The marketing funnel is dead — and I'm showing you exactly what replaced it. In this video, I'm breaking down the marketing web: the strategy we use at Rella that took us from $0 to $3M in about a year and a half. I'm pulling back the curtain on our full marketing playbook — content strategy, where we show up, founder-led content, influencer strategy, and paid ads — so you can apply it to your business in 2026. Whether you're a business owner, marketer, or just nosy (same), this one's for you. ↓ TIMESTAMPS 0:00 – The marketing funnel is dead 0:17 – Introducing the marketing web 2:34 – Why the classic funnel is broken 4:16 – How we built our web at RELA: content creation 7:00 – Where we show up (and why less is more) 8:42 – Founder-led content & influencer strategy 10:21 – Our paid ads strategy ➜ everything you need to know ➜ ✰ Rella: https://www.getrella.com ✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/nataliebarbu ✰ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nataliebarbu ✰ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rp8TxqmJiErzktr5YP8XK?si=e861665d55f54354 ✰ Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-grow-with-it-with-natalie-barbu/id1456261473 ➜ my email for business inquiries: [email protected]

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We're a team of 6 people who built a profitable startup, and we couldn't have done it without AI. In this video, I'm breaking down every single AI tool we use to stay lean, ship fast, and avoid burnout. If you're a founder, solopreneur, or anyone building a business in 2026, this is your complete AI toolkit. I'm sharing the exact tools we use for social media, video editing, admin work, customer support, and development—plus how we implement them to 10X our productivity. ⚡ TOOLS MENTIONED: 🎨 Website Builder: • Squarespace - https://www.squarespace.com/nataliebarbu (Use code NATALIEBABU for 10% off) 📱 Social Media Management: • Rella (with Ella AI) - https://www.getrella.com (AI content calendar, scripting, scheduling & analytics) 🎬 Video Editing: • Descript - https://descript.cello.so/42B3cuc61e3 (AI-powered editing, removes filler words, generates rough cuts) 🤖 AI Assistant & Automation: • Claude AI - https://claude.ai • Claude Cowork - https://claude.ai/cowork (Email drafting, document creation, task automation) 💬 Voice-to-Text: • Whisper Flow - AI voice transcription for any app: https://wisprflow.ai/ 📧 Email & Customer Support: • Fyxer (use code: NATALIEBARBU20) - https://www.fyxer.com/ (AI email drafts, customer support automation) • Superhuman - https://superhuman.com/refer/21t5v22t (AI-powered email management with smart prioritization) 💻 Developer Tools: • Cursor - https://www.cursor.com (AI code completion and assistance) • Claude Code - AI-powered coding assistant • Codex - AI development workhorse 0:00 Why AI isn't optional anymore for startups 2:45 Social media management with Rella (content calendar automation) 5:58 Video editing with Descript (rough cuts in minutes) 7:02 Admin automation with Claude (email, documents, research) 13:02 Customer support automation with Fixer 15:15 Developer tools: Cursor, Claude Code & Codex 21:12 Final thoughts: The future of AI for founders

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If you're a founder who thinks building a personal brand is a waste of time, this might be the wake-up call you need. The truth is: distribution is the new moat. Your product isn't enough. Your team isn't enough. If no one knows who you are, you're starting every conversation from zero. In this episode, I break down why the founders who are winning right now are visible, how to build a personal brand without becoming an influencer, and the exact framework I used to grow both my personal following and my startup, Rella. Whether you're B2B, consumer, or anywhere in between—this is your roadmap to building trust, standing out, and making sure you don't look back in two years wishing you had started today. 0:00 - The Wake-Up Call: Why Distribution is Everything 1:26 - The Trust Factor: Why People Buy From People They Know 3:34 - Three Types of Personal Brands (And Which One You Should Build) Expert, Entertainer, or Product Extension—find your approach 5:50 - The Regret Conversation: What Every Founder Wishes They Started Earlier 7:27 - The Action Plan: How to Actually Start Building Your Brand 9:52 - The Mindset Shift: This is Not a Waste of Time

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Try The Viral Income Lab for just $489 here: https://theviralincomelab.mykajabi.com/joinus Last year I doubled my creator income—not from going viral, but from treating content like a real business. In this video, I'm sharing the 4 major changes that transformed my brand deals, grew my following, and helped me finally charge what I'm worth. If you're tired of inconsistent sponsorships and low rates, this is for you. Learn how to define your ideal follower, build systems that work, and say no to the wrong opportunities so you can say yes to the right ones. Let's grow together! 🚀

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I'M ENGAGED! 💍 Sharing the full proposal story, answering your questions, and spilling all the tea on my non-traditional wedding plans. From how he proposed at a stunning Miami venue to our decision to keep it intimate with a smaller backyard wedding, I'm taking you through everything! Thank you Squarespace for sponsoring today's video. Get 10% off using my code NATALIEBARBU or go to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu Timestamps: 0:00 - Engagement Announcement 1:36 - How He Proposed & The Big Day 8:37 - Did I Pick Out The Ring? 13:40 - Wedding Timeline & Plans 17:51 - Where We're Living (USA vs. UK) ➜ everything you need to know ➜ ✰ Rella: https://www.getrella.com ✰ Instagram: https://instagram.com/nataliebarbu ✰ TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@nataliebarbu ✰ Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1rp8TxqmJiErzktr5YP8XK?si=e861665d55f54354 ✰ Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/just-grow-with-it-with-natalie-barbu/id1456261473 ➜ my email for business inquiries: [email protected]

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As a full-time startup founder managing two brands, I create 100+ pieces of content monthly—95% by myself. In this video, I'm sharing my exact content system that helps me stay consistent without burning out. 🔗 Try Squarespace: squarespace.com/nataliebabu (10% off) 🔗 Try Rella: https://getrella.com?via=natalie You'll learn: ✅ How to define your content pillars and ideal audience ✅ My AI-powered content planning process (saves hours!) ✅ Batch filming strategies to knock out weeks of content ✅ Editing shortcuts that cut production time in half ✅ Auto-posting across platforms without hurting reach This isn't about perfection—it's about having a system that works. If you've ever said "I don't have time" or "I don't know what to post," this video is for you. Subscribe for more content strategy, founder lessons, and behind-the-scenes of building a business!

TIMESTAMPS 0:00 - Introduction & Hook 0:56 - Why Content Creation Matters 3:23 - Step 1: Define Your Audience 5:58 - Step 2: Content Ideation with AI 11:44 - Step 3: Filming Strategy 14:18 - Step 4: Editing Workflow 16:54 - Step 5: Uploading & Distribution 19:30 - Wrap-up & Key Takeaways

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In this episode, I sit down with Stefana Avera, founder of Liaison the Label, to talk about building a multimillion-dollar activewear brand from scratch—with zero experience in fashion or manufacturing. Stefana shares the raw, unfiltered journey of bartending to afford $80 product samples, crying over failed prototypes 3 years into development, and the delusional confidence it took to keep going when no one believed in her vision. This isn't a story of overnight success. It's about slow, steady growth, building community before going viral, and trusting your gut even when you don't know the "equation." If you're thinking about starting a brand or just need a reminder that you don't need a perfect background to build something incredible, this episode is for you. Shop Liasion the Label: https://www.liaisonlabel.com/ Follow Stefana: https://www.instagram.com/stefana.avara/ TIMESTAMPS: 0:00 - Intro: Meet Stefana & Liaison the Label 3:40 - How Stefana Started in Fitness (2017) 8:20 - The Moment She Decided to Build Liaison 12:00 - Bartending for $80 Product Samples 19:30 - 3 Years of Development & Almost Giving Up 24:30 - Building Community vs. Going Viral 32:00 - The Manufacturing Process (No Experience Required) 45:00 - Delusional Confidence & Founder Intuition EXTENDED SUBSTACK ARTICLE COMING SOON WITH STEFANA, SUBSCRIBE TO NOT MISS IT: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com

Get 10% off your first purchase or domain by going to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu or use code NATALIEBARBU at checkout.

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Jeff Frommer sold his bootstrapped creative media company for $75 million, and now he's on a mission to change how creators and startups work together. In this episode, we dive deep into why traditional influencer brand deals are dying and how creators can build generational wealth through equity ownership instead of one-off cash payments.

Jeff shares the exact framework he used to build Malka from a two-bedroom apartment to a creative powerhouse working with celebrities and top influencers. We discuss why "impossible has many options," the importance of being famous for one thing, and how to turn your influence into actual ownership.

If you're a creator tired of trading time for money, or a founder wondering how to activate the people who want you to win, this conversation will change how you think about partnerships, equity, and the future of the creator economy.

0:00 - Introduction: Why Influencer Brand Deals Are Dead 1:35 - The $75M Exit: How Jeff Built & Sold Malka Media 12:00 - Why You Can Only Be Famous for One Thing 20:45 - "Impossible Has Many Options" - Building a Problem-Solving Culture 32:45 - The Loneliness of Solo Founders & Why Co-Founders Matter 40:45 - Introducing Owm: Turning Influence Into Equity 55:00 - Why Creators + Operators = The Next Billion Dollar Brands 1:12:00 - Context Over Content: The Power of Thought Leadership 1:32:15 - How Creators Can Earn Equity (Not Just Cash) 1:57:00 - Building the Robinhood for Private Company Ownership

🔗 Want to learn more about earning equity as a creator? Visit owm.ai or email Jeff directly at [email protected]

📩 Continue the conversation on my Substack, The Growth List: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com

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Venture capital is changing—fast. Erica shares her journey from outsider to fund founder, reveals the new rules for startup success, and explains why building your personal brand is now essential. If you want to stand out, raise money, and win in today’s VC world, this episode is for you. Erica's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-wenger-ms-811b80132/ Park Rangers Capital: https://www.parkrangerscap.com/ Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com

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Welcome to Just Grow With It! In this episode, I reveal my honest approach to goal setting for 2026, what’s changed, and how you can finally make your goals happen. 0:00 – Introduction & Resetting for 2026 1:51 – Lessons Learned & Honest Reflections 3:42 – Why Goals Fail & The Need for a Framework 5:33 – Setting Realistic and Inspiring Goals 7:24 – Focusing on What You Can Control 9:15 – Building Habits & Structuring Your Day 11:06 – Monthly Check-Ins & Staying Accountable 12:57 – Conclusion & Final Inspiration Share your 2026 goals in the comments and let’s grow together! Subscribe to my newsletter: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com

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Ever wondered what it really takes to make the Forbes 30 Under 30 list? In this candid conversation, we sit down with Zoya Hasan, Forbes editor and curator of the iconic list, to uncover the real process, the myths, and the hustle behind the headlines. From her journey as a chemistry major to leading one of the most competitive lists in the world, Soya shares insider stories, the importance of resilience, and why not everything you hear about Forbes 30 Under 30 is true. Whether you’re an aspiring founder, a young professional, or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with insights on entrepreneurship, hustle culture, and the power of networking. We also dive into the infamous “under 30 to prison pipeline,” the role of diversity, and what makes a founder truly stand out. 00:00 Intro 02:39 Interview Begins: Zoya's Journey to Forbes 06:39 The Real Forbes 30 Under 30 Selection Process 14:39 Debunking Myths: Can You Pay to Get on the List? 22:39 What Makes a Standout Founder & The Role of Hustle Culture 32:39 Zoya's Advice for Aspiring Founders & Closing Thoughts Follow Zoya: https://www.linkedin.com/in/byzoyahasan/

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring todays video. Use code NATALIEBARBU or go to https://squarespace.com/nataliebarbu to get 10% off your domain or first purchase.

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