
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

Apr 23, 2024 • 39min
159. Travel Photography Secrets with Girl Gone Abroad
Unpack your bags and stay awhile as Lauren Carey of Girl Gone Abroad and Michelle explore the world of travel photography. Ever wonder how to turn your travel pics into something that captures what you actually saw with your eyes? Buckle up as we dive into the world of Instagrammable Airbnbs, what goes into a property shoot, and the secrets to capturing that solo travel glow without awkwardly asking someone to take your photo. Whether you're an Airbnb owner wanting more bookings or a solo traveler wanting to document your trip perfectly, this episode will show you how to capture a story with your photos. Lauren Carey is the creator behind the Girl Gone Abroad brand. Born in the US and currently residing in the Netherlands, she is a digital storyteller passionate about beautiful places and spaces. Her aesthetic content captures the essence of her travels in over 60 countries, inspiring others to explore the world for themselves. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: How Lauren and Michelle met Diving into photography and advice on getting started Favorite Airnbnb's Lauren has visited What draws her into a property Her process of capturing a property Tips for perfect solo shots as a solo traveler Her simple editing process in post-production Michelle's 30th birthday location and the details that made it feel like a home How storytelling plays into photography Experiences of "unreasonable hospitality" ----------------------- RESOURCES: Unreasonable Hospitality by Will Guidara A Perfect Vintage by Chelsea Fagan ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Lauren and catch her adventures, follow her on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @GirlGoneAbroad. Visit her website, GirlGoneAbroad.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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Apr 16, 2024 • 34min
158. What Does a Creative Director Do?
Let's pull back the curtain on job titles in the creative world. Today, Michelle deciphers the role of a Creative Director and how she has structured her role within her team. She shares the key responsibilities and the challenges that may arise from taking this leap. From building a solid team to diving into professional development offscreen to enhance onscreen creativity, this episode is all about balancing the business and creative sides of being an entrepreneur. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: How you can submit content ideas for future episodes What are the key responsibilities of a creative director? What a day in the life looks like Finding clarity on your role in your company Taking the jump from business owner to creative direction Fostering your creative process How to lead your creative team Establishing a hierarchy of communication with your clients Balancing the business and creative ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 131: Episode Building a Merch Brand with Caitlyn Rastetter of Dental Hygiene Nation ----------------------- 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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Apr 9, 2024 • 53min
157. Freelance Pricing Strategies with Creative Business Kitchen
Ready to serve up prices that you actually feel good about? Tune in to hear your pricing queen, Jaz, dish out the recipe to valuing your genius. Whether you chronically undercharge or have no idea where to begin pricing your services, this episode will give you the tools you need to meet your business goals (like, actually. Go down to the resources section to snag your free pricing calculator). From navigating imposter syndrome to why you need to know your numbers, this episode is a must-list for all freelancers. For the last 15 years, Jaz has been serving Michelin-star designs on a gold platter, solving her clients' problems and helping them grow their businesses. She's the graphic designer, muralist, lettering-artist, website genius, and all-round business guru who's helped hundreds of clients achieve their business goals. While she's still a design superwoman to her clients, Jaz is now sharing her wisdom with her fellow freelancers with another title: The Pricing Queen. As the Creative Business Kitchen owner, Jaz mentors her freelance students in all things pricing, giving them the tools they need to confidently calculate and charge what they're worth, create a never-ending list of clients who happily pay up, and, ultimately, never go hungry again. From free downloads to affordable resources, masterclasses, and one-on-one help, Jaz has a solution to every freelance problem. ------------------------ In today's episode, we cover the following: Get to know Jaz and how she got onto her pricing journey Why your education matters Leaving the graphic design world to the musical theatre world Why you need to know your numbers How to gain confidence if you don't know how to price Underpricing attracts the wrong clients, meaning your prices should reflect your values Expensive lessons in business Reminder: your clients are not family Walking through Jaz's custom pricing calculator Transparent conversations when prospective clients can't afford you ----------------------- RESOURCES: Access Jasmine's free Pricing Calculator Join the Freelancer's Pantry Membership ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about Jaz and her pricing expertise and bite into a good food pun, follow her on Instagram and TikTok@YourPricingQueen. Visit her website, creativebusinesskitchen.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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Apr 2, 2024 • 33min
156. Creating a Brag-worthy Brand Strategy
Get ready to unlock the secrets of a brag-worthy brand strategy with Michelle. Listen and learn as she spills what happens during a brand strategy session with MKW Creative Co. and how they implement it. Dive into the recipe for creating a memorable brand, from the must-haves of a mission statement to brand identity. You'll learn how to measure the ROI of your strategy and the common pitfalls to watch out for. If you're planning a rebrand or want to start on the right foot, press play and save this episode! ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: What brand strategy is, and why it's crucial for your business What happens in a brand strategy session with MKW Creative Co. Brand vs. marketing strategy Why your target audience is NOT everyone Finding your value proposition Getting clear on your brand personality Brand consistency Common brand strategy pitfalls ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 023: Everything in My Brand Questionnaire Episode 121: Let's Thread with Ashli Pollard ----------------------- 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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Mar 26, 2024 • 47min
155. Beyond the TikTok Ban with Amber and Ashli
Marketing experts Amber Figlow and Ashli Pollard share insights on the potential TikTok ban, content strategies, data corruption arguments, and predictions for social media's future. They discuss the importance of community-building, adaptability, content repurposing, and the impact on small business owners. The episode highlights the significance of women on TikTok, the uncertain future of the platform, and the need for better algorithms on social media platforms.

Mar 19, 2024 • 42min
154. Streamline Your Design Process with Canva with Juls Christie-Clark
Explore the benefits of using Canva over Adobe, tips on TikTok for Canva, the luxury of Canva's user-friendly features, optimal work times for freelancers, and the importance of continuous learning in design.

Mar 7, 2024 • 27min
153. How to Manage Design Revisions Like a Pro
Have you ever poured your heart and soul into a client's brand design only for them to say, "This isn't really what we had in mind?" Yes, you're entitled to a one-minute pity part, but you need to know how to bounce back productively. Drawing on her nearly 10 years of experience in the industry, Michelle shares personal anecdotes and practical strategies for navigating these challenging situations. She emphasizes the importance of separating brand strategy from design, setting clear client expectations, and knowing when to reassess a project's direction. You'll gain valuable insights on effectively communicating with clients, managing expectations, and ultimately delivering high-quality, successful branding solutions. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: Things to remind yourself when a client doesn't like your designs Identifying miscommunication to match the client's needs Deciding if you need to start from scratch or go through a round of revisions What to do when nothing you're creating is working for the client The responsibility that a designer has to dig out the vision from the client Striving for excellence, serving clients with quality ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 148: How to Explain Your Designs to Clients Episode 146: My Brand Design Process, Step by Step Episode 023: Everything in My Brand Questionnaire ----------------------- 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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Mar 5, 2024 • 40min
152. Small Wonders: Exploring Miniaturist Art with ChelseaMakes
Ever wondered how to generate buzz with a budget, keep it real with your brand, or maybe shrink down the world to pocket-size perfection? Michelle is joined by Chelsea of ChelseaMakes, a miniaturist crafting big stories on tiny scales. They dive into the ups and downs of the creative grind, the excitement and fear surrounding AI-generated art, and why keeping it real beats polished perfection. Get ready for a 'small talk' that's anything but trivial. Chelsea Andersson is a maker, miniaturist, and prop designer based in Connecticut. She spent nearly a decade as a licensed landscape architect until her love for creating models and miniatures led to a career in building scale replicas. Through her studio, ChelseaMakes, she offers custom-made miniature replicas as well as a line of DIY modern dollhouse kits. She made her TV debut on season three of NBC's Making It, a reality competition show hosted by Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman. Chelsea has also been featured in various magazines, has a course about miniatures on the Domestika platform, and recently published a DIY book titled "50 Makes for Modern Miniatures." ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: How she went from being a landscape architect to miniaturist Her experience on NBC's Making It How she approached her thumb-sized project for Warby Parker How valuable brand guidelines are for creating content Keeping creative during slower seasons Following your passions—no matter how silly! Overcoming perfection and getting your project in front of the camera Thoughts on AI trends and art ----------------------- RESOURCES: Read Chelsea's book 50 Makes for Modern Miniatures Learn to build a 12-scale furniture and miniature decor set from scratch using accessible tools and materials with Chelsea's course. ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about ChelseaMakes and her miniature creations, follow her on Instagram, Facebook @ChelseaMakes, and TikTok @ChelseaMakesCA, or visit her website, ChelseaMakes.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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Feb 27, 2024 • 25min
151. Use This Playbook for Your Next Product Launch
Generate buzz, hype your audience, and plant the seeds of your new product so people are ready to buy as soon as the cart drops. Today, Michelle shares her ideal campaign SOP stocked with real-life examples and case studies to note. She breaks down each launch phase into how long they should last and what content you need to post. Take out all of the guesswork for how to plan your next launch and save this episode to use as your product launch blueprint. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: Creating launch timelines The kinds of posts you want on your feed for shipping week Planting the seeds of your launch through teasers Revealing your launch and building up hype Maximizing eyeballs during launch week How to be strategic with your UGC for successful marketing ----------------------- RESOURCES: Brands that are experts at teasing content: Summer Fridays Skinny Confidential Stoney Clover Lane ----------------------- 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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard

Feb 20, 2024 • 38min
150. Celebrating 150 episodes with Berta Wired
To celebrate the 150th episode, Berta is back on the podcast! Michelle and Berta reminisce on their podcasting journey, from the conception of the Kiss My Aesthetic podcast to collaborating to launch other people's podcasts. You'll hear about their partnership, how you can work with them to launch your podcast, and their experiences launching Whiskey & Lace and Unpacked with the Blinks podcasts together. Berta Garrote is a podcast manager passionate about working with female entrepreneurs to increase their brand visibility. As the founder of the podcast production company Berta Wired, Berta combines podcast management, production, syndication, and strategy expertise to ensure your podcast stands out. Berta is multilingual in Spanish, French, and English and loves working with people from all over the world. ------------------------- In today's episode, we cover the following: How Michelle and Berta met and how they started a podcast How the Kiss My Aesthetic podcast has transformed over the years MKW Creative Co. & Berta Wired's podcast launch partnership Launching the Whiskey & Lace podcast Unpacked with the Blinks podcast project What makes Berta excited about podcasting How you can work with Berta Wired ----------------------- RESOURCES: Episode 100: Season 2 Wrap-Up with Berta Wired Episode 145: How to Repurpose Content with Amber Figlow Listen to Whiskey & Lace Listen to Unpacked with the Blinks ----------------------- Guest info: To learn more about BertaWired and her podcasting tips, follow her on Instagram and TikTok @BertaWired, or visit her website 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. This episode was edited by Berta Wired Theme music by: Eliza Rosevera and Nathan Menard