The Jasmine Star Show

Have I told you about the time someone tried to copy Social Curator?I’m talkin’ they were stealing our content, resources, Action Plans, the whole nine-yards… AND I even think they called it something like “Socially Curated.”I felt angry. Disheartened. The team and I had poured so much time, energy, and money into making Social Curator something that was truly magical… and someone was COPYING it?! But I couldn’t let those copycats consume my thoughts and energy. Instead, I had to focus on how we were going to move the company forward -  and in doing so, I learned some important lessons.I recently had a consulting session with a client (let’s call her Kelly) who was in a very similar situation, and so I shared what I learned with her… and then I realized: I should also share with YOU!So, I grabbed my mic and recorded this honest, unscripted conversation… I hope it serves you well. (You’ll also get some bonus tips on how to format and deliver an engaging keynote presentation - my client asked for this as well and I wanted to let you in on what works well for me.)Click play to hear all of this and…[00:00:34] The two topics I'm sharing with you that a client and I discussed: Formatting keynote presentations and handling industry copycats.[00:02:01] What to include in each section of your presentation.[00:03:57] My secret to inspiring action and building trust with my audience during the presentation.[00:09:10] How to deliver your presentation and increase engagement with your audience.[00:10:07] My thoughts on copycats in business and the lessons I’ve learned on how to handle them.[00:14:23] How to not let copycats affect your mindset and my strategies for preventing them in the first place.For full show notes; visit: https://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode368a

Is it necessary for me to be in that meeting?Is it necessary that I'm in that Slack channel?Is it necessary I’m cc’d on that email?These are some of the questions I’ve been asking myself lately… but it took me a long time to even know to ask these questions. (Like years and years!)Why? These are questions you learn to ask when you know you’re in the stability phase of a business project. (More on that phase in this episode!).You see, I had to learn to ask different types of questions in distinct phases of my business (or distinct phases of a business project) in order to grow and take effective action.Why am I telling you this? Because I learned that the mindset I needed to embrace and the actions I needed in each phase are totally different (and lead to different results).In other words: my growth was stymied until I learned WHAT phase I was in and WHAT types of questions to ask.In this episode, I’m sharing everything I’ve learned about the different phases of business and I’m breaking down the questions you should ask in each, the mindset you’ll want to embrace, and how to know what actions to take as you move forward.Click play to hear all of this and….[00:02:04] How to know if you’re asking questions in the foundational phase (and the mindset you’ll find helpful in this phase)[00:06:03] How to know if you’re asking questions in the stability phase (and the mindset you’ll find helpful in this phase)[00:09:07] How to know if you’re asking questions in the scale phase (and the mindset you’ll find helpful in this phase)[00:11:10] How to find and connect with complementary businesses to market and grow your businesses together[00:12:11] How to reframe your “I want” questions to create actionable steps that will help you achieve your business goals[00:17:49] How to reframe your dead-end questions into open-ended questions to find the answers and get resultsFor full show notes; visit: https://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode368

“Jasmine, you need to take a break…”JD (my husband and business partner) said these words to me a few weeks ago.I immediately replied, “No. I need to work more. I need to do more.” (Can you relate?)It was while recording this podcast series with my co-host Marcus Murphy, I realized it wasn’t the work that was keeping me from stepping away, it was the pressure of coming back and people asking what I was going to do/accomplish/create/build next.That’s right, the expectations of returning kept me from taking time away to just…be.(Spoiler alert: I ended up taking the break.. AND, I put up parameters and said, “I'm taking a break without expectation and I need to do this for myself.”)In this conversation with Marcus, you'll hear me process the uncomfortableness of taking a break without knowing my next move. You'll also hear us both share candidly about how we got to where we are today, in hopes that our journeys will inspire and encourage you.Click play to hear all of this and…[00:02:02] Marcus’s transition to becoming a CEO of a tech company and developing his company, The Five Percent.[00:06:04] Why Marcus believes in observing the market to build a business[00:09:33] How building your own brand helps you take control of your own circumstances and improve your organization.[00:10:18] How Marcus decided to focus on professional athletes as his niche.[00:17:24] How to create awareness around your brand, build recognition, and engage your audience.[00:18:21] What skyscrapers and athletes have in common - and how to apply it to business[00:22:04] Marcus’s goal of building awareness for his business and how he plans to make this goal a reality.[00:27:23] The value of being “a sherpa” and helping others navigate their own path to success.[00:31:17] The responsibility and significance of being a minority founder in the business world.[00:33:43] My journey and challenges of transitioning from consulting to becoming a CEO.[00:42:50] Why I plan on taking a break and how I’m handling the expectations upon returning.Marcus spent the last 15 years building the foundation for a life of serial entrepreneurship. In 2020, he left his dream job as a senior member of the executive team at DigitalMarketer. He literally cried himself to sleep the night he made this decision... but it was the right one. Marcus is currently the co-founder and CEO of The Five Percent, an international community geared toward inspiring, equipping, and facilitating actionable content for emerging entrepreneurs.For full show notes visit: https://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode367 You know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That’s been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.If you’re ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!

