Branding BFF® is a podcast for service businesses, creative professionals, consultants and coaches. Join Lisa Speer in candid conversations with entrepreneurs and brand creators to gain useful insights and inspiration you can apply to your brand and your business.
Being a solopreneur can feel like you’re riding a rollercoaster. There are emotional highs and lows, peak income months and slower ones. Your business life impacts your personal life, and vice versa.
Along the may want feedback on your pricing, your business goals, expanding your services or target market, navigating client relationships, or insight on your branding, website and marketing.
Sometimes you need big picture and vision support, while at other times you need super detailed and specific feedback.
You can get caught in a decision making loop. And while you’d love to be able to bounce your ideas and problems you’re facing with people outside of your friends and family, you’re worried about people will think.
It can be very lonely and isolating being a solopreneur. I know because I’ve been there and done that.
As a brand new solopreneur in 2004, I started out clientless and clueless. I made countless mistakes. I definitely felt incredibly isolated and alone.
My ego prevented me from discussing what was really happening behind the scenes in my business. Ever heard of “fake it until you make it”? Turns out it’s surprisingly ineffectual.
I spent time and energy trying to make it look like I had it all together, while quietly behind the scenes I really needed feedback and guidance.
Today my experience is totally different.
No, I didn’t hire a team, find a business partner or go back to working in an agency. I started letting people in. Each of these has been super helpful.
Joining those masterminds has proven to be one of the most impactful and positive choices I’ve made as a solopreneur. I get the ongoing feedback and ideas I need to feel connected and supported. I also have peers I can have confidential conversations with when I need it.
No matter the situation, together is better.
Learn from my mistakes and let people in. Here are 3 tips:
Choose who to let in
You could create a feedback exchange with a trusted peer.
If you’re not sure where to find a group like that, I’ve created The Solopreneur Mastermind. It’s perfect if you’re craving a place for connection and confidential conversations about your business. It will be limited to 5 people so everyone has ample time and attention over a 6 month period. Get the scoop at https://speerheadsolutions.com/mastermind/
No matter what you choose, I hope you’re letting people in so you can grow and flourish.
And remember, solopreneur doesn’t mean going it solo. Together is better.
We don’t often think of brands as healthy or sick. However, it’s a helpful way to look at it.
In this podcast episode we discuss:
I also provide examples throughout.
If you get stuck working through any of this, I offer brand strategy services to help. You can also sign-up for my email newsletter to receive ongoing branding tips and support in email form. https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Get connected on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/speerheadsolutions/
Speerhead Solutions takes the mystery out of branding and brings insight to entrepreneurship. We offer branding and coaching services for the challenges and opportunities your small business faces.
Branding ties to the big picture of how a business operates and its profitability, so I brought in Natasha Davis of Impact Branding to talk about “Linking Brand Strategy to Business Operations.”
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Natasha Davis and her business at https://impactbrandingconsulting.org/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashadavisvisionary/.
You can follow Impact Branding at https://www.facebook.com/impactbrandingconsulting/, https://www.instagram.com/impactbrandingconsulting/ and https://twitter.com/IMPCTBranding.
Learn tips from Natasha on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4PZfF4Vn7QgSX6mQXUPhw.
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
Your brand is closely tied to your marketing so I brought in Kia Dolby of Kia Dolby Creative to talk about “Expanding Your Brand Through Email Marketing.”
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Kia at http://kiadolby.com and follow her at https://www.instagram.com/kiadolby/ and https://www.facebook.com/kiadolbycreative.
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
With everything going on globally, I decided to dedicate a podcast episode to “Brand Communication During a Crisis”. I had some initial thoughts and decided to bring in PR and crisis communications expert, Nicole Peternel of Rein Communications, to have a candid conversation about ways to connect and communicate with our clients and prospective clients.
A few highlights we talk about are:
Nicole Peternel is currently offering free crisis communication phone calls right now. You can reach her at www.reincommunications.com
Recent article about crisis communication by Nicole: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/covid-19-when-health-crisis-becomes-communications-nicole-peternel/
You can follow Nicole at https://www.facebook.com/reincommunications/ and https://www.instagram.com/reincommunications/.
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business. https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
In this episode we focus on a “Branding Quickie”. It’s one quick insight to help you better understand an aspect of branding.
Our branding quickie today is: Time for a Brand Check-Up
In this episode we talk about:
If you want some help, Speerhead Solutions created a new service called Brand Check-Up. speerheadsolutions.com/strategy
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
In this episode we talk with attorney Karen Boardman about “Legally Protecting Your Brand”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
Disclaimer from Karen Boardman: All of my statements here are for informational purposes only and they do not constitute legal advice, nor does this podcast create any attorney/client privilege between myself and anyone listening to it.
Karen Boardman works as an attorney at Sellers, Ayers, Dortch, Lyons http://sellersayers.com/ and you can also find her on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/karensboardman/
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Is your brand working as hard as you are to get clients? Are your prospects and clients having an immersive experience with your brand? If you’re not sure, you’ll want to download the 4 Critical Elements of Brand Attraction at https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
Today's Branding Quickie is all about how words matter in branding. We'll cover three key examples, plus communication through the key stages of client engagement.
