side business

Every new business needs a website. Jill Kuehnert, co-founder with her husband of Lucky Fish Scuba, has created several iterations of their website, and each time, was able to apply lessons learned to make it (and their business) better and better. Lori Vajda and Nola Boea hear how her love story turned luxe charter service taught her a few things about building a website, a brand, and awards -- with a few key tips and some wise advice. 

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:

• Why you might want to DIY your website and ways hiring a pro can help
• The importance of stepping away from working IN the business so you can work ON the business
• How your website reflects your joy when you run a business that energizes you
• Tips to get web traffic and high-quality leads without paying for ads

(11:03) What to do right away, before you spend a lot of time getting your website perfect

(14:21) How to use photos on your website to enhance your brand and your logo

(14:57) An easy method to gather and use your customers’ language in your web content

(15:31) Where to find already-written, and super-relevant content to repurpose for your website

(16:13) An example of how plans -- and therefore websites -- change after you’ve been in business for just a little while

(18:46) How great web content led to unexpected PR and prime stream of leads to their website

(20:29) A creative, no-pressure way to ask -- and receive -- reviews that can lead more traffic to your website and more customers to your business

Resources 

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

Lucky FIsh Scuba

Sticky Brand Lab’s DIY Website Course

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

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

Episode 26: Four Couples Tell What it's Really Like Having a Spouse as Your Business Partner. (Includes Jill Keunhert) on Apple Podcasts

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)

In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea share 5 tips to help reduce networking stress and increase your confidence, even if you’re an introvert!

Networking has changed from the days of attending an in person event and ‘pitching’ yourself and your company. Now, every conference, lecture, and social event, whether virtually or in person, is an opportunity to meet prospective buyers, build your brand reputation and expand your circle of influence. Yet, for many entrepreneurs, networking can be a real challenge. Listen and find out how to improve your networking skills.

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 

• How to lessen anxiety so networking isn’t so nerve-wracking.
• Why you need to network both in person and virtually.
• How setting goals ahead of time can help you come up with questions to ask yourself (and others) about what you want to accomplish or have happen.
• Prepare to introduce yourself in a unique way as a means to make a impactful introduction

(2:40:10) Knowing how networking has changed can help you be memorable whether you’re online or in person.  

(5:19:45) Introducing yourself virtually requires a different approach than in person. This tip will help you do it in a way that is unique to the listener.

(6:27.29) Being approachable in person looks different from being approachable virtually. These tips will help you be successful at both venues.

(12:52.36) There’s a difference between being approachable and being memorable. These tips and one bonus will help you with the latter.

(15:53.80) Writing your WHY Statement starts with asking and answering yourself these questions. This exercise will help you develop your Big deep meaningful WHY so you can memorably introduce yourself.

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

Simon Sinek - YouTube - Start with WHY - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4ZoJKF_VuA

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

 Podcast Transcrip

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)

So you want to start a side hustle, but you don’t know WHAT side hustle to start. Should you go with what you know, marketing your existing professional skillet? Should you turn your favorite hobby into a business? Or should you delve into a new industry, working on a cause you care about?  Could your ideal side hustle be a combination of all the above? Lori and Nola walk you through a series of questions to ask yourself, so you can find your entrepreneurial sweet spot. 

Thanks for Listening!

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

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!

Sticky Brand Lab

Let’s dive into this week’s episode!

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Things to consider if you’re thinking about turning your professional skill set into a business
• How to figure out what you’re really passionate about -- and whether that passion is business-worthy
• Why pursuing the biggest money-making opportunity may cost more than you realize
• Ways to determine if a business idea might have market potential
  
  

Some people know without a doubt what side hustle they want to start. Others know they want to start a side hustle but the rest is a question mark. Using personal examples to illustrate concepts, Lori and Nola take listeners through a downloadable worksheet. Aspiring side hustlers can answer the questions discussed, to come closer to answering their own question: What side hustle should I choose? 

(3:57:28) How sometimes finding out what does not work leads you to find out what does.

(12:11:15) Answer these questions to uncover hidden (or not so hidden) talents that may be marketable.

(14:08:58) If you don’t know what things you love to do that may translate into a business, ask yourself these questions.

(20:31:43) How you can turn problems into opportunities.

(23:24:00) The answer to this one question can mean you’re in business or you’re not.

Resources

Download the worksheet, Your Entrepreneurial Sweet Spot

Podcast Transcript – https://www.stickybrandlab.com/podcast

A good About page serves both your readers and your business. Visitors who take a look at your About page are about 5x more likely to make a purchase than visitors who don’t. If you’re struggling to create an interesting ‘About’ page for your website, you’re not alone. It’s not easy! In this episode, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea make it easy for savvy aspiring side business entrepreneurs to create a great an About page with these amazing tips, ideas and real examples.  

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

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

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• Why an About page is so important for your website and business
• How your About page can help increase sales
• The purpose of your About page and WHY it matters
• 10 Tips to help you create an About page that stands out from your competition

(4:57.78) Just like an awesome first impression when you're meeting somebody jump-starts the relationship, your About page is your business's first impression calling card. 

(6:55:11) Research shows that customers who visit a brand’s About page spend this amount more than buyers who don’t.

(8:32.94) An inspiring About page can sound like a love letter to your ideal customer, like with this example of a graphic designer who makes several life changing decisions before starting her own business. This is her beautiful story.

(11:34.90) Three social enterprise examples of About pages that tell both a story of how each company came to be as well as the good each company does.

(17:28.26) 10 DIY tips to help you create an About page that truly stands out.

Resources 

Download your free tip-sheet: ​10 About Page Tips to Help You Stand Out From the Crowd  https://www.stickybrandlab.com/podcast-freebies.html

Sweet Fabula https://www.sweetfabula.com/about

Sticky Brand Lab https://www.stickybrandlab.com/about.html

Soul In Service https://www.soulinservice.co/about.html 

Kanda Chocolates - https://www.kandachocolates.com/ -https://www.kandachocolates.com/pages/our-story-1

Bombas - https://bombas.com/ - https://bombas.com/pages/about-us 

World for Good  https://worldforgood.com/about/

Yummly - https://www.yummly.com/  - https://www.yummly.com/about

Yellow Leaf Hammocks - https://www.yellowleafhammocks.com/ https://www.yellowleafhammocks.com/pages/about-us

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

Whatever your reason or motivation for writing a book, a well written book can be a great way for an entrepreneur to share their story, help others, and build a strong connection with your ideal customer.

While there’s a lot of information out there guiding first time authors on how to write a book, there’s not much that specifically focuses on the key elements you need to know and be able to answer BEFORE you ever get started.

In this episode Lori Vajda and Nola Boea interviewed three authors who reveal their best tips so you can become a savvy and successful first time author.  

In This Episode You’ll Learn 

• What important questions to ask before you start writing your first book.
• How to choose, not one just one, but two types of editors.
• The 3 critical steps and processes you need before writing your first book.
• How to decide whether to go the traditional publish route or self publish.

(5:40.58) A good editor can take anything you say and make it sound so much better. But what kind of editor or editors should you work with? 

(6:46:93) First, consider your audience, even before you write your first word. Then, ask yourself: How can I be sure my idea will actually appeal to readers?

(11:38.72) Many aspiring authors assume that getting started means cranking out tens of thousands of words before you approach an agent or publisher. In reality, this published author and ghostwriter recommends you follow these three simple tips.

(13:31.08) The magic of writing happens when you keep these fundamental principles at the forefront of your mind.

(16:46.60) Before you can truly embark on a publishing journey, you'll have one major decision to make. Will you self-publish your book or try to have it published traditionally?

(18:54.60) Once your book is published, the work is far from over: Now you need to find your readers who will buy your book. These fast-track marketing tips can help you successfully accomplish that goal. 

