Shows
The Business RevolutionDoes Your Business Really Need to be on Instagram?The playing field has changed in online marketing. The days when you could reach people organically with quality content are gone. Today, you must be willing to pay to play if you want a solid source of leads. Renia Carsillo has a wealth of experience in online marketing and has learned that a relationship development process must unfold to build trust, which is essential in the customer journey. It’s not just about having as many followers as possible, but it’s about having quality leads. You can have hundreds of thousands of followers but not m...2022-09-131h 06
Quantum Leap Your SalesScale Your Coaching Business with Systems and StrategyIn this episode, Mariel interviews Stephanie Veraghen and Renia Castillo about how to use systems and strategy to scale your coaching business. Stephanie and Renia have created the “Get Your Shit Together” Intensive to help coaches to turn their mess into magic so they can scale their coaching businesses. To learn more and apply go to: https://realignyourstrategy.com/gyst/ You can also check out their quiz here: https://realignyourstrategy.com/quiz/ “No matter where you’re at in your business, you don’t need to carry any shame about being...2021-09-2144 min
Embodied with Elizabeth DiAltoGet Your Business Shit Together with Stephanie Veraghen and Renia CarsilloAre you overwhelmed by your business and confused about how to make it all work? This episode is just for you. Today we’re talking business with two of my business besties: Stephanie Veraghen, project manager extraordinaire, and Renia Carsillo, digital marketing expert. These two women have years of experience working behind the scenes to help businesses grow when they are stuck in the same old patterns. Patterns like not understanding how to fully utilize their staff, not developing repeatable, sustainable systems, and relying on that Big Launch to fund their business and k...2021-09-201h 21
Small Stage, Big ImpactStruggling to Scale to 7-figures? Let’s Assess Your Mess TogetherHas running a business taken over your life? You’re making good money and have no shortage of clients. You’re feeling pretty successful with this business that you’ve built from the ground up. But you feel that if you blink too long it will start to crumble. Taking a day off is out of the question. You know you need to take your business to the next level, but you’re not sure how to get there. In today’s episode, we’ll discuss what’s keeping you from growing your l...2021-06-2444 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactNeed to get your business shit together? Introducing GYST with Stephanie VeraghenAre you ready to revitalize your business and take it to the next level? This week I’m teaming up with project manager and business systems extraordinaire Stephanie Veraghen. We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to bring you a business development program you won’t find anywhere else. Have you been there, done that with marketing courses and project management systems - and still not gotten the results you need? Are you ready to get some systems in place and learn to delegate so that you can be the leader your company...2021-06-1741 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactDo Better Digital Tips and Actionable Strategies Whenever You Need ThemAre you unsure where to start to #DoBetterDigital with your marketing strategy? This Tuesday, your next step will be delivered right to your inbox. The Genevieve Digital team has been working hard to create actionable resources for business leaders like you: Leaders who want to get better results with digital marketing without compromising their values. To make those #DoBetterDigital resources readily available, we’re starting 2-Minute Tuesdays. These weekly emails will take two minutes out of your day, but the impact on your business will be boundless. With 2-Minute Tues...2021-06-1019 minSmall Stage, Big Impact9 SEM Best Practices for Values-Driven Marketing: Dominate A Google Search the Non-Gross WaySearch Engine Marketing is essential to a sustainable marketing strategy. But how do you ensure that your SEM is values-driven? In the last episode, we talked about the advantages of an SEO marketing strategy over one driven by social media. This week we are taking a deeper dive into Search Engine Marketing (SEM). We will explore how to optimize this platform and #DoBetterDigital. In 2021, the search engine is its own platform. It requires a specific engagement strategy to be effective. And when it comes to the Trinity Principle, I highly advocate tha...2021-06-0338 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactChoosing SEO in a Social Media Obsessed World: Why Sustainability-Minded Marketers Forgo the Influencer ModelIf you’re tired of the hamster wheel of social media content creation, it’s time to focus on a more sustainable business model. It’s a fact that our world is largely influenced by social media. It’s also true that social media can be a useful tool in your digital marketing strategy - especially with a #DoBetterDigital mindset. But the idea that we can constantly be “on” and responsive is not a business model. When you focus much of your marketing dollars and effort on social media, you can guarantee one thing: you’r...2021-05-2736 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCTAs That Work: Avoid the Ick Factor and Empower Your Audience to Take ActionThe Call to Action (CTA) is often seen as a necessary evil in marketing. But while it is necessary, it doesn’t have to be evil. The reality of marketing is that, ultimately, you are asking people to give you money. (Sometimes their time, or a positive review, but usually it’s money.) The reality of running a business is that you need money to operate. As I’ve talked about before, sales cure everything when it comes to accomplishing the goals you’ve set for yourself and your business. But it’s not uncomm...2021-05-2028 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactBlogging in 2021 (And Beyond): Ditch the Live Journal Vibe and Do This InsteadWhen it comes to building a blog, creating content is only the first step. You also have to make that content accessible. Values-driven marketing is about putting people first. You’ve worked hard to create blog posts that provide value for your audience. But your job isn’t done. Your digital strategy must consider two questions: How will your audience find your blog? How will your audience consume your content? Blogs that keep these two concerns in mind can be greatly beneficial to a marketing strategy. Done right, blogs can Improve y...2021-05-1336 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactChoosing A Copy-First Digital Strategy in a Video WorldAre you underinvesting in the most critical piece of your digital strategy? In today’s episode, we discuss why a copy-first digital marketing strategy makes the most sense, even in a video world. Copy is the words you use to market your brand and sell your product. It’s the number one thing that connects you to your audience and convinces them to take the action you want them to take. Without good copy, your digital strategy has no foundation to stand on. You're probably thinking, “What about design? And a good-looking website? And al...2021-04-2240 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactWhy Less is Better in Your Digital Strategy: The Trinity Principle ExplainedWhat if I told you it was possible to have fun with your digital strategy and not feel overwhelmed by it? In today’s episode of Small Stage, Big Impact, we’ll discuss the Trinity Principle. This strategy takes the overwhelm out of digital marketing, gives you back control over where and how you engage your audience, and leads to better marketing outcomes. For those who’ve been following along for a while, you’ve heard me speak about the Trinity Principle before. But it can be a difficult perspective shift, especially for those of u...2021-04-1547 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactHow to Identify Bro Marketing and Find Success Without Resorting to Predatory TacticsLearn how to toss manipulative Bro Marketing tactics to the curb in this episode of SSBI. Grow your business with equity and kindness at its core. Listen now. When it comes to breaking up with Bro Marketing, identifying it is the first step. How do you know if you’ve been using Bro Marketing tactics? It’s simple: if you’ve ever felt manipulative when trying to make a sale, you’ve participated in Bro Marketing. Bro Marketing is like a bad relationship. It makes a lot of promises and even seems to deliver...2021-04-0849 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactThe 50th Episode: What We’ve Learned from A Year of PodcastingIt’s our 50th episode y’all! And we can’t wait to share what we’ve learned with you. We’ve been in business for 12 years, and we’ve never had a year like 2020. (Has anyone?) This year has been a watershed moment for many businesses, ours included. The events of the past twelve months have stretched us in ways we never could have imagined. But as I’ve mentioned a few times before, this year has taught us to focus on what truly matters. We work with many individual clients and businesses to r...2020-12-3119 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactPodcasts That Made Us Think This Year: Team Genevieve Digital shares their Favorite Podcasts from 2020Have you thought about the types of people who make up your team? Our team at Genevieve Digital is made up of women from diverse backgrounds, talents, and experiences. They each bring a unique perspective that enriches the work we’re doing. Recently, we went through an exercise that opened my eyes to the valuable assets I have on my team. Each of these women shows up in special ways that broaden my view of the world and how we’re impacting it. In today’s episode, I’m sharing with you the results of...2020-12-2423 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactE48: Pictures Speak Louder Than Intentions: Inclusive Imagery and What Your Visuals Say About Your BrandIf a picture is worth a thousand words, then what are your images saying about your brand? My struggle to find images and photography that accurately portrays me and my brand started several years ago. I don’t like the way I appear on camera, and I’ve been told several times that I’m just not photogenic. Plus, each