Audience-Centric Design That Goes Beyond A Basic Logo with Calvina Nguyen

I’m so excited to chat with Calvina Nguyen—Founder, CEO, and Creative Director of Your Brand Spark. She approaches design with a highly adaptive, audience-centric, values-forward take. And she ditches the traditional design agency process along the way. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode98   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Check out Your Brand Spark: https://yourbrandspark.com Listen to my interview with Yellow Co Founder Joanna Waterfall: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode29 Book a call with Calvina: https://yourbrandspark.com/connect Connect with Calvina on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/calvinanguyen Follow Calvina on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yourbrandspark   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang  Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/AshleeSang  Email me: mailto:[email protected] 

Brands, founders, and audiences aren’t static—they grow and change. In this episode, we explore the sweet spot between staying consistent and being flexible. We get into the nitty gritty of how values and audience alignment can guide your decision-making and keep you consistent, no matter the context.  For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode97   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Listen to Episode 61—Committing To Consistency Amidst Constant Change: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode61 Listen to Episode 59—Living Out Your Brand Values: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode59 Listen to Episode 65—Leaning Into Your Values For Unconventional Impact: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode65 Download the Live Out Your Brand Values Guided Workbook: https://www.ashleesang.com/valuesworkbook Original email from Seth Godin: https://p.feedblitz.com/r3.asp?l=200664803&f=1081591&c=11726078&u=75761537 Book a Quick Win Consulting Call with me: https://www.ashleesang.com/quickwin Listen to Episode 24—Ditch The Niche, Define The Audience, Connect On A Human Level: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode24 Download the Power To The Persona Guided Template: https://www.ashleesang.com/persona Download the Consistency Checklist: https://www.ashleesang.com/consistency   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit  Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang 

I’m so excited to chat with Heather Vickery, Transformation Coach and Community Builder of Vickery and Co. Heather is such a fun blend of being science-and-certification-backed, but intuition-driven. This shines through in both the vulnerable stories she shares and in her coaching practice. She leads by example by fully embracing herself and her capacity for bravery and joy, which gives her community (and now you!) permission to do the same. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode96   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Check out Vickery & Co: https://www.vickeryandco.com Listen to Episode 29—Embracing The New & Unknown with Joanna Waterfall: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode29 Listen to Episode 72—Harnessing The Power of Positive Peer Pressure: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode72 Email Heather [email protected] Connect with Heather on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-vickery Join us in Costa Rica in January 2026 (and use code PURPOSE for $100 off): https://vickeryandco.com/costa-rica Sign up for a free About You Audit on August 25: https://lu.ma/user/ashleesang Join the Spark Collective: https://vickeryandco.com/spark Read Heather’s Substack: https://braveheathervickery.substack.com Listen to my interview with our mutual friend Cate: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode51 Listen to this Jereshia Said podcast episode about trauma vs traumatization: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jereshia-said/id1438629390?i=1000708290949   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang  Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/AshleeSang  Email me: mailto:[email protected] 

In this special semi-solo episode, I’m live auditing the Instagram profile of Angelica Evilsizor. Giving first impressions feedback is one of my favorite things to do because it’s how most people experience your profile, website, and brand. The tweaks I suggest and ideas I leave for you to consider can go a long way in connecting with the perfect-fit people you want to be in relationship with.  I do live audits like this quarterly-ish via public About You Audits and anytime via Private About You Audits. Both are linked below! And bonus: come back for episode 101 when I do a full interview with Angelica! For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode95   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Listen to my Guidance Group experience in 72—Harnessing The Power of Positive Peer Pressure: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode72 Follow Angelica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfectly_better Sign up for the free About You Audit on August 25: https://lu.ma/user/ashleesang Grab a private About You Audit: https://www.ashleesang.com/audit   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang  Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/AshleeSang  Email me: mailto:[email protected] 

Jargon can cause us to use blanket words for general problems and bland solutions. Not what we want to be known for, right?  The point is to find what you WOULD say to feel and sound like yourself while resonating with your perfect-fit people. Your voice is what keeps that you-ness feeling consistent across contexts. So when it comes to your brand messaging strategy, think about all the ways you can jump off the page. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode94   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Read Ann Handley’s thoughts on jargon: https://annhandley.optin.com/newsletter/totalannarchy/MTU0MDA3MDI=/ta-119-is-jargon-always-bad.htm Book a Quick Win Consulting Call: https://www.ashleesang.com/quickwin Book a Private About You Audit: https://www.ashleesang.com/audit Learn about the 6 elements I use when crafting an impactful brand messaging strategy: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode68 Listen to Marti’s podcast: https://rebelqueen.co/2024/06/18/e32-the-importance-of-an-outside-perspective-and-4-simple-ways-to-write-your-book-with-ashlee-sang/ https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/introducing-the-rebel-maker/id1708430860?i=1000628716933 Listen to my interview with Marti—Publishing Your Book and Staying True To Yourself Along The Way: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode86 Listen to my episode on elevator pitches—Introducing Yourself With Confidence: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode63   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit  Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang 

I’m so excited to chat with Jia Zheng of Simply Jia. She’s a self-proclaimed “Swiss army knife that brings your creative visions to life” and we unpack how that title spans across both the personal style and operations consulting branches of her business. While she promotes more of her personal styling online, and more of her operations coaching in-person, we both love that she chooses NOT to choose—at least not for now. She can be her multi-faceted self and bring all parts of her to the conversation while reading the room to know which parts to reveal first and in what ways.  And my brain is constantly drawing parallels and connecting dots, so it was really fun to have this conversation because we do very different work, but in similar ways—with values-alignment, empathy, etc. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode93   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Check out Jia’s operations business at Simply Jia: https://simplyjia.com Check out Jia’s styling business at Simply Jia Style: https://simplyjiastyle.com Listen to Episode 51—Expressing All That You Are with Cate Scott Campbell: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode51 Listen to Episode 84—From Stodgy Networking To Collaborative Community-Building with Sara Alepin: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode84 Grab Jia’s mini training How to Dress On-Brand for Your Event: https://start.simplyjia.com/onbrand (free using the code PURPOSEPROGRESS) Listen to Episode 87—5 Signs It’s Time For A Rebrand: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode87 Watch the Iris Apfel documentary: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt4157220 Email Jia: [email protected] Follow Jia’s personal style account on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplyjiastyle Follow Jia’s business operations account on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsjiazheng Sign up for Jia’s The Friday Fit Newsletter: https://simplyjia.kit.com/style  Connect with Jia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/simplyjia   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang  Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/AshleeSang  Email me: mailto:[email protected] 

We’re getting a little existential here. I’m unpacking the relationship (and struggle) I’ve been having with “my why,” including some insecurities and opportunities in my business. I’m unpacking the work I do now and the ways my business could evolve in the future based on what might feel GOOD.  I also give 14 prompts for you to reflect on throughout the episode (recapped at the end!), along with context from my own experiences and thoughts recently. All so that you feel a little less alone as you navigate these same questions. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode92   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Listen to my values audit episode (Episode 28—Reframing A Brand Identity Crisis): https://www.ashleesang.com/episode28 Try the 3-word exercise from Episode 87—5 Signs It’s Time For A Rebrand: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode87 Listen to the Values-Aligned Money playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5qTleeW7ckPtQJ1UWjZNWv?go=1&sp_cid=47e01ccc409ba20421e22b6f2253a8e1&utm_source=embed_player_p&utm_medium=desktop&nd=1&dlsi=baf557ff83664fac Listen to the Amy Porterfield podcast episode about knowing your “enough” number: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-amy-porterfield-show/id594703545?i=1000706477674 Check out Messaging Momentum (month-by-month feedback from me): https://www.ashleesang.com/month Read James Clear’s newsletter: https://jamesclear.com/3-2-1/march-27-2025   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit  Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang 

I’m so excited to chat with Devin Brinkley, the Social Media Strategist behind Creative Gravity. We talk about all the ways showing up unapologetically and fully as yourself are essential to not only attracting your perfect-fit clients, but also to building a  business that fulfills (rather than drains) you. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode91   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Check out Creative Gravity Social Media: www.creativegravityllc.com Listen to my interview with Sara of District Bliss: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode84 Download Devin’s Understanding Your IG Insights Guide: https://creativegravity.myflodesk.com/insights Follow Devin on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativegravityllc Connect with Devin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/devinbrinkley   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang  Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/AshleeSang  Email me: mailto:[email protected] 

