165. Fantasy Marketing Is Dead - What Smart CEOs Are Doing Instead in 2026
Release Date: 12/29/2025
Creatress of Freedom Podcast
Welcome Queen, If you’re getting interest but not bookings or conversions… If clients are saying “let me think about it,” ghosting, or questioning your prices… This episode will change the way you sell, forever. In this powerful, no-fluff episode of The Creatress of Freedom, Annie breaks down the Sales psychology every business owner must master in 2026 and why selling is never about price, and always about value, belief, and emotional connection. Fresh off a real client coaching call, Annie shares exactly why businesses fail to convert warm leads into paying clients, and...
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Welcome Queen, In this episode of The Creatress of Freedom, Annie is calling out the fantasy marketing dominating the online business space, the kind that promises six-figure months through journal prompts, meditations, and “aligned energy” alone. While Annie deeply believes in energetics, mindset work, and feminine embodiment, she’s here to tell the truth most coaches won’t... you cannot manifest sustainable success without strategy, systems, and real business foundations. Through personal stories, real-life coaching experiences, and honest reflection, Annie breaks down why so many...
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Welcome Queen, In this deeply personal episode of The Creatress of Freedom, Annie Knight shares the full story behind her newest business venture & why it’s about so much more than money. After one of the hardest years of her life, navigating burnout, loneliness, identity shifts, and a deep desire for belonging, Annie opens up about the moments that led her here. From past experiences in network marketing and entrepreneurship, to learning hard lessons about leadership, intuition, community, and values, this episode is an honest reflection on growth, resilience, and alignment. If...
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👉 👈 Welcome Queen, A Must Listen To! Are you accidentally blocking your own sales with the way your salon is set up? In this week’s episode, Annie breaks down the psychology of salon layout, how clients subconsciously make purchasing decisions, and the five principles every salon owner must use if they want retail flying off the shelves. This isn’t about “pushing products.” It’s about creating a premium client experience that builds trust, boosts results, and naturally increases revenue, without feeling salesy or forced. Whether your salon is big, tiny, home-based, or...
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👉 👈 Welcome Queen, In this powerful, no-fluff episode of Creatress of Freedom, Annie dives into the hard truth so many salon owners avoid: the reason your staff are disrespecting you, costing you money, and running your business instead of you… is because you’ve been allowing it. This episode is your wake-up call and the blueprint, for stepping into real CEO leadership before 2026 hits. If you’ve been dealing with unaligned staff, money leaks, clients being repelled, or team members who talk back, change prices, ignore systems, or flat-out disrespect you… you’re going to...
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Welcome Queen, Are you stuck in the “retail ick” that so many salon owners struggle with? Does selling retail feel pushy, awkward, or salesy… even though you KNOW it’s part of delivering a premium client experience? In today’s episode, Annie is shaking the table... lovingly, of course. 💅 If you’ve ever avoided recommending products because it feels uncomfortable, this episode will feel like a full-body wake-up call. You’ll hear real stories from real clients who wish their stylist or therapist had offered guidance… and how not having that conversation is actually a...
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👉 👈 Welcome Queen, This week’s episode of The Creatress of Freedom Podcast dives into one of the most activating situations every salon owner knows too well: A client no-shows… You check Instagram… And there she is... out drinking with her friends. Cue the frustration. The rage. The “WTF is wrong with people?” moment. But Queen… the trigger you feel? It’s not about the client. It’s about the deeper wound that moment is poking at and in this episode, we’re going all the way in. 🔥 Annie breaks down the mindset, boundaries, self-worth patterns, and...
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👉 👈 Imagine unlocking an extra $96,000 in your business without raising your prices, working longer hours, or spending a cent on marketing. Sounds impossible? Annie’s breaking down exactly how it’s not. In this power-packed episode, Annie pulls back the curtain on one of the most common & costly mistakes salon owners make when managing staff. She calls it a “money leak,” and if you have a team, it’s almost definitely happening in your business right now. What You’ll learn: ✨ The tiny tweak that could add $96,000+ to your salon’s annual revenue ✨ How to...
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👉 👈 Let’s get honest, Queen, how many times have you heard someone say, “It’s just the economy right now” when talking about their slow business? In this fiery episode, Annie gets real about the stories business owners are clinging to and how the “bad economy” excuse is keeping so many powerful women from showing up in their full potential. Through real talk and personal reflection, she breaks down how fear spreads through conversations, how our environment shapes our beliefs, and why the economy isn’t actually what’s holding you back, your energy and...
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Welcome Queen… who told you it has to take five years before you see profit in your salon? Who told you that struggle and burnout are “just part of the journey”? In this powerful, no-BS episode, Annie pulls back the curtain on one of the biggest lies in the hair & beauty industry that success has to be slow and painful. Through her own story of going from $80K in debt to $95K in profit within a year, she’s here to show you that it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’ve been hustling for months (or years) with nothing to show for it but exhaustion, this is your...
info_outlineWelcome Queen,
In this episode of The Creatress of Freedom,
Annie is calling out the fantasy marketing dominating the online business space, the kind that promises six-figure months through journal prompts, meditations, and “aligned energy” alone.
While Annie deeply believes in energetics, mindset work, and feminine embodiment, she’s here to tell the truth most coaches won’t... you cannot manifest sustainable success without strategy, systems, and real business foundations.
Through personal stories, real-life coaching experiences, and honest reflection, Annie breaks down why so many ambitious women feel stuck, burnt out, or disappointed after investing in “easy win” offers, and what actually creates long-term, scalable success.
This episode is a must-listen for salon owners, service-based entrepreneurs, and high-achieving women who are ready to stop chasing shortcuts and start building businesses that truly support their freedom.
🎧 Inside This Episode, You’ll Learn:
✨ Why fantasy marketing is so seductive and why it keeps entrepreneurs stuck
✨ Why “quick wins” often lead to fast burnout and income dips
✨ How Annie lost thousands investing in misaligned mentorship and what she learned
✨ What to look for (and what to ask) before investing in coaching or mentorship
✨ How to build a business that supports freedom, flexibility, and long-term growth
🔗 Resources
💎 Freedom Salon Manual
Who it’s for:
Salon owners who want clear systems, strong foundations, and a no-BS approach to running a profitable, well-structured business.
This is for you if you want clarity, confidence, and control without chaos.
💎 Private Business Coaching with Annie
Who it’s for:
Established salon owners and entrepreneurs ready for personalized strategy, leadership support, and next-level expansion.
This is high-touch, deep work for women serious about scaling correctly.
👀 Wanna know about the new business Annie just launched?
Check it out on Instagram:
👉 @Iamanastasia_Louisa
🤍 Let’s Connect
For Salon Owners
For Everyone Else
📸 Share the Love
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