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Writer's pictureryanchenier

Building a Supply Chain Brand and Investing for Growth: Insights with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey



Welcome to another episode of Mastery Fractional CFO’s Punchy Podcast, where we speak with leaders from various backgrounds and ask them for their insights.


In this episode of Mastery Fractional CFO’s Punchy Podcast, host Ryan Chenier, CEO and founder of Mastery Fractional CFO Services, speaks with Sarah Barnes-Humphrey, founder of the supply chain media brand Let's Talk Supply Chain and Blended Podcast. With over 20 years in the industry, Sarah shares her journey, insights into content creation, and her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion.


Sarah discusses her unique path from working in her family’s freight forwarding business to building a media brand that keeps supply chain professionals informed, engaged, and connected. Through her ventures, she’s also championing authentic discussions around diversity in the workplace.


Topics Covered in This Episode:


  1. The Evolution of Let's Talk Supply Chain: Sarah explains how her podcast started as a passion project called “Two Babes Talk Supply Chain” and has since transformed into Let's Talk Supply Chain, a leading media brand in the industry.


  2. Identifying Her Ideal Audience: She describes her two main audience groups—supply chain professionals looking to stay informed and solution providers seeking to share their stories and connect with potential clients.


  3. The Power of Consistent Content: Sarah emphasizes the value of creating regular, high-quality content to build an engaged audience, advising that “consistency is key” for long-term success.


  4. Promoting Diversity through Blended Podcast and Blended Pledge: In addition to her work in supply chain, Sarah highlights her efforts to promote diversity and inclusion through her Blended Podcast and her nonprofit, Blended Pledge, which provides travel grants for diverse voices speaking at industry events.


The CFO Question: A Common Challenge for Entrepreneurs

Near the end of each episode, Ryan’s guests ask him a question from the perspective of a CFO. Sarah’s question focused on a challenge many entrepreneurs face: “Is there something entrepreneurs often overthink when it comes to finances, expenses, and profitability?”


Ryan’s response shed light on a common mindset among entrepreneurs: the tendency to focus heavily on cutting expenses, often at the expense of a holistic financial strategy. He explained that while managing expenses is important, it’s crucial to look at each dollar as an investment toward business growth and long-term success. By evaluating the return on investment in areas like labor and marketing, rather than focusing solely on cuts, entrepreneurs can enhance productivity and improve profitability. Ryan noted that this broader view helps align operations, finance, and business development, creating a foundation for sustained growth.


Key Takeaways:


  • Consistency Builds Trust: By producing content regularly, businesses can engage and retain a dedicated audience.


  • Goals Drive Content Strategy: Tailoring content to specific goals—such as brand awareness or lead generation—helps companies connect with their audience more effectively.


  • Diversity in Action: Through her nonprofit, Sarah promotes the inclusion of diverse voices on industry stages, advocating for authentic perspectives.


  • Marketing as Investment: Cutting marketing expenses might save money in the short term, but staying visible is essential for long-term growth. Maintaining a marketing presence when competitors are scaling back creates competitive advantages.


Closing Thoughts:

Sarah encourages businesses to embrace authenticity, advising entrepreneurs to "be yourself" and stay true to their brand’s voice. In a crowded market, standing out often means being uniquely, authentically you.


For more on Let’s Talk Supply Chain, visit letstalksupplychain.com or connect with Sarah on LinkedIn.


If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with someone in your network who might benefit from it, and stay tuned for more inspiring interviews on Mastery Fractional CFO's Punchy Podcast.

 

To listen to the podcast visit: https://sites.libsyn.com/530067/site

 

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