Resources 

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

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

Cyndee Rae Lutz’s website: https://www.cyndeeraelutz.com/ 

Meditation & Inspiration with Cyndee Rae Lutz

Episode #29: Mindset-Reset for the Busy Entrepreneur: Ways to Minimize Self-Doubt

Leanne Regalla’s website: WritingThatResonates.com 

Just for Sticky Brand Lab listeners:

• The Book Structure Cheatsheet
• My Favorite Distraction Busters
• The Portable Office Checklist
• Signature Story Writing Prompts

Grab the handouts at tinyurl.com/stickybrand

Episode #43: Effective Lead Generation Tips for Side Business Owners Ready to Attract More of Their Ideal Customers

Kristina Adams: The Writer’s Cookbook Website

The Writer’s Cookbook Podcast

“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

A beautifully written, uniquely informative lead gen can make a prospective customer feel like they are reading information from an expert in the field. This kind of outcome can be great for your business for two reasons. One, it increases your value and two, it improves your authority and credibility in the eyes of your target audience. Unfortunately, too many pieces of lead generation content are uninteresting, unhelpful and a downright waste of a reader’s time. So, how can you, a solopreneur, ensure your lead gen is a success? To find out, Nola Boea and Lori Vajda sat down with professional writer, marketing and author coach Leanne Regalla. Leanne is the founder of Writing That Resonates, a company that specializes in working with entrepreneurs, consultants, coaches, and experts who want to attract their perfect clients 24/7 with great content.

Leanne shares tips, insights and strategies so side business owners can create resources that  showcase their depth of knowledge and position themselves as an authority in their field.

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

• You can improve customer retention by creating a customer-centric marketing resource.
• Why creating a unique and well crafted lead gen can be a far more effective tool for collecting email addresses.
• How to create a single piece of optimized content, that's valuable and relevant to your audience, can increase organic traffic to your website.
• The various ways lead generation resources can drive leads and sales as well as improve the quality of leads.

(2:28.88) The power of a lead gen isn’t just that it addresses a pain point of your ideal customer, but that it can set you and your business apart from the competition. 

(4:48.74) Why writing can be a challenge and the many other misconceptions entrepreneurs have about this team sport.

(6:52.69) An easy definition and explanation of a lead generator and why, when done correctly, is so powerful.  

(7:43:56) The 3 main reasons why it's important for solopreneurs, particularly women founders, to have at least one lead gen, and preferably more than one.

(10:21:43) The 5 easiest ways to use lead generators as a way to build your personal brand. Especially if you are looking for ways to establish yourself as a thought leader, speaker, or subject matter expert.

(12:06:89) A lead magnet is a lot like a first date. When done poorly, it won’t lead to a second date. But, when done well, it opens the door to these business building blocks 

(19:10:38) 7 easy tips to help you get over the fear of putting yourself out there with your own unique industry perspective and opinion. 

Resources 

Leanne’s website: WritingThatResonates.com 

You can grab her book, Instant Authority: Write a Book, Spread Your Message, Make an Impact here, and take the quiz "Find your business author superpower and crush your personal kryptonite at WritingThatResonates.com

Just for the Sticky Brand Lab listeners:

• The Book Structure Cheatsheet
• My Favorite Distraction Busters
• The Portable Office Checklist
• Signature Story Writing Prompts

Grab the handouts at tinyurl.com/stickybrand  

To Get Leanne’s quotes: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

As a side businesspreneur, your personal brand and company brand are closely entwined. As such, the clothes, makeup, hair and accessories you wear become a crucial element to creating the type of brand image you want to reflect to customers, colleagues and the public. To understand the power your clothes play in how others see you and how you see yourself, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sat down with Solita Roberts. Solita is the founder of Style To Impact, a personal styling and image consulting agency working with high-performing, purpose-driven women entrepreneurs and professionals to refine their wardrobe and image so they can showcase their talents, expertise, and thought leadership with confidence. In this episode Solita shares tips, insights and strategies to make the best use of your clothes while building a strong, memorable and confident image and brand.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How you can create your own personal style without breaking the bank.
• How to make the best use of your clothes while achieving your personal and professional brand image goals.
• Why working with a personal styling and image consultant can transform your closet, clothes and image.
• The 3 tips for getting a fresh, new style that incorporates today’s trends and helps you make a positive brand statement.

(3:31.86) Personal style has a lot in common with storytelling. When you understand the message you want to convey, it becomes easier to choose pieces that help you tell your brand story. 

