Branding Is Connection: Build Trust with Your Voice & Visuals with Katie Test Davis

Host: Jo Espejo, Founder of Branding by Jo

Guest: Katie Test Davis, Founder & CEO of Forthright Advising

You can have the best offer in the world, but if your brand doesn’t resonate, people won’t engage. In this episode, Jo sits down with communication strategist Katie Tess Davis to unpack why branding is connected, how ethical storytelling builds trust, and why your email list (not the algorithm) is one of your most powerful assets.

Summary

Katie shares how Forthright uses brand voice, brand photography, and data-driven marketing to build trust with child- and family-focused nonprofits. Jo and Katie talk about email marketing, consistent visibility, imposter syndrome, ethical storytelling, and how to stay relevant as SEO evolves into AI search.

Key Topics Covered

• Branding as connection (not just visuals or a logo)

• Visual storytelling and why “the face behind the brand” matters

• Email marketing as the most reliable channel you can own

• Consistency + repetition to build trust (without burning out)

• Ethical storytelling, consent, and confidentiality

• Data-driven marketing: open rates, impressions, and simple testing

What You’ll Learn

• How to build trust fast when your visuals and voice match your values

• Why email lists protect your audience from algorithm changes

• What to track monthly to make smarter marketing decisions

• How to tell stories that establish credibility without oversharing

• What “next level” visibility looks like with AI search and modern SEO

Chapters

00:00 The Power of Authentic Branding

02:59 Visual Storytelling in Branding

05:01 The Importance of Email Marketing

07:05 Owning Your Audience: The Value of Email Lists

08:01 Building Trust Through Consistency

10:11 Establishing Credibility and Expertise

12:31 Sharing Personal Stories to Connect

14:23 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome in Branding

18:21 Taking Ownership and Leadership

20:10 Ethics in Storytelling

21:07 Establishing Personal Brand and Confidentiality

22:29 Data-Driven Marketing Strategies

26:47 Navigating AI and SEO for Future Success

28:32 Authenticity and Branding in Business

30:31 Building Client Relationships Through Value

37:05 Outro

Guest Links

🌐 Website: https://www.forthrightadvising.com

📩 Email List: https://www.forthrightadvising.com/subscribe

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katietest

✨ Explore Branding by Jo at → www.brandingbyjo.com

How Brand Experience Scales a Business Without Ads

Host: Jo Espejo, Founder of Branding by Jo

Guests: Meredith Heller & Jessica Lindsay, Co-Founders of Prospect Events

What does it take to build a global events company rooted in brand experience, strategy, and trust, especially during uncertainty? In this episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, Jo Espejo sits down with Meredith Heller and Jessica Lindsay of Prospect Events to explore how intentional branding, relationships, and client experience fueled their growth across 35+ countries. If you’re a woman entrepreneur scaling a service-based business, this conversation is packed with insight.

Short Episode Summary

Meredith Heller and Jessica Lindsay, founders of Prospect Events, share their journey from corporate event leaders to global founders producing high-impact experiences in over 35 countries. From branding and client experience to scaling a team and trusting your gut, this episode is packed with real-world insights for women building service-based brands rooted in trust and strategy.

Key Topics Discussed

Branding beyond visuals: experience as strategy

Leveraging your network to grow organically

Overcoming fear in outreach and visibility

Scaling a service-based business without burnout

Hiring, boundaries, and protecting your brand experience

What You’ll Learn

Why brand experience matters more than marketing tactics

How to build a referral-based business through trust

What to consider before scaling your team

How to define scope and set boundaries with clients

Why trusting your gut is a leadership skill

Chapters

00:00 The Birth of Prospect Events

07:45 Navigating Branding & Marketing Strategies

14:45 Building a Network & Client Relationships

16:19 Overcoming Fear in Business Outreach

18:14 Creating a Memorable Brand Experience

23:12 Setting Boundaries & Defining Scope

25:19 The Challenges of Scaling a Business

29:23 Taking the Leap: Trusting Your Gut

31:20 Future Aspirations & Growth Strategies

33:00 Outro

Guest Links

• 🌐 Website: https://www.prospectevents.com

• 📸 Instagram: Prospect Events

• • 💼 LinkedIn: Prospect Events
  • 🎧 Podcast: The Eventful Podcast

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  Explore Branding by Jo at www.brandingbyjo.com

What if the year that didn’t go as planned wasn’t a failure, but an invitation? In this deeply personal solo episode, Jo Espejo reflects on pivots, pauses, and the quiet nudges that lead us back into alignment. If you’re closing out the year feeling reflective, uncertain, or ready for what’s next, this conversation will meet you right where you are. If this year didn’t go the way you planned, this episode is for you.

Episode Title: You’re Not Behind. You’re Becoming | A Year-End Reflection for Women Entrepreneurs

In This Episode, We Cover:

In this solo episode of The Branded Impact Podcast, host Jo Espejo, founder of Branding by Jo, shares a powerful year-end reflection on business growth, personal branding, mindset, and alignment. Jo opens up about navigating a season of pivots, unmet goals, and identity shifts, and why those moments don’t mean you’re behind, but becoming.

Rather than teaching strategy or frameworks, this conversation invites you to pause, reflect, and listen to the quiet nudge many women entrepreneurs feel when it’s time to realign their business, brand, and energy. If you’re closing out the year feeling uncertain, reflective, or ready for what’s next, this episode will remind you that clarity often comes through experience, not hustle.

You’ll Walk Away With:

• Why a year that didn’t go as planned can still be successful

• The difference between being busy and being aligned in business

• Outgrowing parts of your brand, business, or identity

• Navigating pivots after you’ve built momentum and credibility

• Why rest is part of a sustainable growth strategy

• How listening to the “nudge” can save you time, energy, and burnout

• A mindset shift around progress, timing, and success

• Permission to release what no longer fits, even if you’re good at it

• Clarity around alignment vs. productivity

• Reassurance that you’re not behind in your business journey

• A grounded perspective as you move into the new year
  

Episode Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on the Year: A Personal Journey

02:14 Embracing Change: The Power of Pivots

04:19 Rest and Reflection: Preparing for the Future

About the Host

Jo Espejo is the founder of Branding by Jo, a brand strategy and visual storytelling agency helping women-led businesses align their visuals, messaging, and systems so they can show up confidently, sell with ease, and scale sustainably.

Next Steps

✨ Explore Branding by Jo: www.brandingbyjo.com

📩 Learn about Visual Brand Audits, Rebrand Intensives, and brand strategy support

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