SWELL The Podcast

This episode of SWELL The Podcast is about identifying your business's unique value proposition, which is the unique value that your business offers to your customers. Having a clear value proposition is crucial for standing out in a crowded market and attracting the right customers to build a profitable business.To identify your value proposition, you need to focus on what makes your business different from others in your industry. This could be a unique product or service, or a unique approach to customer service. Another way is to focus on the problem that your business solves for your customers.It is essential to test your value proposition with your target market and use feedback to refine and improve it until it is clear and compelling. A clear value proposition is essential for niche clarity, attracting the right customers, and building a profitable business.Overall, this episode provides valuable insights and practical tips for entrepreneurs who want to stand out in a crowded market and build a successful business.Support the show

In this episode of SWELL The Podcast, we dive into the power of ChatGPT and how it can transform the way you communicate in your private practice and business. Join us as we explore the benefits of this cutting-edge technology and how it can help you streamline your conversations, save time, and increase productivity. We also discuss the latest updates in social work and business, providing you with valuable insights to help you stay ahead of the curve. Don't miss out on this exciting episode and discover how ChatGPT can revolutionize the way you communicate!Support the show

In episode #91 of SWELL The Podcast, the focus is on identifying key partners for business success as social work entrepreneurs. The episode begins by highlighting the importance of building relationships and collaborations in the field of social work entrepreneurship.Michelle discusses various types of key partners that can be beneficial for social work entrepreneurs, including other entrepreneurs, investors, mentors, professional organizations, and community organizations. She also provides insights into how to identify and approach potential partners and establish mutually beneficial relationships.Michelle also provides practical tips and strategies for building and maintaining successful partnerships, such as effective communication, setting clear expectations, and being flexible and adaptable.The episode concludes with a discussion on how to measure the success of partnerships and the importance of regularly evaluating and reassessing relationships to ensure continued growth and success.Listeners of this episode will gain valuable insights and strategies for identifying and building key partnerships that can help them achieve success as social work entrepreneurs.Support the show

In this episode of SWELL The Podcast, we dive into the world of customer channels and how they can be incredibly useful for social work entrepreneurs. Customer channels are the various ways that customers interact with a business, including through email, phone, social media, and in-person interactions. Understanding these channels is essential for creating a successful business strategy and building strong relationships with customers. We discuss the different types of customer channels, why they are important, and how social work entrepreneurs can use them to grow their businesses. Whether you're just starting out or have been in the business for a while, this episode is sure to provide valuable insights and practical tips for using customer channels to your advantage.Support the show

In today's fast-paced business environment, understanding your customer segments is crucial for success. Customer segments are groups of customers who share similar characteristics, needs, or behaviors. By identifying and understanding these segments, businesses can tailor their products, services, and marketing efforts to specific groups of customers, rather than trying to appeal to everyone. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty, resulting in increased sales and revenue.There are several different ways to segment customers, including demographic, psychographic, and behavioral segments. Demographic segments are based on characteristics such as age, gender, income, and education level. Psychographic segments are based on lifestyle, values, and personality traits. Behavioral segments are based on customer behavior, such as purchase history, loyalty, and brand engagement. By understanding the specific needs and wants of different customer segments, businesses can create messaging and offers that are more likely to resonate with those groups, leading to higher conversion rates and increased revenue.Customer segmentation can also help businesses identify new opportunities for growth. By analyzing customer data and identifying segments that are growing or showing strong potential, businesses can develop strategies to tap into those markets and expand their customer base. In addition, customer segmentation can help businesses improve their product development and customer service efforts by understanding the specific needs and pain points of different customer segments. This leads to increased customer satisfaction and loyalty.To understand your customer segments, the first step is to gather data on your current and potential customers. This can be done using social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube or by conducting research such as focus groups or surveys. The data gathered provides valuable insights into the attitudes and opinions of your customers, as well as their needs and preferences. Once the data has been gathered and analyzed, businesses can then segment their customers into groups. This can be done using a variety of methods, such as demographic, geographic, or behavioral segmentation. For example, customers can be segmented based on their income level, location, or purchasing habits.Once the customer segments have been identified, businesses can then create targeted marketing campaigns, customized products and services, and specific sales and service strategies to appeal to each segment. This will help to increase customer satisfaction and loyalty, resulting in increased sales and revenue for the business.In conclusion, by understanding your customer segments and tailoring your strategies to meet their specific needs, businesses can achieve service and marketing success, drive business growth, and ultimately, stay ahead in the competitive business environment.Support the show

In this episode, we discuss how to identify your top 3 key activities for business growth. We cover the importance of focusing on the activities that will have the biggest impact on your business, and provide tips and strategies for identifying and prioritizing these key activities. Listen now to learn how to drive sustainable growth in your business.Support the show

Managing customer relationships is a critical aspect of running a successful business as a social work entrepreneur. In this field, strong customer relationships can lead to repeat business and positive word-of-mouth referrals, while poor relationships can damage your reputation and lead to lost clients. Whether you're a seasoned professional or just starting out in your social work business, this podcast is for you. So join us as we explore the world of customer relationships and discover how to create long-lasting and meaningful connections with your clients.Support the show

You won't want to miss out on knowing what these document must-haves are for your social work clinical private practice.Support the show

This past week Buffalo experienced its worst storm to date. This storm took Buffalo by surprise. In this episode, I'm going to detail some of that storm and talk about how my business can operate even when I take a powder from the business. Support the show

Are you thinking about starting a private practice but you're not sure if you should get an LLC or start as a sole prop. Then this episode is for you.Support the show

Miss appointments and cancellations are everyday things that happen in private practice. In this episode, I'm discussing how cancellations and missed appointments can be handled to reduce the risk of friction between yourself and your client. Support the show

Are you wondering how you're going to cover yourself for sudden illness or preventive care as an entrepreneur? Health insurance is one of the most asked questions by people starting an entrepreneurial journey. In this episode, I'm covering 5 ways you can obtain health insurance as a social work entrepreneur. Support the show

I know, I know, I was MIA and now I'm MIA again. But, here is a brief synopsis of what's been going on and when you can expect the podcast to resume. Support the show

I took a little over 90 days off of my business. Actually, it was more like 120 days to be exact. I was well overdue for some much-needed downtime. Want to know why? I'm sharing it in this episode. Support the show

In this episode, of SWELL we're discussing the four types of taxes every entrepreneur should have on their radar. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Knowing your taxes as a social work entrepreneur is super important so you don't lose your shirt. In this episode, we are digging into a topic nobody likes to dig into. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

In this final episode of the series tales of an entrepreneurial journey I'm sharing my crazy road to entrepreneurship. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

In this episode of SWELL The Podcast, I'm sharing my story of being a non-traditional student and how it influenced my entrepreneurial journey. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

In this episode of SWELL I'm sharing my homeless story. I moved to Charlotte in 1999 and thought I was on my way to the life of my dreams. That changed dramatically after building my home in 2000. Support the show

Welcome to my teen mom story. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

In this episode, we are going to deviate away from the standard topic of discussion. At the end of last week's episode, I discussed how my friend was being hard on herself about her past. Support the show

I'm in some social work Facebook groups and a question I see quite often circles around side hustles. As social workers, we know that many people in the profession, especially people working at agencies or in community mental health are not making serious coins. If you're a travel social worker you might be pulling down a chunk of change, or if you work in insurance, but otherwise most social workers these days are taking on extra jobs to make ends meet. Therefore, on today's episode of SWELL A.K.A. the social work entrepreneur learning lab I'm going to discuss some side hustles that can help you generate extra income and let you dip your toe into the entrepreneurial waters. Yes, this episode is completely devoted to side hustles that can eventually become the full-time business that will help you obtain more time, money, and freedom. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

In this episode, I'm taking you behind the scenes of my private coaching practice and other businesses so I can give you a glimpse of what it takes to be your own boss. Why? Because I think it's a good idea to not only talk about it but to be about it as well. This is why I'm going to share what a week looks like for me. In this episode, you get to hear about the good, bad, and ugly of entrepreneurship. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

There is a lot of discussion among social workers as to whether or not paneling with insurance is necessary for private practice success. You'll have some who say no, that insurance is terrible. You'll have others that say yes because it is the only way they know how to private practice. Having worked in the insurance industry for over 20 years, I'm here to tell you that paneling with insurance as a new clinical private practice may not be a bad experience if you know what to expect, but if you aren't prepared paneling with insurance could be a nightmare. Support the show

Starting a business without a strategy is a sure-fire way to enter into entrepreneurial chaos. You cannot enter your business all willy nilly, although you'd be surprised at how many people do enter their entrepreneurial journey this way. If you want entrepreneurial success there are going to be a lot of things you're going to have to do and having a strategy is one of those things. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

One question that I often get from social workers is, "Can I start a private practice without being licensed?" For some reason, this question is a hot topic and you'll find there is a lot of division on the subject. So today I'm going to cover this topic with my perspective on the issue. Why? Because I believe that even a social worker without a license can start a business without compromising any ethical guidelines. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

We have been taught since a young age to try to improve on our weaknesses. We have been told that we practice and put in the time we can improve areas of ourselves. And if you have time to waste I guess trying to improve on your weak areas might be beneficial. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

When I started out as an entrepreneur almost eight years ago I had no idea what the hell I was doing. Not one single clue. I was a holy mess. December marks the month I decided to become an entrepreneur. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Since it is almost the New Year it is time to get your action plan for next year completed. Therefore, in today's episode, I'm going to show you how to plan like a PRO using parts of the FourSight CPS method. So let's get this episode in motion...Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Today we are going to expand on that topic to cover the best type of malpractice to have based on the type of business you start and how protected you want to be inside of your business.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

When you're writing your business plan and developing your revenue streams one thing you're going to have to understand is the difference between an idea and an opportunity. Support the show

You see, there is nothing more valuable than time. It is way more valuable than money. This is why maximizing your time is so important. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

In today's podcast episode we are going to talk about how understanding Parkinson's Law can help you get more things done in your business. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

As a social work entrepreneur, your confidence level has a direct effect on your level of success. Support the show

Did you know that the word no can be a complete sentence? Did you know that if you want entrepreneurial success, it will often have to be a complete sentence for you? Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Everything about me on paper says I should not be where I am in life. Are you familiar with the ACE's study? 'm going to share five of the things I did to go from statistic to entrepreneur, and you can too.Support the show

Want to Be Successful as a social work entrepreneur? Listen Up! To be successful as an entrepreneur you're going to have to do some things you've never done. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

You'll hear a lot of people saying YouTube is oversaturated and that there is no room to grow on the platform. And I'm here to tell you they are wrong. Support the show

Today we are going to shift from learning something about the process of opening a private practice or business, to focusing on what your life could be like after you start your private practice or business.Support the show

Do you want to be a six-figure social work entrepreneur or a seven-figure social work entrepreneur? Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

If you're not in clinical private practice and getting referrals from insurance companies or other clinicians you're going to need to learn to do live streams. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

There are five habits I practice regularly and they are a must for every entrepreneur and entrepreneur in the making. Want to have a stand-out year as a new social work entrepreneur? Practice these habits and you'll be on your way to success that you probably didn't think was possible. Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Business allies should be your business besties. Why? Because they are the people who will help you cover your assets.Support the show

I have a question for you. Do you want to earn money or do you want to make money? There are differences between earning money and making money. Based on your mindset, one is going to be a better fit for your business than the other.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Selling to your email list allows you to make money without having to do a big launch or cold sell anything. Plus, there are so many things you can sell to your email list.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Before we begin let's just keep it real right from the start -- not everyone who goes into private practice or business as a social worker or mental health counselor gets more time, money, and freedom.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

On last week's episode of SWELL The Podcast A.K.A. The Social Work Entrepreneur Learning Lab discussed how DUMB goals helped get to my first year of podcasting as we celebrated the first anniversary of our podcast launch. This week we will continue the celebration and cover how my SMARTER goals also got me here.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Happy first anniversary to SWELL The Podcast. I would like to take time to thank everyone who has listened and reached out to share with me how much this podcast has helped them learn more about starting a clinical private practice or business as a social worker.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

Some social workers and mental health counselors want to be their own boss but hate the thought of actually running a business.Support the show

Insurance is a touchy subject when speaking to social workers and mental health counselors who want to start a private practice.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)

One thing I notice within myself and many social workers who are in private practice or business is that they tend to not understand the two states of entrepreneurship.Support the show (https://cash.app/$michellevscott75)