The Business of You with Rachel Gogos

Most people think branding starts with your logo. But it actually starts with you. This episode is all about how you can uncover what truly sets you apart by asking a few simple (but powerful) questions. You'll learn how to turn client feedback into messaging that actually resonates, and how to create a brand experience that makes people feel connected the moment they land on your site. I sat down...

If you've ever felt unsure about how much of yourself to share in your brand… this episode is for you. This is a special episode where I joined Michael Levitt on his podcast, Breakfast Leadership, to talk about something most people overthink: how to build a personal brand that actually connects. We unpacked what personal branding really means, why it's not about boasting, and how sharing your sto...

Think negotiation is just for boardrooms and big business deals? Think again.  Negotiation is everywhere, whether you're asking for a raise, buying a car, or convincing your kids to brush their teeth. And if you're doing it without empathy, you're leaving results (and relationships) on the table. Today's guest is Andres Lares, Managing Partner at the Shapiro Negotiations Institute. He's helped clo...

What if the real growth strategy isn't finding your niche, but finding yourself? I joined Rodric Lenhart on the Million Dollar Flip Flops podcast to talk about something I believe most business owners get backwards: we rush to pick a niche before we've figured out who we are. As the founder of brandiD (a personal branding and web agency) and MyPath101 (a self-discovery platform for students), I've...

Ever had an idea so specific that everyone told you it wouldn't work? Nelson Nigel heard that too, right before scaling his niche startup, Kidmoto, to over 60 cities across the U.S. Nelson is the founder and CEO of Kidmoto, a reservation-based ride service that provides pre-installed child car seats for families traveling to and from airports.  After surviving a life-threatening train accident at...

Does your website feel like a warm welcome? If not, this episode is a must-listen. Because branding isn't just about fonts, colors, or messaging–it's about how your clients feel when they land on your digital doorstep. This is a special episode where I sat down with Shay Wheat on her podcast, Creating Powerful Impact. We talked about why the most effective brands start from the inside out. The SOU...

In today's world, personal branding isn't just for business owners – it's for everyone. Whether you're applying to college, building a career, leading a team, or simply figuring out your next move… your personal brand is what sets you apart. It's how people remember you, refer you, and recognize your potential—even when you're not in the room. Dr. Carmen Bell-Ross is an educator, leadership develo...

"They all hate you." That's what a young David Bishop heard from his regional manager, and it turned his view of leadership on its head. If you've ever questioned your leadership style or wondered why your team isn't as aligned as they could be, this episode is packed with insights that will shift how you think about growth. David Bishop is a top executive coach to leaders at companies like Netfli...

What if the key to scaling a business isn't knowing the industry inside and out–but knowing how to fix what's broken? Brendan P. Keegan is a six-time CEO, two-time bestselling author, and founder of bFEARLESS Ventures. He's raised over $10 billion in capital, led six companies to exit, and grew Merchants Fleet from $500 million to $2.5 billion–without ever working in fleet management before. Now r...

Have you ever wondered how some service businesses seem to dominate their local markets while others struggle to get seen? The secret might be simpler than you think – and it all starts with how you show up on Google. Today's guest breaks down what really works in local SEO, how to increase your visibility without increasing your workload, and why finding your niche might be the smartest move you...

LinkedIn is a powerful tool for your business–but only if you use it properly. Today's guest will show you how to make the most of this platform with authentic, non-spammy connection strategies.  Colin Hirdman started his first business a week after graduating from college with no background in business or marketing. He's the co-founder of Monkey Island Ventures, along with two of his childhood be...

Have you ever considered opening a franchise? Maybe you're looking for a new investment opportunity, or you're attracted to a business model where all the systems are already up and running. Today's guest breaks down what you need to know beforehand, the best industries to invest in, and what separates successful owners from the rest.   Jon Ostenson is the Founder and CEO of FranBridge Consulting,...

Does it feel like no matter how hard you work, there's never enough time? As an entrepreneur, there's always more work to do–but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy the process. Today's guest will help you break free from the stress cycle and enjoy calmer, more peaceful productivity.  Erin Harrington helps busy, overwhelmed high achievers align their work with their well-being, empowering them to in...

What's the difference between a successful freelancer and one who struggles with feast or famine? It's not how good you are at your craft, but how you position yourself to clients. Amy Posner is a seasoned online entrepreneur and business coach who helps digital creative freelancers build breakthrough businesses. Over her 30-year career, she's launched six successful businesses (five of which are...

Omar Alvarez is on a mission to reinvent how we connect—by bringing storytelling back to the heart of technology. With his startup KINNECT, he's doing exactly that—creating a platform that helps people share their life stories, from past experiences to future dreams, in a way that's meaningful, inclusive, and easy to use. Not only has he secured support for his vision, but he's now poised to disru...

Ever wish there was a cheat sheet on exactly what to look for in your employees? Fred Meyers has cracked the code on how to hire, develop, and retain great team members. As the founder of Queensboro, Fred is an early pioneer and 40+ year veteran of the custom logo apparel business, selling directly to small and medium-sized businesses. As technology evolved, from 800 numbers and fax machines to pe...

Did you know your heart contains 40,000 neurons? Your heart can sense things that your logical brain simply can't–and tapping into that intelligence can help you make better decisions for your business.    Leyla Salvadé is a Heart Intelligence expert and founder of Standing Light™, a company empowering humanity through heart-centered education and events. As a Heartfulness Therapist at an exclusiv...

As any venture capitalist knows, not every investment pays off. Half of all new businesses fail within the first five years–but today's podcast guest has learned to spot the winners. Brandon T. Adams is a 2X Emmy® Award-Winning Producer, Podcaster, Media Expert, Investor, and Advisor. In 2017, he founded Accelerant Media Group, an agency that produces commercials, social media content, and TV show...

Could your digital business benefit from more physical marketing? Mark Stern is reimagining direct mail with experiential boxes designed to set your customers up for success and extend lifetime value.  Mark is a serial entrepreneur and founder of the Custom Box Agency, a design agency that specializes in optimizing the customer journey through direct mail. His innovative work caught the attention...

Did you know that every year, the government gives small business owners millions of dollars in funding? Most entrepreneurs aren't even aware that this type of assistance is available, let alone how to access it. Today's guest shares an inside look at how you can secure funding for your business. Matthew Lesko is a well-known author, speaker, and advocate for government programs and benefits. He h...

Between employee burnout, working remotely, and economic stress, being a leader these days comes with its fair share of challenges. This week's podcast guest shares how to steer your team to success. Karin Hurt is the Founder and CEO of Lets Grow Leaders, a global leadership company known for practical tools and leadership development programs that stick. A former Verizon Wireless executive with m...

With the digital marketing world changing so fast, how can you keep up? Sunny Dublick shares her recommendations for effective marketing in 2025 and how your company can innovate to stay ahead of the curve. Sunny is an award-winning marketing specialist and founder of Sunny Dublick Marketing. Sunny has spent over 15 years in the marketing and advertising industry, working with high-profile clients...

Just how safe is your business online? Fraud cases have more than doubled in recent years, while AI-driven scams are only growing more sophisticated. Today's guest shares how you can protect your business. John King is an experienced business executive and IT consultant who has worked with many small, midsize, and Fortune 1000 companies. He has held various management positions including Controlle...

What makes a compelling offer? According to Michael Barbarita, there are five essential elements that play a role in conversion. Michael is the founder and CEO of Next Step CFO, providing fractional CFO services to small businesses. Michael has owned and operated retail, service, and manufacturing companies for over 30 years. One of his companies, Ski Town USA, grew from $2.5 Million to $8 million...

The digital marketing world has gone through a lot of changes in the past decade, but search engine optimization (SEO) remains as relevant as ever.  Jesse Ringer is the founder of Method and Metric search engine marketing agency. For over 10 years, he has helped business owners and marketing teams build winning SEO strategies for their organizations that drive website traffic and generate revenue....