Startup Advantage

Public relations, or PR, is a helpful tool that founders can use as a force multiplier to build credibility and increase their reach.In this podcast episode, Tania speaks with a public relations expert, Jonathon Narvey, about his entrepreneurial journey and how to grow your business faster through PR strategies, whether you have the budget to hire a PR firm or want to find DIY inspiration.Jonathon Narvey is the Founder & CEO of Mind Meld PR Inc. Mind Meld PR is a Public Relations Agency in Vancouver, B.C., serving clients in the USA and Canada. They work with innovative startups and scale-ups in SaaS, AI, EdTech, HealthTech, CleanTech, FinTech and more.As a reporter covering the tech scene, he learned the craft of storytelling. Now in PR, Jonathon and his team use those skills to earn media coverage for innovative tech companies."Public relations is a subset of marketing that is a force multiplier for your overall marketing. So actually PR is not, absolutely not, the first thing that your company would invest in ... Once you've got some traction, you got some money ... now you can throw money at PR and this is going to be the force multiplier. It's the pouring gas on the fire that you've already lit and helping you scale up quicker." - Jonathon NarveyWe discuss in this episode with Jonathon:Why Jonathon believes there are two reasons why people become entrepreneurs and why he chose entrepreneurship. (4:31) How Jonathon started his entrepreneurial journey by relying on key relationships and people in his life. (6:28)How a touch technique from Star Trek became a metaphor for Jonathon's business. (8:36)Why it's important to go after a niche and how Jonathon found his for Mind Meld PR. (10:29)What public relations involve. (12:25)The business benefits of PR. (14:24)The difference between marketing, advertising and PR. (15:03)How social media fits into a PR strategy. (16:46)How to choose stories about your business if you want DIY PR. (18:26)Jonathan's advice on what you can do right now to make your business stand out. (21:11)Why PR remains an effective strategy despite a growing trend to mistrust the media. (24:53)How a shift from the big players in the media to alternative media opens up more opportunities for founders. (27:12)What Jonathon predicts for the future of PR post-pandemic. (28:07)Jonathan's tips on having conversations and managing expectations with clients. (30:34)The communication habits Jonathon and his team use to connect, plan and improve. (33:11)What Jonathon has observed after years of interviewing successful tech entrepreneurs. (35:13)How to connect with Jonathon. (36:51)Full show notes, the transcript, resources and how you can connect with Jonathon, can be found here: https://www.startingadvantage.com/39Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you do as a new entrepreneur with self-critical thoughts that make achieving success hard and keeps you feeling stuck?In this podcast episode, Tania speaks with an executive & career coach about her entrepreneurial journey and how to deal with the inner critic that’s making you feel that achieving success in your entrepreneur journey is hard.Terry Boyle McDougall is an Executive & Career Coach and CEO of Terry B. McDougall Coaching. She helps high-achieving professionals remove obstacles that keep them stuck so they can enjoy more success and satisfaction in their lives and careers. Before becoming a coach, Terry was a long-time corporate marketing executive where she led teams, developed strategies and advised senior leaders to drive business results. She is the author of Winning the Game of Work: Career Happiness and Success on Your Own Terms. She is also the host of the Marketing Mambo podcast."I think that all of us have that voice in our head that says, 'Oh, you need to do this or you need to do that and if you don't something bad is going to happen'. I call it a gremlin, that voice in the head. A lot of times the gremlin is very harsh with us, right. It's critical. It's perfectionistic. It sometimes catastrophizes about, 'Oh, if you don't do this, you're going to get fired or you're gonna lose your house or whatever.' And it's very important, number one, to recognize that the gremlin is there to try to keep us safe, but the gremlin has no nuances. The gremlin is going to be very harsh about trying to keep you safe." - Terry McDougallWe discuss in this episode with Terry:Why Terry decided to become an entrepreneur in 2017 after 30 years of corporate business experience. (3:23) Why Terry made the decision to go from being a marketing consultant to an executive coach. (5:31)Why Terry believes coaching and helping others succeed is her higher calling. (8:40)How Terry’s family members responded when she shared her entrepreneurial plans. (10:34)Advice on how to have conversations about your business or plans with loved ones so that they can understand your vision and be more likely to be supportive. (12:58)Why you should think of your inner critic as a gremlin that is trying to protect you. (15:48)Why you should think that success doesn’t have to be hard and how to cultivate this mindset. (18:28)Why the first step to doing anything new is believing that it’s possible. (22:28)How Terry is using skills from her past to build and enhance her current business. (24:47)Why it is smart to hire people to help with your business instead of trying to do everything yourself. (26:24)The top skills that you should focus on putting time into developing as an entrepreneur. (28:40)Something that most high-achievers struggle with that can support you in staying realistic about your progress. (30:05)How Terry celebrates her wins as a habit. (32:28)How Terry supports people in identifying if they should work towards career goals in their current position or if they should rather start their own business. (33:00)How a mastermind group supported Terry in reaching for entrepreneurial success. (36:19)The mindset Terry believes gives her the advantage to manage her inner talk and inner critic. (37:13)Common fears and challenges entrepreneurs have based on her coaching experience and the research she did for her best-selling book. (39:11)Why you shouldn't compare yourself to very successful entrepreneurs you see in the media (and should always take care to manage your taxes). (40:42)How to connect with Terry. (42:56)Full show notes, the transcript, resources and how you can connect with Terry, can be found here: https://www.startingadvantage.com/38Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Every business has a company culture. Culture impacts everything from employee performance and engagement to how your company is perceived by your customers. In this podcast episode, Tania speaks with a culture and leadership development expert about her entrepreneurial journey, and how her longing to belong led to a career of helping companies build Brave Cultures based on the principles of conscious capitalism that encourages inclusivity and belonging.Johanna Lyman is the Principal Consultant and Practice Leader for Culture and Inclusion at Kadabra. She helps small companies get to their next level of success, build a culture that supports sustainable profitability, and develop their teams to their highest potential. She has helped thousands of people all over the world build the business of their dreams and step into being the leader they’ve been called to be. She is a certified coach and business development expert with more than fifteen years of experience helping executives, consultants, and business owners build and develop successful businesses.Prior to starting her own business in January 2005, Johanna was a CFP(R) at Merrill Lynch, a Divisional Vice President of Sales at Warnaco during the peak of their success, and she had a 10-year career working up the corporate ladder at Filene’s Department Stores, a division of May Co. She’s a Certified Change Management Specialist and Six Sigma Lean Professional (Green Belt).She has spoken at conferences such as the HR.com annual conference, Sustainatopia, ISC2 (internet security and compliance), and Chico State’s This Way to Sustainability conference, and the WOW Conference for Women. She has also spoken at meetings like the International Council for Small Business Development, the Capital Club San Jose, the Natural Healers Network, the Awareness Network, Women For Change Coaching Community, Mastery for Women, Rhode Island SHRM, and at her own live events.And people don't always realize this, but culture is going to happen in an organization, whether you plan it or not. But when you don't plan for it, it ends up being one of those companies that I worked with that I had to escape from, because it's not good. It's not values aligned. People don't feel respected. They don't feel appreciated. They don't feel like they belong." - Johanna LymanWe discuss in this episode with Johanna:How Johanna's story of belonging is what drives her to help leaders build inclusive cultures for companies. (3:45) Why Johanna decided to become an entrepreneur. (9:17)A different view on Maslow's hierarchy of needs with belonging at the bottom of the needs pyramid. (10:36)Advice on how entrepreneurs can find a like-minded community for support using values alignment. (15:03)What conscious capitalism means and what it looks like for business owners. (16:30)Why culture happens in an organization whether you plan for it or not. (17:58)Why knowing your purpose, or why, matters. (19:00)The role of self-awareness when building culture and how to measure if you're actually being self-aware as a leader. (21:51)How self-awareness grows with self-reflection. (23:08)What it means for a business to have a brave culture and why it's a must for a purpose-driven company. (24:29)Tips on how you can start to be more inclusive as a business owner. (25:57)The most challenging part for entrepreneurs during this process to become more conscious. (27:54)How to connect your core values with specific action steps in your company. (29:02)How to measure the effectiveness of your company culture and its values with a scorecard. (30:28) How COVID-19 is an opportunity for entrepreneurs to make collaborative decisions with team members and employees. (31:47)The mindsets Johanna believes give her the advantage to do meaningful work that creates a positive impact. (35:10)How to connect with Johanna. (36:40)Full show notes, the transcript, resources and how you can connect with Johanna, can be found here: https://www.startingadvantage.com/37Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Finding opportunities to help your business grow can be strongly influenced by your chosen mindset. In this podcast episode, Tania speaks with a passionate founder, Arjun Rai, about his entrepreneurial journey and how he’s successfully using mindset and equity crowdfunding to grow his business quickly. You'll also hear advice on his success strategies, habits, and mindsets.Arjun Rai is an NYC-based entrepreneur who is on a mission to support small businesses with the power of visualized data science and artificial intelligence for digital marketing at HelloWoofy.com. A firm believer that every SMB should have an unfair advantage to compete against unlimited marketing budgets. He has raised from professional investors and personally invested nearly $500,000 in pre-seed VC funding as well as obtained corporate partners (including Fortune 500 companies, such as Microsoft and Google) resulting in over $135,000 in strategic resources.Since high school, Arjun has been networking with some of the most well-known entrepreneurs and even worked on a few projects and startups of his own. Upon graduation, Arjun pursued his career opportunities and came to New York City where he enrolled at the New York Institute of Technology in 2011 with scholarships and grants. Following a few weeks into college, Arjun launched his second startup, fuelbrite.com, a social media agency focused on small businesses and startups, and a student-focused organization, TheBizDen. Arjun currently lives in New York City with his girlfriend, two cats and a dog. You can find him working from home, doing carpentry, pitching his startup at a meetup or driving around town on his e-scooter.HelloWoofy is an AI-enabled digital marketing tool that helps you save time and optimize your social media strategy using visual data science."One of the things that we've been allowing our customers to do is actually invest in the company. So while we have a goal to build the biggest company in the world, helping the smallest, something new that I encourage every founder and every entrepreneur take a look at is equity crowdfunding ... to build a company for your customer, with the customer itself, beyond just having a discovery group or a customer discovery group and feedback loop, actually bringing them in and saying here, come on our Cap Table, own a piece of our company as a thank you to believing in us early on. " - Arjun RaiWe discuss in this episode with Arjun:When Arjun first decided to make it his mission to make data-driven technology affordable. (5:57) How Arjun had entrepreneurial goals from a young age. (8:25)Why you should double down and let everyone else around you know if you believe your calling is to be an entrepreneur. (9:51)How your mindset can help you to build a company for your customer with your customer & why Arjun recommends that every founder looks into equity crowdfunding. (12:10)How being strategic and thoughtful around your time management can lead to increased earnings. (13:51)How to think about building your confidence as a new entrepreneur. (14:28)What Arjun believes is the key to HelloWoofy’s success. (15:07)How to build a strong company culture if you’ve got a global team. (16:03)How listening and being obsessed with your customers' needs and wants can lead to building a successful MVP. (16:50)How HelloWoofy was able to build the world's first smart speaker scheduler. (18:24)How to avoid scope creep. (19:10)Find out if there’s a real dog on which the brand name HelloWoofy is based. (19:49)Arjun’s prediction for the future of digital and content marketing and how to have a competitive advantage. (20:55)Why you should include emojis in your social media marketing.

Starting your own business can feel like a daunting task. There are many things to consider, and you may feel at times like you don't have the skills or knowledge necessary to succeed. A success strategy that most successful entrepreneurs have in common is to start taking action before you feel ready.In this podcast episode, Tania encourages you to start to take action before you feel ready. We discuss in this episode:- A question you can ask yourself to measure your ability to take action consistently. (2:50)- 4 reasons why you should challenge yourself to start before you feel ready. (5:40)- What Tania's coach said that helps her move into taking action again when there's a dip in her consistency. (12:48)- Encouraging quotes on taking imperfect action by a work reinvention strategist. (14:00)Full show notes can be found here: https://www.startingadvantage.com/35Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week's bonus episode has an exciting update for you: Startup Advantage has had a slight name upgrade to Starting Advantage. While the podcast looks (and might feel) a bit different, you can continue to join Tania for episodes as you usually do.You'll continue to hear conversations on success strategies, habits, and mindsets for first-time entrepreneurs. Wondering why we are going through this change together? Tania shares more on this in this quick update. Hint: It's to include you and support you even better.Do you want to help shape Starting Advantage? Please share your thoughts by completing a short survey at startingadvantage.com/p/survey. I'm so excited and grateful to build this podcast with you for you. So thank you for being part of the process and progress and for giving me your feedback. I have an invitation for you: Please tell us more about you and what you think about the podcast so that we can support you better. You can do it anonymously. You could also win one of three $25 gift cards for completing this survey as a thank you gift for taking the time to share your thoughts. If you have time right now, that'd be amazing. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey. - Tania See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Being intentional about taking imperfect action can support you in gaining the clarity you need to become a successful entrepreneur. In this podcast episode, Tania speaks with a passionate entrepreneur and work reinvention strategist, Lydia Lee, about her entrepreneurial journey and how she learned to take intentional imperfect action into entrepreneurship. You'll also hear advice on her success strategies, habits, and mindsets.Lydia Lee is the Work Reinvention Coach and Freedom Instigator at Screw The Cubicle. Since 2013, she's helped hundreds of people transition out of the golden corporate handcuffs and build meaningful businesses that support them in living the life they want. She believes in intentionally creating purposeful work with our strengths, values, and personality in mind, so that we’re building a business we love, and want to keep for years to come."If I don't get started in what I know for right now, I'll never get started. We need to take imperfect action. We need to trust what we know with what we have as assets and knowledge at the moment, and give ourselves permission to evolve that body of work and not embrace such permanence to our decisions in business." - Lydia LeeWe discuss in this episode with Lydia, on how to take intentional imperfect action into entrepreneurship:Why Lydia started her first entrepreneurial project part-time while working full-time for an employer. (5:11)How Lydia realized that starting her own business instead of changing jobs or industries was the right decision for her. (9:02)What the sweet spot for creating meaningful work is and how to start to find yours. (10:57)Why you shouldn’t ever undervalue your current network and how to think about social equity in an empowering way. (14:45)A simple mindset shift to overcome fear of taking action. (20:12)Lydia’s thoughtful advice for first-time entrepreneurs on how to approach loved ones that might have concerns about your decision to be an entrepreneur. (23:21)How to find the thing to build a business around if you’re unsure of what type of business to start. (28:24)How to know the difference between experiencing challenges or whether your business type is not a good fit or you. (32:31)How taking calculated risks can create a sense of safety and lead to meaningful work. (36:58)What aligned action looks like versus hustle action. (41:30)How to access Lydia’s free workshop on how to launch a business designed from your strengths, values and personality. (43:12)How to connect with Lydia. (47:23)Full show notes, the transcript, resources and how you can connect with Lydia, can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/34Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/34 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Most entrepreneurs have to pivot their dreams in order to achieve business success. In this podcast episode, Tania speaks with a young entrepreneur, Joshua Littlejohn, about his entrepreneurial journey and how he learned to pivot his dreams. You'll hear advice on his success strategies, habits, and mindsets, including insights on networking, being deliberate when it comes to skill development, and the benefits of running your business so that it looks like a large corporation.Joshua Littlejohn is a Canadian entrepreneur, marketer and author. In January of 2017, he launched Norgress, a Edmonton- based technology company where he currently serves as the chief executive officer. He is also the author of "The Marketing Fallacy: How Any Small Business Can Look Like A Large Corporation, Without The Large Costs". Joshua believes any small business can look like a large corporation without the large costs to experience the benefits that go along with it. "It's funny, the older you get, you really do pivot on your dreams. Whether it's a case where you realize, okay, it's just not going to work. Or somewhere along the line, you lose motivation." - Joshua LittlejohnWe discuss in this episode with Joshua, on pivot your dreams to achieve business success:Joshua's passion for social upliftment and progressive ideals and values. (4:20)Benefits Joshua has experienced by running his company so that it looks like a large corporation. (7:16)Why there are businesses that will see their best milestones during COVID-19. (8:41)What inspired Joshua's work ethic and passion for community upliftment. (10:19)Joshua's advice on how to know if you should focus on building the brand of your business or your personal brand. (12:06)What Joshua found challenging in becoming an entrepreneur. (14:07)How Joshua managed to grow his company Norgress into the success that it is today. (15:43)How Joshua started to pivot for his dreams. (18:14)How to approach networking to build relationships like Joshua does. (20:27)How Joshua was deliberate from a young age to challenge himself to step outside his comfort zone. (23:15)The habits Joshua has to manage his health and energy. (25:37)A mindset Joshua recommends for whatever habits you choose to have. (26:44)How Joshua uses his values in his hiring strategy and to select partners or team members. (27:53)How to get a free copy of Joshua's book, The Marketing Fallacy' - the ebook and the audiobook. (30:00)Full show notes, the transcript, resources and how you can connect with Joshua, can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/33Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/33 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

When you start your own business it can feel challenging to manage your time or to create a daily schedule and routine that is optimal for both your productivity and your mental health. In this podcast episode, Tania speaks about how you can use pre-planning of your day as a time management strategy so that you can both optimize your productivity and avoid burnout.We discuss in this episode, on pre-planning your day as a time management strategy:What time management means and why you should have a daily schedule. (6:08)The benefits for entrepreneurs of making the scheduling of your day a daily habit. (8:09)3 tips for pre-planning your day for optimum efficiency. (11:19)Full show notes can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/32Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/32 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There’s more to being a frugal entrepreneur than how you spend your money.In this podcast episode, Tania speaks about what it means to have a frugal entrepreneurial mindset with an entrepreneur who shows others how to launch and manage an online business on a budget.Sarah St John has created several startups throughout her entrepreneurial career of over a decade. She is an entrepreneur, podcaster, author and describes herself as an animal lover and world traveler. Sarah currently owns a podcast production agency called PodSeam and she is also the podcast host of “Frugalpreneur: Building a Business on a Bootstrapped Budget”."You could do like I did and try different things out. But at a certain point you do need to pick that one thing and focus on that one thing, because I learned that when your hand is in a bunch of different things, it gets overwhelming. If you're putting 20% of your energy and focus into five different things instead of a 100% into one thing, none of them are going to be that successful." - Sarah St JohnWe discuss in this episode, on how a frugal mindset can lead to online business success:How Sarah (with the benefit of hindsight) knows that she has always been an entrepreneur at heart. (5:03)The internal struggle of finding an entrepreneurial identity. (8:09)The main reason why Sarah believes some of her earlier businesses failed. (10:46)How Sarah found financial peace and inspiration for her brand Frugalpreneur. (13:46)How to get started with an online business affordably on a budget. (14:40)The most common mistake entrepreneurs make when it comes to their financial mindset. (18:20)How much time you'll likely need to spend on your online business per week when starting out. (19:20)Why Sarah predicts that most businesses will soon have a podcast. (21:05)About Sarah's Preneur Series ebooks for online entrepreneurs and how you can get access to it for free. (24:02)How to be frugal with your time. (25:02)How to build relationships with like-minded entrepreneurs online. (26:20)Full show notes, the transcript, resources and how you can connect with Sarah, can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/31Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/31 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you want to make it easy for new customers to find your business, and for existing customers to repurchase from you, you should prioritize your online presence.Having a strong online presence will support you in making your business more accessible to customers amid COVID-19 safety concerns and uncertainties and it can add credibility to your brand.We discuss in this episode, on why you should prioritize the online presence of your business:Why being accessible through an online presence is important in 2021. (3:15)What an online presence can include. (6:15)The benefits of having a strong online presence. (7:33 )Full show notes can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/30Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/30 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Finding or creating opportunities to build strong customer relationships, as we navigate through a time of change, starts with perspective.In this podcast episode, Tania speaks to an expert on perspective whose passion is helping people find the perspective that will enable them to generate extraordinary results. Patti Mara has spent nearly 20 years helping companies and individuals take a fresh look at the way they operate and has worked with hundreds of entrepreneurial owned and operated businesses to reposition them for success and dramatically increase their growth, customer retention, and profit. Patti is a popular speaker to groups from diverse industries, ranging from finance and commercial real estate, to restoration and cleaning, restaurants, and independent pharmacies. She has also been a featured speaker to North American women’s and entrepreneurs’ groups. She is the founder of Maranet Inc. and the creator of The Profit Generator Program*, which takes business owners through a process for developing the ability to see through their customers’ eyes. She also created the Breaking Through Barriers Program*, which helps business owners identify and eliminate the bottlenecks that impede growth and success. She is the author of UpSolutions – Turning Your Team into Heroes and Customers into Ravings Fans."We have buying patterns and everything's been interrupted right now. For businesses that are going out there and engaging in increasing accessibility and trust and building relationship and providing confidence, this is the biggest opportunity you'll ever have to create really strong customer relationships." - Patti MaraWe discuss in this episode, on the opportunity in change for strong customer relations:The opportunity in change and challenge for entrepreneurs. (4:53)What is key for businesses to provide to their customers to be successful in 2021 and beyond. (09:58)How Patti found her way into entrepreneurship during university (which was during a time of change and challenge too). (13:21)Why entrepreneurs need to shift their business model from sales to solutions. (16:16]What an entrepreneur can do to identify the unique value their business offers. (19:12)How to approach customer engagements so that it leads to value and stronger customer relations. (21:10)Patti's customer Touchpoint Scorecard and how you can get access to it for free. (24:12)Why you need to prioritize rest and work-life balance. (27:06)A quick and easy way to cultivate gratitude daily. (30:02)Patti's top strategy for building strong relationships as an entrepreneur. (33:31)Full show notes, transcripts, resources and how you can connect with Patti, can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/29 Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/29 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Goal setting is a well-known best practice for business owners, especially at the beginning of a new year or project, but many first-time entrepreneurs fail to have specific written goals for their business for the short, medium and longer term. If you want to increase your chances of business success, writing down your goals is an activity you should make time for.We discuss in this episode, the reasons behind the write way to set goals:Why it's important to set goals in writing. (6:06)Why writing goals down lead to success. (9:18)Learn what the leading business coaches agree on when it comes to goal setting. (10:29)What research shows about the success rate of people who write down their goals. (13:05)Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/28 Enjoyed this episode? Heard something useful? Let us know!Please leave a review to support the show on your favourite podcast player. Thank you if you're willing!Please share this episode with a friend who can benefit from it: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/28 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Becoming purposeful about your productivity can give you a competitive advantage in your business and in life.In this podcast episode, Tania speaks to one of the world's leading experts on productivity and high-performance, Matt East, who shares advice on how entrepreneurs can become purposefully productive. If you start making progress, just incremental progress, day after day, magic can start to happen. You can start to feel like, 'hey, I'm actually doing it; I'm actually doing the things that I'm setting out to do'. - Matt East You will find out about:Why we all struggle with being purposefully productive at times. (3:49)Why clarity matters and what you can do to find it. (7:11)How Matt became an entrepreneur and developed his business model. (9:30)How top priorities each day increases overall productivity. (17:17)The most common productivity challenge among entrepreneurs. (20:08)One thing you can do that can help you maintain a productivity mindset during challenging times like COVID-19. (29:19)Matt's views on entrepreneurship as a team sport. (35:45)About this episode's guest, Matt East:Matt East is one of the world's leading experts on productivity and high-performance. Matt’s books, podcasts, and coaching teach you how to plan your day so you can spend more time on the projects, activities, and relationships that are most important and meaningful to you. He's best known for his one-on-one coaching, where he's been lucky enough to work with many brilliant creatives, entrepreneurs, and business professionals. Matt is the author of The Purposeful Planning Method: How to Plan Your Day, Beat Procrastination, and Regain