Ep 23: From Side Hustle to Scaled Strategy: Vanessa Suarez on Building a Marketing Agency That Grows With You

Ep 25: Saying Yes Before You’re Ready: How Amy Hanan Built a Career Through Relationships, Curiosity, and Courage

What if the biggest career shifts don’t come from having the perfect plan — but from raising your hand before you feel fully ready? In this episode of Marketing Your Way, I’m joined by Amy Hanan, a seasoned marketing executive whose career journey spans media, legal, financial services, compliance, and growth leadership. Amy shares how she went from studying English literature to becoming a high-level marketing leader by staying curious, saying yes to stretch opportunities, and building genuine relationships along the way. We talk about the pivotal moments that shaped her career, including taking on projects outside her job description, learning on the job without an MBA, and why authentic relationships have been the driving force behind nearly every new opportunity in her career over the last decade. Amy also opens up about what networking really looks like when you’re an introvert, how she approaches continuous learning in a fast-changing industry, and the practical ways she’s using AI in her work today. This conversation is a powerful reminder that you do not need to have every step mapped out to build a meaningful career. Sometimes the next chapter begins by simply saying yes. In This Episode, We Talk About: ✔️How Amy found her way into marketing from an English literature background ✔️Why raising your hand for projects outside your role can change your career ✔️The “sliding doors” moment that shifted her path in marketing ✔️How working across regulated industries kept her challenged and growing ✔️Why authentic relationships have been the foundation of her career opportunities ✔️A more natural way to think about networking, especially for introverts ✔️ Why she’s proud of building her career without an MBA ✔️How to keep learning on the job and become a stronger business partner ✔️How she uses AI in her current work and where she sees the most value ✔️Her advice to early-career women who are afraid to speak up in the room Memorable Takeaway One of the most powerful moments in this conversation is when Amy reflects on raising her hand to lead a marketing automation project early in her career — a decision she describes as a true turning point that changed her trajectory. Connect with Amy Hanan Connect with Amy on LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyhanan/]. Thank you to our affiliate partner: Make.com [http://Make.com] allows you to build powerful automations between your tools without coding — from lead capture to content workflows to client onboarding. Connect with Anastasiia Mann • Newsletter for women in marketing: Subscribe here [https://marketingyourway.myflodesk.com/newsletter] • Instagram @anastasiia_mann [https://www.instagram.com/anastasiia_mann] & LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/anastasiiamann] • Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com [http://www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/] If this episode resonated with you, share it with a friend or colleague and subscribe to Marketing Your Way for more conversations on career growth, reinvention, and building work that fits your life.

Ep 24: Two Decades of Brand Evolution: Inside Corcoran’s Human-First Marketing with CMO Christina Panos

What does it take to build a timeless brand that still feels deeply personal? In this episode, Christina Panos, Chief Marketing Officer of The Corcoran Group, joins Anastasiia to share how she’s spent over 20 years shaping one of the most emotionally resonant brands in real estate. From redefining Corcoran’s identity after Barbara Corcoran’s departure to leading a 65-person creative team, Christina shares what it means to build a human-first brand in a data-driven world. She opens up about the power of storytelling, the role of emotion in marketing, and how automation and AI are helping her team create more space for meaningful work. Christina also gets candid about balancing motherhood and leadership in New York City — and how her definition of success has evolved through each season of her life. In This Episode, We Talk About: ✔️ How Christina transitioned from journalism to advertising — and what drew her to brand storytelling ✔️ The philosophy behind Corcoran’s “Live Who You Are” campaign and why emotion is the most powerful marketing strategy ✔️ Why building team culture starts with joy, trust, and open communication ✔️ How Corcoran uses marketing automation to free up agents for human connection ✔️ Christina’s honest perspective on motherhood, leadership, and redefining success ✔️ The one thing AI will never replace — human creativity Connect with Christina: • Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/christina-lowris-panos-35b317b3/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/christinapanos_cmo/?hl=en] • Website [https://www.corcoran.com/about-us/display/1477]   Connect with Anastasiia: • Weekly newsletter for women in marketing: Subscribe here [https://marketingyourway.myflodesk.com/newsletter] • Instagram @anastasiia_mann [https://www.instagram.com/anastasiia_mann] & LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/anastasiiamann] • Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com [http://www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com]   Join the Marketing Your Way Community AI and automation are changing marketing faster than ever — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I created the Marketing Your Way Community on Slack: a free space where women in marketing can share AI tools, swap automation workflows, and run ideas past each other. Whether you’re leading a corporate team, running an agency, or freelancing on your own, you’ll find support, inspiration, and real-world examples you can put into action right away. It’s free, it’s collaborative, and it’s built to help you work smarter, not harder. Join us here: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community [www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community] Thank you to our affiliate partners: This episode is brought to you in partnership with two of my favorite tools for building and managing a marketing business: ✔️ AI Playbook [https://www.skool.com/ai-playbook/about?ref=bd1639b432db4387af1643e884dd767a] - my favorite community for learning how to actually use AI to simplify your business and gain back 5 to 10 hours a week by automating your workflows. It’s hands-down the best resource I’ve found for marketers and entrepreneurs who want to leverage tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Relay, and more — without needing a tech degree. Subscribe & Review Don’t miss what’s next — hit follow, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a fellow marketer who’s quietly dreaming of what’s next. Episode Website [https://www.marketingyourwayhub.com/show-notes/23]

