150 episodes. Honestly, when I started this podcast, I wasn’t thinking about milestones. I just wanted to have conversations with entrepreneurs and share the lessons hidden inside their journeys. And yet here we are....150 episodes later.

In this solo episode, I step back from the usual interviews to reflect on what I’ve learned along the way, about business, freedom, resilience, and legacy.

Here’s what I dig into:

• Why I believe mistakes are just lessons in disguise.
• How freedom from and freedom to are two very different things.
• The way money and freedom are always intertwined.
• Why your business isn’t just your baby | it’s an asset meant to fund your life.
• How thinking about legacy changes how you grow your company.
• And why building a business that doesn’t depend on you is the real path to both time and wealth freedom.

As I share my reflections, I also talk about my own journey, like how giving up alcohol five years ago became an unexpected lesson in consistency and compound results.

The real bottom line? Freedom of time opens the door to freedom in every other area of life and business. And that’s what I wish for you.

Some entrepreneurs build one business and call it a day. Dalene Allen has built — and sold — more than one… and kept right on making powerful connections.

In this episode of The Real Bottom Line, I sit down with Dalene to unpack her journey from direct sales leader earning pink Cadillacs, to running and selling the largest business referral network in Atlantic Canada, to launching her own networking company.

Dalene opens up about how she navigated each exit, why she believes human connection will always beat automation, and the simple habits that keep her network alive and thriving.

You’ll hear:

• How she turned a Mary Kay career into a sellable asset
• What it really takes to exit a franchise business
• The 10-minute-a-day LinkedIn strategy that works
• Her top tips for beginner, intermediate, and pro networkers
• How to instantly make new contacts feel welcome

Whether you’re building a business to sell or looking for better ways to meet the right people, Dalene’s story is packed with ideas you can put to work right away.

Connect with Dalene Allen
Email: dalene@networkingnaturally.ca
Website: networkingnaturally.ca

In a world obsessed with algorithms, trends, and going viral, what if the true key to social media success was simpler and more human? This week's guest, Ingrid Deon, founder of the organic social media agency Word-Craft, makes a powerful case for ditching the algorithm-chasing and focusing on what truly matters: authentic conversations.

Ingrid shares her inspiring and unconventional path to entrepreneurship—from her roots in journalism to becoming a single mom working three jobs, to a pay dispute that ultimately led her to launch her own agency with major national clients.

This episode is a masterclass in the "social" part of social media. Ingrid explains why genuine, two-way conversations are more critical than ever in the age of AI, how to create content that sparks real engagement, and why you don't need to be on every platform to succeed.

In this episode, you will learn:

• Why you should stop trying to "game" the algorithm and what to focus on instead.
• How to find your brand's unique voice and personality online.
• Actionable tips for creating content that encourages comments and conversation.
• The surprising power of "older" platforms like Facebook for building community.
• How to know when it's the right time to outsource your social media.

Connect with Ingrid Dion:

• Website: word-craft.ca

In this episode, I chat with Gord Stevens, former owner of Uncommon Grounds, Rum Runners, Sugar, and more. Now the COO at Halifax Partnership, Gord shares what it was like to build multiple businesses with heart — and how he eventually transitioned out of ownership without losing what made those businesses meaningful.

We cover:

• Gord’s journey from finance to food and retail
• Why creativity and storytelling are business superpowers
• The personal challenges of selling a business you love
• Key steps to prepare your business for sale
• How to keep your business from depending entirely on you

The Real Bottom Line?
Your business can be a reflection of your values and a valuable asset — but only if you start building with the end in mind.

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.

Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review! Your support helps us bring more valuable conversations to business owners like you.

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!

Welcome to The Real Bottom Line with Wendy Brookhouse. In this episode, Wendy sits down with April Roberts, a high-performance coach for female entrepreneurs, to explore her incredible journey from practising law to building and selling a successful financial planning business.

What You’ll Learn:

• How April transitioned careers and built her financial planning firm from the ground up.
• Insights into selling a business while maintaining client and team trust.
• The power of intentional planning and the "CEO Calendar" for scaling success.
• Why rest, energy management, and personal growth are critical for entrepreneurs.
• How April helps business owners unlock their full potential as a high-performance coach.

Memorable Moments:

• April’s candid stories about life’s curveballs and finding new paths.
• Lessons in transitioning a family business while safeguarding its legacy.
• Practical tips on leveraging time and energy for greater productivity.

Resources and Links:

• Connect with April at Vixen Gathering.
• Join Wendy's Business Value Amplifier Program: https://www.businessvalueamplifier.com/
• For financial strategies, visit Black Star Wealth.

Tune in for actionable insights and inspiring stories!