Happy Productive with Jennifer Dawn

What if the way you dress is silently costing you sales, clients, and credibility? In this episode of the Happy Productive Podcast, Jennifer sits down with personal brand strategist and Prosperous Image founder Lee Hayward to talk about why your image is one of the most underused tools in your business—and how aligning your presence with your power can fuel serious growth. This isn't about fashion. It's about identity, alignment, and energy. You'll learn how to show up like the 7-figure version of yourself—before you get there—and why your image might be the very thing blocking your next breakthrough. In this episode: Why your image is repelling (or attracting) high-value clients How to align your wardrobe with your future business, not your past self What it really means to “dress for success” (hint: it's not just about looks) How to lead with confidence—even when your body, mindset, or business is in transition Simple ways to uplevel your presence without sacrificing comfort or authenticity Timestamps: 00:00 – Do You Look Like You've Already Closed $150K Deals? 00:22 – Why It's Not About Clothes—It's About Self-Identity 00:36 – Intro: Why This Conversation Matters 01:13 – Meet Lee Hayward: Brand Consultant & Author 01:49 – Lee's Story: From Fourth Grade to Founder 03:43 – From Styling to Full-Scale Brand Strategy 04:40 – Jennifer's Confession: “I've Always Struggled with Image” 05:49 – Where to Start When You Have No Style Roadmap 06:50 – The Real Question: How Do You Want to Feel? 08:15 – Why Comfort & Confidence Are the Baseline 09:07 – Aligning Your Wardrobe with a $10M Business Vision 11:06 – How a Prosperous Image Attracts More Sales 12:23 – Why First Impressions Are Built on Image 13:57 – Creating Trust Through Consistent Brand Experience 14:25 – Who Are You Really Dressing For? (Hint: Two People) 15:48 – Your Image Should Say: “You're in the Right Room” 16:29 – Essentials for Upleveling Your Brand Image 18:21 – The Curse of $1M: Why People Wait to Show Up Fully 19:42 – Lee's Wake-Up Call: “Would You Dress Like This If You Were Already Successful?” 20:55 – Showing Up to Events with Confidence & Alignment 22:13 – The “Impression of Increase” (And How to Use It) 24:21 – Quick Tips for Looking Aligned—Even in Yoga Pants 24:53 – How to Find the Right Branding Expert or Stylist 26:23 – How Lee Helps You Hold the Vision for Your Future Self 28:04 – Why It's Never Just About the Clothes 28:23 – Image Isn't Just Personal—It's Company-Wide 30:28 – What If You're Not Comfortable in Your Body Right Now? 32:40 – Strategic Dressing at Every Stage of Life 34:22 – Where to Find Lee + Get Her Book Strategically Suited 36:01 – Final Takeaway: Don't Just Listen—Take One Aligned Action Whether you're scaling toward 7 or 8 figures, hosting live events, or just trying to show up like the boss you are—this conversation will rewire how you think about confidence, visibility, and brand presence. Grab Lee's bestselling book: Strategically Suited → [⁠Amazon link⁠] Connect with Lee: ⁠https://www.prosperousimage.com⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/prosperousimage/⁠ ⁠https://www.facebook.com/prosperousimage/⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/prosperousimage/⁠ Jennifer Dawn is a business coach helping high-performing entrepreneurs scale smart, ditch burnout, and build a business that fuels their freedom and adventure. Connect with Jennifer:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠www.jenniferdawncoaching.com⁠⁠ Join our Academy:⁠ ⁠www.jenniferdawnacademy.com⁠ Subscribe for real strategy, bold conversations, and a few laughs along the way. #PersonalBranding #EntrepreneurStyle #HappyProductive #BusinessGrowth #JenniferDawn #AdventureDrivenBusiness

Men aren't broken—they're just missing the tools. In this episode of the Happy Productive Podcast, Jennifer sits down with Owen Marcus, founder of MELD and a pioneer in men's emotional fluency. For decades, Owen has helped men drop the armor, ditch the isolation, and reconnect with who they truly are—not just for their relationships, but for their leadership, their careers, and their peace of mind. You'll hear: ✔ The biggest lie men are taught about emotions (and how it holds them back) ✔ Why emotional expression isn't weakness—it's a leadership skill ✔ The secret to connecting better at home and at work ✔ How the nervous system affects your relationships more than you think ✔ What actually works (spoiler: it's not more therapy or talking it out) Whether you're a man looking for deeper connection or a woman who wants to support the men in your life, this episode will flip the script on what strength really looks like.

Are your emails going straight to spam? If you're relying on outdated outreach strategies — or worse, blasting 1,000 cold emails with zero engagement — this episode is for you. Jennifer Dawn sits down with Shira Simmonds, CEO of SSC Digital and founder of SmartReach AI, to unpack why your cold outreach is failing and what actually works in 2025. Learn how to: • Warm up domains (and why it matters) • Send only 30 emails a day per domain • Use AI to write emails in your tone and voice • Leverage LinkedIn signals for smarter targeting If you want more leads without wasting time, money, or credibility — start here. Watch now to discover why “lead gen lies” are keeping your business stuck. Links: Connect with Jennifer: ⁠www.jenniferdawncoaching.com⁠ Join our Academy: ⁠www.jenniferdawnacademy.com⁠ Shira's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shirasimmonds/ Smart Reach: https://www.smartreachai.com/product Tune in and start building a freedom-fueled business that aligns with who you really are. Subscribe for more interviews with bold thinkers and real business builders. #emaildeliverability #coldemailstrategy #salesfunnels #smartreachai #leadgeneration #entrepreneurmindset

What happens when women rise to the top—only to find themselves mimicking the very systems they hoped to change? In this honest and powerful episode, Jennifer sits down with Megan Bozzuto, Interim CFO of Professional Diversity Network and longtime President of the International Association of Women. Together, they unpack what it's really like to lead inside toxic corporate cultures, the silent sacrifices women make in the name of success, and what it takes to reclaim your voice in environments that punish authenticity. Inside this episode: Megan's emotional breaking point—and why it became a turning point The hidden pressure women face at the top How to lead without losing your values Lessons from 20+ years in global leadership, marketing, and finance Check the full transcript on our Podpage! Timestamps Megan's Career Journey to IAW Leadership (01:08) Culture at IAW & No Mean Girls Policy (03:29) Resilience Through Career & Divorce (06:00) Power of Vulnerability & Community Support (10:04) Showing Up Authentically & Mental Health Work (11:58) Personal Responsibility & Growth Mindset (17:16) What IAW Offers – Events, Resources, Community (18:42) Invitation to Join + LinkedIn Connect + Discount (21:01) If you've ever felt like you had to “armor up” to succeed, this conversation is your permission slip to lead differently—and freely. Links Website: www.iawomen.com Connect with Jennifer: www.jenniferdawncoaching.com Join our Academy: www.jenniferdawnacademy.com Tune in and start building a freedom-fueled business that aligns with who you really are.

What if the way you present yourself is the secret weapon to unlocking more sales and success?

Dr. Laurel Mellin is a health psychologist who founded and developed emotional brain training (EBT). She is an associate clinical professor of family and community medicine and pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Mellin has authored papers on the science and efficacy of EBT and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books on the method. Stress and trauma—especially from early childhood—can create survival circuits in the brain, which drive coping mechanisms such as overworking, emotional withdrawal, and unhealthy habits like overeating or excessive perfectionism. Most people, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, often feel emotionally drained and disconnected because of stress. Dr. Laurel describes five levels of stress in the brain, from a calm, connected state (Level 1) to a stressed-out state (Level 5), where the emotional brain takes over. EBT helps shift individuals from a higher stress level to a more positive, calm state, where they can make better decisions.The emotional brain influences decision-making and relationships, and simply relying on logic and hard work isn't enough to address deep emotional needs. Emotional well-being requires addressing the emotional circuits that control our reactions and behaviors. The goal of EBT is to teach individuals how to rewire these circuits for better emotional regulation, so they can improve their mental health, have stronger relationships, and overall life satisfaction.EBT, as Dr Mellin says, helps in weight reducing and her idea with integrative approach—featuring small groups, app support, and telephone coaching—sets it apart from traditional psychotherapy.Let's see what is in our brains so we can live happier lives!Dr. Laurel Mellin is a health psychologist who founded and developed emotional brain training (EBT). She is an associate clinical professor of family and community medicine and pediatrics at the University of California San Francisco. Dr. Mellin has authored papers on the science and efficacy of EBT and is a New York Times bestselling author of four books on the method. Stress and trauma—especially from early childhood—can create survival circuits in the brain, which drive coping mechanisms such as overworking, emotional withdrawal, and unhealthy habits like overeating or excessive perfectionism. Most people, particularly those in their 40s and 50s, often feel emotionally drained and disconnected because of stress. Dr. Laurel describes five levels of stress in the brain, from a calm, connected state (Level 1) to a stressed-out state (Level 5), where the emotional brain takes over. EBT helps shift individuals from a higher stress level to a more positive, calm state, where they can make better decisions.The emotional brain influences decision-making and relationships, and simply relying on logic and hard work isn't enough to address deep emotional needs. Emotional well-being requires addressing the emotional circuits that control our reactions and behaviors. The goal of EBT is to teach individuals how to rewire these circuits for better emotional regulation, so they can improve their mental health, have stronger relationships, and overall life satisfaction.EBT, as Dr Mellin says, helps in weight reducing and her idea with integrative approach—featuring small groups, app support, and telephone coaching—sets it apart from traditional psychotherapy.Let's see what is in our brains so we can live happier lives!Links:Brain Training: www.ebtconnect.netBooks: www.amazon.com/stores/author/B000APE9YS/allbooks Connect with Jennifer: www.jenniferdawncoaching.comRetreats: www.jenniferdawncoaching.com/our-retreatJoin our Academy: www.jenniferdawnacademy.com

Burnout is preventable. It's within our control to take action and prioritize self-care.Dr. Nekeshia Hammond is a leadership development coach, mental wellness expert, and keynote motivational speaker who helps high performers navigate burnout, exhaustion, and resiliency. In this episode, she dives deep into the importance of self-care for maintaining mental, physical, and emotional well-being. It is important to recognize burnout and find personal ways to reset, it with the help of support. Jen and Dr. Nakeshia challenge the outdated "go, go, go" mentality and encourage us to embrace a more balanced approach to life, where self-care is not just an option, but a priority.Dr. Nekeshia explains that the ‘baby steps approach' is the only way to get lasting results. Women must overcome any guilt tied to self-care. If you're feeling burned out and overwhelmed, taking small, but intentional steps each day will lead to lasting change and help you rediscover your balance and well-being. All of which is crucial for business owners. 

Businesses suffer when their owners do not prioritize their health.Ellen Goldman, M.Ed., NBC-HWC, PCC, is a wellness coach, healthy lifestyle and weight loss coach, speaker, and author. She is passionate about serving others and helping them achieve their health and wellness goals.Ellen explains that the real challenge lies in behavior change. Many people attempt to overhaul their lifestyles, but this approach often leads to burnout and failure. The key is mindset and motivation, which serve as the foundation for lasting change.Ellen introduces her MAP framework—Mindset, Awareness, and Preparation—as the blueprint for sustainable health habits. The first step is shifting your mindset from "I don't have time for self-care" to "I make time for self-care."Ellen also explains success in weight loss differently. It is a result of correcting overall lifestyle imbalances—such as stress, sleep, and exercise—rather than simply restricting food intake.Start with small, manageable changes and embrace a mindset of long-term health; this will lead to both personal fulfillment and business success.Show notes:

 Achieving success in any area—health, career, or relationships—requires consistent, intentional actions over time.Drewbie Wilson is the CEO of Call the Damn Leads, a bestselling author, podcaster, consultant and mentor. He inspires leaders to become the most elite version of themselves.Drewbie shares his transformation story from weighing over 300 pounds to losing 100 pounds—not just once, but twice. "The truth will set you free, even if it hurts sometimes," explaining how tough love from his wife and friend helped him change his unhealthy habits. He found the inspiration for this drastic change in entrepreneurial communities and motivational resources. He also developed the "Four Sixes Strategy"—a concept for balanced success that divides each day's 24 hours into four parts: six hours for sleep, six for family or relationships, six for business, and six for self-care.Since time is the one resource you can't buy more of, Drewbie shares insights on how we lose available time, how to audit your schedule to grow your business effectively, and tips on making each business day more impactful.You can live whatever life you want if you're willing to do the work and make it sustainable. Notes:

 If you don't have a way to receive honest feedback, you're missing out on the opportunity to become the leader you could be.Beate Cheleete is a podcast host, facilitator, author, business and growth strategist, and founder of "The Woman's Code." She offers practical strategies, blueprints, and tools to enhance women's leadership skills and amplify their impact. Beate simplifies complex processes into repeatable steps, helping women turn their talents into thriving businesses and seize career opportunities.Beate shares her story, starting as a photographer in Germany and eventually selling her business for millions to Bill Gates. Now, she helps business owners develop systems and strategies to grow and scale their businesses. She explains what the Five-Star Success Blueprint is, why simplicity and clarity in business offers matter, and why business owners should adjust pricing, refine branding, and be flexible based on current market conditions.All successful business owners often have a spiritual practice, which aligns with having a strong value system focused on service rather than material gains. Aligning spirituality with strategy always leads to strategic success. The strategy for each is to avoid hiring until you automate—setting up your processes, documents, and the entire system to ensure the work remains relevant and impactful.Leadership is about showing up in the right way and letting others' evaluations guide you.Show notes:

Running the business with the end in mind improves its future saleability and also enhances how the business operates today.Laurie Barkman, is the CEO of The Business Transition Sherpa, adjunct professor of entrepreneurship, and podcast host. She is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company that was sold to a Fortune 50. Her expertise in business transition, succession, entrepreneurship, marketing, and M&A has been spotlighted in various media like Newsweek, Forbes, Yahoo! Finance, WTAE/abc, and more.After going through an acquisition herself, she recognized the importance of helping business owners with succession planning and building value proactively. Many business owners don't consider exit planning early enough and that is a crucial step not only for later-stage companies. The usual scenario is selling when the company is in bad shape is the worst option. Lori offers examples of how business owners can make their business more attractive to buyers and some might be weird to most owners. But the process of preparing your business for sale allows you to leave on your terms, ensuring your legacy continues while you reap the rewards of your hard work.Show notes:

It's not about fixing emotional eating—it's about loving yourself through it.Marla Mervis Hartmann, is a coach, TedX speaker and creator of Love Your Body, Love Yourself. She shares her personal journey of struggling with restrictive dieting, over-exercising, and body dissatisfaction despite having a healthy physique. Women face societal pressures and diet culture that often lead to a cycle of criticism and control, particularly as the body changes through different life stages like menopause.Marla says that all women should practice self-compassion and avoid being overly critical of our bodies. Healing involves slowing down, tuning into what the body truly needs, and addressing underlying fears of acceptance and authenticity. It is very important how we speak to ourselves, what we push into ourselves emotionally because that will reflect on the eating habits. Personal stories in this episode are heart-touching and "Death by chocolate," captures the emotional complexities tied to food. Marla shared tips for cultivating self-love and body acceptance. We are all in different shapes and sizes, but what matters is the peace and love you give to yourself. Show Notes:

We all intuitively feel like we should be doing better, bigger, serving in a greater capacity.David Conway is the founder of Conway Consulting, a sales and mindset mentor and coach, and he teaches entrepreneurs how to achieve any result that they desire by developing their minds so that we can all live up to our life's full potential. Through leveling up their mindset, business, and results, Dave helps his clients with an action-oriented approach to mindset and sales mentorship.Dave shares his very painful journey into personal development, which began when he attended a talk by Bob Proctor at the age of 18. However, despite being exposed to these ideas, Dave struggled for 15 years to convert his knowledge into success. Then in 2017 everything changed.Dave shares how he transformed his life by applying these principles, transitioning from a carpenter earning $5,000 a month to running a successful consulting business making over $4 million annually. He shares his tips on what we can do in just two steps, to get clarity in our thoughts. For every entrepreneur, freedom is crucial, and Dave offers a different view on what freedom means for each business owner. So go get productive and work towards your freedomNotes:☹️ Seeing Bob Proctor at 18: intuition, manifestations, and universal laws that didn't work for Dave. 01:39

Transformation is the change, but we usually get stuck in how to do it.Cindy Carrillo is the CEO of Finding Your Nxt, a business coach, and a rancher. She shares her journey from being an entrepreneur working with Fortune 500 companies to completely changing her lifestyle by buying a ranch in Colorado.Cindy started her business, Work Options Group, in the 1980s to help employees balance work and personal life, offering caregiving services that became widely successful over 20 years. After realizing it was time to move on, she sold her company and decided to pursue a long-held dream of living in the country. Cindy found a 35-acre property in the "Little Switzerland of America," built a home from scratch, and developed the sustainable, animal-friendly lifestyle she dreamed of.On her ranch, Cindy hosts retreats, and one-on-one business coaching sessions that are more effective since nature allows us to more easily connect to our awareness and our whys. Cindy found her dream and is living her values while she helps others find their alignments. Show notes:

Overwhelm often comes from over-scheduling and bad planning. Katy Allen is the CEO of Artful Agenda & co-founder of Adulting App. She built her business based on her need for a better time management tool and her love for paper planners. Creatives and business owners manage a lot of things at once, and proper planning is crucial for productivity, but also for creativity. Katy and Jennifer share their experiences in creating business planners and which tips and tricks you can use to make the best out of your day, week, and year.  They also discuss why gentle structure in scheduling your day is important and allows creativity to flow naturally.Every day, you must ask yourself what can move the needle in your business, and should be addressed with priority, what can be done later or by someone else? These are all critically important because over-scheduling can damage the business. Use time blocking as a tool to more realistically maintain daily goals and avoid over-commitment.And don't forget, if your current methods aren't working, try new ones! Jennifer's Best Planner Ever is an amazing paper option, and Artful Agenda is an incredible digital option!  Both planners are there to help you tailor the planning system that will fit your unique needs and work style.  Never stop planning!Notes:

The secret sauce to success is in being accountable.Founder of OwnersUP, Tanya Alvarez, helps B2B service-based founders solve their biggest challenges through facilitated peer groups. Tanya realized the power of a well-set accountability system when she founded her first company which grew to $1M in its first year. Accountability is not sexy, nor fun for most entrepreneurs. They feel ashamed and burned out, and usually avoid holding themselves accountable. As Tanya explains, no one can do this work on their own. She has a different blueprint for accountability that avoids shaming. Her accountability groups help people have work-life balance, achieving goals and even finding the right partners.She shares stories and tips on setting accountability correctly to shift mindset, overcome perfectionism, and facilitate groups in a supportive way. Community, celebration, and sharing of experiences make accountability more do-able and effective.  Show notes:

Addressing internal issues will help achieve external success.T. Mark Mayer is a psychotherapist, master of NLP, and consultant specializing in conflict resolution, authentic management, and business coaching. He shares his journey of pursuing success through various high-profile corporate roles and starting his own companies, only to find that his unhappiness comes from trying to live up to the expectations of others. This led him to become a psychotherapist, which helped him realize the importance of connecting with his authentic self. This journey inspired him to help others with his work and the book "The Art of Being Authentic."What is the power of language and changing our ‘I have to's' towards more positive ‘I choose to's' and why trying different systems is not helpful without working within yourself? Why goals must have a meaningful purpose beyond just achieving another goal. Business success really depends on personal development even some business owners might be skeptical about it. Mark and Jennifer explain how their lives and businesses have changed and how to find authentic selves to pivot both in business and personal life.Show notes:

 - Reflect on a recent challenge or setback in your business and identify the lesson or opportunity for growth.- Share one way you can embrace and enjoy your entrepreneurial journey more fully, even amidst challenges.

- Reflect on a recent challenge or conflict in your business where you could have responded with more compassion.- Identify one way to lead or communicate more compassionately in your business moving forward.

- Assess an area where you've been focusing too heavily on tactics at the expense of emotional well-being.- Create a plan to balance tactical action with emotional intelligence and self-care in this area.

- Recall a time when you felt completely in the zone and aligned with your business goals.- Identify the conditions that helped you achieve this flow state and brainstorm ways to create more of them.

Day 3: Embrace Financial Abundance- Reflect on your current beliefs and attitudes towards money in your business.- Identify one limiting belief about money and reframe it into an affirmation of abundance.

Day 2: Simplify and Realign- Identify one aspect of your business that has become overcomplicated or misaligned with your values.- Create a plan to simplify or realign this area with the inherent good you want to provide.- Record a podcast episode - business coach told me my biz was too complicated, and he was right! How can you simplify your business?

Day 1: Rediscover Your Spark- Reflect on what originally inspired you to start your business and what you love most about it.

f you don't heal, you can't make the money. Dr. Linette Montae is a top-tier strategic and profitability partner specializing in scaling the authority, profitability and legacy of underrepresented CEOs, leaders, and entrepreneurs. She is the NSBA Leadership Council, CEO, speaker, and author.Dr. Lynette shares her 40-year journey in entrepreneurship, consulting for various businesses, including major corporations like Marriott and Avis. Being a woman of color in male-driven industries was very hard even though she had two master's degrees and one PhD, she was not heard until she got a law degree. Women often need to overcome societal expectations and focus on mindset to scale their businesses beyond the $1 million mark, but for that, they need to learn skills from coaches. The key point of all businesses is in the customer experience, both internal (team) and external (customers) stakeholders - aiming for the best customer experience possible is the money magnet.Solving your financial problems and creating lasting success begins with addressing emotional and mindset issues. Dr Linette is pointing out that inner work combined with tactical action can make wonders. Reusing one ‘good' product to maximize profits instead of going wide is her great tip for all out there.We have a right to take off the Superwoman capes and redefine success for us - so let's start.Notes:

Marketing is about building relationships.Nikki Nash is the CEO of Market Your Genius, a speaker, consultant, author, and podcaster. As a veteran marketer with expertise in helping businesses attract and retain clients online, and experience working with Fortune 100 companies, Nikki explains what is needed for a good marketing strategy. Her extensive experience with both the consumer side and the B2B side of business made her realize that having one clear front-end offer is key.She shares her career path and seeing marketing as a creative and fun job sets her apart from others in the industry. Nikki advises against trying to be everything to everyone in your marketing efforts. Instead, she stresses the importance of finding a clear path to your audience and not overwhelming your clients.Nikki also explains how understanding how customers make decisions, why they believe what they believe, and how to communicate your core values can guide specific business decisions in developing your marketing strategy. She emphasizes that we are all humans and that avoiding certain red flags can help create more meaningful connections and retain clients.Marketing can be a creative and enjoyable field, as long as we remember that there is a person on the other side, receiving our message.Notes:⭐ Nikki wanted to be in the media and film industry: marketing was exciting and fun for her. 01:34

If you want to tame the business chaos, use the process.Yuri Chu Su is an Online Business Manager (OBM) with a passion for transforming business operations through effective processes and systems. Yuri shares her journey from a corporate CPA and auditor to a successful entrepreneur. Her journey was not easy, but she took time to reflect on her life and wishes before she stepped into the new career path.Jennifer and Yuri discuss the critical role of processes in business success and how they can ensure quality, and give business owners the freedom to step away with certainty their business will run efficiently. They also talk about how simple tools like Google Sheets are great ways to track data and automate operations. The conversation moves to how to overcome resistance to change and distress with Jennifer's amazing trick. These tips and more are just some of the gems in this episode.Whether you're feeling overwhelmed by your business operations or looking for ways to optimize your systems, process is the key. And whatever process is causing you the most emotional distress - start with that one first!▶️ The Process will set you free: business thing #1. 01:13

Thinking about what you want for your life can be scary!Dena Jansen, author, speaker, and coach, with a background in corporate leadership, began her adult life in accountancy and as a farmer's wife. Making the transition out of corporate to entrepreneurship, Dena walked into a different space in her career and within her marriage.Dena's book, Soul Farmer, is a book of self-reflection, which guides the reader through giving yourself time to be with yourself - remembering to invest in yourself, and allowing yourself time to rest. Farmers know that the ground needs time to rest, and Dena believes the same is true for us as people; her husband grows plants, and she grows people, as they both found their own passions, they were able to support each other as they grew.Growing is not easy - but you do not have to grow alone!Notes:

You cannot solve a problem if you don't admit that there is one!Tiffany Sauder manages 3 businesses and 2 careers with her husband, with whom she shares 4 children. Watching her father start his own business, Tiffany grew up with an understanding of risk and and a healthy dose of curiosity. Having graduated with a degree in finance and starting a career in the corporate world, Tiffany convinced her dad to buy a small business, which went on to amazing success. However, Tiffany eventually found herself in a place where neither her business nor the way her marriage was going was sustainable. By undertaking radical changes in her business and starting marriage counseling, she was able to make the changes necessary to prioritize what was important in her life. She managed to get the ordinary bits of life to fit in the smallest possible container in order to make room for the extraordinary in life!Her advice? Be willing to be vulnerable - you do not always have to be perfect!Notes:

