On this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Justin Goodbread, serial entrepreneur, value coach, and author of Your Baby’s Ugly. He’s started and sold seven companies and now helps business owners build scalable businesses that buyers actually want.

We dig into what makes a business attractive to a buyer, how to mentally prepare for a sale, and why your exit should start long before you want out.

We talk about:

• Why grit isn’t enough – and what you need instead
• The three types of readiness: business, financial, and mental
• Why coasting into retirement could cost you millions
• How selling your business could unlock a new kind of impact
• What happens when your identity is tied too tightly to your business

Justin shares hard-won lessons from the trenches – and how a coach helped him shift from technician to true business owner.

Links & Resources:

• Justin Goodbread: Relentless Value Coaching
• Wendy Brookhouse: Black Star Wealth

What would your life after business look like? Let's talk about it.

Guest: M. Shannon Hernandez, Messaging & Marketing Strategist and Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™

Episode Summary: Feeling drained by social media? Struggling to see real business results from all your posts? You’re not alone. In this episode, I sit down with M. Shannon Hernandez to talk about a more sustainable, joyful approach to marketing—one that doesn’t leave you glued to an algorithm.

Shannon is the Founder of Joyful Business Revolution™, where she helps business owners create organic marketing strategies that align with their values and bring in revenue. With over 25 years in curriculum design and work featured on CBS, ABC, FOX, and NBC, Shannon knows how to craft messaging that connects and converts.

We dive into:

• Why relying solely on social media is a mistake for most business owners
• The power of email marketing and why it should be your primary sales driver
• How to simplify your marketing while increasing your results
• The one-platform-plus-email strategy that keeps your marketing effective and joyful
• How to build true community in your business (hint: it’s not just online)

Quotes from the Episode:

• “One platform that brings you so much joy plus email marketing that drives revenue. That is the perfect blend.” – M. Shannon Hernandez
• “Publishing more content, yelling louder, or dancing on TikTok won’t fix your marketing if your messaging isn’t landing.” – M. Shannon Hernandez
• “If they can’t hear you, you can’t help them.” – M. Shannon Hernandez

Connect with Shannon: Website: www.joyfulbusinessrevolution.com
LinkedIn: M. Shannon Hernandez

Resources & Links:

• Grab Shannon’s free resource: 65 Story Ideas for Better Email Marketing → joyfulbusinessrevolution.com/65storyideas
• Learn more about The Real Bottom Line Podcast: therealbottomline.ca
• Join us for our Renew & Recharge Retreat: Exploring the Flavors, Culture, and Creativity of Mexico in September 2025: https://bit.ly/4c53OYK

  Our Tuscan Retreat is May 2-8, 2026. We don’t quite have the registration page ready yet, but if you are interested in more info, please email us.

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What’s your biggest takeaway from this episode? Let’s continue the conversation—connect with me on LinkedIn and share your thoughts!

Your business has a story—are you telling it in a way that connects, engages, and drives sales?

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, Wendy Brookhouse sits down with Andrea Sampson, storytelling expert and CEO of Talk Boutique, to break down the art and science of storytelling in business. Whether you're pitching investors, marketing to customers, or leading a team, a compelling story can make all the difference.

Andrea shares insights from her career in advertising, branding, and coaching TEDx speakers—revealing how entrepreneurs can transform dry facts into powerful narratives that inspire action.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

✅ The Power of Storytelling in Business – Why storytelling is more than just marketing; it’s a business essential.

✅ What Makes a Story Effective? – The key elements every great story must have.

✅ How to Find Your Brand’s Core Story – A step-by-step approach to defining your what, how, and why to craft a powerful brand message.

✅ How Storytelling Helps You Sell – How to position your product or service so that customers see themselves in your story.

✅ The Common Storytelling Mistakes Entrepreneurs Make – And how to avoid them.

✅ Lessons from TEDx – What working with TEDx speakers taught Andrea about crafting short, high-impact stories.

✅ AI & Storytelling – How artificial intelligence can help refine your brand story (but why it should never replace human connection).

Why This Matters:

If you don’t control your brand’s story, your customers will create their own. A strong, well-crafted narrative builds trust, engages your audience, and helps your business stand out in a crowded market.

Want to sharpen your storytelling skills? Download Andrea’s Storytelling Toolkit at blackstarwealth.com/storytelling-toolkit.

🎧 Tune in now and start telling a story that sells!