Unfiltered Entrepreneur by Ashli Pollard - Business Tips for Digital Service Based Founders and Agencies

In this episode of The Unfiltered Entrepreneur, I am sharing the personal side of my life, detailing my journey from launching multiple businesses and rebranding to my deep family ties through therapy and ranking my favorite albums. We're getting into my upbringing in St. Louis, being in a sorority, and what I would change if I had to start over again. You'll hear more on my passion for supporting women, my travels around the world, and why I freaking love the Sims games. Seriously. They're the best. But we also get real vulnerable and I open up about my chronic pain and surviving a severe car accident in my late 20's. Learn more about the woman behind it all, and let me know if you want to learn more. 00:00 — Meet Ashli Pollard 03:46 — Personal Background and Family 05:32 — College and Sorority Life 09:28 — Career Beginnings and Life in New York 12:45 — Travel Experiences: Where I’ve Been, Where I Wanna Go, Where I Never Wanna Be Again 16:09 — What I Would Change 16:52 — My Biggest Passion 17:20 — Hobbies & Why I Love The Sims 18:59 — Favorite Ice Cream Flavors 19:30 — Long-Term Goals and Success 21:41 — Introvert or Extrovert? 22:43 — Favorite Books 24:40 — Ranking 2024 Albums: Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Charlie XCX, Taylor Swift 31:03 — Relationship Status and Sharing Personal Life Online 35:07 — Getting to Know Me Resources: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman Join the Doers Club ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

We are REBRANDING! Welcome to The Doers World. We’ve been on a journey together, and thank you for being my ride-or-dies all throughout the process. I’m realigning Team AP to something a bit more me. I’m going to walk you through the “why” behind this rebrand, our focus on providing accessible resources and learning opportunities, and the value of genuine connections. Entrepreneurship is a means to financial independence and personal fulfillment, and The Doers are here to help lift you up and empower you. I wanna take you through why 'The Doers Collective' is going to be a huge benefit to you going forward, including how we are going to be providing more opportunities for community involvement with meet-ups and helping one another out. My goal is to help YOU succeed, because trust me, women are the future. Thank you for being here, and check out our new quiz, freebies, and offers! 00:00 — Welcome to The Doers: A New Beginning 02:58 — The Journey of Rebranding 05:11 — Empowering Entrepreneurs: The Doers Vision 06:40 — Free Resources and Valuable Tools 09:30 — The Impact of the Doers Community 12:29 — Expanding the Doers World 19:17 — Future Plans 23:35 — Empowering and Encouraging YOU Resources: Take the New & Improved Quiz Consult with Me Personally Happy Hours & Dinner Dates Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

You know the future you want for your business, but how do you get there? You set goals. I know everyone and their mother tries to walk you through goal setting, but I’m going to talk to you about how I continue to reach my goals in my businesses. I’ll get into the nuances of goal setting, the importance of distinguishing between safety goals, security goals, and dreamy, long-term goals. I urge you to balance short-term necessities with long-term ambitions, and remember that you should approach goals with commitment, resilience, and regular self-assessments on your progress. So if you’ve been wanting to redesign the way you approach your goals, you will leave with actionable steps after this episode. 00:00 — The Importance of Goal Setting 03:24 — Safety and Security Goals 05:38 — Dreamy Goals and Big Visions 07:08 — Building a Million-Dollar Business 11:58 — Adapting and Pivoting in Business 20:40 — Actionable Steps for Long-Term Goals 25:12 — Final Thoughts and Encouragement Resources: Dial Zero Marketing Team AP Consulting Fast Forward Productions ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

How do you build a multimillion dollar business? Glad you asked. I’m talking to Kate Perkovic, who is currently the CEO of multiple successful businesses and runs The Ambitious Podcast. We are getting into her personal business journeys, the ethos behind her companies, and the essence of entrepreneurship. We discuss the varied paths to success, the importance of understanding the difference between effort and complexity in business, and the misconceptions about becoming a millionaire. This episode is all about giving you an honest look at the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, so you can walk away with tangible tips to improve your approach to your own business. ▶︎ Watch the Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Introducing Kate 02:07 — Kate's Journey from Server to Successful Entrepreneur 05:03 — The Power of Adaptability in Business 08:24 — Personal Branding and Authenticity in the Online Space 13:26 — Exploring the Concept of Luxury in Business 22:53 — The Shift Towards Passive Income and Business Structures 27:14 — Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 28:28 — Expectations vs. Reality in Entrepreneurship 30:11 — The Entrepreneurial Journey: Grit and Growth 32:25 — Embracing Change and Finding Your Niche 34:28 — The Importance of Role Clarity in Business 38:22 — Learning from Mistakes and Embracing Effort 41:40 — Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Reflections 52:05 — Final Thoughts and Goodbyes Resources: ✦ Kate’s IG ✦ The Ambitious Podcast ✦ Website _____ Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

I get it. A client asks you to do something and it’s either out of your wheelhouse, a lot of extra work, or just totally out of scope. You wanna say no but… what if you lose business? I’m here to tell you why you should NEVER say no to your clients, and how you can maintain professionalism and integrity while denying unreasonable requests in a way that fosters collaboration and partnership. I’m going to provide you with practical examples and scenarios to show you how to reframe a 'no' into a constructive 'yes,' as well as the importance of honest communication, setting boundaries, and prioritizing long-term client relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to balance service with fairness and transparency in their business. Stop resenting your clients and start collaborating! — The Art of Saying No in Business — Why Saying No is Challenging — Examples of Saying No Effectively — How to Handle Unreasonable Client Requests — Collaborative Solutions for Client Requests — Maintaining Professional Integrity — Building Long-Term Client Relationships — Being an Adult — Why You Need to Be Honest About What You Can/Can’t Do Resources: Join our broadcast channel on IG! ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

You’ve done the work. You’ve set up the business. You’re making a profit. But… you’re still not happy. Why? The answer could be that you’re not operating in the space that you actually want to be in. So let’s talk about the distinctions between being a freelancer, contractor, small business, and agency owner. It’s really important to have self-awareness in choosing the right business model for YOUR goals and YOUR lifestyle. I want to empower you by providing clarity in business roles and countering the misleading marketing pressures in the online entrepreneurial space. I’m going to ask you several questions so you can find out what your true business identity is - whether that’s to seek independence, to manage a team, or scale for the long-term. ▶︎ Check out our YouTube for More 00:00 — Introduction and Episode Overview 03:24 — Understanding Business Roles and Misused Language 04:55 — Identifying Your Business Type 08:21 — Freelancer vs. Contractor 19:46 — Small Business vs. Agency 24:32 — Finding the Space That’s Right for You Resources: Freebies for your business ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

Networking. It sucks, right? Maybe…or maybe you’re just looking at it wrong. Let’s examine networking as a primary marketing tool. I’m going to share some insights from The Roundtable, and how Dial Zero Marketing approaching networking as a marketing tool. We’ll go over the challenges and strategies of networking in various locations, practical tips for building genuine connections, and the importance of being seen and vulnerable in business relationships. Trust me - there are so many benefits of leveraging online communities, attending industry events, and collaborating on projects. Building deep, meaningful business relationships over superficial connections is how our businesses excel, and networking is how we make those relationships. ▶︎ ⁠Check out our YouTube for More⁠ 00:00 — The Power of Networking Over Traditional Marketing 05:26 — Challenges and Misconceptions of Networking Events 07:28 — Tips for Effective Networking 09:29 — Attending Events for Networking Opportunities 12:29 — Developing One-on-One Relationships 14:21 — Collaborative Networking Strategies 14:04 — The Importance of Genuine Connections 15:52 — Our Personal Networking Budget and Strategy 23:20 — Big Takeaways Resources: Roundtable Dial Zero Marketing IG ------- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

How do you stand out in the now-overcrowded online space? Julia from “Smarter in a Sec” is a brand strategist, social media consultant, and content creator who has cracked the code on standing out: being yourself. In this interview, I dive into Julia's journey from a strategy consultant to a content creator and how she arrived at her unique content strategy of blending smart insights and product recommendations. Discover Julia’s tips on building a personal brand, the challenges and joys of creating content, and the importance of authenticity and vulnerability. Julia also shares practical advice on being loud about your accomplishments, balancing career and personal life, and the power of thought leadership. This ep is perfect for busy entrepreneurs juggling multiple responsibilities! ▶︎ Watch the Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Welcome and Introduction 00:50 — Julia's Background and Journey 02:05 — Balancing Multiple Roles 03:20 — The Importance of Personal Branding 04:28 — Overcoming Fear and Building Confidence 05:58 — Creating Authentic Content 08:09 — Selling Your Services with Balance 11:59 — Setting Boundaries in Personal Branding 17:40 — Pricing and Value in Services 23:06 — Trends in Career Coaching 25:34 — The Power of Thought Leadership 31:48 — Curation Content and Audience Engagement 36:16 — Final Thoughts on Building a Following Resources: ✦ Julia’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/smarterinasec/ ✦ Julia’s TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@smarterinasec ✦ Julia’s Website: https://smarterinasec.com ✦ https://smarterinasec.substack.com/subscribe ✦ Julia’s Store: https://shopmy.us/smarterinasec ✦ Muna’s IG: https://www.instagram.com/mkedi.co/ ✦ Get Our Podcast List: https://teamap.consulting/podcast ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

Let’s talk different pricing models. How do you know when to use the best model for you? How do you use hourly rates, project fees, or custom pricing? What is the reason behind using one or the other? In this, I am covering my insight as someone who has been involved in pricing for the past 15 years in a wide variety of sectors. From Dial Zero to Team AP to Me Time to Fast Forward, pricing has been everything in the way that I run my business and my employees and contractors. I’m giving you all my insights into the pricing strategies that have worked for me and why I think they work, what each of the pros and cons are of each model, and I also provide tips for setting prices confidently. Tune in to learn how to optimize your pricing strategy! 00:00 — Intro to Pricing 02:55 — Understanding Different Pricing Models 05:56 — Hourly Rates: Pros and Cons 07:01 — Flat Rate Pricing: When and How to Use It 07:38 — Custom Pricing: Tailoring to Client Needs 07:45 — Practical Examples and Case Studies 11:04 — Choosing the Right Pricing Model for Your Business 14:48 — Conclusion and Next Steps Resources: See my pricing at Team AP! ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

We are putting our focus on managing lower-priced service offerings and avoiding the trap of over-delivering without adequate compensation. Have you been wondering how to structure your business offerings to avoid feeling resentment for working too hard for too little? I hear you. Trust me when I say I get just how important it is to price accurately, recognize when you're overworked and underpaid, and strategize on how you can please your clients without sacrificing yourself. You’ll walk away knowing how to set clear boundaries for your lower-priced services while still allowing your clients to grow through you. We’re here for this long haul, and these practical tips will definitely make you reexamine how you are pricing your services. 00:00 — Let’s Talk Pricing 03:05 — Over-Delivering on Lower Priced Services 04:22 — Questions to Assess Your Pricing Strategy 08:35 — The Importance of Matching Service to Payment 10:00 — Structuring Your Offers to Avoid Resentment 11:17 — Creating Tiered Service Experiences 12:20 — Tips to Reevaluate Your Pricing Structure 13:40 — Pricing The Experience of Working with You 16:27 — The Biggest Takeaway to Be in Service to the Client Resources: Join the Doers Broadcast Channel Maxime Hue’s Work ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below