In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor chats with Sarah Thomas, an email marketing automation expert who reveals how smart, personalised emails can outperform social media and transform customer relationships.

Sarah shares her journey from managing data systems at Debenhams to helping businesses craft meaningful automations, from welcome sequences to post-purchase follow-ups and re-engagement campaigns. She explains why success isn’t about list size, but about clean data, segmentation, and connection.

Listeners will learn how to audit their customer journeys, implement high-performing automations, and focus on metrics that truly drive conversions. With open rates up to 40%, compared to social media’s 3%, Sarah proves that email remains the most powerful tool for turning subscribers into loyal customers.

If you’re ready to ditch generic blasts and start building relationships that convert, this episode is your step-by-step guide.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        
___________________________________________        
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/

►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/
____________________________________________        

GUEST DETAILS:

► Sarah Thomas – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-thomas-9417493a/

► Tierra Marketing Co. Website: https://www.tierramarketingco.com/

► Free Resources:

• Media Kit: https://media-kit-sarah-tierra-marketing-co.tiiny.site/

• Email Growth Blueprint: https://www.tierramarketingco.com/email-growth-blueprint

Episode 244 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction and Background

01:36 – Early Career and Email Marketing

04:18 – Challenges and Importance of Data

05:30 – Customer Life Cycle and Email Automation

11:44 – Mapping the Customer Journey

13:24 – A/B Testing and Metrics

32:32 – Case Studies and Real-World Examples

32:57 – Practical Tips and Tools

33:10 – Final Thoughts and Resources

In this heartfelt episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor welcomes back relationship coach and former therapist Kathy Rushing to explore how entrepreneurs can strengthen their marriages while building successful businesses.

Drawing on decades of experience, and her own 45-year marriage to a serial entrepreneur, Kathy shares her powerful CRAVE framework: Communication, Rituals and Rhythms, Appreciation and Affirmation, Vision, and Energy. Together, she and Debra unpack how small, intentional habits can keep relationships strong through the chaos of entrepreneurship.

From recognising early warning signs of drifting apart to using tools like the DISC profile and the Weekly Marriage Compass, this episode is packed with practical strategies to help couples stay connected, communicate better, and build shared visions for life and business.

Warm, wise, and deeply relatable, it’s a reminder that success at work means little without harmony at home, and that every great business starts with a strong foundation of love and understanding.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        
___________________________________________        
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/

►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/
____________________________________________        

GUEST DETAILS:

► Kathy Rushing – LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathy-rushing/

► Lodestar Relationship Coaching Website: https://kathyrushing.com/

Episode 243 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction and Recap of Previous Discussion

01:54 – Kathy Rushing’s Background and the CRAVE Framework

04:50 – The Importance of Communication and Rituals

05:13 – Balancing Business and Marriage

18:44 – Tools and Assessments for Improving Marriage

31:06 – Identifying Early Warning Signs of Drift

32:40 – Strategies for Managing Stress in Marriage

32:57 – Top Tips for Improving Marriage

49:48 – Conclusion and Resources

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor dives into one of the most common traps for business leaders, taking on too many priorities and finishing none.

Drawing on her experience as a certified EOS Implementer, Debra breaks down the power of setting clear, focused quarterly priorities or “rocks.” She explains why most leaders only have about 65 hours per quarter to work on the business, and how spreading that time too thin leads to burnout and stalled progress.

Through practical examples and relatable stories, Debra shows how to define true rocks (not boulders), write SMART goals, and block time to make meaningful progress. She also shares how integrating rocks into weekly meetings and scorecards keeps teams aligned and accountable.

Whether you’re a visionary constantly chasing new ideas or a leader buried in the day-to-day, this episode will help you refocus on what truly moves the business forward, fewer priorities, done better.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        
___________________________________________        
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/

►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/
____________________________________________        

FREE RESOURCES:

► ROCKS – Why You Don’t Get Them Done
► How to Think & Build SMART Rocks

Episode 241 Chapters:  

00:00 – Episode Introduction and Purpose

01:22 – Understanding the Concept of Rocks

01:38 – Time Management and Prioritisation

05:08 – Defining and Managing Rocks

13:58 – Writing SMART Rocks

14:10 – Practical Tips for Managing Rocks

In this week’s episode of Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by therapist and entrepreneurial spouse Kathy Rushing, as they explore how couples can thrive in both business and love.

Kathy opens up about her own journey with her husband, Mark, a serial entrepreneur, and the strain that long hours, financial pressure, and constant business demands can place on a relationship. Together, Debra and Kathy dive into practical ways to protect your marriage from becoming a casualty of entrepreneurship.

Through Kathy’s powerful CRAVE framework, Communication, Rhythms, Appreciation, Vision, and Energy - listeners discover how small, consistent habits can create deeper connection and resilience. From setting non-negotiable date nights to maintaining shared vision and gratitude, this episode offers a roadmap for couples who want both a thriving business and a fulfilling relationship.

Warm, honest, and deeply relatable, this conversation reminds us that behind every great entrepreneur is often a great partner - and nurturing that partnership is the key to a better life.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/

►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/

____________________________________________        

GUESTS DETAILS:

► Kathy Rushing - LinkedIn

► Lodestar Relationship Coaching - Website

Episode 240 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction and Guest Overview

02:47 – Kathy Rushing’s Background

11:27 – Challenges in Entrepreneurial Marriages

12:22 – The Importance of Enthusiastic Agreement

19:27 – Tools and Frameworks for Marriage Success

20:31 – Vision and Energy in Marriage

30:27 – Practical Tips for Entrepreneurial Couples

30:44 – Conclusion and Resources

This week on Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor sits down with Laurie Seymour, an EOS implementer, and Curtis Williams, her very first client and the owner of a thriving personal training studio.

Curtis shares how the pandemic forced him to adapt, offering free Zoom classes that eventually evolved into a structured, scalable business model. Laurie, who found EOS after struggling with self-implementation, helped Curtis bring order and accountability into the business through tools like the Level 10 Meeting and the scorecard. Together, they reveal how EOS has transformed Curtis’s gym into a model built for growth.

The conversation also explores the personal side of their relationship, from Laurie regaining her health and strength through Curtis’s training, to Curtis finding clarity and confidence as a leader. With insights on defining core values, staying the course with EOS, and planning for expansion, this episode is a masterclass in how structure and discipline create freedom.

Whether you’re running a small business or looking to scale, Laurie and Curtis’s journey proves that with focus and the right tools, long-term success is well within reach.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        
___________________________________________        
►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/

►Claim Your Free E-Book: https://www.businessaction.co.nz/free-e-book/
____________________________________________        

GUESTS DETAILS:

► Laurie Seymour - LinkedIn
► Laurie Seymour - EOS Worldwide
► Curtis Williams - LinkedIn

► Life Techs Fitness

Episode 239 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction

00:53 – Background of the Guests

01:35 – Laurie’s Journey to Becoming an EOS Implementer

05:48 – Curtis’s Introduction to EOS

09:00 – Implementing EOS in a Personal Training Business

12:40 – Challenges and Solutions in Implementing EOS

13:37 – Impact of EOS on Business Operations

27:16 – Personal and Professional Growth

27:47 – Tips for Business Owners

41:12 – Final Thoughts and Future Plans

In another episode of Better Business, Better Life, Debra Chantry-Taylor welcomes EOS implementer and marketing agency owner Will Watrous, to share his remarkable business journey.

Will opens up about the stressful early days of running his agency, when explosive growth left him burnt out and barely scraping a 6% net profit. Everything changed when he discovered EOS. By embracing tools like the accountability chart and three-year picture, and partnering with an integrator, he transformed his company into a thriving, stable business delivering 34% profit.

In this inspiring conversation, Will explains why profit and cash flow are more than accounting measures, they’re leadership tools. He also shares his top tips: taking regular clarity breaks, applying the systems mindset from Work the System, and remembering that everything you need is already within reach.

Whether you’re a visionary overwhelmed by growth or a leader striving for balance, this episode offers practical insights to help you build a healthier, more profitable business and life.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: debra@businessaction.com.au

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

GUESTS DETAILS:

► Will Watrous - EOS Implementer

► Will Watrous - LinkedIn

Episode 238 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction

01:00 – EOS Journey and Initial Challenges

04:00 – Discovering EOS and Initial Implementation

05:26 – Personal Insights and EOS Tools

06:58 – Value of an EOS Implementer

15:01 – Favourite EOS Tools and Client Success Stories

19:52 – Economic Impact and Financial Education

24:58 – Impact on Team and Business Stability

28:40 – Top Tips for Better Business and Life

34:00 – Final Thoughts and Contact Information

This week on Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor is joined by venture capitalist and bestselling author Ben Wiener to unpack the art and challenges of startup pitches. With only two out of ten startups likely to succeed, Ben shares how founders can stand out using his H.E.A.R.T. framework: Hypothesis, Enormous Stakes, Alternatives, Radically Different, and Team.

From his journey in law and venture capital to writing Fever Pitch, Ben offers practical insights into what investors really want to hear and why storytelling matters as much as strategy. He explains how anticipating questions, neutralising competition early, and presenting a differentiated solution can make all the difference.

Beyond pitching, Ben emphasises the value of active reading, empathy, and paying it forward - reminding us that business success is often rooted in doing the right thing for others.

Whether you’re a startup founder, a leader refining your communication, or simply curious about what makes ideas resonate, this episode is packed with wisdom and actionable tools.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

____________________________________________        

GUESTS DETAILS:

► Jumpspeed Ventures Website

► Books by Ben Wiener

► Ben Wiener - LinkedIn

Episode 237 Chapters:  

00:00 – Introduction

00:50 – Venture Capital and Entrepreneurial Journey

03:14 – Challenges and Successes in Venture Capital

05:58 – The Concept of “Fever Pitch”

10:48 – The H.E.A.R.T Framework

51:08 – Practical Applications and Benefits of the Framework

52:49 – Ben’s Investment Philosophy and Personal Insights

53:04 – Advice for Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders

This week on Better Business, Better Life, host Debra Chantry-Taylor tackles the trap of “smoking hopium”, when leaders rely on misleading metrics that give a false sense of security. From the all-green illusion of vanity measures to the always-red fantasy of unrealistic targets, Debra unpacks why both approaches damage trust, morale, and results.

Through real-world stories and practical tools, she explains how to replace hopium with clarity: setting outcome-driven measurables, building scorecards that truly predict success, and fostering a culture where honest reds and greens are celebrated.

Whether you’re a visionary frustrated with slow progress or a leader striving for accountability, this episode will equip you to measure what matters, set achievable goals, and build momentum the right way, one honest metric at a time.

CONNECT WITH DEBRA:        

___________________________________________        

►Debra Chantry-Taylor is a Certified EOS Implementer | Entrepreneurial Leadership & Business Coach | Business Owner

►Connect with Debra: ⁠debra@businessaction.com.au ⁠

►See how she can help you: https://businessaction.co.nz/      

Episode 236 Chapters:  

00:00 – Smoking Hopium: Introduction to Data Scorecards

02:57 – The All-Green Illusion: Measuring the Wrong Things

03:38 – The Always-Red Fantasy: Setting Realistic Targets

05:45 – Replacing Hopium with Clarity: Practical Steps

08:36 – The Importance of Numbers: Clarity, Behaviour, and Action

08:50 – Scorecard Measurables: Sales, Marketing, HR, and Finance

27:44 – Building Trust in Numbers: Avoiding Manipulation

28:52 – Fixing a Broken Scorecard: A Seven-Step Reset

29:52 – The Five Leadership Abilities: Simplify, Delegate, Predict, Systemise, and Structure

32:10 – Systemise and Structure: Ensuring Consistency and Accountability

37:05 – Building a Culture of Truth: Celebrating Honest Results

38:22 – Call to Action: Auditing and Improving Scorecards