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Unlocking the Power of Branding and Marketing with Ashlyn and Avery

What if great branding could actually do the selling for you — before a single client ever walks through your door?

That’s exactly what branding photographer Ashlyn Dettwiler (Ashlyn Faith Branding) and marketing strategist Avery Hittle (Set Theory Marketing) are doing for beauty professionals and small business owners in Wichita. These two high school friends turned business partners have built a one-stop shop that pairs high-end brand photography with strategic social media marketing — so you never have to wonder what to do with your photos again. We talk about why your social media presence is your first impression, what brands like Apple and Rodan + Fields do that you should be doing too, and why growing too fast (or charging too much too soon) can actually hurt you. Plus: the raw truth about the early years when the numbers just weren’t adding up.

Highlights

  • Your Instagram page is your first impression — and if it’s empty, unclear, or full of stock photos, you’re losing clients before they ever meet you
  • Great branding isn’t just a logo: it’s the world you invite your customers to be a part of (the Apple example is one you won’t forget)
  • Photography and marketing strategy working together creates seamless, consistent content — no more photos sitting unused on a hard drive
  • The importance of niching down and being findable when someone searches for exactly what you offer
  • Analytics aren’t just numbers — they show you what’s working, what isn’t, and how to prove ROI on your marketing investment
  • The average consumer has to see something seven times before they purchase — and strategy is what makes those seven impressions happen
  • Why branding also attracts the right clients — and gives you permission to say no to the wrong ones
  • Paying your dues: the honest truth about starting low and trusting the process
  • Marketing as an investment, not an expense — and how to prove it with real ROI data

Chapters

0:00 — Introduction: Branding & Marketing

0:57 — Ashlyn’s Origin Story: From Senior Photos to Branding

2:16 — Avery’s Journey: Nursing School to MBA to Marketing

3:33 — How They Teamed Up

4:04 — The Light Bulb Moment: Clients Weren’t Using Their Photos

5:30 — Creating the One-Stop Shop Package

7:27 — Matching Visual Style to Your Brand

8:58 — Brand Worlds and the Apple Example

10:24 — Why Beauty Pros Should Invest in Branding

14:52 — Using Photos Beyond Instagram: Decor, Billboards, Pamphlets

17:44 — Consistency Builds Trust and Business Growth

20:10 — Patience, Pricing, and Paying Your Dues

23:17 — Branding for Beauty Professionals Specifically

24:41 — Standing Out on Social Media in a Saturated Market

27:02 — Niche Down and Get Found in Search

28:31 — Why Analytics Matter (and Most People Ignore Them)

31:41 — Ads, Repetition, and the Psychology of Buyer Behavior

33:23 — Showing Clients Their ROI and Growth

35:06 — Marketing as an Investment, Not an Expense

37:11 — Credibility, Education, and Why It Matters Who You Hire

39:43 — Their Collab Content Packages: 4-Month, 8-Month, and Year Options

41:58 — The New Done-For-You Full Social Media Management Option

44:28 — Partner Perks: Spray Tans, Hair, Makeup & More

46:20 — Wrap Up & How to Connect

Resources & Mentions

To learn more about Utopia Modern Salon Suites, visit our website at https://utopiamodernsalon.com/ or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn!

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