Creative Warriors

I fully support our guest's perspective of retiring the term “retirement;” as Dr. Jann Freed aptly puts it, “We are not retiring from life, but moving on to something else.” In this episode, Jann and I explore the concept of “Breadcrumb Legacy” - a forward-thinking approach to leaving a meaningful impact. We discuss how legacy isn't just something at life's end, but a collection of intentional actions woven into the present. From the influence of Mr. Rogers to the power of silence, we uncover how focusing on relationships over achievements shapes a purposeful legacy. Whether approaching retirement or not, as self-employed business owners, we can all benefit from aligning our actions with our values. By doing so, we not only foster personal growth but also make a positive impact in both our business and personal lives.   As a former professor for decades, Dr. Jann decided to practice what she was teaching and preaching.  She says she is out to retire the word “retirement.” We are not retiring from life, but

When we talk about systems in business, we are most often referring to processes and technology. However, the best and most important systems you can create are around your behavior. By systemizing your behavior, you are able to move forward more efficiently and consistently and that is the way to grow your business.   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 n

Here on “The Self-Employed Life,” we often focus on businesses with under five team members, and even one-person businesses. Consequently, we don't often talk about scaling. However, regardless of your business's current size, I want to provide you with the opportunity to think big – even “Biggby.” Today, I'm joined by Mike McFall as we delve into essential insights from his book Grow, exploring crucial facets of business leadership and growth. Mike's journey of co-founding Biggby Coffee reveals the power of practical experience and people-centric approaches over rigid business norms. Together, we unpack the significance of leadership consistency, nurturing a unified workplace culture, and mastering effective communication. Mike McFall is the co-founder and co-CEO of BIGGBY® COFFEE, one of the fastest-growing coffee franchises in the United States. Despite not having an MBA or being a workaholic, McFall has built his career through hard work and real-world experience. He prioritizes people and purpose over b

Observing my coaching clients and students of the Self-Employed Business Institute, I see far more fear of success than failure. In this episode I break down the fear of success. Why it shows up and what to do about it. It's important the fears associated with success not be thrown into one big bucket.   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 o

If you're like most people, when you hear the term “seven figures,” you probably immediately think of money. There's nothing wrong with that, except we don't hear as much about the holistic approach it takes to get there. This approach goes way beyond the hustle and focusing on the seven digits of money. In this episode, you're going to hear some of the most practical, down-to-earth, learned-from-real-life experience advice I've heard about not just a seven-figure income, but a seven-figure lifestyle. Today I'm joined by Dr. Noah St. John, the father of “Afformations,” who shares his unique method of using empowering questions to rewire the brain for success and happiness. We discuss the concept of the “familiar zone” and why breaking free from it is crucial for achieving success. Noah's practical strategies for overcoming limiting beliefs and increasing income will be incredibly beneficial for any self-employed business owners seeking a balanced and fulfilled lifestyle. Dr. Noah St. John is known as “The F

I recently learned a new term called biomimicry, which is mimicking what we observe in nature and applying it elsewhere – such as in business. This concept aligns with my self-employed ecosystem approach and encourages viewing business as a natural ecosystem. In this episode, I have a fascinating conversation with Matt Treacey, who draws insightful analogies between ecological systems and email marketing. We delve into engagement strategies, including a five-stage awareness approach, to encourage buying behavior. Matt emphasizes the importance of understanding individual subscriber journeys while catering to audience needs, and he shares valuable insights on segmenting lists and delivering personalized content. Whether it's understanding customer preferences, optimizing engagement, or building effective email lists, our conversation will offer valuable tips on enhancing your marketing efforts for your business success. Matt Treacey is the go-to email marketing consultant for some of the world's top business

I've often said that recognition is a strategy, not a destination. Few of us want to be stars or celebrities, but smart marketers today understand that recognition is a strategy to build your brand and business. So, how can you leverage social media to build your brand image like a celebrity? Let's find out from someone who's been behind the scenes of some of the most iconic artists’ social media marketing. Today I'm joined by Cassie Petrey to discuss the importance of recognition in building a brand and business on social media. Cassie shares insights from her work with celebrated creators, emphasizing that while recognition is essential, it should not be the sole focus. Cassie and I explore the need for discipline, self-belief, and passion in navigating the challenges of social media, as well as adapting one's style to suit different platforms while maintaining brand consistency. Tune in to discover valuable strategies for leveraging social media to its fullest potential for your business. Cassie Petrey has

Generally speaking, the listeners of my show – my coaching clients, and the students of the Self-Employed Business Institute – tend to be pretty gentle marketers. They are driven by purpose, heart-centered, and doing business with a soul. However, they may be too passive in their marketing. To improve their marketing, it's important to advocate for themselves more. In today’s conversation with Caleb O’Dowd, we discuss the importance of multi-channel marketing and reaching audiences through various platforms. Caleb emphasizes the need to understand our target audience, tap into their sense of urgency, and use multiple touchpoints to break through the noise. He also introduces the concept of the "Mafia offer," which focuses on removing objections and creating an offer no one can refuse. Tune into today’s episode to learn the significance of targeted communication, leveraging multiple channels, and crafting compelling offers to provide effective solutions to our audience.   Caleb O'Dowd is a nine-figure market

In our attempts to reinvent ourselves, reposition our messaging, or work through the next iteration of our businesses, we can have moments of doubt and wonder, "Will this time really be any different?" I share a couple of tools to help you gain confidence that this time can be different.   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!   Tak

One of the things we self-employed business owners are often unprepared for is being an employer. The independent attributes that make us, us, and the freedom we seek running our own businesses can often mean being an employer doesn't come naturally. We may have never even thought about being an employer when we started our business – that was my case, and it was a big surprise when it came along. Today I speak with acclaimed author, Joey Coleman about the mindset required to navigate the complexities of being an employer.  He tells us about the eight phases of employee experience and offers valuable insights on managing employees. Join us as we discuss the essential skills and strategies needed to build and maintain a successful team. Joey Coleman helps companies keep their customers and employees. As an award-winning speaker, he works with organizations around the world ranging from small startups to major brands such as Volkswagen Australia, Zappos, and Whirlpool. His First 100 Days® methodology fuels the

What we, as small businesses, can learn from big companies has nothing to do with mimicking them in any way. But what is important to observe and learn is how they are affecting consumer behavior. Rest assured, they are. And the change of behavior they are creating is also affecting your business in ways that may be less obvious.   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 exact

I truly believe that one of our greatest responsibilities as service providers is to let the world know how we can serve them. Too often, the most purpose-driven, heart-centered and talented change makers are too shy about letting people know how they can serve them. Today I'm speaking with my good friend, Sylvie di Giusto, about the concept of fair advantage and the impact of personal branding. Sylvie emphasizes the importance of identifying our unique qualities as individuals, beyond just the products or services we offer, and how our personal experiences can set us apart in our fields. Join us as we delve into the process of leveraging our uniqueness, understanding client needs, and building a strong personal brand for success in both business and life.   Sylvie di Giusto, CSP, is an international keynote speaker and expert in Modern Emotional Intelligence. Trusted by top organizations worldwide, Sylvie empowers leaders and professionals to make impactful decisions that drive growth and success. With her

What's the number one reason anyone becomes self-employed? Freedom. Independence. Is it possible for everyone to work and live anywhere they choose in the world? Maybe not, but it may be more possible for you than you think. Today I speak with Stacy Ennis about the importance of location independence as she shares her personal journey of moving around the globe, starting in Idaho and ending in Portugal.  Stacy emphasizes the importance of aligning your business decisions with your desired lifestyle and making incremental changes to gain more independence and flexibility. This conversation is essential for those seeking belonging, community, and the freedom to choose their own path.   Stacy Ennis is a best-selling author, coach, and speaker on a mission to help leaders clarify their ideas and harness their unique story to make an impact. Along with being the founder of Nonfiction Book School, an accelerated author program, her background includes ghostwriting for a Nobel Prize winner in medicine and leading

Being such freedom-seekers, self-employed business owners often aren't prepared to be an employer, but we can find ourselves in that role whether we're prepared for it or not. This is a case of what works for you: your independent thinking can also work against you having to get along with others, whether it's employees, contractors, or clients. On today’s episode, I speak with Michael Bungay Stanier about strategies for building working relationships that provide freedom rather than feeling like bondage. When bad working relationships can negatively impact our ability to show up as our best selves, what tools can we use to shape the best possible relationship together? Michael introduces us to the five questions we need to ask in our keystone conversation with anyone we are entering a working relationship with. Every relationship has potential, and we need to be intentional in building them. Join us to learn how to overcome the challenges of being a self-employed business owner and build successful working

It's built into my sign off that, “you may be in business for yourself, but you're not in business by yourself.” You are not alone. You're part of a much larger community, and we need to come together. My guest today, Natalie Franke, has her pulse on self-employment better than most. In today’s conversation, Natalie highlights the significance of terminology and how it can impact the sense of unity and identity within the self-employed community. She also discusses the growing trend of self-employment, and the need for infrastructure and support for independent business owners. Together, we explore the importance of building relationships, reframing failure, overcoming self-doubt, and the role of communities in supporting personal and professional growth. I am positive that Natalie’s inside perspective will offer you valuable insights and, more importantly, provide a comforting reassurance that you are part of a thriving and supportive community. Natalie Franke is an author, community builder, and advocate f