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
Are you working too hard to get clients? Ready to have your brand start doing some work for you? Get your free guide now. Download 4 Key Ingredients of Brand Attraction at https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
In this episode we talk with Brittany Canaski of Hello Velocity. She helps ambitious people get unstuck through coaching and consulting. Our topic is “Experience of Branding for First Time Business Owner”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can follow Hello Velocity and connect at https://www.instagram.com/HelloVelocityCo/ and https://www.facebook.com/HelloVelocityCo
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
https://speerheadsolutions.com/
Is your brand working as hard as you are to get clients? Are your prospects and clients having an immersive experience with your brand? If you’re not sure, you’ll want to download the 4 Critical Elements of Brand Attraction at SpeerheadSolutions.com
Subscribe to the Branding BFF podcast to stay connected to more behind-the-scenes conversations about branding and business. We also welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so we know what you enjoyed and more people can find us!
In this episode we talk with Latesha Byrd of Byrd Career Consulting & her personal brand Latesha Byrd. Our topic is “Raising Your Brand Visibility”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Latesha Byrd and her work at http://byrdcareerconsulting.com/ and https://www.lateshabyrd.com/
You can connect with her on social for Byrd Career Consulting at https://twitter.com/byrdconsults, https://www.instagram.com/byrdconsults_/ and for Latesha Byrd at https://twitter.com/Latesha_Byrd, https://www.instagram.com/latesha_byrd/
If you enjoyed this and want more, learn the 4 Critical Elements of Brand Attraction in a free download at https://speerheadsolutions.com/
We welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so more people can find us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
https://speerheadsolutions.com/
In this episode we turn the tables and I’m asked the questions by my guest host Erin Breeden of Blue Tide Creative. Our topic is “Behind the Scenes of My Rebrand” and starting with the biggest question, “Why does a branding business rebrand their business?”
(Speer Creative Edge rebranded to Speerhead Solutions at the beginning of 2020.)
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Lisa Speer and Speerhead Solutions at https://speerheadsolutions.com
You can follow on social media at https://www.instagram.com/speerheadsolutions/ https://twitter.com/ErinBreeden and https://www.facebook.com/speerheadsolutions
To learn more about our guest host Erin Breeden of Blue Tide Creative, visit https://www.bluetidecreative.com/
And follow her on social media at https://www.instagram.com/erinmbreeden/ and shorturl.at/AQRX0
If you enjoyed this and want more, learn the 4 Critical Elements of Brand Attraction in a free download at https://speerheadsolutions.com
We welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so more people can find us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speerhead Solutions, a strategic branding business.
https://speerheadsolutions.com
In this episode we focus on a “Branding Quickie”. It’s one quick insight to help you better understand an aspect of branding.
Lisa Speer shares:
To dive in and go deeper you can get your free copy of 4 Critical Elements of Brand Attraction at https://speercreativeedge.com
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. https://speercreativeedge.com
In this episode we talk with Nesha Pai, founder of Pai CPA and her personal brand Nesha Pai. Our topic is “The Courage to Stand Out”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can connect with Nesha Pai on https://paicpapllc.com and https://neshapai.com
You can follow Nesha Pai on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pai_cpa/ and https://www.instagram.com/neshapai/
If you enjoyed this and want more, learn the 4 Critical Elements of Brand Attraction in a free download at https://speercreativeedge.com
We welcome your rating and review on iTunes – so more people can find us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. https://speercreativeedge.com
In this episode we talk with Wade Foley, founder of Social Grit, about “Aligning Your Brand on Social”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can connect with Wade Foley on https://socialgritmarketing.com/
You can follow Social Grit on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/socialgritco/
https://www.instagram.com/socialgritco/
https://twitter.com/SocialGritCo
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
Agile Mindset Consulting helps solopreneurs, startups and small businesses to get out of the danger zone. In this episode we talk with founder Patty Aluskewicz about “Building a Strong Brand Foundation”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can connect with Patty Aluskewicz at http://agilemindsetconsulting.com
You can follow Patty and Agile Mindset Consulting on LinkedIn and Facebook:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patty-aluskewicz-med-csm-ryt-9a4b3b16a/
https://www.facebook.com/patty.aluskewicz.52
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
In this episode we introduce a segment called "Branding Quickie".
Lisa Speer shares one quick insight and then backs it up with an explanation and examples. She describes:
• How your brand is a bridge
• The three areas of your bridge
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. https://speercreativeedge.com
In this episode our topic is “Using Your Lifestyle to Shape Your Brand” and we’re talking with Allison Conway of Sealevel Agency.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You connect with Allison Conway at https://sealevelagency.com/
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. https://speercreativeedge.com
In this episode our topic is “Creating Your Business Name and Tagline” and we’re talking with Ellen Gross.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You connect with Ellen Gross at Speer Creative Edge. https://speercreativeedge.com/contact
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
In this episode our topic is “Telling Your Brand Story with Video” and we’re talking with Duncan Littlefield of The Littlefield Company.
