

The Rainmaker Podcast
Veronica Romney
Stepping into leadership isn’t for the faint of heart. It's a gladiatorial arena, an unceasing battle against time, expectations, and the pressures of creating impact. For Marketers at every level, the leap from being a leader to becoming a Rainmaker – a master of self, team, role, and impact – often feels like an impossible task. That’s where the Rainmaker Podcast comes in. 'Elevating Marketing Leaders' is not just a tagline – it's a mission. Each episode is filled with genuine, unscripted conversations with trailblazers from every corner of the business world. These aren’t just marketers from big brands with huge budgets. These are the Marketing Leaders who have transcended the norm, overcoming obstacles and achieving the extraordinary. And inside, they’re sharing the hard-earned victories and the lessons from their struggles, giving you an insider's perspective on what it truly takes to become a Rainmaker. We expose the conversations usually brushed under the rug and unmask game-changing strategies that are rarely discussed, like handling burnout, justifying the need for support, articulating ROI, managing 'drive-by' crises, and more. Here you’ll find your safe space, a place where the pressures of time take a backseat, allowing you to focus on your career growth and well-being. Our goal is to inspire, providing you with the insights and tools to master your role, nurture your team, prioritize your well-being, and evolve into a career-advancing Rainmaker. Because that’s where innovation truly comes alive – at the intersection of principles, good practice, and diverse perspectives. Are you ready to elevate, step into your fullest potential, and embrace the journey to becoming a Rainmaker? Then join me each Wednesday for new episodes of the Rainmaker Podcast. Let’s make it rain!
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 7, 2024 • 36min
Mastering the Art of Self-Promotion Without Feeling Awkward With Genieva Davidson
How can entrepreneurs create a powerful marketing strategy? To discuss this hot topic, I am joined by PR expert Genieva. We discuss fresh approaches to promoting yourself, starting with Genieva's journey at 12 when she wanted to set up a dog-walking business.In this episode, Genieva highlights the value of personalizing pitches, focusing on serving your audience, and gracefully managing rejection. She also shares her resilience journey, sharing how refining her approach over time led to success. We also touch on personal branding, the importance of service in marketing, and the ongoing process of self-discovery. This episode has actionable insights for anyone looking to enhance their marketing efforts.Learn more about Genieva:Genieva Davidson is owner of Genieva Bliss Media that specializes in PR through press and podcast interviews as well as speaking, grants, awards and in general pitching the business and brand. Genieva became an expert pitcher from back in high school when she pitched herself to hundreds of scholarships to go to college for almost free. From there, she pitched for jobs in her 9-5 and never became afraid to ask. After being a PR assistant for a few years, she learned the industry and saw what was needed to stand out among pitches. Through relationship building and efficient systems, Genieva has landed her clients features in BBC, Forbes, Entrepreneur, New York Post, New York Times, Mind Body Green, Women’s Health, podcasts with over 23 million downloads, and more. Genieva's Links:Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/genievablissmediaConnect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Sep 30, 2024 • 49min
Nicole the Intern: The Weight of Going Viral and Leading a 500k Army
Ever wonder what it’s really like to go viral overnight? In this episode we get the inside scoop from Nicole the Intern, the mastermind behind the social media account that exploded to hundreds of thousands of followers in just six months—and even grabbed the attention of Gary V.Nicole shares her journey from intern to internet sensation, revealing the hidden struggles behind her viral success. We dive into the pressures of being known as "Nicole the Intern," the weight of representing the Smash Army, and how her identity evolved behind the scenes. From mental health challenges to breaking through stigmas in the professional world, this conversation is raw, real, and eye-opening.Tune in for an honest dialogue about navigating viral fame, personal growth, and the reality of success in the digital age.Learn more about Nicole:Nicole Wingard is a young professional from Dallas, Texas working for the fastest growing beverage company in the world, SMASHD! A new face to the marketing world, Nicole helped lead an explosive social media campaign with her boss Mike and the whole team at SMASHD that accrued over 500,000 followers in a span of 60 days. In her free time Nicole competed in the Miss Texas Organization for the last four years where she placed in the top five twice and completed over 300 hours of community service. When she is not working, Nicole enjoys trying new coffee, anything outside, spending time with family and friends, dogs, and good food.Nicole's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebestmarketingstrategyeverConnect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Sep 23, 2024 • 34min
The True Story of How An Intern Disrupted The Beverage Industry with Zero Marketing Budget with SMASHD's Mike Chambers
How can a creative social media campaign turn a brand into a viral sensation? This week, I am joined by SMASHD CEO Mike Chambers, one-half of the masterminds behind a buzz-worthy marketing campaign for the non-alcoholic cocktail brand. Mike's insights on one of the most successful marketing campaigns in history are captivating. Mike shares how their unconventional strategy—featuring Nicole smashing cans with a baseball bat—captivated audiences and skyrocketed their follower count. We explore the hurdles of brand recognition, the organic rise of their audience as the "Smash Army," and the crucial role of authenticity in building a community. This really is one not to be missed.Learn more about Mike:CEO @ SMASHD and the Founder @ Bang Bang Media.Mike's Links:Website: https://smashd.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chambers-mike/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Sep 9, 2024 • 46min
How Ann Handley Became the First Ever Chief Content Officer
Join us for a captivating conversation with Ann Handley, a renowned leader in the world of content marketing. Discover the inspiring journey that led her to become Chief Content Officer and learn why this title was more than just a personal branding move.In this episode, Ann shares her insightful perspective on leadership, defining it as a delicate balance of speaking your truth, being open to others, and maintaining humility. She explores the importance of embracing your leadership identity and its impact on your organization.Learn about the challenges marketers face in defining their leadership roles and the constant evolution of the marketing landscape. Ann emphasizes the need for clarity, empowerment, and a touch of inspiration, fun, and authenticity to truly embody the role of a leader.Learn more about Ann:Ann Handley is a Wall Street Journal bestselling author focused on helping businesses worldwide escape marketing mediocrity to ignite tangible results. Her work has appeared in Entrepreneur, the Wall Street Journal, NPR, Chicago Public Radio, and the Financial Times. IBM named her one of seven people shaping modern marketing. More than 50K people subscribe to her popular email newsletter.She is the world’s first Chief Content Officer, a principal at training and education company MarketingProfs, and a regular speaker at events globally.Ann is also a mom, dog person, and writer. Her favorite food is kale salad. But don’t hold that against her.Ann's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annhandley/Website: https://annhandley.com/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Sep 2, 2024 • 46min
Why 1:1 Personalized Services Are IN and Scalable Group Programs are OUT With Kierra Conover
Are personalized services more valuable than scalable group programs in today's business world? Today, I'm joined by Kierra Conover, and we explore the growing shift from broad, scalable programs to one-on-one, tailored business services. Kierra shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, highlighting the increasing demand for deeper, more personalized client relationships. We discuss the struggles in finding customized support, which inspired Kierra to develop a service model centered on individual client needs. We also cover the importance of data-driven decisions, strong project management, and clear support structures for business success, emphasizing the rising value of personalized services in today's market.Learn more about Kierra:Kierra Conover has worked for large brands like Banana Republic and Gap leading the True Hues diversity campaign and directing all departments to efficiently execute this campaign. This campaign led her to win a Shorty award as well as be featured in Forbes. Kierra is passionate about a brand truly being represented from one team to have them help structure teams as well the data driven marketing plan. Kierra uses her large brand experience to help entrepreneurs receive the support they need to grow their business to execute highly successful and data driven launches as well as a long term CMO.Kierra's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klc.thestudio/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Aug 19, 2024 • 45min
The Secret Sauce to Social Media Success With Kary Perry
Feeling overwhelmed by social media's complexities? Want to build a thriving business while staying true to yourself? You're in the right place. Today, I'm joined by the extraordinary Kary Perry, a social media expert who's helped countless entrepreneurs navigate the digital landscape.From overcoming self-doubt to mastering effective social media strategies, Kary shares her invaluable insights. We'll dive into practical tips to help you stand out, connect with your audience, and build a loyal following. Plus, we'll discuss the importance of mental well-being in the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship. Discover how embracing your authentic self can be the key to unlocking your business potential.Learn more about Kary:Kary Perry is a Social Brand Coach and founder of Social From Scratch who flipped the script on her 15 years of marketing experience into multiple six-figure businesses, all by harnessing the power of social media. Her vast experience in attraction marketing and social selling is backed by her MBA from Georgia Tech, years of consumer insights for billion-dollar brands at Procter & Gamble, and nearly a decade as a successful serial entrepreneur.However, success did not come easily for her. She believes that it wasn't until she stopped marketing her business and started building her brand that she truly began growing. Now she's dedicated to helping women entrepreneurs build intentionally authentic social brands that lead with value and close with trust. Her goal is to help you attract, connect and convert your followers to clients by connecting versus selling, so you can work less, live more, and have fun doing it.And to prove it, she recently closed her 13k follower account to start from scratch and teach women entrepreneurs exactly what it takes to grow a profitable social brand in 2021.Kary's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/socialwithkary/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Aug 12, 2024 • 49min
7-Figure Social Media Success with Megan Hansen
Megan Hansen, the powerhouse behind "Megan the Dietitian," didn't start her career in a lab coat. Her journey from bartending to building a successful nutrition business is a testament to her entrepreneurial spirit and passion for helping women.In this episode, Megan shares the blueprint for her nutrition empire. Discover how she carved a niche in the competitive women's health industry, leveraging her unique approach to metabolism and weight loss. We dive into her secrets for building a loyal audience, turning social media followers into paying customers and scaling a nutrition business. Megan also shares invaluable insights on overcoming challenges, maintaining authenticity in a saturated market, and creating a sustainable business model. Get ready to be inspired as Megan reveals the strategies that have propelled her to the forefront of the nutrition industry.Learn more about Megan:Megan Hansen is a dietitian, author, single mom, and the founder of Metabolism Makeover—a nutrition coaching business with a focus on weight loss and metabolic health. Megan went from being in debt to building a 7-figure business with a community of over 40 dietitians and 7000 past and present clients.Megan's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/megan.the.dietitian/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Aug 5, 2024 • 49min
From Mascots to Mindset: The Wild Journey of Sports Marketing with Amber Lilyestrom
Amber Lilyestrom is not your average sports marketer. From her college days to leading her own company, she's defied expectations at every turn. In this episode, Amber shares the secrets behind her success, from the importance of strong relationships to the thrill of skydiving a game ball. Discover how she navigated the challenges of the sports industry, balanced a demanding career with family life, and ultimately redefined what it means to be a leader in sports marketing. She'll share how setbacks fueled her determination and how she turned obstacles into opportunities. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out in the sports industry, this episode offers invaluable insights and a front-row seat to the mind of a true marketing maverick.Learn more about Amber:Amber Lilyestrom is a business mentor, branding expert, author and speaker renowned for her expertise in business energetics and brand alchemy. Her work has been featured by Forbes, Entrepreneur, SUCCESS, Tony Robbins’ & Dean Graziosi’s Mastermind.com, Mindvalley and Working Mother Magazine. As the host of The IGNITE Your Dream podcast and author of books, Master Your Money Mind & Paddle Home, Amber empowers her clients to achieve quantum leaps in their businesses.Through her transformational programs, business energy readings & mentorship experiences, Amber has served thousands of lives worldwide and helps her clients realize more meaningful results, leveraging a balanced approach to life and business expansion. Her introspective methods serve as a catalyst for profound transformation and powerful activation within organizations, small businesses and beyond.Amber spent 10 years working in higher education as the Associate Athletic Director for Marketing & Strategic Initiatives at the University of New Hampshire prior to launching her business. She played an integral role in managing and expanding the UNH Wildcats brand, where she taught sports marketing and mentored student interns. She was also recognized as one of the top sports marketing professionals in the US before she left to launch her company in 2014.Amber's Links:Instagram: instagram.com/amberlilyestromWebsite: https://amberlilyestrom.com/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Jul 29, 2024 • 35min
How Jaw Fatigue Led to a NEW Novelty Business With ROCKJAW®️ CEO Sachin Patel
How can a personal challenge like jaw fatigue transform into a groundbreaking product? Today, we talk with Sachin Patel, CEO of ROCKJAW®️.Sachin recounts his journey from facing a personal challenge to creating a product that enhances jawline aesthetics. We explore the nuances of influencer marketing, the sacrifices essential for entrepreneurial success, and the financial realities of brand building.Sachin highlights the importance of authenticity and relentless effort while I share pivotal moments from my own career. This episode provides inspiring insights into the trials and triumphs of entrepreneurship and innovative marketing strategies.Learn more about Sachin:Founder of ROCKJAW®️, and head of marketingSachin's Links:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rockjawgum/Website: www.rockjaw.co.ukConnect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.

Jul 22, 2024 • 39min
How To Get Promoted As A Content Marketer with Megan Morreale
Feeling stuck in your content marketing role? Dreaming of that next promotion? This episode equips you with the tools to navigate the content marketing career ladder. Today's episode features Megan Morreale, a content marketing expert whose journey took her from aspiring journalist to working with industry leaders like SEMrush and Reddit.Discover how to leverage your existing skills for promotions, decipher job descriptions to find the perfect fit, and transition from a content marketing specialist to a leadership role. Plus, gain valuable insights into the evolving content marketing landscape, explore effective career growth strategies, and learn how to develop the leadership skills employers seek.Don't miss this episode, whether you're a seasoned content creator or just starting out! This conversation equips you with the knowledge and tools to climb the content marketing career ladder.Learn more about Megan:Former Head of Content Marketing @ Reddit.Megan's Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meganmorreale/Website: https://www.meganmorreale.com/Connect with Veronica on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vromney/If you're serious about advancing your career in marketing and you're looking for some personal insights into how then I invite you to schedule a free Pathway to Promotion call with me: https://pathwaycall.com/If you found value in today's episode, I would appreciate it if you could leave a rating and review.