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	<title>Succeed As Your Own Boss</title>
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	<description>ENDING SMALL BUSINESS FAILURE</description>
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		<title>Is Your Business Ready to Become an AI-Enabled Workplace?</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/is-your-business-ready-to-become-an-ai-enabled-workplace/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=is-your-business-ready-to-become-an-ai-enabled-workplace</link>
					<comments>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/is-your-business-ready-to-become-an-ai-enabled-workplace/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 14 Sep 2026 11:30:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[AI for business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Branding & Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grow Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting A Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Teams]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women in Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ai-enabled processes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ai-enabled workplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[human advantage]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[integration of ai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[workplace dynamics]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30761</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Artificial intelligence isn&#8217;t replacing your employees; it&#8217;s redefining how successful organizations work. For decades, organizations have adapted to waves of technological change. We moved from paper files to personal computers. We embraced email, cloud computing, mobile devices, and remote work. Each shift transformed how work got done, and organizations that adapted gained a competitive advantage. [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/is-your-business-ready-to-become-an-ai-enabled-workplace/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Is Your Business Ready to Become an AI-Enabled Workplace?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><em><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30767" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910125812/techteam-aireview-300x169.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="169" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910125812/techteam-aireview-300x169.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910125812/techteam-aireview-768x432.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910125812/techteam-aireview.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Artificial intelligence isn&#8217;t replacing your employees; it&#8217;s redefining how successful organizations work.</em></p>
<p>For decades, organizations have adapted to waves of technological change. We moved from paper files to personal computers. We embraced email, cloud computing, mobile devices, and remote work. Each shift transformed how work got done, and organizations that adapted gained a competitive advantage.</p>
<p>Today, we are entering the next major evolution: <strong>the AI-Enabled Workplace.</strong></p>
<p>This isn&#8217;t about replacing people with artificial intelligence. It&#8217;s about creating an organization where AI helps employees make better decisions, work more efficiently, communicate more effectively, and solve problems faster. The organizations that thrive over the next decade won&#8217;t simply purchase AI tools; they&#8217;ll build workplaces where people and AI work together strategically.</p>
<p>The question every business leader should be asking isn&#8217;t, &#8220;Should we use AI?&#8221; The question is, &#8220;Is our business ready to become an AI-Enabled Workplace?&#8221;</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>What Is an AI-Enabled Workplace?</strong></h2>
<p>An AI-Enabled Workplace is an organization where artificial intelligence is intentionally integrated into everyday work to improve productivity, enhance decision-making, strengthen collaboration, and support innovation, while keeping human judgment, ethics, creativity, and leadership at the center of every decision.</p>
<p>The emphasis is on &#8220;enabled.&#8221; AI is an enabler, not the decision-maker. It handles repetitive tasks, surfaces insights, and accelerates workflows so people can focus on the work that requires critical thinking, empathy, creativity, and relationship building.</p>
<p>In an AI-Enabled Workplace, employees don&#8217;t compete with AI; they collaborate with it.</p>
<p><strong>Why This Matters Now</strong></p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30654" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172243/brain-over-computer-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172243/brain-over-computer-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172243/brain-over-computer-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172243/brain-over-computer.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />AI has moved beyond being a futuristic concept. Today, AI tools can draft reports, summarize meetings, analyze data, create presentations, generate marketing content, automate customer service responses, assist with project management, and support strategic planning.</p>
<p>Businesses that embrace AI thoughtfully are already seeing benefits such as:</p>
<ul>
<li>Faster decision-making</li>
<li>Increased employee productivity</li>
<li>Improved customer experiences</li>
<li>Better use of organizational knowledge</li>
<li>More efficient operations</li>
<li>Reduced administrative burdens</li>
</ul>
<p>Organizations that ignore AI risk falling behind competitors that can accomplish more with the same number of employees.</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>Five Signs Your Business Is Ready</strong></h2>
<ol>
<li><strong>Your Employees Spend Too Much Time on Administrative Work</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>How much of your team&#8217;s day is spent writing emails, creating reports, scheduling meetings, updating spreadsheets, or searching for information?</p>
<p>These repetitive tasks consume valuable time that could be spent serving customers, developing new products, or solving business problems.</p>
<p>AI can automate or accelerate many of these routine activities, allowing employees to focus on higher-value work.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong>Information Is Scattered Across Your Organization</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Many businesses struggle with disconnected information stored in emails, shared drives, documents, and multiple software systems.</p>
<p>Employees waste hours looking for information that already exists.</p>
<p>An AI-enabled knowledge strategy can help employees find answers quickly, summarize documents, and connect information across departments.</p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong>Managers Are Overwhelmed</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Today&#8217;s managers face increasing demands. They coach employees, manage projects, conduct performance reviews, communicate organizational changes, resolve conflicts, and lead teams through constant change.</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-30768 alignright" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910130545/happy-manager-at-laptop-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910130545/happy-manager-at-laptop-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910130545/happy-manager-at-laptop-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910130545/happy-manager-at-laptop.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />AI can serve as a leadership assistant by helping managers:</p>
<ul>
<li>Prepare meeting agendas</li>
<li>Draft coaching plans</li>
<li>Organize project timelines</li>
<li>Summarize discussions</li>
<li>Develop employee development plans</li>
<li>Improve communication</li>
</ul>
<p>AI doesn&#8217;t replace leadership; it gives managers more time to lead.</p>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong>Your Organization Is Constantly Doing More With Less</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Every organization faces pressure to improve productivity while controlling costs.</p>
<p>AI helps employees work smarter rather than simply working harder.</p>
<p>When employees spend less time on repetitive work, organizations gain capacity without necessarily increasing headcount.</p>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong>You Are Willing to Invest in Training</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Technology alone doesn&#8217;t create transformation. People do.</p>
<p>Organizations ready to become AI-enabled understand that training, change management, and leadership development are just as important as selecting the right software.</p>
<p>Successful adoption requires helping employees understand not only how to use AI, but also when to use it, when not to use it, and how to use it responsibly.</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>The Five Pillars of an AI-Enabled Workplace</strong></h2>
<p>Creating an AI-Enabled Workplace requires more than purchasing software licenses. It requires a strategic approach built around five pillars.</p>
<ol>
<li><strong> AI-Enabled Employees</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Every employee should develop foundational AI literacy.</p>
<p>This includes understanding:</p>
<ul>
<li>What AI can and cannot do</li>
<li>Prompt writing fundamentals</li>
<li>Responsible AI use</li>
<li>Information verification</li>
<li>Data privacy</li>
<li>Productivity applications</li>
</ul>
<p>The goal is to build confidence, not dependency.</p>
<ol start="2">
<li><strong> AI-Enabled Managers</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Managers need specialized training because they lead people—not technology.</p>
<p>They should learn how to use AI to improve:</p>
<ul>
<li>Coaching</li>
<li>Communication</li>
<li>Performance management</li>
<li>Employee development</li>
<li>Team collaboration</li>
<li>Decision-making</li>
</ul>
<p>Managers also need guidance on maintaining fairness, protecting confidential information, and ensuring human oversight remains central to leadership decisions.</p>
<ol start="3">
<li><strong> AI-Enabled Teams</strong></li>
</ol>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30771" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910132728/bizteam-collaborating-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910132728/bizteam-collaborating-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910132728/bizteam-collaborating-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910132728/bizteam-collaborating.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The greatest productivity gains occur when teams learn to use AI collaboratively.</p>
<p>Teams can use AI to:</p>
<ul>
<li>Brainstorm solutions</li>
<li>Develop project plans</li>
<li>Improve meeting effectiveness</li>
<li>Create training materials</li>
<li>Analyze customer feedback</li>
<li>Document processes</li>
</ul>
<p>The objective is not simply individual efficiency but stronger collaboration.</p>
<ol start="4">
<li><strong> AI-Enabled Processes</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>Organizations should evaluate existing workflows and ask:</p>
<ul>
<li>Which repetitive tasks can be streamlined?</li>
<li>Which approvals can be simplified?</li>
<li>Where can AI improve speed without sacrificing quality?</li>
<li>How can employees spend more time creating value?</li>
</ul>
<p>AI should enhance existing processes, not create unnecessary complexity.</p>
<ol start="5">
<li><strong> AI-Enabled Leadership</strong></li>
</ol>
<p>As a leader, you play the most important role in creating an AI-enabled workplace. Technology alone will not transform your organization; your leadership will. Your employees will look to you for direction, clarity, and confidence as artificial intelligence becomes integrated into everyday work. Without a clear vision and a thoughtful implementation strategy, AI initiatives can quickly become fragmented, leading to confusion, inconsistent adoption, and resistance rather than greater productivity and innovation.</p>
<p>Your responsibility is to establish the foundation for successful AI adoption by developing AI governance policies, ethical guidelines, data privacy and security standards, employee training plans, and effective change management strategies. You must also create a culture of continuous learning where employees are encouraged to build new skills, experiment responsibly, and embrace innovation with confidence. Most importantly, you must lead by example. When you use AI responsibly, transparently, and ethically, you demonstrate that AI is not a replacement for people but a powerful tool that helps your team work smarter and make better decisions. As your organization becomes more AI-enabled, your greatest competitive advantage will not be the technology you implement, but the leadership you provide to help your people embrace change, build confidence, and unlock their full potential.</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>Common Mistakes Businesses Make</strong></h2>
<p>Many organizations make the mistake of approaching artificial intelligence as a technology project instead of a business transformation initiative. They invest in AI software before developing a clear strategy for how it will improve operations, serve customers, or support employees. Others introduce AI tools without providing adequate training, expecting employees to simply &#8220;figure it out&#8221; on their own. This often leads to inconsistent adoption, frustration, and missed opportunities. Another common mistake is focusing exclusively on the technology while ignoring the people, processes, and organizational culture needed to support successful implementation.</p>
<p>Businesses also expose themselves to unnecessary risk by allowing employees to use AI without clear guidelines for data privacy, cybersecurity, confidentiality, ethical decision-making, and responsible use. Without leadership, governance, and a well-defined implementation plan, AI can create confusion, duplicate work, and inconsistent results. Organizations that achieve the greatest success recognize that becoming AI-enabled requires thoughtful planning, employee education, and a commitment to integrating AI into the workplace in ways that enhance, not replace, human talent and judgment.</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>Preparing Your Business</strong></h2>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-30153 alignright" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20250824151449/hr-selection-list-300x132.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="132" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20250824151449/hr-selection-list-300x132.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20250824151449/hr-selection-list-768x339.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20250824151449/hr-selection-list.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Becoming AI-enabled doesn&#8217;t happen overnight.</p>
<p>Start with these practical steps:</p>
<ol>
<li>Assess your organization&#8217;s current digital maturity.</li>
<li>Identify repetitive tasks that consume employee time.</li>
<li>Select one or two AI tools for pilot testing.</li>
<li>Develop clear guidelines for responsible AI use.</li>
<li>Train managers before rolling AI out organization-wide.</li>
<li>Create opportunities for employees to practice and share what they learn.</li>
<li>Measure productivity improvements and employee adoption.</li>
</ol>
<p>Small, intentional steps often produce better long-term results than attempting organization-wide transformation all at once.</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>The Human Advantage</strong></h2>
