The Self-Employed Life

We can work hard. We can trust in our skillset. We can be confident and believe wholeheartedly in ourselves. And we also have to have hope. In this episode, I share a bit from Brant Menswar, author of Black Sheep, when he was a guest speaker in the Self-Employed Business Institute. This is the best perspective I have ever heard about hope.   Contact Jeffrey – Take the Self-Doubt Survey Self-Employed Newsletter Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!   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.

Dr. Jud Brewer, a renowned psychiatrist and neuroscientist, explores the concept of eliminating unwanted habits that hinder personal and professional growth. He discusses the impact of anxiety and worry on behavior, as well as the role of scarcity mindsets and distractions in self-employed business owners. Dr. Brewer advocates for reframing unwanted habits and using curiosity to break them. He also emphasizes the importance of moving away from negative habits instead of solely focusing on goals.

  What could be more fun than being in the toy business, right? But, as we'll discover in this episode, this line of work isn't all fun and games. Today I'm joined by Brad Pedersen, who shares his remarkable journey from an expected career path in chiropractic care to an unexpected adventure in the world of toy making. Brad's story is one of resilience and reinvention, as he navigates the challenges of scaling a business too quickly, emphasizing the significance of strategic planning and timing. Self-employed business owners will find valuable insights in Brad's reflections on his journey and the importance of play.   Brad Pedersen is a serial entrepreneur with a remarkable journey that spans decades. A husband to Kelly for 27 years and a proud father of two, his entrepreneurial spirit ignited during his teens when he launched his first business venture. Brad initially pursued a career in healthcare but was captivated by a story about a young entrepreneur who successfully built a toy business, inspiring him to venture into the toy industry. He bootstraped his first toy company from a basement condo, propelling it to become one of Canada's largest toy companies in the early 2000s, earning accolades like the CYBF growth award, consecutive rankings among the Profit 100 companies, and an Ernst and Young Entrepreneur of the Year nomination. Brad's career includes founding Tech 4 Kids, which grew profitably, merging with The Bridge Direct to create Basic Fun with consolidated revenues of $150M. In 2017, he co-founded Pela, a socially responsible company striving to create a waste-free future by designing products that reduce waste's impact. Pela has gained recognition as a certified B-corp with an impressive record, including Jay-Z as an investor, ranking in Deloitte's Fast 50 for cleantech businesses in Canada, and crowdfunded campaigns like Lomi, which raised over $9M and became the most successful cleantech crowdfunded campaign ever. Brad's entrepreneurial journey has been shaped by both triumphs and adversities, and he continues to seek personal mastery and growth, driven by his faith, commitment to values, and passion for fitness and adventure.   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.   Brad Pedersen, 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 – BradPedersen.com Startup Santa: A Toymaker's Tale of 10 Business Lessons Learned from Timeless Toys by Brad Pedersen Brad Pedersen on LinkedIn (@in/brad-pedersen-77075012) Brad Pedersen on Twitter/X (@brad_pedersen) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books 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.

Using the next very unique episode as an example, I share a few ideas about how to stand out, open some doors, and how to be memorable. Be sure to follow this episode by listening to the next with Brad Pedersen about his book, Start Up Santa: A Toymaker's Tale of 10 Business Lessons Learned from Timeless Toys.   Contact Jeffrey – Take the Self-Doubt Survey Self-Employed Newsletter Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!   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.

Whenever I've been asked about the number one characteristic required for success, I've often answered with “resilience.” However, it turns out that resilience isn't quite what I thought it was. In today’s episode, I speak to Dr. Marie-Hélène Pelletier about the fascinating relationship between resilience, mental health, and business success. We delve into the concept of a daily resilience planner, aligning values, the three pillars strategy, and the importance of adaptability. This conversation will provide you with a different perspective on the concept as well as offer strategies on nurturing your resilience amidst the challenges of entrepreneurship.   Throughout her career in business management and psychology, Dr. Pelletier has spearheaded a national dialogue on the crucial issues of leadership resilience and workplace health. Drawing on her extensive background in corporate, insurance, governance and public sectors, she brings national and international perspectives and expertise on mental health and resilience as a key pillar of overall health. She is a bilingual practicing psychologist with over 20 years of experience in clinical psychology and advisory workplace psychology and holds a Ph.D. and an MBA from the University of British Columbia. Marie-Hélène is a Member of the Global Clinical Practice Network of the World Health Organization, and past Director on the boards of the Canadian Psychological Association and the International Association of Applied Psychology. She has presented and authored and co-authored a number of industry and academic publications and was won numerous academic and industry awards, including the Industry Leadership Award from Benefits Canada.   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.   Marie-Hélène Pelletier, 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 – DrMarie-Helene.com The Resilience Plan: A Strategic Approach to Optimizing Your Work Performance and Mental Health by Marie-Hélène Pelletier TheResiliencePlan.com Marie-Hélène Pelletier on LinkedIn (in/drmhpelletier) Marie-Hélène Pelletier on Facebook (@drmhpelletier) Marie-Hélène Pelletier on Instagram (@drmhpelletier) Marie-Hélène Pelletier on Twitter/X (@drmhpelletier) Marie-Hélène Pelletier on YouTube (@marie-helenepelletier2706) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books 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.

Two of the most common experiences we have as self-employed business owners are feeling like we're being pulled all over the place and the emotional rollercoaster of it all. Good days, bad days, up hours, down hours. In this episode I share what I believe is the somewhat simple solution to both of these common experiences.   Contact Jeffrey – Take the Self-Doubt Survey Self-Employed Newsletter Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!   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.

Have you ever thought that your life was like a movie? Have you had someone suggest you write a book, implying that your life is as dramatic as a novel? What if you could harness that idea as a tool to script the life you genuinely desire? This is the core of the Holllywood Approach by the brilliant Kristina Paider. Kristina and I discuss the art of crafting a one-line structure for your life story, using storytelling techniques and the hero's journey as tools for personal growth and self-discovery. Kristina offers a creative and practical approach to scripting our lives, setting meaningful goals, and achieving personal and professional success. Join us and discover how to shape your life's narrative and business journey.   Kristina Paider – “KP” – is a world-class storyteller and best-selling author. Her book and workshops, The Hollywood Approach, helps people accelerate results in their business and life. KP’s executive track record includes overseeing the marketing and research for a $15 billion-dollar global hotel company while moonlighting as a screenwriter.  She travels by motorcycle, jumps into waterfalls and is a guest chocolate chef, based in the Dominican Republic.   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.   Kristina Paider, 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 – KristinaPaider.com The Hollywood Approach: Script Your Life Like a Hit Movie and Live Your Wildest Dream by Kristina Paider Kristina Paider on LinkedIn (in/kristina-paider) Kristina Paider on Facebook (@kristina.paider) Kristina Paider on Instagram (@kristinapaider) Kristina Paider on TikTok (@kristinapaider) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books 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.

Let's keep these show notes simple – because simplicity wins, especially in marketing and messaging. I'm joined by Ben Guttman, marketing entrepreneur and author, as we dive deep into this concept. Ben highlights the challenges of communicating effectively in today's world filled with distractions, emphasizing the need to break through the brain's natural filtering process. We discuss the importance of delivering messages that are noticed, remembered, and understood.  Tune in to learn why embracing simplicity in communication is crucial for connecting with your audience.   Ben Guttmann is a marketing and communications expert and author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them. He’s an experienced marketing executive and educator on a mission to get leaders to more effectively connect by simplifying their message. Ben is former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, Hachette Book Group, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. Currently, Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College in New York City and consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands.   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.   Ben Guttmann, 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 – BenGuttmann.com Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win―and How to Design Them by Ben Guttmann Ben Guttmann on LinkedIn (in/benguttmann) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books 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.

Investing in your business growth and your personal development is essential. Whether it's coaching, training or technology, we're always looking at our options. In this episode I provide some practical tips on how to make the best decisions on what to invest in. Having been making such decisions for 40+ years, these are my own practices for making the big decisions.   Contact Jeffrey – Take the Self-Doubt Survey Self-Employed Newsletter Website Books Watch my TEDx LincolnSquare video and please share!   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.

Some business owners still cling to the old-fashioned idea that quality takes time or that customers will wait due to the demand. In the past, I built my photography brand on these beliefs. But today, customers expect not just quality, but also something else – speed. Today, I’m joined by customer experience expert Jay Baer. With a strong background in research and renowned brand consulting, Jay explains how speed has become a pivotal factor in today’s business landscape, just as important as price. We delve into strategies for enhancing responsiveness and the value of setting accurate speed expectations. Jay also introduces the innovative concept of offering a “fast pass” to customers who are willing to pay more for expedited service. Tune in to discover how to leverage speed for success!   Jay Baer is a business growth and customer experience author, researcher, and advisor. A 7th-generation entrepreneur, Jay has written 7 best-selling business books, and created 6 multi-million-dollar companies. He has consulted for more than 700 brands, including Nike, Oracle, IBM, and the United Nations. An inductee into the professional speakers hall of fame, Jay was named this year as one of the world’s top 30 Global Gurus, in customer experience, AND in marketing. And in his spare time, he is the second most-popular tequila influencer and educator on the planet.     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.   Jay Baer, 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 – JayBaer.com The Time to Win: How to Exceed Your Customers’ Need for Speed by Jay Baer JayBaerBook.com Jay Baer on LinkedIn (in/jaybaer) Jay Baer on Instagram (@jaybaer) Jay Baer on YouTube (@JayBaer) Contact Jeffrey – SelfEmployedNewsletter.com Website Books 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.