Where bold ideas meet brilliant execution—Brand & Banter is the podcast that dives deep into the genius behind today's biggest branding wins. Hosted by branding and marketing expert Amanda Shuman, Brand & Banter goes beyond the polished pitch decks and news headlines to uncover the heart of the creative process. Think of it as your chance to eavesdrop on the conversations happening behind the branding curtain.
Founders spend a lot of time chasing visibility. KJ Blattenbauer, founder of Hearsay PR and author of the book Pitchworthy , starts somewhere much more uncomfortable: deciding what you want to be known for. After nearly three decades in public relations, KJ has seen talented founders obsess over Forbes features, dream about going viral, and hope one big media hit will finally change everything. But before she talks about podcasts, press, or publicity, she asks every client the same question: What do you want to be known for? And according to KJ, that's where most people get stuck. In this episode, KJ shares why PR has a PR problem and why visibility alone isn't enough to build authority. We unpack the difference between being seen and being remembered, why the most qualified person in the room isn't always the one who gets noticed, and how unclear messaging can quietly undermine every marketing effort that follows. We also dive into what actually makes someone pitchworthy, how to identify the audiences that matter most, and why one press hit should never be treated as the finish line. From creating repeatable language to turning a single media feature into months of content, KJ shares the framework she uses to help experts go from unknown to impossible to ignore. If you've ever watched someone with less experience land bigger opportunities, this conversation will challenge what you think creates recognition and what it really takes to become the person people talk about when you're not in the room. Links Mentioned Pitchworthy & the Pitchworthy Workbook Hearsay PR Pitchworthy Checklist Planable The Brand Edit Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
Welcome back to the BONUS episodes of Brand & Banter! We recently launched The Comma Club, which is a free weekly newsletter. Sign up here → https://carrylovedesigns.myflodesk.com/comma
How a LinkedIn Post Landed Jessica Berger a $1M Check Posting consistently can feel like shouting into the void. Until one day, the right person is listening. For Jessica Berger, founder and CEO of Bundle x Joy, that person turned out to be an investor. After years of documenting her journey on LinkedIn, one post reignited a conversation that eventually led to a seven-figure investment and helped make her the first Latina founder to raise more than $1 million in the pet industry. But the investment wasn't the result of one viral post. It was the result of years spent building visibility, relationships, and trust with people who had been quietly following along. In this episode, Jessica shares how she used LinkedIn to create opportunities she otherwise wouldn't have had access to. Without a built-in investor network or industry connections, she treated the platform as a place to build relationships, stay top of mind, and create familiarity over time. Along the way, that visibility opened doors to mentors, investors, and retailers like PetSmart. We also unpack why LinkedIn works differently than other social platforms, how Jessica balances authenticity with sharing wins, and why she believes your personal brand is one of the few assets algorithms can't take away. From practical habits that make LinkedIn more effective to the mindset shifts that helped her stop playing small, this conversation is a reminder that opportunities are rarely built overnight. More often, they're the result of showing up consistently long before you know who's watching. Links Mentioned Bundle x Joy Jessica Berger on LinkedIn Bundle x Joy Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
Most founders think growth comes from reaching more people. Amanda Reid built a sold-out retreat by doing the exact opposite. Instead of creating an experience for everyone, she created one deeply tailored to a very specific type of creative entrepreneur. The result? A luxury calligrapher retreat that sold out in just three minutes. Amanda is a modern calligrapher, live event engraver, and founder of Amanda Reid Designs , a luxury creative studio based in Austin, Texas. Her work has been featured at events for brands like Louis Vuitton, Dior, Google, Kendra Scott, and more. But beyond the luxury brand partnerships, Amanda has also built something rare inside a niche creative industry: a retreat experience people are willing to travel across the country for. In this episode, Amanda shares how she identified that gap and turned it into the Luxury Calligrapher Retreat , an immersive experience that now sells out in minutes. We unpack what actually creates demand for high-ticket events, why intimacy matters more than scale, and how thoughtful positioning can completely change how people perceive your business. Amanda walks through the behind-the-scenes realities of planning retreats, from putting down thousands of dollars on venues before selling a single ticket to obsessing over tiny guest experience details most people never consciously notice. We also talk about the emotional side of building something new, including the fear of nobody showing up and the mindset shift required to move from service provider to industry leader. Whether you are planning your first event or trying to position yourself as a leader in your industry, this episode is a masterclass in building experiences people want to talk about. In this episode, you'll learn: Why niching down often creates more demand, not less The exact marketing strategy that helped her first retreat sell out in 25 minutes Why intimate experiences create deeper customer loyalty How luxury details elevate the attendee experience What most people underestimate about planning retreats and live events Why looking outside your industry can spark better ideas How retreats can open doors to sponsorships and brand partnerships The operational details that make guests feel cared for Why educating your industry can elevate your brand positioning Links Mentioned Amanda Reid Designs Amanda Reid Designs Instagram Luxury Calligrapher Retreat Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