Ep 23: From Side Hustle to Scaled Strategy: Vanessa Suarez on Building a Marketing Agency That Grows With You

What happens when your side hustle starts as a class project… and slowly grows into a full-fledged marketing agency? In this episode, I’m joined by Vanessa Suarez, the founder and Chief Marketing Officer of VCD Marketing — a boutique agency that gives service-based businesses the strategy, structure, and support of an in-house marketing team (without the overhead). Vanessa didn’t plan on becoming a business owner. She spent years in fundraising, studied graphic design, and was building her career in higher education when a professor saw her potential and encouraged her to form an LLC. From there, one small project led to another — until the “side hustle” became a calling. In our conversation, we talk about: ✔️The emotional moment she decided to leave her full-time job ✔️Why strategy should always come before execution ✔️Signs a business is ready to invest in marketing ✔️The biggest mistake early-stage entrepreneurs make ✔️Building a lean freelance team that supports real growth ✔️Why your personal brand still matters — even in a referral-based business Vanessa’s perspective is grounded, thoughtful, and full of permission to build your business in a way that works for you. Whether you’re starting your journey or scaling your services, this episode is your reminder: you don’t have to have it all figured out to begin. Connect with Vanessa • Linkedin [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vanessasuarez6/] • Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/vcdmarketing/] • Website [https://www.vcdmarketing.com] Connect with Anastasiia: • Weekly newsletter for women in marketing: Subscribe here [https://marketingyourway.myflodesk.com/newsletter] • Instagram @anastasiia_mann [https://www.instagram.com/anastasiia_mann] & LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/anastasiiamann] • Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com [http://www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com] Join the Marketing Your Way Community AI and automation are changing marketing faster than ever — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I created the Marketing Your Way Community on Slack: a free space where women in marketing can share AI tools, swap automation workflows, and run ideas past each other. Whether you’re leading a corporate team, running an agency, or freelancing on your own, you’ll find support, inspiration, and real-world examples you can put into action right away. It’s free, it’s collaborative, and it’s built to help you work smarter, not harder. Join us here: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community [www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community] Thank you to our affiliate partners: This episode is brought to you in partnership with two of my favorite tools for building and managing a marketing business: ✔️ AI Playbook [https://www.skool.com/ai-playbook/about?ref=bd1639b432db4387af1643e884dd767a] - my favorite community for learning how to actually use AI to simplify your business and gain back 5 to 10 hours a week by automating your workflows. It’s hands-down the best resource I’ve found for marketers and entrepreneurs who want to leverage tools like ChatGPT, Claude, Relay, and more — without needing a tech degree. Subscribe & Review Don’t miss what’s next — hit follow, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a fellow marketer who’s quietly dreaming of what’s next. Episode Website [https://www.marketingyourwayhub.com/show-notes/23]

Ep 22: Rising Fast: Learning to Lead Early in Your Marketing Career with Addison Cursey

What does it really take to rise fast in your career — to step into leadership earlier than expected and do it with confidence, grace, and heart? In this episode, Anastasiia sits down with Addison Cursey, Chief Marketing Officer at the Winter Park Chamber of Commerce, to talk about what it means to grow quickly in leadership and build influence without losing your authenticity. Addison shares how she blended creativity and strategy to become a leader early in her career — and what she’s learned about dependability, trust, and showing up fully in every role. She opens up about navigating imposter syndrome, learning to delegate, and building credibility with a multigenerational team. You’ll also hear Addison’s take on: ✔️ The difference between mentors and sponsors (and why you need both) ✔️ How to manage people who are older or more experienced than you ✔️ Why you should lead before you have the title ✔️ How storytelling can strengthen both your marketing and your leadership ✔️ The importance of rest rituals to prevent burnout It’s an inspiring, down-to-earth conversation about rising fast, leading with confidence, and staying grounded along the way. Connect with Addison ✔️LinkedIn: Addison Cursey [https://www.linkedin.com/in/addison-cursey-mba-353344151/] ✔️ Winter Park Chamber YouTube Channel [https://www.youtube.com/@winterparkchamber]     Connect with Anastasiia: • Weekly newsletter for women in marketing: Subscribe here [https://marketingyourway.myflodesk.com/newsletter] • Instagram @anastasiia_mann [https://www.instagram.com/anastasiia_mann] & LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/anastasiiamann] • Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com [http://www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com]   Join the Marketing Your Way Community AI and automation are changing marketing faster than ever — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I created the Marketing Your Way Community on Slack: a free space where women in marketing can share AI tools, swap automation workflows, and run ideas past each other. Whether you’re leading a corporate team, running an agency, or freelancing on your own, you’ll find support, inspiration, and real-world examples you can put into action right away. It’s free, it’s collaborative, and it’s built to help you work smarter, not harder. Join us here: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community [www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community]   Thank you to our affiliate partners: This episode is brought to you in partnership with two of my favorite tools for building and managing a marketing business: ✔️ Full Focus Planner [https://fullfocusstore.com/?aff=425]— the only paper planner that’s ever helped me actually feel more in control of my time. Created by productivity expert Michael Hyatt, this planner is designed to help you set clear goals, stay focused on what matters most, and finally break free from the never-ending to-do list cycle. ✔️ Airtable [https://airtable.com/invite/r/Rg8akahq] — My go-to tool for organizing client projects, content calendars, and podcast production. If spreadsheets and Dropbox had a baby, it would be Airtable.   Subscribe & Review Don’t miss what’s next — hit follow, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a fellow marketer who’s quietly dreaming of what’s next. Episode Website [https://www.marketingyourwayhub.com/show-notes/22]

Ep 21: Boundaries, Burnout, and Building a PPC Agency: Kim Wright’s Story of Reinvention

After years in high-pressure agency roles, working in male-dominated industries and managing multimillion-dollar ad budgets, Kim Wright reached a breaking point. She knew the burnout wasn’t sustainable — and she knew she wanted more control, more integrity, and more freedom in her work. Today, she’s the founder of Big Pecan PPC, a boutique Google Ads agency where she helps clients across the U.S. and internationally — all from her home in Texas (complete with a few cows on her ranch). In this candid conversation, Kim shares how she overcame self-doubt, found her voice, and built a business around her values. If you’ve ever questioned whether you’re “qualified enough” to go out on your own, this episode is for you. 1️⃣ How Kim navigated burnout and a toxic work culture in the automotive space 2️⃣ The mentors who helped her rebuild her confidence 3️⃣ Her decision to leave a director-level agency role and go freelance 4️⃣ Why boundaries and mutual respect are now non-negotiable in her business 5️⃣ The mindset shift that helped her finally believe she was ready 6️⃣ Her take on the future of Google Ads, AI search updates, and PPC trends Connect with Kim • LinkedIn: Kimberly Wright [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-wright-070b3627/] • Email: kim@bigpecanppc.com [kim@bigpecanppc.com]   Connect with Anastasiia: • Weekly newsletter for women in marketing: Subscribe here [https://marketingyourway.myflodesk.com/newsletter] • Instagram @anastasiia_mann [https://www.instagram.com/anastasiia_mann] & LinkedIn [https://linkedin.com/in/anastasiiamann] • Website: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com [http://www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com]   Join the Marketing Your Way Community AI and automation are changing marketing faster than ever — but you don’t have to figure it out alone. That’s why I created the Marketing Your Way Community on Slack: a free space where women in marketing can share AI tools, swap automation workflows, and run ideas past each other. Whether you’re leading a corporate team, running an agency, or freelancing on your own, you’ll find support, inspiration, and real-world examples you can put into action right away. It’s free, it’s collaborative, and it’s built to help you work smarter, not harder. Join us here: www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community [www.marketingyourwaypodcast.com/community]   Thank you to our affiliate partners: This episode is brought to you in partnership with two of my favorite tools for building and managing a marketing business: Squarespace [https://squarespace.syuh.net/gyq4g] — The all-in-one platform I recommend for building your first business website. Easy to customize, beautifully designed, and no coding required. Airtable [https://airtable.com/invite/r/Rg8akahq] — My go-to tool for organizing client projects, content calendars, and podcast production. If spreadsheets and Dropbox had a baby, it would be Airtable.   Subscribe & Review Don’t miss what’s next — hit follow, leave a quick review, and share this episode with a fellow marketer who’s quietly dreaming of what’s next. Episode Website [https://www.marketingyourwayhub.com/show-notes/21]