What does it really mean to be authentic in leadership, marketing, and sales?
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah Haynes sits down with Beth Byrd, VP of Sales at Anewgo, for a conversation about what happens when we stop performing and start connecting.
From building trust with your team to showing the “messy middle” in your marketing, Beth shares a refreshing perspective on how authenticity drives stronger relationships, better communication, and more meaningful results.
Together, they explore:
✨ Why “balance” in leadership isn’t a perfect line—it’s a seesaw.
✨ How AI is actually rewarding authenticity and real intent.
✨ The power of listening (“planned, not canned”) in communication.
✨ Why humility and honesty make stronger teams.
✨ How builders can create deeper emotional connections with buyers by showing the people behind the process.
This episode is full of heart, wisdom, and practical takeaways for anyone who wants to lead—and live—with more authenticity.
Connect with Beth:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethwbyrd/
https://www.instagram.com/bethwbyrd/
Anewgo:
https://anewgo.com/
Do builders really care about their buyers?
In this episode, Sarah Haynes sits down with Brett Steele, VP of Homebuilder Partnerships at Foundations, to ask the hard questions about how builders treat their buyers—and what it takes to turn transactional experiences into lifelong relationships.
Together, they explore why so many buyers feel disconnected from their builder, how internal silos create broken communication, and what the best builders are doing differently to build trust that lasts long after closing day.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
✨ Why buyers often feel unseen (and what that costs builders)
✨ The biggest gaps in today’s buyer journey—and how to fix them
✨ How digital tools can transform communication and transparency
✨ What it looks like when builders move from transaction to partnership
✨ How to create loyal homeowners who become brand advocates
This episode is a must-listen for anyone in sales, marketing, or leadership who’s ready to rethink what it truly means to “care” about your buyers—and why empathy might just be your best business strategy.
Connect with Brette Steele:
📧 brett@buildwithfoundation.com
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 buildwithfoundation.com
Personal branding isn’t just about posting online, it’s about positioning yourself as a trusted voice and creating opportunities that actually grow your business.
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah Haynes sits down with Kait LeDonne, personal branding expert, keynote speaker, and LinknedIn genius, to talk about how to build a LinkedIn presence that drives influence and revenue. Kait has helped thousands of professionals launch and grow their brands, and her insights cut through the noise of imposter syndrome, muddled messaging, and shiny-object distractions.
Together, we explore:
✨ Why LinkedIn is still the most underutilized platform for thought leadership
✨ The biggest mistakes people make when building their personal brand
✨ How to move from “posting randomly” to a clear, repeatable brand strategy
✨ Ways to show up authentically while staying consistent
✨ The mindset shifts that transform a personal brand into a profitable one
This conversation is part inspiration, part strategy, and all about using your voice as a tool for impact, authority, and growth.
Connect with Kait: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitledonne-personalbrandingexpert/
Kait's Website: https://www.kaitledonne.com/
Today’s buyers don’t want to fill out forms, they want conversations. And for builders, that shift changes everything about how we connect, qualify, and convert leads.
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I sit down with James Matte, Founding Partner & CEO of BuilderChat, to talk about how AI-driven chat is transforming the buyer experience. James shares how conversational tools are becoming like a 24/7 OSC, why chat data is a goldmine for sales + marketing alignment, and where the human touch is still essential in a digital-first world.
Whether you’re a builder, marketer, or sales leader, this episode will change the way you think about your buyer journey.
Why today’s buyers expect conversations, not static forms
How chat can act as a 24/7 extension of your sales team
Ways to turn conversations into data-driven insights for marketing + sales
Where AI helps—and where human connection is still critical
Practical steps builders can take to start improving their buyer experience now
James Matte is the Founding Partner & CEO of BuilderChat, a platform designed to help builders engage buyers through AI-powered chat. With a background in sales, leadership, and technology, James is passionate about creating tools that improve the way builders connect with their customers.
Connect With James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-matte-29884a19b/
Builder Chat: https://builderchat.us/
Sales and marketing are supposed to work together, but toooften, they feel like two separate worlds. In this episode, Sarah Haynes and Shari Morton (Founder & CGO at Shared Drive) break down why these departments struggle to align, and, more importantly, how to fix it.
From CRM mismanagement to untracked marketing wins, we uncover the disconnect and offer practical solutions to get sales and marketing teams on the same page.
In This Episode:
✅ Why sales & marketing often feel disconnected
✅ How CRM mismanagement hurts both teams
✅ The critical role OSCs play in alignment
✅ Fixing communication gaps for better collaboration
✅Actionable steps to ensure shared success
Key Takeaways:
🚀Sales and marketing have the same goal—business growth—but they need better alignment.
🚀 The OSC is the missing link that bridges the two departments.
🚀 CRM tracking and proper attribution are critical for proving marketing success.
🚀 Open communication and celebrating shared wins lead to more effective collaboration.
Connect with Sarah & Shari
Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahahaynes/
Shari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharimorton/
Shared Drive: https://shareddrive.com/
What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan?
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I’m joined by Abby Cornelius, Director of Sales at Stanley Martin Homes, keynote speaker, podcast host, comeback coach, and working mom. Abby’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and redefining what it means to “have it all.”
We talk about:
✨ How to turn rejection into redirection
✨ Abby’s “Slingshot Method” for resilience
✨ Balancing career and motherhood in homebuilding
✨ Finding joy and presence, even in chaos
✨ Practical tools to move forward when you’re in the middle of a setback
Abby’s journey through infertility, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership has given her a unique perspective: setbacks aren’t dead ends, they’re setups for something greater.
If you’re facing a “no” right now or simply need encouragement to keep going, this episode will remind you that your most powerful chapter may be just ahead.
Connect with Abby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbycornelius/
https://theriseandshinepodcast.com/
Is homebuilding too comfortable for its own good?
In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Cervin, VP ofMarketing at Lombardo Companies for a bold conversation about the technology comfort zone that’s holding our industry back.
We talk candidly about the fears and habits that keepbuilders from adopting better tools, the cultural mindsets that slow innovation, and how to start making small, strategic shifts toward smarter, data-driven decisions.
Whether you’re leading a team or navigating change from the inside, this episode is packed with insights to help you modernize without overwhelm.
We cover:
✔️Why “this is how we’ve always done it” is costing you sales
✔️The hidden impact of tech resistance on customer experience
✔️What builders can learn from other industries
✔️How to evaluate and implement new tools with confidence
✔️Real stories from Melissa’s career that will challenge your mindset
🎧 Tune in to learn howsmall changes can lead to big momentum, and why now is the time to rethink what’s possible.
🛠 Resources Mentioned:
• Connect with Melissa Cervin on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cervin-494429107/
• Learn more about Lombardo Companies → https://lombardohomes.com/
• Get free homebuilding marketing insights → https://shareddrive.com/
Most builders have data, but few are using it in a way that actually drives results. In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I’m joined by Christine Blacklidge, VP of Business Development at Audience Town, to break down how real data can transform your targeting, your campaigns, and your buyer experience.
Christine brings her expertise in digital strategy and audience targeting to share why data isn’t boring, it’s your secret weapon. We’ll dig into the insights builders often overlook, how to bridge the gap between storytelling and targeting, and what AI means for the future of personalization in marketing.
Whether you’re building a new community or refining your digital ad strategy, this episode will help you move beyond guesswork and into smarter, more effective marketing.
📝 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:Why audience data is underutilized in homebuilding—and how to fix it
The difference between having data and using data well
How behavioral, location, and life stage insights can sharpen your targeting
Ways to connect creative storytelling with smarter digital strategy
What AI means for the next chapter of personalization and audience engagement
👤 About Our GuestChristine Blacklidge is the VP of Business Development at Audience Town, a leading ad tech company focused on the housing and real estate industries. With a background in sales and digital strategy, Christine helps builders and marketers use data to better understand their audiences, refine targeting, and run more effective campaigns.
Connect with Christine: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christineblacklidge/
In this episode, I’m joined by Craig Neal, Area SalesManager for Toll Brothers and one of the best storytellers in the homebuilding industry. Craig has a gift for using emotion, empathy, and authenticity to connect with people on a deeper level. This communication style bridges the gap between sales and marketing, and inspires connection across an entire company.
We explore:
✨ Why storytelling is so effective in homebuilding
✨What it takes to unify sales, marketing, and leadership using personal stories
✨How frontline teams can use stories as a way to deeply connect and understand their buyers
Whether you're leading a sales team, marketing a newcommunity, or trying to build a brand people believe in, this episode will help you root your message in something real.
Connect with Craig: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-neal-6442b062/
What if your marketing strategy wasn’t reactive—but predictive? In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, David Lynch joins Sarah to explore how predictive AI is changing the game for home builder marketing teams.
We break down what platforms like OpenPredict and OpenConnect actually do, how they work in the real world, and why builders need to rethink how they use data if they want to stay competitive.
