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Why Ongoing Budgets Beat One-Off Projects

Business
Hosts of The Speakeasy Podcast, Jen and Karen, holding cocktails and smiling in front of a dark backdrop. Jen wears a black dress and Karen wears a green top.
Do you ever feel like marketing projects are treated like one-and-done tasks? A video here, a website there, then radio silence until the next big need. But here’s the truth: marketing doesn’t work like that. In this episode, we’re making the case for ongoing investment, especially in areas like web and video, where consistent care and strategy yield far better results than a start-stop approach.

If you’ve ever launched a website or video and walked away, this one’s for you. No worries, we’re not judging! It’s a common trap to fall into, and when you ignore it, it quickly becomes a pain to update. But in today’s world, where your brand story is always in motion, marketing needs to be treated as an ongoing, strategic effort. In this episode, we’re making the case for retainer-style budgets and maintenance models that reflect how content actually works: continuously, iteratively, and in partnership.

We explore how consistent investment leads to better outcomes, more efficient use of time and resources, and greater flexibility when the unexpected happens. Planning for ongoing care keeps your tools from becoming outdated, your messaging fresh, and your brand infrastructure responsive. It’s not just about having a polished launch — it’s about keeping things healthy, aligned, and ready for what’s next.

Quiet Professional

Quiet Professional

Bourbon
Bourbon cocktail served over a large ice cube, garnished with cocktail cherries. Classic amaretto drink with bottle and lemon peel in background.
Smooth, strong, and just a little indulgent — the Quiet Professional is a bourbon-forward cocktail that balances depth with subtle sweetness. Bourbon sets the tone with warm, rich notes, while amaretto and a touch of maple syrup add a soft, nutty sweetness. A couple dashes of Angostura bitters round it out with spice and complexity. Stirred and served over ice, it's finished with a lemon peel and cherry for a polished, classic garnish.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz. Bourbon
  • 1 oz. Amaretto
  • ¼ oz. Maple Syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
  • Lemon peel and cherry for garnish

Preparation

  1. Add ingredients to mixing glass.
  2. Fill with ice and stir.
  3. Strain into rocks glass over fresh ice. 
  4. Express lemon peel.
  5. Garnish with a cherry.

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