EP312: How to Use Instagram REELS to Grow Your Business

Ready to stop hiding behind your bench and start building a personal brand that drives sales? In this transformative episode, Tracy sits down with Taylor Smith, founder of The Power Table and self-proclaimed "pivot queen," to uncover why personal branding isn't just nice-to-have; it's essential for standing out in today's saturated market.Taylor shares her journey from college professor to multi-six-figure entrepreneur across physical products, digital courses, and coaching, revealing how embracing her pivot story became her greatest business asset. If you've ever felt like your varied experience makes you "flaky" or wondered how to separate yourself from your business, this episode will completely shift your perspective.Discover the five personal branding secrets that help creative entrepreneurs attract their ideal customers, build authentic connections, and increase profitability—all while staying true to who you are.In this episode, you’ll learn:[8:00] Why hiding behind your products is hurting your sales[14:30] The identity crisis keeping creatives from building personal brands[21:30] How seeking validation from strangers led to business burnout[25:20] The five personal branding secrets that drive sales[30:00] Why enthusiasm is your secret weapon for standing out[35:00] How to use social proof beyond testimonialsHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @taylorsmithonline on InstagramStand Out and Sell Summit, July 23-25Join Desire AI in the BetaAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What happens when you face your deepest fears, make radical changes, and emerge stronger than ever? In this deeply personal episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on one of the most challenging seasons of my entrepreneurial journey and the incredible transformation that followed.Join me alongside my head coaches Dawn DiGesare and Chelsea Farmer as we reveal the complete evolution of Flourish & Thrive Academy. From consolidating four separate communities into one powerhouse collective to launching the game changing Desire AI tool, this episode is packed with vulnerable storytelling, strategic insights, and a bold vision for the future of creative entrepreneurship.Whether you're a jewelry designer feeling stuck in your marketing, a creative entrepreneur ready to scale, or someone navigating your own season of reinvention, this episode will inspire you to embrace change, leverage AI strategically, and remember that community and human connection remain irreplaceable in our digital age.In this episode, you’ll discover:[07:30] The Hot Seat That Changed Everything - The vulnerable moment at a retreat when Tracy publicly admitted her desire to move on and the abandonment wound that kept her paralyzed[13:29] The 70% Sales Drop by Design - Why Tracy intentionally scaled back, let go of most of her team, and sat in the discomfort to find clarity[20:04] The Erin from Twisted Ginger Success Story - From hobby maker earning $2K/year to selling out collections, proof that consistency wins[39:52] "This is My New BFF" - Real feedback from tech-challenged members who are now obsessed with Desire AI[45:39] Debunking AI Myths - Tracy tackles water usage fears and job replacement concerns with facts and perspectiveHere are the resources mentioned in the show:The Desired Brand Effect Collective Desire AI (Beta Pricing)The Jewelry Pricing Bundle+ CalculatorAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Ever feel like you're swimming against the current in your business? In this episode, Tracy interviews Erin Claire Jones, one of the world's leading Human Design experts, about how understanding your unique design can transform your decision-making and business approach. Erin shares her journey from a chance NYC encounter to pioneering accessible Human Design education for hundreds of thousands worldwide.Discover the five Human Design types, decision-making authorities, and how your profile numbers reveal your life phases. Whether you're a Generator who responds to opportunities or a Projector who guides through invitation, this conversation provides practical insights for working with your natural energy instead of against it.In This Episode, You'll Learn:[5:54] The five Human Design types and how each one is wired to thrive[20:48] Decision-making strategies: Why some people should sleep on decisions while others trust their gut instantly[28:44] The seven authorities and how to know which decision-making style is yours[33:30] The six-line profile: Why your 50s might be when you truly hit your prime[40:49] Single vs. split definition: Are you wired to be independent or collaborative?[48:20] Why some people see all sides of every argument (and why that's actually a gift)Here are the resources mentioned:Erin's New Book: How Do You Choose? A Human Design Guide to What's Best for You at Work, in Love, and in LifeGet Your Custom Human Design Blueprint Guide - Use code TRACY for a discountFree Human Design Chart: Look up your type at humandesignblueprint.comFree Event: Permission Granted - Learn to find more flow using Human DesignDeep Dive Program: Transformative Human Design - Live course to master your chartDesire AI Demo: See how to create messaging that resonates instantly at flourishthriveacademy.com/desireAIdemoConnect with Erin Claire Jones:Follow @erinclairejones on InstagramFollow @humandesignblueprint on InstagramAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What started as a personal writing challenge became a movement that's transformed thousands of women's lives. Lindsey Marie Zastro, founder of Powerhouse Women, didn't set out to build one of the most engaged communities in the entrepreneurial space, but her authentic approach to connection has created something truly magical.In this episode, Lindsey reveals the counterintuitive strategy that built her sold-out 800-person events and die-hard community: making it NOT about her. We dive deep into the difference between building an audience and building a community, how to create aspirational identity around your brand, and why the shedding of relationships is actually necessary for transformation.Plus, Lindsey gets vulnerable about her journey from "vanilla sister" to fashion icon, the inner child work that healed her performance addiction, and why she's entering a season of pure creative surrender. If you've ever felt like you're performing for love or struggling to build genuine connection in your business, this conversation will shift everything.In this episode you’ll learn:[2:15] The accidental beginning: How a personal writing challenge accidentally launched a million-dollar community business[5:47] Why Lindsey puts "arbitrary goals" on some parts of her business but not others (this will surprise you)[8:22] The performance trap: How childhood patterns show up in business and the inner child work that healed Lindsey's need to perform for love[12:48] The Taylor Swift business lesson that changed how Lindsey shows up at her events (genius)[23:40] The "vanilla sister" transformation: How Lindsey went from black hair to fashion icon (and why it matters for your brand)[28:17] Aspirational identity: The most powerful thing you can unify people around (works for any business)[35:22] Why Lindsey is entering a season of creative surrender and what's next for Powerhouse Women[42:58] The hard truth about transformation: Why shedding relationships is necessary for growthHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @lindsey.marieofficial on Instagram!Follow @powerhouse_women on Instagram!Powerhouse Women Event - August 15-17 at Scottsdale, ArizonaWatch the demo and join Desire AIAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

What if the secret to scaling your business wasn't working harder, but resting more? In this transformative episode, I sit down with Dr. Shamieka Dean, transformational catalyst and business strategist, who's revolutionizing how we think about success with her groundbreaking philosophy: Rest is the New Revenue®. We dive deep into why burnout isn't actually a business problem—it's an identity issue that keeps high-achieving women trapped in cycles of overwork and exhaustion.Dr. Dean reveals the five rest resistance types, explores what's really driving your ambition, and shows how detaching your worth from your work is the key to sustainable wealth creation. If you're a creative entrepreneur feeling burnt out, overworked, or like your business has become your identity, this episode will completely shift how you approach success.In This Episode, You'll Learn:[8:30] Why burnout is an identity issue, not a business problem—and how your worth being tied to your work keeps you trapped[15:22] The "ammunition behind your ambition"—the real reasons driving your overwork that you might not even realize[25:45] The 5 Rest Resistance Types (Self-Sufficiency, Significance, Survival, Stillness, Security) and how to identify yours[32:18] Why the belief that "hustle equals success" is actually blocking your wealth and abundance[38:50] The most powerful question to ask yourself: "Who do you need to UN-become?" to break free from exhaustion cyclesHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Take Dr. Dean's Rest Resistance QuizFollow @drshamiekadean on InstagramDr. Shamieka Dean’s WebsiteWatch the demo and join Desire AIAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

If you've been using ChatGPT to write your marketing content and getting crickets in response, this episode explains exactly why – and what to do about it. I'm diving into the real reason generic AI tools are failing product-based brands and keeping you stuck with followers who never buy. Spoiler alert: it's not just about the words you're using, it's about understanding the actual problems your dream clients are trying to solve. I'll walk you through my proven approach to creating content that moves people from casual browsers to loyal customers, plus give you an inside look at the AI tool I built specifically for luxury and product brands.In this episode, you'll learn:[5:01] Why generic AI content gets low engagement and how to spot when someone's using basic ChatGPT prompts[9:48] The difference between surface-level messaging and identity-shifting content that actually converts[15:50] How to identify your dream client's real emotional drivers (it goes way deeper than "wanting to feel confident")[17:52] My personal heirloom redesign story and how to create narrative-driven marketing[23:17] What makes Desire AI different: Personal database vs. generic GPT toolsHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Watch the full Desire AI demo and get early accessAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Welcome to Creatives Rule the World. Hosted by, Tracy Matthews — multi-7-figure entrepreneur,  visionary, and mentor to thousands of creative founders who’ve turned their ideas into profitable, purpose-driven companies.She's helped thousands of creatives generate millions of dollars _ all by doing it my way… with creativity first. This show is for creators who are done playing small — the ones who know their ideas aren’t just a passion… they’re a portal Here, we’re rewriting the rules of entrepreneurship.Forget cookie-cutter blueprints and burnout culture — I’m here to help you grow a business that feels good, pays well, and  the kind of personal freedom that only comes when you’re brave enough to do things your own way.Through solo episodes and honest conversations with creative entrepreneurs, artists, and founders, I’ll give you the mindset shifts, marketing moves, and business tools you need to grow with clarity, flow, and profitability.You’ll learn how to build wealth on your terms, show up with confidence, and finally trust that you don’t have to choose between creativity and success — you get to have both.So if you’re ready to step into your next level, grow your income, and build a business that actually works for your life, you’re in the right place.Because creatives aren’t just dreamers…We rule the world.

What if I told you that the most successful entrepreneurs aren't the ones who hustle hardest, but the ones who master their energetic frequency? My guest Anna Lozano proved this when she scaled Love Powered Co from a kitchen table idea to a successful exit—but here's the plot twist: her biggest transformation happened AFTER she sold. Anna shares the raw truth about identity loss post-exit, why sitting in "the void" is actually where all possibility lives, and how she's now calling in million-dollar months through nervous system regulation and feminine magnetism rather than masculine force. If you're ready to build a business that feels as good as it looks, this episode will completely shift your approach to success.In this episode, you'll learn:[1:49] How Anna scaled Love Powered Co from startup to exit and why alignment mattered more than just the numbers[17:41] Why your emotional well-being is directly tied to your financial success and how to regulate your nervous system for abundance[19:53] The truth about sitting in "the void" - why it's not punishment but the portal to pure possibility[26:10] How to expand your nervous system to hold bigger visions (like million-dollar months) before you have evidence[43:07] Practical tools for calling in your next level: visualization, breathwork, and using AI for manifestationHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @_annalozano on InstagramAnna Lozano’s WebsiteThe Pink Skirt Project Event, June 12, 2025 in Kelowna, BC (Use code TRACY2025 for 10% off tickets)Join the waitlist for Desire AIAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

Ready for real talk on friendship, love, and all the FEELS? In this juicy episode with my friends, Felicia Romero and Annette Oran, we rip off the Band-Aid on relationship triggers that keep us stuck! We're spilling ALL the tea about outgrowing friendships, healing those deep sister wounds, and what to do when your partner just won't level up with you.We get vulnerable AF about abandonment issues (spoiler: we ALL have them), and share the exact communication tools that saved our relationships! This conversation is the girlfriend therapy session you didn't know you needed!In this episode, you’ll learn:[5:20] Why your ride-or-die friendships feel totally different in your 30s & 40s![15:45] The friendship breakup no one talks about - when your values just don't match anymore[24:30] "I triggered them?!" - turning relationship friction into your greatest transformation[31:50] The clearing session: the 10-minute communication hack that could save your relationship[41:10] When you're growing but your partner isn't: real talk about what to do nextHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Follow @FeliciaRomero on InstagramListen to the Hi Felicia PodcastFollow @AnetteSkyeOran on InstagramListen to The Conscious Creators PodcastGrab Tracy’s Birthday Bundle (50% off our Signature Programs)Are you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook

🌟 EXCITING REBRAND ALERT! 🌟 Welcome to the FIRST OFFICIAL episode of Creatives Rule the World - the evolution of my beloved Thrive by Design podcast! After 532 incredible episodes, I'm expanding beyond jewelry to embrace ALL creative entrepreneurs who are ready to step into their highest expression! In this heartfelt episode, I share why creativity sits at the top of Maslow's Hierarchy (hello, self-actualization!), the emotional journey behind this transformation, and my vision for building a community of high-vibe, wealthy creatives who are changing the world through their gifts!In this episode, you’ll learn: [1:42] The deeply personal "why" behind my entrepreneurial journey and how my mother's legacy fuels my mission[5:58] The magical moment "Creatives Rule the World" was born (hint: it involves a TED talk dream with 20 million views!)[9:32] What I'm calling in (high-vibe energy and dream-chasers) and what I'm releasing (low-vibe, starving artist mentality)[12:17] Reflections on the incredible journey through 532 episodes and why this evolution had to happen[14:50] My expanded mission to help you become your wealthiest, most creative self while living in complete alignmentHere are the resources mentioned in the show:Grab Tracy’s Birthday Bundle (50% off our Signature Programs)DesireAI WaitlistAre you enjoying the podcast? We’d be so grateful if you gave us a rating and review! Your 5 star ratings help us reach more businesses like yours and allows us to continue to deliver valuable content every single week. Click here to review the show on Apple podcast or your favorite platformSelect “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review”Share your favorite insights and inspirationsIf you haven’t done so yet, make sure that you subscribe to the show wherever you listen to podcasts and on Apple Podcast for special bonus content you won’t get elsewhere.xo, Tracy MatthewsFollow on Social:Follow @Flourish_Thrive on InstagramFollow @iamtracymatthews  InstagramFollow Flourish & Thrive Facebook