What if your biggest professional breakthrough doesn’t comefrom learning a new strategy, but from remembering your own self-worth?

In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah Haynes sits down with Brook Jennings, founder of Elevate, Actually, for a powerful conversation about the connection between confidence, mindset, and leadership.

Brook shares why performance isn’t about perfection, it’sabout presence. Together, they unpack what it means to lead and sell from authenticity, how to balance confidence with vulnerability, and why self-worth is the foundation for every kind of success.

💡 In this episode:
✨The hidden link between confidence and emotional regulation
✨How self-worth impacts the way we lead, sell, and show up for others
✨Why authenticity and structure aren’t opposites — they’re partners
✨Practical ways to shift from pressure to presence in leadership
✨How to move from performing to becoming

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who’s ever tiedtheir value to their results, and is ready to redefine what success really means.

Connect with Brook
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookljennings/
Website: https://elevateactually.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brook.jennings20

What does it really mean to be authentic in leadership, marketing, and sales?

In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah Haynes sits down with Beth Byrd, VP of Sales at Anewgo, for a conversation about what happens when we stop performing and start connecting.

From building trust with your team to showing the “messy middle” in your marketing, Beth shares a refreshing perspective on how authenticity drives stronger relationships, better communication, and more meaningful results.

Together, they explore:
✨ Why “balance” in leadership isn’t a perfect line—it’s a seesaw.
✨ How AI is actually rewarding authenticity and real intent.
✨ The power of listening (“planned, not canned”) in communication.
✨ Why humility and honesty make stronger teams.
✨ How builders can create deeper emotional connections with buyers by showing the people behind the process.

This episode is full of heart, wisdom, and practical takeaways for anyone who wants to lead—and live—with more authenticity.

Connect with Beth:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabethwbyrd/

https://www.instagram.com/bethwbyrd/

Anewgo:

https://anewgo.com/

Do builders really care about their buyers?

In this episode, Sarah Haynes sits down with Brett Steele, VP of Homebuilder Partnerships at Foundations, to ask the hard questions about how builders treat their buyers—and what it takes to turn transactional experiences into lifelong relationships.

Together, they explore why so many buyers feel disconnected from their builder, how internal silos create broken communication, and what the best builders are doing differently to build trust that lasts long after closing day.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:
✨ Why buyers often feel unseen (and what that costs builders)
✨ The biggest gaps in today’s buyer journey—and how to fix them
✨ How digital tools can transform communication and transparency
✨ What it looks like when builders move from transaction to partnership
✨ How to create loyal homeowners who become brand advocates

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in sales, marketing, or leadership who’s ready to rethink what it truly means to “care” about your buyers—and why empathy might just be your best business strategy.

Connect with Brette Steele:
📧 brett@buildwithfoundation.com
🔗 LinkedIn
🌐 buildwithfoundation.com

Personal branding isn’t just about posting online, it’s about positioning yourself as a trusted voice and creating opportunities that actually grow your business.

In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, Sarah Haynes sits down with Kait LeDonne, personal branding expert, keynote speaker, and LinknedIn genius, to talk about how to build a LinkedIn presence that drives influence and revenue. Kait has helped thousands of professionals launch and grow their brands, and her insights cut through the noise of imposter syndrome, muddled messaging, and shiny-object distractions.

Together, we explore:
✨ Why LinkedIn is still the most underutilized platform for thought leadership
✨ The biggest mistakes people make when building their personal brand
✨ How to move from “posting randomly” to a clear, repeatable brand strategy
✨ Ways to show up authentically while staying consistent
✨ The mindset shifts that transform a personal brand into a profitable one

This conversation is part inspiration, part strategy, and all about using your voice as a tool for impact, authority, and growth.

Connect with Kait: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaitledonne-personalbrandingexpert/

Kait's Website: https://www.kaitledonne.com/

Today’s buyers don’t want to fill out forms, they want conversations. And for builders, that shift changes everything about how we connect, qualify, and convert leads.

In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I sit down with James Matte, Founding Partner & CEO of BuilderChat, to talk about how AI-driven chat is transforming the buyer experience. James shares how conversational tools are becoming like a 24/7 OSC, why chat data is a goldmine for sales + marketing alignment, and where the human touch is still essential in a digital-first world.

Whether you’re a builder, marketer, or sales leader, this episode will change the way you think about your buyer journey.

• Why today’s buyers expect conversations, not static forms

• How chat can act as a 24/7 extension of your sales team

• Ways to turn conversations into data-driven insights for marketing + sales

• Where AI helps—and where human connection is still critical

• Practical steps builders can take to start improving their buyer experience now

James Matte is the Founding Partner & CEO of BuilderChat, a platform designed to help builders engage buyers through AI-powered chat. With a background in sales, leadership, and technology, James is passionate about creating tools that improve the way builders connect with their customers.

Connect With James: https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-matte-29884a19b/

Builder Chat: https://builderchat.us/

Sales and marketing are supposed to work together, but toooften, they feel like two separate worlds. In this episode, Sarah Haynes and Shari Morton (Founder & CGO at Shared Drive) break down why these departments struggle to align, and, more importantly, how to fix it.

From CRM mismanagement to untracked marketing wins, we uncover the disconnect and offer practical solutions to get sales and marketing teams on the same page.

In This Episode:
✅ Why sales & marketing often feel disconnected
✅ How CRM mismanagement hurts both teams
✅ The critical role OSCs play in alignment
✅ Fixing communication gaps for better collaboration
✅Actionable steps to ensure shared success

Key Takeaways:
🚀Sales and marketing have the same goal—business growth—but they need better alignment.
🚀 The OSC is the missing link that bridges the two departments.
🚀 CRM tracking and proper attribution are critical for proving marketing success.
🚀 Open communication and celebrating shared wins lead to more effective collaboration.

Connect with Sarah & Shari

Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahahaynes/

Shari: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharimorton/

Shared Drive: https://shareddrive.com/

What do you do when life doesn’t go according to plan?

In this episode of Just Make It Pretty, I’m joined by Abby Cornelius, Director of Sales at Stanley Martin Homes, keynote speaker, podcast host, comeback coach, and working mom. Abby’s story is one of resilience, adaptability, and redefining what it means to “have it all.”

We talk about:
✨ How to turn rejection into redirection
✨ Abby’s “Slingshot Method” for resilience
✨ Balancing career and motherhood in homebuilding
✨ Finding joy and presence, even in chaos
✨ Practical tools to move forward when you’re in the middle of a setback

Abby’s journey through infertility, entrepreneurship, and corporate leadership has given her a unique perspective: setbacks aren’t dead ends, they’re setups for something greater.

If you’re facing a “no” right now or simply need encouragement to keep going, this episode will remind you that your most powerful chapter may be just ahead.

Connect with Abby: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abbycornelius/

https://theriseandshinepodcast.com/

Is homebuilding too comfortable for its own good?

In this episode, we sit down with Melissa Cervin, VP ofMarketing at Lombardo Companies for a bold conversation about the technology comfort zone that’s holding our industry back.

We talk candidly about the fears and habits that keepbuilders from adopting better tools, the cultural mindsets that slow innovation, and how to start making small, strategic shifts toward smarter, data-driven decisions.

Whether you’re leading a team or navigating change from the inside, this episode is packed with insights to help you modernize without overwhelm.

We cover:
✔️Why “this is how we’ve always done it” is costing you sales
✔️The hidden impact of tech resistance on customer experience
✔️What builders can learn from other industries
✔️How to evaluate and implement new tools with confidence
✔️Real stories from Melissa’s career that will challenge your mindset

🎧 Tune in to learn howsmall changes can lead to big momentum, and why now is the time to rethink what’s possible.

🛠 Resources Mentioned:
• Connect with Melissa Cervin on LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/melissa-cervin-494429107/
• Learn more about Lombardo Companies → https://lombardohomes.com/
• Get free homebuilding marketing insights → https://shareddrive.com/