Talk Branding To Me

Perfectionism is paralyzing.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie tackle a controversial question: when it comes to branding, is done better than perfect? We explore why small businesses and nonprofits need to be visible, not perfect, to grow an audience and connect with their customers.  We also address the real trap of overthinking decisions and explain why launching now—rather than waiting for ev...

Your brand deserves to be seen in ways that feel personal and memorable. In this episode, Jessie and Jaime welcome watercolor illustrator Maizie Clarke, founder of Maizie Clarke LLC, to explore how custom illustration can enhance and expand an established brand.  Maizie shares her perspective on the relationship between strategy and style, and how small, intentional touches can make your brand fee...

You’ve finally completed your brand design—now comes the real work.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explain what happens after your brand launch. We cover the practical steps for protecting your investment, how to establish systems that keep your brand consistent over time, and why brand management is an ongoing process, not a one-time project. By the end of this episode, you’ll understand both...

You’re ready to design your logo, but have you nailed your brand vibe first? In this episode, Jessie and Jaime reveal why the strategic work before design matters just as much as the design itself. We explain how to translate your brand foundation into clear visual direction and why this approach inspires better design decisions. Your brand visuals will evolve over time, but the foundation matters...

Your customers are using AI to find services—are you showing up? In this episode, Jessie and Jaime welcome Melanie Gorman, founder and chief strategist of Crownsville Media, to discuss how AI is changing the way customers are finding businesses and what small business owners need to understand to stay visible. We explore how your brand connects to AI visibility, what GEO and AEO are, and why tradi...

How often are you intentionally asking for feedback about your brand? In this episode, Jessie and Jaime explain why feedback matters, what kinds of feedback to solicit, and most importantly, how to filter input through the lens of your brand strategy.  Not every opinion deserves to change your direction, and we’ll help you determine whose feedback actually moves your brand forward.  If you’ve been...

After celebrating 20 episodes, Jaime and Jessie are taking a short break to recharge and plan what’s next.  In this special announcement, we share exactly when new episodes will return, how to catch up on episodes you've missed, and what's coming next—including more guest speakers and live "hot seats."  We're also inviting you to try the Hot Brand Challenge during the break, and we'll keep you con...

You've got a great product, but does it automatically become a great brand? And what about trends—should you chase them or ignore them?  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie tackle the question: which comes first? We explore how products (including services), brands, and trends actually interact with each other, when each one matters most, and how understanding their relationship can change your busi...

Here's the truth: half of what you think you know about your brand is probably just a guess.  In this episode, Jessie and Jaime walk you through a complete brand audit—a thorough, systematic review that covers both your strategy and your style.  We explain which critical areas deserve your attention, how to use data to back up your assumptions, and what to look for when evaluating whether your bra...

When a creative block hits, you need more than a Pinterest board to overcome it.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie share four proven methods to break out of your creative rut and find authentic brand inspiration.  We dive into how to activate different parts of your brain, the importance of documenting what resonates with you, and how shifting your perspective unlocks new ideas.  Through real exa...

Your brand isn't just about visuals—it's the foundation that supports everything else in your business.  In this episode, we show how brand strategy influences your marketing, business operations, HR structure, systems, financial decisions, and growth.  We also break down how branding supports marketing, marketing builds your pipeline, pipeline impacts capacity, and capacity affects growth—creatin...

In this episode, we turn the spotlight on ourselves—and our own brand journey.  We share how Hot Brand Summer, a seasonal program we created in 2025 to help women audit and refresh their brands, became the testing ground for Talk Branding To Me.  We discuss why we pivoted away from the full program, how we repurposed brand assets (like the Hot Brand Glossary), and the biggest lesson: creating a pl...

Your brand isn't just visual—it's an experience.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explore experiential and event marketing: how to invite your audience into branded moments that create deeper connections and boost awareness. We discuss practical ways small businesses can create brand experiences—from client onboarding packets and branded swag to conference exhibits and signature events—without n...

Branding, marketing, advertising, and public relations—what's the difference and how do they work together?  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explore the distinctions and interconnections between each of these pillars. We clarify common misconceptions, discuss the importance of each element in building a successful business, and emphasize the foundational role of branding.  Our conversation also...

Brand photos do more than make you look good—they build trust before you ever meet a potential client.  In this episode, we welcome our first guest, brand photographer Jama Finney, to discuss why brand photos matter, the difference between looking like yourself and looking like your brand, and when to invest in a mini shoot versus a full brand session.  Jama shares her process for planning shoots,...

Personal brands are outperforming business brands—but why?  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explore the shift toward personal branding and what a personal brand is.  We discuss how your personal brand is built around your personality, character, and reputation, so you can show up authentically to build trust with your brand’s audience. If you’ve been wondering how to build a personal brand, this...

Building a brand without protecting it is like leaving your front door unlocked.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie walk through the essential legal foundations every business owner needs: registering your business entity, filing for trademarks and copyrights, creating contracts, understanding FTC advertising rules, staying compliant with digital regulations, and hiring professional legal assistan...

Legacy brands aren't just for big corporations—they offer valuable lessons for small businesses, too.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explore what makes brands like Nike, Coca-Cola, Disney, and even the Olympic Games stay relevant across decades and generations.  We share how to conduct case studies by examining problems, strategies, and outcomes, and explain why the Olympics' one-shot brand ap...

You don't need a massive budget to start building a strong brand.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie share practical tips for branding on a budget, from keeping things simple and consistent with just 2-3 colors and basic fonts, to leveraging Canva templates and free stock photos.  The conversation also covers the significance of understanding licensing for branding assets and the potential costs a...

As a CEO, you're not just running a business—you're stewarding a brand.  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explain why brand stewardship should be part of every leader's mindset and how your brand foundation drives decisions across your entire organization.  We discuss how viewing yourself as a steward of your brand, understanding the foundation of your brand strategy, and maintaining consistency...

AI is everywhere, but how do you use it responsibly for branding?  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie share our perspective as AI users (not experts) on how to safely incorporate AI into your branding process. We cover brainstorming, strategy development, messaging, and design—plus the critical cautions about verification, trademark protection, ownership of output, and maintaining your brand's huma...

Is it time to separate your personal brand from your business brand?  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie explore the three primary brand phases—startup, established, and experienced—and discuss when building a personal brand makes strategic sense.  We cover why "who you know" still matters in business, how personal brands help you stand out as a subject matter expert, and what to consider based on...

What happens when a beloved brand makes a major change without asking their audience first?  In this episode, Jaime and Jessie share two contrasting case studies: Cracker Barrel's $700M rebrand disaster that stripped away the nostalgic elements customers loved, and the Savannah Bananas' $6M commitment to their "Fans First" brand value when a ticketing mistake went wrong.  We discuss why putting yo...

In this episode, Jaime and Jessie share the essential lessons we've learned throughout our careers in design and branding. The biggest lesson? Designers are problem solvers, not just pixel pushers.  We explore the multifaceted role of designers as problem solvers, the importance of strategy in driving design, the subjectivity of design, and the significance of client feedback.  From understanding...

Meet your hosts, Jaime Wright and Jessie Ford, as we introduce our approach to branding: strategy and style working together, not separately. In this first episode, we share their backgrounds in design and brand strategy, explain why both elements are essential for building a brand with longevity, and dive into an unexpected case study—Dolly Parton's multi-industry brand empire. From music to them...