A few highlights we cover are:
You can learn more about The Littlefield Company at https://thelittlefield.co/
You can follow The Littlefield Company on Instagram, Facebook and Vimeo:
https://www.instagram.com/thelittlefieldco/
https://www.facebook.com/TheLittlefieldCo/
https://vimeo.com/user84890147
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
Quin Gwinn Studio is a full-service interior architecture and design studio which provides commercial and residential services. In this episode our topic is “When to Name a Business After Yourself”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Quin Gwinn Studio at www.quingwinn.com
You can follow Quin Gwinn Studio on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter:
https://www.instagram.com/thestudioqg/
https://www.instagram.com/quingwinn/
https://www.facebook.com/quingwinnstudio
https://twitter.com/quingwinn
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
Julia Fay is founder of Julia Fay Photography. She helps startups, entrepreneurs, creatives and consultants develop and express their brand visually through brand photography.
In this episode our topic is Brand Photography. A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more Julia’s work at http://juliafayphotography.com
You can follow Julia Fay Photography on Instagram and Facebook:
https://www.instagram.com/juliafayphoto/
https://www.facebook.com/photographybyjuliafay/
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
Mel Miller is a financial advisor with Ameriprise Financial and founder of Business Sorority. Business Sorority is a relationship group for women that is designed to grow your circle, heart and mind. In this episode we talk about building your tribe.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more Mel’s work with Ameriprise https://www.ameripriseadvisors.com/mel.miller/
You can learn more about Business Sorority at https://www.businesssorority.com/
You can follow Business Sorority on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter:
https://twitter.com/bizsorclt
https://www.linkedin.com/company/business-sorority/
https://www.instagram.com/bizsorclt/
https://www.facebook.com/BusinessSorority/
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. At Speer Creative Edge, we guide you in creating a strong and authentic brand foundation. This foundation helps your business stand out and attracts your ideal clients more quickly.
https://speercreativeedge.com
Leigh Sellers is the founder of Touchstone Family Law, a seasoned and solutions focused family law firm. In this episode we talk about the road to rebrand for Leigh Sellers and her business.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Leigh and Touchstone Family Law at https://www.touchstonefamilylaw.com
You can follow Touchstone Family Law on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter:
https://www.facebook.com/touchstonefamilylaw/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/touchstonefamilylaw/
https://twitter.com/touchstone_ncsc
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
https://speercreativeedge.com
Eric Gorman is owner of Wily, an innovation strategy company that runs design sprints and strategy sprints for clients. In this episode we talk about brand failure to success.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Eric and Wily at wearewily.com
You can follow @wearewily on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. https://speercreativeedge.com
Matt Olin is host of CreativeMornings Charlotte (a local chapter of a global non-profit), co-founder of Charlotte is Creative (a local non-profit) and also a writer and speaker with his own business Matt Olin Creative. In this episode we talk about creative risking and branding.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Matt’s many creative ventures:
CreativeMornings Charlotte
Charlotte is Creative
Matt Olin Creative
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
LeeAnn Shattuck is the founder of The Car Chick. She provides a unique car buying service for women and smart men. In this episode we talk about how The Car Chick brand started accidentally and how it’s become an intentional (and international) brand.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about The Car Chick and her podcast “The Straight Shift” on her website.
You can follow The Car Chick on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
If you enjoyed the Branding BFF podcast, please rate us and give us a review on iTunes to help more people will discover us!
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business.
Jenn Shull is a mindset coach and founder of The Bold Thing. She works with entrepreneurs and intrapreneurs to shift their mindset and transform their world.
In this episode we talk about how Jenn has a strong voice and a strong brand, but it’s taken some time to get there. We focus on the theme of “Claiming Authenticity”.
A few highlights we talk about are:
You can learn more about Jenn and her business on her website.
You can follow The Bold Thing on Facebook and Instagram.
This podcast is brought to you by Speer Creative Edge, a strategic branding business. *You can follow Speer Creative Edge on Facebook and Instagram.
The conversations in “Branding BFF™” are designed for general information purposes only. If you’re looking for specific strategy and support for your brand and business, contact Lisa Speer at speercreativeedge.com*
Welcome to Branding BFF™, a podcast for service businesses, creative professionals and coaches. I’m your host Lisa Speer.
I chose to call this podcast Branding BFF because I want you to hear behind-the-scenes conversations, like you’re listening to two BFFs talking about branding and business.
I’ll be interviewing entrepreneurs and brand creators. Please note, these are uncensored conversations with guests, so there’s a chance there will be adult language.
Here’s the scoop about what to expect:
In our next episode I’ll be talking to Jenn Shull, founder and coach in her business, The Bold Thing. Our topic is claiming authenticity and we’ll discuss what that means for her brand.
We’ll examine how authenticity is an accelerator in business and life. We’ll talk about some missteps along the way and what’s she’s learned from it all.
I can’t wait for you to meet Jenn. She’s got a strong voice, brand and story!
Subscribe now and get ready to gain insights, get inspired and discover things you can apply to your own brand and business.
speercreativeedge.com