Welcome back to The Next Step Podcast! In this episode, I am talking to Maartje van Krieken, a seasoned executive with over two decades of global experience in the oil and gas industry who is now a consultant for entrepreneurs and leaders.

Maartje shares her unique insights on leadership, crisis management, and strategic planning. Tune in to hear about her transition from corporate life to consulting and discover the powerful strategies she uses to help leaders navigate chaos and create order in their businesses.

Topics We Cover:

• Maartje’s Transition: From Amsterdam to New Orleans, her journey from the oil and gas industry to starting her own consulting business.

• Strategic Resilience: How Maartje’s personal experiences shaped her approach to leadership and problem-solving.

• The Chaos Games: Maartje’s unique methodology for turning chaos into structured, strategic action.

• Prioritization Techniques: The importance of asking "Why now?" and "Says who?" to filter through overwhelming tasks and focus on what truly matters.

• Emotional Attachment vs. Ego: Understanding the difference and how to manage emotional ties to your business while remaining open to change.

• Practical Tools for Leaders: Specific skills and tools that leaders can deploy to maintain focus and manage disruptions effectively.

This episode is packed with actionable advice that will inspire you to take strategic steps toward a more sustainable and successful business. Maartje’s insights will help you not only manage chaos but turn it into an opportunity for growth. Remember, it's all about taking the next step with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Maartje van Krieken:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/

Website:

https://www.thechaosgamesspeaker.com/

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Jaycie Cormac, a dynamic speaker and coach known for her Maverick mindset. Jaycie shares her journey from a terrified six-year-old in a paper bag mask to a confident entrepreneur and storytelling expert.

Listen in as she reveals how she empowers women entrepreneurs to create powerful and relatable stories, whether they're on stage, in a podcast, or during a networking moment. Plus, you'll hear a hilarious and surprising moment that will leave you inspired to harness the power of your own story.

Topics We Cover:

• Empowering Through Stories: Learn how Jaycie helps clients use storytelling to build confidence and connect authentically with their audience.

• Attract and Repel: The importance of using your story to attract the right clients and repel the wrong ones.

• Humor in Storytelling: Even if you don't think you're funny, Jaycie shares how humor can break down barriers and create bonds with your audience.

• Practical Speaking Tips: Jaycie offers actionable advice on body language, tone, and delivery to enhance your storytelling skills.

• Storytelling in Marketing: Discover how to use your personal stories to market your business effectively and reach your evolving target audience.

• Personal Anecdote: Jaycie shares a humorous encounter at a grocery store that beautifully illustrates setting boundaries and relating personal stories to business.

Jaycie's insights and practical tips will empower you to take the next step in scaling your business, ensuring it remains sustainable and impactful. Don't miss out on these valuable lessons that will help you create meaningful connections and take decisive actions toward your entrepreneurial goals.

Tune in to this episode to uncover how storytelling can transform your business approach, helping you to engage your audience authentically and strategically.

Connect with Jaycie:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayciecormac/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jayciecormac

https://www.facebook.com/groups/onfirespeakers

Website:

https://cartwheelsandbananapeels.com/

Need a fresh perspective on how to streamline your business for success? Join us in this episode of The Next Step Podcast with Kara Laws, a business educator and systems expert. Kara shares her extensive experience in helping businesses move from operational chaos to a streamlined, system-driven clarity that fosters growth and efficiency.

Kara's journey from managing her own struggling business to teaching others the foundational skills of proper business systems is both inspiring and instructional. If you're ready to understand the essentials of creating a business that not only sustains but also scales beautifully, you won't want to miss the practical strategies Kara unpacks in this episode!

Topics We Covered:

• Understanding Systems: Kara emphasizes the critical role systems play in business growth, allowing for scalability and efficiency.

• The Foundation of Branding: Learn why your brand is more than just your logo and how deep understanding of branding can drive customer loyalty and business identity.

• Financial Management Insights: Gain insights into the often-neglected area of financial oversight where many businesses falter.

• Personal Entrepreneurial Journey: Kara shares her personal business journey, offering lessons on transforming business operations from mediocre to exceptional.

• Practical Steps for Implementing Systems: Discover actionable advice on how to start putting effective systems in place, including how to overcome common obstacles.

Kara Laws offers practical advice on transforming your business with effective systems. For all you entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by daily operations, Kara’s guidance is a clear call to action to start systematizing your approach for better control and scalability. It’s about crafting a strategy that aligns with your business goals and empowers your team for sustained success.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reshape your business framework and propel your business to new heights. Let’s take action and turn those plans into reality!

Connect with Kara:

Facebook: https://launchedacademy.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/launchedacademy

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@launchedacademy

Links mentioned in this episode:

Quiz: https://launched-academy.involve.me/foundations-quiz

Website: https://launchedacademy.com

Book: https://launchedacademy.com/product/dont-suck-at-business/

Launch Academy: https://launchedacademy.com/launch-your-business-academy/

Need a burst of motivation to tackle your big goals, both in business and life?! Tune in to today’s episode of The Next Step Podcast with Jacklin Drake, a leadership coach who specializes in helping her clients really “see” their future.

Jacklin's journey from the nonprofit world to empowering leaders with her unique approach to vision boards is nothing short of inspirational. If you're curious about transforming the way you visualize and pursue your goals, you'll want to hear the simple, but incredibly effective strategies Jacklin shares in this episode!

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Jacklin found her calling in leadership coaching, moving from structured nonprofit roles to guiding leaders to visualize and achieve their dreams.

• Jacklin breaks down her transformative use of vision boards, illustrating how turning goals into visual representations can fuel daily motivation and drive success.

• Learn the nuts and bolts of crafting a vision board that resonates with your personal and professional aspirations, complete with practical tips from Jacklin.

• Hear direct from Jacklin about the profound impact vision boards have had on her clients, helping them find clarity and direction.

• Find out how to keep your vision board dynamic—reflecting achieved milestones and evolving goals to keep pace with your growth.

In this episode, Jacklin Drake offers up practical advice on how to use vision boards to not just dream, but do!

For all you small business owners feeling bogged down by the day-to-day, Jacklin’s strategies are a clear call to action to start visualizing your path to success more strategically.

It’s about setting up a game plan that not only aligns with your business vision but also sparks sustained growth and passion. Don’t miss out on this chance to transform your approach and truly scale your business to new heights. Let’s dive in and make those visions a reality!

Connect with Jacklin:

Facebook:

Effective Ministry Solutions

Instagram:

Instagram (@effective_ministry_solutions)

Links mentioned in this episode:

Vision Board Workshop: Unlock Your Vision for Business, Ministry and Home

This week on the Next Step Podcast, we're diving into an area that is crucial for your business growth: lead generation using the power of quizzes to understand your audience and call out your ideal clients.

It's about making your audience feel seen, heard, and understood, setting the foundation for a lasting relationship.

To do that, I am interviewing the Quiz Queen herself, Catherine O'Leary, who is joining us to unravel the secrets behind crafting quizzes that not only attract but also convert. Catherine speaks from her three decades in market research and consumer insights, aimed at helping you connect with your ideal clients like never before.

If you're curious about how a well-designed quiz can transform your client connection strategy, this episode is a goldmine. Let's take Catherine's expert advice to heart, and start crafting quizzes that not only engage but also empower our clients to take that next crucial step with us.

Topics We Covered:

• Catherine shares her journey from corporate market research to become an indispensable asset for entrepreneurs looking to hone in on their client connection strategies.
  
  
• Understand the difference between market research surveys and quizzes to determine which one is best for your business
  
  
• Learn why starting with the end in mind and working backwards is crucial in quiz design, ensuring every question aligns with the ultimate goal of your quiz.
  
  
• Tips on creating a compelling quiz hook and the significance of addressing your clients’ needs in their language, ensuring clarity over cleverness to resonate with your audience.
  
  
• Catherine highlights the importance of making quizzes a reflection of your personality and brand, ensuring consistency and authenticity in client interactions.

This episode with Catherine makes it clear that the right quiz can be a game-changer in how you connect with and convert your audience. Her wisdom peels back the layers on how strategic questioning can bring you closer to understanding and serving your clients better, ultimately paving the way for sustainable business growth.

Connect with Catherine:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/colireland/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catharineoleary/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thequizqueen/

Links mentioned in this episode:

Catherine's Quiz: https://quizformybiz.com/

The High Achiever's Diagnoistic: https://alisonleighsimmons.com/quiz

Get ready to take on a whole new understanding of balance vs harmony in business with the enlightening perspective of Tiffanie Kellogg on this week's episode of The Next Step Podcast.

From struggling solopreneur to a thriving entrepreneur, Tiffanie shares her journey and the pivotal moments that shifted her from being buried in her business to genuinely enjoying the journey. She lays out her unique approach that can help you not just chase after elusive balance but embrace a harmonious life and business model.

This episode is a perfect blend of hope and practical advice for any entrepreneur on the brink of burnout, searching for a way to reignite their passion for their business.

Topics we cover:

• Understanding the important difference between the concepts of balance and harmony.

• Why embracing harmony over balance is crucial for sustainable business growth and personal well-being.

• Tiffanie's personal story of transitioning from feeling overwhelmed by her business to finding joy and success by implementing systems and prioritizing tasks effectively.

• The importance of networking in a way that aligns with your personal and business values, and how to foster meaningful connections and opportunities. (Get Tiffanie's networking book: 4 ½ Networking Mistakes)

• Specific strategies to prioritize and manage tasks within your business to ensure you're focusing on what truly matters and can generate the most impact.
  
  

This episode is full of wisdom and practical advice, offering a fresh perspective on achieving harmony between work and life so you can make sure you're not just working hard but also working smart. Let it guide you towards taking strategic actions in your business, empowering you to scale to the next level with confidence and joy.

About Tiffanie

Tifanie Kellog is a powerhouse in the entrepreneurial world who’s been revolutionizing the way business owners approach making money, saving time, and injecting fun into their professional lives since 2003.

With her distinctive southern charm, Tiffanie travels globally, offering her wisdom through engaging keynotes, workshops, and her online programs, all designed to leave her audience with ‘eTiffanies’ that transform their approach to business and life. The author of several books, Tiffanie’s strategies are all about making the impossible seem possible.

Connect with Tiffanie:

Website: TiffanieKellog.com

Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/morewithtiffanie

Facebook

LinkedIn

Instagram

YouTube

In today’s episode of The Next Step Podcast, we're peeling back the curtain on content marketing with Abby Herman, a Fractional Marketing Director, Content Strategist, and Podcast Manager who knows all about boosting business visibility with personalized strategies.

Abby’s journey from a single mom and teacher looking for a side hustle to a content marketing master is rooted in her firm belief that you don't have to be everywhere online to make an impact.

She argues for a more focused, strategic approach to where and how you show up in the digital world. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by the demand to be present on every social media platform, this episode is a must-listen, offering a fresh perspective on making your mark online without spreading yourself too thin.

Topics We Cover:

• Survey Your Ideal Audience: Dive deep into understanding where your audience spends their time and the type of content they crave. Abby stresses the importance of targeting your efforts to match your audience's preferences.
  
  

• Choose Your Pillar Content Wisely: Focus on creating content on platforms you own, like a podcast, blog, or YouTube channel. Abby's strategy emphasizes the power of owning your content and leveraging it across various platforms.
  
  

• Be Social, Be Consistent: Engage genuinely on social media platforms where your audience hangs out. Consistency in your content creation and social media engagement is key to building a strong online presence.
  
  

• Survey Insights are Gold: Use survey insights to craft content that addresses your audience's challenges and desires. Abby’s method shows how targeted questions can lead to content that engages and converts.
  
  

• Embrace Resourcefulness and Patience in Your Content Journey: Abby's personal story, from starting her business as a single mom to navigating the ups and downs of entrepreneurship, underscores the power of resourcefulness and the necessity of patience. Content marketing isn't about overnight success; it's a long game that requires perseverance, adaptability, and a willingness to learn from both challenges and triumphs.

Abby’s story is a testament to the power of persistence, strategy, and the courage to take control of your career path. For anyone feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be everywhere online, this episode is a breath of fresh air.

Connect with Abby:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecontentexperiment

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/AbbyMHerman/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AbbyMHerman1

Free Market Research Guide: https://thecontentexperiment.com/ask

Shop: https://thecontentexperiment.com/shop

Podcast: https://thecontentexperiment.com/podcast-episodes/

In today’s episode of The Next Step Podcast, we break new ground by welcoming our very first male guest, Brandon Gano. Brandon’s journey from a challenging start to selling his profitable business is nothing short of inspiring.

Currently, he’s shaking up the traditional business growth model alongside his business partner, Sean Delaney, aiming to provide small business owners with a revolutionary blueprint for success. Listen in on this conversation as we uncover the realities of entrepreneurship, the pivotal moments of Brandon’s career, and how the HARMONIOUS process they've developed offers a lifeline to entrepreneurs struggling to navigate their business growth.

Topics We Cover:

• Brandon’s transition from facing business hardships to achieving and selling a successful enterprise.

• Insights into why letting go of a profitable business can be a strategic move for bigger aspirations.

• The importance of mission, vision, and core values in laying down a firm business foundation.

• Highlighting the shift from exhaustive efforts to targeted, impactful business strategies for enhanced growth and personal well-being.

• The HARMONIOUS Blueprint: An introduction to the ten key disciplines designed to optimize and simplify business operations for growth.

🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀🚀

Today’s chat with Brandon Gano offers a compelling look at the entrepreneur's journey, from the initial excitement to the eventual realization that growth can lead to unforeseen challenges.

Brandon's personal experience has not only shaped his approach to business but also led to the creation of a method that promises to guide business owners through their growth phases more smoothly.

Whether you're wrestling with the scale of your success or finding the right path forward, the HARMONIOUS approach could very well be the turning point you need. Let this episode be a reminder that with the right strategies and mindset, scaling your business can lead to not just financial success, but true satisfaction and balance in your entrepreneurial life.

Connect with Brandon:

whadif.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandongano/

https://www.youtube.com/@Askwhadif

https://www.facebook.com/brandon.gano.9

https://www.instagram.com/brandonbusinessbuilder/