What happens when your marketing stops working, but nothing about your business has actually changed? For Tayler Cusick Hollman, founder of Enji , that moment showed up when things started to slow down. After steady growth, the numbers just weren't hitting the same way they used to. Fewer people were starting trials, results required more effort, and the small tweaks that used to make a difference weren't working anymore. In this episode, we take you behind the scenes of what it looks like to navigate that moment in real time. Tayler walks through how she and her team realized this was not just a messaging issue or something that could be solved with another round of testing. Instead, it pointed to something deeper: people were not fully understanding what Enji was or why they needed it. We break down the difference between tweaking and pivoting, and how to recognize when your business needs more than small adjustments. From identifying early warning signs in your data to rethinking your customer persona and redefining your positioning, this conversation highlights what it actually takes to make a meaningful shift instead of staying stuck in optimization mode. This episode also explores the role of ego in keeping business owners stuck longer than they need to be. Tayler shares how easy it is to keep refining something that feels close instead of stepping back and admitting that a bigger change is required. We talk through what it looks like to approach your business with more honesty, how to experiment in a way that gives you clarity, and why a pivot is not a sign of failure, but often the reason a business continues to grow. In this episode, you'll learn: How to recognize when tweaking your marketing is no longer enough The difference between a marketing problem and a positioning problem What early signs show that something deeper needs to change Why clarity in your messaging impacts every part of your business How redefining your customer persona can unlock growth The role ego plays in keeping business owners stuck Why pivoting is often the key to continued momentum Links Mentioned Enji Enji Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
Why are some creators landing brand partnerships again and again, while others feel like they are doing everything right and still getting overlooked? For Kahlea Wade, founder of Alora Society , the answer has very little to do with follower count, pitching more, or calling yourself an influencer. After working behind the scenes managing brand partnerships from pitch to payment, Kahlea has a clear view into what actually makes someone attractive to brands and where most people are quietly missing the mark. In this episode, we break down the biggest myths keeping people invisible in the brand partnership space. Kahlea walks through why partnerships start long before the pitch, what brands are really evaluating before they ever respond to outreach, and how positioning shapes whether someone is seen as a credible partner. We also talk about the difference between personal brands and traditional influencers, why follower count is often misunderstood, and how creators can become monetizable well before hitting major milestones. This conversation challenges the common advice around partnerships and replaces it with a more strategic way of thinking. From how brands assess fit to what makes someone easy to say yes to, Kahlea shares what actually moves the needle and how to position yourself so opportunities feel like a natural next step instead of a constant uphill climb. In this episode, you'll learn: Why brand partnerships start with positioning, not pitching What brands are looking at before they ever respond to outreach The difference between a personal brand and a traditional influencer Why follower count does not determine your ability to monetize What makes someone credible and attractive to brands How to position yourself so partnerships feel aligned and natural Links Mentioned Alora Society Alora Society Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
What happens when you buy a business… and on the very first day, you are already paying for problems you did not expect? For Dr. Kalli Doubleday, that moment came almost immediately after acquiring Wildcatter Ranch. The deal was done, the keys were handed over, and within hours, ownership stopped feeling theoretical and became very real as things started to fall apart. In this episode, we get into what it actually looks like to acquire a business from the inside. Kalli breaks down the decision to buy versus build, what banks really look for during the acquisition process, and why partnerships are often more complex than they appear on paper. She shares what most people underestimate before signing a deal, how quickly operational challenges surface after closing, and what it takes to stabilize a business in real time. We also talk about staffing, systems, and the financial realities of stepping into an existing operation that does not come without its own set of problems. This conversation walks through what it really takes to turn an acquisition into a functioning, sustainable business. From navigating immediate challenges and making high-stakes decisions to thinking long-term about growth, culture, and profitability, Kalli shares what year one actually looks like and what every buyer should be prepared for before making the leap. Links Mentioned Wildcatter Ranch & Resort Wildcatter Ranch Instagram Dr. Kalli Doubleday Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
Why do some brands feel instantly high-end… while others never quite get there? For Cassie LaMere, founder of Cassie LaMere Events, that difference comes down to details most people overlook. After spending over two decades working inside luxury fashion, hospitality, and high-end event production, she has seen firsthand what actually shapes a client's perception and what quietly signals the opposite. Because in her world, "high-end" is not something you say. It is something people feel the moment they experience you. In this episode, we get into what actually communicates a premium experience and where many brands unintentionally miss the mark. Cassie breaks down how language, environment, and attention to detail shape perception, why being immersed in your client's world matters more than calling yourself luxury, and the subtle shifts that instantly elevate or diminish how your brand is experienced. We also talk about the role of privacy, the importance of anticipating needs, and how pricing, when misaligned, can quietly signal a lack of confidence. This conversation walks through what it really takes to create a brand that feels high-end without needing to say it. From refining how you communicate and present your work to understanding the expectations of a more discerning client, Cassie shares how to build an experience that speaks for itself and earns trust before a single word is said. Links Mentioned Cassie LaMere Events Cassie LaMere Events Instagram Plannable Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
What if the real reason people trust your brand has nothing to do with your marketing? For Tori Clark, founder of Spa Luxe , community involvement wasn't a business strategy. It was personal. It started with a childhood shaped by the people who showed up. Raised by a single dad, she grew up surrounded by a community that stepped in, supported her family, and helped guide her path. Years later, when she found herself inheriting a struggling company headed toward bankruptcy, those early lessons about relationships and community suddenly became the blueprint for how she built her brand. In this episode, we get into how Tori built Spa Luxe around genuine community leadership and why that relational approach has become one of the brand's greatest strengths. She shares the difference between transactional giving and real involvement, how she chooses which causes to support, and why showing up with time and talent often creates a deeper impact than simply writing a check. We also talk about how that trust translates into brand awareness, referrals, and a retention rate far above the spa industry average. This conversation walks through what it really looks like to build a business people want to support. From community relationships and team culture to retention, referrals, and long-term brand trust, Tori shares how authentic leadership can create the kind of business growth that no ad campaign can buy. Links Mentioned Spa Luxe Spa Luxe Instagram: @thespaluxetx Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
How does a business go from chaotic cash flow to spending six figures on marketing? For Chelle Neff, owner of Urban Betty Salon , it started with eight years of barely surviving, hoping payroll would clear, and realizing that hustle alone was not a strategy. In this episode, we get into how Chelle transformed Urban Betty from booth rental chaos into a three-location, experience-led brand doing $6.3M in revenue. She breaks down exactly what she spent on marketing last year, what actually paid off, and what she would never do again. We talk about the operational structure that changed everything, the level system that created stability and career paths for her team, and the marketing lessons every service-based business needs to hear, especially if you are investing money without tracking what is actually driving new clients. This conversation walks through the real work behind scaling a service business. From rebuilding culture and systems to treating marketing like a strategic investment instead of a guessing game, Chelle shares what it really takes to grow a brand that people trust, talk about, and keep coming back to. Links Mentioned Urban Betty Salon Urban Betty Instagram: @urbanbetty Ready to build a brand that actually works for you? Leave a Review: If you loved today's chat, please leave a review. It helps us to not only keep the banter going but bring even more incredible guests to the mic. Join the Banter: If you are ready to create a cult brand that turns heads and starts conversations, head over to carrylovedesigns.com/podcast to sign up for our email list. You will get fresh marketing insights, bold ideas, and maybe even a little sass delivered straight to your inbox. Thanks for listening and remember, behind every bold brand is a story worth bantering about. Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
After an abrupt end to Season One, I wasn't sure this podcast would come back. It's been almost a year since our last episode aired, and to be honest, I put off recording this opener for a while because I wasn't sure how I wanted to frame this next season. Season 1 didn't end with a big announcement. It ended because something inside the business shifted, and I had to choose where my energy went. The podcast (as much as I love it) wasn't the thing that could stay at that moment. In this episode, I'm sharing what changed and what ultimately made me come back to it. Season 2 (or Issue Two) is built differently, with a biweekly rhythm and a Substack companion that lets us go deeper and stay in conversation beyond the mic. It feels more aligned. And more intentional. And I'm excited to build it with you! Substack → https://theamandashuman.substack.com/ Instagram → https://instagram.com/theamandashuman
In this bonus episode, I spill how a single, no-agenda coffee chat landed me two speaking gigs with no funnel, no fancy pitch, just showing up as myself. If you need a reminder that the best opportunities don't come from your inbox, but from being in the right room and making genuine connections, this one's for you. Want more behind-the-scenes, high-impact marketing moves? Join my insider email list at carrylovedesigns.com/podcast .
