Episodios

  • 124: On Personal Brands, Polarization & Parks and Rec (feat. Caitlin Penny)

    124: On Personal Brands, Polarization & Parks and Rec (feat. Caitlin Penny)
    Jan 12 2024
    Is your personal brand still important when you're scaling a business? How can your values and flair create a bedrock for company culture? And what the heck is the right balance between personal and professional content on social media? We'll answer all that and more in this week's jam-packed episode. 

    This week, Annie P. Ruggles is joined by Caitlin Penny, the powerhouse behind Copper Theory Creative, and they dive deep into authenticity (yep, it's still "the thing"), hiring the right people, and fostering honest-to-goodness real relationships inside your sphere of influence. Plus, this episode is loaded to the gills with Parks and Rec insights and references. What can we learn about outbound marketing from Tom, Leslie, and Ron? You don't have to go to Pawnee to find out.

    This one's for you, L'il Sebastian.

    Parentpreneur Advisory: This episode contains some colorful language.

    Resources:
    *    Connect with Caitlin through her website, Facebook, and LinkedIn.
    *For a free 30 minute brand assessment by Copper Theory Creative, click here!
    *Annie P's LinkedIn group, The Legitimati, is about to blow up. Claim your space in an upcoming zany collaboration here.

    What's Inside:
    04:12 - So how can you really, truly know your target market?!
    08:44 - Parks and Rec characters have unique brands.
    12:26 - Authenticity and personal branding can go awry.
    17:11 - Embrace personal brand, expand reach, amplify.
    22:25 - The Leslie Knope method of ecosystem growth
    25:15 -  Demographics don't define individual wants and needs.
    27:26 - Unexpected details in my hidden website bio.
    30:49 - Workfam relationships provide critical relationships for solopreneurs and business owners.
    37:19 - That could be Oprah!

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    49 m
  • 123: On Differentiation, Boldness & Radiohead (feat. Megan Gersch)

    123: On Differentiation, Boldness & Radiohead (feat. Megan Gersch)
    Dec 15 2023
    Are you drowning in "shoulds?" Bogged down in the expectations of yourself, your clients, and even your paid advisors? And, to top it all, is one-size-fits-all marketing or the newest high-priced fad failing to bring in the right people? It's time to shake things up, y'all. This episode will help you do exactly that.

    This week, Annie P. Ruggles is joined by the creative engine known as Megan Gersch. Megan is a branding and web design expert, specializing in "music industry disruptors who want to build an empire." Megan is the go-to for brands that want to stand out in crowded markets - without falling prey to the trends. Thanks to her savvy analysis, the conversation is a masterclass in differentiation, self-representation, and brand evolution. Then, the two focus on a mutual love for the pioneering, rule-breaking, ever-evolving sensation known as Radiohead. What lessons can be learned from their example of shaking off "shoulds" and doing things their way? Let's find out.

    Resources:
    Connect with Megan through her website, Instagram, TikTok, and Youtube
    Don't forget to listen to her podcast, Your Sparkly Brand.
    Download her Elevated Web Presence Checklist and other goodies at megangersch.com/resources
    Annie P's LinkedIn group, The Legitimati, is about to blow up. Claim your space in an upcoming zany collaboration here.

    What's Inside:
    00:00 -  Embracing confidence online takes practice and time.
    05:12 - Building a brand is an endurance sport, not a sprint.
    10:05 -  Clarity in design attracts ideal clients, and repels others.
    16:53 -  Drive, vision, systems, automation, repurpose, content, consistency
    19:36  - Shift from perfect to real: Marketing transforms.
    24:58  - Tracking content across platforms creates omnipresence online.
    30:44  - Key role of style guide in business.
    36:17  - Radiohead at Lollapalooza: a perfect experience.
    40:31  - Radiohead is brilliant at creating fan experiences.
    48:33  - Thank you for 3 years of support!
    51:03  - Homework: Evolve your thinking to evolve your brand.
    53:36 - Join us on LinkedIn!

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    54 m
  • 122: On Leadership, Self-Healing & Jean-Luc Picard (feat. Jennifer Urezzio)

    122: On Leadership, Self-Healing & Jean-Luc Picard (feat. Jennifer Urezzio)
    Dec 8 2023
    What the heck is "warrior energy" and how can it be harnessed in our personal and professional lives? How can we best balance head and heart during moments of stress and overwhelm? And how can we break ourselves of toxic self-sacrifice and really, truly practice self-compassion amid societal pressures and inner child tantrums?

    This week, Annie P. is joined by the soulful and brilliant Jennifer Urezzio, founder of Soul Language. Her specialty is helping movers and shakers honor their own wisdom, connect with Divine support, and co-create with the energy of their businesses.

    Together, they explore their mutual love for Peanuts, "The Lord of the Rings" and more before focusing on "Star Trek," drawing parallels between the emotional depth of iconic characters and their own experiences. They delve into the concept of purpose (and its myths), share personal anecdotes (AKA fangirl a little), and offer practical advice for self-compassion and self-awareness. It's an uplifting, empowering listen for Trekkies, the woo-woo, and all entrepreneurs, bravely and boldly going where no one has gone before. Engage!

    Resources:
    - Connect with Jennifer (JU) through her website and Instagram.
    - Grab JU's jaw-droppingly good free guide, The Myths of Purpose.
    - Don't forget to listen to her podcast, Ask & Answered By Soul.

    What's Inside:
    06:09 Acknowledging divine backup
    13:57 Accepting change brings unexpected discoveries.
    19:48 Head and heart balance
    26:15 Warriors, inner children, and the Peanuts gang
    29:50 Choice is essential for our well-being.
    37:06 Embracing rebranding
    40:15 Picard, Troi, and a reminder about Vulcans
    45:43 LeVar Burton is a gift to the world. 
    48:57 Homework: "Embrace self-awareness and compassion for success."

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    114: On Magnetism, Genius & Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist (feat. Mellissa Seaman)
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    52 m
  • 121: On Diversity, Curiosity & Love Is Blind (feat. Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence)

    121: On Diversity, Curiosity & Love Is Blind (feat. Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence)
    Nov 22 2023
    Should tiny businesses be worried about the huge issues of inclusion and diversity? Why does allyship really matter - beyond just wanting to be (and be seen as) a good person? And how can we all go beyond performative acts into real, bottom-line shifting, glass ceiling shattering, stigma-debunking change-making?

    Welcome back to another episode of "Too Legitimate to Quit" with your host Annie P. Ruggles. This week, Annie is joined by the inspirational force known as Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence. (She says, "Don't forget the "H" in Raymona." Annie says," Don't forget the 'Dr.'") This no-holds-barred, real and relatable, multi-racial discussion on representation, advocacy, "white tears," and more, is equal parts motivational, challenging, and actionable.

    Then, Annie and Dr. Raymona conclude a two-part discussion on the reality phenomenon "Love is Blind" and its connections to identity, trust, cultural lenses, and deepening understanding! (Don't miss part 1 with the fabulous Emma Tessler!)

    Resources:
    - Connect with Dr. Raymona through her website, Instagram, and YouTube

    What's Inside:
    01:44 Helping businesses embrace DEI strategies and training.
    08:25 Personal and professional allyship are intertwined.
    12:18 Brands show support for specific causes conveniently.
    22:44 Marketing and sales use assumptions to understand customers.
    24:59 Know your lens to understand your beliefs.
    30:55 Allyship can be scary. Do it anyway.
    39:19 ROARing into Love Is Blind
    45:21 Perspective shapes experiences, even in relationships.
    51:16 Homework: Create lasting impressions, show trust, increase success.

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    37: On Connection, Curiosity & Murder She Wrote (feat. Nikki Nash)
    42: On Impact, Inclusion & Pitch Perfect (feat. Melissa Marcelissen)
    81: On Closers, Compassion & Attack on Titan (feat. Jason Marc Campbell)
    106: On Launches, Social Listening & Iron Man (feat. Jennifer Tamborski)
    118: Live-ish from FAN EXPO Chicago! On Inclusion, Intentions & The Mandalorian (feat. Iris Goldfeder)
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    54 m
  • 120: On Vision, Authenticity & Love is Blind (feat Emma Tessler)

    120: On Vision, Authenticity & Love is Blind (feat Emma Tessler)
    Nov 8 2023
    Is "vision" really all that important or is it a distraction? How can we act as if our goals are already happening, rather than just waiting for them to happen? And, how do we balance entertainment and educational content on social media?

    Welcome back to another episode of "Too Legitimate to Quit" with your host Annie P. Ruggles and very special guest, Emma Tessler, founder and CEO of 95 Media. This episode runs the glorious gamut of topics, from the importance of authenticity in business and personal branding, why video still reigns supreme, and how to commit to your 5-year vision every single day.

    Then, Annie and Emma kick off a two-part discussion on the reality phenomenon "Love is Blind" and its connections to authenticity, representation, and self-presentation! (Be sure to head back next week for round 2, with the incomparable Dr. Raymona H. Lawrence!)

    Resources:
    - Connect with Emma through her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn
    - Access her free course, Master Your Marketing, to create content that converts in less than 30 minutes each day: masteryourmarketingcourse.co
    - Don't forget to check out Emma's own podcast, Stop Scrolling, Start Scaling

    What's Inside:
    [00:02:42] Authenticity drives successful video content creation.
    [00:05:21] Creating content doesn't have to be hard.
    [00:11:30] Balancing fun and growth in business journey
    [00:16:46] Commitment to evolving vision drives team success
    [00:18:16] Recognizing exhaustion, workaholism, and business growth
    [00:32:33] Abundance of role models, authenticity, opportunity
    [00:39:03] Respond to important issues, not trivial comments
    [00:47:32] Reality TV thoughts: love it or hate it
    [00:48:44] Homework: Promote your cause, be authentic, and attract attention.

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    51 m
  • 119: On Fear, Productivity & Whitney Houston (feat. Sacred Walker)

    119: On Fear, Productivity & Whitney Houston (feat. Sacred Walker)
    Sep 21 2023
    Are self-care and productivity opposing forces? Must you choose one or the other? Absolutely not! This episode seeks to prove that self-advocacy and self-preservation are among the most efficient, effective choices you can make - if only you allow yourselves the space, and learn to work with your fears.

    This week, Annie is joined by the incomparable Sacred Walker - therapist, minister, and force for good. Together, they unpack the complex role fear and doubt play in business growth, deep dive into self-awareness, self-validation, and ultimately self-fulfillment and share their personal practices for creating sacred space within. Then, they pull inspiration from one of the greatest divas of all time, Whitney Houston.

    Resources:
    - Connect with Sacred through her website, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
    - Don't forget to listen to her own podcast, Self Love Letters for Everyday Superheroes!
    - Annie's award-winning sales course, Sales for Empaths, is now available as a Pay What Feels Right! Grab your seat at http://www.anniepruggles.com/NSSA

    What's Inside:
    • Self-care IS productive (3:13)
    • Recovering from negativity (16:23)
    • The Everyday Epiphany (18:55)
    • Bobby Brown on Your Shoulder (30:41)
    • Cultivating Sacred Space Within (37:21)
    • Reimagining Personal Stories (51:23)

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    56 m
  • 118: Live-ish from FAN EXPO Chicago! On Inclusion, Intentions & The Mandalorian (feat. Iris Goldfeder)

    118: Live-ish from FAN EXPO Chicago! On Inclusion, Intentions & The Mandalorian (feat. Iris Goldfeder)
    Aug 17 2023
    If you're feeling frustrated and overwhelmed because your current website design is not attracting diverse customers or fostering a sense of connection, then you are not alone! Perhaps you've been relying on generic templates and stock images, failing to capture the unique experiences of your target audience. Instead of cultivating empathy and inclusivity, your website may be leaving potential customers feeling unseen and excluded. What's a heart-centered small business owner to do? Thankfully, Iris Goldfeder is here to break down the essentials of accessibility, inclusion, and empathic design. (And by here, I mean literally on the floor of FAN EXPO Chicago with Annie!) It's a must-listen for nerds, empaths, and technology haters alike. Then, Iris and Annie share lessons learned from The Mandalorian, and go searching FAN EXPO for Grogu (aka Baby Yoda aka The Child). Trust us, this is the way (to fix your website)! Resources: - Connect with Iris through the GasStoveCreative website and her Linkedin. - Don't forget to check out her podcast, GasStoveCreative presents The Cookbook. FAN EXPO Acknowledgement and Gallery: This episode was made possible by the generosity and support of FAN EXPO Chicago's media and PR team. THANK YOU! To see a gallery of Iris and Annie's favorite Mandalorian finds, visit http://www.anniepruggles.com/grogu Special thanks to The Legging Lass, Whirl & Twirl, EWAcats, DisParody, The CroChic Shop, Tristan Young, The Pink Yodette, and Drew Blank (who was also featured in last year's episode!) for allowing me to include and share your art with this episode. Again, the link to the gallery is http://www.anniepruggles.com/grogu ABOUT FAN EXPO HQ: FAN EXPO HQ is the largest comic con producer in the world. Collectively it hosts more than one million fans annually at FAN EXPO Canada™, MEGACON Orlando, FAN EXPO Dallas™, FAN EXPO Boston™, FAN EXPO Denver, FAN EXPO San Francisco, Calgary Comics & Entertainment Expo, FAN EXPO Vancouver™, Toronto Comicon, Dallas FAN FESTIVAL and Edmonton Comics & Entertainment Expo. In 2022, FAN EXPO HQ presents six new shows previously organized by Wizard World: FAN EXPO Chicago, FAN EXPO Philadelphia, FAN EXPO St. Louis, FAN EXPO Portland, FAN EXPO New Orleans, and FAN EXPO Cleveland. The latest schedule of events is available here, along with up-to-date ticket information. Discover. Celebrate. Belong. What's Inside: 00:03:14 - ADA Compliance and Small Business Owners, 00:05:15 - Future Trends in Website Accessibility, 00:08:40 - Empathy and Inclusivity, 00:11:47 - Websites as Virtual Brick and Mortar, 00:18:11 - Tips for Ensuring Inclusivity and Compliance,  00:26:56 - The Power of Inclusive Marketing, 00:29:52 - Rejecting Irresponsible Marketing, 00:32:28 - Importance of Accountability, 00:34:02 - Small Mistakes Reflect on Big Ones, 00:40:45 - Entrepreneurship and Choice, 00:46:30 - Creating a Community, 00:47:40 - The Path of the Jedi, 00:50:31 - Intentionality and Choices, 00:53:07 - Babysitting Grogu, 00:55:40 - Hmk: Audit Your Homepage, Wanna binge? Check out these related episodes: 42: On Impact, Inclusion & Pitch Perfect (feat. Melissa Marcelissen) 43: On Storytelling, Problem-Solving & Star Wars (feat. Seth Erickson) 57: On Intentionality, Instinct & Rogue Agents (feat. Andrea Freeman) 79: On Self-Promotion, Belonging & Pee-wee's Playhouse (feat. Deanna Seymour) 83: The Business of Fandom: Live from FAN EXPO Chicago 2022
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    1 h
  • 117: On Facebook Ads, Engagement, & Formula 1 Racing (feat Jenn Neal)

    117: On Facebook Ads, Engagement, & Formula 1 Racing (feat Jenn Neal)
    Aug 3 2023
    How can businesses build trust, foster human connection, and align with shared values in the age of AI and technology? And why on Earth does Facebook feel the need to change its advertising platform every four seconds? (Ok, we can't answer the second question there. Ask Zuckerberg.) But in this episode, we wholeheartedly tackle the first.

    Jenn Neal of Formula Done joins Annie P. to candidly share her best tips on leveraging Facebook’s functionality amidst recent policy changes, and strategies for overarching marketing success with and without AI.

    Then, Jenn dives into her lifelong passion for different racing disciplines, including Formula 1. You'll be amazed how much it has to do with social media! Tune in for an insightful discussion filled with thrilling anecdotes, thought-provoking questions, a drag race romance, and plenty of laughs along the way.

    Resources:
    - Connect with Jenn through her website, Instagram, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennneal.
    - Grab her free ultimate guide to content repurposing at https://contentrepurposing.tools/
    - Annie's award-winning sales course, Sales for Empaths, is now available as a Pay What Feels Right! Grab your seat at http://www.anniepruggles.com/NSSA

    What's Inside:
    [00:01:14] With algorithms, you'd be surprised how much having fun matters
    [00:05:23] Productivity, Dance Videos, and Visibility
    [00:12:18] Leveraging the Facebook behemoth
    [00:15:12] Visibility mini-masterclass
    [00:19:35] Easy, cheap Facebook boosting for more visibility.
    [00:21:53] How to liberate your content
    [00:26:57] A Drag Race romance
    [00:30:40] Elevating the ordinary to the excellent
    [00:33:09] Ethics and your best behavior (but in a joyful way)

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    49 m