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What’s the worst business advice you’ve ever received?   For me, when I think back on the bad business advice, there’s one thing that stands out — a whole lot of it came from people who didn’t understand very much about running a service business. People who haven’t done it themselves. People who don’t get how creative businesses work.  Unfortunately, this bad advice can lead us to all sorts of places we don’t need to go. It can waste so much time and energy….which is why in this episode we’re looking at two very different types of services businesses and what’s involved with each one. We’re doing a deep dive into the differences between coaching and creative businesses. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/service-business-model

As a services business owner, have you ever felt overwhelmed trying to figure out what exactly to offer your clients?Part of that struggle often stems from the world of online business and the revolving door of what’s trending. Some years flat-rate pricing is all the rage, other years it seems like everyone’s preaching the benefits of the VIP day model. How do you wade through the trends and figure out what *really* makes the most sense for you AND your clients?  In this episode, we’re exploring how to design your services so you provide the right offer for you and your clients. Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/client-offers

Hands up if you love a great story!  As an avid reader and a professional writer, I’ve always been fascinated by stories. And while storytelling hasn’t been a topic that I’ve tackled in a while, it hasn’t escaped my notice that the online business world continues to be besieged by an approach to storytelling that’s a weird combination of super basic and ultra toxic. What’s the alternative? How do you tell your stories in a way that isn’t the same old canned, repetitive trope, or worst yet serving up drama and trauma? In this episode, I’m talking about how we need to think differently about how we use storytelling in our business and focus on an approach that’s based on being respectful and responsible. Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/storytelling-for-business

The business as usual of online business is broken. But what are the alternatives? Breaking-Free of the Status Quo of Online Business will help you take a trust-driven approach to your marketing, sales and service as a coach, consultant, creative or creator. (That’s right this isn’t just for service businesses, but don’t worry, you’re still my fave!) In this free training we'll explore:  - The current state of online business when it comes to sales, marketing, and service. (And why you need to run the other way!)  - An alternative approach where you bake trust into everything you do in your business. - Specific examples of how to put this into action in your business. Sign up now at: smallbusinessboss.co/trusted

You’ve got a strategy for marketing and sales — but do you have a strategy for what happens after someone actually becomes your client? Let’s face it: Clients are the lifeblood of your business. So ensuring their experience is outstanding is one of the best ways to create loyal, repeat customers who’ll help bring more clients to your door.  In this episode we’re looking at how to create a client experience based on trust, and all the things your clients wish you really knew. Get the inside scoop right here: smallbusinessboss.co/client-experience

When you hear the word “selling” what’s your gut reaction?Unsure? Scared? Like you suck? Or that you could be doing much better? The reality is that for many of us, the entire concept selling has a lot of baggage attached to it. But we can’t get away from the fact that if we want a sustainable business, selling is part of the deal.How do we move past the nasty and negative style of sales in done in online business and do it in a way that doesn’t feel sleazy or predatory?  In this episode we’re breaking down how to sell your services without being sleazy, and digging into everything that’s made you doubt or question your approach to sales. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/sell-your-services

Picture it: Somewhere in the world, March 2021. You’ve gotten yet ANOTHER sleazy email from some bro marketer trying to sell you their newest product or service, and the email is hitting you hard in all your weak spots.  And in all the thoughts running through your head, at some point you think, “well at least I don’t do anything like that with my marketing”. However, if you work online, you’ve very likely had bro marketing baked into what you’re doing — even if that was never your intention.  So how do you know for sure? In this episode, I’m talking about how to de-bro your marketing, and you may be surprised at how simple this can really be. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/marketing-basics/  

Have you ever bought a product or service for your business that you didn’t actually really want or need? You started out browsing because something caught your attention and the next thing you know you’re looking around wondering exactly what happened.I know because I’ve been there, and many times it was because I got played. I was motivated by fear and didn’t even know what was happening.  In this episode we’re exploring why that happens to us, along with why fear is a terrible strategy and, more importantly, what to do instead. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/fear-based-marketing/

Hands up if you’ve ever heard this common refrain in the online business world: “You gotta spend money to make money!!”This “invest at all costs” message is designed to override logical thinking by urging you to take action and purchase, no matter what.  These fear-based tactics are exactly why I decided to conduct a survey regarding the good, the bad, and the ugly of business investments.  In this episode, I’m sharing the results of the survey and digging into what was really happening with people making these investments. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/investing-in-your-business

Have you ever worked with a coach and felt like something was off?  While coaching for business can be a great thing, with the wrong person it can be downright detrimental. And like any close relationship, there’s the possibility that abuse can occur.  What are the red flags you need to look for when choosing to work with a coach? And what should be considered if you’re in one of these toxic relationships and your gut is screaming it’s time to be done?On this episode, my guest business therapist Nicole Lewis-Keeber joins me for a discussion about coach abuse. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/coach-abuse/

What is it about service business ownership that makes people want to chuck it all in and give up?  For some reason, service businesses are often treated as “less than” in the online business world. They’re treated as though our businesses are just a stop along the way until we can do something “better”. How do we turn the tide and make sure service businesses start getting the respect they’re due?  In this episode we’re unpacking why people want to quit services, what to do about it, and why it’s time to elevate the service business.  Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/service-business/

Ever wondered why service businesses get such a bad rap?  Probably because we have our very own anthology of urban legends and myths that have been repeated so many times they’re now accepted as fact. A lot of these myths and stories are designed simply to sell you something, and in the process, they challenge what we think we know about our service businesses. They mess with our heads. They shake our confidence.  And that’s why it’s time we say NO MORE.   In this episode, I’m exploring seven service business myths, and digging into the REAL truth so we can forget about these once and for all. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/service-business-myths/

Q: What do the online business industry and MLMs have in common?A: Way more than they should, unfortunately.  Yet for some reason, the online biz world seems to direct a whole lot of vitriol towards MLMs (and really, lots of other business models).  So where’s the disconnect? How do people not see — or maybe not care — that the very thing they judge can be uncannily similar to the things they do?  In this essay and podcast, I’m exploring the crossover between what’s going on in the online business world and the way MLMs are run, and discuss why it’s time for us to recognize how many of the unethical business and marketing practices are foundational to online business. Get the inside scoop right here: http://smallbusinessboss.co/online-businesses-and-MLMs  

Ever had to chase a client to get paid? The fact is, when it comes to payments terms for your business, there are a ton of variables, so having everything nailed will make collecting your money as easy as possible. In today’s episode, we’re talking about all things payments including payment terms, options for receiving payments, payment plans and so much more.  Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/handling-payments/

Do you ever hear other business owners talking about their money goals and milestones and wonder HOW those numbers might even be possible?The truth is, those goals you hear about may very well be based on fiction, not fact. How do you set money goals that are not only attainable, but actually make sense for you and your business? In this episode, I sit down with Financial Strategist Nechelle Bartley to discuss how we can take a fresh approach to our money goals for 2021. Get the inside scoop right here:  https://smallbusinessboss.co/money-goals/

Have you ever wondered the REAL story behind a business or the person running it?  Not the shiny, glossed over version that omits key things from the past, but the actual story, privilege and all?Yeah, me too. My take is this: If you’re going to listen to me, read my work, and potentially work with me, you deserve truth and transparency. Especially as I literally talk about trust. How can you possibly trust me if I’m burying my past?   And that’s exactly why in this episode, I’m sharing my backstory — from who I’ve worked with, the privilege I’ve benefited from in my life and what running a trust-driven business in 2021 looks like for me. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/ethical-business/

Question: What do the online business industry and cults have in common? Answer: Way more than you think.  For as long as I can remember I’ve been fascinated by cults so when I discovered two NXIVM Docuseries — Seduced and The Vow — of course I was going to watch.  But then something happened that I wasn’t entirely expecting. I saw so many clear parallels between what was being shared on-screen, and what I see every day running a business in the online business industry. Which is where this new podcast episode and essay comes in.  In this episode I’m sharing six lessons from both Seduced and The Vow that are directly applicable to online businesses.  What I have to say may surprise you and make you think a little more about these seemingly harmless tactics used by celebrity entrepreneurs. You can listen to this on the BS-Free Service Business Show or read the full essay here:  https://smallbusinessboss.co/problems-with-online-business/

Have you ever been told that a challenge in your business could be fixed with some mindset work? Of course you have. Because in the online business world, mindset gets  blamed for anything and everything— especially when it comes to money.Truth? I’m sick of it. While money mindset is real, not everything is a mindset issue. In this episode, I sat down with Bear Hebert, radical life coach, social justice educator, and anti-capitalist business consultant, for a completely fresh take on the intersections of power and privilege as it relates to our money mindset. We discuss money mindset, generational wealth, how we can run an ethical business, and so much more.  Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/money-mindset/  

Pricing is one of the more challenging parts of running a business as it can be complicated and nuanced. It can get tied up with our own stories about pricing, and leave us wondering what the right way to price our services really is. In this episode, we’re talking about how to rethink your pricing heading into 2021, including how to raise your prices and all the factors that impact your pricing. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/pricing-strategy

When it comes to marketing and sales, there are so many different strategies and tactics you can use. It’s overwhelming, and frankly, many of them just aren’t the right ones for your business. But there’s one thing that matters more than any single tactic, and that’s trust. In this episode, we’re going to break down how to take a trust-driven approach to your marketing and sales. Get the inside scoop right here: https://smallbusinessboss.co/business-marketing