This conversation isn’t just about AI, it’s about clarity at the point of decision. About knowing where demand is shifting, which buyers are ready to act, and how to respond with precision.
If you’ve ever felt like you’re guessing what your buyers want—this episode is your sign to stop. Predictive AI is here, and it’s more accessible than you think.
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I sit down with Cassy Williamson, Strategic Performance Coach at Impact Eighty-Eight and author of Unapologetic, to explore what it really means to lead with people at the center.
We dive into:
✨ The ripple effect of people-first leadership
✨ How sales and marketing teams can “hold hands without stepping on toes”
✨ Why team culture is one of your most powerful marketing tools
✨ What unapologetic leadership looks like in action
✨ The power of personal brand in today’s business landscape
Cassy brings incredible insight from coaching executive teams and building strategies that blend emotional intelligence with business performance. If you're craving a more human, heart-led approach to leadership, this episode is for you.
🔗 Learn more about Cassy and Impact Eighty-Eight:
What would you do if you hit the jackpot, literally? Would your life change? Would your work?
In this heart-centered episode, Sarah sits down with David Hagan, founder of Sales Uncomplicated, to talk about what it really means to build a life, and a brand, you wouldn’t want to walk away from.
From childhood lessons and dinner table lottery dreams to sales coaching and brand clarity, David shares his philosophy of living a “jackpot-proof” life: one grounded in purpose, passion, and people.
This episode is full of wisdom for anyone building a business or brand rooted in who they are. If you’ve ever felt like the pressure to perform has pulled you away from your why—this one will bring you home.
🔑 Topics Covered:
• What it means to “jackpot-proof” your life
• Why knowing your why changes how you sell
• The connection between passion and energy
• How to build a brand that feels human, not corporate
• Why your story matters in every sales conversation
• Navigating authenticity in the age of AI
👤 Guest:
David Hagan is a nationally recognized sales coach and founder of Sales Uncomplicated.
Connect with David: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmhagan/
Sales Uncomplicated: https://salesuncomplicated.com/
If your team doesn’t believe in the experience you’re selling, your customers won’t either.
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I’m joined by Genevieve Benson, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Milesbrand, to dig into what real customer experience (CX) looks like in the homebuilding industry, and how it starts inside your company.
We talk about why customer experience isn’t just about service, it’s about leadership, alignment, and internal culture. Because if your sales, marketing, and operations teams aren’t united behind the brand… your buyers will feel it.
Whether you're a builder, marketer, or sales leader, this conversation is full of real-world insight and actionable ideas for building a brand that people believe in, on both sides of the transaction.
🧠 In this episode, we unpack:
What CX really means in homebuilding (and what it’s not)
Why culture and internal alignment drive external results
The sales + marketing connection to customer trust
How disconnected vendors and departments can quietly damage your brand
One small shift that can radically improve your team’s CX impact
👤 Connect with Genevieve Benson:
🔗 LinkedIn
🏢 Learn more about Milesbrand: https://milesbrand.com
In today’s episode of Just Make It Pretty, I’m joined by Jordan Brown, Director of Sales & Marketing at Graham Hart Home Builder—and the recent McSAM Award winner for Sales Manager/Director of the Year.
We’re talking about what it really looks like to lead sales and marketing with intention—especially in a slow market. From choosing vendors who truly fit your team culture to protecting internal teams from reactionary cuts, Jordan shares a grounded, real-world perspective on what smart leadership looks like right now.
It’s a conversation about clarity, culture, and making decisions that support long-term growth—not just short-term comfort.
🧠 In this episode, we cover:
How to evaluate vendors as true strategic partners
What to look for before saying yes to a pitch or platform
The tension between marketing and sales when the market slows down
How to respond (not react) when leadership wants to pull budget
Staying grounded when things get chaotic at the top
The mindset shift required to lead both teams through uncertainty
👤 Connect with Jordan Brown:
📍 LinkedIn🏠 Learn more about Graham Hart: https://grahamhart.com
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, we sit down with Taylor Humphrey, award-winning sales and marketing leader, Director at Pacesetter Homes, and one of the kindest, most grounded humans in homebuilding. Taylor shares his journey from imposter syndrome to industry leadership, and opens up about what it really takes to lead teams with empathy, clarity, and purpose.
We talk about the challenges of leading both sales and marketing departments, how to build bridges between them, and why clear communication and strong internal culture are everything when it comes to creating unforgettable customer experiences.
In This Episode:
✔️ Taylor’s story: from humble beginnings to top national awards
✔️ Imposter syndrome and how to move through it with grace
✔️ Leading different teams with different needs (sales vs. marketing)
✔️ Creating consistent customer experiences through team alignment
✔️ Why communication isn’t just a skill—it’s a leadership strategy
👤 Connect with Taylor Humphrey:
LinkedIn: Taylor Humphrey
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, we’re joined by Meredith Oliver, national speaker, author, and digital marketing strategist, to talk about what it really means to embrace new technology without losing the human touch.
Meredith shares insights from her latest book, FANtastic Marketing 3.0, and dives into how AI can amplify your marketing efforts without replacing your authenticity. From marketing automation to customer experience to team collaboration, Meredith brings wisdom, wit, and a refreshing realness to a conversation every marketer needs to hear.
📚 Grab the Book: FANtastic Marketing 3.0 on Amazon
👤 Guest: Meredith Oliver: LinkedIn: Meredith Oliver
In this energizing and heartfelt episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah sits down with Abbie Mirata, author, speaker, and joy coach for a conversation that’s part leadership deep-dive, part soul reset. With a background in corporate leadership and a heart for helping others rediscover joy, Abbie shares how intentional joy practices can shift teams, cultures, and careers.
We talk about the hard stuff: burnout, over-functioning, identity, and the pressure of doing it all. But we also explore how to find joy within it all, not after the checklist is done.
This episode is for the leaders who care deeply, the professionals running on empty, and anyone who’s wondering if joy and success can really coexist (spoiler: they can).
✨ In This Episode:
• Why joy isn’t just a personal goal—it’s a leadership strategy
• How over-functioning can hold you back
• The difference between real rest and "productivity breaks"
• How to find clarity in moments when everything feels blurry
• What it looks like to lead with empathy and endurance
🔗 Resources & Mentions:
• Abbie Mirata Website
• Abbie on LinkedIn
What do motorcycles, triathlons, the U.S. Marines, and sales have in common? In Kevin Weitzel’s world, everything.
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah Haynes sits down with one of the most recognizable (and unforgettable) voices in the homebuilding industry to explore the power of personal branding, the value of showing up authentically, and how a colorful life journey can shape a powerful professional presence.
Kevin shares how his unique path, from growing up with a single mom to crushing it in sales, taught him how to stand out, connect with people, and build a brand that doesn’t try to be everything to everyone… just 100% him.
In this episode:
✔️ Why authenticity is the most underrated sales tool
✔️ How life experience shapes your professional edge
✔️ The story behind the legendary Big Deal Pen
✔️ How personal branding and sales strategy work hand-in-hand
✔️ Why being "too much" is sometimes exactly what you need
Whether you're a marketer, a sales leader, or someone building your own career in homebuilding, this episode is your permission slip to be bold, be yourself, and make it count.
Follow Kevin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevin-weitzel-4338014/
In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, we’re joined by Casey O’Farrell of Boda Studios, a creative force in the world of cinematic brand storytelling. Casey shares how home builders and small business owners can harness the emotional power of video to connect with their audience, showcase their brand values, and stand out in a crowded market.
We dive into the why behind story-first content, the strategy behind scroll-stopping visuals, and what makes a video work. Whether you’re launching a new community or trying to tell your brand story in a more authentic way, this episode will change how you think about content creation.
🎥 In This Episode:
✔️ Why your brand story matters more than your specs
✔️ How to use video for emotion, connection, and trust
✔️ Tips for turning one great shoot into months of content
✔️ What builders and business owners get wrong about social video
✔️ How to collaborate with a videographer for lasting impact
👤 Guest: Casey O’Farrell – Founder, Boda Studios
Follow Casey & Boda Studios for more cinematic inspiration:
📸 Instagram: @boda.studios | @caseybrough
📘 Facebook: Boda Studios | Casey Brough
▶️ YouTube: @BodaStudios
In this inspiring and raw episode, I sit down with Cory Charles, transformational speaker, sales trainer, and founder of The Super Hero Mindset, to talk about the pressure of doing it all, building a brand with purpose, and why mental grit and collaboration matter more than ever.
Whether you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or someone juggling a thousand roles—you’re not alone. Cory brings the energy, insight, and real talk on everything from burnout and authenticity to how to actually delegate while keeping your voice intact.
Follow Cory: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cory-charles/
Listen To The TEDx Talk: https://youtu.be/dmvFzL4UVsA?si=NxI28fk63WK1q1lg
