What happens when the business you built isn't the one you're meant to grow?
In this heartfelt episode, Lauren sits down with Payton Moran, a creative branding strategist who walked away from her first business just months in—right after maternity leave, in the middle of a pandemic, with zero backup plan. What followed was a raw, unexpected pivot that led to a deeply aligned personal brand, a sought-after podcast, and a sold-out women's business conference in the South.
They talk about what it really takes to build a personal brand that feels like you, how to clarify your message without second-guessing everything, and why burnout might just be the beginning of something better. If you're in a season of shifting, questioning, or rebuilding, this conversation is your permission slip to choose differently.
Episode Highlights:
- Quitting her job post-maternity leave and launching a boutique
- Realizing the misalignment and pivoting into branding
- Creating a conference for women entrepreneurs in Alabama
- Embracing her unique voice and letting go of industry “rules”
- Her take on pain point marketing and trust in personal branding
Chapters:
00:01 – Welcome & Guest Introduction
01:06 – The Leap: Quitting Corporate and Starting a Boutique
03:49 – Discovering Branding Through Burnout
10:03 – From Local Events to Launching a Conference
18:31 – Clarifying Your Message & Personal Brand
24:55 – Why She Started Her Podcast & Her Stance on Marketing Trends
35:43 – Hosting with Heart: Behind the Scenes of Her Conference
Connect with Payton Moran:
IG: Instagram.com/paytonmoran__
Website: https://payton-moran-495e.mykajabi.com/
Let’s Stay Connected:
→ Follow Lauren on Instagram: www.instagram.com/laurennajar
→ Learn more or work with me: www.laurennajar.com
→ Follow Business Over Cocktails on IG: www.instagram.com/businessovercocktails
→ Attend Growth & Connect retreats & events: www.instagram.com/growthandconnect
🎧 Subscribe & Review:
Love the episode? Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share with a friend who needs a business boost and a good chat over a cocktail.
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