Setting expectations for your team is a crucial task. However, in our current work environment where the playbook seems ever-evolving, that process can seem easier said than done. For many business owners in the creative industry, defining these expectations comes with a boatload of questions — what should they encompass? Which expectations are outdated, and which need to be reiterated? How do we strike a balance between flexibility and productivity?

This week, we discuss where we find ourselves in this ongoing process. Join us as we explore the nuances of expectation-setting in this new era, and why clear communication is the key to getting you and your team on the same page.

Setting Expectations for Employees

Every brand has its own unique challenges — but not every brand should be approached the same way. In this episode, Jen shares four brand categories she and her team at Redhead work with most often: corporate, place-based, boutique, and entrepreneurial. From the layers of stakeholder input in corporate branding to the emotional nuance of placemaking, we break down how each type calls for a tailored approach to strategy, voice, and visual identity.

We talk about how understanding your brand’s category can help you choose the right creative partner, avoid costly missteps, and ultimately build something that resonates with the people who matter most — whether that’s leadership, customers, peers, or influencers. Inspired by Redhead’s blog post “The 4 Types of Brands We Build (and Why the Distinction Matters)”, this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating the world of brand strategy or rebranding.

For more on this topic, read the blog post here: https://redhead.studio/blog/4-types-brands-we-build-and-why-distinction-matters

What Type of Brand Are You? (And Why the Distinction Matters)

In our latest episode, we talk about why social media ads might not be delivering, when they can be effective (hint: brand-building > promotion), and why it’s critical to stop thinking of social media as your only marketing plan. We also challenge you to consider how you’d communicate your message if social media didn’t exist at all. From Super Bowl spots to smart, scrappy strategies — this one’s full of tough love and practical insight.



It Doesn't Work!

Color isn’t just a finishing touch — it’s a strategic tool that influences perception, emotion, and behavior. In marketing and branding, it’s one of the first things people notice and one of the most powerful ways to communicate without saying a word. But great color doesn’t happen by accident. It takes intention, skill, and an understanding of how color really works across mediums.

In this episode, we share real-life client stories, break down color theory, and explore how things like lighting, wardrobe, and even shadows can influence your final product. Whether you’re building a brand, producing content, or just trying to make your stuff look better, understanding color helps you get the most out of your creative investment.

Color: Why Hue Matters in Marketing, Design & Video

If you’ve ever launched a website or video and walked away, this one’s for you. No worries, we’re not judging! It’s a common trap to fall into, and when you ignore it, it quickly becomes a pain to update. But in today’s world, where your brand story is always in motion, marketing needs to be treated as an ongoing, strategic effort. In this episode, we’re making the case for retainer-style budgets and maintenance models that reflect how content actually works: continuously, iteratively, and in partnership.

We explore how consistent investment leads to better outcomes, more efficient use of time and resources, and greater flexibility when the unexpected happens. Planning for ongoing care keeps your tools from becoming outdated, your messaging fresh, and your brand infrastructure responsive. It’s not just about having a polished launch — it’s about keeping things healthy, aligned, and ready for what’s next.

Why Ongoing Budgets Beat One-Off Projects

If you've ever felt like you need to have it all together before you can lead effectively, this episode is for you. No judgment here — we've all been there! In this candid conversation, we're sharing our own messy truths, from Jen's permanently grimy oven and abandoned Christmas card habit to Karen's perfectionism paralysis and lone wolf tendencies.

This isn't just therapeutic oversharing — there's strategic value in recognizing where you fall short. When you stop apologizing for things that make you who you are and understand that your personal standards don't apply to everyone else, you free up mental energy for what actually matters. We explore how self-awareness translates to better leadership and more authentic connections. It's about working with your natural tendencies rather than against them and building systems that account for your actual human limitations. Because people don't follow perfect leaders — they follow authentic ones.