Control of Your Time. And hosts two popular podcasts, The Goal Achievement Podcast and the Better Humans Podcast.Connect with Matt: https://www.matt-east.com/Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the resource(s) mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are not endorsements or affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase tor use the mentioned service(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Free ebook & audiobook, ‘The Purposeful Planning Method: How to Plan Your Day, Beat Procrastination, and Regain Control of Your Time’ by Matt East: https://www.matt-east.com/vipMatt’s tips on staying productive during COVID-19 and challenging times: https://www.matt-east.com/remain-productive-during-uncertain-timesDo you want to send a message for this month's question, How do you stay motivated? Send a voice message: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/27Do you want to share this episode with a friend?This link is easy to share: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/27 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Having a mentor to turn to is one thing many successful entrepreneurs have in common. But how do you find a more experienced entrepreneur to mentor you, especially if you're a new entrepreneur? In today’s podcast episode, Tania shares advice on ways to find a mentor; especially if you want to try mentorship for the first time.You will find out about:How a good mentor can support you. (3:17)How to have realistic expectations. (4:11)How to know if you're ready for mentoring. (4:57)3 tips for finding a mentor. (7:46)Resource(s) mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the resource(s) mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are not endorsements or affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase tor use the mentioned service(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Free online mentoring communities: https://www.micromentor.org & https://findamentor.comStartup Advantage Eps 25 - Find a Trusted Advisor Through Entrepreneurship Mentorship: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/25Do you want to send a message for this month's question, How do you stay motivated? Send a voice message: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/26Do you want to share this episode with a friend?This link is easy to share: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/26 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

One thing many successful entrepreneurs have in common is a close relationship with a mentor. However, many entrepreneurs (especially new founders) do not seek out a mentor as a trusted advisor as hard as they try to find a co-founder, partners or investors; likely because they don’t understand the value of mentorship. In today’s podcast, Tania shares what entrepreneurship mentorship is briefly (as she can talk about it for hours); you'll also hear about what a mentor does and doesn't do in a mentoring relationship.You will find out about:What mentoring means. (3:18)The benefits of mentorship for entrepreneurs. (4:48)The role of a mentor. (6:50)The goal of mentoring. (9:22)Do you want to send a message to answer this month's question, What is the biggest challenge you have in your business right now?Send a voice message: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/25Do you want to share this episode with a friend?This link is easy to share: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/25 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

In the past month, have you experienced any of the following:Feelings of self-doubt?Harshly criticized yourself about your business decisions? Excessive fear that you won't live up to expectations in starting/running your business? If you did, you share some of the common signs among entrepreneurs of imposter syndrome.In today’s podcast, Tania shares what you can do to start working through feelings of imposter syndrome successfully.In this episode, you will find out about:Common signs of imposter syndrome. (3:21)What imposter syndrome means and how it's defined. (6:21)Why it's important to manage imposter syndrome to maintain good mental health. (10:37)Reasons for imposter syndrome among entrepreneurs. (12:23)How to start working through imposter syndrome. (15:28)Resource mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the resource(s) mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase tor use the mentioned service(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Small Business Recovery Dashboard: https://www.smallbusinesseveryday.ca/dashboard/Do you want to send a message to answer this month's question, What is the biggest challenge you have in your business right now?Send a voice message: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/24Do you want to share this episode with a friend?This link is easy to share: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/24 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

COVID-19 has impacted entrepreneurs in unpredictable ways and while some are thriving, many others are struggling to stay motivated. Do you need some encouragement? And some advice on how to keep moving forward when you don’t feel motivated? That’s what this episode will support you with. In today’s podcast, I'll share three steps with you that you can take to find motivation in taking action.In this episode, you will find out about:Why motivation is not a feeling. (3:02)Why taking action isn't always the effect of motivation. (6:17)Why you should use the five second rule. (8:40)The three step process to get motivated through action. (11:11)Why celebrating your wins is an important part of staying motivated. (14:29)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the resource(s) mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase tor use the mentioned service(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Mel Robbins, TEDxSF talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/mel_robbins_how_to_stop_screwing_yourself_over?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshareResources on Mental Health - Canada: https://cmha.ca/ Resources on Mental Health - USA: https://mhanational.org/Resources on Mental Health - UK: https://mentalhealth-uk.org/Do you want to send a message to answer this month's question, What is the biggest challenge you have in your business right now?Send a voice message: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/23Do you want to share this episode with a friend?This link is easy to share: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/23 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Putting thought behind how you approach a co-founder search can support you in finding a strong fit for you and your business. By taking the time to get to know potential founders first, you're more likely to find a partner that will be someone who will help you build your startup from the ground up through good and bad times. But how do you know when you’ve found a good co-founder match?In today’s podcast, I'll share a strategy that can help you during your co-founder dating phase to identify a good match; it's a strategy that involves asking purposeful questions.In this episode, you will find out about:Why co-founder dating and asking planned questions can help you make strategic partnering decisions. (4:09)Why you should consider having a standard draft of questions as a guide for conversations. (8:25)What you should do first before you draft your questions for your meetings. (9:12)Three categories of question types that will help to ensure a basic personality and interest match. (12:11)Why behavioural type questions are a good tool you can use. (17:12)Guidance on how long to take before you make a decision on who to partner with. (20:25)Resources mentioned in this episode:Startup Advantage Eps 21 - In Agreement With Your Co-Founder: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/21Startup Advantage Eps 20 - How To Look For A Co-Founder: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/20Startup Advantage Eps 19 - How To Choose An Aligned Co-founder: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/19Do you want to send a message to answer this month's question, What is the biggest challenge you have in your business right now?Send a voice message: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/22Do you want to share this episode with a friend? This link is easy to share: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/22 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Each co-founder relationship is unique, but there are things any founder (including you) can do right from the start to ensure you are in agreement with your co-founder from the get-go on the important aspects of your working relationship. It's important to have purposeful conversations and the necessary written documents in place to start working together on a strong foundation of agreement.In today’s podcast, I'll share with you what you can do at the beginning of your relationship to help get you and your co-founder on the same (legal) page. In this episode, you will find out about:What a co-founders agreement is. (7:27)Why you need a written agreement with you co-founder(s). (8:50)What an agreement usually includes. (10:49)How to create an agreement. (21:47)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the resource(s) mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase or use the mentioned service(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the referrals or reviews are done based on their own opinions.Send a voice message and let me know your answer to this month's question, 'Why did you (or do you want to) start your business?': https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/21Startup Advantage Eps 20 - How To Look For A Co-Founder: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/20Free templates and examples - Canada: https://www.lawdepot.ca/contracts/groups/business/Free templates and examples - USA: https://www.lawdepot.com/contracts/groups/business/Free templates and examples - UK: https://www.lawdepot.co.uk/contracts/groups/business/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you’ve decided you need a co-founder for the many benefits it offers OR if you just don’t like working alone and for that reason are exploring options of finding someone to help you build your business, you're likely wondering: where do I start looking for a co-founder? How do I go about looking for a co-founder? In today’s podcast, I'll help you identify where to start looking for a co-founder or partner if you’re feeling a bit lost on how or where to start. In this episode, you will find out about:Why it's important to be clear on what you're looking for in a co-founder. (3:22)3 resources you can use when looking for a co-founder. (5:59)The value of your personal network. (6:25)About founder matchmaking/dating sites. (8:41)How a shortlist can help during the process. (14:00)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the resource(s) mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase tor use the mentioned service(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Send a voicemail and let me know your answer to this month's question, 'Why did you (or do you want to) start your business?': https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/20Startup Advantage Eps 19 - How To Choose An Aligned Co-founder: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/19Startup Advantage Eps 18 - 2 Questions Closer To Knowing If Partnering Is For You: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/18Founder matchmaking/dating sites: https://cofounderslab.com/ & https://founders-nation.com/ & https://www.starthawk.io/ & https://www.founder2be.com/Online meeting/community events/networking site: https://www.meetup.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If you're considering adding a co-founder to your business, or are actively looking for a co-founder, you will have a lot of questions around what to look for in a new partnership.Strong co-founder relationships are rooted in alignment.In today’s podcast, we’re exploring what to look for in a co-founder that will help you determine if they'll align with you and your business mission so that you can function together just like a well-practiced sports team would. In this episode, you will find out about:The key to a strong co-founder relationship. (4:11)What business alignment means for a co-founding pair. (4:25)3 key things you can look for in a co-founder. (7:58)Why you should look for complementary skills in a partner (8:36)The value of values alignment. (13:58)Why your mission matters when choosing a co-founder. (17:09)Resources mentioned:Send a voicemail and let me know your answer to this month's question, 'Why did you (or do you want to) start your business?': https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/19Episode 18: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/18Episode 17: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/17 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Starting and growing a business is a lot of work and takes commitment. Having a co-founder or business partner can help you gain momentum or help you grow faster than on your own, but it's not necessarily the best solution for every founder. That’s what we’ll talk about.In today’s podcast, I’ll help you to identify if you would benefit from having a co-founder or a business partner for the stage you're at and I'll leave you with a few alternatives to consider if partnering up is not right for you right now. In this episode, you will find out about:Benefits of partnering with others. (3:25)Basic definitions of what it means to work with a co-founder or in a partnership. (4:17)The difference between a co-founder and a partner. (6:25)How to identify if you would benefit from having a co-founder or partner. (9:06)Why you always have options. (13:35)Send a voicemail and let me know your answer to this month's question, 'Why did you (or do you want to) start your business?': https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/18 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As an entrepreneur, you are in a unique and powerful position to choose who you want to work with or not. When choosing who you work with, whether it's co-founders, business partners, mentors, coaches or employees, research shows it works best for all parties involved when your values are aligned.In today’s podcast, I’ll help you start to identify your core values (and the values of others) so that you can choose working relationships that work.In this episode, you will find out about:Why it is important to choose your working relationships strategically. (3:09)What you can do to help you identify potentially good working relationships. (5:30)An easy way to start identifying your core values. (7:57)How to start identifying the core values of others. (11:54) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Have you heard of business being compared to sports before? If you’ve listened to previous episodes of this podcast, you have heard me say that we approach entrepreneurship as a team sport here and that it’s a mindset that will be an advantage for your startup. That’s what we’ll talk about today.In today’s podcast, I’ll explain why it matters to be relationship-focused and I'll share with you three advantages of approaching entrepreneurship as a team sport.In this episode, you will find out about:Why business is often compared to sports. (2:35)Why the most successful entrepreneurs value teamwork. (5:00)Three advantages of approaching entrepreneurship as a team sport. (8:30) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There is no episode this week; just a quick update for you on the new release schedule for this podcast (and a few words of encouragement if you need it this week). I look forward to connecting with you again in the next few days.Past episodes mentioned in this update:Startup Advantage Episode 13 - Done Is Better Than Perfect: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/aim-for-progress-not-perfection/Startup Advantage Episode 4 - Entrepreneurial Mindset 101: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/entrepreneurial-mindset-101/Startup Advantage Podcast Website: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Consistency is the difference between failure and success. Whether it’s with an exercise plan or with starting a business. As a founder, what can you do to achieve consistency? I want you to feel confident that you can flex your consistency muscle when you need to, so that’s what we’re talking about.In today’s podcast, I’ll share with you two steps that will help you to confidently achieve a level of performance that does not vary greatly in quality over time.In this episode, you will find out about:Benefits of being consistent. (6:20)What it means to be consistent for you as a founder. (7:56)Two steps to achieve consistency confidently. (8:50) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What do you believe: are entrepreneurs born or made? Many people, and maybe you too, wonder if there are some innate qualities or personality traits that some people naturally possess that they are born with that gives them the ability to succeed as an entrepreneur.Today’s podcast is for the analytical-minded, so if research and theory tends to make you snooze, this episode is not for you. If exploring mindsets and ideas while comparing it with research from the past is your thing, this is an episode specifically made for you.In this episode, you will find out about:The debate on whether entrepreneurs are born or made. (2:20)Research on nature versus nurture. (4:10)Key traits of successful entrepreneurs. (8:23)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.British School of Marketing Article, 'Are entrepreneurs born or made?': https://britishschoolofmarketing.com/bsmi/are-entrepreneurs-born-or-made/Article, 'Entrepreneurship: Is it in the genes?': https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/205860Joseph Walker's Article, 'Born or Made: Entrepreneurs share key traits': https://www.deseret.com/2006/9/10/19972947/born-or-made-entrepreneurs-share-key-traitsHarvard Business School Paper, 'Personality Traits of Entrepreneurs': https://www.hbs.edu/faculty/publication%20files/18-047_b0074a64-5428-479b-8c83-16f2a0e97eb6.pdf See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Business is competitive and it’s easy for entrepreneurs to get caught in a perfection cycle that keeps them from getting started or getting things done. The solution is to aim for progress, not perfection, starting today.In today’s podcast, I’ll share with you my top three tips to overcome perfectionism so that you can start or grow your business, because done is better than perfect. In this episode, you will find out:What perfectionism means. (4:39)How common perfectionism is in business. (6:35)3 tips to shift your mindset to overcome perfectionism. (13:27)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Dr. Brene Brown TED Talk on the Power of Vulnerability: https://youtu.be/pXb8AQOONgEAmerican Psychological Association Report: https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/releases/bul-bul0000138.pdfWorld Economic Forum Article: https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2018/01/perfectionism-has-become-a-hidden-epidemic-among-young-peopleStartup Advantage Podcast Website: https://www.startupadvantagepodcast.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Productivity is vital to any startup and as an entrepreneur you need to stay productively focused. By being mindful of your personal productivity, you can redefine what productivity looks like to you during this time of COVID-19.In today’s podcast, I’ll share with you my top two tips to influence your mindset for top personal productivity.In this episode, you will find out about:Why you should redefine what personal productivity looks like to you. (1:35)A common misconception about personal productivity. (2:58)2 tips for personal productivity. (4:50)How you can send a voice message for the pod. (10:32)Resource mentioned in this episode:Send a voice message for the podcast: https://www.speakpipe.com/StartupAdvantagePodcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you prioritize reading as a rising entrepreneur? Do you know that reading is the one trait that nearly all of the world’s most successful business people have in common? Let’s start gaining this knowledge advantage together; let’s start reading more together.On today’s podcast, we'll talk about reading habits of successful entrepreneurs, how you can start reading more, and you'll be invited to be a part of the brand-new Startup Advantage Book Club, which is officially starting this month. I hope you'll join us!In this episode, you will find out about:Benefits of reading. (3:12)Famously successful entrepreneurs that are known to read a lot. (3:40)How to make time for reading. (5:45)About the Startup Advantage Book Club. (6:20)What we'll be reading together this month. (10:35)Resource mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Book: 'Lean Startup' by Eric Ries: http://theleanstartup.com/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As an entrepreneur, staying motivated is easier said than done, but it’s without a doubt, essential for the success of your business. How do you currently stay motivated on your hard days, when you're tempted to give up? Do you have steps in place to help you tap into motivation to keep moving forward?On today’s podcast, let's talk about how you can help yourself to keep your motivation level consistently high for those difficult days when stress and the temptation to quit cross your mind.In this episode, you will find out about:Common reasons why new entrepreneurs can feel like giving up. (4:00)5 steps you can take to keep your motivation level high consistently. (8:00)What to do if you're not sure if you should give up on your business or continue on. (18:22)Resource mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Article on SMART Goals: https://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/smart-goals.htm See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Successful entrepreneurs are open-minded. In a COVID-19 and rapidly changing business world, being open-minded and open to change can help you succeed as a new entrepreneur.In today’s podcast, we'll talk about the value open-mindedness holds for entrepreneurs and how you can cultivate your own open-mindedness as you go about pursuing your business goals. In this episode, you will find out about:What it means to be open-minded. (6:15)3 benefits of holding an open mindset. (7:47)A simple strategy that will help you to build your ability to be more open-minded. (10:25)Resource mentioned in this episode:Listener survey: https://bit.ly/SAlistenersurvey See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As a business owner, you have the power to encourage inclusivity to help create positive change by proactively having inclusive conversations with your customers, employees, and communities.In today’s podcast, you'll be reminded of this power you have as an entrepreneur to help create positive change. You'll also gain access to a helpful resource that will provide you with training on how to have inclusive conversations for free (for a limited time).In this episode, you will find out about:The power you have as an entrepreneur to help shape the world through meaningful conversations. (2:40)Helpful free resources that will help you learn about having inclusive conversations. (5:48)4 tips you can immediately implement to encourage inclusivity at your startup. (7:26)How self-awareness is your best friend during potentially difficult conversations. (8:30)Resource mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.LinkedIn Learning's free (until August 31, 2020) learning path on Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging: https://learning.linkedin.com/blog/linkedin-learning-resources/free-courses-to-help-you-become-a-stronger-ally-and-have-inclusi See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

There is a lot of uncertainty in the world right now. If you’re wondering: How should I respond as a startup if something happens in the world or in my community? Or how can my business respond appropriately to add value? This episode will help you to avoid being tone-deaf in your business communications during uncertain times.In today’s podcast, we'll look at what it means to be tone-deaf to your customers and your community. You'll also hear 3 tips that can help your startup avoid tone-deaf business communications.In this episode, you will find out about:Questions you might have during uncertain times as a business owner. (3:00)What it means to be tone-deaf as a business. (4:25)3 tips to avoid tone-deaf business communications in an uncertain world. (6:08) See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

If your startup is ready to reopen amid COVID-19, or if you’ll be implementing an updated safety plan for your business operations, you'll need an effective communication plan to inspire customer confidence and to make them feel safe and connected and loyal to your business and brand.In today’s podcast, you'll find out how you can use your communications to connect with your customers as we transition through COVID-19. We'll talk about best practices for your startup's communication strategy during the pandemic and I'll share 10 practical communication tips that will inspire confidence with your customers.In this episode, you will find out about:Why your communication strategy matters. (4:35)The biggest communication challenge for entrepreneurs. (5:29)10 communication tips to inspire customer confidence. (7:55)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.BC's Restart Plan: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/public-safety-and-emergency-services/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/gdx/bcs_restart_plan_web.pdf?bcgovtm=20200506_GCPE_AM_COVID_9_NOTIFICATION_BCGOV_BCGOV_EN_BC__NOTIFICATIONFederal and provincial support available to Canadian businesses: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/safety/emergency-preparedness-response-recovery/covid-19-provincial-support/financial-benefits#business See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Taking the time to explore and identify your WHY is an important step as a rising entrepreneur. It will help you to figure out your purpose and how to set business goals that excite you, so that you can have a business and life that makes you feel fulfilled while you’re building it (versus merely going through the motions to survive from month-to-month)!In today’s podcast, I'll share 3 questions to help you identify your WHY and purpose. By answering these questions for yourself, you'll gain a rock-solid foundation for (w)orking (h)appily for (y)ourself along with the fuel you need to power through challenges.In this episode, you will find out about:The power of a clear sense of purpose. (4:58)How your WHY benefits you. (11:23)3 questions to help you identify your WHY and purpose. (15:03)An example of a famous entrepreneur who used his WHY to create a business we all love. (19:29)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.Book by Simon Sinek: 'Start with Why': https://simonsinek.com/product/start-with-why/Book on Jeff Bezos: 'The Everything Store': https://www.amazon.ca/Everything-Store-Jeff-Bezos-Amazon-ebook/dp/B00BWQW73EBooks by Margie Warrell: https://margiewarrell.com/books/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

What does it mean to think like an entrepreneur? What is an entrepreneurial mindset? Why should you care about developing your mindset? The way you think is so important to get right if you are a new or aspiring entrepreneur! It takes a growth mindset and entrepreneurial thinking to become a successful entrepreneur.On today’s pod, I'll fill in the blanks for you on what it means to think like an entrepreneur and I’ll share 5 actions that you can take to develop your entrepreneurial mindset in your everyday life. If you’re wondering, 'How do I know if I have it - this entrepreneurial mindset you speak of?' Or, 'How can I learn it?', this episode will help you identify and hopefully inspire you to take small daily actions to develop your growth mindset.In this episode, you will find out about:How to know if you are entrepreneurial. (5:30)What it means to have an entrepreneurial mindset. (7:57)The difference between a fixed and growth mindset. (11:45)8 key skills, attitudes and behaviours critical to entrepreneurial thinking. (18:25)5 actions you can take to develop your entrepreneurial mindset in your everyday life. (21:20)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.The Entrepreneurial Learning Initiative: https://elimindset.com/about/The Network for Teaching Entrepreneurship: https://www.nfte.com/Book: The Entrepreneurial Mind: https://www.ritamcgrath.com/books/the-entrepreneurial-mindset/Book: Mindset - The New Psychology of Success: https://www.amazon.ca/Mindset-Psychology-Carol-S-Dweck/dp/0345472322 See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

As it’s Mental Health Week in Canada, and we’re all in need of ways to improve our well-being during COVID-19 (especially as entrepreneurs!), I want to spend some time with you on this episode to deep-dive into how we can take care of our mental health. Let’s #GetReal about how we’re really feeling, together.In today’s podcast, I’ll share 4 steps you can take to deal with negative emotions in healthy ways during COVID-19. If you’re not clear on what your current state of mental health is, if it’s a new concept for you, or if you want some guidance on where to find resources, (or if some of your loved ones do), this episode is crafted with much love and plenty of information and explanations for you! In this episode, you will find out about:What mental health is and how it's different from mental illness. (4:15)Statistics on how common mental health problems among entrepreneurs are. (8:48)4 steps you can take to deal with negative emotions in healthy ways. (15:14)Helpful resources you can tap into in our community for mental health support. (17:50)Resources mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.CMHA Report - Going It Alone: https://cmha.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/GoingitAlone-CMHA-BDCReport-FINAL-EN.pdfAnxiety Canada - MindShift App: https://www.anxietycanada.com/resources/mindshift-cbt/CMHA Bounce Back Online: https://online.bouncebackonline.ca/COVID-19 Self-Care & Resilience Guide: https://theworkingmind.ca/sites/default/files/twm_self-care-resilience-guide.pdfCMHA Mental Health Week: https://mentalhealthweek.ca/ See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Do you understand entrepreneurship? Entrepreneurs are natural and instinctive action takers, and many get started without realizing what they are getting themselves into. By taking the time to learn about entrepreneurship before you start as well as throughout your entrepreneurial career (as it's a process of continuous improvement and learning), you'll save yourself from the sinking feeling of desperation that leads to having to ask Google late at night, how you can understand entrepreneurship.In today’s podcast, I'll share with you 3 actions you can take to begin to understand entrepreneurship and you'll begin to understand what it really means to be an entrepreneur. For you to begin to understand entrepreneurship, which is such a broad and diverse topic, you have to first simplify it to a most basic understanding - which is to understand, what being an entrepreneur really means. I'll tell you all about it.In this episode, you will find out about:What one of the top business related questions searched for on the internet is. (0:07)What entrepreneurs mean to society. (07:22)Why people want to be entrepreneurs. (10:35)3 actions you can take to begin to understand entrepreneurship. (16:55)Resource mentioned in this episode:Disclosure: The link(s) to the book(s) or resource(s) reviewed by or mentioned in this podcast and its blog, Startup Advantage with Tania De Ridder, are NOT affiliated links, meaning that neither the podcast nor its host earns a commission or compensation if you decide to purchase the book(s) using the provided link(s) on this page. This is an independent podcaster and blogger and the reviews are done based on their own opinions.BDC Entrepreneurial Potential Self-Assessment: https://www.bdc.ca/en/articles-tools/entrepreneur-toolkit/business-assessments/pages/self-assessment-test-your-entrepreneurial-potential.aspx See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Welcome to your new startup advantage! I believe entrepreneurship is a team sport, and tapping into experiential knowledge is one of the key advantages you can give yourself as a new or aspiring entrepreneur. Join me in building an empowering community through Startup Advantage – a new podcast that will encourage and inspire you each week to work towards achieving your business goals through relevant entrepreneurship information and education, including tips, strategies, and relevant news.In today’s first and brief podcast, you’ll meet me, get a feel for me, and find out what you can expect from this podcast. Short and sweet is my mission with this first episode as it will take you about the same amount of time to listen to than it will to drink a cup of tea or coffee. Find a comfy space for the next few minutes, and get excited with me for this learning journey we’re about to embark on. In this episode, you will find out:Who I am and a bit of my backstory. (2:30)The ‘why’ behind this new podcast. (03:39)The goal, mission, and vision of the Startup Advantage podcast. (05:01)How you can be involved from the start. (6:29)Please complete this brief survey to share what you'd like to hear about: https://bit.ly/SAlistenersurvey See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.