Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast

Drop everything and book a flight. Join Michelle and illustrator Caroline Tomlinson as they dive into the winding, wanderlust-filled path that led Caroline from agency burnout to full-time artistry, with pit stops in London, Cape Town, and New Zealand. They talk grit, galleries, creative identity, and the irreplaceable inspiration of travel. Tune in to embrace the beauty of happy accidents, creative ruts, and why travel is the ultimate fuel for your imagination. Caroline Tomlinson is a London-based illustrator whose sketchbook and passport are rarely apart. A graduate of Central St. Martins, she blends inky, expressive marks with a love of travel, fashion, and culture—embracing "happy accidents" as part of her creative process. Her work has appeared in campaigns for Christian Louboutin, Sephora, Marc Jacobs, and Matches Fashion, and has been featured in Vogue, The Guardian, and Suitcase. Caroline also collaborates across mediums, recently launching a sustainable brand with Anthropologie and exploring film and animation in her latest project, Wanderlust Illustrated. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Caroline's creative path The role of travel in shaping your work and perspective Burnout and reinventing your path Illustration style and medium Finding confidence as an artist Creative identity and career pivots Access to art and inspiration The power of your environment for creative flow Art as emotion, not emotion Dream projects ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To peruse Caroline's stunning illustrations, follow her on Instagram @CarolineTomlinsonIllustrator and visit their website, CarolineTomlinson.com ----------------------- Your designs deserve the front page—literally. Searchlight Digital is the women-led SEO and Google Ads agency that helps creative businesses get seen, not just admired. Use code KMA100 at searchlightdigital.ca for $100 off a 60-minute Pick My Brain call and finally get found. ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Lauren deVane is back (for the fifth time!) to help us make sense of the AI landscape—minus the tech bro energy. She and Michelle unpack what GPT-4o actually means for creative work, how to use AI tools with taste, and why brand builders can't afford to sit on the sidelines. From custom bots to off-label use cases, this conversation is a sharp, strategic look at where branding and AI intersect. Lauren deVane is the founder of The Bemused Studio, where she builds strategic, scroll-stopping brand identities for bold creatives. With 60+ client projects under her belt, she now teaches designers how to integrate AI into their workflows. Formerly leading creative at Ulta Beauty and Walgreens, Lauren's worked with celebs like Kim Kardashian and Tracee Ellis Ross, and designed for brands like Hyatt and Chicago Fire. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Choosing the right AI tool Understanding AI models AI for brand designers Why using AI isn't a threat to your business Taste vs tools Creative direction with AI Postproduction AI hacks Democratizing branding Ethics and optimism Custom instructions and training Off-label use cases ----------------------- RESOURCES: Use the code ITSGONNABEMAY for $400 off BAIS CAMP Episode 117: Midjourney & AI with Lauren deVane Episode 133: Midjourney & AI Part 2 with Lauren deVane Episode 162: Leveraging AI Tools for Innovative Marketing with Lauren deVane Episode 192: Authenticity and AI with Lauren deVane Episode 215: Client Case Study: FRG Real Estate (Part 2) ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about Lauren and her distinct style, follow her on Instagram @TheBemusedStudio, or visit her websites, TheBemusedStudio.com and JoinBaisCamp.com. ----------------------- Your designs deserve the front page—literally. Searchlight Digital is the women-led SEO and Google Ads agency that helps creative businesses get seen, not just admired. Use code KMA100 at searchlightdigital.ca for $100 off a 60-minute Pick My Brain call and finally get found. ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Real estate but make it cozy with a touch of luxury. Tune in to hear Molly Gallagher of FRG Real Estate and Michelle talk all things Milwaukee, from historic homes to heritage branding. They dig into the emotional side of real estate, how to stage and sell with style, creating branded merch people actually want to rep, and what makes FRG's team-first, family-rooted approach so special. Molly shares her insights on client care, design taste, and why community is everything in the Midwest market. Tune in to learn all about architecture, aesthetics, and selling with heart. Molly is a partner on one of the top grossing real estate teams in Wisconsin. Her life is crazy full with 4 kids of her own and 8 kids collectively with her husband's 4! She and her husband are both Wisconsin natives and love to build, decorate, and curate their homes in the Northwoods, of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, and in Boca Grande, FL. Molly is grateful every day for the incredible life she has after losing her mother at a young age and helping to raise her 4 siblings throughout her father's ongoing addiction issues. Positivity wins the day for Molly and she has a favorite saying: The more fun you have, the more fun you have! ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Molly's path into real estate The storytelling of staging your home FRG's brand evolution working with MKW Creative Co. The secret sauce of Milwaukee Working with family The value of teamwork Real estate strategy and marketing insight Looking at the real estate market in 2025 New builds vs. historic home Events and client connection What makes FRG different ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 174: Client Case Study: FRG Real Estate ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about FRG Real Estate, follow their Instagram @FalkRuvinGallagher and visit their website, thefrgteam.com/ ----------------------- Your designs deserve the front page—literally. Searchlight Digital is the women-led SEO and Google Ads agency that helps creative businesses get seen, not just admired. Use code KMA100 at searchlightdigital.ca for $100 off a 60-minute Pick My Brain call and finally get found. ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

SEO is a long game—here's how to play it well. SEO expert Tedi Bezna breaks down what SEO actually is, where to start, and how to make your website more findable without becoming a tech expert. From keyword strategy to AI myths to what Google really wants in 2025, this convo is a goldmine for service providers, designers, and online business owners alike. Tedi Bezna is the founder of Searchlight Digital and an SEO expert with over a decade of experience in search engine marketing. She and her all-women team have worked with over 500 businesses over the last 7 years, delivering effective, high-quality SEO services with a focus on transparency & integrity. Working collaboratively with other marketers, she helps designers & developers deliver stunning, SEO optimized sites that help their clients grow online. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: What SEO actually means The power of keywords Blogging for SEO What Google wants for SEO in 2025 AI & SEO (and where ChatGPT doesn't match up to an SEO expert) CTA's and conversion Accessibility & SEO SEO tips for website designers Walking through clients about expectations Inside good SEO hygiene ----------------------- RESOURCES: Screaming Frog for SEO audits Use code KMA100 for $100 off a Pick My Brain session with Searchlight Digital ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about Searchlight Digital and SEO, follow them on Instagram @SearchlightDigital and visit their website, SearchlightMarketing.ca ----------------------- Your designs deserve the front page—literally. Searchlight Digital is the women-led SEO and Google Ads agency that helps creative businesses get seen, not just admired. Use code KMA100 at searchlightdigital.ca for $100 off a 60-minute Pick My Brain call and finally get found. ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Ready to ditch the starving artist trope and paint your own path to creative success? From charging what you're worth, to calling out sneaky art competitions, and navigating the wild world of social media—Michelle and Phoebe break it all down. Pull back the curtain on the business of murals, how Phoebe cold-pitches her way to projects, and why she's over playing nice with companies running "for exposure" contests. Plus, hear the hot takes and honest realities of building a creative career in late stage capitalism. Phoebe Nelson is a San Diego-based muralist, designer, and founder of Pandr Design Co. With a decade of experience painting large-scale murals across the globe, Phoebe is known for transforming blank walls into bold, colorful works of art that reflect community, brand identity, and joy. Through her work, she champions public art accessibility and empowers other creatives by sharing her business knowledge and mural expertise. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Phoebe's journey as a muralist and graphic designer Diversifying creative income and business offerings Artist education and community support Issues in creative communities: free work and competition Project alignment and client selection Business risk in social media Alternative marketing strategies Cold emailing and direct outreach Manifestation and future goals ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To see Phoebe's murals and support her work, follow her on Instagram @PandrDesignCo, Tik Tok @PhoebeCornog and visit her website PandrdDesignCo.com ---------------------- Social media in 2025 is pure chaos—platforms are shifting, algorithms are unpredictable, and keeping up feels like a full-time job. That's why we're sharing our 2025 Social Media Webinar that we share with all of our clients. It's a no-BS breakdown of what's working, what's dead, and how to build a strategy that actually delivers. Whether you're a brand owner or a social media pro, this resource is your shortcut to navigating the wild west of online marketing. Tune in at MKWCreative.co/resources/p/2025socialmedia ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

What if your anxiety is really just untapped creativity looking for a way out? Join Michelle and stop-motion expert Colette Peri as they give actionable tips for setting social media boundaries, making time for soul-nourishing hobbies, and rediscovering creativity just for the fun of it. In this episode, Colette shares how she found her niche, and what makes content actually magical. She and Michelle dive into creativity, pitching yourself, and staying playful even when the pressure's on. Colette Peri is an industry-leading stop-motion artist and educator known for her colorful aesthetic, creative ideas, and eye-catching animations. Her client list includes prominent brands such as Sony, Starbucks, REI, Dunkin', Pottery Barn Kids, Redbull, and more. On a mission to help others pursue their creativity, she passionately believes in sharing her knowledge and opening up the doors to the stop-motion industry through her online courses. She has been a featured speaker at major conferences such as Adobe MAX, Alt Summit, and Sony Kando— delivering engaging talks on creativity + stop-motion. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: How Colette got into stop-motion Why your creativity is your most valuable asset Pitching and partnerships How to set boundaries with social media Work/life balance Overcoming self-doubt Social media and the changing digital landscape The simple antidote to anxiety Self-regulation tools Planning tech-free days/events Building a sense of belonging/ community ----------------------- RESOURCES: Stolen Focus by Johann Hari Today Show: How to live 'beyond anxiety' according to expert Martha Beck ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about Colette and stop-motion, follow her on Instagram and Tik Tok @Colette.Peri and visit their website, ColettePeri.com. ---------------------- Social media in 2025 is pure chaos—platforms are shifting, algorithms are unpredictable, and keeping up feels like a full-time job. That's why we're sharing our 2025 Social Media Webinar that we share with all of our clients. It's a no-BS breakdown of what's working, what's dead, and how to build a strategy that actually delivers. Whether you're a brand owner or a social media pro, this resource is your shortcut to navigating the wild west of online marketing. Tune in at MKWCreative.co/resources/p/2025socialmedia ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Melissa Litchfield is the marketing strategist brands call when they're ready to run ads that actually convert. In this episode, she breaks down the Facebook and Instagram ad game—from testing offers to ad copy do's and don'ts to how your creative strategy can make or break your ROI. She and Michelle also dive into ad budgets, email list-building, and why you should probably stop boosting posts. Melissa is the founder of Litchfield Media, a seasoned digital marketing strategist, Meta ads expert, and proud mother. As an agency owner, Melissa has worked with digital marketing powerhouses like Boss Babe and Gemma Bonham-Carter, gaining extensive experience across diverse industries including insurance, e-commerce, and brick-and-mortar businesses. Melissa has personally mentored over 1,000 students through digital products and workshops, and has trained internal team members who have gone on to secure paid media positions at major companies like Weight Watchers and DISH Network. Recognizing that business owners needed more than just course content, Melissa created Ad Traffic School™, a comprehensive resource that provides both foundational ad knowledge and ongoing support. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Melissa's agency origin story Why you want to consider paid ads in 2025 What you need before considering paid ads Ad funnels 101 Real talk on ad budgets Offer testing Creative best practices Ad copy tips Email list growth via ads Which metrics matter for ad campaigns Networking on Threads The downfall of Clubhouse ----------------------- RESOURCES: Grab your free Proven Pixel Permit and start your ad campaign with confidence ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about Litchfield Media, follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Tik Tok @LitchfieldMedia and visit their website, LitchfieldMedia.org ---------------------- Social media in 2025 is pure chaos—platforms are shifting, algorithms are unpredictable, and keeping up feels like a full-time job. That's why we're sharing our 2025 Social Media Webinar that we share with all of our clients. It's a no-BS breakdown of what's working, what's dead, and how to build a strategy that actually delivers. Whether you're a brand owner or a social media pro, this resource is your shortcut to navigating the wild west of online marketing. Tune in at MKWCreative.co/resources/p/2025socialmedia ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

