Creative Warriors

In business, we don't want to searchable or even to just stand out. We want to be chosen. That's what puts money in the bank. However, it is harder than ever to be chosen. Find out why, what you can do about it and why it's actually a good thing. Contact Jeffrey – Take the Self-Doubt Survey   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

In over 900 episodes spanning nine and a half years, we've covered an array of topics, but there's one conversation we've never explored—owning a franchise. In this episode, I speak to Jon Ostenson, CEO of FranBridge Consulting, about the unconventional world of franchising. We discuss the financial aspects, covering the typical investment range, franchise fees, and startup costs, shedding light on the diverse opportunities within this sector. Jon shares insights on marketing, royalty fees, and funding options, emphasizing the tangible benefits provided by franchisors. It's a unique way to be self-employed with countless opportunities!   Jon is the CEO of FranBridge Consulting, a top .1% franchise consultant, and the bestselling author of ‘Non-Food Franchising’. Jon draws on his experience as a former Inc. 500 Franchise President and Multi-Brand Franchisee in helping his clients select their franchise investments. Jon is a frequent contributor on franchising for publications such as Forbes, Inc., and Bloo

Customer service is one of the most talked about topics in business. But as small business owners, we are held to a higher standard if we want to stand out. In this episode I share a strategy to create an unbreakable bond level of service where your customers will feel so seen, heard, and understood that they would never leave 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

I’ve always said that clarity is something everyone needs, and yet it is the hardest thing to sell, because, ironically, its outcomes and benefits aren't always immediately clear. In today’s episode, I chat with Jim Vaselopulos about the pivotal role of clarity in business success, exploring how it enables us to work smarter, not harder. Jim, a seasoned business advisor and author, shares actionable insights on overcoming common challenges by focusing on clarity as a guiding principle. We delve into the symptoms of a lack of clarity, the importance of addressing root causes, and practical strategies for achieving clarity in both business and life.   Jim Vaselopulos is a C-level business advisor with a proven record as a leader, strategist, rainmaker, and new business development expert. With a reputation for principled leadership, strategic vision, and effective execution, Jim has built successful new enterprises, turned around underperforming organizations, and had several exits. As the founder of Rafti

I'm going to pose a question to you, but before you respond, I want you to consider your answer carefully – your answer to this question may be different today than it would have been a few years ago. The question: what does success mean to you? Today, I ask this question to Regina Lawless, seasoned guide for high-achieving women seeking purpose beyond their paycheck. As Regina recounts her journey of redefining success following the sudden loss of her husband, we explore the impact of grief, stress, and burnout. Regina’s insights on the importance of self-care and fully embracing joy are essential for those navigating the delicate balance of entrepreneurship and well-being.   Regina Lawless helps high-achieving Black women find purpose beyond their paycheck in order to experience more bliss in their lives and sustainable success at work and at home. Before starting Bossy & Blissful, a community for Black women executives and business owners, Regina served as the head of diversity, equity, and inclusion

I love to share a good story and this is a story I have never shared in a big scale public way. The story offers two great, easy, and actionable business ideas that you can apply right away to kickstart your business growth. 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 frustr

In this episode, I'm thrilled to announce that "The Self-Employed Life," the book inspired by this podcast, is now available as a video book by LIT Videobooks. Joining me is Ronak Sheth, the CEO and founder of LIT Videobooks, who explains their platform's innovative approach—turning bestselling business books into engaging video books under an hour. We dive into the challenges of condensing content, the success criteria for author partnerships, and insights from a year of operation, highlighting the efficiency and accessibility of the video book format. Discover the transformative potential of video books for self-employed individuals with an all-access subscription to LIT Videobooks.   Ronak Sheth is the CEO/Founder of LIT Videobooks, a learning & development platform loved by consumers and enterprises, where you can watch bestselling business books in under 1 hour with our engaging, documentary-like “videobook” format. LIT has partnered with 45+ renowned authors including Jeffrey Shaw, Kim Scott, Liz

As we embark on a New Year I wanted to offer you my top two tips to make 2024 a great year for you--trust and authentic expression. Find out how both of these tips will help you to keep going even through challenges you may face in the upcoming year and how to draw people towards you, making it a terrific marketing tip as well. 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

Persuasion is the subject of today's episode. Before you tune into my conversation with independent researcher Carlos Alvarenga, take a moment to reflect on your immediate reaction to this word. Carlos and I explore the power of character and origin in influencing others, drawing insights from Aristotle. Carlos also shares the pivotal role of emotion in persuasion, emphasizing its synergy with character and argument. We discuss the chemistry of persuasion, its reframing as creating chemistry, and the potential dark side involving technology and AI. Tune in to this episode to gain invaluable insights into creating genuine connections and positive influence in the ever-evolving landscape of entrepreneurship.   Carlos A. Alvarenga is an independent researcher and author. Before writing full-time, he worked as a management consultant and adjunct professor at the Robert H. Smith School of Business at the University of Maryland. Prior to his current role, he was the Executive Director of World 50 Labs, the membe

As business owners, our intention is to stay in business for the long term. So, what's the key to enduring success over the long haul? My guest today, Alan Stein, Jr., suggests it involves applying fundamental principles of success, navigating stress, overcoming stagnation, and defeating burnout.  Alan shares valuable insights from his book Sustain Your Game, drawing parallels between sports seasons and managing business cycles. Tune in to this conversation to learn the importance of knowing when to push and when to pull back for optimal performance and the necessity of staying connected to one's deeper purpose to prevent burnout.   At his core, Alan Stein, Jr. is a performance coach with a passion for helping business leaders change behaviors. He spent 15+ years working with the highest performing basketball players on the planet (including NBA superstars Kevin Durant, Steph Curry, and Kobe Bryant). He now transfers his unique expertise to maximize both individual and organizational performance. Alan is a

I truly believe that self-employed business owners are some of the most passion driven people you'll ever meet. We have to be to take the road less traveled and face all the challenges that come with self-employment. But what’s the difference between being passion-driven and being passion-struck? Today I sit down with personal growth expert John R. Miles, to discuss the distinction between these two concepts, and to dive into the importance of aligning intentional action with intrinsic motivation. John emphasizes the vital need to align passion, perseverance, and intentionality for a truly purpose-driven life, urging self-employed business owners to embrace deliberate action in pursuit of their goals.   John R. Miles, a leading authority on intentional behavior change, personal growth, and mattering, is a celebrated leader, captivating keynote speaker, and the host of the award-winning podcast “Passion Struck with John R. Miles.” Recognized as one of the top thinkers in personal mastery, he brings over two

Along with closing out your books and tallying up your sales, I highly recommend you add this metric to your end of year data. Not going to share what it is, you have to listen to the podcast! But I will add that it will also help you make sure your entire business is operating as it should.   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!  

If you're a regular listener to this show or have read my book, Lingo, you're well aware of the importance I place on the energy of words in marketing and the impact of the words we say to ourselves. In today's discussion with Dr. Heidi Gardner, we're talking about one word that, in my belief, has the potential to reshape the landscape of business — collaboration. Heidi and I dive deep into the intricacies of collaboration, exploring everything from the science of loneliness among entrepreneurs to the nuanced dynamics of trust when working on a team. Get ready for a mind-expanding conversation on how embracing diverse perspectives and adapting to collaboration styles can supercharge your business and well-being.   Heidi K. Gardner, PhD, is the acclaimed author of the best-selling books Smarter Collaboration: A New Approach to Breaking Down Barriers and Transforming Work and Smart Collaboration: How Professionals and Their Firms Succeed by Breaking Down Silos. Currently serving as the faculty chair and inst

Find out how this question, "What does the world need next?" can be one of the most important questions you can ask yourself in your business. It's a question that I credit for much of my success and how I best support my coaching clients today. I'd love to see you incorporate this into 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 need. Check it ou

Intention. Often spoken about, especially amongst more introspective and passion-driven business owners such as us, but how many of us really understand how intentions work? Today, I'm speaking with author and educator Jane Frankel to take a look at what lies underneath intentions. Jane shares key insights from her book, The Intentional Mindset, highlighting the profound impact of mindset on decision-making and success. We discuss the collaborative power of groups, the importance of understanding others' mindsets, and the transformative effect of trust in the employer-employee dynamic. This conversation is full of actionable strategies for self-employed individuals looking to align their intentions with decision-making prowess.   Jane Frankel is a business author, lifelong educator, workforce consultant, and successful entrepreneur. Today, she serves as the managing principal of The Art of Performance LLC and as an adjunct professor in economics at Temple University. Her new book is The Intentional Mindset

I've always said that my journey to TEDx was more impactful than actually giving the talk itself; it was a journey in clarity and effective communication. I had to get across big ideas in only 12 minutes.  Today I'm joined by John Bates, a TED talk expert who explores the neurobiological principles of communication. Together, we unravel the secrets behind creating engaging, emotionally resonant speeches, and offer practical advice on connecting with your audience and embracing the fear that often accompanies public speaking. This conversation is full of insights for self-employed business owners looking to master the art of impactful communication and storytelling.   John Bates is a TED and TEDx speaker, Leadership Communications Executive Coach, Author, and Keynote Speaker with a deep focus on communication rooted in neurobiology. He is renowned for his coaching excellence in the TED format. His clients, including notable organizations like Johnson & Johnson’s JLABS, NASA, US Navy Special Operations,

Midlife is hard. I've often asked myself why no one's addressing this. Society paints a picture of coasting on easy street at this point, but the reality is far from it. Today I'm speaking to Tom Morgan about his groundbreaking article "What Nobody Tells You." Tom dives deep into the unspoken struggles of this transformative phase, offering guidance to self-employed entrepreneurs on finding profound meaning with patience and trust. Tom's personal journey and the power of curiosity will leave you inspired, revealing the untapped potential within your midlife challenges.   Tom describes himself as a curiosity sherpa to billionaires. He lives in Manhattan with his wife, two children, and a rabbit called Frank. Tom Morgan is a Director at Sapient Capital. He is responsible for the firm’s content. He has previously worked in Equity Sales on Wall Street at Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, and most recently as a Managing Director at Stifel. Tom holds a BA from Oxford University. His own hellish life transition ha

Creating curiosity as a way to get people to step closer to you and your business may be one of the most underrated forms of marketing I know of. Yet perhaps one of the most powerful. Creating curiosity is one of the most important strategies in the Hug Marketing system that I teach. Find out about the power of curiosity as a marketing strategy.   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 ed

Anyone who knows me knows that I love to turn conventional business ideas upside down. The fact is, deviating from the typical business approach often yields superior results for us. Why? Because conventional business is transactional, but we find success in relationship-based business. Today I speak to Grant Muller about the transformative concept of “top of heart.” As a seasoned speaker, author, and certified high-performance coach, Grant breaks down why nurturing authentic, human connections isn't just a breath of fresh air in our tech-driven world; it's the secret sauce for success. Flip the script on conventional wisdom and embark on a journey to business excellence through genuine, heartfelt relationships.   Grant Muller is a speaker, author, Certified High Performance Coach™, and a seven-figure real estate agent. Ranked in the top 1.5% of realtors nationwide, he’s on a mission to help high achievers who have tried every tool and tactic to sell more, achieve more, and find more fulfillment but aren’t