The Self-Employed Life

In a world that can get far too complicated, there’s nothing quite like simple wisdom handed down. With all that’s new in business, there are also core principles that were true in the past, are still true today, and will likely be true tomorrow. That’s what we’re exploring today with my guest, Bryan Eisenberg: tried and true core business principles. In our conversation, we discuss how to be a “Rice and Beans Millionaire” – how to stop complicating everything and go back to business basics. Whether you are just starting out in your self-employed life, or have been in the business for years, the timelessness of these core principles will always be relevant in today's rapidly changing world. Bryan Eisenberg and his brother Jeffrey are the co-founders of Buyer Legends. Jeffrey was a former investment banker and Bryan a former social worker. They have been entrepreneurs for nearly three decades and have consulted, advised and mentored hundreds of entrepreneurs and businesses over the years, including Google, Overstock, and Disney. They are the co-authors of bestselling books "Call to Action," "Waiting for Your Cat to Bark?," "Always Be Testing," "Buyer Legends," and "Be Like Amazon: Even a Lemonade Stand Can Do It." Bryan and Jeffrey are recognized internationally as pioneers in online marketing, improving conversion rates, persuasive content and persona marketing, and helping organizations improve their customer experiences. And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com. Bryan Eisenberg, thank you so much for being here! Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world. Guest Contact – BryanEisenberg.com Bryan Eisenberg on LinkedIn (in/bryaneisenberg/) Bryan Eisenberg on Facebook (/bryan.eisenberg) Bryan Eisenberg on Twitter (@TheGrok) The Rice and Beans Millionaire by Bryan & Jeffrey Eisenberg BuyerLegends.com Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs The Self-Employed Summit Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable complimentary resources to help you – The Self-Employed Business Institute — You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! — Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

I’ve often said that sometimes we self-employed folks feel like rock stars, and other times…not quite so much! Let’s learn to harness the power of owning who we are, to create not only more authenticity, but more consistency in our emotions. Today’s conversation with guest Liz Brunner begins with the story of Liz’s unexpected career transformation from TV journalist to executive communications coach, and how she was able to translate her previous skill sets and experiences into a new career path. As Liz’s grandmother used to say, “no knowledge is every wasted.” From there, we discuss how recent generations are more accepting (and desirous) of a more varied career path than in the past — gone are the days of working for one company for your whole career! – and how self-awareness is a key part of this societal transition. Related to self-awareness is self-confidence. Liz talks about how to manage swings in self-confidence and shares confidence-maintaining tips and tools from her book. Finally, we discuss how finding and leveraging your voice – literally and figuratively! – can help you get your message heard. Liz Brunner is the CEO and founder of Brunner Communications, a keynote speaker, podcast host, and best-selling author of Dare to Own You: Taking Your Authenticity and Dreams Into Your Next Chapter, and recommended on Forbes.  An Emmy award-winning journalist, Liz Brunner’s television career spanned 28 years and featured many memorable highlights. Along with co-anchoring the #1 rated 6pm newscast at ABC-TV, WCVB NewsCenter 5 in Boston, she conducted exclusive one-on-one interviews with prominent figures ranging from professional athletes to global political leaders including President Barack Obama as well as cultural icons such as Oprah Winfrey. In 2013, leveraging her media and communications experience and expertise, Liz founded Brunner Communications, and in February 2020, Liz launched her award-winning podcast, Live Your Best Life with Liz Brunner, where she shares stories of re-creation and reinvention. And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com. Liz Brunner, thank you so much for being here! Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world. Guest Contact – LizBrunner.com/ Special Offer! 20% Discount on “Dare Collection” Courses at BrunnerAcademy.com — use code SHAW20 Passion & Purpose Worksheet   Dare To Own You by Liz Brunner Liz Brunner on Facebook (@OfficalLizBrunner) Liz Brunner on Instagram (@lizbrunner) Liz Brunner on Twitter (@lizbrunner) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs The Self-Employed Summit Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable complimentary resources to help you – The Self-Employed Business Institute — You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! Take The Self-Employed Assessment! — Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! — Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

This is the first of a 7-part series that I'm calling 7 Blind Spots in Your Self-Employed Business. By definition, blind spots are what you can't see. Sort of like you don't know what you don't know. These are the most common blind spots that I have seen across my coaching clients and student over 15+ years of coaching. Becoming aware of and solving these 7 blind spots are guaranteed to make a huge difference in your business.   Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Take the Self-Doubt Survey   Valuable resources to help you –   The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out!   Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap.   Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Coach, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

Over the years as a coach, I’ve heard many people say, ‘I’m happy, but I feel like I could be happier.” So today we’re going to explore the situations (which I think many of us experience!) when things are not ‘awful,’ but you feel like you want ‘more than usual.’ To that end, I’m speaking with Luke Iorio, a mindfulness coach and entrepreneur.  First and foremost, we talk about achieving congruence (a word I love!) with who you really are. I believe many of us self-employed folks have made the choice to be self-employed in the first place in order to better achieve that very congruence – a congruence which certainly makes it easier to be happier! Luke and I explore this idea, as well as how integrity and authenticity underpin congruence. We discuss the concept of ‘know, like, and trust,’ and how connecting with our clients from a more authentic place can help us get to a point where our clients are people we actually and actively want to serve. Luke Iorio is a mindfulness coach, entrepreneur, blogger, and host of the top podcast, On This Walk. Luke has walked alongside thousands of clients and listeners as they search for meaning, purpose, and alignment. For much of his life, Luke believed success was something to be achieved, and that placing mind over matter was honorable, strong, the “right thing to do.” Luke searched for alignment and purpose, and on his journey, he discovered the beauty and joy of reconnecting with one’s true nature, of finding real balance, of feeling connected, healed, and whole. As the previous President and CEO for the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching (iPEC), Luke had the unique and fortunate opportunity to work with influential people and organizations who were not satisfied with life and business as usual, granting him access to a laboratory of transformation that few people have had. Luke continues to serve as partner and board member for iPEC.  And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com. Luke Iorio, thank you so much for being here! Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world. Guest Contact – OnThisWalk.com On This Walk on Apple Podcasts Luke Iorio on LinkedIn (ln/lukelorio) Luke Iorio on Instagram (@dlukeiorio) www.iPECCoaching.com Contact Jeffrey – JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs The Self-Employed Summit Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable complimentary resources to help you – The Self-Employed Business Institute — You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! Take The Self-Employed Assessment! — Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! — Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

There are many ways goal setting is different when you're self-employed. In preparing for an upcoming goals workshop for the Self-Employed Business Institute and being attuned to a feeling in the air, I realized yet another way goal setting is different for us. As many things are, it's a strength that can also work against us.   Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Take the Self-Doubt Survey   Valuable resources to help you –   The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out!   Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap.   Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Coach, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

If you’ve listened to this show, you know how strongly I feel that being self-employed is a largely about one’s self. So, for the business and life success we seek, we must always be developing ourselves. And sometimes, we need to stretch our thinking – perhaps outside of our comfort zone – to what I refer to as ‘hitting the wall on the opposite side,’ so that we can moderate somewhere in between. That’s how we grow. And I suspect my conversation today with Azrya and Benjamin Bequer may do that for you. Among other things, we discuss paradoxes: the paradox of being both fully committed while remaining unattached in your life and business and the paradox of the ‘soul’s curriculum’ vs. ‘free will’ — free will being particularly important to us self-employed folks! We try to at least partially answer the question “if chasing money, status, and security isn’t ‘the answer,’ what is?” And of course, I talk with Azrya and Benjamin about their new book, Beqoming: Everything You Didn’t Know You Wanted, which took me to places I’m not entirely comfortable with, or even necessarily entirely agree with. But in reading it, I never responded to it with a hard ‘no,’ because just maybe, their book (and hopefully our conversation in this episode today) will expand your thinking as well.   Azrya and Benjamin Bequer are the co-founding stewards of BEQOMING, an ecosystem designed to empower people to unlock who they were designed to be through facilitating transformational retreats and processes, curating community, and sharing inspirational media. Their mission is to unite and activate an ecosystem of purpose-driven pioneers in service to creating ROI (Ripple of Impact). And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com. Azrya and Benjamin Bequer, thank you so much for being here! Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world. Guest Contact – www.beqoming.me BEQOMING: Everything You Didn't Know You Wanted by Azrya and Benjamin Bequer Beqoming on Instagram (@beqoming) Benjamin on Instagram (@benjaminbequer) Azrya on Instagram (@azryabequer) Contact Jeffrey – JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs The Self-Employed Summit Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable complimentary resources to help you – The Self-Employed Business Institute — You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! Take The Self-Employed Assessment! — Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! — Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

