

The Self-Employed Life
Jeffrey Shaw
The Self-Employed Life Podcast (formerly Creative Warriors) provides business and personal development strategies for self-employed business owners that create sustainable success.
A community of self-employed and small business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators and ambitious individuals that need creative solutions in business. Being self-employed and a business Warrior is a mindset, a spirit and a challenge. We need a different way of doing business. This is business with a soul.
We discuss marketing, branding, productivity, mindset, building meaningful relationships with customers and living a fulfilling life. In the self-employed life, it's all personal.
Small business consultant, business coach for entrepreneurs, keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and author of The Self-Employed Life and LINGO, host Jeffrey Shaw, interviews bestselling authors and experts who will change your way of thinking and provide practical ideas that you can apply directly in your life and business. Two episodes each week- one content-rich interview with an expert and Coaching Break offers a 15-minute break to receive coaching from your host.
A community of self-employed and small business owners, entrepreneurs, innovators and ambitious individuals that need creative solutions in business. Being self-employed and a business Warrior is a mindset, a spirit and a challenge. We need a different way of doing business. This is business with a soul.
We discuss marketing, branding, productivity, mindset, building meaningful relationships with customers and living a fulfilling life. In the self-employed life, it's all personal.
Small business consultant, business coach for entrepreneurs, keynote speaker, TEDx speaker, and author of The Self-Employed Life and LINGO, host Jeffrey Shaw, interviews bestselling authors and experts who will change your way of thinking and provide practical ideas that you can apply directly in your life and business. Two episodes each week- one content-rich interview with an expert and Coaching Break offers a 15-minute break to receive coaching from your host.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 19, 2025 • 23min
980: Influence Results with the Right Words
Words have a powerful energy. In this episode I share the importance of paying attention to the energy of words and how to use the right words with careful intention to influence the results you want. Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable resources to help you – 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. 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! Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Business Coach, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, and author of LINGO , The Self Employed Life and Sell to the Rich. Also, Founder of The Self-Employed Business Institute, The Exceptional Business Academy and responsible for dedicating May 4th as National Self-Employed Day on the U.S. National Calendar. Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal de

Mar 12, 2025 • 54min
979: Milton Pedaza & Erica Wertheim Zohar - Trust is the New Currency of Business
In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with two guests, Milton Pedraza and Erica Wertheim Zohar, co-authors of High Trust Worth: The New Currency of Business is Not Money, It’s Trust. We discuss the power of trust in business and why it is more important now than ever. Drawing from their experience in the luxury market, Milton and Erica break down the five pillars of building high trust and share what it really takes to both earn and keep it. We explore how businesses can stand out by making trust their foundation and how even small gestures can make a lasting impact. This episode is filled with advice for anyone who wants to grow their business with integrity. Erica Wertheim Zohar is a distinguished entrepreneur, consultant, speaker, philanthropist, and journalist with specialized expertise in luxury brands and ultra-high-net-worth individuals (UHNWIs). After founding a successful clothing manufacturing company, she transitioned to consulting, advising leading luxury brands on sales, marketing, and communication strategies. A former West Coast Contributing Editor for Town & Country, Erica is currently a contributing writer for Forbes and a long-standing member of YPO. Drawing from her experience as both a business leader and a UHNWI, she focuses on helping organizations build strategic, high-performance relationships with UHNWIs. Erica’s unique perspective offers invaluable insights into the luxury market, making her a sought-after speaker, advisor, and thought leader in her field. Milton Pedraza is the founder and CEO of the Luxury Institute, a leading-edge HNW and UHNW research, consulting, and training solutions firm that has served over 1,100 luxury and premium goods and services brands in the last 22 years. With unique, unmatched expertise in emotionally intelligent luxury, Luxury Institute has helped top-tier luxury and premium brands create extraordinary customer experiences, build long-term relationships and achieve financial results. Milton is globally recognized as one of the world’s leading luxury industry experts, as well a leading private investor and entrepreneur. Milton has served on the boards of top-tier luxury brands, as well as tech startups. He is a member of the Advisory Board at The UHNW Institute and is a frequent speaker at corporate events worldwide. Prior to founding the Luxury Institute, his successful career included executive roles at PepsiCo, Colgate, Citibank and Cendant. Milton is a frequent guest speaker at Columbia, has lectured at Duke and Harvard and has been recognized as a top Latin Entrepreneur by Stanford. He has conducted business in over 120 countries and speaks several languages. Erica's Contact – Book: High Trust Worth: The New Currency of Business is Not Money, It’s Trust Website Linkedin Milton's Contact – Book: High Trust Worth: The New Currency of Business is Not Money, It’s Trust Website Linkedin Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable Resources – 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.

Mar 5, 2025 • 24min
978: Are You Leaving Money on the Table?
There are so many options to increase your sales and even more importantly, enhance the experience for your customers. I cover several ideas that you can add to your business that will delight your customers and increase your average sale. Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable resources to help you – 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. 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! Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Business Coach, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, and author of LINGO , The Self Employed Life and Sell to the Rich. Also, Founder of The Self-Employed Business Institute, The Exceptional Business Academy and responsible for dedicating May 4th as National Self-Employed Day on the U.S. National Calendar. Supporting self-employed business owners with busin

Feb 26, 2025 • 45min
977: Devorah Coviello - Think Like a CEO
In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Deborah Coviello, author of The CEO’s Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track, to talk about what it really means to be a CEO. Deborah explains the power of shifting from a results-driven mindset to one that prioritizes peace of mind. We discuss how that change of thought can lead to better leadership and long-term success. We also talk about balancing logic with intuition, learning from past experiences, and why true leadership is more than just chasing results. This episode will help anyone who has struggled with feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about being a CEO to find clarity and confidence in their role as a leader. Known as The Drop In CEOTM, Deb’s superpower is lowering the temperature and elevating conversations with empathy and patience. As a speaker, author, podcaster, and consultant, she teaches C-Suite leaders how to establish a “Lift, Light, Lead” environment and create calm amidst chaos or crisis. She is the author of “The CEO’s Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track,” and, “The NEW CEO Playbook: Stop Chasing Results and Start Pursuing Peace of Mind.” Her long-running podcast, The Drop-In CEO, is in the top 1.5% globally among Apple podcasts. Guest Contact – Website: Drop In CEO Book: The CEO's Compass: Your Guide to Get Back on Track Linkedin Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable Resources – 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.

Feb 19, 2025 • 16min
976: An Alchemy Mindset: A Clear Difference
You've likely heard about a growth and fixed mindset. In this episode, I take that to a whole new level that is proving to be a distinguishable difference between those that thrive in business and those that struggle to get past whatever level they are currently at. It's what I'm calling an Alchemy Mindset. Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable resources to help you – 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. 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! Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Business Coach, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life. Also, Founder of The Self-Employed Business Institute, The Exceptional Business Academy and responsible for dedicating May 4th as National Self-Employed Day on the U.S. National Calendar. Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

Feb 12, 2025 • 45min
975: Cara Moeller Poppitt - Making a Big Freakin’ Change
In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the great pleasure of speaking with Cara Poppitt, author of Big Freakin’ Change: How to Gain Confidence by Stepping Out Before You Are Ready, about the process of implementing change. Cara explains that courage is the starting point, with confidence following later, and encourages listeners to embrace change rather than resist it. We discussed the barriers that hold people back, the differences between courage and confidence, and eight essential steps to help individuals break free from stagnation and move forward. This episode offers valuable insights and practical steps to anyone who is feeling stuck to help them embrace change. Cara Moeller Poppitt is dedicated to empowering individuals to overcome limitations, take decisive action, and achieve their personal and professional aspirations. She has developed a profound understanding of how mindset and movement can drive personal, professional and organizational change that lasts. In her Get Unstuck, Cycle of Change model she teaches individuals and organizations how to make change and develop confidence. As the founder of two award-winning companies, Poppitt ranks among the top 2% of female entrepreneurs, underscoring her exceptional leadership and strategic acumen. As an international speaker and coach, Poppitt has successfully guided over 10,000 entrepreneurs in realizing their full potential. Her notable achievements include being named Global TV’s Woman of Vision, CIBC’s Entrepreneur of the Year, and receiving recognition on Global News. Based in Calgary, Canada, she continues to lead her mission of inspiring and uplifting professionals worldwide. Guest Contact – Website Linkedin Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable Resources – 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.

Feb 5, 2025 • 13min
974: The Silent Sale: Not Understanding This Can Harm Your Business
In this episode you'll learn about one of the biggest changes in marketing and sales, the reason for it, and what you can do about it. I can almost guarantee it's going to warrant some changes in either your digital platform, customer engagement, or both. Important information and perspective change.

Jan 29, 2025 • 49min
973: Jessica Pettitt - Releasing the Pressure to Be Perfect
In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with Jessica Pettitt, author of Good Enough Now: How Doing the Best We Can with What We Have Is Better than Nothing. Jessica highlights the importance of accepting yourself and finding balance between imperfections and growth. Our conversation delves into how releasing the pressure to be perfect can reduce stress and open the door to meaningful progress. This episode is a powerful reminder that progress often begins when we allow ourselves to simply do our best, even if it’s not perfect. Perhaps it’s her Texas roots, but Jess Pettitt, MBA, M.Ed., CSP, believes that to really thrive in this world, you have to ride two horses—one of giving and one of receiving. For Jess, the giving horse is her passion for service, and the receiving horse is the high she rides entertaining audiences. For almost 10 years, Jess rode one horse by day, serving as an administrator in student affairs for university Diversity and Inclusion programs, and the other by night, performing and hosting three times a week doing stand-up in New York City’s most popular comedy clubs (ask her about George Carlin’s nickname for her or sharing an eggroll birthday cake with Bob Newhart). Eventually, Jess discovered she could ride both horses at the same time in the same career, and a speaker in the DEI space was born. Now, nearly 20 years and half a million audience members later, Jess gallops from coast to coast delivering her “Good Enough Now” message to anyone willing to take the leap toward creating a much more inclusive (read: much more effective) organization. If you’d like to discuss bringing in one of the funniest speakers you’ll ever hear to deliver actionable content on everything you’ve ever wanted to know about Leadership and Diversity but were afraid to ask, reach out to Jess today. Guest Contact – Website Linkedin Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable Resources – 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.

Jan 22, 2025 • 24min
972: How to Recover When Business Slows Down
Business is a cycle of ups and downs. If you're feeling the pinch, if your business is slowing down or you fear it might, these strategies will be business-saving. If your business is thriving, great! But learn these strategies for when it's not. Contact Jeffrey – Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable resources to help you – 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. 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! Host Jeffrey Shaw is a Business Coach, Keynote Speaker, TEDx Speaker, and author of LINGO and The Self Employed Life. Also, Founder of The Self-Employed Business Institute, The Exceptional Business Academy and responsible for dedicating May 4th as National Self-Employed Day on the U.S. National Calendar. Supporting self-employed business owners with business and personal development strategies they need to create sustainable success.

Jan 15, 2025 • 30min
971: TJ Slattery - Key Elements of a Successful Business Model
In this episode of The Self-Employed Life, I had the pleasure of speaking with TJ Slattery, founder of Crowsnest Consulting, about the key elements of successful business models. We discussed the importance of having a solid plan, staying focused on priorities, and taking that leap of faith to move your business forward. TJ shared valuable insights on breaking down goals into actionable steps, what it takes to turn a vision into reality, and much more. This episode is filled with advice and inspiration for anyone looking to build a strong foundation for their business. TJ Slattery is the owner and founder of Crowsnest Consulting. A lifetime entrepreneur and strategic advisor, TJ harnesses his decades of experience to create clarity and stability for business owners immersed in the day-to-day on an entrepreneurial island. With honest, relatable candor (and a stylish neckerchief), TJ helps small business owners across industries create and improve operational systems and develop proactive processes to forge a path forward - one that leads directly to their personal and professional goals. By leveraging business acumen, experience and relentless curiosity, TJ enables his clients to connect the dots between the business they have and the vision they want to achieve. He is passionate about empowering entrepreneurs to stop treading water and get up into the Crowsnest where they belong. Guest Contact – Website Linkedin Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com JeffreyShaw.com Books by Jeffrey Shaw Business Coaching for Entrepreneurs Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share! Valuable Resources – 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.