My Biz Bestie

Impact of All or Nothing Thinking For entrepreneurs, all-or-nothing thinking reflects in areas such as time management, task prioritization, and perfectionism. This mindset can lead to a constant battle with scheduling disruptions, forgetting tasks, and dealing with an overload of responsibilities. Moreover, the pursuit of perfection can become a hindrance, either by demanding specific conditions before embarking on a task, or needing tasks to be perfect before presenting them to the world. Amber discusses the impacts of this mindset in the world of business, pinpointing perfectionism as a common stumbling block for entrepreneurs with ADHD. She talks about 'front end' and 'back end' perfectionism that puts unnecessary pressure and hampers progress. She also touches on the effects of this pattern on executive functioning, leading to struggles with time management, task prioritization, and back-to-back commitments. The Incubator is not open and accepting applications: https://www.theeasilydistractedentrepreneur.com/incubator/ Space is limited to 10 people so apply now.

Lexi Soulios is a therapist and growth strategist who helps leaders clear stubborn patterns so they can reach their next-level business, relationship, and life goals. Over the past 20 years, she has supported thousands of clients and students across five continents – including NY Times best-selling authors, C-suite executives, celebrity families, leading business coaches, and renowned healers. Lexi's work has been featured in Forbes, The Huffington Post, Bustle Magazine, Thrive Global, and OMTimes. Find out more about Lexi: Instagram: http://instagram.com/lexi.soulios LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexi-soulios/ Website: hhttps://lexisoulios.com Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamberhawley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsamberhawley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamberhawley/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsamberhawley Website: https://amberhawley.com/

Ky Westcott, an East Coast boy with a West Coast heart, embarks on a neurospicy journey to come to terms with his ADHD, high functioning anxiety, and depression while discovering the power of negotiation and knowledge to overcome his mental health challenges. In this episode we discuss: How to navigate and manage mental health with neurodivergence, particularly in the black community. The importance of validating one's own feelings and emotions, and how to apply that knowledge in the future. The power of working with your brain, focused attention, and excitement in achieving extraordinary results. Kai Westcott is a mental health humorist, director, digital creator, writer, and producer. He has been documenting his neurospicy journey for the past year and uses his social media platforms and website to share his journey and lend his platforms to other people. If you love hearing about people's journey's you might like these other interviews in the “My Neurodivergent Brain” series. https://amberhawley.com/my-neurodivergent-brain-with-annie-ruggles/ Find out more about The Vibe With Ky: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thevibewithky/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyruskeenanwestcott/ Website: https://thevibewithky.com/ Connect with me: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamberhawley Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/itsamberhawley Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamberhawley/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@itsamberhawley LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/amberhawley Website: https://amberhawley.com/ Loved this episode? Share it with a friend. Chapter Summaries: [00:00:49] Ky Westcott is a mental health humorist, a director, a digital creator, writer, producer. He is also the person that introduced me to the term neurospic. Anything to do with mental health or entertainment or social media, kai's your guy. Listen to the actual interview. [00:04:25] The Vibe with kai has been documenting his neurospicy journey for the past year. Kai has all three ADHD, high functioning anxiety and severe depression. He loves inviting mental health professionals onto his platform to give out their insight. [00:06:27] I didn't even find out until I was 41 that I had ADHD. Now that I have a better understanding of a lot of it, I realize that I'm thankful that it did happen. I don't know what kind of person I would be today if it weren't for my journey. [00:12:24] There is not a lot of research behind black people and mental health. For so many people of color, what they're going through is discounted. There's tons of misdiagnoses that are happening to this day because there's just no research behind it. [00:16:57] I think it's also we're experts in ourselves, right? We know our particular, like how we do things. Sometimes we need help seeing those patterns or getting unstuck. And so when so I know it's only been a year, I'm actually surprised. [00:17:44] How does ADHD how has it challenged you? How is it a challenge? And then how have you adapted the way you do business or the way that you do projects to deal with that? [00:25:12] Kai: Your feelings, your thoughts are always down. You are feeling that way for a reason. What you have to do then is figure out what you're going to do with those thoughts in those fields. When you can do that, you can validate other people's feelings. [00:28:20] One of the most positive things in having ADHD is like the creativity. When you hyper focus, like you said, that's where the magic happens. I try to use my hyper focus to my advantage because one of the things that I've been really pushing myself to do is to live in the moment. [00:34:56] 100%. As a virgo and somebody who my ADHD is called Over Focused, that organization gives me calm. At work, I was often reluctant to do things that I knew I should be doing. The more we understand ourselves and how our brains work, it can be so freeing. [00:41:39] Amber: At what age does it seem kind of messed up that I still pull all nighters to get stuff done?  Ky: I find that balance because there are lots of reasons why it's not good and it's unhealthy. When I'm finding this balance, I don't fight it. [00:46:16] I want to always add some sort of levity to the conversation about mental health because it is such a very serious thing. I just want people to be able to watch my stuff and just know that they're not alone. We shouldn't be afraid to talk about it. [00:53:03] Amber: What advice would you give to somebody struggling with feeling like they're not good enough? Ky: Your feelings are valid. Once you fully recognize that you can do anything that you want, the possibilities are endless. Where is the best place for people to connect with you?  

We all need a pep talk from time to time. You are worthy, sometimes business and life is a slog and it doesn't mean anything about you or your value. In the words of Dory, "Just Keep Swimming."   This week only, grab a year of support for only $777. https://amberhawley.com/innercircle/    

In this conversation with Cerita Yvonne, we talk about all the toxic thinking, perfectionism, people pleasing, not feeling good enough and the interplay of how you think about yourself can impact your relationships. Do you have a big goal for your business this year? How will it feel not to achieve that goal? Not because it's not important to you but because it's hard to keep your life and business going and stay the course with things when life throws you curveballs or you have too many things competing for your attention. What if you could have a high level of support, accountability, strategy to ensure you will achieve your goals and keep you on track. The Incubator is the answer to your overwhelmed and distracted prayers! You can still join this week so don't delay! Check Out The Incubator: https://www.theeasilydistractedentrepreneur.com/incubator/ About Cerita Yvonne: Cerita is a relational trauma expert. She is also a therapist, trauma coach, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, hypnotherapist, and hope dealer. As a recovered codependent perfectionist, sexual abuse survivor, and retired superwoman transformed into a super woman.  Cerita specializes in helping Black women heal the heartbreak of trauma through authentic self-love.  Visit her website and follow her on Instagram. Links and Resources: Join The Incubator Now! Join Inner Circle  

One of the blessings of the pandemic is that we now see a great example of why, as a business owner, we need to be prepared so our team members and/or family can keep our business going if we are sick for an extended period of time or if we pass.  Maybe you're thinking, where would I even start to get all that set up? Or maybe you know it's important but like many important things in our business and life, when do you actually prioritize that?  In today's episode I talk to MaryBeth Simon, the CEO of Niche Partnership Consulting where she guides entrepreneurs and professionals to create contingency plans that prepare them and their teams for the unexpected or an extended vacation. After talking to MaryBeth I decided that I will add reviewing my contingency plan to my Monthly CEO day every April. As that is the month I have themed for Systems. Making space always comes back to planning (but a realistic and sustainable plan of course). Do you have a big goal for your business this year? Maybe you're determined to finally write that book. Maybe you want to add another income stream like coaching or courses so you can take your family on vacation or pay off debt.  If you tend to lose steam after the initial excitement of a new project wears off, come join us in The Incubator! I'll help you work in a new way that ensures you have fun and make steady progress without burning out. You'll benefit from my 25 years professional experience + the accountability of an amazing group of entrepreneurs to help your big goals become proud accomplishments. Check Out The Incubator: https://www.theeasilydistractedentrepreneur.com/incubator/ About MaryBeth Simon: Mary Beth guides entrepreneurs and professionals to create contingency plans that prepare them and their teams for the unexpected or an extended vacation. She is the CEO of Niche Partnership Consulting and speaks at national conferences and on international podcasts. She believes continuous learning is the fountain of youth and became a certified Les Mills BodyFlow instructor after retiring from 30+ years at Vanguard. She's a rescue dog mom and active in her local business community in her free time. Mary Beth is on a mission to show you how to keep money flowing into your business while you're away.  Visit her website and follow her on Instagram. Links and Resources: Join The Incubator Now! Join Inner Circle

If you're somebody who loves organization and streamlining systems like I do or maybe you're feeling like you could use a little more organization in your business, than this week's episode is for you! We are talking about structuring your CEO days. This is when you are putting on your CEO hat, and working ON your business, not in it. This isn't the admin kind of work most business owners invariably have to do; this is big picture work, and evaluative work.  I break down my process for my annual CEO days and the monthly ones as well. I encourage you to consider adding CEO days to your calendar as they are the kind of days that can help you get clarity about your vision for your business as well as give you data to make better decisions. I also have included the CEO day checklist to give you a visual for how to structure them. Grab your checklist here.

In this episode I talk to neurodivergent biz owner Rebecca Rose about her experience of being diagnosed with Autism, ADHD and OCD.  In this second episode of the series called My Neurodivergent Brain, Rebecca has a candid conversation about the impact being neurospicy has on her as a person and as a business owner. She talks about the benefits as well as the struggles and how she makes accommodations as well as structures her business to fit the way her brain works. I love these episodes as someone who works with so many different people who are Neurodiverse. Neurodivergence (ND) impacts each person in a unique way, and this series highlights this  which can be helpful for both understanding a little better the neurospicy people in your life or for those who may be questioning if they too might be neurospicy!  I love Rebecca's honesty and willingness to be vulnerable in this episode. ......................... Rebecca is a neurodivergent writer, storyteller, creator, chronic oversharer, and imposter. I mean, who even said she could be on a podcast? After earning her degree in journalism and writing for a New York newspaper, she realized that newsrooms are overwhelming and that deadlines are for people without ADHD. So she took to the internet to share anything and everything about her life with complete strangers. In the 10+ years since starting her blog Rosey Rebecca, the topics she writes about have shifted significantly. What began as a way to share her exercise "routine" (addiction) and "healthy" (disordered) eating in her early 20s has evolved into an outlet to document self-discovery and self-care in her 30s. You can connect with Rebecca here: http://roseyrebecca.com Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/roseyrebecca/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/roseyrebecca/ ................ Also don't forget to register for the Free Get Sh*t Done Workshop happening this Friday Jan 13th. https://www.theeasilydistractedentrepreneur.com/gsd/

Happy 2023 Ya'll!  I don't know about you but I'm feeling really good about the upcoming year. Don't get me wrong, my sarcastic side still wants to jump in and say that to make such a statement is naively optimistic especially given the last three years, but sarcasm aside I truly am excited and its not just wishful optimism. First, I'm hosting two free events in January: To register for the Get Sh*t Done Workshop on Jan 13th and to get on the list for the coworking day on January 27th head on over to https://www.theeasilydistractedentrepreneur.com/gsd/ Ok so, 2022 was kinda rough for me. Some of the things that happened were: I closed my group therapy practice which had been my primary income generator since 2011. I took on debt I ended relationships The last 4 months especially were filled with some of my highest highs and lowest lows I had experienced in a long time. I was grieving things, processing things and questioning almost everything.  And I know that I wasn't alone in that. I also knew I wasn't going to bring that energy into 2023.  Maybe you too are feeling some of the struggles I talked about. I'm hearing from friends and clients about the impact of health challenges, relationship struggles, financial uncertainty and more that are taking center stage in their lives.  Many didn't have the energy to grow their businesses and were just in survival mode. Some people pulled back in their business and sought outside work to create more stability and safety nets and some people closed their businesses entirely.  My hope is that if any of this is your story that you have given yourself so much love and support and realize none of those things are failure or bad or your fault. Being flexible and adjusting accordingly is actually a healthy thing to do. I wanted to share some things that helped me in my own process of shifting my energy and letting go, that may be helpful for you if your are in need of a shift too. I identified 15 things, not all happened at once they built on each other. Take a listen and let me know what you think. Will you try one of these? What do you do to shift your mood, mindset and energy? I would love to hear from you. Send me a DM or email hello@amberhawley.com.

If you're neurodivergent, you likely struggle with focus. You spend hours and hours (and hours!) trying to get a task done but are derailed by distractions from every direction. And most of these distractions are manufactured by YOU. The 40+ tabs on your computer, the smartphone “calling your name,” the random idea that you need to research RIGHT THIS MINUTE. And, my favorite distraction, social media.   It's no wonder we struggle to get work done.   Though technology has created so many ways to distract us, it's also created ways to help us focus on what's important to us. And this week on the podcast, Jessie Patterson is sharing what some of these are.   Jessie helps people unlock their authentic dream life, something she did herself by figuring how to be more productive while working less and living a nomadic lifestyle. As a fellow neurodivergent, Jessie understands how our brains work and has tips, tricks, and tools you can try so you can live your own best life.   About Jessie Patterson: Jessie Patterson helps clients unlock their time to build an authentic dream life. As a former Real Estate Development Executive, Jessie was able to reimagine her digital habits to unlock 38 days of her year back when she thought she had ZERO extra time.   Jessie is now focused on the most valuable real estate in the world...the mind & body. As a Transformational Coach and founder of NourishX she helps her clients with keys to unlocking their dreams via coaching programs and online courses.   Every purchase provides 15%+ towards impact partners that are working to create a world where all kids have quality education, housing, food, and water.   You can learn more on Jessie's website, follow her on Instagram, and connect with her on LinkedIn.   Links and Resources: Focusmate Win the Day Are Your Stories Keeping You Stuck? Foundations of Focus for Entrepreneurs Time Stamps:   [1:02] - Spending time in a magical place [1:43] - Welcoming Jessie Patterson [2:40] - Made small changes to unlock time, energy, and mindset to get days back in her life [6:04] - Honor your differences when it comes to your dream life [8:43] - You can question the narrative [10:29] - Learning that being dyslexia is part of being neurodivergent [12:56] - Focusing on your creativity is a more fun world than focusin gon what you don't do well [14:58] - Reimagine how you could live [15:42] - Your mind is a jail that keeps you blocked [16:34] - We spend 2.5 hours a day on social…that's 38+ days of your year [17:30] - Are your stories keeping you stuck [18:46] - The power of the digital detox [19:29] - How often do you pick up your phone and hours pass? [21:30] - Getting caught up in your business is a fallacy [22:11] - Instead of Googling something, make a note in Notes and go back to it later [24:0]5 - Allow yourself rest so you can show up as your best self [26:30] - Working too much is robbing us of our happiness [29:46] - Work on one task for 10 minutes [31:01] - Strategies to unblock time [33:47] - Over 45% of our day is habits [36:15] - Don't beat yourself up if something feels hard [39:55] - Start with one small thing

What happens to the business owner who has obsessive-compulsive disorder? They figure out how their brains work and end up growing an amazing business and hosting an informative and entertaining podcast.   Okay, not everyone does that but this week's guest, Annie Ruggles, sure does.   This week's episode is the first in a series called My Neurodivergent Brain, where I talk to neurodivergent business owners…diagnosed with OCD, ADHD, autism, dyslexia, dyspraxia, and more. We talk about their experience in life and business, what their diagnosis looked like, how it's impacted their business and life, and how they found their superpowers.   Annie has come to embrace her OCD and views her compulsions as grounding and self-soothing most of the time. She looks at her behavior and thoughts as sometimes self-protective and sees OCD as benefiting her client work.   I hope that today's episode, and the rest in this series, help you to embrace your own neurodivergence and start to see ways you can embrace your uniqueness as a superpower that not everyone gets to experience.   About Annie Ruggles: For over a decade, Annie has harnessed her Hulk-like disdain for hard-sales, tacky self-promotion, and overly competitive sleazeballs as inspiration to help people find better ways to grow their small businesses.    She has guided hundreds of people toward making deeper connections, lasting impressions, and friendlier, more lucrative transactions and conversations. Her pride and joy is her podcast, Too Legitimate to Quit: Instantly Actionable Small Business Strategies with a Pop Culture Spin. Visit her website and follow her on Instagram.   Links and Resources: Episode 128: Stop Avoiding the Ask and Start Selling with Annie Ruggles Non-Sleazy Sales Academy Too Legitimate to Quit Podcast On Boundaries, Burnout, and So I Married an Axe Murderer The Coach Who Would Not Sell Join Inner Circle Foundations of Focus for Entrepreneurs: Focus on what matters to you without burning out Time Stamps:   [4:21] - Welcome to Annie [6:44] - Annie's diagnosis and how she got there [9:49] - There's a beating up of yourself because you think you're not good enough [12:44] - Being OCD vs. a pain in the ass [15:50] - Stress exacerbate the symptoms [16:27] - When done right, compulsions are grounding and self-soothing behaviors [18:48] - Is it compulsion or impulsivity from ADHD [21:19] - How long ago Annie received her diagnosis [22:02] - “Unwanted thought syndrome” [22:40] - Self protective behaviors sabotage us [28:02] - The benefits of OCD in client work [30:35] - Ride the wave - when you're activated you're on fire [33:22] - How COVID impacted small business [34:28] - She can work next to people, but would not choose that [35:31] - leaning into energy [37:03] - We became entrepreneurs because we wanted that control [38:55] - what do you need today in order for your brain to work as an asset, not a hindrance [42:42] - If you're resonating with these ideas, go to the doctor to get a diagnosis [44:05] - Caution is helpful as self-protection unless it starts to mess with your quality of life [44:31] - Give the thought a gentle kiss  [47:05] - More about Annie

I'm finding more and more entrepreneurs who are navigating divorce while trying to keep their businesses afloat. And that's not just because I'm a couples therapist. I think many people have finally gotten to the point where what they've been doing isn't working or they're just not happy, and they decide that divorcing is the right path forward.   That's the case for this week's podcast guest, Casey Gromer, fractional CMO and host of the Female Founders Breaking Boundaries podcast. Casey is sharing her story of recently getting divorced while still trying to show up in exactly the same way in her business.   I'm sure it will come as no surprise to you that this just isn't possible. Even in an amicable split, there's so much going on and so many life changes that you have to give yourself some grace for taking care of yourself.   I'm so grateful that Casey was willing to share her story and her struggles because I know she is not alone in this journey.   Throughout the episode, Casey and I reference my interview on her podcast where we talk more about the emotional side of divorce. Find a link to that episode below!   About Casey Gromer: Casey Gromer is a 20-year business and marketing expert. As an MBA, she is widely regarded as a go-to source for visionary women entrepreneurs who dream of building businesses to run without them. She is passionate about creating a more equitable landscape for women in business and working to remove common barriers that hold them back.   Casey is podcast host of Female Founders Breaking Boundaries where she encourages women to forgo stale, inflexible business advice in favor of more realistic, workable ways of running their business while still achieving success. Additionally, Casey is the author of “A Fresh Wave of Marketing,” a no-nonsense guide to simplifying the creation of business and marketing strategy.   As founder of C-Suite Boutique, Casey currently serves women entrepreneurs in an advisory role. Under her leadership, clients have scaled their businesses while working less and spending more time doing things they love. The industries she's supported include retail, e-commerce, service businesses, and manufacturing. Links and Resources: C-Suite Boutique Forge Your Own Path with Casey Gromer Female Founders Breaking Boundaries Listen to Amber on Casey's podcast Foundations of Focus Course  Hannah Smolinski YouTube Channel Connect with Casey on LinkedIn Follow Casey on Instagram Time Stamps:   [0:50] - Casey's previous episode [1:36] - Who is Casey [2:09] - Double podcast and Casey's story [4:09] - Foundations of Focus course is on presale [6:03] - The impact that going through a divorce has on your business [7:34] - Where Casey is in this process [9:31] - In stage of life where divorce is more prevalent [10:35] - Even if you were the one to initiate the divorce, you still haven't processed it all [11:01] - The reality of starting the process of divorce [12:20] - The waiting to return to normal [13:28] - Different stages of the divorce process [17:07] - Being upset doesn't mean you made the wrong decision [18:25] - You want to achieve goals, but things feel crappy right now [20:17] - Now that I know what's happening, how can I proactively restructure work  [22:48] - We discount the impact this stuff has on us [23:29] - Adding tasks to your list that you might not have been doing before [26:16] - Letting go of your partner's income [30:04] - Let go of some of your work and outsource it [32:30] - Fear that your reputation is being tarnished  [34:51] - Set expectations with clients and know you'll recover if they leave [36:40] - Getting insurance is expensive [38:13] - The euphoria is gone [40:41] - You don't have to be superhuman [41:45] - What she's thinking about as she moves forward  [44:23] - Reassess and let go of the “have to” [45:44] - You can't work your own magic on yourself [48:25] - You “should” know something but it's not the same when you're in it [49:05] - Hairstylists don't cut their own hair, tattoo artists don't give themselves tattoos [53:26] - What's happening is normal; learn from Casey's mistakes

It's that time of year again. You know, the time when you've blocked off the holidays so you can relax and enjoy them with your family. But then a client needs something from you so you decide to “just” work that one day.   In reality, that one call or one day will most likely turn into you completely cannibalizing your time off. So when it's time to go back to work in the new year, you're frustrated and frazzled before your butt even hits your office chair.   This year, give yourself permission to actually take time off. And while you're at it, don't overburden yourself with home projects that you want to get done. Stop stealing your own rest time!   Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps:   [0:49] - It's holiday fatigue time [1:32] - The worst part of it all [2:17] - Stop cannibalizing your holidays [3:43] - we're not looking at the bigger picture cost of that [4:58] - what's the real ROI of taking on some work during your time off [7:20] - question working during your down time and ask a friend [9:56] are we expecting ourselves to still be productive during down time

You've probably been told that because you're neurodivergent, you'll struggle with being organized. Because it's all so overwhelming to deal with “stuff.” As someone who is both neurodivergent and incredibly organized, I call bullshit.   It's not about one or the other, it's about finding the systems that work for you.   This week on the podcast, professional organizer and declutter coach Wendy Zanders is taking on the critics who think that neurodivergent business owners are doomed to be unorganized for life. She shares her own story of an ADD diagnosis and how she's created systems that work for her and her family.   Wendy's clients have been successful in maintaining their spaces because she listens to them and takes their family dynamics into consideration when decluttering with them. Because what might work for my family and me might not work at all for yours. Every home and office needs a system designed specifically for the people who will use and maintain them.   Listen in for Wendy's tips and tricks as well as permission to let some things go, depending on what season you're in right now.   About Wendy Zanders: Wendy Zanders is a professional organizer, declutter coach, and special needs mama who is passionate about helping the special needs community take their homes and lives FROM Overwhelmed TO Simplified. An underperformer in grade school due to undiagnosed attention deficit disorder (ADD), Wendy worked hard and surpassed the expectations of everyone around her. Early in her career, she found that she had a knack for systems and organizing, but found herself living in a totally disorganized home after several episodes of depression. She helps the special needs community get organized by helping them identify what has created the disorder in their lives, and by helping them create systems so they can get back in control of their possessions and homes. Links and Resources: Your Declutter Coach Follow Wendy on Instagram Connect with Wendy on LinkedIn Marie Kondo folding Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps:   [1:06] - Organization from the neurodivergent brain [3:55] - More about Wendy [7:16] - Sometimes you have to find your own way [8:50] - You didn't fail; you need to figure out how you learn [10:17] - Neurotypical organizers don't work well with neurodiverse people [17:51] - Just because you're ADHD doesn't mean you'll be disorganized [22:44] - Sometimes you find money when you declutter [24:25] - The house isn't a priority when you're taking care of family members [26:50] - It's hard to ask for help -  [29:20] - Find ways to divide and conquer using body doubling [31:06] - Using music to get kids to clean their rooms [32:55] - Tips for dealing with business paperwork [34:45] - Organizing yearly statements and receipts [36:30] - To digitize or keep physical copies of paperwork [38:14] - The papers hold memories [40:15] - It might be difficult to let go of things in the special needs community because of what's important to the kids [42:30] - How to make the Marie Kondo method work for you Understanding theory and bigger picture that different things work for different people

We hear from all the business coaches and growth strategists about the importance of niching down in order to grow. It makes sense…The more narrow our offering and ideal clients, the easier it is for others to refer us.   But this week's guest, Cara Steinmann, doesn't think we should niche down but rather “niche up.” That doesn't mean you build out a bigger client base, it means that you know your limiting beliefs, understand how you've compromised your core values in the past, know how you want to impact the world, and more. And once you know this, you can start to present yourself in a different way, specializing and being really specific about what you do and who you do it for.   As neurodivergent business owners, we're not too much, and we shouldn't have to try to make ourselves smaller. We can and should be ourselves, however big that is.   Of course, as two ADHD business owners talking on the podcast, it took us a while into the conversation to get to this topic. But there's so much that Cara and I align on that we addressed, including why women get diagnosed with ADHD so much later than men, why connecting and networking isn't a numbers game, why being authentically you is so important, and ditching the patriarchal narrative.   Be sure to tune in! There's sure to be a part two with Cara.   About Cara Steinmann: Cara Steinmann is a business development strategist who works with purpose-driven women entrepreneurs to help them build strategic partnerships that open doors to new opportunities. She uses her background in psychology and behavioral science to connect the right people, creating mutually beneficial relationships and entrepreneurial allies.  Links and Resources: Cara's website Connect with Cara on LinkedIn Episode 150: Learning and Growth in 150 Episodes Biz Chix Podcast Time Stamps:   [1:00] - The importance of intentionally connect to others [4:06] - Who is Cara Steinmann [4:38] - Networking needs a rebrand [6:04] - Two reasons you're struggling with connecting and networking [7:15] - Don't hire someone to engage for you on LinkedIn [7:42] - Connecting isn't a numbers game; it's a quality person game [8:57] - Plenty of awesome people out there;  give a shit [10:49] - Focus on quality [12:52] - ADHD diagnoses in early 40s [18:32] - Have self-acceptance; you don't have to work how the world “typically” works [20:53] - The more you appreciate how different you are, the more you'll appreciate diversity in general [22:22] - Conscious competence  and unconscious competence [23:32] - Cara doesn't believe in competition [25:47] - When you're authentic and feel seen, others can reflect back a kinder version of ourselves [26:32] - The numbers game is deeper relationships [28:25] - People want to be seen for themselves, not who they are trying to portray [30:55] - Cara hates the term “niching down” [31:52] - What niching up is [34:14] - Get curious about everything [34:50] - Peeling away layers of patriarchal conditioning [36:00] - Use curiosity and wondering  [37:09] - Curiosity as a false weakness; questioners are important [38:42] - As women, we need to question everything [41:10] - You can't do effective biz development unless you've niched up and are clear on what you do, who you do it for, and why it matters [45:14] - You can't put boundaries in place if you don't know what you value

One of the biggest challenges of many business owners is managing their money. Not because they're not making money, but because they aren't taking care of it. Without some clear actions around your money on a consistent basis, you might not make the best decisions about it.   In the neurodivergent world, it can feel really overwhelming to sit down and “take care of your money.” Because what do you need to do? How long will it take? What if I'm not happy with my revenue and would rather just ignore it all?   This week on the podcast, I'm sharing what a money power hour might look like for you. Some of the things we need to do should probably be done weekly while others you can do monthly, quarterly, or even annually.    So get out whatever you use to take notes and listen in! It's time to prioritize your money.   Links and Resources: Join Inner Circle Scanner Pro Time Stamps:   [0:52] - The power of coworking and accountability [2:18] - Take a step back to do bigger picture stuff  [2:40] - Tracking money and paying attention to it can make or break a biz [3:20] - What should you do during a CEO money hour? [3:58] - Set aside an hour each week--or less, if needed! [5:23] - Why we're looking at our money [6:52] - Make sure you're reconciling your accounts [10:00] - Scan your receipts [13:36] - Follow up on outstanding invoices [15:02] - Create a spending plan for your business [16:42] - Create revenue projections and goals [18:50] - Analyze your pricing [21:15] - Assess the services you're using [23:25] - Renegotiate services [25:50] - Analyze the profitability of your offerings [29:43] - Money manifestation activities [32:34] - Start one habit, then add another

Every day, we tell ourselves stories about our business, our life, our relationships. And often those stories limit our success.    I'm guilty of it, and I hear these limiting stories from clients every day. It's hard to get out of our comfort zones and find a new way, and it often takes someone looking from the outside in to remind us that it's possible.   In today's episode, I'm sharing some of the stories you might be telling yourself and how you can reframe those stories into something that keeps you propelling forward. There are people who can help you, if you only let them.   Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle membership Time Stamps:   [0:46] - There's something in the air that's keeping us stuck [1:43] - Getting stuck in the outline cycle [2:29] - We're staying stuck in our story because it's comforting [4:05] - There's clarity on the outside of the story [5:33] - There are ways to give yourself some down time  [6:30] - We need to let go of the story and open ourselves to the possibility of it being different [8:06] - If you want to learn about it, you can [11:07] - You aren't alone in this place [12:01] - See the possibility in this change [13:25] - Reflect and assess what's going on in life and what you want to be different

Entrepreneurship can be really challenging, especially when you're neurodivergent. We're responsible for our own energy and ensuring that the long to-do list we make for ourselves gets done each day or week.   But long to-do lists don't work for our ADHD brains. In fact, they probably hinder our progress.   Instead, we need little hacks to create momentum in our business, even when (especially when) we're just not feeling it right now. I've had many of those moments where my toddler brain threw a tantrum instead of getting the work done. So I've had to get creative on how I regroup and keep moving forward.   And sometimes, a little bit of accountability doesn't hurt either.    Listen in this week as I share six ways you can create more momentum in your business if you're feeling stuck right now. More momentum in business usually means feeling better in life too. Who doesn't want that!?   Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle membership Time Stamps:   [0:44] - Having the most productive day, week, or season? Or not? [1:50] - Creating momentum is so underutilized in entrepreneurship [2:33] - My brain is like a toddler [3:55] - Have a realistic to-do list [6:37] - It's time to get organized [8:35] - Have a plan [10:30] - Be aware of momentum blockers [11:04] - If you're going through ahrd things, give yourself a break [12:20] - Hormones will impact your energy and productivity [13:19] - Every time you task switch, you lose momentum [14:03] - Don't skip your eating schedule [15:06] - Have a morning routine [18:18] - Each day is a fresh start [22:33] - What little momentum maker will you do today [22:28] - Get more support for yourself

We all have 100+ things on our to-do lists and probably at least 100 more things in our heads that we need to do. There's no way to remember it all or get it all done. It's pretty common to brain dump a list of to-do's for the day, setting ourselves up for failure because the list is too long, we have too many distractions, and/or we simply lose momentum.   Relate much?   Well, Easily Distracted Entrepreneur, you may continue to be frustrated because you're more focused on the list and checking things off the list than you are on the actual planning of the to-do's. And that's what we're talking about this week on the podcast with productivity coach Mridu Parikh.    Listen in as we talk about the value of the brain dumps, but the power behind the planning. Mridu shares why you should only have five things on your big list and how to approach getting each of those things done. And be sure to listen through to the end, where she shares a tip that will make you feel silly but is sure to help you get that nagging task off your list.   About Mridu Parikh: Ready to get control of all your demands? Then you need Mridu Parikh, The Stress Squasher, on speed dial. Overwhelmed women business owners work with Mridu to prioritize and systemize so they take control of their demands and distractions – at home and at work. She is passionate about getting women the results they want, whether it's doubling their revenue, losing weight, or creating stronger boundaries. Mridu is a productivity coach, founder of Life Is Organized, host of the Productivity On Purpose podcast, and author of the best-seller, Accomplish It. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram. Links and Resources: The Power of When by Michael Breus, PhD Join the Inner Circle Get access to Mridu's free productivity resources  Productivity on Purpose Podcast Time Stamps: [1:30] - Only two months left in the year [4:20] - People need to deal with time and stress right now [5:58] - Most women biz owners feel like they have to do more to be successful [7:58] - Writing a list of what you need to do takes the discerning out of it [9:14] - Getting it on paper is really cathartic [11:30] - Create a gotta do it list; everything else is gravy [12:50] - Don't set yourself up for failure [14:23] - Have 5 things on your list a day [15:50] - What are the top 5 things today that will make me feel most successful when my head hits the pillow tonight [19:56] - How to approach the list of five [23:07] - 90% of people work better in the morning [28:56] - The Power of When and paying attention to the rhythms of the day [31:36] - Structure scares people [34:27] - Anything more than one step is a project [38:01] - How to get back on track when you find yourself floating  [39:39] - Actually state what you're going to do out loud

Whether you come from a corporate background or not, trying to secure corporate clients can feel intimidating. Corporate has a stuffy, stiff reputation that may not align with the way you want to do business.   Or maybe your brand is whimsy, fun, and loud. And that's not really what corporate looks like, does it?   But in reality, corporate is filled with human beings who all have their own personalities. So it's not surprising that something fun and outside the box might very well be what sets you apart from someone else…and exactly what gets you hired.   That's what this week's guest, Anniedi Essien, found when she and a friend started a YouTube channel during the pandemic. With only 10 followers, they secured a multi-year licensing deal and corporate contract from their channel.   It's all about the sparkle and swagger that you bring to the table, according to Anniedi. And I couldn't agree more. Be sure to listen in!   About Anniedi Essien:   Anniedi Essien is CEO and Founder at Idem Spark where she advises business leaders on building the workforce of the future by fusing cutting edge well-being and leadership development strategies. Anniedi delivers keynotes, workshops, consulting and executive coaching programs for diverse audiences. She loves teaching top performers how to slay their well-being and career goals with powerful insights as a former corporate health and wellness executive.   Anniedi is a trusted advisor to C-level and senior leaders and was a founding member of PwC's New Entrants and Innovators in Health consulting practice at Strategy&. She drove growth strategies, disruptive innovation, and employer driven wellness solutions for the top global brands, including Fortune 10 clients such as Walmart Health. Prior to PwC, Anniedi designed market expansion strategies for Medtronic, executed strategic partnerships for EmblemHealth, and managed corporate wellness programs for GE Energy. Her work on social determinants of health has been recognized by the American Association for World Health / World Health Organization.   With twenty years of health industry experience, workforce well-being expertise, and a people first mindset, Anniedi is passionate about human flourishing. She is a Co-Founder of Healthtech Women Charlotte, a non-profit dedicated to getting more women into the C-Suite. Anniedi co-created W.I.D.E. Dynamic Dialogues to build inclusive cultures that are more responsive to the emerging needs of a diverse workforce by optimizing employee well-being.   Anniedi holds an MBA in Strategy from NYU Stern School of Business and a BA in Biomedical Ethics from Brown University. She is a foodie, yoga lover and avid karaoke enthusiast.   Links and Resources: Swagger School Seal the Corporate Deal Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps: [2:58] - More about Anniedi [4:39] - Shifting to work/life harmony instead of outdated work/life balance [6:10] - The time we spend outside traditional health system has a big influence on our wellness [8:15] - Women and folks of color experiencing burnout more than others [9:08] - It's hard to recognize you've lost your sparkle if you're climbing the ladder [11:20] - When you're in that swagger, that's when things really start to open up; but it's scary to trust that [13:02] - The things we shy away from are the things we need to spotlight [18:28] - Being an accidental entrepreneur [20:23] - How she transitioned to get the sparkle back  [21:43] - What's your meaningful purpose? [32:45] - Your business shouldn't suck out your soul [33:08] - How do you go from soul sucking to soul singing [36:15] - Being authentic about hard parts make it so meaningful to others

I love the idea of looking for things to celebrate in the everyday. So when my podcast manager told me that episode 150 of the podcast was coming up, I wanted to do something special.    Rather than record a solo episode (which she knows is a big challenge for me), she suggested that someone interview me for the episode. And since she's a podcaster too, she was the perfect candidate for this!   This week on the podcast, Abby Herman, podcast manager and owner of The Content Experiment, interviews me on my own podcast to talk about how my business has changed over the years, how podcasting has impacted my business, what I've learned in the last 150 episodes, and what I'd do differently if I had to start over today.   Of course, we cover a whole lot more in this episode, and it was so fun to hear some of the insights that Abby has had over this last year of working together. Be sure to tune in!   About Amber Hawley: Amber Hawley is a licensed therapist, multiple biz owner and former tech industry drop out who works with high-achieving, easily distracted entrepreneurs with mindset and strategies to stop suffering for success. As host of the Easily Distracted Entrepreneur podcast (yes, we're going meta here!), she supports ADHD {and ADHD-ish} business owners who live in Distraction City to overcome shiny object syndrome. Links and Resources: PinkyPatelOfficial Abby Herman - The Content Experiment Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps: [2:45] - Being a multipassionate entrepreneur [11:50] - Team and support networks help with consistency [13:08] - Life is constant change and transition [14:00] - Go back to what you know works [14:51] - The pros and cons of different styles of podcasting [18:52] - You can stop doing solo episodes when you're at Oprah status [21:36] - Podcasting is a huge confidence booster [23:15] - This business shit is hard [24:29] - There's a difference between confidence and arrogance [26:13] - False vulnerability is icky [27:02] How the podcast has changed the business [29:25] - mission of podcast influenced mission of biz [33:05] - Everything transitions and changes [35:03] - How to get big names on the podcast [36:33] - Fangirling works! [37:25] - How Amber fangirled (stalked, maybe) Pat Flynn [40:15] - Don't interview the douche canoes [41:16] - Do more of what brings you joy [45:20] - Be thoughtful and caring about who is on your podcast  [45:55] - It's about what value can I deliver to my audience [50:12] - Slow down and create more foundation [53:45] - Keep the excitement going [54:28] - I continue because of the people who are listening

Creating and selling courses is just one way to scale or grow your business. But the whole goal is for students to do the work and be successful. It's hard to do that when only about 10% of buyers actually go through the coursework.   Eman Zabi is trying to shift that narrative through a unique course platform designed specifically to support business owners in starting and growing their businesses. And this week on the podcast, she's sharing what she's learned about creating courses and making them easy to consume.   Eman and I discuss breaking down the barriers neurodivergent people have around the current online learning structure, particularly around business courses, what accessibility could look like, why preselling is so important, and where to find the support you need around completing a course and taking action.   About Eman Zabi: Eman Zabi is the founder of The Scribesmith - a launch copywriting agency that specializes in research-based strategy and conversion copy for digital products. Through her work at the Scribesmith, Eman realized that there were some fundamental flaws in online learning: she created Terrain to help entrepreneurs stop hoarding courses and start building momentum in their businesses. Eman graduated with a degree in International Politics from Georgetown University (which explains her love for the nerdy stuff) and has been writing for as long as she can remember. When not working, she can be found drinking copious amounts of tea, playing with her cat, Cat, and cooking up new ideas for the Scribesmith team to take on. Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle Terrain Follow Terrain on Instagram Follow Terrain on TikTok Follow Eman on Twitter Time Stamps: [3:08] - Who is Eman Zabi [4:32] - How Eman got into this work [5:24] - The course industry is deeply flawed [7:10] - You can love your clients and still not feel challenged [8:47] - If there's financial pressure, it's hard to be creative and innovative because we have to make money to pay our bills [11:15] - Less than 10% of people complete the courses they sign up for [14:23] - Figure out a system to hand off a VA to implement [16:54] - Creating an ecosystem that grows with you that doesn't compromise your revenue [21:40] - Block out your calendar to build what you want [23:24] - Helpful (and unhelpful) course creation [24:35] - Getting the list done is too overwhelming [25:55] - It's simple but it feels like you're climbing Everest [26:24] - Building in a reward system to get people engaged [29:34] - UI and UX really does matter when it comes to neurodivergent students [35:05] - How to grow your business sustainably [37:41] - What kind of courses you'll find at Terrain

With so much turmoil going on right now, our world has been turned upside down in so many ways. Many people, including business owners, are feeling this pressure to get a lot of things done or try to make an impact or shift. At the same time, they also are overwhelmed with not knowing where to focus, and so they feel stuck.   There's a way around feeling stuck, and it takes looking into the brain and how it works. This week on the podcast, behavioral economist Melina Palmer is sharing how to use brain science to be more productive and meet your goals. We discuss why it's so difficult to change your self-talk, why starting that new habit is so challenging, why you might hate seeing yourself on video (and how to overcome that) and so much more.   Melina, the host of The Brainy Business podcast, is on a personal mission to make your business more effective and brain friendly. Don't miss this episode to learn more about how the brain works and how to avoid productive procrastination to actually get things done.   About Melina Palmer:   Why do people say one thing and do another? What really drives behavior? How does the brain actually work – and how can we best communicate with it? What does that mean for companies? Melina Palmer, host of The Brainy Business podcast, has dedicated her career to seeking answers to these questions for herself and her clients. Melina uses behavioral economics to help everyone from global corporations to entrepreneurs understand the psychology of why people buy, unlocking the secrets of small changes that make a big difference via her podcast, public speaking, and column on Inc.com. The result is messaging, branding, advertisements, pricing, and products that are more “brain-friendly” (meaning more leads, conversions, and revenue).   Links and Resources: Indestructible: How to Control Your Attention and Choose Your Life by Nir Eyal Nir Eyal Brainy Busines podcast episode Master Your Mindset masterclass Samuel Salzer Brainy Business podcast episode TheBrainyBusiness.com @TheBrainyBiz – Instagram   Time Stamps: [1:36] - About Melina Palmer [3:13] - Melina's superpower [4:25] - Applicable behavioral science - a new branch [5:45] - Getting things done, make an impact, and feeling in the swirl [7:01] - 99% of decisions are made by subconscious brain [10:50] - Your brain is processing 275,000 things that aren't important [12:17] - What's coming up may not be what's useful [14:30] - Why it's so difficult to change your self-talk [17:30] - Bikeshedding [19:53] - “Busy” isn't the stamp of awesomeness anymore [21:21] - The opposite of distraction is traction [23:05] - - “I'll start Monday” effect [26:56] - When you only get 3 things done today and feel bad about yourself [29:47] - Perfectionism gets us stuck [30:23] - There's a good enough point where you can keep going [31:52] - Set your goal on dream, but focus on the reality of right now [33:31] - Our challenge with video is focusing illusion [36:20] - The only way we see ourselves is in a mirror; we look different on video [38:40] - Invest in what's important to you

There's so much pressure to do business the “right” way, whatever that means. I don't know about you, but if it doesn't feel good to me I'm probably not doing it. And much of what the “experts” say is the right thing just doesn't feel right.   When you're neurodivergent and highly sensitive, it's important to look inside and honor doing things the way you want to. That's why you left your day job and started your own gig, right?   This week on the podcast, I'm talking with Sam Pollack, a copywriter and creative strategist who is helping neurodivergent business owners to do business in a more sustainable way. And really…that's what we should have been doing all along.   From the challenges of visibility to everyone calling themselves highly sensitive these days to judging your productivity to doing the work without feeling the stress, we really cover everything. At my longest episode to date, you're going to get it all! About Sam Pollack: Samantha Pollack is a copywriter and creative strategist who approaches marketing from a Feminist Framework. She works with mission-driven, socially responsible companies who are shaking up status quos and reshaping our culture by doing super cool work in the world. She's also the founder of The Highly Sensitive Business Owner, a 12-week program that helps neurodivergent business owners create healthier, more sustainable systems in their work.   Links and Resources: Cult of Personality Follow Sam on Instagram Connect with Sam on LinkedIn Time Stamps: [1:29] - Q4 Goal Planning Workshop [3:05] - Who is Sam Pollack [4:33] - Created a program her own way, without videos [4:52] - Honor doing things the way you want to, not what you're “supposed” to do [5:33] - Wrote it and launched it; avoiding hierarchical  [6:37] - Listening to something can be easier to take in info [7:40] - You can do what you want [8:15] - You don't have to have it all figured out from the beginning [9:09] - How can you know your niche when you haven't done the work yet [11:15] - You have to be known for something [12:58] - Most people started because of something they didn't want [13:10] - Why did you start your business?  [15:02] - Do the work you're great at without being stressed out by b.s. that doesn't matter [18:43] - if you're highly sensitive, you haven't done enough work - my mindset [19:40] -Your sensitivity informs how you work with someone [22:00] - Why is everyone standing around the house on fire [23:33] - So many people hear they're too sensitive growing up [25:24] - Sensitive people are the toughest people [27:08] - Everyone is calling themselves empaths and people who aren't highly sensitive are feeling shit on [31:40] - People get stuck on milestones; done is better than perfect [33:03] - Breaking down the highly sensitive biz owner [34:34] - Be mindful of your time and energy  [36:05] - There's a balance between being highly sensitive and expecting accommodations to be made for you [37:28] - It's hard to be authentic all the time [41:50] - Being in the room is different than being at a bigger level [42:33] - You can't have a successful biz if people don't know who you are [44:25] - Energy and sensitivity is a spectrum [47:15] - You're not wrong for being yourself [57:10] - Sam's strategy for showing up and doing what works [59:23] - Doing what you want with your body and in politics [1:01:05] - Using strategy to drive your business [1:07:26] - Why you shouldn't listen on 1.5x speed [1:08:10] - Shout out to Dina Martin [1:10:21] - There's a Reason sensitive people seek out entrepreneurship [1:10:37] - Let go of 8 hour work day - no one is actually doing that

There's no such thing as the perfect schedule or routine. Sure we all have schedules and routines that work for us, but that's the key. They work for US.   At the same time, things change. We go through transitions in life and business and we have to make adjustments to how we work. As this episode is being released, we're in a transition phase. Fall is here, if not officially then in spirit because school has started in most parts of the U.S. This means mornings might be busier and early afternoons are a whole lot quieter. And if you have kids in school, you're probably shifting things around a bit to accommodate this change. I sure am.   This week on the podcast, I'm talking about different seasons of change and transition and what I plan to focus on in this particular season. Things don't always have to stay the same and there's no perfect solution for everyone. But when you try out some things and make little shifts and changes, you will find what works best for you.   And if you need support to hold yourself accountable or to figure out how to clean up some of the mess that's leftover from summertime, you're invited to join us in the Inner Circle. Find out more about this monthly membership here! Links and Resources: Inner Circle Membership Time Stamps: [0:42] - Why fall is the best [2:14] - Managing transitions and shifting seasons [3:44] - Want to surprise me for my birthday? [4:46] - Fall transition is a natural time to revisit some of your routines [6:12] - I am not a morning person [6:55] - What I plan to focus on [9:06] - I want to be more present when my kids get home from school [9:56] - Always feel like I'm in work mode because I haven't done the most important thing first [10:53] - How are you taking care of yourself [11:20] - Big reminders [13:05] - Sometimes you need some support

No one's immune to having a crap day. It's what you do during that crap day that will determine whether or not you grow from it. Because you can take that day and go off the rails, sitting in conflict or you can recognize and accept that you're “stuck behind the garbage truck,” as this week's guest puts it.   Mindfulness is so important in life, but especially when it comes to bad days. Merrett Sheridan, this week's guest, talks about using mindfulness to shift your mindset entirely from feeling like you're just surviving in life to truly thriving. How? By playing a game that Merrett explains in the episode.   We touch on the physiology of our emotions, surrendering to those crap days, accepting what life throws at us, interpreting the world in a more positive way, and so much more.   This is one of those conversations that could have gone on for hours. If you've ever had a crap day, you're going to want to listen in because another one is probably around the corner.   About Merrett Sheridan: Merrett Sheridan, LMFT is a mindset coach, speaker and psychotherapist who is passionate about working with individuals seeking to live more authentically and in line with their passions.  Merrett is a ‘recovering accountant!' with decades of experience in high tech and who has re-invented herself many times over coming to realize that her authentic self is one of continual change and transformation.  Her mission is to help others discover their true selves and be able to show up more wholly with themselves and others, deepening their experiences and connections in all areas of life. Links and Resources: Are You a Victim of the Fuckening? Share it with Merrett Follow Merrett on Instagram or Facebook Connect with Merrett on LinkedIn Subscribe to Merrett's YouTube channel Time Stamps: [1:54] - Ice cream and coffee--what else is there in life [2:35] - Develop multiple strategies to turn a crap day around [3:45] - Stuck behind the garbage truck days  [5:40] - Goes from the fuckening to the surrendering [7:06] - Others will give us more grace than we are willing to give ourselves [8:45] - Mindfulness is everything [10:08] - Every choice you make is toward or away from health  [12:52] - When we're in a place of reaction, we push the momentum for it to continue [14:40] - We make good choices and things still happen  [16:10] - The more you practice mindfulness, the more it's available to you [17:22] - 95% of days filled with nothing happening  [18:21] - What you focus on and how you interpret the world is how you'll experience it [20:14] - Physiology is at work [22:05] - The journey to happiness is straight through your pain [24:58] - Playing the what if game  [26:38] - If you want to thrive, practice the what if game more [27:42] - Everything we do is about how we feel [28:28] - How do we give ourselves a reprieve right now, when it's hard [33:23] - Flexibility is the key to mental health and acceptance is the door [35:14] - Creating a world where everyone has the ability to share their gifts, talents, and skills with the world

