Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses

Whitney Lee
  • 4.9 (27)
  • MARKETING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Welcome to Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses — the show that cuts through the fluff and gives you real, tactical advice to grow your business. From paid ads and social media to press coverage and strategy, we make marketing simple and effective for small business owners like you. Each week, get practical insights, real-world examples, and behind-the-scenes truths on what it really takes to build visibility and grow your brand — with straight talk and support from Your Marketing Heroes.

  1. 4D AGO

    How to Decide When to Spend vs Save - A Horror Story to Learn From

    Cutting expenses feels responsible. Strategic investment feels risky. And too many business owners confuse the two. In this episode, Whitney breaks down the tension between saving money and actually building a business. Because trimming every expense might protect your cash flow today — but it can quietly starve your growth tomorrow. Especially when the first thing to go is marketing. Whitney gets real about social media, content, and why “we’ll focus on that later” is one of the most expensive sentences a business owner can say. She shares practical, cost-effective ways to show up online without burning your budget — and tells a horror story that perfectly illustrates what happens when you don’t. The bottom line? You can’t cut your way to scale. Growth requires intentional investment. In This Episode, We Cover:The difference between cutting waste and cutting growthWhy marketing is not an “extra” expense — it’s a revenue driverCost-effective ways to build brand visibility without a massive teamHow inconsistent social media quietly erodes trust and opportunityA real-world example of what neglecting your presence can actually cost youIf this episode gave you a reality check (the productive kind), make sure you’re subscribed to Brand Rescue. Leave a review, share it with another business owner who needs to hear it, and connect with Whitney for more sharp, strategic clarity on building a brand that actually grows. ------------- Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

    18 min

  2. FEB 23

    How Small Biz Owners Can Get Media Coverage & Own AI w/o an Agency with Rebecca & Katie of PitchWell

    PR isn’t what it used to be… and that’s a good thing. 💡 In this episode, Whitney sits down with Rebecca Cafiero and Katie Passarello, the co-founders of PitchWell, to talk about what visibility actually looks like today and how AI is quietly reshaping the entire PR landscape. We’re talking:⚡ Why thought leadership matters more than ever⚡ How AI is pulling from credible sources⚡ And why small businesses can’t afford to sit this one out If you’ve ever wondered how visibility turns into real business growth, this one’s for you. Use Code WHITNEY for 1-month Free of PitchWell Pro! PitchWell on LinkedIn PitchWell on Instagram Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

    43 min

  3. FEB 16

    This ONE Marketing Tactic Alone Can Make Any Business Successful

    If you could only choose one marketing tactic to drive business success… what would it be? In this episode, Whitney Lee breaks down the difference between marketing tactics vs. strategies before tackling a fun but powerful hypothetical: the single most impactful tactic a business can focus on. Her answer? Customer reviews. Whitney explains why reviews are one of the most influential trust signals in today’s buying journey — often shaping decisions before a customer ever visits your website or walks through your door. She shares real-world examples of businesses thriving (even with imperfect marketing) simply because their reputation and reviews were strong. You’ll also hear practical ways to encourage more customer feedback, how to naturally ask for reviews without feeling pushy, and why reputation management isn’t just a marketing task — it’s a growth strategy. If you’ve been chasing trends and wondering what actually moves the needle, this episode will help you refocus on one of the most powerful and often underutilized marketing tools you already have. Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

    16 min
  4. How to Make Money on the Internet Without Taking Off Your Clothes with Liz Wilcox, The Fresh Princess of Email

    FEB 9

    How to Make Money on the Internet Without Taking Off Your Clothes with Liz Wilcox, The Fresh Princess of Email

    If you’re building your business on social media alone… we need to talk. In this episode, I sit down with email marketing expert Liz Wilcox to break down why your email list might be the most valuable asset you’re not prioritizing and how it can completely change the way you grow your business. We dig into how email gives you direct access to your audience (without fighting algorithms), why engagement matters more than vanity metrics, and how one artist used a simple email list to increase ticket sales and negotiate stronger deals with venues and agents. Whether you run a local business, a personal brand, or an online company, this conversation is all about turning your audience into a community you actually own and can communicate with anytime. ----- Mega Email Swipe File Connect to Liz on Instagram Connect with Liz on Facebook Connect with Liz on LinkedIn ----- Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

    31 min
  5. The Lie that Loses Biz Owners BIG Money

    FEB 2

    The Lie that Loses Biz Owners BIG Money

    Outsourcing is not the problem.Outsourcing without understanding what you’re paying for is. In this episode, I’m getting honest about one of the biggest mistakes I see business owners make—handing off marketing (or any major function) without a basic understanding of how it works. Not because you should be the expert… but because not knowing anything is how people get taken for a ride. I share real-world examples of businesses that lost time, money, and momentum simply because they didn’t know what questions to ask—or what metrics actually mattered. We talk through why “just outsource it” is bad advice, how to protect yourself when hiring agencies or vendors, and the key KPIs every business owner should understand before signing a contract. This episode is about ownership, integrity, and being an informed leader—not doing everything yourself, but knowing enough to make smart decisions. In this episode, we cover: Why outsourcing without education often backfires The difference between delegation and abdication The basic marketing KPIs every business owner should understand How to ask better questions before hiring an agency What integrity in partnerships actually looks like If you’ve ever felt burned by a vendor, confused by marketing reports, or unsure whether something “isn’t working” or just isn’t being explained well—this one’s for you. ------ Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn

    17 min
  6. Not Your Typical Chat on Content Creation with Matt Stone, Founder of Creator Mode

    JAN 26

    Not Your Typical Chat on Content Creation with Matt Stone, Founder of Creator Mode

    Content creation isn’t just about posting pretty pictures or hitting “publish” — it’s about showing up, being real, and connecting with people who actually care. In this episode of Brand Rescue, I sit down with Matt Stone, founder of Creator Mode, to talk about how he went from photography to coaching business owners on creating authentic, vulnerable content that builds real connections. We dig into why traditional marketing tactics aren’t enough anymore, how fear often holds creators back, and why building a community of true fans matters more than chasing virality. Matt shares how creating a system for content production can actually make the process less overwhelming, why authenticity drives long-term growth, and how personal development and professional success are intertwined. If you’ve ever struggled with showing up on camera, doubted your story, or wondered how to connect with an audience that actually values you, this episode is packed with practical insights — and some hard truths — to help you step into your Creator Mode. In this episode, we talk about: Why vulnerability is essential in content creation How to shift from traditional marketing to authentic storytelling Creating systems that make consistent content realistic Overcoming fear and showing up on camera Why building “true fans” beats chasing viral moments How personal growth and professional success are linked The importance of energy, connection, and trust in your content ------------ Creator Mode Filming Course Learn More About Creator Mode Connect with Matt on Instagram Connect with Matt on LinkedIn ------------ Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

    51 min
  7. When Print Ads Work (And How to Win With Them!)

    JAN 19

    When Print Ads Work (And How to Win With Them!)

    Print advertising isn’t dead — but most print ads do fail. Why? Because too many try to do too much. In this episode of Brand Rescue, I’m diving into how to make your print ads actually work. A single, striking image can capture attention faster than any wall of text ever could. I talk about why simplicity wins, how to design visuals that stop people in their tracks, and why QR codes are your secret weapon for giving your audience more information without overwhelming them. If you’re ready to stop creating print ads that get ignored and start designing ones that actually deliver results, this episode is for you. In this episode, we cover: Why print ads fail when they try to do too much How one strong visual can beat a thousand words The importance of simplicity and clean design Using QR codes to guide your audience without clutter Tips for creating print ads that grab attention and convert ------------ Connect with Whitney on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Your Marketing Heroes Website

    22 min
  8. How She Scaled a Biz in an "Unscalable" Industry with Stacey Poterson, Founder and CEO, Fem Force Shoots

    JAN 12

    How She Scaled a Biz in an "Unscalable" Industry with Stacey Poterson, Founder and CEO, Fem Force Shoots

    Here’s something we don’t talk about enough:You can already have a successful business… and still need to completely rethink how it’s structured. In this episode of Brand Rescue, I sit down with Stacey Poterson, founder and CEO of Fem Force, to talk about how she took an already-established photography business and reimagined it into a scalable model that actually supports her life, her family, and her values. Stacey shares how she went from traditional wedding photography to building Fem Force, a subscription service that gives female entrepreneurs consistent, professional content without the overwhelm. We get into the real behind-the-scenes of growth — the fear that shows up when it’s time to scale, why listening to your customers is what unlocks the next level, and how systems and the right team make expansion sustainable instead of stressful. This conversation is about evolution, not overnight success. It’s about building smarter, not just bigger. -------- Discounted Trial Shoot with Fem Force Connect with Stacey on Instagram Connect with Fem Force on Instagram Connect with Whitney on LinkedIn Connect with Whitney on Instagram

    30 min
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4.9
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

Welcome to Brand Rescue: Marketing + PR Guidance for Small Businesses — the show that cuts through the fluff and gives you real, tactical advice to grow your business. From paid ads and social media to press coverage and strategy, we make marketing simple and effective for small business owners like you. Each week, get practical insights, real-world examples, and behind-the-scenes truths on what it really takes to build visibility and grow your brand — with straight talk and support from Your Marketing Heroes.

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