PASSIONATELY CURIOUS with UpSwell Marketing https://upswellmarketing.com/ en 2024 - tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Passionately Curious, presented by UpSwell Marketing, is your go-to podcast for real stories, actionable insights, and expert strategies to help you grow your business. This podcast dives into the journeys of entrepreneurs, uncovering the challenges, victories, and lessons they’ve gathered along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, a curious entrepreneur, or just starting out, every episode is designed to deliver value you can apply right away. Beyond interviews with successful business owners, the podcast taps into the wealth of knowledge from within the UpSwell team, offering unique perspectives on digital marketing, customer service, branding, and more. Get ready for practical advice on how to prepare your business for growth and navigate the complexities of staying ahead in a fast-changing market delivered by the people who do it every day. Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing We believe that learning from real experiences is the key to success, and we’re here to make that knowledge accessible. Get inspired, stay ahead of trends, and gain tools to grow your brand and attract more customers. Welcome to Passionately Curious. https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/af2c1a40-8fd5-11ef-b04b-5b6a0adb5c6e/image/99175b9fa7937f0cc2bc1eddc0490f2a.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress PASSIONATELY CURIOUS with UpSwell Marketing https://upswellmarketing.com/ no episodic tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Passionately Curious, presented by UpSwell Marketing, is your go-to podcast for real stories, actionable insights, and expert strategies to help you grow your business. This podcast dives into the journeys of entrepreneurs, uncovering the challenges, victories, and lessons they’ve gathered along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, a curious entrepreneur, or just starting out, every episode is designed to deliver value you can apply right away. Beyond interviews with successful business owners, the podcast taps into the wealth of knowledge from within the UpSwell team, offering unique perspectives on digital marketing, customer service, branding, and more. Get ready for practical advice on how to prepare your business for growth and navigate the complexities of staying ahead in a fast-changing market delivered by the people who do it every day. Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing We believe that learning from real experiences is the key to success, and we’re here to make that knowledge accessible. Get inspired, stay ahead of trends, and gain tools to grow your brand and attract more customers. Welcome to Passionately Curious. Passionately Curious, presented by UpSwell Marketing, is your go-to podcast for real stories, actionable insights, and expert strategies to help you grow your business.

This podcast dives into the journeys of entrepreneurs, uncovering the challenges, victories, and lessons they’ve gathered along the way. Whether you’re a seasoned business owner, a curious entrepreneur, or just starting out, every episode is designed to deliver value you can apply right away.

Beyond interviews with successful business owners, the podcast taps into the wealth of knowledge from within the UpSwell team, offering unique perspectives on digital marketing, customer service, branding, and more. Get ready for practical advice on how to prepare your business for growth and navigate the complexities of staying ahead in a fast-changing market delivered by the people who do it every day.

  • Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing
  • Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing
  • Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing


We believe that learning from real experiences is the key to success, and we’re here to make that knowledge accessible.

Get inspired, stay ahead of trends, and gain tools to grow your brand and attract more customers.

Welcome to Passionately Curious.

]]> tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing jeff@tentwentytwo.com Reimagining Dentistry, Building Sustainable Practices, and Designing a Life That Comes First with Dr. Christina Blatchford Dr. Christina Blatchford—former private-practice dentist and founder of Blatchford Solutions—joins the show to share how she’s helping dentists across the country build profitable, patient-centered practices that support their lives instead of consuming them. Drawing on her unique background in fashion merchandising, interior design, and clinical dentistry, Christina brings a rare blend of empathy, systems thinking, and business clarity to an industry under growing pressure. Christina walks through her unconventional path into dentistry, the realities of private practice versus corporate dentistry, and why so many dentists struggle—not because they’re bad clinicians, but because they were never taught how to run a business. She explains how reframing “sales” as patient education, shifting from needs-based to wants-based care, and creating a clear vision for outcomes can transform both case acceptance and trust. She also dives into the systems that make sustainable dentistry possible: thoughtful scheduling, disciplined processes, checklists, and a radical rethinking of work-life balance. From practices taking up to 12 weeks off per year to building teams that thrive without burnout, Christina offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make dentistry both fulfilling and financially sound. At its core, this conversation is about alignment—between purpose and profit, care and clarity, and building a practice that truly serves both patients and practitioners for the long term. Tue, 20 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Dr. Christina Blatchford—former private-practice dentist and founder of Blatchford Solutions—joins the show to share how she’s helping dentists across the country build profitable, patient-centered practices that support their lives instead of consuming them. Drawing on her unique background in fashion merchandising, interior design, and clinical dentistry, Christina brings a rare blend of empathy, systems thinking, and business clarity to an industry under growing pressure. Christina walks through her unconventional path into dentistry, the realities of private practice versus corporate dentistry, and why so many dentists struggle—not because they’re bad clinicians, but because they were never taught how to run a business. She explains how reframing “sales” as patient education, shifting from needs-based to wants-based care, and creating a clear vision for outcomes can transform both case acceptance and trust. She also dives into the systems that make sustainable dentistry possible: thoughtful scheduling, disciplined processes, checklists, and a radical rethinking of work-life balance. From practices taking up to 12 weeks off per year to building teams that thrive without burnout, Christina offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make dentistry both fulfilling and financially sound. At its core, this conversation is about alignment—between purpose and profit, care and clarity, and building a practice that truly serves both patients and practitioners for the long term. Dr. Christina Blatchford—former private-practice dentist and founder of Blatchford Solutions—joins the show to share how she’s helping dentists across the country build profitable, patient-centered practices that support their lives instead of consuming them. Drawing on her unique background in fashion merchandising, interior design, and clinical dentistry, Christina brings a rare blend of empathy, systems thinking, and business clarity to an industry under growing pressure.

Christina walks through her unconventional path into dentistry, the realities of private practice versus corporate dentistry, and why so many dentists struggle—not because they’re bad clinicians, but because they were never taught how to run a business. She explains how reframing “sales” as patient education, shifting from needs-based to wants-based care, and creating a clear vision for outcomes can transform both case acceptance and trust.

She also dives into the systems that make sustainable dentistry possible: thoughtful scheduling, disciplined processes, checklists, and a radical rethinking of work-life balance. From practices taking up to 12 weeks off per year to building teams that thrive without burnout, Christina offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to make dentistry both fulfilling and financially sound.

At its core, this conversation is about alignment—between purpose and profit, care and clarity, and building a practice that truly serves both patients and practitioners for the long term.

]]> 2175 Looking Back at 2025, Preparing for 2026, and Leading Small Businesses Through Uncertainty In this special year-end episode, the Upswell team—Annie Burch, Matt C, and Eric Goodstadt—comes together to reflect on the forces that shaped 2025 for small businesses and to share clear-eyed guidance for navigating what lies ahead in 2026. Drawing on thousands of real-world conversations with business owners across the country, the team unpacks the economic realities behind the headlines—and what they actually meant on the ground. The conversation explores the outsized impact of tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behavior, revealing how uncertainty—not collapse—defined the year. Eric shares firsthand insights from months on the road with customers, explaining why delayed spending, tighter wallets, and cautious optimism created a uniquely challenging environment for operators across industries. They also dive into the growing importance of customer retention, local loyalty, and value-driven decision-making as consumers become more intentional with their dollars. From marketing strategy and channel mix to the evolving role of AI, the team breaks down what’s real, what’s overhyped, and where businesses should—and shouldn’t—invest their time and money next year. The episode closes on a deeply personal note, honoring the late executive producer Walker Vreeland and the lasting impact he had on the show and its hosts. Thoughtful, candid, and grounded in lived experience, this conversation offers both perspective and encouragement—reminding business owners that while 2026 may bring challenges, resilience, adaptability, and optimism remain their greatest competitive advantages. Tue, 06 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this special year-end episode, the Upswell team—Annie Burch, Matt C, and Eric Goodstadt—comes together to reflect on the forces that shaped 2025 for small businesses and to share clear-eyed guidance for navigating what lies ahead in 2026. Drawing on thousands of real-world conversations with business owners across the country, the team unpacks the economic realities behind the headlines—and what they actually meant on the ground. The conversation explores the outsized impact of tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behavior, revealing how uncertainty—not collapse—defined the year. Eric shares firsthand insights from months on the road with customers, explaining why delayed spending, tighter wallets, and cautious optimism created a uniquely challenging environment for operators across industries. They also dive into the growing importance of customer retention, local loyalty, and value-driven decision-making as consumers become more intentional with their dollars. From marketing strategy and channel mix to the evolving role of AI, the team breaks down what’s real, what’s overhyped, and where businesses should—and shouldn’t—invest their time and money next year. The episode closes on a deeply personal note, honoring the late executive producer Walker Vreeland and the lasting impact he had on the show and its hosts. Thoughtful, candid, and grounded in lived experience, this conversation offers both perspective and encouragement—reminding business owners that while 2026 may bring challenges, resilience, adaptability, and optimism remain their greatest competitive advantages. In this special year-end episode, the Upswell team—Annie Burch, Matt C, and Eric Goodstadt—comes together to reflect on the forces that shaped 2025 for small businesses and to share clear-eyed guidance for navigating what lies ahead in 2026. Drawing on thousands of real-world conversations with business owners across the country, the team unpacks the economic realities behind the headlines—and what they actually meant on the ground.

The conversation explores the outsized impact of tariffs, inflation, labor shortages, and shifting consumer behavior, revealing how uncertainty—not collapse—defined the year. Eric shares firsthand insights from months on the road with customers, explaining why delayed spending, tighter wallets, and cautious optimism created a uniquely challenging environment for operators across industries.

They also dive into the growing importance of customer retention, local loyalty, and value-driven decision-making as consumers become more intentional with their dollars. From marketing strategy and channel mix to the evolving role of AI, the team breaks down what’s real, what’s overhyped, and where businesses should—and shouldn’t—invest their time and money next year.

The episode closes on a deeply personal note, honoring the late executive producer Walker Vreeland and the lasting impact he had on the show and its hosts. Thoughtful, candid, and grounded in lived experience, this conversation offers both perspective and encouragement—reminding business owners that while 2026 may bring challenges, resilience, adaptability, and optimism remain their greatest competitive advantages.


]]> 3262 Building Christmas Magic, Scaling a Global Brand, and Protecting Wonder at Scale with Christa Pitts Christa Pitts, co-CEO and founder of The Lumistella Company - home of the iconic Elf on the Shelf - joins the show to share the remarkable story of how a small family tradition became a global holiday phenomenon. Starting with a childhood memory passed down through generations, Krista and her family transformed an idea rooted in imagination into a brand that has reshaped Christmas for millions of families around the world. Christa walks through the early days of the business, from self-funding the first 5,000 units and facing total industry rejection, to building momentum one Christmas market at a time. She explains how word-of-mouth, disciplined storytelling, and an unwavering belief in the magic of the product helped Elf on the Shelf grow organically, long before social media amplified its reach. She also dives into the realities of scaling a seasonal, IP-driven business: protecting global intellectual property, hiring ahead of growth, balancing creativity with operations as a co-CEO alongside her twin sister, and thoughtfully expanding the North Pole universe beyond December. From Netflix partnerships and books to games, collectibles, and cultural legacy, Christa offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how to grow a beloved brand without losing the joy and authenticity that made it special in the first place. At its core, this conversation is about belief: in family, imagination, simplicity, and the idea that joy, when done right, can become timeless. Tue, 16 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Christa Pitts, co-CEO and founder of The Lumistella Company - home of the iconic Elf on the Shelf - joins the show to share the remarkable story of how a small family tradition became a global holiday phenomenon. Starting with a childhood memory passed down through generations, Krista and her family transformed an idea rooted in imagination into a brand that has reshaped Christmas for millions of families around the world. Christa walks through the early days of the business, from self-funding the first 5,000 units and facing total industry rejection, to building momentum one Christmas market at a time. She explains how word-of-mouth, disciplined storytelling, and an unwavering belief in the magic of the product helped Elf on the Shelf grow organically, long before social media amplified its reach. She also dives into the realities of scaling a seasonal, IP-driven business: protecting global intellectual property, hiring ahead of growth, balancing creativity with operations as a co-CEO alongside her twin sister, and thoughtfully expanding the North Pole universe beyond December. From Netflix partnerships and books to games, collectibles, and cultural legacy, Christa offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how to grow a beloved brand without losing the joy and authenticity that made it special in the first place. At its core, this conversation is about belief: in family, imagination, simplicity, and the idea that joy, when done right, can become timeless. Christa Pitts, co-CEO and founder of The Lumistella Company - home of the iconic Elf on the Shelf - joins the show to share the remarkable story of how a small family tradition became a global holiday phenomenon. Starting with a childhood memory passed down through generations, Krista and her family transformed an idea rooted in imagination into a brand that has reshaped Christmas for millions of families around the world.

Christa walks through the early days of the business, from self-funding the first 5,000 units and facing total industry rejection, to building momentum one Christmas market at a time. She explains how word-of-mouth, disciplined storytelling, and an unwavering belief in the magic of the product helped Elf on the Shelf grow organically, long before social media amplified its reach.

She also dives into the realities of scaling a seasonal, IP-driven business: protecting global intellectual property, hiring ahead of growth, balancing creativity with operations as a co-CEO alongside her twin sister, and thoughtfully expanding the North Pole universe beyond December. From Netflix partnerships and books to games, collectibles, and cultural legacy, Christa offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at how to grow a beloved brand without losing the joy and authenticity that made it special in the first place.

At its core, this conversation is about belief: in family, imagination, simplicity, and the idea that joy, when done right, can become timeless.

]]> 2915 Building Better Podcasts Through Strategy, Story, and Scrappiness with Jeff Dauler Jeff Dauler, longtime Atlanta radio personality and podcast architect at 1022 Podcasts, joins the show to unpack what actually makes a podcast work—and why most people are thinking about it backwards. With 25 years in major-market radio, including two decades helping build The Bert Show from underdog to Atlanta’s #1 morning show, Jeff brings rare insight into audience growth, storytelling, and the discipline behind compelling audio. Jeff shares how his time in radio taught him to win “one listener at a time,” why hyper-specific content always beats watered-down messaging, and how small, consistent wins ultimately build massive audiences. He explains why most new podcasters overestimate ad revenue, underestimate strategy, and miss the importance of defining a goal before ever turning on a microphone. He also breaks down the business side of podcasting—how brands can use podcasts as relationship engines, how to monetize through sponsorship rather than downloads, and why shorter, faster, more intentional content will define the next generation of podcasting. From pivots he learned launching his own top-10 show to the storytelling frameworks he uses with clients today, Jeff offers a masterclass in creating audio that actually moves people—and moves businesses forward. Tue, 02 Dec 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Jeff Dauler, longtime Atlanta radio personality and podcast architect at 1022 Podcasts, joins the show to unpack what actually makes a podcast work—and why most people are thinking about it backwards. With 25 years in major-market radio, including two decades helping build The Bert Show from underdog to Atlanta’s #1 morning show, Jeff brings rare insight into audience growth, storytelling, and the discipline behind compelling audio. Jeff shares how his time in radio taught him to win “one listener at a time,” why hyper-specific content always beats watered-down messaging, and how small, consistent wins ultimately build massive audiences. He explains why most new podcasters overestimate ad revenue, underestimate strategy, and miss the importance of defining a goal before ever turning on a microphone. He also breaks down the business side of podcasting—how brands can use podcasts as relationship engines, how to monetize through sponsorship rather than downloads, and why shorter, faster, more intentional content will define the next generation of podcasting. From pivots he learned launching his own top-10 show to the storytelling frameworks he uses with clients today, Jeff offers a masterclass in creating audio that actually moves people—and moves businesses forward. Jeff Dauler, longtime Atlanta radio personality and podcast architect at 1022 Podcasts, joins the show to unpack what actually makes a podcast work—and why most people are thinking about it backwards. With 25 years in major-market radio, including two decades helping build The Bert Show from underdog to Atlanta’s #1 morning show, Jeff brings rare insight into audience growth, storytelling, and the discipline behind compelling audio.

Jeff shares how his time in radio taught him to win “one listener at a time,” why hyper-specific content always beats watered-down messaging, and how small, consistent wins ultimately build massive audiences. He explains why most new podcasters overestimate ad revenue, underestimate strategy, and miss the importance of defining a goal before ever turning on a microphone.

He also breaks down the business side of podcasting—how brands can use podcasts as relationship engines, how to monetize through sponsorship rather than downloads, and why shorter, faster, more intentional content will define the next generation of podcasting. From pivots he learned launching his own top-10 show to the storytelling frameworks he uses with clients today, Jeff offers a masterclass in creating audio that actually moves people—and moves businesses forward.

]]> 1909 Revolutionizing Customer Connections with LiveSwitch James Hatfield, CRO of LiveSwitch, shares how his company is revolutionizing home services through instant video connectivity. After running a painting and power washing company while earning his MBA, Hatfield transitioned to technology, eventually buying LiveSwitch five years ago. The platform allows businesses to instantly video connect with customers via text—no app required—enabling remote estimates, AI-powered diagnostics, and faster closing rates. Originally developed to reinvent 911 calls for Washington DC police, the technology now serves thousands of home service businesses, moving companies, and auto repair shops. Hatfield discusses using QR codes on appliances for instant service access, AI co-pilots that diagnose issues and create proposals, and the future of wearable technology for hands-free operations. Beyond business, he runs Inmates to Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit featured on ABC's "Free Enterprise," and emphasizes that giving back doesn't require wealth—just commitment to serving your community. Tue, 11 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing James Hatfield, CRO of LiveSwitch, shares how his company is revolutionizing home services through instant video connectivity. After running a painting and power washing company while earning his MBA, Hatfield transitioned to technology, eventually buying LiveSwitch five years ago. The platform allows businesses to instantly video connect with customers via text—no app required—enabling remote estimates, AI-powered diagnostics, and faster closing rates. Originally developed to reinvent 911 calls for Washington DC police, the technology now serves thousands of home service businesses, moving companies, and auto repair shops. Hatfield discusses using QR codes on appliances for instant service access, AI co-pilots that diagnose issues and create proposals, and the future of wearable technology for hands-free operations. Beyond business, he runs Inmates to Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit featured on ABC's "Free Enterprise," and emphasizes that giving back doesn't require wealth—just commitment to serving your community. James Hatfield, CRO of LiveSwitch, shares how his company is revolutionizing home services through instant video connectivity. After running a painting and power washing company while earning his MBA, Hatfield transitioned to technology, eventually buying LiveSwitch five years ago. The platform allows businesses to instantly video connect with customers via text—no app required—enabling remote estimates, AI-powered diagnostics, and faster closing rates. Originally developed to reinvent 911 calls for Washington DC police, the technology now serves thousands of home service businesses, moving companies, and auto repair shops. Hatfield discusses using QR codes on appliances for instant service access, AI co-pilots that diagnose issues and create proposals, and the future of wearable technology for hands-free operations. Beyond business, he runs Inmates to Entrepreneurs, a nonprofit featured on ABC's "Free Enterprise," and emphasizes that giving back doesn't require wealth—just commitment to serving your community.

]]> 2331 Beyond the Chair: Jake Goates on Transforming Dental Marketing Jake Goates, founder of Goat CMO, shares his journey from sales manager to fractional Chief Marketing Officer for dental practices nationwide. After earning a degree in professional sales and managing a large call center, Goates discovered that better marketing directly improved sales performance. He entered the dental industry 13 years ago teaching phone etiquette and patient conversion, eventually recognizing that practices had become too data-driven and transactional at the expense of genuine patient relationships. Goates developed a proprietary algorithm that analyzes patient data against credit bureau spending behaviors to create actionable personas, helping practices understand their patients' values and preferences. He emphasizes the importance of rebranding when necessary, scripted office tours for new patients, and cleaning up online presence before investing in advertising. His fractional CMO services provide strategic marketing expertise at a fraction of traditional CMO costs, with packages starting at $1,000 monthly. Tue, 28 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Jake Goates, founder of Goat CMO, shares his journey from sales manager to fractional Chief Marketing Officer for dental practices nationwide. After earning a degree in professional sales and managing a large call center, Goates discovered that better marketing directly improved sales performance. He entered the dental industry 13 years ago teaching phone etiquette and patient conversion, eventually recognizing that practices had become too data-driven and transactional at the expense of genuine patient relationships. Goates developed a proprietary algorithm that analyzes patient data against credit bureau spending behaviors to create actionable personas, helping practices understand their patients' values and preferences. He emphasizes the importance of rebranding when necessary, scripted office tours for new patients, and cleaning up online presence before investing in advertising. His fractional CMO services provide strategic marketing expertise at a fraction of traditional CMO costs, with packages starting at $1,000 monthly. Jake Goates, founder of Goat CMO, shares his journey from sales manager to fractional Chief Marketing Officer for dental practices nationwide. After earning a degree in professional sales and managing a large call center, Goates discovered that better marketing directly improved sales performance. He entered the dental industry 13 years ago teaching phone etiquette and patient conversion, eventually recognizing that practices had become too data-driven and transactional at the expense of genuine patient relationships. Goates developed a proprietary algorithm that analyzes patient data against credit bureau spending behaviors to create actionable personas, helping practices understand their patients' values and preferences. He emphasizes the importance of rebranding when necessary, scripted office tours for new patients, and cleaning up online presence before investing in advertising. His fractional CMO services provide strategic marketing expertise at a fraction of traditional CMO costs, with packages starting at $1,000 monthly.

]]> 2752 The Three M's of Marketing Success with Turnkey Marketing's Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg In this episode, Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, founder of Turnkey Marketing, shares her journey from selling flowers at age eight to building a marketing company dedicated to serving auto repair shops. After starting her business at 24 and working with various small businesses, she pivoted exclusively to the automotive repair industry over a decade ago. Carrie Lynn explains her philosophy of the "three M's of marketing"—Market, Media, and Message—and emphasizes the importance of direct mail marketing, though she's candid that it typically takes three months to see results. She highlights how auto repair shop owners are often more focused on supporting their teams and communities than just revenue. Recording this episode nine months pregnant with her third child, Carrie Lynn discusses balancing motherhood with business ownership, crediting her supportive husband and strong team. Looking ahead, she's launching a comprehensive white-glove branding service in January to help shops define their identity and ensure their physical locations match the promises made in their marketing materials. Tue, 14 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode, Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, founder of Turnkey Marketing, shares her journey from selling flowers at age eight to building a marketing company dedicated to serving auto repair shops. After starting her business at 24 and working with various small businesses, she pivoted exclusively to the automotive repair industry over a decade ago. Carrie Lynn explains her philosophy of the "three M's of marketing"—Market, Media, and Message—and emphasizes the importance of direct mail marketing, though she's candid that it typically takes three months to see results. She highlights how auto repair shop owners are often more focused on supporting their teams and communities than just revenue. Recording this episode nine months pregnant with her third child, Carrie Lynn discusses balancing motherhood with business ownership, crediting her supportive husband and strong team. Looking ahead, she's launching a comprehensive white-glove branding service in January to help shops define their identity and ensure their physical locations match the promises made in their marketing materials. In this episode, Carrie-Lynn Rodenberg, founder of Turnkey Marketing, shares her journey from selling flowers at age eight to building a marketing company dedicated to serving auto repair shops. After starting her business at 24 and working with various small businesses, she pivoted exclusively to the automotive repair industry over a decade ago. Carrie Lynn explains her philosophy of the "three M's of marketing"—Market, Media, and Message—and emphasizes the importance of direct mail marketing, though she's candid that it typically takes three months to see results. She highlights how auto repair shop owners are often more focused on supporting their teams and communities than just revenue.

Recording this episode nine months pregnant with her third child, Carrie Lynn discusses balancing motherhood with business ownership, crediting her supportive husband and strong team. Looking ahead, she's launching a comprehensive white-glove branding service in January to help shops define their identity and ensure their physical locations match the promises made in their marketing materials.

]]> 2868 no Breaking Barriers in Cannabis: The Science and Strategy Behind Nine Dot Drinks David and Crystal Spang, founders of Nine Dot Cannabis Beverages, share their eight-year journey in the heavily regulated cannabis industry. Starting with Coastal Green Wellness brick-and-mortar stores in 2017, they faced banking restrictions, social media censorship, and market skepticism in the Southeast. Their retail experience revealed that most hemp beverages missed the mark with five-milligram dosing—too strong for beginners, too weak for experienced users. Nine Dot addresses this with 3mg and 10mg options plus concentrated elixirs for cocktail mixing, using proprietary nanoemulsification technology for faster onset and more consistent effects regardless of genetic enzyme variations that affect traditional edibles. Tue, 30 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing David and Crystal Spang, founders of Nine Dot Cannabis Beverages, share their eight-year journey in the heavily regulated cannabis industry. Starting with Coastal Green Wellness brick-and-mortar stores in 2017, they faced banking restrictions, social media censorship, and market skepticism in the Southeast. Their retail experience revealed that most hemp beverages missed the mark with five-milligram dosing—too strong for beginners, too weak for experienced users. Nine Dot addresses this with 3mg and 10mg options plus concentrated elixirs for cocktail mixing, using proprietary nanoemulsification technology for faster onset and more consistent effects regardless of genetic enzyme variations that affect traditional edibles. David and Crystal Spang, founders of Nine Dot Cannabis Beverages, share their eight-year journey in the heavily regulated cannabis industry. Starting with Coastal Green Wellness brick-and-mortar stores in 2017, they faced banking restrictions, social media censorship, and market skepticism in the Southeast. Their retail experience revealed that most hemp beverages missed the mark with five-milligram dosing—too strong for beginners, too weak for experienced users. Nine Dot addresses this with 3mg and 10mg options plus concentrated elixirs for cocktail mixing, using proprietary nanoemulsification technology for faster onset and more consistent effects regardless of genetic enzyme variations that affect traditional edibles.

]]> 2398 no The F1 Marketing Mindset: From Fast Cars to Financial Brands with Ondar Tarlow Ondar Tarlow, a marketing veteran with over 20 years of experience, joins us to explore the psychology behind successful branding and how bold storytelling, data, and AI are reshaping the marketing world. From leading $1.7 billion in product volume campaigns to working with brands like Porsche and the LA Chargers, Ondar shares real-world insights on navigating compliance-heavy industries, discovering untapped audiences, and leveraging motorsports for luxury brand positioning. We discuss how AI and business intelligence are changing the creative process, why challenger brands can (and should) take more risks, and how small businesses can compete by embracing frequency, testing, and authentic local storytelling. Whether you're marketing financial services or fast cars, this episode is packed with practical advice and high-performance thinking. Tue, 16 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Ondar Tarlow, a marketing veteran with over 20 years of experience, joins us to explore the psychology behind successful branding and how bold storytelling, data, and AI are reshaping the marketing world. From leading $1.7 billion in product volume campaigns to working with brands like Porsche and the LA Chargers, Ondar shares real-world insights on navigating compliance-heavy industries, discovering untapped audiences, and leveraging motorsports for luxury brand positioning. We discuss how AI and business intelligence are changing the creative process, why challenger brands can (and should) take more risks, and how small businesses can compete by embracing frequency, testing, and authentic local storytelling. Whether you're marketing financial services or fast cars, this episode is packed with practical advice and high-performance thinking. Ondar Tarlow, a marketing veteran with over 20 years of experience, joins us to explore the psychology behind successful branding and how bold storytelling, data, and AI are reshaping the marketing world. From leading $1.7 billion in product volume campaigns to working with brands like Porsche and the LA Chargers, Ondar shares real-world insights on navigating compliance-heavy industries, discovering untapped audiences, and leveraging motorsports for luxury brand positioning.

We discuss how AI and business intelligence are changing the creative process, why challenger brands can (and should) take more risks, and how small businesses can compete by embracing frequency, testing, and authentic local storytelling. Whether you're marketing financial services or fast cars, this episode is packed with practical advice and high-performance thinking.

]]> 2280 AI-roids for Small Business: How Artificial Intelligence Levels the Marketing Playing Field Nick Tapp, founder of Taptico AI marketing solutions, discusses how artificial intelligence can level the playing field for small businesses. With 20+ years of marketing experience at brands like Coca-Cola and Harley Davidson, Nick explains practical AI applications from training ChatGPT as a business assistant to using predictive analytics for market simulations. He covers emerging trends like Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) replacing traditional SEO, addresses privacy concerns, and emphasizes the importance of understanding KPIs before implementing AI solutions. The conversation explores both opportunities and concerns around AI, particularly maintaining human creativity and authentic brand connections while leveraging AI for efficiency and competitive advantage. Tue, 17 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 2 10 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Nick Tapp, founder of Taptico AI marketing solutions, discusses how artificial intelligence can level the playing field for small businesses. With 20+ years of marketing experience at brands like Coca-Cola and Harley Davidson, Nick explains practical AI applications from training ChatGPT as a business assistant to using predictive analytics for market simulations. He covers emerging trends like Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) replacing traditional SEO, addresses privacy concerns, and emphasizes the importance of understanding KPIs before implementing AI solutions. The conversation explores both opportunities and concerns around AI, particularly maintaining human creativity and authentic brand connections while leveraging AI for efficiency and competitive advantage. Nick Tapp, founder of Taptico AI marketing solutions, discusses how artificial intelligence can level the playing field for small businesses. With 20+ years of marketing experience at brands like Coca-Cola and Harley Davidson, Nick explains practical AI applications from training ChatGPT as a business assistant to using predictive analytics for market simulations. He covers emerging trends like Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) replacing traditional SEO, addresses privacy concerns, and emphasizes the importance of understanding KPIs before implementing AI solutions. The conversation explores both opportunities and concerns around AI, particularly maintaining human creativity and authentic brand connections while leveraging AI for efficiency and competitive advantage.

]]> 2365 From Longhorn to Bison: George McKerrow's 50-Year Restaurant Empire Restaurant industry veteran George McKerrow shares his remarkable journey from founding Longhorn Steakhouse in 1981 to building it into a national chain before selling to Darden Restaurants in 2007. Starting with just one location in an old adult bookstore that served only 14 lunches on opening day, McKerrow emphasizes treating each restaurant as an individual small business focused on genuine hospitality, flexibility, and community connection. Currently CEO of Ted's Montana Grill, which he co-founded with Ted Turner in 2002, McKerrow discusses their mission to save the American bison while pioneering restaurant sustainability. Ted's was among the first to eliminate plastic and styrofoam, with McKerrow helping reintroduce paper straws to the industry in 2001. The restaurant cooks everything fresh from scratch and maintains only 1% food waste. McKerrow shares insights on restaurant culture, the "Gumby philosophy" of flexibility, avoiding "pigeon management," and how the industry has adapted through COVID-19 and current economic challenges. Tue, 03 Jun 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 2 9 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Restaurant industry veteran George McKerrow shares his remarkable journey from founding Longhorn Steakhouse in 1981 to building it into a national chain before selling to Darden Restaurants in 2007. Starting with just one location in an old adult bookstore that served only 14 lunches on opening day, McKerrow emphasizes treating each restaurant as an individual small business focused on genuine hospitality, flexibility, and community connection. Currently CEO of Ted's Montana Grill, which he co-founded with Ted Turner in 2002, McKerrow discusses their mission to save the American bison while pioneering restaurant sustainability. Ted's was among the first to eliminate plastic and styrofoam, with McKerrow helping reintroduce paper straws to the industry in 2001. The restaurant cooks everything fresh from scratch and maintains only 1% food waste. McKerrow shares insights on restaurant culture, the "Gumby philosophy" of flexibility, avoiding "pigeon management," and how the industry has adapted through COVID-19 and current economic challenges. Restaurant industry veteran George McKerrow shares his remarkable journey from founding Longhorn Steakhouse in 1981 to building it into a national chain before selling to Darden Restaurants in 2007. Starting with just one location in an old adult bookstore that served only 14 lunches on opening day, McKerrow emphasizes treating each restaurant as an individual small business focused on genuine hospitality, flexibility, and community connection.

Currently CEO of Ted's Montana Grill, which he co-founded with Ted Turner in 2002, McKerrow discusses their mission to save the American bison while pioneering restaurant sustainability. Ted's was among the first to eliminate plastic and styrofoam, with McKerrow helping reintroduce paper straws to the industry in 2001. The restaurant cooks everything fresh from scratch and maintains only 1% food waste. McKerrow shares insights on restaurant culture, the "Gumby philosophy" of flexibility, avoiding "pigeon management," and how the industry has adapted through COVID-19 and current economic challenges.

]]> 2666 Retention is the New Acquisition: Marketing Wisdom with Dana Farber This episode of Passionately Curious features Dana Farber, CEO and founder of Moonstone Marketing. With extensive experience as a CMO and brand strategist, Dana shares her marketing philosophy centered on holistic, mindful approaches. She discusses her journey from editorial writing to PR to franchising, emphasizing the importance of marketing calendars for strategic planning rather than reactionary holiday-based posting. Dana advocates for "retention as the new acquisition," urging businesses to deeply understand their first members before scaling. She explains her "New Moon, Half Moon, Full Moon" service model and highlights the psychology of consumer behavior in today's uncertain economy, noting it now takes 35-40 brand touchpoints to make a sale versus 7-10 in previous decades. The episode concludes with Dana encouraging businesses to nurture leads thoughtfully through emotional connections rather than discounts, and an Upswell marketing tip about using email lists to create Facebook lookalike audiences. Tue, 20 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 2 8 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing This episode of Passionately Curious features Dana Farber, CEO and founder of Moonstone Marketing. With extensive experience as a CMO and brand strategist, Dana shares her marketing philosophy centered on holistic, mindful approaches. She discusses her journey from editorial writing to PR to franchising, emphasizing the importance of marketing calendars for strategic planning rather than reactionary holiday-based posting. Dana advocates for "retention as the new acquisition," urging businesses to deeply understand their first members before scaling. She explains her "New Moon, Half Moon, Full Moon" service model and highlights the psychology of consumer behavior in today's uncertain economy, noting it now takes 35-40 brand touchpoints to make a sale versus 7-10 in previous decades. The episode concludes with Dana encouraging businesses to nurture leads thoughtfully through emotional connections rather than discounts, and an Upswell marketing tip about using email lists to create Facebook lookalike audiences. This episode of Passionately Curious features Dana Farber, CEO and founder of Moonstone Marketing. With extensive experience as a CMO and brand strategist, Dana shares her marketing philosophy centered on holistic, mindful approaches. She discusses her journey from editorial writing to PR to franchising, emphasizing the importance of marketing calendars for strategic planning rather than reactionary holiday-based posting. Dana advocates for "retention as the new acquisition," urging businesses to deeply understand their first members before scaling. She explains her "New Moon, Half Moon, Full Moon" service model and highlights the psychology of consumer behavior in today's uncertain economy, noting it now takes 35-40 brand touchpoints to make a sale versus 7-10 in previous decades. The episode concludes with Dana encouraging businesses to nurture leads thoughtfully through emotional connections rather than discounts, and an Upswell marketing tip about using email lists to create Facebook lookalike audiences.

]]> 2717 Becoming a 'Yes Company': How FormPiper Transforms Customer Financing In this episode of "Passionately Curious," hosts Annie and Eric interview Brad Parker, founder and CEO of FormPiper, an affiliate of Upswell Marketing. Brad shares how he created FormPiper to solve financing problems he experienced as a retailer by developing a platform that allows customers to complete just one application to access multiple lending options. He explains how the system creates a "perfect lender lineup" that can dramatically increase approval rates from 30% to nearly 100% when combined with in-house financing options. Brad discusses his background as a serial entrepreneur, his "Drive Success Today" business coaching philosophy, and his charitable initiative to donate one million chess boards and books. Throughout the conversation, Brad emphasizes the importance of tracking data, avoiding projecting your own financial preferences onto customers, and maintaining focus on what you can control within your business regardless of economic conditions. Tue, 06 May 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 1 7 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode of "Passionately Curious," hosts Annie and Eric interview Brad Parker, founder and CEO of FormPiper, an affiliate of Upswell Marketing. Brad shares how he created FormPiper to solve financing problems he experienced as a retailer by developing a platform that allows customers to complete just one application to access multiple lending options. He explains how the system creates a "perfect lender lineup" that can dramatically increase approval rates from 30% to nearly 100% when combined with in-house financing options. Brad discusses his background as a serial entrepreneur, his "Drive Success Today" business coaching philosophy, and his charitable initiative to donate one million chess boards and books. Throughout the conversation, Brad emphasizes the importance of tracking data, avoiding projecting your own financial preferences onto customers, and maintaining focus on what you can control within your business regardless of economic conditions. In this episode of "Passionately Curious," hosts Annie and Eric interview Brad Parker, founder and CEO of FormPiper, an affiliate of Upswell Marketing. Brad shares how he created FormPiper to solve financing problems he experienced as a retailer by developing a platform that allows customers to complete just one application to access multiple lending options. He explains how the system creates a "perfect lender lineup" that can dramatically increase approval rates from 30% to nearly 100% when combined with in-house financing options. Brad discusses his background as a serial entrepreneur, his "Drive Success Today" business coaching philosophy, and his charitable initiative to donate one million chess boards and books. Throughout the conversation, Brad emphasizes the importance of tracking data, avoiding projecting your own financial preferences onto customers, and maintaining focus on what you can control within your business regardless of economic conditions.

]]> 2644 no Learning Through Loss: How Aaron Stokes Turned Business Disaster into Industry Dominance In this episode of Passionately Curious from Upswell Marketing, the hosts speak with Aaron Stokes, a successful entrepreneur in the automotive industry. Aaron shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in a trailer park to building multiple auto repair businesses and becoming the founder of ShopFix Academy, now the largest coaching company in the industry. He candidly discusses his struggles, including being stolen from in 2012 which left him $5.5 million in debt, and how he rebuilt his life and businesses without filing bankruptcy. Aaron explains how ShopFix Academy works through four key components: peer groups (tribes), video courses, one-on-one coaching, and conferences. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, continually evolving as a business owner, and finding ways to support fellow entrepreneurs through difficult times. The episode concludes with Aaron's perspective on current challenges facing the auto repair industry, including potential tariffs, and his advice for shop owners to remain confident despite economic uncertainty. Tue, 22 Apr 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full 2 6 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode of Passionately Curious from Upswell Marketing, the hosts speak with Aaron Stokes, a successful entrepreneur in the automotive industry. Aaron shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in a trailer park to building multiple auto repair businesses and becoming the founder of ShopFix Academy, now the largest coaching company in the industry. He candidly discusses his struggles, including being stolen from in 2012 which left him $5.5 million in debt, and how he rebuilt his life and businesses without filing bankruptcy. Aaron explains how ShopFix Academy works through four key components: peer groups (tribes), video courses, one-on-one coaching, and conferences. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, continually evolving as a business owner, and finding ways to support fellow entrepreneurs through difficult times. The episode concludes with Aaron's perspective on current challenges facing the auto repair industry, including potential tariffs, and his advice for shop owners to remain confident despite economic uncertainty. In this episode of Passionately Curious from Upswell Marketing, the hosts speak with Aaron Stokes, a successful entrepreneur in the automotive industry. Aaron shares his remarkable journey from humble beginnings in a trailer park to building multiple auto repair businesses and becoming the founder of ShopFix Academy, now the largest coaching company in the industry. He candidly discusses his struggles, including being stolen from in 2012 which left him $5.5 million in debt, and how he rebuilt his life and businesses without filing bankruptcy. Aaron explains how ShopFix Academy works through four key components: peer groups (tribes), video courses, one-on-one coaching, and conferences. Throughout the conversation, he emphasizes the importance of learning from mistakes, continually evolving as a business owner, and finding ways to support fellow entrepreneurs through difficult times. The episode concludes with Aaron's perspective on current challenges facing the auto repair industry, including potential tariffs, and his advice for shop owners to remain confident despite economic uncertainty.

]]> 2766 yes Financial Flexibility: How EveryStreet and Apple Pie Capital Empower Business Owners In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Matt and Eric discuss financial flexibility in uncertain economic times with Kevin Park, co-founder of EveryStreet, and Samantha Holt, sales operation manager for Apple Pie Capital. After a lighthearted opening about an innovative dog poop bag marketing tactic, the conversation shifts to the challenges small businesses face when seeking financing. Kevin shares how his parents' struggles during the 2008 financial crisis inspired EveryStreet's creation, while Sam discusses lessons from her own small business ownership experience. Both guests explain how their companies differ from traditional financing options by streamlining the application process and matching businesses with appropriate funding solutions. They emphasize the importance of securing financing before it's needed, especially during economic uncertainty, and discuss strategies for franchise owners looking to expand. The episode concludes with advice for small business owners on navigating potential economic downturns by understanding their financial position and exploring all available options. Tue, 08 Apr 2025 11:00:00 -0000 full 2 5 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Matt and Eric discuss financial flexibility in uncertain economic times with Kevin Park, co-founder of EveryStreet, and Samantha Holt, sales operation manager for Apple Pie Capital. After a lighthearted opening about an innovative dog poop bag marketing tactic, the conversation shifts to the challenges small businesses face when seeking financing. Kevin shares how his parents' struggles during the 2008 financial crisis inspired EveryStreet's creation, while Sam discusses lessons from her own small business ownership experience. Both guests explain how their companies differ from traditional financing options by streamlining the application process and matching businesses with appropriate funding solutions. They emphasize the importance of securing financing before it's needed, especially during economic uncertainty, and discuss strategies for franchise owners looking to expand. The episode concludes with advice for small business owners on navigating potential economic downturns by understanding their financial position and exploring all available options. In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Matt and Eric discuss financial flexibility in uncertain economic times with Kevin Park, co-founder of EveryStreet, and Samantha Holt, sales operation manager for Apple Pie Capital. After a lighthearted opening about an innovative dog poop bag marketing tactic, the conversation shifts to the challenges small businesses face when seeking financing. Kevin shares how his parents' struggles during the 2008 financial crisis inspired EveryStreet's creation, while Sam discusses lessons from her own small business ownership experience. Both guests explain how their companies differ from traditional financing options by streamlining the application process and matching businesses with appropriate funding solutions. They emphasize the importance of securing financing before it's needed, especially during economic uncertainty, and discuss strategies for franchise owners looking to expand. The episode concludes with advice for small business owners on navigating potential economic downturns by understanding their financial position and exploring all available options.

]]> 2372 no Navigating Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty: Small Business Outlook for 2025
 https://upswellmarketing.com In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Eric, Annie, and Matt discuss the results of Upswell Marketing's annual business sentiment survey. They explore how different industries performed in 2024, with auto repair and dental practices seeing strong growth while home services experienced declines. The conversation centers on the impact of tariffs, with 55% of surveyed business owners expressing concerns about supply chain costs. The hosts discuss strategies for navigating economic challenges, including the importance of maintaining marketing spend during downturns rather than cutting it as an "easy" cost-saving measure. Eric emphasizes that businesses should be planning six months ahead and considering supplier relationships. The survey reveals that 77% of business owners anticipate revenue growth in 2025, with many planning to pass increased costs to customers. The episode concludes with insights on effective marketing strategies, highlighting the 3X multiplier effect of combining digital and direct mail campaigns, and noting that 35% of businesses plan to increase digital marketing spending in 2025. Tue, 18 Mar 2025 11:00:00 -0000 Navigating Tariffs and Economic Uncertainty: Small Business Outlook for 2025
 full 2 4 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Eric, Annie, and Matt discuss the results of Upswell Marketing's annual business sentiment survey. They explore how different industries performed in 2024, with auto repair and dental practices seeing strong growth while home services experienced declines. The conversation centers on the impact of tariffs, with 55% of surveyed business owners expressing concerns about supply chain costs. The hosts discuss strategies for navigating economic challenges, including the importance of maintaining marketing spend during downturns rather than cutting it as an "easy" cost-saving measure. Eric emphasizes that businesses should be planning six months ahead and considering supplier relationships. The survey reveals that 77% of business owners anticipate revenue growth in 2025, with many planning to pass increased costs to customers. The episode concludes with insights on effective marketing strategies, highlighting the 3X multiplier effect of combining digital and direct mail campaigns, and noting that 35% of businesses plan to increase digital marketing spending in 2025. In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Eric, Annie, and Matt discuss the results of Upswell Marketing's annual business sentiment survey. They explore how different industries performed in 2024, with auto repair and dental practices seeing strong growth while home services experienced declines. The conversation centers on the impact of tariffs, with 55% of surveyed business owners expressing concerns about supply chain costs. The hosts discuss strategies for navigating economic challenges, including the importance of maintaining marketing spend during downturns rather than cutting it as an "easy" cost-saving measure. Eric emphasizes that businesses should be planning six months ahead and considering supplier relationships. The survey reveals that 77% of business owners anticipate revenue growth in 2025, with many planning to pass increased costs to customers. The episode concludes with insights on effective marketing strategies, highlighting the 3X multiplier effect of combining digital and direct mail campaigns, and noting that 35% of businesses plan to increase digital marketing spending in 2025.

]]> 2940 Fired Up: How Big Green Egg is Expanding Its Passionate Community https://upswellmarketing.com In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Matt and Annie interview Michele Morris, Head of US Marketing for Big Green Egg. Michele shares her career journey from social media analytics to brand marketing, discussing Big Green Egg's strategy to expand beyond traditional demographics with initiatives like "Women on Fire." She details their data collection improvements, educational content creation, and balance between dealer networks and digital marketing. Michele highlights the passionate fan community, including the annual Eggtoberfest event that draws 4,000 enthusiasts globally. The episode concludes with a quick segment on optimizing Google My Business profiles. Tue, 04 Mar 2025 12:00:00 -0000 Fired Up: How Big Green Egg is Expanding Its Passionate Community full 2 3 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Matt and Annie interview Michele Morris, Head of US Marketing for Big Green Egg. Michele shares her career journey from social media analytics to brand marketing, discussing Big Green Egg's strategy to expand beyond traditional demographics with initiatives like "Women on Fire." She details their data collection improvements, educational content creation, and balance between dealer networks and digital marketing. Michele highlights the passionate fan community, including the annual Eggtoberfest event that draws 4,000 enthusiasts globally. The episode concludes with a quick segment on optimizing Google My Business profiles. In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Matt and Annie interview Michele Morris, Head of US Marketing for Big Green Egg. Michele shares her career journey from social media analytics to brand marketing, discussing Big Green Egg's strategy to expand beyond traditional demographics with initiatives like "Women on Fire." She details their data collection improvements, educational content creation, and balance between dealer networks and digital marketing. Michele highlights the passionate fan community, including the annual Eggtoberfest event that draws 4,000 enthusiasts globally. The episode concludes with a quick segment on optimizing Google My Business profiles.

]]> 2220 Friends, Trucks, and Enterprise: CDT Automotive partner Thomas Andrews https://upswellmarketing.com Thomas Andrews, partner at CDT Automotive, shares how he and his friend Mike Liles turned their passion for diesel trucks into a successful business. Starting with a Facebook community for truck enthusiasts in 2012, they built their brand while maintaining day jobs - Thomas in IT and Mike as a mechanic. The business evolved from a small three-bay shop to a 14,500 sq ft facility with 15 bays, expanding beyond diesel to service all vehicle types. After facing challenges during COVID and seeking help from ShopFix Academy, they transformed their approach to focus on customer experience, achieving $724,000 in sales with 560 cars in January 2025. They now plan to expand to additional locations in the Raleigh area. Tue, 18 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000 Friends, Trucks, and Enterprise: CDT Automotive partner Thomas Andrews full 2 2 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Thomas Andrews, partner at CDT Automotive, shares how he and his friend Mike Liles turned their passion for diesel trucks into a successful business. Starting with a Facebook community for truck enthusiasts in 2012, they built their brand while maintaining day jobs - Thomas in IT and Mike as a mechanic. The business evolved from a small three-bay shop to a 14,500 sq ft facility with 15 bays, expanding beyond diesel to service all vehicle types. After facing challenges during COVID and seeking help from ShopFix Academy, they transformed their approach to focus on customer experience, achieving $724,000 in sales with 560 cars in January 2025. They now plan to expand to additional locations in the Raleigh area. Thomas Andrews, partner at CDT Automotive, shares how he and his friend Mike Liles turned their passion for diesel trucks into a successful business. Starting with a Facebook community for truck enthusiasts in 2012, they built their brand while maintaining day jobs - Thomas in IT and Mike as a mechanic. The business evolved from a small three-bay shop to a 14,500 sq ft facility with 15 bays, expanding beyond diesel to service all vehicle types. After facing challenges during COVID and seeking help from ShopFix Academy, they transformed their approach to focus on customer experience, achieving $724,000 in sales with 560 cars in January 2025. They now plan to expand to additional locations in the Raleigh area.

]]> 2738 Sweet Success: The Sugar Shane's Success Story https://upswellmarketing.com Shane Quillin, founder of Sugar Shane's, shares how he transformed from an Amazon program manager to owning a thriving cookie business in Atlanta. Started during COVID from his apartment kitchen, Sugar Shane's now has three locations, a franchise, and 50 employees. Shane discusses his marketing strategies, including creative tactics like simulated online waiting rooms, event presence, and loyalty programs. He also shares insights on menu innovation and his careful approach to expansion. The episode concludes with a segment on first-party versus third-party marketing data. Tue, 11 Feb 2025 12:00:00 -0000 Sweet Success: The Sugar Shane's Success Story full 2 1 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Sweet Success: The Sugar Shane's Success Story Shane Quillin, founder of Sugar Shane's, shares how he transformed from an Amazon program manager to owning a thriving cookie business in Atlanta. Started during COVID from his apartment kitchen, Sugar Shane's now has three locations, a franchise, and 50 employees. Shane discusses his marketing strategies, including creative tactics like simulated online waiting rooms, event presence, and loyalty programs. He also shares insights on menu innovation and his careful approach to expansion. The episode concludes with a segment on first-party versus third-party marketing data. Shane Quillin, founder of Sugar Shane's, shares how he transformed from an Amazon program manager to owning a thriving cookie business in Atlanta. Started during COVID from his apartment kitchen, Sugar Shane's now has three locations, a franchise, and 50 employees. Shane discusses his marketing strategies, including creative tactics like simulated online waiting rooms, event presence, and loyalty programs. He also shares insights on menu innovation and his careful approach to expansion. The episode concludes with a segment on first-party versus third-party marketing data.

]]> 2427 Is TikTok Advertising Worth It? 5 Reasons to Think Twice With businesses stretching their marketing budgets across multiple channels, is TikTok worth the investment? In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, explains five key reasons why TikTok may not be the best platform for your ad dollars—and it has nothing to do with the app’s legal troubles. Five Reasons to Avoid TikTok Advertising 1. TikTok’s Audience Skews Young A majority of TikTok users are Gen Z, making it less effective for businesses targeting older demographics. If your audience is younger, it may be a fit, but for many businesses, it’s not ideal. 2. TikTok Requires Heavy Creative Output Unlike other platforms where you can reuse assets, TikTok demands fresh, engaging, and trendy content at a rapid pace. While Meta campaigns may need three to four assets per month, TikTok can burn through two to three assets every few days—a challenge for brands without strong creative teams. 3. High Competition & Expensive Ads With its massive popularity, brands are fiercely competing for user attention, often targeting the same audiences. To stand out, you either need exceptional creative, a large ad budget, or both. 4. Limited Targeting Options Compared to platforms like Meta and Google, TikTok’s targeting features are less sophisticated, making it harder to refine your audience and ensure your ads reach the right people. 5. Low ROI for Many Businesses While TikTok is great for brand awareness, it hasn’t proven itself as a strong platform for lead generation or high-converting campaigns. If your business relies on new prospects and direct ROI, TikTok may not be the best investment. What’s Next for TikTok Advertising? With uncertainty around TikTok’s future and advertisers cutting back, some businesses could find new opportunities to break through. However, for now, TikTok’s time as a top-tier ad platform may be running out. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on digital ad strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable marketing strategies! Thu, 30 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing With businesses stretching their marketing budgets across multiple channels, is TikTok worth the investment? In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, explains five key reasons why TikTok may not be the best platform for your ad dollars—and it has nothing to do with the app’s legal troubles. Five Reasons to Avoid TikTok Advertising 1. TikTok’s Audience Skews Young A majority of TikTok users are Gen Z, making it less effective for businesses targeting older demographics. If your audience is younger, it may be a fit, but for many businesses, it’s not ideal. 2. TikTok Requires Heavy Creative Output Unlike other platforms where you can reuse assets, TikTok demands fresh, engaging, and trendy content at a rapid pace. While Meta campaigns may need three to four assets per month, TikTok can burn through two to three assets every few days—a challenge for brands without strong creative teams. 3. High Competition & Expensive Ads With its massive popularity, brands are fiercely competing for user attention, often targeting the same audiences. To stand out, you either need exceptional creative, a large ad budget, or both. 4. Limited Targeting Options Compared to platforms like Meta and Google, TikTok’s targeting features are less sophisticated, making it harder to refine your audience and ensure your ads reach the right people. 5. Low ROI for Many Businesses While TikTok is great for brand awareness, it hasn’t proven itself as a strong platform for lead generation or high-converting campaigns. If your business relies on new prospects and direct ROI, TikTok may not be the best investment. What’s Next for TikTok Advertising? With uncertainty around TikTok’s future and advertisers cutting back, some businesses could find new opportunities to break through. However, for now, TikTok’s time as a top-tier ad platform may be running out. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on digital ad strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable marketing strategies! With businesses stretching their marketing budgets across multiple channels, is TikTok worth the investment? In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, explains five key reasons why TikTok may not be the best platform for your ad dollars—and it has nothing to do with the app’s legal troubles.


Five Reasons to Avoid TikTok Advertising

1. TikTok’s Audience Skews Young

A majority of TikTok users are Gen Z, making it less effective for businesses targeting older demographics. If your audience is younger, it may be a fit, but for many businesses, it’s not ideal.

2. TikTok Requires Heavy Creative Output

Unlike other platforms where you can reuse assets, TikTok demands fresh, engaging, and trendy content at a rapid pace. While Meta campaigns may need three to four assets per month, TikTok can burn through two to three assets every few days—a challenge for brands without strong creative teams.

3. High Competition & Expensive Ads

With its massive popularity, brands are fiercely competing for user attention, often targeting the same audiences. To stand out, you either need exceptional creative, a large ad budget, or both.

4. Limited Targeting Options

Compared to platforms like Meta and Google, TikTok’s targeting features are less sophisticated, making it harder to refine your audience and ensure your ads reach the right people.

5. Low ROI for Many Businesses

While TikTok is great for brand awareness, it hasn’t proven itself as a strong platform for lead generation or high-converting campaigns. If your business relies on new prospects and direct ROI, TikTok may not be the best investment.


What’s Next for TikTok Advertising?

With uncertainty around TikTok’s future and advertisers cutting back, some businesses could find new opportunities to break through. However, for now, TikTok’s time as a top-tier ad platform may be running out.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on digital ad strategies.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable marketing strategies!
]]> 197 YouTube Advertising is a Game Changer With over 8.4 billion videos watched daily and YouTube accounting for over 10% of all U.S. TV viewing, this platform has become a powerhouse for marketers. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five reasons why YouTube advertising is a must-have in your marketing strategy. Why Advertise on YouTube? 1. Cost-Effectiveness YouTube ads operate on a pay-per-click model, meaning you only pay when someone engages with your ad. With full control over your budget, every marketing dollar works smarter, not harder. 2. Precision Targeting YouTube allows advertisers to reach highly specific audiences based on: Demographics Life events Customer interests Retargeting past visitors This ensures your message reaches the right people at the right time. 3. Emotional Connection Through Video Unlike static ads, video content brings your brand to life and allows you to: Showcase products Tell compelling stories Build stronger emotional connections with your audience With multiple ad formats available, you can craft an experience that resonates. 4. Easy-to-Measure Results YouTube’s built-in analytics allow you to track: Views and engagement Ad spend effectiveness Targeting success By analyzing what’s working, you can continuously refine your campaigns for better performance. 5. Massive Audience Reach With billions of engaged viewers, YouTube levels the playing field for businesses of all sizes. No other platform offers this scale and accessibility for video marketing. Why YouTube Ads Matter YouTube advertising is cost-effective, highly targeted, emotionally engaging, measurable, and offers unmatched reach. If you’re not leveraging it yet, now is the time to start. Visit Upswell Marketing to explore how YouTube ads can work for your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable tips to grow your business! Wed, 29 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing With over 8.4 billion videos watched daily and YouTube accounting for over 10% of all U.S. TV viewing, this platform has become a powerhouse for marketers. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five reasons why YouTube advertising is a must-have in your marketing strategy. Why Advertise on YouTube? 1. Cost-Effectiveness YouTube ads operate on a pay-per-click model, meaning you only pay when someone engages with your ad. With full control over your budget, every marketing dollar works smarter, not harder. 2. Precision Targeting YouTube allows advertisers to reach highly specific audiences based on: Demographics Life events Customer interests Retargeting past visitors This ensures your message reaches the right people at the right time. 3. Emotional Connection Through Video Unlike static ads, video content brings your brand to life and allows you to: Showcase products Tell compelling stories Build stronger emotional connections with your audience With multiple ad formats available, you can craft an experience that resonates. 4. Easy-to-Measure Results YouTube’s built-in analytics allow you to track: Views and engagement Ad spend effectiveness Targeting success By analyzing what’s working, you can continuously refine your campaigns for better performance. 5. Massive Audience Reach With billions of engaged viewers, YouTube levels the playing field for businesses of all sizes. No other platform offers this scale and accessibility for video marketing. Why YouTube Ads Matter YouTube advertising is cost-effective, highly targeted, emotionally engaging, measurable, and offers unmatched reach. If you’re not leveraging it yet, now is the time to start. Visit Upswell Marketing to explore how YouTube ads can work for your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable tips to grow your business! With over 8.4 billion videos watched daily and YouTube accounting for over 10% of all U.S. TV viewing, this platform has become a powerhouse for marketers. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five reasons why YouTube advertising is a must-have in your marketing strategy.


