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On this episode of Your Brand, Your Backyard, Julie and Jeremy sit down with Griffin Leuck, Head of Digital Sales at Hyport Digital, N2’s in-house digital marketing team. Griffin shares how Hyport complements the trust-building power of print with smart, results-driven digital advertising strategies. Learn how combining print and digital increases ROI, what’s working in digital right now, and how local businesses can create brand visibility that actually converts.

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🎙️ Episode 13: “Top 5 Reasons Small Businesses Fail—And How to Avoid Them”

Why do great small businesses still fail? In this episode, Julie Olsen and Jeremy Roentz break down the five biggest reasons—from lack of planning and inconsistent branding to relying too heavily on word-of-mouth.

Learn how local visibility, consistent messaging, and strategic partnerships can keep your business not only afloat—but thriving. Packed with stats, real examples, and community-based solutions, this episode will help you stay top of mind and in your customer’s backyard.

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In this inspiring episode, Julie and Jeremy sit down with Amie Schill, a dynamic force in marketing and a trailblazer in the automotive industry. With over 20 years of experience, Amie shares her journey of rising through a traditionally male-dominated field and how she leveraged authenticity and strategy to build powerful marketing campaigns that resonate.

But Amie's story goes beyond business—she’s also a passionate philanthropist who founded a charity in 2015 that continues to make meaningful community impact. From branding with purpose to building trust with local audiences, Amie offers actionable insights for business owners who want to grow without losing their values.

Whether you’re a small business owner, a marketing professional, or someone passionate about community, this episode delivers the perfect mix of wisdom, strategy, and inspiration.

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In this episode, Julie and Jeremy sit down with Laura Terry—an energetic local business advocate, owner of BeLocal Georgetown, and a certified StoryBrand Guide. Laura shares how the combination of message clarity and hyper-local strategy can dramatically transform how small businesses connect with their ideal clients.

Laura walks us through the core of the StoryBrand framework and explains why confusing marketing messages cost businesses money and momentum. She shares powerful stories of businesses that clarified their message and used BeLocal to get in front of the right people—especially new movers making big purchasing decisions.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale with intention, Laura’s insights will help you sharpen your message, stand out locally, and build a brand that truly resonates.

storybrand.com

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In this episode, we’re joined by Jennifer Tinsley, a proud woman-owned State Farm agent based in Parker, Colorado. Jennifer opens up about how she’s built a brand rooted in relationships, trust, and one powerful emotion: love. From helping families plan for the unexpected to guiding small business owners with confidence, Jennifer shares how she’s grown her agency by leading with heart and showing up consistently in her community.

We talk about life insurance as an act of love, how to market in a trust-based industry without being salesy, and what it really means to create a brand that people remember and refer.

Whether you’re running a service-based business, thinking about your personal brand, or just need a reminder that love and loyalty are still powerful tools in marketing—this episode is for you.

Local Parker, Colorado residents can reach Jennifer at jennifertinsley.com. They can also call 303-862-8112. She'd love to hear from you!

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Designing with Purpose: Making Your Brand Feel Like Home
Guest: Joyce Clegg, Founder of Dream Homes, Inc.

In this episode, Julie and Jeremy sits down with interior designer Joyce Clegg, founder of Dream Homes, Inc., to talk about what it really means to build something meaningful—whether it’s a home or a brand.

Joyce shares how she built her business around one simple mission: to make every person feel heard, every experience meaningful, and every home one of a kind. Her thoughtful, intentional approach to design mirrors exactly what this podcast is all about—creating a business that reflects your values and stays rooted in your local community.

We dive into how powerful listening can be in any service-based business, why your space (or brand) should tell a story, and how to grow while staying grounded in what matters most.

What you’ll hear in this episode:
• How to design a brand that truly reflects the people you serve
• The connection between personal style and business identity
• Simple ways to create meaningful experiences for your clients
• Why staying true to your mission builds long-term trust and growth

When your brand feels like home—authentic, welcoming, and true to you—it becomes something people want to be a part of. It’s not about trends. It’s about heart.

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Featuring: Katie Rakowitz, Co-Owner of Timeout Sitters

In this episode, Julie sits down with Katie Rakowitz, co-owner of Timeout Sitters—a hyper-local babysitting and pet care business that has successfully scaled across multiple cities without losing its personal, community-focused feel.

Katie shares the origin story of Timeout Sitters, the intentional strategies they used to grow, and the systems they implemented to maintain consistency and trust in new markets. From building a strong brand identity to developing local partnerships and navigating challenges, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-life insight.

You’ll learn:
✔️ How to stay rooted in your brand values as you grow
✔️ Tips for scaling into new communities while keeping a local voice
✔️ The importance of community involvement and hyper-local marketing
✔️ What a 6-month blueprint for brand expansion looks like in action
✔️ Mistakes to avoid and lessons learned from the field

Actionable Tip of the Week:
Build your own 6-Month Growth Blueprint—whether you're expanding into a new market or simply growing your reach locally.

Final Takeaway:
"Scaling doesn’t mean changing who you are. It means letting more people experience what already makes your business great."

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In this episode, Julie and Jeremy challenge the common misconception that advertising is just another business expense. Instead, they break down why smart businesses view advertising as an investment—one that fuels long-term growth and keeps customers coming through the door.

Key Takeaways:

✅ Advertising = Growth – Businesses that advertise consistently grow 2.5x faster than those that don’t.
✅ ROI Matters – Every ad should have a purpose, and tracking key metrics (website traffic, calls, promo codes) ensures it delivers results.
✅ Strategic Advertising – Know your audience, pick the right channels (social, print, Google Ads), and budget wisely.
✅ Don’t Cut Ads in Tough Times – Businesses that maintain advertising during downturns outperform competitors who pull back.