Curious & Empathic? You Can Sell with Aleasha Bahr

I was first attracted to Aleasha Bahr because of the name of her podcast, “Sales is Not a Dirty Word” and the audacious claim on her website that she teaches “Sales That Don’t Suck”.  Because so many self employed women struggle with selling, I just had to know more. Aleasha is a sales strategist that has developed her own unique approach called “The Matchmaker Sales Method,” based on the way women sell. Women, in general have a distinct advantage, because for most of us, curiosity and empathy come naturally.  

The Matchmaker method is all about fitting, not closing, and it’s a way for even the introverts, rejection sensitive and sales avoidant among us can learn to sell in a way that does not feel gross or out of alignment with our values and personality.  

Overcoming Rejection Sensitivity in Entrepreneurship

Rejection sensitivity affects many individuals, particularly those who are neurodivergent, and it can have a significant impact on their personal and professional lives. Understanding and accepting our neurological differences can empower us to build resilience and improve our ability to handle rejection. In this episode, I share both my perspective and strategies on how to create a business and lifestyle that honors and protects our sensitivity, allowing us to bring our unique gifts to those who need them most.

Some of these tools and techniques include powerful questions, affirmations, journaling, and mindfulness practices. These practices can serve as powerful pattern interrupts, helping us shift our physiology and maintain control during moments of stress or anxiety. By making these tools a habit, we can confidently navigate rejection and embrace growth.

The Hidden Costs of Social Media With Meg Casebolt

Learn about the importance of making intentional choices and setting specific times to be online to alleviate the pressure to constantly perform. We explore the societal shift towards a digital focus and the benefits and challenges it brings. Meg shares her personal experience of taking 100 days off social media and how it affected her mental health. 

We explore the power of genuine relationship building, as well as the pitfalls of transactional networking. Come along on this thought-provoking conversation as we encourage critical thinking and aligning your actions with your true self. If you're craving deeper conversations, this episode is for you. Join us as we unpack the costs of social media and explore alternative marketing approaches that go beyond the superficial. 

How Do You Respond to Expectations?

In this episode, I will introduce you to one of my favorite tools in my business, The Four Tendencies framework for dealing with expectations.  How we deal with expectations, our own and those of others, has a significant impact on our business and personal lives.  Some of us always go the extra mile for others, but let ourselves down on a regular basis and others are the exact opposite. Knowing our own tendency and that of our clients, our team members, and even our friends and family members can make the difference between referral business, testimonials and long term relationships and negative reviews, disappointment and frequent turnover.  

Standing Out in a Crowded Market with a Signature System with Claudia Schalkx

In today's episode, Claudia Schalkx will share the power of implementing a signature system in your business as a way to stand out and help you be more consistent with your marketing. A signature system can be used for marketing, sales, content generation, and even business decision-making, so you save time, stay focused, position yourself as an expert, and potentially elevate your pricing.  If your marketing is all over the place, attracting the wrong people or eating up too much time and energy, it’s time to consider a signature solution of your own. Claudia is the person I turned to when I decided to create my own signature system and has become a good friend and biz bestie. 

Overcoming Fear & Indecision: How to Take Risks in Your Business

As women entrepreneurs, we often face the pressure to appear successful by avoiding mistakes, and end up making decisions driven by fear, based on assumptions that are flawed.  Many businesses that seem prosperous on the outside may actually be struggling behind the scenes including those we are trying to emulate. To truly thrive in business, we need to find the balance between passion, purpose, planning, prioritizing, and profitability. It's time to shift our mindset, make strategic decisions, and take actions that move our businesses forward and stop looking for proven processes and magic pills.  

In this episode, we'll explore how to overcome fear, uncertainty, and doubt, and prevent regret while still embracing risks.  

Mental Health Challenges for Female Entrepreneurs with Shulamit Ber Levtov

Today’s guest, Shulamit Ber Levtov is a clinical social worker who specializes in supporting female small business owners and who calls herself The Entrepreneur’s Therapist.  Shulamit started her own business in her fifties after a career shift left her searching for new opportunities. She discovered that entrepreneurship was not only fulfilling but also provided the flexibility and autonomy she craved.  In her work, Shulamit aims to change the conversation around mental health in entrepreneurship, helping women recognize their strengths, acknowledge their struggles, and build businesses that serve them holistically.

Is ChatGPT a Game-Changer or Just a Shiny Object?

As human beings, we possess unique qualities like imagination, originality, and critical thinking, which have always been the driving force behind compelling content. But can AI replicate these qualities? In this solo episode, I share my thoughts on benefits and limitations of generative AI, such as ChatGPT, my personal experiences with various AI tools, and the cautious optimism I hold for this emerging technology. Discover why it's crucial to have realistic expectations, do thorough research, and weigh the pros and cons before incorporating AI into your business. If you're curious about how generative AI fits into the world of driven woman entrepreneurs, don't miss this thought-provoking episode!

Trusting Your Instincts & Building Something Authentic with Jessica Lackey

I’m excited to share my interview with business coach, consultant and fractional COO, Jessica Lackey with you.  Since we talk about courage and authenticity in this episode, I think it’s important that I acknowledge something. When I was first introduced to Jessica Lackey by a mutual mentor, I expected to be a little bit intimidated because she has an MBA from Harvard, was a consultant for top-ranked McKinsey & Company and also had a successful corporate career at Nike.  I am certainly no slouch, with a master's degree from UCLA and a resume with plenty of high profile employers of my own, our culture teaches us to compare and compete, so those insecurity vibes were there. 

Cut Your To Do List in Half

Whether you're a solopreneur or small business owner, we all tend to have a never ending to-do list that can leave us feeling overworked and overwhelmed. In this episode, I highlight the necessity of being aware of one's limitations and prioritizing high-quality tasks, especially as a creative problem solver.  I also cover the importance of integrating novelty into business strategies without disrupting oneself, and understanding one's motivations and genuine capabilities. It’s time to let go of tasks that do not contribute to meaningful progress and cut your to-do list in half, while staying aligned with your core values. 

Designing a Membership Program That Fits Your Business and Clients with Lisa Princic

On this episode of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, we dive deep into the value of membership models for business owners who have reached capacity with one-on-one work or want to scale and don’t want to run a group coaching program. Our guest, Lisa Princic, shares her insights into the flexibility of membership programs, which she has been specializing in helping coaches and consultants launch and grow for several years. We also discuss the key pillars for a successful membership program, including mentorship, education, and community, and how to align these with your pricing and value offerings.  

During our conversation, I share some of the misconceptions I had about the membership model and how learning from Lisa helped me to see the value in the different types of membership structures that can appeal to different people. Tune in for a thoughtful and informative discussion on how to create a membership program that aligns with your values and unique abilities, while delivering scalable value to your clients.  

Is it Time for a Social Media Sabbatical?

On this episode of The Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast, just in time for Independence Day here in the US, I wanted to share my thoughts with you on the subject of social media sabbaticals and why you might want to consider one this summer.  Declaring your independence from social media can be a very effective way to gain clarity on your relationship with these platforms, reassess the value of your current social marketing strategy and help prevent burnout. 

By guiding listeners through a series of insightful questions, sharing the perspectives of other notable coaches and consultants and introducing a variety of options to customize a social media sabbatical to your goals, this episode is full of actionable advice. In emphasizing the importance of mental health and healthy boundaries, and reminding them of the need to treat their sabbatical like an experiment, I encourage listeners to consider the prospect of taking a break from social media that in order to focus on other important aspects of their business, self care, relationships and personal growth.  

Reach & Serve Busy People Using Audio with Lindsay Padilla

Today’s guest, Lindsay Padilla is the co-founder of Hello Audio, an audio content creation tool for entrepreneurs. She is also a former college professor who turned to entrepreneurship after feeling unfulfilled in her long-standing position. Lindsay is passionate about simplifying content creation processes and making it easier to learn on the go, through audio.  

In this episode, Lindsay and I talk about why audio is the ideal way to reach and serve busy people, and why private podcasts are the way to go for entrepreneurs to explore the benefits of audio in long-form learning, Lindsay provides invaluable insights that any entrepreneur can use to create high-quality content.  Because both Lindsay and I are female entrepreneurs with ADHD,  we also chat about why audio is the ideal medium if you have ADHD, both as a content creator and as a content consumer or client.

Self Sabotaging Behaviors Limiting Your Success

As entrepreneurs, overcoming self-sabotaging behaviors is crucial to finding success in business. These behaviors can manifest in various ways, such as accepting too many commitments, avoiding creating systems and structures, or not taking responsibility for one's decisions. By recognizing and addressing these behaviors, entrepreneurs can improve their chances of achieving success and reaching their full potential. 

While everyone engages in self-sabotage at some point, being proactive in addressing these behaviors can facilitate personal and business growth. In this episode, in my typical No-BS style, I encourage you to be okay with stepping out of your comfort zones and to define your own benchmarks for success, instead of comparing yourself to others in your industry. 

Forget Generic Advice: Tailored Email Marketing Strategies with Bev Feldman

Ever felt like you don’t know what to write to your email subscribers, or don’t even know why you have a list, to begin with?  If you find yourself spinning in circles trying to figure out how often to email your list, what to include in your emails, and what metrics to measure, you are not alone. Most of the mass-marketed advice we have been subjected to is meant for course creators and coaches who build their list with Facebook ads, a 2% conversion rate, and plenty of unsubscribers just looking for the latest freebie, what are the standards for experts and thought leaders?   

Enter Bev Feldman, Your Personal Tech Fairy.  Bev is a seasoned email marketing strategist with a passion for helping small business owners grow their reach and impact.  As a consultant, Bev focuses on the unique needs of her clients, providing them with personalized strategies that align with their business model and goals. 

