<p>In this empowering conversation, host Desiree Stanley sits down with Kelly Schuknecht, founder of Two Mile High Marketing and host of Beyond the Bestseller podcast, who shares her journey from 17 years in publishing and marketing to building her own agency—and helping professional women do the same.</p><p>Kelly opens up about the two and a half years she spent preparing for a job loss she could feel coming when her company was acquired. Instead of panicking when it finally happened, she went all in on her business dream. </p><p>Throughout the episode, Kelly breaks down the difference between personal branding (how people perceive you) and thought leadership (what people come to you for expertise on)—and why you need both to stand out, especially in an AI-saturated world. She gets tactical about promoting a book without beating people over the head with &quot;buy my book,&quot; leveraging podcast interviews for content repurposing, and building a 30-day content strategy around your expertise. She also shares why authors need to show their human side, not just their work.</p><p>Kelly explains her unique approach to fractional marketing: starting with a two-hour workshop that results in a go-to-market funnel with actionable tactics, not just abstract strategy. She also discusses her Author Power Circle, writing retreats, and her upcoming book, “The Authority X Factor”.</p><p>Whether you&#39;re an author struggling to promote your book, an entrepreneur who knows you should be &quot;out there&quot; but don&#39;t know how, or a professional woman ready to step out from behind someone else and build your own platform, this conversation offers both inspiration and a practical roadmap.</p><p>Bio:</p><p>I’ve spent over 17 years in marketing, helping entrepreneurs and professionals elevate their brands and grow their businesses. But my journey wasn’t a straight line—it was shaped by the challenges of navigating leadership, motherhood, and a deep desire to do meaningful work. </p><p>Like many women, I wanted to build a career I was proud of without sacrificing my family or my values. That’s when I discovered the power of thought leadership: sharing your expertise and story in a way that inspires others and drives real growth. </p><p>Today, I run Two Mile High Marketing, where I specialize in fractional marketing and thought leadership development. I also host the Beyond the Bestseller podcast, where I empower women to share their stories, build their platforms, and make an impact. </p><p>I’m passionate about helping professionals—especially women—navigate the messy middle of leadership, entrepreneurship, and visibility. Whether we’re talking about marketing strategy, personal branding, or the nuances of remote work, I love sharing insights that help others take actionable steps toward their goals. </p><p>Connect with Kelly:</p><p><a href="https://kellyschuknecht.com/" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Website</a></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorcoachingwithkelly" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Facebook</a></p><p><a href="https://www.instagram.com/beyondthebestseller" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">Instagram</a></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kellyschuknecht" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">LinkedIn</a></p><p><a href="https://www.youtube.com/kellyschuknecht" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">YouTube</a></p><p><a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@kellyschuknecht" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">TikTok</a></p><p><br></p><p>Resouces:</p><p><a href="https://kellyschuknecht.com/resources#free-downloads" target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://kellyschuknecht.com/resources#free-downloads</a></p><p>Books mentioned:</p><p>Start Your Second Act: How to Change Careers, Launch a Business, and Create Your Best Life by Shannon Russell - https://bookshop.org/a/116550/9798992075403</p><p>https://amzn.to/477X0ci</p><p>Podcasts mentioned:</p><p>Beyond the Bestseller with Kelly Schuknect - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/beyond-the-bestseller/id1780870099</p><p>Shannon Russell Ep #158 - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pockets-of-knowledge/id1647662137?i=1000732973105</p><p>———</p><p>Enjoy this Podcast? If you enjoyed tuning into this podcast, then do not hesitate to write a review. You can also share this with your friends so that they can be educated, informed, inspired and empowered!</p><p>Questions? Contact me through my website, www.PocketsofKnowledge.com, or find me on Instagram @desireedstanley. Thanks for listening!</p><p>———</p><p>This podcast is intended to educate, inspire, and empower you on your personal journey. Please note that individuals on the show may have a direct or indirect financial interest in products or services referred to in this episode.</p>