(6:08.94) Misconceptions abound whether that has to do with our size, height, weight, age, ect. The key is in knowing the 3 ways you can use key pieces of your wardrobe to change the narrative and break barriers.

(7:27.97) This one Zoom function alone has led to many missed opportunities for professional women. Particularly, when it comes to using the platform to connect, network, build their business brand, and more importantly, build their authority.  

(10:15:42) Whether you’re an entrepreneur, employee, or executive, find out how the clothes you wear not only build your personal brand, they let your voice be heard.

(11:15:33) What is the difference between personal styling and image consulting and how you can use each of them to convey your message and boost your confidence.

(16:02:38) You tell the story of your brand through the things you wear. Four tips to help you create your unique story through clothes. 

(19:27:60) Many of us hold on to old tapes that others told us about our bodies, about what looks good on us and what is acceptable to wear. How to break the limiting beliefs we hold on to so we can create a style story that  serves us and the image we want to create for ourselves. 

(23:47:40) The unconventional trick for finding the colors that work best for you.

Resources 

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

Solita Roberts’ Free  EBOOK: The Style To Impact Formula- Your Guide to Unshakable Style Confidence. Download here: https://bit.ly/styleconfidenceguide

Email: solita@styletoimpact.com

Website: https://styletoimpact.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/styletoimpact/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/styletoimpact/

To Get Solita’s quotes: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

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

You’re not a developer, but you have an innovative idea for a software or maybe a mobile app, now what? How can a non-techie turn a great idea into a viable product without blowing your budget? That’s exactly what Lori Vajda and Nola Boea wanted to know so they sat down with Igor Belagorudsky, Founder and CEO of Fast CTO. Igor and his team started the company to help people and companies with great software ideas get them built the right way, the first time around. In this episode Igor shares his experience, insights and tips so listeners can learn what you need to know about hiring developers, why you don’t want an SOW (statement of work), and how to build a successful tech company.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• Why a poorly executed mobile app or software idea can quickly become a huge bank debt and how you can avoid it.
• The make-or-break steps for finding and hiring the right developer partner to successfully build your app.
• The risky mistake first time startup founders make when coming up with an idea for an app. 
• The 3 reasons you need to treat your app like a business.

Hire a reputable app developer. It’s a statement that implies anyone can do so. As Nola and Lori found out, when you’re a non-techie with a great idea, but limited to no experience talking the language of a developer, miscommunication is the fastest way to lose money on app development. As Igor Belagorudsky pointed out, while it’s important to do your research, being knowledgeable about what to look for, what type of developer you need and speaking the language throughout the process to ensure your idea is executed, is quite another.

(5:16.46) While the process of building an app seems pretty straightforward, this one costly mistake often leads non-tech founders to hire the wrong team of developers and programmers. 

(7:48.17) The three primary reasons non-tech entrepreneurs should be wary about signing an SOW and why it usually doesn’t help with getting your idea built.

(11:10.90) Why you don’t want to hire, and should run the other way, a dev shop that offers project management for free. 

(13:06:42) When it comes to technology businesses, men and women have uniquely different approaches. Unfortunately, that difference can also lead more women to get taken advantage of by these scammy dev shops than male on.

(14:20:20) Before hiring anyone, this is the first thing you should do, when considering if your app is worth developing.

(17:12:28) The three main pros and cons of hiring a freelance software developer and hiring a company such as a dev shop.

(19:27:22) The surprising answer to determine whether or not you can tell if a developer is trying to scam you.

Resources 

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

Fast CTO

Email address: igor@fastcto.com

Igor Belagorudsky Social Links:

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/igorbelagorudsky/ 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lookattheigor/?hl=en 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fastcto  

To Get Igor’s two recipes and quote: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

According to Warren Buffett, really successful people say no to almost everything. That’s great for Warren, but when you’re just starting out, ‘no’ is a lot harder to say, especially for new side business entrepreneurs. So, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sat down with Rapid Rewire expert Michele Molitor. Michele is the co-author of the best-selling book “Breakthrough Healing” and author of the eBooks + audiobooks, “Tapping into Your Power & Presence” and “Saying No With Grace & Grit,”  In this episode Michele shares her experience, insights and tips so listeners can learn the why, how, and what to say ‘no’ to, so you can say ‘yes’ to the right things.

