The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co

Megan Kalbach
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Welcome to The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co. Hosted by Founder and CEO Megan Kalbach, this podcast is your guide to navigating the world of marketing, business growth, and leadership. Each episode, we'll cover key topics like branding, digital strategy, team leadership, and smart decision-making, with insights from local business owners, community leaders, and the K Marketing team. Think of The Blueprint as a strategic guide to building and refining your business. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a team, this podcast gives you the clarity and confidence to stop spinning your wheels and start making purposeful progress.

  1. FEB 10

    Serving the Community: The Heart Behind Local Nonprofits (with Kristin Chronister)

    This week on The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co, Megan is joined by Kristin Chronister of the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation to discuss the heart behind serving the community. In this episode, Kristin shares her personal connection to the arts and dives into what "serving the community" truly looks like. They also discuss the realities of running a local non-profit, from the challenges of funding and volunteer engagement to the delicate balance between tradition and innovation. Whether you are a donor, a volunteer, or a business owner looking to get involved, join us to learn why non-profits are essential to our region. To learn more about the Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation visit longspark.org To learn more about K Marketing Co. visit kmarketingco.com 0:00 Introduction 0:36 Meet Kristin Chronister 0:56 It’s Been COLD in Lancaster, PA 1:51 What Inspired You to Get Involved in Non-Profits 3:04 How Does Long’s Park Amphitheater Foundation Serve the Community? 3:48 Long’s Park Summer Music Series 4:50 What Challenges Are Non-Profits Facing Right Now? 5:55 Benefits of Volunteering 7:20 Finding Your Third Space 7:43 How Do Community Support and Local Partnerships Contribute to Non-Profit Success? 9:26 Why Non-Profit Work Truly Matters 12:53 Balancing Tradition and Innovation as a Non-Profit 16:22 The Importance of Third Spaces 19:23 Long’s Park Art Festival 23:37 Conclusion

    24 min

  2. JAN 27

    The Power of Partnerships: Collaborating Your Way to Growth (with Jason Konopinski)

    This week on The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co, Megan is joined by Jason Konpinski from Shumaker PDT to dive deeper into the importance of collaboration. While "community over competition" is the mindset we established last week, this week we’re talking about how building partnerships is the action that takes that idea a step further. In this conversation, Jason and Megan discuss how to approach networking with collaboration in mind and how to nurture those partnerships over time, rather than just at the beginning. They explore the early signs that a connection has partnership potential and provide advice for moving from a community mindset to intentional collaboration in 2026. Whether you are a business owner or a professional looking to create impactful connections, join us to learn why partnerships are so beneficial for small business growth. To learn more about Shumaker PDT, visit shumakerpdt.com To learn more about K Marketing Co. visit kmarketingco.com 0:00 Introduction 0:24 Meet Jason Konopinski 1:32 How Do You Build a Connection From Casual Conversations? 3:00 What Role Does Networking Play in Turning Community Into Real Growth Opportunities? 4:02 How Can Businessowners and Professionals Approach Networking with Collaboration in Mind? 5:17 Partners Over Transactions 7:55 There’s Room For All of Us to Thrive 9:00 Competition Can Be Good, But It Can Also Be Antagonistic 11:35 What Makes a Partnership Successful Beyond Exchanging Referrals? 23:08 What Mistakes Do People Commonly Make When They Try Turning Networking Into Partnerships? 27:17 The Changing Landscape of Sales 32:38 The Changing Landscape of Social Media 40:34 Advice For Moving From Community Mindset to Intentional Collaboration 44:26 Conclusion

    45 min

  3. JAN 20

    Community Over Competition: Building Supportive Business Circles (with Alex Piazza)

    This week Megan is joined by Alex Piazza, Business Relations Manager with the Lancaster Chamber to discuss the transformative power of building supportive business circles. They dive into strategies for authentic networking, how to get your employees engaged with the local community, and why "community over competition" is essential for a healthy local business ecosystem. Whether you are a seasoned entrepreneur or just finding a place to start building your community, join us to learn how collaboration strengthens our entire region. To learn more about the Lancaster Chamber and its role in building a local business community, visit lancasterchamber.com To learn more about K Marketing Co. visit kmarketingco.com 0:00 Introduction 0:55 Meet Alex Piazza 3:28 Why is it Important to Prioritize Community Over Competition? 5:37 How Do Businesses Actively Support Each Other Through the Chamber? 8:43 Finding the Value in Networking Opportunities 10:13 Selecting the Right Events to Attend 11:38 Why Do Some Businesses Hesitate to Get Involved With Their Community? 14:20 Giving Back to The Community That Helped you Grow 17:52 Getting Your Employees Engaged With The Community 19:44 How Can Business Owners Network Authentically? 23:21 Networking With a Low Social Battery 26:20 Advice for People Intimidated by Business Organizations 29:37 Find a Place to Start Building Your Community 31:22 How Does Collaboration Benefit Businesses During Challenging Economic Seasons? 35:50 Don’t Be Afraid of Letting Your Employees Interact with Competitors 36:55 How Can Small Businesses Contribute to Their Community? 40:16 The Power of Small Businesses 43:09 How to Build Meaningful Business Relationships 45:23 Get Out and Explore Your Community

    49 min

  4. JAN 6

    Starting Strong in 2026: Setting S.M.A.R.T. Goals (with Emily Hess)

    Thinking of setting goals for your business in the new year? This week on The Blueprint we’re diving into all things goal setting with special guest Emily Hess! Whether you’re a new business owner setting goals for the first time or a seasoned entrepreneur who feels like their tank is too empty for new goals, this episode is for you! Learn more about Emily and Markit’s services at www.makeyourmarkit.com Learn more about K Marketing Co at www.kmarketingco.com 0:00 Welcome to The Blueprint Season 2 0:38 Meet Emily Hess 1:41 Markit’s Partnership with K Marketing Co. 2:18 Setting Goals in the New Year as a New Business Owner 4:43 How to Set Goals When You Feel Burnt Out 6:18 What are S.M.A.R.T Goals? 7:17 How to Make Your Goals Specific and Achievable 8:30 Make Your Goals Purposeful 9:30 Using S.M.A.R.T Goals to Build Your Business 12:26 How to Track Progress Towards Your Goals 14:30 Common Goal Setting Mistakes 16:07 Perfection is the Killer of Progress 17:32 S.M.A.R.T. Goals Should be Income Producing Activities 19:20 Don’t Set Goals That Are Too Broad 21:43 Look at the Costs of Your Goals 24:35 Balancing Ambition with Realistic Expectations 25:50 Learning From Your Mistakes 30:04 Flexibility is Part of the Process 32:24 Looking Ahead to The Blueprint in 2026

    33 min

  5. 12/04/2025

    Putting the Right Employees in the Right Roles (with Eric Stark)

    Megan sits down with local attorney and business owner Eric Stark to discuss putting the right people in the right seats in order to create a stronger team. From identifying strengths to encouraging a positive workplace culture, this episode is full of insight on building the best team for your business. The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co will return with an all-new season in January 2026! Learn more about Stark Law Group at www.starklawllc.com Learn more about K Marketing Co. at www.kmarketingco.com 0:00 Introduction 1:36 Getting the Right People in the Right Roles 5:12 Reassigning Employee Roles 8:45 Small Business Employees Need to be Flexible 11:56 Employees Want Purpose 12:45 Determining if Someone is the Right Fit 14:30 Curating a Strong Workplace Culture 16:36 Setting Workplace Expectations 19:20 Understanding Different Work-Life Balances 23:40 What Does a Healthy Workplace Culture Look Like? 30:25 Differences Between Owner and Employee Experiences 33:01 Identifying the Right Person 35:10 Building a Strong Foundation Together 42:35 Conclusion

    44 min

  6. 11/20/2025

    The Balancing Act of Being a Business Owner with Chuck Honabach (Part 2)

    In this continuation of last week’s episode, Megan and Chuck dive into identifying where you need balance in your life, finding effective methods to maintain balance without sacrificing productivity, and surrounding yourself with the right people to support you when you need it. If you’ve been feeling off-balance lately, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone, and there are ways to rebalance the scales. To learn more about Chuck Honabach, visit his website: chuckhonabachteam.com 0:00 Episode 13 Recap 0:51 Work-Life Balance for Different Personality Types 8:12 Lead with Your Strengths & Staff Your Weaknesses 10:17 Work Life Balance in the Digital Age 11:22 Balance is More Than Working Hours 13:05 Incremental Changes Can Make a Big Difference 16:05 Getting Your Business in Order 18:24 Find Incentives For Yourself 21:53 Solve Problems as They Arise 23:24 Maintaining Balance in Your Absence 25:55 The Difference Between the Owner and Employee Experience 30:35 Conclusion

    31 min

  7. 11/13/2025

    The Balancing Act of Being a Business Owner with Chuck Honabach (Part 1)

    If the responsibilities of being a business owner sometimes feel overwhelming, you’re not alone. It can be incredibly difficult to find the right balance between running your business and living your personal life. On this week’s episode of The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co Megan is sitting down with Chuck Honabach to share some real world experiences they’ve had that have shaped their work-life balance. Hear insights about the hiring process, how to hold yourself and your staff accountable, and finding joy in the work you do. This was such a great conversation, that we’ve split it into two parts, so stay tuned for part 2 next week! To learn more about Chuck Honabach, visit his website: chuckhonabachteam.com 0:00 Introduction 1:00 The Experience of Owning Multiple Businesses 6:41 Finding The Right Structure For Your Business 8:17 Empowering Your Team to Succeed 12:07 What Motivated You to Start a Business? 14:07 Pushing Through Hardships as a Business Owner 16:32 Your Business is Your Child 18:32 Don’t Be Paralyzed by the Thought of Failure 21:42 Owners Have to Wear Every Hat (at least sometimes) 22:52 Audit Your Procedures 24:08 Holding Yourself and Your Staff Accountable

    28 min

  8. 11/06/2025

    Know, Like, and Trust: Building a Connection with Your Audience

    In this week’s episode, Design & Marketing Specialists Casey and Emily sit down to discuss one of the most important concepts in marketing: “Know, Like, and Trust”. Learn more about how you can build a better connection with your audience through authentic visuals and brand personality. If you’re looking to bring some life into your brand’s content, this is a quick crash course in how to show authenticity in your digital presence. To learn more about photography with K Marketing Co, visit kmarketingco.com/photography-services 0:00 Introduction 1:14 What is Know, Like, and Trust? 2:59 Why is Authenticity so Important in Marketing? 3:53 The Difference Between Real Photos and Stock Photos 5:21 Cost-Effective Recommendations for Real Imagery 6:46 Maintaining Boundaries with Your Audience 8:50 Should You Use AI Images for Your Brand? 10:30 Tips for Capturing Authenticity 11:30 Building a Connection with Your Audience 12:21 Main Takeaways on Know Like and Trust

    13 min
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Welcome to The Blueprint: Powered by K Marketing Co. Hosted by Founder and CEO Megan Kalbach, this podcast is your guide to navigating the world of marketing, business growth, and leadership. Each episode, we'll cover key topics like branding, digital strategy, team leadership, and smart decision-making, with insights from local business owners, community leaders, and the K Marketing team. Think of The Blueprint as a strategic guide to building and refining your business. Whether you're a solo entrepreneur or leading a team, this podcast gives you the clarity and confidence to stop spinning your wheels and start making purposeful progress.

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