Podcast
Beyond Your Brand
Hosted by Elise Sharpless · EN
Entrepreneurship is in my blood. As a fourth-generation entrepreneur, you could say it was destiny. I had a front-row seat watching my family build businesses from the ground up—and by age 10, I was already knocking on neighbors’ doors, selling my drawings.
The path was clear, but the journey? Anything but easy. I watched others master confidence, mindset, and boldness—qualities that didn’t come naturally to me. For years, I worked behind the scenes, helping business owners grow their brands—often doubling and tripling their revenue. Armed with a strong background in sales, marketing, and advertising, I developed the perfect formula to help businesses scale and created Hey You Social digital marketing agency.
Those moments make me proud, but nothing compares to having my family right beside me, chasing our dreams together. I helped my husband launch his business, and now our daughters—just 18 and 20—are entrepreneurs too!
As a wife and mother, it’s been my mission to pour confidence, mindset, and boldness into my family. We’ve taken big leaps moving from our hometown up North to our Southern paradise and just recently, we finished building our dream home, wall by wall, while running and growing our businesses.
YES! Building from the ground up takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. And every decision has led me here, to this moment, with you.
Each week we go all in with real entrepreneurs who’ve built, scaled, and sustained powerful businesses. We’re sharing the raw, the real, and the unfiltered truth behind entrepreneurship..
Ready to push past your limits and take your business Beyond the Brand? Then let’s build something legendary—together.
I’m your host, Elise Sharpless—and this is the BEYOND YOUR BRAND Podcast.
23episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Nobody Cares: Getting Noticed In a Noisy World
3d ago00:16:13Tap to summarizeIt sounds harsh, but it’s freeing: Nobody cares — at least, not in the way you think they do. In a world where everyone is competing for attention, the problem isn’t that you’re not good enough. It’s that you’re blending in. In this episode of Beyond Your Brand, Elise unpacks what it really takes to stand out as a high-achiever — and why trying harder isn’t the answer. This conversation dives into: • Why most content gets ignored (even when it’s “good”) • The difference between being visible vs. being memorable • How over-explaining actually weakens your message • What makes people stop, pay attention, and engage • The mindset shift from needing approval → owning your space • How to simplify your message so it actually lands If you’ve been posting, showing up, and still feeling overlooked — this episode will shift how you think about attention completely. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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Step Into the Spotlight: Get Noticed, Feel Confident, Stay Grounded
1w ago00:16:31Tap to summarizeVisibility isn’t just about being seen. It’s about being seen as yourself — without over-performing, overthinking, or losing your footing in the process. In this episode of Beyond Your Brand, Elise unpacks what it actually looks like to step into the spotlight in a way that feels aligned, confident, and sustainable. Because showing up isn’t the hard part. Showing up as you is. This conversation dives into: • Why so many people hesitate to be fully seen • The difference between confidence and performance • What grounded visibility actually looks like • How to handle attention without losing yourself • The mindset shift that makes showing up feel natural • Building confidence through action, not waiting for it If you’ve been holding back, second-guessing, or waiting to feel more “ready” — this is your moment. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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Going Mad, Getting Paid: How Focused Anger Fuels Success
2w ago00:11:08Tap to summarizeWe’re taught to stay calm. Stay positive. Stay composed. But what if that’s not always the answer? In this episode of Beyond Your Brand, Elise shares a story-driven perspective on how frustration — even anger — can be a catalyst for growth when it’s directed, not suppressed. Because the problem isn’t the emotion. It’s what you do with it. This conversation dives into: • The difference between reactive anger vs. focused energy • Why high-achievers often suppress the very thing that could move them forward • How frustration can create clarity and urgency • The danger of misdirected or unmanaged emotion • What it looks like to stay in control while still using intensity • Turning emotional spikes into productive action If you’ve been feeling frustrated, stuck, or like something isn’t clicking — this might not be something to fix. It might be something to use. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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The Hardest Part Isn’t the Plan — It’s the Start
3w ago00:09:15Tap to summarizeOn paper, most people already know what to do. They’ve thought it through. They’ve mapped it out. They’ve built the plan. But they’re still not moving. In this episode of Beyond Your Brand, Elise unpacks the real reason behind that gap — and why it has nothing to do with strategy. This conversation dives into: • Why over-planning feels productive (but keeps you stuck) • The fear that hides behind “just one more tweak” • How perfectionism shows up as preparation • The difference between knowing and executing • What actually changes when you take the first step • Why momentum only comes after you start If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, confident, or fully clear before moving — this episode will challenge that. Because clarity doesn’t come before action. It comes from it. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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Grow Beyond What People Expect of You: Break Free & Become More
May 400:32:52Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Elise Sharpless & Beyond Your Brand, Elise dives into one of the most transformative shifts you can make — choosing to grow beyond what people expect of you. Because expectations, whether spoken or unspoken, have a way of quietly shaping who we become. But what if the version of you that others are comfortable with… isn’t the version you’re meant to be? This episode explores what it really looks like to break free from expectations, outgrow old identities, and step into a higher level — even when it challenges the people around you. Inside this episode: How expectations limit your growth without you realizing it Why outgrowing people is often necessary The discomfort that comes with stepping into a new version of you Letting go of approval and external validation Becoming the person you were actually meant to be This is your reminder that growth isn’t about fitting in… it’s about expanding beyond what others thought was possible for you. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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One Year Anniversary: You’re Working Harder... So Why Aren’t You Growing?