There’s a lot of talk around the world (and amongst people in my orbit) about AI. And regardless of if, how, when, and where you use AI, I always recommend leaning into that human element you bring to your messaging, marketing, and decision-making. Especially if your vision is to have a human-first, values-led business. My reflections, these crowdsourced use cases, and some bonus research give you lots of food for thought as you leverage (or avoid) AI in your life and business. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode90   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Read how ChatGPT summarized my client testimonials: https://ashleesang.com/im-not-always-anti-ai Listen to Episode 37—Determining What You Want To Be Known For: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode37 Book a Quick Win Consulting Call with me: https://www.ashleesang.com/quickwin Listen to my interview with Erika Rodriguez: https://ashleesang.com/episode43 Check out The Human Stack’s AI for Anyone: https://thehumanstack.com/academy/aiforanyone Watch this video about how “Using AI In Motherhood Will Change Your Life”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=En3qpB-p0Jo Listen to Episode 68—Crafting An Impactful Brand Messaging Strategy: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode68 Check out the Messages That Matter Brand Messaging Intensive: https://www.ashleesang.com/vip Check out this Alt Text Generator: https://popupsmart.com/tools/ai-alt-text-generator Watch this video about “Using AI to Make the Most of Your Content”: https://youtu.be/R7o1S0zeUsU?si=qX6r6xrDnNn8nG5R Watch this Reel for ADHD prompts: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DF7ximlOa0R/?igsh=cmZrY3UwMjBmODN0 Read this Thread about “8 Hidden ChatGPT Commands That 90% Of Users Don’t Know”: https://www.threads.com/@anjela.marketing/post/DGNl01vyUzS?deeplink_ig_tifu=1&xmt=AQGz58TmpsW-DfkMbJU-ftxBA5FmTbYaR2LY3fYR7xPj_5E Check out Boardy: https://www.boardy.ai Check out Sarah’s Brand AI Starter Pack*: https://www.wellnesswriter.com/a/2148060569/AeLE4EFz Read this article about The Environmental impact of AI: https://www.gittemary.com/2024/07/the-environmental-impact-of-ai-chatgpt-is-sending-your-individual-carbon-footprint-through-the-roof.html Read this about using manners with AI: https://www.techradar.com/computing/artificial-intelligence/i-stopped-saying-thanks-to-chatgpt-heres-what-happened Read this article about the differences between human and AI-generated text: https://techxplore.com/news/2025-02-differences-human-ai-generated-text.html Listen to Episode 18—Showing Up With Courage and Curiosity with Gaby Moss: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode18 Watch this video about AI use in education: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/auandrew_this-is-one-of-my-favorite-takes-on-ai-and-ugcPost-7308304599176658944-pu7D?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAAkGI3YB72cu3ke6PqbBW1dG7rs9K5YioRA Check out Google’s Career Dreamer: https://grow.google/career-dreamer/home Consider a private About You Audit: https://www.ashleesang.com/audit Read the Total Annarchy newsletter: https://annhandley.optin.com/newsletter/totalannarchy Subscribe to Seth’s Blog: https://seths.blog/subscribe Check out my Messaging Momentum offer: https://www.ashleesang.com/month   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit  Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang 

I’m so excited to chat with Michele Parad, Intuitive Guide, Business Mentor and Founder of the Multidimensional Leaders. I really appreciate that Michele doesn’t believe in prescriptive ways of creating offers, introducing or positioning herself, building a business, or living life. She draws on her intuition to draw her client’s brilliance out of them. And we unpack ways you can step into your own brilliance in this episode. For the full show notes, visit https://www.ashleesang.com/episode89   RESOURCES MENTIONED: Listen to my interview with Sara Alepin: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode84 Check out Michele’s personal website: www.micheleparad.com Learn more about Multidimensional Leaders: www.multidleaders.org Take Michele’s Brilliance Archetype Quiz: https://micheleparad.com/brilliance-archetype Grab your free ticket to the Build Your Influence Ecosystem Summit*: https://ashleesang--multidleaders.thrivecart.com/summit Listen to Episode 82: Behind The Scenes Of A Quick Win Consulting Call—Elevator Pitch Edition: https://www.ashleesang.com/episode82 Check out Gene Keys: https://genekeys.com/free-profile Read the Multidimensional Leaders Substack: https://www.multidimensional-leaders.com Connect with Michele on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/micheleparad Follow Michele on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michele.parad   CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sign up for the Toward Purpose & Progress Newsletter: http://www.ashleesang.com/orbit Download A Visionary’s Guide To Elevator Pitches to talk to real people about what you do and why it matters: https://ashleesang.com/podcastfreebie  Download the About Page Architect to connect with the people who need and want what you have to share: https://ashleesang.com/about-page-architect/  Book a free Alignment Call to chat about if we're the right fit to work together: https://www.ashleesang.com/align  Follow me on Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/ashleesangconsulting  Add me on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleesang  Send me a voice memo: https://www.speakpipe.com/AshleeSang  Email me: mailto:[email protected]