Just Grow With It with Natalie Barbu

Hosted by Natalie Barbu

Business Education Society Culture PersonalInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Apr 2026

Language

About the show

Just Grow With It is the show for founders, creators, and curious doers who are figuring it out in real time. Hosted by Natalie Barbu — creator turned tech founder — this podcast shares the unfiltered lessons from building a business, growing a personal brand, and learning as you go. Expect honest stories, behind-the-scenes insights, hard-earned lessons, and encouragement to start before you’re ready. From impulsive ideas to intentional pivots, it’s all part of the journey. If you’re ready to grow with me — let’s get into it 🌱

Listen to episodes

22 recent

April 30, 202613 min

The marketing strategy that took us from $0 to $3M (it's not what you think)

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: natalie@manifestmgt.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 25, 202622 min

You need to stop using ChatGPT and switch to these instead... 👀

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 12, 202611 min

if you're a founder NOT building a personal brand... you're already losing 😬

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

March 6, 202613 min

stop being a 'lifestyle creator' 🥴 and start making REAL money by doing this... 💵

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! 🚀 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 26, 202621 min

IM ENGAGED! 💍✨ was I surprised?, having a small wedding, and where we are moving!

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: natalie@manifestmgt.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 19, 202621 min

I create a month's worth of content in JUST A FEW HOURS 📅 ⏰ here's my entire content creation system

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

February 3, 202650 min

The Delusional Confidence That Built a MULTIMILLION Dollar Activewear Brand

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 21, 202644 min

Why the Next Billion Dollar Business Will Come From a Creator

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 jeff@owm.ai 📩 Continue the conversation on my Substack, The Growth List: https://thegrowthlist.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

January 7, 202639 min

Venture Capital Is Not What It Used to Be 👀 How to STAND OUT As a Founder

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December 31, 202513 min

How to RESET Your Life for 2026: The Real Goal Setting Playbook 🚀🎯

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices