The Brandakin Blog

Social media tips, insights and how-tos from Emily Avdem Nelson.

How to Protect Your Mental Health When Your Job Is Social Media entrepenuers small business mindset social media managment

Let’s Normalize Being Intentionally Online

If your job and your leads live on social media, you cannot treat your brain like an afterthought.

Your mindset is a business asset.

When you are chroni...

When Growth Feels Quiet: Why 2025 Was a Clearing, Not a Collapse entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

2025 Didn’t Make Sense While I Was In It

There were so many moments in 2025 where I found myself asking:

What is this all for?

Plans shifted.
Opportunities fizzled.
Some things grew but quietly.

F...

A smiling woman with blonde hair and a rust-colored sweater sits on a gray couch, smiling at her golden retriever. The graphic reads “Rules for 2026” with a list: rest without guilt, trust my instincts, get out of my comfort zone, take some leaps. Text and visual branding match Brandakin Social Media.

My Rules for 2026 and Why I’m Letting Go of Overworking to Succeed entrepenuers small business small business mindset

If you have ever felt like you had to overwork, overthink, or over explain just to succeed, this one is for you.

For a long time, I believed success had to feel exhausting. Like if I was not constant...

Neutral graphic with pink text that says: “I picked a word for 2026 that demands more from me. (To be honest, it scares me a little.)” Represents a personal reflection and blog post about choosing a powerful word of the year.

My Word for 2026 Is Sovereign and Here’s Why It Matters for Growth and Confidence entrepenuers small business small business mindset small business owners

Every year, I choose a word to guide how I show up in my life and business.

Not because it sounds nice.
Not because I need motivation.
But because it reflects what I need to step into.

My word for 2...

Things I'm Letting Go in 2025 to Grow My Business in 2026 entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

Kinda feels like my heart is right on my sleeve with this one 🥹

There are a few things that were hard to admit… but I truly believe awareness is the first step to growth. And I’m so ready for that...

Doing Business Differently Might Be Your Biggest Strength entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

I’ve had to remind myself of this more times than I can count…

For years, I wrestled with the fact that I didn’t run my business the way everyone else seemed to. I don’t work traditional 9–5 hours....

2025 Was a Lot, But You’re Still Showing Up entrepenuers small business mindset

I’ve had so many heart-to-hearts with business owners lately and there’s one thing I keep hearing on repeat:

“This year tried me.”

If you’ve ever sat at your kitchen table whispering “I can’t keep...

Running a Business Is Personal, Here’s the Honest Truth About What I’ve Been Feeling Lately entrepenuers small business small business mindset

This blog post isn’t polished. It isn’t strategic. It’s just real.

I’ve been sitting with a lot of anxiety lately. And truthfully? I didn’t plan on posting about it. But I’ve always promised to sho...

Illustration of a head with a chain and lock around it, surrounded by pastel flowers and the words “Is your mindset holding you back?”

Is Your Mindset Holding You Back? entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

Mindset Check-In 🧠

Mindset is everything when it comes to growth, both in business and in life. And the truth is… we don’t always realize when our own thoughts are what’s holding us back.

So today...

Social Media Follower Count organic social media small business marketing small business mindset social media strategy

What’s the Deal With Follower Count? Does It Really Matter?

Let’s talk about a topic that everyone wonders about at some point: follower count. How important is it? Does it actually impact success?...

A blonde woman wearing a soft pink sweater reads a book while sitting on the floor next to a bookcase filled with colorful books. A white shelf with more books is in the background. Overlaid text reads: “DAILY REMINDER: take breaks.

Daily Reminder: Take Breaks burnout tips entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners

Here’s your gentle reminder to take a break today.

This has honestly been one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since starting my own business. And to be totally transparent, I’m still working on i...

Track Your Progress entrepenuers small business mindset small business owners social media growth

An important reminder for you and your business: track your progress.

It’s so easy to feel like things aren’t moving fast enough, especially with social media. Maybe you’re thinking, “Is this even...

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