Our brain loves a great routine and it's important that as things shift in our lives that we take some time as CEOs of our business to re-evaluate them and make decisions ahead of time to set ourselves up for success. Often we just let the seasons run us and run us over instead of setting up systems and routines that shift with the needs of the season.  In today's episode, I share with you when to re-evaluate your routines and some practical tips for planning out a successful season so you...

There's a lot of ways to do business and a lot of people telling you how you "should" do it "right". The truth is that there is no ONE way and there is no RIGHT timeframe for success. The whole reason you got into business is probably to have more time and money freedom and to chart your own course and then it's easy to start comparing yourself to others and conclude that you are doing it "wrong".   I hope this episode gives you a sense of freedom and release from the "shoulds". A business,...

Do you want to run and hide when people start talking about AI and using it in your business? I kinda do...it's a little overwhelming and feels hard. My guest today, Dax Hammon of FOMO.ai,  is an expert on the topic and he is going to blow your mind with where AI is going and how fast things are changing. He sent me a video as well so you can SEE what he is talking about and I posted on the YouTube channel here.  We can either embrace ai and the future or fall behind. I'm committing to you...

When we understand human nature and how to tap into powerful persuasive techniques, not out of manipulation, but simply to help people be more open to buying from you, everyone wins! The reciprocity principle is something we touched on in the Up Level Workshop and I expand on more here. It is one of the most deeply ingrained principles in humans and it can open the door to increased sales with more fun and ease! Go into Farmers Market season with a plan for profit! Get the free planning...

Advertising on social media can feel pretty overwhelming and a lot of people burn through a lot of money to figure it out (or never figure it out). My guest today, Zach Spuckler of Heart, Soul & Hustle helps entrepreneurs figure this whole advertising thing with ease (if I can learn it, you can too) and focuses them on the one type of ad that actually works on a small budget and gets BIG results: Lead Ads. Get Zach's Lead Ads Bootcamp here for just $25. You will be AMAZED at what you...

Sales people gets a pretty bad rap (think used car salesman stereotype) and how however you think about "sales" is affecting your revenue in your business. I can give you strategies all day long (as Danny and I are doing in the Up Level Workshop), but it's at least as important to also change your mindset around sales and become a great sales person.  In today's podcast, I share with you four mindset shifts you can make that are backed up by science. The beauty is that they are simple to...

Becoming a badass CEO with a successful business doesn't happen overnight (I wish!). Instead, one day you wake up different after weeks, months and even years of stringing together small decisions and actions that are a vote for the person you want to be. A badass is someone who follows through on what (and when) he or she says it will be done, takes action even when it feels scary and increases their capacity for failure (aka learning).    In January, I challenged the Fuel community to a 30...

Danny and I love farmers markets as one of the first places for brands to go, but did you know that many brands continue with the market sales channel because it makes really good business sense? And it doesn't mean you have to do them all! Danny of Peak State Coffee is doing just this and using markets to fund his business while also taking 2 months off last summer! In today's episode we discuss the three reasons to lean into the sales channel, some tips to get accepted and the upcoming Up...

It's one thing to make something delicious, but then you have to spend even more time finding the customers to buy your products. I'm joined today by Castiron founder, Mark Josephson, who is changing the way brands find customers and making it so much easier! If you want to check out Castiron and be a part of their new marketplace so you can focus on what you do best - making a great product - check it out here. Get the Up Level Your Farmers Markets workshop to start making more money EVERY...

Are you a good boss to yourself? Probably not...most traditional bosses aren't that great (only about 30% are) and entrepreneurs are even worse! In today's podcast I am sharing my presentation I did for Castiron's Flour Power event called How To Be The Boss You Deserve.  I LOVE teaching this concept and I go into more detail in Chapter 9 of Key Ingredients. It's a concept - being a better boss to yourself - that resonates with many of you. Want to learn more about Castiron's website and...

When you think about "networking" you probably make this face 😩 or this 🤢, but it doesn't have to be that way! If I could learn to love it 🤩, you definitely can too! In fact, I would credit much of my success and ability to help you to the relationships I have curated over the past 10 years. My guest today is the amazing Julie Nirvelli, founder of Winking Girl Salsa, curator of Network In Action groups, and now creator of Natural Products Executive Collective or NPEC. Julie is kind of a...

There's asking for feedback and then there's the receiving of the feedback. This is hard to do well! I love Adam Grant's concept of the second score and I share some tips on how to be a better feedback receiver so that you can get better or make your business better. I also share some of the feedback I received from the survey you may have taken in November of 2023 - the good, bad and the ugly! Find out how I handled it and what will or won't change as a result.  No more wasted weekends! Up...

In the four years Jessica, founder of Fireworks Butters,  and I have worked together we have never recorded a podcast together...that changes today!  Hear her 8-year journey of starting her business and keeping it going with a busy household of three kids and husband and then COVID.  Each year she has made significant growth, but "it isn't for the faint of heart", as she likes to say.  After Master Your Business and clarifying her 10X goal in 2023 she is now in 17 states wholesaling her...

Are you worried about making money mistakes or making the wrong investments in your business? Danny Walsh and I have a frank conversation about making investments in an early stage business. He shares what investments he made into his business, Peak State Coffee, early on and what mistakes he made along the way so you can avoid the pitfalls. We both believe in a lean business and getting something out into the world quickly to test and get feedback. It's important to stop planning in your...

We are often told in school and work to try to fix our weaknesses and spend energy there attempting to overcome them. That's the hardest and least fun way to go about being an entrepreneurs on my guest today, Dr. Lee Koles, shares with you the Clifton Strengths tools and why it's important to actually lean into your strengths and not focus so much on your weaknesses. She also breaks down my top five strengths as well as the top strengths of members in Fuel who took the assessment.  Make an...

How's that New Year's resolution coming along? If you find that it has petered out, it's probably because the set up was wrong from the start and it was set up as a results goal versus an identity shift process. In today's episode I share with you what the difference is and one of my identity shifts I am making this year as part of our 30 day discipline challenge called Badass30. You can get the rules at https://www.foodbizsuccess.com/badass30 anytime. We are doing a group challenge inside...

Ever wonder if you logo or other visuals make a difference in sales and customer loyalty? My guest is Christopher McLaughlin of Tenfold and he is my long-time partner in graphic design for many client projects. We discuss why it is so important to get that brand out of your head to communicate with your designer and your customers. Get his amazing workshop here and use code FUEL2024 to save $ Master Your Business is now open for founders who are ready to become CEOs! This 12 week cohort...

When setting your new year's goals, it's so easy to just add more and more to the list as a way to get you there. Studies show that most of us never even consider doing LESS and subtracting activities.  In today's podcast I share with you insights from the book Subtract by Leidy Klotz and how you can apply it to your bigger goals and also in your daily business activities.  No more putting it off - let's get your annual plan DONE! Register for free for this Thursday's (2/1/24) workshop...

Social Media Marketing Manager Kayla King seems to have cracked the code on growing a social media following and going "viral" on Instagram and she is sharing some of her secrets on the podcast today! We love to celebrate and use Fuel Member, Chennelle of GoodLove Foods, as an example who recently had a reel go viral with over 1.6M views, tripled her followers and blew up her website with orders. Kayla is going to be the first Fuel VIP guest for 2024 and you can get in on this even more...

Think about when you have gotten stuck in comparison or competition with another brand or founder. It probably feels terrible and as Seneca says, "comparison is the thief of joy".  But, there is one type of comparison that can be useful and help you go 10X. Find out on today's podcast.  Already have a business and ready to take it to the next level? Master Your Business is now open! This 12 week cohort program helps you step into the CEO role your business needs to become profitable,...

Danny has had some amazing growth over the past three years since launching Peak State Coffee in the spring of 2020 and he is getting ready to have another huge 10X growth period. Danny and I talk about what it means to him to go 10X and why he loves this concept, how Master Your Business has helped him and can help founders set up your business to run without you always there and how to use the "who, not how" strategy to go 10X. We also have a big announcement to share - Danny will be...

Yes, it's that time of year when everyone is talking about goals...blah, blah, blah. I am so over the traditional way to setting goals because they just leave me feeling like a failure. Until I found the 10X method of setting goals! In today's episode I share with you why a 10X goal (making the goal HUGE and nearly impossible) is scientifically backed the best way to get so much closer to creating the business you actually want. Be sure to get registered for the free 10X Goal Workshop on...

There are so many strategies to get more people to try your product and become raving fans from ads to events. One of my favorites is influencer marketing because it's pretty easy to get started even on a low budget and there are some great fringe benefits that come with collaborating with others. On today's podcast I interview Yash Chavan, creator of Saral, who is my go-to expert on all things influencer marketing. He explains what influencer marketing is and why it works so well, gives you...

Gratitude is generally a positive emotion, but sometimes I see how people use gratitude to try to tamper down their desires and not go after their dream. On today's podcast, I share with you what this looks like and then give you three very useful ways to use gratitude to fuel you into action even when you feel fear.  The new Fuel Gift Boxes are here! Support 15 Fuel member makers + a Fuel scholarship  fund with your purchase. Makes a great gift for yourself or someone else.  Ask me...