Podcasts about bombshell business podcast

Let's flip the script! In the FINAL episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, I'm passing the mic to none other than my dear friend, Amy Hinote—founder of VRM Intel and a true powerhouse in the vacation rental industry. Amy wasn't just the first person to hire me in this field; she's been by my side since day one, and our friendship has deepened through life's ups and downs, beginning with the challenges of the pandemic. There is no one else I could imagine closing out this chapter with.  We reminisce about the incredible journey of this podcast, from its early days through its growth and evolution over the past seven years. Together, we dive into pivotal moments, the lessons learned, and how personal trials like love, loss, and life's curveballs have shaped us both. We also reflect on the power of women's voices in business and how purpose-driven work fuels our paths. If you've been part of this ride, this episode is my heartfelt thanks as we look back on where we've been—and look ahead to what's next. And yes, Amy will definitely be part of those future chapters! In this emotional and insightful final episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, we discuss: The origins of the Bombshell Business Podcast, how it grew out of my passion for empowering women in business, and the milestones we've hit along the way. The shifts in women's roles in business over the past few years, particularly during the rise of movements like Me Too, and how those changes have influenced the conversations we've had on the podcast. The personal hardships I've faced, including the loss of loved ones and major life changes, and how these experiences have shaped my approach to both business and life. Some of the most impactful episodes and what they meant to me personally. (I'll note that I had not recorded the episode with my daughter at the time of this recording, and it is for sure now my favorite episode!) As we close this chapter, I talk about the future—what's next for my work, how I plan to continue supporting women in business, and the exciting projects on the horizon. As we wrap up this final episode, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who have been part of the Bombshell Business Podcast journey. Your support, your stories, and your courage have inspired me every step of the way.  While this is the end of the podcast, it's not the end of our connection. I encourage you to stay in touch at amberhurdle.com/newsletter, where you can find more resources, updates on my latest projects, and ways we can continue to work together.  Let's keep showing up as bold, brave and unwaveringly confident women in business. When we fall, let's keep getting back up and lifting each other up along the journey. Cheers to you, Bombshell! Stay Connected with Me Sign Up for My Newsletter Even though the Bombshell Business Podcast is sunsetting, I'll be creating new content in new ways! So let's stay in touch! (I promise I do my VERY best to make it worth opening AND reading!) So subscribe to my helpful email that features branding tips, the content of the week and more by following the link below! amberhurdle.com/newsletter Subscribe to My YouTube Channel Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can get the next iteration of my complimentary content to help you amplify your brand, elevate your influence and find inspiration for this wild ride we call life! https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle Boost Your Company Culture Need help creating your culture? At Employer Brand Central, we can help you develop or uplevel your culture, ensure you embed it into your every day operations and empower your team with the best people processes to support your business strategy! Visit employerbrandcentral.com or call 1-844-333-7111. We do ONLY this EVERY DAY with companies all over the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

I'm thrilled to sit down with my dear friend and ultimate Bombshell, Narelle Hooker, in this powerful episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast. Narelle isn't just the owner of McKenzie Stone & Tile in Eugene, Oregon—she's a fearless (and fabulous) leader who truly embodies what it means to be bold and brave and confident. We can't wrap up the podcast without introducing the woman who I ended up updating and shaping our “Bombshell” ideal customer profile around. (Seriously–her face is in my brand guide!)  Narelle's journey with me began in 2020 when she enrolled in the inaugural Velvet Machete Leadership Academy. There, she learned to define her value, boost her confidence, and think and play bigger.  Armed with this newfound clarity, she didn't stop at personal growth—she took it a step further by investing in her team. Together, we worked on employer branding, including a brand photoshoot, team training, and strategic planning with her leadership team, laying a strong foundation for her company's continued success by investing in the people who can make or break the customer experience: her team. Needless to say, I quickly fell in love with Narelle's heart, her business and her people. Our professional connection evolved into a close friendship that has shaped us both tremendously and I'm beyond excited to share her with you. In this episode, we explore her remarkable journey, from taking the reins of her family business to growing it into an industry-dominating force, all while staying true to her authentic self.  Narelle opens up about how she's built a strong, cohesive team, invested in cutting-edge technology, and expanded her business footprint. We also dive deep into the challenges of being a woman in construction, the critical role of personal and employer branding, and how Narelle has become a respected and influential voice in her field. This episode is an absolute must-listen for anyone seeking inspiration from a story of resilience, leadership, and empowerment! We Are Almost to Our Final Episode! As we near the end of this incredible journey with the Bombshell Business Podcast, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support. This episode with Narelle Hooker perfectly captures the kind of inspiring conversations we've shared over the years. If our discussions have resonated with you, I encourage you to stay connected through my website, amberhurdle.com, where you'll find more resources and updates on my latest projects. Let's continue to uplift and empower one another—because Bombshells, we are just getting started! Connect with Narelle Hooker LinkedIn Page: https://www.linkedin.com/in/narelle-hooker-89228452/ Company Website: https://www.mckenziesurfaces.com/ Company Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/McKenzieStoneandTile Company Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mckenziestoneandtile All Slab Fabbers: https://allslabfabbers.com/ Stay Connected with Me Sign Up for My Newsletter Even though the Bombshell Business Podcast is sunsetting, I'll be creating new content in new ways! So let's stay in touch! (I promise I do my VERY best to make it worth opening AND reading!) So subscribe to my helpful email that features branding tips, the content of the week and more by following the link below! amberhurdle.com/newsletter Subscribe to My YouTube Channel Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can get the next iteration of my complimentary content to help you amplify your brand, elevate your influence and find inspiration for this wild ride we call life! https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle Boost Your Company Culture Need help creating your culture? At Employer Brand Central, we can help you develop or uplevel your culture, ensure you embed it into your every day operations and empower your team with the best people processes to support your business strategy! Visit employerbrandcentral.com or call 1-844-333-7111. We do ONLY this EVERY DAY with companies all over the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this heartfelt episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with someone incredibly special—my daughter, Brittany Hurdle Murphy. Together, we take a trip down memory lane, sharing the ups and downs of our unique mother-daughter journey. We dive deep into the lessons we've learned along the way and how these experiences have shaped our careers and lives. From Brittany's early interest in real estate to her current role as a marketing director, this conversation is filled with honest reflections, plenty of laughter, and the kind of wisdom that only comes from living through both the trials and triumphs of life. Whether you're a mom, a daughter, or simply someone navigating the complexities of life and business, this episode is going to hit home for you. Key Highlights: Brittany shares her perspective on the challenges and blessings of being raised by a young, driven mom, and how those experiences have helped shape her into the resilient woman she is today. We discuss our individual journeys of personal development, touching on the importance of community, the necessity of setting boundaries, and the need to validate emotions. Brittany talks about her path from a little girl fascinated by real estate to becoming an award-winning real estate professional, blending her analytical and creative talents in a field that's often dominated by men. This episode is peppered with humor and candid moments, including how '90s rap (yes, Snoop Dogg!) and a shared love for keeping it real have influenced our philosophies on life. Stay Connected with Brittany Hurdle-Murphy LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyhurdlemurphy/ M4 Group, Colorado: https://m4ranchgroup.com/the-team/ Stay Connected with Me Sign Up for My Newsletter Even though the Bombshell Business Podcast is sunsetting, I'll be creating new content in new ways! So let's stay in touch! (I promise I do my VERY best to make it worth opening AND reading!) So subscribe to my helpful email that features branding tips, the content of the week and more by following the link below! amberhurdle.com/newsletter Subscribe to My YouTube Channel Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can get the next iteration of my complimentary content to help you amplify your brand, elevate your influence and find inspiration for this wild ride we call life! https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle Boost Your Company Culture Need help creating your culture? At Employer Brand Central, we can help you develop or uplevel your culture, ensure you embed it into your every day operations and empower your team with the best people processes to support your business strategy! Visit employerbrandcentral.com or call 1-844-333-7111. We do ONLY this EVERY DAY with companies all over the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been a tough month for our team, with more challenges than any of us could have imagined. We've had to face the loss of loved ones (plural), deal with serious health issues and hospitalization, and manage the chaos that life can sometimes throw our way.  I'm sure you've been through a season or many like this. It's during these times that everything feels irrationally difficult, and it can take everything we've got just to keep marching forward. But even amid grief and stress, there are ways to build resilience so that we can continue to show up for life and business.  My longtime listeners and friends know I've been through a lot in life. Like, things that probably should have taken me down. But somehow I figured out a way to rise above it. I can see that now.  So my assistant and I were trying to wrap our arms around all the details of everyone's worlds to ensure no balls were getting dropped in this stressful season.  She finally says to me, “Crazy things happen to you all the time. You just get hammered. But you still stay positive.”  I responded, “What's the alternative? That seems terrible.” And in that moment we decided I needed to do a solo episode on what you can do to ensure you can keep your chin up to function and at the very least cope until you can work your way towards thriving again. So I will share three science-backed ways that will help you keep it together in the toughest of times, but if you'll indulge me, I'd like to speak at a spiritual level first.  (Not a religious one. Don't turn me off!) Links & Mentioned Resources Bombshell Business Podcast Show Notes: AmberHurdle.com/PodcastS Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ by Daniel Goleman  Self-Compassion: The Proven Power of Being Kind to Yourself by Kristin Neff Stay Connected with Me Sign Up for My Newsletter Even though the Bombshell Business Podcast is sunsetting, I'll be creating new content in new ways! So let's stay in touch! (I promise I do my VERY best to make it worth opening AND reading!) So subscribe to my helpful email that features branding tips, the content of the week and more by following the link below! amberhurdle.com/newsletter Subscribe to My YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle Boost Your Company Culture Need help creating your culture? At Employer Brand Central, we can help you develop or uplevel your culture, ensure you embed it into your every day operations and empower your team with the best people processes to support your business strategy! Visit employerbrandcentral.com or call 1-844-333-7111. We do ONLY this EVERY DAY with companies all over the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today I am joined by a beacon of positivity and resilience, powerhouse businesswoman Nisrine Masri. Nisrine shares her incredible journey of entrepreneurship, offering raw realities and practical advice on how to stay motivated day in and day out. From personal anecdotes to professional experiences, Nisrine's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of nurturing one's ideas into reality while prioritizing what matters most in life. Key Takeaways The highs and lows of entrepreneurship like handling tough sales situations and beyond. How she overcame stereotypes in a male-dominated industry and how her confidence played a key role in her success. Insights into how to balance work and personal life, the dire importance of your team, and how to stay motivated in the face of adversity. How to use your daily experiences to solve problems and make additional income. Interested in Nisrine's journey? Need a small push to put your ideas into action? Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube! About Nisrine Masri After graduating from the University of Texas at Arlington, Nisrine founded the moving company, Condor Moving Systems, with her business partner in 2003. After 20 years of running the moving business, she founded Movers Dispatch Board, a software platform for other professionals in the moving industry. Nisrine now runs these two successful businesses and has the love and support of her family for all her endeavors.    Connect with Nisrine LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nisrine-masri-8014b419/ Website: https://moversdispatchboard.com/ https://www.condormovingsystems.com/ LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/moversdispatchboard https://linktr.ee/condormovingsystems Email: nisrine@moversdispatchboard.com Stay Connected with Me Sign Up for My Newsletter Even though the Bombshell Business Podcast is sunsetting, I'll be creating new content in new ways! So let's stay in touch! (I promise I do my VERY best to make it worth opening AND reading!) So subscribe to my helpful email that features branding tips, the content of the week and more by following the link below! amberhurdle.com/newsletter Subscribe to My YouTube Channel Be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel so you can get the next iteration of my complimentary content to help you amplify your brand, elevate your influence and find inspiration for this wild ride we call life! https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle Boost Your Company Culture Need help creating your culture? At Employer Brand Central, we can help you develop or uplevel your culture, ensure you embed it into your every day operations and empower your team with the best people processes to support your business strategy! Visit employerbrandcentral.com or call 1-844-333-7111. We do ONLY this EVERY DAY with companies all over the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I sit down with Shana Lynn, the visionary behind Community Creators, to discuss the strategies she uses and recommends to stay ahead in this intensely  competitive business landscape. She shares her journey, the importance of a clear mission and vision, and the four pillars she teaches to build a thriving community. Shana's tactics will quickly and easily strengthen both your employer and business brands, so be ready to take notes! Key Takeaways Vision and Mission: Shana emphasizes the critical role of having a clear vision and mission in guiding business decisions and fostering a strong company culture. Learn more about Shana's 4 Pillars: Cause, Culture, Communication & Connection Your team is your primary community: If your team community is not right, they cannot serve your customers at full capacity! Want to create a community of customers that are truly excited to do business with you? Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube! Links & Mentioned Resources Free Library of Community Building Resources Community Creators Podcast About Shana Lynn Shana Lynn is the trusted advisor for top-tier subscription companies looking to amp up their customer retention. She leverages her unique blend of time-tested community-building principles with modern, data-backed tactics. Her systems-based approach simplifies retention while making room for those personalized, standout moments that customers love. Shana's company, Community Cultivated, equips and empowers community and retention leaders for online businesses. With over 10 years of notable experience, Shana is a sought-after speaker, consultant, and guest expert.  Connect with Shana LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/shanabresnahan/ Website: www.shanalynn.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/shanaspeaks/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/ShanaSpeaks/ Stay Connected with Me Newsletter: Even though the Bombshell Business Podcast is sunsetting, I'll be creating new content in new ways! So let's stay in touch! (I promise I do my VERY best to make it worth opening AND reading!) So subscribe to my helpful email that features branding tips, the content of the week and more by following the link below! amberhurdle.com/newsletter Culture: Need help creating your culture? At Employer Brand Central, we can help you develop or uplevel your culture, ensure you embed it into your every day operations and empower your team with the best people processes to support your business strategy! Visit employerbrandcentral.com or call 1-844-333-7111. We do ONLY this EVERY DAY with companies all over the world! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this insightful episode of the Vacation Rental Success Podcast, host Heather Bayer sits down with Amber Hurdle, the host of the Bombshell Business Podcast and author of The Bombshell Businesswoman. Inspired by a recent newsletter from Amber, Heather explores the fascinating world of AI and its impact on personal and professional branding in our vacation rental business. Amber shares her expertise on integrating AI effectively into your business strategy, ensuring you harness its power while maintaining authenticity and emotional connection with both guests and owners. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Discover the THRIVE Training System and attend an information session to get your questions answered about our foundational team training: https://vacationrentalformula.com/thrive-live-webinar. Are you listening to this podcast on the move? Get to the show notes here: https://www.vacationrentalformula.com/VRS567

In this electrifying episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, Valerie Tyson, the Head of Strategy and Sports at Unrivaled Group, takes us on a journey of empowerment. She shares her passion for uplifting women in business and sports through her business and underscores the pivotal role of creating a personal board of directors for unwavering support, guidance, and mentorship. (Yes, we totally vibed!) Key Takeaways Data-Driven Empowerment: Unrivaled Women harnesses the power of AI and data analytics to empower women by demystifying their data and enabling strategic decision-making. Thriving Ecosystem: The platform curates thriving ecosystems where women can take charge of their data, fostering opportunities to secure optimal sponsor partnerships and business ventures. Community-Centric Approach: Valerie strongly advocates for a supportive community where women uplift each other in business, cultivating a culture of collaboration and empowerment. Want to learn more about building your personal board of directors? Tune in on your favorite listening app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube! About Valerie Tyson Valerie has over twenty years of B2B and B2C experience working with best-in-class global brands and sports properties + talent. She is a proven expert in brand strategy, digital media, integrated marketing, branded content, consumer insights, and business.  She has worked with several Fortune 1000 companies, sports leagues, teams, professional athletes and entertainment properties, including the NBA's Charlotte Bobcats and the Arena Football League's Los Angeles Avengers. Prior to starting her own agency, Tyson served as Vice President of Digital at IMG, Vice President of Marketing & Digital performance at BRANDTHINK and Director of Client Services at Tocquigny. Currently, Valerie serves as the Head of Strategy and Sports at Unrivaled Group.  Connect with Valerie LinkedIn Personal: www.linkedin.com/in/valerietyson/ LinkedIn Business: www.linkedin.com/company/unrivaledgroup Website: https://unrivaledgroup.com/ Unrivaled Women: www.unrivaledwomen.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/unrivaledgroup/ Contact Us link: https://unrivaledgroup.com/contact/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Young, a trailblazer in the fashion industry and an advocate for ethical and sustainable business practices is my special guest today on the Bombshell Business Podcast. Join us as we explore Mary's entrepreneurial journey while discussing the resiliency she developed, the values she upholds, and the wisdom she shares with fellow Bombshells. Key Takeaways Starting Young, Striving Strong: Mary started her business at just 23, facing initial skepticism due to her age and gender; however, she used this as fuel to succeed and connect deeply with her customer base. Ethical and Sustainable: Mary Young Lingerie stands out for its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices. From empowering garment workers with living wages to promoting mindful consumption, Mary's brand ethos reflects her values. Defining Success on Your Terms: Success isn't just about financial gains but about making a positive impact while staying true to your values. Mary encourages fellow entrepreneurs to define success on their terms and not be swayed by external pressures. Embracing Failure as Fuel: Mary's journey teaches us the power of resilience. She emphasizes that failures are inevitable but serve as stepping stones to growth. Embracing failure and learning from it is key to moving forward. Remember, success is not just about climbing the ladder but creating a life and business that aligns with your values and fulfills you. Want to hear more of Young Mary's wisdom? (You see what I did there

Tyann Marcink Hammond has truly earned her title in the Vacation Rental Industry as the “Queen of the Guest Experience.”  Generous with her knowledge,  Tyann freely shares just how she is able to drive direct bookings, repeat bookings and even capture guests' passionate testimonials because their minds are blown by their experience with her two brands: Branson Family Retreats and Missouri Haus. But life would not be nearly full enough for this leader with remarkable bandwidth with just that! In addition to being a vacation rental owner and manager, she is a mom, a wife, and oh yeah…also a brilliant ambassador for Touch Stay digital welcome books, the co-host of The Guest Cast podcast, an industry leader and consultant, the co-creator of VR Mastered Vacation Rental Boot Camp, an author and speaker…and she still the juice to be a good friend, too! (Shew, girl!) My team member and I were recently able to enjoy one of Tyann's pre-conference activities on behalf of Touch Stay, and I'm here to tell you that her “queen” title is legit. Her commitment to experiences is remarkable! One of the first in the industry to connect with me on a personal level, it's been amazing getting to know and learn from this Bombshell, who is equally driven and pulled in a million directions as I am, and who still co-fosters a friendship that honors the ultra-busy lives we lead. Ok, so want a fun fact? Tyann and her husband, Nat, communicate with their guests TWENTY times between their booking and arrival, creating emotional connections and building brand trust with their guests along the way. So tune in to learn how to up your guest or customer experience in any industry by listening to this final episode in the Vacation Rental Takeover of The Bombshell Business Podcast! Connect with Tyann: https://www.twitter.com/tyanmarcink https://www.twitter.com/touchstay https://www.facebook.com/touchstay https://www.instagram.com/tyannmarcink https://www.instagram.com/touchstaywelcome https://www.linkedin.com/in/tyannmarcink https://www.linkedin.com/company/touch-stay Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If you're not following Lauren Madewell, Chief Operating Officer of Auntie Belham's Cabin Rentals, on LinkedIn for her insightful posts and funny guest-facing videos, you are missing out! Her adorably on-brand campy (in the best way) guest videos both deepen the emotional connection with their brand while offering helpful guidance to make guest stays easier and less stressful. Never afraid to look goofy to share the love, she also takes her employee experience, her guest experience, her influence on the VR/STR industry, as well as her stewardship as a leader in the Great Smokey Mountain community, very seriously. Something clicked for her at the VRM Intel Women's Summit in 2021, and the fire that was lit ignited an inferno of activity that has ultimately put this emerging industry leader on stage among industry power houses at this year's VRMA International Conference. (Not too shabby for someone who wasn't even on LinkedIn, the VR industry water cooler, even a year ago!) It's been a JOY to watch Lauren in her becoming and to watch her love hard in all areas of her life. And of course, as a fellow Tennessean, I have mad respect for her commitment to true “southern hospitality,” as well as to honoring her ideal customer base by keeping vacations with Auntie Belham's both affordable and magical for the average working class family. Tune in to get all of the warm fuzzies, along with ample business advice for any industry, as we continue the Vacation Rental Industry Takeover of The Bombshell Business Podcast! (Links in the comments!) Connect with Lauren Madewell LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauren-madewell-99bb68228/ Website: https://www.auntiebelhams.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Robin Craigen, CEO of Moving Mountains, is the perfect example of my branding philosophy that breaks brand success into three parts: personal brands, employer brands and business brands.  You see, when leaders leverage their personal brands to uphold their company's employer brand through communication, engagement and infusing the company's culture into every aspect of operations, customers then enjoy a strengthened business brand experience, true to the heart and soul of the organization. It takes all three pieces working together for a company to find longstanding success. A true leader in his industry and community, Robin figured this out along the way, and now enjoys all of the benefits that come with an intentional focus in these key areas. Robin and his super star wife, Heather, have the best backstory that led them to where they are today: the leading luxury vacation rental management company in Colorado. (Just Google them and plenty of articles will say this for them.) I'm happy to rock the mic with him as he imparts his hard-earned wisdom while sharing it on the show. Their focus is on creating a “wow factor” for their guest experience, but they get there by investing in their team. Like many of us, Robin admits he probably learned the most about business the hard way, but this family business has always failed forward allowing them to enjoy consistently high net promoter scores and a direct booking rate of 70-80%. While this is the Vacation Rental Takeover Week of the Bombshell Business Podcast, truly anyone can learn from the “WOW” factor that is Moving Mountains! Connect with Robin Craigen and Moving Mountains: https://www.movingmountains.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/robincraigen/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, epic event emcee, professional speaker, former Home Shopping Network personality and CEO of a multi-apparel company, and my sweet friend, Carolyn Strauss, shares how to harvest the best outcomes from your sphere of influence. She believes that everything is about being helpful, and the more help you offer, the more money you make. While there really is a ton of genuine advice in this episode about sales, positioning and knowing your value, this is really you being a fly on the wall as my dear friend and I real talk about our experiences as speakers, as (single) women in business who are sometimes considered “too much” and so much more. I think women will relate and men will see a different perspective that is helpful.  About Carloyn Strauss Carolyn Strauss is a former CEO of a multi-million dollar apparel company featured on the Home Shopping Network, one of the top professional female emcees in the world, and a sought after professional speaker having earned her CSP. She is the author of five books, the co-host of the podcast "Another Day Above Ground" and is a member of the Screen Actors Guild. Carolyn believes a good day contains chocolate.   Connect with Carlyn Strauss LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/carolynstrauss YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/CarolynStrauss Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolynstrauss Podcast: https://anotherdayaboveground.com/ Subscribe, Rate & Review Be sure to tune in on your favorite listening app or watch it on YouTube. While you are there, we would treasure your honest rating and review so more Bombshells like you can find the show. And if you are feeling super generous, share the most recent episode with a friend!  Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on: iTunes YouTube Stitcher Radio Amazon Music Audible Spotify iHeart Radio Google Podcasts TuneIn Or simply tell Alexa, "Play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode I tap into my guest, friend and colleague Jill Schiefelbein's expertise on the importance of personalization, customization, and agency or choice in consumer communication. Together we discuss how synthetic media and artificial intelligence is the new frontier of business communication improving sales, decision making, and relationship building.  If you desire better brand loyalty, increased sales and faster decision making, then this episode is one to take in! It will either make you eager to dive into more tech-focused communication channels or even simply rethink how you can leverage personalization in a more compelling way with your existing communication. Tune in on your favorite listening app, go to AmberHurdle.com/podcastS and look for episode 137 or check it out on YouTube.  Oh, and share this episode, too, please! You can be so hipster about knowing about this emerging technology in the future!  About Jill Schiefelbein Jill Schiefelbein is an award-winning entrepreneur, author, and recovering academic with a passion for integrating communication, education, and technology for businesses. She taught business communication at Arizona State University for 11 years before venturing into entrepreneurship. Jill's business, The Dynamic Communicator®, helps organizations navigate the physical and digital communication spaces to attract customers, increase sales, and retain clients. Her latest book, Dynamic Communication: 27 Strategies to Grow, Lead, and Manage Your Business hit stores March 2017. She's also Chief Experience Officer at new tech startup Render Media--a leader in the synthetic media space. Connect with Jill Schiefelbein Website:  thedynamiccommunicator.com LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dynamicjlil  Instagram: instagram.com/dynamicjill  Facebook: facebook.com/dynamicjill  Twitter: twitter.com/dynamicjill Leave a Rating & Review If you've found value in this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, I would love to hear about it! Please head on over to wherever you listen to it and subscribe, then leave me an honest Rating and Review, so other driven professionals can find the show and strengthen their business acumen and resolve! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the 6-year anniversary of the Bombshell Business Podcast this week! Here are six things I've learned from the past year of podcast that I want to share with you! #1: You make it totally worth making this podcast happen. My peers hear me talk about my audience and some of them have been inspired to start their own just because of the relationship they can build with listeners like you. They see how much I treasure you. Truly. #2: There are things out of my control and there are things within my control. I thought I knew this before, but I feel like in the past year I have learned the art of letting go. Want to experience more about growing through the hard stuff? Check out Pauline Nguyen's episode.  Personal Development Cannot Happen Without Personal Disruption with Pauline Nguyen (120) #3: Focus, focus, focus. (Simplify to amplify.) In business, having a core focus is imperative. With the world being so wonky right now it is harder than ever to find and keep that focus, but I've been trying! My episodes with Orsy Herbein and Chrisa Grasso are great episodes to listen to for that! The Secret to Making Marketing Work with Orsolya Herbein (123) How to “Lean Out” Your Business for Next Level Growth With Christa Grasso(116) #4: Trust the process. There are so many things going on in our businesses, lives and MINDS. To learn to trust and let go and not let others live rent free in your head, tune in to my episode with Andrew McConnell. Get Out of My Head with Andrew McConnell #5 Women REALLY need to be there for each other. Like really. We aren't there, yet. At the publishing of this episode, I'm so incredibly grateful for the professional women who have been there for me in this week, especially. My fantastic interview with Jane Finette will send shock waves through you and hopefully convince you to make #womensupportingwomen a priority. Gender Equity and Empowering Women with Jane Finette (124) #6: Believe in your calling. You were given unique gifts and talents that you can use in service to other people, which will bring you JOY. The first step in this process is to develop self awareness. So to go deeper in your studies at “You University,” listen to my episode on the short cuts you can take with personality assessments: My Top 4 Personality Assessment for Self-Awareness: Two are FREE! (111) Happy 6-Year Anniversary to the Bombshell Business Podcast This has been quite a year for us all! I'm ever grateful to have this platform to learn and to share, to connect and to connect my guests to you. I love the emails you send and the ways you engage with our guests. While I have to eat my own cookies when I struggle in the same areas, I'm even more motivated to eat those cookies because I know I have the opportunity to set an example while being open and vulnerable about how hard and how amazing it can be to be a professional woman these days. It's truly a special experience to be a host and to have a community of Bombshells: bold, brave, unwaveringly confident women (and men) in business. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making the Bombshell Business Podcast what it is today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Do you want to build resilience, increase self awareness and improve your understanding of others? -Today more than ever I believe the entire world could benefit from all of these things.  Well it's a good thing this week I was lucky enough to have Robin Hills on today's episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast. We discuss defining emotional intelligence and how hard it is to work with emotions and that they are not fluffy, but rather hard to work with! Robin explains the importance of identifying your individual feelings and using that data to inform what you are going to do next. You can then use that data to interact with your team, and show them much needed empathy. Part of this journey includes strengthening your self awareness by using feedback and failures as your guide, and remembering to do what feels right. Later in the episode we focus on strengthening leadership skills by recognizing our impact on others. We need to remember that people are the sum of their past and present experiences, honor that, and know that if our engagement is misaligned we must have hard conversations in order to adjust.  So if you are ready to dive deep, look within, and ultimately increase your empathy and understanding for others, tune in on your favorite podcast app, on the website, or watch it on YouTube. About Robin Hills  Robin Hills is the director of Ei4Change, a company specialized in emotional intelligence, positive psychology and neuroscience. He has taught more than 250,000 students how to build resilience, increased self-awareness and understanding of others.  He is the author of two books and has developed the experiential coaching methodology: Images of Resilience and sits on the North West Committee of the Association of Business Psychology. Connect with Robin Hills Robin's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EI4Change/ Robin's Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ei4Change Robin's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ei4change/ Robin's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ei4change/ Robin's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBBxGskYxL0wnRfuyz_wHZA/feed Download Robin's free book – Developing your Emotional Intelligence https://courses.ei4change.info/courses/free-book Enroll in Robin's free online course – Managing with Mindfulness https://courses.ei4change.info/courses/working-with-mindfulness Subscribe, Rate & Review Be sure to tune in on your favorite listening app or watch the show on YouTube. While you are there, we would treasure your honest rating and review so more Bombshells like you can find the show. And if you are feeling super generous, share the most recent episode with a friend! Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Google Podcasts Subscribe on the Bombshell Business Podcast on YouTube Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Stitcher Radio Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Spotify Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on TuneIn Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Audible Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Amazon Music Or simply tell Alexa, "Play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Isn't it time to (finally) get serious about investing time and energy into YOUR wellbeing? If you want some serious inspiration to prioritize yourself in the midst of your many competing obligations, this episode featuring Megan Gallagher, a 26-year-old, two-time TEDx speaker, four-time best selling author, on-camera host and mental health advocate is for you!  Together we discuss how when you decide to take responsibility for your happiness, eat healthy and get in shape, not to mention cut out toxic people in your life, you'll notice how much better life gets!  Megan also gives specific, step-by-step advice on how to overcome some of the traps we fall into. For example, she advises when you find yourself comparing yourself to someone else, you can ask: Step One: Have you met the person you are comparing yourself to in person? Step Two: Have you seen where and how they really live? Step Three: Have you spent 24-48 hours with them in person? The answers to these questions are likely no, no, and no. So it's an easy reality check to remember that you can't compare your life to someone else's highlight reel. (And she even reveals some of the sneaky ways people appear way more affluent than they are!) In the end, Megan encourages listeners to take their power back and not allow any circumstances or people to decide their destiny. It's a must listen to episode whether you are feeling a little down in the dumps or if you are on a determined trajectory to fulfill your fiercest potential!  About Megan Gallagher Megan Gallagher is a 26 year old 2x TEDx speaker, 4x best selling author, on-camera host & mental health advocate. After struggling with mental health issues as a teenager, she decided to leave College and pursue her own dreams. While speaking at schools, she realized how healing this was for her life journey. Over the past eight years, she has spoken at over 750 schools(middle schools, high schools and colleges). Megan is on a mission to inspire the world with her story.  Connect with Megan Gallagher Website: www.meganwgallagher.com Megan's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meganwgallagher/ Megan's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/meganwgallagher Megan's Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx9zIHAvUchVFaYRmUidZqg/videos Megan's Twitter: https://twitter.com/meganwgallagher Megan's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-gallagher-310281119/ Megan's Snapchat: megangallag2369 Megan's Tik Tok: megangallagher43 Email Megan: meganwgallagher@gmail.com Buy Megan's Book:  How To Thrive In The Virtual Classroom Subscribe, Rate & Review Be sure to tune in on your favorite listening app or watch the show on YouTube. While you are there, we would treasure your honest rating and review so more Bombshells like you can find the show. And if you are feeling super generous, share the most recent episode with a friend! Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Google Podcasts Subscribe on the Bombshell Business Podcast on YouTube Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Stitcher Radio Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Spotify Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on TuneIn Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Audible Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Amazon Music Or simply tell Alexa, "Play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

According to the World Economic Forum, women lost 36 years of progress in 2020 alone, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That's an entire generation lost. What can we all do as women and male allies to help our sisters rise and thrive? This week's guest shares every day actions which will help propel women and girls forward in our homes, offices and the world!  This week on the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle taps into the wisdom and experience of Jane Fiette, founder and executive director of The Coaching Fellowship, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the development of young women leaders in social and environmental change. A seasoned leadership expert, Jane has dedicated her life to achieving equality for women — empowering them to create impact and build the world of tomorrow, today. Women have GREAT potential when they are empowered. Tune in to find out exactly how to empower yourself or a woman you love! Connect with Jane Finette Website: https://tcfs.org *Join the newsletter at The Coaching Fellowship to learn about the progress of the young women social and environmental change leaders they support: https://tcfs.org/subscribe *Become a donor if they want to fuel and accelerate our impact in the world: https://secure.givelively.org/donate/the-coaching-fellowship LinkedIn: https://www.instagram.com/janefinette/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/janefinette LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/janefinette/ Buy her book (All proceeds go to The Coaching Fellowship): https://www.amazon.com/dp/1636767427/ If you know a young woman social change leader around the world, please encourage her to apply! Find out more at https://tcfs.org Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transparent leadership means leading with openness and honesty. “You playing small doesn't serve the world.” Marianne Williamson Amber Hurdle of Amber Hurdle Consulting helps leaders confidently define and position their value so they can maximize their influence, focus and results. She is the founder of The Bombshell Business Bootcamp group coaching experience and the Velvet Machete Leadership Academy certification course, she pioneers using both science and marketing principles to strengthen brands and leaders from the inside out. She is also the author of The Bombshell Business Woman and host of the Bombshell Business Podcast. Amber understands how to accelerate success as a teen mom turned powerhouse businesswoman, having worked with celebrities, executives and Fortune 100 companies alike. She was recognized among the “Top 40 Under 40” by the Nashville Business Journal, by the The Nashville Area Chamber's Nashville Emerging Leader Awards (NELA) as the winner in the Business Services category, and by Global Gurus for being among the top 30 brand professionals consecutively from 2020 through 2022, ranking #8 in the world in 2022. Favorite snack is radish medallions and water. https://amberhurdle.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle https://www.facebook.com/theamberhurdle https://twitter.com/theamberhurdle https://www.linkedin.com/in/theamberhurdle/ http://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle/ Music-"Homesick" Copyright 2018. Written by Shireen Amini. Produced by Shireen Amini and Mike Davidson of Plaid Dog Recording (Boston, MA)

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Chana Mason about how entrepreneurs can reshape their money mindset. Together they discuss: Why Chana is compelled to help others overcome their false money stories  How to gain mastery over your thinking  Specific steps to take to transform your relationship with money Awesome analogies and stories to keep your mind focused on abundance! Links and Mentioned Resources The Cash Machine Challenge: https://amberhurdle--lionstail.thrivecart.com/money-mindset-madness/ (affiliate) The Cash Machine Free Ebook https://buildmycashmachine.com/download/ About Chana Mason A gang of armed men broke into Chana's childhood home in Bogota, Colombia, and held her family hostage. Her family miraculously fled to Miami , but 5-years-old Chana's sense of safety was decimated.  Two decades later, Chana still dealt with PTSD, anxiety, and depression. To heal herself, she dove into a journey to rediscover her peace and joy. She's learned from the world's top experts on the human mind and uses her gift for turning complex ideas into easy-to-access tools for transformation. Through her straight talk, open heart, and addictive joy, Chana helps thousands clarify their vision, shift beliefs getting in their way, and manifest their dreams. Chana lives with her family in the funky Nachlaot neighborhood of Jerusalem and works with individuals and communities around the world. Connect with Chana Mason Website https://chanamason.com/ Podcast https://chanamason.com/podcasts/ Videos https://chanamason.com/videos/ Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ChanaMasonGuide Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Being a bold, brave female entrepreneur doesn't mean you never fall down; it means that when you do fall down, you get back up, because if you don't quit, it will get better. Amber Hurdle is living proof of this. Amber is the CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting, a multi-award-winning consulting firm that pioneers using both science and marketing principles to strengthen customers' brands from the inside out. She also was a teen mom, working multiple jobs to provide for her baby and in 2020 she had to completely re-envision her business when, as a result of the pandemic, almost overnight she lost 18 months of speaking engagements and coaching clients.  Today she helps female entrepreneurs overcome costly business problems like ineffective recruiting, turnover, underperformance, declining morale and leadership gaps by clearly connecting her clients' people strategy to their business strategy, reminding her clients to lead with their heart first and that a little bit of grit goes a long way.  Show topics include: In Episode 65 of The Lean Out Your Business Podcast, Host, Crista Grasso and Amber discuss: 3:00 what it means to be a bold, brave, female entrepreneur 4:51 the 4-steps of being leading like a bombshell 7:59 what it looks like to start from zero each day 12:57 a better way to look at “failure” 17:09 how to know when it's time to quit 19:09 how the mantra “simplify to amplify” can change your life and your business 21:30 what to do if your entrepreneur eyes are bigger than your belly (aka the amount of time you have in a day) 28:25 why being weird is a good thing, especially for entrepreneurs Links from Today's Episode: Want more time with Amber? Connect with her here: Website: https://amberhurdle.com/ Free Quiz: What Type of Bombshell Business Woman Are You?  LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/theamberhurdle Twitter: https://twitter.com/theamberhurdle Instagram: https://www.linkedin.com/in/theamberhurdle/ Youtube:  http://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle/ Listen to The Bombshell Business Podcast.  Order your copy of The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur. Work with Crista: Ready to build your signature, scalable offer? Join our 90-day Build to Scale incubator program.  Apply to join the Simplify to Scale Business Accelerator program, a program for those who have completed Build to Scale or who already have a proven scalable signature offer. It helps you grow and scale that offer and then develop your full scalable signature offer suite. Want to start your strategic planning? Order your 90 Day Planner to help you create and execute your plan, remembering to plan "just in time." If you have a plan but are struggling to execute, are not getting your desired results or are wondering if your vision needs some fine tuning, your book your 1:1 business intensive session with Crista and start getting the outcomes you knew you could.  If you loved this episode then you won't want to miss the opportunity to join like minded, high achieving women at the Lean Out, Level Up Retreat. Reserve your spot today! Love this podcast? Then you want to join the Lean Out Method community on Facebook for weekly mini trainings with Crista.

The talent war wages on and it's being fought in a tiny talent puddle! Yet, most tired job postings still read like an internal document meant to clarify the responsibilities and authority of the role, rather than the marketing tool they should be. If you want to attract your ideal talent to your company, you have to think like a candidate and act like a marketer. Lucky for you, in this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, I will teach you a simple, three-step formula to craft the sexy, sellable words you need to out-recruit the competition. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This BOMBSHELL IS BACK! That's right! We rebranded the podcast BACK to Bombshell Business Podcast because the truth is the majority of you are women, and the men who engage in our community are self-aware, hungry to learn and totally secure in their masculinity to continue to be a “Bombshell Boy.” In this episode I share that my social legacy is empowering women not just with confidence, but with personal power. And then I break down with data (of course) why women are simply less confident than men before social norms, wounds, or jackass professional men doing gross things even come into play.  Tune in now to get OK with not being inherently confident. (You're not designed to be.) Then, hear about the solution for you to help you practice confidence like you would tennis, cooking, or anything you desire to get better at.  Links & Mentioned Resources My interview with Emily Chang, author of The Spare Room: Define Your Social Legacy to Live a More Intentional Life and Lead with Authentic Purpose Data Referenced in the Episode From “The Confidence Gap” via The Atlantic: In studies, men overestimate their abilities and performance, and women underestimate both. Their performances do not differ in quality. When women do negotiate, they ask for 30 percent less money than men do.  On average, men five years into their career think they deserve $80,000 a year and the women $64,000—or 20 percent less. Hewlett-Packard discovered several years ago, that women working at HP applied for a promotion only when they believed they met 100 percent of the qualifications listed for the job. Men were happy to apply when they thought they could meet 60 percent of the job requirements.  “Men have about 10 times more testosterone than women do, impacting everything from speed to strength to muscle size to competitive instinct… ...Recent research has tied high testosterone levels to an appetite for risk taking.” “Our brain is ‘hard-wired' to be negative. Neuroscience shows that the majority of our self-talk is negative — it's working against us. These negative thoughts make us feel angry, irritated, frustrated, hopelessness.” (Thrive Global) We can actually train our brains to become more confident. Recent discoveries in neuroscience suggest our brains have the quality of "neuroplasticity," meaning the networks it uses to communicate information are malleable much later into life than previously thought. (Big Think) “Confidence is not a fixed attribute; it's the outcome of the thoughts we think and the actions we take. New research into neural plasticity reveals that we can literally rewire our brains in ways that affect our thoughts and behavior at any age.” (Forbes) 5 Days, 5 Ways to Restore Your Personal Power Challenge Launches 12/6! This challenge is for the badass woman who wants to:  Discover YOUR unique gifts (which you can use to rock the world!) The #1 mental roadblock holding you back — and how to overcome it Learn how to get FUEL from former challenges that will empower your personal growth Discover the gateway to the fresh support you need to CRUSH your big goals Finally say goodbye to distractions, procrastination, overwhelm and fear! We're conquering all of that in 5 days and did I mention it's totally free?! Registration is now open but spots are limited! Click here to reserve your spot. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle removes the“fluff” from self-care and breaks down why professionals like you, who want to perform at peak, can implement actionable strategies to manage your self-care process. You cannot uphold your personal brand if you don’t build environments around you to support that. “Self-care” is merely the creation of environments to support your best self. It’s not fluffy or indulgent. In 2020 a global pandemic, social injustice, economic conditions, isolation, job insecurity, and more knocked us all on our tails. So to recover from the traumas and exhaustion it’s essential to tend to the mental, physical, emotional and spiritual aspects of your life to make 2021 a transformational year. Book a Free Consultation to Explore One to One Coaching Strong people who perform at their best. Make 2021 a transformational year. Book a free no-pressure, maybe even get turned down, consultation at or email https://bookme.name/amberhurdleconsulting/lite/30-minutes-with-amber-hurdle or email amber@amberhurdle.com.  Links and Mentioned Resources Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle Episode 75: Getting Real about Mental Health   [Video] How Your Shadow Side Impacts Your Leadership (And What to Do About It)

Amber Hurdle is the CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting, a multi-award-winning talent optimization firm; she's a speaker, author and podcast host of The Bombshell Business Podcast. In this episode, learn from amber About:   How self-awareness can kick start your Brand refresh The “data' parallels of global brands vs. personal and company brands How to sharpen your brand with the “Velvet Machete” Why self-assessment and continuous learning makes you greater Follow us and explore our social media tribe from our Website: https://leadership-hacker.com Music: " Upbeat Party " by Scott Holmes courtesy of the Free Music Archive FMA Transcript: Thanks to Jermaine Pinto at JRP Transcribing for being our Partner. Contact Jermaine via LinkedIn or via his site JRP Transcribing Services Find out more about Amber below: Amber Hurdle Website: https://amberhurdle.com Twitter: http://twitter.com/amberhurdle Instagram: http://instagram.com/thevelvetmachete LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle   Full transcript below   Steve Rush: Some call me Steve, dad, husband or friend. Others might call me boss, coach or mentor. Today you can call me The Leadership Hacker. Thanks for listening in. I really appreciate it. My job as the leadership hacker is to hack into the minds, experiences, habits and learning of great leaders, C-Suite executives, authors and development experts so that I can assist you developing your understanding and awareness of leadership. I am Steve Rush and I am your host today. I am the author of Leadership Cake. I am a transformation consultant and leadership coach. I cannot wait to start sharing all things leadership with you. Amber Hurdle is the special guest on today's show. She's the CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting, a multi award winning brand ambassador and talent optimizer. She's also the host of The Bombshell Business Podcast and author of The Bombshell Business Woman. But before we get a chance to meet with Amber, it's The Leadership Hacker News.   The Leadership Hacker News   Steve Rush: In the news today, we explore the upsurge of the use of digital technology and whether it's transferred power to the people. Sally Helgeson, who was cited by Forbes as the world's premier expert on female leadership, discusses how homeworking facilitated by digital technology has reversed the balance of power from capital to people. In 1993, Peter Drucker published Post-Capitalist Society. It has extraordinary lessons for leaders today, as we seek to emerge from the confusion, the pain and disruption of our pandemic 2020 society. Drucker was referring to the fact that capitalism became the primary means of production to the scale and complexity, requiring significant capital investment. Capital had by far the greatest valley in the chain of production. So, it grew to become quite expensive while the cost of people and labour became relatively cheap. As a result, the primary means of production, which of course was industrial machinery had to be centralized in factories and later in offices, via computers and tech, which meant that most people could no longer work from home. These two factors combined gave power in those who either provided a capital for enterprise or investment, or indeed hired to exercise it, that is senior management, but Drucker foresaw that the economist of the digital technology would reverse this basic logic. The digital tools that made such a transformative impact over the last 20 years are vastly more dependent on human knowledge and creativity than on raw materials and heavy machinery. As Drucker said, those tools began to reverse the balance of power between people and capital. And since people began to own the primary means of production, which of course is our brains and our thinking. That's what distinguishes the knowledge economy. And it's the reason why a new idea can make a hundred years of what was seen to be thoughtful, intensive capital development, almost obsolete overnight. And it's the reason why we now view leadership as something that should be distributed through organizations, rather than let the sole top of those leading the organizations. This year, it's taken on a fresh perspective as individuals around the world had to spend months working from home and organizations have had to adapt really quickly to this new reality. And it's fortunate that technology has reached a point where it allows us to do this, and we can now see that the trend in working from home or working at home is already well underway. So, what will it mean going forward for the primary means of production? It will be engaged within people's homes, places of where once we used to be housed prior to the industrial revolution. In short, Post-Capitalist Society that Drucker foretold almost 30 years ago is now suddenly and with force upon us, it's consequences will reshape our organizations, our lives and for the next century, and as leaders now more than ever, we need to be thoughtful and help our teams reframe that perspective and consider what their mindset is for the future. We may need to consider our homes as now our place of work. Stereotypes that we may have had such as stay at home moms or stay at home dads become obsolete and many more biases and assumptions could present themselves. But our job as leaders is to listen for those assumptions to challenge and to test them and to recognize that no longer capital will drive the future, but it's our people themselves. That's been The Leadership Hacker News. If you have any interesting stories or news that you'd like to share, please get in touch.   Start of Podcast   Steve Rush: Amber Hurdle is our special guest on today's show. She's a multi award-winning consultant and business partner, a brand expert and author of The Bombshell Business Woman. Amber, welcome to The Leadership Hacker Podcast. Amber Hurdle: I am so grateful to be here, thank you. Steve Rush: You have a really interesting backstory from team mom to CEO. How did it all start for you? Amber Hurdle: On the struggle bus? So just kind of going way back to the teen mom days, that seems so long ago, there was a big why, and that was giving my daughter every opportunity in the world that a child not born to a teen mom would have. And that is a commitment that I made in the hospital, indignant. That was mission critical, and with that, even though I stumbled and made a lot of terrible, awful, horrible, decisions, I did find a way to continuously fail forward in the interest of pursuing that big why. So, through that process, I had to learn at the time I had no idea what this current buzz term was, but I had to learn how to develop my personal brand so that I could position myself to get better shifts at work, to get a job I might not be fully qualified for to be able to attract the right people and opportunities to me so that I could raise this child who was brilliant and deserved better than what I brought her into this world into. So as that continuously enabled me to move forward with success, I began to do various things to help support that, that in turn became things that I would help team members with or employees with or colleagues, or eventually when I went back to college, because I figured out there's this word for this thing that I do and it's called public relations. And then I discovered the world of internal relations. And so, I started using the same principles and the confidence that came with it because I knew that it worked because I've used it on me and everyone else. And now I'm dealing with senior leaders in my career and I'm helping shape their personal brands, like an internal publicist of sorts and increasing their influence. And it's just gone from there, I've worked with celebrities, I've worked with, I mean, you name it, I've done it. And I'm 41 years old and abundantly blessed that I get to be the wounded healer that I get to be someone who can pursue her purpose through her vocation. Steve Rush: That's awesome Amber. And I guess part of that failing forward that you talked about ,was also maybe being brand aware at certain parts of your life. So, you could pivot your career accordingly. Would that be kind of fair? Amber Hurdle: Oh, absolutely. You know, I was sitting at lunch with a childhood friend, someone who I've been friends with since high school. This was a few years back, and he was looking at maybe shifting his career a little bit. And he said, Amber, you're just the Madonna of professional life. You're constantly evolving and reinventing yourself. And I looked at him somewhat confused because I didn't perceive it that way. And I said, help me understand that. Can you say that a different way? And he talked about the different pieces of my career and I just looked at him and I said, that is all me wrapping everything that I do into communication and engagement. That's the vehicle, that's what I do. I'm able to communicate. I can teach other people how to communicate. I know how to engage. I can teach other people how to engage. And throughout my career, whether I was a celebrity event planner, whether I was an internal you know, employee relations person, whether I was doing PR work or whatever, fundraising and Scc College, it was all about communication and engagement. So it is that, you have to really clearly understand what your gifting is. You have to understand what uniquely makes you, you. And so, anybody can do communication and engagement, right. I can define and position, my value by saying, I can do that and that I can do that because I was forced to learn the hard way through my teen mother experience. Steve Rush: Right, yeah. It's huge lessons that you probably experienced much earlier in your life than most folk would've done. Right? Amber Hurdle: Absolutely. I was chatting with a friend last night who is just so advanced. I mean, I just asked him like, why are you so smart? How did you get so smart? Cause you didn't go to college or in your neck of the woods, you didn't go to university. But he just has this wealth of business knowledge. And he said, you know what, Amber, you became an adult way early. You're a decade ahead of your peer group. I started my first business when I was 17 and its those same principles. It's just that dumb youth of learning the hard way and actually having enough energy may be to recover from the ridiculous mistakes that you make. But because we made them so young, it catapulted us forward into having a deeper wisdom around whether that's life or business or, you know, anything like that. Steve Rush: And academia of course, is not a prerequisite for entrepreneurialism. In fact, most entrepreneurs, I know actually have less of an academic background than the former. Amber Hurdle: Yeah, because we never stop learning. We don't go to school and then say, okay, I've learned everything I need to learn. I wrote everything I had to write. I've read everything I need to read and I'm sick of it, so the end. Again, and I have to credit my friend for kind of bringing that up last night. Good timing for this interview. When you're an entrepreneur. I mean, I just think about this year alone, everything that I've had to go back and say, okay, now I need to learn how to do this. I need a refresher on that. I haven't really learned this in probably about four years. So, what's changed? I need to learn that. So, I've taken four different courses. I'm constantly watching YouTube. We have to do that to respond to the ever-changing business environment that we're in. And when you think of learning or of my personal education or my personal intelligence being attached to formal education, you really missing out. Steve Rush: Yup, get it. A hundred per cent subscribe to that whole principle of continuous learning and evolution is just what makes you greater. So, in your consulting world now, you've managed to unite branding and science together to really help amplify that human capital when it comes to brands. Tell us a little bit about how you've done that? Amber Hurdle: So, branding background, PR of course. The way that big businesses approach branding their marketing is how I approach that with individuals in terms of personal brands, as well as employee bases in terms of employer brands. And so, my velvet machete brand strategy believes that if you have strong leaders with strong personal brands, they can then lead strong employer brands where people feel really excited about coming to work. They understand where their gifts and their talents and their experience fit into the big picture. And when you have happy employees delivering at that peak level, then you have a strong business brand because your customers are satisfied. Things are getting done the way they're supposed to be done. You don't have as many errors or, you know, whatever that looks like you, you know that you have a strong business brand cause it's from the inside out. So, with that in mind, let's think about like Nike, Nike does millions of dollars' worth of market research before they do any type of marketing campaign. And so, what they have to do is figure out from data, whether that is cookies on their website, tracking, you know, where are you clicking? How long do you stay on a page? Whether that is through loyalty programs, it could be focus groups, whatever. They have to have data. They're going to take that data to understand the big picture what's going on inside of their brand, how they can most efficiently and effectively market. And they'd start to develop ideal customer profiles so that they can speak into the emotions of their customers and potential customers. Now, why don't we do that internally? Steve Rush: Right. Amber Hurdle: We need to do the same thing. We need to canvas our entire team. We need to understand who's working for us. We need to understand what does that landscape look like so that we can speak to them emotionally about their contributions, about why they are with our organization and why we all share the same philosophies and values and that sort of thing. That is the bedrock of our culture. And then as we hire just like Nike creates ideal customer profiles and their messaging, their brand doesn't change. Their "Just Do It". Their brand doesn't change at all, but their messaging changes. If they are targeting an elite athlete who might need some performance gear versus a soccer mom, who's just going to wear her athletes aware at target, very different people, very different messaging, same brand. So, if you look at that from the perspective of your employer brand, you have the same brand. You are who you are, these are your values, you know? And so, you need to create ideal employee profiles for each position that you are hiring. Steve Rush: It's almost the same process that Nike is deploying isn't? But just internally, with an internal lens. Amber Hurdle: It is, and it's so funny when I get invited into a company. I was recognized and I'm not tooting my own horn. I'm just saying, it's not novel. But I was recognized by global gurus as one of the top 30 brand professionals thought leaders for 2020, because my perception of branding is different from the inside out. And I'm just like, to me, this is so obvious. If you have the data and you know where the holes are in your team and you know, behaviourally what type of person you need in that role and, you know, personality-wise, then you can start using data to help you make informed decisions, just like Nike uses data to make informed decisions. Now you can market, now you can recruit, now you can retain and keep everybody happy, just like we do with our customers. I don't see the reach in that, but apparently, it's a new thing to talk about. Steve Rush: It's an awareness thing, I think. Amber Hurdle: Yeah. Steve Rush: What you're describing is just that internal lens shift. Now the five-step process that you've developed with your velvet machete, and by the way, I just love the visual metaphor. Velvet machete, I think it's brilliant because I'm a visual kind of guy anyway, so I can almost see this really soft little machete coming down to me, but I know that it's going to take me through proper rigorous five-step process. Let's get into that and talk about how that can maybe help some of our listeners think about their own brand awareness. So, what are the five steps? Amber Hurdle: Let's just start first with the concept development machete. So, the machete cuts to the chase. It is a direct way of communicating and influencing, but the velvet wraps the message in a way that's appealing to your unique audience. So just like Nike has different messaging. So does the velvet machete process. So, we need to keep that in mind, as you move through these five steps. Now, first and foremost, you have to become self-aware. So, as you're building your personal brand, which is step number one, you have to be able to confidently define and position your value. You have to know what you bring to the table. And I've got of course, tons of exercises that get you to that point. But only when you understand yourself, can you start to move through the rest of these processes. So, step number two is then building supportive environments, creating systems and structures that uniquely support your efforts. So, if I know I am excellent at whatever, I need to create environments around me, whether that's people environments, or how my workflow is set up, it could be spiritual or physical or mental environments that I need to put in place to fortify those things that are great about me. Now, a lot of people like to talk about strengths and weaknesses. I can't stand to do that. I'm not a weak person. I'm also not amazing at advanced math. And so, I'm not going to say, well, that's a weakness. It's just not helpful. Me doing advanced math is not helpful to my mission. So, with that in mind, I just bubble wrap that just like fine China. Beautiful, precious, expensive, valuable, fine China. It's not weak. It just is fragile. And so, we bubble wrap it to ship it across the country. So, whatever is fragile in your toolbox of resources, we need to bubble wrap that. So, for me, I have a CPA, I have a bookkeeper and I have someone who handles payroll. Okay? So, they teach me, but that's my bubble wrap. And you can do that in all areas of your life. But here's the beauty. When you are very confident in who you are and what you bring to the table, and then you create all of these environments to really strengthen, being able to do that. And then instead of being like, oh, I wish I was more, blah, blah, blah. You just bubble wrap that stuff. Now, now you're really moving forward with confidence. And my velvet machete leadership Academy is all about becoming a competent, compassionate leader, having that velvet machete balance. Once you have that in place and you are strong, your foundation is strong only then can you move on to mastering your communication. Because now we're including other people. So, if you're not solid is really difficult to begin to interact with others. So, you have to be able to speak with authority while listening with intent to drive results. So, I know who I am. I know what I bring to the table. Now I'm listening to you with intent. I'm being able to communicate like Nike in different ways for different audiences, with that velvet machete style that I have. And once I can master that communication, and I understand how to have a two-way conversation with my various key stakeholders, then I can move on to step four and truly mastermind engagement. And that's when I use my self-awareness, my ability to understand what type of environments I need, my ability to communicate. And once I see and harvest the greatness in others, I can rally their support. And that's where people get hung up. That is the billion-dollar problem. And I'll tell you, I was with a client a handful of weeks ago, and she is a dynamo. I mean, she's just amazing and has all kinds of experience and is pretty senior in her role. And she was stuck because she'd been working for months on something, but she could not get the buy-in of somebody that would move it forward, which would save the company a billion dollars. Steve Rush: Wow. Amber Hurdle: I'm not joking, billion with B. And so, we worked through how she could frame that in order to get that buy-in, to move it to the next phase of approval. She killed it. She not only got in that next phase, but she got the next phase and everything came to fruition. They're following her plan. They're going to now move forward, trying to save the company a billion dollars. She could not have done that without self-awareness, without the environments that she needed to support her, without understanding her communication style and how she needed to communicate to this initial key stakeholder plus the next round. And if she was unable to rally support from this person, that company would not have her extreme intention, her gifts, and the gifts of her team to save them a billion dollars with a B. So, once you've done these four things, now you can build influence. Now you can guide and focus people and processes towards success because now this person has everything that she needs. And so, everyone knows the goal and she can just rally that support. And then build on that, moving everyone together towards saving that billion dollars. This process is not like, oh, these are soft skills. And everybody needs to, you know, we need to increase our emotional intelligence. Blah-Blah-Blah fluffy, fluffy unicorns. Steve Rush: Yeah, exactly. Amber Hurdle: We're saving a billion dollars here people, this is important. Steve Rush: The one thing that I observe when I also coach execs is that this persona, if you like of soft skills presents itself quite a bit. And I always have the conversation that says there's nothing soft about having great communication skills, being able to engage and influence people. That's real hard skills. What about some of the baggage that comes with the language that we internalize with ourselves? Amber Hurdle: That is why I call it a relevant machete. I mean, that doesn't sound very soft. The velvet does, but that's my way of bringing awareness to. This isn't child's play, we're not on the strengths couch right now. This is an internal fuzziness. Now, anybody who works with me understands that I have no differentiation between professional and personal. We do not compartmentalize our lives. We are a whole person, and all of that is going on all at the same time. And especially if your career is a manifestation of your purpose, then now we're really coagulated. It's all put in a blender together. And so, yes, when we're talking about our environments and when we're talking about our personal brand, we might have to go into some deeply personal places, but at the end of the day, if you do the work, and that's what I tell my clients all the time, you have to do the work. If you're willing to do the work, then you're empowered into that competent, compassionate leader. That leader who can influence because people see your authenticity and they are inspired by your ability to show them how their contributions fit into the bigger picture. Steve Rush: I love that five steps, by the way. I think it's a really neat way of just thinking about the process you need to go through. And like you say, this is not soft. This is proper work, isn't it? Amber Hurdle: It is, and I appreciate that feedback. Thank you.   Steve Rush: So, you've also turned to writing and you've authored the book, The Bombshell Business Woman. Tell us a little bit about what the inspiration was for the book? Amber Hurdle: Sure. So, when I left corporate and I began working with organizations through consulting and training and speaking, I had several female friends, acquaintances who came to me and said, wow, Amber, you know, you really have branded and marketed yourself well. I'm really struggling with that in my business. And so, I find myself kind of having like a part-time job of helping friends to position themselves. And of course, my whole career is PR, marketing and that sort of thing in various forms. And I've owned other businesses where I've done this successfully. So being the type of person who likes to pay things forward, I did, but then it got overwhelming. And so, I thought, you know what, I'm just going to have a one-day bootcamp. And I'm going to invite some of my smartest friends who are former executives who are now independent and we're just going to hash it out. So, I did that and it was wildly successful. So, I thought, well, Hmm, interesting. We probably should do this again, but really dig in a little bit more. And so, I did, I had an offering of a weekly bombshell business bootcamp, and I took them through the different phases that I eventually put into the book. And I had people from five different county in middle Tennessee attend very faithfully and it was beautiful to see what they did in their businesses and how they collaborated with each other and how the whole strengthened the individual businesses. And so, at that point I was like, Hmm, I'm onto something here. So, I would love to write a book, but I'm still not super clear. I know what five-county worth of, you know, again, we're back to data, right? So, I understand this subsection, but I live in the South and there's just limitations to that. So, I launched the podcast and develop the most beautiful relationship with my listeners. That was possible, they were so open with me. They would send me messages all of the time, they sent mail to my office, told me I listened to this episode. This is how I applied it. This is what changed in my business. I mean, it was like a market researcher dream. For me, it's about, can I serve you? And is this working for you? But the reality is this is data. And now I can use it to inform my decision making. So, with that really intimate understanding of The Bombshell Business Woman, I was able to write this book. Because I wanted any woman with $15 dollars to be able to self-educate. So, we're back to that, right? And I wrote it very much in a conversational style. The first four chapters were more about my personal life so that they can understand, like, if Amber could do it, I can do it. I have no more excuses. Cause looking at Amber went through and then it's very tactical after that. And I did that with intention, not because I was trying to give away the form and people were like, oh, you could've made a course about that. I'm like that wasn't the intention of this book. The intention of this book was to give any woman with $15 dollars in her pocket and exact guide to get her business to where it needs to go. And so, the reward in that was people writing in saying, I'm on page, whatever, I'm in total tears. It's as if you wrote this book just to me and I wouldn't have been able to do that. Had I not had that relationship with my listeners where I knew where their pain was, where I knew, where they were stuck in their frustration. And in the end, I had a beautiful message from someone on Instagram. And she had a dream of selling her struggling yoga practice. And she wanted to open up a yoga retreat, Bali or some beautiful location. And she was really in trouble with her business. She wrote to me and said she started listening to my podcast. She listened to every episode twice. She read my book; she downloaded the workbook. She did everything that I told her to do. And not only did she get her business to a healthy place, she sold it for an absurd amount of money. And she sent me a picture of her yoga retreat in Bali or wherever it is and invited me to follow her social media accounts, to see it grow and flourish. Steve Rush: How awesome is that! Amber Hurdle: And again, you are too. We're in unique situations where we can't really describe the successes of our clients because it is so confidential. And so, I'm describing the success so that any listener who thinks I don't have anything to say or who would listen to me, or I'm not educated enough, I'm not experienced enough. My encouragement to you is that, you know more than somebody else out there and that somebody is looking for somebody to lead them through difficulty or to get them to a next level. And so, if you put it out there, people will find you. Your tribe will find you, if you are truly authentically you and you don't hold back, people will find you and you will help other people get incredible results. Steve Rush: That's so true, isn't it? So true. And also, the whole philosophy of technology plays a big part in the book as well. There was one particular chapter in the book that really tickled me and it was a teaching Wilma Flintstone in the Jane Jetson world. Amber Hurdle: Yes, [Laughing]. Steve Rush: Just tell us a little bit about that? Amber Hurdle: The target audience for this particular book. And I'll just give you the avatar or the ideal customer profile of The Bombshell Business Woman. She's 42 years old, she has two kids. One is almost graduated. The other one's in junior high. He plays soccer. She's involved in everything. And, you know, she's chamber of commerce, volunteers, good wife, great daughter, all that kind of stuff. And yet all she can see, even though everyone else sees her as a total rock star is what she's not doing right. And one of the things that she laments over is that she's just not good with technology. She doesn't get the Twitter. The website blows her mind. Anything that would help streamline her business is frustrating. And so, what I loved, especially in that initial cohort of the bombshell business bootcamp that we did live over several weeks was I was able to show them how easy peasy things could be. And once they realized that it wasn't overwhelming, they were able to implement it in their business. Thank God. Cause now in COVID, everybody's using technology and virtual everything. Steve Rush: Right. Amber Hurdle: So, they had a little leg up there and it just took away that fear. And so, so much of what we don't accomplish in life and in our businesses is because we're simply afraid. And if you have somebody to walk alongside you to show you. The boogie monster is not underneath the bed, it's going to be uncomfortable for a minute. And then you're going to move past that discomfort. And just like, you know, when this particular avatar was somebody who was a hairstylist and she was in another salon and decided she could probably do it better herself. And so, she opened up her own salon and seven years in, she had 10 employees or contractors, and now she's looking at her business going, oh my gosh, how did I do this? I'm not a businesswoman. I'm not a business person. I accidentally had success in my business. She doesn't credit herself. And here's everything that I'm doing wrong because I didn't go to school to do this, that's my person. Steve Rush: Awesome. I love that. And if I'm a leader, listen to this. So, be that a woman or a man, because we've all gotten in a bombshell, what's the first steps in unlocking that? Amber Hurdle: I started in the book with that self-awareness with developing that personal brand because, you know, I say that I sell branding and I deliver confidence. And I just so believe that if you were confident in what you are capable of, you can get through those uncomfortable things. He knows like, oh yeah, okay. Well, I suck at math. So, I mean, not all math, but it no big deal. What can I do to improve upon this? And so, it just makes the fear go away. But I think the other thing that a lot of bombshell businesswoman or my bombshell boys as I call it, because I also got, you know, former military writing to me saying, it's like, you wrote the book just to me. And I'm like, really is your name Am? because that's my avatar name. But it's very similar struggles, right. I just happen to write it in a language that was, you know, really intentional for women, but having a plan. And I say that almost giggling in the year 2020 when we're recording this, because we all had a plan going into this year, right. Steve Rush: Well, yeah, that's the irony of strategic planning is to think about the, what-ifs, the wildcards or scenarios and the great art of great planning is to think of the unthought. Amber Hurdle: Exactly, and that is exactly why when I teach my marketing process, which I call the red lipstick marketing blueprint, which all that refers to is you put in the minimum amount of effort for the maximum results. So, ladies, you understand this. When you've got to run to the grocery store, you might put on your sunglasses and some red lipstick, you look like you're put together and you did not put on a full face of makeup. Other people can do the whole Kardashians, you know, I'm going to put all this layer of makeup on and it really doesn't improve the situation much. And so, I think we all get convoluted in our marketing strategies and we're trying to do everything and everything that's, you know, every new email that comes in and tells us we should be doing this, every trend that sets off, then we get, you know, squirrel and we're over there doing that. What I encourage is that you take things three months at a time. Yes, you want to know your entire years' worth of strategic initiatives, but let's just mark it three months at a time. Because as entrepreneurs, we've got to be able to be agile. We have to know if this shifts in my business, or if this shifts in the market, I need to be able to quickly shift with it. So that is something that I teach. And whether that's your strategic planning, quarter by quarter or your marketing plan, you have to be self-aware, you have to know what you are great at. So, you can be confident moving forward and where you need to bubble wrap things. And then as an entrepreneur, you need to be able to be intentional about your planning so that you can be flexible when things don't go well. Otherwise, you're starting from scratch and just flailing around in the middle of the ocean without any type of direction of where shore is. Steve Rush: Super wise words, I can almost hear the inner bombshells being released as people are listening. Amber Hurdle: I love it. Steve Rush: So, this is where we turn the leadership lens on you. And we get to hack into your leadership mind. Amber Hurdle: Okay. Steve Rush: Not only you're a great consultant and a business partner, you're a CEO and a leader in your own, right. Amber for our listeners, just share with us your top three leadership hacks. Amber Hurdle: Sure, I'll tell you the ones that really have worked for me. One is assessments. Of course, I'm certified in two assessments. I'm also, fun fact. Professional astrology software because I think that's God's personality assessment for the world. I don't think we can predict the future or anything, but I do think we can better understand ourselves. So, assessments that is a short-fit hack. Mentorship - you don't know everything. There's no way that you can learn everything. So, look to somebody who has been there, done that. Has made the mistakes they can share with you. Who's had the triumphs that they can share with you, who can help you shortcut through life. And you will be in really great shape. And the third thing is really dialling up your people environment. And so that is surrounding yourself with people who think like you. Who have a vibrational energy that matches yours, when you're around them, you feel edified and like you can move forward, and like, you can accept their feedback because you can trust that it's within your best interest and it's not somebody who's just so scared of where you're going and they don't think that they can go there with you, that they're going to try to hold you back. Steve Rush: They're super snacks, awesome. So, the next part of the show we call Hack to Attack. So, this is where something in your past, hasn't worked out as well, maybe even screwed up, but as a result of the experience, now use it as a positive in your life, what will be your Hack to Attack? Amber Hurdle: Well, we could go all the way back, I could give you like, you know, 38,000, my early teen mom days, but let's just go to the beginning of this year. So, like most people COVID dramatically impacted my business. Prior to this year really did mostly professional speaking on stages. And then in-person consulting, so as you can imagine. Within 48 hours, my entire speaking calendar through 2021 was cancelled, believe it or not, I actually had a pandemic clause in my agreement who knew, but I did. But that wasn't the right thing to do to hold people to this, I just feel like we're all in this together. So, I gave all of those deposits back so they could refund their attendees. And then within probably about two weeks, because so many of my clients are in hospitality, hotels, and entertainment. They came to me and said, we really need to be let out of our agreement because we're having to furlough our employees. And so obviously they can't pay me. So again, doing the right thing, let everybody out of their agreements. And I was left with not a whole lot. So, thank God my husband and I have multiple businesses. So, it wasn't disabling to my livelihood, but this is my passion, this is my purpose. So, I took a big step back and I was like, okay, the universe, God, whatever you feel comfortable as I tell you the story, and we'll just say the universe for the most vanilla way of saying it, it just shoved everything off of my desk. It just wiped it all onto the floor. And then I was left with the decision of what do I want to pick up off the floor and put back on my desk, moving forward. And while that was painful and frustrating and hard, it was beautiful. And I was able to really get decisive about what I wanted my business to look like moving forward. I was able to be a start-up with eight years of hindsight, and I was able to be a start-up with a beautiful, amazing network of awesome people. And I have had to grind harder this year than in a long, long time, probably since my days at Gaylord Hotels and at the same I have grown more this year then I can remember. And so, I'm moving forward with an extreme sense of gratitude for what that reset did for me. And I'm not saying it's even easy yet. It's not, but I see where I'm going and I'm having those short-term plans and I'm bubble wrapping, everything that needs to be bubble-wrapped. And I'm keeping that positive thought process. I'm seeking my mentors. I have my people environments in place. And I'm standing on my personal brands that I can move through my own process of the velvet machete leadership process. Steve Rush: And you can hear all of that coming through as well. And your mindset is to the untrained ear may not be very obvious, but to my trained ear, your mindset is beaming growth, open, positivity, and promotion. So, well done you! Amber Hurdle: Thank you. Thank you. Steve Rush: The last thing that I'd like to take you to is give you the chance to do some time travel. So, you get to now bump back into Amber at 21 and give her some advice. What's it going to be? Amber Hurdle: Stop being so damn hard on yourself. You are an amazing human being. You are full of gifts. You are perfect the way that you are. You don't need to change anything. There's nothing to fix. You just need to figure out who you are at your core, and then you need to become more of that. And as long as you're doing it in service to other people, you're going to be okay. Steve Rush: Super advice. And for other people listening to that, that's a great message too. So, for folks that have been listening to us talk today Amber, but I know they're going to want to listen to your podcast and find out a little bit more about the work that you do. And of course, developed machete and the bombshell businesswoman. Where's the best place we can send them as they finish listening to this. Amber Hurdle: Absolutely. I would love for you to visit amberhurdle.com/leadershipquiz. And you can take a quick quiz. It does not require an opt-in. Although I'd love to have you in my community. Is a quick quiz to allow you, to see the type of leadership personality that you have and how you show up, I will tell you what makes you the most influential and also what you might want to consider bubble wrapping. And I love this because even the more quiet leaders really get rallied around and they can see how amazing they are and that they don't have to be that big personality leader. And then if you go to amberhurdle.com, you can find the bombshell business podcast there, and then also opt-in for when we launch Velvet Machete Leadership Podcast.   Steve Rush: We'll also make sure there is links to the leadership quiz and all your other links are in our show notes, when we're done too. Amber Hurdle: And reach out to me on LinkedIn. I love getting to know people and following what you're doing in your career. Steve Rush: Amber, you've been an absolute, amazing guest. There is some super stories that you've been able to share with our listeners today. And on behalf of everyone that's listening in and on behalf of The Leadership Hacker Podcast. Thanks for joining the show. Amber Hurdle: Thank you so much. I just appreciate the opportunity to get to know you and serve your audience. Steve Rush: Thanks Amber.   Closing   Steve Rush: I genuinely want to say heartfelt thanks for taking time out of your day to listen in too. We do this in the service of helping others, and spreading the word of leadership. Without you listening in, there would be no show. So please subscribe now if you have not done so already. Share this podcast with your communities, network, and help us develop a community and a tribe of leadership hackers.   Finally, if you would like me to work with your senior team, your leadership community, keynote an event, or you would like to sponsor an episode. Please connect with us, by our social media. And you can do that by following and liking our pages on Twitter and Facebook our handler their @leadershiphacker. Instagram you can find us there @the_leadership_hacker and at YouTube, we are just Leadership Hacker, so that is me signing off. I am Steve Rush and I have been the leadership hacker.

About the guest:     Amber Hurdle is the CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting, a multi-award-winning talent optimization firm that pioneers using both science and marketing principles to strengthen customers' brands from the inside out. Most recently recognized as one of the world's top brand professionals for 2020 by Global Gurus at #18, Hurdle helps overcome costly business problems like ineffective recruiting, turnover, underperformance, declining morale and leadership gaps by clearly connecting her clients' people strategy to their business strategy for measurable bottom-line results. She personally understands what it takes to accelerate success as a former teen mom who evolved into a powerhouse businesswoman, having worked with international celebrities, executives and Fortune 100 companies alike. When Amber is not helping individuals and employers share their unique value, she is "momming so hard," embracing her inner gym rat in the weight room, and entertaining her family and friends. While she is known for being a super extra dog mom and hot wing snob, Amber Hurdle is most known for connecting personal, employer and business brands via her proprietary Velvet Machete® Brand Strategy.   In the episode:     2:44 – Amber explains how she used her unique traits to get ahead in her career. 4:14 – Amber shares her strategy for using public speaking to build a personal brand and authority in your field. 5:19 – Amber talks about redefining the term “bombshell” to make it gender-neutral. 8:44 – Amber describes how her talent recruiting process is data-driven. 16:23 – Amber explains how to effectively combine personal brands, employer brands, and organizational brands. 19:31 – With additional stressors during an interview, Amber talks about how the person you interview is different from who they are once they settle into the job and how to choose the right person knowing this. 23:45 – Amber shares how to collect people data. 26:32 – Amber describes how to make your job applications speak to the target applicants and lets them know what makes your company unique. 30:22 – Amber explains how to integrate company culture into employee behavior and discipline.   Quote “If I land on a website, that brand specifically wants me to say “yes, this is for me” or “no, this is not for me” in 30 seconds. They don't want to deal with me if I'm not going to give them money in the end. It's the same thing - I don't want to attract people who are going to distract me, be negative energy or take me down a path that's not my path to go.” - Amber Hurdle, CEO of Amber Hurdle Consulting   Links:          amberhurdle.com: https://amberhurdle.com/ Velvet Machete Branding Podcast: https://amberhurdle.lpages.co/newpodcastupdates/ Bombshell Business Podcast: https://amberhurdle.com/bombshell-business-podcast/ amberhurdle.com/predictive-index: https://amberhurdle.com/predictive-index   Activate the PR Maven® Flash Briefing on your Alexa Device.  Join the PR Maven® Facebook group page.    Looking to connect:           Email: info@amberhurdle.com Twitter: @amberhurdle LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/amberhurdle Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmberHurdleFan YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/amberhurdle

Amber Hurdle uses her experience working with international celebrities and Fortune 500 companies to show small businesses how to play big. As a communication and engagement expert, Amber helps entrepreneurs and corporate leaders identify what they want to be known for so they can strategically tell their stories, grow their tribes and ultimately fulfill their callings. Website, Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram

Welcome, Bombshell! This marks the FINAL episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast! In this episode we cover: The history of the Bombshell Business Woman sub-brand. What’s next! Reflection on some awesome moments of learning and guest experiences. Tune in as we give a final farewell to the Bombshell Business Podcast! 

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Woman, host Amber Hurdle interviews Deborah Lee James, 23rd Secretary of the Air Force, keynote speaker, and author, about how to achieve success as a confident leader and working parent. Together they discuss: *Developing confidence as a leader in unknown territory  *The importance of the mentor-mentee relationship  *Deborah’s 3 steps to achieving personal and professional fulfillment  *How to navigate turbulent work environments  *Tips for balancing work and personal life for an abundant life This episode is full of wisdom from Deborah’s years of experience as a top female leader in both the Air Force and in the private sector. Don’t miss this episode! You’ll want to listen to it time and time again! Links and Mentioned Resources  Purchase Deborah’s book, Aim High: Chart Your Course and Find Success. Follow @thevelvetmachete on Instagramfor inspiration and free business advice. Stay tuned for giveaways coming soon with the launch of the Velvet Machete Branding Podcast!   About Deborah  Deborah Lee James has a three-decade track record of leading, transforming and driving lasting change in the US government and in private industry. As only the second woman in history to lead a branch of the male dominated US military, Deborah faced high stakes challenges as Secretary of the Air Force, the CEO equivalent of a 660,000, $140 billion enterprise. For three years during a period of unprecedented political dysfunction, she led the effort to recruit, train and equip the premier air, space and cyber force on the planet, sending forces forward to combat ISIS in the Middle East, reassure European allies against a resurgent Russia and preparing forces for possible combat operations on the Korean Peninsula. Earlier in her career, Deborah was a senior executive at defense giant, SAIC, where she led a $2 billion enterprise during a time of enormous change within the company. Along the way, Deborah raised two children as a single mother. Through personal stories from her days as a young professional, as a business leader at SAIC and from the halls of the Pentagon, Deborah reveals her approach to surviving, thriving and leading through change and dysfunction at the intersection of politics, business, and family. Get Social:  Website | LinkedIn | Twitter Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers    

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle chats with her friend, Natalie Eckdahl, business strategist and high performance coach to entrepreneurial women, about how specializing can grow your business. Together, they discuss: *The benefits of specializing  *How missteps in business benefit you in the long term *How to generate more profit with less effort *Why you should go deeper with the clients you already have  If you’re ready to grow your business, Natalie and Amber’s conversation will help you think differently about how you approach what you do best. Tune in, then share this episode with someone who would benefit from hearing it, too! Links and Mentioned Resources Listen to Amber’s interview on Natalie’s BizChix podcast from 2014.  Tune in to Natalie’s two podcasts, BizChix and Stack Your Team.  Get Natalie’s free training that will meet you at whatever stage of business your at. Purchase her book, RESET Your Mindset: Silence Your Inner Mean Girl. Learn more about Natalie’s wildly successful, upcoming annual  live event  for women entrepreneurs in Irvine, California.   About Natalie Natalie Eckdahl is a Business Strategist and High Performance Coach who helps high-achieving women entrepreneurs across industries and time zones build, grow and scale their business while avoiding overwhelm. She’s the Founder of the BizChix Community, Podcast, Programs and Events, and the author of “RESET Your Mindset: Silence Your Inner Mean Girl.” Natalie has been recognized as “One of the Top Women in Business to Listen to.” She has also been featured in Inc, Fast Company, Huffington Post and Entrepreneur. Natalie brings a multidisciplinary perspective to her work. She draws from her MBA education, 20+ years of work experience, deep intuition, and over 250 podcast interviews with industry influencers to help her clients with customized strategy and coaching to reach 6 figures+ in PROFITS. When she’s not enjoying precious moments with her husband, Mark and her 3 children ages 5 to 17, you can find her drinking a steaming cup of coffee, on her way to spin class or sneaking in a power nap. Visit BizChix.com for her latest podcasts and inspiration on life and business.  Get Social: LinkedIn Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers  

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews sales executive Nikki Rausch about how to sell authentically and confidently. Together, they discuss: *What the ‘Selling Staircase’ is *How the 5 steps build on each other to authentically guide your prospect through to becoming a customer *What sales REALLY is *Why you shouldn’t be coaching on a discovery call with prospective clients *Why charging your full price makes your clients more successful  This empowering episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast takes away the “icky” of selling, develops your confidence, and teaches Nikki’s 5-step formula to make the selling process easier. Tune in!  Links and Mentioned Resources Get Nikki’s free e-book, yoursalesmaven.com/vmbp.   Order Nikki’s two books, Six-Word Lessons on Inferencing with Grace: 100 Lessons to Genuinely Connect with Colleagues, Friends, Family, and Lovers and Buying Signals, How To Spot The Green Light & Increase Your Sales. Once you make the sale, invoice like a pro without the headache with Freshbooks. Create invoices instantly and get paid faster with professional invoicing. Plus, get unlimited access to beautiful customizable invoice templates. https://www.freshbooks.com/invoice-templates Follow Amber’s pup Gibbs on Instagram, @NashvilleGibbs Follow Amber on Instagram, @thevelvetmachete   About Nikki Sales Maven founder Nikki Rausch is an award-winning sales executive with 23+ years of sales experience selling to organizations such as Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Johnson & Johnson, Hewlet Packard, Seattle Public Schools, & NASA. By combining her sales experience with her master certification in Neuro-Linguistic Programming, Nikki teaches simple, yet powerful techniques anyone can use. Entrepreneurs hire Nikki to learn how to sell in an authentic way without being pushy so they build relationships and close more deals. Nikki holds a B.A. in Business Administration from the University of Washington. She has been honored several times as ‘top-producing sales person’ and ‘outstanding business partner’. Nikki was also featured on the cover of Female Entrepreneur Magazine in 2002. Get Social: Website | Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram  Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Stefanie Gass, podcasting and passive income coach, about how to create and scale passive income, so you can focus more on what matters to you outside of your business. Together, they discuss:  *Why you need to focus on the step in front of you *What passive income is and how to get it *How being authentically you leads to your breakthrough  Who’s ready to make money while sipping margaritas by the pool? Yes, please! Tune in to grow your revenue in new ways.  Links and Mentioned Resources Want more of Stefanie? Tune into the The Mompreneur Mastermind Show. Join Stefanie’s community here.   About Stefanie  Stefanie Gass helps mompreneurs create passive income businesses that light them up! Fueled by Jesus, iced coffee, & toddler snuggles, Stef is both an exceptional mama AND an extremely successful entrepreneur. Stef’s call is empowering women to claim their BEST lives by working less, yet making more. Get Social: Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | Pinterest   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers  

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interview’s Gabi Garrett, content strategist, about how she quit her job and a life she hated, and started her own successful business. Together, they discuss:   *How to know what to charge when you’re getting started *Why conquering your fears is necessary for success *Secrets to growing a six-figure business *The importance of creating YOUR own business, not a remake of someone else’s  This episode is full of authenticity and passion. You’ll be sure to relate as you hear the stories of these powerhouse businesswomen, and you’ll be empowered by their tried-and-true business tips. Tune in!  Links and Mentioned Resources Check out Gabi’s new six-weekemail coursethat will prompt you past your fears and enable you to make detailed action plans to make your dream life and goals a reality. As an extra for Amber's Bombshell listeners, Gabi is offering a bonus1:1 call ($227 value) to help you define your goal or dream before you get started.  Download Gabi’s free Kindle eBook on Amazon: Kicked Out of Therapy: Six Steps to Joy Looking for accounting software? Check out Amber's post, 5 Reasons You Should Use Freshbooks  For Amber’s complete list of tech tools, check out her book The Bombshell Business Woman for a full chapter on her must-have tech tools to make managing your business easier. Don’t forget to download the free bonuses once you order the book.  About Gabi  Gabi Garrett is a writer by day, inspirer by night. She works with top level entrepreneurs on their messaging, media strategy and marketing. When she isn't working with her executive clients, she writes articles in the self-help realm. After leaving her full-time job to become a writer, she learned, grew and developed into someone she’s proud of, as she now inspires the world to chase their dreams too! Her work on this topic has been featured in the USA Today Network, Elite Daily, Apartment Therapy, Tiny Buddha, the Elephant Journal and more. You can read more about her adventure through her new mini-book, Kicked Out of Therapy available on Amazon.  Get Social: Instagram  Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Kedma Ohh, author of Target Funding, about how to secure funding for your business. Together, they discuss:  *How she bounced back from filing bankruptcy in 2000  *How to find funding for your solid business plan *What most people get wrong when it comes to growing their business *When to use crowdfunding effectively This episode is a game-changer. Who isn't looking for more funding to take their business idea to the next level? Tune in, you won't regret it!  Links and Mentioned Resources Pre-Order Kedma's book Target Funding: A Proven System to Get the Money and Resources You Need to Start or Grow Your Business  About Kedma  Kedma Ough, MBA is the author of Target Funding: A Proven System to Get the Money and Resources You Need to Start or Grow Your Business. One of today’s most respected authorities on small business funding and entrepreneurship, she is a nationally renowned business coach and funding expert and winner of the Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Champion of the Year Award.  As a small business consultant and educator, she has guided more than 10,000 individuals through a wide range of business advising and is a past contributing writer for Entrepreneur. When she is not running around as a live superhero, she enjoys time with her family and traveling the world. Ough is a proud fifth-generation entrepreneur.  Get Social: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Instagram | LinkedIn   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Andie Kramer, nationally recognized advocate for women’s advancement, author and attorney, about the glass ceiling that still exists for women in the workplace and how to overcome it. Don’t let gender bias hold you back from excelling in your career. This episode is full of tips to help you break the glass ceiling and excel to the top of your team. Tune in and be empowered! 

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Keri Murphy, CEO and founder of Inspired Living. Keri is an international speaker, media expert, and business mentor. She embodies the Bombshell Business Woman, and is especially confident when it comes to being on camera, making appearances on MTV, E!, FOX, and NBC. Together, Amber and Keri chat about: *Why video is SO important for your business *Tips for being comfortable, authentic and confident on camera  *The best platform and headlines to use for SEO  *Lessons Keri has learned as an entrepreneur  *Why our experiences matter to becoming our best selves This episode gets down to business when it comes to using video to boost your social and website engagement. But it doesn’t stop there! Amber and Keri reflect on their personal journeys as entrepreneurs and leave you with inspiring advice to fuel your success. Tune in! About Keri Keri Murphy is the CEO and founder of Inspired Living, where she and her team help entrepreneurs become go-to experts in their field and build influential brands through on-camera training, business strategy, media, and marketing planning. As an international speaker, media expert, and business mentor, Keri is committed to helping others to create and thrive at a business they love and teaches them how to authentically connect and convert their ideal clients using video in particular. Get Social: Facebook| Twitter| Instagram| LinkedIn| YouTube  | Pinterest Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers  

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle opens up about her own mental health journey to help reduce stigma, inspire Bombshells to practice self-care, and recommend resources to turn to if you’re experiencing anxiety or depression. Amber shares about: *Influences that affect the state of your mental health *Her experiences with anxiety and therapy *How she regularly practices self-care *Resources to turn to if you’re in crisis Get ready because this episode gets REAL. There is no shame in talking about mental health or the struggles you are experiencing. Don’t forget to explore the resources below to help you take the next step to build the support you need to help you become the fullest version of yourself. Be brave and tune in! Links and Mentioned Resources If you are at risk, please stop here and contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline for support at 1-800-273-8255. List of  The Anxiety and Depression Association of America  reviewed apps. List of HelpLine Resources fromNational Alliance on Mental Illness. May is Mental Health Month! Download Mental Health America’s Social Media Toolkitto share on your business or personal social media pages. Tune in to Episode 68: How to Successfully Navigate Change with Alli Brown for tips on how to navigate change in business. Amber’s personal self-care musts: Ashley Black’s FasciaBlaster Natural Calm CBD Oil How to Hear from Godby Joyce Meyer   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers  

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews social media strategist and podcast host Andréa Jones of OnlineDrea. Together, they discuss: *How to spend less time on social media AND get more out of it *Why and how you should respond to Instagram Stories *Being authentic on social without feeling salesy or spammy *Who should be selling on LinkedIn *Unique social media tips for introverts and extroverts *How to use social media to build sales funnels Everyone is looking to spend less time on social and more time making sales and meaningful connections. Andréa is a top notch expert sharing juicy social secrets that will help you do just that. Tune in!   Links and Mentioned Resources Stay in the loop and never miss a beat with the launch of the new Velvet Machete Branding Podcast! Text the word AMBERSNEWPODCAST to 44-222 to stay in the know or click HERE.   Tune into Episode 47 of the Bombshell Business Podcast to learn more about the most important question you need to be able to answer to sell: What’s In It For Me?  About Andréa Andréa Jones is fiercely committed to helping businesses and podcasters build profitable communities online through simple social media solutions. Named one of Social Report’s top marketers to follow in 2019, Andréa’s passion for keeping social media simplified shines through for her full service clients and students as well as on her podcast – the Savvy Social Podcast. Get Social: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Pinterest | Instagram | LinkedIn | YouTube       Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers      

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdles interviews Jessica Rhodes, founder and co-owner of Interview Connections, the first and leading podcast booking agency. Together, they discuss: *Why a podcast strategy works *The value of podcasting *What types of businesses should (and shouldn’t be) podcasting *The question you should be answering with every pitch to podcasters *The best way to get booked on podcasts *When to be a guest and when to start a podcast *How one podcast episode can produce tons of content Podcasting that adds value to your targeted audience, whether as a host or a guest, is an excellent way to situate your business as an expert source in your industry. Jessica and Amber teach listeners how to do just that. Tune in!   Links and Mentioned Resources Get your copy of the Bombshell Business Woman for actionable business advice on topics discussed in this episode like how to identify your ideal customer profile, a template for Amber’s Red Lipstick Marketing Plan, and the exact steps to develop an email nurture sequence. Purchase the book on Amazon.   Stay in the loop and never miss a beat with the launch of the new Velvet Machete Branding Podcast! Text the word AMBERSNEWPODCAST to 44-222 to stay in the know. About Jessica Rhodes Jessica is the founder and equal co-owner of Interview Connections. She has scaled the business quickly to high multiple six figures, with nearly no direct marketing or ads, and will break through the 7-figure mark in 2018. Jessica and her in house team of Booking Agents are the podcast powerhouses behind many of the record breaking book launches you’ve seen today, with clients such as JJ Virgin, Perry Marshall, other authors you may know, and numerous PR agencies who hire them for their podcasting savvy and booking skills. Jessica started podcasting in 2014 with the launch of Rock the Podcast and also co-hosts The Podcast Producers and Womensplaining. She is the acclaimed author of Interview Connections: How to #RockThePodcast From Both Sides of the Mic! and has been a featured speaker at Podcast Movement, Podfest Multimedia Expo, and Dream Business Academy. She is married and is the mom of two kids, Nathan and Lucy. Get Social:  Website  | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Honorée Corder, bestselling author and executive business coach, on why you should become a self-published author if you’re a professional of any kind. Together, they discuss: *Honorée’s experience believing in herself and becoming a self-published author with over 50 published books *How she has created multiple streams of income in her business *The business and financial benefits of writing a book *Strategies for writing a book when you think you have no time to get it done *Crafting a perfect title for your book I LOVED chatting with the talented Honorée and getting her practical advice on writing and publishing a book. Whether you’re ready to start writing or just entertaining the idea of becoming an author, this episode is for you. Tune in! Links and Mentioned Resources Get your free copy of Honoree’s book, You Must Write a Book: Boost Your Brand, Get More Business, and Become the Go-To Expert Join Honoree’s live mastermind and coaching program, the You Must Write a Book Course: http://honoreecorder.com/youmust-course  Stay in the loop and never miss a beat with the launch of the new Velvet Machete Branding Podcast: Text the word  ambersnewpodcast to 44-222 and we’ll be sure you are the first to know about any developments! About Honorée Corder Honorée Corder is a bestselling author and executive business coach. She combines her business acumen and 12 years of self-publishing experience to provide structure, strategy, and accountability to individuals who want to elevate their platform and create multiple streams of income from publishing their own books. Honorée’s coaching and books provide real-world, time-tested strategies. She shares step-by-step advice in a straight-forward, no-nonsense fashion for use today, to get desired results as soon as tomorrow. Get Social: Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter     Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle chats with Jacki Kuehne, a VIP Branding Retreat client (and now friend) and hair stylist who came to Amber in 2018 for guidance rebranding her business. Together, they discuss: *The nitty gritty of the VIP Branding Retreat experience *Moving past fear to uplevel your business *The challenges and excitement of the rebranding process *Why you must have a great brand to include a brand story, high quality images, a website, collateral material and more. Know you need to rebrand your biz, but on the fence jumping all in? Tune in to gain the confidence to take the risk of that first step and reap the rewards of rebranding! Tune in to be inspired by Jacki’s experience and determination.   Links and Mentioned Resources You can check out information about the  VIP Branding Retreat and apply if now is the time for you. Due to extensive travel, Amber can only accept a very small number of engagements. Ready to uplevel your business? Purchase Amber’s first book and get the free downloads: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave Female Entrepreneur     About Jacki and Her Rebrand View Jacki Kuehne’s brand and stunning website Connect with Jacki: Instagram| Facebook   Graphic Designer: Lindsey Smith Designs Website:  lindseysmithdesigns.com   Photographer: Roger Hoover Website: rogerhoover.org   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Woman, host Amber Hurdle interviews Katie Farell, founder of Dashing Dish, about living healthy and being intentional with family, all while growing a business. They discuss: *Why you should shift your mindset from dieting to loving your body *How to get picky eaters in your family to eat healthy *Quick and easy weekly meal prep ideas for busy entrepreneurs *Thriving in business and at home by knowing the financial value of your time Katie provides practical advice that will help you feel better knowing you’re feeding your family well while not dropping the ball in your business. Listen to this episode before your next trip to the grocery! You’ll thank us later. Links and Mentioned Resources Learn more about Dashing Dish’s membership program here. Check out Katie’s blog and find free recipes here. Download the Dashing Dish iPhone app here.   A mother, cookbook author, registered nurse, and an eating disorder survivor, Katie Farrell develops delicious, simple, healthy recipes and shares practical tools, daily motivation, and workouts that help her readers create a plan to stay on track and live a healthy life - mind, body, and soul.  She is the founder of Dashing Dish, a monthly subscription service that provides meal planning tools, hundreds of healthy recipes, and step-by-step workouts to help you live a healthy lifestyle. Get Connected: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Shannon Adkins,  thought leader and CEO of Future State, on upholding social good and personal priorities in business. Together, they discuss:   *How to hold on to your priorities and values to live the life you envision   *Navigating the shift from corporate to entrepreneur life *Sustainable company culture that takes care of employees as whole people while meeting the bottom line *How a CEO should lead their people *Why you have to know what matters most to you in your business and life to be successful and supported Get ready to take some notes. Shannon’s leadership philosophy will make you want more for your own business and motivate you to make some changes in your company culture. Tune in to get the scoop!    Links and Mentioned Resources   Learn more about B Corporations here. Read what Harvard Business Review has to say: Why Companies are Becoming B Corporations.   Shannon Adkins is a thought leader and CEO at Future State, a woman-owned, employee-owned consulting company with a triple bottom line where people get to be themselves. They bring value to their clients by understanding the journey they are on throughout their transformation. After years of working for startups, tech companies, and in corporate America, getting her MBA, and starting a family, Shannon decided she wanted to work somewhere where she could be fully expressed as a mom, a volunteer, and a badass business woman. So she went back to Future State. The changes she initiated led to revenue doubling in 24 months, new offerings, new clients in new industries, new teams and leaders, and a new name, Future State. In 2015, she became the CEO and made sure to continue to grow and evolve, officially making it a B-Corp. Shannon challenges herself to always ask “why,” and to make sure the answers contribute to creating a world that works for everyone. An eternal optimist, she believes the right team of people can find a radical solution to any problem. Weaving together the opportunity, the business needs and the collected wisdom of its shareholders, these solutions become clear and executable strategies that lead to continual success. Get Social: Website | LinkedIn   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Ali Brown, one of the world’s most recognized entrepreneur coaches, about how to rock it as a woman in business when things start to change. Together, they discuss: *How Ali courageously managed change in her business and life *Why you should dance with divine discontent to grow into your best entrepreneurial self *How marketing is like dating *Why you should create your own metrics for success *Affirmation that you can change your mind and values as life changes *Why you should be operating in your genius to achieve success *Why you should ask for what you need in business and life so you can rise to your full potential If you’re headed toward big changes in business or life, or are currently knee deep within them, this episode will provide the affirmation and advice you need to get through it stronger than before. Tune in!   Links and Mentioned Resources Seth Godin, This is Marketing Amber Hurdle’s, The Bombshell Business Woman   The Bombshell Business Podcast on How to Create Values for Your Life and Business with Paul Colaianni Ali Brown Over the last 15 years, Ali Brown has advised and helped nurture the businesses of many of the 7- and 8-figure online thought leaders you see thriving today, and her mentoring has even been spotlighted on CNN.com. Ali has been dubbed the "Entrepreneurial Guru for Women" by Business News Daily and has taken her company to the Inc. 500 list rankings. She was named a Forbes Woman to Watch, one of EY's Winning Women Entrepreneurs, and an entrepreneur delegate for the United Nations Foundation's Global Accelerator. Ali has been featured on major media including the ABC hit primetime show Secret Millionaire. She provides leadership and business advice to over 250,000 followers via AliBrown.com, her social media channels, and her award-winning Glambition® Radio show. She was also named by Entrepreneur Magazine as having one of the Top "10 Twitter Accounts Every Entrepreneur Should Be Following". Ali is an angel investor with a special interest in women-led ventures. She and her Australian husband Brett are parents to 5-year-old twins. They are based in Scottsdale, Arizona and spend part of each year in Sydney. Get Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | LinkedIn | Website   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Storeor Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers  

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Rebecca Barnes-Hogg, Bombshell Business Expert on employee management, recruiting, and hiring. Together, they discuss: *How to keep millennial employees passionate about your business *The impact disengaged employees have on your business *The right questions to ask during an interview *The role of feedback in employee management *Top tips to keep employees passionate about your business If you’re in charge of hiring, this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast is a must for you. Rebecca sets your biz up for success -- you can’t afford to miss this episode! Tune in.   Rebecca Barnes-Hogg is the founder of YOLO Insights®and author of The YOLO Principle, The Ultimate Hiring Guide for Small Business. Her path to Bombshell Business Woman started 8 years ago when she broke free from corporate with a dream, a cell phone, and a laptop. Rebecca built YOLO Insights®in response to all the frustrated business owners who were wasting time, money, and their sanity hiring the wrong people. She thrives on the hunt for purple unicorns (ideal employees) and watching her clients become more efficient, effective, and profitable when they hire the right employees. Get Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | LinkedIn   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers  

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Kim Gravel, veteran television host, former Lifetime Television star, entrepreneur, public speaker and leader. Together, they discuss:   *Why you should work smarter, not harder *What it means to be a woman in business *Why women must support other women *How to work your strengths and fill in your weaknesses *Why relationships are crucial to growing your business   Y’all, I LOVED chatting with Kim! This episode is full of amazing strategies from a straight-shooting powerhouse businesswoman to help you excel as a fempreneur. Tune in.

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, host Amber Hurdle interviews Christy Laurence, CEO & Founder of Plann, about Christy’s journey, accomplishing big dreams, and leveraging Instagram to build brand influence. Together, they discuss: *How Christy overcame a traumatic brain energy and created a super successful 7-figure business *The best hashtags to use for maximum exposure *How even a service-based business can promote their brand on Instagram *How to use Plann to make money and build influence *When to use stock images and how to use them *How often to post an Instagram story *The difference between automating your content and scheduling it *How to keep a remote team connected Are you ready to up your Instagram game and take your business to the next level? Hit play and plan to take some notes--Christy has TONS of awesome insights to share!   Links and Mentioned Resources The Official Plann website and where to download the app and get Christy as your personal Instagram coach How to get on the Plann waitlist for its desktop version coming soon Follow Christy’s personal Instagram account   Sneak Instagram Tips Instagram is the best social media platform with highest engagement of any social media platform. If you use hashtags with over one million posts, it is much less likely you’ll be discovered. To get noticed, use more niche hashtags. Aim for hashtags with 100,000 to 300,00 mentions to get noticed longer. The sweet spot is between 250,000 and 750,000 - the higher the mentions, the greater your engagement rate needs to be to be seen. Now tune in to hear more of Christy’s social media strategies!   Christy Laurence, CEO & Founder of Plann Christy Laurence has been featured in multiple publications about Plann, Instagram, Creative Strategy, Marketing, Entrepreneurship and App building. With a lengthy background in Advertising, Christy used creativity to battle through recovery of freak brain trauma, eventually leaving her day-job to design a tool to help others make a living doing what they love.She is a regular Guest Blogger and Keynote Speaker on a multitude of topics and is extremely generous with her knowledge. She’s more than happy to join you on your podcast, blog, editorial piece or event – just ask! Get Social: Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest   Want More of the Good Stuff? *Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Store or Google Play *Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, or ask Alexa to “play Bombshell Business Podcast with Amber Hurdle” *Read the book:The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneuron Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble& other retailers

  In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast host Amber Hurdle interviews #BBExpert Jaime Gordon, life coach, about casting a vision and taking the right action steps to make your vision a reality. Together they discuss:   *What is “wanted and needed” for you to move forward towards your vision?   *How pivoting is creativity and flexibility, not failure.   *How shame will shut you down.   *How surrender is the antidote to anxiety.   *That the power of realizing your vision is in the specifics.   *How to create action steps to ensure your vision is realized.   Jaime even quotes Søren Kierkegaard: “People settle for a level of despair they tolerate and call it happiness.”   So the question is, are you settling or are you willing to position the posture of your heart to step into your greatness? Listen in to find out how to create your vision and ensure your future self will thank you for it! About Jaime Gordon Jaime Gordon Life Coaching #BBExpdert on Transformational Coaching/Life Coaching Jaime Gordon is a transformational life coach who partners with individuals to clarify their vision, break through barriers, and achieve the longings of their hearts in life, relationships and business. In addition to being a wife and mother of 3, she truly believes in the power of standing with her clients as they do the work of transformation.   Get Social: Facebook | Instagram   Want More of the Good Stuff?   Download the app: The Bombshell Business App in the App Store or Google Play   Subscribe to the podcast: The Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, iHeart Radio & more   Read the book: The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur on Amazon, Books-a-Million, Barnes & Noble & other retailers  

In this episode of The Bombshell Business Podcast, Amber Hurdle interviews Bombshell Business Expert on Mobile Marketing, Keith Troup. Keith shares why he believes a loyalty program is vital for your business. Loyalty programs build relationships by appreciating and valuing your customers, provides the opportunity to create repeat business, can introduce a new product or service, and attracts customers. Keith explains why “free” is a great marketing strategy, what kinds of loyalty programs you can offer and how to launch an effective loyalty program with a mobile app. So tune in now to get the goods on how you can create an amazing loyalty program for your business! Keith's Free Download:  http://beappsolute.com/index.php/why-mobile-matters-for-business/   Keith Troup Be AppSolute Expert Role: Mobile Marketing Keith Troup is a creative mobile marketer. He develops and creates mobile marketing and branding app solutions for businesses, venues, events and organizations. He leverages everyday life experiences and his business knowledge to help business owners connect, engage, and build relationships with existing clients and new prospects, and to establish loyal brand fans utilizing mobile marketing media solutions. Mobile is everywhere your business should be, too! Get Social: Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn

Amber Hurdle, also known as The Bombshell Business Woman, is a Brand Strategist, Leadership Consultant, author, and host of the Bombshell Business Podcast. In this podcast, Amber gives a behind the scenes look of how she's overcome some incredible obstacles to create an amazing lifestyle, brand, and following of strong, independent female entrepreneurs known as her "Bombshells". Tune in now to hear Amber's story and discover how to develop an amazing brand by staying confident and consistent while honoring your values and natural gifts. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/realbeautybosses/support

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast Amber Hurdle interviews Bombshell Business Expert Rebecca Barnes Hogg, who reveals how to find the best employees for your business. She explains how to create your recruiting and hiring vision, how to build your employer brand, and how to create a plan of action on how you are going to hire. From financial readiness to legal issues and beyond, Rebecca sets you up for new hire success!   Links & Mentioned Resources   Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose Kindle Edition by Tony Hsieh https://amzn.to/2M3YOrD (Referral link)   The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur by Amber Hurdle (http://thebombshellbusinesswoman.com/)   The Bombshell Business App   The Bombshell Business App by Amber Hurdle, the premier app for women in business, is live and ready for you to download for free on the App Store, on Google Play or via the web app. I would cherish a rating and review so it can be seen and downloaded by as many aspiring Bombshells as possible! Get access to the Bombshell Business Podcast + show notes and links all at your finger tips, as well as blog posts, educational videos, free worksheets, and more! Chat with the #bbexperts to get your questions answered and find everything you need to be a bold, brave, female entrepreneur or leader even when you’re on the go!   How Do You Download the Bombshell Business App? Simply follow one of these links to download the version that is right for your operating system: App Store/iPhone or iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bombshell-business-app/id1435397140?ls=1&mt=8 Google Play/Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_bombshellbiz284.layout Web App: https://webapp.mobileappco.org/m/bombshellbiz284/ Rebecca Barnes-Hogg YOLO Insights Expert Role: Employee Management, Recruiting, Hiring Rebecca Barnes-Hogg is the founder of YOLO Insights®and author of The YOLO Principle, The Ultimate Hiring Guide for Small Business. Her path to Bombshell Business Woman started 8 years ago when she broke free from corporate with a dream, a cell phone, and a laptop. Rebecca built YOLO Insights®in response to all the frustrated business owners who were wasting time, money, and their sanity hiring the wrong people. She thrives on the hunt for purple unicorns (ideal employees) and watching her clients become more efficient, effective, and profitable when they hire the right employees. Get Social: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | LinkedIn

  The Bombshell Business App is live and ready for you to download for free on the App Store, on Google Play or via the web app. I would cherish a rating and review so it can be seen and downloaded by as many aspiring Bombshells as possible!   How Do You Download the Bombshell Business App? Simply follow one of these links to download the version that is right for your operating system:  App Store/iPhone or iPad: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/bombshell-business-app/id1435397140?ls=1&mt=8 Google Play/Android: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.app_bombshellbiz284.layout Web App: https://webapp.mobileappco.org/m/bombshellbiz284/ Or use this QR code for the easy button...err...the easy code! Why Did I Create the Bombshell Business App? Through listener surveys and one-to-one conversation with listeners I discovered that Bombshells listen to me on their phones, on the go, and rarely found the time to visit my website to leverage links or downloads in the show notes. So I knew I needed to make everything conveniently located on your phone, just a tap or two away from the episode you were already listening to.   So the purpose of this app is to provide a convenient way for women in business to learn and connect on the go, and to strengthen the Bombshell community.   What are the Features of the Bombshell Business App? *The Bombshell Business Podcast with show notes featuring all of the links and mentioned resources from each episode *The blog, full of posts by me and the #BBexperts, who give specific advice in their areas of expertise *Our YouTube channel, which we are ramping up in the coming months *A chat wall so you can post questions for the #BBexperts (and me) *and* to connect with each other *Worksheets and free downloads (that you don’t have to enter your email to get every time-wuh?!) *An events calendar featuring in-person and virtual events *All of my social media channels *Online courses (we’ll still use Teachable, but you can access it from the app) *Private groups *A news ticker so you always know what is most important in the Bombshell World *Push notifications: For example, if Twitter has a massive password breach again, I can push out a message to you to change your password ASAP! *A tab just for the Bombshell Business Experts so you can learn about what they do and reach out if they can be of service to you! How Can I Spread the Word? Post photos of you using the app on your social media, share one of the YouTube promo videos in this blog post or simply hit the “share it” button in the app to share the links to download it. Of course, if you have a blog, podcast or video show you’d like to talk about the app process, I’d be delighted to be your guest. Of course, just like The Bombshell Business Podcast, leaving a rating and review helps with the search results, as well as gives confidence to those who are considering downloading it. Women helping women begins with simple acts like ratings and reviews! I’d love to know what you think! Shoot me an email! (You can do that through the app!) Thank you for all you do to cultivate and grow the Bombshell Business community! xo

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, Amber Hurdle interviews Keith Troup, Bombshell Business Expert about all things mobile marketing. He explains how mobile marketing allows you to be everywhere and that mobile allows you and your customers to be social. He lays out how to mobilize your message and create mobile brand ambassadors, and ultimately details what a mobile app can do for your business.

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast Amber Hurdle builds on the PREVIOUS EPISODE’S foundational media plan elements, and gets into how to interact with the media, as well as exactly how to make it easy to cover your business.   Make it Easy to Cover You in the Media   Synthesize your key talking points. (Yes, say them over and over and over again, no matter how many interviews you’ve been on. Only you have heard it that many times, the various audiences have not.)   Create a Media Kit   Before sending your kits out, consider that different outlets will require different angles, so while your kit may be mostly the same, your pitch should be unique.   Create different versions of your media kit including: -A digital PDF that you can email or link to. (Be sure to reduce the file size so it can be reasonably attached to an email. Or link to a Dropbox, Box, or Drive folder that has the correct share settings to grant access to it. -A printed version that can be snail mailed or handed to someone. -A web page version. You can see mine here: amberhurdle.com/media   Media Kit Checklist   Include the following elements in your media kit:   -Product description -Brief bio of you or any key members of your team involved in the story -Press release -Product specs -Sample interview questions (and answers if you want to go that far) -Contact information -Credibility page featuring testimonials, previous media appearances, notable companies you’ve worked with, awards or accomplishments, etc...   How to Make Your Media Kit   You can make a simple media kit in Microsoft Word or Google Docs, or you can make a fancier or more graphically enhances media kit in a free do it yourself design application like Canva or PicMonkey or in Adobe Photoshop if you have those skills. OR if you don’t want to be responsible for it at all, you can search “media kit” in Fiverr and find a super affordable, fast and professional looking solution there.   Recruit a Launch Team   The media probably won’t pay attention to your business, product or service launch if no one else is. That’s why it’s helpful to make your own ruckus by recruiting the help of customers, audience members, friends and family.   Pick one reliable person to handle different aspects of your promotions, then give them very specific to-dos, and let them rally the troops. For example, they can: -Help plan or execute a launch party, or get people there -Share promotional posts on social media -Get/share early access and leave reviews online once your business, product or service actually launches -Participate in/organize a Thunderclap Be sure to tune in to part 3 of this three-part series on how to promote your business to the media! Come to my Nashville Author Event/Book Signing at Parnassus Books Also, be sure to come see me at my next author event at Parnassus Books in Nashville! I’d love to meet you in person! And if I’m not candy enough, Parnassus Books is co-owned by novelist Ann Patchett and her business partner, Karen Hayes. No big deal. An independent bookstore owned by two women, one of whom is a New York Times best selling author and the other, a publishing industry vet.   By attending (and buying a book from them), you will support me, an independent/local retailer AND other female entrepreneurs! (I plan to do some giveaways, too!) Don’t miss it!   Details can be found on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/events/144590159539938/. Subscribe, Rate & Review   Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on iTunes Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Stitcher Radio Subscribe to the Bombshell Business Podcast on Google Play   If you’ve found value in this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, I would love to hear about it! Please head on over to iTunes and subscribe, then leave me a Rating and Review, so other driven fempreneurs can find the show and turn their dreams into actionable, marketable and profitable plans. Here’s how:    Launch Apple’s Podcast app.  Tap the Search tab.  Enter “Bombshell Business Podcast.”  Tap the blue Search key at the bottom right.  Tap the album art for the podcast.  Tap the Reviews tab.  Tap Write a Review at the bottom.  Enter your iTunes password to login.  Tap the Stars to leave a rating.  Enter title text and content to leave a review.  Tap Send.

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast, Amber Hurdle chats with Renae Keller, of Renae Keller Interior Design, about her rebrand experience. Renae, an award winning interior designer, partnered with Amber to elevate her business brand to better reflect her wealth of experience, qualifications, and her team's energy. From the foundational level of developing her brand story to throwing a rebrand launch party, Renae shares what made her anxious and what she enjoyed most during her rebrand experience. Of course, it would not be a proper rebrand reveal without a before and after in the show notes!

In this episode I celebrate my first year podcasting to serve Bombshell Business Women worldwide while sharing the lessons I learned from stepping outside of my comfort zone to do it. I hope sharing my lessons will help you approach important, and sometimes uncomfortable, goals in your business with a new perspective. Lesson One: I learned a lot about YOU, my amazingly talented and accomplished audience. Lesson Two: I confirmed my natural work style—including my main weakness--and why I am willing to struggle through to overcome it. Lesson Three: I confirmed (big time) my passion for women in business. Lesson Four: Lean on people to help reach your specific goals. Lesson Five: In order to (truly) learn I have to lead. I also talk about my upcoming book, The Bombshell Business Woman: How to Become a Bold, Brave, Female Entrepreneur. I share why I don’t want you to pre-order it (yet), and how you can help make it become a success! I even talk about some of the free bonuses that come with it, like the book study guide designed to foster supportive environments of women supporting women. Thank you, Bombshell community, for your support, faithfulness, and encouragement over the last year! Cheers to the coming year and all that we'll accomplish together!

Regardless of the type of product you sell or the industry you’re in, you’re going to have competitors. Competition can make us feel fear, intimidation, and maybe even jealousy. So in this episode, I’ll cover the “Dos and Don’ts” about interacting with and learning from your competition. My guest this week is Amber Hurdle, brand strategist, leadership consultant and host of the Bombshell Business Podcast. Amber will challenge us to take the emotions we feel surrounding competition and channel it into something positive. Our success story features the business, Snappy Stitch, created by Janet Wall and her daughter E.V. Bennett. Snappy Stitch provides cute, comfortable clothing for children undergoing medical treatments. Their business idea came out of their personal experience in hospitals. Plus, I’ll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:10 Learning From Your Competition 18:16 Interview with Amber Hurdle 45:42 BB Success Story with Janet Wall and E.V. Bennett 55:25 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 61:15 Homework Get Christy's SWOT Analysis worksheet by filling out the form here! — To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. — If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

Regardless of the type of product you sell or the industry you're in, you're going to have competitors. Competition can make us feel fear, intimidation, and maybe even jealousy. So in this episode, I'll cover the "Dos and Don'ts" about interacting with and learning from your competition. My guest this week is Amber Hurdle, brand strategist, leadership consultant and host of the Bombshell Business Podcast. Amber will challenge us to take the emotions we feel surrounding competition and channel it into something positive. Our success story features the business, Snappy Stitch, created by Janet Wall and her daughter E.V. Bennett. Snappy Stitch provides cute, comfortable clothing for children undergoing medical treatments. Their business idea came out of their personal experience in hospitals. Plus, I'll answer your business questions from Business Boutique events! 1:10 Learning From Your Competition 18:16 Interview with Amber Hurdle 45:42 BB Success Story with Janet Wall and E.V. Bennett 55:25 #ASKCHRISTYWRIGHT 61:15 Homework Get Christy's SWOT Analysis worksheet by filling out the form here! - To save $10 on any Business Boutique Nashville ticket, use the code BBWRIGHT. Sign up for the Business Boutique Academy at BusinessBoutique.com/Academy. - If you have a success story you would like to share with the Business Boutique community, email me at podcast@businessboutique.com. New podcast episodes are available every other week.

In this episode of the Bombshell Business Podcast we talk about the second layer of my business success pyramid: your company brand. I give examples of how different brands solve the same basic problems, yet do it uniquely according to their brand promises, essentially eliminating competition and building loyal customer tribes. By the end of the episode you will be ready to create YOUR brand promise and can even download a free worksheet to walk you through the process.