From a homemade gluten-free loaf for mom to Whole Foods shelves nationwide, Queen Street Bakery's journey is anything but bland. Founders Giovanni and Tony share how they built a better-for-you, gluten-free bakery brand without cutting corners or flavor. They dig into ingredient sourcing, packaging pivots, building a brand, and what it takes to win customer trust in the crowded CPG space. Giovanni Angelucci (founder) got tired of settling for terrible tasting gluten-free breads with bad ingredients, so he created a healthy bread made from foods you should be eating, and brought it all across the continent. Gio comes from an entrepreneurial family that believes that if a good idea exists, everyone should benefit from it. So, when Gio's mom had been struggling to find a good gluten-free bread that was tasty and made from wholesome, nutritious ingredients, he set out to make it happen by starting Queen Street Bakery, even though he had never been involved in the food business before. Outside of work and business, Gio spends his time with his family and friends, traveling, cooking and eating. He enjoys keeping active with soccer and basketball, and has an appreciation for design and architecture. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: How Queen St. Bakery was found Inside ingredient formulation and integrity Packaging evolution Avoiding brand overwhelm Building a brand Feedback-driven growth Finding strong creative partnerships Marketing flops Scaling sustainably ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 188: BINGOALS & Cultural Branding with Palu Malerba ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To check out Queen St. Bakery, follow them on Instagram, Facebook, @QueenStreetBakery and TikTok @QueenStBakery, and visit their website QueenStreetBakery.com ---------------------- Social media in 2025 is pure chaos—platforms are shifting, algorithms are unpredictable, and keeping up feels like a full-time job. That's why we're sharing our 2025 Social Media Webinar that we share with all of our clients. It's a no-BS breakdown of what's working, what's dead, and how to build a strategy that actually delivers. Whether you're a brand owner or a social media pro, this resource is your shortcut to navigating the wild west of online marketing. Tune in at MKWCreative.co/resources/p/2025socialmedia ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high-quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Molly Reopelle, a muralist and illustrator from Minneapolis, shares her inspiring journey from calligraphy to creating large-scale murals that define neighborhoods. She discusses how to define your visual style and attract the right clients while emphasizing the importance of creative community and mentorship. Molly covers the mindset shifts needed to charge your worth and the value of public art in building community identity. She also touches on her strategic approach to business and the significance of downtime for maintaining creativity.

One woman. One wild idea. One perfect can. Tiffany Jones, founder of Avenue 8 Cocktails, joins Michelle to share how she turned a frustration into an award-winning beverage brand. She'll walk you through the female-led research, formulation, and design process that brought her vision to life—from sourcing clean ingredients to collaborating with kick-ass team. They also dive into building a lifestyle brand, seeding strategy, and that feeling of seeing complete strangers enjoy your product. Tune in for business inspo, packaging eye candy, and a reminder to say yes to yourself before you're "ready." Tiffany Jones is the founder of Avenue 8 Cocktails. A Dallas native, Jones attended The University of Texas at Austin, and explored the fast-paced world of Wall Street in New York City - before earning her MBA at SMU. Her professional career spans fashion, cosmetics, advertising, and banking, but her true passion lay in high-end residential interior design—a field she thrived in for over 22 years. After a plethora of college family weekends drinking RTD cocktails that didn't satisfy, Jones set out to create a RTD cocktail for women that exuded luxury, taste and transparency. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: The origin story of Avenue 8 Cocktails The importance of branding and product differentiation Market research findings on women consuming alcohol Building Avenue 8's brand world Creating elevated packaging Launching with a PR strategy Avenue 8's future vision Winning the RTD Silver Medal at the Fifth Annual Craft Spirits Packaging Awards Advice for Founders ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 113: Hotel Lobby Candle with Lindsay Silberman ----------------------- GUEST INFO: To learn more about Tiffany and Avenue 8 Cocktails, follow her on Instagram @Avenue8Cocktails and visit their website DrinkAvenue8.com ---------------------- Social media in 2025 is pure chaos—platforms are shifting, algorithms are unpredictable, and keeping up feels like a full-time job. That's why we're sharing our 2025 Social Media Webinar that we share with all of our clients. It's a no-BS breakdown of what's working, what's dead, and how to build a strategy that actually delivers. Whether you're a brand owner or a social media pro, this resource is your shortcut to navigating the wild west of online marketing. Tune in at MKWCreative.co/resources/p/2025socialmedia ----------------------- 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 is brought to you by Zencastr. Create high-quality video and audio content. Get your first two weeks free at https://zencastr.com/?via=kma. ----------------------- This episode of the Kiss My Aesthetic Podcast is brought to you by Audible. Get your first month free at www.audible.com/kma. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard