Build a Stronger Business by Increasing Your Authentic Presence | Sarah Foley, The Vertical Blonde

Episode Summary

On this episode of Utah Business Spotlight, host Peter Anthony sits down with Sarah Foley — known across Utah and the speaking world as The Vertical Blonde — to dig into what really separates a forgettable speaker from a compelling one. A strong message means nothing if the person delivering it doesn't feel believable, and Sarah Foley has built her business around closing that gap between who you are, how you show up, and what the room feels the moment you start to speak.

Sarah Foley is a speaker trainer and founder helping entrepreneurs and professionals build stronger presence, sharper messaging, and more trusted communication. Inside her Speaker Academy, she works with operators who are ready to sharpen their voice, own their identity, and communicate with more authority in every room they walk into. This conversation is not about sounding polished for the sake of it — it's about becoming more grounded, more defined, and more trusted the moment people see you, hear you, and experience your message.

Peter Anthony and Sarah Foley get into the difference between original speakers and recycled ones, why borrowed quotes and safe messaging quietly kill credibility, and why presence shapes trust before a single word is spoken. They also tackle why every platform — from a stage to a Reel to a sales call — is now a stage, and why constantly changing your image actually weakens your brand instead of strengthening it.

What stands out here is how clearly Sarah Foley has positioned The Vertical Blonde. She is not trying to be for everyone. She has built a curated, high-trust environment for people who are serious about leveling up their voice, their image, and their authority. Peter Anthony adds the marketing operator's lens on standing out in crowded markets, why bold brands pull the right people in, and why diluting your message to appeal to everyone is one of the fastest ways to disappear.

If you speak, sell, lead, or build a brand of any kind, this episode is a tactical reset on presence, identity, and communication. Utah Business Spotlight is produced by INCubator Marketing Agency and filmed in Sandy, Utah.

Key Moments

00:00 The Identity Behind The Vertical Blonde · 01:00 Why speaker training starts with self-image · 03:00 Inside Sarah Foley's Speaker Academy · 05:00 Who her business is built for — and who it is not · 06:00 Why confidence comes before better delivery · 09:00 Original speakers vs. recycled ones · 12:00 Why presence shapes trust before you speak · 16:00 Every platform is a stage · 18:00 Why changing your image can hurt your brand · 20:00 What happens when you try to appeal to everyone · 23:00 Peter Anthony on standing out in crowded markets · 27:00 Why bold brands pull the right people in

Notable Quotes

"A strong message means nothing if the person delivering it doesn't feel believable." — Sarah Foley

"Presence shapes trust before you ever open your mouth." — Sarah Foley

"Bold brands don't push people away — they pull the right people in." — Peter Anthony

"When you try to appeal to everyone, you become invisible to the only people who were actually going to buy from you." — Peter Anthony

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Utah Business Spotlight?

Utah Business Spotlight is a free professional video podcast hosted by Peter Anthony of INCubator Marketing Agency. Each episode features a Utah business owner sharing their story, lessons, and what makes their company worth knowing.

Who should apply to be a guest?

Established Utah business owners, founders, and operators who want to share their story with a local audience and amplify their brand through professionally produced video content.

How do I get featured on the podcast?

Apply through the Utah Business Spotlight application. Selected guests are scheduled for a 12-minute studio interview in Sandy, Utah, on Thursdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

What do guests receive?

A full produced episode, short-form clips for social, multi-platform distribution across YouTube and podcast networks, and a dedicated authority page on theincubatormarketingagency.com.

Where is the podcast filmed?

Episodes are filmed at Sandy, UT (venue TBD). The studio is a professional broadcast facility built for cinematic interview production.

About INCubator Marketing Agency

INCubator Marketing Agency is Utah's first AI-integrated marketing infrastructure team, headquartered in Sandy, Utah and serving small businesses, founders, and operators across Utah County, Salt Lake County, and the wider Wasatch Front.

Every engagement is built around the INCubator Method: seven core marketing systems — authority web design, local SEO, CRM and pipeline, marketing automation, AI voice receptionists, video content, and conversion-focused funnels — installed together as one accountable infrastructure so every dollar compounds month over month.

The agency was founded by Peter Anthony Wynn (Founder & Marketing Strategist) with Marc Olsen (Partner & Automation Expert) and Chelsie Wynn. INCubator operates Utah Business Spotlight, a long-form Utah small business podcast filmed at Bad Bet Productions in Sandy, Utah, and hosts Tuesday Night at the INCubator — a weekly marketing training and networking event for Utah business owners.

Contact: team@incubatormarketingagency.com · +1 385-386-6988 · Office hours Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 5 PM Mountain Time.