<p>Despite the rapid advances in artificial intelligence, the qualities that define exceptional organizations remain deeply human. AI can analyze data, generate content, automate repetitive tasks, and identify patterns, but it cannot replace the uniquely human capabilities that inspire trust, strengthen relationships, and drive meaningful innovation. Great leaders motivate people through vision, empathy, and authenticity. They navigate difficult conversations, build resilient teams, and make ethical decisions that consider both facts and human impact. Creativity fuels breakthrough ideas, while critical thinking enables leaders to evaluate information, ask better questions, and make sound judgments in complex situations. Relationship building fosters collaboration, trust, and loyalty among employees, customers, and stakeholders—connections that no algorithm can replicate. The most successful organizations of the future will not be those that rely solely on AI, but those that combine the speed and efficiency of technology with the wisdom, emotional intelligence, and integrity of people. In an AI-enabled workplace, technology enhances human performance, but leadership, compassion, creativity, and ethical judgment remain the true competitive advantage.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30772" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910133533/businessmgr-feedbacktoemployee-300x158.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="158" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910133533/businessmgr-feedbacktoemployee-300x158.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910133533/businessmgr-feedbacktoemployee-768x405.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260910133533/businessmgr-feedbacktoemployee.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />In fact, as AI becomes more capable, human skills become even more valuable. The organizations that succeed won&#8217;t be those with the most AI. They&#8217;ll be the ones that combine technology with exceptional leadership and a commitment to developing their people. The future of work isn&#8217;t about humans versus artificial intelligence. It&#8217;s about humans working with artificial intelligence.</p>
<p>The AI-Enabled Workplace represents a new model of organizational success, one where technology removes friction, employees gain capacity to focus on meaningful work, managers become more effective leaders, and organizations create greater value for customers and communities.</p>
<p>The future belongs to businesses that prepare today. The real question isn&#8217;t whether AI will change your workplace. The question is whether you&#8217;ll lead that change or be forced to catch up later.</p>
<h2 style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>Ready to Build an AI-Enabled Workplace?</strong></h2>
<p>Artificial intelligence is transforming the way businesses operate, but technology alone won&#8217;t prepare your organization for the future. Your employees need the skills, confidence, and leadership to use AI effectively, responsibly, and strategically. Whether you&#8217;re just getting started with AI or ready to integrate it across your organization, we&#8217;ll help you develop an AI adoption strategy that empowers your people, not replaces them.</p>
<p><strong><a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.com/strategysession" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Click here</a> to schedule your complimentary AI Readiness Consultation</strong> and learn how SmallBizLadyUniversity.com can help you build an AI-enabled workplace that is smarter, stronger, and ready to compete in the digital economy.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/is-your-business-ready-to-become-an-ai-enabled-workplace/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Is Your Business Ready to Become an AI-Enabled Workplace?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Clarence Wooten and Susan Hull Walker</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-clarence-wooten-and-susan-hull-walker/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=hit-it-and-quit-it-with-clarence-wooten-and-susan-hull-walker</link>
					<comments>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-clarence-wooten-and-susan-hull-walker/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 10 Sep 2026 11:30:37 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SmallBizChat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The SmallBizChat Podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business apps]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business podcasts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Strategies]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[rapid-fire segment]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[startup tools]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30742</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson starts with an introduction, providing an overview of the podcast and encouraging subscriptions. Melinda then introduces the &#8220;Hit It and Quit It&#8221; segment, where she engages in a rapid-fire discussion about business favorites, including podcasts, apps, marketing tricks, and books. Clarence Wooten is a serial entrepreneur, technology [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-clarence-wooten-and-susan-hull-walker/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Clarence Wooten and Susan Hull Walker</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30744 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831143750/SmallBizChat_FINAL_SEPT_Group600x600-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831143750/SmallBizChat_FINAL_SEPT_Group600x600-300x300.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831143750/SmallBizChat_FINAL_SEPT_Group600x600-150x150.jpg 150w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831143750/SmallBizChat_FINAL_SEPT_Group600x600.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></span><span style="color: #333333;">In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson starts with an introduction, providing an overview of the podcast and encouraging subscriptions. Melinda then introduces the &#8220;Hit It and Quit It&#8221; segment, where she engages in a rapid-fire discussion about business favorites, including podcasts, apps, marketing tricks, and books.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Clarence Wooten </strong></span><span style="color: #333333;">is a serial entrepreneur, technology innovator, and CEO of Cofounder.AI, where he helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into investor-ready startups using artificial intelligence. A pioneer in digital media and venture creation, he has founded and scaled multiple successful technology companies throughout his career. Passionate about innovation, Clarence empowers founders to accelerate product development, validate business models, and build high-growth companies that create lasting economic impact. For more details, visit</span> <a href="https://www.cofounder.ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">www.cofounder.ai</a>.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Susan Hull Walker</strong></span><span style="color: #000000;"><span style="color: #333333;"> is the Founder of IBU Atelier, a global initiative that helps women-led artisan enterprises scale through product development, branding, operational mentorship, and international retail strategy. A longtime advocate for women entrepreneurs and heritage craftsmanship, Susan has dedicated her career to creating economic opportunities for artisan communities around the world. Through IBU Atelier, she is connecting traditional makers with global markets, proving that handcrafted, culturally rooted products can become thriving, sustainable businesses without sacrificing authenticity. For more information:</span> <a href="https://ibumovement.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://ibumovement.org</a></span></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Listen to the podcast below:</span></p>

<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b><br />
Podcasts Mentioned: </b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/all-in-with-chamath-jason-sacks-friedberg/id1502871393" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">All In Podcast</a> with Chamath, Jason, Sacks, and Friedberg</li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/poetry-unbound/id1492928827" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Poetry Unbound</a> with Pádraig Ó Tuama</li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/hidden-brain/id1028908750" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Hidden Brain</a> by NPR</li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Apps Mentioned:</b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://audible.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Audible</a></li>
<li><a href="https://Cofounder.AI/via/smallbizlady" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Cofounder.AI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ChatGPT.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">ChatGPT</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Old School Marketing Tips: </b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">Build a landing page. </span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">If I want to build a business or a product, I build a landing page as if the product already exists. </span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">I put a price tag on it. </span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">And when a person clicks buy, I just get their first name, last name and email address and then tell them they&#8217;re on a wait list and then leverage that signal to know whether or not it is worth building. </span></li>
<li><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">Everything we do with marketing is really storytelling. Let people</span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400"> speak for themselves and speak about what they&#8217;re doing, telling the stories. Stories always sell.</span></li>
<li><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">Write a handwritten note to someone. </span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">We&#8217;re so email prone. </span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">If you send someone a note on personal stationery, that is something they are not throwing away. </span><span class="text-gray-700 dark:text-neutral-400">And there&#8217;s value in that.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Books Mentioned: </b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Becoming-Dangerous-Woman-Embracing-Change-ebook/dp/B07NCYKLVN/ref=sr_1_3?crid=2A402MP0CDWY3&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.94d04SJWM22OZYpV7svzE6fM1ooxzdJeRfXmiVAE0IxW2Xraj08r2NUZC7JurKXYZySYpxLwEmnPhYnlIO_99ev9IltgCSkidyO1BW2Q74IjCi3SeiIcYXWL8xraqR7ef8c3es9p_BydkzHjl_lKdw.brB_r-sp0b9Y_0WZrHpH_W-FBPG2ojF5Grlx_jrGFlg&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Unbecoming+a+Dangerous+Woman&amp;qid=1788202678&amp;sprefix=unbecoming+a+dangerous+woman%2Caps%2C326&amp;sr=8-3" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><em>Becoming a Dangerous Woman</em></a> by Pat Mitchell</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Should-White-Guys-Have-Billion-Dollar-ebook/dp/B00AQ3WV62/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2YWOL8KLV71FU&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.raFmllDukAUDVQ6h1LJiPskVDw_5EVUxxS5_jPms9djwX9yYy2aID-Fkfr_OqNWX9JtrlN-9Oo0RHm5kozdjmve7SgiegsKxskgj3RDn6HsCyJ5mcRhyaesZzVSVjQ_aUeH405cuq5bxwiku9aToeeLDBhPIlsQYFE19Ivcst7FyuSAuZAJm-qhMakpuk5I2xDmme91PWSwQ3UprSA3_l1YcJK-C0CINsIUzkFgq9EQ.JtA3QGyybAO0PRLpIOXgbserL-KyGNyI64_r78oQ4v0&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Why+Should+White+Guys+Have+All+the+Fun%3F&amp;nsdOptOutParam=true&amp;qid=1788202712&amp;sprefix=why+should+white+guys+have+all+the+fun+%2Caps%2C312&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><em>Why Should White Guys Have All the Fun?</em></a> by Reginald F. Lewis</li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/10x-Easier-Than-Dan-Sullivan/dp/1401974953/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7MPJo8wdcV0NNIaehlbQJNsUJfchU_AOp5oYX7Ut9nJNp3-CIKITGfusMc1rOs5qirR1iepYx7k2aMFFFqp4rU0iJppZpciarOaHKUHKsM0-ONdUzwS7InZw7g6zyt70IwMXxNv9agaWdcd8VppPKwAFcmIlAT6QBVp3jWqJKYW8UTSA25ip5-2HTlCQRdEqXUtEoV0jGmhtXF-XONsOsmIkP8WESNEjsjjUmFC7hLg.5sKbORVfGYPLVkshiRA9pPOkXW8RnmXp-p8M4_Mj_iM&amp;qid=1739130541&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><i>10x is Easier than 2x</i></a><span style="color: #000000;"> <span style="color: #333333;">by Dan Sullivan</span></span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Connect with Clarence Wooten:</span></h3>
<p><strong>Website:  </strong><a href="https://www.cofounder.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.cofounder.ai</a><strong><br />
LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwooten" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwooten</a><br />
<strong>Facebook:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cofounderaiinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.facebook.com/cofounderaiinc</a><br />
<strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cofounderaiinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.instagram.com/cofounderaiinc</a><br />
<strong>Youtube:</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CoFounderAIInc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.youtube.com/@CoFounderAIInc</a><br />
<strong>TikTok:</strong> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cofounderaiinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.tiktok.com/@cofounderaiinc</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Connect with Susan Hull Walker:</span></h3>
<p><strong>Website:  </strong><a href="https://ibumovement.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://ibumovement.org</a><strong><br />
LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-hull-walker-200082186" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-hull-walker-200082186</a><br />
<strong>Facebook:  </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ibumovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.facebook.com/ibumovement</a><br />
<strong>Instagram:  </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ibumovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.instagram.com/ibumovement</a><br />
<strong>Pinterest: </strong><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ibumovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.pinterest.com/ibumovement</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Get More!</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Want to hear more episodes of The SmallBizChat Podcast? Subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!</span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<table style="height: 5px;" width="1170">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bizchat-podcast-podcast/id1478923954" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18925 " src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/apple-podcast.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="57" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/apple-podcast.jpg 420w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/apple-podcast-300x86.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9vbW55LmZtL3Nob3dzL3RoZS1zbWFsbGJpemNoYXQtcG9kY2FzdC9wbGF5bGlzdHMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18932" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/google-play-clean.png" alt="" width="202" height="78" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/google-play-clean.png 646w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/google-play-clean-300x116.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://open.spotify.com/show/3CALG3bM6I3ZM0Har5MYFV" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18927" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Spotify_Logo_CMYK_Black.png" alt="" width="200" height="60" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Spotify_Logo_CMYK_Black.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Spotify_Logo_CMYK_Black-300x90.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Spotify_Logo_CMYK_Black-768x230.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></a></td>
</tr>
<tr data-wp-editing="1">
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/The-Small-BizChat-Podcast-p1246799/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-18930 aligncenter" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tune-in.png" alt="" width="191" height="84" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-smallbizchat-podcast/playlists/podcast.rss" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18931" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png" alt="" width="190" height="95" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-300x150.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-768x384.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px" /></a></td>
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</table>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-clarence-wooten-and-susan-hull-walker/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Clarence Wooten and Susan Hull Walker</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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				<itunes:episode>363</itunes:episode>
