EPISODE / 002

April 12, 2024

Phyllis Williams-Strawder

Ghetto Country Brandmother

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In this conversation, Paul Povolni interviews Phyllis, also known as the Ghetto Country Brandmother, about her journey from running a barbecue business to becoming a personal branding strategist.

Phyllis shares how she transitioned from being Mrs. Mista in the barbecue industry to finding her passion in personal branding. She emphasizes the importance of understanding oneself and building a personal brand that aligns with one’s values and goals. Phyllis also discusses the need for entrepreneurs to have an exit strategy and consider the long-term sustainability of their businesses. She highlights the significance of building a brand that can be sold or passed on to future generations.

Phyllis Williams Strawder, also known as Brandma, discusses the importance of personal branding and how it can be a game-changer for individuals. She emphasizes the need to separate personal branding from personal life and to align it with business branding. Phyllis shares her process of contemplation, setting objectives, dedication, and ethics to develop a personal brand. She also highlights the significance of positioning a personal brand and building barriers, broadcasting the right message, and bridging the gap with the audience. Phyllis encourages authenticity and genuine connection with the audience while endorsing the business brand.

Key Points:

The importance of aligning personal and business brands.
Developing a personal brand that resonates with authenticity and empathy.
Strategies for transitioning from one industry to another.
Overcoming branding challenges and maintaining consistency.
The significance of having a long-term vision and exit strategy.

Guest Bio

She co-owned and operated Bigmista’s Barbecue and Bigmista’s Morning Wood, a multi-million dollar business, with her husband, the original Bigmista, Neil Strawder.

They worked side by side for over 10 years before Phyllis decided she just wanted to be Neil’s marital partner and not his business partner.

About the Host

Paul Povolni (aka Voppa) is the founder of Voppa Creative and a creative leader with more than 30 years of experience working with organizations and teams around the world. His career spans brand strategy, design leadership, and creative direction, with a focus on helping organizations clarify who they are, how they lead, and how they communicate with intention.

Paul has led multidisciplinary teams in the development of award-winning branding and design systems across a wide range of industries. His work consistently connects strategy to execution, ensuring that brand expression reflects both organizational purpose and internal culture.

In addition to his consulting work, Paul is an experienced coach and speaker. He works with leaders, executives, and creative teams to strengthen decision-making, build creative confidence, and cultivate cultures rooted in clarity and accountability. His speaking engagements and workshops are grounded in practical frameworks shaped by decades of real-world leadership experience.

Paul is also the host of the Headsmack Podcast, where he interviews world-class thinkers, strategists, creatives, and business leaders from around the globe. The podcast explores branding, leadership, creativity, and culture through candid, in-depth conversations that challenge assumptions and sharpen thinking.

Through his consulting, speaking, and coaching, he equips clients to lead with Clarity, Creativity, and Culture—aligning vision with execution and purpose with performance.