
Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast
The Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is hosted by Michelle Wintersteen, the Brand Designer and Creative Director behind MKW Creative Co. a freelance brand design firm helping to define, design, build and grow vibrant brands for social-media-minded entrepreneurs.
The KMA Podcast is an extension of the Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group and covers topics like creating brand awareness, mastering social media marketing, cementing your brand's online presence, and being your own damn boss.
Michelle lives in sunny San Diego, California designing for brands & creating content with an undeniable west coast energy, punchy color palette & her yellow lab pup.
Latest episodes

Jun 28, 2022 • 46min
079 Life According to PR & Human Design Expert Kaila O'Connor
After a decade-long PR career filled with panic attacks, burnout, and low worth, Kaila stumbled across something that changed her life immediately: affiliate marketing. With a rolodex of key editor relationships and intuitive decision-making guided by her Human Design chart, Kaila’s proven ability to generate high-revenue media coverage has disrupted the PR industry and its “always on the grind” mentality. Since Kaila founded KMO Consulting in December 2020, KMO has secured over 1,000 top-tier articles for DTC brands, trained over 30 PR agency owners in Affiliate PR, trained more than 80 Condé Nast editors in Affiliate Marketing, and generated over $500,000 in revenue - all while ensuring she and her team operate in pure energetic alignment. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Meeting Kaila and what she does What Human Design is How Human Design intertwines with PR and affiliate marketing The difference between a Manifestor and a Projector Advice for building your own self-regulatory practice based off your chart Procrastination isn't bad and awareness How Kaila first found out about Human Design and how living in alignment yay "Old school" PR vs. "New school" PR How influencers and influencer marketing have changed the marketing space Ways you can work with Kaila ----------------------- RESOURCES: Rocket Fuel by Gino Wickman and Mark C. Winters ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Kaila, you can find her @kmo.consulting on Instagram, and to check out her affiliate PR services and training, head over to kmoworld.org. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

Jun 21, 2022 • 57min
078 Life According to NFT Artist Katie Langhammer
Katie of brooklyn.nfts is an emerging Brooklyn-based digital artist who found her start in NFTs on Tiktok. She began documenting her journey as a beginner with no prior crypto or NFT experience - in an effort to onboard a community of beginners to learn alongside her journey. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: How Katie got into crypto & NFTs. An introduction to blockchain & Web3 What NFTs stand for and how Katie uses them as a creative What minting and gas fees are How NFT’s give creatives equitable rates What Katie enjoys creating minting as NFT’s Once you buy any NFT, what can you do with it? Pros and cons of using a marketplace such as SoulSee Building a community and how it helps with minting collections The value of the exclusivity of NFTs How NFTs help creatives win ----------------------- RESOURCES: Kiss My Loops - TikTok Training Solsea.io Cryptowitchclub.io ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Katie, you can find her @brooklyn.nfts on TikTok, and Katie Langhammer on LinkedIn. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

Jun 14, 2022 • 1h 3min
077 Life According to Dallas Girl Gang Amanda Smith
Amanda Smith is a Business Coach and CEO of Dallas Girl Gang, a 50,000+ global community of engaged women connecting in career, business, and life. Amanda, also a former elementary music teacher of 7 years, is an expert in authentic marketing, pitching brand partnerships, and cultivating community. She is passionate about bringing women together into a meaningful community and lifting one another up through The Girl Gang Podcast, her personal brand content with Amanda Smith Coaching, and events online and in person. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Meeting Amanda and how she started her podcast Acknowledging how privilege has helped shape the progression of your career Authentic marketing Mistakes we've both made as business owners and the hard lessons learned Trusting people with your business Community > competition and the line between being a community member and being a competitor When your original ideas have been stolen and handling the situation with grace The importance of contracts and clear expectations (even if you don't want to be perceived as "disagreeable") Separating yourself from your business ----------------------- RESOURCES: Listen to episode 157 of The Girl Gang Podcast, where Amanda interviews Michelle Kiss my Assets - 1:1 Design Intensive Episode 061: Life According to Web Designer Georgia G Kaye ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Amanda, you can find her @amandasindallas on Instagram, and to check out her offerings, head over to amandacsmith.co. Use code “mkw” on her Pitch to Paid Course for a discount! ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

Jun 7, 2022 • 52min
076 Life According to Jewelry Designer Natalie McMillian
Natalie McMillan is an independent jewelry line and lifestyle brand designed and crafted in Los Angeles, California. Since the summer of 2016, Natalie McMillan has been creating jewelry pieces that transcend all personal styles and tastes, offering quality jewelry for truly everyone. She expanded her line to fragrances, art, and apparel in 2019, and the brand has evolved into a go-to lifestyle brand for individuals looking for high quality, beautifully crafted, slightly off-beat goods. Everyone is invited to Natalie's party! She creates as she lives: with an outpouring of fun, love, and kindness. Natalie works exclusively with women, members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and people of color to help manufacture her stunning offerings. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Natalie's backstory How everything shifted when she started trusting her intuition Inclusivity and being a good person What got her to drop stop doing only Fine Jewelry Her unique approach to email marketing - Her sweet spot! The separation between individual vs. business The entrepreneurial conundrum of being distracted by so many possibilities Are you still having fun? - Avoiding burnout! ----------------------- RESOURCES: Kiss my Assets - 1:1 Design Intensive Episode 070: Life According to Holistic Witch Michelle Pellizzon ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Natalie, you can find her @nataliemcm and @shopnataliemcmillan on Instagram, and to check out her collections, head over to shopnataliemcmillan.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

May 31, 2022 • 53min
075 Mid-Season Q&A with Berta
We're halfway through season 2, we do 50 episodes a season, so there's plenty to go back and listen to. But we're kind of switching up the format this go round and I had Berta, podcast manager extraordinaire, help ask me questions for a change, so I looked at the team and I said "hey team members, submit your questions and I'll do the best to answer them" and created a really fun episode for you that's more of a Q&A style so I hope you enjoy! If you have your own question about branding, marketing, entrepreneurship, or owning an agency please submit them to podcast@mkwcreative.co, and will answer them on the next one! -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following questions: How do you market your services without turning your audience off by being sales-y/sell-y? How long did it take for you to start getting consistent (& good) client leads/how do I get consistent leads? Do you ever get imposter syndrome? If so, how do you navigate it? How do you juggle so many clients and projects at the same time? (focused for someone that's starting and doesn't have the AWESOME team you have). What's your main source of inspiration? Working from home is a challenge. How do you avoid day-to-day distractions? For those who need to self-brand before investing in branding, how do you suggest they set themselves up for success when they are ready to invest in branding? Beyond juggling the clients & projects, how do you have time to keep up with the back end of your business before you had a team? It's 2022 and by some strange phenomenon you're face to face with Michelle from 2015. Knowing what you were struggling with in those early years - what do you say to 2015 Michelle? ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 019: Batch your Days - Week in the Life of a Brand Designer Episode 050: 1 year of KMA Pod with Berta Wired (We share our favorite episodes) Dubsado - Invoicing and customer relationship management tool Submit your questions at podcast@mkwcreative.co! ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Berta, you can find her as @bertawired on Instagram, and for more about working with her, head over to bertawired.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

May 24, 2022 • 46min
074 Life According to Brand Designer Kathryn Joachim
Kathryn is the founder and brand designer-meets-strategist at Crème Brands. She takes an artisanal approach to branding and starts with original pencil sketches for a brand you'll truly own. Kathryn has over a decade of experience understanding business owners and marketers. Since founding Crème in 2013, she has designed for over a hundred clients across the country, including New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors. Her design work has been featured in print in Whitespace Magazine and Cottage Hill Magazine. She's spoken on branding at events across the country and has also been interviewed on TV station WLKY and multiple podcasts about business and marketing. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Kathryn's backstory How she helps her clients to get to their core essence Why you should position yourself as the guide, not the hero Why she almost drop web design, and what made her not to Quitting vs. changing/pivoting The team behind Crème Brands Winning a Major Design Award! How working with Jessica Marx has changed her business A nice vs. a strong and iconic brand ----------------------- RESOURCES: Check out all 5 Kiss My Portfolio Challenges available! Episode 022 - Secrets to Better Sales with Jessica Marx Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller - Affiliate link ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Michelle and Crème Brands, you can find her @cremebrands on Instagram, and if you'd like to check out her offerings, head over to cremebrands.com. If you are a designer, get 20% off in a 1-1 90-minute consult with Kathryn (usually $500) until June 30th! - Just mention the Kiss My Aesthetic podcast ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

May 17, 2022 • 49min
073 Life According to Trademark Lawyer Michelle Murphy
Michelle Murphy is the owner of Wilson Murphy Law and The CEO of Legal Loft. She works with small businesses and creatives to secure and protect their business through trademarks, contracts, copyrights, and business formations. She works with online business owners to secure their legacy for generations to come by putting in legal protections. Michelle's mission is to help small businesses overcome their fear of the legal operations so they can continue making an impact on their community without sweating the legal aspects. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Meet Michelle and every way she can help you to level-up legally your business How she’s using TikTok in her marketing strategy What is a trademark, and why it can be crucial to do it from the get-go The difference between R and TM When it’s the best time to trademark? What if you get a serve cease-and-desist letter? Should anything go sideways... Are you covered with contracts? The grey area in law NFTs and copyrights How DAOs are changing the events industry (Decentralized Autonomous Organizations) ----------------------- RESOURCES: Blog Post: Instagram, we're breaking up with you Get the templates you need (and FREE) to avoid legal mishaps that bankrupt your business! - Click here! ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Michelle, you can find her as: @thetrademarkattorney_ on Instagram @thetrademarkattorney on TikTok and if you'd like to check out her offerings and/or her membership, head over to wilsonmurphylaw.com and theceolegalloft.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

May 10, 2022 • 41min
072 Life According to Brand & Web Studio Foxtrot Branding
Foxtrot Branding is a design studio building strategy-driven branding, websites, and packaging for visionary businesses. Founders Cass and Amanda make it their goal to empower other designers, and they believe you shouldn’t have to figure everything out on your own when it comes to starting a design business that supports your dream life. With their free resources for designers, templates, and course, Pro Design Process, they are educating and uplifting the industry, one designer at a time. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: How they started a business together - Love at first sight! Teaching others from a very young age Where they seek information Having a niche vs. having a style Compensating their strengths and weaknesses and nurturing their “marriage" Their marketing approach and why they have 2 TikTok accounts vs. 1 Instagram Tools they can’t leave without to run their business Pro Design Process - Skip the trial and error! ----------------------- RESOURCES: Sign up HERE for the PRO DESIGN PROCESS - https://bit.ly/kma-pdp Check out all 5 Kiss My Portfolio Challenges available! HoneyBook Basecamp ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Cass and Amanda, you can find them as @foxtrotbranding on Instagram, as @cassidylphillips, and @amanda.foxtrot on TikTok, and if you'd like to check out their offerings, head over to foxtrotbranding.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

May 3, 2022 • 1h 4min
071 Life According to Content Marketing Educator Amber Romero
Amber Romero is the owner of A Creative Co., as a Content Strategist, she serves and educates women business owners in the creative industry. She has helped hundreds of small business owners through her 1:1 services, her membership, her products, and as a TikTok and Instagram expert. With over 10 years of experience as a “side-hustler” turned freelancer turned full-time entrepreneur, she has spent her time learning the ins and outs of the digital marketing space working for Fortune 500 companies, local small businesses, and now running a successful business of her own! -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Amber last year’s evolution - shifting from a 1:1 service model into education Quitting clients so she could pivot her business The benefits of using paid workshops Are you using (and correctly) email marketing? TikTok stories Selling your high ticket offers on TikTok? Reframing and shifting your marketing strategy Money is an exchange of energy! Gen-Z’s greatest strengths and weaknesses The importance of not only attracting but repelling your ideal audience Do you really know how to rest? ----------------------- RESOURCES: Kiss my Assets - 1:1 Design Intensive ----------------------- Guest info: For more on Amber, you can find her as @a_creativeco on Instagram, and if you'd to join any of her memberships or work with her, head over to acreativeco.com. ----------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok ----------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.

Apr 26, 2022 • 52min
070 Life According to Holistic Witch Michelle Pellizzon
Michelle Pellizzon is the squiggly-brained founder and CEO of Holisticism, a wellness media company. Michelle deconstructs the business of wellness through her unique perspective as a professional artist, former tech insider, well-being industry maven, and curiously capitalism-critical human. -------------------------- In today's episode, we cover: Meet Michelle and everything that Holistcism can do for you What was like working a 9-5 compared to where she’s now, having ADHD and epilepsy Allowing your brand to breathe - Being flexible! WEB 3 - The new era of advertising and marketing But, what in the… is NFTs and WEB-3? Business & well-being Advice to anyone just starting out Consuming others and being consumed The concept of Knowledge Worker ----------------------- RESOURCES: Kiss My GIFs - Motion Graphics Training for Graphic Designer -------------------- Guest info: For more on Michelle, you can find her as @holisticism and @michellepellizzon on Instagram, and if you'd love to get work with her, head over to holisticism.com. -------------------------- WORK WITH MKW CREATIVE CO. Connect on social with Michelle at: Kiss My Aesthetic Facebook Group Instagram Tik Tok -------------------------- Did you know that the fuel of the POD and the KMA Team runs on coffee? ;) If you love the content shared in the KMA podcast, you're welcome to invite us to a cup of coffee any time - Buy Me a Coffee! -------------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma.