Business Breakdown

In this episode of The Business Breakdown, we sit down with Sarah Ohanesian—keynote speaker and productivity expert—who shares her journey from Chief Marketing Officer to successful entrepreneur. Sarah reveals what inspired her to launch a productivity-focused business, how she transitioned from coaching to speaking, and the key lessons she’s learned along the way. We dive into the challenges of time management, the importance of focusing on high-impact work, and strategies for entrepreneurs to scale without burnout. Whether you're a solopreneur or leading a growing team, this episode is packed with insights on working smarter, not harder.LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarahohanesian/Website: https://www.so-productive.com/

In this episode of the Business Breakdown Podcast, Al Dea interviews Devon O'Rourke, founder and managing partner at Fluvio. They discuss Devon’s transition from a corporate career in product marketing at Amazon and Etsy to starting his own consulting business. The conversation covers the challenges of finding initial clients, the importance of service market fit, and the strategic expansion of Fluvio's offerings. Devon shares valuable insights on entrepreneurship, including the significance of maintaining focus on core services while exploring new opportunities, and reflects on what success means to him as a business owner.

Jessica Lackey is a consultant who works with founders and owners of expertise-based businesses. With a background in consulting, operations, and strategy at Fortune 500 companies and McKinsey, Jessica now helps solopreneurs and small business owners build sustainable, aligned businesses. In this episode, she shares her journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the challenges of finding the right business model, and how expertise-based businesses can design a sales process that aligns with their goals. We discuss the common mistakes many solopreneurs make—like misunderstanding sales, relying too much on social media, and underestimating the importance of relationships. Jessica also offers insights on building a business that works for you, rather than following one-size-fits-all playbookLinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessica-lackey/ Website: https://www.jessicalackey.com/Newsletter: https://www.jessicalackey.com/newsletter 

In this episode of The Business Breakdown, Al Dea sits down with Alex Seiler—fractional CPO, advisor to HR tech startups, and former Chief People Officer—to unpack what it’s really like to build a business as a fractional executive. Alex shares how he got started in the fractional advising space, what makes a strong client fit, and the lessons he’s learned the hard way about pricing, client selection, and staying focused. He also talks about building a diversified portfolio, how to navigate ambiguity as an entrepreneur, and why intentional learning and presence matter when running your own business.LinksLinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/alexseiler/ 

Katie Baird is an Executive Coach who left a successful consulting career to build a thriving solopreneur coaching practice. In this episode of The Business Breakdown, Katie shares her journey from Deloitte to launching her own business, her philosophy on building trust-based client relationships, and why finding a clear niche has been key to her success. She opens up about lessons learned the hard way—like pricing and lead generation—and how she’s built a simple yet powerful business model that aligns with her life and values. LinksWebsite: https://www.ksbairdcoaching.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinesbaird/

Megan Galloway is a Facilitator, Keynote Speaker, and Founder of Everleader, a leadership consulting firm dedicated to developing confident, capable leaders. In this episode, Megan shares her insights on the evolving landscape of leadership and how organizations can create environments where leaders thrive. She discusses the importance of trust, adaptability, and self-awareness in effective leadership and offers practical strategies for fostering resilience in today’s fast-changing workplace. Megan also reflects on her journey as an entrepreneur and the lessons she’s learned in helping leaders build influence, navigate uncertainty, and cultivate high-performing teams. Website: everleader.coLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megalloway/

Matt Wexler is a Facilitator, Coach, and Leadership Development Expert who found himself on an unexpected path to entrepreneurship. In this episode, Matt shares his journey from leading global leadership development programs at Salesforce to launching his own coaching and facilitation practice. He opens up about the challenges of imposter syndrome, the power of experimentation, and how he’s learning to let go of perfection to move forward. Matt also discusses his passion for scaling "human-first leadership" and how he works with organizations and leadership providers to create more impactful learning experiences. Whether you're an entrepreneur or a leadership development professional, this conversation is packed with valuable insights on growth, resilience, and embracing change.Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewjwexler/ Website: https://wexlerleadership.com/ 

Shelby is a former people leader at four venture-backed unicorn tech companies and now advises Series A-C startups on people, culture, and distributed work. After launching her consulting business in 2020, she’s built a thriving solopreneur practice, helping startups scale effectively while also mentoring other consultants. In this episode, Shelby shares how she found her niche, refined her offerings, and structured her business for impact and sustainability. We dive into the challenges of setting boundaries, the evolution of her advisory model, and how she balances flexibility with intentional growthLinksWebsite: https://www.shelbywolpaconsulting.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelby-wolpa-0896535/

Brittany Hodak is an entrepreneur and keynote speaker who built a thriving business by helping companies create superfans. In this episode of The Business Breakdown, Brittany shares her journey from launching a business in the entertainment industry to becoming a sought-after speaker on customer experience. She breaks down how she built her speaking career, the lessons she learned about working with speaker bureaus, and why customer experience is the key to business success.LinksWebsite: https://brittanyhodak.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittanyhodak/

Tracie Sponenberg is the owner of an HR advisory consulting firm and a former Chief People Officer. In this episode of The Business Breakdown, she shares her journey from corporate leadership to entrepreneurship, detailing how she transitioned from a fractional HR leader to an advisor and consultant. Tracie opens up about the challenges of pivoting, the importance of autonomy, and the lessons she’s learned about building a business that aligns with her values.Links:Website: www.traciesponenberg.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/traciesponenberg/