“The best way to know what’s going on in your business, and to know your business intimately, is to know your business numbers.”—  Melissa HoustonIs it better to have $1 million in revenue or $300k in revenue? That’s a trick question — and this episode explains why.My guest Melissa Houston is an certified accountant and financial strategist who makes it easy to understand your business finances — and loves empowering women entrepreneurs to make that money. (I highly recommend checking out her columns on forbes.com.) Confession: I find it a little overwhelming to look at my own numbers. But trust me, you don’t have to be a numbers person to get BIG value out of this episode, so grab a pen before hitting play.In this episode, you’re going to learn why all of those 7-figure launches you keep hearing about may not be as impressive as they seem.Hit play to hear Melissa break down the real and important difference between revenue and profit, how to fix your money mindset, and five steps for revamping your financial picture!You’ll learn:What you should take into account when setting your rates (no, you shouldn’t just rely on Google!)The #1 thing that business owners struggle with the most when it comes to their finances How to grow your wealth through diversifying your offers, building new revenue streams, and making investments  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Melissa Houston: Melissa Houston is a Certified Public Accountant, life coach, and entrepreneur who helps 6-figure successful CEOS grow to 8 figures+. She is a Forbes columnist and host of the Business Society Podcast. Her first book Cash Confident: An Entrepreneur’s Guide to Running a Profitable Business will be available in 2023.Highlights:‌ ‌00:32  Intro02:02  Meet Melissa Houston!05:29  Setting your hourly rate06:27  Profit v. revenue09:22  How to build wealth in your biz12:51  Biggest problems business owners face14:34  Fixing your money mindset16:25  Unique ability of biz owners to create wealth21:28  5-step framework25:22  Where to start!28:20  ‌The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Melissa Houstonhttps://www.melissahoustoncpa.com https://melissahoustoncpa.lpages.co/5-step-biz-finance-roadmaphttps://thebusinesssociety.co    https://www.thefractionalcfoagency.com https://ca.linkedin.com/in/melissahoustoncpa Instagram: melissahoustoncpa  ---------------------------  CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelskiReady to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel

“This is one of the self care things that I did: delete social media altogether for 90 days.”—  Amisha ShrimankerWe’re busting some myths on this episode of Captivate + Convert! First up: to grow your business, you have to HUSTLE.My guest Amisha Shrimanker is living proof that the hustle myth falls flat — taking time off is actually part of her business strategy. Amisha heads up The Copy Crew, a boutique copywriting agency that works with online entrepreneurs and coaches.  I’ll tell you right now: this isn’t a rah-rah motivational episode where we pat ourselves on the back for building businesses we love. We get REAL about the struggle of having to take a cold, hard, honest look at your biz — and then fix everything you’ve been getting wrong.In this episode, Amisha spills the deets on how she went from being a freelancer with ZERO boundaries to someone who books Fridays off and takes regular vacations from updating her socials!Hit play and find a new way to work! You’ll learn:How to take an intentional, proactive approach to connecting with your dreamiest clients — and stop taking every random job that comes your wayThe mindset shift that helped Amisha say no to an amazing opportunity (and why it was the right choice for her biz)How building regular, non-negotiable CEO time into your schedule will help you create offers that POP!  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Amisha Shrimanker: Amisha Shrimanker is the founder of the boutique copywriting agency The Copy Crew.Highlights:‌ ‌  00:33  Intro02:12  Meet Amisha Shrimanker!03:21  From freelancer to agency owner05:40  The hustle myth + 202007:55  The cold hard look10:08  Extended social media breaks12:23  Proactive + experimental approaches18:55  Mindset + scheduling21:26  Saying no to big opportunities24:46  Scaling up26:48  Finding balance29:12  Restructuring offers30:25  The “right way”33:04  Setting boundaries + niching38:19  Finding a fresh perspective42:17  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Amisha Shrimankerhttps://thecopycrew.com https://thecopycrew.com/shop/the-ceo-essential-email-scripts Instagram: @thecopycrew ---------------------------   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelskiReady to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel

“The most effective copy is going to come straight from your customers’ mouths.”—  Melissa HarstineThere are many reasons to choose entrepreneurship over a traditional job. We love to talk about time freedom, the personal fulfilment of being your own boss, and the joy of doing what we love… and yes, all those things are great! But many of us also start businesses out of health-related necessity — and we don’t talk about that enough!Customer research specialist Melissa Harstine left her 9-to-5 to build a biz that would allow her the time she needed to manage her chronic illness while rocking her clients’ worlds.The key? Stripping it down to the most profitable, impactful, manageable elements… and learning how to say no and ditch the rest.By carving out a super specific micro-niche, Melissa has built a biz that works WITH her strengths and limitations and allows her to thrive on her own terms. In this episode, she shares the goods on how to do less while still delivering AMAZING results… and how having constraints may actually work to your advantage!Hit play and find a new way to work! You’ll learn:What it means to take a subtractive approach to business — and how it looks in practiceHow hiring a customer research specialist can dramatically benefit your bizMelissa’s secret to marketing her services online WITHOUT social media (spoiler: it’s genius!)  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Melissa Harstine: Melissa Harstine conducts voice-of-customer research for time-starved copywriters and boutique agencies. Highlights:‌ ‌00:34  Intro01:46  Meet Melissa Harstine!02:40  Melissa’s journey04:37  Subtractive approach to business08:16  Finding the right niche11:47  Case studies + customer research14:37  Benefits of micro-niching18:40  Know when to say “no”21:11  Marketing WITHOUT social media25:40  Roundtable breakdown28:35  Benefits of constraints32:08  ‌Smarter scheduling34:25  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Melissa Harstinehttps://www.melissaharstine.comhttps://www.melissaharstine.com/roundtable melissa@melissaharstine.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/melissaharstinecreative ---------------------------   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelskiReady to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel

“It’s almost unavoidable now, to see ‘success’ being a certain dollar amount, and that should be the metric for everybody… I never started thinking that I was going to have a 6-figure anything in my first year. I went into it wanting to work for myself.”—  Katie KastnerThis episode is for all of the mom entrepreneurs out there. Being a business owner is hard work, but navigating the path of entrepreneurship while ALSO raising young kids turns the dial up to 11 — and I think it’s important to talk about that!Content writer and strategist Katie Kastner is a mom of two under 10, so she knows ALL ABOUT the challenges of juggling building a business with managing a household.“I’ve learned that I have to be really patient and graceful with myself, and understand that I am a mom and I am also an entrepreneur,” Katie says. “It’s not like I decided to take on this job and I brought in a team of people to take care of everything else.”From celebrating small wins to overcoming mom-guilt, we get INTO IT. So put the kids to bed, grab a cup of tea (or wine), and hit play!In this episode, you’ll learn:How Katie found balance as a mom and entrepreneur — and how she deals when things go haywireWhy it’s important to be able to ask for support and give yourself graceWhy you need to reframe “success” and “perfection” on your own terms and not fall into the social media trap  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Katie Kastner: Katie Kastner is a content writer and strategist who helps small business owners decide on a content marketing strategy that will work best for their business — and then helps them put that plan into action, so that they can discover, connect, and nurture their relationship with their ideal customers.Highlights:‌ ‌  00:34  Intro01:34  Meet Katie Kastner04:53  Discovering copywriting06:57  Early entrepreneurship struggles10:13  Reframing “successful business”15:50  Finding balance19:59  Reframing “perfection”23:45  Instant Funnel Bundle24:46  Letting go of shame around support29:57  Good enough is good enough31:16  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Katie Kastnerhttps://katiekastner.com https://www.facebook.com/katiewiththewords https://kastner102.medium.com Instagram: @katiewiththewords ---------------------------  Ready to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“There is this outside pressure that we have to reach a certain bar, and I think that’s not the way to go about it… Don’t worry about what the other guru is doing and what your business bestie is doing. This is YOUR business — where were you last year and what do you want to do with it this year?”—  Donna DubeLet’s unlock a secret weapon in your business: your metrics.In this episode, Productivity Plus founder Donna Dube shares some great insights on how to match your mission and vision to the metrics that you should be focusing on, in order to maximize your time and your revenue.Looking at numbers may not be as fun and creative as other aspects of your biz, but they’re definitely going to help you push the needle — if you understand what they’re telling you! Your metrics help you figure out not only where you’re spending your energy in your business right now, but where you SHOULD be spending it in order to make the biggest impact.This means the offers and initiatives with the biggest, juiciest profits…The social platforms driving the most conversions…… and the content strategies pulling in the most engagement.You’ll definitely want to take some notes on this one (I did too!)Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:The data you SHOULD be tracking regularly… and the vanity metrics you don’t need to worry aboutWhy it’s important to know where your website traffic is coming fromHow to redefine what success means for YOU  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Donna Dube: Donna Dube is the founder of Productivity Plus. She offers her entrepreneur clients personalized strategic business planning and operational management that creates ease, establishes priorities, and provides clarity.Highlights:‌ ‌00:33  Intro01:44  Meet Donna Dube04:53  Why we don’t like looking at numbers06:17  What should you track?08:07  Vanity metrics09:32  Traffic metrics12:46  Launch examples15:38  Comparison game17:14  Instant Funnel Bundle18:13  Donna’s process + outcomes23:41  Redefining success26:48  Strategic planning31:59  ‌The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!---------------------------Donna Dube https://www.productivityplusva.cahttps://www.productivityplusva.ca/10-kpis-you-can-measure-today Instagram: @productivityplusva ---------------------------Ready to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel     Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“If we are focused on the visibility and why we’re afraid to show up, we’re making it all about ourselves, versus making it about the people that we get to impact, whether it’s one person or one million people. ”—Lisa BenavidezNot sure where or when you should show up online in order to connect with your dream clients — and not interested in posting on your socials 24/7? This episode is for you!Showing up and being the face of their business can be a struggle for a lot of women, especially if they’re also juggling motherhood. So keeping it simple is a MAJOR priority.My guest is Lisa Benavidez, a business strategist who helps women entrepreneurs and leaders create simple and effective visibility strategies that get them front and center when it comes to their ideal clients.Best of all: you don’t need to be on ALL the platforms… and you DEFINITELY don’t have to be perfect.You just need to be crystal clear on your messaging.Your messaging will lay the groundwork for your visibility strategy — and this episode gives you the tools you need to come up with a killer one!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:What main, supporting, and cornerstone social platforms are, how to choose ‘em, and how to use ‘emLisa’s 5-step process for creating 90 days worth of content (yes, please!)How to identify client-attracting conversations that’ll help you boost your profile — and follower count!  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Lisa Benavidez: Lisa Benavidez is a business and visibility strategist who helps her clients create a bold online presence that attracts their ideal audience, and then show up, serve, and sell in a way that feels authentic and powerful.Highlights:‌00:34  Intro01:32  Meet Lisa Benavidez04:42  Lisa’s own visibility challenges07:43  Your messaging is the groundwork10:00  Identifying client-attracting conversations11:14  Choosing your platforms14:45  Instant Funnel Bundle15:45  5-step process for 90 days of content21:05  You need to repeat yourself21:43  “Consistent” doesn't mean “every day”25:44  Lisa’s goodies28:27  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Lisa Benavidezhttps://www.lisabenavidez.comhttps://www.lisabenavidez.com/pva [$50 off promo code: Captivate}https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisabenavidezInstagram: @lisa_benavidez---------------------------Ready to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnelBecome biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“One of the things that helped me the most was taking a step back and being realistic... Continual learning is important, but you have to be realistic about how much you can actually take on and how much content you can consume.”—  Peta O'Brien-DayWhere would you end up if you had to rebuild from nothing?Peta O'Brien-Day is a copywriter and former social worker who had a super challenging path to entrepreneurship after the unspeakably tragic early death of her first husband. (This is the second half of my convo with Peta — if you haven’t heard last week’s episode, I highly recommend checking it out first to get the full story!)When we left off last week, Peta had just launched her new copywriting business while caring for two young kids.In this episode, we dig into the nitty-gritty of the early days of building her biz, including her time management strategies, how she took advantage of time zone differences to better balance her childcare, and how she sifted through best practices and self-help tips to find what worked for HER. Listen now to learn about Peta’s top advice for biz owners — and why you DON’T actually have the same number of hours in a day as Beyoncé!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:How to make time to work on your biz WITHOUT setting an alarm for 4 am (um, no thank you!)Why you need to get over the burning need to do All The Things and join all the groups — and why podcasts can be your best bet for learning How Peta found her way back from her darkest days — and where you can follow her story  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Peta O'Brien-Day: Peta O'Brien-Day is the wordsmith behind Words By Peta. She helps her clients bring that local, brick-and-mortar business vibe to their website’s marketing content. Highlights:‌ ‌00:34  Intro01:29  Early days of entrepreneurship04:10  Being realistic about time management05:24  Peta’s top advice for biz owners07:13  Hidden teams behind success stories09:17  Motherhood + entrepreneurship11:24  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Peta O'Brien-Dayhttps://secondtimearound.blog https://wordsbypeta.com https://www.facebook.com/wordsbypeta Instagram: @allwordsbypeta ---------------------------Ready to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel   Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“I’d grown up being sure that my purpose in life was to have a vocation that really helped people… I don’t think anymore that life should be all about serving other people. Being nice and doing good things for other people is great and really important, but I’m important, too.”—  Peta O'Brien-DayThis week’s episode is the first of a two-parter that digs into some pretty heavy topics. Peta O'Brien-Day is a nurturing copywriter who helps biz owners nail a clear brand voice and connect with their dreamiest customers. She’s also a mom who’s had a HELL of a rough road to entrepreneurship.When Peta was 32 with a two-year-old son, her husband Mark was diagnosed with stage 4 stomach cancer, told he had 18 months to live… and passed not long afterward.Unbelievably tragic.Peta was left to guide her toddler and herself through their grief, totally rethink her work and lifestyle… and eventually find love again. Along the way, she started a blog that shifted her career aspirations and led to launch her own biz.Listen now to hear how she found her way to entrepreneurship after life on hard mode — then tune in next week for Part 2!In this episode, you’ll learn:How Peta successfully started over again after unthinkable tragedy (while caring for a tiny human by herself)How to talk about death more helpfully with people who are deeply grieving — and why the usual go-to platitudes just don’t cut it most of the time  How blogging led Peta into a career she had never even considered before  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Peta O'Brien-Day: Peta O'Brien-Day is the wordsmith behind Words By Peta. She helps her clients bring that local, brick-and-mortar business vibe to their websites and marketing content. Highlights:‌ ‌00:33  Intro01:37  Meet Peta O'Brien-Day02:45  Peta’s story08:37  Grieving process10:37  Starting over 13:04  Support networks14:58  Speaking about death19:03  Instant Funnel Bundle20:03  Leaving youth work24:20  New love, new work, new baby28:51  Transitioning to copywriting32:55  International clients34:38  Power of blogging  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Peta O'Brien-Dayhttps://wordsbypeta.com https://www.facebook.com/wordsbypeta Instagram: @allwordsbypeta --------------------------- Ready to fill your calendar with consistent clients? Grab my Instant Funnel bundle and snag a TON of goodies, including a brand voice and messaging guide and more swipe files than you can shake a stick at!https://christycegelski.com/instant-funnel Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993 CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“The funnels, and the pop-ups, and all these extra opt-ins — you don’t need those in order to run a successful business. What you want to do is send people to the place you want them to buy, and make sure that they are a good fit for you.”