Grow Your Brand With Amanda

Episode 54: You don’t have to sacrifice your wellbeing to be successful with Zoe Plumley

My guest today is the incredible Zoe Plumley and her journey has been anything but ordinary. From nursing to running a thriving coaching and virtual assistant business, Zoe’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and seriously powerful purpose.
We talk about how her own health challenges and her children inspired her to build LNL Coaching & VA Services, a business that now supports other business owners who are also navigating health conditions, plus she leads a team of 15 (yes, 15!) associate VAs.
We also get into the realities of scaling fast, why sustainable growth matters, and what support is really needed for entrepreneurs with disabilities. Zoe opens up about the real feelings behind showing up on social media, the nerves that come with public speaking, and how she’s pushing forward anyway with many new projects on the horizon.
This conversation is a reminder that there’s more than one way to do business, and you don’t have to sacrifice your wellbeing to be successful.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Zoe here.
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Episode 53: Building a brand that feels like you, even when it’s scary with Audrey Elizabeth

Today I’m thrilled to be joined by the brilliantly creative and hugely talented Audrey Elizabeth, a creative marketing mentor with a big heart, a big mission, and a refreshing take on business growth.
We talk about the messy magic of building a brand from the inside out, the kind that starts with trusting your truth, not just chasing goals.
In this episode, we go deep on:
What it really means to be visible when your brand is personal
How to stay resilient when business isn’t quite going according to plan
Why joy and creativity aren’t distractions, they’re fuel
And how to keep evolving without losing yourself in the process
If you’ve ever second-guessed how you show up, feared being judged, or wondered if you're “doing it right” this one’s going to feel like a pep talk from your big sister, and a strategy session all in one.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Audrey here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Episode 52: The calm behind the chaos with Chantal Shears

Before I rebranded my podcast, I sat down with the brilliant Chantal, coach, mama, and all-round wise woman who opened up about her journey into understanding the nervous system (and trust me, she makes it all make sense). We talked about why emotional regulation isn’t just for grown-ups, how overwhelm can creep in when you’re juggling parenting and life, and why being trauma-informed matters more than ever.
But it’s not all science and self-care. We also dove into personal branding in the age of AI, how to show up as your real self online, and what Chantal’s planning next for her biz (spoiler: it involves a shiny new website and a VIP offer you’ll want to keep your eye on).
Whether you're a parent, business owner, or just someone trying to keep it together without losing yourself, join us for this fascinating chat!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Chantal here
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 51: What a Family of explorers taught me about being seen, with Philippa Ross

Ever struggled to explain what you actually do in one sentence? Or felt like your story wasn't "interesting enough" to share?
In this episode, my guest Philippa Ross and I dissect the messy middle of authentic visibility, the part where you question the labels, navigate the pressure to be polished, and wonder if anyone’s even listening.
Philippa’s own personal journey includes everything from podcasting and personal development to a family history rooted in literal polar exploration. We examine what it really takes to build a brand with depth, communicate with clarity, and show up when it feels uncomfortable.
From the emotional impact of negative feedback and the importance of separating personal feelings from professional criticism, we’re covering the real stuff behind the glossy content.
There’s some incredible personal stories in this one that you won’t want to miss!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Philippa here
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
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Episode 50: The visibility blocks no one talks about with Eve Stanway

In today’s episode, I’m chatting with the brilliant Eve Stanway, a divorce and breakup coach, a psychotherapist, and the author of Conversations at the Shoreline.
We go deep around the fears that keep us quiet, especially those rooted in childhood or big life changes like divorce. We talk about how those experiences can mess with your confidence and make visibility feel way harder than it needs to be.
We also chat about the pressure of public speaking, the emotional issues behind showing up online, and why finding, and actually using your voice is so important if you want a brand that really connects with people.
Oh, and if you’ve ever thought “I’m not ready to be visible” this one’s for you!
 
NOTES:
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 49: Your brand personality isn’t just a vibe, it’s your shortcut to presence

If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing all the things - posting, planning, tweaking your tone of voice, and still wondering why your brand just isn’t “landing,” this episode is for you.
In this solo episode, Amanda Jane breaks down the truth about brand personality and why it’s not just a mood or a marketing buzzword. It’s the real magic behind content that connects, visibility that feels natural, and a brand that finally feels like you.
You’ll learn:
Why your brand personality is already in you (no reinvention required)
The biggest mindset shift that helps you show up with more clarity and less second-guessing
How to stop forcing your content and start building real audience connection
What it means to turn your personality into a strategy and why most people skip this step
This is your permission slip to stop overthinking and start turning up the volume on you.
 
NOTES:
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
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Episode 48: From baby food to big headlines: A visibility story and HUGE accidental PR win with Shauna Blair

Have you ever sent out a press release and thought… “Well, let’s see what happens”?
My guest Shauna, did just that and what happened next was a total game-changer.
One carefully crafted release led to hundreds of thousands of pounds in media coverage, interviews across Europe, and a massive leap in visibility for her brand. And the most amazing part? It wasn’t even part of some big PR strategy. It was accidental. Organic. And unbelievably powerful.
In today’s episode, we’re exploring the story behind the story. From launching Ireland’s first frozen baby food brand to scaling it into major UK retailers, all while navigating Brexit, motherhood, and live TV interviews just weeks after giving birth, this conversation is a masterclass in resilience, visibility, and the kind of brave, imperfect action that builds real momentum and maximum impact.
Whether you’re feeling stuck with your content, unsure how to show up, or scared to share your story, this one’s for you. DO NOT miss it!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Shauna here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 47: It’s time to grow!

Welcome to Grow Your Brand With Amanda! If you’ve been a listener for a while, you might be thinking… Hang on, didn’t this podcast used to be called The Bravery Behind the Brand? And you’d be absolutely right.
So I wanted to take a few minutes to share why I’m changing the name and what you can expect moving forward.
 
NOTES:
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
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Episode 46: From maths teacher to 120K podcast downloads with Chantelle Dyson

In this episode, Chantelle the Clever Content Creator and amazing podcaster, shares the deeply personal journey that shaped her brand. From getting married and divorced within the span of a year, to choosing a path of self-development that ultimately led her to launch her own coaching business.
We have a fascinating conversation about the shift from indifference to intentional living and the birth of The Single Girl’s Guide to Life podcast and its incredible 120,000 downloads.
Chantelle also shares her experience about building a business, facing burnout, and navigating the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship
Whether you’re building a brand, rethinking your path, or just need a dose of real talk, you’ll love this one.
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Chantelle here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!

Episode 45 Mastering your own PR with Jenna Farmer

I love stories that started out as one thing and ended up as another and that’s exactly what happened with this week’s guest, Jenna Farmer. Imagine starting out as a teacher in China and then pivoting to become a PR powerhouse!
In an industry that was historically perceived as middle class and London-centric, Jenna has helped hundreds to buck this trend and made them masters of their own PR game.
We chat about how social media has literally blown the doors off the traditional media industry, making it more accessible than ever. Plus, we get into the nitty-gritty of why having a solid business strategy is a game-changer and the absolute magic of having a supportive community when you're building your empire.
We also tackle the jitters of public speaking, brainstorm future plans to shake up the PR world, and dream about making the industry more open to everyone. And of course, we'll wrap up with some real talk on personal branding and how public relations has evolved to be within reach for all businesses, big and small.
So, grab your headphones and get comfy, this is an episode you won't want to miss!
 
NOTES:
You can find out more about Jenna here.
Download 50 ways to get free publicity
Visit The Brand Story House website
Follow Amanda on Instagram
Check out The PR Academy for your 7 day free trial!