Tina Cheesley runs a marketing agency that specializes in messaging for websites plus email marketing to help clients stand out from the crowd and attract the right people.

In this episode, discover the key steps and strategies that Tina has used to carve out a niche for her business and to guide others on the path to marketing success.

Tina and I discuss:

• Her professional journey from the print industry to online marketing and the dynamics of working with her husband [00:52]
• The importance of breaking down the transition from corporate to consulting into manageable steps [06:10]
• Starting off with the right digital footprint, such as a landing page, and the role of networking in business development [10:14]
• How to choose a consulting specialization that aligns with your passions and the impact you want to make [14:10]
• The entrepreneurial mindset, dealing with imposter syndrome, and the significance of goal setting [16:34]
• The blend of flexibility and structure in entrepreneurship, and how it shapes personal and professional life [18:05]
• The benefits of being part of a community and engaging in mastermind groups [19:47]

For more insights into effective digital marketing and to get a hold of a useful toolkit for kick-starting your marketing journey, visit Tina’s website at https://flow-online.co.uk/get-more-leads-toolkit/. 

Tina also welcomes strategy calls for those who have attempted to apply her methods and are looking for further assistance.

Thank you to our sponsor: 

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Erica Goode has been a Certified Public Accountant for 15 years. She runs a virtual accounting firm that provides coaches and consultants with bookkeeping, accounting, and CFO services, and she also hosts the Coaches, Consultants, and Money podcast. She’s a former Director of Finance at a Fortune 50 company and began her career as an auditor at a Big Four public accounting firm. Erica is also a mother of two and the wife of a fellow CPA. She lives with her family in the mountains of Idaho.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Erica will discuss the unique financial challenges that come with running a consulting or coaching business and how to navigate them confidently for a successful financial future.

Erica and I discuss:

• The common fears and misunderstandings about small business finance [00:00:00]
• Leaving a corporate career for entrepreneurship [00:03:30]
• Starting a business from scratch [00:04:10]
• The journey to specializing in coaching and consulting [00:06:35]
• The benefits of having a niche [00:12:59]
• Financial challenges and cash flow management in consulting [00:16:35]
• Retirement savings and benefits for entrepreneurs [00:19:55]
• The importance of community for entrepreneurs [00:22:15]
• Continuous learning in finance [00:24:35]

Learn more about Erica at https://www.ericagoode.com, https://www.ericagoode.com/newsletter-signup, and listen to her insights on the Coaches, Consultants, and Money podcast.

Thank you to our sponsor: 

The Smashing the Plateau Community 

John Neral is a certified professional coach who assists mid-career professionals who feel stuck, undervalued, and underutilized to show up and find a job they love or to love the job they have. John is the host of “The Mid-Career GPS Podcast” and the author of “SHOW UP – Six Strategies to Lead a More Energetic and Impactful Career” and “Your Mid-Career GPS – Four Steps to Figuring Out What’s Next.” He resides just outside of Washington, D.C., with his spouse and their rescue cat, “Amy Farrah Meowler.”

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to pause at the end of each quarter and assess your business progress, reaffirming foundational values, and deciding your next steps for growth.

John and I discuss:

• The significance of pausing and reviewing business progress [00:00:00]
• The shift in mid-career professionals’ attitudes since the pandemic [00:04:00]
• How to find what you want in your next job or career move [00:09:00]
• The importance of defining fit, function, finance, and future in your career [00:07:00]
• How to handle job offers that don’t fully meet your criteria [00:16:00]
• Why you should consider self-employment and building your personal board of directors [00:19:00]
• John’s entrepreneurial journey and the introduction of digital products [00:22:00]
• The power of being a community member and leader [00:25:00]

Learn more about John at www.johnneral.com and connect with him on LinkedIn. Listen to the Mid Career GPS podcast for more insights.

Thank you to Our Sponsor: 

The Smashing the Plateau Community 

Ahsan Karim is a business strategist and founder of Light Vision Group. His company helps businesses generate more revenue with online marketing.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Ahsan shares his insightful journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship. With a focus on helping businesses amplify their online presence, Ahsan highlights the importance of community, coaching, and strategic online marketing for entrepreneurs.

