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/  

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/ 

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/  

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/  

Do you ever feel like your ads are just lighting cash on fire? Maybe it’s time to go back to first principles.  Adam Bell has grown agencies and guided clients from startups to multinationals. Through it all, he’s focused on wasting less, connecting spend to revenue, and building the systems that make it all work. In our conversation, we talk about why most ad waste happens before a campaign even starts. Adam also reflects on choosing your bets instead of chasing every trend.  We dig into his idea of “permacultural marketing” and getting the most mileage out of every asset you create. Adam talks about how to work with what you actually have, and how to get creative when you need new content but producing it feels hard. If you’re ready to waste less and focus on the campaigns that actually move the needle, this episode is a great reset. Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonads/  Adam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awawithadam/  Website: https://bigbusinessagency.com/   Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

What if some of the best connections can come from the places you least expect? In this episode, Susan Vaughn shares how she’s grown her project-based business by being thoughtful about where she shows up. She talks about building trust through connection — not by chasing every opportunity, but by choosing the ones that feel aligned. We explore how she approaches networking as a long game. She shares the story behind a small marketing asset that pulled big weight. And we dig into what it looks like to repackage your work as new needs emerge. Susan also reflects on how she’s built a business that leaves room for what matters — including fun, flexibility, and time with family. And yes, some of her best leads really did start in the most unexpected places. If you’re working toward a business that supports your life (not one that drains it), this conversation is a thoughtful reminder that aligned connections, clear offers, and a little fun can go a long way. Susan’s Website: https://projectauthority.com/ Susan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanvaughnpmp/   Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

This episode is a look inside a business built on value, not velocity. Todd Dawalt is the founder of Construction Leading Edge, where he helps construction business owners create more freedom, impact, and wealth through better systems. We talk about what it looks like to thrive without building a big team. Todd shares how his CRM and systems keep things running smoothly — and how he’s shaped the business around what matters most. He also opens up about the mindset shifts that changed the way he works, including what helped him quiet the scarcity mindset (and break out of the loop of “when I hit this goal, then I’ll be happy”). If you’ve ever felt weighed down by traditional advice about scaling, goal-setting, or doing things “right,” this episode is a reminder that you get to run your business your own way. And sometimes, doing less opens the door to more of what actually matters. Todd’s Website: https://constructionleadingedge.com/  Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

What if AI could help you move faster and make better decisions, without adding more noise? Ruth Favela is the AI Marketing Manager at Tomorrow.io, where she helps a four-person marketing team support a global tech company. In this episode, Ruth shares how her team uses AI to speed up content workflows, cut marketing costs, and focus their energy where it actually moves the needle. We talk about how Ruth decides which tools to use. She shares what it actually looks like to scale content with a small team. And we dig into why AI is most powerful when it helps you solve real problems, not just spin your wheels chasing the newest tools out of FOMO. If you’ve been feeling stuck between too many options and too little time, Ruth’s approach offers a refreshingly practical look at how AI can help you focus on what works. Ruth’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ruth-favela/  Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

What if the secret to smarter marketing wasn’t more ideas — but better operations? Hayden Florom is a marketing operations analyst at Hudl, where he helps teams move faster by building systems that make campaigns smoother, results clearer, and decisions more grounded. In this episode, Hayden shares why small teams often have an edge when it comes to marketing operations. He explains how thinking like an ops person can help you simplify your systems, get clear on your goals, and stop starting from scratch. We get into how to define success when your audience isn’t one-size-fits-all and what it takes to make your data actually helpful. Hayden also reflects on the power of honest feedback—and what it took to get comfortable giving it. If you’re reinventing the wheel with every campaign or thinking you may need better systems, Hayden’s ideas will help you think through a smarter way to work. Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

What does it really mean to show up authentically in your business? In this conversation, voice actor Danielle Famble shares what she’s learning as she grows multiple businesses. We talk about how she’s come to recognize the difference between discomfort that’s part of growth and the kind of “ick” that signals misalignment — and how that distinction changes the way she approaches marketing. Danielle talks honestly about perfectionism and letting go of perfect timelines. Danielle also shares how she uses tools and delegation to track what matters. And we touch on how the rise of AI is shaping her industry — and why our quirks might be the very things worth holding onto. Danielle’s Website: https://daniellefamble.com/ Danielle’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniellefamble/ Danielle’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daniellefamble Chloë Forbes-Kindlen (Notion Workspace Specialist): https://www.businessops.co/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

Not everything that helps you grow can be measured on a spreadsheet. Carli and Josh work at The Hope Venture, a nonprofit focused on fighting extreme poverty through education and health projects around the world. In this conversation, they share what it looks like to grow in two directions at once — supporting more people overseas while also helping individuals become more generous in their everyday lives. They talk about what's changing in their approach to events, Instagram, and outreach, and why personal relationships continue to shape everything they do. If you've been thinking about how to grow your impact without losing your focus, this episode offers a thoughtful look into what that means. The Hope Venture Website: https://thehopeventure.org/The Hope Venture Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thehopeventure/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

Artillery Media builds over a hundred websites a year — without a marketing team, an ad budget, or outbound hustle. So what’s actually driving the growth? In this episode, Jake Kramer walks us through how Artillery Media has quietly built a reputation through responsiveness and constantly looking for ways to add value. We talk about what it means to “stir the pot” with past clients, how basic SEO and Google reviews play an essential role, and what it looks like to be the go-to in niche communities. Jake also reflects on growing through optimization, not just expansion — and how they’ve shaped their services around what fuels both their team and their clients. We wrap with a conversation on AI, and how it’s not replacing the human side of their work — it’s making more room for it. If you’re looking for ways to grow that don’t involve pricey ads or marketing campaigns, this one’s for you. Artillery Media’s Website: https://artillerymedia.com/ Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/

When you’re building a business from the ground up, it’s easy to feel like you have to be everywhere, doing everything. In this episode, Dr. Rachel Huston shares what helped her early growth, how she built momentum, and why she moved away from chasing “shoulds” in her marketing.  We talk about how she uses Instagram to teach and connect. She also shares the value of knowing your ideal client and how she involves her team in shaping the experience. Dr. Huston reflects on what’s made it easier to grow without feeling like she’s selling — and how her definition of success has changed over time.  If you’re feeling distracted by all the different marketing options, Dr. Huston is proof that doing great work (and knowing who it’s for) can still go a long way. The Body Lab Website: https://thebodylablnk.com/ The Body Lab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebodylab_lincoln/   Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

What happens when a top marketing channel suddenly stops working? Rob Marsh is a copywriter and co-founder of The Copywriter Club. He has built multiple businesses by staying grounded in what works — while staying flexible as platforms and contexts evolve. In this episode, he shares how he and his co-founder grew a community from zero to 5,000 in just a few months, and the one thing he’s seen drive success across business types (and it’s not a tactic). We also discuss how he thinks about growth and how to stay focused when you're surrounded by smart ideas. This one’s for anyone trying to stay steady and adaptable while the marketing world keeps moving. The Copywriter Club Website: https://thecopywriterclub.com/ The Copywriter Club Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecopywriterclub/  The Copywriter Club X: https://x.com/copywriterclub  Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

What does it mean to build a business around work you believe in? In this episode, conservation photographer Michael Forsberg shares how he’s built a reputation through years of consistent, hands-on work — rooted in place, purpose, and relationships.  He talks about growing trust without a big marketing push and learning about business from unexpected places. We explore what it means to live and work in community. Plus, Mike opens up about why sharing your heart draws people in, and how creative work can be both a livelihood and a way of life.  If you’re craving a slower, more intentional approach to business, you’ll love this grounded conversation on showing up and doing meaningful work. Michael’s Website: https://www.michaelforsberg.com/ Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mforsbergphoto/  Platte Basin Timelapse Website: https://plattebasintimelapse.com/   Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

What if your business could grow without a massive strategy or huge following? Sarah Collins is a Gallup-certified strengths coach who’s built a thriving business by focusing on relationships and working with her strengths (not against them). In this conversation, she shares how one surprisingly simple word continues to guide her most important decisions.  We talk about letting go of “shoulds,” doing work that actually energizes you, and making space for business to evolve over time. Sarah offers a refreshingly honest take on productivity, showing how you can still get things done by leaning into what works for you. This one’s a grounded, refreshing reminder that meaningful growth doesn’t have to look like the status quo. Sarah’s Website: https://www.wearecollinsco.com/  Sarah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/  Sarah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/   Brittany's Website: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

My guest today, Michael Johnson, is a lawyer who built a thriving, remote-first practice by leaning into an overlooked niche.  In this episode, he shares how a personal need sparked a business idea, why going all-in on education changed everything, and what it took to grow a law firm that works with his family life. We talk Instagram reels, early missteps, niche marketing, and the mindset shifts that helped him stop doing everything—and start scaling with intention. If you’re building a service-based business and want more alignment, more clarity, and a little more fun along the way, this one’s for you. Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physiciancontracts/ Michael’s Website: https://www.michaeljohnsonlegal.com/    Downey Strategy: https://downeystrategy.com/ Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

Do Less Marketing is about doing less, but better. In each episode, we explore how small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and marketers find the clarity, the courage, and the strategy to focus on what actually works — for their goals, for their teams, and for their lives.