Stop selling stuff and start selling meaning. If your side hustle feels like it's drowning in a sea of competitors, you're missing the most powerful marketing tool you have: Your Values. This isn't about fluffy branding—it's about building deep trust that converts. When a customer buys from you, they aren't just getting a service; they are validating their own beliefs. Your Challenge: Can you clearly connect your core value (e.g., Simplicity, Transparency, Community) to a specific featu...

Your marketing feels scattered, right? Especially if you’re a solo entrepreneur or running this as a side hustle. You’re constantly chasing trends or trying to write captions that sound salesy and awkward. The reason? You’re focused on the product instead of the promise. Today, we are unlocking the single most powerful marketing tool you own: your brand’s origin story and core values. This isn't just a fluffy exercise—this is the clarity that cuts through the noise. Listen today to learn how ...

Connect with Meredith: I am a mom to three, big maw maw to seven. I've been married for 18+ years, counting the days down to the BIG 20 so we can open up a great bottle of wine. My husband and I also own a wine bar in our town we live in, called Library Wine & Provisions. I am the founder of Sweet Baton Rouge®, a local Louisiana business I created from scratch with no marketing plan, just a little grit and lots of geaux! This business will hit 15 years in October and by far has been m...

It’s the final 90-day push—and this is your business’s championship game! Today, we’re shifting our focus from data analysis to strategic vision. If you didn’t hop on the vision board train in January, today is the day we make one for the end of 2025. This isn't about pretty pictures; it’s about creating a powerful, visual roadmap to keep you solely motivated and focused on your ultimate goals for Q4. Meredith shares why she scaled her detailed Sweet Baton Rouge® brand book into a simple visi...

In the second step of our Small Business Audit, we’re showing you how to look past simple sales figures and connect your data directly to your mission and core values. Your brand is more than just a product. We discuss how clear vision—like Sweet Baton Rouge®’s commitment to community and comfort—allows us to grow sustainably (like our 49% retail sales increase over 2024 YTD!) and confidently invest in marketing that matters. Remember: Marketing is saying one thing 100 times, not 100 things o...

The Small Business Audit: Your Roadmap to the Finish Line Welcome to your first step in the small business audit! This exercise is designed to give you a clear, data-driven look at your business's performance so far this year. Grab a piece of paper or open a spreadsheet—let's get started. Step 1: Identify Your Sales Channels First, list all the ways your business brings in money. These are your "buckets of money" or sales channels. Step 2: Calculate Your 2025 Sales Metrics For each sale...

This week on our Local Series, we're bringing you a story that's not just local, but truly inspiring and incredibly sweet! We sit down with Ebony McCalister, the incredible mom and guiding force behind Posh Pop Popcorn, a gourmet brand started by her brilliant daughters, Bailey Monet and Harper Juliet. You'll hear the full story of Posh Pop's journey from its humble beginnings in their kitchen during the pandemic to becoming a Baton Rouge sensation. We'll discuss their big moves, from selling...

We're back! After an extended summer break, I'm thrilled to be back behind the mic to share some personal and professional updates. In this episode, I’m taking you on a whirlwind tour of our summer adventures, from an incredible family trip to Europe—exploring Paris, Germany, and Normandy—to celebrating with friends in Florida. I’ll also share a vulnerable lesson about slowing down that I learned the hard way (and yes, my hip is much better now! 😉). But it wasn't just about travel! I’m reveal...

Is your business experiencing a seasonal slowdown? Instead of hitting pause, this week on The Nouveau Podcast, we're exploring how to strategically leverage your quiet season for long-term growth and success. Discover actionable steps you can take to work on your business, rather than just in it, during these valuable periods. We'll delve into key strategies like reviewing past performance, investing in learning and development for yourself and your team, optimizing your online presence, nurt...

Feeling overwhelmed by constant task-switching? Discover the power of batch working! This week on The Nouveau Podcast, we dive into a game-changing productivity strategy that can transform the way you work. Learn why grouping similar tasks into focused time blocks minimizes distractions, maximizes focus, and ultimately saves you precious time and energy. We'll explore the key benefits of batch working, including reduced mental fatigue, increased momentum, streamlined workflows, and more time ...

Feeling overwhelmed by your business finances? You're not alone! This week on The Nouveau Podcast, we're diving into the crucial topic of bookkeeping and financial clarity with the wonderful Sarah from Fulton Bookkeeping. Sarah's on a mission to empower ambitious female entrepreneurs (that's you!) to feel confident and in control of their business numbers. Sarah understands that navigating your books can be daunting, and she's created a judgment-free space to help you truly understand your fi...

Connect with Meredith: I am a mom to three, big maw maw to seven. I've been married for 18+ years, counting the days down to the BIG 20 so we can open up a great bottle of wine. My husband and I also own a wine bar in our town we live in, called Library Wine & Provisions. I am the founder of Sweet Baton Rouge®, a local Louisiana business I created from scratch with no marketing plan, just a little grit and lots of geaux! This business will hit 15 years in October and by far has been m...

Welcome back to The Nouveau Podcast, everyone! This week, I'm so thrilled to introduce a guest whose entrepreneurial journey has been truly inspiring to witness. Please give a warm Nouveau welcome to the incredibly talented Lydia Matthews! Our paths first crossed maybe back in 2020 or 2021, right around the time she started to build the amazing Esther Clothing brand, when she joined us as a vendor for our Sweet Baton Rouge Ultimate Tailgate. And since then, I've had the wonderful oppor...

Welcome back to our Local Series! This week, we're diving into a topic crucial for everyone: financial freedom. I'm thrilled to welcome our guest, Amy Anderson from BF Anderson! Amy wears many hats, not just at her firm as both an Investment Advisor and Marketing Director, managing client portfolios and promoting investment strategies. She's also a passionate advocate for animal rescue and a loving dog mom to her adorable rescues. But what truly makes Amy a must-listen is her dedication to ma...

Welcome back to our Local Series! This week, we're tackling a crucial aspect of business growth: hiring. I'm thrilled to introduce our guest, Baton Rouge attorney Johanna Landreneau! With over 30 years of legal experience spanning complex civil litigation, including employment law, Johanna now dedicates her expertise to advising businesses on HR compliance, consulting, business formation, branding, and risk management. Fun fact: Johanna handled the trademark registration for Sweet Baton Rouge...

Welcome to our Local Series! Join us as we spotlight the vital roles local connections play in shaping your business. Today, we're thrilled to welcome our first ever guest on The Nouveau Podcast: the incredible Leigh Moss! Leigh is a true entrepreneurial force, juggling Highland Road Realty, The Influential BWN (Business Women's Network), and the charming event space Fete: A Petite Southern Venue, nestled in a historic cottage. Her love for beautiful spaces extends to The Dreamer’s Cottage, h...

Ever wondered about the voice behind The Nouveau Podcast? In this deeply personal episode, I'm stepping out from behind the microphone to share my story – a journey filled with unexpected turns, unwavering grit, and the grace that carried me through. From growing up in North Louisiana to a less-than-stellar academic start (think 12-14 ACT scores!), I'll take you through the moments that shaped me: being a determined, navigating the complexities of young adulthood, and finding my footing in Ba...

In Episode 9, we're understanding your audience's actual struggles. Because let's face it: creating content or products in a vacuum? That's a recipe for disconnect. We’re moving beyond assumptions and taking a "question-driven" approach to build genuine customer connections. We'll explore why understanding pain points isn't just a "nice-to-have," but the foundation of strong customer relationships. We'll delve into how to build emotional connections, making your brand feel meaningful and uniq...

Hey everyone, and welcome back to The Nouveau Podcast! In today's digital world, it's easy to get swept away by the latest social media trends. But what about the power of good old email marketing? Is it still relevant? Absolutely! In this episode, we're diving into why email remains a crucial tool in your marketing arsenal. You might be thinking, "Email? Isn't that outdated?" Think again! In 2020, over 306 billion business and consumer emails were sent and received daily, and that number is ...

In this episode, we're tackling the trifecta for small business success: Branding, Marketing, & Meta Ads! First, we'll demystify marketing. It's more than just ads—it's about connecting with your ideal customer and guiding them through their journey with your brand. We'll cover the marketing funnel (Awareness, Consideration, Conversion, Loyalty) and how marketing builds brand awareness, fosters loyalty, drives data-driven decisions, and leverages content like blogging. Next, we dive into ...