In this episode of Startup Survival, we’re talking about my favorite social media platform, LinkedIn, with one of my favorite people on the platform: Lea Turner. Lea is a LinkedIn coach with more than 150,000 followers and is bound to teach you and make you laugh. I’ve personally found that the key to being successful on LinkedIn is to be real while also being strategic about what you’re sharing. Lea is a fantastic guest to talk about being authentic on a “professional” platform, generating business from social media and shutting down the trolls. Stick around for Lea’s thoughts on the biggest mistake she sees people making on LinkedIn. If you’re considering building your personal brand on social media (you are, right?), make sure you tune in. About Lea TurnerLea Turner crashed onto LinkedIn in October 2019 with no prior knowledge of the platform, but her vibrant, personable, and uplifting posts quickly drove countless leads and over 10,000 followers in her direction. She has gone on to grow a massive network of more than 150,000 people and two years ago started her own LinkedIn training business which hit six figures within the first ten months. She now focuses her time on teaching others how to build their personal brands on LinkedIn and attract regular inbound leads for their businesses, while parenting her young son, and creating entertaining content across her various social channels. WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Do I need a personal brand?Podcast: Trolls on the internetPodcast: Testing social strategy & recovering from failure w/ Quentin AllumsMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we talk about the business relationships that can make or break how much we enjoy our work. Whether it’s an employer, a business partner or a vendor, the people you spend time with professionally have a big impact on your experience.I think we forget that we don’t have to keep working with people we don’t gel with. If you don’t like a vendor’s communication style, that may be all the sign you need not to hire them. When a client contract is up for renewal, it’s an opportunity for both parties to decide to continue working together.At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about the signs to watch for to know that something’s wrong. Make sure you tune in for the red flags that let you know it’s time to move on. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Why you must fire crappy customersPodcast: How you treat one person is how you treat everyonePodcast: Other people’s reactionsMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I’m revisiting a topic that I’ve mentioned a few times, but I think is so important it’s worth repeating: the people around you make you who you are.If you surround yourself with critical people, you’re more likely to be critical. If you surround yourself with motivated people, it will cultivate your motivational energy. This is something I’m still working on, and I share a few recent stories about how being around the wrong people has been bad for me. At the end of the episode, I share a few questions you can ask yourself to help you rethink who you spend time around. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: A tactical guide to auditing your circlePodcast: What do you do if you’re in a toxic working relationship?Blog: Spotting bad adviceMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, we’re talking about proven sales tips that actually help you generate results. I’m joined by Morgan J. Ingram, sales trainer and three-time winner of LinkedIn’s Top Sales Voice. Morgan helps me answer questions like: what’s the most successful outreach strategy? Is cold-calling dead? What do you do when a prospect ghosts you? Morgan shares advice that is straightforward, honest, sometimes unconventional—and most importantly, it works. Make sure you tune in to the end for his thoughts on the mindset you need when going into sales calls—it’s also great advice for building a business. About Morgan J. Ingram Morgan is the Director of Execution and Evolution at JB Sales. He has been named one of the Top 50 Sales Leaders to follow by LinkedIn, a Top 25 Sales Development Thought Leader by Inside Sales and LinkedIn's Top Sales Voices of 2018, 2019 and 2020. Morgan’s work has been featured in Forbes, Sales Hacker, the Hubspot blog, and the Harvard Business Review.WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: 5 tips for sales success with Mikey HenningerPodcast: Why you must know how to sellBlog: Why calling should totally still be a thingMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we talk about how to build trust with effective communication. This came up recently at my marketing agency where we work with clients, but the lessons apply to all business relationships—or any relationship in your life.I have had multiple business relationships where we just never quite got there—and when you don’t trust a coworker, a vendor or a business partner, situations can go south quickly. When we trust people, we are much more likely to give them the benefit of the doubt. That’s why building trust should be the very first thing that you do in a relationship.In the episode, I share strategies my team put together to help us build more trust in our business relationships and beyond. Use these techniques in your next client meeting, team touch-base or with a friend or partner!If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: How you treat one person is how you treat everyonePodcast: How transparent should I be with the people around me?Blog: 6 warning signs of a crappy customerMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I want to chat about a phrase I hear quite often as a mom and an entrepreneur: “mompreneur.” While the phrase doesn’t bother me personally, I want to quickly dive into the discussion around it:Does calling a woman a “mompreneur” diminish the work of fathers who are entrepreneurs? Is that a point worth making when women still perform a majority of child-related tasks while earning less than men for the same jobs?Does the term “mompreneur” diminish the work of women, similar to the argument some make against “lady boss” and “girl boss?”I’ll share my thoughts and hope you chime in too—share what you think with me on LinkedIn!If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Some mother you arePodcast: Sexism is alive and wellPodcast: Assertive vs. aggressiveMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Startup Survival episode, I’m chatting about a book that has had a major impact on both my personal life and the way I run my business. I recently had my friend John Zeratsky as a guest on the pod to talk about his book Sprint, but his other book, Make Time, is just as transformative. Make Time is chock-full of not only helpful tips for using your time more efficiently, but also presents a totally new way of rethinking how you spend your time. We only have so many hours in the day—how you spend them is a reflection of your priorities. I’m sharing the 5 tips I’ve found most helpful and how I use them, plus my own insights on how to work with your body to maximize productivity. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Book: Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every DayWebsite: Make TimePodcast: How to gift yourself more time to work on your companyPodcast: How do you find the time?Blog: Creative ways to give yourself more timeMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, I’m revisiting a topic I’ve discussed a few times on this podcast: the sacrifices I had to make to bootstrap and build my company. What’s “too much” varies by individual, but I talk through the choices I made and what worked for me and my family. When I look back, I think the sacrifices were worth it, though some cutbacks were harder than others. Moving my family into a short-sale duplex and renting out the other half so we had no housing expenses? Worth it! Putting every penny I had into the company to make payroll? Sure, it worked out, but that might be too far. At the end of the episode, I share some questions that can help you evaluate for yourself when a sacrifice is “too much.” Wherever you land, it’s critical to think about these questions before starting your business, and to evaluate as you go. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: BootstrappingPodcast: When should I quit my day job?Blog: Can we really have it all? Musings about sacrificeMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, I’m not answering a question but instead tackling a topic that seems to be plaguing a lot of people lately, including me: burnout.I’ve built my personal brand on being honest and transparent, and if I’m being honest, I’m burnt out. With that, I’ll be taking a week off from the podcast to get my mental and physical health back to where it needs to be so I can continue to perform my best. We’ll be back next week for episode 93. I appreciate all of you!If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: "If you don’t make time for wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for illness”Podcast: Am I burning out?Blog: BreatheMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I’m getting real about what happens when, despite our best efforts, everything still seems to be going wrong. A breakdown is a physical manifestation of everything you’re feeling, and while it sucks at the moment, you can end up stronger on the other side. It’s normal to not always feel 100% mentally healthy. Heck, I host a podcast giving people advice on how to take care of themselves—and yep, breakdowns hit me too. It helps to understand what your triggers are, identify patterns and have coping mechanisms in place to better help you manage. At the end of the episode, I’ll share what’s worked for me and what I’ve learned from a recent tough time. Make sure you tune in for my tips on how you can immediately help alleviate some of the symptoms of a breakdown and take better care of yourself in the moment. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Do you take care of yourself? No, really?Podcast: What do you do when s#!% hits the fan?Blog: Sometimes protecting is a disserviceMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Startup Survival episode, I’m joined by my longtime business coach, Rebecca Heidepriem. If you’re like I used to be and think, “I don’t need a business coach, I can hold myself accountable!” then this episode is for you. This episode is a little different from other guest episodes. Instead of an interview, we’re discussing the legendary basketball coach Pat Summitt and her “Definite Dozen,” her 12 rules that delivered her teams championship after championship. Make sure you tune in for Rebecca’s perspective as a business coach on how you can apply these lessons from the basketball court to your business (and your life). About Rebecca HeidepriemRebecca Heidepriem helps business owners gain control of their time and their business through small group coaching, one on one coaching, and full-day strategic planning. She is a certified Business Coach with ActionCOACH, the world’s #1 business coaching franchiseConnect with Rebecca:WebsiteLinkedInIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Website: Pat Summit’s Definite DozenPodcast: What are the key ingredients to success?Podcast: Bad advice: finding mentors & coachesMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we’re going to work on reframing our mindsets. Instead of looking at a situation and only seeing limitations, we’re going to broaden our thinking and ask ourselves, “But what if I could?”You might have heard of an abundance mindset: the idea that life is full of limitless potential. In some ways, I’ve always operated in this mindset (although mostly because I’m too stubborn to think I can’t do something!) but I’ve had to work to balance this with learning when to say, “No.” Now, I try to incorporate, “What would that look like?” into more of my conversations. At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about how you can purposefully develop an abundance mindset with practical tips. Make sure you tune in for the list of questions I’ve started asking to help me see new possibilities. If you like this episode, check out these resourcesPodcast: “That’s impossible” or “I can’t”Podcast: A tactical guide to auditing your circleBlog: But what if you could?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, we talk about that little phrase everyone seems to love starting their week with: “I hate Mondays.” Mondays have gotten a bad rap, but with the right approach, they can be awesome. My favorite thing about Mondays is that I have a chance to reset. I can leave behind the last week—whether something stressful happened at work or I ate too much on the weekend—and head into a new week with a clean slate. It takes some planning ahead of time, but I think it’s worth it for a better Monday. At the end of the episode, I’ll share the strategies I use in the days leading up to Monday (yep, a great Monday starts on Friday). Try one of these tips this weekend and let me know on social how your Monday went!If you like this episode, check out these resources.Blog: Why I love MondaysBlog: Why I (still) love MondaysPodcast: How do you find the time?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Startup Survival episode, we talk about the new set of challenges entrepreneurs face when their businesses see some success, but still have plenty of room to grow. I’ve talked a lot about launching a startup, but today I’m talking about what happens after you have a few thousand dollars in the door. As I grew my company to seven figures I’ve had a few roadblocks along the way. But I’ve learned that there is one key area of the company I need to focus on to push through—and surprisingly, it’s not sales. It’s investing in the right people. At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about the three ways in which having the right team in place will help you achieve your revenue goals. Yes, closing deals is crucial, but without the right people, you won’t be able to deliver for your customers. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: How did I go from $0 to 7-figures without funding?Podcast: 3 biggest mistakes I made building a companyPodcast: How to handle hiring mistakesMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we talk about the relationships with our colleagues that leave us feeling drained and defeated. When we hear about toxic relationships it’s usually in relation to romantic or familial relationships, but workplace relationships can definitely be toxic too. It might be harder to spot a toxic working relationship because you’re kind of forced to keep working with that person; it’s just part of the job. To help me identify why I was feeling so drained about work lately, I kept a running list for one month and noted which situations/people were causing me the most stress. Once I had that data, I was able to form a plan to help all of us get to a better place. At the end of the episode, I share the three steps I took to get out of the toxic working relationship. Make sure you tune in for the bonus tip that I didn’t use but would encourage others to try if they found themselves in this situation. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: A tactical guide to auditing your circlePodcast: Disrespect and boundariesBlog: Sometimes protecting is a disserviceMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, we take some time to reflect on whether our weaknesses actually need improvement. If we focus too much on improving our weaknesses, we may not dedicate enough time to improving our strengths. When we focus too much on improving our weaknesses, we fall into the mindset that we’re not enough. The most successful people know exactly what their strengths are, and know when to bring in the experts to help with the rest. At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about questions to ask yourself to help you determine when it’s time to improve a skill, and whether it’s a skill that simply isn’t for you. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: How to be a better leaderPodcast: What to do when you want to quitBlog: When is it time to give up?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, we talk about something that frankly, I don’t always feel like the best resource on: money. That’s why I brought in a returning guest, Ryan Calton, to share the 3 biggest money mistakes entrepreneurs make. Even if (like me) you don’t consider yourself a money expert, entrepreneurs need to understand the basics of how to earn money, how to leverage money and of course, how to manage their money. As a CFO and consultant, Ryan has seen all of the financial bad habits entrepreneurs tend to develop and shares why they’re not great strategies. At the end of the episode, he shares his formula for calculating realistic financial projections for your business—and achieving your money goals. About Ryan CaltonRyan Calton, CPA is the founder and CEO of RC MKE, a financial consulting firm in Milwaukee. He brings his extensive finance and operations knowledge to small and mid-sized companies everywhere. His expertise includes mergers and acquisitions, new product development and go-to-market, and smart systems to support data-driven decision-making. Connect with Ryan on LinkedInVisit RC MKEIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Optimizing cash flow with Ryan CaltonPodcast: BootstrappingPodcast: How did I go from $0 to 7-figures without funding?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we talk about how much sleep you need—versus how much sleep you’re actually getting. Sleep is the foundation for mental and physical wellness, but too often we don’t make it a priority. Sometimes people don’t get enough sleep because they simply don’t put themselves in bed soon enough. But in other cases, people don’t get enough sleep because they think it’s a badge of honor—especially in the entrepreneur community. I used to believe this too, but I’ve found the opposite to be true: I’m much better in business (and other areas of my life) when I get enough sleep. At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about practical tips for helping you get more sleep (and why it’s so important). If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: "If you don’t make time for wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for illness.”Podcast: Do you take care of yourself? No, really?Blog: How do you find the time?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I’m sharing a message to my younger self that I hope resonates with you too. As the parent of a teenager, I feel like I’m confronting the tough feelings that come with that time all over again. Everything felt like the end of the world, and it was so hard to imagine my future. Looking back, I wish I could reassure my younger self that everything will be better than she could have imagined. What would you tell your younger self? What will you tell your children? Share this episode on social and let me know.If you like this episode, check out these resources.Blog: I didn’t know I was lostPodcast: Getting older sucks. (But does it really?)Podcast: Perception vs. reality (social media edition)More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, I’m joined by John Zeratsky, one of the co-authors of two books that had a huge impact on me as an entrepreneur: Sprint and Make Time. I was immediately obsessed with the ideas in Sprint about how to test and validate my business ideas in just five days.I see a lot of startup owners that don’t do enough research and testing before they launch—mostly out of fear. But the testing process is necessary for success. John and I talk through the basics of a sprint, the importance of a “fake it til you make it” mindset, and practical tips for testing your ideas. At the end of the episode, John shares his advice for tackling the tasks that feel scary and making them feel more manageable. About John ZeratskyJohn Zeratsky is a co-founder and general partner at Character, bestselling author of Sprint and Make Time, and former design partner at GV. Previously, John was a design leader for YouTube, Google Ads, and FeedBurner, which was acquired by Google in 2007.Connect with John:WebsiteLinkedInTwitterIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Book: Sprint: How to Solve Big Problems and Test New Ideas in Just Five DaysPodcast: 3 biggest mistakes I made building a companyBlog: Start. Even if it’s not perfect. More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, I’m busting the hopes of every entrepreneur who thought they could skip learning to sell. Marketing doesn’t replace sales. And while we’re at it, sales doesn’t replace marketing either. Marketing today requires a sales and marketing hybrid. Entrepreneurs need to learn the basic principles of both. Depending on your product, marketing can do a lot of the selling for you. But having a strong sales foundation is a must, no matter your industry.During the episode, I’ll talk about how marketing automation tools can help to make the sales and marketing process even easier, from lead generation through customer retention. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Blog: Sell without cold callingPodcast: Why you must learn how to sellPodcast: 3 biggest mistakes I made building a companyMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, we’re tackling the ugly topic of sexism. It’s not a fun discussion, but it’s necessary to highlight how we can be doing better. There are a few recent stories I’ve heard from colleagues that inspired me to record this episode. The thing about these stories is that the sexism isn’t obvious, sometimes even to the women in the room. I hope that by sharing real-life examples like these, you’re better able to spot everyday sexism in your life—and correct it. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Assertive vs. aggressivePodcast: Some mother you arePodcast: Disrespect and boundariesMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Startup Survival episode, we’re tackling that way-too-common excuse why entrepreneurs say they can’t grow their business (or never even start): they don’t have enough time. Whether you’re running an empire or running a household (or both), you need to make choices about how you spend your day. When I launched my company, and as it grew, I learned how to outsource the tasks I didn’t want to do to make time for the ones I wanted (or had) to do. I’ll talk you through the resources I used and how I justified the cost, especially in the early days. At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about shifting your mindset to push past the thought that there’s “not enough time” and dig deeper into what’s holding you back. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: How do you survive your busiest seasons?Podcast: How do you find the time?Blog: You are a limited edition. Act like it. More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we talk about what to do when your workload doubles … or triples. Busy seasons will always come and go, and it’s important to have safeguards in place to protect ourselves during the busiest times. If you’re a high-achiever (*raises hand*) it can feel really difficult to say no or to delegate because you want to show others that you can do it all. But if we don’t find ways to triage our workload, we end up becoming an even bigger burden on everyone. Spoiler alert: ‘say no’ and ‘delegate’ are tips one and three in this episode. At the end of the episode, I share some of the hacks I used to give myself more time when I was first launching my business. Learning to manage your to-do list during your busiest seasons will protect your work and yourself. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Why no should be your favorite wordPodcast: Are you productive or just “busy”?Blog: You don’t get a medal for being busyMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I’m bringing in a special guest to help me uncover whether it’s true that “thoughts become things.” Justine Sloan is an author and health and mindset coach who helps people (like me!) be more intentional with their thoughts. Justine chats with me about some pretty huge topics: where our thoughts come from, our inner voice and whether thoughts become things. She shares the science behind why our thoughts inform our reality and how we can retrain our thoughts to be more positive and productive. At the end of the episode, Justine shares her tips for shifting your energy when your negative thoughts get the best of you. You have control over more than you think!About Justine SloanJustine Moore Sloan is a bestselling author, Health & Mindset Coach, and the Co-Founder of Boss Ladies MKE, a networking and mastermind group for women in the Milwaukee area. After decades of struggling with poor body image, disordered eating, crippling anxiety and low self-worth, Justine embarked on a healing journey to reach a place of self love and acceptance. Now it's her mission to help women feel empowered in their bodies— and in every area of their lives! Justine's candidly-written, bestselling memoir, "Someone I Love Lives Here," was released in October. Her journey showcases how to burn the rule book, reclaim your power, and love your body (and yourself!) in a society that tells you not to.Connect w/ Justine:WebsiteInstagramFacebookIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Blog: But what if you could?Podcast: Perception vs. reality (social media edition)Podcast: FEAR = False Expectations Appearing RealMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, we’re talking about one of my least favorite topics ever: employee turnover. Turnover sucks for any company, but within a small business, that turnover can really make or break you.I’ve been dealing with turnover at my company lately, which led me to dive deeper into why the turnover was happening. I talked to department managers and employees, studied exit interviews and looked for trends to help us reduce the turnover rate within the company. At the end of the episode, I’m sharing the three steps I took to address this challenge within my company. It’s still a work in progress, but I know we’ll get there with honesty, accountability and plenty of feedback. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: How to handle hiring mistakesPodcast: 11 things you NEED to do before hiringBlog: Are entrepreneurial employees a flight risk?

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we’re talking about the core values that guide us. My business has core values I could easily repeat, but while I generally know my values, I hadn’t gone through the work of articulating them until recently. I was inspired to explore this topic while reading Robin Sharma’s book, “The Everyday Hero Manifesto.” Sharma’s theory is that in order to show up every day as the best person you can be, your actions must line up with your five main values. He describes a powerful exercise for visualizing your future self to help you solidify those core values. During the episode, I dive into how I did the exercise and share my five core values. I hope they resonate with you and inspire you to build your own set of core values. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Article: “One of the Greatest Keys to Success,” Robin SharmaPodcast: Integrity is everythingPodcast: How do I become an optimist?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I’m talking about one of the most unfortunate things you’ll encounter when building a personal brand: internet trolls. I’ve dealt with my fair share, and it definitely sucks, but I’m learning how to not let it affect me. Whenever you start to get a certain level of attention on social media—even a “professional” site like LinkedIn—you’re going to attract doubters and haters. I share a couple of stories in the episode about my most polarizing posts that have attracted some less-than-kind comments, and how I handled it (or wish I’d handled it). Remember: when trolls lash out, it’s about them, not you. Don’t let it stop you from building a personal brand, and thus from growing your business. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Doubters & hatersPodcast: When people lash out at youVideo: Responding to troll commentsMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, I’ve brought in a guest to discuss just how much work goes into building a successful social presence. Quentin Allums has helped build some of the biggest personal brands on LinkedIn and has been a huge resource for me as I continue growing my brand. When it comes to building a brand on social media, two things tend to happen: people either assume they can follow the same formula as others and hack their way to success; or, they’re afraid to put themselves out there and fail. I talk to Q about brand building in the early days of LinkedIn, how he approaches testing new social strategies and learning to be ok when experiments bomb.Stay tuned for the end of the episode when Q shares more about his scientific approach to failure and how to use it as an opportunity for growth. About Quentin Allums​​Quentin got his start in 2017 making a name for himself by putting himself out there making videos on social media utilizing stories to build an audience. His journey has been far from easy, but now he is a well-established entrepreneur, writer, and podcaster who identifies as a misfit. He inspires other misfits to embrace what makes them strange and take a chance on what makes them unique. Moving on from starting his own marketing agency, Quentin was the head of marketing for Lewis Howes at School of Greatness. He is now a part time content consultant pursuing his passion for social experiments and filmmaking. Connect with Q:WebsiteLinkedInInstagramTwitterIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Do I need a personal brand?Blog: Benefits of building your LinkedIn personal brandMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Big Questions, Short Answers episode, I’m sharing the most common marketing mistakes I see startups and small businesses make all. the. time. Based on my almost scientific research of meeting thousands of entrepreneurs, I’d say nine out of 10 of these businesses might as well set their marketing budget on fire if they’re making any of these five mistakes. If you’ve been listening to this podcast or following me on LinkedIn, you’ll likely have heard me share some of these tips before. Marketing to everyone is marketing to no one. Don’t wait to start selling. Consider this your short, sweet recap of the most important tips for launching your company’s marketing.  Want more tips on startup marketing? Here’s my shameless plug for my online startup marketing course, Marketing for Cash-Strapped Startups. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Blog: Are you making these 5 sales & marketing mistakes?Blog: 5 simple steps to effectively marketing your startupPodcast: Why most marketing programs fail More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, I’m sharing some quick thoughts on something that’s been on my mind a lot lately: integrity. Integrity and the way you treat people matters more than anything else—no matter how rich or successful you become. Too often, we accept low-integrity behavior from the people around us or don’t hold ourselves to a high enough standard. This could look like excusing poor treatment of others because a person is stressed, or accepting money from someone with poor intentions. I’ve made plenty of these mistakes, but by turning the mirror on myself I’ve been able to better see where (and why) I failed to meet my own standards. If you’re reading this, I’m pretty sure that like me you also want to live a life with high integrity. I hope you’ll join me in committing to reflecting on our own behavior to see how we can live with greater integrity. Episode resourcesBlog: Do you live above or below the line?Podcast: How you treat peoplePodcast: Disrespect and boundariesMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, we’re getting into the nitty-gritty of all things hiring. There’s a LOT more to hiring an employee than interviewing applicants and choosing your favorite—a lot of which I’ve learned along the way. When you really need to hire an employee (like, yesterday) there are countless details you don’t think about, especially if you’re a one-person team. I’ve learned when to optimize my own processes (job descriptions, onboarding, performance management) and when I have to call in the experts (lawyers, financial advisors, human resource managers). The tips I lay out in this episode aren’t a comprehensive list, but they will help you think about what you can do right now to set your company and your employees up for success. As you’ll hear in plenty of my examples, it’s never too late to start improving your hiring process. Episode resourcesSBA resource: Hiring and managing employeesPodcast: How to handle hiring mistakesPodcast: Hiring friends and familyMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, I’m answering one question with three questions—and they’re all about hiring. Hiring is typically considered one of those milestones that signals a company’s growth, but entrepreneurs need to carefully evaluate whether it’s actually time to hire (or if they even need to at all). Hiring an employee is a big decision that impacts everyone involved. So before you start, ask yourself: Do I actually want to hire? Do I need to hire an employee, or could a contractor do this work? Could I still scale without hiring?We’re tackling a lot of questions in this episode, but they’ll prompt you to dig deeper into why you want to hire so you can make the right decision for your business. Episode resourcesPodcast: Big swings & betting on yourself with Justin Welsh Podcast: When is it time to start hiring?Podcast: Hiring friends and familyMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, we talk about all of those lies that fear tricks us into believing about ourselves. My business coach taught me the saying that "FEAR = False Expectations Appearing Real," and I can think of so many examples from my own life where this has been the case. Like a lot of people, I was super nervous about public speaking. What if I didn't have anything worthwhile to say? What if I looked dumb? What if people thought I was terrible? This fear held me back from accepting speaking engagements, building my course and launching my podcast—until I learned how to work through that fear. At the end of the episode, I share actionable advice on how I got over the fear of launching my startup marketing course that I hope will encourage you to conquer whatever it is that fear is holding you back from. You got this!If you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Big swings & betting on yourself with Justin Welsh add link when readyPodcast: “That’s impossible” or “I can’t”Blog: But what if you could?More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Startup Survival episode, I'm joined by Justin Welsh, a solopreneur helping one-person businesses experience massive growth. If anyone knows about betting on themselves, it's Justin: he’s in the process of building a portfolio of companies to $5 million+, all without partners or employees. I chat with Justin about how to scale a business as a solopreneur, how to automate revenue generation (so you can literally earn while you sleep) and his four tips for launching an online course (I needed a couple of these when I launched my course!). I love his message that anyone can be an entrepreneur—you just need to define what that means for you. At the end of the interview, he answers my burning question about why on earth he removed thousands of subscribers from his email list (my marketing brain exploded a little) and just how much that risky move paid off. About Justin WelshJustin is a solopreneur building a portfolio of businesses delivering 7-figures annually, powered by more than 200,000 social media followers. Prior to that, he helped build two $50M+ ARR companies, teams of 150+ people, and raise over $300M in venture capital. In his spare time, he's an advisor to early-stage SMB SaaS companies, and an LP at GTM Fund, a rolling fund investing $4 million per year into early-stage B2B SaaS companies.Connect with Justin on LinkedInWebsiteTwitterIf you like this episode, check out these resources.Podcast: Taking calculated risksPodcast: When is it time to start hiring?Blog: Self-belief must come firstMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we're discussing how to have a more positive outlook on life—especially when being an optimist doesn't come naturally. Developing this mindset is something I've had to work hard at, but is well worth it to make each day that much better. Some people think that being an optimist means everything always has to be rainbows and sunshine, but for me, it simply means hoping for the best. I finally realized that my super-critical self-talk wasn't doing me any favors and was only holding me back in business and in my personal life. So, I made an effort to be purposely positive. Listen as I share the tips I've used to develop a brighter outlook and how I make optimism a daily practice. If you like this episode, check out these resources.Blog: Stupidly optimisticPodcast: How to cultivate what goes in your brainPodcast: A tactical guide to auditing your circleMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of S*%! People Say, we’re tackling the way-too-common idea that getting older is a bad thing. I used to think life would never be as good as it was when I was a teen, or in my twenties, but with age comes the perspective that the best is yet to come. Society puts a lot of pressure on us (especially women) not to age. While I still think that whatever year I’m in is the best year of my life (hey, even 2020), it’s taught me that instead of dreading growing older, I always have something to look