PR Adjacent

Hosted by Ellie McNevin

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Aug 2025

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About the show

Ellie McNevin is a former editor, agency owner, publicist, and brand strategist who works with select clients around the world on the messy, overlapping work of growing modern lifestyle brands. On PR Adjacent, Ellie answers the questions founders are actually asking: how to get clearer, become more visible, grow across markets, and build a brand people understand, remember, and talk about. From positioning, PR, marketing, AI, sales, events, affiliate, creator strategy, and partnerships, Ellie talks to the people moving the needle on what works now.

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34 recent

August 20, 2026Episode 134 min

Susan Wojewoda: The Business of Selling (and Buying!) Businesses

About this Episode What does it actually take to buy or sell a business? I’m joined by Susan Wojewoda, Chief Revenue Officer at Town and Country Living , who has worked on both sides of the acquisition process with family-owned and private equity-backed businesses. We discuss what buyers look for beyond revenue, including predictable income, customer concentration, contracts, team strength and whether the company can operate without its founder. Susan also shares how to prepare for a sale, assess an acquisition opportunity and recognize when a deal is not the right fit. Whether you’re considering an exit, curious about buying a business or simply want to build a more valuable company, this is a practical look at what happens behind the scenes. Episode Summary 04:35 When should founders start thinking about exit strategies 06:45 Key foundational elements for a successful sale 08:10 Assessing the business's team and operational strength 09:07 Balancing founder visibility with business independence 14:16 Understanding revenue quality and diversification 16:30 Valuable assets for small businesses and when size doesn't matter 21:33 Planning for integration and organizational alignment 23:54 Red flags and due diligence tips 26:40 Personal growth and mindset during acquisition or sale 28:34 First steps when approached with an acquisition offer 30:24 When buying or selling isn't the right move Let’s connect! Interested in helping grow your business or finding ways to unblock growth? Reach out via elliemcnevin.com or on Instagram @elliemcnevin_ . I can’t wait to hear more. xx

August 13, 202546 min

Julia Rubien: The Power of UGC -- How Real Content Converts

In this episode of PR Adjacent , Ellie sits down with Julia Rubien, founder of Amie Social, to break down the basics of user-generated content (UGC) — and why it’s one of the most effective tools brands can use to drive sales today. From understanding what makes UGC different from traditional brand content to knowing how to source, brief, and repurpose it, Julia shares practical tips for beginners and brand owners alike. You’ll learn how UGC builds trust, stops the scroll, and turns casual browsers into loyal customers — plus how to start integrating it into your own marketing mix right now.

June 11, 202552 min

Julie McAllister: Niching Down, Trusting Your Gut, and Building a Business Without a Playbook

When she started her business, Julie McAllister was busy making sugar cookies for events around town — but what really lit her up were hyper-realistic, sculptural cakes. When she made the risky decision to niche down and fully own her creative lane, everything changed. That clarity led to Netflix’s Is It Cake? , the Food Network, and clients like Reese Witherspoon. On today's episode, we're talking about the power of niching down, trusting your gut, and how clear positioning can fuel real growth.

May 14, 202539 min

Samantha Gold: Business Happens in the DM —Building a Brand With Your Customers

Today’s episode is all about what happens when you stop building for your customers—and start building with them. We’re joined by Samantha Gold, founder and CEO of Motette , the elevated bamboo clothing brand for babies and toddlers that’s quickly becoming a go-to for modern families. A former fashion exec and tech leader, Sam didn’t just launch a brand—she created a community. In this conversation, we dive into what that really means: from the DMs that drove early traction, to how 80% of her launch day sales came from moms in her inner circle. We talk about the power of transparency, the value of listening, and why the smartest founders are inviting their customers behind the scenes. If you're thinking about how to grow your brand through real relationships, this one’s for you.

April 9, 202545 min

Rachelle Saevil: Building a Brand Beyond the Logo

What does it really take to manage a brand build from start to finish—without losing your mind or your message? In this episode, I sat down with Rachelle Saevil, founder of Saevil Row, to unpack the art (and science) of creative project management. With two decades of design experience and a decade running her own agency, Rachelle shares how to bring the right people in at the right time, make smart investments, and avoid common pitfalls in the brand development process. Whether you're building a brand from scratch or refining one, this conversation is full of insights on streamlining workflows, maximizing budgets, and making branding feel less chaotic—and a lot more strategic. PS, have you noticed the refreshed PR Adjacent podcast cover? That's thanks to photographer Sarah Cramer Shields and Rachelle and her talented team at Saevil Row!

March 12, 202536 min

Cheri Leavy & Whitney Long: The Business of Intentional Connection

Cheri Leavy and Whitney Long are the founders of The Southern C , a community that’s redefining what networking looks like for creative entrepreneurs. They have built an ecosystem where relationships come first, and their approach to fostering meaningful connections has made The Southern C Summit a must-attend event for female business owners the country. Beyond their in-person events, they’ve also cultivated a thriving online membership, offering entrepreneurs a space to connect, collaborate, and grow year-round. In our conversation, we dive into how in-person experiences are a powerful driver of business growth and brand loyalty, how personalized marketing fosters deeper consumer connections, and how quality over quantity is always the move.

February 26, 2025Episode 330 min

Touching Base with Nicole Noble: A Monthly Check-In on the State of PR & Marketing

PR and marketing are shifting faster than ever—platforms change, media landscapes evolve, and what worked last month might already be outdated. "Touching Base" is your go-to monthly check-in for the latest trends, industry moves, and strategic insights you actually need to know to take your business to the next level. Join Nicole Noble, founder of marketing consultancy Specio, and Ellie, founder of The Birdie Agency, each month as we break down the biggest shifts in PR & marketing, share our insider POV on what’s working now, and help you cut through the noise to stay ahead. If you’re looking for real insights, expert analysis, and actionable takeaways to grow your brand in an ever-changing landscape, this is the check-in you don’t want to miss.

February 12, 2025Episode 246 min

Kate Rosenow: The Systems-First Approach to Business Growth

Ready to take your business to the next level—without drowning in the day-to-day? Kate Rosenow, founder of Work Well with Kate, is your guide to stepping out of the weeds and into a more streamlined, profitable business. Kate is a business systems strategist who shares proven strategies to simplify operations, optimize efficiency, and scale with confidence. Having helped thousands of women business owners transform their workflows, Kate knows that the key to sustainable growth isn’t working harder—it’s working smarter. In today's episode, we dive into what it really takes to transition into your next chapter of business growth, set up systems that work for you (not the other way around), and build a business that supports your life—without burnout. Whether you're stuck in the weeds or ready to scale with ease, this podcast gives you the tools to grow profitably while staying in your zone of genius. Featured in Forbes, Fortune, Real Simple, and Business Insider , Kate brings expert insights, real-life success stories, and actionable strategies to help you create a business that runs smoothly—so you can focus on what matters most.

January 15, 2025Episode 146 min

Skip the January Reset: Goal Setting for a Sustainable Year

Who knew a publicist and a dietitian had so much in common?! In this episode, I sit down with Cayla, a registered dietitian and founder of Nutrition Preferred to chat about breaking free from the “January reset” mindset. We dive into how small, consistent habits, realistic planning, and progress over perfection can help you stay on track all year long—whether you’re working on your health or growing your brand. Tune in for actionable tips to start 2025 with purpose and momentum! 🎧

November 21, 2024Episode 1245 min

Mastering Paid Media: Keys to Success in Today's Competitive Market

On this episode, Emily Heslin, founder of Carriage House Creative, joins us to explore how paid media and PR align for maximum impact. From Meta and Google to TikTok and Pinterest, Emily breaks down key platforms, shares tips for leveraging earned media in ad campaigns, and offers advice on planning for Black Friday and 2025. Perfect for founders looking to elevate their strategy!