		<podcast:episode>363</podcast:episode>
		<itunes:title>Hit It and Quit It with Jane Veron and LaChelle Adkins</itunes:title>
		<itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
		<itunes:duration>10:44</itunes:duration>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>How to Drive Inbound Leads and Turn Them Into Revenue</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-drive-inbound-leads-and-turn-them-into-revenue/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-to-drive-inbound-leads-and-turn-them-into-revenue</link>
					<comments>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-drive-inbound-leads-and-turn-them-into-revenue/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 07 Sep 2026 11:30:13 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Branding & Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cash Flow & Finance]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grow Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting A Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women in Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[advertising]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[google business profile]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inbound leads]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lead revenue]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sales]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30750</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>For many small businesses, inbound leads are among the most valuable sources of potential sales. When someone picks up the phone or goes to your website to contact your business, they are usually much closer to making a buying decision than someone casually browsing online. They already recognize they have a problem and are actively [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-drive-inbound-leads-and-turn-them-into-revenue/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">How to Drive Inbound Leads and Turn Them Into Revenue</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30755" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904161956/woman-on-phone-300x200.jpg" alt="Business woman on phone" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904161956/woman-on-phone-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904161956/woman-on-phone-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904161956/woman-on-phone.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />For many small businesses, inbound leads are among the most valuable sources of potential sales. When someone picks up the phone or goes to your website to contact your business, they are usually much closer to making a buying decision than someone casually browsing online. They already recognize they have a problem and are actively searching for a solution. The challenge is that too many business owners wait for the phone to ring rather than develop intentional marketing strategies that consistently generate inbound leads.</p>
<p>Driving inbound calls starts with having a compelling offer. People need a reason to contact your business now, not later. Generic statements like “contact us for more information” are weak and easy to ignore. Strong offers create urgency and communicate value immediately. Free consultations, same-day estimates, strategy sessions, free audits, or limited-time promotions all give customers a reason to act. Customers respond when they clearly understand what problem you solve and why your business is the best option to help them.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30754" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904152134/google-business-profile-300x200.jpg" alt="Google Business Profile" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904152134/google-business-profile-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904152134/google-business-profile-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904152134/google-business-profile.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />One of the most overlooked tools for generating inbound calls for retailers and service businesses is your Google Business Profile. Local consumers often search terms like “accountant near me,” “best roofer in Philadelphia,” or “<a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.net/one-on-one-coaching" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">business coach for women entrepreneurs</a>.” If your business does not appear trustworthy online, you are losing leads every day. A complete profile with updated business hours, customer reviews, photos, service descriptions, and direct phone information can significantly improve call volume. Reviews are especially powerful because they create trust before the customer ever speaks to you. Today’s customers often make decisions based on online credibility first.</p>
<p>Advertising can also play a major role in generating inbound calls when structured correctly. Many businesses make the mistake of running ads focused only on clicks or website traffic. But if your goal is inbound calls, your ads should encourage direct contact. This works particularly well for service-based businesses, law firms, contractors, healthcare providers, consultants, and financial professionals. Google Call Ads are highly effective because mobile users can call directly from the advertisement. The messaging should focus on urgency, convenience, and outcomes. Consumers are far more likely to respond to ads that solve immediate problems.</p>
<p>One of the biggest challenges for professional service businesses is generating a consistent flow of qualified leads. Referrals are valuable, but relying on word-of-mouth alone can create unpredictable revenue. Smart businesses build multiple lead sources to create steady visibility and sales opportunities. One of the most effective lead generation strategies today is hosting free webinars. One of the best ways for service businesses to demonstrate their expertise is through webinars, which allow them to educate potential customers, build trust, and collect qualified leads at scale. Instead of immediately trying to sell, webinars give entrepreneurs the opportunity to solve problems, answer questions, and position themselves as the expert.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30759" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163350/ads-on-computer-300x200.jpg" alt="Ads on computer" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163350/ads-on-computer-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163350/ads-on-computer-1024x683.jpg 1024w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163350/ads-on-computer-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163350/ads-on-computer-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163350/ads-on-computer-2048x1365.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />A great way to drive webinar registrations is through paid social media advertising. Facebook Ads and Instagram Ads are especially effective because they allow businesses to target specific audiences based on interests, demographics, behaviors, job titles, and industries. This makes it easier to reach ideal customers who are already interested in your expertise or services. The best way to close a webinar is to make a clear, compelling offer while the audience is still energized and emotionally connected to the content. After delivering value throughout the webinar, transition naturally into a solution that helps attendees take the next step. A low-cost offer under $2,000 works especially well because it feels accessible while still positioning the program as valuable and transformational.</p>
<p>The key is to create urgency and stack bonuses that increase perceived value. Bonuses could include templates, workbooks, coaching calls, private community access, audits, or replay access. Make the audience feel like taking action immediately gives them a significant advantage.</p>
<p>Most importantly, clearly explain the outcome your offer provides. Don’t just sell features; sell the transformation. People buy solutions to problems. End with a strong call-to-action, limited-time urgency, testimonials, and simple next steps to make purchasing easy and immediate.</p>
<p>Professional service businesses can also generate leads through content marketing, podcasts, email marketing, LinkedIn networking, strategic partnerships, SEO, public speaking, and referral campaigns. The key is consistency. Businesses that create multiple lead-generation channels reduce their dependence on any one marketing channel and build stronger long-term growth opportunities.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-30756 alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904162357/call-center-staff-on-phone-300x158.jpg" alt="Answering phone" width="300" height="158" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904162357/call-center-staff-on-phone-300x158.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904162357/call-center-staff-on-phone-768x405.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904162357/call-center-staff-on-phone.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Another critical factor is visibility. Many small businesses unintentionally hide their phone numbers or make customers search for contact information. Your phone number should appear prominently across every customer touchpoint, including your website header, landing pages, email signature, social media profiles, invoices, and marketing materials. Mobile users especially expect click-to-call functionality. Every additional step you force a customer to take increases the likelihood that they will leave and contact a competitor instead.</p>
<p>Content marketing also plays a major role in driving inbound calls by building authority and trust. Customers are more likely to call businesses they perceive as experts. Creating blog posts, videos, podcasts, FAQs, and educational social media content helps position your business as a trusted resource. A CPA discussing tax deductions, a contractor explaining remodeling mistakes, or a coach teaching sales strategies can attract highly qualified prospects. Valuable content answers customer questions before they even contact you, making them more comfortable reaching out when they are ready to buy.</p>
<p>Equally important are strong calls-to-action. Every piece of content or marketing should clearly direct customers toward the next step. Businesses often assume customers know what to do, but people respond better when instructions are direct and simple. Statements like “Call today for your free consultation,” “Book your strategy session,” or “Speak with a specialist now” create clarity and momentum. Weak calls-to-action create hesitation. Strong ones increase response rates.</p>
<p>Social proof remains one of the most powerful tools for driving inbound calls. Get in a habit of requesting testimonials and reviews. Building case studies and client success stories helps reduce fear and uncertainty. Customers trust other customers more than advertising. When prospects see that your business has delivered results for others, they feel more confident contacting you. This is especially important for high-ticket services where trust is a major factor in the buying decision.</p>
<p>Social media can also support inbound call generation when used strategically. Too many businesses focus only on entertainment or visibility instead of conversion. Social media should educate, build trust, highlight expertise, and encourage action. Business owners should regularly share customer wins, answer common questions, explain industry trends, and invite followers to contact them directly. The businesses generating real revenue from social media are the ones connecting content to clear business objectives.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-30757 alignright" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163030/time-to-follow-up-300x180.jpg" alt="Time to Follow-up" width="300" height="180" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163030/time-to-follow-up-300x180.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163030/time-to-follow-up-1024x614.jpg 1024w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163030/time-to-follow-up-768x461.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163030/time-to-follow-up-1536x922.jpg 1536w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260904163030/time-to-follow-up-2048x1229.jpg 2048w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />However, generating inbound calls is only half the battle. What happens after the phone rings is just as important. Many businesses spend money on marketing but fail because they have poor phone systems and inconsistent customer service. Customers expect fast responses, professionalism, and easy communication. If calls go unanswered, staff sounds disorganized, or follow-up is delayed, opportunities disappear quickly. Businesses need systems in place to handle calls effectively, including trained staff, appointment-scheduling software and procedures, customer relationship management systems, and fast response times.</p>
<p>Technology can also improve inbound call performance. CRM platforms and call tracking tools allow businesses to understand where calls originate, which marketing campaigns are performing best, and how effectively employees convert leads into customers. Tools like <a href="https://www.zoho.com/crm" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Zoho CRM</a>, and <a href="https://www.callrail.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">CallRail</a> help businesses organize lead management and improve conversion rates. Businesses that track performance consistently are better positioned to scale.</p>
<p>Referral partnerships are another effective way to increase inbound leads. Businesses serving similar audiences can often create mutually beneficial relationships without directly competing. Realtors partnering with mortgage brokers, accountants partnering with attorneys, or pet groomers partnering with veterinarians are all examples of strategic referral networks. Warm referrals tend to convert faster because trust already exists before the customer makes contact.</p>
<p>Text messaging is also becoming increasingly important in customer communication. Many consumers prefer texting before calling, especially younger audiences. But you must get permission first. Businesses that integrate SMS reminders, click-to-text options, website chat, and text follow-up create more communication flexibility and increase customer responsiveness. Sometimes the inbound call actually begins with an inbound text conversation.</p>
<p>Ultimately, inbound leads are not random. They result from clear positioning, strong offers, customer trust, consistent visibility, and effective follow-up systems. Businesses that consistently generate inbound calls understand how to reduce friction and make it easy for customers to engage. In today’s crowded marketplace, the small businesses that win are not always the ones spending the most money on advertising. They are the businesses that create trust, communicate value clearly, and make customers feel confident taking the next step.</p>
<p><a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.net/salesaccelerator-bootcamp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30568 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260624165759/SAB_logo-640-300x146.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="146" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260624165759/SAB_logo-640-300x146.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260624165759/SAB_logo-640.jpg 640w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a>If you need help generating quality leads for your business, the <a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.net/salesaccelerator-bootcamp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Sales Accelerator Bootcamp</a> was designed for you. This powerful program helps entrepreneurs build a repeatable sales system that attracts better prospects, improves follow-up, and consistently closes more deals. Learn how to generate leads through webinars, social media, partnerships, referrals, and content marketing while creating a sales process that drives predictable revenue. Stop relying on inconsistent referrals and start building a revenue engine for your business. If you’re ready to sell smarter, strengthen your sales strategy, and grow with confidence, the <a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.net/salesaccelerator-bootcamp/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Sales Accelerator Bootcamp</a> can help you get there.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-drive-inbound-leads-and-turn-them-into-revenue/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">How to Drive Inbound Leads and Turn Them Into Revenue</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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		<title>The SmallBizChat Podcast:  How Global Artisans Are Building Scalable Brands with Susan Hull Walker</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-global-artisans-are-building-scalable-brands-with-susan-hull-walker/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-global-artisans-are-building-scalable-brands-with-susan-hull-walker</link>
