Kickstart Your Week

Kickstart Collective
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Weekly

Kickstart Your Week is the weekly podcast for small business owners and marketers who want practical momentum, not just motivation. Hosted by the team at Kickstart Collective, a marketing agency based in Wilmington, NC, this short-form show delivers honest conversations, smart marketing insights, and real-world business strategies to help you move your business forward every single week. From local SEO and messaging that actually resonates… to consistency over intensity, mindset shifts, and knowing when to pivot, we break down the habits and decisions that help businesses grow sustainably. Each episode is designed to be actionable, conversational, and easy to implement because building a business doesn’t require hustle culture. It requires clarity, consistency, and the courage to take the next right step. Whether you’re refining your marketing, resetting your goals, or navigating growth, Kickstart Your Week will help you focus on what matters and build momentum that lasts. New episodes drop weekly. Let’s get to work.

  1. 22h ago

    Build the Foundation of Your 2027 Marketing Strategy w/ Jessica Federman

    You don’t need to have every campaign, ad, or piece of content planned for 2027 yet, but you should know the direction you’re headed. In this episode of Kickstart Your Week, we’re joined by Jessica Federman, Marketing Director at the Battleship North Carolina Memorial, to talk about how businesses can use Q4 to start building the foundation of their 2027 marketing strategy. Jessica breaks the planning process down into four key areas that will help guide everything you do next year: understanding your audience, choosing the right channels, defining your messaging, and deciding how you’ll measure success. We also talk about identifying what makes your business different, using customer feedback to strengthen your value proposition, learning from campaigns that don’t perform as expected, and why your marketing plan doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be written down. Your Action Item for This Week Before Friday, start your 2027 marketing plan by mapping out these four things: - Define your audience: Who are you trying to reach? If you have multiple audiences, write each of them down. - Identify your channels: Where does each audience spend their time, and which marketing channels make the most sense for reaching them? - Clarify your messaging: What makes your business different, and what matters most to each audience? - Choose your KPIs: Decide what success looks like and what numbers you’ll use to measure whether your marketing is working. You don’t need a polished, 20-page marketing plan by Friday. Start with a piece of paper or a document and get these four areas out of your head and written down. That foundation will make it much easier to build your campaigns, content, and budget for the year ahead. About Our Guest Jessica Federman is the Marketing Director at the Battleship North Carolina Memorial, where she helps share the stories, programs, experiences, and history of the Battleship North Carolina Memorial and World War II. With a background in communications, organizational development, and change management, Jessica brings together strategy and storytelling to help organizations grow while staying connected to the audiences they serve. Kickstart Your Week Thanks for spending part of your week with us on Kickstart Your Week. We hope this episode gave you one practical idea you can take action on before Friday. If you found this episode helpful, follow or subscribe to Kickstart Your Week wherever you listen to podcasts, and connect with us on YouTube and social under Kickstart Collective for more marketing tips, behind-the-scenes content, and resources for business owners. We'll see you next Monday for another episode of Kickstart Your Week. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  2. Sep 28

    Fix Your Google Business Profile in 30 Minutes

    Your Google Business Profile is quietly doing a lot of work, or quietly losing you customers. If your hours are wrong, your address is outdated, your services are missing, or your photos look rough, people don’t “figure it out.” They click the next option.  Coming to you from our new studio, Laura and Alyssa break down the fastest way to clean up your Google Business Profile so it makes a great first impression and helps you show up in the searches that matter. We get practical about Google Business Profile optimization for local SEO and Google Maps ranking: choosing the right primary category, adding detailed services, writing a natural description that includes what people actually search for, and making sure your name, address, phone number, and website are accurate.  We also talk about the small details that remove friction, like holiday hours, suite numbers, and even adding photos that help someone know what they’re walking into (yes, parking photos can be a real selling point). Then we dig into reviews, because they influence both trust and visibility. We share how to ask for Google reviews in a way that stays policy-safe, why you should respond to every review, and how to handle negative feedback without turning it into a public fight.  We also suggest checking Apple Maps and keeping your info consistent across other online directories, plus using an incognito search to see exactly what a customer sees. Take 30 minutes and knock this out by Friday, then keep it easy with a six-month calendar reminder.  Your Challenge This Week Don’t just listen—put it into action. Take this week’s tip, give yourself a little time to tackle it, and get it done by Friday. Small, consistent improvements add up. Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  3. Apr 14

