How to Transition from Executive to Entrepreneurial CEO Featuring Gina Cotner
Gina Cotner is the CEO of Athena Executive Services, a firm that pairs virtual executive assistants across the United States with swamped and successful entrepreneurs and executives. Her team of high-caliber executive assistants works part-time from home, taking many tasks and projects off the plates of successful people, leaving them free to spend their time where they are most needed.
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transition from a secure corporate job to founding and scaling a company that aligns with your personal values and lifestyle.
Gina and I discuss:
- Her initial decision to leave IBM and her corporate life behind [00:00:38]
- The journey from planning to open a martini lounge to becoming an entrepreneur [00:02:59]
- How Gina faced and overcame financial fears during a divorce [00:05:10]
- The inception of Athena Executive Services and its growth [00:07:54]
- Strategies for dealing with disappointment and the importance of keeping it simple [00:15:19]
- Building a business that thrived during the pandemic [00:11:00]
- The benefits of community and networking in business development [00:19:08]
Learn more about Gina with Athena Executive Services on social media to stay updated on latest insights and offerings:
Facebook: [https://www.facebook.com/AthenaVirtualAssistants]
Instagram: [https://www.instagram.com/athena_executive_services]
YouTube: [https://www.youtube.com/@athenaexecutiveservices5248]
LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/company/athena-executive]
Thank you to Our Sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
Get exclusive access to select, streamlined strategy guidance from our podcast professionals by subscribing now – a single click is all that stands between you and your successful future!
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.
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
Enlist now for privileged access to select, succinct guidance from our podcast professionals – a single click is all that stands between you and your successful journey!
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
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
Subscribe instantly to receive exclusive, well-chosen advice that’s brief and effective from our podcast mavens – you’re only one click from conquering your success journey!
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.
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
Sign up today and unlock exclusive, streamlined strategies from our seasoned podcast professionals – success is just a click from your grasp!
How to Embrace AI and Analytics for Entrepreneurial Success Featuring Genevieve Hayes
Dr. Genevieve Hayes is the Director of Genevieve Hayes Consulting, which assists organizations in understanding emerging technologies, such as AI and analytics, and how to use these technologies to create business value. She also lectures on data science at the University of Melbourne and hosts the podcast “Value-Driven Data Science.”
In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn from Genevieve’s bold transition from a secure corporate career to the dynamic world of entrepreneurship in the midst of a global pandemic. This episode is a trove of insights for anyone considering taking control of their professional path.
Genevieve and I discuss:
- Her journey from being an actuary to becoming an entrepreneur [02:00]
- The moment Genevieve decided to leave the corporate world [06:00]
- Insights into the risks and control associated with owning a business [08:00]
- The importance of freedom and the ability to challenge oneself [10:00]
- Genevieve’s innovative approach to data science in business [12:00]
- Her current projects and goals for the future [14:00]
- The balancing act between client work and business growth [16:00]
- The power of community and networking in business success [18:00]
Learn more about Genevieve at www.genevievehayes.com, and connect with her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gkhayes/.
Thank you to our sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community
Get immediate access to handpicked, actionable strategies from our podcast gurus by subscribing – your journey to triumph starts with a simple click!
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/.
Thank you to Our Sponsor:
The Smashing the Plateau Community