Text me!

We often misunderstand the role of Virtual Assistants (VAs). Today I chat with self-proclaimed “jill-of-all-trades when it comes to digital marketing and techie skills” Emily Reagan about everything from defining the difference between a general assistant and a specialized marketing VA, all the way to the importance of real-time feedback loops during launches.

We also cover:

📌 Clarifying roles and responsibilities

📌 Specialization over generalization

📌 Onboarding and SOPs

📌 Hiring for the long term, not just the launch

📌 Investing in skilled (vs. low cost) help

📌 Capturing real-time feedback during launches

📌 Post-launch debriefs

Emily shares practical advice on avoiding common pitfalls when working with VAs, from setting clear expectations to how to actually build a well-rounded team. She’s the master of all things “finding your unicorn VA” – and my go-to for how to maximize your VA’s potential to boost your business!

Links mentioned:

👉 Emily on Instagram: @emilyreaganpr

👉 Hire A Unicorn: https://hireaunicorn.com

Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet For A Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet

If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me!

Yesterday I was meal-prepping (new year, new me) with my therapist friend Farya Barlas’ podcast in my ear – and her prompt struck me so hard I had to pause mid-stir: What are the 3 things people always say about you?

I kept circling back to “strength”… and then I realized something uncomfortable — I’ve always been tough, but in business I was still operating like it was “just my little thing”… because I didn’t know what I didn’t know.

So in this Empire Diaries episode, I’m sharing the real shift I’m making in 2026 — the one that finally feels like the slingshot is pulled back and I’m ready to release: tighter messaging, way more conversations with my people, ruthless ownership of my time, and a bigger focus on paid growth so my sales don’t move at an organic crawl.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• The past “strength” stories — from sleeping in hostels + rough shoots to the identity shift happening now
• Why I’m actively choosing to use AI less for my content — and what I’m reclaiming instead
• The obsession I’m leaning into: talking to real humans (ICA calls) and letting that shape everything
• The machine I’m building in 2026 — Trust Shift trainings, ads, and a faster path to scale

Links mentioned:

• Sign up for The Trust Shift: http://brandmagnetic.com/theshift
• Say hi on Instagram: @brandmagnetic

Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet For A Brand Story That Converts: https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet

If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic

Text me!

Lauren Shaw was on top of the world, taking an amazing trip in Patagonia... And then she got home, sat down at her computer… and just absolutely couldn’t get herself to do any work.

She knew exactly what needed to be done.

But something about the WAY she was selling (and her current program) no longer fit her life today.

In this episode, Lauren and I talk about what happens when your business is technically “working,” but your energy is whispering (or SCREAMING at you), telling you it’s time for a rebuild.

We unpack how to recognize those signals early — and how to reimagine sales in a way that feels supportive, human, and sustainable, especially in a world where AI is now part of the equation.

In this conversation, we cover:

📌 The moment Lauren realized her resistance wasn’t random – it was a signal
📌 How to tell the difference between discipline and misalignment

And then we pivot to talk about SALES.

📌 Where AI can support sales (and where it can erode trust fast)
📌 Why forcing yourself to sell harder is usually the wrong move
📌 What it looks like to rebuild a sales process around energy, clarity, and trust

If selling has started to feel heavier than it used to — or you’ve found yourself avoiding work you used to enjoy — this conversation will help you understand why… and what to do next!!

Links Mentioned

👉 Join Lauren’s workshop (or watch the replay) – the 2026 Sales Call makeover:
http://brandmagnetic.com/salescallmakeover

Get $200 off Lauren’s sales accelerator program using code MARIANA200

👉 Grab my Ultimate Cheat Sheet for a Brand Story That Converts
https://brandmagnetic.com/cheatsheet

If we haven't yet - let's connect on Instagram! Find me at http://instagram.com/brandmagnetic