    Stop Avoiding Video Content: The Easiest Way to Finally Show Up On Camera

    If you’ve been putting off video content, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not out of excuses. In this episode of Kickstart Your Week, we’re breaking down the real reasons business owners avoid video (yes, even the ones we tell ourselves are “valid”) and how to actually move past them without overcomplicating the process.  From “I hate being on camera” to “I don’t know what to say” to the classic “I don’t have time,” we’re tackling it all with practical, doable solutions you can implement this week. You’ll learn how to make video feel natural, how to come up with content ideas quickly, and how to create a system that saves you time instead of draining it. Because here’s the truth: video doesn’t have to be hard, but avoiding it is costing you. What You’ll Learn:  Why being on camera feels so uncomfortable (and how to get out of your head)  Simple ways to make filming easier, even if you hate doing it solo  What to talk about on video (hint: you already have the answers)  How to use AI to plan your content without losing your voice  The fastest way to batch record and create weeks of content in hours  Types of video content that actually work (and where to use them)Key Takeaway: You don’t need more time, better equipment, or a perfect script; you just need a simple plan and the willingness to start. Ready to Take Action? If you’ve been waiting for the “right time” to start video—this is it. Start small, keep it simple, and focus on consistency over perfection. And if you want help creating professional, high-quality video content, Kickstart Studios is ready for you. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  4. Apr 6

    Why video content makes an impact in the world of AI

    AI is making content faster than ever, which means it’s also easier to blend in. When every post starts to look and sound the same, trust becomes the real currency. Laura, Alyssa, and Joshua explore why audiences scroll past generic messaging, why video consistently wins, and how a human presence can make your brand stand out. We break down the gap AI can create between a message and the person behind it, then share practical tips for earning attention on social media. You don’t need perfect delivery or big production. Short LinkedIn videos, Instagram clips, or quick face to camera ideas can communicate personality and credibility in ways text rarely can. We’re not anti AI. We show how to use it as an assistant, not a replacement. Brainstorm, outline, and organize with AI, then add your own stories and examples. Plus, we cover a sustainable content strategy, including batch recording and turning ideas into a series your audience looks forward to. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  5. Mar 16

    How Pop Culture Callbacks Build Brand Connection

    Nostalgia is a marketing cheat code when you use it with intention and aim it at the right people. We close out our Super Bowl series by breaking down why throwback commercials and pop culture callbacks show up every year and why they’re so effective at creating instant warmth, recognition, and brand recall. We talk through memorable examples, from a full-on karaoke throwback with the Backstreet Boys to the classic Budweiser Clydesdales, plus the sitcom-era familiarity that makes viewers feel like they’re “in on it” right away. The real lesson isn’t just that these ads are fun. It’s that shared experiences create a shortcut to connection, not only with the brand but with everyone watching alongside you. We bring it down to the small business level with practical, low-budget ways to use nostalgia marketing and cultural relevance. Whether that means sharing throwback photos, bringing back fan-favorite specials or building campaigns around references people already love. We also talk about a real world example with one of our favorite clients. If you want marketing ideas that are clear, memorable, and actually doable this week, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  6. Mar 10

    How To Use AI in Marketing Without Losing the Human Touch

    What if AI marketing felt more like a helpful coworker than a sci-fi takeover? We dig into the most striking Super Bowl ad trend: human-first AI, and translate it into practical moves any small business can use to boost efficiency without losing warmth. From relatable moments to clear problem-solution framing, we show how the best campaigns made automation feel friendly, familiar, and useful. We start by unpacking why major brands avoided cold, futuristic vibes and instead spotlighted everyday tasks: presentations, spreadsheets, scheduling, that drain time but don’t require deep judgment. Then we break down how a nostalgia-driven spot bridged generations while signaling, “AI won’t replace you; it has your back.”  That framing becomes a toolkit for your brand: craft scenarios your audience lives through, let AI handle the tedious parts, and keep people front and center when money, trust, or emotion enters the chat. Next, we move from ideas to execution. Using Google and Meta’s AI features, you can tailor creatives for different demographics in minutes, while maintaining a consistent voice. We map out where to automate (triage, FAQs, scheduling) and where to insert a human (sales calls, onboarding, sensitive support), with clear handoffs like a named rep or a short welcome video.  Throughout, we stress brand fit: a high-touch, hospitality-forward company should automate backstage and keep people onstage; a convenience-first brand can lean further into AI across operations as long as it stays transparent and helpful. You’ll leave with a crisp framework: lead with relatable problems, promise real help, prove it with clear steps, and design your journey so AI speeds the path while humans build the bond. Subscribe for more practical marketing playbooks, share this with a founder who’s wrestling with automation, and leave a review to help others find the show. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  7. Mar 2

    How Tapping Real Feelings Makes Marketing Memorable

    What makes a commercial stick after the laughs fade? We dig into the 2026 Super Bowl’s most emotional moments and translate them into practical tactics any small business can use to build trust, recall, and real community.  From the Lays tearjerker to Toyota’s “every destination has a beginning,” we show how story beats specs and why highlighting people, founders, teams, and customers creates loyalty that outlasts ad spend. We walk through simple moves you can test this week: share your origin story with throwback photos, celebrate milestones that invite your audience to cheer you on, and put faces front and center to build recognition.  If being on camera feels daunting, try team snapshots at volunteer events, quick behind-the-scenes images, or short notes paired with candid photos. The point isn’t polish; it’s proof that humans power your brand.  Along the way, we unpack when to lead with emotion versus humor, how to align tone with your industry, and why brand personality outperforms feature lists in crowded feeds. Whether you’re nurturing customer loyalty, increasing repeat purchases, or earning more referrals, these strategies help your brand feel familiar and trusted. Subscribe for more weekly ideas tailored to business owners, creators, and marketers. If today’s conversation sparked something useful, share it with a friend or leave a review so more people can find the show. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

  8. Feb 23

    Why Showing Who You Are Sells More Than What You Do

    Ever notice how the most talked-about Super Bowl ads aren’t explaining features—they’re making you feel something? We take that lesson and turn it into a practical playbook for small businesses: lead with brand personality, earn attention with emotion, and guide people to the details when they’re ready. Using standout examples like Uber Eats’ star-powered humor and Coinbase’s karaoke twist, we break down why entertainment-first storytelling sticks and how you can translate that into everyday content without a stadium-sized budget. We share simple ways to move beyond dry product lists. Think lifestyle shots over spec sheets, behind-the-scenes peeks that humanize your team, and customer moments that spotlight impact. If you run an HVAC company, “We show up when everyone else sleeps” says 24/7 service with warmth and wit. If you run a gym, highlight member wins and milestones to make your brand the setting for transformation. Throughout, we show you how to keep clarity intact: pair personality content with crisp next steps, link to guides, and use short, memorable lines that carry across platforms. You’ll leave with a repeatable rhythm: start with a feeling, follow with proof, and close with simple actions. We cover how emotion drives memory, where education belongs in the journey, and why consistent voice builds brand loyalty. Ready to swap bullet points for stories that sell? Tune in, take notes, and try one line this week that shows who you are, not just what you do. If this sparked an idea, subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a quick review so more people can find the show. Get more from Kickstart Your Week! Watch on YouTube Follow on Instagram Subscribe to our email list Kickstart Your Week is brought to you by Kickstart Collective and recorded at Kickstart Studios, Wilmington’s video podcast and content studio for creators, business owners, and brands. Whether you’re launching a podcast, recording interviews, or creating social content, we make it easy to show up, record, and walk away with professional content you’re proud of. Have a great week—and get this one done by Friday. If this episode helped, follow or subscribe, share it with a business owner friend, and leave a review so more people can find the show. Meet your hosts and learn more about Kickstart Collective at kickstartcollective.co

See All (54)

About

Kickstart Your Week is the weekly podcast for small business owners and marketers who want practical momentum, not just motivation. Hosted by the team at Kickstart Collective, a marketing agency based in Wilmington, NC, this short-form show delivers honest conversations, smart marketing insights, and real-world business strategies to help you move your business forward every single week. From local SEO and messaging that actually resonates… to consistency over intensity, mindset shifts, and knowing when to pivot, we break down the habits and decisions that help businesses grow sustainably. Each episode is designed to be actionable, conversational, and easy to implement because building a business doesn’t require hustle culture. It requires clarity, consistency, and the courage to take the next right step. Whether you’re refining your marketing, resetting your goals, or navigating growth, Kickstart Your Week will help you focus on what matters and build momentum that lasts. New episodes drop weekly. Let’s get to work.

Information

  • Creator
    Kickstart Collective
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    54
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Kickstart Your Week
  • Show Website
    Kickstart Your Week