How to Leverage Writing into Business Success Beyond Law Featuring Erica Holthausen
Erica Holthausen is the founder of Catchline Communications, where she provides consultants with essential tools to develop and share a body of work that enhances their authority, boosts their visibility, and creates new opportunities. Leveraging her background as a freelance writer and editor, Erica assists her clients in selecting topics, pitching ideas, composing articles, and securing publication in prominent industry trade journals and business magazines, such as Harvard Business Review, Inc., and Entrepreneur.
In this episode, Erica and I discuss:
- Her unexpected career transition from law to communications [00:00:54]
- The role of mentorship in her professional development [00:06:18]
- Erica’s advice on asking questions and being open to help [00:07:47]
- Overcoming doubt and the power of trusting oneself [00:10:03]
- The evolution of her business, Catch Line Communications [00:15:41]
- How she pivoted her services to meet the consultants’ needs [00:15:58]
- The creation of her group program and the upcoming community [00:17:34]
- The importance of community for entrepreneurs [00:20:11]
- One actionable step for corporate refugees moving towards entrepreneurship [00:22:59]
Learn more about Erica at Catchline Communications at https://linktr.ee/catchline and connect with her on LinkedIn.
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How to Transform Selling into an Authentic Success Featuring Nikki Rausch
As the CEO of Sales Maven, Nikki Rausch possesses a unique ability to transform the often misunderstood process of “selling.”
With over 25 years of experience in selling, Nikki is now hired by entrepreneurs and small business owners who seek her expertise to learn how to sell successfully and authentically.
Nikki is the author of three books, all of which are available on Amazon. She also hosts the podcast Sales Maven, which can be found on your favorite podcast platform.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you’ll discover the nuances of NLP in sales and learn how to use these techniques to boost your business.
Nikki and I discuss:
- The pivotal moment that led her into entrepreneurship [00:02:52]
- How NLP transformed her approach to sales and communication [00:11:42]
- The importance of treating your business as a separate entity for sales success [00:10:13]
- Turning the discomfort of change into an opportunity for growth [00:21:50]
- The strategies that helped her pivot from a lavish lifestyle to a savvy entrepreneur [00:07:02]
- Nikki’s continued investment in personal and professional development [00:19:00]
Learn more about Nikki at:
https://www.facebook.com/yoursalesmaven/
https://www.instagram.com/your_sales_maven/
https://yoursalesmaven.com/podcast
https://yoursalesmaven.com/smashing
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How to Launch a Successful Design Agency After a Corporate Career Featuring Andre De La Cruz
Andre de la Cruz is a UX and Product Design professional with 15 years of experience. After losing his job last July, Andre co-founded an agency called Rally, which specializes in Brand, UX, and Product. He established the agency with two seasoned professionals in Brand and Product, along with a team of senior talent. Rally offers startups flexible monthly access to their team of senior designers and product managers through a subscription service. Prior to founding Rally, Andre spent the last five years at early and growth-stage startups, building and leading design teams, and collaborating with product and executive leadership to develop new products from inception to launch (0→1) and to evolve version one (v1) products into a more mature, polished, and professional state.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, Andre shares insights on making the bold move from a stable full-time job to creating and managing a successful design agency.
Andre and I discuss:
- His career progression and the decision to start an agency [00:01:00]
- The experience of leading design teams at startups [00:02:00]
- The journey of founding Rally with his partners [00:04:00]
- Shaping and adapting agency business models for market demand [00:10:00]
- Diversifying into the software industry [00:12:00]
- The pivotal role of community and networking in entrepreneurship [00:17:00]
- Tips for aspiring entrepreneurs considering their own venture [00:21:00]
Learn more about Andre at https://www.joinrally.co.
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How to Build a Thriving Business with Ethical AI and Community Featuring Jessica Spencer
After nearly two decades in the corporate world, Jessica founded the educational media company Penguin Connective, which seeks to create greater equality and opportunity in challenging areas such as future readiness, foster-to-adopt, and transitioning to adulthood. She is the creator of the AI Explorers Society and a ChatGPT for Teachers course that currently serves over 1,800 educators globally. Jessica resides near Raleigh, North Carolina with her husband and their five children.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how continuous learning and strategic diversification can create a resilient business model.
Jessica and I discuss:
- Her transition from corporate administrative roles to entrepreneurship [00:50]
- The advantages and challenges of acquiring education while working full-time [01:12]
- The evolution of her career through multiple industries [01:34]
- How a diagnosis with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome influenced her life choices [05:15]
- The role of diversification in achieving financial security [06:46]
- The importance of ethical AI and its application in education [14:09]
- The value of community and collaboration in a successful business [17:29]
- Introducing the AI Explorer Society and its goals [16:12]
Learn more about Jessica at: https://www.aiexplorers.io
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How to Convert Software Development Skills into Successful Business Models Featuring Troy Larson
Troy has over 40 years of software development and technical management experience, including five years at Amazon as a Solutions Architect.
In 2022, Troy founded The Unique VA Experience, a Filipino-based coaching company that has trained nearly 300 VAs, providing opportunities for Filipinos who are looking to change careers and for stay-at-home parents looking to enter the workforce.
In 2023, Troy launched The Developer’s CEO Newsletter, building on his 40 years of experience, focused on the unique challenges faced by software developers who are running a small business or looking to start their own business.
In today’s episode, you will discover the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the founding of The Unique VA Experience, and his 2023 launch of The Developer CEO Newsletter.
Troy and I discuss:
- The journey from corporate life to entrepreneurship [00:01:05]
- The motivation behind The Unique VA Experience [00:02:10]
- The significance of the “Unique” aspect in his business [00:03:40]
- Offering a distinct, hands-on program for VAs [00:04:35]
- How The Unique VA Experience evolved against expectations [00:06:05]
- Utilizing community for entrepreneurial success [00:08:00]
- The unexpected wisdom gained from community interactions [00:09:40]
- The role of OKRs in fostering accountability within communities [00:11:50]
- The simple yet effective implementation of OKRs [00:18:15]
- Navigating the trials and learning from failures in business [00:20:25]
For those seeking to delve deeper into the world of virtual assistance or to tap into Troy’s rich repository of knowledge, visit www.troylarson.com. Troy also offers resources on hiring a VA and has made his developer-centric newsletter available for those intrigued by the intersection of software development and business leadership.
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How to Build an Authority Business Featuring Rochelle Moulton
Rochelle Moulton turns independent consultants into authorities. The author of The Authority Code: How To Position, Monetize And Sell Your Expertise, she has been called “an emotional Red Bull” for her balance of inspiration and practical advice.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to go from expertise to authority, along with big financial benefits.
Rochelle and I discuss:
- Some of the differences between experts and authorities [03:18]
- Patterns that emerge from experts that effectively market their authority [08:54]
- The most important sales target when you market your authority [11:24]
- How taking a stand can generate risk in your head [14:23]
- How long it may take to build a financially successful authority business [19:11]
- Business model differences between experts and authorities [20:55]
Learn more about Rochelle at https://rochellemoulton.com/.
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How to Find a Niche that Sells Featuring Andrew Kamphey
Andrew Kamphey had a very meandering career. He became a google sheets wizard and now sells a very lucrative niche offering based on his skills.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the very simple process Andrew used to find his niche.
Andrew and I discuss:
- What caused his career to lead to google sheets [02:22]
- How Andrew created a business around his google sheets niche [10:55]
- How to persevere until you experience success [15:11]
- What Andrew learned about building a niche offering [19:25]
Learn more about Andrew at https://bettersheets.co.