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Shifting from being on the verge of burnout to launching her own successful operations team and business, Lenica Stephen, the Founder and CEO of IBOSS, shares her inspiring journey from leaving the comforts of a corporate career to stepping into the challenging world of entrepreneurship!

With her work at IBOSS, Lenica offers a unique perspective on how operations serve as the critical backbone of businesses. She also walks through her expert strategies for improving operations for business expansion that have proven successful in her own journey. 

In this episode, Sonja and Lenica also discuss the importance of finding a supportive community of business owners and the advantages of not going it alone in business.

This episode wraps up with Lenica addressing the power of networking even when it seems challenging, harnessing the potential of social media to find clients, and sharing how she has leveraged the influence of referrals and relationships to grow her business.

About Lenica Stephen and Interactive Business Optimization Services (IBOSS) Inc.
Lenica Stephen is the Founder ad CEO of Interactive Business Optimization Services (IBOSS) Inc., an Operations Consulting Management Agency, who partners and consults with E-Commerce business owners on the strategies, team growth and operational efficiencies to implement or enhance in their business to effectively scale and grow in line with their vision.

She has a passion for keeping her clients in their zone of genius while being their strategic partner and by working with business owners to take their business ideas from conception to implementation while ensuring these initiatives are aligned with their growth strategy.   

Lenica and her team believe in the importance of having a good support system whether in business or in personal life.  Lenica’s vision is for IBOSS Inc. to be the chosen authority in providing strategic partnership and business operations services who provides an environment of support and empowerment that will lead clients to outrageous levels of success.

Follow Lenica on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Learn More about IBOSS and follow them on Instagram 

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Ever felt an internal tug-of-war, where your emotions don't align with your external life? We've all been there, and Violetta Znorkowski, the savvy founder of Expand and Impact, joins us for Part 2 of our discussion on overcoming business burnout to shed more light on that topic.  In this episode, Sonja and Violetta discuss the critical topic of self-awareness, exploring how understanding and accepting our emotions, without judgment, can positively impact our performance—in business and life. We also delve into Violetta's personal journey, addressing the guilt she experienced when her internal and external realities didn't match.

Later, Violetta takes a deep dive into the struggle that many ambitious women face—achieving equilibrium and finding space for rest. The relentless pursuit of productivity, and societal pressures to do it all, can often lead to burnout and elevated stress levels. But what if mastering a few tasks is more essential than trying to do everything? Violetta pulls back the curtain on this disputed concept of productivity, and how she works with clients to unlearn toxic habits and embrace the power of rest. Take a breather and join us as we explore ways to reclaim our time, energy, and joy.

Be sure to check out Violetta's From Hustle and Stress to Mindful Success Masterclass, which guides participants in understanding how to use their emotions as a tool to build the capacity to process discomfort and stress so that they can take action from a calm and focused place and rest without guilt.

About Violetta Znorkowski
Violetta Znorkowski is the Founder and Facilitator at Expand and Impact, an Experiential Education Company that works with Female Professionals and Entrepreneurs who want to challenge the status quo and create a new normal in how success and leadership looks and feels.

With over 10 years of experience and an international career working around the world with both youth and adults to develop leadership skills, raise emotional intelligence and build resilience, Violetta is passionate about guiding others to safely explore their connection to self, others and the world around them.

Her work is informed through her training in Holistic Counseling Psychology, Leadership Coaching and Mindfulness and Meditation Training; blending Eastern and Western philosophies and techniques to consider the WHOLE person. Violetta believes that self-work is the gateway to generational change and that personal development and systemic change go hand in hand. When she is not facilitating growth and emotional wellbeing, Violetta is likely climbing up or snowboarding down a mountain or planning her next adventure.

https://www.instagram.com/expand_and_impact/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/violetta-znorkowski/
https://www.expandandimpact.com/podcast

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Whether you're a busy professional or run a business, the impacts of hustle culture and striving on our mental and emotional well-being and relationships can be overwhelming, often leading to unwelcome stress or burnout.

If this feeling sounds familiar to you, today's episode features a stimulating conversation with Violetta Znorkowski, Founder of Expand and Impact. She shares her journey of navigating through the male-dominated field of experiential and outdoor education, and how her experiences paved the way for her to launch her own enterprise. Violetta reveals how she honed skills to conquer the challenges in her path and now works with business owners who have experienced burnout and want to get back on a desirable path and make their way back to peace.

When it comes to marketing a 2-year-old business, Sonja and Violetta delve into the world of online and offline networking, as Violetta unfolds the significance of having a strong presence in both arenas. She talks about her experiences with networking on a global stage and how she uses various social media channels. Today, Violetta helps female professionals and entrepreneurs challenge the status quo and redefine success and leadership. As a treat, Violetta also shares some literature that has influenced her and her clients. So, tune in and prepare to redefine your path to success!

Be sure to check out Violetta's From Hustle and Stress to Mindful Success Masterclass, which guides participants in understanding how to use their emotions as a tool to build the capacity to process discomfort and stress so that they can take action from a calm and focused place and rest without guilt.


About Violetta Znorkowski
Violetta Znorkowski is the Founder and Facilitator at Expand and Impact, an Experiential Education Company that works with Female Professionals and Entrepreneurs who want to challenge the status quo and create a new normal in how success and leadership looks and feels.

With over 10 years of experience and an international career working around the world with both youth and adults to develop leadership skills, raise emotional intelligence and build resilience, Violetta is passionate about guiding others to safely explore their connection to self, others and the world around them.

Her work is informed through her training in Holistic Counseling Psychology, Leadership Coaching and Mindfulness and Meditation Training; blending Eastern and Western philosophies and techniques to consider the WHOLE person. Violetta believes that self-work is the gateway to generational change and that personal development and systemic change go hand in hand. When she is not facilitating growth and emotional wellbeing, Violetta is likely climbing up or snowboarding down a mountain or planning her next adventure.

https://www.instagram.com/expand_and_impact/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/violetta-znorkowski/
https://www.expandandimpact.com/podcast

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In today's episode, we take a deeper dive into the inner workings of a growing startup. Education practitioner and founder of Champion Instructors Education and Training, Dekiyyah (Kia) Edwards, shares insights from her 3-year journey from launching a new business and finding areas of success to discovering new challenges to marketing her business online for continuous growth.

Sonja and Kia discuss how Champion Instructors meets the urgent demand for virtual education platforms from small businesses to government agencies to large corporations, along with how she ensures that her 'why' and the story behind her company helps her gain media visibility and a strong LinkedIn presence. 

Later in the episode, Sonja and Kia get more transparent as Kia shares some of the challenges that Champion Instructors faces today with enhancing its presence on networks like YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. In this coaching episode, Sonja and Kia begin to discuss a blueprint for how she can take the next 6-12 months to gain more from LinkedIn and revitalize her company's presence on YouTube and Instagram.

We wrap up the episode with Kia sharing what lies ahead for Champion Instructors and how this brand will pivot into more growth for the future.

About Kia Edwards and Champion Instructors:
Kia Edwards is an HR + education practitioner (early learners through adult learning) who founded Champion Instructors – Education & Training Consulting.  ⠀
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Kia loves taking training from information to retained knowledge which improves workplace productivity, lessens workplace accidents, improves succession, and limits staff turnover. Taking her professional passions mixed with the year 2020’s high demand for businesses to provide remote training during a global pandemic - her virtual instructional design business was born. Champion Instructors Education and Training is a consulting LLC that solves diverse educational and training needs virtually or in person. With a recent national demand for remote learning (socially distanced), her staff of experienced online learning educators and seasoned human resources professionals are most valued for offering condensed yet effective training services that fit a range of learning needs and styles offered on diverse devices.

Follow Kia on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiaedwards/
Learn more about Champion Instructors Education and Training at:
https://www.championinstructors.com/

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In this episode, Sonja discusses some critical perspectives around the emerging use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in content marketing and social media. She shares tips on how marketers, teams, and brands should navigate through this game-changing era where AI is not just influencing search engine results but redefining how we create content.

Imagine a world where a tool like ChatGPT is your co-creator and content generation faster and smarter. It's time to embrace these innovations, but be mindful, as with everything else, they come with their own set of challenges.
 
Amidst all the AI-generated content, how do you ensure your content stands out? Throughout this episode of 10 Minute Marketing, host Sonja Crystal Williams, discusses the indispensable role of human interaction in AI-generated content. Whether you're an AI newcomer or a seasoned user, let's explore, learn, and transform our content creation strategy together.

Resource mentioned in this episode.

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Is your marketing team currently using data and insights discovered from website visits to enhance your marketing strategy?

In this episode of 10 Minute Marketing, Sonja welcomes Ally Anderson, the brilliant mind behind Akari Digital. With over a decade immersed in the world of marketing, Ally shares why companies need to consider the power and value of making data-driven decisions as part of their marketing game plan.

Ally paints a vivid picture of how data plays an absolutely pivotal role in crafting intelligent marketing choices. She unveils how cultivating a strong online presence can serve as the bedrock for an enriching customer journey and how strong messaging on her company company website has played a role in increasing her brand's visibility. 
 
Later in the episode, Ally illustrates how a robust online presence lays the groundwork for a fruitful customer journey when paired with data from tools like Google Analytics.

About Ally
Ally Anderson has almost a decade of experience in marketing, and has been obsessed with data from day one—digging into metrics for every piece of content to figure out how she could make it perform better and get better results.

"You’d think this would be standard practice, right? I mean, data basically puts all the content marketing “answers” at the end of the book. So I was genuinely shocked to learn that most business owners don’t use data at all. Or, they do their best with third-party reporting, not realizing that it doesn’t give the full picture," Ally explains.

Ally is a fixer, so when she realized this, she got to work. Akari Digital was born and now, with the help of her team, Ally gets to help entrepreneurs make better marketing decisions so they know exactly where to invest their time, energy, and money to achieve measurable, predictable growth.

https://akaridigital.ca/
https://akaridigital.online/reach-calculator-optin
https://www.instagram.com/akaridigital/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/akaridigital 

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Do you believe writing a book is an uphill task?

Internationally renowned book coach, Jessica Andersen, joins Sonja Crystal Williams to debunk this myth and illuminate the path to becoming a successful author. They delve into Jessica's journey from proofreading to coaching high-impact leaders. Jessica also demystifies the writing process, highlighting how you can brand yourself as an author. She brings to light the power of a book within niche markets, changing the way you perceive the writing journey.

As they navigate the lesser-known terrain of book coaching, Jessica shares her tried-and-true marketing strategies while also addressing the challenges. She emphasizes the significance of collaborations in growing your business and unveils the rewarding aspects of her work.

As a special treat for our listeners, Jessica also introduces her new signature service designed to aid in crafting compelling brand books!

About Jessica
Jessica Andersen is a book coach for high-impact leaders. She partners with them to develop, write, and refine a book for their brand or business.
jessicalandersen.com
linkedin.com/in/andersenjessical/

You can also check out Jessica's Brand Book Blueprint Calls! On these calls, Jessica helps you create a blueprint for a compelling brand book: a timeless, core, one-and-done piece of content that will build brand awareness, position you as an authority in your field, and invite readers to work with you. First by determining the goals of the book, then answering the question "What should my book be about?",  and last creating a blueprint for your brand book.
https://jessicalandersen.thrivecart.com/brand-book-blueprint-call/

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Have you ever wondered how LinkedIn's algorithm works, and how you can take advantage of it to boost your brand's online impact?

Today on 10 Minute Marketing, Ivana Brutenik, a leading expert on LinkedIn employee ambassadors, joins Sonja in a riveting conversation that illuminates this mystery. Ivana's journey, from a young headhunter to revolutionizing the LinkedIn presence for over 7000 brands, is a testament to the power of technical know-how and the right mindset.

She delves into the significance of personalization on LinkedIn while maintaining privacy, and how changes in LinkedIn's algorithm impact what kind of content wins. Furthermore, she shares her early growth strategies that involved networking events, keynote speeches, and — of course — LinkedIn itself. If you're seeking to up your LinkedIn game, this episode is a treasure trove of insights and actionable tips that will help you create a more effective LinkedIn strategy. Tune in and unlock the potential of LinkedIn for your brand!

About Ivana
Ivana Brutenic is the world's leading expert on LinkedIn Employee Ambassadors. She's consistently setting trends for multinational brands with effective global LinkedIn architecture and authentic LinkedIn content. Ivana has been recognized in dozens of media outlets, including Forbes.

Ivana and her sister Kristina run a prestigious LinkedIn consultancy, SUNDAYFLIES. They transform employees into LinkedIn™ superstars who attract clients, new talent and media. They have partnered with over 7000 clients worldwide to transform LinkedIn brands into more powerful authentic voices.

This LinkedIn Sisters Powerhouse brings LinkedIn expertise to print, gearing up to publish a book on LinkedIn Ambassadors in Fall 2023 with a renowned British publishing house.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ivanabrutenic/

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Join us as we take you behind the scenes with Tamsin Parry, a remote team specialist hailing from Cape Town, South Africa, who has mastered the art of finding Filipino VA's to propel her clients' business operations to the next level. Tamsin shares her background, her journey, and her process of matchmaking business owners with talented and dedicated Filipino VAs. Imagine, not having to sweat over candidate search and selection - Tamsin has got that covered for you!

As a seasoned remote team architect, Tamsin's innovative approach to recruitment flips the script, passing the baton of initiative to the applicants, and making the process hassle-free for business owners.

When it comes to growing her own business, The Doing Company, she emphasizes the significance of building relationships and networking. 

Whether you're a business owner struggling to find the right fit or someone interested in remote team management, this episode is a goldmine of insights waiting to be discovered.

About Tamsin Parry
Tamsin Parry is a Virtual team and Filipino virtual assistant specialist with over 10 year's experience building and managing remote teams. With a passion for helping entrepreneurs and business owners, Tamsin has become an expert in the field of virtual assistant services to streamline operations and achieve sustainable growth for small to medium-size businesses. In addition to finding the right VAs for clients, Tamsin also helps to onboard, manage, and incentivize them, ensuring they're equipped with the skills and resources needed to perform at a high level. With Tamsin’s expertise and guidance, clients delegate business tasks to a trusted virtual assistant, freeing up time for business owners to focus on growing their business.

https://thedoing.co/

https://www.instagram.com/tamsin_parry/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tamsinparry/
https://www.facebook.com/thedoingcompany/

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 Imagine managing not one, not two, but three different businesses simultaneously! That's exactly what Chris "Willa" Williams, co-founder of Go Getter Marketing Group and visionary leader of the Go Getter Team in real estate, has accomplished. Today, we deep dive into Chris's entrepreneurial journey, chatting about his evolution from a sole proprietor and revealing his strategies for obtaining and retaining customers. His insights offer a glimpse into the reality of running multiple businesses in today's market.

We also hit on the importance of a cohesive team and fostering relationships that require a variety of online marketing communications combined with personal touch and face-to-face interactions. Later in the episode, Chris also shares the types of events and webinars that have proven instrumental to his growth. He emphasizes the necessity of being relentless in your pursuit of growing your business and underscores the need for personal development.

About Chris "Willa" Williams
Chris “Willa” Williams is the leader of the Go Getter Team realty group in Atlanta and has nearly fifteen years of real estate experience. In 2008, he co-founded Go Getter Marketing Group, Inc. with his wife and partner, Sonja Crystal Williams. He currently serves as a business advisor to the agency, leading the strategic direction of the firm and assisting with business development. Chris is a graduate of Michigan State University with a B.A. in Supply Chain Management.