From $25 Google Checks to 7-Figure Exit: OG Influencers Reveal the Business Behind Personal Branding

What happens when you turn a fashion blog into a business empire worth acquiring? Marie Denée, founder of The Curvy Fashionista, sits down with Kathryn Finney to break down the real economics of influence - from the wild west days of $12 CPMs and $50K satellite media tours to today's oversaturated market.This isn't your typical "follow your passion" conversation. Marie and Kathryn dig deep into the business fundamentals that separate profitable personal brands from hobby accounts that burn out. You'll learn:Why understanding marketing funnels can 10x your influencer income:- The critical difference between building "Marie Denée" vs "The Curvy Fashionista" (and why it matters for exits)- How a failed 10-month acquisition nearly bankrupted Marie - and the legal mistakes to avoid- The mindset shift from "creating content to create revenue" to "creating revenue to create content"Two pioneers who built their tables before anyone knew the rules existed share hard-won wisdom about turning personal brands into scalable businesses. Whether you're just starting out or looking to level up beyond being the product yourself, this episode reveals the strategies that actually work in 2024.Marie Denée is the creator of The Curvy Fashionista, a groundbreaking digital platform that redefined plus-size fashion coverage. Kathryn Finney is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and author of "Build the Damn Thing."