The Thoughtful Entrepreneur

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge talks to the CEO of Christner Strategies, Jenny Christner. Josh and Jenny discuss improv’s ability to impact strategy. Jenny discusses her history in theater after medical school and how after taking an improv class she fell in love with it. Jenny shares how she uses improv every day in both personal life and business. She discusses the science behind improv and how it appealed to the scientific side of her and how it opened a window of hobby. She expresses how she learned these tools and how when these improv tools are applied, it can also help people within their workplace. In learning the rules of improv, Jenny was able to make sense of them and apply them to all aspects of life. Jenny also serves as the dean at the College of Medicine at Baylor. Josh asks how improv has been used professionally as well as within the education space. Jenny shares that the more you dive into leadership, more than anything, it’s really about personal relationships. She emphasizes that a key piece of improv is you have to listen very carefully and that when we converse with others in the workplace, listening is crucial. Often we get lost in our own thoughts and responses and improv tools give great lessons on using strong listening skills to accomplish set goals. Listening allows for better collaboration and stronger relationship building. Josh shares his own transformative experience in exploring improv classes and how it has helped him to be more real, more authentic, and a more present leader. He also shares how it has helped him feel better about himself in social situations, with less second guessing on what to speak. Josh and Jenny discuss the impact of implementing improv skills to team members within an organization and how the safety improv ideals of communication provided in expressiveness can foster improvments within a team. They discuss the improv tool of “yes and” versus “yes, but” and how responding with an ‘and’ instead of a ‘but’ keeps communication flowing and open within teams. This can allow a team to work together more effectively. “Yes and” allows the concept that there’s no mistakes, and it’s open to take in every person's input within a safe environment where everyone has a voice. Jenny expresses the impact that this form of collaboration can have within a team to create and establish a common theme. Want to learn more? Check out Christner Strategies’ website at https://christner-strat.com/ Check out Christner Strategie on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/christner-strategies/ Check out Jenny Christner on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennychristner/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time! More from UpMyInfluence: ⭐ We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. 🎉 Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. 🚀 What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the CEO of Grace and Ease Productions, Shay Wheat. Grace and Ease Productions is a client supporter in creating powerful and profitable events by producing in person and live virtual events from one-day to three-day events. Josh highlights the photography on Grace and Ease Productions’ website and how there is so much minutia when it comes to events, including collaboration with celebrities. Grace and Ease Productions spends about 100 hours on pre-event planning to produce an event. By focusing on sale strategies, offers, what is the promise of the event, swag, virtual, in person, hybrid, and on the backend, Grace and Ease can make the event very profitable. Josh discusses with Shay the intricacies of planning events from the simplicities of parking to the details that you really only learn from planning these sorts of events. They also discuss the risk of events when they aren’t executed smoothly and the effects that can have on an organization. Shay expresses that how an event shows up to their community is a representation of how their program will perform in their subconscious thoughts. Shay also highlights the importance of having an industry professional negotiate venues with hotels to save a ton of money for their clients. The Grace and Ease team handles many different components varying from planning, speakers, and sponsor support to help really create an amazing experience that is also revenue generating. They focus on key fundamentals when it comes to event planning including the audience, ticket sales, run of show (agenda), and offer strategies to really create an experience. Josh expresses when events are done well and also when done poorly, it can impact their brand. Shay shares how the stage showcases the experts and how it allows them to speak from one to many. Josh and Shay talk about how having events helps grow your brand. While they may not always be cheap, the impact it can have on a brand can help an organization grow quickly. Josh asks Shay where events are today with in person, virtual, and hybrid events and the frustrations that have come with these different forms of events, especially hybrid in the post pandemic world. Shay shares that she does all three forms of events, and has seen that attendees generally will attend virtual events after attending an in person event first. She also expresses that attendees really appreciate the virtual option. It allows for more flexibility for an event to showcase, both big and small. Want to learn more? Check out Grace and Ease Production’s website at https://graceandeaseproductions.com/ Check out Grace and Ease Production on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/graceandeaseproductions/ Check out Shay Wheat on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaywheat/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time! More from UpMyInfluence: ⭐ We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. 🎉 Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. 🚀 What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge talks with the Chair of the Evolutionary Business Council, Teresa De Grosbois. Evolutionary Business Council is designed to help others grow their reach and influence through events and collaborations. Josh asks what it is that the Evolutionary Business Council does and Teresa shares that it is all about helping conscious entrepreneurs that are in alignment with creating a more conscious and sustainable world. Teresa shares that the Evolutionary Business Council is based on three pillars which focus on helping businesses become more influential, more profitable, and more impactful. Josh asks Teresa what consciousness really means, she explains that it’s really just being on top of your own thoughts. Research shows that most people have self limiting beliefs through their inner dialogue and that not all of our thoughts may not be serving you. Evolutionary Business Council has members including speakers, trainers, authors, podcasters, but also members that are all about creating products that influence sustainability. Teressa discusses influence and the impact of action. Teresa shares that when you can get people to take action, that's the point of change. Insight isn't enough – you also need action, and that’s the component that drives sales. Josh asks what council members do. Teresa shares that the council does live events and is also an opportunity for collaboration through a learning library. There is a versatile range of members within the Evolutionary Business Council, with the idea of bringing those in with a giving attitude and to really be of love and assistance to other members. Teresa shares it is amazing what’s possible when we all help each other. Evolutionary Business Council provides a safe environment for leaders to step into where they can get to know each other and do their own work to make sure they are truly challenging themselves to bigger levels moving past self limiting beliefs. Teresa shares that you can’t make yourself influential or famous. Josh asks about the Evolutionary Business Council’s grand mission. Teresa shares that the council’s goal is to have 1.2 billion (15 percent of the population) lives transformed by helping them learn more conscious ways of living. She explains how the Evolutionary Business Council chose that number with intention, considering communication theory. Expesssing 15 percent as a tipping point number and how they have taken that concept globally. Teresa shares how when influence and profit are used together as a tool, your impact gets so much greater in the world. Want to learn more? Check out Evolutionary Business Council’s website at https://ebcouncil.com/ Check out Evolutionary Business Council on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolutionary-business-council/ Check out Teresa Grosbois on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/teresadegrosbois/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time! More from UpMyInfluence: ⭐ We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. 🎉 Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. 🚀 What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

1256 - Problem Solving with Schlegel Consulting's Matt Schlegel

1255 - Figuring Out the Formula with Thynk Consulting Group's Alexa D'Agostino

1254 - It Doesn't Have To Be All At Once with Go High Level's Shaun Clark

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with Serial Entrepreneur, Kim Hvidkjaer.Kim explains that throughout his time as a serial entrepreneur, he has gone through many successes and failures. The failures have given him the ability to better avoid those mistakes and direct others away from them as well. Kim explains that growing a business too fast could cause a business to fail due to the risks of upping production with the possibility of a future decrease in demand. Covid has caused companies to focus on niche areas that may not be as high demand in a few years. Kim explains that Covid has caused businesses to change their operations in ways such as physical meetings changing to remote meetings. Kim explains that companies are not using proper sales metrics to gauge the results of their processes. Tracking data allows for a business to control their sales as they are measuring the real data for their products. Kim explains that he does consulting in the form of an investor or board member. It allows him to have engagement with multiple companies rather than being stuck on one. Kim explains that networking through word of mouth referrals or social media is where new leads tend to come from.   Key Points from the Episode:The impact Kim has in the worldWhy 90% of companies failOutside market forcesKim’s thoughts on what works and doesn’t with sales Key ideas in Kim’s book How to F*ck up Your StartupWhat Kim is currently focused on NetworkingAbout Kim Hvidkjaer:I am an award-winning serial entrepreneur, WSJ bestselling author, keynote speaker and angel investor, having built companies from startup to exit in several industries.I started my first company at the tender age of 19 years old, and was as a 29-year-old millionaire, aptly named one of Denmark’s “6 Rising Stars.”Two years later, after a cluster of f*ckups, I found myself broke—having lost more money than the average American earns in a lifetime.I since have rebuilt my fortune through several startups, becoming an expert in failure.Interviewing dozens of startup founders and studying thousands of collapsed startups, I developed a comprehensive guide to failure—what it means, what it looks like, and the strategies business owners can employ to avoid it. Want to learn more? Check out Kim Hvidkjaer’s website at https://kimhvidkjaer.com/Check out Kim Hvidkjaer on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimhvidkjaer/?originalSubdomain=dkCheck out Kim Hvidkjaer on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/kimhvidkjaerCheck out Kim Hvidkjaer on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kimhvidkjaer/?hl=enCheck out Kim Hvidkjaer on Twitter at https://twitter.com/KimHvidkjaerCheck out Kim Hvidkjaer’s book How to F*ck up Your Startup at https://kimhvidkjaer.com/book/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with Expert Sales Copywriter, Alyson Lex. Alyson helps course creators, experts, and coaches sell more of their product. Her impact with this is being able to help her clients sell products that could potentially benefit many other individuals. Good copywriters should be able to adapt to the needs of their clients and understand their clients' audience. Alyson explains that many clients need extra help with understanding strategy within their marketing. The process of hiring a copywriter varies from person to person. Alyson advises to look at samples from the copywriters to see what resonates, look for high recommendations, and use conversation to take the possible relationship further. Alyson explains that manipulative copy can work in some areas but it does not work as much as it used to. Good copywriters should be able to show their client where to enter the conversation with their specific copy. The process with copy is to ease the sales process to make it smoother for the business. Alyson explains that talking about yourself too early and too often in a copy is a telltale sign of an inexperienced copywriter. The business should not be talked about until the solution of the problem is introduced because the setting needs to come first to set the stage for the solution. Alyson explains that overediting and over formality are a downside as they take away the humanistic value of the business. The process of working with Alyson is completely custom based on the clients needs. Alyson explains most of her work starts with an introduction call to gather information. From there she will either write a copy if it's short term, or write a copy as well as provide coaching if it is a longer term deal.   Key Points from the Episode:What Alyson does and her impact on the world What a good copywriter providesAlyson’s advice on hiring a copywriterThe purpose of good copySigns that a professional copywriter has not been utilized The process of working with AlysonAbout Alyson Lex:This direct-response marketing thing... it's what I DO. It's how I've put food on my family's table for years - and it's how I've helped business owners just like you grow bigger and reach higher.I’m the former Marketing Manager for Glazer-Kennedy Insider’s Circle - and my very first sales letter generated nearly $9,000.00 in less than 3 days to a list of barely over 200 people.My copy and marketing strategy contributed to a campaign that generated over $1 MILLION at an international event attended by more than 1,000 people.And now, I’m a hired-gun for all your marketing “stuff.” Want to learn more? Check out Alyson Lex’s website at https://alysonlex.com/.Check out Alyson Lex on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/alysonlex/.Check out Alyson Lex on Instagram at https://instagram.com/alysonlex.Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

On today's episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, we are so excited to speak with founder and CEO of Virtual A Team, Nicole Bandes! Virtual A Team works specifically with coaches, consultants, and other online based entrepreneurs. Known as the freelance whisperers by bridging the gap and creating a more seamless process with virtual teams. Nicole discusses virtual assistant mistakes that include not knowing exactly what the business need is. She discusses zone of genius and scaling businesses. Don’t forget to listen to our next episode, where we recap all the great insights that Nicole Bandes offered! Key Points from the Episode:Virtual Assistant Budgets Benefits of a strong operations teamEmpowering people to do the things they are most passionate aboutHiring processes and the why behind them About Nicole Bandes:After losing her 17 y/o son, Nicole Bandes discovered her purpose: encourage others to make time for what matters most. In 2017, Nicole founded Virtual A Team, a virtual services agency helping overwhelmed coaches and consultants who want to define success by the wealth of their lives, not the size of their bank accounts. Nicole also shares valuable tips as podcast host of Coach’s Copilot: Your Online Business Manager. YES You CAN Build a Successful Business Around an Amazing Life, Here’s How Nicole shares her story of how she’s been able to successfully work less than 20 hours a week while building and growing a profitable business through outsourcing and delegating. Why a Virtual Assistant May NOT be Your Best First Hire and What to Do Instead When coaches and consultants start thinking about getting help, they default to hiring a Virtual Assistant. I can share 3 convincing reasons for why that might not be the best move and what to do instead. Do it Yourself or Delegate, How to Earn More by Doing Less You can choose to do things you don’t love and aren’t good at or you can make more money in less time by focusing on the things that only you can do. Let’s talk about 5 key strategies coaches can use now to start delegating more and doing less.Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Nicole Bandes’ website at https://virtualateam.com/optins/calculator/ Check out Nicole Bandes on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolebandes/ Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.

On today's episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, we are so excited to speak with podcast host “Screw the Commute,” Tom Antion! Offering support to those who want to escape their 9 to 5 and those who are in business for themselves. Tom shares how he has never had a job and how that has influenced the name of his podcast. Tom discusses how his mission is to help his students get to a point where it’s too expensive for them to go to work anymore. He shares his objective of individuals being so successful in their own business that it basically would cost too much to go into their usual 9-5. He shares the benefits of side businesses utilizing low risk to get started. Don’t forget to listen to our next episode, where we recap all the great insights that Tom Antion offered!  Key Points from the Episode:Corporate culture and working independentlyLow risk side businesses Selling digital products or affiliate products About Tom Antion:I'VE NEVER HAD A JOB.For 44 years I've always had my own small business. Starting with nothing, I owned five apartment buildings and a hotel before graduating college.NICKNAMESSome people have nicknamed me "The OG" for Original Gangsta of online marketing since I've been selling on the commercial Internet since there was a commercial Internet circa 1994. Other people call me the "King of Kaching" because my email goes "Kaching" every time an online order comes in.✔ GRAB A FREE EBOOK ON HOW TO AUTOMATE YOUR BUSINESSScrewTheCommute.com/automatefree MENTOR PROGRAMI'VE HELPED A TON OF PEOPLEFor more than 23 years I've had the longest running, most successful, most unique program for small business owners and professional speakers One of my proteges just sold pluto.tv to Viacom for $340 Million.I'm certainly not claiming you'll do that well, but if you are willing to do the work, you will learn from me the proven techniques to maximize your online presence and sales and minimize your expenses.YOU'LL LEARN ABOUT=> Shopping Cart Systems=> Email marketing=> Online advertising=> Chatbots=> Product Creation=> Publicity=> YouTube Marketing=> Blogging=> Online Courses=> Website Development=> List Building=> Crowdfunding=> Traffic Driving=> Membership Sites=> Digital Marketing=> Social Media=> Professional Speaking, ANDThings that haven't been invented yet hahahaSEMINARI have the longest continuously running Internet Marketing and Digital Marketinng seminar ever. Ask me about it. It's got a funny name, but it's a serious seminar.PROFESSIONAL PUBLIC SPEAKING 🎤I'm a veteran of over 3000 speaking engagements in 12 countries. I claim to have trained more pro speakers in the art of public speaking and presentation skills than anyone living. No one ever challenged me on that statement. I've never been beaten in "non-obnoxious" back-of-the-room sales in over 20 years and I can teach you how to do that too.🎧 ENTREPRENEURSHIP PODCAST"Screw the Commute" is an entrepreneurial podcast based on the fact I've never had a job. I've always worked from home including six years when I had the second biggest nightclub in my state and I lived above it. So, technically I had a nightclub in my basement hahahaDOCUMENTARY 🎥I invite you to watch the trailer of "The American Entrepreneur" Documentary where I'm humbled to have been featured by Hollywood producer Terri Marie. Facebook.com/AmericanEntrepreneurFilmCONTACT ME✉ EMAIL: Tom@ScrewTheCommute.com, tom@imtcva.org, cc tomantion@gmail.com📞 MOBILE: Text and Voicemail: 301-346-7403Links Mentioned in this Episode: Want to learn more? Check out Tom Antion’s website at https://screwthecommute.com/automatefree/ Check out Tom Antion on LinkedIn at https://linkedin.com/in/tomantion Don’t forget to subscribe to The Thoughtful Entrepreneur and thank you for listening. Tune in next time!More from UpMyInfluence:️  We are actively booking guests for our The Thoughtful Entrepreneur. Schedule HERE. Are you a 6-figure consultant? I’ve got high-level intros for you. Learn more here. What is your #1 Lead Generation BLOCKER? Take my free quiz here.