Social Media Decoded

I almost didn’t go to the KIT Craft + Commerce conference.

Before the trip, I was overwhelmed, anxious, questioning everything, and honestly wondering if I should stay home and work instead. But what happened after I got in the room reminded me of something I deeply believe:

Visibility is bigger than social media.

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, I’m sharing the real lessons I learned at the KIT Conference in Boise—from meeting creators in real life, hearing powerful talks from leaders like James Clear and Jay Papasan, giving James Clear my book (!), and realizing that the biggest opportunities often happen outside of social media and inside real conversations.

Because here’s the truth:

At a certain level, opportunities don’t come from algorithms. They come from relationships.

In this episode, we’re talking about:

Why I almost skipped the conference
Anxiety, overwhelm, and showing up anyway
What happened when I gave James Clear my book
My biggest takeaway from Jay Papasan’s talk
Why relationships matter more than follower count
The power of getting in the right rooms
Why proximity is one of the most underrated visibility strategies
How real conversations lead to partnerships, referrals, and opportunities

Key takeaway from this episode:

“The biggest shift wasn’t what I learned on stage. It was what happened in the conversations.”

If you’ve been feeling stuck in business, overwhelmed with content creation, or wondering why visibility isn’t translating into opportunities—this episode is for you.

Because sometimes your next level isn’t another strategy.

Sometimes it’s the room.

Connect with Michelle:
DM the word ROOM on Instagram @MichelleLThames

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Have you ever felt like what used to work in your business just… doesn’t anymore?

In this honest and behind-the-scenes episode, Michelle Thames opens up about the real pivot happening in her business right now — from shifting strategies and simplifying offers to leaning deeper into local visibility, community building, and creating a business that actually feels aligned.

If you’re an entrepreneur, creator, coach, or service provider who feels like you’re in a weird business season, this episode is your reminder that pivoting does not mean failing.

Michelle shares the truth about evolving as a business owner, why she’s no longer forcing old strategies, what she’s learning about memberships and community, and how recent viral moments unexpectedly led her into a new season of local visibility and deeper impact.

This is a real conversation about business growth, changing seasons, entrepreneurship, and having the courage to let go of what no longer fits.

Because sometimes your next level doesn’t look like doing more.

Sometimes it looks like simplifying.

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

Pivoting doesn’t mean failing. Seasons change — and so do you.

If you’ve been questioning your next move, feeling disconnected from your business, or trying to figure out what’s next without burning yourself out, this episode will remind you that growth often looks like evolution.

In This Episode, We Cover:

The real reason Michelle is pivoting in business

Why forcing old strategies can lead to burnout

The truth about business seasons and entrepreneurship

Lessons learned from community building and memberships

Why local visibility is becoming a major focus

How to know when it’s time to pivot in business

Why simplifying your business may be the smartest move

What alignment actually looks like as an entrepreneur

How to stop feeling guilty for changing direction

Mentioned in This Episode:
Visibility strategies for entrepreneurs
Community building & memberships
Local visibility and business growth
Entrepreneurship mindset shifts

Connect with Michelle:
If this episode resonated with you, send Michelle a DM with the word PIVOT on Instagram @michellelthames and share what season of business you’re currently navigating.

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Everybody wants to go viral… but what if virality isn’t actually the thing that grows your business?

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle Thames is sharing the real truth about what going viral has actually taught her about visibility, business growth, and building a brand that lasts.

After going viral multiple times across Instagram, Reels, and Threads, Michelle is pulling back the curtain on what people think virality is versus what actually creates long-term success online.

If you’ve ever thought:

“Maybe I just need one viral post…”

or felt discouraged because your content isn’t taking off…

this episode is your reminder that visibility is bigger than views.

Michelle breaks down why viral content does not automatically equal clients, the biggest mistake entrepreneurs make after gaining attention online, and why building a visibility ecosystem matters more than chasing trends.

She also shares surprising lessons from her recent local visibility strategy, how community and relationships are creating real opportunities, and why consistency still wins in 2026.

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode:

“Virality gets attention. Systems build businesses.”

If you’re a coach, service provider, creator, entrepreneur, or business owner trying to get visible online, attract more clients, and stop relying on random content to grow your business — this conversation is for you.

In This Episode, We Cover:

What people get wrong about going viral

Michelle’s experience going viral multiple times

Why viral content does not automatically grow your business

The truth about followers, views, and conversions

How local visibility is changing the game for entrepreneurs

Why relationships matter more than the algorithm

How to create a visibility ecosystem that actually converts

The power of consistency in business growth

What to focus on if your content isn’t taking off yet

Mentioned in This Episode:
Visibility Reset
Community building for entrepreneurs
Personal branding & visibility strategies
Local marketing & local visibility lessons

Connect with Michelle:
If this episode resonated with you, send Michelle a DM with the word VISIBLE on Instagram and share what part hit home for you.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

What really makes a brand unforgettable?

In this special Behind the Brand episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle sits down with Jayanta Jenkins, Former Vice President of Global Creative at Starbucks, to unpack what it takes to build one of the most recognizable brands in the world.

With over 25 years of experience in advertising, marketing, and creative leadership, Jayanta shares what it takes to build culture-defining brands, lead global creative teams, and balance storytelling with business goals. From his early inspiration at museums in Washington D.C. to leading creative at brands like Starbucks and Disney, this conversation is packed with insights for entrepreneurs, marketers, creatives, and business leaders.

Michelle and Jayanta discuss why branding is more than aesthetics, how creativity drives business results, the role of leadership in scaling impact, and why the best brands create emotional connection, not just visibility. They also dive into marketing trends, brand strategy, consumer psychology, AI, culture, and what separates brands people notice from brands people remember.

If you’re building a personal brand, growing a business, leading a team, or trying to better understand marketing in today’s world, this episode is for you.

In This Episode, We Talk About:

What it really means to lead creative at Starbucks

How iconic brands build emotional connection

The difference between visibility and cultural relevance

Creativity vs. business performance and why both matter

Leadership lessons from managing global creative teams

Why storytelling is still the foundation of great marketing

The future of branding and creativity in the AI era

What entrepreneurs can learn from billion-dollar brands

How great brands drive conversation and customer loyalty

Connect With Jayanta:

LinkedIn: Jayanta Jenkins
Portfolio: Jayanta.com

Resources Mentioned:

Starbucks branding and creative strategy

Consumer psychology in marketing

Brand storytelling and emotional connection

Creative leadership and team building

Loved This Episode?

If this episode helped you think bigger about branding, visibility, creativity, or leadership, screenshot the episode, share it on Instagram, and tag Michelle! Your reviews help Social Media Decoded reach more entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders ready to grow their visibility and impact.

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Summer is here, the kids are home, schedules are changing, and business still has to move.

So how do you stay visible online when life gets… life-y?

In this episode of Social Media Decoded, Michelle is talking about what it really looks like to stay consistent in your visibility without burning yourself out. Whether you're a mom, entrepreneur, working full-time, or simply trying to juggle all the things, this episode will help you create a visibility plan that actually fits your real life.

You do not need to post all day.
You do not need to disappear.
You just need a sustainable strategy.

Michelle shares simple ways to stay visible during busy seasons, how to stop putting pressure on yourself, and what she’s personally doing this summer to stay consistent without overwhelm.

If you've ever felt like life got busy and suddenly you disappeared online, this episode is for you.

DM VISIBLE on Instagram @michellelthames to learn about the 7-Day Visibility Reset.

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