Apr 2700:10:51Tap to summarizeIn this special one-year anniversary episode of Elise Sharpless & Beyond Your Brand, Elise reflects on one of the most frustrating experiences in business — working harder than ever and still not seeing the growth you expected. If you’ve been showing up consistently, putting in the hours, and doing “all the right things” but still feel stuck, this episode will challenge the way you think about effort, strategy, and results. Because growth doesn’t come from doing more… it comes from doing what actually moves the needle. Inside this episode: Why working harder isn’t translating into growth The hidden gaps between effort and results Where your strategy may be misaligned How to shift from busy → effective What to focus on if you actually want to scale This is the episode that helps you stop spinning your wheels — and start growing with intention. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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Flirt With Your Audience: The Open Relationship Strategy
Apr 2000:09:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Elise Sharpless & Beyond Your Brand, Elise introduces a bold shift in how we think about audience growth and engagement. What if the goal isn’t to “lock in” your audience… but to keep them intrigued? Welcome to the Open Relationship Strategy — a fresh approach to marketing that focuses on curiosity, connection, and consistency over control. Because in today’s digital world, attention isn’t owned… it’s earned over and over again. Inside this episode, Elise breaks down: Why traditional “loyalty” thinking is hurting your brand How to keep your audience engaged without chasing them The psychology behind why people stay, leave, and come back How to create content that builds intrigue and desire The shift from control → connection in modern marketing If you’ve ever felt like your audience is hot and cold, disengaged, or not converting the way you hoped — this episode will completely reframe how you show up. This isn’t about commitment. It’s about connection that keeps people coming back for more. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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For Our Heroes: A Campaign Created to Make a Difference
Apr 1300:09:19Tap to summarizeWhat happens when a campaign isn’t built to sell—but built to serve? In this episode of Beyond Your Brand, Elise shares the story behind For Our Heroes, a campaign created for Special Ops Child Watch—an organization supporting military families through dependable, on-site childcare during critical events. What started as a goal to increase followers and visibility quickly became something much deeper: a lesson in trust, connection, and what actually makes marketing work. Because when you're speaking to an audience that relies on alignment, word-of-mouth, and real-life experience—you can’t fake it. You can’t “hack” trust. You have to build it. Inside this episode: • The story behind the Special Ops Child Watch campaign • Why traditional marketing doesn’t work for every audience • How emotion-led creative outperformed strategy alone • The shift from advertising to belonging • Real campaign results from a $180 ad spend • Why connection—not reach—is what drives growth This episode is for you if you’re building a business and want your marketing to mean something—while still performing. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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Create a Walk Club Create Community that Converts
Apr 600:11:39Tap to summarizeWhat if the most powerful way to grow your business wasn’t online? In this episode of Elise Sharpless & Beyond Your Brand, Elise shares how creating a simple walk club turned into a powerful strategy for building real community—and real clients. This isn’t about complicated funnels or more content. It’s about showing up consistently, creating connection, and building trust in a way that naturally leads to conversion. Inside this episode: • How to start a walk club or local community from scratch • Why in-person connection accelerates trust and business growth • How to position your community without it feeling transactional • What to say when people ask what you do (without being salesy) • How consistency creates momentum and visibility • Turning conversations into aligned clients If you’re tired of chasing leads online and want a more natural, relationship-driven way to grow, this episode will shift how you think about marketing. This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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How To Think Like The Ultra-Successful
Mar 3000:08:47Tap to summarizeWhat does it really mean to think like a CEO? In this episode, Elise pulls back the curtain on what happens behind corporate doors — and how high-level leaders approach strategy, planning, and leadership differently than most entrepreneurs. This isn’t about working harder. It’s about operating at a higher level. If you’re ready to step out of the day-to-day and start leading your business with clarity, vision, and intention, this conversation will give you the framework to start. In this episode, we discuss: • The difference between operators and CEOs • How high-level leaders approach planning and growth • The mindset required to scale sustainably • Why decision-making is a leadership skill • How to step into your next level of authority This episode was created for you—and if it resonated, don’t keep it to yourself.Download the episode, leave a review, and share it with another business owner who needs a smarter way to grow. My goal this year is to double this community, and every download helps make that happen.Want to take the next step?Visit www.elisesharpless.com for resources, updates, and ways we can work together to grow your brand with intention—not guesswork.Growing a business takes grit, determination, and a mindset that won’t quit. That’s why I show up here every single week—so you don’t have to figure it out alone.Thanks for listening to Beyond Your Brand.See you next week.
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