Make your audience feel seen, and they'll do the marketing for you. Cookie in the Kitchen has built the kind of brand people want to show off, share, and celebrate—even Harry Styles. She and Michelle dig into the strategy behind art that feels personal, why fandom is community gold, and how nailing the details turns customers into evangelists. From TikTok virality to capturing an artist’s “lore” on a cookie, Emily proves branding is about seeing people deeply. If you want your work to feel irres...
Jul 01, 2025•38 min•Season 3Ep. 221
What started as a side hustle in dental hygiene school turned into a wildly successful lifestyle brand. Caitlyn Cochran shares how she built Dental Hygiene Nation from Etsy orders in her dorm room to a full-blown eCommerce business. She and Michelle talk about community, niching down, and trusting the slow-and-steady brand building process. If you've ever struggled to increase your prices, tackle limiting beliefs as an entrepreneur, or show up online as a founder, this episode will give you the ...
Jun 24, 2025•1 hr 8 min•Season 3Ep. 220
Meet the teacher who’s building the next generation of creatives. Carolyn Jungman joins Michelle to talk about teaching digital arts and design to Gen Z high schoolers, what students really think about AI, and why creativity in education deserves more credit (and funding). If you’ve ever questioned whether this generation “gets it,” this episode proves they’re already building what’s next. Carolyn is a dedicated high school photography and graphic design teacher with a passion for fostering crea...
Jun 17, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 219
Ever feel like you’re stuck in your own professional bubble, wondering how to actually make connections that matter? Michelle dives in with Veronica Perondi of LEAD San Diego into what it really takes to break out, build a brag-worthy network, and get your seat at the table. From Michelle's personal experience with the program to redefining networking and why you need to join a local leadership program, this convo is all about mixing curiosity, community, and leadership together. Veronica Perond...
Jun 10, 2025•40 min•Season 3Ep. 218
Drop everything and book a flight. Join Michelle and illustrator Caroline Tomlinson as they dive into the winding, wanderlust-filled path that led Caroline from agency burnout to full-time artistry, with pit stops in London, Cape Town, and New Zealand. They talk grit, galleries, creative identity, and the irreplaceable inspiration of travel. Tune in to embrace the beauty of happy accidents, creative ruts, and why travel is the ultimate fuel for your imagination. Caroline Tomlinson is a London-ba...
Jun 03, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 217
Lauren deVane is back (for the fifth time!) to help us make sense of the AI landscape—minus the tech bro energy. She and Michelle unpack what GPT-4o actually means for creative work, how to use AI tools with taste, and why brand builders can’t afford to sit on the sidelines. From custom bots to off-label use cases, this conversation is a sharp, strategic look at where branding and AI intersect. Lauren deVane is the founder of The Bemused Studio, where she builds strategic, scroll-stopping brand ...
May 27, 2025•54 min•Season 3Ep. 216
Real estate but make it cozy with a touch of luxury. Tune in to hear Molly Gallagher of FRG Real Estate and Michelle talk all things Milwaukee, from historic homes to heritage branding. They dig into the emotional side of real estate, how to stage and sell with style, creating branded merch people actually want to rep, and what makes FRG’s team-first, family-rooted approach so special. Molly shares her insights on client care, design taste, and why community is everything in the Midwest market. ...
May 20, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 215
SEO is a long game—here's how to play it well. SEO expert Tedi Bezna breaks down what SEO actually is, where to start, and how to make your website more findable without becoming a tech expert. From keyword strategy to AI myths to what Google really wants in 2025, this convo is a goldmine for service providers, designers, and online business owners alike. Tedi Bezna is the founder of Searchlight Digital and an SEO expert with over a decade of experience in search engine marketing. She and her al...
May 13, 2025•45 min•Season 3Ep. 214
Ready to ditch the starving artist trope and paint your own path to creative success? From charging what you’re worth, to calling out sneaky art competitions, and navigating the wild world of social media—Michelle and Phoebe break it all down. Pull back the curtain on the business of murals, how Phoebe cold-pitches her way to projects, and why she’s over playing nice with companies running “for exposure” contests. Plus, hear the hot takes and honest realities of building a creative career in lat...
May 06, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 213
What if your anxiety is really just untapped creativity looking for a way out? Join Michelle and stop-motion expert Colette Peri as they give actionable tips for setting social media boundaries, making time for soul-nourishing hobbies, and rediscovering creativity just for the fun of it. In this episode, Colette shares how she found her niche, and what makes content actually magical. She and Michelle dive into creativity, pitching yourself, and staying playful even when the pressure’s on. Colett...
Apr 29, 2025•42 min•Season 3Ep. 212
Melissa Litchfield is the marketing strategist brands call when they're ready to run ads that actually convert . In this episode, she breaks down the Facebook and Instagram ad game—from testing offers to ad copy do’s and don’ts to how your creative strategy can make or break your ROI. She and Michelle also dive into ad budgets, email list-building, and why you should probably stop boosting posts. Melissa is the founder of Litchfield Media, a seasoned digital marketing strategist, Meta ads expert...
Apr 22, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 211
From a homemade gluten-free loaf for mom to Whole Foods shelves nationwide, Queen Street Bakery’s journey is anything but bland. Founders Giovanni and Tony share how they built a better-for-you, gluten-free bakery brand without cutting corners or flavor. They dig into ingredient sourcing, packaging pivots, building a brand, and what it takes to win customer trust in the crowded CPG space. Giovanni Angelucci (founder) got tired of settling for terrible tasting gluten-free breads with bad ingredie...
Apr 15, 2025•46 min•Season 3Ep. 210
Big art. Bigger confidence. Molly Reopelle shares how she went from calligraphy at weddings to murals that define neighborhoods—literally. In this creative deep-dive, her and Michelle unpack the magic of large-scale art, finding your visual style, and navigating pricing with confidence (even if you’re Midwest nice about it). Molly drops gems on creative sustainability, public art, business coaching, and why she doesn't take on projects in January. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to turn pa...
Apr 08, 2025•38 min•Season 3Ep. 209
One woman. One wild idea. One perfect can. Tiffany Jones, founder of Avenue 8 Cocktails, joins Michelle to share how she turned a frustration into an award-winning beverage brand. She'll walk you through the female-led research, formulation, and design process that brought her vision to life—from sourcing clean ingredients to collaborating with kick-ass team. They also dive into building a lifestyle brand, seeding strategy, and that feeling of seeing complete strangers enjoy your product. Tune i...
Apr 01, 2025•36 min•Season 3Ep. 208
If your Dropbox is full of unused brand photos… this episode is your intervention. Photographer and videographer Nadia of LeightBox Media joins Michelle to dish on everything from shoot prep to post-production magic. They talk creative direction, pricing realities, how to plan for photos with real longevity—and why one great image can work way harder than you think. Nadia shares what makes a shoot run smoothly, the gear that matters, and how AI is changing the creative workflow. Nadia Nowak-Leig...
Mar 25, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 207
Big walls, bold colors, and even bigger creativity—Annie’s murals turn blank spaces into showstoppers. She shares how she landed her first big projects, why pricing your work confidently is non-negotiable, and how artists can ditch the starving artist myth for good. Plus, she breaks down the power of community, creative flow, and why women lifting each other up is the real blueprint for success. Annie is a muralist and digital illustrator and who creates bold, eye-catching art inspired by all th...
Mar 18, 2025•43 min•Season 3Ep. 206
Forget skipping lattes—Amber Frankhuizen is here to talk about real financial freedom (and why you should still enjoy your matcha). Michelle and Amber get real about building wealth, dismantling money myths, and why women must step up and own their financial power. Get the tea on overspending traps, pricing your work with confidence, and why making more money isn’t just about luxury—it’s about impact. Relearn what true wealth means as they dive into media literacy, self-care, and finding the rit...
Mar 11, 2025•57 min•Season 3Ep. 205
Jessica Molina didn’t just build an art career—she built a brand, a business, and a voice that won’t back down. From studying architecture to becoming full-time lettering artist, Jessica shares how she honed her signature style that is bold, vibrant, and undeniably her . You'll learn what you need to define your own style, the business of art, and why standing out beats playing it safe. Plus, get some real talk on imposter syndrome, why joy is a form of resistance, and the responsibility of arti...
Mar 04, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 204
Art isn’t just passion—it’s profit, and Alicia Puig is here to prove it. As co-founder of PXP Contemporary, she’s redefining how emerging artists sell, price, and thrive in the digital art world. From diversity in the art world to co-writing the ultimate creative biz handbook, Alicia spills the secrets every artist (and collector) needs to know. Plus, she’s got a no-BS formula for pricing artwork (which you can snag below)—because exposure doesn’t pay the bills. Alicia Puig is the curator & ...
Feb 25, 2025•33 min•Season 3Ep. 203
Ever wondered how to turn your daily grind or client success stories into captivating content like a pro? Tune in for your ultimate guide to creating DIML (Day in My Life) and case study videos. Michelle gives you the low down on capturing and editing content that will attract dream clients. Whether you're a founder looking to show off your brand's ethos or someone eager to boost your visual storytelling skills, tune in for a masterclass in marketing authenticity. ------------------------ In tod...
Feb 18, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 202
Unlock the financial secrets and strategies for women in business with Shay Bacani! From dusting off your financial hygiene to how to scale your business to go global, dig into finance strategies to transform your money mindset in 2025. Whether you're a solopreneur or looking to scale with a team, Shay's offers tips you can apply right after listening to this episode! Shay Bacani is a powerhouse CFO and visionary entrepreneur, specializing in financial management and strategy. As the founder of ...
Feb 11, 2025•44 min•Season 3Ep. 201
It's 2025. If you're not game-ifying your goals, then what are you doing? Michelle's playful approach with her viral bingo card will have you eager to chase down this year's dreams. Learn how to craft goals that matter, avoid the traps of vanity metrics, and enjoy the thrill of friendly competition. If you're ready for a fun, engaging way to achieve more this year, grab your bingo card and let's get started! ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: How to play Bingoal...
Feb 04, 2025•39 min•Season 3Ep. 200
Ready to elevate your storytelling game? This week Michelle talks to Sarah from The Deckery to deep dive into the world of presentation design. From transforming pitch decks into works of art to the secrets of cutting the clutter and landing that $50 million deal, you'll learn how to make every slide shine. Whether you're a seasoned designer or just starting out, Sarah's journey from business admin major to the founder of The Deckery will inspire you to find your own niche and thrive. Sarah is t...
Jan 28, 2025•41 min•Season 3Ep. 199
Think marketing only thrives online? Think again! Michelle ventures into the world of screen-free branding to share tips on capturing your audience’s hearts without relying on social media. Reconnect with the magic of print, unique in-person events, and authentic community engagement. Ready to rethink how you build your brand? ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Print design comeback Event hosting Community engagement Crafting experiential moments ---------------...
Jan 21, 2025•17 min•Season 3Ep. 198
Elevate your brand game and work with MKW Creative Co. in 2025. From consults to our brand design, we'll walk you through all the options. Learn the offerings you'll unlock once you join the MKW Creative fam to keep your brand looking sharp. Whether you're starting your business or looking for a rebrand, we're excited to meet you! ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: MKW Creative Co.'s current offerings Free offerings Consultancy sessions Brand strategy sessions S...
Jan 14, 2025•30 min•Season 3Ep. 197
Ready to flip the script on wellness branding? This week, we're joined by In Light Hyperbarics' Marketing Director, Mariah Coistra, to dive into their recent rebrand. Hear how their transformation snagged rave reviews and learn actionable tips for marketers aiming to create impactful change in their companies. Curious about hyperbaric oxygen therapy? Mariah provides a 101 lesson, detailing its benefits and how it bridges the gap between Western and alternative medicine. Tune in to discover the s...
Jan 07, 2025•35 min•Season 3Ep. 196
Ever wondered how to juggle multiple clients, streamline business processes, and still keep your sanity intact? Cody, MKW Creative Co's OBM, is back to dish out the secrets to avoid burnout, set firm project deadlines, and make your business run like clockwork. From managing client expectations to discovering your team's “zone of genius,” you'll learn how to build an efficient foundation for your business. Cody Garner-Howe is an operations and systems strategist! What does that mean? She takes a...
Dec 31, 2024•45 min•Season 3Ep. 195
Learn which design trends your brand should hop on in 2025. Michelle goes through four trends she predicts will rise in the new year, how they'll be played out, and who could benefit from hopping on them. From an inclusive spin on hunting aesthetics to handmade vibes to tech-free luxury escapes. Don't miss out on becoming a trendsetter in your industry. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: How to predict trends Serving hunt Crafted comeback Do not disturb deluxe M...
Dec 24, 2024•54 min•Season 3Ep. 194
Ready to give your branding and client retention strategies a much-needed floss? Join Kim of Bloom RDH and Michelle as they break down how to keep your content fresh and master the art of client loyalty. From insights inside of the dental hygienist industry to job retention with Gen Z, this convo is packed with pearls of wisdom. Kimberly Augustus brings over a decade of valuable experience as a seasoned dental hygienist, coupled with almost 10 years of dedicated service in the field of education...
Dec 17, 2024•40 min•Season 3Ep. 193
With Chat GPT celebrating its second birthday, what better way to ring it in than an episode with our resident AI guru, Lauren deVane?! Ever wondered if AI could really replace the personal touch in your favorite handmade goods? Spoiler alert: no! Uncover the magic of integrating AI into creative branding without losing your unique sparkle. From AI doing therapy sessions to helping you craft the perfect text's unsent messages, we’re decoding the digital world in the cheekiest way possible. Join ...
Dec 10, 2024•56 min•Season 3Ep. 192
