aspiring entrepreneur

Have you ever wondered how a promising idea can bloom into a thriving business? This week's guest, Fredrick, has done it all—left Europe for America's entrepreneurial landscape, started a taco business acquired by Taco Bell, and earned a law degree and an MBA. This entrepreneur, who commands a following of over half a million on Instagram, shares his transformative journey with us. From his early days of using music as a creative outlet to his current status as a successful business tycoon, Fredrick's story is a testament to the power of knowledge, tenacity, and timing.

We delve into the world of entrepreneurship where understanding your subject matter and learning the data becomes a crucial survival tool. Fredrick shares how he found success by aligning his passion and purpose in the world of real estate. He also highlights the monumental influence timing can have in creating something people need, like Uber, which was initially just an app to gauge your taxi's distance. But what about when the going gets tough? It's then that Fredrick believes in the power of perseverance. He extends this principle to all facets of life, be it in business, marriage, or friendships, reiterating that perseverance can help us weather any storm and achieve our goals.

In our final segment, we discuss the importance of authenticity in our personal and professional lives. Fredrick underscores the need for understanding your industry and staying abreast of the latest trends. He also stresses the significance of gratitude, a trait that has aided him in his entrepreneurial escapades. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned one, Fredrick's candid insights provide an enlightening perspective on the realities of the entrepreneurial journey. His story serves as a wellspring of inspiration and a reminder that success is within reach if we can learn to navigate the ebbs and flows that come our way. Tune in for a conversation that promises to be as transformative as the man himself.

Thanks again for listening. Don't forget to subscribe, share, and leave a FIVE-STAR review.

Head to Dwanderful right now to claim your free real estate investing kit.

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Ever feel like you're stuck in a race towards perfection, only to find it's an impossible finish line? Are you terrified of failure, thinking it's a sign of weakness rather than a stepping stone? Well, you're not alone, and we're here to change that mindset.

In this enlightening discussion, we reveal the three forms perfectionism can take.  And yes, we discuss our battles with perfectionism, unveiling its impact on our sense of self-worth, and how we've learned to find grace in our own imperfections.

Finally, we debunk the myth that perfectionism is a sign of strength. Instead, we champion the growth mindset, acknowledging that it’s through our mistakes and setbacks that we truly learn and grow.

We share our stories of transformation, and how we learned to embrace our failures and use them as a springboard for growth. We've gone through this journey, and we're here to guide you through yours. So let’s get started, let's learn to embrace our shortcomings and celebrate our growth.

In This Episode, You’ll Learn
1) How perfectionism contributes to the fear of failure,
2) The root causes of perfectionism and the fear of failure; and
3) What we can do to overcome perfectionism and embrace failure

Thanks for listening! Let’s stay connected!

If you enjoyed this show, subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen. That way, you’ll never miss an inspiring, motivating episode.

Want more helpful tools, tips, and inspiration delivered to your inbox? Sign up for “News You Can Use” at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing your feedback! Leave or voice your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook!

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment, or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

As an entrepreneur, hearing ‘no’ from a prospective customer stings. Yes, it hurts emotionally, but customer rejections are also a real threat to your business’s success. 

In this episode, Nola Boea and Lori Vajda explain the steps to writing a good call to action, giving you tips and tricks so you can create eye catching, hard to resist messaging. Plus, they give you more than 20 examples you can use immediately to make readers take action. Be sure to download your free Call-to-Action Tipsheet. 

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• What the three categories of sales "rejections" are that every startup business owner needs to know.
• Ways you can use customer rejection to grow your startup or business.
• Which Nos are worth pursuing and which one to stay away from.
• How not to take rejection personally. 

Key points Lori and Nola are sharing in this episode:

(03:36:64) Do you think you know what the ‘uninformed’ customer rejection looks like, not if you do this?

(08:18:36) What makes the ‘overwhelmed no’ harder to identify, and how doing so can tell you whether this customer is worth pursuing.

(11:46:20) When you get a ‘mindful no, consider it not only a gift, and the  3 important criteria to keep in mind.

(16:34:76) How do you create Call-To-Action messaging? Examples included. 

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Helpful Meditation: Minimizing Self-Doubt.

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform   (This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

Do you want your reader, website visitor, or customer to do something? Then your message needs a call-to-action (CTA). A call to action is a short invitation for your reader to take a desired action. You often see call to action at the end of an email, on an ad, or website . 

In this episode, Nola Boea and Lori Vajda explain the steps to writing a good call to action, giving you tips and tricks so you can create eye catching, hard to resist messaging. Plus, they give you more than 20 examples you can use immediately to make readers take action. Be sure to download your free Call-to-Action Tipsheet. 

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• What a call to action (CTA) is, when to use one and where in your messaging it should go…and it’s not at the end.
• The power of a great CTA will inspire your audience to take action — click on your ad, download your ebook, add an item to cart, etc.
• Why the real challenge with a CTA is getting readers to feel motivated to follow through.
• 20+ examples of CTAs you can start using. 

Key points Lori and Nola are sharing in this episode:

(02:40:53) We’re covering the what, when, and how to create eye catching hard to resist Call-To-Action messaging.

(03:38:64) Before you write a call to action, you first need to know what your goal is as a business owner.

(05:06:76) Three tips for HOW to write persuasive CTAs with examples!

(14:41:04) When do you apply a Call-To-Action to your digital content? You’ll find the answer in this spot.

(16:34:76) How do you create Call-To-Action messaging? Examples included. 

(18:53:05) Our list of 20+ CTA examples you can use, starts here.

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

FREE Download Call-To-Action Tipsheet mentioned in today’s podcast:

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform   (This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

The very first words shoppers see – your headline – can make or break your sales. A good headline or title is what makes people click to learn more, whether that’s to watch a video, read a website, or even listen to a podcast. 

In this episode, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea walk listeners through 4 tried-and-true techniques to craft an attention-grabbing headline. Plus, they point you to free online tools that will gauge the power of your headlines to make readers take action. Be sure to download your free Headline Tipsheet. 

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• The main thing a headline should convey so readers know it’s worth their time to continue
• How – and when – to write a headline that tells the main message in a nutshell
• How to best entice readers with a question that matters
• The best type of headline to introduce a list, such as tips or features 

Key points Lori and Nola are sharing in this episode:

• (05:40:33) What happens if you don’t deliver on your headline’s promise.
• (07:38:64) Should you write your title first or last?
• (09:51:46) Four (of many) headline categories, beginning with the most “direct.”
• (15:51:69) Which numbers to include in titles to get the highest response. Is it 5? 10? Or 101?
• (14:25:60) What happens if a title is too long? 
• (17:57:57) Four free headline analyzers 

Resources 

Subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

FREE Download Headline Tip Sheet

Headline analyzers mentioned in today’s podcast:

1. CoSchedule Headline Analyzer
2. MonsterInsights
3. Headline Analyzer by Content Row
4. Capitalize My Title

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform   (This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

What do Wal-Mart, Southwest Airlines, and Duracell all have in common? They’re examples of brands who’s messaging clearly states why customers should buy from them over any of their competitors. 

So how do you communicate to prospective customers the number one reason why your product or service is better than the competition? Where do you put your value proposition? 

Co-hosts Nola Boea and Lori Vajda are exploring the power of having a strong value proposition, where to place yours and how not having one can hurt sales.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• What is and is NOT a value proposition? 
• Why your value prop might not be interchangeable with your tagline, motto, or slogan.
• How a value prop helps differentiate your business, product, or sevice from the rest of the industry.
• The 3 must-haves of any value proposition.

Key points Lori and Nola are sharing in this episode:

(01:16:65) Why so many entrepreneurs have a hard time clearly and succinctly communicating their product is the best choice and how you can avoid being one of them.

(07:15.25) What a sales funnel can give you in terms of customer intel. 

(03:29:61) All powerfully worded value propositions have this one element in common.

(5:29.77) Once created, you can repurpose your value prop in these four distinct ways.

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform   (This is an affiliate link)

Passive income, the idea of making money while you sleep so you can quit your traditional job, or without having to do much work, has become a very popular idea in recent times. 

The idea intrigued our co-hosts, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea. So, they decided to investigate and what they learned surprised even them, and in this episode, they’re sharing the myths, realities and action steps you can take to make passive income work for you and your business.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to diversify your business so you earn multiple streams of income? Could you use help developing your business and personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• Why we love the idea of passive income and how influencers hook us into buying the products, programs or opportunities that they are selling. 
• With so many different definitions, we wanted to provide a simple one to define what is passive income, and what it is not. 
• If you are interested in making passive income so you can enjoy more financial freedom, we’re busting 3 myths to help you in your journey.

Key points Nola and Lori are sharing in this episode:

(2:06:37) Defining the concepts of diversifying income sources and professional pursuits. What are they and how can you use them to bring in more income?

(6:45:32)  True or false, generating passive income simply requires you either acquiring or building an asset first? 

(9:31.93) The truth, reality and tips for producing a passive income product that many people overlook. 

(12:04.85) While passive income may be a ticket to financial freedom, you’ll want to follow these tips before getting started.

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Sign up for our newsletter and never miss another podcast episode

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform 

(This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

In this episode, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea explore the business side of the Non-Fungible Token (NFT) marketplace with entrepreneur, NFT Mini Monkey Mafia co-founder and graphic artist, Christine Gu. 

Come hear as Christine shares her experience, lessons learned and recommendations for women who are interested in launching their own business in the NFT metaverse. Representation is important for women in the blockchain and Crypto NFT space. We hope this episode inspires you to get involved in a Discord community or launch your own business.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Find out more about us at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

Connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question mentioned? Ask Muse!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• How the NFT marketplace provides business possibilities for creatives and entrepreneurs. 
• Why now is the ideal time for women to learn, explore and get involved in the NFT space. 
• Terminology basics to build your confidence and help you overcome your fear of blockchain and how it works.
• Learn how women can safely get involved and start their own businesses in the NFT space.

Key points Nola and Lori are sharing in this episode:

(3:24:79) Learn basic terminology used within the NFT space, including metaverse, blockchain, and how to engage.  

(6:07.79) How to find, buy and sell NFTs on platforms like OpenSea and other Ethereum platforms.

(7:26.45) Step-by-step guide to making purchases using Ethereum, gas fees, fluctuations, digital wallets and Metamask. 

(12:47.68) How ownership/transactions of art, contracts, content, and other products works and why more entrepreneurs will start businesses on the blockchain.

(21:20:35) Christine explains the operations of starting and running a female co-founded business in the NFT space. 

(32:09:85) Unique business ideas for those wanting to explore the NFT space and how to get started.

Resources 

Subscribe to Lori and Nola's show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Links: 

Christine's personal portfolio: https://christinegu.com/ 

Christine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/chr15tine_gu 

Mini Monkey Mafia OpenSea link: https://opensea.io/collection/minimonkeymafia 

Mini Monkey Mafia website: https://monkeymafia.co/ 

Click here for a list of NFT links mentioned in this episode

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  (This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

In this episode, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea explore the exciting new business opportunities awaiting in the emerging Non-Fungible Token (NFT) market with entrepreneur, NFT Mini Monkey Mafia co-founder and graphic artist, Christine Gu. 

In part 1 of this two-part interview, Christine shares her startup story and the lessons she and her co-founder learned along the way. Come take a listen and find out how this creative entrepreneurial team launched 5,000 uniquely generated pieces of crypto art that sold out on the blockchain in three hours. It just might inspire you to explore the new and exciting business opportunities within the crypto NFT space.

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn: 

• What Crypto Art is and how it prevents counterfeiting making it an ideal technology for nonprofits and for profit businesses as well as musicians, writers, legal, chefs, and many other businesses. 
• Why getting in on the ground floor of the NFT space is the best time to launch a business. 
• Learn the basics so you can have good conversations with experts in the field and marketplaces.
• As we demystify the terminology, and level the playing field through information so you make fewer mistakes.
• How anyone with a digital business idea or solution can get into the marketplace.

Key points:

(2:59:83) In the world of cryptocurrency, there's a huge gender gap. Research shows that women make up only 15% of crypto users. And it's even a smaller number for NFT creators.  

(8:44.79) Learn basic terminology used within the cryptocurrency space, including Ethereum, the currency used on many of the decentralized platforms on the blockchain.

(15:43.59) Because you can build on top of Ethereum, more people are seeing the value and wanting to do business in this new economy where they can buy, sell and trade. 

(23:13.27) One of the intriguing aspects of doing business on the blockchain is how it protects the creator or originator of the idea, art or solution greatly reducing the need for copyright.

(33:14:16) Hear how the Mini Monkey Mafia collection originated and the assets sold on the NFT blockchain. 

Resources:

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Links:

Christine's personal portfolio: https://christinegu.com/ 

Christine's Twitter: https://twitter.com/chr15tine_gu 

Mini Monkey Mafia OpenSea link: https://opensea.io/collection/minimonkeymafia 

Mini Monkey Mafia website: https://monkeymafia.co/ 

OpenSea - https://opensea.io/

Discord - https://discord.com/ 

Solidity - https://soliditylang.org/ 

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  
(This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea share 5 creative branding tips so you can develop irresistible messaging to promote your side business with confidence!

As a new entrepreneur you don’t want prospective buyers comparing you to your competition. That’s why branding is so important for small businesses to get right, sticky right! Come take a listen and find out how to develop branding for each of the  touchpoints and interactions between your business and your prospects and buyers.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

We love hearing from you! Leave or speak your message here

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Would you like to be a featured guest or have your question, comment or review mentioned? Ask Muse!

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• The difference between brand and branding and why you need to know them!
• Why branding is just as, if not more, important for small side businesses as it is for large companies.
• How to communicate your key competitive advantages.
• Tips for quickly discovering your business differenientators.

Key points Nola and Lori are sharing in this episode:

(6:30:37) Defining the difference between brand and branding and how that can lead to powerful messaging.  

(8:36:45) Three companies who are breaking with traditional branding and messaging to create something innovative.

(12:14.21) What you can learn from those innovative companies changing the way we think about branding.

(13:28.69) Using branding to go beyond delivering messaging around your products, But using it to include how you deliver memorable customer experiences.

(16:20.32) The framework you can use for branding your business so you can move from being a company similar (‘me too’) to your competition, to one (‘only me’) that truly differentiates your small business.

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform   (This is an affiliate link)

Podcast Transcript

Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sit down with Certified Professional Coach, Barbara Fonti, to get help for people ready to start their side business. Learn how to identify and quiet your particular ‘saboteur’ voice, that enemy of the mind guilty of holding you back. Learn how with a little practice, you can ignite the ‘sage’ voice from within. 

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start or grow your business? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab.com

Please connect with us on Facebook! 

Have your question answered on the show. Ask Muse!

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• How to conquer self-sabotaging thoughts so you find happiness and success
• How your thinking can hold you back from creating the impact, income, and reinvention you dream about.
• Why shifting your thinking from self-sabotage to optimal performance can help you move forward with your entrepreneurial goals.
• How to control and convert negative thoughts into improved performance.

(4:30:46) Identify the things you may unknowingly be doing to self-sabotage your success. They might be the reasons why you're not at the level you could be. 

(7:22:45) Recognize the behaviors and thoughts at that pivotal moment when our positive thinking changes to doubt and how to get back on the right track.

(10:06.75) The 3 things you need to do to achieve your entrepreneurial full potential. 

(12:03.36) The internal feeling of fear that can often be the result of a particular saboteur. 3 tips to identify and utilize the more powerful, productive parts of our brain.

(14:49.80) Move from Darth Vader to Yoda. How to turn stress into resiliency.

(23:49.13) Some people use negative emotion as a motivator, but does it work as well as positive emotion?

Resources 

Subscribe to the show on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts,  or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Barbara on episode #22 Sales Tips for Solopreneurs Who Don't Like to Sell on: Apple Podcast Spotify Google Podcast  Sticher

Barbara Fonti - Big Dream Executive Coaching 

Positive Quotient Assessment Link

Saboteur Assessment Link

Sign up for one of our clarity sessions at  www.stickybrandlab.com/contact 

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  (Affiliate link)

John Lee Dumas is the founder and host of the award winning podcast, Entrepreneurs On Fire. With over 100 million listens of his 3000+ episodes, JLD has turned Entrepreneurs On Fire into a media empire that generates over a million listens every month and 7-figures of NET annual revenue 8-years in a row. His first traditionally published book, The Common Path to Uncommon Success is the modern day version of Think and Grow Rich with a revolutionary 17-step roadmap to financial freedom and fulfillment.

#nfts #nft #nftart #cryptocurrency #blockchain #metaverse #culturefactor #web3 #smartcontracts #bitcoin #nftartist #nftcollectors #eth #ethereum #marketingdigital #marketingstrategy #marketingtips #youtubers #tiktok #instagram #reels #branding #authorsofig #podcastersofinstagram #authorpreneur #entrepreneur #solopreneur #coach #consulting #zerotopodcast #podcast #jobsearching #thoughtleader #thoughtleadership #b2bmarketing #b2b #b2bsales #writersofig #howtopodcast #startapodcasttoday #startapodcastalready #nofear #lifelonglearning  #experiences #experientialmarketing #bitcoin

John Lee Dumas, Author, Common Path to Uncommon Success

John Lee Dumas Entrepreneur on Fire podcast

Holly Shannon’s Website

Zero To Podcast on Amazon

Holly Shannon, Linkedin

Holly Shannon, Instagram

Holly Shannon, Clubhouse

Music by Paco Hallak

As an entrepreneur, writing can be a great way to share your ideas, opinions, and thought leadership. It’s also the perfect way to position yourself as an expert within your market niche, and nurture engagement with current customers as well as prospective buyers. How can you use thought leadership to boost brand awareness and build trust with referrals, buyers, prospects?

To find out, Nola Boea and Lori Vajda sat down with authors and bloggers Kristina Adams and Ellie Betts. These writers share their tips, tools, and resources to help smart, successful, aspiring entrepreneurs get started as writers and thought leaders.  

Why You Should Listen To This Episode. In It You’ll Learn: 

• Why, as an entrepreneur, you should be writing articles, blog posts, and books.
• How writing on topics with a fresh perspective, no one else has, is an innovative way to garner attention and helps you stand out.
• Why thought leadership builds trust with prospective customers and those who might be a great referral source.
• Tips to help you transform the way you write into engaging and interesting thought leadership. 

In today's increasingly connected digital world, your writing has the power to foster engagement with current customers (who you want to retain) and prospective buyers (who you want to convert into paying clients). And not to mention, 83% of buyers believe it helps them trust an organization.

(9:34.84) Why using cute titles for your blog posts, articles and books is a terrible idea! And how to choose titles that deliver a unique selling point.

(11:03.46) Help for writers so they can get over the mental roadblocks that are holding them back from starting or finishing their books, articles and blog posts. 

(13:47.48) Why writing one book is not enough and how you can use the Netflix model to write, publish and profit from your books.

(14:35.22) 7 tips to improve your business and thought leadership writing, and how you can use it to set yourself apart from the competition, get referrals and attract your ideal clients.

(18:57:10) Why your writing needs a niche and how you can turn your opinion pieces, blogs, and books about your business, industry or marketplace into one.

(25:11:47) 5 tips to use blogging or writing to develop an income stream.

Resources 

DIY Build Your Own Business Website - Course Link

Episode #45 with Kristina Adams: Three Authors Share Their Tips to Help You Write Your First Book. Listen on Apple podcast, Google podcast, Spotify, Stitcher or Sticky Brand Lab

The Writer’s Cookbook website

The Writer’s Mindset podcast

Books from author Kristina Adams

Writers Cookbook Facebook page

Recipe for Victoria Sponge Cake

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  (This is an affiliate link)

We love a good business brand story! The kind that ‘sticks’ with us and leaves us wanting to learn more about the company and support their business. If you’re struggling to communicate your “WHY'' in a way that conveys who you are, what you really do and the unique value you bring to your clients and others, this show is for you! 

In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea will show you how to transform your ‘WHY’ into a captivating, unique and sticky introduction. One that not only helps you make a memorable networking first impression, but is sure to leave prospects wanting to learn more about you, your business and services!

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode. Want to get to know us more? Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab

If you haven’t already, please connect with us on Facebook! 

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

Why You Should Listen To This Episode. In It You’ll Learn: 

• The key elements of a powerful and sticky brand message.
• How to create a simple brand message, and how to create persuasive messaging when networking.
• The purpose of knowing your unique business WHY.
• 10+ Tips to help you transform the way you talk about who you are, what you really do, and the unique value you bring to your customers and others.

Your brand and messaging matter a lot. Nola and Lori identify key elements to help new solopreneurs create a sticky brand. 

(1:36.46) The definition of a sticky brand that agencies use when working with mid to large companies. 

(3:21:82) How to create a sticky brand if you’re just starting your business and don’t have any customers or just a few customers. It starts with creating your circle of influence.

(6:14.22) This tip is a great and inexpensive way a new business owner can get feedback or honest testimonials.

(7:34.84) Try this technique if you want to reduce buyer remorse or you can use it to demonstrate you do what you say you’re going to do.

(10:47.48) Sticky brands are memorable brands. Use these tips to help your business ‘touch points’ be top of mind to new customers and referral sources.

Resources 

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

DIY Build Your Own Business Website - Course Link

Episode #5, What to do When a Customer Doesn't Like What You're Selling. Show Link

Episode #17, Kelly Vitale - Creating a Business Outside of the Lines. Show Link

Episode #42, Solita Roberts- How to Create a Signature Style for Your Business and Personal Brand. Show Link

ConvertKit: Our #1 Favorite Email Marketing Platform  (This is an affiliate link)

“I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done.” If you’re a professional woman who’s been mulling over entrepreneurship, but haven’t done any more than that, this quote from Lucille Ball should serve as a foretelling.

For professional women, there are plenty of great reasons to start a side business such as creating multiple streams of income, building something for yourself, and setting your own hours. In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea share the five questions (plus bonus questions) to ask yourself before pursuing the entrepreneurial journey.  

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

In This Episode You’ll Learn Why

• Women should seriously consider starting their own business.
• Entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be daunting and it doesn’t mean you need to quit your day job.
• It’s better to start small and learn along the way, before building up to something bigger.
• The more ‘yeses’ you have to these questions, the more likely it is you can be a successful business owner regardless of background, education or experience level.
• Starting a side business creates career-changing opportunities you wouldn't have normally stumbled upon working a full-time job.

While there are many reasons women benefit from starting a business, including unstable job markets, economies and pandemics. Older women in particular face more discrimination during these life change events than their your counterparts. As Nola and Lori point out, understanding your intrinsic motivation for starting a side business can help you establish a solid foundation for launching a successful entrepreneurial journey. 

(2:56.25) Building a side business with limited hours to dedicate to it outside of your day job is never easy. Question number one is all about evaluating how passionate you are toward the idea of starting a business.  

(6:37.72) This question isn’t so much about delayed gratification as much as it’s about whether or not you’re in it for the long game.

(9:31.23) It takes time for a business to grow, which is why question number three is so important. Are you willing to put in the time to create a sticky brand? 

(12:36:44) You definitely can’t create a successful side business venture without support, and we’re not talking about the financial kind with question number four.

(15:02:69) There’s good reason why you don’t want to be first to market and question number five explores this in more detail. 

(17:57:60) Bonus question number one focuses on the one thing no talks about, and that is all about getting out of your comfort zone. 

(22:22:78) Bonus, bonus question, would you be willing to let us follow your entrepreneurial journey? 

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

Podcast Transcript

As a solopreneur, you are tasked with being the copywriter and marketing team of your side business. In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea share their combined copywriting and digital marketing skills to teach you how to create messaging that speaks to what is relevant and important to your ideal buyer. 

Listen in as they explain how communicating the benefits – not just the features - increases conversion, in today’s episode.

Thanks for Listening!

Ready to start your business or grow your personal brand? Schedule a free 20 min. consultation call now. 

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. 

If you enjoyed this show, make sure to subscribe to the podcast so you’ll never miss an episode.  Find out more about us and our services at Sticky Brand Lab.com

Business success strategies are in the works. Come have a listen!

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How savvy entrepreneurs are carefully walking the tightrope between communicating benefits and features.
• The problem with a race to the bottom and competing solely on features and price is two-fold.
• While you may not be able to out-Amazon Amazon, knowing how to flip the script in a few key areas can help a small company win big.
• The major problem with using jargon, slang and buzzwords in your communication - even when you think the customer understands it.
• Why no matter how great your messaging, the focus has shifted from speaking at consumers to speaking with them.

Prospective buyers are more interested in how your product or service meets their needs and solves their problems. That’s likely because by the time they talk to you, the business owner, they have done their research. As Nola and Lori point out, the real challenge is being able to clearly communicate what the potential gain will be from their purchase and that’s where benefits come into play.

(2:47.53) The simple way you can tell whether you’re talking about benefits versus features and know the difference is not enough.  

(4:37.30) The three main reasons solopreneurs have difficulty differentiating writing and selling to the benefits versus features.

(8:38.44) This critical mistake is often what leads shoppers to compare your product or service with your competition, solely or mostly on price and why it’s crucial you avoid it. 

(15:21:02) How to use testimonials on your website or in your marketing materials to support the benefits of your product or service.

(16:58:23) This secret shortcut copywriters use, and is sure to save business owners time when writing benefit content.

(17:57:60) How to use case studies to light up the emotional center of your ideal buyer and why using them as part of your business’s benefit storytelling, is a real benefit to your overall content and selling strategies.

(20:26:78) Nine writing tips for natural, conversational style content that weaves benefits into the sales message. 

Resources 

You can subscribe to Lori and Nola's show, (we love you and want to make it easy) on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

I always aspired to start my own business but starting out I didn’t have the resources, knowledge, or courage to do so. I started in entrepreneurship by dipping my toe in the water via a partnership with a friend. We took over a pizza delivery franchise while I continued to work my day job and he ran the daily operations. A line I love to repeat from Dan Sullivan is, “we cannot wait for confidence, we don’t have confidence, we have to have the courage to go try something and then confidence comes”. 

When you are considering going into business you first need to determine if you prefer to work solo or in partnership with others. If you choose to work in partnership my recommendation is you start with what I call a memo of understanding. The biggest mistake I see people make is they go into a partnership not considering what happens when there is a disagreement. 

The biggest obstacle people often have to overcome when starting a business is the fear of failure. The problem is we are typically surrounded by others that haven’t taken the leap into entrepreneurship and often, unknowingly, they project their fear of failure on us. You have to find a way to get over the fear of failure or entrepreneurship isn’t going to work for you. 

A key misconception people have when starting a business is that they will be successful because they love or enjoy the problem they are solving. The reality is we have to be prepared to fail but our goal should be how to minimize those failures. Another misconception is the amount of work it takes to make that business successful. When your business is starting out you will work harder than almost any job you’ve ever had. 

Small business systems don’t have to be some big elaborate process or complicated tool. However, a lack of systems is often the number one reason a business struggles to grow. Start with the simple things you do every day and turn them into a checklist. Then as you grow you can identify where you could bring in tools that help you automate your checklist items. 

As it relates to should I buy or build a business? In the simplest terms, if you build it will they come verse if you buy a business at least you have an idea of what it might look like. It is true you will pay a premium to buy a business but it can minimize the risk of product-market fit. The rule of thumb when it comes to buying a business is to look at the average revenue, expenses, and profit for the past 3 years. Then apply a multiple anywhere from 1 up to 3 or 5 times profit. 

When you are looking to sell your business there are a few things to consider. If the business success is dependent solely on you then you have not created a business you can sell. You should have the systems in place that allows someone else to come in and run the business, which will make the business more valuable. 

Resources Shared: 

• Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) 
• EMyth 
• The How of Business Podcast 
• Thryv 

Growing up I struggled to find activities I would say I excelled at. When I started working I kept either quitting or getting fired so I started to wonder if there was a better path for me. While I didn’t have much experience in the kitchen I knew I enjoyed eating desserts and I loved cupcakes. So I started a small gourmet cupcake business called The Cupcake Dreamery, which was great for a short time before a bad business partnership took everything downhill. 

When I started over I opened a little storefront and launched Dollop Gourmet. From the beginning, I set my sights on getting on Food Network’s TV show Cupcake Wars. In 2012, I was chosen to be on the show and subsequently won. After that our business boomed and I started thinking about what’s next, that’s when I started to consider pursuing the Shark Tank TV show. 

Getting on Shark Tank can be a bit of a process, from the application to all the documents you have to submit during the vetting stage. When I was invited to be on the show I was supposed to film in June but when I expected to receive the call about my plane ticket I was told instead that I wasn’t going and I could try again for the next filming. 

Thankfully I finally did make it on the show and while the Shark Tank can be a bit overwhelming my main concern was if they were going to like the taste of my icing. I was able to secure an offer from both Kevin O’Leary and Barbara Corcoran. Going into the tank I knew that I wanted to make at least one counter to any offer I received. So after Barbara offered $75,000 for 30 percent I countered with $75,000 for 25 percent and she accepted the offer. 

After Shark Tank, I didn’t hear anything from Barbara’s team for a while. When I did hear from her team we began another long due diligence process that took 4 to 5 months to complete. At the end of the day, I decided it wasn’t a good fit for me so I didn’t move forward with the offer. The Shark Tank effect is real though and once your episode airs you get a large volume of orders that come pouring in. 

After Shark Tank I kept expanding the business and leveraging the Shark Tank experience to get more publicity, I also wrote my second cookbook and brought in some investors via an accelerator program. Then I decided I was ready to make a transition out of the business and I was able to make a deal with a great Canadian company that has been in the frosting and glazes business for over 40 years. 

Resources Shared: 

• Dollop Gourmet 
• The Dollop Book of Frosting 
• Crazy Easy Vegan Desserts