Branding with Heart: Purposeful Strategy for Modern Creators with Katie Holmes | Business Growth Trailblazers
In this episode of Business Growth Trailblazers, Katie Holmes joins Leah Rae Getts to talk about what it really means to build a brand with heart. The conversation moves beyond logos and visuals and into purpose, connection, and emotional layers that sit underneath every successful business. Katie shares how her creative roots, personal journey, and love for people shape the way she approaches branding today.
PURPOSE STARTS IN YOUR GUT
Katie’s journey into branding was never linear. She began in hospitality school, thinking she could open a bakery, only to realize something felt off. That turning point became a defining moment, not just professionally but personally. Instead of forcing a path that looked practical on paper, she listened inward. That decision shaped everything that followed.
“Once I got into that program, everything fell into place in my gut, in my heart, and in my head; this was my purpose.”
– Katie Holmes
When something truly aligns with who you are, you feel it on every level. Purpose is not always logical; it is often intuitive. And trusting that internal clarity can change the trajectory of your life.
BRANDING BEGINS WITH HONEST CONVERSATIONS
Katie highlights that her process doesn’t start with visuals or strategy conversations; it starts with people. She intentionally creates space for clients to share not only business struggles but personal ones, too. By listening first, she builds relationships rooted in transparency and trust. That emotional foundation becomes the starting point for everything.
“It’s really hard to segment your personal life from your business life nowadays.”
– Katie Holmes
Here, Katie emphasizes that you can’t separate who you are from what you build. Your experiences, stress, growth, and personal evolution all influence your work. Ignoring that reality creates a disconnect, while acknowledging it creates authenticity.
A BRAND WITH HEART CONNECTS ON A DEEPER LEVEL
For Katie, branding is not about numbers alone. It is about resonance. She explains that audiences today are looking for something more than transactions. This means knowing why you started, what you care about, and how you want people to feel when they interact with you. Strategy matters, but emotion is what builds loyalty.
“You really need to tap into what drives your audience, what really connects them on a personal level.”
– Katie Holmes
What Katie means to say here is that people make decisions emotionally before they justify them logically. If you want to build something lasting, you have to understand what truly moves the people you serve and be willing to show your own heart in return.
POWERFUL WORK CREATES EMOTIONAL IMPACT
Some of Katie’s proudest moments are not bout metrics or milestones. They are about emotional reactions. When a client feels seen, understood, and accurately represented, that is when branding becomes transformative. That emotional response signals alignment and shows that the brand reflects not just a business, but a dream.
“She was brought to tears by how perfectly we were able to encapsulate her vision.”
– Katie Holmes
When someone feels fully understood, it is powerful. Branding at its best is not surface-level design; it is translating someone’s heart into something visible and shareable. That emotional reaction is not about a logo or a website; it is about being seen, validated, and reminded that their vision was real all along.
Katie’s conversation on Business Growth Trailblazers is a reminder that branding is not just about visibility; it is about vulnerability, clarity, and connection. Her perspective blends creativity with emotional awareness, showing that purposeful strategy starts with understanding yourself first.
Listen to the full episode of the Business Growth Trailblazers on Apple Podcast, ListenNotes, Spotify, and PodcastApp to hear the complete conversation and explore how building with heart can transform the way you show up in your work and your life.
XOXO, Katie
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