Shows
The Systems Social HourBuilt on Realness: Business, Boundaries & Being Yourself with MelissaIn this episode of The Systems Social Hour, I sit down with the one and only Melissa Harriet — artist, interior designer, and founder of Melissa Harriet Designs — for a real, unfiltered conversation about what it looks like to build a business rooted in authenticity. Melissa shares how a chance encounter at her high school art studio reignited her passion for creating, how her design business grew organically (and wildly) from a hobby, and why showing up as herself has always been her biggest business asset.
We dig into everything from how she transitioned out of a long corporate career, to the...2025-05-171h 14
The Systems Social HourIf It’s Messy at Hello, It’ll Be Messy All the Way ThroughIn this solo episode of The Systems Social Hour, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes moment that reminded me exactly why I set up my systems the way I do. After connecting with a lead who ignored my pricing, scheduling, and communication preferences right off the bat, I had to decide: do I cave and accommodate... or stick to my process and hold my boundary?
I break down how that interaction played out (spoiler: it didn’t move forward), why it was actually a win, and how systems act as a built-in filter for the kinds of clients you want to work...2025-05-1018 min
The Systems Social Hour5 Voices, 1 Mission: Smart Systems That Actually WorkIn this special mashup episode of The Systems Social Hour, I’m sharing highlights from five different conversations with systems specialists who truly get what it means to build smarter, more sustainable businesses. After realizing that some of my early interviews covered a lot of the same ground, I decided to pull the most insightful moments and turn them into one jam-packed episode — and honestly, it might be one of my favorites.
You’ll hear from:
Colie James on creating a client hub outside your CRM to make data-driven decisions and track conversions with tools like Airtable.
✨ https://coliejames.com/
✨ https://ww...2025-05-0330 min
The Systems Social HourBefore the Workflow: Why Process Mapping is the Real MVPIn this episode, host Gianni sits down with fellow Dubsado pro and automation enthusiast Cait Potter to talk about one of the most overlooked but powerful parts of building systems: process mapping. We dive into what it really means to map your client journey, how to avoid overcomplicating things, and what to ask yourself if you're DIYing your workflows. Cait shares her best tips for simplifying complexity, why multiple workflows always beat one giant one, and how to make your automations feel personal without burning yourself out. Whether you’re just starting or already knee-deep in Dubsado, you’re gonna walk...2025-04-261h 05
The Systems Social HourThe VA Advantage with Jade SmithIn this episode, Gianni welcomes Jade Smith, owner of Mrs. Smith Assist, who shares valuable insights on hiring and working with virtual assistants. With over 20 years of combined experience in project management and executive assistant support, Jade provides practical advice for both business owners considering their first hire and VAs looking to grow their careers.
Jade discusses the importance of not waiting until you're drowning in work before seeking help, and encourages business owners to view hiring a team as an investment rather than just an expense. She explains how to identify tasks that are prime for delegation—those that ar...2025-04-191h 09
The Systems Social HourUncovering Pain Points with guest Ashley TindallIn this episode, Gianni welcomes Ashley Tindall, a chief systems officer who specializes in simplifying complex business problems. With over a decade of experience in project management and business analysis, Ashley shares her expertise on creating low-stress, supportive systems that work for both business owners and their clients.
Ashley discusses how to identify stress points in your business processes (focusing on tasks that consume too much time or those you consistently avoid), and explains why there's no such thing as an "all-in-one" tool—despite what marketing might claim. She emphasizes the importance of building systems that support your unique workflow ra...2025-04-121h 11
The Systems Social HourFrom College to Camera with guest Julia RohrbachIn this episode, Gianni welcomes professional photographer and friend Julia Rohrbach, who started her photography business straight out of college and has spent over a decade helping businesses elevate their presence through her camera lens. Julia shares her journey from weddings to brand photography, discusses growing a team with associate photographers, and explains her systems for scheduling and maintaining consistency in her brand. She offers valuable insights about pricing in the photography industry, the luxury experience, and advice for photographers looking to expand their income streams or just starting out.
✨ Website - https://www.juliafayphotography.com/
✨ Video Vault - https://www...2025-04-051h 13
The Systems Social HourThe Shopping Cart TheoryEver notice how a wobbly shopping cart can ruin your entire store experience? In this episode, I reveal how my contrasting shopping experiences—battling a squeaky cart versus gliding one with ease—perfectly illustrate a powerful business principle. The "Shopping Cart Theory" shows us that friction in business systems drives customers away, while smooth, effortless experiences encourage deeper engagement and loyalty. Consider how small fixes to your "wobbly wheels" can transform your client experience and dramatically increase retention, referrals, and revenue. Is your business a frustrating cart or a pleasant glide?2025-03-2805 min
The Systems Social HourWelcome to The Systems Social HourWelcome to the very first episode of The Systems Social Hour! In this debut episode, get to know your host, Gianni, as she shares her personal journey, professional background, and the passion for systems thinking that inspired this podcast.
Discover the origins of Gianni's fascination with business systems and why creating this space for conversation around systems thinking feels so important in today's complex business landscape. You'll hear authentic stories from her experience and understand the perspective she brings to discussions about optimizing workflows, client experiences, and business operations.
Gianni also outlines what you can expect from future episodes of...2025-03-1115 min