stock image I found seemed sterile, and I couldn’t find a photographer who could capture the energy I wanted for my brand. As an able-bodied, cis-gendered white woman, I realize that I am more privileg...2020-12-1725 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactImpactful Conversion Funnels (How to Create Ethical, Empathetic, and Impactful Customer Journeys)Does talking about conversion funnels make you feel a little sleazy? Many of us flinch at the idea of asking someone for money. But we know that without sales our businesses cannot survive. Traditional marketing tactics leave us feeling like we need a shower. But we aren’t sure of any other way to get the word out about what we have to offer. What if I told you there was a different way to view funnels that honors both you and your customer? What would happen if you stopped viewing the buyer’s jou...2020-12-1032 minSmall Stage, Big Impact2021 Business Strategies: What We Learned from 2020 That We’re Taking Into the New YearHave you thought about what the new normal will look like in a post-pandemic world? Have you thought about how you can influence what that new world will look like? In today’s episode, I talk about what my team and I have learned in 2020, and how we’re planning to use those lessons to transform the digital world in 2021. When this podcast was launched a year ago in December 2019, I had an idea of what I wanted 2020 to look like. And then we all got a year that no one could...2020-12-0338 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactGrateful for It All - Celebrating 2020’s Best Moments (So far)Is there anything worth salvaging from 2020? If you’ve been following along for the past few episodes, you know that I’ve been able to find some nuggets of gold in all the junk 2020 has been throwing at us this year. My business has grown. I’ve grown. As a business leader and as a person. In today’s episode, you’ll hear from some of our past guests about what they’re thankful for, and how they’re moving into 2021 with hope. A common thread in each of their statements is that intentionality...2020-11-2618 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCommunity Building When We Don’t All Think the Same with Naomi HattawayWhat are you doing to actively build up your community? If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we really do need each other. In our personal and professional lives, we depend on our community not just to survive, but to thrive. Today’s guest is Naomi Hattaway, an experienced world traveler and current City Council candidate. Naomi is passionate about community building, diversity, and accessibility in online and personal spaces. That community-building includes people who don’t always agree with what she stands for. Naomi is a biracial woman in the Midw...2020-11-1942 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactSEO is a Long Term Strategy: Think Cycles, Not Straight LinesWhat would change for you if you viewed your SEO strategy as a transformational change instead of just data-driven analytics? In today’s episode, I’m sharing my thoughts on how SEO fits into our #DoBetterDigital strategy. Search engine optimization is about more than traffic, keywords, and backlinks - though those things are important. Great SEO is part of a holistic marketing practice. It's not enough to tell great stories, or develop a great product, or really care about your customers. We need all of those elements to create a sustainable marke...2020-11-1214 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactDigital Marketing Sucks (Sometimes): The Most Ridiculous Things We’ve Seen in Marketing with Crystal Smith2020 is the year the world turned upside down. Has your marketing kept up? In today’s episode, we talk with Jedi Marketing Master, cohost of Digital Dykes, and my longtime friend, Crystal Smith. We’re looking back at the biggest marketing fails of 2020, as well as what it takes to stay relevant in a changing world. The biggest fail I’ve seen from Businesses Who Must Not Be Named is the attempt to cling to “business as usual.” They may throw up a black box for Black Lives Matter on their website or p...2020-11-0559 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactNeutrality is Bad for Your Business: A Pre-Election PSA for Small BusinessHave you ever been told that when doing business you need to check your opinions on politics and religion at the door? I received this advice from a former mentor, and I’ve spent the past eight years proving him wrong. In today’s social media world, neutrality is not an option. Not only is neutrality morally bankrupt, but it’s also bad for your business. Effective marketing is customer-focused. Right now, our customers are living in a world where people are scared and dying. Institutions and traditions we’ve relied on for generati...2020-10-2924 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactWhat I learned by spending a year focused on Surrender (aka The Birthday Episode)What if you tossed the self-help books and focused on a single topic for an entire year? That’s exactly what I did for this past year, and the impact on both my personal and professional lives has been phenomenal. Several years ago, I was introduced to Elizabeth DiAlto and the Wild Soul Movement. I have found a lot of value in her work. So last year, on my 36th birthday, I made what would turn out to be a life-altering decision. Last year, before any of us knew what 2020 had in store for...2020-10-2229 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactLet’s Get Real About Bro Marketers, Lead Capture, and What it Really Takes to Make Six Figures in 30 Days Online with Kronda AdairIs your website holding you back? In this week’s episode, we talk with web developer and digital marketer Kronda Adair about what many websites are missing when it comes to effective marketing. It’s more than just the wrong fonts or bad pop-ups. You must approach website design and content with a full understanding of your audience. Otherwise, your website is going to come up short. “Me-centered” marketing isn’t sustainable. As Kronda reminds us, “Business is really about building relationships.” People buy products and services from businesses they like, know, and trus...2020-10-151h 01Small Stage, Big ImpactHow to Kick Ass at Meta Data (Aka. The Least Sexy and Seriously Critical Part of SEO and Accessibility That You're Probably Ignoring)What if you could improve your SEO and #DoBetterDigital at the same time? Between the useful, quality content on your website and a potential customer lies a few pieces of text. This text can mean the difference between converting a new lead or losing another one to the competitors. What could make such a big difference to your bottom line? Metadata. You may be ignoring it. You may be confused by it. You may have never even heard of it. But these small pieces of text tell search engines wh...2020-10-0833 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactThinking Beyond Transcripts: How to Make Accessible Digital content with Jennifer BrownWhat would you do if you knew your content wasn’t reaching 20% of your audience? In today’s episode, we talk with Deaf writer and disability rights activist Jennifer Brown. As Jennifer explains, most disabled people come into activism through necessity, not desire. She and many others have spent their lives fighting for accessibility to things that many of us take for granted. Things like education. Healthcare. Entertainment. And digital content. The adult disabled community accounts for over 20% of the population. That is over 1 in 5 people who rely on things like captions and scree...2020-10-0142 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactDo Better Digital: A Call to Action for Digital Influencers, Marketers, and Online Content CreatorsHow can you make a kinder, more just world as a digital influencer? You may have heard this phrase by Gary Vaynerchuck: “Marketers ruin everything.” If that statement is true, then it makes me wonder: If marketers are powerful enough to “ruin everything,” aren’t we also powerful enough to change things for the better?Season Four of Small Stage, Big Impact is about sustainable courage for leaders who want to do better digital. Right now, we can tend to be active participants in the manipulation and toxic capitalism that defines the world of marketin...2020-09-2430 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactSummer Strategy Sessions RecapHave you realigned your business strategy yet? When I set out to do the Summer Strategy Sessions in May, I never would have guessed where this summer would take us. Fortunately, what I like to call the Three C’s of Sustainable Stewardship are designed to help us navigate rough waters. As we’ve discussed Care, Courage, and Creativity over these past few months, I hope you've been able to find some calmer seas for yourself and your business. We’ll be taking a short break as we prepare for our fall season. Why not catch u...2020-09-0327 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactSustainability Is Sexier Than Exponential Growth: The Trinity Principle [Creativity Part 4]Are you ready to be more creative in your marketing? I imagine that for many of you, one of these two thoughts is holding you back: “When would I have time for that? By the time I come up with a post and copy-and-paste it to all of my platforms AND interact with the users, it’s time to come up with another post.” “Being creative is too risky. I’m putting everything into one specific platform. If I take a chance on a new idea and it fails, I’ve sunk my entire marketing strategy.” These are ve...2020-08-2716 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCreativity Part 3: Creative Solutions Instead of Creating Worry with Danielle Rush of RedLife Yoga & Wellness and Red Art + LivingAre you struggling with the concept of creativity in your business pursuits? There’s a reason that Creativity is our final section of the Summer Strategy Sessions: You need to understand how to care for yourself and cultivate courage if you want to make room for creativity in your life. In today’s episode, we talk with my longtime friend, yoga teacher, and sometimes lifeline, Danielle Rush. Danielle is also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, and Life & Accountability Coach, to name a few more areas of expertise. How does she do it...2020-08-2051 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactArticulating Your CDA: Clearly Defined Ask & The Buyer’s JourneyDo your potential customers know exactly what it takes to do business with you? Before you answer, take a minute to ask yourself these three questions: Does my website clearly display the first step for purchasing from me within the first three seconds with the clarity of a toddler asking for Teddy Grahams? Can every person who answers our phones clearly articulate the sales process and our price range to a potential customer? Do we have WRITTEN and EASILY AVAILABLE packages, rate sheets, or an estimating tool? 2020-08-1311 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCreative Ease Happens After Rule #1: Sales Cure Everything (Creativity, Part 2)Sales cure everything, but not for the reason you think. There’s a faded sticky note that hangs on my writing desk with these words scrawled across it: “Be the one who changes everyone else’s luck when you walk in the room.” It’s a quote attributed to Hafiz. I hung it there to remind me of how I want to show up in the world. These words remind me that it is my role to support the work of others. We like to think of ourselves as the heroes of our stories, but when you ar...2020-08-1309 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactHow to Set Up for Any Project So You Can’t Fail [Creativity, Part 1]Which creative idea would you pursue if you knew you couldn’t fail? Today we kick off the third and final section of our Summer Strategy Sessions: Creativity. And what does every creative need to achieve their goals? A strategic plan. I know that sounds counterintuitive, but hear me out. Done correctly, a strategic plan isn’t the restrictive dream-killer you’re probably imagining. Done right, a strategic plan is a flexible, evolving companion on your journey to the life you want. This episode is a fast and furious overview of flexibl...2020-08-0623 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCourage, Part 3: Finding Your Bouncy Floor: Practical Risk Assessment & Risk-TakingNothing opens the door for spectacular success like taking a risk. But taking a risk also opens the door for spectacular failure. So how do we ensure we go through the right door? In our final Summer Strategy Session on courage, we take on the common adage credited to John Burroughs: “Jump, and a net will appear.” How many of us have learned the hard way that if we don’t build the net first, we will only fall flat on our faces? What if I told you that there wa...2020-07-3034 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCourage, Part 2: Leading from Your Values with Lori BainumSometimes our biggest act of courage is getting to know ourselves. Are you scared to be still and just sit with yourself? Have you ever thought about why that is? Have you considered that knowing yourself is essential to growing your business? In today’s episode, I talk once again with my longtime friend and coach, Lori Bainum. Lori’s extensive career in the media industry has taught her that understanding our personal values is key to a leading successful organization. In the Courage section of our Summer Strategy Session...2020-07-231h 26Small Stage, Big ImpactCourage, Part 1: A Call to Community Business Leaders to Create the Change We Wish To See In The WorldWhat does it mean to have courage? Even thinking about taking a risk, especially a business risk, can leave us feeling apprehensive. And while a single act of bravery can be difficult, repeatedly taking risks can be downright scary. But what if I told you that sustaining courageous action is exactly what your business needs? Sustainable courage is essential for maintaining forward progress. Businesses must change and adapt to remain relevant to their target market. Change requires risks. In this kick-off episode for the C...2020-07-1621 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCare, Part 4: Customer Care in Tense Times: In-person, online, and over the phone (Customer-Care Episode) Solo EpisodeHow do we show up to serve others, when showing up is dangerous? In our final episode on care, we discuss the unique challenges businesses are facing right now with customer care. Health, safety, and social issues dominate our news feeds. Our daily routines have been restructured. Anxiety is spiking for everyone and impacting our relationships. In today’s tense environment, customer service is more vital than ever. We could unintentionally erode customer trust and loyalty without ever speaking to a customer in person. How do we avoid losing customers when our...2020-07-0940 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCare, Part 3: How Spreading Thanks Helps Us Take Care of Ourselves and Each Other with Elena AnguitaDoes writing thank-you notes seem like a waste of time in today's rapidly changing world? What if doing so could help you become more resilient and successful? In today’s episode, we’ll hear from author and speaker, Elena Anguita, about her movement, Spread Thanks. This simple practice encourages people to spread gratitude by writing and sending daily thank-you notes. With just 10 minutes a day, you can transform your life. Elena has personally sent a thank-you note every day for the past five years. It has taken some cr...2020-07-0237 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCaring for Employees In “The New Normal”: Thinking About Safety at Work Part 2Prioritizing employee emotional safety should be at the forefront for all business leaders. Employees need to feel cared for and safe. In this episode, I spoke with Lorraine Lane. Lorraine is the founder of Lane Business Consulting. She discussed how leaders can care for employees during “the new normal” that we’re facing. She explores how she became an expert in teaching others to lead. Lorraine goes over how remote working changes the way you lead and teach others to lead. She shares red flags to watch for to ensure em...2020-06-2544 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactCaring for Employees In “The New Normal”: Thinking About Safety at Work Part 1What is “the new normal” when it comes to your business strategy? As millions of people are heading back to work every day, keeping them safe is an essential consideration. Now more than ever, you need to consider how you’re protecting employees. What are you doing to cultivate a culture of safety in the workplace? If you haven’t thought about it yet, now is the time. To help you better understand workplace safety, I brought on Dave White. Dave is the co-owner and CFO of Quad City Safety, a midwestern...2020-06-1848 minSmall Stage, Big Impact3 Types of Caring to Consider for Rearranging the Rest of 2020What might shift in your business if you think of this moment like a dance instead of a battle? It’s not a reaction to Covid, but instead a time to reflect on how you can get realigned with your goals. In this episode, we’re kicking off our discussion of Care, the first of the 3 C’s for realigning your business strategy. We’re going to chat about the 3 types of caring to consider when rearranging the rest of 2020: Self-care Employee care Customer care. Why doe...2020-06-1126 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactWelcome to the 5th Annual Summer Strategy Sessions - Digital EditionIf you’ve felt like 2020 has lasted for six years instead of six months, then this is the season for you. For our fifth year of summer strategy sessions, we’ve made the choice to bring them online. They will be on the podcast and free to our entire community. The world that we’re living in is unlike anything we’ve dealt with before. That’s why I chose to do this. I want to help you navigate the waters of doing business during and after this new sort of normal we’re living through. 2020-06-0431 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactWe Get By with A Little Help from Our Friends - Season 2 RecapSmall, local business owners can cultivate the biggest impacts within their own communities. Even if you have a business that, like mine, that is 100% virtual. You can make an impact by rooting your business in a specific place. This gives your business the energy to thrive and make a lasting impression. In this episode, I am discussing why I hold this belief and how it holds true even in times of crisis. I explore some of the messages from this season that left a lasting impression on my life. You’ll h...2020-05-0715 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactBusiness Remixed with Trudi LebronWhy do you do business the way that you do? Are you creating the impact that you want from your work? If you haven’t asked yourself these questions, today’s episode is for you. We will be diving into how you can get your values to align with your business and most importantly, how you show up. We will explore how you can create more diversity and inclusion for people of all races, sexual orientations, and genders. I wanted to have someone on that is helping lead the way in this line of work. That’s why I ha...2020-04-3054 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactRunning A Yoga Studio Business During Social Distancing with Christina MuroRunning a business during these unprecedented times can be hard. You might even have to make decisions and pivot faster than you otherwise would. Christina Muro has discovered that sometimes it takes adversity to push you. She realized that now was the time to finally offer online classes. This was a plan of hers that she had thought of for further along in her business. Until it was recently brought to the surface with the current circumstances of our world. In this episode, I had on Christina to talk about this process. She h...2020-04-2355 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactRun Your Virtual Office Like A Boss with Stephanie VeraghenHow can you make remote work manageable and efficient for your company? Something that I’ve learned is the power of hiring an online business manager. Someone who can examine your business and be a second set of eyes on your projects. That’s why I brought on Stephanie Veraghen. In this episode, you’ll hear why a project manager could be exactly what you need to solve your frustrations. Overwhelmed with systems, production or even how team members interact with one another? She shares her advice for it all. What she does is very different from a...2020-04-1644 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactAre There Emergencies in Marketing? And other Beliefs About Micro-Business I’m Reevaluating NowThere are no emergencies in marketing. It’s something I used to say often and am currently reevaluating. What I've discovered, as I deal with this moment, is that micro-business still matters. Even, and maybe especially, in a global emergency. With everything going on in our world, there’s so much noise. Honestly, many previously trusted sources are not doing a great job providing us with usable information. Mainstream media tends to be more for entertainment and profit rather than help. That’s why in this episode, I am sharing a few of the podcasters and experts I’ve b...2020-04-0943 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactBrand and Messaging Management During Covid-19 (And Other Difficult Times)Are you struggling with framing your brand’s message right now? Maybe you’re asking yourself if it’s okay to promote your business, but you’re not sure how to do it. Me too. I was feeling pretty conflicted about branding during social distancing and Covid-19. So, I reached out to my new friend, Asia Rau for help. Asia Rau is the founder and creative director of The Strategic Ampersand, a social media marketing, and digital strategy consulting firm based in Portland, OR. With lady-like moxie, a dash of humor, and coffee in hand, Asia work...2020-04-0258 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactEmbodiment in Difficult Times with Elizabeth DiAltoAre you feeling stressed out and overwhelmed during these difficult times? In today’s episode, I am talking to my friend, teacher, and coach, Elizabeth DiAlto. She is the creator of an embodiment program called Wild Soul Movement that has been one of the most valuable practices of my adult life. Through working with Elizabeth I’ve learned how to embody the truths that are inside of me in a way that is deeper and more connected to who I am as a human being, as a soul, as a business person, and pretty much everywhere in my life. ...2020-03-2652 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactRunning Your Local Business During Covid-19Covid-19 has us doing things we never planned this week that can leave us feeling overwhelmed. We’re looking at what is happening over the next several weeks and what that means to us as individual Americans, humans, and local business owners, along with the impact we’ll have on our small or large audiences. We are also thinking about the right things to say at this time. After much contemplation, I wanted to share what is in my heart and what matters most to me in these uncertain times to give you comfort and directi...2020-03-2028 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactBusiness Advice from Author, Peter ChristianIs your business succeeding or failing? Somewhere in between? If you’re struggling to answer that question, Peter Christian’s debut book can help. In What About the Vermin Problem?, Christian shares the good, bad, and ugly business practices that he’s witnessed over his long career as a consultant and leader for companies like Crayola®️. We cover a lot of ground in this week’s episode, including: [00:21] The most important policies and procedures to have in place from the beginning of your company [00:50] The main difference, from Christian’s perspective, between a startup and a...2020-02-271h 04Small Stage, Big ImpactSustainability and Stage Fright in Local BusinessSustainability is sexy. It’s the key to long term local business success. Around here, we believe that small stages are more sustainable for most local businesses. When we think small, it’s often easier to think big impact too. Five raving fans are the basis of sustainability for most local businesses, but most of us are thinking of trying to reach hundreds (or even thousands) of people. This thinking big mentality actually causes us to miss deeper connections with the raving fans who could help us in a deeper and more sustainable way. Ove...2020-02-1312 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactSales vs Networking: Which is the right choice business?This episode is about sales versus networking, but it could also be called, Why listening to 25-year-olds about business strategy is a bad idea. Today’s episode is a recording from 2019 of an answer to one of the most common questions I am asked about business strategy: “How much time should I spend on sales vs. networking?” To answer that question, I first have to confess that I taught people wrong on this subject for a long time. I’ll share that story, the lesson I learned from doing it wrong, and what the right...2020-02-0623 minSmall Stage, Big Impact3 Tools I Use Daily to Manage My Activator EnergyWhy do I teach energy management instead of time management? Because we are all given the same 24 hours each day, the same 1,440 “nuggets” of time. However, when we manage our energy instead of our time we can maximize our work to find more joy, growth and meaningful production. These techniques are not just for the “good days” when the “flow” just happens. They are to keep you moving forward on the tough days. Eventually you will find that you create more days where you find the flow and you’ll get more done in business and life. I want t...2020-01-3031 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactThe Energy of Doing Your Soul’s Work Part 2In this episode, I continue my conversation with Lori Bainum as we really evaluate self care and purpose. You’ll learn how to develop a personal practice that will make you feel better as a person, give positive energy to those around you, lead from a place of vulnerability and embrace failure...whew! Get ready for some deep discussion that will tackle personal development to improve your business performance and your team dynamics. Open up that journal and let’s get started! Learn more about Lori at Lori Bainum & Co. Need to he...2020-01-231h 02Small Stage, Big ImpactThe Energy of Doing Your Soul’s Work Part 1We are all given 1,440 minutes every day, precious little gold nuggets of time. What are you going to do with yours? In this episode we are going to dive deep to help you dig out of the trip of “being too busy.” Find joy and satisfaction at the end of the day despite chaos and confusion by managing your energy and not your time. Maybe even find the answer to the meaning of life. Grab a notepad and get ready for some serious truths that you can implement in your life and business today! Learn more...2020-01-161h 01Small Stage, Big ImpactWhat Country Stars Know: The Hero’s Journey for Local BusinessWhat’s the difference between a Country Star and a Rock Star? Think about a country song, one story and the progression of that story. Now think about a rock chorus, one big idea repeated again and again. A business styled as a country star will ride on your experience, integrity, and expertise as an owner with a partner or small team. It’s personal branding as a personal connection with the individual. With a rock star business, the customer might meet the owner, but most likely you are serviced by the team. [5:00] Whichever style you...2020-01-0918 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactLeading from the Back with Nancy Makar of Pathways Counseling CenterEver wonder what can give your business staying power in a small community? This conversation will inspire you with tips from a veteran business woman in a rural community. Learn how to: Follow your passion. Curate trust and confidence in your community. Refuse to live in fear. Control your own decisions. Burst through the 7-year itch. Face some deep truths that not everyone is cut out to run their own business. Running a business is hard work. But if it is meant for you, the rewards are worth it!2020-01-0239 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactThe Guitar Hero Principle: Playing for Purpose Not PointsIn this podcast episode, we talk about why we want to be a Local Rock Star, and NOT a Guitar Hero. Picking up on the lessons we learned from Pat Crowley, we will explore 3 reasons why playing for points isn’t a long- term, sustainable business model. Here are some moments you don’t want to miss: [8:19] Why point systems only work in the short term. [11:38] How playing for points creates more enemies than allies. [14:40] When you play for points, eventually you will have to retire. [16:48] Answer some hard-hitting questions [18:12] Taking on one...2019-12-2621 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactLong-term Success Through Strong RelationshipsIn this episode, President and CEO of the award-winning Greater Hernando County Chamber of Commerce, Pat Crowley, shares what she’s learned over her twenty years serving local businesses on Florida’s Nature Coast. In this episode you’ll learn: What it’s like to build relationships in a tiny Southern town after beginning your adult life in the Manhattan restaurant industry Why listening is the number one skill a type-A leader must develop to connect over decades, not just moments Her perspective on adapting to collaborative moments versus times to take control Pat prefers to connect...2019-12-1940 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactThe Local Rock Star ManifestoWelcome to Small Stage, Big Impact! We created this program because we believe that there is a major knowledge and resource gap at the level of local, community business. Our approach is tailored to small businesses (the kind that make less than $10 million a year with solo-preneurs or small teams) in the rural towns where the “big city” and “coast” models just don’t always meet our needs. We know it because we live it. In today’s introductory episode, you’ll hear from Coach Renia, Creator of the Local Rock Star Strategy. Listen to find o...2019-12-1925 minSmall Stage, Big ImpactSmall Stage, Big Impact TrailerDo you have an inkling that 'big' might not be all that great when it comes to leading a business you love? Then you're in the right place. Join Coach Renia, a 15-year veteran of Strategic Consulting, Coaching, Commercial Banking, and serious SEO nerd as she profiles tiny companies changing the world. Each interview is followed up by an Action-Episode where you'll learn how to apply the ideas and strategies of local rock stars (that's our name for local business leaders doing awesome things) in your own tiny-but-mighty company. Together, we're making the world a kinder place -- one...2019-12-0202 min