Brand Unmuted Podcast

Joanna Moss & Dianna Robicheau

The Brand Unmuted Podcast, hosted by web designer Joanna Moss and copywriter Dianna Robicheau, empowers you to build a business that works FOR you–not the other way around–through honest conversations about being in the real middle of entrepreneurship. New episodes drop every Tuesday.

Episodes

  1. 2D AGO

    11: Copy or Design: What Should Come First for Your Website?

    If you're planning a website project, you've probably wondered: Should I write the copy first or start with the design? The answer isn't one-size-fits-all — it depends on where you are in your business journey and what your goals are for the project. In this episode, we're breaking down when to start with copy, when to start with design, and how to make the smartest investment for your business right now. Whether you're ready to scale or you're still in early growth mode, this episode will help you make the right choice for your website. Topics We Cover The difference between what design does and what copy does on your websiteWhy your approach might be different depending on your season of businessMeet Sarah: An established business owner ready to refine and scaleWhy Sarah should start with copy before investing in designHow copy dictates the structure, hierarchy, and conversions on your siteMeet Paige: A newer business owner in the early growth stageWhy Paige should start with a design template to guide her DIY copyThe benefit of starting with a wireframe instead of a blank pageWhen it's okay to hire a copywriter midway through a template projectWhat NOT to do: investing in custom design with placeholder copyHow to restructure a template once your copy is done Time Stamps 04:09 – The difference between design and copy on your website 05:10 – Why your approach may differ depending on your business season 05:22 – Meet Sarah: An established business owner ready to scale 06:33 – Why Sarah should start with copy before design 09:37 – Meet Paige: A newer business owner in early growth mode 11:54 – Why starting with a template helps Paige write her own copy 12:09 – Unpopular opinion: You don't need a custom website to be successful 12:55 – What to do when you get stuck writing copy with a template 13:30 – What NOT to do: Custom design with placeholder copy 14:41 – How to customize your template once the copy is finished Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com Joanna's Showit templates with free content documents: joannamoss.com/showit-website-templates Showit - our favorite website design platform: https://account.showit.com/r/joanna

    19 min
  2. FEB 17

    10: Why Your Why Is the Foundation of Your Business

    Your why isn't just a buzzword, it's the foundation that holds your entire business together. When you're clear on why you started your business and what keeps you going, decision-making becomes easier, guilt becomes lighter, and your marketing becomes more authentic. In this episode, we're diving into why knowing your why is so important, how to discover it (or rediscover it), and what happens when you actually honor it in your business decisions. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, this conversation will help you reconnect with what really matters. Topics We Cover What a "why" actually is and why it matters in your businessHow our whys have evolved over the years (flexibility, freedom, and impact)Using your why as a pillar to make business decisions without guiltWhy your why is a better motivator than willpower aloneHow your why helps you say no to the wrong opportunitiesThe connection between your why and your marketing/storytellingJournal prompts to help you discover or reconnect with your whyWhat happens when you honor your why vs. when you ignore itUsing your why to avoid shiny object syndrome and stay on trackHow to know when your why has shifted or evolved Time Stamps 03:50 – Discussing eachother’s why 05:50 – How we each discovered our whys 07:29 – How our whys changed over the years 08:50 – Falling back on your why as a decision-making tool 11:07 – Your why becomes your guiding light in business 12:15 – How your why helps you decide what to keep and what to drop 12:45 – Why motivation alone isn't enough 13:27 – It's okay if your why changes and evolves 13:50 – Journal prompts to help you discover your why 15:07 – Tips for people who don't love journaling 16:54 – How your why connects to your marketing and storytelling 17:51 – What happens when you honor your why 19:10 – Examples of honoring your why in real business decisions 21:08 – Takeaway: Finish the sentence "I'm building this business because..." Links & Resources Mentioned Dianna's copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna's web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

    24 min
  3. FEB 10

    09: Bringing Your Website Into 2026: How To Do an Annual Website Checkup

    Your website might still be working… but is it still working as hard as it could be for your business? At the start of a new year, it’s easy to get caught up in goal-setting and planning without actually taking the time to refresh the digital spaces that support those goals. In this episode, we walk through a practical, step-by-step annual website checkup you can do to keep your site aligned with your evolving brand, audience, and offers. We’re breaking this into two parts: quick maintenance checks you should do every year, and bigger-picture updates that help elevate your site as your business grows. If your website hasn’t had a proper review in a while, this episode gives you an easy starting point. Topics We Cover• Why the beginning of the year is the perfect time for a website audit • Annual maintenance tasks: links, typos, CTAs, and footer updates • Making sure your messaging and brand voice still align with your audience • Checking brand consistency across fonts, photos, and colors • Using analytics and behavior tools to find friction points on your site • Updating SEO basics like keywords, page titles, redirects, and speed • Refreshing blog posts and updating year-specific content • How to elevate your site without doing a full redesign • Updating offers, pricing, and messaging to match business goals • Why brand photos should be refreshed regularly • Adjusting visuals and SEO if your audience or market has shifted Time Stamps02:41 – Why your website needs an annual checkup 03:23 – Website maintenance vs. website elevation updates 04:39 – Copy updates: typos, CTAs, and brand voice consistency 07:48 – Design updates: links, visuals, and friction points 10:19 – SEO maintenance checks for the new year 13:34 – Updating blog content that already performs well 14:09 – Elevating your site without redesigning it 15:51 – Updating messaging, offers, and pricing 17:45 – Refreshing brand photography 18:26 – Visual branding tweaks vs. full rebrands 19:58 – Adjusting SEO if your audience or service area changes 21:13 – Free website checklist download Links & Resources MentionedDianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. — website & launch copy for creative women in business: risecopyco.com Joanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative — custom Showit websites & Website in Two Weeks: joannamoss.com

    25 min
  4. FEB 3

    08: Creating Boundaries That Protect Your Business (and Your Sanity)

    Boundaries aren’t about being rigid, cold, or unavailable. They’re about building a business that actually feels sustainable to run. In this episode of the Brand Unmuted Podcast, we’re diving into the real-life boundaries we’ve had to set (and sometimes re-set) in our businesses to protect our time, creativity, and mental health. From communication expectations and response times, to scope creep, revisions, automation, and work-life balance, this conversation is full of practical examples and mindset shifts to help you create boundaries that support both you and your clients. If you’ve ever felt resentful, overwhelmed, or stuck in “always on” mode, this episode will help you rethink what boundaries can look like, and why they matter so much. In This Episode, We Cover:Why boundaries aren’t rules for rules’ sakeSetting communication boundaries with clients (and yourself)The danger of being “too flexible”Using automation to protect your time without hurting conversionScope of work, contracts, and revision boundariesCreating work boundaries that align with your whyHow boundaries actually lead to better client experiences Links & Resources Mentioned: HoneyBook & 17hats - Our favorite CRM tools (https://share.honeybook.com/risecopyco & http://joannamoss.com/17hats) Calendly - For seamless calendar scheduling (https://calendly.com/) ManyChat - For setting up automations on Instagram (https://manychat.com) Time Stamps:01:46 – Why boundaries matter (and why they’re core to Brand Unmuted) 02:46 – A real-life moment that forced Joanna to rethink boundaries 03:40 – Protecting evenings, personal time, and mental space 05:10 – The danger of being too flexible 06:00 – Hours worked vs. set schedules (and why this matters for creatives) 07:15 – Rush fees, weekends, and pricing as a boundary 08:14 – Urgency, over-responsiveness, and “it’s just cups and saucers” 09:00 – Why ideal clients will respect your response time 11:05 – Using automation to protect your boundaries 12:59 – Tools that help: CRMs, calendars, and scheduling systems 15:16 – Scope creep, contracts, and setting expectations upfront 16:09 – Refining systems to prevent burnout before it starts 18:44 – Boundaries around revisions (and why structure helps everyone) 20:32 – Setting boundaries with yourself and understanding capacity 22:39 – Flexibility as the “why” behind strong boundaries 24:03 – Final takeaway: choosing one boundary to reset Ready for More?If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking. If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much. We’ll be back next Tuesday with a new episode!

    28 min
  5. JAN 27

    07: Why Every Business Needs a Website in 2026

    In 2026, every business needs a website — whether you’re brand new, fully booked, product-based, or service-based. In this episode, we break down why your website is still the most important piece of your online presence: from trust and credibility, to SEO and visibility, to making sales without living on Instagram. In This Episode, We Cover:Why people search online first (and how a blog helps you show up early)How a website cuts down the number of “touch points” it takes for someone to buyWhy relying on social media alone is riskyHow your website builds credibility — especially for high-ticket offersThe power of your About page (and why skipping it costs you sales)How your website becomes your 24/7 salesperson (even across time zones)Real examples: nail salons, travel advisors, social media managers, realtors, photographers Time stamps02:00 Why every business needs a website in 202602:50 SEO + blogging: showing up when people search for their problem05:00 Touch points: why it takes more time to build trust now05:45 “Checking you out” before committing (nail salon example)06:15 Not everyone is on social media (or uses it to search)08:20 Websites build trust + credibility10:40 Social media is borrowed space (and risky to rely on alone)14:15 Controlling the journey + messaging flow16:20 Social proof: testimonials, portfolios, results17:45 The About page (and why it’s not optional)20:15 Your website as a 24/7 salesperson22:35 Would you contact a business without a website? Links & Resources MentionedJoanna’s web design services: joannamoss.comDianna’s copywriting offers: risecopyco.com Ready for More?If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking. If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much. We’ll be back next Tuesday with a new episode!

    32 min
  6. JAN 20

    06: How Better Website Copy Attracted Better Clients for Joanna

    Your website is never really “done” — and sometimes the tiniest tweaks are a sign you actually need a full reset. In this episode, Joanna shares why she scrapped her old site, hired a copywriter (spoiler – it was Dianna!), and rebuilt her brand and offers from the inside out. We walk through what wasn’t working, how her Website in Two Weeks offer reshaped her whole business, and why even pros shouldn’t always DIY their own copy. Topics We Cover:Why Joanna decided to redo her website - How constant tiny edits and “I didn’t see that on your site” comments from clients were a red flag that the strategy & messaging weren’t landing anymore.How a new offer forced a full website rethink - The behind-the-scenes of creating her Website in Two Weeks process, dropping other offers, and needing the site to clearly communicate one streamlined signature service.Designing for evolving clients (and changing trends) - Why websites are living, breathing assets, how audience behavior shifts over time, and what that means for your layout, messaging, and overall experience.Rebranding away from the beige trend - Joanna’s decision to ditch the “polished but not-me” neutral vibe, lean into bold color and personality, and intentionally attract clients who want color and energy in their brands.Why she hired a copywriter instead of DIYing (again) - The difference between being able to write and wanting clean, strategic, to-the-point copy that isn’t overly wordy, plus how it felt to release control without losing her voice.What the copywriting process with Dianna was actually like - How we worked together: brain-dump from Joanna, strategic structure, collaborative revisions, and using feedback to make sure the words truly sounded like her.The results: more aligned clients & better feedback - The kind of comments she gets now (“I love the energy of your site,” “This sounds so much like you”) and how that’s translated into working with more of her true ideal clients.When it is and isn’t the right time to hire a copywriter - Why brand-new business owners who are still fuzzy on their offers might want to wait, and why established businesses ready to elevate, rebrand, or refine are primed for pro copy. Time stamps00:00 – Intro + why we’re talking about this02:14 – What pushed Joanna to redo her site04:29 – The new offer that changed everything08:42 – Rebranding, color, and attracting the right people10:07 – Why she didn’t DIY her copy this time11:16 – How the process actually felt13:38 – Feedback from clients & results19:07 – Lessons for designers & business owners22:09 – When you’re ready (or not) to hire a copywriter23:38 – Our end-of-episode “weird” question: your 11-hour-flight seatmates Links & mentionsJoanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative – custom Showit websites & her Website in Two Weeks processDianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. – website & launch copy for creative women in business

    27 min
  7. JAN 13

    05: Annual Goal Setting for Entrepreneurs Who Struggle with Consistency

    January is PEAK “new year, new you” energy… but we’re here to offer a different take: your business doesn’t need a reset just because the calendar flips. In this episode, we’re walking through how we each plan for the year ahead– from Joanna’s capacity-first, color-coded, one-page calendar system to Dianna’s reflection + goal-setting + vision board + quarterly milestones approach. If annual planning overwhelms you and you struggle to stay consistent with your goals, start here. Topics we cover: Why “fresh start” January messaging can feel weirdly crushing as an entrepreneurJoanna’s capacity-based planning system: one calendar, 12 months, one glanceHow Joanna blocks vacation, travel, booked projects, and income goals firstWhy planning your year visually can make discovery calls so much easierWhat to do when projects run longer than expected (aka: the flex space plan)Dianna’s planning ritual: reflection, journaling, and using your numbers to tell a storyThe EOS / Traction framework and how quarterly milestones make goals doableVision boards: why they work, how to make them (digital or physical), and how to use them dailyThe #1 takeaway: there’s no “right” way — just the way that keeps your momentum going Time stamps: 01:29 – Why we’re planning for the year (without the January pressure) 03:08 – Joanna: stop treating January like a reset button 05:20 – Building on momentum (Black Friday → January bookings) 07:05 – Joanna’s one-page, 12-month calendar planning system 08:57 – Using start dates to book clients faster (and more confidently) 09:36 – Planning for income goals with a capacity-first calendar 11:31 – What happens when you don’t have a project booked that week? 14:25 – When projects run long… and the “sometimes I work nights” reality 17:30 – Dianna: reflective planning + practical goals + a little woo woo (Within this segment: EOS/Traction, tracking metrics, vision boards, quarterly milestones) 27:41 – Weird question: best Christmas gift you’ve ever received or given Links & mentions: Traction by Gino Wickman (A book on EOS / the Entrepreneurial Operating System)Joanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss CreativeDianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co.

    32 min
  8. JAN 6

    04: A 2025 Year in Review for Our Businesses

    End-of-year reflection can be really helpful… and also weirdly loaded. So in this episode, we’re doing a 2025 retrospective with zero “new year, new you” energy—just a grounded look at what worked, what we learned, and what we’re carrying into 2026. We share our biggest wins, the lessons we’re still learning (hi, boundaries + scope creep), and the behind-the-scenes numbers from our year—like how many websites we collaborated on, how many hours we’ve logged for the podcast, and how many miles we traveled. If you want to wrap up the year feeling clearer, calmer, and more proud of yourself than you expected… this episode’s for you! Topics We Cover: Our biggest wins of 2025 (and why you shouldn’t skip reflecting on this!) Revenue growth, price increases, getting booked out early, and taking scary-but-worth-it steps outside your comfort zone. The lessons we’re taking into 2026 Why boundaries matter most during slow seasons, how streamlining your client experience reduces decision fatigue, and the constant battle with scope creep. Our gratitude lists for the year Travel, community, flexibility, family time, and the relationships that make entrepreneurship feel less lonely. Our 2025 by the numbers Websites we worked on together, hours spent on Zoom for the podcast, miles traveled, templates used, and repeat clients who came back for more. A gentle reminder about January You don’t have to “start over.” You can build on what worked—and leave the rest behind. Time Stamps00:00 – Intro + a tangent about all-black outfits & decision fatigue 01:49 – Why we’re doing a year-end reflection (without the pressure) 03:27 – Biggest wins of 2025 (Dianna + Joanna) 07:03 – Lessons learned: boundaries during slow seasons 08:10 – Streamlining client experience + hiring the right expert 11:54 – Scope creep + the people-pleasing tightrope 15:38 – Gratitude list: travel, flexibility, community, growth 18:31 – What Spark + DXP are (and why the Showit community matters) 24:45 – 2025 by the numbers: websites, Zoom hours, miles traveled 26:31 – Individual stats: templates + repeat clients 30:47 – Weird question: movie moments we wish were real Links & MentionsJoanna’s web design studio: Joanna Moss Creative – custom Showit websites & her Website in Two Weeks process (https://joannamoss.com/) Dianna’s copywriting studio: Rise Copy Co. – website & launch copy for creative women in business (https://risecopyco.com/) Showit – Our favorite website platform + community for designers (https://account.showit.com/r/joanna) Spark Conference Showit’s annual conference for brand and web designers (https://spark.showit.com/) Showit DXP Showit Designer Experience, a retreat for brand and web designers (https://dxp.showit.com/) J. Mills Consulting, Jess Millhiser Client experience expert + process support (https://www.jmillsconsulting.com/) Ready for more?If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking. If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much. See you next week for another episode!

    35 min
  9. 12/30/2025

    03: How To Handle a Slow Season in Your Business Without Spiraling

    Has business been slower than usual for you in 2025? Same. In our first *actionable* episode of the Brand Unmuted Podcast, we’re talking about something almost every creative business owner has felt in 2025: how to handle a slow season in your business without spiraling. From fewer inquiries to stretched-out timelines, it's unnerving when a slow season hits. But in this episode, we're talking all about how to handle a dip in business without panicking, slashing your prices, or saying yes to every misaligned project that lands in your inbox. Instead of spiraling, we walk you through six practical ways to use a slow season to your advantage, protect your confidence, and keep your business moving forward (even when your calendar looks quiet). In This Episode, We Cover:Why 2025 has felt weird for so many creative business owners (you’re definitely not the only one!)The difference between predictable slow seasons (like wedding off-season) and the surprise onesHow Joanna realized her September slowdown was actually a pattern — and how that led to starting this very podcastWhy Dianna’s slower summer was a blessing in disguise, and how she handled the inevitable “will I ever book another client?” spiralThe hidden cost of panicking in a slow season: undercharging, saying yes to misaligned projects, and future resentment Then we walk through six concrete tips for navigating a slow season without losing your mind. Free Resource: The Creative Confidence CalendarA one-page, 30-day calendar filled with quick, doable prompts to help you rebuild momentum in your business and boost your confidence back up. Grab yours here! https://risecopyco.myflodesk.com/khwi39il6p Links & Resources MentionedShowit (Our favorite drag and drop website platform - get your first month free!) https://account.showit.com/r/joannaShowit's Spark Conference (3-day educational conference for web designers and copywriters) https://spark.showit.com/Joanna Moss Creative – (Joanna's web design services) https://joannamoss.com/Rise Copy Co. – (Dianna's copywriting services) https://risecopyco.com/ Ready for more?If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking. If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much. See you next week for another episode!

    27 min
  10. 02: Two Entrepreneurs, Two Wildly Different Origin Stories

    12/30/2025

    02: Two Entrepreneurs, Two Wildly Different Origin Stories

    If you’ve ever wondered whether you’re “doing it wrong” because your business journey doesn’t look like anyone else’s, this one’s for you. In this episode of the Brand Unmuted Podcast, we’re taking you behind the scenes of our own businesses and sharing how we actually got started — and our two VERY different journeys into entrepreneurship. Joanna talks about quitting her 9–5 overnight after landing a freelance web design project paying five times her salary (without even knowing what a “freelancer” was). Dianna shares the opposite path: discovering the online business world through a copywriting ad she thought was a scam, starting as a virtual assistant, then slowly working up the courage to go full-time as a copywriter. In This Episode, We Cover:Joanna’s first business in 2005: landing a shoe company as a freelance client, quitting her job, and winging it with Google and ExcelWhy her early years in business were a full-on “year of yes” — and how scarcity mindset plays into thatDianna’s move from New Hampshire to Oklahoma, and the copywriting ad she dismissed as a scam (before realizing copywriting is very real)How she eased in through virtual assisting and blogging before fully embracing copywritingThe role that life events play in finally taking the leap to full-timeWhat it looks like to restart or pivot a business multiple times, and how each iteration gets a little clearerBuilding a business around your real-life responsibilities: kids, mortgages, travel, and the desire for more flexibilityThe ongoing reality of imposter syndrome (even 20 years in) and the importance of keeping your blinders onWhy community matters so much when you’re working from homeThe mindset shift we both come back to: trusting yourself to figure it out, even if you have to pivot or choose a Plan B. Links & Resources MentionedHow I Built This (NPR radio show/podcast) https://www.npr.org/series/490248027/how-i-built-this The MindHER Company, Mandi Casey (Business Coach) https://themindherco.com/ Showit (Our favorite drag and drop website platform - get your first month free!) https://account.showit.com/r/joannaShowit's Spark Conference (3-day educational conference for web designers and copywriters) https://spark.showit.com/Joanna Moss Creative – (Joanna's web design services) https://joannamoss.com/ Rise Copy Co. – (Dianna's copywriting services) https://risecopyco.com/ Ready for More?If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking. If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much. We’ll be back next week with a new episode!

    30 min
  11. 01: How To Navigate Creative Business Collaborations (So Everyone’s Happy)

    12/30/2025

    01: How To Navigate Creative Business Collaborations (So Everyone’s Happy)

    In this first official episode of the Brand Unmuted Podcast, we’re diving into a topic every creative business owner bumps into sooner or later: collaboration — the good, the awkward, and everything in between. As a copywriter (Dianna) and web designer (Joanna), collaboration is at the heart of how we run our businesses. In this conversation, we unpack how we met, how we started collaborating, and what we’ve learned from working together on dozens of client projects. Whether you’re a photographer referring planners, a VA partnering with an OBM, or a CPA sending clients to your favorite bookkeeper, collaboration is a huge part of building a sustainable business — especially when you’re doing most of it solo. In this episode, we walk through what makes collaboration work, what to avoid, and how to build referral relationships that support your business and your sanity. In This Episode, We Cover:Why collaborations matter so much for solopreneurs — especially if you don’t have a teamHow to know whether you’re referring a person or a specific service (and why the difference matters)Our biggest tip for successful collaborations in business: keep the communication openWhen a referral contract or written agreement is helpful — and when it isn’tWhy personal relationships make business collaboration easier, kinder, and way less lonelyThe pros and cons of formal referral programs vs. informal “no-strings” referralsHow to protect your business, support your collaborators, and still create great client experiences Links & Resources MentionedShowit (a drag & drop website platform that makes designing your site so easy - get your first month free!) https://showit.com/r/x9hc47hg The Legal Paige (legal contract templates for creatives) https://thelegalpaige.com/?aff=231 The Contract Club (plug and play contracts & templates) https://www.bradendrake.com/a/2147575083/F2jRML6tJoanna Moss Creative (Joanna's website design services) https://joannamoss.com/ Rise Copy Co. (Dianna's copywriting services) https://risecopyco.com/ Ready for More?If your website needs a refresh, you can explore Joanna’s design services at joannamoss.com or Dianna’s copywriting offers at risecopyco.com. Mention this episode, and you’ll receive 5% off your booking. If you enjoyed the show, leaving a rating or review is one of the best ways to support the podcast — and we appreciate it so much. See you next week for Episode Two!

    19 min
5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

The Brand Unmuted Podcast, hosted by web designer Joanna Moss and copywriter Dianna Robicheau, empowers you to build a business that works FOR you–not the other way around–through honest conversations about being in the real middle of entrepreneurship. New episodes drop every Tuesday.