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HOT TAKE: You can follow every “proven” strategy and still feel completely off in your marketing.

In this episode, I’m joined by Laura Hulleman, Marketing Strategist and longtime member of the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, to break down why so many smart, experienced entrepreneurs get stuck trying to follow marketing advice that was never designed for how they actually think, communicate, or connect.

You're not doing it wrong - you're just using strategies that weren't designed for you.

We're unpacking:

• What’s really happening behind a lot of “proven” strategies.
• How starting with your "ideal client avatar" can backfire.
• Why forcing yourself into someone else’s framework almost always leads to inconsistent results.
• How to build your messaging around who you are, what you stand for, and what you naturally do best.
• The order of operations that saves you time, money, and energy.

If your marketing has felt inconsistent, forced, or harder than it should be, this episode will help you fix the problem at the root instead of chasing someone else's strategy.

Links & References:

Join Laura and I inside the PWR Business Growth Mastermind!

Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost using the promo code FIRSTTIME

Get Laura's course, Why No One Gets What You Do at no cost using the promo code PODCAST

Take the Endotype Quiz at www.endotype.com

Connect with Laura on LinkedIn and Facebook

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Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

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Maybe you don’t need more discipline - you just need a better strategy.

In this episode, Business Strategist Michelle DeNio digs into the messy middle of business growth - that stage after startup but before scale, where revenue plateaus and the tactics that worked before stop delivering.

This is where most entrepreneurs double down on “doing more” and burn out instead of building something sustainable.

And although this conversation centers around ADHD-friendly strategies, it's actually for anyone who has struggled to stay consistent, follow through on plans, or make traditional business strategies actually work in real life.

It's usually not because they lack discipline, but because they’re trying to force strategies that don’t align with how they actually operate.

Michelle shares a more effective approach.

One that works with your brain instead of against it.

In this episode, we cover:

• How dopamine, hyperfocus, and demand avoidance impact execution
• Why traditional 90-day plans often fail (and what to use instead)
• The role of data when your brain wants to rely on emotion
• The concept of “visibility seasons” vs. “sales seasons”
• Simple ways to build momentum without overwhelming yourself

You do not need an ADHD diagnosis for this to resonate.

If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent, follow through, or make someone else’s strategy work, this episode will show you a smarter way to grow.

Links & References:

Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!

Learn more about Michelle DeNio here: www.michelledenioconsulting.com

Follow Michelle on Threads, Facebook or LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send us Fan Mail

Your next level of growth might not require more marketing - it might require a better customer experience.

In this episode, I’m joined by Customer Experience and Messaging Strategist Dani Whitestone to talk about a growth strategy most entrepreneurs overlook: how people actually feel every step of the way when working with you.

Because referrals, renewals, and repeat sales don’t happen by accident.

They happen by design.

We break down what the “customer journey” really is (in normal human language), where trust quietly erodes in your process, and how small, intentional upgrades can increase revenue without adding more work.

We also discuss:

• The four R’s of business growth: Revenue, Retention, Referrals, and Relationships
• How to create meaningful connection points in your customer experience (and why even the little things matter!)
• How to balance automation with real human touch
• Simple first steps to audit and improve your client journey

If you want clients who stay longer, refer you more often, and genuinely enjoy working with you, this conversation will shift how you think about growth.

Links & References:

Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!

Get Dani's free "People First, Profits Follow" guide: https://www.daniwhitestone.com/people

Watch the Unreasonable Hospitality TED Talk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwcyXcOpWVs&t=362s

Join one of Dani's 1-1 Virtual Networking Events: https://www.daniwhitestone.com/networking

Connect with Dani on LinkedIn or Instagram

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send us Fan Mail

If marketing feels heavy, complicated or inauthentic, this conversation is for you.

In this episode, I’m joined by marketing strategist Osayi Lasisi to talk about what she calls "community-powered growth" and why it's the most sustainable method for generating consistent leads.

If you’re tired of chasing trends, forcing yourself onto platforms you hate, or wondering why your visibility isn’t converting, this conversation will feel like a deep exhale.

We talk about:

• What "community-powered growth" actually means (and why it works)
• Osayi's FOCUS Framework - from foundation to simple systems
• Choosing visibility strategies that match your energy
• How to start collaborating (even before you have a big audience)
• The long game of networking and how seeds planted today can pay off months or even years later

If marketing has started to feel overwhelming or exhausting, this episode will help you rethink what growth can look like when it’s rooted in relationships, clarity, and consistency.

Because visibility compounds through people.

Links and Resources:

• Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!
• Learn more about Osayi on her website and book a free strategy session: https://www.osayilasisi.com
• Connect with Osayi on Instagram or LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send us Fan Mail

Behind every successful business is a series of strategic decisions no one talks about.

In this conversation, Fractional CMO Mallory Musante and I say those quiet parts out loud. We're giving you a peek behind the curtain at how we decide what tools to keep, swap, and cancel this year - and why.

This is more than an interview. It's an open, honest conversation between business besties about how we evaluate tools based on cost, capacity, simplicity, and actual workflow fit.

We talk through what earned its spot (like Canva, ClickUp, HoneyBook, and ChatGPT), what got cut, and why consolidation often creates more momentum than adding something new.

We also discuss:

• How to tell if a tool is actually driving growth or just keeping you busy
• Using AI as a thought partner without outsourcing your voice
• Reducing meetings and increasing productivity with async tools like Fathom and Loom
• Simplifying your tech stack without slowing your marketing
• When to stay with your "comfort zone" tools and it's time to level up

If you’ve ever wondered whether there's a simpler way to run your business or you're curious how experienced entrepreneurs make real operational decisions, this episode will help you audit your tools with more clarity and confidence.

Links & References:

Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!

Learn more about Mallory Musante and her work here: www.mallorymusante.com

Connect with Mallory on Instagram, Threads or LinkedIn

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

Taxes don’t have to be confusing, scary, or something you only think about in a panic every March.

In this episode of the Powerful Women Rising Podcast, I’m joined by Mike Jesowshek - CPA and founder of TaxElm, to discuss how small business owners can stop reacting to taxes and start making simple, legal moves in advance that lead to more money in their pockets.

We dive into:

• The difference between tax preparation and tax planning (and why it matters)
• When to start tax planning as a new or growing business owner
• Common deductions (like home office, vehicle, phone and internet) made simple
• The money saving power of pre-tax vs. after-tax spending

Mike provides practical examples that apply to most small business owners and shares tools and resources that will help you keep things simple.

Links & References:

• Come network with us! CLICK HERE to attend your first PWR Connection Network virtual speed networking event at no cost!
• Listen to the Small Business Tax Savings Podcast
• Buy the Small Business Tax Savings Handbook
• Follow Mike on YouTube, Instagram or TikTok

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send a text

Leadership that ignores mental and emotional health is expensive -personally and professionally.

In this episode, I’m joined by two 2025 PWR Impact Award winners who are redefining what strength, resilience and sustainable growth look like for women in busness.

Erica Valenzuela, winner of the Resilience Award, is the creator of E-Motion, a space that blends rage, release, movement, and reflection to support emotional health.

LaKisha Mosely, PWR Podcast Guest of the Year, is known as the Soft Simple CEO and helps women build profitable businesses without sacrificing their mental health.

We discuss:

• How emotional healing creates the resilience and clarity required to succeed in business.
• Why mental health is the blueprint for execution, not an afterthought, and rest is a strategy, not a reward.
• Rest as a strategy, not a reward.
• "High-functioning burnout" and the warning signs most women ignore
• Building your network before you need it, taking your own advice, setting boundaries, and more...

Together, we explore the long game of business growth and how capacity, community, and trust create momentum no shortcut ever will.

If you want growth that feels steady instead of exhausting, this conversation offers practical tools and a more sustainable way to lead.

Links and References:

• Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
• Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
• Learn more about LaKisha Mosley and connect with her on Instagram
• Protect Your Peace - Why Mental Health is Your Business's Competetive Advantage - LaKisha's award-winning episode on Powerful Women Rising
• Learn more about E-Motion Fitness and connect with Erica on Instagram

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.

Send us Fan Mail

The fastest way to grow your business might be helping someone else win.

So many business owners feel pressure to chase visibility, revenue, and recognition - often at the expense of community, connection, and even themselves.

In this episode, I’m joined by three more of the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners who prove that relationships, generosity, and service aren’t just feel-good ideas, they’re powerful growth strategies.

Corina Carrillo, Connector of the Year, Ashley Anderson, winner of the Business for Good Award, and Emily Garcia, Empowerment Award winner, share how they’ve built thriving businesses by putting other people first — and backing that philosophy up with simple, sustainable systems.

We also talk about:

• How connection and belonging drive referrals and long-term growth
• Collaboration over competition as a growth strategy, not just a feel-good phrase
• Using community events to build trust and shared momentum
• Moving past imposter syndrome through relationships and mentorship

Links & References:

• Learn more about all the 2025 Powerful Women Rising Impact Award winners
• Connect with other female entrepreneurs inside the PWR Connection Network
• Learn more about Emily on her website or connect with her on Instagram
• Follow Ashley and Anderson Designs on Instagram
• Connect with Corina on Instagram or check out her website

Support the show

Connect with Your Host!

Melissa Snow is a Business Relationship Strategist and the founder of Powerful Women Rising - a business growth ecosystem for female entreprenuers who want to create real momentum through real relationships.

Inside the PWR Connect Network and the PWR Business Growth Mastermind, Melissa helps women in business get build relationships, increase visibility and get more referrals without pressure, perfection or performative networking.

She's on a mission to change the way women grow their businesses - proving that you can be authentic, values-driven and profitable at the same time.

Melissa lives in Colorado with two dogs (Peyton and Ally), three cats (Giorgio, Karma and Betty) and any number of foster kittens. She hates winter, seafood and feet. She loves iced coffee, Taylor Swift, and buying books she'll never read.