to only speak when I had something important to say. I was raised in a culture where being quiet wasn’t a flaw, it was a way of life. Today, that quiet confidence shapes everything I know about building magnetic brands. In this episode, I’m sharing a personal story about identity, visibility, and the power of knowing exactly who you’re speaking to. Using Mac and Maybelline as a case study, I’m breaking down why two products in the same category can perform entirely differently and what that means for your brand. Whether you’re feeling invisible in a saturated market or wondering how to truly stand out, this episode will shift your perspective on what makes a brand powerful. What You’ll Learn: Why the loudest brand isn’t always the most successful The real difference between standing out and being seen by the right person A simple case study that explains brand positioning in real life How data, not vibes, is your most powerful brand-building tool Why identity and customer insight should drive your entire strategy Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to subscribe for the latest episodes. ✨ GET THE REAL INSIGHTS The content I don’t post on social lives in the Brand Growth Journal. Want to build a brand people obsess over—for the long haul? [Join me here →] ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging   ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

Big brands don’t land in Vogue by accident and guess what? Neither will yours. In this episode, I’m sitting down with PR powerhouse Gloria Chou, a former U.S. diplomat turned media strategist who’s helped over 10,000 small businesses get featured without hiring expensive agencies. She’s breaking down her signature CPR pitching method and giving you the exact framework to pitch your product to top-tier media outlets, no fancy connections or massive ad budget required. If you’ve ever wondered how to get real media coverage that builds brand trust, boosts your SEO, and puts your product in front of thousands, this one’s for you. What You’ll Learn: Why traditional PR is broken and how to do it differently Gloria’s CPR pitch method to grab a journalist’s attention (even if you’re brand new) How to find and contact the right media editors for your product The difference between a good story and a relevant pitch Free tools to build your own media list How to repurpose PR features to build brand authority and increase traffic Thanks for tuning in. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest episodes.  About Gloria Gloria Chou is an award-winning PR strategist and host of the top-rated Small Business PR Podcast. Known for her untraditional yet proven approach to PR which makes visibility and access to media accessible for anyone, Gloria helps BIPOC and female founders get featured organically in top-tier media without needing PR connections or a large following.  Her strategies have earned small businesses in nearly every industry niche over a billion organic views and features in outlets like the New York Times, Oprah’s Favorite Things, Vogue, and Forbes, without any pay-to-play. A former U.S. Diplomat turned small business advocate, Gloria has been on 100 podcasts and was named "Pitch Writing Expert of the Year" in 2021 as part of the Influential Businesswomen Awards, and a Forbes Next 1000 honoree. Connect with Gloria https://gloriachoupr.comhttps://www.instagram.com/gloriachoupr/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/gloriaychou/ https://www.facebook.com/gloriaychou/ ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision? Connect With Me ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training:  Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

Motherhood is a journey full of transitions and unexpected lessons. In this episode, I’m sharing my personal journey through postpartum and the lessons it taught me about being present, building with intention, and embracing the seasons of life. From nursing struggles to finding balance as a new mom and entrepreneur, this episode dives into how the postpartum experience mirrored the growth process in business. I’m breaking down why you can’t skip steps in either life or business and how slowing down and embracing your current season is key to growth. If you’re in a season of transition, whether in life or business, this episode will give you the insight you need to embrace where you are and move forward with intention. What You’ll Learn: The importance of being present in your current season of life and business How postpartum challenges taught me about intentional living and growth Why you can’t skip steps in business and how to honor your season The power of slowing down and leading with intention, not hustle How to balance building your brand and embracing life’s transitions Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to subscribe for the latest episodes.  ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision? Connect With Me ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging   ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

AI isn’t just a buzzword, it’s evolving fast, and it’s changing how we do business. But when it comes to branding, the question isn’t if we should use AI, it’s how. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down how AI fits into the branding space and where it falls flat. We’re talking content, creativity, brand voice, and how to stay human in a tech-driven world. Spoiler: AI can be powerful, but your brand still needs you. So if you’ve ever wondered how to leverage AI tools without losing what makes your brand unique, this one’s for you. Let’s get into it. What You’ll Learn:  How AI is changing the branding landscape—and what’s still non-negotiable The biggest branding mistake people make with AI tools Where AI can amplify your brand and where it just can’t compete My take on voice cloning, templated messaging, and authenticity in the age of tech Why your story, voice, and lived experience will always matter more than the algorithm Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to subscribe for the latest episodes. ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision?  Connect With Me ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training:  Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call. https://startwardconsulting.as.me/growth-strategy-call ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

Let’s talk about the elephant in the room—I’ve been quiet. And there’s a reason. This episode is personal. I’m pulling back the curtain and sharing where I’ve been, why I hit pause, and what’s shifting as I step back into my company with more clarity than ever. Because the truth is, building a brand doesn’t always look like forward momentum—and sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is slow down. If you’ve ever felt like you’re building something that no longer feels aligned… or if you’ve felt the pressure to keep showing up even when it’s not working for you anymore, this one’s for you. We’re talking about burnout, boundaries and getting honest with yourself when something’s gotta give. What You’ll Learn: Why I chose to take a break from content and visibility The warning signs I couldn’t ignore (and neither should you) What I realized about my audience, my business model, and my capacity Why clarity isn’t always found in the grind How I’m rebuilding the brand with more intention and less noise Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to subscribe for the latest episodes. LINKS MENTIONED:  FREEDOM CURRICULUM: ​​https://freedom.churchofthehighlands.com/curriculum ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision?  Connect With Me ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training:  Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call. https://startwardconsulting.as.me/growth-strategy-call ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

Building a brand isn’t just about what you sell, it’s about how you show up, what you stand for, and how you connect with your audience. And today, we’re taking that concept to a whole new level with an episode that flips the script on traditional branding. I’m answering 18 questions about building your brand, growing your business, and making an impact. From strategy and messaging to personal growth and mindset, we’re covering it all. If you’ve ever wanted a candid, unfiltered look at the realities of brand-building, this episode is for you.  What You’ll Learn: The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when building a brand (and how to avoid them). How to create messaging that actually connects with your audience. My go-to strategies for standing out in a crowded market. How to stay authentic in your journey. Why brand-building is just as much about mindset as it is about strategy. Thanks for tuning in, don’t forget to subscribe for the latest episodes. ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision? Connect With Me   ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging   ✨ CONNECT: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting  📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel

Building a brand isn’t just about selling a product—it’s about creating something people want to be part of. But what if your brand could go beyond just recognition and become a true extension of your customer’s identity? That’s exactly what we’re unpacking in this conversation with Veronica Romney, a marketing powerhouse with nearly two decades of experience working with some of the biggest names in business. She’s here to break down the game-changing concept of Identity Marketing—a strategy that allows brands to connect deeply with their customers by aligning with who they are and what they stand for. We’re diving into how brands like Harley-Davidson, Taylor Swift, and Nike have mastered identity-driven marketing—and how you can apply the same principles, whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or scaling a product-based business. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a brand people obsess over, grab a notebook and get cozy  because this episode is packed with valuable strategies and insights.  What You’ll Learn: The real difference between branding and identity marketing (and why it matters) Why your customers are rebranding themselves in 2025—and how to stay relevant The 4-step Identity Code Framework that makes brands unforgettable How to create an identity-driven brand (even if you’re not a celebrity) The role of psychology, community, and self-definition in brand loyalty Why traditional marketing tactics aren’t working anymore—and what to do instead   ✨Connect with Veronica https://veronicaromney.com/ https://instagram.com/vromney Get your copy of Identity Marketing at identitymarketingbook.com.     ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To My Youtube Channel   ✨ FREE TRAINING: Want to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging   ✨ GROW YOUR BRAND: Ready to build an obsession brand and scale it with scientific precision? Schedule your strategy call.

