Making Good: Small Business Podcast

Brag Better by Meredith Fineman tackles the challenges and insights of self-promotion, especially for those who don’t feel comfortable “bragging.”Brag Better promises a guide to promoting yourself in a way that’s true to who you are—and though we felt some parts missed the mark for us as small business owners, as the book is in some ways geared more towards people with more traditional employment, we were able to translate her more corporate-employee-centered advice into useful tips for small business owners. It turned out there was actually a lot of value in the book for our community! Together, we explore Fineman’s advice on what she calls “qualified quiet,” share our key takeaways on the value of self-promotion, and reflect on how to apply these lessons in an authentic way for you.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/270CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

🎟️ Get your free ticket here and listen before today's sessions expire.15-Minute Marketing: The Summit is officially LIVE! 🎉I’m hosting a free, totally virtual week-long event, and  you’re invited.  Here from 40+ marketing experts who can help you do better marketing... in just 15 minutes. Here's what’s in store each day:After Day 1, you’ll know how to create a magnetic, memorable brand.After Day 2, you'll have new strategies to get your brand SEEN.After Day 3, you’ll be able to plan, create, and repurpose content better and faster.After Day 4, you’ll learn powerful, simple ways to boost sales and conversions.After Day 5, you'll be equipped to manage marketing with confidence and ease.Each day’s sessions are free for 24 hours, so don’t wait—grab your ticket now and dive into today’s content before it’s gone. You can get all the details at makinggoodpodcast.com/summitMarketing really can be easy, clear, and effective. This event will show you how.Again, it’s happening right now at makinggoodpodcast.com/summit. Get your free ticket now.Let’s get into today’s episode!

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that today’s guest and I were set up on a friend date, and you get to hear it in this episode! My takeaway? When mutual business friends tell you you NEED to connect with someone, give it a try because at least in this case, my community was dead on. I had such a blast having this loose but insightful conversation with Kristina Bartold-Sorgota!   Kristina is a Social Media Marketing coach and the founder of The Social Snippet, a social media and podcasting agency based in Ontario, Canada. Kristina’s mission is to empower small businesses to harness the full potential of their online presence. With a background in leadership, communication, and conflict resolution, Kristina brings a unique perspective to her work, focusing on building authentic connections and fostering community.This episode covers how social media has evolved in 2024, why you don’t need to be everywhere, and how to focus on the platforms that matter to you and your audience. Kristina shares powerful insights on building authentic connections, avoiding burnout, and why niching down doesn’t always mean limiting yourself. Whether you’ve been side-eying social media and are ready to dip in a toe, or are or looking to refine your current strategy, Kristina’s advice will inspire and empower you to grow your online presence, and have fun while doing it!Connect with Kristina:The Social Snippit WebsiteInstagramCommunity, Kristina’s podcastThe Social Business Club, use code Lauren for your first month for just $1!MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/268CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Happy Halloween everyone! In celebration of my absolute favorite holiday, we’re airing a special bonus episode. I sat down with my friend, Jumer Adalin, to chat about a very spooky thing that happened to his business recently…Jumer is a social media marketing expert, who recently had his Instagram account hacked. Yikes!With 45,000 followers lost overnight, Jumer shares how he’s bouncing back, rebuilding his presence, and shifting his focus to help a broader range of online entrepreneurs. We dive into the importance of security for your social accounts, the power of owning your email list, and the mindset needed to turn a catastrophe into a growth opportunity.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/halloweenbonusCONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

So for the last couple of months behind the scenes in secret, I have been putting in a ton of work on something that I think will make a real difference in how you approach your marketing.  Let me introduce you to 15 Minute Marketing the Summit. This summit is for anyone who's ever felt like marketing is overwhelming or impossible to keep up with.  If you're tired of feeling like you're constantly behind on marketing, this is for you. Each session is just 15 minutes. No fluff, no hour long lectures, no long sales pitches. Every speaker delivers one simple impactful action step you can go put into practice right away. And guess what. This event is totally free. The summit runs from November 11th to 15th. If you'd like to read more about each session and see all of our amazing speakers, go to makinggoodpodcast.com/summit, (also linked below) and you can see everything.  Mentioned in this episode:Learn more about the 15 Minute Marketing, the Summit!MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/267CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

I’m so excited to bring you part two of my interview series with Caitlin of Caitie Means Business! If you haven’t listened to Part 1, definitely check it out at makinggoodpodcast.com/265.Today’s episode is very, very close to my heart.Caitlin and I talk about something personal that’s become a big part of both of our lives—OCD. While the topic might seem a little unrelated to business, our conversation will show how mental health can show up in all areas of life, including entrepreneurship. Caitlin shares her journey with OCD, how she’s managed it over the years, and how it’s shaped her approach to her work. Whether you have OCD, are neurodivergent, or just curious about how mental health impacts business, our hope is that this candid conversation will help listeners feel a little less alone. I’m sure it goes without saying but neither Caitlin nor I are mental health professionals and this isn’t advice – we’re just sharing our own experiences.We get more into Caitlin’s professional background and experience in Part 1, but in case you need a refresher: Caitlin is the website and client booking systems designer behind Caitie Means Business, where she works with service-based businesses to create inclusive and easy-to-use digital experiences. Caitlin is passionate about accessibility and ensuring that her clients' websites are welcoming and functional for diverse audiences. MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/266CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Today, I’m joined by web designer Caitlin of Caitie Means Business, who specializes in creating websites that not only look great but are also digitally accessible.  We dive into the world of digital accessibility, discussing what it even is, and why it’s crucial for businesses to ensure their websites and content are easy to use for as many people as possible.Caitlin works with service-based businesses to design websites and booking systems that are not only beautiful but inclusive and easy to use for all. With a background in education, Caitlin’s passion for accessibility has shaped her approach to web design, ensuring her clients’ businesses are welcoming and functional for a diverse audience.Whether you’re new to digital accessibility or looking to improve your site, Caitlin’s insights will help you make your business more welcoming and user-friendly to a wider audience. Plus, Caitlin shares why pursuing accessibility is not only ethical but also smart business.Caitlin and I had so much to talk about, we couldn’t fit it all into one episode. So we’re releasing a Part 2 this Thursday all about our shared experiences with mental health and neuro-diversity.   MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/265CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Though this book wasn’t exactly what we expected, Charelle and I had so much fun picking it apart and finding applications for small business owners, including ourselves! Slow Productivity is all about challenging the hustle culture mindset and redefining what it means to be productive. While the book offers an intriguing framework, it’s really not a “how-to” guide—it’s more about understanding the history and philosophy of productivity, and then finding ways to apply those principles in your own life.We discuss Newport’s core principles, such as focusing on fewer tasks, working at a natural pace, and obsessing over quality. The conversation also explores issues like "pseudo productivity"—working for the sake of visibility rather than meaningful outcomes—and how to navigate the slow productivity movement as a business owner. MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/264CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

Marketing doesn't have to be complicated or overwhelming. In this episode, I share 10 ways to make marketing easier for your small business. From getting clear on your marketing foundations to leveraging AI tools like ChatGPT, I break down practical tips to help you streamline your efforts and reduce overwhelm. Ready to make marketing fun again? Tune in for actionable insights that will change the way you approach your marketing.MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/263CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts

We are over 200 episodes into this podcast, but just when I think we’ve covered every topic under the sun… something like today’s episode comes along and makes me realize I may have missed something big. That is certainly the case with today’s episode, but I’m so excited that today’s guest joined me to help right the ship. In this episode, I sit down with Sharon Lipovsky, founder of Point Road Studios, to dive deep into the power of vision and how it can transform your life and business. Sharon shares how she helps people design their best lives by aligning vision with purpose, strategy, and day-to-day actions. Together, we explore why vision is essential for business owners and creatives, and how to balance big-picture thinking with practical execution.We also discuss Sharon’s personal journey, the challenges she overcame, and how her belief in the power of vision drives her work. Whether you're stuck in the day-to-day grind or seeking clarity for your next big move, this episode is packed with insights on how to elevate your thinking and take meaningful action.Connect with Sharon:WebsiteLinkedInMAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:https://makinggoodpodcast.com/262CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:https://instagram.com/laurentildenGET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts