Making Good: Small Business Podcast

If you’re someone who is considering the future of your small business, this book is worth a read. In it, author Paul Jarvis makes the, (I would say very strong), case for why keeping your business small is the best plan, rather than aiming for growth just for growth’s sake. It should come as no surprise that Charelle and I are very on board with this perspective. There was a lot of head-nodding as we read through Company of One. In addition to outlining the reasons for keeping a business small, Paul Jarvis offers some excellent advice about keeping your small business chugging even with a tiny (or non-existent) team, and without burning out.I really loved digesting some of the ideas in this book with Charelle. I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did. Connect with us on InstagramCharelle - @charellegriffithLauren - @laurentildenSMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: MIRANDA HARRIS HAMLIN OF AND ARLEN!Connect with Miranda:Website: www.andarlen.comInstagam: @and.arlenTikTok: @and.arlenFacebook: and.arlenMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/191CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I just have to say I really loved my conversation with today’s guest. On Making Good, we have talked quite a bit about transparency, authenticity, and sharing your story. But storytelling can feel like a huge task, and getting it right can seem intimidating. My guest today, Ché Elizaga Castro, demystifies what it means to share your story as a business owner, and does an amazing job breaking it down into clear, bite-sized pieces.  Ché is the founder of Come Alive Co., where she works with entrepreneurs on their brand story strategy, copywriting, and connection with other impact-driven leaders. Her purpose, in her own words, is “to help women feel known, seen, and worthy of their wildest ideas.” She does this by helping people step into their story so they can approach their marketing with confidence. Ché’s passion for what she does is truly infectious, and I’m so grateful for how generously she shared her wisdom. This episode is an absolute goldmine.Connect with Ché:Instagram: @comealive.coWebsite: www.comealive.coSMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: FAYE ZIEGEWEID OF QUEEN FAYEZEL!Connect with Faye:Website: www.queenfayzel.comInstagram: @queenfayzelMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/190CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I’ve noticed something about this podcast, and specifically about you, dear listener.And that’s this: You tend to be something like me. The things that I’ve struggled with, so so so often they are things that you struggle with too.Things like self-doubt. Perfectionism. Consistency.And, as we’re talking about today – procrastination.The more I reflect on the topic of procrastination and its role in my own life – which, spoiler alert – has been huge. The more I realize that it’s such an important topic.SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: CAT LEA OF STIR THE POT KITCHEN!Connect with Cat:Website: www.stirthepotkitchen.comInstagram: @stirthepotkitchenMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/189CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

It might come as a surprise that we haven’t spent much time talking about website optimization on this show yet. Trust me, when I realized that was the case, I was just as shocked. After all your website, as today’s guest called it, is “your business's home on the internet.” So of COURSE, in addition to it reflecting your brand and personality, we want it optimized for your business’s goals. Elissa Voris joined me on the show to break it all down for us. Elissa is the founder of Elissa Mae Creative, a branding and website design studio specializing in lifestyle and beauty brands. With her 20 years of experience in web design, product design, and more, Elissa knows not only what makes a website beautiful, but how to make it an efficient tool for your business. I learned so much from my conversation with Elissa, and I know you will too.Connect with Elissa:Instagram: @elissamaecreativeWebsite: www.elissamaecreative.comDon't miss this week's SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT with DIANE WILLIAMS OF LOVELIKE!Connect with Diane:Instagram: @shoplovelikeWebsite: www.shoplovelike.com

Tools, tools, tools! I love a good tool. In fact, there are MANY that help my business run smoothly. In this episode, I'm sharing my 12 favorites: we'll talk design tools, email tools, productivity tools, and much more.Don't miss this week's SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT with NATALIE RANKIN OF VISUAL SPLAT!Connect with Natalie: Instagram: @visualsplatWebsite: www.visualsplat.comJOIN MAKING GOOD HAPPENhttps://makinggoodhappen.coMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/187CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100promptsStuck on what to say in our marketing? Download this free resource of 100 marketing prompts: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts.

I’m so excited to be back with this month’s edition of Making Good Book Club, and today we are talking about Rework by Jason Fried and David Heinemeier Hansson.As the name implies, this book, written by the founders of the project management tool Basecamp, is a book that challenges the assumptions and the traditional approaches to business…. In such a good way. I think you’ll learn a ton from this book and come away inspired to think about things in a whole new way.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/186CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I am THRILLED to share this episode because today’s topic is a Making Good first!Many listeners of the show may know that online education, along with this podcast and other resources, is a large part of how I educate small business owners about marketing. That’s why I was so excited for Melissa Guller to come on the show to explain how YOU (yes, you – even if you don’t think it’s right for YOUR BUSINESS) can diversify your income with online courses. Melissa is the founder of Wit & Wire, where she helps creators build profitable online businesses so they can scale their income and impact online.​ She also hosts the Wit & Wire podcast and co-hosts the Everything is Teachable and Book Smart podcasts. Before becoming a solopreneur, Melissa was part of teams at course creation platforms like Teachable and General Assembly. Melissa was so so generous with her extensive knowledge of course creation. This conversation is pure gold. If creating a course is something that has ever crossed your mind, or if this is a totally new concept, I know you’ll get a lot from this episode. Connect with Melissa:Youtube: @witandwireTikTok: @witandwireInstagram: @witandwireWebsite: www.witandwire.comSMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: MATT EICKHOFF OF HERE’S YOUR HOST!Connect with Matt:Instagram: @heresyourhostmattWebsite: www.heresyourhost.comMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/185CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Today, I'm sharing an episode with you from my members-only private podcast. This episode is all about strategies for productivity in times when you’re having trouble getting stuff done – whether from overwhelm, lack of motivation, or for any other reason. I’m sharing some of my time tested favorite tools and I hope they'll be super helpful for you!JOIN MAKING GOOD HAPPENhttps://makinggoodhappen.coMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/184CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Today’s episode is about something that is so, so, SO important – a concept that has changed my life and that I wish I’d put into practice so much earlier than I did.And that concept is what I call IMPERFECTIONISM. In other words, the willingness to do things imperfectly.Because of perfectionism, I’ve spent a lot of my life holding back. Not putting things out into the world, not sharing my work, not showing up. But. Here’s the thing:The only way to get better at something… in other words, to get closer to “perfect”... is to do the thing imperfectly. Stay tuned after the episode for this week's Small Biz Spotlight with Tracy Yang of JARN Co. Flowers!MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/183CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I’m going to be honest with you dear listener. The topic of this week’s episode is a skill that I would say is NOT in my zone of genius. That’s why I was so excited to sit down with Crystalynn Shelton so I could pick her brain about all things business finance. Crystalynn is a licensed CPA, small business advisor, and a QuickBooks Top 100 ProAdvisor specializing in financial accounting software training, coaching, and consulting. Crystalynn was so so generous with her extensive knowledge of bookkeeping, I know anyone listening to this interview will pick up some useful tips and tricks. Connect with Crystalynn:Website: crystalynnshelton.comEmail: hello@crystalynnshelton.com SMALL BIZ SPOTLIGHT: ALISON CANTOR OF SPACECRAFT SEATTLE!Connect with Alison:Website: spacecraftseattle.comInstagram: @spacecraftseattleTwitter: @spacecraftseaMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/182CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts