Turning Pain Into Purpose: Cupcakes, Family & Legacy with Nikki Thompson Fraser

In this episode, I’m joined by Nikki Thompson Frazier, CEO of Sweet Encounter, who founded her business to provide gluten-free and nut-free cupcakes, inspired by her daughters' food allergies. Nikki’s personal tragedy of losing her mother in 2017 turned into motivation, leading to the launch of her YouTube channel 'Sweet Life with Nikki' exactly one year later. The self-published journal 'A Life Worth Tasting' commemorates her mother's legacy and aligns with her mission of transforming pain into purpose. Throughout this episode, Nikki's leadership emphasizes authenticity, sharing her personal challenges and life moments to create genuine connections with her audience. Inclusivity is a core value of Sweet Encounter, creating products accessible for individuals with allergies and promoting diverse hiring practices. She practices daily self-care routines, including meditation, journaling, and physical movement, which she credits as non-negotiables for personal and professional balance. Tune into episode 118 of The Brand Therapist and discover the brand philosophy reflects the idea that success isn’t always sweet; it requires grappling with difficult moments to appreciate the journey. In This Episode, You Will Learn:‍‍Entrepreneurial Origins & Family Influence (03:02 - 03:02)Geographic Journey & Professional Experience (04:35 - 06:02)Personal Tragedy & Business Transformation (08:57 - 08:57)Core Values & Business Philosophy (11:52 - 13:26)Leadership Approach & Authenticity (14:57 - 22:51)‍Women's Leadership Vision (22:51 - 24:41) Connect with Nikki Thompson Fraser:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebook Let’s Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Kyra Renell Hardwick, Founder of The Kyra Company LLC, a 10-year-old organizational management and operations consulting firm centered on people, process, and profitability. Holds a Cum Laude degree in Business Management (Cornstar University) and an MBA in Human Resources/Organizational Development (Stryer University). Created Imagine Excellence Incorporated in 2008, a youth leadership nonprofit focused on leadership, character development, and STEM. And a Proud Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. member; leads a 100% women-owned minority business enterprise.Throughout this episode, Kyra dives into her personal journey surviving suicidal ideation at 16, which shaped her life mission. Calls herself a “gap kid” – not recognized as either high-risk or high-achieving in school, often overlooked. Which eventually found escape and transformation through imagination and visualization, which remain central to her work.Tune into episode 117 of The Brand Therapist and discover how to specialize in futuristic leadership and helping clients see possibilities differently.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Personal Journey & Mission Development (04:25)Core Challenges & Inner Struggles (10:03)Ideal Personal Day Structure (15:28)Survival Period & Self-Discovery (23:44 - 26:34)Transformative Literature (26:34)Rapid-Fire Personal Insights (30:27)Connect with Kyra Renell Hardwick:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebookLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did you know that brands with a strong emotional connection outperform their competitors by 85%?In this episode, we’ll dive into the heart of personal branding: crafting your "why" through the timeless framework of the Hero’s Journey. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a leader, discovering and articulating your “why” is the first step toward building a brand that deeply resonates with your audience.I’ll share my unique approach, using psychology and neuroscience to create humanized and authentic brand stories. Together, we’ll walk through the five key stages of the Hero’s Journey - Ordinary World, Call to Adventure, Refusal to the Call, Trials and Tribulations, and The Reward - to craft a "why" that connects, inspires, and drives meaningful relationships with your audience.Tune in to episode 116 of The Brand Therapist for actionable insights into using storytelling to bridge the gap between your brand and your ideal client.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why your "why" is the cornerstone of personal branding and how it goes beyond your story (3:15)The 5 Hero’s Journey stages that simplify crafting a compelling brand story (7:45)How vulnerability and trials make your brand relatable and human (13:30)The power of psychology and neuroscience in building a brand that resonates (16:00)Why your personal and professional brand should be inseparable for success (20:10)Let's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do so many small businesses fail, and what separates success from struggle?In this episode, I’m joined by Marcus Hamaker, a seasoned entrepreneur, business strategist, and CEO of Boost USA. With over 30 years of leadership experience, Marcus shares his insights on overcoming common growth obstacles, scaling efficiently, and building a brand that reflects your business’s core values. Marcus also discusses the mindset shift business owners need to move from running a lifestyle business to creating a scalable, sellable asset.Throughout this episode, Marcus dives into his journey from growing up in a family business to running a global consulting company and hosting The Pursuit of Value Podcast. He offers actionable tips for tackling inefficiencies, building robust processes, and using branding as a tool for consistency and trust. Whether you’re a small business owner or a seasoned entrepreneur, Marcus’s advice will empower you to focus on value, growth, and clarity in your business.Tune into episode 115 of The Brand Therapist and discover how to simplify complexity, scale sustainably, and unlock the potential of your brand.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The revenue thresholds where businesses tend to stall and why (3:39)Why processes are critical to scaling your business (9:30)How to navigate global team challenges and cross-time zone communication (5:21)The difference between a lifestyle business and a growth business mindset (14:27)Why branding consistency is essential for small business success (26:36)Connect with Marcus Hamaker:WebsitePodcastInstagramLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever felt like something was missing from your career, even after checking all the boxes?In this episode, I’m joined by Courtney Petrin, a self-made entrepreneur who transitioned from a career in clinical psychology to founding a thriving design and renovation firm in Sarasota, Florida. Courtney shares her journey from working in mental health to flipping houses, which unexpectedly evolved into a client-focused business centered on crafting authentic brand stories through personalized designs.Throughout this episode, Courtney discusses how her psychology background equips her to connect deeply with clients, build trust, and deliver designs that resonate emotionally. We explore her entrepreneurial pivot, the importance of storytelling in branding, and how she balances professional growth with personal fulfillment.Tune into episode 114 of The Brand Therapist to discover how Courtney turned her desire for creativity into a flourishing business while staying true to herself and her clients.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Courtney’s psychology background shapes her personalized design approach (2:30)The turning point from house flipping to a thriving design business (6:45)The power of authenticity and storytelling in building a standout brand (10:30)Courtney’s take on success and balancing entrepreneurship with personal goals (14:00)Key lessons in resilience, adaptability, and staying authentic as an entrepreneur (23:00)Connect with Courtney Petrin:WebsiteFacebookInstagramLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does your appearance truly reflect who you are?In this episode, I’m joined by Amy Janece, an empowered image innovator who helps individuals align their appearance with their authentic selves. With her unique approach that combines color psychology and personal styling, Amy enables clients - especially coaches, speakers, and entrepreneurs - to exude confidence and authenticity through their personal style. Amy is a bestselling author and sought-after speaker who guides clients to discover their unique elemental color palette, empowering them to make a lasting and genuine impact.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Amy's fascinating journey from writer to image consultant, her powerful insights on color and energy alignment, and how your wardrobe can become a toolkit for self-expression and confidence. Amy shares her approach to helping clients reconnect with who they were before life told them who to be, transforming how they are perceived and, ultimately, their success.Tune into episode 113 of The Brand Therapist and discover how the right colors and styles can boost your confidence, enhance your visibility, and align your external image with your inner self.In This Episode, You Will Learn:How Amy transitioned from writer to image consultant (4:01)What it means to align your wardrobe with your authentic self (6:30)How color psychology affects your energy and interactions (14:00)Why "fire" colors are powerful for creating presence and confidence (18:15)Real-life stories of clients who transformed their image and success through color and style (25:52)Connect with Nathalie Amy Janece:WebsiteFacebookInstagramLinkedInLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered why some brands thrive while others get lost in the noise?In today's solo episode, we'll explore the key steps to transform your brand from invisible to unstoppable. I’ll guide you through the challenges many brands face, like inconsistent messaging and a lack of clear identity, and show you how to overcome them with practical, proven strategies.Throughout this episode, you'll learn to define your brand’s core essence, craft a super fan persona that resonates with your audience, and build a messaging architecture that screams consistency and trust. These three essential steps will help you create a brand that not only stands out but also grows with your business. Tune into episode 112 of The Brand Therapist and discover how to elevate your brand’s recognition, build stronger connections with your audience, and establish a clear, compelling identity that resonates deeply in today’s competitive market.In This Episode, You Will Learn:The importance of defining your brand’s core essence using archetypes (2:20)How to craft your brand’s “super fan” to build loyal client connections (9:45)What a messaging architecture is and why it’s crucial for brand consistency (16:05)Resources Mentioned:The Hero and the Outlaw by Margaret Mark and Carol S. PearsonBrand Quiz Let's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever wondered why sometimes you find yourself exactly where you don't want to be?In this episode, I'm joined by the incredible Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas to talk about how neuroscience can help us boost our confidence, distance ourselves from self-sabotage, and use the momentum from that self-improvement to grow our personal brand. Nathalie is the Founder and CEO of the THINK Yourself® ACADEMY, a multiple Best-selling Author, the 2023 Most Empowering Confidence Coach in North America, and the 2021 Canadian Presenter of the Year.Nathalie is also a Certified Speaking Professional in Canada—an honor held by only 62 others in the country. With decades of experience in sales, human resources, and the fitness industry, she has inspired hundreds of thousands worldwide to overcome negative self-talk and unlock their potential.Throughout this episode, you'll hear Nathalie's brilliant explanation of how our negative self-talk gets in our way, like how it makes us gain the weight we were trying to lose or get as stressed as we tried to avoid being. You'll also hear about her overnight success, which took her seventeen years, her transition from the fitness industry to neuroscience, her unique coaching style, and much more.Tune in to episode 111 of The Brand Therapist and learn how to turn off the panic button, reclaim your confidence, and start putting the reps for your overnight success today.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Nathalie's journey into neuroscience (2:20)Nathalie unravels the hidden power of positive self-talk (5:50)Nathalie's two-step technique to take ourselves to the next level (16:00)Why our mindset can determine our personal brand's success (22:30)Nathalie's thoughts on the best way to build a successful business (24:40)Why building community is crucial (33:10)Connect with Nathalie Plamondon-Thomas:WebsiteInstagramLinkedInFacebookEmail: [email protected] your FREE 15-minute Virtual Coffee with NathalieLet's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

¿Es posible crear una marca personal auténtica sin copiar a otros? ¿Cuáles son los aspectos de tu personalidad que deberías mostrar para conectar con tu audiencia ideal?Esta semana, en nuestro primer episodio en español, nos visita la Especialista en Comunicación Estratégica, Creadora de Contenido, Traductora y Empresaria Panameña, Deyanira Álvarez. Deyanira se especializa en liderar proyectos qua ayudan emprendedores a alinear sus valores y objetivos para generar conexiones auténticas con su audiencia. Es la creadora de “Un Cuarto Más Chico,” un emprendimiento que ayuda a pequeñas empresas y organizaciones sin fines de lucro a optimizar su comunicación, y es una de las responsables por el lanzamiento de la versión en español de “Brand Therapist,” que está disponible desde el 30 de agosto con el nombre “Terapeuta de Marca: Utilizando la psicología para transformar la forma como creamos nuestra Marca Personal.” Durante nuestra conversación, Deyanira comparte su conocimiento sobre el desarrollo de marcas personales y cómo generar conexiones genuinas. Además, Deyanira nos regala herramientas prácticas para alinear nuestra marca con nuestra personalidad, hacer nuestras virtudes y fortalezas más visibles, y mejorar cómo y qué comunicamos en nuestras redes sociales.  Sintoniza el episodio 110 de The Brand Therapist, y aprende cómo transformar tu marca personal desde adentro. Aprende a alinearte con tu verdadero yo, a potenciar tus fortalezas, y conectar de forma genuina con tu audiencia.  Lo que irás a aprender de este episodio: Deyanira habla sobre la creación de Un Cuarto Más Chico (2:40) Por qué es tan importante reconocer el arquetipo de tu marca (7:00) Cómo lograr diferenciarse en un mercado donde todos parecen iguales (11:40) No se trata de lo que quieres ser, se trata de lo que eres (16:50) Por qué el “Archetype Test” parece magia? (21:00) Connect with Deyanira Alvarez: LinkedIn  Let's Connect! Website LinkedIn Terapeuta de Marca: Utilizando la psicología para transformar la forma como creamos nuestra Marca Personal Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you feel your brand is stagnant, and you want to skyrocket your sales and growth, you can't miss today's episode.One of the toughest yet most rewarding challenges of growing a personal brand is making it memorable; achieving brand recognition should be at the top of your brand's wish list.In today's solo episode, we delve into the significance of brand recognition and explore how defining your personal brand's essence, understanding your audience, and being consistent in your messaging will help your brand stand out.Throughout this episode, you'll learn to deal with the challenges of developing a memorable brand, like lack of brand identity or unclear mission and vision. You'll also learn about the importance of building an emotional connection with your audience, why you shouldn't focus solely on your superfans, and how to create tension.Plus, you'll get actionable strategies to overcome brand stagnation, develop a lasting connection with your target audience, learn how to use The Methodology, and much more.Tune into episode 109 of The Brand Therapist and discover how to define your brand's character and unveil the secrets of creating a recognizable brand.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About the challenges you might be struggling with to build brand recognition (2:10)Three steps to achieve brand recognition (6:00)What is The Methodology, and how to use it (9:10)A real-world example of how to achieve brand recognition (14:20)Why shouldn't only focus on your superfans (25:00)Let's Connect!WebsiteLinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.