In this episode, I’m sharing something I’ve been sensing more and more clearly; a real shift happening in the online business space, and what that means for business owners heading into 2026 and beyond.

This conversation isn’t about calling anyone out. It’s about patterns, signals, and paying attention. I’m reflecting on recent industry changes, buyer behavior, content trends, and trust (and how all of this affects how we show up, sell, and stay relevant without burning everything down).

In This Episode, I Talk About:

• A behind-the-scenes recap of the holidays, getting sick as a family, motherhood, and easing back into work
• Why recent pivots from long-standing industry leaders signal something bigger happening
• How overly polished, scripted content is creating disconnect
• The difference between “perfect” messaging and believable messaging
• Why trust, not urgency, is the real currency right now
• How buyer behavior has changed (and why impulse purchases are down)
• The rise of lower-ticket offers, extended payment plans, and memberships
• Why careless AI-generated content is hurting connection
• How launches are evolving and what buyers need during the decision window
• Why clarity matters more than scale in today’s noisy online world
• How to stay nimble, human, and sharp in 2026 and beyond

Resources & Concepts I Mention:

• The E-Myth – A book I love that explains the three roles in every business: the entrepreneur, the manager, and the technician
• The Coven – Creative Bodega’s membership for female entrepreneurs focused on content creation, Canva education, and ongoing support

The Major Shifts I’m Seeing Right Now:

1. The Buyer Has Changed
Buyers are more thoughtful, less impulsive, and far less motivated by artificial urgency.

2. Trust Is the New Currency
In a world flooded with AI content, human voice, honesty, and lived experience matter more than perfection.

3. Launching Looks Different Now
Traditional launch formulas aren’t hitting the same. Buyers need clarity, support, and connection - especially mid-decision.

4. Payment Behavior Is Telling a Story
Extended payment plans often outperform pay-in-full, signaling a shift toward flexibility over rigidity.

5. Memberships Are Rising
People want continuity, ongoing support, and relationships. Not just one-time transformations.

6. Sharpness Over Scale
Clear messaging, honest positioning, thoughtful offers, and consistency now beat chasing growth at all costs.

My Biggest Takeaway:

The businesses that win right now aren’t the loudest or the most polished, they’re the most human!

You don’t need to reinvent yourself or your business. You need to pay attention, stay flexible, and build trust before urgency.

Stay Connected With Me:

📧 Email Me! I want to hear from you: amanda@onewildbrand.com

👉 Explore my services: www.onewildbrand.com

📸 Follow along on Instagram: @onewildbrand

Instagram algorithms will keep changing. Platforms will come and go. But your email list? That’s one of the only marketing assets you actually own.

In this episode, I’m breaking down why email marketing still matters in 2026, what’s changing, what’s staying the same, and how solopreneurs, service providers, and female business owners can build an email list that actually works for them – without overwhelm or spammy tactics.

Whether your list is at zero, sitting untouched, or already growing, this episode will help you create a simple, sustainable plan you can actually stick with.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why social media is rented land – and email is owned
• How big brands use email marketing (and how small businesses can do the same)
• Why newsletters work best when they’re treated like a real product
• What email marketing will look like in 2026
• The six biggest email trends shaping the future
• How to personalize emails without becoming a data expert
• Why replies matter more than open rates
• How AI can support your voice without replacing it
• Simple email strategies you can start this week

Email Marketing in 2026: What’s Changing

• Hyper-personalization using tags, segments, and opt-ins
• AI and automation used as a support tool, not a replacement
• Privacy and permission-based marketing becoming more important than ever
• The newsletter renaissance – less marketing voice, more human voice
• Email as the hub connecting your podcast, blog, Instagram, Pinterest, and offers

Six Practical Email Strategies You Can Start This Week

1. Treat your email list like a garden – plant seeds and pull weeds
2. Use simple segmentation without overwhelm
3. Set up a welcome sequence that builds trust
4. Befriend AI and use it as an assistant
5. Design emails for mobile readers first
6. Optimize for replies, not perfection

Tools Mentioned

• Flodesk – my go-to email marketing platform for designers, creatives, and service providers
• Canva
• Showit
• ChatGPT

Final Thoughts

If your entire marketing strategy lives on social media, this episode is your sign to rethink that. Email marketing isn’t about doing more – it’s about building something that lasts.

Start small. Pick one thing. Write one email. Set up one opt-in. Progress will always beat perfection.

📧 Email Me! I want to hear from you: amanda@onewildbrand.com

👉 Explore my services: www.onewildbrand.com

📸 Follow along on Instagram: @onewildbrand

If you’ve ever thought, “I missed my shot,” this one’s for you. Today I’m calling out the myth that success has an expiration date and showing you why your 30s and 40s are actually your superpower. I share how I launched my first business at 35, scaled it, sold it, and then started One Wild Brand at 38 – with more clarity, boundaries, and alignment than ever.

We’ll talk about late-bloomer examples, why experience beats hustle culture, and how to start a business or podcast without getting stuck in perfection. Spoiler: there’s always room for the version only you can build.

What You’ll Hear

• Why “too late” is a lie – and who benefits from you believing it
• How starting later gives you clarity, confidence, and stronger boundaries
• The 30-second mindset shift to get moving today
• Why podcasting is still wide open – and exactly how to begin
• The “toolbox” exercise to surface the skills and stories you already have

Timestamps

• 06:00 – Life lately: birthday, family, and perspective
• 08:30 – Today’s topic: the myth of “too late”
• 10:30 – Late-bloomer truth: wisdom, boundaries, and audience fit
• 12:10 – Examples: Vera Wang at 40, Martha Stewart at 41
• 15:00 – From scaling to selling – and why I built differently this time
• 18:00 – Alignment over hustle – designing work that fits real life
• 20:00 – You’re not starting from scratch – you’re starting from experience
• 23:00 – Podcasting isn’t “too saturated” – here’s the data and the plan
• 26:00 – There’s always room when you do something different – niche stories
• 33:00 – What starting later gives you: clarity, resilience, focus
• 37:00 – “Is school too late?” A 30-year career perspective
• 40:00 – Takeaways + your next right step

Resources

• Free guide: How to Start a Podcast in 6 Steps → Download here
• My episode on podcast tools & workflow → Listen here
• Check out my companion blog post: Read here

Keep the convo going

Loved this? Share it with a friend who needs the pep talk. Tag me with your biggest takeaway and the one step you’re taking this week. And if this episode helped, a quick rating or review helps other women find it. 💛

📧 Email Me! I want to hear from you: amanda@onewildbrand.com

👉 Explore my services: www.onewildbrand.com

📸 Follow along on Instagram: @onewildbrand