					<comments>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-global-artisans-are-building-scalable-brands-with-susan-hull-walker/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 03 Sep 2026 11:30:44 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SmallBizChat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The SmallBizChat Podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[artisan economy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[consumer trends]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[global brands]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[handmade goods]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ibu Movement]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[operational challenges]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30732</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Susan Hall Walker to discuss the inspiring journey behind the Ibu Movement and its impact on artisan networks. Susan shares the origins of Ibu and how it operates to expand and support artisan communities globally. The conversation highlights shifts in consumer preferences toward handmade goods and [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-global-artisans-are-building-scalable-brands-with-susan-hull-walker/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast:  How Global Artisans Are Building Scalable Brands with Susan Hull Walker</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30736 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831141712/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Susan600x600-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831141712/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Susan600x600-300x300.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831141712/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Susan600x600-150x150.jpg 150w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831141712/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Susan600x600.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><!--StartFragment --></p>
<p>In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Susan Hall Walker to discuss the inspiring journey behind the Ibu Movement and its impact on artisan networks. Susan shares the origins of Ibu and how it operates to expand and support artisan communities globally. The conversation highlights shifts in consumer preferences toward handmade goods and the operational challenges faced by artisan groups. Susan delves into the process of transforming local crafts into global brands and envisions the future of the global artisan economy.</p>
<p>Susan Hull Walker is the Founder of IBU Atelier, a global initiative that helps women-led artisan enterprises scale through product development, branding, operational mentorship, and international retail strategy. A longtime advocate for women entrepreneurs and heritage craftsmanship, Susan has dedicated her career to creating economic opportunities for artisan communities around the world. Through IBU Atelier, she is connecting traditional makers with global markets, proving that handcrafted, culturally rooted products can become thriving, sustainable businesses without sacrificing authenticity. For more information: <a href="https://ibumovement.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://ibumovement.org</a></p>
<p><!--EndFragment --></p>
<p>Listen to the podcast below:</p>

<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong><br />
This week on SmallBizChat Podcast:</strong></span></h3>
<ul>
<li>Artisan businesses can scale effectively by building strong relationships with their communities and leveraging their unique skills and traditions.</li>
<li>Consumer preferences are increasingly shifting towards ethically produced, handmade goods as a response to the environmental impact of fast fashion.</li>
<li>The global artisan economy is expected to grow as people seek authentic, handmade products that connect them to different cultures and traditions.</li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Resources Mentioned:</b></span></h3>
<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi=""><strong>Online Courses: </strong> <a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://smallbizladyuniversity.com</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Connect with Susan Hull Walker:</b></span></h3>
<p><strong>Website:  </strong><a href="https://ibumovement.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://ibumovement.org</a><strong><br />
LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-hull-walker-200082186" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/susan-hull-walker-200082186</a><br />
<strong>Facebook:  </strong><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ibumovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.facebook.com/ibumovement</a><br />
<strong>Instagram:  </strong><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ibumovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.instagram.com/ibumovement</a><br />
<strong>Pinterest: </strong><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/ibumovement" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.pinterest.com/ibumovement</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Get More!</b></span></h3>
<p>Want to hear more episodes of The SmallBiz Chat Podcast? Subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!</p>
<p>​</p>
<table style="height: 5px;" width="1170">
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/The-Small-BizChat-Podcast-p1246799/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-18930 aligncenter" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tune-in.png" alt="" width="191" height="84" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://feeds.podcastai.com/OB1adaRW5KZRxNx3IC4jac.xml" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18931" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png" alt="" width="190" height="95" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-300x150.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-768x384.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px" /></a></td>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-global-artisans-are-building-scalable-brands-with-susan-hull-walker/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast:  How Global Artisans Are Building Scalable Brands with Susan Hull Walker</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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				<itunes:image href="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260831141712/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Susan600x600.jpg" />
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		<itunes:duration>20:41</itunes:duration>
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		<title>The AI-Enabled Workplace: 7 Signs Your Business May Be Falling Behind</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/ai-enabled-workplace-signs-your-business-may-be-falling-behind/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=ai-enabled-workplace-signs-your-business-may-be-falling-behind</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 31 Aug 2026 11:30:28 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[AI for business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Branding & Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grow Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Leadership]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solopreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting A Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Technology]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women in Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AI planning tool]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[AI strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AI workplace]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business processes]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cofounder.ai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Customer Service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[market validation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[repetitive work]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[technology strategy]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30720</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>AI is quickly becoming an everyday business tool that is transforming how we all communicate, make decisions, serve customers, and improve productivity. The question is no longer whether AI will change the workplace. The real question is whether your small business is keeping pace. Many business owners believe adopting AI simply means purchasing a subscription [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/ai-enabled-workplace-signs-your-business-may-be-falling-behind/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The AI-Enabled Workplace: 7 Signs Your Business May Be Falling Behind</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-30725 alignright" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827172755/team-working-around-computer-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827172755/team-working-around-computer-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827172755/team-working-around-computer-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827172755/team-working-around-computer.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p>AI is quickly becoming an everyday business tool that is transforming how we all communicate, make decisions, serve customers, and improve productivity. The question is no longer whether AI will change the workplace. The real question is whether your small business is keeping pace.</p>
<p>Many business owners believe adopting AI simply means purchasing a subscription to ChatGPT or Claude. Becoming an AI-enabled workplace requires much more than technology. It requires leadership, strategy, employee training, and a willingness to rethink how work gets done.</p>
<p>The businesses that thrive over the next decade won&#8217;t necessarily have the biggest budgets or the most employees. They&#8217;ll be the ones that successfully integrate AI workflows into everyday operations while empowering their people to use it responsibly and effectively.</p>
<p>One of the best new tools that I’ve seen, especially for solo business owners, is <a href="https://cofounder.ai/via/smallbizlady" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">CoFounder.AI.</a> This tool gives you one lead agentic employee that operates like a thought partner, plus six additional agentic employees in one tool. You can actually talk to the tools, and then it automatically assigns tasks to the other agentic employees. Every day you get an email update with completed tasks. The software starts at $39/month.</p>
<p>Here are seven signs that your small business may already be falling behind with leveraging AI.</p>
<ol>
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> Your Employees Spend Too Much Time on Repetitive Tasks</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p>If your staff spends hours every week writing emails, creating reports, summarizing meetings, updating spreadsheets, or searching for information, you&#8217;re wasting valuable human potential.</p>
<p>AI excels at repetitive, administrative tasks that consume time but create little strategic value. By automating these activities, employees can focus on customer relationships, innovation, problem-solving, and revenue-generating work. Utilize AI to eliminate unnecessary work so people can spend more time doing what humans do best.</p>
<p>Ask yourself this question: <strong>What repetitive tasks could your employees stop doing tomorrow if AI handled the first draft?</strong></p>
<ol start="2">
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> Your Business Doesn&#8217;t Have an AI Strategy</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30726" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827173747/businesswoman-at-whiteboard-strategy-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827173747/businesswoman-at-whiteboard-strategy-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827173747/businesswoman-at-whiteboard-strategy-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827173747/businesswoman-at-whiteboard-strategy.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Many companies have employees experimenting with AI independently. One department uses ChatGPT. Another uses Microsoft Copilot. Someone else is trying Gemini. While experimentation is healthy, a lack of strategy creates inconsistency, duplication, and unnecessary risk. An AI-enabled workplace has a clear plan. Leadership defines where AI adds value, establishes priorities, determines which tools will be used, and sets expectations for responsible use.</p>
<p>Without a strategy, AI becomes another disconnected software purchase instead of a competitive advantage. Before adopting additional AI tools, develop a roadmap that aligns with your business goals.</p>
<ol start="3">
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> You&#8217;re Not Prepared to Lead in an AI-Enabled Workplace</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p>Technology doesn&#8217;t transform organizations; leaders do. As the manager of the business, you must understand how AI changes communication, productivity, coaching, decision-making, and employee development. You must learn when to use AI to prepare for a difficult conversation, organize priorities, summarize information, or brainstorm ideas. Never lose sight that performance evaluations, hiring decisions, coaching conversations, and leadership still require humans to exhibit empathy, experience, and sound judgment. You should become a confident AI user before expecting employees to embrace any new technology.</p>
<ol start="4">
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> Your Employees Haven&#8217;t Been Trained</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p>Buying AI software without training employees is like purchasing a fleet of vehicles without teaching anyone how to drive. Often, small business owners assume employees will simply &#8220;figure it out.&#8221; Some will. Most won&#8217;t. Successful AI adoption requires practical training that helps employees understand the following:</p>
<ul>
<li>What AI can and cannot do</li>
<li>How to write effective prompts</li>
<li>How to verify AI-generated information</li>
<li>When AI should and should not be used</li>
<li>How to protect confidential business information</li>
<li>Ethical considerations when using AI</li>
</ul>
<p>The organizations seeing the greatest return on AI investments are investing just as much in people as they are in technology.</p>
<ol start="5">
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> Building Before Validating the Market</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30727" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827174252/reading-laptop-validation-300x158.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="158" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827174252/reading-laptop-validation-300x158.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827174252/reading-laptop-validation-768x405.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827174252/reading-laptop-validation.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />One of the most common mistakes start-up businesses make is jumping straight into execution before validating the business idea. AI has made it incredibly easy to create websites, software applications, marketing campaigns, and digital products. But building faster doesn&#8217;t guarantee you&#8217;re building the right solution.</p>
<p>Before you begin creating your next app, service, or digital product, spend time validating your business concept. Platforms like <a href="https://cofounder.ai/via/smallbizlady" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer"><strong>Cofounder.ai</strong></a> also help start-up entrepreneurs think strategically before they begin the business. By refining your value proposition, identifying your target customer, prioritizing features, and developing a clear customer roadmap, you significantly increase your chances of building something customers want.</p>
<p>Remember, the fastest way to fail is to build the wrong product efficiently.</p>
<ol start="6">
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> Your Business Processes Haven&#8217;t Changed</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p>Many small businesses introduce AI but continue operating exactly as they did before.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s like buying a high-performance sports car and never driving it above 20 miles per hour. AI shouldn&#8217;t simply speed up existing processes. It should encourage leaders to rethink how workflows move through the entire business.</p>
<p>Ask questions like:</p>
<ul>
<li>Which reports no longer need to be created manually?</li>
<li>Which customer interactions can be enhanced?</li>
<li>Which workflows can be redesigned?</li>
</ul>
<p>The organizations gaining the greatest competitive advantage aren&#8217;t just automating, they&#8217;re reimagining how work gets done.</p>
<ol start="7">
<li><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> You&#8217;re Waiting for the &#8220;Perfect Time&#8221;</strong></span></li>
</ol>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30728" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827175029/youngbusinesswoman-walking-hallway-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827175029/youngbusinesswoman-walking-hallway-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827175029/youngbusinesswoman-walking-hallway-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260827175029/youngbusinesswoman-walking-hallway.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Perhaps the biggest warning sign is hesitation. Many business owners believe they should wait until AI becomes more stable, more mature, or easier to understand before adopting it.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, your competitors probably aren&#8217;t waiting. Every month, entrepreneurs are discovering new ways to improve customer service, accelerate marketing, streamline operations, and increase productivity using AI. They&#8217;re learning through experimentation and gaining valuable experience while others remain on the sidelines.</p>
<p>You don&#8217;t have to master every AI platform overnight. You simply need to start. Choose one repetitive business process.</p>
<p>Improve it. Then move to the next. Progress beats perfection every time.</p>
<p>Creating an AI-enabled workplace isn&#8217;t about replacing employees with machines. It&#8217;s about helping people become more productive, more creative, and better equipped to solve problems.</p>
<p>Successful businesses focus on five key areas:</p>
<ul>
<li>Leadership</li>
<li>Employee training</li>
<li>Responsible AI policy</li>
<li>Continuous learning</li>
<li>Business process improvement</li>
</ul>
<p>When employees understand that AI is a tool designed to enhance their work, not eliminate their jobs, they become more willing to experiment, innovate, and improve.</p>
<p><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong> Think Strategy Before Technology</strong></span></p>
<p>As AI continues to evolve, you will have access to more tools than ever before. But remember this: strategy should always come before software.</p>
<p>Whether you&#8217;re developing a new application, launching an AI-powered service, or redesigning internal processes, thoughtful planning is essential. That&#8217;s why many business owners are turning to <a href="https://cofounder.ai/via/smallbizlady" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><strong>AI planning tools</strong></a> before they begin. Instead of rushing into development, the platform helps entrepreneurs validate ideas, identify customer needs, prioritize features, and develop a clear business strategy before investing valuable time and money.</p>
<p>Great technology cannot rescue a weak business idea. But a strong strategy supported by AI can accelerate growth dramatically. AI can help you write faster, analyze data, and automate repetitive work. It cannot replace your vision, your values, or your ability to inspire others.</p>
<p>The businesses that win in the next decade won&#8217;t be those with the most sophisticated AI tools. They&#8217;ll be the ones with leaders who know how to combine technology with human intelligence.</p>
<p>The transition to an AI-enabled workplace has already begun. The good news is that you don&#8217;t need a team of data scientists or a multimillion-dollar technology budget to get started. All you need is curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a commitment to preparing your people for the future.</p>
<p>Start by identifying one area where AI can save time or improve quality. Train your team. Develop clear policies. Encourage experimentation. Celebrate successes and continue learning.</p>
<p><a href="https://cofounder.ai/via/smallbizlady" data-wpel-link="external" target="_blank" rel="nofollow external noopener noreferrer"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-30656 " src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172700/cofounder-ai-logomark.png" alt="" width="204" height="204" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172700/cofounder-ai-logomark.png 256w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260801172700/cofounder-ai-logomark-150x150.png 150w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 204px) 100vw, 204px" /></a>And before you launch your next AI initiative, build your next app, or invest in new technology, make sure you&#8217;re solving the right problem. <a href="https://cofounder.ai/via/smallbizlady" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><strong>Cofounder.ai</strong></a> helps entrepreneurs think strategically before they build by validating business ideas, clarifying customer needs, and creating a roadmap for success. In the age of AI, businesses that pair smart technology with smart strategy will always outperform those that chase the latest tools without a plan.</p>
<p>The future belongs to businesses that use AI with purpose.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/ai-enabled-workplace-signs-your-business-may-be-falling-behind/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The AI-Enabled Workplace: 7 Signs Your Business May Be Falling Behind</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
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			</item>
		<item>
		<title>The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Leverage AI Strategically to Grow Your Business with Clarence Wooten</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-leverage-ai-strategically-to-grow-your-business-with-clarence-wooten/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-to-leverage-ai-strategically-to-grow-your-business-with-clarence-wooten</link>
					<comments>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-leverage-ai-strategically-to-grow-your-business-with-clarence-wooten/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 27 Aug 2026 11:30:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SmallBizChat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The SmallBizChat Podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AI implementation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[AI tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business resources]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business strategy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cofounder.ai]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurial journey]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[software as a partner]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[startup tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[successful exits]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30714</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Clarence Wooten to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative world of AI. Clarence shares his experiences with successful business exits and his transition from Google to founding CoFounder AI. The conversation highlights how CoFounder AI distinguishes itself from other AI tools and addresses common mistakes [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-leverage-ai-strategically-to-grow-your-business-with-clarence-wooten/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Leverage AI Strategically to Grow Your Business with Clarence Wooten</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30716 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260824140224/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Clarence600x600-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260824140224/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Clarence600x600-300x300.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260824140224/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Clarence600x600-150x150.jpg 150w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260824140224/SBLCHAT_Sept-2026_Clarence600x600.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
<p><!--StartFragment --></p>
<p>In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson welcomes Clarence Wooten to discuss his entrepreneurial journey and the innovative world of AI. Clarence shares his experiences with successful business exits and his transition from Google to founding CoFounder AI. The conversation highlights how CoFounder AI distinguishes itself from other AI tools and addresses common mistakes small businesses make when implementing AI. Clarence introduces the concept of software as a partner (SAP) and outlines the first steps small businesses should take to integrate AI effectively.</p>
<p>Clarence Wooten is a serial entrepreneur, technology innovator, and CEO of Cofounder.AI, where he helps entrepreneurs transform ideas into investor-ready startups using artificial intelligence. A pioneer in digital media and venture creation, he has founded and scaled multiple successful technology companies throughout his career. Passionate about innovation, Clarence empowers founders to accelerate product development, validate business models, and build high-growth companies that create lasting economic impact. For more details, visit <a href="https://www.cofounder.ai" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">www.cofounder.ai</a>.</p>
<p><!--EndFragment --></p>
<p>Listen to the podcast below:</p>

<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong><br />
This week on SmallBizChat Podcast:</strong></span></h3>
<ul>
<li>Using AI as a co-founder can help small business owners work on their business instead of getting bogged down in day-to-day operations.</li>
<li>AI tools like cofounder.ai offer a way to democratize business success by providing specialized, industry-specific guidance and execution support.</li>
<li>Business is a team sport, and leveraging AI can enhance your team&#8217;s capabilities, providing access to top-tier intelligence at an affordable cost.</li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Resources Mentioned:</b></span></h3>
<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi=""><strong>Online Courses: </strong> <a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://smallbizladyuniversity.com</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Connect with Clarence Wooten:</b></span></h3>
<p><strong>Website:  </strong><a href="https://www.cofounder.ai/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.cofounder.ai</a><strong><br />
LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwooten" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/cwooten</a><br />
<strong>Facebook:</strong> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/cofounderaiinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.facebook.com/cofounderaiinc</a><br />
<strong>Instagram:</strong> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/cofounderaiinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.instagram.com/cofounderaiinc</a><br />
<strong>Youtube:</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@CoFounderAIInc" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.youtube.com/@CoFounderAIInc</a><br />
<strong>TikTok:</strong> <a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@cofounderaiinc" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.tiktok.com/@cofounderaiinc</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Get More!</b></span></h3>
<p>Want to hear more episodes of The SmallBiz Chat Podcast? Subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!</p>
<p>​</p>
<table style="height: 5px;" width="1170">
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-small-bizchat-podcast-podcast/id1478923954" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18925" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/apple-podcast.jpg" alt="" width="200" height="57" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/apple-podcast.jpg 420w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/apple-podcast-300x86.jpg 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px" /></a></td>
<td><a href="https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9vbW55LmZtL3Nob3dzL3RoZS1zbWFsbGJpemNoYXQtcG9kY2FzdC9wbGF5bGlzdHMvcG9kY2FzdC5yc3M" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18932" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/google-play-clean.png" alt="" width="202" height="78" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/google-play-clean.png 646w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/google-play-clean-300x116.png 300w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 202px) 100vw, 202px" /></a></td>
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<tr data-wp-editing="1">
<td></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://tunein.com/podcasts/Podcasts/The-Small-BizChat-Podcast-p1246799/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-18930 aligncenter" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/tune-in.png" alt="" width="191" height="84" /></a></td>
<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://feeds.podcastai.com/OB1adaRW5KZRxNx3IC4jac.xml" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18931" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png" alt="" width="190" height="95" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-300x150.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-768x384.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px" /></a></td>
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</tbody>
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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-leverage-ai-strategically-to-grow-your-business-with-clarence-wooten/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Leverage AI Strategically to Grow Your Business with Clarence Wooten</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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		<itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
		<itunes:duration>26:29</itunes:duration>
	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are You Running a Business for Impact or Applause?</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/are-you-running-a-business-for-impact-or-applause/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=are-you-running-a-business-for-impact-or-applause</link>
					<comments>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/are-you-running-a-business-for-impact-or-applause/#respond</comments>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:30:56 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Branding & Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Business Inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grow Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Social Media]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solopreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting A Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women in Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business development]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lasting business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[making an impact]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[social media tool]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tracking metrics]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30704</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Scroll through social media for five minutes, and you&#8217;ll see carefully curated highlight reels of entrepreneurial success. Luxury vacations. Sold-out events. Six-figure launches. New cars. Glamorous conferences. Viral videos. Thousands of likes and congratulatory comments. It&#8217;s easy to look at all of that and think, &#8220;That&#8217;s what success looks like.&#8221; But is it? As entrepreneurs, [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/are-you-running-a-business-for-impact-or-applause/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Are You Running a Business for Impact or Applause?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30708" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171327/woman-smiling-at-phone-300x154.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="154" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171327/woman-smiling-at-phone-300x154.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171327/woman-smiling-at-phone-768x393.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171327/woman-smiling-at-phone-348x180.jpg 348w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171327/woman-smiling-at-phone.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Scroll through social media for five minutes, and you&#8217;ll see carefully curated highlight reels of entrepreneurial success. Luxury vacations. Sold-out events. Six-figure launches. New cars. Glamorous conferences. Viral videos. Thousands of likes and congratulatory comments.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s easy to look at all of that and think, &#8220;That&#8217;s what success looks like.&#8221;</p>
<p>But is it?</p>
<p>As entrepreneurs, we have to ask ourselves an uncomfortable question:</p>
<p><span style="color: #2289c3;"><strong>Am I building a business for impact, or am I building it for applause?</strong></span></p>
<p>In today&#8217;s social media-driven world, it&#8217;s a question every business owner should wrestle with. The platforms we use to market our businesses reward visibility, engagement, and attention. There&#8217;s nothing inherently wrong with that. In fact, social media has created unprecedented opportunities for entrepreneurs and content creators to build brands, reach customers, and grow businesses.</p>
<p>The danger comes when we begin confusing attention with achievement.</p>
<p>Likes are not revenue. Followers are not customers. Going viral is not the same as building a sustainable business.</p>
<p>Some of the most successful entrepreneurs I know have modest social media followings with only a LinkedIn account. But thriving companies have loyal customers, healthy profits, and teams that create real value every day. At the same time, I&#8217;ve seen business owners with hundreds of thousands of followers struggle to generate consistent sales or positive cash flow.</p>
<p>That&#8217;s because attention is temporary. Impact is lasting. And social media is great, but email is trackable.</p>
<p>Social media is valuable for building brand awareness, showcasing products, and attracting new holiday shoppers. However, you do not own your followers or control how many of them see your content. Algorithms change, organic reach fluctuates, and even your best post can disappear quickly in a crowded feed. Email gives you a direct, measurable connection to people who have chosen to hear from your business.</p>
<p>With email marketing, you can track open rates, clicks, purchases, abandoned carts, and the revenue generated by each campaign. You can also segment your audience and send targeted offers to past customers, prospects, corporate buyers, or VIP shoppers. Use social media to attract attention, then encourage followers to join your email list through a holiday guide, early-access offer, or special discount. Once they subscribe, nurture the relationship with useful content and timely promotions. Social media starts the conversation, but email helps you track it, deepen it, and convert it into sales.</p>
<p>The entrepreneurs who build enduring businesses focus less on looking successful and more on being successful. That requires a different mindset.</p>
<p><strong><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">The Social Media Trap</strong></strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30712 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171334/stressed-woman-at-laptop-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171334/stressed-woman-at-laptop-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171334/stressed-woman-at-laptop-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171334/stressed-woman-at-laptop.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Social media is designed to reward what people can see. The keynote speech. The ribbon cutting. The new office. The award. The bestselling book. What it rarely shows are the hard days, when you are hanging by a thread, ready to quit, and being a bad parent or friend because you are prioritizing your struggling business. You don’t see the countless hours of planning, hiring, budgeting, customer service, product development, and problem-solving that make those visible moments possible.</p>
<p>Entrepreneurship has become performative.</p>
<p>Too many business owners feel pressure to constantly prove they&#8217;re successful instead of doing the quiet work that actually creates success.</p>
<p>When your energy is focused on appearing successful, it&#8217;s easy to neglect the systems, relationships, and financial discipline that build a healthy company.</p>
<p>Ask yourself honestly:</p>
<ul>
<li>Are you spending more time creating content than serving customers?</li>
<li>Do you celebrate followers more than profits?</li>
<li>Are you chasing visibility instead of value?</li>
<li>Have you started comparing your behind-the-scenes reality to someone else&#8217;s highlight reel?</li>
</ul>
<p>If so, it may be time to reset your priorities.</p>
<p><strong><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">Real Impact Isn&#8217;t Always Visible</strong></strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30711" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171333/woman-with-customer-in-flowershop-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171333/woman-with-customer-in-flowershop-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171333/woman-with-customer-in-flowershop-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171333/woman-with-customer-in-flowershop.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The most meaningful business victories rarely go viral. Helping a customer save their business. Creating a job for someone who needed an opportunity. Mentoring a young employee. Paying your employees on time when cash flow is tight.</p>
<p>Launching a product that genuinely solves a problem. Building a company that your children will one day inherit. Those moments don&#8217;t usually generate thousands of likes. But they change lives. That&#8217;s impact.</p>
<p>As entrepreneurs, we have the privilege of solving problems. Every successful business exists because it makes someone&#8217;s life easier, better, safer, faster, healthier, or more enjoyable. If your business isn&#8217;t creating value, no amount of marketing will save it for long.</p>
<p>Impact starts with solving real problems consistently.</p>
<p><strong><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">The Businesses That Last</strong></strong></p>
<p>History offers remarkable examples of entrepreneurs who built lasting legacies because they focused on service instead of recognition.</p>
<p>Recognition follows impact, not the other way around.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">The Metrics That Really Matter</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignleft size-medium wp-image-30710" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171331/people-looking-at-business-analytics-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171331/people-looking-at-business-analytics-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171331/people-looking-at-business-analytics-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171331/people-looking-at-business-analytics.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Social media has given us hundreds of metrics to track.</p>
<p>Views. Likes. Shares. Comments. Followers. Subscribers.</p>
<p>Those numbers can certainly help measure the effectiveness of your marketing.</p>
<p>But they should never become the primary measure of your business.</p>
<p>Instead, ask yourself questions like these:</p>
<ul>
<li>How many customers did we help this month?</li>
<li>How many lives did we improve?</li>
<li>How many employees are growing because they work here?</li>
<li>How many clients came back because they trusted us?</li>
<li>Are we more profitable than we were a year ago?</li>
<li>Are we building systems that will sustain this business for the next decade?</li>
</ul>
<p>Those are the metrics that create lasting businesses.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">Build Your Reputation, Not Just Your Reach</strong></p>
<p>There&#8217;s a reason your reputation matters more than your popularity.</p>
<p>Popularity can disappear overnight. Algorithms change. Platforms evolve. Trends come and go. It’s been 27 years since I’ve been in business, and I’ve seen it all.</p>
<p>But a reputation for integrity, excellence, and delivering results creates referrals that no algorithm can replace.</p>
<p>Customers recommend businesses they trust. Partners collaborate with businesses they respect. Employees stay with leaders they believe in. Investors support entrepreneurs who consistently execute. Your reputation is built one promise kept at a time. It&#8217;s built through consistency, not celebrity.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">Use Social Media as a Tool, Not a Scoreboard</strong></p>
<p>I&#8217;m not suggesting you abandon social media. Far from it. I&#8217;ve built a significant part of my own brand through digital platforms, and I believe they remain one of the greatest marketing opportunities available to entrepreneurs.</p>
<p>But remember why you&#8217;re using them. Social media should be a tool to amplify your impact, not the reason for your business. Create content that educates. Share stories that inspire. Teach what you&#8217;ve learned. Celebrate your customers&#8217; success. Offer practical solutions. Build trust before you ask for the sale.</p>
<p>When your content creates value, your audience grows naturally because people recognize your expertise. That&#8217;s sustainable marketing.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">Five Questions Every Entrepreneur Should Ask</strong></p>
<p>If you&#8217;re wondering whether you&#8217;re building for impact or applause, ask yourself these five questions.</p>
<ul>
<li>Would I still do this work if no one applauded?</li>
<li>Are my customers achieving measurable results because of my business?</li>
<li>Is my company financially healthy, or does it simply look successful online?</li>
<li>Am I investing as much energy in serving customers as I am in creating content?</li>
<li>Will my business matter five years from now, or only my latest social media post?</li>
</ul>
<p>Your answers will reveal what you&#8217;re truly building.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">Build Something That Outlasts You</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-30709" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171329/close-up-hands-applauding-300x200.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="200" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171329/close-up-hands-applauding-300x200.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171329/close-up-hands-applauding-768x512.jpg 768w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819171329/close-up-hands-applauding.jpg 1000w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />One day, no one will remember how many followers you had. They won&#8217;t remember how many reels went viral. They won&#8217;t remember how many likes your posts received. But they may remember the business you built. The book you wrote. The jobs you created. The employees you mentored. The customers whose lives you changed. The community you strengthened. The legacy you left behind.</p>
<p>As entrepreneurs, we have an incredible opportunity. Every day, we choose whether we&#8217;re simply creating content or creating value. Whether we&#8217;re chasing attention or building trust. Whether we&#8217;re seeking applause or making an impact.</p>
<p>My challenge to you is simple: Build the kind of business that people talk about because of the difference it makes, not because of the attention it receives. Because applause fades. Algorithms change. But impact lasts forever.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/are-you-running-a-business-for-impact-or-applause/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Are You Running a Business for Impact or Applause?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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		<title>The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Jane Veron and LaChelle Adkins</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-jane-veron-and-lachelle-adkins/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=hit-it-and-quit-it-with-jane-veron-and-lachelle-adkins</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 20 Aug 2026 11:30:46 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Business Inspiration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fix Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grow Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[SmallBizChat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The SmallBizChat Podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business books]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business growth]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business tools]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[expert insights]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[podcast episode]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Small Business Management]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business strategies]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30693</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson kicks things off with a brief introduction and sponsor mention, followed by the engaging &#8220;Hit it and quit it&#8221; segment. The conversation shifts to a lively discussion about favorite business tools and marketing tips, offering listeners practical insights to enhance their business strategies. The episode also explores [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-jane-veron-and-lachelle-adkins/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Jane Veron and LaChelle Adkins</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30701 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819104835/SBLCHAT_LaChelle-and-Jane_JULY2026-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819104835/SBLCHAT_LaChelle-and-Jane_JULY2026-300x300.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819104835/SBLCHAT_LaChelle-and-Jane_JULY2026-150x150.jpg 150w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260819104835/SBLCHAT_LaChelle-and-Jane_JULY2026.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></span><span style="color: #000000;">In this episode of The SmallBizChat, Melinda Emerson kicks things off with a brief introduction and sponsor mention, followed by the engaging &#8220;Hit it and quit it&#8221; segment. The conversation shifts to a lively discussion about favorite business tools and marketing tips, offering listeners practical insights to enhance their business strategies. The episode also explores essential business literature, highlighting some of the best books for entrepreneurs.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>Jane Veron</strong></span> <span style="color: #000000;">is the Co-Founder and CEO of The Acceleration Project (TAP), a nonprofit that helps small business owners grow and thrive through expert advisory services. A former strategy and marketing executive at Bain &amp; Company and American Express, she is a nationally recognized advocate for entrepreneurship and economic mobility. Jane has served in public office, advised the U.S. Small Business Administration, and currently chairs the New York Congressional Task Force on Jobs &amp; the Economy.  For more information, visit</span> <a href="https://www.theaccelerationproject.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.theaccelerationproject.org</a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong>LaChelle Adkins</strong></span><span style="color: #000000;">, known as America’s Supermom, is an entrepreneur, speaker, and mental wellness advocate. A wife and mother of 15 children, she overcame a 13-year battle with depression, launching her FRESH Start coaching program in 2016. Passionate about media and advocacy, she promotes her #smile4wellness movement to combat mental health struggles. An international bestselling author and TV producer, LaChelle inspires others to embrace their unique skills to live fulfilling lives.  Check out her LinkedIn at</span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom</a></span></p>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Listen to the podcast below:</span></p>

<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b><br />
Podcasts Mentioned: </b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.diamandis.com/podcast" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Moonshots with Peter Diamandis</a></li>
<li><a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-goal-digger-podcast-top-business-and/id1178704872" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">The Gold Digger with Jenna Kutcher</a></li>
<li><a href="http://itunes.apple.com/podcast/the-membership-guys-podcast/id1022495556" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Membership Geeks Podcast with Mike Morrison</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Apps Mentioned:</b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://monday.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">Monday.com</a></li>
<li><a href="https://chatgpt.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">ChatGPT</a></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Old School Marketing Tips: </b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Listen to the customer.  They&#8217;re the ones who are buying your product or service</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #000000;">Follow-up as fast as you can within four hours.</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Books Mentioned: </b></span></h3>
<ul>
<li><em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Compound-Effect-Jumpstart-Income-Success-ebook/dp/B089GM2W99/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2E7PG2GAZ1UWT&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.x9Ndr3OY9fTEDHYM9f5Sgi1fMJaHJ0oM13N9ZvJOBCGMvG0AKS3cwsiExLSQpszTFNWycurVxOWiM0tBQ_gLOE2vxAoemTpc5RL79A75wiS-Tr9e3hSz_ytAYNBIwNpKSjLDOXj2NwJ9yaR0JraTAXnrNW5v7rihmpNsa-rbY3yZyZvMp4U2q7oaNz1jj-inlcShHGHM5wBfE2phKDSze8IlU2aYDcPtjT8s3Na5sdE.N9JzwxIuww3ZQeEprevVzA_3c_PGYfhoZo5oY7yRYik&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=the+compound+effect&amp;qid=1787093795&amp;sprefix=The+Compound+Effect%2Caps%2C266&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">The Compound Effect</a></em><span style="color: #000000;"> by Darren Hardy</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Outwitting-Devil-Secret-Freedom-Success/dp/1454900679/ref=sr_1_2?crid=XZ2RRIH3HRI7&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.gyjlqxO5ibNeoihkibT6tcNApGwi3KQbj4KtAdvulbroC2WGXrJybd7xpnVHULwAsdjUyAJxGRycbsWgV5rokdaeKCqlUqbNyuLczcaLe0F1g3KwdgpJDQ1v6GK9i60PuuKPIonEci8VnvjQIy3K1Xqt7-TqkJyi7wUYkwkWFpguLcNZgn33-yL9T808QFMCukUnh4mIEFyfhqTbYWBzGRiZ4z41lCOhoTNsaXSLTb0.LmJ7DSSQWfIkGXBXsXQniMQ9SpKiHBMm9oVaNzuuMn8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=outwitting+the+devil+by+napoleon+hill&amp;qid=1787093836&amp;sprefix=Outwitting+the+Devil+by+Napoleon+Hill%2Caps%2C453&amp;sr=8-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><em>Outwitting the Devil</em></a> <span style="color: #000000;">by Napoleon Hill</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business-ebook/dp/B007QWLLV2/ref=sr_1_1?crid=305YG8EU7KC0X&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ZQ01DBODZn4Wq3fqWGtVqOzSQy6pScDhtwzr1GUVNXoYz-aE7kCvnGu6Yu9EmuTjh1QPsT30uT4cSqrZi0uzoaGHpV_Ycvly2eg7JaC5OugaSsQLJRstkbDonKKgfH0eGGvlAd6R4xbua-E4NJh7Pg.PD8ZWWnM4DqlA9HByHAwRkpKK_L9nc3yYrmQxYe7R2A&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=Traction+by+Geo+Wickman&amp;qid=1787093883&amp;sprefix=traction+by+geo+wickman%2Caps%2C344&amp;sr=8-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><em>Traction</em></a> <span style="color: #000000;">by Gino Wickman</span></li>
<li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/10x-Easier-Than-Dan-Sullivan/dp/1401974953/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.7MPJo8wdcV0NNIaehlbQJNsUJfchU_AOp5oYX7Ut9nJNp3-CIKITGfusMc1rOs5qirR1iepYx7k2aMFFFqp4rU0iJppZpciarOaHKUHKsM0-ONdUzwS7InZw7g6zyt70IwMXxNv9agaWdcd8VppPKwAFcmIlAT6QBVp3jWqJKYW8UTSA25ip5-2HTlCQRdEqXUtEoV0jGmhtXF-XONsOsmIkP8WESNEjsjjUmFC7hLg.5sKbORVfGYPLVkshiRA9pPOkXW8RnmXp-p8M4_Mj_iM&amp;qid=1739130541&amp;sr=1-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external"><i>10x is Easier than 2x</i></a><span style="color: #000000;"> by Dan Sullivan</span></li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Connect with Jane Veron:</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Website</strong>:</span> <a href="https://www.theaccelerationproject.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.theaccelerationproject.org</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>LinkedIn</strong>:</span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-acceleration-project" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-acceleration-project</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Instagram</strong>:</span> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/theaccelerationproject" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.instagram.com/theaccelerationproject</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Facebook</strong>:</span> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/The-Acceleration-Project-351181685004354" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.facebook.com/The-Acceleration-Project-351181685004354</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>X</strong>:</span> <a href="https://x.com/TAPthepotential" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://x.com/TAPthepotential</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Youtube</strong>:</span> <a href="https://youtube.com/@theaccelerationproject" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://youtube.com/@theaccelerationproject</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Connect with LaChelle Adkins:</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;"><strong>LinkedIn</strong>:</span> <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Youtube</strong>:</span> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.youtube.com/@americassupermom</a><br />
<span style="color: #000000;"><strong>Substack</strong>:</span> <a href="https://substack.com/@americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://substack.com/@americassupermom</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;">Get More!</span></h3>
<p><span style="color: #000000;">Want to hear more episodes of The SmallBizChat Podcast? Subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!</span></p>
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<table style="height: 5px;" width="1170">
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<td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://omny.fm/shows/the-smallbizchat-podcast/playlists/podcast.rss" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow external" data-wpel-link="external"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-18931" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png" alt="" width="190" height="95" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-300x150.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/rss-feed-logo-768x384.png 768w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 190px) 100vw, 190px" /></a></td>
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<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/hit-it-and-quit-it-with-jane-veron-and-lachelle-adkins/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: Hit It and Quit It with Jane Veron and LaChelle Adkins</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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				<itunes:episode>363</itunes:episode>
		<podcast:episode>363</podcast:episode>
		<itunes:title>Hit It and Quit It with Jane Veron and LaChelle Adkins</itunes:title>
		<itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
		<itunes:duration>8:57</itunes:duration>
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		<title>How to Get Your Business Ready for the Holiday Shopping Season</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-get-your-business-ready-for-the-holiday-shopping-season-2/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-to-get-your-business-ready-for-the-holiday-shopping-season-2</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 17 Aug 2026 11:30:27 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Branding & Marketing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Customer Service]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured Post]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fix Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Grow Your Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sales]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Side Hustle]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Solopreneurs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Starting A Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Women in Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Your Small Business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday offers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[holiday shopping]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[inventory preparation]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing calendar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[preparations for holiday customers]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[revenue goals]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seasonal help]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>The holiday shopping season can be the most profitable time of year for small businesses, but only if you are prepared. Customers are ready to spend, companies are purchasing year-end gifts, and people are actively searching for products and services that make their lives easier. However, increased demand also brings more competition, tighter deadlines, inventory [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-get-your-business-ready-for-the-holiday-shopping-season-2/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">How to Get Your Business Ready for the Holiday Shopping Season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright wp-image-16648 size-medium" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/gifts-300x176.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="176" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/gifts-300x176.jpg 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/gifts.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The holiday shopping season can be the most profitable time of year for small businesses, but only if you are prepared. Customers are ready to spend, companies are purchasing year-end gifts, and people are actively searching for products and services that make their lives easier. However, increased demand also brings more competition, tighter deadlines, inventory pressure, customer-service challenges, and higher advertising costs.</p>
<p>You cannot wait until Thanksgiving week to develop your holiday strategy. By then, your competitors will already be promoting their offers, reconnecting with former customers, and filling their sales pipelines. Successful holiday selling begins months before the decorations go up.</p>
<p>Whether you own a retail store, an e-commerce business, a consulting firm, a restaurant, a service company, or a professional practice, you can benefit from the holiday season. The key is building a plan that matches your customers, capacity, and revenue goals. Here are 12 ways to get your business ready.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">1. Set a Clear Holiday Revenue Goal</strong></p>
<p>Start with the number. How much revenue do you want to generate between October and the end of December? Review last year’s sales and identify which products, services, promotions, and marketing channels performed best.</p>
<p>Break your goal down by month, week, and product category. If your holiday revenue goal is $60,000, determine how many transactions you need based on your average order value. If your average sale is $150, you need 400 sales. That number tells you how much inventory, website traffic, staffing, and marketing activity may be required.</p>
<p>Your goal should be ambitious but realistic. Setting a goal without evaluating your capacity can lead to late deliveries, exhausted employees, disappointed customers, and refund requests. Revenue is important, but profitable revenue delivered with excellent service is the real goal.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">2. Understand Your Holiday Customer</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class=" wp-image-15908 alignleft" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/woman-holiday-shopping-200x300.jpg" alt="" width="165" height="248" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/woman-holiday-shopping-200x300.jpg 200w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/woman-holiday-shopping.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 165px) 100vw, 165px" />Your holiday customer may behave differently from your regular customer. Many holiday shoppers are buying for someone else, operating under a deadline, and feeling overwhelmed by too many choices.</p>
<p>Think about whom your customers need to buy for: clients, employees, spouses, parents, children, teachers, colleagues, or friends. Then organize your offers around those relationships. Gift categories such as “Gifts for Busy Moms,” “Gifts Under $50,” or “Client Appreciation Gifts” help shoppers make decisions faster.</p>
<p>Pay attention to corporate buyers, too. Businesses need employee gifts, customer appreciation packages, catered events, training programs, year-end consulting, and strategic planning support. Your service business may have more holiday opportunities than you realize.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">3. Choose Your Holiday Offers Early</strong></p>
<p>Do not put everything you sell on promotion. Choose a small number of products or services that are profitable, easy to explain, and manageable to deliver.</p>
<p>Your holiday offer might be:</p>
<ul>
<li>A curated gift bundle</li>
<li>A limited-edition product or bundle</li>
<li>A holiday service package</li>
<li>A prepaid consultation</li>
<li>A gift card or digital certificate</li>
<li>A year-end planning session</li>
<li>A subscription or membership</li>
<li>An early-bird package for the new year</li>
<li>A corporate gifting package</li>
<li>A customer appreciation bundle</li>
</ul>
<p>Consider creating good, better, and best options at three price points. This gives customers choices without overwhelming them and creates an opportunity to increase your average sale.</p>
<p>Use discounts carefully. You do not want to train customers to wait for your lowest price. Add value through bonuses, upgraded packaging, free shipping thresholds, exclusive access, or bundled products before automatically cutting your prices.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">4. Develop Your Holiday Marketing Calendar</strong></p>
<p>Your holiday campaign needs more than one email and a few social media posts. Create a calendar that covers the entire customer journey, from awareness to purchase to follow-up.</p>
<p>Your calendar should include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Campaign launch dates</li>
<li>Promotional themes</li>
<li>Email campaigns</li>
<li>Social media content</li>
<li>Advertising</li>
<li>Blog posts and gift guides</li>
<li>Special events</li>
<li>Influencer or partner promotions</li>
<li>Shipping deadlines</li>
<li>Last-chance reminders</li>
<li>Post-holiday offers</li>
</ul>
<p>Identify the shopping dates that matter to your audience, including Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, and the final shipping days before major holidays.</p>
<p>Start teasing your holiday offers before the official launch. Build anticipation with behind-the-scenes content, sneak peeks, waiting lists, and early-access opportunities for existing customers.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">5. Prepare Your Website for Holiday Traffic</strong></p>
<p>Your website is your digital storefront. If it is slow, confusing, or difficult to navigate on a cellphone, customers will leave and buy from someone else.</p>
<p>Review your website from the customer’s perspective. Can visitors immediately understand what you sell? Can they find your holiday offers? Is the checkout process simple? Are shipping costs, return policies, and delivery timelines easy to locate?</p>
<p>Create a dedicated holiday landing page featuring your best offers, gift categories, customer testimonials, frequently asked questions, and a clear call to action. Test every link, discount code, form, payment option, and automated email.</p>
<p>Your mobile experience is especially important. Many shoppers will discover your offer through social media or email and complete their purchase on a smartphone. Make sure the text is readable, buttons are easy to tap, and checkout does not require unnecessary steps.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">6. Build Your Email List Before the Rush</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-15872" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/holiday-checklist-295x300.jpg" alt="" width="295" height="300" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/holiday-checklist-295x300.jpg 295w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/holiday-checklist-50x50.jpg 50w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/holiday-checklist.jpg 500w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px" />Social media can help you get discovered, but your email list gives you a direct relationship with potential buyers. Begin growing your list well before the holiday season.</p>
<p>Offer a useful incentive, such as a holiday gift guide, checklist, discount, quiz, early-access pass, or free resource. Promote it through your website, social platforms, events, partner organizations, and existing customers.</p>
<p>Segment your list whenever possible. Former customers, active customers, prospects, corporate buyers, and VIP customers should not necessarily receive the same message.</p>
<p>Plan an email sequence instead of sending random promotions. Your campaign might include an announcement, gift guide, customer story, product spotlight, deadline reminder, frequently asked questions, and final call. Continue emailing after the sale with delivery updates, usage tips, appreciation messages, and invitations to purchase again.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">7. Confirm Inventory, Suppliers, and Fulfillment</strong></p>
<p>A successful promotion can become a disaster if you cannot fulfill the orders. Review your inventory, supplies, packaging, production schedule, shipping materials, and vendor timelines.</p>
<p>Contact suppliers early and ask about holiday lead times, order minimums, and potential delays. Have an alternative vendor on standby if a product sells out or your regular vendor drops the ball. Identify your best-selling and highest-margin products and determine how much inventory you can confidently purchase without creating a cash-flow problem.</p>
<p>If you sell services, your inventory is time. Decide how many projects, consultations, events, or new clients you can realistically accept. Use scheduling tools, clearly communicate availability, and consider selling services now that will be delivered after the holiday rush.</p>
<p>Always have a contingency plan in case you run out of packaging materials, an employee becomes unavailable, or a shipment is lost.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">8. It’s Time to Start Looking for Seasonal Help</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-21564 alignleft" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5-300x158.png" alt="holiday sales strategy hire staff" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5-300x158.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5-1024x538.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5-768x403.png 768w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/5.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />You may need extra help with packing orders, responding to customers, managing the sales floor, creating content, processing returns, or following up with leads. It’s time to develop your FAQ to train these temporary workers.</p>
<p>It’s best to hire earlier than you think you need to. Seasonal employees require onboarding, training, scheduling, and supervision. Provide clear instructions, checklists, scripts, and escalation procedures.</p>
<p>Every team member should understand your holiday offers, pricing, payment options, shipping policies, return rules, and customer-service standards. They should also be trained on how to upsell to recommend additional products and recognize opportunities to provide excellent customer service.</p>
<p>Temporary help still represents your brand. Do not place an untrained person in front of your customers during your busiest and most visible season.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">9. Create a Frictionless Buying Experience</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="alignright size-medium wp-image-27263" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Melinda-Emerson-7-Steps-to-Prepare-for-Holiday-Season-Sales-2-300x158.png" alt="Steps to Prepare for Holiday Season Sales choose your products image" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Melinda-Emerson-7-Steps-to-Prepare-for-Holiday-Season-Sales-2-300x158.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Melinda-Emerson-7-Steps-to-Prepare-for-Holiday-Season-Sales-2-1024x538.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Melinda-Emerson-7-Steps-to-Prepare-for-Holiday-Season-Sales-2-768x403.png 768w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Melinda-Emerson-7-Steps-to-Prepare-for-Holiday-Season-Sales-2.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />Holiday shoppers value speed and certainty. Make buying from you as easy as possible.</p>
<p>Offer clear product descriptions, transparent pricing, multiple payment options, simple checkout, gift receipts, and tracking information. If appropriate, provide gift wrapping, local pickup, delivery, digital products, or electronic gift cards. And most importantly, FREE Shipping. Changing for shipping is the #1 reason for shopping cart abandonment. Bake it into your pricing to keep your profit margin.</p>
<p>Use QR codes at live events, pop-up shops, and printed displays to send customers directly to your offer. Service businesses can use digital proposals, electronic contracts, scheduling links, and mobile payment systems to close sales quickly.</p>
<p>Anticipate customer questions. Make sure your policies explain order deadlines, personalization, cancellations, refunds, exchanges, and damaged items. Clear information builds trust and reduces the burden on your customer-service team.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">10. Strengthen Your Customer Service Plan</strong></p>
<p>Holiday customers may be rushed, anxious, and less patient than usual. How you respond can determine whether a problem becomes a negative review or a loyal customer.</p>
<p>Establish response-time standards and assign responsibility for monitoring email, website messages, social media comments, and phone calls. Create templates for common questions, but personalize each response.</p>
<p>When something goes wrong, communicate quickly. Be honest about delays and provide options. Customers are often more understanding when they are informed early and treated with respect.</p>
<p>Add thoughtful touches wherever possible. A handwritten note, a surprise sample, a few pieces of candy, a thank-you email, or a helpful follow-up message can make a small business stand out from large competitors.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">11. Protect Your Profit and Cash Flow</strong></p>
<p>Strong sales do not automatically create strong profits. Holiday costs can add up quickly through advertising, temporary labor, expedited shipping, packaging, discounts, transaction fees, and excess inventory.</p>
<p>Calculate the true cost of every promotion before launching it. Know your gross margin, customer acquisition cost, fulfillment expenses, and expected return rate. Set a marketing budget and monitor results throughout the season.</p>
<p>Be careful about tying up too much cash in inventory. Negotiate supplier terms when possible and maintain a reserve for unexpected expenses. Track revenue and expenses weekly so you can adjust quickly rather than discovering a problem in January.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">12. Plan for What Happens After the Holidays</strong></p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-21561 alignleft" src="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2-5-300x158.png" alt="holiday sales strategy tips image" width="300" height="158" srcset="https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2-5-300x158.png 300w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2-5-1024x538.png 1024w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2-5-768x403.png 768w, https://smallbizlady.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2-5.png 1200w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" />The holiday transaction should not be the end of the customer relationship. Create a plan to turn seasonal buyers into repeat customers.</p>
<p>Collect email addresses with permission, invite purchasers to follow your brand, and send a genuine thank-you message. Provide instructions that help them get the most from their purchase. Request reviews after the product arrives or the service is completed.</p>
<p>Develop a January offer that gives customers a reason to return. This could include a planning session, replenishment reminder, loyalty reward, complementary product, membership invitation, or new-year package.</p>
<p>Finally, schedule a holiday debrief. Review your revenue, profit, best-selling offers, website traffic, conversion rates, email performance, customer feedback, returns, and operational challenges. Document what worked while the experience is still fresh.</p>
<p><strong style="color: #2289c3; font-size: x-large;">Start Preparing Now</strong></p>
<p>The businesses that win during the holiday shopping season are not always the ones with the biggest advertising budgets. They are the ones that prepare early, understand their customers, make buying easy, and deliver an experience people remember.</p>
<p>Your holiday strategy should bring together the right offer, message, systems, people, and follow-up plan. Do not try to copy every promotion your competitors launch. Focus on what your business can sell profitably and deliver exceptionally well.</p>
<p>The holidays will arrive whether you are ready or not. Put your plan together now.</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-get-your-business-ready-for-the-holiday-shopping-season-2/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">How to Get Your Business Ready for the Holiday Shopping Season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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		<title>The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Utilize Collaboration to Grow Your Visibility with LaChelle Adkins</title>
		<link>https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-utilize-collaborationo-to-grow-your-visibility-with-lachelle-adkins/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=how-to-utilize-collaborationo-to-grow-your-visibility-with-lachelle-adkins</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Melinda Emerson]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 13 Aug 2026 11:30:59 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[SmallBizChat]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[The SmallBizChat Podcast]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[business collaboration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coaching business]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[entrepreneurship]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[intentional networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[marketing tips]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[networking]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[overcoming fear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[small business advice]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[strategic collaboration]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[visibility strategies]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://succeedasyourownboss.com/?p=30668</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by LaChelle Adkins to discuss her journey and the Fresh Start Coaching Program. LaChelle shares insights on starting a coaching business and the importance of helping businesses enhance their visibility through effective marketing strategies. The conversation explores the differences between networking and strategic collaboration, emphasizing the value of [&#8230;]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-utilize-collaborationo-to-grow-your-visibility-with-lachelle-adkins/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Utilize Collaboration to Grow Your Visibility with LaChelle Adkins</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="wp-image-30682 size-medium alignleft" src="https://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260809112423/SBLCHAT_LaChelleAdkins_JULY2026-300x300.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="300" srcset="http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260809112423/SBLCHAT_LaChelleAdkins_JULY2026-300x300.jpg 300w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260809112423/SBLCHAT_LaChelleAdkins_JULY2026-150x150.jpg 150w, http://sayob-mp3s.s3.amazonaws.com/20260809112423/SBLCHAT_LaChelleAdkins_JULY2026.jpg 600w" sizes="auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></p>
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<p>In this episode, Melinda Emerson is joined by LaChelle Adkins to discuss her journey and the Fresh Start Coaching Program. LaChelle shares insights on starting a coaching business and the importance of helping businesses enhance their visibility through effective marketing strategies. The conversation explores the differences between networking and strategic collaboration, emphasizing the value of intentional networking. They address common mistakes when approaching collaboration partners and offer tips for creative collaboration on a budget.</p>
<p>LaChelle Adkins, known as America’s Supermom, is an entrepreneur, speaker, and mental wellness advocate. A wife and mother of 15 children, she overcame a 13-year battle with depression, launching her FRESH Start coaching program in 2016. Passionate about media and advocacy, she promotes her #smile4wellness movement to combat mental health struggles. An international bestselling author and TV producer, LaChelle inspires others to embrace their unique skills to live fulfilling lives. Catch her on LinkedIn at <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom</a></p>
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<p>Listen to the podcast below:</p>

<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><strong><br />
This week on SmallBizChat Podcast:</strong></span></h3>
<ul>
<li>Leveraging strategic partnerships and collaborations can significantly enhance visibility and growth without a substantial marketing budget.</li>
<li>Personalizing interactions and showing vulnerability can create stronger, more authentic connections in networking and collaboration efforts.</li>
<li>Being intentional and strategic in follow-ups and relationship-building can transform casual networking into productive, mutually beneficial collaborations.</li>
</ul>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Resources Mentioned:</b></span></h3>
<p dir="ltr" data-test-bidi=""><strong>Online Courses: </strong> <a href="https://smallbizladyuniversity.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://smallbizladyuniversity.com</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Connect with LaChelle Adkins:</b></span></h3>
<p><strong>LinkedIn: </strong><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.linkedin.com/in/americassupermom</a><br />
<strong>Youtube:</strong> <a href="https://www.youtube.com/@americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://www.youtube.com/@americassupermom</a><br />
<strong>Substack:</strong> <a href="https://substack.com/@americassupermom" target="_blank" rel="noopener nofollow external noreferrer" data-wpel-link="external">https://substack.com/@americassupermom</a></p>
<h3><span style="color: #ff6600;"><b>Get More!</b></span></h3>
<p>Want to hear more episodes of The SmallBiz Chat Podcast? Subscribe on your favorite platform so you never miss an episode!</p>
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<p>The post <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com/how-to-utilize-collaborationo-to-grow-your-visibility-with-lachelle-adkins/" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">The SmallBizChat Podcast: How to Utilize Collaboration to Grow Your Visibility with LaChelle Adkins</a> appeared first on <a href="https://succeedasyourownboss.com" data-wpel-link="internal" rel="follow">Succeed As Your Own Boss</a>.</p>
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