The podcast explores the value of communication and sales skills for entrepreneurs, the power of effective speaking in leadership and relationship building, developing public speaking skills and negotiation, the importance of having an outline or script, preparing the audience and content density, and showcasing personality and vulnerability in public speaking.

He dropped out of college without a clear sense of direction.Then one day, while working in the “dish pit” at a restaurant, he received a call that Usher Raymond wanted to collaborate with him (cue the lyrics to Let It Burn).It was a 7-year journey of financial struggles, latte-making shifts, and uncertainty that ultimately led to exhibitions across the globe – from the USA to Australia, Hong Kong, Finland, London, Berlin, Beirut, and Shanghai.In this episode, Marcus Murphy, my co-host, and I have the privilege of interviewing Jonni Cheatwood about the business of art, the lessons he gained from more than a few mistakes along the way, and his path from college dropout to a successful full-time artist (y’all, Jonni is LEGIT - he has collaborations with businesses like Target and TedX!).Click play to hear all of this and…[00:01:05] Jonni’s upbringing in a home filled with art and his early exposure to art museums.[00:05:00] Jonni’s journey from taking art classes in high school to dedicating his whole life to art and his career.[00:08:59] How Jonni experimented with trying different things to discover personal passions and self-understanding.[00:11:27] How Jonni views failures as learning experiences and navigates how to find his place in the art world.[00:16:18] Jonni’s early experiences with art and the start of his painting career.[00:17:08] How Jonni felt when he made his first sale and the realization that his artwork can be bought and sold.[00:20:53] The role of friends and community in Jonni’s artistic journey [00:24:17] The power of painting in public [00:26:01] The process of starting a painting and the challenges of working with a blank canvas.[00:29:15] The importance of taking breaks and gaining perspective in the creative process.[00:34:54] How Jonni’s painting in a Tumblr competition led to Usher reaching out to collaborate on a project.[00:39:05] The challenges Jonni faced when he moved to LA to pursue his art career and how he eventually got introduced to an artist's residency.[00:44:49] How galleries represent and advocate for artists, and the dynamics of reaching out to galleries.[00:47:18] The importance of persistence in the art world and the ability to say no to opportunities that don't serve the artist's goals.[00:49:49] The importance of seeing the process of creating art and the challenges of sharing it on social media.[00:54:06] The importance of sharing an artist's journey and experiences with the world, and the value of interviews and storytelling in the art community.For complete show notes, visit: https://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode365Jonni Cheatwood is a self-taught artist living and working in Los Angeles, California. He is known for his energetic large-scale paintings that are often characterized by their vibrant colors, bold brushstrokes, and college-like compositions. He often uses found materials in his work such as You know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That’s been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.If you’re ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!

Around 2013, I completely tapped out my market. I was photographing luxury weddings for $15,000-$20,000 - but could only do 25 a year (due to travel).  I was also hosting in-person educational events and creating digital products for other photographers.I wanted to do MORE… but I knew I needed to shift my strategy to scale (because there is only one of me!)So I did a business audit. I’m not gonna lie to you… It wasn’t the MOST FUN. You wanna know what IS fun? Running a growing business that serves people well, is profitable, and provides a way for me to sip on frosty beverages on a beach vacation whenever I want to! But the only way to do that was to do a business audit. So I buckled down and did it. Click play to hear the six-step audit framework I’ve developed and how you can implement it right away… I promise you’ll be glad you did!  [00:02:18] Why auditing your business strategy is important for long-term growth.[00:04:41] The importance of revisiting your goals and aligning them with your vision.[00:06:44] How to stay ahead of the curve and identify market gaps.[00:09:04] Ways you can leverage team skills, strengths, and interests to meet increased demand.[00:10:12] Tips to improving customer satisfaction through customer feedback and data[00:11:20] How to evaluate expenses and make cost-saving decisions by cross-training team members.[00:12:22] Why you need to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and measure progress towards goals.[00:14:17] How to create your “Business Strategy Audit Document” to keep all of your decisions in one place.[00:14:30] Three ways to measure the performance of your new business strategy.After you listen to this episode, I encourage you to listen to 8 Mindset Shifts to Transform your Relationship with Money.For complete show notes, visit: https://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode364

“I’m having a Bianca on hurdles day.”I’ll text my sister this whenever it feels like nothing in life or business is going as planned.Let me explain.When we were in high school, Bianca, my twin sister, decided she was going to run the 300-meter dash with hurdles. After clearing the first three hurdles with ease, Bianca broke the number one rule from Coach Julia which was looking over at her opponents. Bianca then lost her cadence and fell over hurdles 4-10 in front of hundreds of people, but she got back up and still limped to the finish line with bloody shins.I met her there to tell her how proud of her I was for not quitting… oh, and her response, you ask?She looked at me, stopped crying, and said, “Wait a minute, I could have quit?”She didn’t know that quitting was an option… so she didn’t quit. (Think about that for a moment.)Even though Bianca and I aren’t technically identical, our upbringings were pretty darn close.And one thing that we definitely share is our desire to help others remain resilient. We believe resilience is a choice that we make every single day (sometimes multiple times a day!), and you’d better BELIEVE we have stories to prove it. I invited Bianca to come on this episode to share some of the lessons that we learned growing up together (in fact, we learned so many that she just released a brand new book about them: “Grit Don’t Quit”).Click play to hear all of this and…[00:03:45] The origins of our (Bianca and my) resilience and grit, and how it shaped our lives.[00:08:15] Our experiences running track in high school, including Bianca's resilience while running hurdles where she fell multiple times but didn't quit.[00:13:50] The moment when I realized quitting was an option and the societal privilege of being able to quit.[00:17:17] The five key questions to ask yourself before deciding to quit, including whether the season is done and if you feel released from the situation.[00:20:15] How to remain resilient when wanting to quit and the importance of choosing to persevere in the face of challenges.[00:24:18] The significance of resilience not just for ourselves, but for paving the way for future generations and inspiring others to keep going.[00:28:58] The importance of practicing gratitude and how it can help overcome failure and exhaustion.[00:30:49] The importance of learning from failures and embracing them as opportunities for growth.For complete show notes, visit: http://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode363More about Bianca Olthoff: Bianca is a Bible-teaching, word-slanging “MexiRican” who is passionate about raising up a generation of people passionate about Jesus Christ. As an author, speaker, and podcaster, she knows the power of words and wields them wisely. As a church planter and leader, she is committed to proclaiming the gospel domestically and internationally. Grab a copy of her brand new book, You know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That’s been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.If you’re ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!

In this episode of The Jasmine Star Show, there are sensitive topics mentioned related to suicide, mental health struggles, and emotional distress. The content may be triggering for some listeners. If you or someone you know is currently struggling with these feelings, we encourage you to seek support from a mental health professional or call or text the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 in the United States. Listener discretion is advised and I hope you realize how much that YOU MATTER.Have you ever wondered what exactly makes a great work culture?There’s obviously a few factors, but here’s a big one: helping employees find purpose in their roles. When employees feel a sense of purpose at work and in what they do, they are more engaged, motivated, and fulfilled, leading to increased productivity and overall satisfaction.But how do you do that? In this episode, Marcus Murphy (my co-host for the next few weeks) and I interviewed Matthew Emerzian, founder and CEO of Every Monday Matters, a non-profit organization that has impacted millions of lives by providing tools, training, and resources to help everyone (especially leaders) learn how to help others realize how much they matter.As you listen to this episode, you’ll learn not only HOW to show others they matter, but you’ll also hear Matthew’s powerful story of his mental journey and the self-transformation he experienced by way of serving others. [00:04:27] Matthew’s motivation for building his personal brand after years of working behind the scenes for his nonprofit organization.[00:07:42] The common mistakes of LinkedIn messages.[00:09:57] Matthew’s journey from working in the music industry to becoming a band manager.[00:21:34] How self-transformation leads to social transformation and the impact of influential people in bringing a message of purpose and fulfillment.[00:22:34] How to create a culture that values and supports employees, and the responsibility of individuals to be the change they want to see.[00:24:21] The importance of mental health and well-being in the workplace, and the need for organizations to prioritize the well-being of their employees.[00:29:00] The practical and strategic approach to culture change, starting with understanding pain points and creating a tactical plan.For complete show notes, visit: http://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode362More about Matthew Emerzian: For the past 15 years, Matthew has been on a mission to create a world where everyone embraces how much and why they matter. He is the bestselling author of four books, a highly sought-after keynote speaker, having taken the stage for Zoom, Google, Outreach, HP, Jack in the Box, Chili’s, Genentech, Amgen, and more, and his work has been hailed by Oprah.com, The Today Show, Fast Company, and several other media outlets. He is also the founder and CEO of Every Monday Matters (EMM), a non-profit organization that has impacted millions of lives.  After achieving great success in the music industry as the SVP of Robert Kardashian’s music marketing company and working on projects for the biggest artists in the world, including U2, Avril Lavigne, Coldplay, and more, Matt woke up on a Monday morning with a mYou know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That’s been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.If you’re ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!

Wanna know how to become someone that people WANT to work with?Build meaningful relationships. As a business owner, building and sustaining meaningful relationships will help you build trust and credibility, which can lead to more referrals, collaborations, and customers and clients.You might be thinking, ‘Ok, I’ve heard this before, but HOW… how do I create and build these relationships with people?’Lean in, this episode was made for you. I’m diving deep into four tried and true ways to build and maintain connections. Through intentional listening, being a connector, leading by example, and showing gratitude you can make people feel significant, seen, and validated…and build the type of relationships that make others love working with you.  Click play to hear all of this and…[00:04:27] How to intentionally listen to your audience through content and conversations.[00:08:17] How to create a safe space for your team by encouraging open communication and honest and open dialogue.[00:02:21] The importance of seeking feedback from customers and clients for future content and offers.[00:09:25] The importance of openly and safely sharing perspectives in a team meeting to make informed decisions.[00:10:22] Why my team and I share pre-meeting notes and action items in advance and how it improves productivity and ensures everyone has a chance to be heard.[00:11:26] The importance of active listening, maintaining eye contact, nodding, and using appropriate facial expressions and body language to convey engagement.[00:19:17] Ways you can follow up with leads by creating content based on their ideas.[00:20:09] How connecting community members can help them learn and scale their businesses together.[00:21:01] The Law of Reciprocity and how connecting with others can build trust and lead to new relationships.[00:29:41] How to lead by example by demonstrating core values, investing in personal growth, and showing resilience and adaptability.[00:36:18]  The importance of following through on promises, addressing issues for all customers, and maintaining trust and reliability.[00:38:15] The importance of answering messages promptly to maintain trust.[00:39:11] The significance of expressing gratitude to community members through sharing their content and sending personalized thank you messages.[00:45:59] How showing gratitude to customers and clients strengthens emotional connections and increases lifetime value. [00:48:54] The importance of publicly acknowledging clients' support and achievements on social media to make them feel valued and appreciated (and tips on how to do it!).For complete show notes, visit: http://jasminestar.com/podcast/episode361Sources:Cision PR Newswire, Motista, https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-retail-study-shows-marketers-under-leverage-emotional-connection-300720049.html The New York Times, Andrew Gelman, You know that feeling when you find a platform that just works—and you never have to worry about switching? That’s been me and Showit for the past 10+ years.I built my website with Showit because it gives me total design freedom.If you’re ready to build a website that works FOR you—and not against you—head to JasmineStar.com/showit for a 14-day free trial + first month free when you subscribe!

Billy Gene, marketing guru, joins the show to share his step-by-step strategy of creating high-quality content pieces and strategically turning them into paid ads. He also emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and saying no to opportunities that don't align with his vision. The hosts discuss their approach to marketing and the impact of their content on new audiences. They also touch on creating engaging content, changing pricing strategy, and the power of perspective and vision in marketing.