Overcoming Fear of Selling: The #1 Reframe Every Small Business Owner Needs w/ Stacey Brass-Russell

Small Business PR

What if the very thing holding your business back isn’t strategy or followers—but the fear of being seen? In this episode of the Gloria Chou PR Podcast, I sit down with Stacey Brass-Russell—Broadway performer turned transformational business coach and host of Passionate & Prosperous. With a career spanning show business, yoga, and entrepreneurship, Stacey has mastered the art of showing up unapologetically and teaching others how to do the same.

We dig into what it really takes to sell without feeling salesy, why confidence is a muscle you can build, and how to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks. If you’ve ever hesitated to press “send” on that pitch, this conversation is your permission slip to shine.

How Do You Sell Without Feeling “Salesy”?

Stacey breaks down the difference between bro-marketer tactics and authentic selling. Instead of cold DMs and pushy tactics, she shares how to build real relationships and show up in service of your audience—so selling feels natural, not cringe.

What If You’re Afraid of Rejection?

Rejection isn’t just part of the game—it’s proof you’re actually playing. Stacey explains why she encourages her clients to collect rejections as a measure of progress and why your job isn’t to convince everyone, but to find the right ones.

The One Habit That Builds Confidence in Business

Confidence doesn’t just show up. Stacey reveals the daily mindset practices—affirmations, reframing, and radical permission—that fuel resilience and visibility.

Personal Outreach: The Most Overlooked Sales Strategy

Forget obsessing over Instagram. Stacey makes the case for direct, human connection as the #1 activity that moves the needle in your business.

Why Nobody’s Thinking About You (and That’s a Good Thing)

One of Stacey’s most freeing insights: people aren’t scrutinizing your every move. In fact, most of the time, they’re not thinking about you at all. That’s why volume and consistency in outreach, pitching, and posting matter more than perfection.

✅ Final Takeaway: You don’t need to master every marketing hack or wait for the perfect pitch. What you need is:

• A daily practice that builds confidence and resilience
• The courage to connect directly with people
• The willingness to be visible, imperfectly

When you stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and start leading with service, you’ll unlock the kind of authentic visibility that grows your business.