Melissa Browne, an award-winning former accountant and financial advisor who has built three seven-figure businesses in different industries. In this episode of Flying Solo Melissa shares her journey from an accidental business owner to a strategic entrepreneur, She discusses why now is the perfect time to start a business and offers practical insights for soloists and small business owners on managing finances, pricing strategies, and creating successful business structures. Whether you're dreaming of a side hustle or aiming to scale your enterprise, Melissa's advice will equip you with the knowledge to navigate the challenges of modern entrepreneurship. Tune in to gain valuable tips that could transform your business approach and boost your success.Key topicsChallenges in running a profitable business The Internet has made it cheaper and easier to start a business, but profitability remains a challenge. Market dynamics have shifted with increased global competition and cautious consumer spending habits. Business success requires more than just talent in one's field; it demands strong business skills and strategic planning. Common mistakes and strategies for new business owners Mistake: Assuming everyone is a potential customer instead of targeting a specific niche. The need to have a well-defined marketing strategy that goes beyond just acquiring new customers and includes retention plans. Importance of pricing strategies that take into account customer psychology and competitors' pricing. Understanding and tracking business numbers Significant metrics to track from the start include conversion rates, retention rates, and cash flow. Importance of accounting practices: Using business bank accounts, paying oneself a regular amount, and keeping track of tax obligations. Making decisions based on a combination of data insights and business intuition to stay agile and adaptable. Pricing Ssrategies Determining value-based pricing by understanding market needs and what customers are willing to pay. Implementing pricing psychology techniques, such as charm pricing and decoy pricing, to influence customer perception. Regularly reviewing and potentially adjusting pricing structures and packages to maintain competitiveness and profitability. Timestamped overview00:00 Intro to Melissa05:45 Targeted Marketing & Customer Retention09:47 "Essential Business Numbers to Track"12:06 New Business Success Metrics Focus16:33 Shrinkflation and Pricing Strategies18:13 Decoy Pricing Strategy Explained21:36 Sole Trader Business Setup Guide24:22 "Consult Accountant Before Starting Business"29:16 "Understanding Numbers Boosts Business Success" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In today's episode, we're joined by David Fastuca, co-author of the B2B Sales Playbook. David, who has successfully built a $150 million sales pipeline and scaled a SaaS business in a competitive market, shares his expertise on developing a simple, repeatable sales system that stands out from the pushy tactics many dread. We'll explore key aspects like the impact of AI on sales, the importance of having a structured sales operating system, and actionable insights for overcoming common sales challenges. Whether you're struggling to land deals or looking to refine your sales approach, this episode is a must-listen for actionable strategies and practical advice. Tune in and transform your sales game today!Key TopicsDavid Fastuca's Sales Journey and B2B Sales Playbook: Transitioned from graphic design to sales out of necessity. Co-authored the B2B Sales Playbook with Luigi Preston. The book is designed to be highly actionable and helps founders and salespeople establish a structured sales process. Provides templates, scripts, and resources to resolve sales roadblocks and enhance sales efficiency. Sales Operating System (Sales OS) and Multichannel Outbound Approach: A structured system is crucial for habit-forming and consistent sales results. Employs multichannel outreach, including email, phone, social selling, and instant messaging. Increases response rates and nurtures leads by diversifying communication methods. Helps in building confidence and understanding real market feedback for growth and refinement. Timestamped overview00:00 Intro to Dave05:24 Embrace AI or Fall Behind06:44 AI Enhances Customer Engagement Efficiency10:22 Human Oversight Required for AI14:26 "Belief, Market Need, Feedback Loop"18:36 Turning Cold Calls Into Warm Leads20:47 Strategic Prospect Engagement Steps22:55 Continuous Customer Understanding Essential29:00 Personalized Messaging Over Generic Outreach32:25 AI Analysis for Sales Insights33:25 "B2B Sales Playbook Preview" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Flying Solo, we dive into the inspiring journey of Irene Tsang, a trailblazer for female entrepreneurship in Australia. After a successful corporate career in Asia, Irene made a bold leap to establish LiftWomen, Australia's pioneering platform dedicated to empowering and funding female entrepreneurs. Motivated by her own experiences of gender bias in the corporate sector, she is now at the forefront of closing the gender funding gap, providing women with access to the capital, mentorship, and community support needed to transform their ideas into thriving businesses. Join us as she shares how her personal experiences and challenges inspired her to uplift women entrepreneurs through her innovative platform. Key topicsIrene Tsang's background and motivation Transitioned from a successful corporate career in Asia to entrepreneurship in Australia. Moved to Australia for better opportunities for her children following personal challenges. Inspired by experiences of gender bias and challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Creation and Vision for LiftWomen Established Australia's first platform dedicated to funding women entrepreneurs. Aims to close the gender funding gap by providing capital, mentorship, and community support. Committed to creating a space where women's ventures are valued and supported. Challenges and strategies in building LiftWomen Faced hurdles in educating the market about crowdfunding in Australia and Asia. Utilized marketing incentives such as grants and partnerships to build initial traction. Leveraged community support and role models to empower and connect women entrepreneurs. Funding and Entrepreneurship for Women Addresses barriers such as traditional biases and lack of confidence among female founders. Advocates for diverse funding pathways, emphasizing non-traditional methods like crowdfunding. Supports business literacy and scalable business models for sustainable growth. Future Goals and Global Expansion Plans to expand support and community building to Asia and beyond. Focus on creating international connections and mentorship for women entrepreneurs. Aspires to empower women globally to pursue impactful ventures and build sustainable businesses. Timestamped overview00:00 Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in Business06:04 Empowering Women through Fintech09:44 Gratitude and Giving Back13:02 Gender Biases in Global Entrepreneurship17:01 Crowdfunding Platform for Women Entrepreneurs19:06 Crowdfunding Education Challenges21:59 Corporate Experience Fuels Entrepreneurial Success26:42 Empowering Women Through Mentorship28:03 Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Globally33:57 "Validate Through Community Engagement"37:44 Empowering Women Entrepreneurs Globally39:57 "Leave a Podcast Review" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lisa Jones is a dynamic force in the world of entrepreneurship. The founder of several successful brands, Lisa shares her journey from corporate roles to building multimillion-dollar businesses, including the inspiring backstory of her eco-friendly nappy brand, Ecoriginals and the origins of her latest venture She-com. Lisa discusses the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs, from funding and financial literacy to the societal pressures of balancing work and family. Lisa offers rich insights into building a thriving community, staying resilient, and the importance of finding your tribe. Tune in for an eye-opening conversation that's sure to inspire and empower.Key TopicsLisa Jones' Entrepreneurial Journey Background in corporate roles. Inspiration for entrepreneurship sparked by meeting ex-husband. Transition from corporate to self-employment. Early Business Ventures Catalyst for leaving corporate: the opportunity with Solar Heart. Serendipitous business moments and intuition. Challenges of working with a partner and domestic violence. Personal Learnings from Adversity Impact of an abusive relationship on personal growth. Silver linings: humility and empathy. Importance of a positive mindset and resilience in business. Building and Scaling Businesses Management and project leads as key strengths. The story of launching Eco Originals. Importance of pre-sales and customer engagement. SheCom's Role and Community Mission to support female founders. Insights from recent surveys on female entrepreneurship challenges. Significance of mental health, burnout, and gender expectations. Strategies for Business Success Importance of optimism and adaptability. Emphasis on community building and validation. Funding challenges for female entrepreneurs and financial literacy. Pathway for Aspiring Entrepreneurs Steps to get involved with Sheecom: coaching calls, courses, and community groups. Importance of finding the right support network and guidance. Time-stamped overview00:00 Corporate transition04:47 Form domestic violence survivor to Fast 30 founder09:15 Developing an eco brand 12:51 Affordable Eco Nappies Initiative17:54 Shecom's Female Founders Survey Results21:08 Scaling hints: simplify to scale successfully25:37 Shecom: Empowering women with proven insights"28:31 Finding and solving customer pain points"33:46 Self-Employment roller coaster" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With a background rooted in a family skincare business, Olivia Jenkins brings over a decade of experience in navigating the ups and downs of the industry. From mastering the art of tenacity to juggling a career, pregnancy, and education, Olivia's journey is one of resilience and determination. She joins us on Flying Solo to share her top learnings from the world of e-commerce, brand strategy, and the power of platforms like TikTok to boost sales.Key topics:E-commerce Strategy and Marketing:- The significant growth of e-commerce during the pandemic.- Advice for small businesses to embrace e-commerce.- Importance of an online strategy for established businesses.Growth Activities and Brand Exposure:- The necessity for businesses to focus 80-90% of their time on growth activities.- Social media, email marketing, and collaborations for brand exposure.- Maximizing effort and exposure through brand partnerships.Audience Engagement and Promotion:- Crucial role of list building through email and SMS marketing.- Recommendations for participating in sales events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday.- Exercising caution to avoid eroding brand equity through continuous discounting.Customer Loyalty and Brand Authenticity:- Techniques for nurturing customer loyalty through authentic and personal communication.- Importance of staying close to the customer and nurturing VIP customers.- Building authenticity by communicating brand values and focusing on unique identity.TikTok Platform and Content Strategy:- Significance of TikTok as a platform with high engagement in health, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle industries.- Recommendations for quality content creation on TikTok, with an emphasis on posting frequency and music as an important element.- Utilisation of TikTok's touch points and impressions for business presence.Time stamped overview:00:00 Key lessons from business journey and investors.03:22 Childhood skincare brand dream, family business experience.07:02 Transitioned from product to business consulting services.10:39 Early focus on growth activities to gain exposure.15:19 Inbox overload during retail events requires diversification.18:00 Stay close to customers, focus on authenticity.20:36 Understand yourself, communicate clearly, and avoid comparison.24:45 Focus on TikTok, analyze posts, replicate successful content.28:45 Encourages business plans for startup success.29:54 Discipline and planning are crucial for success. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jaqui Scammell is the CEO of ServiceQ and an expert with over 35 years of experience in customer service. On this week's episode of Flying Solo, Jaqui shares her journey from working at McDonald's to leading major stadium events, to ultimately founding ServiceQ with a mission to redefine service.Jaqui unpacks the impact of the pandemic on customer service, the essential elements of leadership, the human touchpoints and emotional elements of service, and the future of customer service in the face of advancing technology - Jaqui has coined this as 5D service. Are you ready to elevate your customer interactions?Key points:Customer Service Challenges and Pandemic Impact- Amplified stress and pressure on people affecting customer service- Staff shortages and fear magnified existing service issues- Importance of crisis response preparation and running real scenarios in leadership programsBuilding Brand Reputation and Customer Loyalty- The significance of trustworthiness and delivering value to stand out in customer service- Trust issues affecting brand reputation globally- Loyalty as a valuable currency and the impact of consistent demonstration of trustworthiness5D Service Principles for Business Improvement- Actioning the 5D service principles from Jacqui Scammell's book without delay- Guidance from the book for further support in overcoming challenges- Empowerment, confidence, and emotional intelligence in the workplacePredicted Changes in Customer Service and "5D Service" Framework- Increasing expectations, demand, and competitiveness with technology- The significance of human touch points despite the prevalence of AI and automation- Practical tips for delivering exemplary service and the importance of psychological safety and well-being in the workplace from "The Future of Service is 5D"Timestamped overview00:00 McDonald's 'school of business'03:49 A service mindset leads to personal growth and gratitude.06:47 How to break down big projects into manageable chunks.11:41 Balancing technology and human connection in business.13:33 The multidimensional human connections in the workplace.17:38 Leaders must empower and serve employees.22:31 Practical ways to build mental agility.25:19 Increased competitiveness, demand, and human preparedness.27:04 Leadership programs include running real scenarios to improve decision-making, resilience, and cohesion for handling crises.30:38 "Start yesterday. Buy the book." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Flying Solo, we're joined by business coach and entrepreneur and author Jim Cocks, as he shares his journey from performer to the corporate world to coaching and entrepreneurship. With a focus on understanding the ideal client, the significance of self-care, and strategies for building authentic connections, Jim provides valuable advice for aspiring and established entrepreneurs alike. Join us as we delve into the importance of mindset, embracing failure, and the importance of trust in client relationships. We also get a sneak peek into his new book Build, Excite, Ignite which reveals how to beat burnout and build a six figure business in 12 months.Key topics:Understanding the Ideal Client and Self-Care- Identifying an ideal client persona for marketing and content creation- Seeking direct feedback from ideal clients through market research- Importance of self-care and selectively choosing clientsPricing, Genuine Connections, and Business Purpose- Setting prices based on value offered and building authentic client relationships- Identifying the driving "why" behind a business for success- Embracing failure as a tool for growth and learningOvercoming Challenges and Self-Belief- Managing comparison and self-belief in achieving success- Combating imposter syndrome with mindset shifts and evidence of successNavigating Business Startup and Niche Specialization- Initial openness to opportunities while narrowing down a niche- Emphasizing the importance of becoming a specialist in a specific areaBusiness Evolution and Personal Growth- Flexibility and continual refinement of business niche- Embracing networking, progress, and change for new entrepreneur Time stamped overview00:00 Transition from performing to corporate, seeking freedom.05:32 Entrepreneur sharing story to inspire and empower.09:46 Belief in self is key to success.10:54 Addressing imposter syndrome by acknowledging and reframing.13:47 Startup advice: Say yes, specialize but evolve.18:00 Valuing community support for personal and professional growth.23:35 Price influences trust and value in services.27:07 Take small steps, network, and own change.27:58 Simplicity and sharing are crucial for startup success. Host Cec BusbyProducer Michael MarrenGuest Jim Cocks. Find out more about Jim here. Buy his new book, Build, Ignite Excite. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe Pane is a seasoned psychologist and sociologist who has been aiding businesses and individuals in navigating uncertainty for over twenty years. Pane is the creator of the emotional fitness formula and is an authority on mindset. His new book, Courage To Be You, is filled with valuable advice on reframing feelings around uncertainty for a happier healthier existence.Key Topics:Emotional Fitness and Resilience:- Understanding the emotional fitness formula and its five core principles- Overcoming desensitization to the term "resilience"- Cultivating hope on both macro and micro levels- Integrating ambition into meaning for resilienceStrategies for Emotional Wellness:- Engaging in meaningful hobbies aligned with values- Implementing morning rituals for emotional fitness- Reevaluating busyness and prioritizing impactful activities- Setting up positive morning rituals to shift psychological shorelines toward positivitySelf-Care and Prioritisation- Starting the day with "me time" for improved emotional fitness- Reevaluating daily tasks and focusing on impactful activities- Being loyal to personal values and creating boundaries- Prioritizing self-respect and self-care in the morning routine.Time-stamped Overview00:00 Book on mastering uncertainty after 18 years.03:26 Emotional fitness formula for navigating uncertainty's 5 principles.06:33 Transition from ambition to meaning; navigating life.11:31 Values are emotional compasses influencing decision-making.14:53 Creating clean and healthy perspective for resilience.18:51 Macro and micro hope: two levels explained.21:38 Creating momentum with structure for emotional fitness.24:21 Daily reset shapes day, prioritize morning rituals.26:55 Set a low bar for entry, prioritize.30:12 Initiating a morning me-time challenge for listeners. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, host Cec Busby is joined by Charlotte Blair, the founder of Strength Partners and author of Career Unstuck. Together, they dive into the intricacies of internal voices, self-assurance, and the power of community.Charlotte shares invaluable insights on managing limiting beliefs, harnessing personal strengths, and the transformative impact of building meaningful connections. Join us as we uncover practical tools and techniques for personal development and discover the courage to ask for help and navigate career and business obstacles. Key Topics1. Managing Internal Voices and Emotions- Acknowledging and understanding the different voices in one's head- Empowering oneself to choose which voices drive one's decisions- Developing a growth mindset to learn and grow from challenges- Dealing with fight-flight-freeze responses and triggers, as per David Rock's SCARF model2. Balancing Aspirations and Priorities for Business Owners- Managing limited resources as a business owner- Exploring practical tools and techniques for personal development in career and relationships- Personal experiences and insights into career struggles- Addressing limiting beliefs and imposter syndrome3. Building Community and Support- The importance of networking and collaboration for solo workers- Cultivating connections and networking online- Virtual collaboration and increased hunger for connection post-pandemic- Transformative power of building relationships and cherishing virtual connections4. Using Personal Strengths to Meet Goals- Discovering and naming personal values and strengths- Identifying talent through activities that bring fulfillment- Navigating roadblocks by intentional use of strengths- Seeking support systems like mentors and peer reviewsTimestanped overview00:00 Identifying and prioritizing values for motivation.04:14 Finding talent through passion and time perception.06:43 Solopreneurship requires intentional navigation and outsourcing.12:07 Overcoming doubts to write a successful book.13:52 Goal, reality, options, and the way forward. Coaching vs counselling for future and past.19:24 Overcoming fears and doubts to move forward.22:34 Autonomy, relatedness, and fairness influence feelings and behaviours.25:42 Coaches collaborate, barter, and find mutual benefits.28:50 Connect, reach out, and network effectively.33:19 Book offers practical advice and recommendations for change.34:36 Overcoming fear and seeking help is rewarding. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Vesna Hrsto is a dedicated naturopath who has overcome burnout in her own business to continue helping others with their health and wellness. From a young age, she knew that she wanted to pursue a career in natural medicine and has been committed to her passion. Her experience with burnout has shaped her approach to her work, and she now strives to help others prevent and recover from similar experiences.From dietary changes to mental and emotional stress management, this conversation delves into practical approaches to maintaining physical and mental health amidst the demands of entrepreneurship.Key TopicsUnderstanding and Addressing Burnout- Vesna's personal experience with burnout- Warning signs of burnout- Impact of chronic stress on physical and mental health- Importance of self-care and recoveryManaging Stress through Nutrition- Impact of diet on stress hormones and energy levels- Dietary changes to reduce stress- Supplements for managing stress- Importance of regular meals and healthy cookingUnderstanding and Managing Mental Stress- Coaching and meditation for mental stress reduction- Draining effects of mental and emotional stress on energy- Role of attitude and perspective in stress management- Practical approaches to quieting the mindPhysical Health and Stress Management- Role of exercise in managing stress- Benefits of daily exercise and strength training- Balancing hormones and setting up routines for better physical health- Regular checkups and obtaining basic pathology testsBuilding Healthy Habits and Preventing Burnout- Establishing healthy habits to prevent burnout recurrence- Motivation and energy from seeing results of healthy habits- Importance of proper nutrition, exercise, bedtime, and routine in preventing burnoutTimestamped overview:00:00 Struggled with work and stress, led to burnout.05:31 Manage physical stress with diet and habits.09:21 Mental and emotional stress impact energy levels.12:10 Maintaining clarity in mind enhances productivity.14:48 Balancing downtime while running a thriving business.18:08 Self-care is crucial to show up better.21:27 Recommend pathology test, reduce stress, take action.25:28 Eating breakfast reduces stress and boosts metabolism.30:00 Creating energy-shift habits for motivation and progress.33:41 Success comes from simplicity, one step at a time. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices