She's Off Script

Hayet Rida started out as an influencer. When a company she was supposed to collaborate with backed out of a fine jewelry partnership deal, she was stuck holding thousands of dollars worth of packaging. At that point, she decided to lean on her influence and the loyal community she had built to launch her own Jewelry brand. This happy accident has turned into a global phenomenon called Khoi. In this episode, Hayet is sharing the rollercoaster ride of her first year in business. It's rare to get such a raw and transparent view into the early stages of a successful business. I hope you draw inspiration from the fact that there is light at the other end of whatever phase of business you're currently working through. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: When to transition from influencer to business owner Bootstrapping a brick-and-mortar business Building a team that helps you scale Cultivating a tribe Mentioned in this episode: Personal Instagram: @hayet.rida Business Instagram: @shopkhoi Website: https://www.shopkhoi.com/

Over the past few years, several female executives and well-known entrepreneurs have stepped down from their leadership roles and or shut down their businesses. From YouTube's former CEO Susan Wojcicki to online business sensation Vanessa Lau, they all site either burnout or the need to focus on their health as their reason for stepping back. Today's guest is also familiar with burnout. She launched a successful marketing agency at age 16 and by 27 she burned out for the first time. After going on a 12-year journey to figure out work-life harmony, she created the elevation approach – a 4 phase framework that helps you achieve work-life harmony In this episode, Tina Wells is sharing a few ways we can either avoid or come back from burnout as business owners. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Recognizing the signs of burnout Why the Elevation approach actually works How to structure your day, week, and year with this approach Biggest hurdle Type A women face Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @tinawells Website: http://tinawells.com LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/tinawells/

On average today's guest makes over a million dollars a year through business collaborations. She has the process of collaboration down to so much of a science that she has created an AI-based app that helps business owners generate collaboration ideas and drafts email pitches that lead to mutually beneficial partnerships. In this episode, Jordan Gill is sharing a detailed guide to how we can create our own profitable collaborations. From where to find people for collabs, what to say to them, red flags to steer clear of, and everything in between, she's diving deep with us! Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Best collabs for product based vs. service-based vs. education-based businesses best place to find people to collaborate How to pitch a collab red flags to look out for Measuring the success of a collaboration Mentioned in this episode: Jordan's Instagram: @systemssavedme/ https://readysetcollab.com/

In the first episode of this series, I announced that I was launching a newsletter business. I released the first issue of, The Off Script Weekly on 3/4/2023. After that first issue, I was consistent for 3 more issues then completely fell off. While there's something to be said about being able to publish for a month straight, building a newsletter business can't end with the launch. So in this update, I'm sharing what went wrong and some of the changes I'm putting in place to get me back on track. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Defining what success looks like Creating systems for consistency Refining your newsletter promise Frustration with slow growth Mentioned in this episode: The first episode in this series: https://youtu.be/ipH77j2JrnY Sign up for the newsletter here: http://offscriptweekly.com/ Our Instagram: @shesoffscript Where I found the newsletter growth list: https://creatorscience.com/experiment-email-february-2023/ https://youtu.be/tacD640Awe4

Today's guest has built a brand around the idea that it's OK to not have perfect skin. Olamide Olowe is the Founder and CEO of Topicals. You may know her as the youngest Black woman to raise over 10 million dollars in capital BUT growing up, Olamide suffered from chronic skin problems like boils, acne, and hyperpigmentation. As a solution to similar problems faced by her community of Spottie Hotties, she created Topicals which is a line of skin products to help people who aren't served by the line of products currently available in the skincare aisle. In this episode, Olamide is breaking down what it took for her to gain such rapid success. From amazing collaborations to building a tribe, innovating new products and so much more, she's bringing us behind the curtain. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Earlier fundraising mistakes Pros and cons of having a co-founder Hiring an executive coach when you're successful Most effective marketing techniques Mentioned in this episode: Business Instagram: @topicals Personal Instagram: @olamideaolowe Website: https://mytopicals.com/

This week we're continuing with our series on the business of podcasting. In this episode, I'm sharing common mistakes new podcasters make that cause them to quit far too soon. If you're thinking about starting a podcast of your own, here are 5 mistakes you should steer clear of. As always, I would love to continue this conversation with you in the comments of our video podcast on YouTube! Let me know if you have made any of these podcasting mistakes or if they resonated with you. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: 5 Reasons Why You Keep Failing At Podcasting (It's not your fault) Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @shesoffscript Website: www.shesoffscript.com Podcasting course waitlist: https://bit.ly/JoinPodcastLabCourseWaitlist Podcast starter kit: https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/startmypodcast/ https://youtu.be/5bfW7W0vG4Q

Not sure you can start a podcast because of something you heard? This week we're continuing with our series on the business of podcasting. In this episode, I'm sharing common myths and misconceptions that prevent people from starting their podcasts. So if you've ever heard something that turned you off from starting your own show, listen up! I would love to continue this conversation with you in the comments of our video podcast on YouTube! Let me know if you have any questions or any other podcasting myths you would like me to debunk. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: 5 common myths and misconceptions about podcasting Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @shesoffscript Website: www.shesoffscript.com Podcasting course waitlist: https://bit.ly/JoinPodcastLabCourseWaitlist Podcast starter kit: https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/startmypodcast/ https://youtu.be/Ye0HSIZA98g

This week we're continuing our series on the business of podcasting. In this episode, I'm sharing 6 ways you can monetize your podcast. Most people assume that host-read ADs are the only way they can make money from their podcasts but that's far from the truth. In fact, it's possible to make $10,000/month or more as an independent podcaster. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about using podcasts to: 6 ways you can monetize your podcast Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @shesoffscript Website: hwww.shesoffscript.com Podcasting course waitlist: https://bit.ly/JoinPodcastLabCourseWaitlist Podcast starter kit: https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/startmypodcast/ Purchase Abu's ADs course: https://bit.ly/JoinADsCourse https://youtu.be/xDbIs1O23HA

Over the past 5 years of hosting and producing this show, I've gotten messages from those of you who are interested in launching a podcast of your own. I've jumped on calls with you and we've traded voice notes on Instagram but I feel like I could do a little more to help you. Podcasts are more popular than ever. With millions of people tuning in every day, podcasts have become a go-to source for entertainment, education, and inspiration. From comedy shows to true crime dramas, from interviews with experts to personal stories, there's a podcast for every interest and niche out there. And the best part? Anyone can start one! With this episode, I'm kicking off a series to give you insight into the business of podcasting and more specifically, my experience with podcasting. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about using podcasts to: build a personal brand and establish your expertise deepen your connection with your audience and customers creating an outlet for your passion a sales channel for your products and services feed the content beast create another stream of revenue build your network Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @shesoffscript Website: hwww.shesoffscript.com Click Up content workflow: https://youtu.be/540OqDo8iPc Podcast starter kit: https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/startmypodcast/ https://youtu.be/tw5ntc3CR3w

While working for a Venture Capitalist, Kelly Ifill saw first-hand the inequity that Black and Brown founders faced when seeking funding for their businesses. Of all the things she could have done to address this problem, Kelly decided to build her own digital bank. Guava is the digital banking and networking platform designed by and for Black small business owners. During our conversation, Kelly shares what it took to launch her digital bank. She also shares how she's able to thrive in an environment where Banks like SVB are going under. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: How she made the transition from working full-time to running her bank The role of startup accelerators and having a "sherpa" played in her success How she found her partner bank Her plan to grow her bank within a niche market Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @joinguava Website: www.joinguava.com https://youtu.be/XQ5vuZa1F4Y

Imagine you were called into the office of senior leadership at your job and asked to choose between your extremely lucrative side hustle or keeping your day job. This is a scenario many side business owners have probably played out in their minds. For today's guest, Eni Popoola, it became reality when a partner at her law firm asked her to choose between staying on as a lawyer and continuing as a viral beauty influencer. During our conversation, Eni shares how she started her journey as an influencer and what ultimately led her to leave her job as a lawyer to pursue influencing full-time. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Starting a side hustle as an influencer Presenting your side hustle on a resume Navigating side hustles with colleagues The importance of office culture Mentioned in this episode: Instagram: @enigivensunday https://youtu.be/ElLxk9jo1kk

In today's episode, we meet Crystal Etienne the CEO of Ruby Love. Crystal's 70-million-dollar apparel company is at the forefront of innovation in menstrual care. After watching her daughter and her friends sitting on the sidelines during swim meets because of their periods, she spent $25,000 of her own money to develop patented leak-proof menstrual sleepwear, swimwear, and underwear. During our conversation, Crystal shares the keys to growing her business including how she develops new products, markets her brand, stays ahead of her competition, and much more. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: The impact of rebranding Building the right team for rapid growth Finding your ideal customer Protecting your brand against copycats Mentioned in this episode: Brand Instagram: @shoprubylove Personal Instagram: @iamcrystaletienne

3 years after launching her luxury handbag brand, Anima Iris, today's guest has made over a million dollars and her bag has been worn by the likes of Beyonce, and Sheryl Lee Ralph. In this episode, Wilglory Tanjong is giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the strategies that have made her so successful in a short period of time. From sourcing leather in Italy to working with Senegalese artisans in her Dakar facility, dealing with copycats, and so much more. She is generously sharing her experience. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Sourcing leather in Italy Finding and managing artisans in Dakar, Senegal The power of networks Finding balance Landing on retail shelves Mentioned in this episode: Brand Instagram: @anima.iris Personal Instagram: @wilgloryy https://youtu.be/m0XbvGhTeOE

For this episode, I have put together 25 minutes straight of some of the best business advice our guests have shared over the years. There is so much more we could have put in here but I hope these picks help you in the season you're currently in. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Preventing burnout as an entrepreneur Landing high-ticket corporate clients Preparing BEFORE you go viral Pivoting until you find your thing Mentioned in this episode: Search through our audio archives: https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/the-podcast/search-episodes/ https://youtu.be/ml142CvoHIo

In September 2020, today's guest launched Noirlux Candle Co. By February 2021, Colina Bruce's company was featured by Oprah Magazine as one of the 25 Best Candles Companies. There is definitely a great story here about how Colina left her role as an adjunct professor and director at a university to open a candle bar in Seattle Washington. In this episode, Colina shares how she started candle making as a hobby and decided to turn it into a business that now makes more than 3 times what she earned as a professor. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn about: Trial and error of creating candles Buying equipment and inventory Joining an accelerator as a new business What it takes to open a brick-and-mortar retail space Mentioned in this episode: Website: www.noirluxcandleco.com Instagram: @noirluxcandleco https://youtu.be/K0y7SLMl9iY

After 2 of the corporate retail businesses she worked for went out of business, today's guest, Jance Chartae, decided she was no longer going to work for anyone else. She took her 12 years of retail experience and decided to start her e-commerce business, Brazen boutique. 5 years later, she now runs a 7-figure business and has taught over 5,000 other women how to launch and grow their own e-commerce boutiques. In this episode, Jance shares how she went from being unsure what to even stock in her boutique to now having 10 and 20k sales DAYS. She shares common mistakes, where to find inventory, the best tools to use, marketing strategies that actually work today and so much more! Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn: Where to buy your inventory finding your ideal customer Best marketing strategies (text, email, ADs etc.) Inventory management Lead magnets that grow your email list Mentioned in this episode: Website: https://www.liinks.co/jancechartae Instagram: @shopbrazenboutique and @theboutiqueacademy SEO episode with Charlene: Episode 065 https://youtu.be/n9Tw2SRLWrI

Today's guest Sarah Gaines took an unconventional path into entrepreneurship. Her transition from a traditional nursing career into travel nursing allowed her to retire at the age of 29. She now spends her time traveling and building businesses she's passionate about. While you may not be a trained nurse, Sarah's journey is a prime example of how transitioning into a flexible career can give you the breathing room you need to build a business, generate wealth and create your ideal lifestyle. For those of you who are interested in pursuing travel nursing, Sarah shares all the advice she gives the fellow nurses she's helped transition into the travel nursing field. Listen on Apple Podcasts Watch on YouTube You'll learn: What is travel nursing? How did Sarah get started with travel nursing? The difference between traditional and travel nursing Finding recruiters and landing contracts The best nursing specialties Managing relationships and family as a travel nurse Mentioned in this episode: Website: www.sixfiguretravelnurse.com Instagram: @sarah_gaines https://youtu.be/0Z3qwxqeF14

Here's how Delina Medhin went from working at the cosmetics counter at the mall to working with celebrity clients as a makeup artist.

After attending conferences where they felt like they didn't make any meaningful connections, today's guest and her mother decided to launch Mixtroz. Their app collects meaningful data at either live or virtual events and the algorithm helps you identify who you should connect with.

After attending conferences where they felt like they didn't make any meaningful connections, today's guest and her mother decided to launch Mixtroz. Their app collects meaningful data at either live or virtual events and the algorithm helps you identify who you should connect with.