forward to. My birthday is coming up, so I hope you’ll enjoy my reflection on turning another year older—a privilege I’m fortunate to have. Thank you for celebrating with me!Episode highlights02:15 My reflection on birthdays and getting older05:20 Advice for anyone dreading getting older More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Startup Survival, we talk about the not-so-glamorous role of CEO. Yes, there are awesome benefits to being your own boss, but it also comes with a ton of hard work and an incredible load to carry. While being a CEO means you’re “the boss,” most of my tips are about surrounding yourself with the right people. Your staff, your network, your mentors, your coach (trust me, everyone needs a business coach!) can make or break your success. Whoever it is, what’s important is knowing when to ask for help, and not being too proud to do so.At the end of the episode, we’ll talk about the cold, hard truth about being an entrepreneur: it gets easier, but it never gets easy. Building a company is always hard work—and that’s what makes it so rewarding. Episode highlights01:00 Entrepreneurship isn’t as sexy as you think!03:00 It’s ok to ask for help04:15 Hire quickly and fire fast05:55 You need a coach or mentor06:40 It gets easier, but it’s never easyMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we’re tackling one of the questions I get asked most by fellow entrepreneurs on LinkedIn: how did I get my company to its current size while bootstrapping? Psst … Check out my episode on Bootstrapping if you’re considering this route for your company. Honestly, when I first started I didn’t know what the heck I was doing. But if I could boil it down to one piece of advice, it’s that you have to get comfortable with risk. Here’s the episode I mention in the pod: Episode 39—Taking Calculated Risk. But in order to get comfortable with risk, you need some safeguards in place. In this episode I talk about building a financial foundation, growing your network and how to sell (yes, before you have anything to sell). Lather, rinse, repeat!Throughout the episode I share practical tips that I used for improving your cash flow as you get your business off the ground—everything from downsizing your home to bartending. Every dollar counts, especially in those early days, and that’s the mindset you need to reach seven figures (and more). Episode highlights01:00 How I answer the question, “How did you grow your business without funding?”02:55 Getting comfortable with risk04:25 How to get started without funding06:10 The importance of building a network07:10 How to sell (or at least generate income in the meantime)More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In today’s episode of S*%! People Say, we’re talking about the quote “If you don’t make time for wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for illness”. TBH, this is one of those phrases I think is all too true. People make so many excuses not to take care of themselves and they end up paying the price. (Psst! Check out my previous episode on making time for yourself). I’ve been there before, and I’m sharing how I learned to make time (and find balance) in my fitness, sleep and diet. While I’m definitely not the master of time management or self-control, it’s something I’ve really focused on in recent years and I have some tips to share from my journey. It’s never too late to start building better habits!Episode highlights01:16 My wellness isn’t perfect, but here’s how I’ve been improving 06:20 How to make time for your healthContact: More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

Today on Startup Survival, we welcome Mikey Henninger, Director of Growth at Accelity (and the best salesperson in the biz).Mikey has a toooon of experience in a variety of sales environments, and he’s sharing his top five sales tips that will help you open and close that deal. Much of his approach is based on simply being his authentic self—which helps him form strong relationships with prospects. He also advises sales people out there to stop using the “script” and listen more to your prospective client.Listen to the end to learn all of Mikey’s tips and hear the strategies my company is currently using to close deals. About MikeyMikey Henninger is the Director of Growth at Accelity, a B2B SaaS marketing agency based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Bringing years of award-winning, record-breaking sales experience (including earning President's Club), Mikey consults with growth-minded companies looking to fill their pipeline with replicas of their ideal client. He's tackled every sales role you can think of—inside sales, outside sales, SMB, enterprise, you name it—while building sales departments from the ground up and leading the charge in new markets. Connect with Mikey on LinkedInVisit AccelityEpisode highlights01:05 Introducing Mikey Henninger, Director of Growth at Accelity02:10 Tip 1: You have to be a human.02:50 Tip 2: Ditch the script. 05:00 Tip 3: Remember—nobody cares about your product. 06:35 Tip 4: Take your prospect from A to B, not A to Z. 08:30 Tip 5: Use the prospect’s words against them. More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we’re tackling a topic that’s become super top-of-mind for everyone in the past couple years: work-life balance. What does balance mean for you? What steps do you take to achieve it? TBH, I don’t feel like I’ve ever been successful in achieving work-life balance. So, I’ve been researching how to get a little more balance … or at least how to put up some better boundaries for myself. Ultimately, I think it comes down to whether you’re looking for balance or integration. Once you’ve decided on your goal, there are steps you can take to achieve the relationship you’re looking for with your work. I’ll share what I’ve learned so far. Episode highlights02:00 Is your goal balance or integration? 04:50 Steps for reaching your goalContact: More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

 In this episode of The S*%! People Say, we’re keeping it short and tackling a topic everyone deserves to explore: boundaries. Setting clear boundaries lets others know what we will and won’t tolerate. When people violate our boundaries (and they will try to), it is a form of disrespect. I have way too many stories to share, so I share a few themes I’ve noticed about what happens when I set boundaries professionally and personally. If nothing else—even if you don’t actually listen to the podcast!—I want you to know: you are not required to put up with disrespect! Not at work, not in relationships, not at home. Episode highlights00:40 Boundaries are tough to discuss, but this might be what you need to hear. 02:05 Here are a few situations where I encountered a violation of my boundaries, and what I did. 06:00 It’s easy to feel bad when setting boundaries, but you need to for your own health. Contact: More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

On today’s Startup Survival episode, we’re talking about the importance of having a process when you’re growing a company. Just how important your process is is something I’ve gone back and forth on. When I started my business, I didn’t have much in the way of process. So I invested in building processes for sales, marketing, billing, etc. But then we got too overprocessed, and everyone felt confined to the process and not free to be creative. In this episode, I discuss how to go about finding that “sweet spot” between under-processed and over-processed.Episode highlights0:40 How important is process to your business?2:05 How I built processes at my company4:25 How to find the sweet spot between over- and under-processedContact: More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

Today’s big question, short answer is: What do you do when it all hits the fan? People are often conditioned to act like nothing’s wrong. I used to overcommit myself, then pretend everything was fine or simply block out my negative feelings (often with unhealth habits). It took me a long time to learn how to process my feelings in a healthy way. I allow myself simply to feel them; then, use that fire to make a change. At the end of the episode, I share a tip one of my colleagues taught me on how to handle difficult feelings in a way that lets you move forward productively. Episode highlights0:45 We’re often taught not to have emotions—that’s a problem. 2:10 My past struggles with dealing with my negative feelings.  3:25 Strategies I’ve learned to help me cope when things hit the fan. 6:00 My favorite strategy I’d like you to try: the one-hour rule. Contact: More about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In today’s episode of S*%! People Say, we are talking about two phrases that give off major negative vibes: “That’s impossible,” and, “I can’t”. The phrases are rooted in a limited mindset. They come from a place of fear. As I’ve grown my business (and developed personally), I’ve noticed that when I shift my mindset from “I can’t” to “What if I could?” so many more opportunities have come my way. You will only be able to grow and change as quickly as your mind allows you to dream.By the end of the episode, I challenge you to join me in responding to the (seemingly) impossible with, “What if?” You’ll be surprised how much this small shift helps improve problem solving skills and think bigger.Episode highlights00:40 Why these phrases are a disease (yes, that’s how toxic they are!)03:05 My journey from a limited mindset to a growth mindset04:00 How to apply your reframed mindsetMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this Startup Survival episode, we’re tackling one of the most important skills you need to build your business. No, not selling—copywriting. Think of copywriting as selling in written form. Just like when you pitch, you need to know how to quickly and effectively tell your story, demonstrate your value and set yourself apart. That means no jargon, no cliches—nothing that sounds like everyone else. Your copy needs to be compelling.Copywriting isn’t a skill that you can learn overnight, but I do have some tips to help your writing sound more natural and to help your brand stand out. Episode highlights01:00 Why copywriting is one of the most important professional skills05:25 Tips for crafting copy that stands out06:25 The number one copy tip from a professional copywriterMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite

In this episode of Big Questions, Short Answers, we are talking about a habit that most of us are probably guilty of: procrastinating. Are you a big procrastinator? Confession: I always have been, and I’ve carried this bad habit into my professional life. But when you’re building your own business, you really can’t afford to wait until the last minute to do the work. There’s often a root cause behind why you’re procrastinating, and I found it helps to dig into what’s really going on to avoid last-minute chaos. At the end of this episode, I will give you some tips on how to stop procrastinating and actually enjoy the million tasks that we all have to do on a daily basis. Hopefully these tools help you eliminate (or at least reduce) the amount that you procrastinate.  Episode highlights01:20 What is procrastination?02:05 My experiences with procrastination (learn from my mistakes!)04:10 What I’ve learned about procrastination and why we do it06:50 How to eliminate procrastinationMore about the show: ​​www.jackiehermes.com/podcastHit me up!LinkedInInstagramTikTokWebsite