Today we’re going to be talking about the visibility you need to grow your business…and if you’re uncomfortable with visibility, this episode is especially for you! Today I speak with Susan M. Barber about the subject of visibility, which in my opinion, is one of the biggest challenges that we business owners and subject matter experts face! In our illuminating and practical conversation, Susan and I talk about how you can adapt ‘visibility-increasing’ techniques and methods to your own personal style (even if you consider yourself an introvert!), how to know if you’re actually becoming more visible, and how a good ‘visibility mindset’ can help overcome self-sabotage. We also review Susan’s helpful 4-step process for building visibility.  Susan M. Barber, Author, Podcast Host, Former Fortune 500 IT Director, turned Executive Coach helping business leaders to play bigger, increase their visibility and finally, shine a light on their leadership strengths and elevate their position in the workplace.  She brings a depth of business knowledge to her coaching from her 25+ years of experience at Kraft Heinz and is the author of The Visibility Factor. She is creating a visibility movement for leaders to show their value and be seen for their true talent. And be sure to subscribe to The Self-Employed Life in Apple Podcasts or follow us on Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts so you don’t miss an episode. Everything you need can all be found at jeffreyshaw.com.   Susan M. Barber, thank you so much for being here!   Remember, you might be in business FOR yourself but you are not in business BY yourself. Be your best self. Be proud and keep changing the world. Guest Contact – SusanMBarber.com Susan M. Barber on LinkedIn (ln/susanbarbercoaching) Susan M. Barber on Facebook (@susanbarbercoaching) Susan M. Barber on Instagram (@susanmbarber29) The Visibility Factor by Susan M. Barber The Visibility Factor Podcast on Apple Podcasts Contact Jeffrey – JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs The Self-Employed Summit Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable complimentary resources to help you – The Self-Employed Business Institute — You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out! Take The Self-Employed Assessment! — Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap. Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! — Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Consultant, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

This being the first episode of the new year, I'm excited to announce the topic of my next book and how YOU can be involved. Maybe even be included in the book. This will be my most exploratory book and I look forward to including the experiences of many people. Maybe you?   Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Take the Self-Doubt Survey   Valuable resources to help you –   The Self-Employed Business Institute You know you're really good at what you do. You're talented, you have a skill set. The problem is you're probably in a field where there is no business education. This is common amongst self-employed people! And, there's no business education out there for us! You also know that being self-employed is unique and you need better strategies, coaching, support, and accountability. The Self-Employed Business Institute, a five-month online education is exactly what you need. Check it out!   Take The Self-Employed Assessment! Ever feel like you're all over the place? Or frustrated it seems like you have everything you need for your business success but it's somehow not coming together? Take this short quiz to discover the biggest hidden gap that’s keeping you from having a thriving Self-Employed Ecosystem. You’ll find out what part of your business needs attention and you'll also get a few laser-focused insights to help you start closing that gap.   Have Your Website Brand Message Reviewed! Is your website speaking the right LINGO of your ideal customers? Having reviewed hundreds of websites, I can tell you 98% of websites are not. Fill out the simple LINGO Review application and I'll take a look at your website. I'll email you a few suggestions to improve your brand message to attract more of your ideal customers. Fill out the application today and let's get your business speaking the right LINGO!   Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Small Business Coach, Brand Management Consultant, Business Coach for Entrepreneurs, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life (May 2021). Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.