Building with Intention: Laurie Barron on Digital Strategy, WordPress, and Creative Business

In this episode of Carlsbad: People, Purpose and Impact, Bret Schanzenbach welcomes Laurie Barron, co-founder of Pursu Agency, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, digital strategy, branding, and the evolving world of web development.Laurie shares her unconventional path from accounting and IT to UX, creative agency work, and eventually building Pursu Agency with her longtime business partner, Betsy. Along the way, she reflects on how her background as a collegiate swimmer and coach shaped her work ethic, discipline, and standards.The conversation dives into what makes a strong brand foundation, why growth-driven websites matter, how user experience influences digital success, and where AI fits into modern marketing. Laurie also explains why WordPress remains such a powerful platform when set up properly, and why businesses need more than just a pretty website—they need clarity around audience, messaging, and long-term goals.This episode is a great listen for business owners, entrepreneurs, marketers, and anyone thinking about how to better position their brand online.Topics covered include: Laurie Barron’s career journey from accounting to digital creative work The founding story behind Pursu Agency Why branding and strategy should come before website design How user experience and SEO work together Thoughts on AI tools in marketing and web development Why WordPress still matters The importance of client education and long-term partnerships A personal look at Laurie’s fitness background and her new rescue dog Did this episode have a special impact on you? Share how it impacted youCarlsbad Podcast Social Links:LinkedInInstagramFacebookXYouTubeSponsor: This show is sponsored and produced by DifMix Productions. To learn more about starting your own podcast, visit www.DifMix.com/podcasting