After attending conferences where they felt like they didn't make any meaningful connections, today's guest and her mother decided to launch Mixtroz. Their app collects meaningful data at either live or virtual events and the algorithm helps you identify who you should connect with.

After attending conferences where they felt like they didn't make any meaningful connections, today's guest and her mother decided to launch Mixtroz. Their app collects meaningful data at either live or virtual events and the algorithm helps you identify who you should connect with.

Before today's guest and her co-founder launched their business, they petitioned Webster's and other dictionaries to add the word “fourth trimester” to the dictionary. The problem their business is trying to solve is so important they created a campaign to introduce it into our everyday language.

In this episode, I'm sharing 7 business ideas that will be more relevant and profitable going forward.

Building a business takes time and effort. Along the way, we are all bound to make a few mistakes. In over 10 years of coaching, consulting with, and interviewing business owners, I've helped them avoid quite a few mistakes.

Today's guest Kimba Williams and her co-founder Board Certified OB/GYN, Dr. Barb met on a cruise. They got to talking and discovered that even though they could find nontoxic alternatives for everything from shampoo to body lotion, they struggled to find natural options for feminine health and hygiene products.

If you've ever had a bad reaction to costume jewelry, you'll understand why today's guest, Maya Portorreal, launched Kitten Co Jewelry. After not being able to find affordable jewelry that didn't irritate her skin, she created a custom line of .925 Sterling Silver Jewelry

Creativity is not just for "artsy people." After interviewing over 50 people from different industries, today's guest has distilled the art and science of creativity into frameworks we can all use.

New business owners are either hesitant to promote their businesses or feel unsure about where to advertise or what to say. Instead of shouting for the rooftops about the amazing thing they've built, they choose to wait and see if customers will come their way.

Once you've decided on a business idea and have gotten clear on who it's for…it's time to figure out whether or not this is a viable business. We want to know if people will actually pay for the solution we're offering.

Not everyone is your customer and the sooner you learn that, the better for your business and your sanity as a business owner. When I ask excited new business owners who they hope will purchase their products and services, they often say "everyone!" Unfortunately, that response is the equivalent of trying to chase multiple rabbits in different directions.

When most people think about starting a business, they probably pull out their notebook and start listing out all the businesses they think would be cool to run. What you may not realize is that

Have you ever been at a nail salon and wondered what it takes to run it? All the products lining the walls; the line of people waiting; the phone ringing off the hook…What does it really take to launch and run a successful nail luxury salon?

As a business owner, it's vital that you learn to pitch your business. Oftentimes you only have 30 seconds to convince a potential customer that you have the solution they need.

Because of her allergies to milk and wheat today's guest Nubian Simmons, decided to learn how to make her own dessert mixes from scratch for people with food allergies to the Big 8 foods.

Have you ever wondered who owns the vending machines you come across in places like hotels, hospitals, and gyms? What if I told you every day people like you and me could own those vending machines? Today's guest turned a $650 vending machine into a multi-6 figure business.

After getting laid off from her job, today's guest not only set up a thriving virtual assistant agency but also trained over 100 others people to launch their own VA businesses.

How would you like to be so productive that you free up 20-30hrs of your time every week? Today's guest is going to teach us exactly how to do that for ourselves. Kierra Asnauskas is a productivity coach who gives business owners and leaders

It's February and I'm now dropping the first episode of 2022. If you've listened to the past four seasons of the show, you know that's not typical.

How does the average person come to own a hotel? Did you know that 50% of the motels in the US as owned by Indian Americans? As a 33-year-old, today's guest purchased a Hilton hotel. Until I met Davonne Reaves, I had never thought of purchasing a hotel as a business or even as an investment.

I recently received an email from a listener who is thinking of starting her own video podcast and wanted to know how I went about creating my video podcast. So...In this episode,

We all go through those times when we feel like we should be so much further with our businesses or feel like we're not doing a good job. In today's episode, I'm sharing 7 Questions To Ask Yourself If...

In today's episode, we meet Rita Onyx, the CEO of multi-media company, Onyx Star Media. Along with her family, she has built a multi-million-dollar portfolio that includes original video content, books, games, music, apparel, and more.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to host a virtual event? If you're interested in learning how you can incorporate virtual events into your business, take out your notebook because today's guest, LaKisha Mosely is sharing her playbook with us.

Have you ever wondered what sets the Googles and Amazons of the world apart from the rest? Why are some companies more successful than others? What makes them great?

In today's episode, I'm talking about the adjustments that new entrepreneurs need to make as they navigate the journey of running their own businesses. This topic isn't talked about much even though we all go through it, which is why I'm breaking down the five things every new entrepreneur needs to know before they make the switch to full-time.  Click that play button if you're ready to start your entrepreneurial journey off on the right foot using the tips and tools that helped me build a successful business.  Listen on Apple Podcast You'll learn: The importance of setting KPIs for your goalsHow to stop comparing yourself to other entrepreneursHow to maintain focus and execute what's in front of youWhy you need a tribe for growth and mental health Resources Mentioned:  Side Business lab waitlist Ready to Launch Your Side Business?  Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer. The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5. https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today's episode, I'm offering a different perspective to some popular business advice we often see on beautiful Instagram graphics. While on the surface this advice may seem harmless, if not inspirational, I'm breaking down

In today's episode, I'm giving you my 5 best tips on quitting your job to start a business or go full-time in your current side business. It's not an easy decision and certainly shouldn't be made in haste. That's why I break down how to determine if this is the right decision for you, why you need to get a realistic idea of what it takes to be successful as an entrepreneur, and the importance of setting up a solid plan for when you actually follow through with quitting your job.  Click that play button if you're ready to quit your job with a solid plan in place so you can do something more fulfilling or run a business that you've always dreamt of running full time.  Listen on Apple Podcast You'll learn: How to have a conversation with your employers about meeting your needsWhy what we see online isn't the real storyHow to use the Leap Tracker to calculate your savingsThree things you should do with your side business before you quit Why you need to get comfortable with selling Resources Mentioned:  Leap TrackerSide Business lap waitlist Ready to Launch Your Side Business?  Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer. The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5. https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today's episode, we meet Briaan Barron, the Creative Director, Strategist, and CEO of Grail, a streaming and social network platform that helps people of color source and share simple, how-to video tutorials for hair, skin, nails, and body care. After several mediocre experiences at her local salon, Briaan took beauty matters into her own hands and created an online destination dedicated to high-quality self-care rituals for people of African descent. During our conversation, Briaan and I talked about her journey from ideation of a melanin-friendly platform to raising funds that helped her build an early version of her app with beautiful original video content. Briaan also shares how to approach creating original, high-quality content, why patience is key to achieving your goals as a startup, and how her targeted platform, Grail, uplifts black and brown creators, brand owners, and consumers. Click that play button if you want to learn how to build a startup with a unique platform from scratch and raise the capital required to get it off the ground. Listen on Apple Podcast You'll learn: The idea behind starting an independent streaming platform Ways to balance original content and crowdsourced contentHow to approach financing when outside capital is requiredHow to raise grant capital and where to allocate it within your businessThe user acquisition strategy behind the Grail platform Mentioned in this episode: Business Website: gotograil.comBusiness Instagram: @gotograil Ready to Launch Your Side Business?  Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer. The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5. https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today's episode, we meet Jasmine Womack, a six-figure storyteller helping coaches, consultants, speakers, agency owners, and professional service providers to write, self-publish, and launch books that grow and scale their businesses. After building a side business while working a 9-5, Jasmine decided to go all in and write, self-publish and launch a book that highlighted her expertise and funneled other entrepreneurs into her online programs. During our conversation, Jasmine and I talk about what it takes to get your story written down and published so that you can share your expertise and help others get results. Jasmine also shares the benefits of self-publishing a book when you're still working in corporate, a realistic timeline of a self-published book, how to raise awareness around your launch, the best places to publish your book, and so much more. If you want to learn how to self-publish your next book and integrate it into your online coaching business, click that play button. Listen on Apple Podcast You'll learn: Three mistakes people make when they self-publish booksThe five phases of the writing process and how to approach themHow to find the right editor for your bookThe marketing process behind her $235k launchHow to generate sales for your book with a small audience Mentioned in this episode: Business Website: jasminewomack.mykajabi.com Business Instagram: @thejasminewomack  Ready to Launch Your Side Business?  Join the Side Business Lab - a guided blueprint for validating, building, launching, and landing your first online business customer. The Side Business Lab not only shows you exactly how to build your online business but also shows you how to repeatedly get customers WHILE working your 9-5. https://www.serwaaadjeipelle.com/SideBusinessLab

In today's episode, we meet Jasmin Foster, the founder, and owner of Be Rooted, an inclusively designed stationery brand created to uplift and celebrate women of color.