It's happened to everyone. You make a great connection with an amazing new person and you know you'll do great business together. Referrals, networking, maybe you'll even hire them…or vice versa. And then it happens: You get busy and ghost them. Or they ghost you.   I'm overgeneralizing because those aren't the only two options, but you get the picture.   Ghosting happens and we're all at risk of being on both sides of it. It can have a big impact on our businesses, so it's important to know why it happened and how to move on from it. As in, how to get past feeling guilty that you ghosted someone.   Listen in for more! Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle membership Time Stamps: [0:39] - What is ghosting? [1:06] - Lack of an immediate response is not ghosting [2:10] - Why ghosting happens [4:24] - Where do we do this? [4:40] - How this impacts us [7:45] - We need to have compassion for others [8:58] - When you're the one ghosting [11:18] - Do you have a sustainable plan [14:08] - Make a plan to get back on track  [14:52] - What to do if you've been ghosted

I think just being a business owner is a risk, but completely leaving a high-paying (and stressful) industry to pursue a business that you're not sure will thrive brings a new meaning to risk. But that's exactly what this week's guest did. And it paid off.   Jasmin Haley made a big career change from the dental field to higher education and found that she was one of the only black women speaking on that stage. She knew that others like her needed to hear her story. She was already a successful speaker; she opted to make a business of it and share her wisdom with others.   But there were some mindset shifts Jasmin needed to make. She knew that creating boundaries was the key to showing up for herself so she could show up for clients, audience members, and her family.   This week on the podcast, Jasmin shares why you need to share your story too, how to muster up the courage to do so, how to make sure your work is undeniable, and how you can secure paid speaking opportunities with confidence.   You may not have considered adding speaking as a part of your business. Even if the thought of standing up in front of an audience gives you the sweats, I encourage you to tune in. Every business owner can benefit from setting boundaries, getting more visibility, and speaking up for what they believe in. About Jasmin Haley: Jasmin Haley, MS,  is a nationally-awarded speaker, author, educator, and podcaster dedicated to helping audiences understand that the time is now if they want to make an impact and serve their communities from the heart. Her global consulting firm helps rockstar professionals amplify their voices from the stage. Her inclusive message in burnout, becoming legacy-driven, and how to create presentations that reach the HEART have impacted the lives of her audience members and transformed the professionals she has coached to business growth and successful speaking careers. Links and Resources: Follow Jasmin on Instagram Connect with Jasmin on LinkedIn Couples Fix Podcast Time Stamps: [3:05] - The time is NOW if you want to make an impact [5:02] - More about Jasmin [6:17] - Sometimes people are overlooked but they don't have less to contribute [8:40] - There's a draw to speaking, even though it's scary [10:13] - Stuck with this path after burnout [12:25] - We struggle with our own worthiness; we have a god given right, birthright to share story [14:25] - To have the vision since you were a child, then shift, is really scary [14:56] - Don't quit your job without a plan  [15:26] - Be undeniable [16:38] - Our biggest enemy to getting visible is ourselves [18:55] - What additional value can you bring to speaking so you can get paid and honor yourself  [20:02] - Business is a mental, physical, spiritual journey [21:30] - If you can't take space in personal life, you can't take space in the biz world [25:29] - We accept things that don't feel good to us and we end up feeling resentful [27:40] - You've gone through adversity and come out of it; why won't it happen again when you show up for yourself [29:00] - You need to trust or believe that if you say “no,” something else will show up - especially if you're showing up [29:58] - Confidence needs to happen then you need to curate a foundation that can grow through speaking   [31:12] - What makes your heart sing? Be aligned with your story and the work that you do [33:45] - Think about speaking like a regular business  [34:38] - Speaking is a business and there are multiple facets needed to run it [36:14] - The people selecting speakers for events are talking to one another [39:56] - Do what you have to do to support yourself in this journey [40:33] - There are people waiting to hear your story [41:38] - No one talks about getting a job in transition  [42:17] - Your business should be supporting our life, not giving our life to support our business [43:42] - If you're flexible you can find other opportunities that you can leverage into other things [45:42] - Your biz besties can help support you [46:20] - Jasmin's tour of appearances

Money is one of the things that we seem to stress about the most and, as a result, avoid. Sound familiar?   As we enter the countdown to the end of the summer chaos, I'm starting to take some time to organize and declutter. And clearing up money clutter is part of that process.    This week on the podcast, I'm sharing with you a training I did in the Inner Circle, Clearing Money Clutter. It will help you to find hidden money in your life, get your bills paid up and planned out, and just feel lighter.   No one likes money chaos hanging around, but when we don't regularly check in it's really easy to feel it poking at you. So get a notepad and pen handy and get ready to feel so much better about your bank account and pocketbook! Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps: [0:12] - Summer chaos [1:16] - Feeling the pull to create more calm [3:40] - What is money clutter?  [5:55] - Avoid the ADHD tax [7:30] - Stay in touch with your money [10:55] - Small steps make a big impact

If your business is growing and you're reaching the limit of what you can handle on your own, it might be time to bring on some team members. Most business owners start with administrative support. Neurodivergent business owners, like me, tend to struggle with the little tasks that need to be done. Scheduling appointments, following through with projects, each and every step of a workflow. Sound familiar?   But how do you know who to hire and what to hire them for? It's overwhelming, especially when you think about onboarding and training. (Why can't new team members just read our minds!?)   We've talked about hiring on the podcast before, but I wanted to talk specifically about hiring for an administrative role. And who better to do that than the woman of many talents, Tasha Booth?   In this episode, we talk about how to determine what skills your new hire needs, how to test for them, how to onboard so they'll meet expectations and stick around, and what to consider before even writing that job description. So many great tidbits to consider.   Tune in now and hire that new team member right. About Tasha Booth: Tasha Booth is an agency owner, coach, and podcaster. She is the Founder & CEO of The Launch Guild - a full service launch support agency working with established coaches and course creators with Course & Podcast Launches. Her team is over 20 members strong and works together to support their clients in being able to focus back onto their zones of genius.   Additionally, she mentors Virtual Support Pros, Launch Managers, & Agency Owners who are passionate and ready to grow their businesses while living life on their own terms, and she is the host of the How She Did That Podcast -- a podcast for Virtual Support Pros to learn business and tech tips. Tasha has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Entrepreneur, and she has appeared as a guest speaker for various summits and podcasts including Amy Porterfield's "Online Marketing Made Easy," and Julie Solomon's “The Influencer Podcast.”   Tasha is an Air Force wife to her husband Scott, stepmom to Grace & Meredith, and work from home dog mom to Stanly and Boomer. In her spare time, she watches true crime tv, sings karaoke, and tends to her organic vegetable garden. Connect with her on LinkedIn. Links and Resources: How She Did That Podcast Join the Inner Circle   Time Stamps: [1:36] - Hiring is the number one pain point right now [4:35] - Clarifying roles of virtual support [7:07] - How to decide what you actually need in your biz [14:07] - Vetting for skillset [15:56] - Always pay for test projects [16:40] - It's an employee market right now [19:30] - I do, we do, you do [20:45] - Being ADHD it's tempting to pass things off vs. following up [21:47] - New team members need to know how best to work with you [26:01] - What questions you should ask when hiring a VA or OBM [29:22] - You can't teach resourcefulness and common sense [32:14] - When you're hiring someone more established [37:09] - Think outside the box [39:50] - Find out more about Tasha

Who else is excited about attending in-person events again? I've attended two conferences recently and I'm thrilled to be able to hug old friends and meet some new ones.    Unfortunately, my ADHD brain is challenged with making sure I'm making the most out of in-person events while I'm there and making sure that I follow through on all the after-conference follow-up. (Follow-up is not my strong suit.)   Do you feel the same?    On this episode, I'm sharing some steps to take before, during, and after any conference or event (in-person or virtual) that will help you ensure your time and entry ticket cost aren't wasted.    I've met some of my favorite people in the world at business events, and events (and some of these people!) have helped me grow my business and my network. Let's make sure the same is true for you!   Links and Resources: How Amber and Maelissa met: Intro to My Biz Bestie Whova app Dex Join Inner Circle Time Stamps: [1:22] - Making the most of events and conferences [2:30] - Most of my favorite people in the world I've met at conferences or events [3:11] - You never know what could come from events [4:38] - Plan ahead for conference [5:13] - My goal for attending Podfest in May [6:01] - how to formulate a plan for that goal [11:58] - How to handle the fomo when you want to attend two sessions at the same time [13:55] - What's your follow-up plan [20:28] - Have a plan, but make it easy [21:20] - Involve your team in how to implement what you've learned [22:15] - Challenges of ADHD when it comes to attending events

For too many of my friends and loved ones, life just doesn't seem to be much fun anymore. And it's not just the pandemic that's ruined fun for us. It's financial pressure, society, the desire to succeed in work or business. And, of course, all the adult responsibilities that we have.   I don't know about you, but I want life to be fun. I look for fun everywhere I go, but sometimes I fall off track and I know I need to recalibrate. Fun is a primary motivator for me, no matter what I'm doing. If it's not fun, being there is a challenge!   This week on the podcast, I'm sharing why so many of us are fun-deprived right now, how you can find more fun in life and business (I'm giving you some really specific examples!), and the impact that fun has had on some of my Inner Circle clients. Honestly, it's a game-changer for many. Links and Resources: The Power of Fun by Catherine Price Fun Deprived Toolbox Join the Inner Circle Email Amber Time Stamps: [0:44] - Are you fun deprived? [1:22] - “You used to be warped, twisted, and hilarious…” [3:20] - If you're the party pooper, it might be time to take a step back [3:36] - The problem with being fun deprived [4:13] - FUN is the primary motivation in business [4:50] - How fun works for one inner circle member [5:47] - The last year has been rough [6:43] - Had to stop waiting for fun to present itself [8:09] - 3 elements for true fun  [10:12] - Getting your spark back  [11:40] - Fun you won't get arrested for [13:02] - How to incorporate fun into your life right now [16:53] - At a loss for what's fun for you? [18:35] - Recreating a fun time  [20:30] - Change up how you use your brain and body

When shit happens in life that we can't control, we can sit back and be complacent or we can step up and take action. Not one to back down from a challenge, I've found myself struggling with how to handle the recent challenges we're facing in the U.S.   I've spent a lot of time talking to both business and therapy clients and the conversations sound eerily similar: we're distracted and unmotivated right now. So I turned to Jax Anderson, my friend and a fellow therapist, who continually impresses me with her activism and loud voice.   I wanted to have a conversation about where we are right now, where we can turn to for support, and what we can do to take care of ourselves. We talk about work ethic, our emotions, what self-care can look like, how to take productive action on social justice issues, and so much more.    It's okay to feel your feelings and take time to sort out how you want to respond. And everyone's form of activism might look different, and your activism might be different today than it will be next week. But the important thing is that we don't rest, because that's what they want and expect us to do.   Listen in to this powerful conversation about what to do next. About Jax Anderson: Jax is a psychotherapist in Wisconsin, where she owns a mental health clinic, raises her daughter and supports human rights and social justice.   She teaches parents about adolescence and the teen brain; as well as how to emotionally connect with their teens.   Links and Resources: Frederick Joseph (follow on Instagram) White Woman Whisperer (follow on Instagram) Follow Jax on Instagram Jax's website Time Stamps: [1:20] - More about Jax [2:42] - Evolution of connections on social media [3:16] - There's a mental health crisis right now [6:25] - How we take care of ourselves matters [7:29] - Checking your privilege [10:43] - Utilize your anger and transition it into activism [11:56] - Self care might be a bath but it can be so much more [13:20] - How Jax attended to her emotions [16:15] - We lean into our habits when things get tough but that might not be what you need at the moment [16:34] People understand physical health, but not mental health [19:38] - Emotions have an entity, where you can see the emotion [20:54] - Validation is free; give it away [22:23] - Taking care of yourself in the outrage and confusion [24:29] - Hustle culture started when we learned how to make money on social media [27:30] - Employees, contractors, customers are all hurting [28:55] - There's a demand on energy with work, kids, partner, friends [31:44] - What do you need right now, give yourself more of that [32:10] - How Jax is taking care of herself emotionally [34:55] - When we're confused and lost and just not sure, we're in limbo [35:12] - Anger, confusion, hopelessness - we find a way to cope with that and just live with it [36:58] - Greed, power, control is toxic and we've been around long enough to know better [37:26] - Educating yourself helps out of confusion and hopelessness and will give you direction [41:40] - Feel your feels and it's okay to feel overwhelmed [43:08] - Jax's parting words of wisdom

We all want to do our best, but many of us neurodivergent entrepreneurs struggle with perfectionism. We see perfection everywhere we look, but never within ourselves.   There's really no such thing as perfection because there's always room for improvement. That's one of the “gifts” of being human, that we thrive on growth and development.   But sometimes perfectionism can hold us back from taking action and our ego gets in the way. We get down on ourselves because something that “should” feel easy is challenging for us. The reality is that letting go of those thoughts and focusing on what truly is easy for us may be a better way.   This week on the podcast, I'm chatting with Dr. Jane Tornatore about perfectionism and the words we need to let go of in order to get ourselves out of the trap. She shares with us some great tips for getting unstuck and I start to rework my own language…and immediately feel the results! About Dr. Jane Tornatore: Dr. Jane Tornatore is a brain geek and self love expert based in Seattle, WA. As a psychotherapist, speaker, and author, she works with intelligent, motivated, high-achieving women who are committed to being better people, yet, they never feel better ENOUGH. Women who want to finally like themselves and stop second-guessing their decisions.    What separates Jane from other coaches and therapists is her down to earth, humorous, practical, and SIMPLE approach. And because of this, her clients become aware of the unconscious beliefs that keep them stuck and unsatisfied, so they can choose thoughts and actions that actually work for them rather than making them feel like crap. She received a master's degree at the University of Illinois, and a PhD at the University of Minnesota. She has authored over 20 articles and published a book—Everything is Perfect, Just Not ME! A Roadmap for Self-Acceptance. Connect with her on LinkedIn and follow her on Instagram. Links and Resources: The Intuitive Decision Making Method Everything is Perfect, Just Not Me: A Roadmap to Self-Acceptance by Dr. Jane Tornatore Bittersweet by Susan Cain Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps: [2:01] - The big benefit of in-person events [2:54] - More about Dr. Jane Tornatore [4:43] - We're the wrong species for perfection [6:15] - The only time perfectionism doesn't show up for Amber [8:30] - Getting out of the perfectionism trap [9:45] - Amber practices letting go [12:30] - Shifting from “have to” to “get to” [13:12] - Love-hate relationship with positive affirmations [15:35] - Toxic positivity that goes along with affirmations can be a turn-off [16:32] - We learn that appreciating ourselves is bad  [17:36] - Imposter syndrome in neurodivergent women is off the hook [19:28] - How will you help people if you're not thriving [20:50] - You don't have to help everyone [23:06] - If it's not for my highest good, it's for no one's highest good [27:30] - Doing something out of alignment won't work in the long run [30:10] - Your ego is going to tell you that you don't know what you're doing [31:15] - It's a good thing babies don't have an ego [33:40] - Radical acceptance of behaviors [37:19] - We never congratulate ourselves when we do something right [39:27] - We've learned: You can be yourself or you can be loved [43:29] - If we feel we're getting extra stuck in perfectionism, it's helpful to see things in a different way [44:27] - Tell yourself you're okay

Imposter syndrome is something that impacts nearly every entrepreneur I know. But it's not just about feeling like you're not worthy to be called an expert in your field. Imposter syndrome shows up in so many different ways.   This week on the podcast, imposter syndrome expert Patrick Casale and I are talking about imposter syndrome for neurodivergent folks, being in alignment with authenticity, how to let go of some of the negative messaging we hold onto, and creating movement to remain in creativity.   Patrick is right there with us in the neurodivergent world, so of course when I called him an expert at the start of this episode, I could feel him cringe. This is something we all work on, forever, and it's about having the right tools in your toolbox to take back your power and get out of your own head.   Whether you think you have imposter syndrome or not, I encourage you to listen in this week. Because we all have stories we tell ourselves and it's time to let them go. About Patrick Casale: Patrick Casale is a Licensed Clinical Mental Health and Addictions Therapist. He is the owner of All Things Private Practice. He is a Private Practice Coach and Strategist. He is a Group Practice Owner, Motivational Speaker, and Podcast Host. He has been featured on Private Practice Startup, Abundance Practice Building, Therapy Reimagined, Not Your Typical Psychotherapist, Selling The Couch, and Modern Therapists. Patrick is a passionate advocate, reducing the shame and stigma of mental health, as well as impostor syndrome. Patrick helps mental health entrepreneurs break the mold, work through their fears and insecurities, and to embrace their Authenticity. Connect with Patrick on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram.   Links and Resources: All Things Private Practice podcast All Things Private Practice Time Stamps: [1:05] - What happens when you build sustainable systems [3:35] - About Patrick [4:33] - Imposter syndrome is something we all go through as entrepreneurs [5:23] - Perfectionism is a big part of imposter syndrome [8:23] - Neurodivergents will be hypervigilant about what you're putting out there [9:24] - How attachment trauma and messaging we receive as kids factor in [11:45] - Put it out into the world anyway [12:48] - When we start out, the people who see our stuff is really connected to us and they're very supportive [13:40] - If someone takes time out of their day to tell you negative feedback, it says more about them [15:40] - We're out of alignment with being authentic [18:45] - What's helpful for some is offensive to others…and who cares [19:30] - “Why would anyone hire me”  [20:24] - Be a contributor, not a guru [23:25] - Don't get propped up by good feedback or pulled down by negative feedback [24:18] - Give yourself permission to fail [27:00] - Have fun with your imposter syndrome [29:25] - There's a time you need a cocoon and other times you need to get out of the house 30:08 - Don't resist the flow state; go with it [31:48] - Two additional considerations [32:45] - Build the plane as you fly it - you don't need to have every piece of the puzzle put together before you put it out to the world [34:12] - With external accountability, there's enough pressure to finish the thing

Your health and wellness has a big impact on your business and there are a lot of opinions about what being healthy looks like. Social and cultural norms often take precedence, along with quick fixes.   The truth is that change and evolution, both in business and in your health and wellness, take time. This week on the podcast, Cate Stillman is sharing her expertise around integrating changes into business, doing hard things, getting uncomfortable so you can evolve, designing your lifestyle, taking care of chronic issues, and so much more.    What Cate has to say is controversial for many because it goes against everything the masses believe in our culture. But isn't that an even better reason to have this conversation? It's important to open minds to new ideas and ways of doing things and to truly look at the science behind why we feel the way we feel and do the things we do.   I hope you'll tune in with an open mind and think about how you can let go of some of the challenges that might be holding you back. About Cate Stillman: Cate founded Yogahealer in 2001 as an avant-garde dialogue in ancient wisdom for modern humans. The Yogahealer community has depth, span, and breadth. Over 20 years, Cate Stillman has corralled the conversation towards relevance, resilience, rewilding, rewiring & results for modern humans to thrive in their bodies and achieve their life goals.   Cate is an evolutionary thought leader, global tribe builder and author in the field of rewilding humans, orienting towards meaning and purpose, and getting deeply invested in life. Cate developed the course curriculums and mentoring community for Body Thrive, Master of You, Living Ayurveda Course and Yoga Health Coaching.   Cate splits her time between the mountains in Teton Valley, Wyoming and Punta Mita, Mexico. She is an avid mountain biker, skier and surfer, and mother of 1. Links and Resources: Body Thrive by Cate Stillman Master of You by Cate Stillman Body Goals Crash Course - Email her at help@yogahealer.com and ask for it for free Jordan Peterson Mark Mattson on intermittent fasting Yoga Healer Podcast Yoga Healer Facebook Group Time Stamps: [4:14] Using the right words to describe your business [5:00] Circadian rhythm really matters  [6:00] Goal - personal planetary thrive [6:20] Chronic inflammation leads to chronic disease [7:48] Seeing changes take time [9:00] Community belonging is important and it's a long game [10:10] Without a timeframe, you won't solve the deeper issues [12:08] Ego slows the growth process [13:01] Do the hard things in the short term that you know are good for you in the long term [15:30] Negative bias is worse than glass half empty [17:08] Be in environments with people of positive habits [18:32] If you're not uncomfortable, you're probably not evolving [28:12] The adventure is important [28:41] Lifestyle design; goal opportunities close quickly [30:15] You're either decaying or you're learning new things to grow [32:30] Chronic inflammation feels like shit every day [33:06] It's risky to force yourself to step into opportunities [34:44]The more you stack positive stressor  habits the better [36:38] If we're in constant problem solving mode, we move to anxiety; it's exhausting [37:50] Growing a biz relies on your body, your focus and mind [41:50] What's causing distraction for people [43:24] What you experience as hunger isn't really hunger [47:08] We've lost the understanding of nuance

You know the feeling. Like everything is going right and you're on fire. Is it too good to be true?   Feels like it! Then the shit hits the fan and everything goes into the toilet. This is what I call the Fuckening. And it's going to happen at some point. There's no way around it.   But how you react to it can make a big difference. Will you fight it? Lean into it? Find a way to destress and move forward?   On this episode, I'm sharing a tongue-in-cheek meditation that gives you permission to roll with your challenges so you can work through the stress and enjoy that next weekend or day off without worrying that nothing is perfect. Because it won't be, and that's okay.   Listen in! And beware that there is a lot of adult language in this episode. It's better listened to with earbuds in and/or away from little ears. Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle Time Stamps: [1:00] - Adult language warning [1:25] - WTF [2:08] - The fuckening meditation [3:12] - Scream your primal scream to let out the frustration and aggression [4:15] - Move your chair, then experience the fuckening [4:53] - Have yourself a good cry [5:44] - Imagine you're in a state of flow [6:14] - You're on fire…but wait…

If you've been thinking about hiring to take some of the day-to-day minutiae off your list, you just might have waited too long to take the leap. That's according to this week's podcast guest, Ashley Cox of SproutHR.   Early in business, bootstrapping is essential. But as you bring on more clients, you start to eat into your family and rest time resulting in working more hours than you should or want to.   Some of those working hours (maybe more than you'd care to admit!) are likely taking care of administrative tasks or getting distracted by tasks that are much better done by someone else. Like the hours you spend creating graphics in Canva or the chasing of paperwork. You might have fun with the former but need support in getting the latter under control. Neither of these is a good use of your time.   Before you post job descriptions for all the roles you'd like to fill, listen in to this episode. Ashley and I talk about the strategy behind hiring and why hiring for non-revenue generating roles can truly make a huge difference in your revenue.   Hiring can feel really scary, but I think you'll see how essential it is after listening in! About Ashley Cox: Ashley Cox, PHR, SHRM-CP is the Founder and CEO of SproutHR, a boutique HR consulting firm that helps women-owned businesses hire and lead thriving teams with confidence and ease.   Ashley has been a top recruiter and leadership expert for companies such as Kroger and J.Crew, having hired and developed team members from the newest hourly employees to C-Suite level executives. As a certified HR professional, she has deep knowledge and experience working with small businesses nationwide, from local brick and mortar shops to online agencies to national multi-million dollar companies. In addition, Ashley is frequently called upon as a Subject Matter Expert for the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), the world's leading HR organization, and is an expert trainer for various organizations.   At SproutHR, Ashley and her team help you hire the right people for your team (in the right way), with a focus on values-based hiring, compassionate and intentional leadership, and amplifying your impact. Their work has been featured on the Society for Human Resource Management, ABC News, and Brit+Co.   Ashley is also the author of Transform Your Stories, where she helps women overcome the stories that are holding them back so they can become confident and courageous leaders who impact the world. Follow her on Instagram and connect with her on LinkedIn.   Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle Know Your Numbers for More Business Ease with Jamie Trull Creating Your Mission, Vision, and Values Statements with Janna Lundquist Time Stamps: [3:34] - Hiring and managing is one of the biggest painpoints for entrepreneurs [6:37] - Taking past corporate life and putting it to work in small business [7:51] - There's a level of detachment you can have in corporate that you can't have in small biz [8:55] - Sense of ownership means you care and will always try to do the right thing [10:02] - You can be empathetic and compassionate and set boundaries [11:08] - Sometimes you just have to know what balls you're juggling [13:05] - How do you know what to outsource [13:53] - How to prepare to hire that first or next team member [15:15] - Are you doing things you shouldn't be doing in your business [18:35] - If you think you can do something faster or better than someone, put that thought aside [20:35] - Hiring non-revenue generating employees [21:29] - Any hire is making you a return on your investment [22:58] - What are next level tasks? Focus on those vs filling time with non-essential tasks [25:48] - We can have profitable, sustainable humans and make good money [28:01] - You don't have to have a massive team to make an impact [31:57] - When we don't have a hiring strategy, we don't hire right the first time [33:38] - How to know if you're ready to hire [36:10] - Most people hire operations first to help with streamlining, creating efficiencies [39:30] - You are a visionary and a creative; details aren't your zone of genius [41:17] - Do not hire your clone  [42:28] - Taking a small step back and talking to your ops person will help give you clarity

It's the year of the video…again. And guess what? It will be the year of the video next year too. Video is incredibly popular, and for good reason. It allows your audience to see you and your personality, making an even deeper connection between the two of you, before you even have that first true conversation.   But too many people get hung up on doing it perfectly, so they don't even start.   It's time to just start. And this week's podcast guest, Erik Fisher, is just the person to talk you into getting out of your way around video.   I spent several years not-so-mildly stalking Erik to bring you this episode and it does not disappoint. We talk about changing the way you're framing video in your mind, why video is a must-do right now, the easiest point of entry if you're new to video, what tech you need, and so much more.    About Erik Fisher: Erik has been working in social media for over 10 years as a community manager and social media manager. He is also the producer and host of the long-running Beyond The To-Do List Podcast for almost 10 years. Connect with him on LinkedIn and follow him on Instagram.   Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle SwitchPod (Pat Flynn's camera stand)  Time Stamps: [2:50] - Stalking people in a gentle, non-creepy way works [4:22] - It's the year of video (again) [5:26] - How people sabotage themselves [7:31] - Start with your phone  [10:04] - You don't need the best, but you shouldn't have the worst [13:35] - Change the way you think about the fear of doing it [15:26] - The value (or maybe not) of posting your podcast to YouTube [20:57] - What's the intention of using YouTube [23:11] - “Best practices” doesn't mean it's the best practice for you [24:20] - One of the easiest ways to start with video [25:10] - Go where people are creating videos [26:37] - Find lower barrier to entry tools [30:44] - Other people are lowering the barrier of entry for you [32:40] - It's the year of (you name it!) [33:17] - Amber takes a stand on Clubhouse [35:18] - Minimum viable tech needs [37:45] - Everyone starts somewhere

Rejection sensitivity dysphoria is one of the lesser-known responses associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. And if you're not aware of it, you can end up feeling paralyzed and alone.    You might think that sensitivity about how people perceive you and your work or that story you're telling yourself about why someone isn't responding to your email or direct message just comes with entrepreneurship. And I think it does, to a point. But RSD is these feelings to the extreme.   This week on the podcast, I'm sharing more about RSD, what it looks like, my own struggle with RSD, and strategies you can use to get past the feelings. Even if you're not diagnosed ADHD, this is an episode worth tuning into because these techniques will work any time you're feeling a little anxious about others. Links and Resources: Children and Adults with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Email Amber Join the Inner Circle Membership Time Stamps: [1:02] - Why ADHDs are meant for entrepreneurship [1:21] - What rejection sensitive dysphoria is [2:25] - Official definition of RSD [3:54] - What RSD looks like [5:24] - My struggle with RSD [6:01] - What's happening inside feels way more real than what I know to be true [7:28] - What to do about RSD [8:43] - One of my triggers [10:28] - Strategies to get past the feelings [11:20] - Give yourself compassion

We all get stuck sometimes. On some tasks more than others. Thankfully there are a lot of tools you can use to get unstuck in your business.   That project that you feel so much unclarity around. That paralyzing overwhelm you have when looking at your calendar. That solo podcast episode you just don't feel like recording. (Guilty!)   I feel like I'm a pro at getting stuck, but I'm also a pro at getting UNstuck too. This week on the podcast, I'm sharing some of my favorite and time-tested strategies for getting unstuck so you can feel more energetic and less overwhelmed and say goodbye to the emotional resistance.   No single strategy will work every time, which is why I'm giving you 10! Links and Resources: Join us in the Inner Circle Time Stamps: [0:42] - The other side of getting sh*t done [1:15] - Three different ways we feel stuck [1:56] - Energetically stuck [3:18] - Feeling overwhelm [4:56] - Emotional resistance… [7:50] - what do you do about being stuck [12:02] - Feeling resistance in a bigger project [13:02] - Give yourself permission to do something else for a while [16:50] - Coworking is a gamechanger [19:06] - Talk it out

Without sales, you don't have a business. But the resistance to selling is fierce among small business owners, particularly in the helping professions. (I'm looking at you, therapists and coaches!)   There's too much frantic posting on social media, trying to be everywhere, and creating content for the sake of creating content. Where's the ask? Where's the solving of your audience's problems?   This week on the podcast, my friend Annie Ruggles is sharing her energy and insight into pulling back and being more intentional with your time on social media. We talk about pushing your comfort zone, letting go of bad sales practices, creating sustainability in our marketing, re-aligning our expectations, and what we should be asking for when we create content.   We don't have energy for everything and we shouldn't try. Tune in now! About Annie Ruggles: For over a decade, Annie P. has harnessed her Hulk-like disdain for hard-sales, tacky self-promotion, and overly competitive sleazeballs as inspiration to help people find better ways to grow their small business. As Founder of The Non-Sleazy Sales Academy, she's guided hundreds of people toward making deeper connections, lasting impressions, and friendlier, more lucrative transactions and conversations. Her pride and joy is her podcast, Too Legitimate to Quit: Instantly Actionable Small Business Strategies with a Pop Culture Spin. Visit her website and follow her on Instagram. Links and Resources: Join the Inner Circle Listen to Amber on the Too Legitimate to Quit podcast Time Stamps: [3:45] - Annie's super special secret power [4:57] - There's a premium to selling with authenticity [8:08] - Market in a way that loses the fluff [9:01] - Have fun in marketing but overall people are looking to have problems solved [10:53] - People are having fun with Reels and they're loosening up a bit [13:32] - Amber is qualified as a dance party starter [17:03] - Know, like, trust is important; it's just incomplete [19:16] - Spray and pray marketing - all the things you're doing to increase brand awareness is an experiment but you have to do it in a controlled way [21:33] - Instead of trying all the methods of marketing, try all the methods of asking [22:55] - The difference between feeling like you have to do all the things and thoughtfully choosing to experiment [23:28] - Podcasting is a long game; you have to give things time [26:02] - Asking in all the ways we can ask [27:02] - Find your own sales voice [30:01] - Sales avoidance in a caring profession [33:01] - You have a finite amount of energy and excessive experimentation is depleting your account of time and energy [34:34] - The best advice for marketing

You're feeling strapped for time and need to hire some support for your business. This probably means your business is growing. Congratulations! Before you hire your BFF or post inside a Facebook group that you're looking for someone to fill a role, you have some work to do.   Hiring isn't something that anyone should take lightly, and it's likely that it's a much slower process than you expect. If you've hired before, you know there are a lot of moving parts and mistakes to be had.   This week on the podcast, Jamie Van Cuyk of Growing Your Team is sharing some insight into how to hire right the first time. She and I both share mistakes we've made along the way, and Jamie shares tips that are sure to help you bring on the right candidate the first time. Be sure to download her hiring checklist, which will serve as a great tool throughout this episode and your next hiring cycle. About Jamie Van Cuyk: Jamie Van Cuyk, the owner and lead strategist of Growing Your Team, is an expert in hiring and onboarding teams within small businesses.   Drawing from over 15 years of leadership experience, Jamie teaches her clients how to hire their early team members, including employees and long-term contractors. By learning the dynamics of each company and their specific needs, she helps them find their perfect, long-lasting team members and avoid the hiring and ring cycle.   On a personal side, Jamie lives in St Petersburg, FL, with her husband and two daughters, is a hobby winemaker, loves to travel, and enjoys exercise that takes her feet off the ground, including rock climbing and aerial dance. Links and Resources: Growing Your Team Hiring Checklist: How to Find the Right Team for Your Growing Business Time Stamps: [1:55] - It's still challenging to hire, even as you're more established [3:22] - So many layers to a good team member [4:15] - There's too much holding onto people who aren't a good fit, just so they don't have to go back into the hiring pool [5:26] - When you need someone for more time than what they're giving you [7:45] - You have to be able to make the hard decisions [12:20] - It's going to take more time to hire than it may have before [13:10] - Job posting needs to reflect what it's like to work with you vs. focusing on tasks Incentive people to work with you [14:28] - You want to repel the wrong fit applicants [15:44] - Different personalities will be attracted to different roles and employers [17:58] - Aligning values and mission with hiring [19:36] - Make sure you're communicating what matters to you in hiring process [21:08] - Hiring is a lot like dating [23:38] - So much value in weeding out all those people [24:07] - “Someone is qualified because they're qualified, they're not qualified because you're comparing them to someone else” [25:40] - if you go through the hiring process first, you should be confident and not trying out other people [27:57] - We need to spend time asking the right questions for interviews [34:22] - Interviewing for personality vs. skillset - which is more important [36:12] - The biggest mistake small business owners are making with hiring [42:49] - Every position is essential in your business because if it wasn't you wouldn't have it

Entrepreneurs are pulled in so many directions, but taking care of ourselves should be our number one priority. Because when we're not feeling good, we can't be there for our business or our family.   If you're a woman of a certain age, you might not be feeling yourself. Hormones, lack of sleep, and even being off on nutrition and exercise can contribute to feeling unwell. Together, these can compound into multiple health issues.   I've been feeling it and I've been hearing from friends and clients who are feeling it too. So I wanted to chat with Wendy Hill, this week's podcast guest, to find out how we can start taking back our wellness…a few little changes at a time.   Listen in to learn what changes you can make to get the most health benefits, why being kind to yourself is key, and why planning and sustainability should be part of your health routine.   About Wendy Hill: Wendy is the owner of HillStart Nutrition Health and Wellness. As a Naturopathic Nutritional Therapist and an expert in female hormone health, Wendy supports women through perimenopause, menopause and beyond through her Fabulous & Female membership, group programs and 1:1 work.   Time Stamps: [3:14] - More about Wendy Hill [4:15] - You get the most benefit from the middle of the road [7:06] - Excelling at careers means you feel extra pressure [7:29] - We often blame hormones when it might be something else [9:28] - Be kinder to yourself [10:15] - Tell yourself: this is the time when I need to prioritize what you need to prioritize [11:13] - My ambition exceeds my energy [11:36] - Think of your cycle as seasons [15:02] - Sleep is key but what's happening the rest of the day [18:25] - Planning can be the struggle for neurodivergent [19:48] - Shift things just a bit to make more balance [20:48] - Make your day-end routine realistic  [22:39] - When you're in a place where your health is good, those one-offs don't hurt as much [26:15] - Where to start in taking care of yourself [28:59] - Wendy coaching herself out of a job [29:56] - Go all-in on one thing   [31:22] - Find a linchpin habit [33:18] - Will you enjoy it? Is it healthy? In that order [37:20] - Take the information and make it work for you [38:43] - Drink water, more nutrient-dense food, stop snacking [40:25 - We're not giving our stomachs enough time to digest and repair

If you're U.S. based and catching this in real-time, you're in the last days before your taxes are due. You probably already know that the timer is ticking down, and you might be avoiding it. (You're probably avoiding it.)   Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but taxes are non-negotiable for everyone. It's time to sit down and get it done.   But first, listen in to my pep talk. It doesn't have to take you days to do your taxes, especially if you have a tax professional to help you out.   On this week's episode, I'm giving you a few steps to take to make the next few days feel a little less stressful and offering some advice on how you can avoid this last-minute stress next year. Yes, it does involve some planning ahead. Your future self will thank you. Links and Resources: Email me for a pep talk! Time Stamps: [0:41] - The most dreaded day for entrepreneurs [1:39] - Seasoned peeps know that the actual dreaded day is October 17 [2:10] - Clear a day to do the work [2:30] - Your P&L statement is your actual problem [4:21] - Fill out that extension form [6:17] - You're a champion of the last-minute save

One of the best feelings is when business flows and feels good, like you're doing what you're meant to be doing and it's connected to your soul.   If you haven't felt that before, it's time! It could be your leadership style that's holding you back or, more likely, that you're subscribed to patriarchal beliefs about leadership. And it's no wonder. We've been taught from birth that boys and girls, men and women are expected to show up differently.    No more! The truth is that femininity and masculinity is a spectrum and we can show up any way that works for us. Not only that but we can all have the same qualities, no matter our gender. It's often how we're conditioned that determines how we show up.   This week on the podcast, Giada Carta of the Soulful Mentor, is sharing why we need to let go of the patriarchal narrative of leadership and start embracing our true characteristics and using them in business. About Giada Carta: Giada Carta is a business mentor on a mission to awaken revolutionary leaders all over the world. Her Soulful Mentoring® method uses archetypes to help high achieving women entrepreneurs forge their own rules to change the world through their best and most aligned work. Visit her website and follow her on Instagram.    Links and Resources: Discover Your Leadership Archetype Your One Thing Quarterly Workshop Time Stamps: [3:22] - About Giada [3:57] - We tend to handle biz looking outward  [4:25] - The only way to be successful is to start from the inside [6:11] - How we manage biz and people has a lot to do with how we lead [8:47] - Myths we have around leadership [12:02] - We try to develop the characteristics that we think leaders should have  [15:10] - The earlier we buy into this new leadership the better [17:59] - Qualities that are glorified in our culture [22:21] - Labels are part of the patriarchy [25:22] - How we question ourselves needs to be different for everyone [27:50] - Start working on the things you're good at vs. what's hard for you [31:04] - We're trained to have external focus; we need to look internally [35:48] - You're not compatible with everyone [37:05] - We waste a lot of time trying to make work relationships work because we [41:47] - Our comfort in the patriarchal viewpoint  [47:02] - Take your team members' leadership styles too

There comes a time when we all go through crap…in life, in business…and it's often both at the same time. Because what's impacting us personally is bound to impact us professionally too as small business owners.   When this happens, everything can feel pretty hopeless.    I'm hearing from a lot of people these days about some of the garbage going on in their lives, from divorce to illness to just a really difficult year in business so far. None of these challenges will go away on their own and they all take time to get through.    This week on the podcast I'm sharing some strategies of how to look at your challenges more objectively and what to do next to get through it. Links and Resources: Get Stuff Done Challenge Time Stamps: [1:30] - What to do when stuff happens in life but you still need to get stuff done in business [2:10] - There's never a good time for shit to happen [2:35] - It's hard for big things to not impact biz [4:00] - Know yourself and how you operate [4:44] - Time to make decisions [6:05] - What do you need to do right now? [7:52] - It's okay to say no to things in your business [8:15] - There's a big difference between best practice and must-do [8:30] - How can you take care of yourself even when you can't [9:42] - Rest more than you think you need to [11:47] - Letting go of your shoulds [13:12] - It won't always be like this [13:52] - It's not your fault [15:01] - Give yourself time

Because formal training around business finances isn't a thing, except for actual financial professionals, many of us feel like we're left in the dark. Hiding from your financials isn't doing you any favors. We need a good handle on our money so we can make informed, data-driven decisions about our pricing, how we invest, and what we're taking home each month.  If you're not feeling confident in your financial decisions, or if you just want to start seeing more profit in your business, this episode is for you. Financial literacy coach and profit strategist Jamie Trull is sharing her secrets behind maximizing your profits, setting your pricing, and analyzing your expenses so you can be more profitable and less stressed. We cannot ignore the money side of business, but often we don't know where to start. Jamie will tell you! About Jamie Trull: Jamie Trull is a financial literacy coach and profit strategist who helps business owners understand the finance side of their business so that they can make and KEEP more money. Prior to becoming an online entrepreneur, Jamie spent her career rising in the ranks of Finance Leadership in the Coca-Cola System. After leaving the Corporate world in search of a more balanced and fulfilling life, Jamie leveraged her background and her CPA designation to serve women-owned businesses as a Virtual CFO. Recognizing that there was a lack of truly accessible and understandable financial education resources for small business owners, Jamie pivoted her business toward creating resources to help fill that gap and impact more people. Today Jamie has helped thousands of business owners feel more confident about their finances through her resources and programs.  Links and Resources: Get Stuff Done Challenge Financial Fitness Formula Course Make Your Biz More Profitable Quiz  Time Stamps: [1:46] - About Jamie Trull [2:44] - New business owners are underserved [4:34] - The shame behind not knowing your financials [9:20] - They don't teach you how to price when starting a biz [14:19] - You need to feel good about sharing rates with your clients [16:20] - Expectations of higher pricing [18:04] - Pricing not a feeling, it's a formula [20:52] - When you're not sure where to start with getting more profitable [23:48] - Cutting expenses doesn't mean rice and beans [27:28] - We're trained to make decisions around scarcity and fear  [28:13] - Use yesterday's money, not tomorrow's money [34:40] - Thanking your past self for not making bad decisions [37:25] - The problem with setting vanity goals

Social media gives us an “in” to how other people work. While this might be helpful in helping us see other ways of doing things, we often get stuck in trying to replicate someone else's business. What if we knew what worked for our unique personalities and did that, instead of trying to model our businesses after someone else's? I'll tell you what would happen: We'd feel a lot more ease around growing our businesses. I'm all about that! This week on the podcast, I'm re-releasing the episode with Denise Duffield-Thomas where she gives us all permission to know our archetypes and leverage them to build our own businesses (not a copy of someone else's). One of the things we talked about what using the Konmari process in your business. Does every part of your business spark joy? What can you eliminate, automate, or delegate to bring more joy? And how can you let go of things that don't allow you the mental and energetic space you need to be happy? If you're struggling this year, as so many are, this is a great episode to bring you back to your goals. And it's also a good episode to listen to ahead of my Get Stuff Done Challenge, which I'm hosting March 21 to 25. I'll walk you through creating the schedule and space that you need in business so you can do it your way. About Denise Duffield-Thomas: Denise Duffield-Thomas is the money mentor for the new wave of online entrepreneurs who want to make money and change the world.   She helps women charge premium prices, release the fear of money and create First Class lives.     Her books Lucky Bitch, Get Rich, Lucky Bitch, and Chillpreneur give a fresh and funny roadmap to living a life of abundance without burnout.   Her Money Bootcamp has helped over 6,000 students from all around the world.   She's a lazy introvert, a Hay House author and an unbusy mother of 3. She owns a rose farm and lives by the beach in sunny Australia. Links and Resources: Chillpreneur by Denise Duffield-Thomas Learn your money blocks Learn your money archetype Join the free Get Stuff Done Challenge Time Stamps: [7:45] - Finding the shortcuts in business--your own shortcuts [8:56] - You don't have to work really hard; find what works for you [11:38] - Taking care of the mental and energetic space [12:46] - Knowing your archetype and love language can help you in your biz [20:49] - Our archetypes and how they work with our businesses [27:26] - We discount ideas that feel obvious to us but not for others [29:19] - Learn your own archetype [30:54] - Easy is different for everyone [35:53] - More archetypes

Women, particularly those in the helping professions like coaches and therapists, have put ourselves into the box of being “nice.” Of wanting to help others, so we don't charge them for the value they receive from the service. As a result, we're not only holding ourselves back but we're not delivering the service our clients deserve. And that, my friend, is perpetuating the story in your head that you'll never be wealthy. On today's episode, wealth and money mindset coach Natalie Bullen is sharing her insight and experience from filing for bankruptcy to helping women, particularly women of color, shift their mindsets around finances and money so they can step into the wealth they deserve and desire. Natalie's energy makes this conversation so much fun and she delivers some real truth around how we're positioning our own thoughts about money, how we treat our money, and the action we need to take to change our own story around money. Women need to stop thinking that helping clients means charging low rates and we need to start charging more so we can take care of ourselves and our families and be a good example for our clients. You don't want to miss this episode! About Natalie Bullen: Natalie Bullen is a wealth and money mindset coach from Mobile, AL. As the owner of Unapologetic Wealth, she teaches financial literacy, money mindset work, and sales training for introverts so they can step into the wealth they deserve and desire. She is also a Financial Planner who shuns traditional personal finance values rooted in shame, guilt and fear and encourages followers to dream bigger, increase their prices and magnify their gifts. Links and Resources: Follow Natalie on Clubhouse @NatalieBullen Visit Natalie's website Time Stamps: [1:40] - Big energy for talking about money [2:36] - We're all working through some things [3:28] - Women of color have been written off as unhelpable [4:33] - You can't budget your way out of poverty  [7:36] - Changing the way you think about the challenge you have [9:24] - Be in alignment with your result [11:36] - When you shift your perspective, great things happen [13:33] - Be financially fit enough to compete in the wealth games [15:11] - We're waiting on permission [15:45] - What got you to $100k isn't going to get you to $500k [17:16] - Natalie's ambitious goals and deciding what's most important right now [19:53] - Be focused and utilize the thing you invested in so it works for you [22:27] - Profit doesn't grow over time; you have to plan for it [23:28] - Mindset: If I don't make profit, I don't have to pay taxes [29:04] - When you price yourself too low, you trap yourself into a situation where you're constantly selling [30:34] - We're pricing ourselves into poverty [37:37] - If your ideal client can't afford to pay you, they're not ideal [38:31] - Your gift is sacred and not everyone deserves it [40:50] - It's about boundaries [45:10] - Start showing up for your own wealth [48:30] - You'll always be met with  fear and hesitation; you just can't let it stop you

Visibility can feel really uncomfortable. And I'd argue that the more you're doing it right, the more uncomfortable you may feel. How so? Because that's when you're talking about the things that matter most to you and, likely, your potential clients. No one said that being a business owner was easy, and if they did they were lying. You're creating a stage for yourself when you start a podcast or a TikTok account, and the idea is to attract like-minded people to you and build a community. When you let them know how you feel about the things that matter to you, you become more human. But that can also get pretty uncomfortable. On today's episode, I'm talking to Sascha Schlossberg about vulnerability, visibility, and the willingness to feel some discomfort around how you're showing up online. We talk about soapbox rants, creating a vacuum, and the discomfort of no feedback and negative feedback. And Sascha gives you some tips on where to start putting yourself out there…so you can feel some (good) discomfort too! About Sascha Schlossberg: Sascha is the best in the world at helping entrepreneurs start cult-like movements through content and brand messaging. She's advised everyone from teen influencers with millions of followers on monetization strategies to mom content creators on visibility strategies resulting in coverage by the Daily Mail, Good Morning America, and hundreds of news stations across the world. Alongside her husband, Jonathan, Sascha created Unconventionally Wealthy, a space for discussing and creating multi-generational wealth, unconventionally. They also run the 7-Figure Content Mastermind, where they consult brilliant entrepreneurs in organic growth strategies, and they run their full household, with four children aged one to seven years old. Links and Resources: Sascha's Facebook Group Time Stamps: [2:58] - Owning your unique story [12:39] - How visibility comes into play at this stage [13:15] - Where to start with your visibility [13:55] - There are no hard and fast rules  [14:58] - Fitting a big triangle into a little circle [15:40] - What creates the community you're looking to build [16:54] - Just start with what feels the most fun [19:07] - “Why am I not on TikTok?” asks Amber [19:47] - Vulnerability and lack of engagement are inevitable [20:26] - Be uncomfortable but not out of alignment [22:24] - Pushing the edge of discomfort [22:42] - You have to create the vacuum for the new people to appear [24:34] - Be willing to be in that discomfort [27:40] - The things that are the most bold (with purpose) tend to do really well [28:30] - The interesting thing about rants [30:42] - Where to start putting yourself out there [33:20] - It's never been more important to differentiate yourself [34:13] - The things you post on social media are indicative of your values