—  Samantha MabeIf launching (or re-launching) your website is on your To-Do List, then this episode is for you!My guest Samantha Mabe designs customized Squarespace website for service providers and coaches. Her specialty? Designing simple, strategic websites that help her clients grow their businesses without a ton of unnecessary bells and whistles… built in as little as 8 hours!Having a great simple website is about more than just snazzy graphics and branding. It’s about offering just the right info in just the right places, so that it’s easy for visitors to figure out whether or not your services are a good fit.The quicker your dream clients can figure that out, the quicker they can whip out those credit cards!Depending on the biz, a simple website can be just as effective (or even MORE effective) than a more robust website. This can save you mucho bucks… not to mention weeks of time!In this episode, Samantha delivers the goods on how to build a swoon worthy website that connects and converts!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:Whether a simple website is the right choice for your business — or if you’re better off building a bit biggerWhat pages you absolutely need on your site and the important elements that should be included How to create a sense of flow on your website that takes your visitors where you want them to go  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Samantha Mabe: Samantha Mabe is the creative director and designer for Lemon and the Sea, a website design company that helps service-based entrepreneurs raise their prices and share their expertise. Highlights:‌ ‌00:33  Intro02:02  Meet Samantha Mabe03:33  Samantha’s journey05:16  Origin of Lemon and the Sea06:54  Your website is your home08:51  What’s a simple website?10:23  Start with the signature offer12:15  When to get complex13:34  Create your flow 16:21  Where to stash your opt-in17:12  Ditch perfectionism18:39  Home page20:58  About page 23:30  Work With Me page + FAQs30:24  Quiz31:05  Common mistakes33:50   ‌The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Samantha Mabehttps://www.lemonandthesea.com https://www.lemonandthesea.com/quiz https://www.facebook.com/lemonandthesea Instagram: @lemonandthesea ---------------------------  Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“Do a time audit… One thing that business owners and CEOs do constantly (and I see so much more in online businesses than brick-and-mortar businesses) is they undervalue their own time.”—  Erika MacauleyIf you’ve ever wondered whether an online business manager is a good fit for your business, then you’ll definitely want to tune into this episode!You can just call my guest, Erika Macauley, the Chief Get-Sh*t-Done Officer. OBMs and VAs have become extremely popular in the online business world, and I like to say that Erika is the online business manager to the internet stars. She helps visionary entrepreneurs do more of what they like to do… and less of what they don’t.Sounds great, right?But… what does an OBM actually DO?If you need a primer on the magic of OBMs, don’t worry — so did I! In this episode, Erika shares everything you need to know about finding, hiring, and working with the OBM of your dreams. You’ll get the lowdown on what an OBM can do for your biz, at which stage you should think about hiring one, and how to create an amazing onboarding process.Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:The cost and benefits of working with an OBM — and which types of businesses should hire oneThe many different ways that you can work with an OBM, from launches to VIP days to ongoing The difference between VAs and OBMs, and when to work with eachSubscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Erika Macauley: Erika Macauley is an integrator, OBM, and project manager. She helps 6- and 7-figure online creative biz owners pull all their ideas into a stress-free, revenue-generating structure and long-term strategy. Highlights:‌00:33  Intro01:57  Meet Erika Macauley02:49  Erika’s journey09:26  Life experience counts!11:22  What do OBMs do?14:48  OBMs + launches16:51  Who should hire an OBM? (+ $$)21:49  List your pricing on your website25:11  VAs v. OBMs29:40  90-day onboarding process ‌34:45  Money talk!37:43  The Christy QuestionsPlease remember to subscribe, rate, and review!--------------------------Erika Macauleyhttps://erikamacauley.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/erika-macauley Instagram: @erika_macauley --------------------------Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“YOU are your business. Therefore, you’ve got to make sure that you’re doing the best that you can for your own wellbeing.”—  Rachel LethamShould self care actually be a part of your business plan?The short answer: YES.My guest is Rachel Letham, a positive mindset and self care coach who helps successful-yet-stuck female business owners and stressed-out, ambitious moms achieve professional growth and personal balance.The goal? Building businesses that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside!Rachel helps her clients prioritize their self care and wellbeing, because you just can’t build an empire while burnt out. “It doesn’t matter whether you’re a solo business owner or running a team. If your business effectively is YOU, and you’re behind it, there is only a certain amount that you can keep doing and keep maintaining… before certain things give,” Rachel says. By identifying your true needs and finding the right balance of structure and flexibility, you’ll be able to take care of business while ALSO taking care of yourself. In this episode, you’ll learn how to identify and build boundaries around your self care non-negotiables and build your biz without sacrificing yourself in the process!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:How to ride the ebbs and flows in your business more mindfully — and successfully establish boundaries during your busy seasonsWhat to consider when establishing and scheduling your self care non-negotiables (and the importance of flexibility)!How to effectively use vision boards to grow your business and create your wellness practice   Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Rachel Letham: Rachel Letham is a UK-based certified positive mindset and self care coach. She works with ambitious business professionals who seek clarity, purpose, direction, and balance. Highlights:‌ ‌00:33  Intro01:26  Meet Rachel Letham04:21  Redefine the hustle + grind05:50  Impact of wellbeing on biz07:25  Ebbs + flows08:28  Self care non-negotiables11:48  Balance structure + flexibility14:03  Wants v. shoulds 18:19  Integrating your non-negotiables22:51  Vision board success30:10  ‌The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Rachel Lethamhttps://www.rachellethamcoaching.com https://thevisionboardcourse.teachable.com/p/enroll https://www.facebook.com/rachellethamcoach https://www.pinterest.ca/rachelletham Instagram: @rachelletham,  @selfcaresurvivalkit ---------------------------Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“These days, there’s no loyalty at a job. They use you as long as they need you, and then you’re gone. If you have your own customer base… they’re not all going to fire you at once.”—  Steven CegelskiQuitting your 9-to-5 and launching your own biz can feel pretty scary. Doing it when your partner is ALSO running their own business? Even scarier!But when it works, being part of a power couple is fabulously fulfilling!My guest for this episode is Steve Cegelski, serial entrepreneur and owner of the full-service water treatment company Clear Chem. He also happens to be my husband.Relationships between two self-employed people have their own unique challenges, quirks, and bonuses. This episode is all about navigating entrepreneurial couplehood (I’m looking at you, Beyonce and Jay-Z!).From sharing workspaces to switching states, corporate structures to consistency, we share our biggest challenges and lasting lessons. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes breakdown of how each of us built our biz — and why entrepreneurial households actually have a leg up on those still working for others!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:The back-up plan that allowed Steven to launch a new business venture with less stressHow we managed the transition into a dual-entrepreneur household (and how margaritas smoothed the way)Steven’s words of wisdom for new and aspiring entrepreneurs — and why entrepreneurship can actually offer MORE stability than the traditional job market  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Steven Cegelski: Steven Cegelski is the owner of Clear Chem, a full-service water treatment company that creates customized water treatment programs tailored to each customer's specific needs and budget.Highlights:‌00:33  Intro02:25  Meet Steven Cegelski!05:33  Steven’s entrepreneurial journey10:07  Doomsday scenarios + back-up plans12:50  Starting a entrepreneurial household14:49  Sharing workspaces17:54  Consistency is key18:49  No loyalty in the job world20:21  The Christy Questions (+ where they came from!)  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------GUEST OR OTHER LINKShttps://clearchemwt.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/stevencegelski ---------------------------Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“The online world is so flooded. I teach that you should build that brand foundation first, before you even worry about social media.”—  Taylor DanielsI’ve heard your requests, and now I’m delivering — this episode is all about best practices for growing your biz using Instagram! My guest for today is Taylor Daniels, brand strategy coach and Instagram expert extraordinaire. In 2019, Taylor was running a virtual assistant agency and noticed a lot of clients were requesting help in standing out on their socials in a saturated market. She also noticed that a lot of them weren’t putting in the effort to build their brand. She found herself teaching them how to up their Insta game and build a solid brand foundation... two things which happened to be her specialties. In 2020, she became a coach.Taylor is a genius at leveraging social media and is one of the few people using Instagram the right way, in my opinion.“Instagram is a tool to bring people into your space. It’s a place to connect and then bring people into your sales funnel — your email list or Facebook group,” Taylor says. “Yeah, you can close clients on Instagram, but it should be more used as a driving force to get people into YOUR community. And then you can show up in your community every day with warm, hot leads that are ready for you to nurture them.”Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:> The biggest misconceptions entrepreneurs have about using Instagram as a business tool> How many times per week you should be posting (it’s probably less than you think!)> Best practices for boosting meaningful and authentic engagementSubscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Taylor DanielsTaylor Daniels helps online service providers take their businesses from side hustle to sold the f*ck out. She offers guidance on brand strategy and marketing, and a big part of what she teaches is how to use Instagram to build your business.Highlights:‌ ‌02:16  Meet Taylor Daniels04:36  Instagram as part of brand strategy06:11  Foundation over details07:17  Stop sweating vanity metrics08:22  When + how to post10:02  Instagram as a driving force11:26  Show up authentically12:53  Seriously, stop sweating metrics!14:52  Niche down + reach out17:27  Detach from the outcome21:09  Follow/unfollow game23:17  Stay focused27:49  The Christy QuestionsPlease remember to subscribe, rate, and review!---------------------------TAYLOR DANIELShttps://www.instagram.com/itstaydaniels_llc ---------------------------HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET DONE-IN-A-DAY? You might be surprised! Work with me for a Done-In-a-Day session + walk away with a brand new, optimized email sequence or landing page! Let’s take your copy from ho-hum to HELL YES!https://christycegelski.com/hire-me CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“I knew it would help me… get a pulse on who my audience was.”—  Sara Vartanian  Does your lead magnet need a glow-up? It may be time for you to consider going high-touch.  This week’s guest is Sara Vartanian, an incredible launch strategist and copywriter who happens to be one of my besties! Sara has been featured in Forbes and shared her amazing skills in countless popular online programs, so I know you’re going to love what she shares in this episode!  Here’s the scoop: Sara has a really unconventional approach to creating lead magnets — she calls it the Unscalable Lead Magnet Method. It was through this method that Sara was able to land her first few long-term clients… and generate over $75k in revenue.  I’m going to let you know right now — this definitely isn’t your typical PDF freebie!  This conversation is a no-nonsense, no-filter look at the good, bad, and ugly of lead magnets. From lack of focus to bloated value, you’re going to find out in detail where most typical lead magnets go wrong. And after you learn why your freebies aren’t giving you the conversions you crave, you’ll discover how to create lead magnets that’ll position you as your niche’s newest genius unicorn (and earn you some jaw-dropping social proof).  Basically, this is a mini-masterclass you’re not going to want to miss! So hit play and find a new way to work!   In this episode, you’ll learn:>  The common issues plaguing conventional lead magnets — and why they often fall flat.  >  How to create super-personalized lead magnets that deliver real value to your audience (and your own biz).  >  How to eventually scale your unscalable lead magnet.    Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!  About Sara Vartanian: Sara Vartanian is a content strategist, copywriter, and happy introvert. She helps introverted entrepreneurs stand out (and show up) with words, so they can make their audience feel deeply seen and heard — while they stay home in their comfy pants.  Highlights:‌ ‌01:58  Meet Sara Vartanian.  05:14  Accidental copywriter + imposter syndrome.  07:25  Where magnets go wrong.  10:21  The Unscalable Lead Magnet Method.  15:16  The results.  17:56  Social proof + two-way value. 19:51  Unscalable lead magnets + transformation.  24:02  How to resonate.  25:30  ‌Scale+ repurpose.  28:44  Building relationships.29:51  Keep it simple + low-pressure.  33:25  The List Playbook.  34:19   ‌The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!---------------------------https://www.saravartanian.comhttps://www.instagram.com/saravartanianhttps://www.facebook.com/saravartaniansocialThe List Playbook: https://www.saravartanian.com/list-playbook---------------------------HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET DONE-IN-A-DAY? You might be surprised! Work with me for a Done-In-a-Day session + walk away with a brand new, optimized email sequence or landing page! Let’s take your copy from ho-hum to HELL YES!https://christycegelski.com/hire-meCONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM:   https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“You can’t think your way into a new state of being. You have to actually get out there and do something.”—  Alexa MartinWonder whether working with a coach is all it’s hyped up to be? Then this episode is for you!Alexa Martin is a mindset and life coach who helps her clients break up with their phones and fall in love with their lives, but she wasn’t always a believer in the power of coaching.In fact, Alexa resisted the idea of working with a coach for a long time... even while actively working on personal development!When a nagging voice in her head wouldn’t stop wondering how much more she could achieve with a little help, she decided to go for it.Her experience flipped the script.Real transformation requires action items and accountability. “Working with coaches is honestly what really, really changed the game for me,” Alexa says. “You’re not going to change your life by listening to another podcast. You’re not going to change your life by reading another book.”Not only has Alexa been working with coaches ever since, but her experience inspired her to launch her own coaching career!In this convo, we talk about how Alexa went from studying math at MIT to helping people get unstuck in their lives, why you need to let go of the hustle mindset, and the book that first lit the fire inside her!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:Why it’s important to put YOURSELF before your business — and how this will actually help you book more clients!How to understand the energy you show up with and change it for the betterWhy you need to create an emotional separation between yourself and your work  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Alexa Martin: Alexa Martin is a mindset and life coach who teaches people how to break up with their phones and show up for their lives.Highlights:‌ ‌  00:34  Intro01:24  Meet Alexa Martin02:10  Getting over resistance + moving into action06:38  Showing up for yourself first11:21  Recognize + shift your energy13:29  What do you believe about yourself?15:48  Becoming “the phone girl”17:28  Separate yourself from your biz20:59  Rediscover yourself24:35  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Alexa Martinhttps://www.alexakmartin.com Instagram: @alexakmart Chasing Excellence: A Story About Building the World's Fittest Athletes by Ben Bergeronhttps://www.amazon.com/Chasing-Excellence-Building-Fittest-Athletes ---------------------------  Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“The stories we tell ourselves lay out how everything goes for us, and certainly our perspective on it.”—  Amy CollinsThis week’s episode is the second half of my interview with copywriter Amy Collins!If you missed out on last week’s episode, I definitely recommend checking it out. We dive deep into the psychology of storytelling in sales copy (and why you should be having a LOT more fun with your brand emails)!This week, we focus on the stories that we tell OURSELVES.(Hello, imposter syndrome??)How you talk to yourself shapes the way you feel about yourself... and how you make decisions. Holding onto limiting beliefs can keep you from trying new things and stepping out of your comfort zone.And if you’re an entrepreneur or freelancer, this can have a MAJOR impact on your growth and revenue!“If you’re going through your day thinking ‘I’m not ready for this client project’ or ‘I’m not capable of pulling this off,’ well, you’re putting yourself in a position to maybe not pull it off,” Amy says. “We create our own reality… what we tell ourselves absolutely dictates how we see the world.”Tune in for a no-holds-barred conversation about mindset work, anxiety, CBT, family patterns, lizard brain stuff, microdosing, and so much more!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:Where our internal stories come from — and why it’s SO important to let go of the ones that no longer serve youWhy positive affirmations and mantras just aren’t enough — and how to start creating new neural pathways Tools that you can incorporate into your daily life in order to rewrite your internal narratives  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Amy Collins: Amy Collins is a copywriter known for writing anecdote-driven, personality-packed copy that helps people connect with their audience and build brand loyalty.Highlights:‌ ‌  00:34  Intro01:38  How internal narratives affect us04:44  Mindset work07:11  Dealing with anxiety attacks09:28  Tools for rewriting your narratives14:33  Microdosing22:50  Working through trauma27:56  The Christy Questions38:25  Rude But Charming newsletter  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Amy Collinshttps://www.therealamycollins.com https://www.therealamycollins.com/rbc Instagram: @thereal_amycollins Excuses Begone! How to Change Lifelong, Self-Defeating Thinking Habits by Dr. Wayne W. Dyerhttps://www.hayhouse.com/excuses-begone-1 ---------------------------  Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“The most important thing is not so much what you share, it’s how you’re able to tie that into your CTA, but also how it is going to relate to your audience.”—  Amy CollinsHow often do I get to record an episode that talks about both copywriting tips and erotic novels?My guest Amy Collins is a copywriter who specializes in copy infused with attention-grabbing anecdotes and captivating brand stories. (And as someone who’s worked as an Uber driver, stand-up comic, novelist, and wine wholesaler, Amy definitely knows a good story!)Why is storytelling SO effective when it comes to boosting conversions or growing brand loyalty? The answer is pure Psych 101. Our brains are hardwired to identify and apply meaning to patterns all around us — every time we hear a story, we unconsciously look for patterns we can relate to. Long ago, this survival mechanism helped our ancestors avoid chowing down on poisonous berries.Today, it helps people create content that makes brands feel irresistibly relatable and authentic. The trick is sharing the right story and tying it to your CTA.“That creates a sense of understanding, it creates meaning, it creates a sense of connection, which is what we’re really talking about in the end,” Amy says. “Whether we’re talking about just getting along with people or creating a good life or we’re talking about sales, at the end of the day we want authentic connection.”In this conversation, we dive into why the right story is your most powerful tool... and why you should be having a LOT more fun with your emails!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:Legit strategies and guidelines for using stories to create connections with your ideal clients and build strong brand loyaltyWhy you should focus on managing energy rather than time — especially when working in a creative field How Amy integrates her creative passions into her work  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Amy Collins: Amy Collins is a copywriter known for writing anecdote-driven, personality-packed copy that helps people connect with their audience and build brand loyalty.Highlights:‌ ‌00:34  Intro01:35  Meet Amy Collins02:22  Amy’s career journey06:44  Integrating creative pursuits08:02  Manage time not energy11:11  Pattern recognition & stories13:40  Why does it work?14:57  How to use stories effectively17:11  Storytelling guidelines20:21  Have more fun with emails!  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Amy Collinshttps://www.therealamycollins.com https://www.therealamycollins.com/rbc Instagram: @thereal_amycollins ---------------------------  Become biz besties with your subscribers + convert them to clients organically with my brand new freebie How To Write Emails That Sell plus 20 Must Read Newsletter Ideas. This is the most value packed freebie I’ve ever created and I can’t wait for you to get your hands on it! https://christy-cegelski.ck.page/26510b4993   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: http

“The seller doesn’t really have the power… the buyer now has all the power.”—  Julie GohringWhen I say “salesperson,” what pops into your head? Was it a stereotypical slimy car salesman? Was it a pushy timeshare agent?When it comes to those “Most Trusted Professions” lists, salespeople generally tend to fall at the bottom — and that can be blamed on the old paradigm for selling. This sales style can be seen in movies like National Lampoon’s Vacation: pushy, aggressive, and often kinda sleazy!In a post-Covid world, people definitely crave more meaning and connection — and that translates into wanting to buy from people that they trust and relate to. They also have access to a ton of information at their fingertips, so they’re a LOT better informed than customers 20 years ago.It’s definitely time for a mindset shift around sales!Feminine leadership and sales coach Julie Gohring teaches the new paradigm for selling, one built on connection and inclusion rather than fear and lack. “Selling is really an exchange between two people. That’s all it is,” Julie says. “To sell means to give… I always connected selling to a chance to connect with someone — a chance to get to know someone and be curious about what they’re like. And also maybe be able to help them get something that they want.”Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:What feminine, connection-oriented selling looks like in practice (with real-life examples)The #1 skill that leads to more conversions and higher revenueThe main role that you should be playing in your sales conversations  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Julie Gohring: Julie Gohring is a feminine leadership and sales coach who has sold everything from cookies to clothing to pharmaceuticals. She believes that taking a feminine approach to sales can make the process much easier — and feel less sleazy. Highlights:‌ ‌  00:33  Intro01:11  Meet Julie Gohring07:11  Costa Rica synchronicity story12:13  The old paradigm15:36  The new paradigm17:07  Vibe v. fear19:07  Mindset shifts 22:20  Origin of business practices23:35  Nordstroms story27:03  What feminine selling looks like30:58  Main role in sales conversations32:07  Let go of expectations & set intentions35:26  Pre-call plan sheets37:15  Quality over quantity45:22  ‌The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Julie Gohringhttps://sellingisfeminine.com  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sellingisfeminine ---------------------------  HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET DONE-IN-A-DAY? You might be surprised! Work with me for a Done-In-a-Day session + walk away with a brand new, optimized email sequence or landing page! Let’s take your copy from ho-hum to HELL YES!https://christycegelski.com/hire-me   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

If you think that you’ll be able to scale your biz effectively without a team, then you really need to listen to this episode of Captivate + Convert!It’s true that most entrepreneurs launch without even having a partner, let alone a team. In those early days of building your empire, you get used to wearing all the hats, taking on all of the responsibility… and having all of the control.But here’s the thing about solopreneurship — as your biz grows and you take on more tasks and longer hours, you’re inevitably going to burn out. And you will NOT be providing your greatest, zone-of-genius value!So, how do you take the first steps toward building out your dream team?My guest today is Emily Milling, head honcho of the fabulous podcast production agency The Ultimate Creative.Over the last year and a half, Emily transformed The Ultimate Creative from a one-woman show to a thriving ensemble, bringing on a copywriter, a podcast editor, and an online business manager to help her shift from an 80-hour work week to an 80-hour work MONTH.In this convo, she spills the good, the bad, and the rad of her hiring process — and how she built a team that she loves!Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:How to know when it’s time to build a team — and where to start when hiringWhy you need to let go of the idea of total control in your business in order to scale successfully How to prepare for the financial commitment of expanding your team   Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Emily Milling: Emily Milling is the founder and CEO of The Ultimate Creative, a podcast production agency based out of Toronto. When she’s not leading her amazing team, you can find her crackin’ yolks with her comedy troupe, Big Chick Energy Sketch, or making horror movies with her partner.Highlights:‌ ‌  00:32  Intro02:17  Meet Emily Milling03:55  Valeska Griffiths06:33  Gabe Rudyk + Kallai Plummer07:14  Knowing it’s time to build a team09:03  Importance of processes10:13  Subcontractors v. employees14:14  Financial + time commitments18:55  Elbow injury story21:37  OBMs25:53  Humans v. automation28:18  What would Emily do differently?30:06  Have realistic financial expectations34:29  Melissa Houston35:33  The Christy Questions  Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Emily Millinghttps://theultimatecreative.com https://emilymilling.com Instagram: @emily.milling Melissa Houstonhttps://www.melissahoustoncpa.com/think-like-a-cfo-podcast ---------------------------  HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET DONE-IN-A-DAY? You might be surprised! Work with me for a Done-In-a-Day session + walk away with a brand new, optimized email sequence or landing page! Let’s take your copy from ho-hum to HELL YES!https://christycegelski.com/hire-me   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski

“What people do find is that they find themselves… who they are and how they show up.”— Kathleen OhWe’re raised to believe that happiness is like an equation — if you achieve X, Y, and Z, you’re going to live happily ever after.But if you’re living in the real world, you already know that it doesn’t work that way. Integration coach, breathwork facilitator, and psychedelic guide Kathleen has worked with financially thriving six- and seven-figure entrepreneurs — people who seem from the outside to have their sh*t together.But as Kathleen says, having the car, the house, and the investments doesn’t mean that they’re happy or feel connected to their inner truths — or even their own authentic wants and needs.“I think what microdosing does is really turns it around and acts as a mirror,” Kathleen says. “Those things that you want, you can be and become and create from the inside out.”This is the second of a two-part interview series. In Part 1, we talked about Kathleen’s background, how microdosing actually works, and the political history of psychedelics. In this episode, we dig into the juicy outcomes Kathleen’s entrepreneur clients experience — and why we need to rethink what “success” means to us.Hit play and find a new way to work! In this episode, you’ll learn:Why so many people become disillusioned after reaching a level of “success”The outcomes that entrepreneurs like Tarzan Kay have reported after working with Kathleen Why having fewer choices might actually be more satisfying than having manyNOTE: this podcast episode is for educational purposes only.  Subscribe now and never miss a single episode!About Kathleen Oh: Kathleen Oh is an internal family systems informed integration coach, breathwork facilitator, and psychedelic educator and guide. She helps her clients peel away the layers that keep their inner landscapes unfamiliar and strange.Highlights:‌ ‌  00:34  Intro03:19  Kathleen’s clients08:06  What is success?09:13  White colonial patriarchy + capitalism12:00  Client outcomes15:10  Less fear + more consistency17:55  Richness + time19:42  The Christy QuestionsPlease remember to subscribe, rate, and review!  ---------------------------Kathleen Ohhttps://coachkathleenoh.com Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@coachkathleenoh Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/4quyosivqob8qhr9cqqhj657w (@CoachKathleenOh)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealcoachohDr. Rosales Mezahttps://www.drrosalesmeza.com---------------------------  HOW MUCH CAN YOU GET DONE-IN-A-DAY? You might be surprised! Work with me for a Done-In-a-Day session + walk away with a brand new, optimized email sequence or landing page! Let’s take your copy from ho-hum to HELL YES!https://christycegelski.com/hire-me   CONNECT WITH CHRISTY ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/christycegelski