Do Less Marketing

Owning What Makes You Different (and Building Around It) — with Branden Lower

What happens when you stop trying to fit the mold of your industry and start building around what you're actually good at?
Branden Lower is the founder of Build Design Studio. He started Build after realizing most businesses get a great logo and brand guidelines — and then have no idea what to do with them.
Branden opens up about the fictional narratives he told himself early on and what shifted when he stopped trying to blend in. We dig into how knowing who you are opens the door to clearer decisions, and why he's chosen relationships and customer service over cold outreach and paid ads.
If you've been carrying pressure to market the "right" way, this one's a reminder that your difference might be your greatest advantage.
Build's Website: https://www.builddesignstudio.com/ Build's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builddesignstudio/ Branden's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/branden-lower/ 
Brittany's Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

Is social media dead (...and should it be on my plate)? — with JT Martin

In this episode, I sat down in person with JT Martin at Hurrdat Media’s studio in Omaha, Nebraska. JT is the creator of The Corn Belt, a Nebraska-focused social media account with over 60 million views, the host of the Social Media Is Dead podcast, and the founder of Loudr, where he works with businesses on social media strategy and content.
We talk about how social media has changed, what JT is seeing work right now, and why many businesses feel stuck when social becomes a box to check instead of a long-term channel.
JT doesn’t sugarcoat the work it takes to build real momentum on social platforms. He shares what drives engagement today. 
We chat about when social media is worth your time, when it’s not, and when it might make more sense to hand it off.
If you’ve been feeling confused, tired, or skeptical about social media, this conversation offers clarity without hype. And (...spoiler) a reminder that connection still matters more than chasing trends.
Social Media is Dead Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/social-media-is-dead/id1808499844  Loudr: https://weareloudr.com/  The Corn Belt: https://www.instagram.com/thecornbelt/  
Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

Growing a Business Beyond the Early Stage (and Where Cold Outreach Fits) — with Jonathan Grzybowski

What does it take to grow a business past its early stages? And how does your role change as the company gets bigger?
In this episode, Jonathan shares what it looked like to take his business from a very small team to a company of more than 500 people. He talks about the early days of building traction and how nearly 200 conversations helped shape the product, messaging, and direction of the business.
We talk about outreach as part of that growth — not as a formula, but as something rooted in persistence and direct connection with the right people. Jonathan shares what that looked like in practice and how those efforts opened doors to larger clients and wider reach.
The conversation also moves into leadership. Jonathan reflects on the shift from founder mode to leading a much larger organization, and what he’s had to learn about systems, processes, and decision-making as the company scaled.
We talk about how being a parent fits into all of this — the long days and the reality of continuing to build a demanding business alongside family life.
This episode offers an honest look at what changes as a business grows, and how the work of leadership evolves alongside it.
Penji Website: https://penji.co/  Johnathan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/grzybowskij/  
Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

Growing a Medical Practice With Clarity & Connection — with Dr. Elise Atkins

How do you grow a medical practice without chasing every marketing idea?
Dr. Elise Atkins is the founder of Coastal Vitality MD, where she focuses on lifestyle medicine and weight management.
In this episode, she shares how she built her practice from scratch by starting with real relationships that became the foundation for her growth.
We talk about the simple strategies that helped her stay focused and the importance of trusted thought partners. 
She also shares about a small, targeted campaign she’s been running — one that’s helped her grow her practice in a strategic area.
We get into the tension between being content with the meaningful work she’s doing now and knowing she’s wired for forward momentum. Dr. Atkins talks honestly about what it looks like to hold both.
Dr. Atkins’ Website: https://coastalvitalitymd.com/  Dr. Atkins’ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elise-atkins/  
Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

Building a Photography Business That Fits a Full Life — with Nikki Moore

Growth doesn’t always come from pushing for more. Sometimes, it’s learning to work in harmony with your capacity.
In this episode, photographer Nikki Moore shares how she’s built a thriving, referral-driven business by focusing on a few marketing channels that work for her.
She talks about transforming the dreaded “office headshot day” into something people look forward to, and how she helps clients share what their business is all about in their photos.
We get into how to stay grounded when there’s always more you could do, and what happened when she decreased her social media posting.
Plus, Nikki shares her minimalist take on what your brand really needs for photography.
Nikki’s refreshingly honest perspective is proof that showing up with care and clarity matters more than doing it all.
Nikki’s Links:Website: https://nikkimoorephotography.com/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nikkimoorephoto/  
 
Brittany’s Links:Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

What Small Businesses Need to Know About AI Search — With Michelle Bourbonniere, PhD

What if small businesses could actually benefit from the rise of AI search?
Out of all the overwhelm in marketing, figuring out what’s going on in AI search might be one of the most confusing (and cluttered) topics out there.
In this episode, Michelle Bourbonniere, PhD, founder of Words on the Rise, shares a simple way to understand how AI search really works—and what you can do about it. Michelle specializes in small-site SEO, helping businesses create smart strategies that get their brands in front of the right people.
She shares what’s worth focusing on, and why she’s growing more optimistic about AI search for small businesses. She also pulls back the curtain on how tools like ChatGPT and Google’s AI overviews actually surface results.
Michelle introduces a clear framework for assessing your visibility, what she calls the “Three Rs of AI Search.” It’s a practical way to think about how your brand is recognized, trusted, and recommended.
Plus, we dig into why measuring success by citations is a fool’s errand. And she shares the single most important thing any small business should optimize for.
If you’ve been drowning in advice about AI search and aren’t sure where to start, this cuts through the noise, with a clear, simple framework for understanding it all
If you’ve been flooded with AI search advice and aren’t sure what’s real or relevant, this episode cuts through the noise, with a clear, simple framework for understanding it all. 
Referenced in the episodeAI Search Cheat Sheet: https://wordsontherise.com/ai F5Bot: https://f5bot.com — for real-time Reddit mentionsHow People are Using ChatGPT: https://www.nber.org/papers/w34255 
Michelle’s Links:Website: https://wordsontherise.com  Email: michelle@wordsontherise.com LinkedIn: https://ca.linkedin.com/in/michelle-bourbonniere Newsletter: https://wordsontherise.com/newsletter/  
Brittany's Links:Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

Editing Your Business With Intention — with Lauren Flowerday

For Lauren Flowerday, success isn’t about scaling faster. It’s about building a business that adds to who she is and what she wants to do in the world.
Lauren is founder of Flowerday & Co., where she does literary marketing for ambitious authors. 
In this episode, Lauren shares how she went from social media freelancer to personal branding strategist for authors. She shares what it looked like to find her niche by researching and listening to her ideal audience.
Lauren also opens up about imposter syndrome, slow growth, and why she’d rather build something sustainable than chase every platform.
I was inspired by how she is truly designing her life. 
If you’ve ever felt stretched thin by your own big ideas, this episode is a great reminder. Your business — like a great story — gets better when you edit with intention.
Lauren’s Links:Website: https://flowerday.co/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flowerday.co/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenflowerday  Substack: https://flowerdayco.substack.com/  Threads: https://www.threads.com/@laurenflowerday  
—Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

An Intentional Approach To Marketing Your Business on YouTube — With Marc Koenig

You may not need a new video every week to make YouTube work for your business.
In this episode, Marc Koenig shares his experience helping businesses use YouTube to grow, like bringing a channel from 19,000 to 200,000 subscribers in just 18 months. He reflects on what he learned when the team stepped back from constant output to a slower, more deliberate approach. 
Marc explains why YouTube can be a powerful channel for building trust (and when it isn’t the right fit). He points to one high-leverage move that strengthens your channel and carries over into the rest of your marketing.
If you’re wondering if YouTube is a good fit for your minimalist marketing plan, Marc gives a framework for understanding its impact and a roadmap for what comes next. 
Marc’s Website: https://www.marckoenig.com/about  Follow Marc on X: https://twitter.com/MarcKoenig_ Follow Marc on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/MarcKoenig  
Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

Habits for Boundless Creativity (and a Business You Love) — with Katie Day

Katie Day is a habit coach who knows firsthand how the right systems can keep creativity strong. She shares how experimenting with consistent marketing practices opened unexpected doors for her business.
In this episode, Katie shares what it looks like to find a marketing channel that lights you up. She talks about developing rejection resiliency and why it’s important for growth, and she shares how habits free up the energy you need to stay creative.
We also get into how to shift limiting beliefs and chat about stacking small systems until your day feels amazing.
This episode is a reminder that habits aren’t about discipline for its own sake. They are about creating space for fun and creativity — and aligning your life with your values.
Katie’s Website: https://ohkatieday.com/  Katie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohkatieday/ Habit Lab: https://ohkatieday.com/habitlab  
Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

Patina, Perseverance, and the Power of Loyalty — With Jackie Wachter

It’s one thing to make a great product. It’s another to stick it out when things get tough — and to build a culture and brand people want to be part of. 
Jackie Wachter is the co-founder of FOUNT, a company known for fine leather bags made to be by your side for years. She shares the journey from selling at a flea market to national TV to opening five locations in three states.
In this conversation, Jackie reflects on the power of listening to customers and staying true to your brand. She talks honestly about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and what it looks like to push through setbacks.  
We also get into what drives sales and growth and how she’s working to build a team culture that’s healthy and fun, even as they scale.
It’s a candid look at the uphill work of building a business — and why presence and people are at the center of it all.
FOUNT Website: https://fountleather.com/  FOUNT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fount/ 
Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/