Whether you’re a full-face glam type or a natural face girlie, you probably already know one of the most important (and hard to perfect) steps of the makeup routine:  Your foundation.  I was struggling with this myself this past year. My usual go-to—the Fenty Sheer Glow foundation—just never really agreed with my skin, no matter what I tried. It looks so bomb on other people, but on me, it just sat kind of cakey and dry. My skin never drank it up like I wanted it to.  Enter my new fav: the Dior Forever Skin Glow foundation. I gave this one another try, and voila: melty, glassy perfection!  But of course, you know me—it’s never just about makeup.  My recent discovery got me thinking about the parallels between the foundation we put on our faces and the foundation of our product-based brands.  (Stick with me here!) Your base sets the tone for your final look.  It either pulls everything together, or it sets you up for failure.  It can either make you feel like a glowy goddess, or it makes you feel self-conscious and out of place.  It’s also a tricky balance that takes some people years to really nail. But once you do, there is no turning back! Trust me—finding that right foundation (whether for your face or your brand) makes you feel like you’re on Cloud 9.  And if you need a little help finding the right match, be sure to tune in to this week’s podcast episode, where we dive into the things you need for the best brand foundation possible, including:  💄Raving about specific features and benefits of your product 💄Showing the moment of choice to back up your premium pricing 💄Adding character, depth, and personality with your positioning  And more!  You deserve a foundation that flatters you—let’s figure out what that looks like for your brand! ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

Picture this:  You’ve poured hundreds (if not THOUSANDS) of hours into designing the perfect product.  You know it works. You went through dozens of prototypes to iron out every single kink. It addresses a particular problem and makes things 10X easier. Heck, you use it yourself! People should love this.  And yet…it’s not flying off the shelves.  Lots of you are probably in this predicament yourself. And if you are, I want to tell you something super important:  You have a great product—but that’s not enough.  Your blood, sweat, and marketing budget is a phenomenal start, but you can’t outmarket your sales strategy.  That’s where I’m here to help! In this week's podcast episode, we get into the nitty-gritty of how to make your product sell like hotcakes the way that it DESERVES, including:  ✨ How to frame your messaging to be irresistible  ✨ Tapping into what your People constantly talk about ✨ Conveying your convictions (aka your “Why”) And most importantly, how to tie it all together in one pretty, punchy package! We already know your product is life-changing. Now, it’s time to make that translate into some life-changing sales!  Tune in today, and in just 30 short minutes, let’s make those shelves nice and empty—the way they should be! ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

Could you use more money?  Maybe the answer to that is obvious. As entrepreneurs, we’re always asking ourselves where we can get funding.  Funding gives us the chance to pour ourselves into our business. It gives us opportunities to grow our product lines, our inventories, and our marketing outreach. It gives us peace of mind as we use our time for our families, our projects, and our brand.  Funding gives us freedom.  We talk a lot about how to increase our sales, but there’s another source of funding out there: investors.  Getting funding on the front end can be a huge boost in our brand, but it’s also a whole different animal.  That’s where Kat Weaver comes in! In this week’s special podcast episode, we sit down with Power to Pitch founder, Kat Weaver, to dig into the common pitfalls that come with pitching your brand, and what you can do to succeed.  And Kat would know—as a self-proclaimed “two-time accidental founder”, she realized early on that lots of amazing founders weren’t able to clearly and concisely talk about who they were and what they needed.  Today, she helps founders get funded faster while also introducing them to investors in their industry. The result? She’s helped founders raise over $15 million in grants and ventures—and counting.  Tune in TODAY to see how she does it, and how you can pitch your own brand story with confidence, no matter who is in the room with you. ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

If you’re looking back on the last three months of 2024 and still feeling lost, then today’s message is for you! A long, long time ago (aka December 2023), I found myself wistfully thinking ahead to what 2024 might have in store. (Not to toot my own horn, but I’m pretty good at nailing down trends!) Now, I’ve gotten to see some of those trends in action, and I’m bringing my results straight to you! Think of where you’re at now that we’re into the thick of 2024.  Maybe the things you had focused on in the beginning now don’t seem to be paying off.  Maybe you’re trying to reorganize, or just need some reassurance that you’re going in the right direction.  No matter where you’re at, now is a good time to check in and see what’s working. And—maybe even more importantly—what’s not.  In this week’s podcast episode, we’re talking about what’s OFFICIALLY in for your brand this year—and what you can finally kick to the curb.  ✨ How to be “product-forward” ✨ Building a movement around your brand ✨ Tapping into cultural nuance as your superpower And more! You still have 75% of 2024 left: let’s use that time to pivot your brand towards what it needs to be relevant, make money, and bring you joy.  ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

As we head into Q2, you may be pouring over the bills on the table with a heavy heart.  It probably feels like there’s not enough to work with—too little in the bank, too many expenses popping up, and no room to breathe in between.  You may have even seen your sales plateau, despite doing EVERYTHING right. You’re showing up, you’re putting in the work, and yet, your sales aren’t matching your energy.  If this hits close to home for you right now, then I’m here to share one of the most important things you’ll ever read when it comes to your brand:  You do not need a lot of money to build a really successful brand.  Let me repeat that: you do not need a lot of money to build a successful brand.  You ALSO don’t need a lot of money to break out of that sales plateau and get your growth back on track.  So that leaves the question: what do you need?  That’s the key question we’re diving into in this week’s podcast episode! This week, we’re digging into real, tangible ways to break out of your capped growth and get your brand momentum back, including:  ✨ How being brave in your business can open doors you never thought possible ✨ How marketing is a skill that ANYONE can master—no bubbly personality required! ✨ How to break through in even the most saturated markets  And more! There is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to your brand’s progress this year. If you’re tired of crunching the numbers in a panic, then be sure to tune in and see how your brand growth strategy can make that dreaded sales plateau a thing of the past! ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

Picture this:  You’re doing all the right things. Your content is getting clicks, your sales are trickling in. Things are finally starting to move in the right direction.  In fact, things are almost going too well. As the CEO, you are the one responsible for everything. The planning, the marketing, the writing, the accounting. Everything.  And you are tired.  So what do you do? The marketing gurus online seem to all point to one thing: hiring a team.  That should make things easier, but now you’re faced with another crucial decision: Who in the world do you hire? Do you need an assistant? A coach? A marketing agency?  I’m here to tell you a secret: who you hire makes all the difference.  Even the most qualified candidate can be more of a boon than a catalyst to your brand if they’re in the wrong role.  That’s why, in this week’s podcast episode, we’re diving into the real question behind it all:  Who should you invest in?  To help answer that question, we’ll dive into the nitty-gritty of it all, including:  ✨What you shouldn’t hire someone to do (i.e. avoiding tasks you’d rather not do) ✨When you need a task taker vs. a decision maker ✨Who your first hire should be if you make less than $10K a month And more!  Many hands make light work. The right hands build something new. Something that will stand the test of time for years to come!  Tune in to see how your next hire can give you clarity AND keep your brand’s momentum—exactly as it should be! ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel  

A lot of us left 2023 feeling heavy.  Not only have we been chin-deep in our business, but other things have gone to the wayside. We’re losing hair, losing sleep, and ultimately just losing our spark.  2024 can be different. It has to be different.  In this week’s special podcast episode, we’re talking to the lovely Maraya Brown, founder and CEO of the Women’s Vibrancy Code, to dive into how women entrepreneurs can build their legacy without burnout! If you want to find out how to shape a business that fulfills you to the core, then you need to hear this week’s heart-to-heart, where we talk about: ✨ Paying yourself first in profit, health, and love ✨ Finding support systems to clear your brain fog and make things bright, more fun, AND more productive ✨ Stepping into next year to forgive big and dream big And more! Our bodies, brains, and businesses all run on a beautiful rhythm that’s trying to tell us what we need.  If we nurture it and tune in, we may just be surprised at what we find—and how much happiness and growth awaits us in 2024! Link in bio for podcast and free menstrual tracker: https://www.instagram.com/_marayabrown_/ How are you treating yourself self assessment quiz: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1pC67u9D1fioKcogFJRTRPv5eqaijU8N10evFKOkniIs/edit?usp=sharing Link to apply for a call to create a personalized package: https://share.hsforms.com/1Y59wqx-JRhKl8F-TbECbRwcr1a5?__hstc=60313330.d4803da42f1151dabccefca26f3753af.1688592064322.1695930722564.1696014560866.53&__hssc=60313330.1.1696014560866&__hsfp=2266632975 Website: https://marayabrown.com/ Podcasts: https://www.marayabrown.com/podcast FB: https://www.facebook.com/energyhormoneslibido FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1603969509778639 IG: https://www.instagram.com/_marayabrown_/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maraya-brown-ba235169/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@_marayabrown_ YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClFktw3TpnSzo5Pkgm2us8A ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging   ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.    ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

If you’re bracing for poor sales in Quarter 1 this year, then I need to tell you: Inevitably low Q1 sales are a myth.  “But Maureen,” I hear you say, “everyone says that Q1 sales are always low. My market is dead right now!” Trust me, I’ve been there. Q4 is full of a lot of highs (thanks, Black Friday + Cyber Monday), so we’re used to seeing things cool off a bit right after.  But the fact that Q1 sales have to be poor is a self-fulfilling prophecy—and something that’s fixable! In this week’s podcast episode, I’m going to be covering some of the reasons why people think Q1  sales should suck,  but also really talk about what are the things that you need to do to unlock consistent, year-round sales.  Let’s talk about:  ➡️ Why you’re only making money during two seasons (and how to fix it) ➡️ How to make cultural moments that trigger purchasing decisions for your  customer ➡️ Designing a selling cycle in Q1 ➡️ Optimizing your new product release timeframe And more! Here’s the good news:  Most of my clients make money in Q1.  Your bills happen every month—so should your sales! Not only does it give you peace of mind, but making sales in Q1 via clear and magnetic brand positioning helps you stand out during ALL campaign seasons—which means you’ll stand out in even the most saturated markets.  ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel

Growing up, Robin’s mother always told her to “take what I have and make it bigger”.  First, she put that advice to work 15 years ago by getting serious about nutrition.  She went from being prediabetic, overweight, and clueless about nutrition to fully discovering just how powerful food was—and making it her life’s mission to reach others how to use food and nutrition to build their bodies for the better.  Hence, Necessary Nutrition was born! Robin started out Necessary Nutrition as a service-based brand, but over time, she had a dream to shift to a produce-based business: one that put her Vitamin D3 line on display.  But product-based brands are a whole other beast—one that Robin was completely inexperienced with.  So where to start?  That was the big question! In this week’s podcast episode, we’re diving into Robin’s brand journey, including: ⭐How she broke through the noise in her industry and doubled her following on social media ⭐How she raised her prices—and got more sales and confidence in the process ⭐How she got more effective with her time, her energy, and her mindset And more! If you want predictable sales and predictable income, then you have to hear Robin’s story—so tune in today! ✨ FREE TRAINING: Ready to identify the One Growth Strategy You Need to Focus on First to Increase Sales Now? Watch the most recent training: Uncap Your Growth & Bring in More Product Sales without Changing Your Branding or Packaging ✨ WORK WITH MAUREEN: Ready to revolutionize your brand by mapping and mastering the brand growth levers your brand needs to get increased visibility, sales certainty and cash confidence? Schedule a strategy call.  ✨ CONNECT WITH MAUREEN: 🖥  Website: Startward Consulting 📷  Instagram: Follow Me On Instagram 📷 Youtube: Subscribe To Youtube Channel