Success is closer than you think!Michelle Rockwood, author of Joyful Selling, unintentionally became a sales coach. She realized she had something others did not; a skill, a passion, and a joy for sales coaching. Michelle believes strongly in creating a connection with people we are supporting and coaching, in making offers to people who really need them, and in ensuring we are prepared as we work in sales.There is a distinct difference in masculine and feminine sales energy, and Michelle realized that the majority of sales training programs are written and delivered by men. It's no wonder women are uncomfortable with this way of selling, and sometimes make our stomach churn, and often don't find any joy in it. The goal is for you and the client alike to have an authentic sales experience that you both enjoy. This comes from authentically connecting with the client and ensuring we slow down and work smarter, not harder.It IS possible to have a sales conversation that you actually enjoy!Notes:

We can only control ourselves - we cannot control how someone responds to us.Lori Crooks, CEO of CADRA, began her working life crunching numbers and auditing in accounting, before life as an IT auditor and working with companies to ensure that they comply with security standards and apply best practices. Many businesses are simply overwhelmed and unsure where to turn; Lori ensures that companies have the guidance they need to comply and for their IT environments to be secure.  Lori encourages women to achieve appropriate education, but also to create a connection with men. The IT industry is a male-dominated one, however, connections are important and can be forged through conversation, having a sense of humor, and perhaps sometimes via sarcasm. Lori teaches that women need to believe in themselves when they sit at a table where they are the only female and remind themselves that they deserve to be there as much as any male. Never forget to have an open mind, and to seek out different opinions.SHOW NOTES:

When you get committed, solutions appear. Amy Kemp is the author, owner & CEO of Amy Kemp, Inc. After deciding that she did not want to work as a teacher, Amy started her own business which grew faster than she ever thought it would. Amy now helps leaders and business professionals understand how deeply thought habits impact every part of their work and lives. Mindset and habits are two things that are foundational for any result in our lives. We usually want to bypass each of these and push through to a result we are looking to achieve. However, we end up realizing that there was no foundation and therefore things begin to collapse. Amy explains how structure is not a restrictive cage but rather a path to freedom if used properly.The power lies in embracing the gentle structures within our business and when we allow flexibility and unexpected things to happen. Allowing ourselves and others to recharge and shift perspective, brings in a space for change.You cannot always be in the space of problem solving - give yourself time and space to recharge so your creativity (and productivity) can blossom. Notes

When you let go of something, you create space for something new to show up.Danielle Sunberg, a former Big Law attorney turned wellness entrepreneur and expert in the art of conscious living and award-winning author, shares about asking and answering the big question: Who am I?Having been diagnosed with depression, Danielle realized that where she thought she was on top of everything, with plenty of zeros in her bank account and being on top of the corporate ladder, she wasn't in tune with who she was herself.Allowing yourself to be vulnerable causes a step into real leadership. Peeling the layers away allows for an acceptance of who you really are and allowing yourself to take up space. Hitting burnout is not always a bad thing - as long as you use it as a chance to change everything!Notes:

When you force yourself to do something, your energy shifts to lower emotions, but there is a solution to beat the Monday Blues. Monday mornings usually start with: “I don't want to deal with my job, I don't have enough clients, I'm in a lot of debt, my marketing is terrible” But when you're taking inspired action, and you feel excellent about it, and you're pouring your love and your joy into it.The goal is to always feel inspired. Jennifer shares one trick how to inspire yourself with the ‘Flow and Go” game. This is a practical and inspirational tool to shift a negative mindset and increase productivity. This game will help you recognize your negative emotions and shift them intentionally towards positive outcomes. The concept of this game is to align thoughts, emotions, actions and results into a positive feedback loop and take action.The Go and Flow game can be played whenever you need it to get in the flow and start getting the results that you want in your business and your life. Check it out!Notes:

 If you are investing your money in hiring a virtual assistant, you really want them to be able to pay for themselves.Gina Cotner, CEO of Athena Executive Services, began her business by becoming a virtual assistant herself. Encouraged by an employer to start up a business finding the right assistants for business owners and CEOs, Gina found herself hiring her own VA and realizing the freedom it brought.Time zones and internet reliability are two considerations when hiring a VA outside the USA. Gina stresses that while you could ask a VA to do anything for you, it's worth remembering that they are not experts in the same subject as you. Hiring a VA through an agency, such as Athena Executive Services, allows peace of mind that VAs have already been screened and vetted; an agency is likely to pair you well with the right VA.Having the right person for your business will make a massive difference to your life, as you find you no longer have to deal with the minutia! Show notes:

Creating a winning day plan is possible in just five minutes! In this podcast, Jennifer explains 4 steps on how to do it. It starts with the right mindset and then organizing your tasks. Business owners, tend to forget important stuff and that is themselves, so don't forget self-care to ensure your dream can come true. If you need additional help with organizing your day, check out the webinar and Best Plan Ever.com. Notes:

 Growth requires you to change right down to your core.Dr Michael Matucci, PhD, is a founder of Encompass Life, is on a mission to ignite the truth of who we really are and what we are really doing here.Until you go into your own core and shift things at the soul level, as in, your emotions, will, and subconscious mind, then it will continue to perpetuate itself no matter how powerful you are. You have a universe inside of you, and you have the emotional power to deal with anything that may come your way and to act in the most profound way possible.Stepping into your core being and soul level may be uncomfortable and cold, but ultimately you will find treasure! Notes:

 Are you struggling with internal conflicts that hinder decision-making? Maybe it's time to address these unresolved issues. After all, those who rise to their challenges are the ones who rise to new heights.Dr. Bonnie Wims, therapist, and mental coach who got her doctorate in her 50s, is proof that it is never too late for personal growth. Her perspective is reflected in the belief that “unacknowledged pain doesn't go away, it multiplies.” She advocates for continued self-work and acknowledges that she, too, continues to work on her setbacks. In her words: “The truth of who you are is not in what you are told or what you are taught, but rather the true nature of you is in what you choose.” Being vulnerable to see your behavior is hard, and we need support in that process. But we can do it!Make a good choice and listen to this episode that will help you make the right steps towards therapy! Show notes:

Entrepreneurship is a journey often fraught with challenges, rejection, and isolation, yet brimming with opportunities for resilience, learning, and growth.People will always find reasons to say, “You're not competent enough,” but you can prove them wrong!Resilience and perseverance take center stage as the conversation unfolds through Chichi Ukomadu's story, the COO of the Heroshe logistic company, a coach for Christian women, and a podcaster.Let's delve into the isolating nature of entrepreneurship, spotlighting the weight of decision-making and the indispensable role of mentors or coaches in offering support and guidance.The power of coaching emerges a transformative force, providing accountability, clarity, and an invaluable external perspective crucial for overcoming challenges. The conversation doesn't shop at individual resilience but delves into the broader dynamics of team building, self-care amidst sacrifice, and embracing rejection as a redirection towards positive impact and profitability.All that magic happens with hard work and dedication, but also support. Jennifer's coaching team helped her business grow.Listen to this episode to hear about Chichi's path as an educated foreigner in the US and what it takes to build the team that can upscale your business. Show notes: 

Unleash your style potential to boost your confidence, sync with professional ambitions, and express your true self. Get ready for a game-changing conversation with Nicole Russo, the dynamic force behind “Let's Get You.” Known for her style wizardry featured in top-tier publications like Fast Company and Martha Stewart Weddings, Nicole's expertise promises to revolutionize your approach to personal fashion.Embark on a journey of self-discovery with Nicole's guidance. Her mantra of clarity in defining your unique aesthetic takes center stage, navigating through style icon, color psychology, and pragmatic wardrobe selections. The goal? Empowerment through embracing your distinctive style confidently and pragmatically.Connect with Nicole and forge your style identity with personalized guidance. Your journey towards confident self-expression begins here!Notes:

If you find yourself in situations that seem to have no resolution, this is the podcast for you. Susanna is the founder of the new approach called Pragmatic Psychology. It focuses on solutions rather than problems. People stuck in the heaviness of their thoughts can't even hear and accept praise. But that can change. It's a point of view, not a reality.Challenge your reality by knowing that your truth will always feel light.Notes:✨ Susanna is the founder of a revolutionary new approach called Pragmatic Psychology: dramatic is where you focus on the problem and look for a solution, but pragmatic means doing what works. 01:42❗ Most people want to be right rather than free and they underestimate the power we have when we take on a point of view: how to see there are other possibilities. 08:07

Lowering your productivity benchmark is essential for long-term success. Kate De Palma is the founder & CEO of Scented Designs Candle Co. and shares the time management insights she learned during her entrepreneurial journey. Entrepreneurs often end up trying to do everything themselves, which leads to a lack of focus and productivity in the long run. The key to keeping yourself focused on what is most important and maintaining that feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction is to create more manageable and realistic goals. Offload some tasks onto other people, stop checking your phone every 5 minutes, and take baby steps toward your high-priority goals. Start working on something valuable and stop filling your time with busy work!Notes:

As an introverted entrepreneur, proper scheduling is the key to avoiding burnout. Jodi Lasky is the Introvert Founder, and she coaches a wide range of neurodiverse entrepreneurs and helps them develop sustainable strategies for their success and well-being. If you are an introverted entrepreneur, it can be hard to schedule your time in a way that is not energy-draining when big to-do lists are overwhelming, and new ideas can derail you from a productive workflow. The solution is to work backward from your future dreams and create a comprehensive list of the tasks you need to complete every week to make progress toward these long-term goals. Measuring their size and priority, curate this weekly list of tasks from your giant to-do list, and don't let anything distract or derail you from these weekly achievements. Save yourself from the overwhelm and energy drain of entrepreneurship and make yourself a strategic schedule today!Notes:⭐ Jodi is an entrepreneur, a coach, a speaker, and a writer with a lot of experience in government work and tech: she's an introvert and has ADHD - introversion is not shyness. 01:24

 The hard work of entrepreneurship can take its toll on us if we don't adopt a strategic mindset. Jeffrey Hayzlett is the chairman & founder of the C-Suite Network, where he supports C-level executives and entrepreneurs in achieving professional success. Being an entrepreneur is not a walk in the park, and it requires a delicate life balance of spirituality, friends, family and your business. The best way to overcome the hurdles and manage your way through the inevitable failures is to have a strategy in place, and that means automating, delegating and eliminating your daily tasks so you can prioritize the most important ones. You are responsible for your own success, so set boundaries for yourself and focus on the core goal of your business; the problem you are solving for others. Stop surviving, find your inspiration, and start to thrive and drive through the obstacles standing between you and your goals! Notes:

The key to managing your productivity is self-awareness. Erik Fisher is the producer and podcast host for Beyond The To-Do List, where he discusses practical productivity strategies with productivity experts. The best way to streamline a productive schedule is to be realistic about what we know we can do, how much we know we can do, and which days we are most productive. Spend a week and gather data on where you spend your time and do an honest analysis of how you could rearrange your to-do list to take advantage of this. The vast majority of what we put on our to-do lists are not tasks that move the needle, so doing less, but more of what is important, is the formula for success. You have agency over your work life, so make an honest assessment of your current strategy and take control!Notes: 

Connecting your intentions with the food you eat will result in a healthier and happier life. Lainie Wulkan is the Founder of Center For Intuitive Food Therapy and shares her passion for unlocking greater flow and health for the mind, body, and spirit through the foods we eat. All the foods we eat on a daily basis can have profound effects on our mental and emotional states and can help us fuel the mindsets we need to tackle life's daily challenges. To use the food we eat as a tool for personal development, we must learn their properties and listen to what our body is telling us that it needs. Everybody always says that a positive mindset is the key to success, so why aren't we putting something positive in our bodies as well? If you want to manifest and attract more of what you need in your life, start looking at your food differently! Show notes:

Doing the work to heal your early traumas can have a profoundly positive impact on your daily life and your business. Maira Holzmann is a body-oriented somatic therapist who specializes in helping people heal from their early traumas. Being in a state of constant urgency, working 60 hours a week, and feeling like you are never enough are all common traits for many of us as business owners, but these are also signs of unresolved trauma. Therapy and self-care can help us set up regulatory guardrails and learn to experience life in a new state of calm, resilience, and joy. When you begin to heal and make sustainable changes in your lifestyle and mindset, you will feel lasting changes in your physiology that will improve your health, your business, and your quality of life. Start your self-care journey today and find, savor, and prioritize the joy in your life! Notes

Developing a sense of love and family within your business leads to greater success. Jake Sasseville is the CEO and Founder of Imiloa Institute in Costa Rica, where he helps to cultivate experiences that incite a profound sense of growth. When developing growth and comradery in your business, start with yourself and be committed to your own growth and authenticity first, and this will directly reflect on your business. The sense of happiness and fulfillment within a company should be judged by the quality of life of its gardener and housekeeper equivalents, so when you ensure that you are compensating all your employees ethically and responsibly, everybody wins. To further deepen the sense of familiarization amongst your team, treat yourself and your team to transformational experiences like retreats that foster a sense of unity and relaxation. When you invest in yourself and your team in this way, the return on investment is clear, and you will see the results in your business.Notes:

 Valuing excellence in your business is fundamental for your success as an entrepreneur. Nida Leardprasopsuk is a business strategist who helps elevate business owners and the standards in their industry. Many of us have felt the burn of purchasing a service that didn't act with integrity, so it's easy to understand why it's so important in a business. Your integrity in business is all about the standards by which you run your business and offer your services, and raising your standards above and beyond your competition is an excellent strategy for differentiating yourself in your industry. Don't be afraid to remove the scarcity mindset from your practice because when you stick to your values and your passions, and offer a premium service, you will attract premium customers to your business. When you raise your standards, the customer wins, the industry wins and your business wins! Show Notes:⭐ Nida is a serial entrepreneur, top-tier business consultant, self-identity reinvention coach, and former Fortune 500 executive with more than two decades of experience in business, psychology, and personal development: she works with highly exceptional coaches, consultants, and experts who want to build a truly innovative businesses that stand out from the rest. 02:13✅ Being an entrepreneur is really about solving someone's problem better than anyone else: you need to really dig into the problem that people are experiencing, and that requires a lot of research. 05:16❗ Nida gets higher quality clients by making it harder to buy: if you're happy with the product/service, you'll tell only a few people, but if you're very dissatisfied or angry, you'll tell a ton of people. 11:47

There is an art to telling a story, and video is a powerful tool in the hands of every business owner, and it can make a huge difference.Ryan Wilson is a video storyteller, who shares his journey from a small town in Illinois to becoming a passionate advocate for the disability community. Ryan's decision to work with videos stemmed from his desire to tell authentic stories and make valuable resources more accessible. He founded Team Trust Productions, a video company that specializes in various video services, including event recaps, interviews, and fundraising videos for nonprofits.  Ryan shares the red flags of hiring the wrong video production company and offers insights into marketing to the disabled community. Success is achieved through small, consistent, and attainable steps and videos are a great boost to that.Show Notes

You can leverage the misery of your burnout to pull yourself back into a place of joy and success. Reena Vokoun is the CEO of Passion Fit, where she empowers women to flourish both personally and professionally through wellness. Sometimes it can be hard to admit to yourself when you are not performing at your best, but self-awareness is the first step to tackling burnout. When you get to the point where you can't take the constant stress anymore, leverage that discomfort to make some changes and cut out some time to recover. Take some time to find something in your life you are passionate about and schedule it into your calendar so you can get that grounding and refreshing spark back into your life. When you take time for self-care and schedule that joy back into your life, you can get back to being your best self and continue propelling yourself forward to success. Notes: