We recently connected with Annie Bowles and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Annie thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with inspirations and heroes. Are there any historical figures you look up to?

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) is a big inspiration for me, because I struggle with chronic illness as he did. But like him, I also refuse to let it hold me back from living life to my fullest potential. He passed the New Deal, navigated WW2, and was the only president to have served more than two terms in office. The Presidency is a job that many find both physically and mentally taxing… He was wheelchair bound, and did it longer than anyone else.

When I was diagnosed with Gastroparesis secondary to POTS, I really thought I was going to be laying in bed the rest of my life. While very sick one day, I watched a documentary about FDR… And he changed my whole perspective. I realized I needed to get more specific about exactly what I wanted to do with my limited time feeling well, and how to maximize those hours. It was like a jigsaw puzzle that I worked and reworked and reworked until the pieces fit. And working for myself, was a key piece to that puzzle.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I started Sugarfree Media as a media company seeking to support the modern woman in all of her various facets and roles. We began News Du Jour podcast as a way to bring her the news, in more casual, friend-to-friend language. And things bloomed from there. We currently have about a 40k+ cumulative following, and are growing every day!

We have gotten to attend major events like the United Nations General Assembly, New York Fashion Week, and just recently helped to pass a law championing domestic abuse survivors here in Oklahoma. We have worked with major brands such as Bumble, Bose, Roku, Dermalogica, Nest, EOS, Better Help, and many more.

We are currently in the process of re-branding, too, so we will soon be known as “Assembly”… More to come on that soon!

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

I think that reputation is so important, and honestly, immeasurable. The things that helped me built my reputation, were often events that were unpaid or paid less than usual, but helped me build undeniable credibility.

For example, my wedding was featured in the New York Times. When you google my name, the first thing that pops up is the New York Times. That builds trust about who I am and that I am someone noteworthy. I was not paid for that. Additionally, attending the United Nations General Assembly took time out of my work week, it really didn’t advance my ROI in a direct way, and it cost money to fly to New York, stay at a hotel, etc. But I learned so much while there, and it helped me, again, build credibility and a reputation.

These are not things you can measure, but they add up to a solid reputation and credibility.

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

The podcast The Financial Feminist is the most motivational money/ business-related podcast I listen to. I always learn something new, and walk away feeling ready to get up early and “go get the worm,” if you will. She’s incredible approachable in her tone, and yet so motivating and informative.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsanniebowles/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/anniebowles/
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsanniebowles

Image Credits

Hannah Pierce Photography and Stu Bennett Photography.