Do Less Marketing – Détails, épisodes et analyse

What does it mean to build a business around work you believe in?

In this episode, conservation photographer Michael Forsberg shares how he’s built a reputation through years of consistent, hands-on work — rooted in place, purpose, and relationships. 

He talks about growing trust without a big marketing push and learning about business from unexpected places.

We explore what it means to live and work in community. Plus, Mike opens up about why sharing your heart draws people in, and how creative work can be both a livelihood and a way of life. 

If you’re craving a slower, more intentional approach to business, you’ll love this grounded conversation on showing up and doing meaningful work.

Michael’s Website: https://www.michaelforsberg.com/  Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mforsbergphoto/   Platte Basin Timelapse Website: https://plattebasintimelapse.com/  

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

What if your business could grow without a massive strategy or huge following?

Sarah Collins is a Gallup-certified strengths coach who’s built a thriving business by focusing on relationships and working with her strengths (not against them).

In this conversation, she shares how one surprisingly simple word continues to guide her most important decisions. 

We talk about letting go of “shoulds,” doing work that actually energizes you, and making space for business to evolve over time.

Sarah offers a refreshingly honest take on productivity, showing how you can still get things done by leaning into what works for you.

This one’s a grounded, refreshing reminder that meaningful growth doesn’t have to look like the status quo.

Sarah’s Website: https://www.wearecollinsco.com/   Sarah’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sarahcoachcollins/   Sarah’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahcoachcollins/  

Brittany's Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

My guest today, Michael Johnson, is a lawyer who built a thriving, remote-first practice by leaning into an overlooked niche. 

In this episode, he shares how a personal need sparked a business idea, why going all-in on education changed everything, and what it took to grow a law firm that works with his family life.

We talk Instagram reels, early missteps, niche marketing, and the mindset shifts that helped him stop doing everything—and start scaling with intention.

If you’re building a service-based business and want more alignment, more clarity, and a little more fun along the way, this one’s for you.

Michael’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/physiciancontracts/  Michael’s Website: https://www.michaeljohnsonlegal.com/   

Downey Strategy: https://downeystrategy.com/  Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

Do Less Marketing is about doing less, but better. In each episode, we explore how small business owners, nonprofit leaders, and marketers find the clarity, the courage, and the strategy to focus on what actually works — for their goals, for their teams, and for their lives.

Katie Day is a habit coach who knows firsthand how the right systems can keep creativity strong. She shares how experimenting with consistent marketing practices opened unexpected doors for her business.

In this episode, Katie shares what it looks like to find a marketing channel that lights you up. She talks about developing rejection resiliency and why it’s important for growth, and she shares how habits free up the energy you need to stay creative.

We also get into how to shift limiting beliefs and chat about stacking small systems until your day feels amazing.

This episode is a reminder that habits aren’t about discipline for its own sake. They are about creating space for fun and creativity — and aligning your life with your values.

Katie’s Website: https://ohkatieday.com/   Katie’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ohkatieday/  Habit Lab: https://ohkatieday.com/habitlab  

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

It’s one thing to make a great product. It’s another to stick it out when things get tough — and to build a culture and brand people want to be part of. 

Jackie Wachter is the co-founder of FOUNT, a company known for fine leather bags made to be by your side for years. She shares the journey from selling at a flea market to national TV to opening five locations in three states.

In this conversation, Jackie reflects on the power of listening to customers and staying true to your brand. She talks honestly about the highs and lows of entrepreneurship and what it looks like to push through setbacks.  

We also get into what drives sales and growth and how she’s working to build a team culture that’s healthy and fun, even as they scale.

It’s a candid look at the uphill work of building a business — and why presence and people are at the center of it all.

FOUNT Website: https://fountleather.com/   FOUNT Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fount/ 

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

When you’re building a business from the ground up, it’s easy to feel like you have to be everywhere, doing everything.

In this episode, Dr. Rachel Huston shares what helped her early growth, how she built momentum, and why she moved away from chasing “shoulds” in her marketing. 

We talk about how she uses Instagram to teach and connect. She also shares the value of knowing your ideal client and how she involves her team in shaping the experience.

Dr. Huston reflects on what’s made it easier to grow without feeling like she’s selling — and how her definition of success has changed over time. 

If you’re feeling distracted by all the different marketing options, Dr. Huston is proof that doing great work (and knowing who it’s for) can still go a long way.

The Body Lab Website: https://thebodylablnk.com/  The Body Lab Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebodylab_lincoln/  

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/ 

What happens when a top marketing channel suddenly stops working?

Rob Marsh is a copywriter and co-founder of The Copywriter Club. He has built multiple businesses by staying grounded in what works — while staying flexible as platforms and contexts evolve.

In this episode, he shares how he and his co-founder grew a community from zero to 5,000 in just a few months, and the one thing he’s seen drive success across business types (and it’s not a tactic).

We also discuss how he thinks about growth and how to stay focused when you're surrounded by smart ideas.

This one’s for anyone trying to stay steady and adaptable while the marketing world keeps moving.

The Copywriter Club Website: https://thecopywriterclub.com/  The Copywriter Club Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecopywriterclub/   The Copywriter Club X: https://x.com/copywriterclub 

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

Do you ever feel like your ads are just lighting cash on fire?

Maybe it’s time to go back to first principles. 

Adam Bell has grown agencies and guided clients from startups to multinationals. Through it all, he’s focused on wasting less, connecting spend to revenue, and building the systems that make it all work.

In our conversation, we talk about why most ad waste happens before a campaign even starts. Adam also reflects on choosing your bets instead of chasing every trend. 

We dig into his idea of “permacultural marketing” and getting the most mileage out of every asset you create. Adam talks about how to work with what you actually have, and how to get creative when you need new content but producing it feels hard.

If you’re ready to waste less and focus on the campaigns that actually move the needle, this episode is a great reset.

Adam’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamonads/   Adam’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awawithadam/   Website: https://bigbusinessagency.com/  

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/  

What if some of the best connections can come from the places you least expect?

In this episode, Susan Vaughn shares how she’s grown her project-based business by being thoughtful about where she shows up. She talks about building trust through connection — not by chasing every opportunity, but by choosing the ones that feel aligned.

We explore how she approaches networking as a long game. She shares the story behind a small marketing asset that pulled big weight. And we dig into what it looks like to repackage your work as new needs emerge.

Susan also reflects on how she’s built a business that leaves room for what matters — including fun, flexibility, and time with family. And yes, some of her best leads really did start in the most unexpected places.

If you’re working toward a business that supports your life (not one that drains it), this conversation is a thoughtful reminder that aligned connections, clear offers, and a little fun can go a long way.

Susan’s Website: https://projectauthority.com/  Susan’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/susanvaughnpmp/  

Brittany’s Website: https://downeystrategy.com/   Brittany’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittany-downey/