Podcasts about business benefits

If there's one thing you can count on, it's Instagram shifting and changing. They're constantly adding new tools and features, and there's always different styles of content to consume. As a result, what worked this time last year, probably isn't giving you the same results today. With this in mind, we're chatting about current trends and popular types of content on the ‘gram. What's performing well? What isn't? And how are tastes changing? From text carousels and tiny mics to creating your own episodic ‘TV show' via Reels - our conversation is packed with ideas and inspiration to help you market your business on Instagram. Links and Further ReadingGina Slow GoingCari WilliamsonWhat Happened to Online Etiquette? What's working (or not working) for you on Instagram right now? Join us on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Most people go through some sort of personal crisis at least once in their lives. In the time Franky's been running her business, she's experienced a few. Most recently, she's had to navigate the sudden, unexpected death of her step-father. In this episode, we're chatting about what happened and what she learned. Why is preparing for a personal crisis something all business owners need to consider? And where do we start? We cover building a strong foundation before disaster hits, what to do during a personal crisis, and what to do next. It's advice we hope you never need to use, but we think you'll be grateful for it if you do. Links and Further ReadingWhat I've Learned From Running My Business During a Personal CrisisHow I Run My Copywriting Business with a Chronic IllnessSome Thoughts on Dropping BallsHave you ever had to navigate a personal crisis while running your small business? Do you feel prepared to face one in the future? Join us on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

We're back following an unplanned, emergency hiatus. Find out what happened and listen as we belatedly reflect on Quarter 1 and look ahead to what's left of Quarter 2 in our respective businesses. We share what felt good, what didn't, and what we've learned in the process.We also talk about our words of the year and how they've been showing up for us since we last spoke. Spoiler alert: Charlie didn't choose one for 2026! Finally, we share a few sources of creative inspiration and dig into our plans for the next three months. Links and Further ReadingCarolyn YooSee YouXanthe AppleyardJoin us on Substack where you can share your thoughts on this episode in the comments. Come and tell us your own intentions for Q2… we'd love to cheer you on!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsLarking AboutContent Creatives with Charlie Swift Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Sure, here’s a script from this audio: Interview Script Host: Dr. Bill Lampton, Business Communication Expert. Guest: Gina Carr, CEO of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs and AI Specialist. Bill Lampton: Hi there! Welcome to the Business Communication Show. I’m your host, Bill Lampton, the Biz Communication Guy, once again bringing you communication tips and strategies that will boost your business. Yet, this is not a solo act. I bring you those tips and strategies through a guest, a highly qualified business communication expert. Today, I am so delighted to introduce you to Gina Carr, the visionary CEO of Stark Raving Entrepreneurs, where she empowers leaders to harness AI-driven tools for transformative marketing and sales strategies. With an MBA from Harvard and an engineering degree from Georgia Tech, Gina—affectionately known as the Tribe Builder—specializes in cultivating passionate communities of raving fans. As a dynamic international speaker and serial entrepreneur, she’s founded multiple successful ventures, including an award-winning real estate firm and a chain of community magazines. I knew her way back then when she was in those ventures. Gina, formerly the CEO and speaker curator of TEDxDuPree Park, now resides in Orlando, Florida, with her fiancé, Terry Brock. She’s an advocate for animals, freedom, and plant-based living. Her zest for life inspires all those around her, including me, for a long time, I can assure you. So, let's now welcome Gina Carr to the stage! Hello there! Gina Carr: Hello there! I am delighted to be here. Bill Lampton: Well, it’s terrific to have you here. As the introduction qualified, you're a highly credentialed guest who has mastered business communication for a long time. Gina, many of our podcast viewers and listeners are entrepreneurs. Some are long-time entrepreneurs who started, as you and I did, about three decades ago. Some are new entrepreneurs—a few of those by choice, some because the business they were in no longer included them. For all of us who are entrepreneurs, I think of your MBA in business from Harvard University. Judging by what you’ve learned as a highly successful entrepreneur, what are some of the business and communication tips that you would give today to those who are entrepreneurs? How do they make it? Gina Carr: Well, that’s such a great question and something that I think many entrepreneurs ask themselves every day: what is the key? What am I going to do? What will make me successful? I would say the number one thing is that you really need to be clear about who you serve and what problem you solve. And as much as those are important, why you do that is also important to you, because there’s going to be a lot of ups and downs on the entrepreneurial road and you’re going to need to be clear so that it comes across to your potential clients as well as sustains you. You also need to be very clear about how you are going to make money, how you’re going to monetize. That may sound obvious, but it is not. Especially for people who are coaches, speakers, authors, people who are in professional services—but they’re not so much traditional professional services like an attorney or an accountant—how to price those services, I think, can be tough for a lot of entrepreneurs. And then my final main tip here might be a surprise, but it’s going to be: work out. And I say that because I know that it’s important to have that at least one nugget of your day—and I think it’s important to exercise every day—one nugget of your day that you are in total control and that provides stability and confidence to your life that comes across through so many other aspects of your business. It’s like powering up my battery on my phone; I need to charge it every day. It’s like a power-up session for your body and your mind, and I find if I do that, it really helps me in every area of my day, especially in my business. Bill Lampton: I would echo, underline, and emphasize everything you said. First of all, to be clear about what we are offering and to be able to state it with clarity. There are many wonderful consultants who can help us refine and define how we state our mission. It’s important to have help from others on that. Gina, this takes me back to the first year I was an entrepreneur. I remember so well having lunch with someone who also was a member of the National Speakers Association, and I knew that I needed some advice from him. So, I took along a draft of my website. He looked at it, and of course, with pride of authorship, I was thinking he’d say, “Oh, this looks great, this will be a real winner, you’ll attract clients.” But what he said to me was, “What you’re doing is just presenting your credentials,” which is a mistake that many entrepreneurs and even seasoned business people make. I put my degrees, I put clients I’d had, and it all focused primarily on my qualifications. But you and I have learned, and marketing experts have taught us, that as you say, it’s not so much who we are, it’s not so much what we’ve accomplished, but what really counts so much is: what can we do for other people? What is our service? How will they benefit from being with us? And I would like for you to give us some further tips on the business of pricing. There’s a wonderful expert friend of mine in Atlanta named John Ray; he specializes in helping people on their pricing. And one more note on that—I remember also, Gina, near the start of my consulting, speaking, and coaching career, I had somebody say that they would represent me in a speakers bureau. That sounded great. So I gave them my materials and then, after a year, nothing had happened. I called him and I said, “What’s the problem?” And he said, “The problem is you priced yourself so low everybody identifies you as a beginner.” So, give us some guidelines on pricing, please, and tell us how we get the courage and the fortitude to state that affirmatively without apology. Gina Carr: Oh boy, that’s a real tough one. I have certainly learned a lot about pricing over the years and generally, I tend to be too low on the pricing scale. So, I have actively worked to learn from people who are charging more and to confidently present a price that is probably higher than I am comfortable with. I think if it doesn’t make you feel like “ooh” when you say it, you’re probably pricing yourself too low. So, to your example of speaking in particular, speakers come out and they say, “Well, if I’m a brand-new speaker, yes, I should price myself on the low end.” For professional speakers—let’s just throw out some numbers here—generally, that would be in the $2,000 to $5,000 range. Even though that sounds like a lot of money—it is a lot of money for an organization to pay—for the professional speaker, for the ones who have more, it’s not just experience, it’s the background of the person who is doing the speaking and what they bring to the table. You were talking about earlier, what is that change that they help people make? What is that transformation? So, the transformation and the years of experience not necessarily as a speaker, but as an expert doing whatever it is that you do, could translate to right out of the gate a speaker could be in the $7,500 to $10,000 range or, if there’s some celebrityhood to it, in the $20,000 range for a single keynote. So, I hope that that’s helpful. It is hard to say and you really do need to do some research. I’ll tell you one of the ways that it’s making it easier for me to do the research when I’m making a proposal for a new service or to a new client: is using my AI tools, which I’m very big on, using AI tools—artificial intelligence—to say, “What’s a price range for this service? What do you think of this? What should I be asking for this?” And give me different levels, which in the past, that would have been hard for me to come up with, but because of AI, I can come up with those levels. And I do like to go back to a prospect with different levels of opportunities—a high, medium, and a low—and really give some options because you don’t know. A lot of times people will choose the higher price even though you think, “Well, that’s crazy, why would someone choose that?” It happens a lot. Bill Lampton: Well, they choose the higher price because they see the value in it. They choose the higher price because they know it’s going to make, as your introduction used the word, a transformative difference. And by the way, Gina, I couldn’t ask for a better transition to our next topic because you mentioned artificial intelligence. I know that over the past several years, you have been, along with your fiancé and business associate Terry Brock, not only learning artificial intelligence and how we can use it, but you’ve been teaching it ardently. Now, for those of us who maybe know the term and we’ve heard how some other people do it, what would you give as great starting points for really getting so involved in artificial intelligence that it not only makes your work easier, but it makes it far more productive? Gina Carr: Well, just think of AI, and let’s just talk about ChatGPT, which is one that many people have heard of and most people think of AI as ChatGPT, which it’s so much more than that. But even just ChatGPT is your new 24-hour, seven-day-a-week assistant that never goes on vacation, never needs a break, and never needs a raise. They can help you with so many things personally and professionally. Just personally, let’s just look at an example from a few months ago—maybe it was a year ago—there was a problem with our toilet. And we used our ChatGPT to turn on the mode that allows the ChatGPT phone to look into whatever you’re showing it and said, “Hey, what’s the problem here?” And it identified that it was a flapper problem. We ordered a new flapper for less than $10 on Amazon and then we asked ChatGPT to help us learn, show us how to install it. And so we saved ourselves hundreds of dollars, and that’s a personal issue. I use it all the time with recipes and those sorts of things. So, those are on the personal side. On the business side, I mentioned pricing of services, writing those proposals, thinking of what would be the name of a new workshop or the name of a new service. My goodness, I do a little demo in some of my presentations where in about five minutes, I go all the way from the idea of a product, naming the product, developing packaging, developing the marketing plan for the product—things that would have taken months in the past can now take about five minutes, and they’re really, really good. Bill Lampton: It is, it’s very much like a hired assistant that is so incredibly cost-effective. My favorite—and of course, I know you and Terry have mentioned, I think it’s Grok and some others—the one I use probably the most is Perplexity, which is sort of a confusing title because Perplexity sounds like you’re confused. But for an example of how I use it, let’s say I’m going to write an article or I’m going to do a YouTube short video. And I might ask Perplexity, “What are some famous quotes on this topic?” And then I’ve got some highly qualified, credible resources familiar to the public that I can quote. Now, of course, one thing that you and I and many people who are in the business communication arena would emphasize is that there’s an ethical problem involved, and that is that if you go to ChatGPT or if you go to Perplexity—the amazing thing about it for anyone who hasn’t used it is the second you get through typing your question, the answer starts being typed—one of the ethical problems here is that people will get a large printout of information and then they’ll just copy and paste that and publish it as their own. I suppose you’ve had to warn clients about that, Gina. Gina Carr: Yes, actually, I just was doing that yesterday with a client, and she was worried that she’s using AI too much. After reading the sample that she shared, I think she probably was. And so what we talk about in our program—and Terry Brock, my fiancé, coined this term—he calls it “UIs.” You take your initial story or your videos or whatever and you get AI to help you with that. If AI generates it initially, you still need to review it, you need to add your own stories, you need to ask it to make it more formal, make it shorter, make it more humorous, make it sound more like you. And the more that you feed it—that is, you’ve loaded in your own videos, your own transcripts, your own articles that are in your pre-AI voice—then the more it’s going to come back in your own voice. And AI has the ability to organize the thoughts very well, the ability to just polish and make things sound much better than what I sound initially. I’ll give it what I want it to say, but it makes it sound a little bit better. So, that’s one way to use AI. Bill Lampton: It is, for those who may not have ventured in that direction yet. Gina Carr is a great resource for teaching AI because she’s been doing that for several years. Gina, we mentioned in the introduction that you are known as a tribe builder. In just a few seconds, we’re going to come back and talk about that. (Brief break with an ad for Bill Lampton’s services) Bill Lampton: Hello again! You’re on the Business Communication Show with our distinguished, highly qualified guest, Gina Carr. Gina, I remember as long ago as 20 or 25 years, I interviewed you one time about your term “tribes.” Now, tell us please what a tribe is, how we develop it, and what are the benefits? Gina Carr: Well, a tribe is nothing more than a group of people that have bought into a particular philosophy or movement or leader. Typically, there is a leader that says, “Hey, let’s go—we’re at Point A, let’s go to Point B. This is how I think we need to go there, and do you want to follow me? If so, here’s how we’re going to go.” And building a successful tribe includes communication channels such as you have this great channel right now. So, you are a tribe builder, Bill, whether you think of yourself that way or not. You’re teaching people how to communicate professionally, how to communicate better. And so it’s so helpful. People are saying, “Do I want to communicate better? Well, yes, I do.” Well, watch Bill’s show. Bill is going to communicate with you through his show and other posts that he’s doing in the social media world and in the digital world. And so that’s one way that people have joined, not officially but effectively, they have joined your tribe and they are learning from you about how to communicate better. This is one of the so powerful ways to build a tribe because then you develop trust with the people who are following you. And when you want to help them, serve them, or work with them, they are more likely to know you better and to more easily make a decision as to whether they want to follow you to that next step. And as we talk about business here, is that next step a paid opportunity, is it a free opportunity? There’s a mix and match that you’re going to do as a tribe builder to help people. And often it is going to be a paid opportunity because you can serve people better when you’re making the money so that it allows you to serve people more. Bill Lampton: I don’t mind admitting some of the mistakes I made early in my entrepreneurial career. And probably the most blatant mistake—I wish, Gina, that I’d heard you talk about tribes before my first six months—because not knowing any better, I just picked up the phone and started calling people and telling them how fortunate they would be to have my services. But you and I know another benefit of the tribe is that it’s so much more effective when we have formed a tribe and we’ve associated with those people and they know what we do and they’ve benefited from it, and they become our advocates. It’s far more persuasive to have someone else talk about our credibility and the benefits of working with us than us doing it ourselves. And then a second thing I would say about tribes is we learn from those people. We learn business insights, we learn about leadership, we learn about networking. I would imagine as you look back, since you started out as a tribe builder, the reason that you are, in my judgment, very high in the pinnacle of success is not just because of your own doing, it’s because of your tribe. Gina Carr: Oh, completely. There’s an old African saying: “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” And so that is definitely a fundamental philosophy for me of tribe building. Because of all the people that are in my life, including you, including Terry Brock, including the amazing members of our Stark Raving Entrepreneurs community that I’ve had the honor to serve, I’m able to do more. I’m able to impact more people, I’m able to serve a lot more people, and that makes my heart sing. That makes me happy. And I just want to help people have better lives. Bill Lampton: It’s just not a solo way to success, is it? Gina Carr: Not at all. And with AI tools and the agentic AI tools that people these days are having full suites of executives that are working for them that are all artificial, they are all AI agents. This is something that’s going to happen more and more. People are going to be able to build bigger companies with fewer real employees—in real-life employees. But the ones that they have now, they don’t necessarily need to fire them or lay them off, they free them up from tasks they were doing that were filled with more drudgery, that were boring. The AI can do those tasks now, and so the human can do things that are more creative and things that are going to be better for bringing in more business. And so it’s a win-win for everybody. That’s part of why I’m so excited about it. Bill Lampton: That’s a wonderful point for you to emphasize because so many who hear about AI think it’s gloom and doom for their careers. It’s not. It’s an opening to new skills and to new opportunities. And when people take the training that you and Terry Brock and other experts offer, they can have a far more productive, lucrative, and service-oriented business. Time for one more question, Gina. You are a veteran professional speaker. I remember we were in the Georgia chapter of the National Speakers Association back in the late 1990s. So you have been an in-demand speaker, even internationally. In just a few sentences, what tips would you give to business leaders—what are the two or three keys to highly effective speaking? Gina Carr: Well, one is to be clear on how you want your audience to be transformed when you’re done. What is the position? They’re at Point A and they’ll be at Point B after they have heard you speak. So what is that? Be very clear on that. Another key skill is to engage the audience. And as we’ve been speaking here, I’ve been using my hands, I use head gestures, I use smiles, I use voices lower, voices higher. Those are engagement techniques that mostly I do naturally, but I do work on those. And they’re much more engaging than the speaker who sits here and just talks like this in a monotone, right? So variety! People want variety. Exactly. So those are some of the main skills. Connecting with the audience and then actually selling. If you’re going to be a professional speaker and you want to get paid to show up to speak, you have to be able to sell yourself as a professional speaker. It’s a joke in the business that you’re actually a salesperson who gets to get on stage every now and then and give a speech. Bill Lampton: Yes, it doesn’t just happen, does it? Gina Carr: It does not. Bill Lampton: Gina, this has been a highly informative, helpful, and interesting conversation. I refer to the Business Communication Show not as an interview but as a conversation with an expert, which I’ve been fortunate to host today. I know that there are those who would like your contact information. So please share that with us. Gina Carr: Well, easiest way to reach me is at ginacarr.com—G-I-N-A-C-A-R-R dot com. And then also, I’d love you to check out my community: starkravingentrepreneurs.com. That’s a great place to find us. And I do have a tool that is available for free. It’s called aitools4biz.com—AI tools the number four B-I-Z dot com. And that has some of my favorite AI tools that I’m using right now and that we have videos on there that help you know how to use those tools better. So that’s a free resource for your community that you can share with your folks. Bill Lampton: Hey, free is everybody’s favorite word, isn’t it? I think so. I am going to order that and I encourage our viewers and listeners to order that. I know it’s going to be highly resourceful. And now that Gina has given her contact information, I’m happy to give mine. First, my YouTube channel: Bill Lampton PhD is the way it’s listed. I have been producing educational videos on the area of communication since 2007—don’t look at any of those earlier ones, please. And in the last eight years, most of my videos are for the Business Communication Show. So you will, by going through and, by the way, while you’re on my YouTube channel, please subscribe there. And then my website—since my tagline is Biz Communication Guy—logically my website is bizcommunicationguy.com. And while you’re there, you can subscribe to the podcast if you haven’t done that already. I welcome phone calls with no obligation for an exploratory call to talk about your communication challenges and problems and how I can assist you with them. And then I want to give credit to the co-producer of this show, Mike Stewart. Mike is based in Nashville. His website is localinternetpresence.com. Mike Stewart and I met, Gina, at the Georgia chapter of the National Speakers Association in the first year that I was getting going. And Mike said to me, “Have you got a website?” And I said, “Yes.” He said, “Does it have sound on it?” And I said, “No.” And of course, then we started out in print but we needed to get to sound, and now we include video. So localinternetpresence.com, I certainly encourage you to check with my long-time associate and long-time mentor, Mike Stewart. Gina, this has again been so intriguing, so informative, and such a wonderful pleasure to host you. What nugget of a minute or a minute and a half would you like to leave with our viewers and listeners? Gina Carr: Well, I love Stephen Covey’s philosophy or one of his principles of: begin with the end in mind. And I think it’s important to think about—at your eulogy, what will people say about you? And so think about that as you are planning your life for today and for the next year and for as long as you are going to be on this planet. Life is hard—and not in a bad or a sad way. Life is hard; choose your hard. If you want to be an entrepreneur, it’s going to be hard. But being an employee is also hard, and doing nothing—sitting on the couch watching TV all day—is also hard in other ways. It’s going to be very hard for you in financial and health and mental health and all of those ways. So, I just want to encourage you: begin with the end in mind, choose your hard, recognize that it’s going to be hard. But which hard is going to make you happier right now? What are you willing to go through—whatever the pain is—for the gain that’s going to make you the happiest and fulfill your life? Bill Lampton: Reminds me of a great piece of advice I heard years ago: they call it W-O-R-K, not P-L-A-Y. And we do have to do the things that are difficult. We have to do the things that might be unpleasant. Learning AI is not something you’ll do in one afternoon, but it will bring dividends when you get into it—you’re amazed already at what can happen. So thank you, Gina, for being our wonderful guest today. I’ve looked forward to this opportunity and keep your calendar handy because I know we will call on you again for the Business Communication Show. And to those of you who have been with us today on the Business Communication Show, we invite you to be with us again next week for another business communication strategies and tips session. Thank you. I’m Bill Lampton, the Biz Communication Guy.

307: Scaling Your Design Business: Benefits of Outsourced Help With me today is Danae Branson, founder of Elite Design Assistants, a virtual assistant agency providing professional virtual design support to interior designers. She is also the owner of Niche Mavin, a freelance gig-based platform serving professionals in interior design, architecture, construction, and real estate. In today's conversation, we're focusing on the benefits of hiring a virtual assistant—whether as ongoing team support or as a flexible, fill-in resource during busy seasons. You'll learn how to assess your needs, determine when it's time to bring in support, and how partnering with a virtual design assistant can help you deliver exceptional design services to your clients. Topics Mentioned: Benefits of Hiring Contractors Fractional Support Cost vs Efficiency Key Thoughts:  Working with experienced professionals when subcontracting makes a difference in continuing service levels. There can be a trade-off between cost and efficiency based on the person you hire. Contractors can be beneficial, especially for short-term surges in work or when a business owner needs temporary relief from overwhelming tasks. Virtual Design Assistants (VDAs) can fill in gaps due to maternity leave, medical leave or hiring delays.   Contact Michele: Email: Team@ScarletThreadConsulting.com Facebook: Scarlet Thread Consulting Instagram: @ScarletThreadATL Website: ScarletThreadConsulting.com LinkedIn: Michele Williams   Contact Danae: Email: danae@elitedesignassistants.com Instagram: @elitedesignassistants, @nichemavin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danae-branson-a98b31163/ Website: elitedesignassistants.com Website: nichemavin.com   References and Resources: Work with Me The Designers' Inner Circle - Become a Member Today    CFO2Go Metrique Solutions

It's been two years since we last chatted about how we're using Substack in our respective businesses. A lot has changed for both of us since then, so we decided it was time to share an update. Listen as we discuss moving the podcast to Substack, growing our mailing lists, turning on paid subscriptions, and in Charlie's case, turning them off again. As well as sharing what has and hasn't been working for us on the platform, we chat about our plans for 2026 and what we hope to achieve through our publications.Links and Further ReadingAre You Going to Start a Substack?How Are We Showing Up on Substack this Year?Glennon Doyle, Mean Girls, and the Evolution of Substack Should I Start a Substack for My Small Business?Are you using Substack in your small business? Join us over there to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Artificial Intelligence is powerful — but it's not magic.In this deep dive into AI, we break down:✔️ What AI really is✔️ Understanding the key limitations of AI✔️ How businesses can use AI as a smart assistant (not a replacement)✔️ Why AI works best as a decision-support tool✔️ An introduction to TaxLens.AI Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, accountant, or simply curious about how AI is transforming industries, this quick breakdown will give you clarity without the hype.AI isn't here to replace you — it's here to empower smarter decisions.Learn how to leverage AI responsibly and strategically in your business today.Watch Marketing with Russ...aka #RussSelfie, Episode 597Featuring Tiffany AlexanderConnect with Tiffany Alexander:LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/thankfulincWebsite: aspensagefund.comConnect with D. Scott: https://www.dscottsmith.com | thewacoexperience.comConnect with Me: https://www.russhedge.com #JohnMaxwellCertifiedCoach #Transformation #faith #LocalBusiness #CommunityBuilding #100Episodes #TheExperience

We've been noticing a rise of some poor manners online of late. Copy-cat content, big brands using photos without permission or giving proper credit, people presenting other creators ideas as their own. SO, in this episode we're wondering ‘what happened to the Online Etiquette of the early internet'? Listen to hear us share some examples of the types of poor etiquette we've noticed recently, chat through the difference between being inspired and copying, consider the role the rise of AI is playing and rant about Pinterest being sited as an image source. Links and Further ReadingSiece CampbellShana BlakleyOur Thoughts on the Analogue TrendJoin the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts on online etiquette. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Intel IT now runs part of our database as a service (DBaaS) in an open-source containerized environment, in response to...

How do you currently showcase and share your work with prospective clients? Do you have a portfolio or gallery on your website? Maybe you treat Instagram like a portfolio or have some kind of PDF you send out?In today's episode, we're exploring all these options and more. We cover the purpose of a portfolio, where it should live, and share a range of creative ideas to help you present your work to the world. Alongside digital options, we discuss some unique analogue concepts. As well as chatting about our own portfolios, Franky shares insights from working with clients, offering copywriting tips and pointing out a few pitfalls to avoid. Links and Further ReadingGrace YencerDesign By EmiliaBecky Lord DesignCyber AreejCarolyn YooChaotic Creatives - Curating Your Creative Work Like a ProOur Thoughts on the Analogue TrendJoin the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts on building a portfolio. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

2026 has officially been deemed ‘the year of analogue living'. The internet is going crazy for pen and paper, crafty hobbies, and physical media. In this week's episode, we discuss the rapid rise of this trend, explore how it's being interpreted online, and what this might mean for us as small business owners. We also chat about our own analogue habits and hobbies, and ponder why GenZ seem to love poor quality, ‘vintage' digital cameras so much!Links and Further ReadingAre You ‘Team Analogue' or ‘Team Digital'? Wildflower Illustration Co.The Sunday Letter ProjectJoin the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts on going analogue {or not} in 2026. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

As the new year begins, many business owners are turning their attention to taxes. In this episode, we sit down with CPAs Marty McCarthy and Brian Marron, both directors at CBIZ who specialize in supporting construction-related companies. Together, they break down several key ways the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA) affects independent equipment dealers. One of the most significant benefits under OBBBA is bonus depreciation, and our guests explain how dealers can use these changes not only for tax efficiency, but also as a strategic sales tool—while still maximizing advantages on the rental side of the business. The conversation also covers permanent increases to estate and gift tax exemptions, which can support long-term estate planning, as well as changes to interest expense deductions for capital-intensive operations. For IEDA members, these provisions present real opportunities to improve cash flow and make more informed business decisions. McCarthy and Marron emphasize the importance of regularly reviewing tax structures, accounting methods, and planning strategies to ensure dealers are fully leveraging current tax laws. Step one: tune in for their expert insights, practical explanations, and actionable advice.   Connect with our Guests: Marty McCarthy Brian Marron   Connect with IEDA: Visit IEDA Group Website IEDA Events   Produced By: Social Chameleon

We're kicking off the new year with our annual cosy conversation filled with reflections and intentions. Find out what went well for us last year and what we learned from the things that didn't. We also chat about our words of the year, share a few goals for 2026, and make some solid(ish) plans for Q1.Links and Further ReadingGet Wildly FreeJoin the conversation on Substack to tell us all about your plans for the year ahead. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

In our final episode of the year, join us as we run through some of our non-business related faves. As well as our favourite films, TV shows, music and books, we chat about the habits and experiences we've enjoyed the most. It's an episode filled with recommendations, just for you!Thank you for listening throughout 2025 and happy new year!Fancy filling us in on your own favourites? Join the conversation on Substack. We'd love to hear from you!Links and Further ReadingIsabel PaigeShelby's CottageHorticulturalish Java Ceridwen Bere Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

You've heard of doom scrolling, but what about bloom scrolling? Instead of mindlessly consuming content, bloom scrolling encourages you to interact with the digital world more thoughtfully. In this week's episode, we're exploring the concept from a few different angles and offering practical tips to make your time online more nourishing. We cover everything from managing screentime and curating your feed to creating bloom-scroll-appropriate content of your own. Links and Further ReadingBloom Scrolling explainedRealfunwowUlyandernestoMonalogueAbbeysyHow do you feel about bloom scrolling? Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

‘Tis the season for a work Christmas do! But what happens when you're self-employed and the office party is no more?! In this episode, we're reminiscing about corporate Christmas parties of the past and sharing ideas and encouragement to help you mark the end of another year in your creative business. We cover who to celebrate with when you work alone, and how, from dinner and drinks to craft parties and more. Links and Further ReadingTransform Your Business with Co-Mentoring Being Freelance CommunityDIFTK CommunityHow will you be celebrating the end of another year in your creative business? Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

This week, inspired by Emma Gannon's recent article, ‘Unbranding Myself', we're chatting about personal brands. Are they still relevant? What does a personal brand look like in 2025? How do you go about building one, and what are the pros and cons of doing so?As well as these more general observations, we discuss our own personal brands and share how things might be evolving as we head into 2026. Links and Further ReadingThe Hyphen by Emma GannonWhat the Heck is a Personal Brand in 2025?Change Your Life in One Year (Build a Personal Brand)How do you feel about building a personal brand? Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Created by Julia Cameron in the 90s, The Artist's Way is a 12-week creative recovery programme designed to help you unlock your creativity by overcoming common blocks like self-doubt and fear. It uses core principles like ‘morning pages' and ‘artist dates' to help you reconnect with your creative self, find more passion and purpose, and fulfil your creative potential. Earlier this year, Charlie completed The Artist's Way for the second time. In this episode, we chat about her experience and discuss five things she learned from redoing the programme. As well as sharing what she loves about Cameron's approach, she's brutally honest about its shortcomings. Links and Further ReadingJulia CameronStudio Gently The Hyphen by Emma Gannon Big Magic Have you ever attempted The Artist's Way? How did you get on? Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Courtney Claghorn, Founder and President of SUGARED + BRONZED shares how she transformed a $1,000 side hustle into a 40-location beauty brand spanning seven states. What began as a solution to her frustration with overpriced spray tans is now a brand on track to do $50M in ARR in 2025. In this conversation, Courtney opens up about bootstrapping for nearly a decade, the hard lesson of hiring the wrong "experts" after raising capital, and the series of personal crises that forced her to shift her focus from hustle to ROI. She shares what it's really like to rebuild a company's culture from the inside out and how learning to trust her gut over polished resumes became her biggest leadership advantage. Now 15 years in, Courtney reflects on balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship, trading cortisol for breathwork, and redefining success on her own terms. Key Takeaways and Topics - How SUGARED + BRONZED started with $1,000 and a portable spray-tan machine - Bootstrapping to profitability during a recession - Why intuition often beats "expert advice" - The painful lessons of hiring for prestige over humility - Rebuilding company culture after leadership missteps - Surviving pandemic shutdowns and rebuilding stronger - Finding balance and presence after burnout - Breathwork and spirituality as tools for leadership clarity - How Courtney approaches growth, hiring, and decision-making today - The ROI of creating a joyful, values-driven workplace The Failure Factor Podcast was brought to you by Off The Field Coaching. Explore working with one of our coaches at http://offthefieldcoaching.com Hosted by Megan Bruneau: therapist, executive coach, speaker, Forbes contributor, and host of The Failure Factor. For more info, visit https://meganbruneau.com Follow SUGARED + BRONZED: https://www.sugaredandbronzed.com https://www.instagram.com/sugaredandbronzed/ Courtney: https://www.instagram.com/courtneyclaghorn Megan: IG: https://www.instagram.com/meganjbruneau LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-j-bruneau-m-a-rcc Subscribe to the podcast newsletter at https://thefailurefactorpodcast.com

Howard Tullman, American entrepreneur, venture capitalist, educator, writer, lecturer, and art collector, joins Lisa Dent to discuss his latest article, The Business Benefits of Building Communities.

Overview: In this episode of the SMB Community Podcast, hosted by James Kernan, special guest Leslie Dewey, CEO of Sweetwater Street, shares her expertise on artificial intelligence (AI). Leslie discusses her background in media and security, which led her to a passion for AI. She provides insights into AI literacy, automation benefits, and practical tips for business owners to integrate AI into their operations. The conversation also covers the importance of AI training, the challenges of data security, and ways to leverage AI as a competitive advantage. Leslie emphasizes the need for responsible AI use and offers guidance on navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.  --- Chapter Markers: 00:00 Introduction to the SMB Community Podcast 00:43 Meet Leslie Dewey: AI Guru and CEO of Sweetwater Street 01:13 Leslie's Journey into AI and Security 01:57 Sweetwater Street's Mission and AI Literacy 04:09 AI in Business: Benefits and Applications 05:57 Tips and Tricks for Using AI Tools 09:03 Deep Research and Competitive Analysis with AI 11:22 Monetizing AI and Data Security Challenges 15:46 Conclusion and Contact Information --- New Book Release: I'm proud to announce the release of my new book, The Anthology of Cybersecurity Experts! This collection brings together 15 of the nation's top minds in cybersecurity, sharing real-world solutions to combat today's most pressing threats. Whether you're an MSP, IT leader, or simply passionate about protecting your data, this book is packed with expert advice to help you stay secure and ahead of the curve. Available now on Amazon! https://a.co/d/f2NKASI --- Sponsor Memo: Since 2006, Kernan Consulting has been through over 30 transactions in mergers & acquisitions - and just this past year, we have been involved in six (6). If you are interested in either buying, selling, or valuation information, please reach out. There is alot of activity and you can be a part of it. For more information, reach out at kernanconsulting.com

What happens when a post on Instagram or Substack Notes suddenly and unexpectedly gains momentum? How does it feel on a personal level, and what impact does it have on your business, if any?In this chatty episode, we're discussing some recent viral moments we've experienced online. As well as digging into what virality looks like in 2025, we cover why we think our posts popped off, what we learned from their popularity, and the mindset needed to process sudden, rapid growth. Links and Further ReadingCharlie's Viral MomentFranky's Viral MomentWhat Happened When Charlie Went Viral? Have you ever had a viral moment online? How did it make you feel and what impact did it have on your business {if any}? Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts. We'd love to hear from you! Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

We're back from our summer break! As we head into autumn, we're reflecting on Quarter 3 and looking ahead to Quarter 4 in our respective businesses. Find out what felt good, what didn't and what we've learned in the process.We also talk about our words of the year and how they've been showing up for us since we last spoke. Finally, we share a few sources of creative inspiration, dig into our plans for the next three months and discuss what we're hoping to achieve by the end of 2025.Links and Further ReadingHow to Innovate and Evolve in BusinessLooking At Picture BooksThe Lazy Genius Join us on Substack where you can share your thoughts on this episode in the comments. Come and tell us your own intentions for Q4… we'd love to cheer you on!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsLarking AboutContent Creatives with Charlie Swift Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Tune in to hear how I turn business benefits into family vacations!  Work with me at KatieDodd.com

For most of us, coming up with ideas is an essential part of running a creative business. But whether we need them for client work or our own content, sometimes generating fresh ideas can feel hard. Inspired by our own struggles, this is what we're chatting about in today's episode. As well as exploring why you might be short of ideas, we discuss strategies for navigating the natural ebb and flow of your creativity, offering advice to help you get those ideas flowing again. Links and Further ReadingThe Self-Belief EpisodeDo you have any tips for coming up with ideas? We'd love to hear from you! Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts.Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, we're discussing some recent Internet drama — Glennon's Doyle's arrival and sudden departure from Substack. To be clear, we're not interested in gossip and hot takes. Instead, we're chatting about our experience watching these events unfold, and how they made us feel about Substack and its users.As well as touching on the dangers of positioning Substack as the antidote to everything that's wrong with social media, we talk about the constant evolution of the Internet and what this means for online business owners. Embracing our status as Internet dinosaurs, we also share advice to help you navigate these inevitable changes. Links and Further ReadingAre You Going to Start a Substack?How We Are Showing Up on Substack This YearGlennon DoyleWe Can Do Hard ThingsLetters From Love with Elizabeth GilbertEverything Glennon Doyle Did Wrong by Polly VernonHow do you feel about what happened to Glennon? We'd love to hear your thoughts. Join the conversation on Substack.Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

As we hit the midpoint of the year, we're reflecting on Quarter 2 and looking ahead to Quarter 3 in our respective businesses. Find out what felt good, what didn't and what we've learned in the process.We also talk about our words of the year and how they've been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months and discuss what we're hoping to achieve before the next time we have this chat.Links and Further ReadingMaking Time for Non-Business Activities During the Working WeekThe Self-Belief EpisodeThe Artist's WayStudio GentlyThrough The Gentle Lens by Anna ConsidineJoin us on Substack where you can share your thoughts on this episode in the comments. Come and tell us your own intentions for Q3… we'd love to cheer you on!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

In today's episode, we're talking about the Wheel of the Year, a seasonal cycle of eight festivals, or sabbats, that mark the passage of time through the year, connecting with the Earth's natural rhythms and the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. Charlie explains the significance of the solstices, equinoxes, and cross-quarter days, describing some of the symbols and traditions associated with them. We also discuss different ways you can use the Wheel of the Year within your creative business. From seasonal projects and activities to intention setting, this episode contains lots of resources and ideas to help get you started with this seasonal framework. Links and Further ReadingWheel of the Year on Google Calendar (add the one titled Pagan/Wiccan Holidays)Brand SeasonsKatherine MayCreating Everyday RitualsEverythinglooksrosieAre you familiar with the Wheel of the Year? Is it something you use in your creative business? We'd love to hear from you! Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts.Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Inspired by a recent conversation during one of our real-life co-mentoring sessions, today we're asking whether a picture is REALLY worth a thousand words. Spoiler alert - Franky doesn't think so! We're constantly told we live in a visual world, especially when it comes to doing business online, but are headshots, logos, and brand colours really the most important thing? Listen as we explore this topic, chatting about ocularcentrism, the perils of neglecting your website copy, audio branding and more. Links and Further ReadingEmma Dabiri on How to FailThe Ultimate Guide to Sonic Branding with George and Luke from Hear Me OutWhat do you think about the relationship between words and visuals? Is one more important than the other? We'd love to hear from you! Join the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts.Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

When it comes to your business, how much self-belief do you have? In today's episode, we're answering this question and exploring why self-belief is so important when you work for yourself.As well as discussing how our relationship with self-belief has changed over the years, we dive into the differences between inner work and external validation. We also share some of the things we've tried to boost our self-belief. Links and Further ReadingThe Art of Requesting, Receiving and Giving FeedbackTransform Your Business with Co-Mentoring What Gives Us the Business ScariesIs self-belief something you need to work on? Or are you already nailing it? We'd love to hear from you! Join the conversation on Substack to share your experiences.Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode, we're reflecting on Quarter 1 and looking ahead to Quarter 2 in our respective businesses. Find out what felt good, what didn't and what we've learned in the process.We also talk about our words of the year and how they've been showing up for us since we last spoke. As well as sharing a few sources of creative inspiration, we dig into our plans for the next three months of 2025 and discuss what we're both hoping to achieve before the next time we have this chat.Links and Further ReadingElise JoyOne Year Without Social MediaHow I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love My Phone by Erik Winkowski Studio GentlyThrough The Gentle Lens by Anna ConsidineJoin us on Substack where you can share your thoughts on this episode in the comments. Come and tell us your own intentions for Q2… we'd love to cheer you on!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

After six years of podcasting, we thought it was about time we shared an updated episode on our specialist subject - co-mentoring. For those who don't know, Friends With Business Benefits wouldn't exist if we hadn't started co-mentoring first. As well as sharing our co-mentoring origin story, we answer some of your most common questions. What is co-mentoring and what can it do for your business? What makes a good co-mentor and how can you find your own? We also share tips and advice to help you establish a consistent co-mentoring practice. As we head into Q2, it feels like the perfect time to lean into this transformative habit. Good luck! Links and Further ReadingFinding Your Own Co-Mentor5 Things I've Gained from Co-MentoringThings That Make Our Business Worlds BetterAre you tempted to give co-mentoring a go? Already a fan? We'd love to hear from you! Join the conversation on Substack to share your experiences.Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

It's the perfect time of year to spring clean your rhythms and routines, so that's what we're talking about in today's episode. While some things will naturally shift as the seasons change, certain areas of life and business require us to be more intentional. Listen as Charlie walks us through her process, explaining how she supports her mentees to do the same. From figuring out what's working and what's not to adopting new habits and overhauling your working week, we discuss everything you need to know about refreshing your daily rhythms. Links and Further ReadingWeekly Rhythm WorksheetsAre you refreshing your rhythms or routines for spring? Join the conversation on Substack to tell us all about it. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Send us a textIn today's episode, we're diving into the power of showing up as yourself in business—because no one else can do it like you! I'm breaking down why your personal brand is your biggest flex and how leaning into your authentic self not only builds trust but also attracts the right clients. Whether you're growing your business, trying to stand out in a crowded industry, or just figuring out how to be more you in your brand—this episode is for you.Grab your coffee, let's talk about how being unapologetically YOU is the ultimate business strategy.Podcast IG https://www.instagram.com/veronicaramospodcast/My IGhttps://www.instagram.com/realtor_veronicaramos/

When is a pivot not a pivot and how do you know when it's time to evolve? This week, we're answering both these questions and more, digging into the practicalities of switching things up in your small business. We cover the realties of being solely responsible for you own professional development, reasons you might want to evolve, and the steps you need to take in order to do so. We also share evolutions we've been through as business owners in the past and where we hope innovative thinking might take us in the future. Links and Further ReadingJoin the conversation on Substack to share your thoughts on evolving in business. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

Runday.AI PresentsMobile apps in 2025: Business benefits, trends & AI with Kaius MeskanenFebruary 11th, Tuesday#RundayAIPresents #MobileApps2025 #AITrends #BusinessInnovation #FutureOfTech #AppDevelopment #KaiusMeskanen #AITech #DigitalTransformation #MobileTechTrends

It's time for our annual ‘planner meeting' where we review the previous year's planners and journals and discuss what we'll be using for the year ahead.As well as sharing the notebooks and diaries we've invested in this year, we explain how we'll be using them to stay organised at work and at home. It's a must-listen for stationery fans and those who prefer pen and paper-based productivity tools!Links and Further ReadingThe 6 Minute Success JournalLunar Planners by Nikki Strange CEO of My Own Life Planner by Ella IconicHow to pronounce Leuchtturm 1917Join the conversation on Substack to tell us all about your own planner plans for the year ahead. We'd love to hear from you!Connect With UsFriends With Business Benefits on Substackcharlieswift.comlove-audrey.comFind Us On Instagram@loveaudrey83@_charlieswiftSubscribe to Our Mailing ListsFranky's Mailing ListCharlie's Mailing List Get full access to Friends with Business Benefits at friendswithbusinessbenefits.substack.com/subscribe

JOIN THE WOMEN IN BUSINESS ONLINE COMMUNITY HERE! Welcome to Grow My Business, the podcast where we explore strategies to help you increase sales, grow your business, and master time management. I'm your host, Dr. Lindsay Fletcher, a sales expert and recovering hustle culture junkie, here to help you listen to your clients, solve their problems, and build a thriving business without working 24/7. In this episode, we're talking about one of the most powerful tools for women entrepreneurs: community. Whether you're running a small business solo or managing a team, finding a group of like-minded women can transform your journey. What You'll Learn in This Episode Why Community Matters: Hear how attending The Growth Summit with 200 women in business inspired and reinforced the value of connection. The Business Benefits of Community: Gain accountability, visibility, tools, and the opportunity to network with women who get it. Personal Growth Through Community: Discover how emotional support, inspiration, and a sense of belonging can help you navigate the challenges of entrepreneurship. How to Join a Thriving Community: Learn about my online group for women in small business, designed to support, educate, and inspire. Highlights From the Episode A recap of The Growth Summit and the incredible power of women coming together to learn, heal, and grow. A list of the top reasons why women entrepreneurs need a supportive community. An invitation to join my online community for women in small business with over 1,000 members, monthly workshops, and networking opportunities. Why This Episode is a Must-Listen Building a business doesn't have to feel lonely or overwhelming. A community can provide the support, tools, and motivation you need to thrive. Whether you're looking for accountability, emotional support, or new business strategies, this episode will show you how being part of a group can elevate both your personal and professional life.   Women in small business, female entrepreneurs, small business community, networking for women, women's business support group, entrepreneurial community, business growth for women, work-life balance tips, confidence building for women, small business networking, women entrepreneurs support group, collaboration for women in business. Make sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with fellow women entrepreneurs. Let's grow together!   LET'S CONNECT: Hello@LindsayFletcher.co https://lindsayfletcher.co WOMEN IN BUSINESS Community

In this episode of the HVAC Know It All Podcast, host Gary McCreadie continues his conversation with Brent Lammert, who leads the Thermal Imaging Business Unit at Testo Instruments - North America. In part two of this insightful discussion, Brent dives deeper into the transformative applications of thermal imaging for HVAC professionals, showcasing its practical uses in diagnosing and resolving real-world challenges with speed and precision. Gary and Brent explore specific scenarios where thermal cameras excel, such as identifying refrigerant restrictions, pinpointing hydronic system issues, and inspecting steam humidification systems. Brent also explains the role of thermal imaging during blower door tests to detect building envelope leaks and highlights the cost-saving potential for HVAC businesses using this technology. From troubleshooting complex systems to improving customer satisfaction through faster, more accurate diagnostics, this episode offers practical advice and inspiring insights for HVAC technicians. If you're looking to expand your toolkit and provide next-level service, thermal imaging might just be the “best-kept secret” you need to unlock. Expect to Learn: Thermal Imaging in Action: How HVAC professionals can use thermal cameras to identify refrigerant restrictions, ductwork inefficiencies, and equipment faults quickly and accurately. Diagnosing Building Envelope Issues: Using thermal imaging during blower door tests to pinpoint air leaks and improve energy efficiency in homes and buildings. Hydronic and Steam Systems: Practical applications of thermal cameras for troubleshooting issues in hydronic heating systems and steam humidification setups. Refrigerant Leak Insights: Understanding how thermal cameras can identify refrigerant leaks by detecting temperature anomalies in unexpected areas. Business Benefits of Thermal Tools: How thermal imaging can enhance service quality, save time, and open up new revenue opportunities for HVAC contractors. Episode Highlights: [00:33] – Podcast Introduction & Recap of Part 1 [02:24] – Thermal Imaging for HVAC Technicians: Identifying Building vs. System Issues [05:27] – Using Thermal Cameras to Troubleshoot Refrigeration Systems and Filter Dryers [06:56] – Hydronic Systems: Pinpointing Zone Control Issues with Thermal Imaging [10:07] – Can Thermal Cameras Detect Refrigerant Leaks? Brent Explains the Process [18:29] – Thermal Imaging and Blower Door Tests: A Powerful Combination [20:26] – Testo's Vision: Affordable Thermal Imaging Tools for Field Technicians [22:25] – Future Educational Campaign: Tips and Tricks for Using Thermal Cameras [24:40] – Conclusion: Key Takeaways on the Value of Thermal Imaging and Its Impact on HVAC Workflows This Episode is Kindly Sponsored by: Cool Air Products Master Cintas Supply House Follow the Guest Brent Lammert on:  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brentlammert/ Testo Instruments - North America: www.linkedin.com/company/testo-usa/  Follow the Host: LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/gary-mccreadie-38217a77/  Website: www.hvacknowitall.com  Facebook: www.facebook.com/hvacknowitall/   Instagram: www.instagram.com/hvacknowitall1/  

Business Benefits of Blockchain Hello, this is Hall T. Martin with the Startup Funding Espresso -- your daily shot of startup funding and investing. Blockchain brings many benefits to businesses that use it. Here's a list of key benefits to consider: Trust -- blockchain enables trust between two businesses even if no prior relationship exists. Decentralization -- blockchain connects two businesses through data sharing. Security -- Blockchain brings a new level of security to the business's data through its distributed storage. Cost reduction -- blockchain can decrease costs through smart contracts and other automation. Speed -- blockchain can accelerate the rate of business transactions through online connectivity. Visibility -- blockchain stores all transactions on one network giving all the constituents visibility on the history. Immutability -- blockchain brings a permanent record of transactions that cannot be altered providing an immutable record. Control -- blockchain brings the individual control over their own data such that they control it. Tokens -- blockchain brings the concept of tokens which yields online ownership, access, and resources. Businesses across many sectors including financial, government, legal, and healthcare can benefit from the blockchain. By reorganizing networks into a blockchain structure, businesses can improve the speed and lower the cost of business transactions.   Thank you for joining us for the Startup Funding Espresso where we help startups and investors connect for funding. Let's go startup something today. _______________________________________________________ For more episodes from Investor Connect, please visit the site at:   Check out our other podcasts here:   For Investors check out:   For Startups check out:   For eGuides check out:   For upcoming Events, check out    For Feedback please contact info@tencapital.group    Please , share, and leave a review. Music courtesy of .

Procrastination can have benefits in business if reframed and used strategically. It is often driven by fear of failure or the desire for perfection. However, when we finally take action, we often realize that the process wasn't as bad as we imagined.  Procrastination can also provide a learning period and allow for improvements to be made before launching a product or service. It can also be an opportunity for a relaunch, bringing new energy and updates to a project.  In this episode, we share our own experience of procrastination and how we turned it into an advantage for our business.  Want to live a better balanced life and win in marriage AND business at the same time? Purchase our (audio) book Tandem: The married entrepreneurs' guide for greater work-life balance. https://www.thetandembook.com/ Need to create more time to dedicate to your marriage? Download this free guide. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/boundaries Need some insight into how to balance it all? Schedule a free discovery call. https://marriedentrepreneur.co/lets-talk Chapters 00:00 Introduction: The Benefits of Procrastination 01:31 Understanding Why We Procrastinate 03:27 Reframing Procrastination for Business 05:47 The Learning Period of Procrastination 09:11 Using Procrastination for a Successful Relaunch 12:00 Discovering Errors and Updates through Procrastination

Shirley Engelmeier, CEO and founder of Inclusion, Inc., discusses the evolution of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) over the past 30 years and the challenges faced in the present day. She highlights the importance of creating a culture of inclusion in businesses and addresses the pushback against DEI. She emphasizes the need for organizations to communicate the business benefits of DEI.This podcast is powered by LeggUP, the all-in-one talent development solution that combines seamless onboarding, assessments, tailored development plans, and high-impact coaching, to elevate your teams. Click here to learn more: https://www.leggup.com/Subscribe to the Talent Empowerment Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@TomFinnovation

If you're struggling to keep people engaged and loyal in your product or business, check out my FREE gamification course to learn how to do just that: professorgame.com/freegamificationcourse-web From gamified learning platforms to virtual corporate training, discover how these strategies can elevate user engagement and drive business success across diverse sectors. Join us to chat with Andres Leon about the future of digital transformation through gamification and immersive technologies. We uncover the practical applications of gamification in enhancing business performance and user retention. Andres shares his experiences in leading innovative projects that blend creativity and technology, offering insights into overcoming challenges and maximizing impact. Andrés León is a recognized leader in immersive technologies and digital transformation. He currently serves as the Studio Manager for Streamline Studios in Colombia. With over two years in this role, he has successfully expanded the company's influence in Latin America by spearheading innovative projects in the metaverse and industrial metaverse sectors. His efforts focus on delivering cutting-edge immersive experiences tailored to the dynamic needs of businesses across multiple industries. Andrés also serves as a lecturer in Innovation and Digital Transformation, complementing his professional journey by guiding students and organizations to embrace new technologies. He is a frequent speaker at industry events, such as Campus Party Colombia, and was named a Top 100 Thought Leader in Digital Transformation. A passion marks his career for exploring the intersection of creativity and technology to drive impactful change. Before joining Streamline Studios, Andrés held key roles at Claro Colombia, where he led innovation initiatives and developed B2B products in areas such as IoT and Big Data. He has a strong background in innovation management, team leadership, and strategic market expansion. Rob is a host and consultant at Professor Game as well as an expert, international speaker and advocate for the use of gamification and games-based solutions, especially in education and learning. He's also a professor and workshop facilitator for the topics of the podcast and LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) for top higher education institutions that include EFMD, IE Business School and EBS among others in Europe, America and Asia.   Guest Links and Info Website: streamline-studios.com LinkedIn: Andres Leon Instagram: @streamlinestudioscolombia   Links to episode mentions: Proposed guest: Jane McGonigal Recommended book: More of a resource that is Kadine James Favorite game: Captain Tsubasa / GTA Saga   Lets's do stuff together! Get started in Gamification for FREE! LinkedIn Twitter Facebook Instagram TikTok YouTube Ask a question

In this special Thanksgiving episode of Relentlessly Seeking Value, Stacey Richter discusses the significance of being 'givers' in healthcare, advocating for collaboration over transactional relationships to deliver real value to patients. She touches on the challenges and necessary shifts in healthcare market dynamics, emphasizing that true value is determined through bi-directional conversations between providers and end-users, like patients and plan sponsors. Stacey concludes with a call to action for listeners to reflect on their support networks and consider supporting valuable media and publications. To read the show notes with the mentioned links visit the epsiode page. If you enjoy this podcast, be sure to subscribe to the free weekly newsletter to be a member of the Relentless Tribe. I want to drop a thank you right here to those who have left a tip in our tip jar and/or offer up a monthly contribution. From the bottom of my heart, thanks for the support. Thank you to Dr. Scott Tromanhauser, Marilyn Bartlett, Ann Kempski, Dr. Matthew Bunte. Also, thank you to Brian Uhlig, Dr. William Gailmard, Dr. John Lee, Dr. Paula Muto, and Linda Krebs. Plus everyone else who left a lesser amount. You guys are my village, and this matters because, as it's been said by me and others a million times, it will take a village to transform healthcare. So, if you haven't already done so, because … yeah, Thanksgiving, consider who is on your own list of villagers to thank right about now in your world. So, yeah, long story long, all the more thanks to everyone who has donated to our tip jar, who has written a nice review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify, or who interacts with our posts on LinkedIn. Thank you. This is how pods like this and any of the publications that you like are able to continue. It's also, if you want to get really “why do givers succeed” about it, it's through these interactions that like 99% of guests I'd estimate who get invited on a podcast, probably any podcasts, come from, or who likely get their name in any publication come from. As I said, this is true for this pod at least. But I would say that who are most hosts or most reporters going to reach out to when they need information or insight and are looking to quote somebody? It's gonna be somebody that they know. It's gonna be somebody that they like. So, giving, the healthcare industry. This is the actual point I wanted to make before I completely distracted myself. And I talked about this at length actually at a recent thINc360 panel about delivering better patient outcomes. So, collaborate, give. And thank you to all of you who do both of these things every day, despite the cognitive dissonance and corporate forces and the lack of time and resources that may plague your efforts. I appreciate you very, very much. And it is this gang—the Relentless Tribe, that listens to this show—it is you who will transform healthcare. It's really you. And again, from the bottom of my heart, I thank you. 01:33 How do you calculate the number of people you've helped? 02:46 Why is giving so important within healthcare? 03:16 Interview with Adam Grant. 05:47 How can you be a better giver? 07:50 Who is in charge of the bidirectional conversation of value? 11:35 Why is collaboration so important to value and being a giver? 12:58 Why is it important that plan sponsors are a part of all this giving and collaboration? 13:22 Encore! EP415 with Rob Andrews. 14:34 Summer Shorts 8 with Larry Bauer, MSW, MEd. 15:08 INBW39 with Stacey on the narcissism of small differences. 15:12 EP399 and EP400 with Stacey.

[CLICK HERE] If you'd like to "Grow your Coaching or Consulting Business" by at least 6-Figures in the next 6-Months.  You'll get instant access to my free training. https://bit.ly/FreeTraining-6FigsIn6Months   _______________   DESCRIPTION:  _______________   Rest isn't just a break from work—it's a powerful tool for fueling your business success and personal well-being. In this episode of Live Well, Earn Well, Dr. Terri Levine shares how rest and recovery can enhance your creativity, decision-making, and overall productivity. You'll learn practical ways to integrate rest into your daily routine, making it an essential part of your business strategy rather than an afterthought. Discover how intentional rest can lead to breakthroughs and sustain your growth without sacrificing your health or happiness. ___________________   KEY HIGHLIGHTS: ___________________   [00:34] Episode introduction [00:45] Today's focus: The business benefits of rest and recovery [02:10] Why rest is essential for high performance and creativity [03:50] Practical ways to incorporate rest: micro-breaks, active rest, and boundaries [06:15] How rest leads to insights and breakthrough moments [08:10] Invitation to the Live Well Earn Well Mastermind _____________________________________________   WANT A COMPLIMENTARY COACHING CALL?  _____________________________________________   If you'd like to have a friendly conversation with Terri or her Team, then [CLICK HERE] to schedule your complimentary call.   During this confidential call, we'll listen and learn about your specific situation and then suggest successful strategies—specific to your needs. https://bit.ly/FreeCoachingCall-Terri   __________________________________________   IF YOU'RE MORE OF A VISUAL PERSON:  __________________________________________   If you're more of a visual person and want to watch Terri teach her timely tactics & tips, then [CLICK HERE] to go straight to her YouTube Channel.   __________________________________________   IF YOU'D LIKE TO CONNECT WITH TERRI: __________________________________________   Terri's a real person who creates real relationships with other heart-centered entrepreneurs.   So if you'd like to create a personal connection with Terri, then just [CLICK HERE] to go to her LinkedIn Profile and send her a "Connection Request".   (make sure to mention the podcast!) https://bit.ly/TerriLevine-LinkedIn   When you connect with her on LinkedIn, you'll also be able to access her Coaching & Consulting industry insights through her popular posts—and even her Free LinkedIn Newsletter. 

Send us a textSkeptical about how spiritual intelligence can really benefit business? In this episode of Strong Leaders Serve, Teri Schmidt chats with Yosi Amram about the power of spiritual intelligence—an ability to embody virtues like gratitude, trust, and purpose—in leadership. Discover how higher spiritual intelligence in leaders correlates with better team morale, lower turnover, and improved financial results. Yosi shares his transformational journey from high-stress corporate life to becoming a leader in spiritual intelligence, offering insights that can elevate your personal and professional life. Resources:Spiritually Intelligent Leadership: How to Inspire by Being Inspired by Yosi AmramYosi's YouTube channelAwakeningSI Free GatheringsConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teri-m-schmidt/Get 1-on-1 leadership support from Teri here: https://www.strongertoserve.com/coachingSet up an intro call with Teri: https://calendly.com/terischmidt/discoverycall

Welcome to The TufFish Show, a place for authors and creative business owners, like you, to have the support and connection, so you bring out your inner greatness so you get comfortable using your voice, sharing your message, and being visible. You've got the books, products, and business, and now it's time to move to your next level and confidently sharing them with those who need to hear from you the most. Visit https://www.jennifermilius.com to learn more. Whether you're just starting out or been an author or in business for years, taking a strategic pause can be a combination of freeing and powerful as well as awkward and uncomfortable. However, when strategic pauses are used effectively - no matter if they are planned or not, they can serve you as you grow your business and elevate your author brand. ABOUT JEN: Jennifer Milius is an entrepreneur, author stylist, developmental editor, author, and host of The TufFish Show who helps creatives bring out their inner greatness so they get comfortable using their voice, sharing their message, and being visible. Her ninth book, Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible and Share Your Message, is your toolbox for the steps to make the most of speaking engagements, book signings, and podcast interviews when they arise, so you grow your readership and create a buzz about your catalog of work and message. Mini Author Stylist Session - Visit www.jennifermilius.com/stylist Ready to Elevate Your Brand: Get your free resource at http://www.jennifermilius.com/start Get your copy of Author Stylist Guide: Own Your Greatness, Get Visible, and Share Your Message: https://a.co/d/7h1uRNL Author Stylist Guide Book Bonuses: https://www.jennifermilius.com/books

In this episode, Simon Mais, CEO of EOS Hospitality, shares how his company has developed a way to give back to the communities it operates in without reducing the profits of the hotels it manages.Introduction to the Community Impact Program (00:59) - Learn about the 1% impact fee charged to hotel guests and how these funds are allocated for community benefits.Local vs. National Impact (01:10) - Understand the decision-making process behind focusing on local community impact rather than national organizations.Case Study: Isla Bella in Marathon, Florida (02:05) - Discover how Isla Bella generated $400,000 in community impact dollars and supported local initiatives like schools, the Turtle Fund, and the Turtle Hospital.Partnership with Conch Republic Marine Army (02:26) - Explore the partnership with a volunteer organization that cleans beaches and how guests can participate in these activities.Impact on Local Environment and Tourism (03:07) - Learn about the environmental benefits and how clean beaches and waters enhance the hotel experience for guests.Example from Kennebunkport Resort Collection in Maine (04:09) - Hear about the donation to Habitat for Humanity and the construction of houses for employees.Community Feedback and Business Benefits (04:40) - Understand the positive feedback from communities and how the program helps in attracting and retaining talent.Aligning Owner Interests with Community Impact (05:45) - Learn about the business benefits of the program, including reduced recruiting costs and enhanced community relations.New to Hospitality Daily? Start here. Want to get my summary and actionable insights from each episode delivered to your inbox each day? Subscribe here for free.Follow Hospitality Daily and join the conversation on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram.Music by Clay Bassford of Bespoke Sound: Music Identity Design for Hospitality Brands

How do you define a "disruptor," and how does this definition resonate with your understanding or experience in your industry? What are some reasons a business owner might resist the idea of being a disruptor? How can they overcome this resistance? In this engaging episode of the Lean Out Your Business podcast, I welcomes Jennifer Frye, CEO of Appreciated Asset Business Solutions and creator of the disruptor designer method. Jennifer shares her unique approach to business growth, highlighting the importance of becoming a disruptor in your industry. Through her compelling insights, she explains how standing out from the status quo can eliminate competition and foster long-term client relationships by delivering a superior and unique service.   Together, we delve deep into sales strategies, emphasizing the power of education over traditional sales methods. Jennifer reveals her approach to creating meaningful connections and understanding client needs, which has allowed her to foster genuine relationships and maintain high conversion rates. We discuss common mistakes businesses make with their messaging and positioning, and how to avoid them by focusing on benefits rather than features.   In his episode, we explore: Definition and Importance of Being a Disruptor Qualities and Mindset of a Disruptor Challenges in Recognizing and Embracing Disruption Application of Disruptive Strategies in Business Benefits of Disruption in Sales Practical Tips for Business Owners Links: appreciatedasset.com appreciatedasset.com/lead-finder https://calendly.com/appreciatedasset/follow-up-with-jennifer   Ready to simplify and streamline how you scale your business? We are now accepting Visionary CEOs and their right-hand Ops Leads into our signature Simplify to Scale mentorship program. Learn more and join us at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/scale Join us for our transformational in-person business retreats and masterminds each Spring and Fall at https://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreathttps://www.leanoutmethod.com/retreat. Have questions? Want to explore partnering together to scale your business? Connect with me on my personal Instagram @cristagrasso or LinkedIn and let's start a conversation. If you loved this episode, please help us spread the word and reach more business owners like you by leaving a 5-star rating and review. Hit subscribe to be the first to listen to new episodes each Tuesday. For full show notes and more visit https://www.leanoutmethod.com/podcast        

Claude Silver believes showing up with heart and humanity is the key to unlocking greatness in people. She recently talked to Maria Ross on the Empathy Edge Podcast about her journey to working with Gary Vaynerchuk at Vayner Media, what she does as a Chief Heart Officer, and how it differs from HR. Claude and Maria debunk many leaders' myths and fears about empathy at work and share many examples of how Vayner Media walks its talk in being a people-first organization while still holding everyone accountable and achieving success. Additional Resources:Connect with Maria on LinkedIn The Empathy Edge Podcast Learn more about Maria and her work  Discover The 5 Business Benefits of Empathy Connect with Claude Silver Claude's Website VaynerMedia Website More on PeopleForward Network Follow PeopleForward Network on LinkedIn