Who is Responsible for Client Results?

Have you been told that clear communication is the key to improving client results, but are still struggling with client expectations? Don’t know why some clients become raving fans and others are never satisfied with your work?  Discover the secrets to clear  communication, effective decision-making, well-defined scope of work, and goodbye to the frustration of unmet expectations and hello to a thriving partnership with your clients.

During the episode, I shares my insights on the importance of being explicit about what services will be provided and how these services can help clients achieve their goals. For consultants and coaches, being transparent about the limitations of their expertise is also essential, as it ensures clients have an accurate understanding of the services they provide, the outcomes they can expect, and the level of responsibility consultants hold for their results.

Marketing Your Expert Identity with Michelle Mazur

Expertise is often undervalued in today's online culture, especially when the coaching industry deems anyone an expert who is "two steps ahead" of their client, but Dr. Michelle Mazur is determined to change that. With a Ph.D. in communication, and a brilliant framework called "The Three Word Rebellion", author, speaker, podcaster, and messaging consultant, Michelle Mazur has a lot to say about expertise, the anti-expert bias that is flooding the internet with cookie-cutter programs, short-sighted advice and leaving people feeling duped. 

If you are a legitimate expert, chances are you think you suck at marketing and don't know how to stand out from the crowd without feeling like a sleazeball about how to help clients who value what you have to offer to find you and hire you. 

The Mentally Healthy Entrepreneur: What You Need to Know

FFrom a licensed psychotherapist turned business coach perspective, the link between mental health and entrepreneurship seemed clear. But during Mental Health Awareness Month, an unexpected twist emerged: the unique challenges female solopreneurs faced. What I discovered shook me to my core and fueled my passion to address this issue

The high-stress lifestyle that often accompanies entrepreneurship can take a toll on one's mental well-being. Acknowledging the potential issues and taking preventive measures to ensure mental health remains strong can be key to overall success in business. 

Mental health deserves ongoing focus and attention, and there is no "good time" to start prioritizing it. Waiting for an opportune moment or certain revenue milestone may lead to dangerous delays or neglect of mental well-being, resulting in a mental health crisis. Fostering mental health resilience and stability must be a constant endeavor, incorporated into daily life and business practices. 

Rising Above Tall Poppy Syndrome: a Chat About Diversity & Inclusion with Lisa Mulligan

It's time to delve into the fascinating and often maddening topics of ambition shaming, gender bias, tall poppy syndrome, and the challenges faced in promoting equity and inclusion in both male and female-dominated industries. Meet today's guest, Lisa Mulligan, who brings a wealth of experience and a global perspective working in the UK, Australia, Singapore, and New Zealand. Lisa is the founder of The Culture Ministry and host of the "A Dog Called Diversity" podcast.

Tall Poppy Syndrome is a pervasive cultural phenomenon where ambitious individuals are targeted and their successes are belittled due to resentment, envy, or fear. Women, especially those who are highly ambitious and driven, are often victims of this syndrome. Addressing this issue is important for achieving true equality and balance in the workforce. In this interview, Lisa & I discuss ambition envy and the role that privilege plays in undermining the achievements and potential of capable women. Mulligan's account highlights the breadth of this global phenomenon and establishes the need for supportive networks and self-understanding.

Unpacking The Boss Up Breakthrough: 9 Steps to a Stand-Out, Sought-After Business

What happens when you have bought all the courses, taken all the programs, followed all the conventional “wisdom” and your business is technically “working” but you’re not attracting as many perfect-fit clients, making as much profit, or having as much fun as you expected? Find out the answer to these questions and more in this episode of the Driven Woman Entrepreneur Podcast.

The Boss Up Breakthrough
My signature coaching program, the Boss Up Breakthrough provides entrepreneurs with the guidance and tools necessary to streamline their businesses, identify their unique strengths and goals, and focus on what truly matters for long-term success. Clients often have many great ideas, leading them to pursue multiple goals and projects simultaneously. However, this approach can result in missed opportunities and unfinished business.  I advocate for a flexible structure, creating order from chaos without telling clients what I think they should do. 

Cultivating Authenticity, Vulnerability & Belonging with Sacred Walker

When a young immigrant moves to a new city, she must learn how to blend in and code-switch to survive. But no matter where she goes, she remembers one thing: she has chosen to believe that she lives in a friendly universe and she uses this knowledge to build brave spaces for others and to find her own sense of belonging. In this conversation, my guest, Sacred Walker, and I share our thoughts on being driven women in a world that projects assumptions onto us, and the courage it took to carve out our own unique paths of being and belonging.

Sacred's journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, and her experiences have taken her across the globe, including India and the United States. Using her expertise in creating intentional community spaces, Sacred has become a beacon of hope and inspiration for those seeking to foster genuine relationships while maintaining their own unique identities.