Robin Wycherly is the CEO of Optimize Your Design Business, a company that caters to corporate clients and high-level customers. Robin is also an accomplished interior designer and a business coach, leveraging years of experience in building a small but effective company.In today's episode, you will learn how to avoid the loneliness of going solo.Robin and David discuss:Robin's evolution as an entrepreneur and the shift to coaching [00:13:35]The importance of having a clear vision and identifying a niche [00:13:45]The value of setting up processes and checklists from day one [00:14:00]The significance of systematizing your business process and delegating tasks [00:14:50]The struggle designers experience with delegating tasks [00:15:10]How online communities can provide a supportive environment for solopreneurs [00:18:30]The use of a basic spreadsheet to provide a quick visual insight into your business [00:22:04]Learn more about Robin and his work at optimizeyourdesignbusiness.com. You can download Robin's spreadsheet dashboard at optimizeyourdesignbusiness.com/free.Thank you to our sponsor:The Smashing the Plateau Community

Tatiana is a community business strategist, teacher, and founder of The Business of Community, a learning organization helping community founders scale values-driven community businesses. Before focusing exclusively on supporting community founders, Tatiana worked in international sales, marketing, product management, and growing her own community business to 2000+ members. She believes our childhood experiences with connection and belonging play a major part in the communities and businesses we build. Part of her job is helping community founders unlock those experiences and leverage them to build stronger communities.In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how Tatiana founded the Business of Community and what makes community a unique aspect of how a business can succeed.Tatiana and David discuss:How Tatiana's varied background led her to building communities [00:02:35]The challenges and rewards of creating a community-led business [00:14:30]The unexpected decision to become an entrepreneur [00:14:40]The shift from working in a startup to venturing out on her own [00:15:15]The transition from in-person community to online during the pandemic [00:17:30]The elements that make community-building fun and rewarding [00:17:10]The evolution of Tatiana's business, from consulting to creating a community [00:18:35]The tension and balance between building community and running a business [00:20:40]How to incorporate 'community vibes' into standard business operations [00:22:30]Learn more about Tatiana, her work, and The Business of Community at https://businessofcommunity.coThank you to our sponsor:The Smashing the Plateau Community

Michal Stawicki, nicknamed Mr. Consistency, is a bestselling author in the personal development field(19 books, over 85,000 copies sold), business coach, and founder of the book advertising agency Resurrecting Books. He is obsessed with changing the world through daily habits, starting with his own habits and his world. Michal preaches and practices consistent daily action. He believes this is the means to achieve success in any area of life, from parenting to business.In today’s episode, you will learn what happens when you give yourself permission to start something new.Michal and David discuss:Michal's transition from a lifelong employee to an entrepreneur [00:05:00]The power of consistent daily action in achieving success [00:10:10]The challenges and rewards of managing a team and oneself in entrepreneurship [00:15:10]The importance of adapting online lessons to one's specific situation [00:20:15]The role of community and collaboration in business success, as exemplified by Michal's experiences [00:25:35]Learn more about Michal at his personal blog, Expand Beyond Yourself, and his business website ResurrectingBooks.Thank you to our sponsor: The Smashing the Plateau Community

Alicia Ramsdell is the Founder & CEO of Mindful Career Path. She started this organization with the intention of making career fulfillment a career reality for her clients.Since then she inspires Corporate Partners and individuals through career development conversations. Most recently, she inspired her audience sharing her message on the TEDx stage.In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to make career fulfillment a career reality.Alicia and I discuss:About her career journey [01:42]What is the correlation between mindfulness and career fulfillment [04:35]Why is she in her business [06:10]How did she navigate unexpected transitions [12:40]How to be true to the values and teachings [14:34]How to be authentic in yourself [17:53]What is the primary problem she solve for her ideal clients [18:22]What are the benefits of being in a community [23:55]Learn more about Alicia:Visit her page at www.mindfulcareerpath.comListen to her TedX talk: "It's not whether we achieve our goals, but whether we dared to try"Check out her highly-rated children's book: "The One and Only Incredible ME!"Thank you to our sponsor:The Smashing the Plateau Community

Ethan is a performance improvement coach and change management consultant. His unique value proposition is, he specialize in working with clients to improve their people's performance, productivity, and profitability through training, coaching, and culture consulting.In todays’ episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn techniques you can use to ask friends, colleagues and mentors for help even when it feels difficult to do so.Ethan and I discuss:Ethan’s experience becoming a corporate refugee [00:24]How our self-worth reflects what we share with others [01:55]4-5 relationships that are key to your success [06:12]Asking for help is not so easy [10:07]Techniques to ask for help when it feels hard to do [12:05]Relationships in a community [18:49]Learn more about Ethan at https://thechazingroup.com or get in touch with Ethan at ethan@thechazingroup.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 4th 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.techThank 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 atwww.predictiveroi.comhttps://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:The Smashing the Plateau Community