“AI is moving at light speed, but it’s not here to replace people. It’s here to augment our expertise and make us more efficient.” – Sami Hero In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Sami Hero, a seasoned expert in AI and technology, unpacks how small businesses can leverage AI without getting lost in the complexity. From streamlining customer service to creating targeted marketing campaigns, Sami shares practical advice for business owners on using AI to solve real...

Imagine navigating the online world without being able to see it. For most of us, it's a quick look, click, and scroll. But for Maxwell Ivey, who is blind, accessing the digital world takes screen readers, patience, and grit. In this episode, Max reveals his journey from learning to code out of necessity (while blind) to founding the Accessibility Advantage Consultancy, which advocates for a truly inclusive digital experience. Max's story is a testament to the power of resilience,...

Ever wonder how you could build a seven-figure business purely through SEO? Edd Dawson has done it—and he’s here to share how. He’s cracked the code on driving millions of visitors to websites, generating serious revenue, and selling his businesses for over a million dollars. If you’ve ever questioned whether SEO is still relevant in a world of AI dominance, this episode is for you. Edd dives into how SEO has evolved and its future alongside AI advancements. Edd Dawson is a 20-year veteran...

Confidence doesn't magically appear overnight. It’s built step by step, just like a muscle. In this episode, you'll discover nine actionable habits that will help you silence your inner critic and move forward with unwavering confidence. Ready to strengthen your confidence muscle? This episode dives into nine essential habits that help build lasting confidence, from breaking down intimidating tasks to celebrating small wins and learning from rejection. Want to learn how to build lasting...

Ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong? That was me a few weeks when I realized – with a sinking heart – that I hadn’t hit the record button after a brilliant interview with my guest, Jason Willis-Lee. Fortunately, he graciously agreed to a redo, and I’m thrilled because his journey from studying medicine to becoming a thriving freelance medical translator is full of insights. If you’ve ever wondered about niching down, adapting to AI, or growing a freelance business, Jason’s...

Ever felt like you're stuck on a never-ending launch hamster wheel, dreading the next big push for your course? Caitlin Bacher has been there. She went from launching flop after flop to discovering a game-changing strategy that turned her $297 course into a million-dollar powerhouse—all without the stress of launching.  Curious as to how she did it? This episode is packed with practical insights that could save your sanity and skyrocket your sales. Caitlin Bacher is not just another course...

Ever had a career plan that completely fell apart, only to lead you to something even better? Kirsty Boden-Stuart did. She quit her job to start an ad agency, which quickly fizzled out. But instead of giving up, she turned to writing to make ends meet—and accidentally stumbled into a whole new career as the Head of Marketing for one of London’s largest social care organizations. And then she started her own side hustle helping freelance writers start their careers.  Curious how she made the...

Ever wondered how to truly understand your customers' needs? Suzanne Reilley faced the same challenge when she started as a personal trainer with no business background. Despite this, she successfully built a thriving business by mastering the art of listening to her clients. Curious about her journey and strategies? You’re in for a treat! Suzanne Reilley is a seasoned business coach, marketing strategist, and copy advisor who has worked with hundreds of clients. Her expertise has been...

Have you ever found yourself frustrated with your podcast setup? Meet Junaid Ahmed, who transformed his cluttered basement into a top-notch studio during the pandemic. How did he do it? By merging his love for technology and film. Curious? Stick around to hear his fascinating journey and pro tips for setting up your own podcast studio. Junaid Ahmed is a seasoned expert in podcast studio setup, with a rich background in technology, film, and graphic design. He has consulted over 200...

Ever thought about how your current skills could be the key to your entrepreneurial success? Jacob Jacobson did just that when he transitioned from working in a church to starting his own business. He discovered that the marketing skills he honed in the church world were exactly what small businesses needed. Join us as Jacob shares his journey and the unique approach that has fueled his success. Jacob Jacobson is the founder of CloudWorks, a thriving agency dedicated to helping small...

Michael Frew is a seasoned engineer-turned-entrepreneur who specializes in acquiring SaaS (Software as a Service) businesses. In this episode, we dive into Michael's journey and his role in managing a portfolio of SaaS businesses for WebStreet.  Michael shares the nitty-gritty of why buying a SaaS business is often better than building one and offers valuable insights on everything from the acquisition process to dealing with the psychological impact of selling a business.  Whether you're a...

Have you ever spent hours crafting content, only to wonder if it's hitting the mark with your audience? I found myself in that exact spot while creating a lead magnet, struggling to pick the perfect hero image.  Ever been there? Stick around, because in today’s episode I'm taking a look at a game-changing method for getting quick, actionable feedback on your content. I talk about: The challenges of getting timely feedback: Why it's so tricky to get people to respond to your surveys and...

Have you ever thought about turning your personal stories or opinions into a profitable side hustle? Even in a world dominated by AI and shifting economies, if you can string together sentences that get people wanting more, it's absolutely possible.  In this episode, we're diving deep into the secrets of getting started as a freelance writer with Lindy Alexander, an award-winning freelance travel writer who turned her writing passion into a successful career. With her rich background that...

At just 24 years old, Greg Berry was elected as a city councilor and quickly spotted a major problem: government organizations were struggling to get fair value for their surplus items when they sold them. Determined to find a solution, Greg leveraged his IT expertise and entrepreneurial spirit to create Municibid, an online platform that has since revolutionized government auctions. His innovative approach not only solved a persistent issue but also transformed the way surplus items are...

Ever wondered if your emails are disappearing into a digital abyss, never to be seen or read by the people on your list? Imagine how bad that would be for your business if your carefully crafted messages never reach their destinations.  In this episode, we dive deep into the world of email deliverability with tech expert MV Braverman to ensure your emails not only send but also land exactly where they should. MV Braverman is not just an expert on email systems; she's a seasoned warrior in...

Have you ever worried that your email platform is nothing more than an expensive drag on your business?  And that you’re not getting everything out of it that you could?  Like a parked Ferrari languishing in the driveway? In this episode we dive deep into how ActiveCampaign can revolutionize the way you connect with your customers and transform routine tasks into powerful customer relationships. My guest is former maths teacher turned tech guru, Kay Peacey.  Kay is a world-leading expert...

Ever found yourself frustrated while waiting in line? Imagine turning that idle time into a goldmine for your business! In today’s episode, host, Trudy Rankin dives into how a surprise waiting period turned into an opportunity to employ the '1 Percent Up' technique—fine-tuning her business in ways that are simple yet significantly impactful over time. She also talks about: The transformative power of adopting small, continual improvements in your business operations. Real-life insights on...

Imagine stumbling upon a tool that not only lifts your content creation game but also revolutionizes the way you organise your design workflow. Brenda Cadman did just that with Canva, transforming her graphic design process from chaos to streamlined simplicity. Dive into this episode as Brenda shares her journey from discovering Canva in its early days to becoming a Canva verified expert, and how it has become an indispensable part of her content strategy. Brenda Cadman brings over two...

If you have to regularly create content, do you struggle to find topics to cover?  Whether you’re a podcaster, blogger, writer, you-name-it, it can be tough trying to overcome the old “blank page, blank mind” syndrome. In today’s episode, host Trudy Rankin shares her 3-step process for coming up with content topics, no matter what.  Does it take a little bit of thought to make the process work?  Yes.  But is applying that process more effective than staring at a screen for hours?  Definitely...

Are you sick of working long hours?  Long commutes?  Tedious, exhausting tasks? Imagine being able to quit your job and replace your entire income by simply buying an existing online business - no more sleepless nights worrying about starting from scratch. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, that's exactly what Jaryd Krause did after years of backbreaking work as a plumber. In this candid interview, he pulls back the curtain on the realities of acquiring and growing digital...

Do you constantly feel like there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything on your to-do list? Imagine being able to squeeze more into your day without feeling overwhelmed or like you're constantly running out of time. In this practical episode, Host, Trudy Rankin, unveils her tried-and-true strategies for maximizing productivity and getting more done in a day. Trudy also talks about: The importance of planning and scheduling repetitive tasks to stay focused and...

Do you often feel overwhelmed and like there's never enough time in the day?  You're not alone.  As a too-busy solopreneur or small business owner, it's easy to get bogged down in the daily grind and lose sight of what really matters. So in this episode, Trudy Rankin shares the 5 powerful daily rituals that she uses to stay focused, boost productivity, and avoid burnout. Trudy brings a wealth of experience to the table, having run her own online business for nine years and helped hundreds...

Have you spent years crafting your professional identity, building a solid reputation, and networking with industry peers? But when you look at your LinkedIn profile, it's a relic of the past, a dusty snapshot that fails to capture the dynamic professional you've become.  Sound familiar? You're not alone. Many of us have neglected our LinkedIn presence, unaware of its true potential as a powerful personal branding and business growth tool.  Joining us is Lynnaire Johnston, the founder of...

Are you in a crowded niche where it feels almost impossible to stand out?  And you’re looking for ways to build your customer base? Shaunda Necole is an influencer and online business owner who has successfully built multiple blogs, podcasts and monetisation streams around her passion for food and travel. In just two years, she built her blog The Soul Food Pot into Google's #1 site for Southern soul food.  Part of the secret to Shaunda’s success was niche-ing down - she took iconic African...