Ahsan and I discuss:

• Making the pivot from it to business coaching [00:02:52]
• The first entrepreneurial steps and valuing exchanges [00:04:33]
• Building light vision group and mastering digital marketing [00:08:08]
• Identifying the ideal client for online success [00:09:40]
• Expanding reach: local success stories to global visions [00:12:28]
• Unique global insights through personal journey and connections [00:13:26]
• Creating collaborative and customized coaching curriculums [00:16:15]
• The power of community in entrepreneurship [00:18:56]
• Upcoming projects to help entrepreneurs enhance their online presence [00:21:10]

Learn more about Ahsan at https://lightvisiongroup.com/.

Thank you to our sponsor: 

The Smashing the Plateau Community 

Geoffrey Kent is an esteemed educator, coach, entrepreneur, and the brain behind Think Big with Geoffrey Kent. With an impressive entrepreneurial trajectory spanning over half a century, Geoffrey has crafted a robust methodology that empowers entrepreneurs to devise their personalized strategies to initiate, responsibly escalate, and successfully exit their businesses. Geoffrey, a Wharton School of Business MBA holder with a focus on Entrepreneurial Management, has also shared his expertise at Lincoln University and carried out more than 20 entrepreneurial initiatives in the past five decades.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how Geoffrey Kent built his entrepreneurial university online and share his insights on creating generational wealth. 

Geoffrey and David discuss:

• Geoffrey’s journey to entrepreneurship and the creation of his course [00:17:55]
• The importance of narrating your course and turning it into a book [00:23:45]
• The platform Geoffrey made to teach entrepreneurs online [00:23:55]
• Geoffrey’s focus on Alignable as a platform for teaching [00:24:10]
• The creation of Entrepreneur University on Alignable [00:24:20]
• The unconventional approach of Entrepreneur University on Alignable [00:24:45]
• How to get more information about Geoffrey’s work [00:25:00]
• Geoffrey’s presence on various platforms for disseminating daily content [00:25:25]

Learn more about Geoffrey at www.thinkbigwithgeoffreykent.com, and search “Think Big with Geoffrey Kent” on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Quora, Alignable, and YouTube.

Thank you to our sponsor: 

The Smashing the Plateau Community 

Thomas Bertels is a management consultant and business transformation expert. He has more than 25 years’ experience helping companies across a range of industries, from start-ups to Fortune 5, transform how work gets done. Thinkers360 has recognized Thomas as a Top 50 Thought Leader on the Future of Work and Design Thinking. 

He has written several books and numerous articles on work design, process improvement, business transformation, and organizational learning. His latest book is ‘Fixing Work: Designing Jobs Employees Love’ ( Greenleaf Book Group). He is also the host of the Work Matters podcast, where he explores in conversations with thought leaders and executives what leaders can do to fix work.

In this episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful.

Thomas and I discuss:

• Thomas’s journey in consulting and his transformation towards innovative work design [00:17]
• How the evolution of publishing affected his process of authoring “Fixing Work” [02:25]
• The prevalent challenges of being a thought leader in today’s ever-evolving landscape [06:01]
• A deep-dive into the emerging models of consulting, focusing on productization and a client-focused approach [09:31]
• The principles and practical components of his work design framework [12:02]
• The significance and role of community in consulting [18:10]

Learn more about Thomas Bertels at:

• Homepage www.purpose.works
•  Book Site www.fixing-work.com
•  Newsletter purposeworks.substack.com
•  Diagnostic www.mymojo.works
•  Podcast https://www.youtube.com/@WorkMatterspodcast
•  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomasbertels/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/purpose-works-consulting/

Thank you to our sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Namita Purohit left a promising career at Microsoft and embarked on her journey as an entrepreneur, fueled by her deep-rooted belief in Eastern Wisdom. She champions the idea of cultivating inner resourcefulness and emphasizes the importance of community in both personal and professional development.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to make critical decisions, understand the importance of inner resourcefulness, and the crucial role communities play in our lives.

Namita and I discuss:

• Namita’s transition from Microsoft to entrepreneurship [00:12:29]
• The significance of decision-making and freedom [00:14:53]
• The concept of inner resourcefulness [00:20:35]
• Valuing personal pleasure and priorities over societal pressure [00:19:30]
• The role of communities in our lives [00:26:40]
• Namita’s coaching brand EASE, focusing on emotional awareness, spirituality, and excellence [00:27:30]

Learn more about Namita at https://www.namitapurohit.com

Thank you to our sponsor: 

The Smashing the Plateau Community 

Caitlin Cogan Doemner is the founder & CEO of VirtualCoachingSales.com and ecstaticsales.com. After studying at Oxford University and getting her MBA from Biola University, Caitlin Doemner launched a sales management company which generated over $11M in new revenue for its clients in 8 years.

She has published multiple books, including “The Unseen Sales Machine” and “Sell with Heart.” After realizing that the coaching industry needed more transparency, she launched BookofExperts.com — a referral network and a media company that gives transformational leaders (like coaches and consultants) more visibility and consistent referrals.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to use an ongoing process to sell one promise to one person.

Caitlin and I discuss:

• How to sell without explicitly stating that you are selling something [02:35]
• How she built her company and made the shift to entrepreneurship [03:04]
• How she recovered from a tragic event [04:11]
• What the key secret is to successful selling [06:30]
• How to approach selling as an act of love and service [07:59]
• How the sales team can effectively collaborate with consultants and coaches [14:44]
• At what stage in business consultants and coaches require assistance [17:07]
• Why prioritizing revenue over profit is not the right approach in business [20:43]
• What her personal experience is as a member of a community [21:36]

Learn more about Caitlin at https://ecstaticsales.com/

Thank you to our sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Jonathan Stark is a former software developer who is on a mission to rid the world of hourly billing. He is the author of Hourly Billing Is Nuts, the host of Ditching Hourly, and writes a daily newsletter on pricing for independent professionals.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can make more money without working more hours.

Jonathan and I discuss the following topics:

• How did he become focused on ending the hourly billing model? [01:38]
• How long did it take for Jonathan to see the changes in his income? [05:32]
• How did he discover value-based fees? [05:48]
• What reasons did Jonathan come up with to go solo? [07:47]
• Who is his target audience for his teaching model? [10:34]
• What is needed for a mindset shift? [11:39]
• How to ensure that price will dictate costs? [11:52]
• What did his mindset shift in providing value first? [15:26]
• What does it take to make a shift and start your own business? [17:35]
• How does community become a game changer for him? [20:02]
• What is his definition of community? [22:47]

Learn more about Jonathan Stark at http://valuepricingbootcamp.com/.

Thank you to our sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

After 25 years as a creative professional, Wayne Pelletier founded Resonant Pixel Company just three years ago.

The business experienced some early rapid growth, but it wasn’t the business Wayne wanted.

He has since transitioned the company into productized services, helping small businesses leverage the Squarespace platform to go from having an informational brochure-ware website to a transactional growth engine.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can create consistency and financial stability in a creative business where your competitors typically sell projects.

Wayne and I discuss:

• How he went from unemployment to getting his business started [02:03]
• Why Wayne focuses on the Squarespace platform [05:17]
• Working in your business vs. working on your business [06:24]
• Learning how to hire [09:29]
• How to delegate and get great results for clients [13:30]
• Wayne’s experience with community [21:24]

Learn more about Wayne at https://resonantpixel.co and https://www.linkedin.com/in/waynepelletier/.

Thank you to our sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Jason Van Orden helps consultants and coaches turn their expertise into online courses and group programs so they can help more people and generate more income.

Jason’s mission is to help visionaries with impactful ideas to connect with the people they serve best and the problems they can most uniquely solve.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can exceed your previous employment income by connecting with the people you can serve best and provide outcomes that they desire.

Jason and I discuss:

• Why he focuses on working with consultants and coaches [01:41]
• Strategies for increasing income quickly [02:58]
• How to overcome your lack of self-confidence while having conversations with clients [10:26]
• How to exceed your corporate income substantially [14:52]
• The benefits of collaborating in a community leadership role [21:15]

Learn more about Jason at https://jasonvanorden.com/

Thank you to our sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Scott A. Couchenour’s professional life of 30 years as a corporate COO and then CEO ended abruptly. He had to close the family business forever.

Scott found his way out.

Today, he works primarily with Executive Leaders and Business Owners in their 40’s-50’s to tame the chaos, design their next adventure, and then implement that journey through an iterative, cyclical coaching methodology.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can prepare for an epic 4^th quarter of your career and finish strong.

Scott and I discuss:

• His abrupt career pivot [02:13]
• Nurturing pre-client relationships [07:48]
• Serving vs. selling [12:01]
• Active listening to be a resource for clients [15:24]
• Mistakes that didn’t produce clients [16:44]
• How to find the best resource to help you through a career transition [18:57]
• The feeling of being controlled by circumstances or other people’s decisions [22:53]

Learn more about Scott at https://www.servingstrong.com and https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottcouchenour. Get in touch with Scott at coach@servingstrong.com.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Reuben Swartz is the founder of Mimiran, where his experience as a sales and marketing consultant for the Fortune 500, who struggled with his own sales and marketing efforts, led him to create the fun “anti-CRM” for independent consultants who love serving clients but hate “selling.” He’s also the host and chief nerd on the Sales for Nerds podcast.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can have great conversations in an organized way and increase new business.

Reuben and I discuss:

• How Reuben ended up creating a CRM [02:41]
• Why independent consultants need their own CRM [04:27]
• How consultants can overcome their dislike of selling [06:21]
• How to create a system for having consistent, meaningful conversations [08:38]
• Connecting with other like-minded business owners in community [16:48]

Learn more about Reuben at www.mimiran.com, www.mimiran.com/stp, and www.salesfornerds.io.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Janice Burg-Levi is a former Business & Marketing Executive with a diverse background in financial services, global telecommunications, media, and technology.

She has spent her career leading business strategy and marketing at companies such as AT&T, Avaya, Unisys, Accenture, and KPMG, and now is the owner and CEO of Intracoastal Marketing and Strategy Group, LLC.

She is also the host of a national podcast called It’s Great Business.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how a career-leading business strategy and marketing for global companies empower the success of a new CEO in her own business.

Janice and I discuss:

• Her career, relationships, and community [02:39]
• How community led to Janice’s podcast [08:28]
• What caused Janice to start her own business [11:18]
• The hidden cost of not having a marketing plan [15:16]
• Business transformation you can achieve with effective marketing [17:31]

Learn more about Janice at https://intracoastalmarketingstrategy.com and get in touch with Janice at janice@intracoastalmarketingstrategy.com.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Emmy Petersson is a certified coach who has worked with people in transitions that involve career changes and/or changes in their country of residence since 2013.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to unlock what’s next in your career to find flow, fulfillment and connect with your values in your work.

Emmy and I discuss:

• What led Emmy to start her business [01:47]
• Developing your niche [05:37]
• How to restart your career when you feel stuck [07:17]
• How to make a major transition and increase your income [15:51]
• Community experiences [20:47]

Learn more about Emmy at https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmy-petersson-career-coach/, and https://www.thebridgecoaching.com.au/.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Porschia Parker-Griffin is CEO of Fly High Coaching.

She and her team of coaches and resume writers have helped thousands of clients with their career, leadership, and business goals. She is a Professional Certified Coach, a Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Master Practitioner, and holds a Hogan Assessments Certification.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can build a successful coaching business and stand out in your marketplace.

Porschia and I discuss:

• How she made the transition from employment into her own business [01:57]
• How Porschia found the support she needed to grow her business [08:38]
• Getting the right support when you aren’t hitting your business objectives [10:33]
• The importance of an exit strategy [11:20]
• Positive surprises that turned out to be game changers [13:57]
• The importance of listening to your clients [17:35]
• Why communities are vital to your business growth [19:50]

Porschia also has experience as a Director and Business Consultant in the financial industry, helping companies unlock millions of dollars in potential hiding in their companies.

She has been recognized as a Career Expert by LinkedIn and hosts the Career 101 Podcast.

Learn more about Porschia at http://www.fly-highcoaching.com/.

Access the free Kick-Start Your Success Course at http://www.fly-highcoaching.com/kss.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Tim Miner, an AI Strategist and Consultant, is President of By The People Technologies, as System Integrator for AI and Salesforce.

Tim is an experienced executive who has held leadership roles at Salesforce, IBM, and Tact.ai. He currently directs By The People Technologies LLC, helping clients achieve digital transformation through innovative AI-based solutions.

As a consultant, Tim understands the need for organizations to set achievable goals for successful AI integration.

He is also a Visiting Professor at Pratt Institute, teaching how to build AI into Design Thinking. With ChatGPT, Tim empowers management teams to leverage AI and stay ahead in their industry.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to revolutionize your strategy, creativity and efficiency using the new and emerging tools of artificial intelligence.

Tim and I discuss:

• What led Tim to learn how to use AI [02:43]
• How AI is posing threats and creating opportunities for corporate refugees [03:29]
• How to use AI for efficiency, strategy and creativity [05:23]
• Treating AI like a junior associate [14:46]
• Finding unexpected opportunities with AI [17:06]
• Using AI to enhance your interaction with community [19:33]

Learn more about Tim at https://bythepeople.tech

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Gayle Keller is a former Microsoft sales executive who spent the last 20+ years in tech and felt called to smash the plateau by contributing to close the gender gap in the S.T.E.A.M. fields after seeing firsthand the gender biases that still exist in the workplace (coupled with the births of her two toddler daughters).

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to overcome adversity, fear, and self-doubt, especially if you are a woman.

Gayle and I discuss:

• Why Gayle went solo [02:21]
• Taking risks [09:06]
• Backtracking [10:26]
• Moving forward with courage and confidences [12:41]
• Relationships and community [16:12]

Gayle empowers women–and girls in S.T.E.A.M.–to take calculated risks and follow their dreams through her five-pillar methodology highlighted in her international bestselling book Full S.T.E.A.M. Ahead: Triumphant Tales for Working Women to Overcome Adversity, Fear, and Self-Doubt.

Learn more about Gayle at https://gaylekeller.org.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Stephen Woessner is the founder and CEO of Predictive ROI (PROI), a digital marketing agency, and the host of Onward Nation and Sell With Authority Podcasts. Since the advent of the commercial Internet, Stephen has collected tens of thousands of data points that have given him the ability to identify what he calls the “8 Money Draining Mistakes” and the “8 Money Making Opportunities.”

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn you can increase revenues online consistently and repeatedly.

Stephen and I discuss:

• Why you need to have a purpose for your podcast [00:38]
• The concept of a platform to grow your business revenue [00:57]
• The link between content creation and business development [03:34]
• How he uses a podcast to help other businesses [05:34]
• Relating dry sales to 8 kinds of mistakes [10:02]
• How to identify your target audience when you’re a corporate refugee [12:43]
• Stephen’s experience in communities [18:10]

Learn more about Stephen at

www.predictiveroi.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephenwoessner/

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Tracy Enos is well-versed in making the best use of LinkedIn … and she has been for over a decade. She is on the front end of LinkedIn changes and is invited to sit in on brainstorming sessions when LinkedIn kicks around changes. She works with lots of professionals, entrepreneurs, and career types helping them substantially improve their profiles.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can turn LinkedIn into a revenue-generating tool.

Tracy and I discuss:

• How Tracy became a LinkedIn expert [02:04]
• Common mistakes corporate refugees make with LinkedIn [10:33]
• How LinkedIn is different than your website [13:41]
• Personal vs. Business Profile [16:34]
• How you can use LinkedIn as a content creation tool [18:06]
• Tracy’s experience in communities [24:35]

Learn more about Tracy at https://theultimateprofilechecklist.com/ and connect with Tracy on LinkedIn.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Deemed the “Mad Scientist” of sales & marketing automation, Paul Sokol has been involved in countless projects as a result of his world-class customer journey automation and advertising authority.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how pattern recognition fuels your marketing and sales process.

Paul and I discuss:

• Paul’s background as an electrical engineer [01:42]
• Machine learning and advertising [03:09]
• Connecting everything to your customer’s experience [13:56]
• Learning new tools and adding the skillset to your business [18:22]

Learn more about Paul at https://bepro.events/linktree,
https://book.paulsokol.me

Thank you to Our Sponsors:
The Smashing the Plateau Community

As international speaking coaches and founders of Remarkable Speaking, Shelley Goldstein and Mark Bossert have trained thousands of people in over 40 countries from just about every industry on how to become confident and compelling speakers.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to unlock your inner voice to be seen, speak with intention and make meaningful connections anywhere, anytime about anything.

Shelley, Mark, and I discuss:

• How they learned storytelling [01:44]
• How to set the stage [05:09]
• Where storytelling can be most effective for corporate refugees [10:14]
• Where community experiences intersect with remarkable speaking [16:34]
• Their definition of community [21:18]

Learn more about Shelley and Mark at https://remarkablespeaking.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/shelleygoldstein, and https://www.linkedin.com/in/markbossert.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

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As an accomplished corporate business leader, Dave made a career of turning around underperforming business sectors through thought leadership, innovation, and the use of best practices.

Today he uses his 31 years of experience to empower companies to build sellable value through a private consultancy.

As a 𝘾𝙀𝙍𝙏𝙄𝙁𝙄𝙀𝘿 𝙀𝙓𝙄𝙏 𝙋𝙇𝘼𝙉𝙉𝙄𝙉𝙂 𝘼𝘿𝙑𝙄𝙎𝙊𝙍 |𝘾𝙀𝙍𝙏𝙄𝙁𝙄𝙀𝘿 𝙑𝘼𝙇𝙐𝙀 𝘽𝙐𝙄𝙇𝘿𝙀𝙍 Dave works with clients to create ultimate freedom, to own a valuable, sellable business, that’s not dependent on the owner – which means you can scale, sell, pass down or simply run as chairman without being involved day-to-day.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how Dave discovered where his 31 years of experience as an accomplished corporate business leader would best serve his clients and himself.

Dave and I discuss:

• Dave’s 31-year career as an accomplished corporate business leader before he became an entrepreneur [02:23]
• How Dave’s experience led him to become a certified exit planning advisor and certified value builder [03:12]
• Finding what business model most suits your personal needs [08:21]
• Finding your ideal client [09:57]
• Avoiding a false revenue stream [11:49]
• How to do exit planning [14:33]
• Developing the right relationships [19:11]
• The benefits of community to a business owner [20:46]

Learn more about Dave at https://saliarisconsulting.com/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/davesaliaris/, and get in touch with Dave at dave@saliarisconsulting.com.

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

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Since 2008, Doug Thorpe has been helping hundreds of leaders in all types of businesses find ways to be more effective, have greater influence, and build stronger teams.

He’s taken 30+ years of business ownership and leadership and put together an easy, common-sense approach to help with the business challenges of today.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how you can set yourself up to build the business that supports your life goals.

Doug and I discuss:

• Why Doug left a career in banking [01:44]
• The importance of courage when making a leap [04:30]
• How his career evolved as an entrepreneur [06:58]
• Independent consulting and coaching are not like what is taught in business school [18:02]
• Community and business [19:41]

Learn more about Doug at https://dougthorpe.com

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

Because he endured four life traumas in a 9-month span without seeking support, Drew Deraney now knows asking for help is a strength.

He is dedicated to helping build a stronger man who is prepared to face adversity healthier and come through stronger, in more empowering ways.

After 30 years serving in the hospital/healthcare industry and as a franchise owner, he gave it all up to address men’s empowerment as the Men’s Real Catalyst Speaker, a new author, and a podcaster – From Caving In To Crushing It.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to turn unexpected professional and personal adversity into success on your own terms.

Drew and I discuss:

• Drew’s career [02:11]
• Faith-shaking events [05:14]
• Moving forward from that [09:58]
• Showing up with a new definition of success [15:57]
• Connection to community [22:29]

Learn more about Drew at https://profitcompassion.com/, https://from-caving-in-to-crushing-it.castos.com/, https://amzn.to/40dsbyR.

Thank you to Our Sponsors:

The Smashing the Plateau Community