INSIGHTS FROM CARNES AGENCY
41 Things I’ve Learned in 41 Years: Here’s What I Know Now
I turned 41 this week. It seems really old but also really young, all at the same time. Birthdays used to feel like milestones to rush toward. But lately, I’ve found myself slowing down enough to appreciate what’s already here.
If my twenties were about chasing opportunities and my thirties were about building credibility, my forties feel like a season of alignment. Less about doing it all, and more about doing what actually matters to me, my family, my purpose.
Chasing Trends vs. Owning Territory
Hospitality is built on consistency. Guests come back because they know what to expect, not because you changed the lobby playlist.
Yet when it comes to marketing, too many brands trade that consistency for whatever’s trending... or worse yet, what others are doing.
The strongest hospitality brands command attention rather than competing for it. They build something deeper, they built territory—a distinct, trusted space in people’s minds.
The Era of Micro-Moments: Why Your 10-Second Story Matters More Than Ever
It’s been happening for a while now. Attention spans are shrinking faster than a TikTok scroll. You have about two seconds to make someone stop, and maybe 10 to make them care. And yet, most brands are still writing content like it’s 2015; long, corporate, and forgettable.
90 Days in: What I Built, What I Learned, and What Comes Next
Ninety days ago, I took one of the biggest leaps of my life launching Carnes Agency. It’s been a fast-moving, faith-filled, purpose-driven season that’s challenged me, stretched me, and reminded me just how much can change in three short months. It’s been an incredible whirlwind of learning, growth, and surprises! As I look back, here are the biggest lessons that shaped my first 90 days.
Why the Best Marketers Have Stopped Marketing on Social Media
Let’s talk about something that sounds completely backwards at first: The best way to grow your business on social media is to stop trying to sell anything.
I know what you're thinking - that sounds crazy, right? But here's what I've been watching play out over and over again. The brands absolutely crushing it right now have figured out that being genuinely helpful beats being promotional every single time.
Outdated Branding = Red Flag: If Your Look Feels Stuck in the ’90s, People Assume Your Thinking Is, Too
Even in 2025, with all the tools and resources we have available to us, I’m still seeing it from time to time: a brand that looks like it's stuck in the dial-up era. Perhaps it’s because the owner or founder is “too busy” to make a change. Doesn’t know where to begin. Or their business is still performing well enough that they don’t think there’s a problem.
You know what I’m talking about here - logos that scream clip art, websites that feel dial-up slow, color palettes that belong in a 1997 PowerPoint. My instant reaction? "Are these people even still in business?"
Can You Tell When Your Favorite CEO Uses AI? (Spoiler: Yes.)
This week, I saw a prominent industry CEO post something meaningful on LinkedIn. The photos were great… real people, real moments.
But the words? Flat. Generic. Painfully obvious AI.
What’s interesting is that the post still got great engagement, but after reading it… the real people and real moments were sabotaged by hollow thoughts that only AI could generate.
Hospitality Leaders, You’re Built for LinkedIn’s New Era
I’ve been wanting to talk about something that's been quietly shifting under our noses: the way LinkedIn actually works in 2025.
If you're still focused on crafting the perfect post and hitting publish, you're playing by yesterday's rules. LinkedIn's algorithm has completely flipped the script, and honestly? This change is amazing news for those of us in hospitality who understand that real relationships matter more than crafting the perfect content.