Social Media Decoded

The Real Story Behind My Pivot in Business Right Now

Have you ever felt like what used to work in your business just… doesn’t anymore? In this honest and behind-the-scenes episode, Michelle Thames opens up about the real pivot happening in her business right now — from shifting strategies and simplifying offers to leaning deeper into local visibility, community building, and creating a business that actually feels aligned. If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, coach, or service provider who feels like you’re in a weird business season, this episode is your reminder that pivoting does not mean failing. Michelle shares the truth about evolving as a business owner, why she’s no longer forcing old strategies, what she’s learning about memberships and community, and how recent viral moments unexpectedly led her into a new season of local visibility and deeper impact. This is a real conversation about business growth, changing seasons, entrepreneurship, and having the courage to let go of what no longer fits. Because sometimes your next level doesn’t look like doing more. Sometimes it looks like simplifying. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode: Pivoting doesn’t mean failing. Seasons change — and so do you. If you’ve been questioning your next move, feeling disconnected from your business, or trying to figure out what’s next without burning yourself out, this episode will remind you that growth often looks like evolution. In This Episode, We Cover: * The real reason Michelle is pivoting in business * Why forcing old strategies can lead to burnout * The truth about business seasons and entrepreneurship * Lessons learned from community building and memberships * Why local visibility is becoming a major focus * How to know when it’s time to pivot in business * Why simplifying your business may be the smartest move * What alignment actually looks like as an entrepreneur * How to stop feeling guilty for changing direction Mentioned in This Episode: Visibility strategies for entrepreneurs Community building & memberships Local visibility and business growth Entrepreneurship mindset shifts Connect with Michelle: If this episode resonated with you, send Michelle a DM with the word PIVOT on Instagram @michellelthames and share what season of business you’re currently navigating. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Going Viral Actually Taught Me About Visibility

Everybody wants to go viral… but what if virality isn’t actually the thing that grows your business? In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames is sharing the real truth about what going viral has actually taught her about visibility, business growth, and building a brand that lasts. After going viral multiple times across Instagram, Reels, and Threads, Michelle is pulling back the curtain on what people think virality is versus what actually creates long-term success online. If you’ve ever thought: “Maybe I just need one viral post…” or felt discouraged because your content isn’t taking off… this episode is your reminder that visibility is bigger than views. Michelle breaks down why viral content does not automatically equal clients, the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make after gaining attention online, and why building a visibility ecosystem matters more than chasing trends. She also shares surprising lessons from her recent local visibility strategy, how community and relationships are creating real opportunities, and why consistency still wins in 2026. One of the biggest takeaways from this episode: “Virality gets attention. Systems build businesses.” If you’re a coach, service provider, creator, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to get visible online, attract more clients, and stop relying on random content to grow your business — this conversation is for you. In This Episode, We Cover: * What people get wrong about going viral * Michelle’s experience going viral multiple times * Why viral content does not automatically grow your business * The truth about followers, views, and conversions * How local visibility is changing the game for entrepreneurs * Why relationships matter more than the algorithm * How to create a visibility ecosystem that actually converts * The power of consistency in business growth * What to focus on if your content isn’t taking off yet Mentioned in This Episode: Visibility Reset Community building for entrepreneurs Personal branding & visibility strategies Local marketing & local visibility lessons Connect with Michelle: If this episode resonated with you, send Michelle a DM with the word VISIBLE on Instagram and share what part hit home for you. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What Makes Brands People Remember | Behind the Brand with Jayanta Jenkins

What really makes a brand unforgettable? In this special Behind the Brand episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle sits down with Jayanta Jenkins, Former Vice President of Global Creative at Starbucks, to unpack what it takes to build one of the most recognizable brands in the world. With over 25 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and creative leadership, Jayanta shares what it takes to build culture-defining brands, lead global creative teams, and balance storytelling with business goals. From his early inspiration at museums in Washington D.C. to leading creative at brands like Starbucks and Disney, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, creatives, and business leaders. Michelle and Jayanta discuss why branding is more than aesthetics, how creativity drives business results, the role of leadership in scaling impact, and why the best brands create emotional connection, not just visibility. They also dive into marketing trends, brand strategy, consumer psychology, AI, culture, and what separates brands people notice from brands people remember. If you’re building a personal brand, growing a business, leading a team, or trying to better understand marketing in today’s world, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, WE TALK ABOUT: * What it really means to lead creative at Starbucks * How iconic brands build emotional connection * The difference between visibility and cultural relevance * Creativity vs. business performance and why both matter * Leadership lessons from managing global creative teams * Why storytelling is still the foundation of great marketing * The future of branding and creativity in the AI era * What entrepreneurs can learn from billion-dollar brands * How great brands drive conversation and customer loyalty CONNECT WITH JAYANTA: LinkedIn: Jayanta Jenkins [https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayantaj] Portfolio: Jayanta.com [https://jayanta.com/] RESOURCES MENTIONED: * Starbucks branding and creative strategy * Consumer psychology in marketing * Brand storytelling and emotional connection * Creative leadership and team building LOVED THIS EPISODE? If this episode helped you think bigger about branding, visibility, creativity, or leadership, screenshot the episode, share it on Instagram, and tag Michelle! Your reviews help Social Media Decoded reach more entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders ready to grow their visibility and impact. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

How To Stay Visible Even When Life Gets Busy

Summer is here, the kids are home, schedules are changing, and business still has to move. So how do you stay visible online when life gets… life-y? In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle is talking about what it really looks like to stay consistent in your visibility without burning yourself out. Whether you're a mom, entrepreneur, working full-time, or simply trying to juggle all the things, this episode will help you create a visibility plan that actually fits your real life. You do not need to post all day. You do not need to disappear. You just need a sustainable strategy. Michelle shares simple ways to stay visible during busy seasons, how to stop putting pressure on yourself, and what she’s personally doing this summer to stay consistent without overwhelm. If you've ever felt like life got busy and suddenly you disappeared online, this episode is for you. DM VISIBLE on Instagram @michellelthames to learn about the 7-Day Visibility Reset. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Visibility System I’d Build If I Had 30 Days

If Michelle Thames had to rebuild her brand from scratch in the next 30 days, this is exactly what she would do. In today’s episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle breaks down the visibility system she’d build to grow an audience, attract opportunities, and create momentum online without burning out or posting randomly. If you’ve been overwhelmed trying to show up consistently on social media, grow your audience, or figure out what actually works, this episode gives you a simple framework to focus on what matters most. Michelle shares how to build a visibility strategy that creates trust, authority, relationships, and opportunities — not just more content. In this episode, Michelle covers: • How to simplify your visibility strategy in 30 days • Why random posting is keeping entrepreneurs stuck • The importance of having one clear message online • How to choose the right social media platform for growth • Why relationship building matters more than follower count • The visibility system every entrepreneur needs • How to create a clear next step for your audience • Why social media is borrowed land and email marketing matters • The difference between content and building an ecosystem Whether you’re a coach, entrepreneur, content creator, speaker, or personal brand, this episode will help you stop overthinking visibility and start building a system that actually creates opportunities. Connect with Michelle Thames: Instagram: @michellelthames Podcast: Social Media Decoded Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.