Episodes
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In this episode of The Business Animal Julie Cortes, the Freelance Rockstar, joins me to talk about the three Ts of becoming a badass in your own business. Julie is full of great, practical information and we share lots of good advice for both new and experienced business owners.
About Julie:
Copywriter by day. Freelance Rockstar by night. Julie Cortés lives, breathes, teaches, speaks, and coaches on all things creative self-employment. She’s run her own business for more than 25 years, is the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC, and created a much-needed college-level course, Freelancing 101, for the KC Art Institute, where she taught as an adjunct professor. Awarded dozens of times over for her work, leadership, volunteerism, and community involvement, she’s regularly sought out for business coaching, media interviews, and speaking engagements. Julie is loving life, living out her passion for helping creative freelancers succeed.
Reach out to Julie:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancerockstar/
https://www.instagram.com/freelancerockstar/
https://www.juliecortes.com/signup
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Julie Cortez and Her Journey
07:58 The Importance of Mindset in Business
14:03 Training Yourself: Establishing Boundaries and Policies
21:05 Training Clients: Setting Expectations
27:10 Training Family and Friends: Creating Supportive Environments
35:18 Finding Freelancers: The Kansas City Freelance Exchange
38:54 Coaching Services: Supporting Self-Employed Individuals
40:57 The Role of Pets in Business and Life
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6SvNbQVXODE
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This week I have a great conversation with storytelling professional Christa M. Hines of The Business Storytelling Studio. Christa has an amazing superpower to make your business' story come alive for your target market and customers. You'll learn about the importance of story in business, the components you should consider when telling your business story, and how to work with a content writer to build the stories that will impact the quality and quantity of customers you reach. Plus we weave a great Star Wars metaphor into the show!
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Business Storytelling
01:33 The Role of a Content Strategist
05:14 Journey into Business Storytelling
08:14 Understanding Business Stories
11:15 The Customer as the Hero
14:21 The Hero's Journey in Business
20:25 Components of Effective Business Storytelling
24:15 Creating Anchor Content
30:30 The Value of Professional Writing
33:32 Balancing Business and Personal Life
35:30 Lessons from Animals
About Christa:
I partner with health and wellness entrepreneurs, coaches and executives to position them as industry thought leaders by creating strategic content plans and compelling marketing collateral. I deliver a variety of writing services ranging from website content, executive bios, articles, newsletters, ebooks, and white papers. With more than 25 years of experience working in whole-person healthcare, non-profit, B2B SaaS and magazine writing, I understand the critical role communication and storytelling play in creating meaningful, engaging content that supports business goals.
In addition to my client work, I’m an award-winning writer, author and speaker. My work has appeared in numerous publications, including KC Parent, Vibrant Life, Pregnancy & Newborn, Parents, and Woman’s Day.
I’m passionate about sharing information that helps people of all backgrounds achieve greater personal well-being, which can have positive ripple effects creating healthier families and stronger communities.
Described by clients as a word-whisperer, I geek out on storytelling techniques and transforming lifeless business word jumbles into irresistible, captivating content that’s easy to understand.
For fun, I enjoy trying out Kansas City’s many restaurants with my family, exploring nature trails with my sweet rescue mutt, going on solo writing retreats and consuming storytelling in all of its forms.
Links:
Christa's website: https://christamhines.com
Christa's Substack: https://wordenergybychristamhines.substack.com/
Christa's contact: https://christamhines.com/contact/
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Do you perform at 100% or 60% when working on your business? In this all important episode, Angie Wiley of You Are Strong and I have an enlightening discussion around your performance in your business and how you can show up at a higher level to increase the results in your business.
About Angie:
Angie inspires others to stop sitting on the sidelines and become a game-changer!
Angie was an industry leader for 22 years for a top medical device corporation, in sales and sales management. She and her late husband, Chuck, also owned their own small business during this time. In 2013 Angie followed her true calling to help athletes with their mindset and launched YOU ARE STRONG, alongside her full time family and career.
In 2014 Chuck was diagnosed with cancer, and from his new perspective, posed the question to Angie, “What are you waiting for?” After his passing in 2020, the question grew louder and Angie courageously stepped out of the corporate world in 2021 and began living her message: YOU ARE STRONG.
Her program has since helped thousands of athletes, sales professionals and business leaders take action resulting in personal and professional success.
Angie holds a B.S. in Education and Coaching, with a minor in Psychology.
You can find Angie at https://youarestrong.com
The Chuck Wiley Athletic Foundation can be found at: https://chuckwileyathleticfoundation.com/
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This episode is full of a lot of wisdom, laughter, and inspiration that will help you understand why and how to create systems in your business that move you toward achieving your goals and vision.
My guest this episode is Betsy Bird of Ride the Sky Equine Photography who offers her amazing insight into how to develop systems that support your business. Along the way we'll laugh, share stories, and impart some great ideas. You'll also enjoy some interesting metaphors and at least one odd cat fact. ;-)
About Betsy Bird:
Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with her canine friends.
Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.
Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). Betsy is one of three Tennessee photographers elected to serve on the council of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).
Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.
Based in Chattanooga, TN, Ride the Sky Equine Photography works on location in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, marketing and brand building, goal setting, time management, and business workflows, Betsy is an expert in her field (which isn’t that surprising given how much time she actually spends outstanding in a field...get it?)
Betsy's Website: https://ridetheskyequine.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridetheskyequine
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridetheskyequine
You can also listen to The Business Animal Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast outlets.
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In this enlightening episode you'll learn about various ways of becoming an entrepreneur — and don't shy away from listening even if YOU ARE an ENTREPRENEUR! This episode has some great takeaways about franchising, business acquisition, and much, much more. My guest, Sara Roy of the Entrepreneur's Source, is delightful and I know you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did.
About Sara:
Sara Roy is a dynamic Career Ownership Coach and Business Owner with The Entrepreneur's Source, empowering individuals in career transition to explore entrepreneurship as a viable path to achieve their goals. She specializes in providing no-cost education and coaching on entrepreneurial opportunities, including building passive income streams and diversifying investment portfolios.
Sara's unique coaching approach begins with helping clients articulate their goals, values, and lifestyle aspirations. She provides education on business fundamentals, funding options, and alternative career pathways while offering a supportive space to overcome emotional barriers and embrace the possibilities of entrepreneurship.
In addition to running her business, Sara is deeply involved in organizations that advocate for small business ownership, women entrepreneurs, and women in leadership. As a sought-after speaker, she inspires audiences nationwide on topics related to business ownership and franchising.
Before becoming a business owner, Sara built a 20+ year corporate career in consulting, process improvement, program and project management, product management, and strategic planning. She also completed numerous executive leadership development programs and earned her MBA from St. Mary’s University.
Sara resides in the Kansas City Metropolitan area with her three children. She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences with her kids, whether attending sporting events, musicals, or concerts, or enjoying outdoor adventures together.
For more information, email Sara at [email protected]
Website: https://sroy.esourcecoach.com/
Schedule an introductory call: https://sroy.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-roy-026a5840/
Testimonials: https://sroy.esourcecoach.com/testimonials/
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If you've heard of Feng Shui, you know it can be a powerful practice in drawing in the energy you'd like and moving away from the energy you don't want in your space and life. If you haven't heard of Feng Shui, and either of the above statements appeals to you, you're in for a treat in this episode of The Business Animal. Robyn Stevens join Kim for a discussion about Feng Shui practices and principles that you can apply in your business space that will reduce stress and set you up to attract what you've been seeking in your business.
About Robyn Stevens:
Certified Feng Shui expert Robyn Stevens transforms home and work spaces to help anyone wishing to attract more prosperity, joy, love and creativity into their life. Robyn is an entertaining and highly sought after speaker, TV guest and consultant who makes Feng Shui accessible and fun. Learn more at https://www.robynstevensfengshui.com.
https://www.instagram.com/robynstevensfengshui/
https://www.facebook.com/robynstevensfengshui/
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As this crazy year draws to a close, I believe we are all seeking to reduce the stress in our lives. Today, I interview Joanie Nicholas of All Things Organized who shares some great tips on how to reduce the stress in your life through organization that works for you!
In her role as a Space Organization Expert Joanie Nicholas helps people live life with enthusiasm and clarity by decluttering, reimagining, and organizing their space. She approaches decluttering and organizing from a soulful place ~ recognizing the impact clutter has on every aspect of our lives. For over 25 years, Joanie has led people across the metro area in creating positive changes to their space, in ways that fit their lifestyle and personality. Joanie brings professional guidance, enthusiasm, empathy and humor to her hands-on work with each client. She loves sharing tips and tricks in group settings, where she can infect large numbers of people with her organizing energy!
Visit Joanie's website: https://allthingsorganizedkc.com
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You're a born problem solver! Yes! ... now let me as you this: Are you putting energy, time, money, and stress into solving problems you don't have? Is this helping you or holding you back?
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Join me as I explore the topic of Stress Relief for Entrepreneurs and get ready for this month's Business Animal interviews!
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In this weeks Three Thoughts for Thursday I share my thoughts around the importance of vision work for entrepreneurs.
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In this episode of the Business Animal Podcast, I interviews Tiffany Sedorus of Valor Through Gestalt. Tiffany, a Veteran, has faced many challenges on her entrepreneurial journey. She openly shares about her experience in manifesting her dream property on which to build her business and an inspirational story of how we sometimes get exactly what we want and then find out it no longer fits the future vision. Tiffany's story is one that will show you dreams not only come true, but they change, morph, and continue to build as long as you're willing to follow the flow of energy and do your part to keep moving forward.
Visit https://valorthroughgestalt.com/ for more information on Tiffany and Valor Through Gestalt
Tiffany's story shared from her website:
After more than 10 years in therapy, numerous anti-depressants, serious bouts of contemplating suicide thinking I would never fit back into life outside of that uniform, something had to give. I made up my mind that these demons needed to be laid to rest once and for all. I had met a woman who told me about the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method and how it didn’t involve riding or obstacles to work with the horse. I knew there had to be some merit to it because every time I showed up to the barn in tears, my horses carried me through the pain and I left a little bit better even if I was simply sitting in their stalls while they were eating.
In January of 2019, I started on my own journey to my Equine Gestalt Coaching Certification. For the first time in my life, I have clarity. Not only am I sleeping better more often, my anxiety and fear, and depression are gradually finding their way out of my body and laying to rest in the sand in the arena with the help of my equine partners. I have, once again, become part of something so much bigger than me. The difference is that this time, it’s working for the good of humanity without the use of force and bullets. A little bit at a time, I have healed and am continuing to heal in a way I never thought possible.
Now, my ultimate life mission has become clear: Walk with my fellow veterans on their own healing path and encourage my horses to help provide them with the clarity they need in their own lives. I'm determined to leave no soldier or their family behind. I will partner with my horses and encourage them to do what they do best and show each person the strength and support they need.
I'll never experience what happened at home during the 14 months I was gone; I will never be able to look back without the memories of my deployment; I will never know what life would be like without the military being part of my story. Relaizing that I am now OK with these things. I know that I can move forward despite my history. I know that deep down, I did what I needed to when I needed to and my life is better for those decisions.
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Money and finance is an incredibly important aspect to being an entrepreneur. It is also one of the biggest challenges business owners face. In this Business Animal episode, I interview Sarah Nicole Nadler of Fierce Feminine Finance who shares multiple wisdoms around female entrepreneurs, money, and building financial success both within and beyond your business.
About Sarah:
Sarah Nicole Nadler is a $6-figure money coach, licensed financial advisor, and award-winning author of the book "From Hustler To InvestHER".
Visit Sarah's site: https://www.fiercefemininefinance.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiercefemininefinance
Download Sarah's free gift: https://fiercefemininefinance.com/retirementguide
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My three thoughts for Thursday this week are around qualifying your customers. If you want to fine tune the people who are showing up as clients in your business this episode is for you!
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In this pep talk, I share my experience with the not so shiny side of customer service — what happens when it goes wrong and how you can both improve your business and protect your inner peace.
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Three Thoughts for Thursday (T3) on Customer Service
In this episode I share three thoughts on customer service for mission-based business owners. I started my working career as a Customer Service Agent for ChemLawn back in the 1980s. (Wow, I'm getting old - and WISEr!) For the ensuing 40 years, I've had to really embrace customer service in my businesses and, frankly, in life. Here are three short wisdoms I've earned (along with my pretty gray hair!).
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In this interview, Sherrie Ortiz shares how her focus on customer service makes Just One Day Travel Tours a unique opportunity and beloved business for those who tour with her.
About Sherrie:
The day tour travel business has been on my mind for many years. I had an amazing career in the bakery industry working as a retail cake designer for 20 years, followed by 18 years owning my own bakery. This gave me the best of both worlds while our kids were young. Now they are adults and out on their own paths and I am free to create this new adventure called Just One Day Travel Tours.
I have always loved planning trips. Family vacations and Girl Scout outings….. the logistics, the hunt for cool stuff to do.. …all those things are exciting to me. I enjoyed a good gathering of people that just wanted to relax and have fun. To tour local-ish places and learn how things from the past and new things to engage in is all very refreshing. I am also a bit of a thrill seeker. I love to go zip lining, rappel, and snow tubing……tours I plan to do in the future if you are game ?!?! ) You can see more about me, Sherrie Ortiz, in the blog adventures, Facebook and Instagram?
I hope you will come join Just One Day Travel Tours for these new adventures.. There will be a number of pre-planned travel trips in the Kansas City and surrounding areas that you and your friends can join as a group, or come by yourself and meet new people. If there is something that you and your friends have always wanted to do, but don’t want to do the planning and driving, I can put together a trip just for you. You can also join the Affiliate Program and earn free seats.
Sherrie's website: https://justonedaytraveltours.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Justonedaytraveltours
Instagram: @justonedaytours
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-ortiz-77a097197/
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Welcome to a new feature of The Business Animal podcast: Three Thoughts on Thursday or T3. In this short weekly segment, I pick one topic and provide three pieces of wisdom (thoughts) plus three strategies and three suggestions on how to take action on those thoughts. This week, I'll be talking about Customer Pain Points. I hope you enjoy and benefit from this short episode. I'd love feedback, so please feel free to send comments to me at [email protected]
I talk in this episode about Value Proposition Design. Here is a link to the book I mention on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Proposition-Design-Customers-Strategyzer/dp/1118968050/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20GBYWRE8976D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y27DqkR8AOdqOvu48U4hkklHqbU36dC-lRBrjXBF-0tXdPkqluibB-gSznc4Gav5DnF_hDp85KYbro4CfANxXEN60BrS3EO0L45-i2DRNwVNgqJoUpHd8KtVpbSWuWslWzCxTasm9eHfsES0cRCZBkQDvIsoQGMECLIakMLK8cQyNinViqDlP1S4KSXeEzY1sXfbZS3-udPx0XDcHWS4qAEqlTiWCJCNgCsj5VQOREE.EjnrKriQNOsRDZOJwN89oKO3TS8NnyrQNdeLg_iGqzw&dib_tag=se&keywords=value+proposition+design&qid=1726147767&sprefix=value+prop%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1
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In this episode, Annie Young and I talk about what it's like to build a business with your whole heart and in service of a population that you not only know well, but deeply feel compassion around. We also discuss what it's like to get your vision together — and then have life throw up a series of HUGE obstacles and what it's like to overcome and drive on in trust and with focus.
About Annie Young:
Annie Young is a triple certified master equine assisted mental health practitioner who works primarily with adult parents. Annie specializes in parents of special needs and parents of children who struggle mentally and emotionally.
https://sawubonaranch.com
https://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-young-3a8b8792/
https://www.facebook.com/annie.young.52/
Instagram: @sawubonaranch
Email: [email protected]
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In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, join me for an interview with Carmi Swift, founder of iPoint Touch EHR software for complementary animal therapy practitioners as we discuss the impact a passionate entrepreneur can have on the people they serve.
About Carmi Swift:
Carmi Swift is a lifetime entrepreneur and animal lover. Carmi’s unique ability to see solutions to entrepreneurial challenges has made her an outstanding ally to both the Audio/Visual Service Industry and Integrative Animal Practitioners. Carmi spent 10 years building a successful AV Service business that worked with residential and commercial contractors to supply the latest AV equipment and fulfill installation. Late nights doing paperwork after a full day of serving customers fired her desire to make her own life easier so she sought help from her son and business partner Brooks who had a background in programming. Together, they developed a software system that reduced the time needed for project management by eliminating repetitive tasks. The system they created for their own business made such a dramatic difference, Carmi and her son made a decision to package and resell it to help others in their industry. The resulting company, iPoint Solutions LLC, owned and operated by Brooks, is a software product now internationally successful with thousands of users.
When Carmi’s dog Tate needed chiropractic care, she sought out a local practitioner and, during the appointment, her keen ability to solve problems kicked in as she watched the doctor hand write copious notes. She recognized in Dr Emily what she had seen in herself as the catalyst for the birth of iPoint Solutions. She approached Brooks about developing a software for Integrative Animal Practitioners and the rest, as they say, is history.
Today, Carmi is devoted to helping doctors provide the best care for their patients and do so efficiently with as little stress and repetition as possible. Carmi lives in the Kansas City metro with her pack of German Shepherd dogs and human family. In her spare time she enjoys dog showing, doing “projects around her home, and traveling to Marco Island, Fl to spend time with family.
You can find Carmi at:
https://ipointtouch.com
https://www.facebook.com/carmi.swift/
Join her Facebook Group for animal practitioners at https://www.facebook.com/groups/167050077260384
email: [email protected]
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Join me for the first of a monthly installment of the Business Animal called "The Entrepreneurial Pep Talk!" In this short episode, I hope to "pep" you up if you're moving through an evolution in your business — whether that evolution is planned or unplanned, wanted or unwanted. So prepare to be pepped!
If you'd like to watch this episode, head over to YouTube: https://youtu.be/GCnAvvg5h
About Kimberly Beer:
Think of me as your Entrepreneurial Wisewoman, I optimize the most important asset in your business: YOU! I do this through knowledge earned from 30 years of my own entrepreneurship helping my clients ideate, build, market, and automate their small business. I have a unique toolkit of skills that address the toughest aspects of entrepreneurship fall into the gap between your therapist and traditional business coach. I am known for my out-of-the-box approaches including drawing on the wisdom of nature and horses to inspire you in the changes you seek. I lead an active and supportive community of like-minded business owners who are creating a business that supports the life they want to live.
Find me at https://kimberlybeer.com
On YouTube at https://youtube.com/kimberlybeer
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