In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson sits down with Emmy Award-winning makeup artist and entrepreneur Ashley Fierro to unpack the power of intuitive business strategy—and how to align it with next-level client experience.

With over 20 years in the industry and more than 3,000 luxury brides in her portfolio, Ashley shares the real foundations of building a fulfilling, scalable business—starting with gut instincts, boundary-setting, and leading with clarity. From ditching hourly pricing to embracing outcome-based value, Ashley’s approach blends creative intuition with business acumen.

But her impact goes far beyond the chair. As the founder of Business of Makeup®, Ashley is on a mission to help beauty professionals turn their craft into purpose-driven, profitable careers. She shares what it takes to build a flexible brand that can grow with you—and why personal branding is the not-so-secret weapon for modern creatives.

This episode is packed with practical advice, mindset shifts, and cheat codes for entrepreneurs who want more than just bookings—they want legacy.

Ashley Fierro has been featured in Forbes, People, Martha Stewart Weddings, and more. Her work spans everything from high-profile brides and celebrities to commercial campaigns and pro athletes, both nationally and internationally. She leads a team that serves 120+ luxury bridal clients annually across her Southern California and Central Texas studios.

From beauty chair to boardroom, her mission is clear: to elevate the artistry, professionalism, and personal brand power of creatives everywhere.

🎧 Tune in to hear how she does it—and how you can too.

Connect with Ashley:

• Instagram & TikTok@ashleyfierromua
  

• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/ashleyfierro

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson

Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

Work with Courtney:

Sunrise Content Club: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club

Level Up on Linkedin: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

Short Form Video Accelerator: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson is joined by Shannon McNamara—the sharp and witty voice behind FluentlyForward, the podcast that unapologetically dissects pop culture, celebrity conspiracies, and the sociological underbelly of fame. But today, Shannon’s not here to talk blind items—she’s here to talk breakups.

Together, Courtney and Shannon dive into the raw, messy, and often hilarious realities of heartbreak. They kick things off by calling out the most overused breakup clichés, then veer into refreshingly unconventional advice for actually moving on. From swapping out your phone wallpaper and rearranging your bedroom with breakup-focused feng shui, to turning ChatGPT into a personal healing coach and consulting psychics for clarity—you’ll hear it all.

Shannon opens up about her own toolkit for heartbreak: no-contact rules, massages for oxytocin, enrolling in self-help programs, and even the controversial—but honest—use of low-dose Xanax for sleep. The duo even tackles the fine art of gaslighting yourself with positive affirmations, because sometimes fake-it-til-you-make-it does work.

With equal parts humor, honesty, and a dose of the woo-woo, this episode is packed with unconventional strategies and emotional insight for anyone navigating the post-breakup fog. Whether you're newly single or still decoding texts from your ex, Courtney and Shannon offer a refreshing, nonjudgmental take on what healing actually looks like.

And if you’re not already a fan of FluentlyForward, you’re in for a treat—Shannon brings the same sharp perspective and pop-culture savvy that’s made her show a must-listen for anyone who loves decoding fame, gossip, and the strange little corners of celebrity culture.

🔗 Follow Shannon McNamara:
Instagram | Substack

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson

Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

Work with Courtney:

Sunrise Content Club: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club

Level Up on Linkedin: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

Short Form Video Accelerator: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc

In this episode of Slay the Gatekeeper, host Courtney Johnson is joined by Chris—aka The Conversion Alchemist—a SaaS message-market fit specialist and conversion copywriter with a unique background in engineering and UX. After 10 years in industrial automation, Chris pivoted into digital marketing, serving as UX lead at Conversion Crimes and working with brands as a CRO expert since 2016.

They dive into why starting a newsletter now (not later) is one of the most powerful things you can do for your brand—and exactly how to get people to actually sign up. Chris shares his favorite “cheat codes” for writing high-converting copy, including the importance of deep market research, decoding how your ideal client makes decisions, and clarifying your positioning and messaging strategy.

Courtney and Chris also unpack how to use AI without sounding robotic—exploring practical ways to integrate tools like Google Gemini, Claude, Typing Mind, and Team GPT to supercharge your writing process without losing your voice.

They also talk about making your first offer irresistible, and how Chris uses personalized Loom video audits to build trust and drive conversions right out of the gate.

This episode is full of grounded, actionable insight for creatives, founders, and marketers ready to sharpen their message, grow their list, and turn their content into conversions.

Connect with Chris: 🔗 Twitter (X) 📸 Instagram 🎥 YouTube 💼 LinkedIn

Courtney Johnson Socials:

Insta: @courtlynnjohnson

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtneylynnjohnson/

Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7oaV8L7rOBd878nlwydJrj

Tiktok: @courtney..johnson

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/courtneylynnjohnson

Newsletter: https://artisanal-originator-6888.kit.com/0e038bf26a

Work with Courtney:

Sunrise Content Club: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/join-the-sunrise-content-club

Level Up on Linkedin: https://maven.com/courtneyjohnson/personalbrand

Short Form Video Accelerator: https://stan.store/courtlynnjohnson/p/get-started-with-this-amazing-course-2o7ml9sc