Why Advertise on YouTube?


1. Cost-Effectiveness

YouTube ads operate on a pay-per-click model, meaning you only pay when someone engages with your ad. With full control over your budget, every marketing dollar works smarter, not harder.


2. Precision Targeting

YouTube allows advertisers to reach highly specific audiences based on:

  • Demographics
  • Life events
  • Customer interests
  • Retargeting past visitors

This ensures your message reaches the right people at the right time.


3. Emotional Connection Through Video

Unlike static ads, video content brings your brand to life and allows you to:

  • Showcase products
  • Tell compelling stories
  • Build stronger emotional connections with your audience

With multiple ad formats available, you can craft an experience that resonates.


4. Easy-to-Measure Results

YouTube’s built-in analytics allow you to track:

  • Views and engagement
  • Ad spend effectiveness
  • Targeting success

By analyzing what’s working, you can continuously refine your campaigns for better performance.


5. Massive Audience Reach

With billions of engaged viewers, YouTube levels the playing field for businesses of all sizes. No other platform offers this scale and accessibility for video marketing.


Why YouTube Ads Matter

YouTube advertising is cost-effective, highly targeted, emotionally engaging, measurable, and offers unmatched reach. If you’re not leveraging it yet, now is the time to start.


  1. Visit Upswell Marketing to explore how YouTube ads can work for your business.
  2. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights.
  3. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable tips to grow your business!
]]> 233 Turning Negative Reviews Into Positive Opportunities Negative online reviews may feel like a setback, but when handled properly, they can become opportunities to demonstrate your commitment to excellence and build stronger customer relationships. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares a seven-step approach to addressing negative feedback effectively. Seven Steps for Responding to Negative Reviews 1. Respond Promptly: Address negative reviews within one business day. Quick responses show customers you value their feedback and are proactive in resolving concerns. 2. Maintain Professionalism: Stay calm and professional. Avoid defensive reactions and treat critiques as opportunities for constructive dialogue. 3. Acknowledge and Apologize: Validate the customer’s concerns and offer a sincere apology. Express empathy, even if the issue wasn’t your fault, to diffuse tension and demonstrate care. 4. Personalize Your Response: Avoid generic replies. Tailor your response to the specific issue raised, showing genuine effort to address the customer’s unique situation. 5. Offer Solutions and Take It Offline: Provide actionable steps to resolve the problem. After addressing the issue publicly, invite the customer to continue the discussion privately for a more detailed resolution. 6. Encourage Positive Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews. A higher volume of positive feedback can balance out negative ones and improve your overall reputation. 7. Learn and Improve: Use negative feedback as a learning tool. Identify recurring issues, implement changes, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. Why It Works By responding promptly and thoughtfully, you can not only resolve individual concerns but also showcase your dedication to excellence, turning negative reviews into opportunities for growth. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on managing online reviews and more. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners succeed! Tue, 28 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Negative online reviews may feel like a setback, but when handled properly, they can become opportunities to demonstrate your commitment to excellence and build stronger customer relationships. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares a seven-step approach to addressing negative feedback effectively. Seven Steps for Responding to Negative Reviews 1. Respond Promptly: Address negative reviews within one business day. Quick responses show customers you value their feedback and are proactive in resolving concerns. 2. Maintain Professionalism: Stay calm and professional. Avoid defensive reactions and treat critiques as opportunities for constructive dialogue. 3. Acknowledge and Apologize: Validate the customer’s concerns and offer a sincere apology. Express empathy, even if the issue wasn’t your fault, to diffuse tension and demonstrate care. 4. Personalize Your Response: Avoid generic replies. Tailor your response to the specific issue raised, showing genuine effort to address the customer’s unique situation. 5. Offer Solutions and Take It Offline: Provide actionable steps to resolve the problem. After addressing the issue publicly, invite the customer to continue the discussion privately for a more detailed resolution. 6. Encourage Positive Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews. A higher volume of positive feedback can balance out negative ones and improve your overall reputation. 7. Learn and Improve: Use negative feedback as a learning tool. Identify recurring issues, implement changes, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement. Why It Works By responding promptly and thoughtfully, you can not only resolve individual concerns but also showcase your dedication to excellence, turning negative reviews into opportunities for growth. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on managing online reviews and more. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners succeed! Negative online reviews may feel like a setback, but when handled properly, they can become opportunities to demonstrate your commitment to excellence and build stronger customer relationships. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares a seven-step approach to addressing negative feedback effectively.

Seven Steps for Responding to Negative Reviews

1. Respond Promptly: Address negative reviews within one business day. Quick responses show customers you value their feedback and are proactive in resolving concerns.

2. Maintain Professionalism: Stay calm and professional. Avoid defensive reactions and treat critiques as opportunities for constructive dialogue.

3. Acknowledge and Apologize: Validate the customer’s concerns and offer a sincere apology. Express empathy, even if the issue wasn’t your fault, to diffuse tension and demonstrate care.

4. Personalize Your Response: Avoid generic replies. Tailor your response to the specific issue raised, showing genuine effort to address the customer’s unique situation.

5. Offer Solutions and Take It Offline: Provide actionable steps to resolve the problem. After addressing the issue publicly, invite the customer to continue the discussion privately for a more detailed resolution.

6. Encourage Positive Reviews: Ask satisfied customers to leave reviews. A higher volume of positive feedback can balance out negative ones and improve your overall reputation.

7. Learn and Improve: Use negative feedback as a learning tool. Identify recurring issues, implement changes, and demonstrate a commitment to continuous improvement.


Why It Works

By responding promptly and thoughtfully, you can not only resolve individual concerns but also showcase your dedication to excellence, turning negative reviews into opportunities for growth.

  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on managing online reviews and more.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners succeed!
]]> 238 The Art Of Email Email marketing remains one of the most effective tools for reaching and engaging your audience. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five simple steps to transform your email strategy into a powerful growth driver. Five Steps to Better Email Marketing 1. Personalize Your Content Gone are the days of generic email blasts. Use data and segmentation to tailor your messages to your audience’s interests, behaviors, and needs. Personalized emails, such as product recommendations, special offers, or birthday messages, create a connection that fosters loyalty. 2. Craft Compelling Subject Lines Your subject line is the first thing recipients see. Keep it concise, intriguing, and action-oriented. Test different variations to find what resonates best with your audience and boosts open rates. 3. Optimize for Mobile With most emails being opened on mobile devices, mobile optimization is essential. Use responsive designs, concise copy, and clear calls-to-action that are easy to tap. A seamless mobile experience significantly improves engagement. 4. Analyze and Iterate Track key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Understand what’s working and refine your strategy based on data. Experiment with formats, content types, and send times to maximize effectiveness. 5. Prioritize Value Over Volume In today’s crowded inboxes, quality matters more than quantity. Ensure every email provides real value, whether through educational content, exclusive discounts, or timely updates. Consistently delivering value builds trust and long-term engagement. Why It Works Successful email marketing is about creating a meaningful dialogue with your audience. By focusing on personalization, optimization, and consistent value, you can drive growth and foster customer loyalty. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert email marketing advice and more. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, providing practical strategies to grow your business! Mon, 27 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Email marketing remains one of the most effective tools for reaching and engaging your audience. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five simple steps to transform your email strategy into a powerful growth driver. Five Steps to Better Email Marketing 1. Personalize Your Content Gone are the days of generic email blasts. Use data and segmentation to tailor your messages to your audience’s interests, behaviors, and needs. Personalized emails, such as product recommendations, special offers, or birthday messages, create a connection that fosters loyalty. 2. Craft Compelling Subject Lines Your subject line is the first thing recipients see. Keep it concise, intriguing, and action-oriented. Test different variations to find what resonates best with your audience and boosts open rates. 3. Optimize for Mobile With most emails being opened on mobile devices, mobile optimization is essential. Use responsive designs, concise copy, and clear calls-to-action that are easy to tap. A seamless mobile experience significantly improves engagement. 4. Analyze and Iterate Track key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Understand what’s working and refine your strategy based on data. Experiment with formats, content types, and send times to maximize effectiveness. 5. Prioritize Value Over Volume In today’s crowded inboxes, quality matters more than quantity. Ensure every email provides real value, whether through educational content, exclusive discounts, or timely updates. Consistently delivering value builds trust and long-term engagement. Why It Works Successful email marketing is about creating a meaningful dialogue with your audience. By focusing on personalization, optimization, and consistent value, you can drive growth and foster customer loyalty. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert email marketing advice and more. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, providing practical strategies to grow your business! Email marketing remains one of the most effective tools for reaching and engaging your audience. In this episode, Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five simple steps to transform your email strategy into a powerful growth driver.

Five Steps to Better Email Marketing

1. Personalize Your Content

Gone are the days of generic email blasts. Use data and segmentation to tailor your messages to your audience’s interests, behaviors, and needs. Personalized emails, such as product recommendations, special offers, or birthday messages, create a connection that fosters loyalty.

2. Craft Compelling Subject Lines

Your subject line is the first thing recipients see. Keep it concise, intriguing, and action-oriented. Test different variations to find what resonates best with your audience and boosts open rates.

3. Optimize for Mobile

With most emails being opened on mobile devices, mobile optimization is essential. Use responsive designs, concise copy, and clear calls-to-action that are easy to tap. A seamless mobile experience significantly improves engagement.

4. Analyze and Iterate

Track key metrics such as open rates, click-through rates, and conversions. Understand what’s working and refine your strategy based on data. Experiment with formats, content types, and send times to maximize effectiveness.

5. Prioritize Value Over Volume

In today’s crowded inboxes, quality matters more than quantity. Ensure every email provides real value, whether through educational content, exclusive discounts, or timely updates. Consistently delivering value builds trust and long-term engagement.

Why It Works

Successful email marketing is about creating a meaningful dialogue with your audience. By focusing on personalization, optimization, and consistent value, you can drive growth and foster customer loyalty.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert email marketing advice and more.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable marketing tips.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, providing practical strategies to grow your business!
]]> 205 Seasonal Promotions That Drive Results Seasonal trends and events—like holidays, back-to-school season, or local festivals—offer excellent opportunities to attract customers and boost sales. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares how to plan and execute seasonal marketing campaigns that deliver results. How to Plan Seasonal Campaigns Start by looking at the calendar and identifying key dates that are relevant to your customers. Brainstorm promotions or campaigns that align with these events, such as holiday discounts, back-to-school bundles, or special events during local festivals. Creative Marketing Ideas Use themed content to connect with your audience’s mindset: Social media posts tailored to the season. Email campaigns promoting seasonal offers. Direct mail campaigns to highlight special events or discounts. Track and Learn Measure the results of your seasonal campaigns to see what resonates with your audience. Use these insights to refine and adapt successful ideas for future promotions. Why Seasonal Campaigns Work By aligning your marketing with seasonal trends, you make your business relevant and part of your customers’ plans, driving both engagement and sales. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on seasonal campaigns and more. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners grow! Fri, 24 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Seasonal trends and events—like holidays, back-to-school season, or local festivals—offer excellent opportunities to attract customers and boost sales. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares how to plan and execute seasonal marketing campaigns that deliver results. How to Plan Seasonal Campaigns Start by looking at the calendar and identifying key dates that are relevant to your customers. Brainstorm promotions or campaigns that align with these events, such as holiday discounts, back-to-school bundles, or special events during local festivals. Creative Marketing Ideas Use themed content to connect with your audience’s mindset: Social media posts tailored to the season. Email campaigns promoting seasonal offers. Direct mail campaigns to highlight special events or discounts. Track and Learn Measure the results of your seasonal campaigns to see what resonates with your audience. Use these insights to refine and adapt successful ideas for future promotions. Why Seasonal Campaigns Work By aligning your marketing with seasonal trends, you make your business relevant and part of your customers’ plans, driving both engagement and sales. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on seasonal campaigns and more. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners grow! Seasonal trends and events—like holidays, back-to-school season, or local festivals—offer excellent opportunities to attract customers and boost sales. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares how to plan and execute seasonal marketing campaigns that deliver results.

How to Plan Seasonal Campaigns

Start by looking at the calendar and identifying key dates that are relevant to your customers. Brainstorm promotions or campaigns that align with these events, such as holiday discounts, back-to-school bundles, or special events during local festivals.

Creative Marketing Ideas

Use themed content to connect with your audience’s mindset:

  • Social media posts tailored to the season.
  • Email campaigns promoting seasonal offers.
  • Direct mail campaigns to highlight special events or discounts.


Track and Learn

Measure the results of your seasonal campaigns to see what resonates with your audience. Use these insights to refine and adapt successful ideas for future promotions.


Why Seasonal Campaigns Work

By aligning your marketing with seasonal trends, you make your business relevant and part of your customers’ plans, driving both engagement and sales.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on seasonal campaigns and more.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners grow!
]]> 106 no Stand Out and Stay Memorable: Marketing Strategies That Work Standing out in a competitive market is essential for small businesses. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares actionable tips to help you define your unique edge and make your business unforgettable. How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market Start by identifying what makes your business different. Is it exceptional customer service, locally sourced products, or a specialized skill? Once you pinpoint your unique offering, make it the center of your marketing message. Enhancing the Customer Experience Focus on delivering a memorable experience through personalized service, follow-ups, or simply remembering customers’ names. Customers aren’t just buying products—they’re buying experiences. Leverage Local Connections Partner with other businesses or sponsor community events. Create campaigns that emphasize your local ties and show your support for the community. Customers love businesses that give back to their area. Take Bold Risks Don’t shy away from trying new things. Launch bold marketing campaigns or creative promotions. Experiment with a quirky or unique social media presence to stand out in ways competitors can’t replicate. Why It Works These strategies highlight what makes your business unique, foster customer loyalty, and set you apart in a crowded market. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on differentiating your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more tips and insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, offering practical strategies to grow your business! Thu, 23 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Standing out in a competitive market is essential for small businesses. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares actionable tips to help you define your unique edge and make your business unforgettable. How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market Start by identifying what makes your business different. Is it exceptional customer service, locally sourced products, or a specialized skill? Once you pinpoint your unique offering, make it the center of your marketing message. Enhancing the Customer Experience Focus on delivering a memorable experience through personalized service, follow-ups, or simply remembering customers’ names. Customers aren’t just buying products—they’re buying experiences. Leverage Local Connections Partner with other businesses or sponsor community events. Create campaigns that emphasize your local ties and show your support for the community. Customers love businesses that give back to their area. Take Bold Risks Don’t shy away from trying new things. Launch bold marketing campaigns or creative promotions. Experiment with a quirky or unique social media presence to stand out in ways competitors can’t replicate. Why It Works These strategies highlight what makes your business unique, foster customer loyalty, and set you apart in a crowded market. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on differentiating your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more tips and insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, offering practical strategies to grow your business! Standing out in a competitive market is essential for small businesses. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares actionable tips to help you define your unique edge and make your business unforgettable.


How to Stand Out in a Competitive Market

Start by identifying what makes your business different.

  • Is it exceptional customer service, locally sourced products, or a specialized skill?
  • Once you pinpoint your unique offering, make it the center of your marketing message.


Enhancing the Customer Experience

Focus on delivering a memorable experience through personalized service, follow-ups, or simply remembering customers’ names. Customers aren’t just buying products—they’re buying experiences.


Leverage Local Connections

  • Partner with other businesses or sponsor community events.
  • Create campaigns that emphasize your local ties and show your support for the community.
  • Customers love businesses that give back to their area.


Take Bold Risks

Don’t shy away from trying new things.

  • Launch bold marketing campaigns or creative promotions.
  • Experiment with a quirky or unique social media presence to stand out in ways competitors can’t replicate.


Why It Works

These strategies highlight what makes your business unique, foster customer loyalty, and set you apart in a crowded market.

  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice on differentiating your business.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more tips and insights.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, offering practical strategies to grow your business!
]]> 117 no Why Social Proof Matters for Your Business Social proof—like reviews, testimonials, and case studies—can make or break your business. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, explains how to leverage social proof to build trust and convert potential customers into loyal ones. Why Social Proof Matters People trust other people. A positive review, a success story, or a recommendation carries more credibility than any ad. Social proof demonstrates that your business delivers on its promises. How to Gather Social Proof Ask happy customers for reviews directly after a sale or service. Make it easy to leave feedback on platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media channels. How to Showcase Social Proof Display reviews prominently on your website, email campaigns, and even in-store signage. Share customer testimonials and case studies that highlight real successes. Add a human face or measurable results for added impact. Social Media and Engagement Monitor social media mentions and share positive posts about your business. Respond quickly to questions and concerns to demonstrate engagement and build trust. Why It Works Social proof not only enhances your credibility but also fosters confidence in potential customers, helping you grow your business effectively. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners thrive! Wed, 22 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Social proof—like reviews, testimonials, and case studies—can make or break your business. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, explains how to leverage social proof to build trust and convert potential customers into loyal ones. Why Social Proof Matters People trust other people. A positive review, a success story, or a recommendation carries more credibility than any ad. Social proof demonstrates that your business delivers on its promises. How to Gather Social Proof Ask happy customers for reviews directly after a sale or service. Make it easy to leave feedback on platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media channels. How to Showcase Social Proof Display reviews prominently on your website, email campaigns, and even in-store signage. Share customer testimonials and case studies that highlight real successes. Add a human face or measurable results for added impact. Social Media and Engagement Monitor social media mentions and share positive posts about your business. Respond quickly to questions and concerns to demonstrate engagement and build trust. Why It Works Social proof not only enhances your credibility but also fosters confidence in potential customers, helping you grow your business effectively. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners thrive! Social proof—like reviews, testimonials, and case studies—can make or break your business. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, explains how to leverage social proof to build trust and convert potential customers into loyal ones.

Why Social Proof Matters

People trust other people. A positive review, a success story, or a recommendation carries more credibility than any ad. Social proof demonstrates that your business delivers on its promises.

How to Gather Social Proof

  • Ask happy customers for reviews directly after a sale or service.
  • Make it easy to leave feedback on platforms like Google, Yelp, or social media channels.


How to Showcase Social Proof

  • Display reviews prominently on your website, email campaigns, and even in-store signage.
  • Share customer testimonials and case studies that highlight real successes. Add a human face or measurable results for added impact.


Social Media and Engagement

  • Monitor social media mentions and share positive posts about your business.
  • Respond quickly to questions and concerns to demonstrate engagement and build trust.


Why It Works

Social proof not only enhances your credibility but also fosters confidence in potential customers, helping you grow your business effectively.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners thrive!
]]> 122 Turning First Impressions into Lasting Loyalty First impressions matter. Whether it’s your storefront, website, or team interactions, the way customers perceive your business initially can determine whether they choose to buy from you. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares tips to create a positive, lasting impact. Tips for a Great First Impression Physical Space If you have a storefront, ensure it’s clean, organized, and inviting. Use clear signage and tidy displays. Create a welcoming atmosphere that makes customers feel comfortable and eager to shop. Online Presence Your website is your virtual storefront. Make it easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading. Use clear product photos and provide easy checkout options. Ensure all service details are straightforward and accessible. Customer Interaction Your team plays a critical role in shaping first impressions. A warm smile and professional attitude can convert a browsing customer into a loyal one. Train your team to be friendly, approachable, and helpful in every interaction. Step into your customer’s shoes and evaluate your business from their perspective. What’s the first thing they notice? Addressing these details sets the stage for success. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners thrive! Tue, 21 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing First impressions matter. Whether it’s your storefront, website, or team interactions, the way customers perceive your business initially can determine whether they choose to buy from you. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares tips to create a positive, lasting impact. Tips for a Great First Impression Physical Space If you have a storefront, ensure it’s clean, organized, and inviting. Use clear signage and tidy displays. Create a welcoming atmosphere that makes customers feel comfortable and eager to shop. Online Presence Your website is your virtual storefront. Make it easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading. Use clear product photos and provide easy checkout options. Ensure all service details are straightforward and accessible. Customer Interaction Your team plays a critical role in shaping first impressions. A warm smile and professional attitude can convert a browsing customer into a loyal one. Train your team to be friendly, approachable, and helpful in every interaction. Step into your customer’s shoes and evaluate your business from their perspective. What’s the first thing they notice? Addressing these details sets the stage for success. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners thrive! First impressions matter. Whether it’s your storefront, website, or team interactions, the way customers perceive your business initially can determine whether they choose to buy from you. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks, Content Strategist at Upswell Marketing, shares tips to create a positive, lasting impact.

Tips for a Great First Impression

Physical Space

If you have a storefront, ensure it’s clean, organized, and inviting.

  • Use clear signage and tidy displays.
  • Create a welcoming atmosphere that makes customers feel comfortable and eager to shop.


Online Presence

Your website is your virtual storefront.

  • Make it easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and fast-loading.
  • Use clear product photos and provide easy checkout options.
  • Ensure all service details are straightforward and accessible.


Customer Interaction

Your team plays a critical role in shaping first impressions.

  • A warm smile and professional attitude can convert a browsing customer into a loyal one.
  • Train your team to be friendly, approachable, and helpful in every interaction.



Step into your customer’s shoes and evaluate your business from their perspective. What’s the first thing they notice? Addressing these details sets the stage for success.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners thrive!
]]> 129 Maximize Conversions with Google Performance Max Google Performance Max campaigns are gaining traction as a powerful tool for advertisers. In this episode, Matt Courtoy explains what Performance Max is, how it works, and why it’s worth considering for your next campaign. What is Performance Max? Performance Max is a Google Ads campaign type that uses AI to optimize performance across Google’s advertising channels. It’s designed to help advertisers achieve conversion goals by reaching more customers in real time. Key Features of Performance Max Multi-Channel Reach: Extends beyond Google Search to YouTube, Display, Discover, Gmail, and Maps. AI Optimization: Uses artificial intelligence to enhance bidding, budget allocation, audience targeting, creatives, and attribution. Customizable Goals: Advertisers can define specific conversion goals and provide creative assets tailored to their audience. Quick Tip for Advertisers Without Video Assets If you lack video content, use free tools like Canva to animate your still images and create simple videos. This allows you to expand your reach to platforms like YouTube. Why Consider Performance Max? At Upswell, campaigns using Performance Max have shown: Higher click-through and conversion rates. Lower cost per lead and cost per click. Increased effectiveness and improved return on ad spend. Is it Worth It? With measurable improvements in campaign performance and cost efficiency, Performance Max is a valuable option for advertisers looking to optimize their digital marketing strategy. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert guidance on Google Ads and other marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more tips and insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable advice to grow your business! Fri, 17 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Google Performance Max campaigns are gaining traction as a powerful tool for advertisers. In this episode, Matt Courtoy explains what Performance Max is, how it works, and why it’s worth considering for your next campaign. What is Performance Max? Performance Max is a Google Ads campaign type that uses AI to optimize performance across Google’s advertising channels. It’s designed to help advertisers achieve conversion goals by reaching more customers in real time. Key Features of Performance Max Multi-Channel Reach: Extends beyond Google Search to YouTube, Display, Discover, Gmail, and Maps. AI Optimization: Uses artificial intelligence to enhance bidding, budget allocation, audience targeting, creatives, and attribution. Customizable Goals: Advertisers can define specific conversion goals and provide creative assets tailored to their audience. Quick Tip for Advertisers Without Video Assets If you lack video content, use free tools like Canva to animate your still images and create simple videos. This allows you to expand your reach to platforms like YouTube. Why Consider Performance Max? At Upswell, campaigns using Performance Max have shown: Higher click-through and conversion rates. Lower cost per lead and cost per click. Increased effectiveness and improved return on ad spend. Is it Worth It? With measurable improvements in campaign performance and cost efficiency, Performance Max is a valuable option for advertisers looking to optimize their digital marketing strategy. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert guidance on Google Ads and other marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more tips and insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable advice to grow your business! Google Performance Max campaigns are gaining traction as a powerful tool for advertisers. In this episode, Matt Courtoy explains what Performance Max is, how it works, and why it’s worth considering for your next campaign.


What is Performance Max?

Performance Max is a Google Ads campaign type that uses AI to optimize performance across Google’s advertising channels. It’s designed to help advertisers achieve conversion goals by reaching more customers in real time.


Key Features of Performance Max

  • Multi-Channel Reach: Extends beyond Google Search to YouTube, Display, Discover, Gmail, and Maps.
  • AI Optimization: Uses artificial intelligence to enhance bidding, budget allocation, audience targeting, creatives, and attribution.
  • Customizable Goals: Advertisers can define specific conversion goals and provide creative assets tailored to their audience.


Quick Tip for Advertisers Without Video Assets

If you lack video content, use free tools like Canva to animate your still images and create simple videos. This allows you to expand your reach to platforms like YouTube.


Why Consider Performance Max?

At Upswell, campaigns using Performance Max have shown:

  • Higher click-through and conversion rates.
  • Lower cost per lead and cost per click.
  • Increased effectiveness and improved return on ad spend.


Is it Worth It?

With measurable improvements in campaign performance and cost efficiency, Performance Max is a valuable option for advertisers looking to optimize their digital marketing strategy.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert guidance on Google Ads and other marketing strategies.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more tips and insights.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable advice to grow your business!
]]> 136 no How to Spy on Competitors’ Facebook Ads in 5 Easy Steps Ever wondered what your competitors are doing with their Facebook ads? It’s easier to find out than you think! In this episode, Matt Courtoy shares a step-by-step guide to exploring the Facebook Ad Library and gaining valuable insights. How to Spy on Competitors’ Facebook Ads Visit your competitor’s Facebook page through your feed or by searching for it. Scroll to the Page Transparency section on the left-hand side. If it’s not visible, click About and then select Page Transparency. Click See All within the Page Transparency section. Select Go to Ad Library from the page. Explore the ads they’re currently running, including their content, offers, and campaigns. What Can You Learn? While you can’t see how much they’re spending, you’ll gain insights into: Ad content and messaging. Offers and promotions. The number of campaigns they’re running. This information can help you assess whether your ad strategy is too aggressive, not aggressive enough, or right on target. Why It’s Useful Understanding your competitors’ strategies allows you to adjust and refine your own marketing efforts. The Facebook Ad Library is a free tool, making it an accessible way to gather data and improve your campaigns. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert marketing guidance. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with practical advice to grow your business! Thu, 16 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Ever wondered what your competitors are doing with their Facebook ads? It’s easier to find out than you think! In this episode, Matt Courtoy shares a step-by-step guide to exploring the Facebook Ad Library and gaining valuable insights. How to Spy on Competitors’ Facebook Ads Visit your competitor’s Facebook page through your feed or by searching for it. Scroll to the Page Transparency section on the left-hand side. If it’s not visible, click About and then select Page Transparency. Click See All within the Page Transparency section. Select Go to Ad Library from the page. Explore the ads they’re currently running, including their content, offers, and campaigns. What Can You Learn? While you can’t see how much they’re spending, you’ll gain insights into: Ad content and messaging. Offers and promotions. The number of campaigns they’re running. This information can help you assess whether your ad strategy is too aggressive, not aggressive enough, or right on target. Why It’s Useful Understanding your competitors’ strategies allows you to adjust and refine your own marketing efforts. The Facebook Ad Library is a free tool, making it an accessible way to gather data and improve your campaigns. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert marketing guidance. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with practical advice to grow your business! Ever wondered what your competitors are doing with their Facebook ads? It’s easier to find out than you think! In this episode, Matt Courtoy shares a step-by-step guide to exploring the Facebook Ad Library and gaining valuable insights.

How to Spy on Competitors’ Facebook Ads

  1. Visit your competitor’s Facebook page through your feed or by searching for it.
  2. Scroll to the Page Transparency section on the left-hand side. If it’s not visible, click About and then select Page Transparency.
  3. Click See All within the Page Transparency section.
  4. Select Go to Ad Library from the page.
  5. Explore the ads they’re currently running, including their content, offers, and campaigns.


What Can You Learn?

While you can’t see how much they’re spending, you’ll gain insights into:

  • Ad content and messaging.
  • Offers and promotions.
  • The number of campaigns they’re running.

This information can help you assess whether your ad strategy is too aggressive, not aggressive enough, or right on target.


Why It’s Useful

Understanding your competitors’ strategies allows you to adjust and refine your own marketing efforts. The Facebook Ad Library is a free tool, making it an accessible way to gather data and improve your campaigns.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert marketing guidance.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable tips and updates.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with practical advice to grow your business!
]]> 104 no Simple Ways to Leverage Feedback for Business Success Customer feedback is your roadmap to improving experiences and strengthening loyalty. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks explains why feedback matters, how to collect it, and how to use it to drive meaningful improvements in your business. Why Feedback Matters Feedback highlights what’s working, what’s not, and what your customers value most. It’s a tool for continuous improvement and customer engagement. How to Collect Feedback Use simple methods like short email surveys, casual conversations, or monitoring reviews and social media comments. Ask specific questions and make it easy for customers to respond. What to Do With Feedback Look for patterns in the responses. Repeated praise or complaints signal key areas to focus on. Take action on the insights you gather. If you adjust something, like store hours or processes, let customers know by saying, “We heard you, and here’s what we’ve done.” How Feedback Drives Growth Use customer feedback to guide your marketing. Highlight what customers love in your promotions or share how their input has influenced your business. Regularly collecting and acting on feedback builds trust, loyalty, and recommendations. Make Feedback a Habit Feedback isn’t a one-time event; it should be an ongoing part of your business strategy. By listening, responding, and improving consistently, you create a stronger connection with your customers. Visit Upswell Marketing to discover ways to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners grow! Wed, 15 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Customer feedback is your roadmap to improving experiences and strengthening loyalty. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks explains why feedback matters, how to collect it, and how to use it to drive meaningful improvements in your business. Why Feedback Matters Feedback highlights what’s working, what’s not, and what your customers value most. It’s a tool for continuous improvement and customer engagement. How to Collect Feedback Use simple methods like short email surveys, casual conversations, or monitoring reviews and social media comments. Ask specific questions and make it easy for customers to respond. What to Do With Feedback Look for patterns in the responses. Repeated praise or complaints signal key areas to focus on. Take action on the insights you gather. If you adjust something, like store hours or processes, let customers know by saying, “We heard you, and here’s what we’ve done.” How Feedback Drives Growth Use customer feedback to guide your marketing. Highlight what customers love in your promotions or share how their input has influenced your business. Regularly collecting and acting on feedback builds trust, loyalty, and recommendations. Make Feedback a Habit Feedback isn’t a one-time event; it should be an ongoing part of your business strategy. By listening, responding, and improving consistently, you create a stronger connection with your customers. Visit Upswell Marketing to discover ways to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners grow! Customer feedback is your roadmap to improving experiences and strengthening loyalty. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks explains why feedback matters, how to collect it, and how to use it to drive meaningful improvements in your business.


Why Feedback Matters

Feedback highlights what’s working, what’s not, and what your customers value most. It’s a tool for continuous improvement and customer engagement.


How to Collect Feedback

  • Use simple methods like short email surveys, casual conversations, or monitoring reviews and social media comments.
  • Ask specific questions and make it easy for customers to respond.


What to Do With Feedback

  • Look for patterns in the responses. Repeated praise or complaints signal key areas to focus on.
  • Take action on the insights you gather. If you adjust something, like store hours or processes, let customers know by saying, “We heard you, and here’s what we’ve done.”


How Feedback Drives Growth

  • Use customer feedback to guide your marketing. Highlight what customers love in your promotions or share how their input has influenced your business.
  • Regularly collecting and acting on feedback builds trust, loyalty, and recommendations.


Make Feedback a Habit

Feedback isn’t a one-time event; it should be an ongoing part of your business strategy. By listening, responding, and improving consistently, you create a stronger connection with your customers.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing to discover ways to grow your business.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help small business owners grow!
]]> 135 Google Ads 101: Metrics That Drive Results When starting with digital marketing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by metrics and lose sight of what truly matters. In this episode, Matt Courtoy breaks down the three foundational KPIs you need to track to ensure your Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns are effective. Key Performance Indicators for Google Ads Impressions Impressions measure how many people have seen your ads. A low impression count suggests you may need to adjust targeting, such as expanding to new areas or demographics. A high impression count with few clicks indicates you should revisit your ad copy or offer. Cost Per Click (CPC) CPC is the average amount you pay each time someone clicks on your ad, showing the cost of attracting website visitors. Rising CPC month-over-month could signal increased competition. Consider refining your bidding strategy or focusing funds on high-value keywords to stay competitive. Click-Through Rate (CTR) CTR is the percentage of people who click on your ad, reflecting how well your campaign resonates with your target audience. A CTR under 6% for a broad audience suggests revisiting your ad copy, offer, targeting, or bidding strategy. CTR is a key indicator of ad effectiveness and audience engagement. Why These Metrics Matter Impressions, CPC, and CTR are the foundational KPIs for building a successful Google PPC strategy. Once you master these, you can explore additional metrics like conversions to refine and enhance your campaigns. Visit Upswell Marketing to elevate your marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, providing simple, effective tips to grow your business! Tue, 14 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing When starting with digital marketing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by metrics and lose sight of what truly matters. In this episode, Matt Courtoy breaks down the three foundational KPIs you need to track to ensure your Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns are effective. Key Performance Indicators for Google Ads Impressions Impressions measure how many people have seen your ads. A low impression count suggests you may need to adjust targeting, such as expanding to new areas or demographics. A high impression count with few clicks indicates you should revisit your ad copy or offer. Cost Per Click (CPC) CPC is the average amount you pay each time someone clicks on your ad, showing the cost of attracting website visitors. Rising CPC month-over-month could signal increased competition. Consider refining your bidding strategy or focusing funds on high-value keywords to stay competitive. Click-Through Rate (CTR) CTR is the percentage of people who click on your ad, reflecting how well your campaign resonates with your target audience. A CTR under 6% for a broad audience suggests revisiting your ad copy, offer, targeting, or bidding strategy. CTR is a key indicator of ad effectiveness and audience engagement. Why These Metrics Matter Impressions, CPC, and CTR are the foundational KPIs for building a successful Google PPC strategy. Once you master these, you can explore additional metrics like conversions to refine and enhance your campaigns. Visit Upswell Marketing to elevate your marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, providing simple, effective tips to grow your business! When starting with digital marketing, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by metrics and lose sight of what truly matters. In this episode, Matt Courtoy breaks down the three foundational KPIs you need to track to ensure your Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) campaigns are effective.

Key Performance Indicators for Google Ads

Impressions

Impressions measure how many people have seen your ads.

  • A low impression count suggests you may need to adjust targeting, such as expanding to new areas or demographics.
  • A high impression count with few clicks indicates you should revisit your ad copy or offer.


Cost Per Click (CPC)

CPC is the average amount you pay each time someone clicks on your ad, showing the cost of attracting website visitors.

  • Rising CPC month-over-month could signal increased competition.
  • Consider refining your bidding strategy or focusing funds on high-value keywords to stay competitive.


Click-Through Rate (CTR)

CTR is the percentage of people who click on your ad, reflecting how well your campaign resonates with your target audience.

  • A CTR under 6% for a broad audience suggests revisiting your ad copy, offer, targeting, or bidding strategy.
  • CTR is a key indicator of ad effectiveness and audience engagement.


Why These Metrics Matter

Impressions, CPC, and CTR are the foundational KPIs for building a successful Google PPC strategy. Once you master these, you can explore additional metrics like conversions to refine and enhance your campaigns.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing to elevate your marketing strategies.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for actionable insights.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, providing simple, effective tips to grow your business!
]]> 154 no Unlock the Power of Your POS System Your point-of-sale (POS) system is more than just a tool for transactions—it’s a treasure trove of customer insights. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks shares how to harness POS data to identify your ideal customers and improve your marketing strategies. Why Use POS Data Your POS system tracks who your customers are, what they’re buying, and how often they return. Analyzing this data helps you fine-tune your marketing efforts and focus on your most valuable customers. Steps to Leverage Your POS System Pull reports on your top-spending customers from the past six months or year. Look for patterns in their shopping habits, such as preferred products or visit times. Build customer profiles by analyzing shared characteristics like age, location, and buying preferences. Use loyalty program or email data to uncover deeper demographics. Focus your outreach on neighborhoods or demographics that align with your best customers. Use the data to guide personalized campaigns. Explore lookalike modeling by leveraging tools like penetration reports and market analysis to find new customers similar to your top performers. Target these potential customers strategically to maximize ROI. Why It Works Using POS data takes the guesswork out of marketing, enabling you to focus on informed decisions that save money and deliver better results. Resources Mentioned Visit Upswell Marketing for expert insights and strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January and learn actionable ways to grow your business! Mon, 13 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Your point-of-sale (POS) system is more than just a tool for transactions—it’s a treasure trove of customer insights. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks shares how to harness POS data to identify your ideal customers and improve your marketing strategies. Why Use POS Data Your POS system tracks who your customers are, what they’re buying, and how often they return. Analyzing this data helps you fine-tune your marketing efforts and focus on your most valuable customers. Steps to Leverage Your POS System Pull reports on your top-spending customers from the past six months or year. Look for patterns in their shopping habits, such as preferred products or visit times. Build customer profiles by analyzing shared characteristics like age, location, and buying preferences. Use loyalty program or email data to uncover deeper demographics. Focus your outreach on neighborhoods or demographics that align with your best customers. Use the data to guide personalized campaigns. Explore lookalike modeling by leveraging tools like penetration reports and market analysis to find new customers similar to your top performers. Target these potential customers strategically to maximize ROI. Why It Works Using POS data takes the guesswork out of marketing, enabling you to focus on informed decisions that save money and deliver better results. Resources Mentioned Visit Upswell Marketing for expert insights and strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January and learn actionable ways to grow your business! Your point-of-sale (POS) system is more than just a tool for transactions—it’s a treasure trove of customer insights. In this episode, Kalynn Hicks shares how to harness POS data to identify your ideal customers and improve your marketing strategies.

Why Use POS Data

Your POS system tracks who your customers are, what they’re buying, and how often they return. Analyzing this data helps you fine-tune your marketing efforts and focus on your most valuable customers.

Steps to Leverage Your POS System

  • Pull reports on your top-spending customers from the past six months or year.
  • Look for patterns in their shopping habits, such as preferred products or visit times.
  • Build customer profiles by analyzing shared characteristics like age, location, and buying preferences.
  • Use loyalty program or email data to uncover deeper demographics.
  • Focus your outreach on neighborhoods or demographics that align with your best customers.
  • Use the data to guide personalized campaigns.
  • Explore lookalike modeling by leveraging tools like penetration reports and market analysis to find new customers similar to your top performers.
  • Target these potential customers strategically to maximize ROI.


Why It Works

Using POS data takes the guesswork out of marketing, enabling you to focus on informed decisions that save money and deliver better results.

Resources Mentioned

  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert insights and strategies to grow your business.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January and learn actionable ways to grow your business!
]]> 196 no Search Engine Strategies Demystified: SEO and SEM Explained One of the most common questions is the difference between SEO and SEM. While these terms are often confused, understanding the distinction is crucial for leveraging search engines to grow your business. Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, breaks down the key differences and explains how both strategies can enhance your visibility. What is SEO? SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, focuses on improving a website’s ranking in organic search results. This is achieved by optimizing content and website structure. Examples of SEO include: Using relevant keywords throughout website content. Building high-quality backlinks to enhance site relevance. Optimizing website structure for better search engine accessibility. What is SEM? SEM, or Search Engine Marketing, includes both organic SEO strategies and paid advertising to increase visibility on search engine results pages. Examples of SEM include: Managing pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns through platforms like Google Ads. Bidding on specific keywords to display ads in relevant searches. Targeting specific demographics with ad campaigns. Key Differences Between SEO and SEM Organic vs. Paid: SEO relies solely on organic search rankings, while SEM incorporates both organic and paid strategies. Timeframe: SEO is a long-term strategy, often compared to a marathon, whereas SEM delivers quick results, similar to a sprint. Cost: SEO is typically lower cost, focused on website improvements, while SEM requires a budget for ad placements. Why Both Matter SEO and SEM serve different roles but are equally valuable. SEO builds a solid foundation for organic growth, while SEM offers immediate visibility and traffic through paid strategies. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to improving your business’s presence in search engine results. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable tips to grow your business! Fri, 10 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing One of the most common questions is the difference between SEO and SEM. While these terms are often confused, understanding the distinction is crucial for leveraging search engines to grow your business. Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, breaks down the key differences and explains how both strategies can enhance your visibility. What is SEO? SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, focuses on improving a website’s ranking in organic search results. This is achieved by optimizing content and website structure. Examples of SEO include: Using relevant keywords throughout website content. Building high-quality backlinks to enhance site relevance. Optimizing website structure for better search engine accessibility. What is SEM? SEM, or Search Engine Marketing, includes both organic SEO strategies and paid advertising to increase visibility on search engine results pages. Examples of SEM include: Managing pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns through platforms like Google Ads. Bidding on specific keywords to display ads in relevant searches. Targeting specific demographics with ad campaigns. Key Differences Between SEO and SEM Organic vs. Paid: SEO relies solely on organic search rankings, while SEM incorporates both organic and paid strategies. Timeframe: SEO is a long-term strategy, often compared to a marathon, whereas SEM delivers quick results, similar to a sprint. Cost: SEO is typically lower cost, focused on website improvements, while SEM requires a budget for ad placements. Why Both Matter SEO and SEM serve different roles but are equally valuable. SEO builds a solid foundation for organic growth, while SEM offers immediate visibility and traffic through paid strategies. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to improving your business’s presence in search engine results. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable tips to grow your business! One of the most common questions is the difference between SEO and SEM. While these terms are often confused, understanding the distinction is crucial for leveraging search engines to grow your business.

Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, breaks down the key differences and explains how both strategies can enhance your visibility.

What is SEO?

SEO, or Search Engine Optimization, focuses on improving a website’s ranking in organic search results. This is achieved by optimizing content and website structure.

Examples of SEO include:

  • Using relevant keywords throughout website content.
  • Building high-quality backlinks to enhance site relevance.
  • Optimizing website structure for better search engine accessibility.


What is SEM?

SEM, or Search Engine Marketing, includes both organic SEO strategies and paid advertising to increase visibility on search engine results pages.

Examples of SEM include:

  • Managing pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns through platforms like Google Ads.
  • Bidding on specific keywords to display ads in relevant searches.
  • Targeting specific demographics with ad campaigns.


Key Differences Between SEO and SEM

  • Organic vs. Paid: SEO relies solely on organic search rankings, while SEM incorporates both organic and paid strategies.
  • Timeframe: SEO is a long-term strategy, often compared to a marathon, whereas SEM delivers quick results, similar to a sprint.
  • Cost: SEO is typically lower cost, focused on website improvements, while SEM requires a budget for ad placements.


Why Both Matter

SEO and SEM serve different roles but are equally valuable. SEO builds a solid foundation for organic growth, while SEM offers immediate visibility and traffic through paid strategies. Together, they create a comprehensive approach to improving your business’s presence in search engine results.


  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert strategies to grow your business.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing insights.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable tips to grow your business!
]]> 169 no Direct Mail Metrics That Matter: Matchbacks, ROI, and LTV Direct mail campaigns can drive significant results, but how do you measure their true impact? In this episode, Kalynn Hicks explains the tools and metrics you need to evaluate the success of your campaigns, including matchbacks, ROI, and lifetime value (LTV). What is a Matchback? A matchback compares the list of customers who made purchases during your campaign to the addresses you mailed to. This helps attribute purchases to your mailer, even when customers don’t explicitly mention it. Matchbacks are valuable because many campaigns influence behavior indirectly. Customers might act on your mailer by visiting your website, calling your business, or stopping by without referencing the piece. How to Calculate ROI Return on investment (ROI) provides a snapshot of your campaign's profitability. The formula is: ROI = (Revenue Generated - Campaign Costs) ÷ Campaign Costs × 100 Example: Revenue = $5,000 Costs = $2,000 Profit = $3,000 ($5,000 - $2,000) ROI = 150% This means for every $1 spent, you earned $1.50 in profit. Understanding Lifetime Value (LTV) While ROI measures short-term results, LTV evaluates the long-term impact of acquiring a customer. Example: If your campaign acquires 10 customers, and each spends $500 annually for three years, the total revenue is $15,000. This transforms your $2,000 investment into a high-return strategy. Fine-Tuning Your Direct Mail Strategy If your results aren’t where you’d like them to be, consider: Was the mailer targeted to the right audience? Was the offer compelling enough? Was the design professional and clear? Did you provide easy response options, like a phone number, website, or QR code? Direct mail combines art and science. By testing and refining your approach, you can find the formula that drives growth for your business. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert guidance on your marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help your business grow! Thu, 09 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Direct mail campaigns can drive significant results, but how do you measure their true impact? In this episode, Kalynn Hicks explains the tools and metrics you need to evaluate the success of your campaigns, including matchbacks, ROI, and lifetime value (LTV). What is a Matchback? A matchback compares the list of customers who made purchases during your campaign to the addresses you mailed to. This helps attribute purchases to your mailer, even when customers don’t explicitly mention it. Matchbacks are valuable because many campaigns influence behavior indirectly. Customers might act on your mailer by visiting your website, calling your business, or stopping by without referencing the piece. How to Calculate ROI Return on investment (ROI) provides a snapshot of your campaign's profitability. The formula is: ROI = (Revenue Generated - Campaign Costs) ÷ Campaign Costs × 100 Example: Revenue = $5,000 Costs = $2,000 Profit = $3,000 ($5,000 - $2,000) ROI = 150% This means for every $1 spent, you earned $1.50 in profit. Understanding Lifetime Value (LTV) While ROI measures short-term results, LTV evaluates the long-term impact of acquiring a customer. Example: If your campaign acquires 10 customers, and each spends $500 annually for three years, the total revenue is $15,000. This transforms your $2,000 investment into a high-return strategy. Fine-Tuning Your Direct Mail Strategy If your results aren’t where you’d like them to be, consider: Was the mailer targeted to the right audience? Was the offer compelling enough? Was the design professional and clear? Did you provide easy response options, like a phone number, website, or QR code? Direct mail combines art and science. By testing and refining your approach, you can find the formula that drives growth for your business. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert guidance on your marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help your business grow! Direct mail campaigns can drive significant results, but how do you measure their true impact? In this episode, Kalynn Hicks explains the tools and metrics you need to evaluate the success of your campaigns, including matchbacks, ROI, and lifetime value (LTV).

What is a Matchback?

A matchback compares the list of customers who made purchases during your campaign to the addresses you mailed to. This helps attribute purchases to your mailer, even when customers don’t explicitly mention it.

Matchbacks are valuable because many campaigns influence behavior indirectly. Customers might act on your mailer by visiting your website, calling your business, or stopping by without referencing the piece.

How to Calculate ROI

Return on investment (ROI) provides a snapshot of your campaign's profitability.

The formula is:

ROI = (Revenue Generated - Campaign Costs) ÷ Campaign Costs × 100

Example:

  • Revenue = $5,000
  • Costs = $2,000
  • Profit = $3,000 ($5,000 - $2,000)
  • ROI = 150%


This means for every $1 spent, you earned $1.50 in profit.

Understanding Lifetime Value (LTV)

While ROI measures short-term results, LTV evaluates the long-term impact of acquiring a customer.

Example: If your campaign acquires 10 customers, and each spends $500 annually for three years, the total revenue is $15,000. This transforms your $2,000 investment into a high-return strategy.

Fine-Tuning Your Direct Mail Strategy

If your results aren’t where you’d like them to be, consider:

  • Was the mailer targeted to the right audience?
  • Was the offer compelling enough?
  • Was the design professional and clear?
  • Did you provide easy response options, like a phone number, website, or QR code?


Direct mail combines art and science. By testing and refining your approach, you can find the formula that drives growth for your business.

  • Visit Upswell Marketing for expert guidance on your marketing strategies.
  • Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for more actionable tips.
  • Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January, designed to help your business grow!
]]> 285 no Easy Steps to Pro-Level Videos Using Your Phone If you think creating professional videos requires a big budget and a production crew, think again. With just your smartphone, you can create engaging, high-quality videos that capture attention and drive results. Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five simple steps to craft the perfect video for Facebook ads. 5 Easy Steps for Professional Videos: Keep It Short: Aim for 5 to 15 seconds to grab attention and keep viewers engaged. Shoot in High Resolution: Use 1080 x 1080 pixels for sharp, clear visuals. Ensure the file size is under 4GB. Use a tripod or stabilizer for steady shots. Go Vertical: Most viewers hold their phones vertically, so a 4:5 aspect ratio works best for Facebook and Instagram. Get to the Point Quickly: Include your business name and key messaging within the first few seconds to make an impact. Add Subtitles: Videos autoplay on mute, so subtitles ensure your message reaches viewers who scroll with the sound off. These tips help you create videos that align with how people engage with social platforms, ensuring your content is both eye-catching and effective. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable advice to grow your business! Wed, 08 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing If you think creating professional videos requires a big budget and a production crew, think again. With just your smartphone, you can create engaging, high-quality videos that capture attention and drive results. Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five simple steps to craft the perfect video for Facebook ads. 5 Easy Steps for Professional Videos: Keep It Short: Aim for 5 to 15 seconds to grab attention and keep viewers engaged. Shoot in High Resolution: Use 1080 x 1080 pixels for sharp, clear visuals. Ensure the file size is under 4GB. Use a tripod or stabilizer for steady shots. Go Vertical: Most viewers hold their phones vertically, so a 4:5 aspect ratio works best for Facebook and Instagram. Get to the Point Quickly: Include your business name and key messaging within the first few seconds to make an impact. Add Subtitles: Videos autoplay on mute, so subtitles ensure your message reaches viewers who scroll with the sound off. These tips help you create videos that align with how people engage with social platforms, ensuring your content is both eye-catching and effective. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert marketing strategies. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable advice to grow your business! If you think creating professional videos requires a big budget and a production crew, think again. With just your smartphone, you can create engaging, high-quality videos that capture attention and drive results.

Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, shares five simple steps to craft the perfect video for Facebook ads.

5 Easy Steps for Professional Videos:

Keep It Short: Aim for 5 to 15 seconds to grab attention and keep viewers engaged.

Shoot in High Resolution:

  • Use 1080 x 1080 pixels for sharp, clear visuals.
  • Ensure the file size is under 4GB.
  • Use a tripod or stabilizer for steady shots.


Go Vertical: Most viewers hold their phones vertically, so a 4:5 aspect ratio works best for Facebook and Instagram.

Get to the Point Quickly: Include your business name and key messaging within the first few seconds to make an impact.

Add Subtitles: Videos autoplay on mute, so subtitles ensure your message reaches viewers who scroll with the sound off.

These tips help you create videos that align with how people engage with social platforms, ensuring your content is both eye-catching and effective.

Visit Upswell Marketing for expert marketing strategies.

Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily marketing tips.

Subscribe to Passionately Curious for five-minute episodes throughout January, packed with actionable advice to grow your business!

]]> 129 no Front Desk Strategies to Boost Customer Experience and Revenue If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your front desk into a customer service powerhouse, this episode is for you. Learn how small changes in phone etiquette can leave a lasting impression, build trust, and even boost revenue. Kalynn Hicks shares practical tips for training your front desk team to create outstanding customer experiences. Why Your Front Desk Matters The front desk often forms the first impression for customers. A well-handled phone call can make or break a customer’s perception of your business. Front Desk Best Practices Answer Promptly: Calls should ideally be answered within three rings to avoid frustrating potential customers. Smile While Speaking: A smile translates to a friendly, approachable tone that customers can feel over the phone. Use a Warm and Professional Tone: Avoid rushing or sounding disinterested. Make each caller feel like the priority Have a Basic Script: Prepare answers for common questions like business hours, pricing, and appointment scheduling. Confirm Details: Repeat appointment dates and times to ensure clarity and avoid mix-ups. End on a Positive Note: Thank the caller and express enthusiasm, e.g., "Thanks for calling! We look forward to seeing you soon." Training Tips Role-Playing: Practice handling different call scenarios to build confidence and consistency. Call Reviews: Record and review calls (with permission) to highlight strengths and areas for improvement. Bonus Tip Upsell and Promote: When it feels natural, mention current promotions or suggest additional services during the call. For example, “By the way, we’re running a special on [service/product]. Would you like to add that to your appointment?” Your front desk team is more than just a voice on the phone—they’re the first step in building trust and loyalty with your customers. With these strategies, you can turn every call into an opportunity to make a great impression. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice and tools to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January and take actionable steps to grow your business, one tip at a time! Tue, 07 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your front desk into a customer service powerhouse, this episode is for you. Learn how small changes in phone etiquette can leave a lasting impression, build trust, and even boost revenue. Kalynn Hicks shares practical tips for training your front desk team to create outstanding customer experiences. Why Your Front Desk Matters The front desk often forms the first impression for customers. A well-handled phone call can make or break a customer’s perception of your business. Front Desk Best Practices Answer Promptly: Calls should ideally be answered within three rings to avoid frustrating potential customers. Smile While Speaking: A smile translates to a friendly, approachable tone that customers can feel over the phone. Use a Warm and Professional Tone: Avoid rushing or sounding disinterested. Make each caller feel like the priority Have a Basic Script: Prepare answers for common questions like business hours, pricing, and appointment scheduling. Confirm Details: Repeat appointment dates and times to ensure clarity and avoid mix-ups. End on a Positive Note: Thank the caller and express enthusiasm, e.g., "Thanks for calling! We look forward to seeing you soon." Training Tips Role-Playing: Practice handling different call scenarios to build confidence and consistency. Call Reviews: Record and review calls (with permission) to highlight strengths and areas for improvement. Bonus Tip Upsell and Promote: When it feels natural, mention current promotions or suggest additional services during the call. For example, “By the way, we’re running a special on [service/product]. Would you like to add that to your appointment?” Your front desk team is more than just a voice on the phone—they’re the first step in building trust and loyalty with your customers. With these strategies, you can turn every call into an opportunity to make a great impression. Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice and tools to grow your business. Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January and take actionable steps to grow your business, one tip at a time! If you’ve ever wondered how to turn your front desk into a customer service powerhouse, this episode is for you. Learn how small changes in phone etiquette can leave a lasting impression, build trust, and even boost revenue.

Kalynn Hicks shares practical tips for training your front desk team to create outstanding customer experiences.


Why Your Front Desk Matters

  • The front desk often forms the first impression for customers.
  • A well-handled phone call can make or break a customer’s perception of your business.


Front Desk Best Practices

  • Answer Promptly: Calls should ideally be answered within three rings to avoid frustrating potential customers.
  • Smile While Speaking: A smile translates to a friendly, approachable tone that customers can feel over the phone.
  • Use a Warm and Professional Tone: Avoid rushing or sounding disinterested. Make each caller feel like the priority
  • Have a Basic Script: Prepare answers for common questions like business hours, pricing, and appointment scheduling.
  • Confirm Details: Repeat appointment dates and times to ensure clarity and avoid mix-ups.
  • End on a Positive Note: Thank the caller and express enthusiasm, e.g., "Thanks for calling! We look forward to seeing you soon."


Training Tips

  • Role-Playing: Practice handling different call scenarios to build confidence and consistency.
  • Call Reviews: Record and review calls (with permission) to highlight strengths and areas for improvement.


Bonus Tip

Upsell and Promote: When it feels natural, mention current promotions or suggest additional services during the call. For example, “By the way, we’re running a special on [service/product]. Would you like to add that to your appointment?”


Your front desk team is more than just a voice on the phone—they’re the first step in building trust and loyalty with your customers. With these strategies, you can turn every call into an opportunity to make a great impression.

Visit Upswell Marketing for expert advice and tools to grow your business.

Follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates.

Subscribe to Passionately Curious for daily five-minute episodes throughout January and take actionable steps to grow your business, one tip at a time!

]]> 192 no Target Smarter, Not Harder: Mastering Lookalike Audiences If you’ve ever wondered how to maximize the potential of your email list, this is the episode for you. Learn how to save time, generate better leads, and increase the value of your ad spend using this simple yet powerful advertising tool. Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, breaks down the value of Facebook lookalike audiences for small businesses. What Are Facebook Lookalike Audiences? A lookalike audience is a group of potential customers who resemble your existing audience. Facebook analyzes your customer data to find new individuals likely to be interested in your products or services. Why Use Lookalike Audiences? They help you attract and convert new customers by targeting those similar to your current clientele. Save time by letting Facebook automate audience creation based on your customer data. Enhance lead generation as these audiences are pre-qualified to be more receptive to your messaging. How to Create a Lookalike Audience: Prepare your customer email list in a CSV format with at least 100 email addresses. Access Ad Manager via Meta Business Suite. Upload your list and follow Facebook’s steps to define your target location and audience size. Test broad audiences against lookalike audiences to optimize ad performance. Benefits of Lookalike Audiences: Time Savings: No need to manually create audience segments. Improved Lead Generation: Reach people likely to engage with your ads. Better Value: Reduce costs by avoiding redundant campaign creation. Pro Tip: Dedicate five minutes to setting up a lookalike audience before your next campaign to save time and money while improving results. Visit Upswell Marketing to explore how you can elevate your marketing strategies, and follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious to catch daily five-minute episodes throughout January. Take actionable steps to grow your business, one quick tip at a time! Mon, 06 Jan 2025 12:00:00 -0000 full tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing If you’ve ever wondered how to maximize the potential of your email list, this is the episode for you. Learn how to save time, generate better leads, and increase the value of your ad spend using this simple yet powerful advertising tool. Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, breaks down the value of Facebook lookalike audiences for small businesses. What Are Facebook Lookalike Audiences? A lookalike audience is a group of potential customers who resemble your existing audience. Facebook analyzes your customer data to find new individuals likely to be interested in your products or services. Why Use Lookalike Audiences? They help you attract and convert new customers by targeting those similar to your current clientele. Save time by letting Facebook automate audience creation based on your customer data. Enhance lead generation as these audiences are pre-qualified to be more receptive to your messaging. How to Create a Lookalike Audience: Prepare your customer email list in a CSV format with at least 100 email addresses. Access Ad Manager via Meta Business Suite. Upload your list and follow Facebook’s steps to define your target location and audience size. Test broad audiences against lookalike audiences to optimize ad performance. Benefits of Lookalike Audiences: Time Savings: No need to manually create audience segments. Improved Lead Generation: Reach people likely to engage with your ads. Better Value: Reduce costs by avoiding redundant campaign creation. Pro Tip: Dedicate five minutes to setting up a lookalike audience before your next campaign to save time and money while improving results. Visit Upswell Marketing to explore how you can elevate your marketing strategies, and follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates. Subscribe to Passionately Curious to catch daily five-minute episodes throughout January. Take actionable steps to grow your business, one quick tip at a time! If you’ve ever wondered how to maximize the potential of your email list, this is the episode for you. Learn how to save time, generate better leads, and increase the value of your ad spend using this simple yet powerful advertising tool.

Matt Courtoy, Associate Director of Performance Media at Upswell Marketing, breaks down the value of Facebook lookalike audiences for small businesses.


What Are Facebook Lookalike Audiences?

  • A lookalike audience is a group of potential customers who resemble your existing audience.
  • Facebook analyzes your customer data to find new individuals likely to be interested in your products or services.


Why Use Lookalike Audiences?

  • They help you attract and convert new customers by targeting those similar to your current clientele.
  • Save time by letting Facebook automate audience creation based on your customer data.
  • Enhance lead generation as these audiences are pre-qualified to be more receptive to your messaging.


How to Create a Lookalike Audience:

  • Prepare your customer email list in a CSV format with at least 100 email addresses.
  • Access Ad Manager via Meta Business Suite.
  • Upload your list and follow Facebook’s steps to define your target location and audience size.
  • Test broad audiences against lookalike audiences to optimize ad performance.


Benefits of Lookalike Audiences:

  • Time Savings: No need to manually create audience segments.
  • Improved Lead Generation: Reach people likely to engage with your ads.
  • Better Value: Reduce costs by avoiding redundant campaign creation.


Pro Tip:

  • Dedicate five minutes to setting up a lookalike audience before your next campaign to save time and money while improving results.


Visit Upswell Marketing to explore how you can elevate your marketing strategies, and follow on Instagram: @upswellmktg for daily tips and updates.

Subscribe to Passionately Curious to catch daily five-minute episodes throughout January. Take actionable steps to grow your business, one quick tip at a time!

]]> 200 no From Taylor to Tomorrow: A CEO's Guide to 2025 https://upswellmarketing.com In this season finale of Passionately Curious, hosts Annie Burch and Matt Courtoy sit down with UpSwell Marketing CEO Eric Goodstadt for an unscripted and candid discussion about business insights, entrepreneurship, and the outlook for 2025. What begins as a lighthearted discussion about Taylor Swift's business acumen evolves into a deep dive into practical marketing strategies for small businesses. Eric shares his personal journey as an entrepreneur, including the valuable lessons learned from his experience design company's response to the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation explores critical aspects of business leadership, including the importance of developing strong successors, implementing disaster planning, and maintaining balance between pursuing profit and supporting people. Looking ahead to 2025, Eric provides a detailed analysis of potential economic challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adaptability. The episode concludes with valuable insights about making businesses attractive to private equity and a preview of exciting content planned for the podcast's second season. Sun, 22 Dec 2024 12:00:00 -0000 From Taylor to Tomorrow: A CEO's Guide to 2025 full 1 9 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing UpSwell's CEO Eric Goodstadt reflects on his career, Taylor Swift and shares invaluable insight to help business owners prepare for 2025. In this season finale of Passionately Curious, hosts Annie Burch and Matt Courtoy sit down with UpSwell Marketing CEO Eric Goodstadt for an unscripted and candid discussion about business insights, entrepreneurship, and the outlook for 2025. What begins as a lighthearted discussion about Taylor Swift's business acumen evolves into a deep dive into practical marketing strategies for small businesses. Eric shares his personal journey as an entrepreneur, including the valuable lessons learned from his experience design company's response to the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation explores critical aspects of business leadership, including the importance of developing strong successors, implementing disaster planning, and maintaining balance between pursuing profit and supporting people. Looking ahead to 2025, Eric provides a detailed analysis of potential economic challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adaptability. The episode concludes with valuable insights about making businesses attractive to private equity and a preview of exciting content planned for the podcast's second season. In this season finale of Passionately Curious, hosts Annie Burch and Matt Courtoy sit down with UpSwell Marketing CEO Eric Goodstadt for an unscripted and candid discussion about business insights, entrepreneurship, and the outlook for 2025. What begins as a lighthearted discussion about Taylor Swift's business acumen evolves into a deep dive into practical marketing strategies for small businesses. Eric shares his personal journey as an entrepreneur, including the valuable lessons learned from his experience design company's response to the 2008 financial crisis. The conversation explores critical aspects of business leadership, including the importance of developing strong successors, implementing disaster planning, and maintaining balance between pursuing profit and supporting people. Looking ahead to 2025, Eric provides a detailed analysis of potential economic challenges and opportunities, emphasizing the importance of preparation and adaptability. The episode concludes with valuable insights about making businesses attractive to private equity and a preview of exciting content planned for the podcast's second season.

]]> 3711 Rebranding Cannabis: The Georgia Hemp Company's Rise to Success https://upswellmarketing.com Joe Salome, founder of the Georgia Hemp Company, shares his journey from casual cannabis seller to legitimate hemp business owner. Initially motivated by witnessing cannabis help his mother during her battle with ovarian cancer, Salome transitioned from the marketing industry to becoming a vocal advocate for medical cannabis in Georgia. He played a crucial role in pushing for medical cannabis legislation, working with politicians at the Georgia Capitol to expand access for patients with various conditions. Despite numerous regulatory challenges, including banking restrictions, social media advertising limitations, and constantly changing state regulations, the Georgia Hemp Company has grown to six corporate-owned locations across Atlanta. Salome discusses the differences between CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 products, explaining their various effects and benefits. He details how the company has overcome marketing obstacles through traditional methods like radio, events, and sports partnerships, including deals with the Atlanta Braves and Evan Holyfield. The conversation also covers the company's commitment to creating welcoming retail environments that break away from traditional head shop stereotypes, and Salome's vision for the future of the hemp industry, including the growing popularity of THC beverages and potential industry consolidation. Tue, 03 Dec 2024 13:00:00 -0000 Rebranding Cannabis: The Georgia Hemp Company's Rise to Success full 1 8 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Joe Salome, founder of the Georgia Hemp Company, shares his journey from casual cannabis seller to legitimate hemp business owner. Joe Salome, founder of the Georgia Hemp Company, shares his journey from casual cannabis seller to legitimate hemp business owner. Initially motivated by witnessing cannabis help his mother during her battle with ovarian cancer, Salome transitioned from the marketing industry to becoming a vocal advocate for medical cannabis in Georgia. He played a crucial role in pushing for medical cannabis legislation, working with politicians at the Georgia Capitol to expand access for patients with various conditions. Despite numerous regulatory challenges, including banking restrictions, social media advertising limitations, and constantly changing state regulations, the Georgia Hemp Company has grown to six corporate-owned locations across Atlanta. Salome discusses the differences between CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 products, explaining their various effects and benefits. He details how the company has overcome marketing obstacles through traditional methods like radio, events, and sports partnerships, including deals with the Atlanta Braves and Evan Holyfield. The conversation also covers the company's commitment to creating welcoming retail environments that break away from traditional head shop stereotypes, and Salome's vision for the future of the hemp industry, including the growing popularity of THC beverages and potential industry consolidation. Joe Salome, founder of the Georgia Hemp Company, shares his journey from casual cannabis seller to legitimate hemp business owner. Initially motivated by witnessing cannabis help his mother during her battle with ovarian cancer, Salome transitioned from the marketing industry to becoming a vocal advocate for medical cannabis in Georgia. He played a crucial role in pushing for medical cannabis legislation, working with politicians at the Georgia Capitol to expand access for patients with various conditions. Despite numerous regulatory challenges, including banking restrictions, social media advertising limitations, and constantly changing state regulations, the Georgia Hemp Company has grown to six corporate-owned locations across Atlanta. Salome discusses the differences between CBD, Delta 8, and Delta 9 products, explaining their various effects and benefits. He details how the company has overcome marketing obstacles through traditional methods like radio, events, and sports partnerships, including deals with the Atlanta Braves and Evan Holyfield. The conversation also covers the company's commitment to creating welcoming retail environments that break away from traditional head shop stereotypes, and Salome's vision for the future of the hemp industry, including the growing popularity of THC beverages and potential industry consolidation.

]]> 2610 Building Through Fear: Jon Butts on Risk, Retail, and Reinvention https://upswellmarketing.com In this episode, entrepreneur Jon Butts shares his journey from humble beginnings to founding two successful companies. He recounts his early work experiences, including a memorable stint as Chuck E. Cheese's mascot, which helped shape his approach to business leadership. Butts founded Muscle Up Marketing with just $1,000 after leaving a comfortable six-figure job rather than sign a restrictive non-compete agreement. The company went on to make the Inc 5000 list four years in a row. During COVID-19, Butts founded Giant Sports Cards, initially as a hobby project sparked by rediscovering his childhood card collection. The business evolved from live-streaming to wholesale distribution, e-commerce, and finally retail, becoming the #1 retail company on the 2023 Inc 5000 list. Butts emphasizes creating memorable experiences in his card shop, including custom floors featuring classic sports cards and an arcade. He discusses his approach to business growth, including heavy investment in SEO and diverse marketing strategies for different aspects of his business. Throughout the conversation, Butts reflects on the role of fear as a motivator in entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining unwavering self-belief while building a business. Tue, 26 Nov 2024 16:08:11 -0000 Building Through Fear: Jon Butts on Risk, Retail, and Reinvention full 1 7 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode, entrepreneur Jon Butts shares his journey from humble beginnings to founding two successful companies. He recounts his early work experiences, including a memorable stint as Chuck E. Cheese's mascot, which helped shape his approach to business leadership. Butts founded Muscle Up Marketing with just $1,000 after leaving a comfortable six-figure job rather than sign a restrictive non-compete agreement. The company went on to make the Inc 5000 list four years in a row. During COVID-19, Butts founded Giant Sports Cards, initially as a hobby project sparked by rediscovering his childhood card collection. The business evolved from live-streaming to wholesale distribution, e-commerce, and finally retail, becoming the #1 retail company on the 2023 Inc 5000 list. Butts emphasizes creating memorable experiences in his card shop, including custom floors featuring classic sports cards and an arcade. He discusses his approach to business growth, including heavy investment in SEO and diverse marketing strategies for different aspects of his business. Throughout the conversation, Butts reflects on the role of fear as a motivator in entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining unwavering self-belief while building a business. In this episode, entrepreneur Jon Butts shares his journey from humble beginnings to founding two successful companies. He recounts his early work experiences, including a memorable stint as Chuck E. Cheese's mascot, which helped shape his approach to business leadership. Butts founded Muscle Up Marketing with just $1,000 after leaving a comfortable six-figure job rather than sign a restrictive non-compete agreement. The company went on to make the Inc 5000 list four years in a row. During COVID-19, Butts founded Giant Sports Cards, initially as a hobby project sparked by rediscovering his childhood card collection. The business evolved from live-streaming to wholesale distribution, e-commerce, and finally retail, becoming the #1 retail company on the 2023 Inc 5000 list. Butts emphasizes creating memorable experiences in his card shop, including custom floors featuring classic sports cards and an arcade. He discusses his approach to business growth, including heavy investment in SEO and diverse marketing strategies for different aspects of his business. Throughout the conversation, Butts reflects on the role of fear as a motivator in entrepreneurship and the importance of maintaining unwavering self-belief while building a business.

]]> 2834 The Long Game: How Greg Sands Revolutionized Auto Repair Service https://upswellmarketing.com Greg Sands, founder of Service Street and Mudlick Mail (now Upswell), shares insights from his 30+ years revolutionizing the automotive repair industry. Drawing from his restaurant background, Sands transformed customer service in auto repair by focusing on lifetime customer value, beautiful facilities, and innovative direct mail marketing. He discusses his approach to identifying and developing talent from outside the industry, his successful partnership model that has helped create multiple millionaires, and his perspective on the future of automotive repair amid technician shortages and the rise of electric vehicles. Tue, 19 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000 The Long Game: How Greg Sands Revolutionized Auto Repair Service full 1 6 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Greg Sands shares how he transformed auto repair by prioritizing lifetime customer value over quick profits, and building successful partnerships that turned dozens of entrepreneurs into millionaires. Greg Sands, founder of Service Street and Mudlick Mail (now Upswell), shares insights from his 30+ years revolutionizing the automotive repair industry. Drawing from his restaurant background, Sands transformed customer service in auto repair by focusing on lifetime customer value, beautiful facilities, and innovative direct mail marketing. He discusses his approach to identifying and developing talent from outside the industry, his successful partnership model that has helped create multiple millionaires, and his perspective on the future of automotive repair amid technician shortages and the rise of electric vehicles. Greg Sands, founder of Service Street and Mudlick Mail (now Upswell), shares insights from his 30+ years revolutionizing the automotive repair industry. Drawing from his restaurant background, Sands transformed customer service in auto repair by focusing on lifetime customer value, beautiful facilities, and innovative direct mail marketing. He discusses his approach to identifying and developing talent from outside the industry, his successful partnership model that has helped create multiple millionaires, and his perspective on the future of automotive repair amid technician shortages and the rise of electric vehicles.

]]> 2848 The Power of Pilates: Revolutionizing Franchise Fitness with Kamille McCollum https://upswellmarketing.com In this episode of Passionately Curious, we sit down with Kamille McCollum, President and COO of BODYBAR Pilates, to discuss her journey from pilates enthusiast to franchise leader. Kamille shares how she discovered BODYBAR as a marathon runner, initially skeptical but quickly converted after experiencing the intense workout. Starting as a franchise owner in Fort Worth in 2016 while juggling life with four young children, she and her husband Matt later partnered with founder Laurie Gatlin in 2019 to expand the franchise nationwide. Despite launching right before the pandemic, they used the slowdown to strengthen their systems and training materials. BODYBAR has since experienced remarkable growth, approaching 50 locations with aims to reach 100 by the end of next year. Kamille discusses the challenges of real estate acquisition, brand building in new markets, and maintaining strong community engagement. She also offers insights into managing a business with her spouse, adapting marketing strategies for different demographics, and the future of BODYBAR, including potential international expansion and brand acquisitions. Tue, 12 Nov 2024 12:00:00 -0000 The Power of Pilates: Revolutionizing Franchise Fitness with Kamille McCollum full 1 5 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Kamille McCollum shares her success story, from BODYBAR client to CEO. In this episode of Passionately Curious, we sit down with Kamille McCollum, President and COO of BODYBAR Pilates, to discuss her journey from pilates enthusiast to franchise leader. Kamille shares how she discovered BODYBAR as a marathon runner, initially skeptical but quickly converted after experiencing the intense workout. Starting as a franchise owner in Fort Worth in 2016 while juggling life with four young children, she and her husband Matt later partnered with founder Laurie Gatlin in 2019 to expand the franchise nationwide. Despite launching right before the pandemic, they used the slowdown to strengthen their systems and training materials. BODYBAR has since experienced remarkable growth, approaching 50 locations with aims to reach 100 by the end of next year. Kamille discusses the challenges of real estate acquisition, brand building in new markets, and maintaining strong community engagement. She also offers insights into managing a business with her spouse, adapting marketing strategies for different demographics, and the future of BODYBAR, including potential international expansion and brand acquisitions. In this episode of Passionately Curious, we sit down with Kamille McCollum, President and COO of BODYBAR Pilates, to discuss her journey from pilates enthusiast to franchise leader. Kamille shares how she discovered BODYBAR as a marathon runner, initially skeptical but quickly converted after experiencing the intense workout. Starting as a franchise owner in Fort Worth in 2016 while juggling life with four young children, she and her husband Matt later partnered with founder Laurie Gatlin in 2019 to expand the franchise nationwide. Despite launching right before the pandemic, they used the slowdown to strengthen their systems and training materials. BODYBAR has since experienced remarkable growth, approaching 50 locations with aims to reach 100 by the end of next year. Kamille discusses the challenges of real estate acquisition, brand building in new markets, and maintaining strong community engagement. She also offers insights into managing a business with her spouse, adapting marketing strategies for different demographics, and the future of BODYBAR, including potential international expansion and brand acquisitions.

]]> 2634 From Pain to Profit: Alia Alston on The Evolution of Icebox Cryotherapy https://upswellmarketing.com This episode features Alia Alston, founder of Icebox Cryotherapy, the first brick-and-mortar cryotherapy franchise in the US. After suffering spinal injuries from a car accident in college, Alston discovered cryotherapy as an alternative to surgery and pain medication. She opened her first location in 2012, focusing initially on athletic recovery before realizing her broader market included people seeking natural pain management solutions. Despite early skepticism and challenges sourcing equipment from Ukraine, Alston persevered, eventually becoming a US equipment representative. She began franchising in 2018, growing primarily through customer referrals. Alston discusses the challenges of franchising, particularly in teaching business fundamentals to passionate but inexperienced owners. Through a partnership with Impact Brands, she revolutionized their marketing approach, implementing trackable, data-driven campaigns across all locations. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Alston shares her experiences dealing with gender bias and building a successful business while balancing family life. Tue, 05 Nov 2024 13:00:00 -0000 From Pain to Profit: Alia Alston on The Evolution of Icebox Cryotherapy full 1 4 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing How a personal injury led Alia Alston to opening the first brick-and-mortar cryotherapy franchise in the US. This episode features Alia Alston, founder of Icebox Cryotherapy, the first brick-and-mortar cryotherapy franchise in the US. After suffering spinal injuries from a car accident in college, Alston discovered cryotherapy as an alternative to surgery and pain medication. She opened her first location in 2012, focusing initially on athletic recovery before realizing her broader market included people seeking natural pain management solutions. Despite early skepticism and challenges sourcing equipment from Ukraine, Alston persevered, eventually becoming a US equipment representative. She began franchising in 2018, growing primarily through customer referrals. Alston discusses the challenges of franchising, particularly in teaching business fundamentals to passionate but inexperienced owners. Through a partnership with Impact Brands, she revolutionized their marketing approach, implementing trackable, data-driven campaigns across all locations. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Alston shares her experiences dealing with gender bias and building a successful business while balancing family life. This episode features Alia Alston, founder of Icebox Cryotherapy, the first brick-and-mortar cryotherapy franchise in the US. After suffering spinal injuries from a car accident in college, Alston discovered cryotherapy as an alternative to surgery and pain medication. She opened her first location in 2012, focusing initially on athletic recovery before realizing her broader market included people seeking natural pain management solutions. Despite early skepticism and challenges sourcing equipment from Ukraine, Alston persevered, eventually becoming a US equipment representative. She began franchising in 2018, growing primarily through customer referrals. Alston discusses the challenges of franchising, particularly in teaching business fundamentals to passionate but inexperienced owners. Through a partnership with Impact Brands, she revolutionized their marketing approach, implementing trackable, data-driven campaigns across all locations. As a woman in a male-dominated industry, Alston shares her experiences dealing with gender bias and building a successful business while balancing family life.


]]> 3170 Creating a Mystical Empire with Kelly Knight http://www.upswellmarketing.com In this Halloween-themed episode, hosts Annie and Matt interview Kelly Knight, founder of Modern Mystic Shoppe in Atlanta. Knight shares her journey from marketing professional to spiritual entrepreneur, detailing how she transformed her tarot reading practice into a seven-figure retail business. She discusses key strategies that led to her success, including becoming "the mayor" of her trade area through community engagement, hosting weekly "Sunday School" events, and developing her own branded product line. Knight openly shares both triumphs and challenges, including a failed expansion to New York, and explains how she combines practical business acumen with spiritual intuition to make business decisions. The conversation offers valuable insights about organic growth, community building, and self-awareness in business leadership, making her story relatable to entrepreneurs across various industries despite her unique market niche. Tue, 29 Oct 2024 14:24:24 -0000 Building a Mystical Empire with Kelly Knight full 1 3 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Kelly Knight shares her journey from marketing professional to spiritual entrepreneur. In this Halloween-themed episode, hosts Annie and Matt interview Kelly Knight, founder of Modern Mystic Shoppe in Atlanta. Knight shares her journey from marketing professional to spiritual entrepreneur, detailing how she transformed her tarot reading practice into a seven-figure retail business. She discusses key strategies that led to her success, including becoming "the mayor" of her trade area through community engagement, hosting weekly "Sunday School" events, and developing her own branded product line. Knight openly shares both triumphs and challenges, including a failed expansion to New York, and explains how she combines practical business acumen with spiritual intuition to make business decisions. The conversation offers valuable insights about organic growth, community building, and self-awareness in business leadership, making her story relatable to entrepreneurs across various industries despite her unique market niche. In this Halloween-themed episode, hosts Annie and Matt interview Kelly Knight, founder of Modern Mystic Shoppe in Atlanta. Knight shares her journey from marketing professional to spiritual entrepreneur, detailing how she transformed her tarot reading practice into a seven-figure retail business. She discusses key strategies that led to her success, including becoming "the mayor" of her trade area through community engagement, hosting weekly "Sunday School" events, and developing her own branded product line. Knight openly shares both triumphs and challenges, including a failed expansion to New York, and explains how she combines practical business acumen with spiritual intuition to make business decisions. The conversation offers valuable insights about organic growth, community building, and self-awareness in business leadership, making her story relatable to entrepreneurs across various industries despite her unique market niche.

]]> 2788 Building Success Through Connection – A Conversation with Hensley Ellefritz In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Annie Burch, Matt Courtoy, and Eric Goodstadt sit down with Hensley Ellefritz, founder of Reboot Consulting. Hensley shares how she started her consulting business during the pandemic, leveraging her experience from leadership roles at companies like Equinox, Pure Barre, and Club Pilates. Reboot Consulting focuses on helping fitness and wellness businesses grow through sustainable strategies, customer retention, and personalized sales systems. In this insightful conversation, Hensley discusses the importance of human connection in business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how fitness studios can stay relevant despite shifting market trends. Key Takeaways: Sales Built on Authenticity: Hensley emphasizes the value of personal storytelling over hard selling, fostering trust and long-term client relationships. Customer Experience as the Core Product: Whether a studio is a local yoga space or a major franchise, it’s the experience— not just the service—that keeps customers returning. Technology and Communication Tools: Hensley recommends investing in platforms like Go High Level to automate lead management and improve customer communication. Retention is Everything: A solid customer retention strategy ensures businesses can weather difficult times, helping them focus less on new sales and more on keeping loyal customers. Scaling Successfully: Hensley advises entrepreneurs to follow their instincts when expanding to new locations and highlights the learning curve involved in managing growth. Hosts: Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing Guest: Hensley Ellefritz – Founder and Owner of Reboot Consulting Quotes from the Episode: “We aren’t selling a product—we’re selling an experience. It’s about the emotional connection that keeps people coming back.” – Hensley “If you’re asking yourself if it’s time to open a second location, it probably is.” – Hensley “The best sales are built on trust. Share stories, not pitches.” – Hensley Connect with Us: Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com Connect with Hensley: Visit: rebootfc.com Email: info@rebootfc.com or hensley@rebootfc.com Stay curious, follow your passions, and subscribe to Passionately Curious! Mon, 28 Oct 2024 14:00:00 -0000 full 1 3 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Annie Burch, Matt Courtoy, and Eric Goodstadt sit down with Hensley Ellefritz, founder of Reboot Consulting. Hensley shares how she started her consulting business during the pandemic, leveraging her experience from leadership roles at companies like Equinox, Pure Barre, and Club Pilates. Reboot Consulting focuses on helping fitness and wellness businesses grow through sustainable strategies, customer retention, and personalized sales systems. In this insightful conversation, Hensley discusses the importance of human connection in business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how fitness studios can stay relevant despite shifting market trends. Key Takeaways: Sales Built on Authenticity: Hensley emphasizes the value of personal storytelling over hard selling, fostering trust and long-term client relationships. Customer Experience as the Core Product: Whether a studio is a local yoga space or a major franchise, it’s the experience— not just the service—that keeps customers returning. Technology and Communication Tools: Hensley recommends investing in platforms like Go High Level to automate lead management and improve customer communication. Retention is Everything: A solid customer retention strategy ensures businesses can weather difficult times, helping them focus less on new sales and more on keeping loyal customers. Scaling Successfully: Hensley advises entrepreneurs to follow their instincts when expanding to new locations and highlights the learning curve involved in managing growth. Hosts: Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing Guest: Hensley Ellefritz – Founder and Owner of Reboot Consulting Quotes from the Episode: “We aren’t selling a product—we’re selling an experience. It’s about the emotional connection that keeps people coming back.” – Hensley “If you’re asking yourself if it’s time to open a second location, it probably is.” – Hensley “The best sales are built on trust. Share stories, not pitches.” – Hensley Connect with Us: Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com Connect with Hensley: Visit: rebootfc.com Email: info@rebootfc.com or hensley@rebootfc.com Stay curious, follow your passions, and subscribe to Passionately Curious! In this episode of Passionately Curious, hosts Annie Burch, Matt Courtoy, and Eric Goodstadt sit down with Hensley Ellefritz, founder of Reboot Consulting. Hensley shares how she started her consulting business during the pandemic, leveraging her experience from leadership roles at companies like Equinox, Pure Barre, and Club Pilates. Reboot Consulting focuses on helping fitness and wellness businesses grow through sustainable strategies, customer retention, and personalized sales systems. In this insightful conversation, Hensley discusses the importance of human connection in business, the challenges of entrepreneurship, and how fitness studios can stay relevant despite shifting market trends.

Key Takeaways:

  • Sales Built on Authenticity: Hensley emphasizes the value of personal storytelling over hard selling, fostering trust and long-term client relationships.
  • Customer Experience as the Core Product: Whether a studio is a local yoga space or a major franchise, it’s the experience— not just the service—that keeps customers returning.
  • Technology and Communication Tools: Hensley recommends investing in platforms like Go High Level to automate lead management and improve customer communication.
  • Retention is Everything: A solid customer retention strategy ensures businesses can weather difficult times, helping them focus less on new sales and more on keeping loyal customers.
  • Scaling Successfully: Hensley advises entrepreneurs to follow their instincts when expanding to new locations and highlights the learning curve involved in managing growth.


Hosts:

  • Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing
  • Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing
  • Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing


Guest:

  • Hensley Ellefritz – Founder and Owner of Reboot Consulting



Quotes from the Episode:

  • “We aren’t selling a product—we’re selling an experience. It’s about the emotional connection that keeps people coming back.” – Hensley
  • “If you’re asking yourself if it’s time to open a second location, it probably is.” – Hensley
  • “The best sales are built on trust. Share stories, not pitches.” – Hensley


Connect with Us:

  • Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com
  • Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com


Connect with Hensley:

  • Visit: rebootfc.com
  • Email: info@rebootfc.com or hensley@rebootfc.com


Stay curious, follow your passions, and subscribe to Passionately Curious!


]]> 1834 no From Garage Startup to $100 Million – Tim Ross' Entrepreneurial Journey Hosts Annie Burch, Matt Courtoy, and Eric Goodstadt sit down with Tim Ross, founder of Mudlick Mail (now UpSwell Marketing), to explore his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Tim shares how he turned a side project into a multi-million-dollar business, reflects on the challenges of growing a company during the 2008 financial crisis, and offers actionable advice for business owners at every stage of growth. From humble beginnings in his garage to building a $46 million company (and eventually leading it to become a $100 million powerhouse) Tim’s story provides inspiration, practical strategies, and honest insights about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways: Navigating Risk and Uncertainty: Tim discusses the transition from a stable job to launching his business full-time. Scaling Through Structure: How Tim built processes and systems to support rapid growth and sustain a thriving business. Persistence and Passion: Tim emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals, holding yourself accountable, and working harder than competitors. The Power of Humility: Tim reflects on the value of stepping aside to bring in experts and evolve his role as the company scaled. Facing the Fear of Failure: Even after success, Tim shares how the fear of failure continues to drive him every day. Hosts: Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing Featured Guest: Tim Ross – Founder of Mud (now Upswell Marketing), President of UpSwell Marketing Quotes from the Episode: “Starting a business is a full-contact sport—if you’re not passionate about it, you won’t outlast the competition.” – Tim Ross “Humbleness opens your eyes to opportunity. It’s what allowed me to grow this business beyond what I imagined.” – Tim Ross “Lead from the front, not the back. People are watching you, and your example drives the entire company.” – Tim Ross Connect with Us: Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com Tue, 22 Oct 2024 11:00:00 -0000 full 1 1 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing Hosts Annie Burch, Matt Courtoy, and Eric Goodstadt sit down with Tim Ross, founder of Mudlick Mail (now UpSwell Marketing), to explore his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Tim shares how he turned a side project into a multi-million-dollar business, reflects on the challenges of growing a company during the 2008 financial crisis, and offers actionable advice for business owners at every stage of growth. From humble beginnings in his garage to building a $46 million company (and eventually leading it to become a $100 million powerhouse) Tim’s story provides inspiration, practical strategies, and honest insights about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship. Key Takeaways: Navigating Risk and Uncertainty: Tim discusses the transition from a stable job to launching his business full-time. Scaling Through Structure: How Tim built processes and systems to support rapid growth and sustain a thriving business. Persistence and Passion: Tim emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals, holding yourself accountable, and working harder than competitors. The Power of Humility: Tim reflects on the value of stepping aside to bring in experts and evolve his role as the company scaled. Facing the Fear of Failure: Even after success, Tim shares how the fear of failure continues to drive him every day. Hosts: Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing Featured Guest: Tim Ross – Founder of Mud (now Upswell Marketing), President of UpSwell Marketing Quotes from the Episode: “Starting a business is a full-contact sport—if you’re not passionate about it, you won’t outlast the competition.” – Tim Ross “Humbleness opens your eyes to opportunity. It’s what allowed me to grow this business beyond what I imagined.” – Tim Ross “Lead from the front, not the back. People are watching you, and your example drives the entire company.” – Tim Ross Connect with Us: Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com Hosts Annie Burch, Matt Courtoy, and Eric Goodstadt sit down with Tim Ross, founder of Mudlick Mail (now UpSwell Marketing), to explore his remarkable entrepreneurial journey. Tim shares how he turned a side project into a multi-million-dollar business, reflects on the challenges of growing a company during the 2008 financial crisis, and offers actionable advice for business owners at every stage of growth. From humble beginnings in his garage to building a $46 million company (and eventually leading it to become a $100 million powerhouse) Tim’s story provides inspiration, practical strategies, and honest insights about the ups and downs of entrepreneurship.

Key Takeaways:

  • Navigating Risk and Uncertainty: Tim discusses the transition from a stable job to launching his business full-time.
  • Scaling Through Structure: How Tim built processes and systems to support rapid growth and sustain a thriving business.
  • Persistence and Passion: Tim emphasizes the importance of setting ambitious goals, holding yourself accountable, and working harder than competitors.
  • The Power of Humility: Tim reflects on the value of stepping aside to bring in experts and evolve his role as the company scaled.
  • Facing the Fear of Failure: Even after success, Tim shares how the fear of failure continues to drive him every day.


Hosts:

  • Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing
  • Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing
  • Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing


Featured Guest:

  • Tim Ross – Founder of Mud (now Upswell Marketing), President of UpSwell Marketing


Quotes from the Episode:

  • “Starting a business is a full-contact sport—if you’re not passionate about it, you won’t outlast the competition.” – Tim Ross
  • “Humbleness opens your eyes to opportunity. It’s what allowed me to grow this business beyond what I imagined.” – Tim Ross
  • “Lead from the front, not the back. People are watching you, and your example drives the entire company.” – Tim Ross


Connect with Us:

  • Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com
  • Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com


]]> 2128 no Passionately Curious – Stories, Strategies, and Real Business Insights In this inaugural episode of Passionately Curious, our hosts introduce the podcast and discuss its mission. They dive into the inspiration behind the show’s name, rooted in UpSwell Marketing’s core value of being “passionately curious.” The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, offering listeners insights from their collective experiences and a preview of future episodes featuring expert guests and industry knowledge from within the UpSwell team. The podcast name Passionately Curious reflects both UpSwell’s core values and its desire to uncover meaningful business stories. A preview of upcoming episodes with business owners and UpSwell's internal experts sharing marketing insights and practical advice. The hosts' diverse backgrounds—from creative direction and media performance to Fortune 500 leadership—offer unique perspectives. Real-world advice on navigating growth, preparing for challenges, and staying ahead of industry trends. A focus on delivering actionable insights to entrepreneurs and business owners who are striving to grow their brands and attract new customers. Hosts: Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing “We’re passionately curious about the stories of entrepreneurs—whether they’re our clients or just people thinking about starting a business.” – Annie Burch “Whether an idea works or doesn’t, there’s always something to learn from it. That’s what keeps me excited.” – Matt Courtoy “There’s no straight path to success, but by sharing ideas and experiences, we can get closer to making it inevitable.” – Eric Goodstadt Connect with Us: Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com Follow Us: Subscribe to the show, stay curious, and follow your passions! Mon, 21 Oct 2024 16:00:00 -0000 trailer 1 tentwentytwo / UpSwell Marketing In this inaugural episode of Passionately Curious, our hosts introduce the podcast and discuss its mission. They dive into the inspiration behind the show’s name, rooted in UpSwell Marketing’s core value of being “passionately curious.” The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, offering listeners insights from their collective experiences and a preview of future episodes featuring expert guests and industry knowledge from within the UpSwell team. The podcast name Passionately Curious reflects both UpSwell’s core values and its desire to uncover meaningful business stories. A preview of upcoming episodes with business owners and UpSwell's internal experts sharing marketing insights and practical advice. The hosts' diverse backgrounds—from creative direction and media performance to Fortune 500 leadership—offer unique perspectives. Real-world advice on navigating growth, preparing for challenges, and staying ahead of industry trends. A focus on delivering actionable insights to entrepreneurs and business owners who are striving to grow their brands and attract new customers. Hosts: Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing “We’re passionately curious about the stories of entrepreneurs—whether they’re our clients or just people thinking about starting a business.” – Annie Burch “Whether an idea works or doesn’t, there’s always something to learn from it. That’s what keeps me excited.” – Matt Courtoy “There’s no straight path to success, but by sharing ideas and experiences, we can get closer to making it inevitable.” – Eric Goodstadt Connect with Us: Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com Follow Us: Subscribe to the show, stay curious, and follow your passions! In this inaugural episode of Passionately Curious, our hosts introduce the podcast and discuss its mission.

They dive into the inspiration behind the show’s name, rooted in UpSwell Marketing’s core value of being “passionately curious.”

The conversation explores the challenges and triumphs of entrepreneurship, offering listeners insights from their collective experiences and a preview of future episodes featuring expert guests and industry knowledge from within the UpSwell team.

  • The podcast name Passionately Curious reflects both UpSwell’s core values and its desire to uncover meaningful business stories.
  • A preview of upcoming episodes with business owners and UpSwell's internal experts sharing marketing insights and practical advice.
  • The hosts' diverse backgrounds—from creative direction and media performance to Fortune 500 leadership—offer unique perspectives.
  • Real-world advice on navigating growth, preparing for challenges, and staying ahead of industry trends.
  • A focus on delivering actionable insights to entrepreneurs and business owners who are striving to grow their brands and attract new customers.


Hosts:

  • Annie Burch – Creative Director at UpSwell Marketing
  • Matt Courtoy – Associate Director, Performance Media at UpSwell Marketing
  • Eric Goodstadt – CEO of UpSwell Marketing


  • “We’re passionately curious about the stories of entrepreneurs—whether they’re our clients or just people thinking about starting a business.” – Annie Burch
  • “Whether an idea works or doesn’t, there’s always something to learn from it. That’s what keeps me excited.” – Matt Courtoy
  • “There’s no straight path to success, but by sharing ideas and experiences, we can get closer to making it inevitable.” – Eric Goodstadt


Connect with Us:

  • Visit our website: upswellmarketing.com
  • Share your entrepreneurial story: Email us at grow@upswellmarketing.com


Follow Us:

  • Subscribe to the show, stay curious, and follow your passions!
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