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• The power of ‘no’ and how saying it to the right things ensures you won’t do too much needless work.
• How entrepreneurs are wired to say ‘yes’ due to FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
• The simple, yet powerful reason saying no doesn’t equate to missing out on potential business. 
• The 3 tips for effective prioritization.

(6:22.36) How your brain self-sabotages you and keeps you stuck. These steps help plant make new and different choices based on where you are today. 

(9:15.31) The three primary reasons entrepreneurs have such a hard time saying no, and the steps to quickly turn that around for the better.

(12:04.41) How to decide when it's time to fire clients? The first clue may be that the work feels eerily similar to pushing rocks uphill. These other clues can help you find the words to let go gracefully? 

(13:52:42) When it comes to business, men and women have uniquely different approaches to saying no. Is one better than the other?

(15:35:33) Getting business may be the name of the game, but serving the wrong type of client can exhaust your energy. When you know how to do this one thing, attracting your ideal clients becomes so much easier.

(17:23:14) Positive emotions vibrate at a higher frequency and negative emotions vibrate at a lower frequency. The simple tip for using the law of attraction to attract your ideal client.

(19:27:60) Saying no is like exercising a muscle. You have to work at it. To help separate saying yes too often and not enough nos, follow these tips, suggestions and tools so you can reclaim your power in situations where they feel compelled to say yes.

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.

Nectar Consulting

Book: Breakthrough Healing Insights and Wisdom into the Power of Alternative Medicine Find it on Amazon

Michele Molitor Free ebooks:

“Do You Have Imposter Syndrome? 6 Triggers That Can Crush Your Confidence” - http://bit.ly/MM-ImposterEbook 

“Saying No With Grace & Grit”  https://bit.ly/SNGGeBook 

Social Links:

Facebook MMCoach Page:  https://www.facebook.com/MicheleMolitorCoach/?fref=ts  

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michelemolitor 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/michelemolitor/

Many working professionals dream of ‘someday’ starting their own business. For many, someday never happens. To reduce overwhelm and help you  start your dream, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sat down with Judy McNeal, Founder of QB's Magnetic Creations. Judy shares her story of starting her business while working a full-time job, and offers strategic steps and poignant lessons learned to help you avoid missteps.  

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How to get clear on your WHY you want to start a business.
• What steps it takes to make significant progress with your business idea and how to prioritize what it requires.
• How to manage your time so you can work at your primary job and still make efficient gains on launching your side business.
• Why you don’t need to be afraid to outsource your small business tasks–especially those you’re not particularly good at.

Judy McNeal may be running a successful online jewelry business, but as Nola and Lori found out, her tips, suggestions and insights can help any aspiring entrepreneur get started. Especially if you are running a side business while working another job. Many solopreneurs know first hand working and running a business is no easy feat. As our guest shared, if you really want your venture to be successful, you have to be willing to make tweaks along the way, recognize opportunities and always be willing to listen and learn from your customers. Listen in as Judy shares her secrets for starting and building a business.

(4:44.44) Many people who want to start a business struggle when it comes to knowing what business idea is right for them. This simple tip and the 3 questions to ask yourself to identify what people are willing to pay you for. 

(7:17.06) Not sure which ecommerce platform is right for you? Not only will these tips for choosing a platform help you make a smart and informed decision, they’ll help you understand why Etsy might not be the best choice for your business.

(11:09.96) When it comes to starting a business, you want to enjoy the journey. Follow this tip to help you decide when and what to outsource to keep you from experiencing overwhelm and burnout.

(13:29:07) Judy shares how she used her business plan as a roadmap and why she says it can help you with your branding, putting your team together as well as determining and reaching your sales goals.

(15:09:77) Rejection may be a part of business, but that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with. Hear Judy’s tips for not taking rejection personally. 

(16:45:48) The single hack Judy used for growing her product line is also the key to her successful product expansion.

(19:35:75) Knowing your brand will evolve can help you feel good about making fiscally smart decisions in the short term without costing a lot of money up front.

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.

QB’s Magnetic Jewelry

QB’s Magnetic Jewelry on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and YouTube

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

Show Notes

You have years of experience and knowledge; have you considered offering consulting services as a side business? To find out how to get started as an independent consultant, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sat down with speaker, trainer, entrepreneur, author, and sales enablement consultant, Melissa Madian, Founder and Chief Fabulous Officer of TMM Enablement Services. Melissa shares her insights, tips and methods professionals can use to effectively market, position and brand yourself as a consultant.  

Thanks for Listening!

Sticky Brand Lab is the place for professionals who want to take their knowledge, experience or ideas on the road less traveled. http://www.StickyBrandLab.com

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How to start a consulting business.
• The 5 main reasons organizations and companies hire out consulting services.
• Being a successful consultant has more to do with how you market yourself than it does what services you offer.
• How mindset can help or hinder a successful consulting business and how to ensure you fall into the former rather than the latter.

(5:22.94) How do you take a degree that is not related to the field you find yourself working in and turn it into a new opportunity for gaining new experience? 

(6:56.31) Certain personality types embrace new learning, while others avoid it altogether. What can you learn from Melissa’s approach to sales enablement, that could help you become the go-to person? And, more importantly, how could it set you apart from your colleagues?

(8:04.71) When it comes to educating executives who don’t know they have a problem and need your services, Melissa lays out an actionable roadmap that speaks their language.

(9:16:20) If you want to work for yourself, you have to learn how to ‘sell’ your services. Unfortunately, according to Melissa, many women get in their own way, primarily because they want to fit in. Hear Melissa’s tip for getting past this hurdle to become successful.

(11:37:33) As a consultant, you are your own brand and as such are responsible for promoting your expertise. Melissa shares insights and tips for how, where and in what ways you can promote your ideas, knowledge and expertise in a way that attracts interest.

(15:41:34) Action steps you can take to successfully transition from your fulltime job into your new role as an independent consultant.

(18:24:32) One great tip for establishing and promoting yourself as a consultant, write a book. Write what you know is an adage that when put into practice, can help you build credibility to a wider audience.

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.

TMM Enablement Services

Book: Enabler? I Hardly Know Her!: How to Make the Sales Experience Not Suck Find it on Amazon

Melissa Madian on Instagram

To Get Melissa’s Walt Disney Quote: Sticky Brand Lab Resource Page

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

You’ve launched your business and now you’re ready to turn it into the business of your dreams. Only catch: you need to attract the perfect audience. Without an audience pool — one that you truly understand and connect with — your business can’t survive. How do you find your ideal audience using social media? To help you understand the ‘why’ and ‘which’ social platforms are worth your time, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea came up with a business use case to help aspiring solopreneurs and small business owners make an informed decision. 

Listen in as they share their discoveries, insights and helpful tips so you can choose only the social platforms that make sense for your business, in today’s episode.

Thanks for Listening!

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

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

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How building an audience through social media can be challenging. But if you do it correctly, it can be well worth your time and effort.
• Building an audience is important, but if you can't figure out how to generate meaningful revenue, is it worth your time in the long run?
• The one big mistake that leads many entrepreneurs scratching their heads wondering why they aren’t successful on social media.
• What you want is a process that will create meaningful interactions with your audience.
• Why no matter how great your messaging, it won’t make up for trying to send the wrong message to the wrong people.

(3:07.89) The single biggest reason it is so difficult to get your social posts in front of your ideal customer. 

(6:06.86) Who uses the different platforms the most. How can you, as a business owner, really get the most bang for the time that you’re using a particular social media platform? 

(8:21.78) Customers are using social media platforms differently than in the past. As a result, you as a business owner could, unbeknownst to you and your business, make this critical mistake. 

(8:51:42) Three major advantages business owners have for connecting with their target audience on the right social platform for their business.

(11:29:23) You don’t need to be on every social media platform. Use these three tips for choosing the right social media platform for your business.

(13:47:95) The one social platform often overlooked by many businesses and business owners, and as such could give you an advantage for reaching your target audience.

(15:46:52) Five benefits of using YouTube to engage prospects and generate search engine content to your website.

(18:02:24) Three social platforms few business owners consider and could be missing out on engaging with prospective customers, especially if you have a niche business and audience.

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.

Tip Sheet - How to write for your social media community. Download available at here.

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

Show Notes

Career or job burnout can happen to anyone at any time. Currently, the average professional begins experiencing burnout by the age of 32. To understand how burnout affects your career satisfaction and what steps you can implement to reduce or avoid the likelihood of a job exodus, Lori Vajda and Nola Boea sat down with Burnout Recovery expert Karrie Brazaski. Her company, Redwood Executive Coaching, tailors programs to organizations who care about helping overworked professionals reduce stress, chronic fatigue, and exhaustion and refocus their attention on increasing wellness in their personal and professional lives.

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

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

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• How job burnout is a special type of work-related stress
• The ‘signs of burnout’ you may have been ignoring or downplaying.
• Should you stay in your job or leave? Understanding the burnout indicators that may be telling you it’s time to call it quits.
• What is burnout costing you in terms of your health, career prospects, psychological well-being, and relationships?
• How starting a side business can reduce burnout, increase your creativity, personal growth and professional advancement opportunities.

(4:58.40) How a lack of trust impacts the way professionals show up at work and why it oftens leads to an inauthentic self. 

(6:24.93) What 3 things you can do to manage burnout and work related stress and why too many people typically just shove down their feelings and keep on going. 

(9:26.78) Are you an adrenaline junkie? Some personality types thrive on stress. Building a side hustle can actually reduce feelings of burnout so you don't feel trapped.

(12:20:20) This simple reframing trick can change the way an organization, manager or employee thinks about its team members and can reduce burnout before it leads to job dissatisfaction.

(14:09:13) Five simple, yet easy and effective tips most business leaders can implement which can increase employee involvement without increasing job stress. And, one of these tips has been known to actually increase the likelihood of a future promotion.

(18:03:87) How we’re programming ourselves and our kids to be workaholics starting at an early age.

(21:00:27) The ways in which men and women experience stress differently.

(24:24:54) The eight ‘telltale’ signs you’re experiencing the kind of chronic stress most people ignore because they often don’t recognize the cues. 

(31:24:99) Nine tips and suggestions for how you reduce stress without feeling guilty for pursuing a side business, personal growth or something that you have an interest or passion for.

Resources 

You can subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you listen to podcasts.

Redwood Executive Coaching

Follow Redwood Executive Coaching on Facebook

Karrie Brazaski on LinkedIn

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

Show Notes

Unlike many of the ads for webinars from successful six and seven-figure entrepreneurs willing to share their secrets of success, for a fee of course, the road to entrepreneurship is not always glamorous. 

In fact, we’d go so far as to say, it’s tough. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t worth it. So, what does it take to follow your dream? What does the path to becoming a successful independent professional look like? To find out Lori Vajda and Nola Boea are launching a new series, Where Are They Now? An Entrepreneurial Journey. 

In this episode the co-hosts sat down with Sophia Flot-Warner. Sophia is a Global Director for Training Solutions, multifaceted actor, and CEO of Freelance Sophie, a Virtual Assistant business she recently started.

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. 

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!

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

In This Episode You’ll Learn

• What it really takes to become an entrepreneur.
• Common misconceptions for starting a business such as, to have a successful company, you should have a business degree or you’ll need financial capital to back your dream. 
• Why you shouldn’t believe entrepreneurial success can only be achieved by a certain type of person.
• How to deal with the rejection part of entrepreneurship.

(7:04.99) This simple, yet brilliant tip for viewing rejection that will have you thinking differently. 

(11:15.93) Acting and entrepreneurship share this important similarity and a tool most people use incorrectly for building successful connections. 

(13:52.23) Four tips for developing your personal or entrepreneurial brand.

(16:22:93) These tips and tools will help you track your time and your work.

(21:55:44) A powerful tip for avoiding burnout while working and launching a side business.

Resources 

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

Sophia Flot-Warner 

Instagram Sophia Flot-Warner

Facebook Sophia Flot-Warner

Facebook at Freelance Sophie

Amazon books by Sophia Flot-Warner

This episode was supported by: Be-YOU-nique

Podcast Transcript