Is Your Brand Supporting Your Growth — or Slowing It Down?

As your business grows, your brand needs to grow with it.

But many small businesses operate under a brand created in the early days — when they were charging less, serving different clients, or still figuring out their positioning.

And over time, that misalignment can quietly slow your growth.

In this episode, I'm joined by Melissa Horvat, Founder of Graphika, a branding partner to professional service providers who want to build clear, compliant and credible brands that support long-term success.

With nearly three decades of experience — working with organisations like Paralympics Australia, NSW and QLD Government, corporate clients and hundreds of small businesses — Melissa understands how to translate your expertise into a brand presence that builds trust and authority.

In this conversation, we explore what branding really means for professional service providers — and how to ensure your brand reflects the level of business you're building now, not the one you started with.

If you're serious about sustainable growth, this episode will help you assess whether your brand is an asset… or a limitation.

Here's What We Cover in This Episode:

• The subtle signs your brand is out of alignment with the level of business you're operating at now
• Why professional service providers need more than a "nice logo" to build authority and trust
• How a clear and credible brand shortens the sales cycle and attracts better-fit clients
• The role compliance and professionalism play in building confidence with high-value clients
• What happens behind the scenes when your visual identity doesn't match your expertise
• Practical first steps to elevate your brand without overcomplicating the process

Branding isn't about making your business look bigger than it is.

It's about making sure your brand accurately reflects the quality, expertise and experience you bring — so the right clients recognise your value immediately.

If you've been feeling like your business has evolved… but your brand hasn't caught up, this conversation will give you clarity on what to do next.

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Thanks to our Reviewer, Brigit Hallam of Throw Your Leg Over

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You've built the business.

But if your products and services feel more complicated than they need to be, it may be time to simplify — without throwing everything out and starting again.

In this episode of the HerBusiness Podcast, Suzi talks about why simplifying your offers is often the fastest path to clearer decisions, better systems, and sustainable growth.

Suzi shares her own experience of letting go of a major revenue stream to create space for what's next — and why offering less, with more focus, hasn't made the business less profitable. If anything, it's done the opposite.

This episode is for women business owners who are ready to refine, not reinvent — and who want to grow with more clarity, confidence, and support.

In This Episode, Suzi Explores:

• Why too many offers can dilute your message and drain your energy
• What it really means to simplify without starting over
• The role of focus in creating sustainable, profitable growth
• Why deciding what you want people to buy first changes everything
• How leading with one core offer creates clarity for both you and your clients
• Practical ways to review and streamline what you offer
• How simplifying can support your ideal lifestyle

Simplifying your products and services isn't about doing less for the sake of it — it's about creating clarity. When you decide what matters most and let go of what no longer fits, you create space to grow.

Mentioned in This Episode:

Listen to "How to Market Multiple Offers Without Overwhelming Your Audience (or Yourself)"

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Check our Reviewer Justine Parson's business, The Lever

If LinkedIn has felt like something you should use but don't quite know how, or you've been posting without much traction, this episode is for you.

My guest today is Jo Saunders, known as Australia's LinkedIn Demystifier. Jo is a LinkedIn strategist who helps service-based business owners turn LinkedIn into a sales and relationship-building tool — without being pushy or inauthentic.

In this conversation, we talk about how women entrepreneurs can use LinkedIn strategically — to build trust, increase visibility, and make real sales — all while showing up as their true selves.

Whether you're already active on LinkedIn or feeling embarrassed by your neglected profile, Jo offers practical advice and powerful mindset shifts that will help you take the next step.

In This Episode, We Cover:

• Why random posting isn't enough — and how to use LinkedIn with real purpose
• The algorithm changes in 2026 you need to know about (and how to work with them)
• What it means to be "appropriately human" on a professional platform
• How to position your offers and include CTAs without turning people off
• The importance of being consistent in your messaging (and how talking about too many things can confuse your audience — and the algorithm)
• Jo's thoughts on AI-generated content and why authenticity matters more than ever
• What "connect-fluence" means and how to use connection to drive influence and sales
• The key differences between showing up to "make friends" versus selling with service
• How to leverage key areas of your LinkedIn profile (Jo calls them "sales hotspots") to drive traffic and conversions
• Whether or not you need LinkedIn Premium — and who it's really for
• Why slowing down your outreach and engaging thoughtfully is the biggest missed opportunity
• How Jo is using leverage in her business this year by relaunching community events
• What "Your Business, Your Rules" means to Jo — and how she embraces it by showing up in her colourful, unique way

Key Takeaways:

• Don't just post to be visible — post with a purpose. Know what you're selling, who it's for, and create content that helps them.
• Your LinkedIn profile is a credibility tool. Treat it like a landing page — make sure it's clear, current, and aligned with your message.
• Show up as yourself — strategically. You don't have to fit a corporate mould. Just be intentional and on-brand.
• Connection comes before conversion. Build influence by building trust. Engage meaningfully, and don't rush the sale.
• You can sell — without being salesy. Provide value first. Then give people a clear next step.

Mentioned in This Episode:

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Learn more about working with Jo

Follow strategist Joroen Kraaijenbrink of The Big 5 of Strategy on LinkedIn

Reviewer Kaye Ure, of Styling Individuals

Listen to episode 330: Why "White Space" is the Secret to Getting Unstuck in Business