The Bad and the Ugly

Here's what we know: People don't like surprises, especially unpleasant ones, and when information is missing, they'll fill in the gaps — rarely with generous assumptions. We break down why proactive communication with clients, your team, and even in your personal life feels harder than it should be, then share strategies for getting ahead of the narrative. From understanding why we avoid these conversations (spoiler: we assume people know more than they do) to crafting that perfectly timed heads-up email, we explore how transparent communication builds trust and prevents those awkward moments when everyone's caught off guard. It's not about having everything perfect; it's about communicating with intention before situations spiral out of control.

Quick, Send the Heads-Up Email

Brand marketing vs. performance marketing. It's not about picking sides — it's about understanding the dance. Performance marketing drives the clicks and the sales, but brand marketing? That's the reason anyone cares in the first place.

Here's what most people miss: these two approaches work better together than apart. Drawing insights from Nielsen research showing that 71% of people say they’re more likely to buy from a brand they recognize, we explore how brand marketing creates the conditions where your performance marketing can actually work. Tune in as we break down the difference between transactional and relational marketing, why consistent storytelling matters more than you think, and how values-driven messaging builds the kind of loyalty that turns into long-term business growth.

Case Study: Brand Marketing with Redhead

We've all seen internet trolls who jump straight to outrage without understanding the full story. But here's the uncomfortable truth: We all do this sometimes. In our everyday work and relationships, we jump to conclusions, assign motives, or make decisions based on half the story. It's human nature to want to find an explanation and solve problems quickly, but that instinct can backfire spectacularly.

In this episode, we dig into why our brains are so quick to fill in the gaps with assumptions — often wrong ones. Sharing real examples from our work-lives, we explore what's really happening when we assume the worst and talk about practical ways to slow down, ask better questions, and let curiosity lead instead of assumptions. Because when you take the time to get the full picture, you'll find better outcomes every time.

The Danger of Jumping to Conclusions

Every business has budget constraints, but here's what we've learned: cheap and affordable aren't the same thing. Cheap is about paying as little as possible; affordable is about getting the most value for the right price. One leaves you wanting more, the other leaves you satisfied with smart trade-offs that actually move your business forward.

In this episode, we break down how to spot the warning signs of "cheap" and share practical ways to identify affordable options in the creative industry. We explore why expertise often equals affordability, how good planning saves money in the long run, and what to look for in partners who understand your business goals. From understanding the hidden costs of cutting corners to making smart investments in creative problem solving, we give you a framework for budget decisions that actually serve your long-term success.

The Difference Between Affordable and Cheap

Video marketing isn't what it used to be — and that's both exciting and overwhelming. Between short-form content, interactive features, immersive experiences, and personalized feeds, the landscape is evolving at breakneck speed. But here's the thing: tracking video trends isn't about keeping up with every shiny new feature. It's about staying strategic and knowing which tools actually serve your brand's goals.

In this episode, Karen breaks down the current state of video marketing, from foundational content that builds trust over time to disposable content designed for immediate impact. Whether you're just getting started with video or looking to refine your strategy, this episode gives you the framework to make smarter decisions about where to invest your time and budget in an ever-changing digital landscape.

Case Study: Video Marketing Trends with Render

Hi. Jen Estill and Karen Stefl here. In The Speak Easy Podcast, we share years of expertise in marketing, branding, video production, strategy—not to mention management, employee development, mentoring, sales, creativity, maintaining life balance, managing money, and.. you get the idea. It takes a lot to keep a couple of creative studios thriving. 

We developed this podcast after years of "how do you..." boss lady conversations. It was clear that if we were both in such similar places with regard to business growth, and personal growth, and work/life/motherhood/bossland balance, then other women may be, too. We'd been sharing confessions over cocktails for quite a while—solving problems, asking for advice, and whispering the secret fears and disappointments that successful women are never supposed to have. (You've had those, right? It's not just us?)

Thus, Speak Easy was born. Our goal and our promise is to speak with honesty about the challenges that experienced women in the creative industry face. To create a community where we can support one another and abandon the mantra that we put on a good face and make it look like we have it all together, even when we don't. You can expect honesty, complete vulnerability and even a good laugh.

And cocktails. You can expect cocktails.