Is Your Marketing Falling Flat? How to Build an Authentic Brand in the Age of AI with Sarah Ashman

In this episode of the Small Business PR Podcast, Gloria dives into why so many small business owners struggle to connect online—and how authentic branding is the secret to attracting your “Hell yes!” clients. She sits down with branding strategist Sarah Ashman, who has worked with Nike, Estee Lauder, and Madonna, to unpack what it really means to show up in alignment, radiate your values, and let your audience feel your energy.

Sarah and Gloria break down the subtle cues your audience senses, why “proving energy” can push people away, and practical ways to check in with yourself so your messaging and offerings land authentically—whether you sell a product or a service.

What Branding Isn’t — And Why It Matters

Branding is not:

🙅‍♀️ Just a logo, website, or Instagram feed

🙅‍♀️ Relying solely on credentials or authority to impress

🙅‍♀️ Following templates or “shoulds” that don’t reflect who you are

That’s surface-level branding. Real branding is about alignment, energy, and authenticity—so your audience knows who you are and why they should care.

What Branding Actually Is

💡 Being congruent: your words, energy, and actions all match

💡 Showing up relaxed and confident, not trying to prove yourself

💡 Grounded in your values and the story behind your work

💡 A daily practice of checking in with yourself first, then letting that guide your external messaging

Gloria and Sarah explain why audiences have “digital Spidey senses” for inauthenticity—and how showing up from your inner truth builds trust, loyalty, and connection.

Key Takeaways from This Episode

• How to notice when your energy and messaging aren’t aligned
• Why relaxed, genuine presence lands better than polished authority
• The mindset shift that turns your work into a story people feel, not just hear
• How authenticity applies to both service- and product-based businesses
• Ways to use AI to clarify your messaging without losing your personal “heartbeat”
  
  
  

Final Thoughts

If you’re ready to attract your “Hell yes!” clients and build a brand that feels authentic to you, this episode gives you the tools and mindset shifts to check in with your inner truth, align your messaging, and radiate confidence. It’s never been a better time to stop following old templates and start showing up fully as yourself.