🍲 The secret to creating an authentic brand (Friendsgiving edition)
Digital Garden Girl
Grow Your Garden with Passion, Purpose, and Profit
Join 500+ gardeners, green entrepreneurs, and solo small businesses growing online! Every Thursday, I share THE DIRT - a weekly newsletter that digs into online marketing tips and branding tools to help your online business grow like the garden you love.
SHARE
YES, CHEF!
Currently mentally preparing for a Friendsgiving event tomorrow, but I don't really know anyone yet. I'm feeling the full spectrum of Ratatouille emotions.
You know how Remy is in his element - confident, creative, knowing which flavors sing? That's me behind the screen, cooking up business ideas or garden-to-table meals. But put me in a room of strangers, and suddenly I'm Linguini on his first day - all awkward energy and uncertain steps. (The growing pains of an introvert-turned-entrepreneur, right?)
Truth is, Reader, my social butterfly wings are a bit... rusty… since I’ve left the 9-to-5 grind.
But here's what I keep reminding myself as we navigate holiday gatherings and end-of-year business planning: the secret ingredient isn't perfectly rehearsed small talk or a Pinterest-worthy spread – it's the magic that happens when we let our genuine selves shine through.
Whether you're selling homegrown produce to your neighbors, herbal tinctures from your kitchen, or wisdom in your content, it's your unique*Sugar and Spice*that turns followers into fans and dreams into sustainable businesses.
When people experience what we've cultivated with care, they'll understand exactly who we are and the value we bring to the table.
01. Fresh Seeds
The binge-worthy business resources
This week, I traded my gardening gloves for business overalls and caught Jay Clouse and Carry's tax webinar.
I know, I know - taxes feel about as exciting as cleaning out the dirt from under your nails. But listen: when you build your knowledge, you build your confidence. Want to keep more green in your pocket for 2024?
Quick, easy tips to refresh and elevate your brand
When people ask me my "secret ingredient"... I remind them it's not so secret.
My latest blog post breaks down my exact starting point to building an authentic business and brand – with tips on how to find your Sugar and Spice. Because when you stop forcing yourself into someone else's business mold, your passion naturally grows into a ecosystem you feel good about sharing and selling.
My creative roots are spreading into visual design and writing lately, and wow – what a breath of fresh air!
Ready for fresh inspiration? Plant yourself in my Pinterest where I share designs, color palettes, and growth tips for your budding brand and business ecosystem!
While I'm all about time-saving tools, let's be honest – sometimes they just help us do more chaos faster. Instead of spreading ourselves thin, Emily shares how to make every effort multiply like well-planted perennials. Because we deserve more than $5 Starbucks rewards for weeks filled with mental breakdowns.
04. A Glimpse from the Garden
Weekly Dose of Garden therapy + Cam’s Cutthroat Kitchen
Image from Foxy and Folksy
When I harvest from the garden, I think about feeding my soul. That's where my Southern upbringing meets my Filipino roots.
Food taught me to build bridges. Gardening taught me how to nurture what matters.
It all comes together in my Southern Pot Roast x Filipino Mechado = “Potchado”. Because why choose between two sides of yourself?
Here’s the recipe to toss in your slow-cooker:
1 1/2lbs chuck roast
1/4 cup good dark soy sauce
a dash salt + pepper
3 tablespoons canola oil to sear the beef
3-5 cloves garlic crushed
1 medium onion diced
1 teaspoon fish sauce (patis)
4 oz of tomato paste
2-3 cups your favorite stock
1 bay leaves
3 dashes of Worcestershire sauce
2 russet potatoes cut into 1 inch chunks
2 carrots chopped from the garden
Want to start growing your own food by 2025?I always use homegrown carrots, onions, and (this year!) garlic in my Potacho. Epic Gardening got me started and we're having the biggest sale of the year. From seed starting trays to raised beds,you can get up to 45% OFF when you use my code, DIGITALGARDENGIRL.
Behind the business scenes & what’s happening in our community
Just recorded my first podcast with Interact's founder, Josh! I covered everything from why I chose quizzes to grow my online community to why there are not enough garden metaphors - at least I think I did. Let's be honest, I don't remember what I said.
Episode drops post-Thanksgiving, and I'm as curious as you to hear it. Might have let slip about that special something I've been nurturing behind the scenes for 2025...
Exactly what your growing business needs (or needs to revamp) right now
I'm grabbing my notebook and joining you for this one! Can't wait to learn from industry giants like Jenna Kutcher, Amy Porterfield, Bonnie Christie, Nathan Barry, and Brandi Harvey. They'll be sharing what's actually working going into 2025: AI tools that make sense, engagement that feels natural, and business models that don't require 24/7 hustle.
Whether you're just planting your first business seeds or ready to expand your brand ecosystem, let's learn these growth strategies together.
AI-powered prompts to nurture creativity and spark your next big idea
Tired of fighting for the perfect garden shot? Done with generic stock photos?
Meet Felix, an AI image generator for creating custom product mockups, workshop covers, course materials, and social media graphics.
Plus, here's a pro tip - AI isn't just for basic chat. While specialized chatbots help with code and budgets, Felix focuses on bringing your brand visuals to life. Because you deserve better than another "plant on desk" photo.
#1 Ready to turn your garden wisdom into income? Discover 11 ways plant people are making money from their passions.Read the blog →
#2 Curious which gardening tools and resources helped me grow? Peek inside my business toolkit (from soil to software). See my favorites →
#3 What kind of Garden Entrepreneur are you? Take this 2-minute quiz to uncover 6 digital product ideas perfect for your 2025 growth!Get your personalized roadmap →
You’re getting this virtual love letter because you signed up for Digital Garden Girl, where I unearth online business strategy (plus weekly garden puns—way better than dad jokes). You're getting ready to flip the Uno reverse and show me how your passions grow… into a business! Heads up: this email may include affiliate links. I earn a little extra green if you purchase, but I only share tools I’m truly obsessed with.
Grow Your Garden with Passion, Purpose, and Profit
Join 500+ gardeners, green entrepreneurs, and solo small businesses growing online! Every Thursday, I share THE DIRT - a weekly newsletter that digs into online marketing tips and branding tools to help your online business grow like the garden you love.