What do you do when you're launching a product in a saturated category with no budget, no team, and zero brand recognition? You get scrappy—and that's exactly what Michael Franco is doing with Carne Shabu, a new Mexican-style beef jerky brand out of Austin, TX. In this episode, Michael shares how he's building buzz with content-first marketing, behind-the-scenes storytelling, and saying yes to every opportunity (even random bookshelf pickups that turn into influencer collabs). We talk about what's actually worked to drive sales, what hasn't panned out, and why content is his not-so-secret weapon. If you're building a product-based brand and figuring it out as you go, this episode is full of real talk and practical insight—plus a reminder that the best ideas often start in your own kitchen. Links mentioned: Try the jerky: carneshabu.com TikTok that caught Amanda's eye: Watch here Follow Carne Shabu on Instagram: @carneshabu
What does a $2 stock price, a brand crisis, and the auto parts industry have to do with brilliant branding? Everything. In this episode of Brand & Banter, Jamie Schwartzman, founder of Flux Branding, unpacks how a rebrand of Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) took them from rock bottom to a $38/share comeback. We go beyond logos and color palettes to talk about the strategy behind brand perception, the power of subtle shifts, and how storytelling (yes, even in the automotive world) can change everything. 🔗 Learn more about Jamie's work at fluxbranding.com 🧪 Try the free Brand Decoder tool: https://fluxbranding.com/brand-personality-quiz/ 💌 Want a 1:1 Brand Blueprint? Email jamie@fluxbranding.com and mention Brand & Banter .
In this week's bite-sized bonus episode, we're breaking down a fast food launch that looked a lot like an Apple event—and racked up tens of millions of views in the process. Plus, what brands like Will Smith (yes, the actor) are doing with creators that you need to steal. If you're looking for smarter ways to launch, partner, and create buzz without a mega budget, this one's for you. 📅 Want our team to help bring that idea to life? Book a free consultation at carrylovedesigns.com/contact . Let's build your next brand moment.
In this episode, Chloe Makhani of Casaléna dishes out how she transformed a space into an immersive, character-driven experience that guests want to return to again and again. We talk about experiential hospitality, evolving your marketing with your brand, and why storytelling isn't just a vibe—it's a revenue driver. From streetwear-level fandom to lavender cocktails and personalized postcards, Chloe proves that every detail matters when you're building something magnetic. This one's for the founders blending soul with strategy. Follow along: Instagram & TikTok – @casaelena.la Learn more about Avondale Equities – avondaleequities.com
What does it take to build a brand that people don't just buy into but rep like a lifestyle? Lan Ho, founder of Fat Miilk, joins Brand & Banter to break down exactly how she turned a coffee startup into a cultural movement. From guerrilla marketing and pop-ups to launching a rebrand that changed everything, Lan shares the lessons (and hard truths) of scaling a business while staying true to your roots. In this episode, we cover: ☕ How Fat Miilk made Vietnamese Robusta coffee mainstream 🎨 Why branding is more than aesthetics 🛍 The smart way to price a premium product while keeping it accessible ⚡ The secret to turning first-time customers into brand superfans Whether you're a founder, brand builder, or coffee lover, this episode is packed with insights you won't want to miss. 🔗 Links mentioned in the episode: Fat Miilk's Website Follow Fat Miilk on Instagram Truffl Agency (Fat Miilk's Branding Team) Last Crumb Episode (Mentioned for branding inspiration)
Today, we're talking about Diet Coke's comeback —how the once-iconic brand is shaking off outdated perceptions, doubling down on marketing dollars, and making waves with a fresh campaign. And of course, I'll share some takeaways for brands of all sizes, including what you can steal from their strategy. Pick Your Poison: ☠️ DM your thoughts @theamandashuman ☠️ Subscribe to get notified when new episodes drop ☠️ Leave a 5-star review on Apple Podcast Diet Coke Commercials
In this episode of Brand & Banter , I sit down with Ellen Yin, founder of Cubicle to CEO , to talk about the art of revenue stacking—aka, how to get paid multiple times for the same work. She shares her strategy for turning one revenue stream into three, why licensing your expertise is an untapped goldmine, and how she's leveraged brand partnerships to build a media empire. If you've ever felt stuck on the hamster wheel of constantly selling, launching, and marketing just to stay afloat, Ellen's approach will change the way you look at monetization. If you love tactical, real-talk money conversations, this one's for you. Links Mentioned: 🔗 Cubicle to CEO Podcast: https://www.cubicletoceo.co/podcast 🔗 Amanda's Episode on Cubicle to CEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfVs2jlASFw 🔗 Paid to Create Program: https://ellenyin.com/paidtocreate 🔗 Follow Ellen on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missellenyin 🔗 Book Your Free CLD Mini-Audit: https://carrylovedesigns.com/
In this episode of The Marketing Brief , we're breaking down why Nike tapped SKIMS, what this says about shifting consumer behaviors. From stock market reactions to the rise of performance-meets-lifestyle branding, this isn't just about selling more leggings—it's about redefining the entire athleisure space. Join the conversation on Instagram ( @theamandashuman ) and let me know your take! Ready to level up your own brand strategy? Sign up for a free Mini-Audit and get expert insights on how to make your marketing work smarter, not harder. Head to carrylovedesigns.com to claim yours.
