Welcome back to The Power Lounge. Today, host Amy Vaughn welcomes Kate Reed, partner at Project 300 and a dedicated advocate for working mothers. Kate’s career journey spans from an English major at the University of Cincinnati to roles in nonprofit arts, commercial printing, leadership development, and pediatric healthcare—all while raising three children, including surprise twins.

Amy and Kate explore the challenges of balancing a successful career with family responsibilities, addressing how the term "stay-at-home mom" often overlooks the significant contributions and workload involved in parenting. Kate shares her experiences managing the logistical and emotional demands of motherhood, the financial strain of childcare, and how she redefined success on her own terms. From fitting work into nap times to leading an agency built on flexibility and trust, Kate demonstrates how working moms can achieve both personal fulfillment and professional ambition.

Kate Reed's story proves that women can define success without compromising their family life, offering valuable insights for those looking to integrate business and motherhood effectively.

Bonus: Kate is a two-time Eras Tour attendee and can name nearly any Taylor Swift song in five notes or less.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:58 - "Empowering Working Moms Discussion"
04:00 - "Valuing Stay-at-Home Parents' Work"
07:44 - Prioritizing Family Over Career
11:30 - Gender Roles and Housework Disparity
15:26 - Juggling Work and Parenting Joyfully
17:24 - Parenting: Balancing Work and Family
19:41 - Project 300: Expanding Creative Support
22:41 - Rising Gig Economy Trends
27:10 - Daycare Costs Stun Working Parents
30:47 - Hedonic Adaptation and Life's Pressures
35:06 - "Early Career Pivot to Leadership"
38:15 - Embracing Reinvention and Skills Confidence
39:01 - "Cumulative, Transferable Skills Recognition"
44:09 - "It Takes a Village"
48:20 - Community Support for Working Parents
49:04 - "Titles Are Overrated"
55:07 - Finding Personal Space Working Home
56:37 - Prioritizing Self-Care for Parenthood
01:00:01 - Join, Listen, and Grow
01:00:24 - Outro

Quotes:
"Being a mom doesn't define you. Embrace change, redefine success, and continually reinvent to discover what truly fulfills you."- Kate Reed

"Prioritize presence and your values over titles. Your time and authenticity are your greatest gifts."- Amy Vaughn

Key Takeaways:
There’s No “Just” About Stay-at-Home Moms
Career Ambitions Can Evolve (and That’s Okay!)
Success Begins with Redefining Growth
The Power of a Nonagency Agency
Math Matters: Childcare Isn’t Cheap
Reinvention and Transferable Skills
Your Community is Your Superpower
Letting Go of the Guilt (and the Judgment)
Take the Leap—Nothing Is Permanent
Modeling Possibility for the Next Generation

Connect with Kate Reed
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katereedpm/
Website: https://www.project300.co/

Check out PROJECT 300:
PROJECT 300 Website: https://www.project300.co/
PROJECT 300 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-300-llc
PROJECT 300 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project300llc/
The Motherload, by Sarah Hoover: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Motherload/Sarah-Hoover/9781668010136

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:

Support the show

Welcome back to The Power Lounge. In "Pin With Purpose," host Amy Vaughn engages with Pinterest marketing strategist Dana Joan Johnson, founder of Styled Pin Collection. Together, they explore how Pinterest can revolutionize strategies for creative entrepreneurs and business owners seeking an alternative to the relentless pace of daily social media posting.

Amy and Dana discuss Pinterest's potential as a visual search engine, emphasizing its ability to generate consistent, high-quality traffic to websites, content, and offerings. Dana shares her transition from the wedding industry to digital marketing, highlighting her dedication to sustainable marketing systems that prevent burnout. If navigating ever-changing social trends feels overwhelming, this episode provides practical strategies and valuable insights.

Tailored for both product-based businesses and service providers, listeners will learn how to repurpose existing content, optimize with effective keywords, and develop a Pinterest strategy that continues to deliver results over time. Additionally, Dana addresses common Pinterest misconceptions and explains the importance of clarity, consistency, and relevance in achieving pinning success.

Dana Johnson brings a unique perspective as a former wedding professional turned educator. Through The Styled Pin Collection, she empowers creative entrepreneurs with strategic, on-brand Pinterest content. By focusing on simplicity and authenticity, Dana helps businesses enhance their visibility and traffic without the constant pressure of daily social media engagement.

Join this conversation to refine your Pinterest strategy and drive meaningful results for your business.

Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction
01:58 – Pinterest: Beyond Aesthetic Inspiration
04:06 – Pinterest Strategies for Wedding Planning
09:38 – "Timeless Wedding Content Strategy"
11:38 – Educational Content Drives Quality Leads
15:14 – "Maximize Impact Through Repetition"
19:12 – "Unbranded Searches and Content Strategy"
19:53 – Empowering Consumers Through Value
26:24 – Content Refresh and Repurposing
27:49 – Maximizing Pinterest for Existing Content
31:24 – Effective Visual Communication Strategies
35:33 – "Encouragement to Speak at Conferences"
37:26 – Twitter's Marketing Challenge: Unrelated Trends
41:00 – "Year-Round Barbecue Marketing Strategies"
46:08 – "Show Your Face in Marketing"
46:56 – "Upcoming Master Classes Announcement"
49:34 – Outro

Quotes:
"Work smarter—create evergreen content that delivers lasting value."- Amy Vaughan

"Strategy beats hustle. Plant the right seeds to ensure your business grows long after you're done."- Dana Joan Johnson

Key Takeaways:
Pinterest is a Powerful Search Engine, Not Just a Social Platform
Strategic, Sustainable Marketing Beats Social Burnout
Evergreen Content is Your Secret Weapon
Keywords (and Simplicity!) Unlock Pinterest Growth
Repurpose, Schedule, and Simplify
Educate and Empower to Inspire Trust
Measure What Matters: Beyond Impressions
Pinterest’s Future: Visual Search & Year-Round Opportunity

Connect with Dana Joan Johnson:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/
Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Check out PROJECT 300:

PROJECT 300 Website: https://www.project300.co/

PROJECT 300 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/project-300-llc

PROJECT 300 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/project300llc/

Support the show

Welcome to The Power Lounge. Host Amy Vaughan speaks with Deanna Behrens, VML’s Director of Media and Strategy and a leader in retail media. Deanna has launched strategies across seven major retailers, shaping the future of the industry.

Together, Amy and Deanna explore how brands and retailers are transforming consumer connections through data-driven, consumer-focused methods and technologies like QR codes and AI. Deanna shares her journey from traditional media to the dynamic field of retail, highlighting the importance of adaptability and innovation.

This episode offers valuable insights for marketers, business owners, and anyone interested in the future of commerce, providing practical advice and real-world examples to thrive in today’s retail landscape. Tune in to The Power Lounge to learn from Deanna’s expertise and industry perspectives.

Deanna Behrens is a marketing strategist with extensive experience in the consumer-packaged goods sector. As Director of Media and Strategy, she leads marketing initiatives that drive results, focusing on commerce intelligence for retail media across seven leading retailers. Deanna is dedicated to empowering teams and advancing the future of retail media.

Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
00:10 - Retail Media Strategy Insights
04:15 - Agility in Retail Media Evolution
07:23 - Unplanned Purchases via Impulse Marketing
11:16 - "Brand Visibility Over Awareness"
13:10 - Brand Authenticity Foundations
19:40 - "DTC Impact on Retail Strategy"
20:35 - "D2C Innovation vs. Brand Caution"
25:01 - Consistent Branding Across Retailers
27:56 - "Adapting Media Math for ROAS"
32:16 - Ad Spend Evaluation Challenges
33:05 - Aiming for Standardized Metrics
38:27 - Leveraging Data and AI Insights
42:41 - Purchase Influence Through Repeated Exposure
43:14 - Marketing Synergy Across Retail Channels
48:48 - Marketing Support Podcast for Small Businesses
50:35 - Aligning First Party and RMN Data
53:16 - Evolving Media Strategies
56:32 - Shopper Marketing Resources
59:01 - Community Support Advantage
01:00:41 - Outro

Quotes:
"Create opportunities when you can. Often, we doubt our potential, but embracing uncertainty leads to growth and magic."- Amy Vaughan

"Stay agile and curious. Embrace ambiguity and new challenges to unlock possibilities and drive innovation."-Deanna Behrens

Key Takeaways:
Embrace Agility and Curiosity
Consumer-Centric is Non-Negotiable
Partnerships Are Evolving
Test, Learn, and Innovate—Continuously
Data Is Your Power Tool (But Ask the Right Questions)
Brand Consistency, Local Nuance
Small Brands, Big Potential
Lifelong Learning & Community

Connect with Deanna Behrens:
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/deannabehrens
Website:https://www.vml.com/

Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amypvaughan
Podcast:https://www.togetherindigital.com/podcast/

Learn more about Together Digital and consider joining the movement by visitinghttps://togetherindigital.com

Support the show