Accidental CEO Podcast

You’re sitting on a goldmine—and it’s not your lead magnet. It’s your reviews.

In this episode of the Accidental CEO Podcast, Nata chats with Danielle Bornowski—a marketing strategist and certified StoryBrand Guide—about the secret weapon in your business you’re probably ignoring: customer reviews.

Most entrepreneurs think of testimonials as nice-to-haves. Danielle flips that idea on its head. She shows us why reviews are your clearest window into what’s working, what to say in your marketing, and how to attract better-fit clients without guessing.

You’ll hear how Danielle used her own client feedback to completely pivot her offer—and why it exploded her growth. We get into:

• The exact way to ask for a review without it feeling awkward
• How to extract high-converting marketing language from client praise
• Ways to use testimonials in email PS lines, launch pages, and even blogs
• What to do if you get a negative review (pro tip: don’t panic)
• Why you don’t need dozens—just a few, done right

Whether you’re a seasoned CEO or you’re just getting your first clients, this episode will help you rethink how you collect and use client feedback to drive real results.

🔗 Grab Danielle’s free review template here: DQBstrategies.Marketing/reviews

🎯 If this episode hits home, share it with a friend or tag us @accidentalceopod on Instagram.

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What do theology, wedding photography, and email list-building have in common? Davey Jones.

This week, Nata sits down with Davey Jones — CEO of Badao, the powerful lead generation tool formerly known as Sumo. They get into the nitty gritty of pop-ups (yes, the ones people love to hate) and why they’re actually your best friend if you use them right. Davey shares what he’s learned running multiple agencies, managing millions in ad spend, and now spearheading a product rebrand that’s gaining major traction.

You’ll learn how to make forms and pop-ups people want to fill out, why knowing your customer is the foundation of all good marketing, and how to structure your time if you’ve got your hands in a few different businesses. Bonus: the surprisingly polarizing story behind the name “Badao.”

Takeaways:

• Pop-ups work when they’re helpful, not annoying
• Templates make it easy to get started with lead gen
• Focused time and creative margin are key to running multiple projects
• Good copy = answering “Can you really do this for someone like me?”

Links:

• Start your free Badao account: https://www.bdow.com
• Connect with Davey: @daveytjonesy

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This episode is a must-listen for any creative founder who’s hit a growth ceiling and knows it’s not about doing more—it’s about unlearning what’s no longer working. Inspired by a client interview and a powerful live panel, Nata walks you through 10 beliefs that keep entrepreneurs stuck in operator mode instead of leading like a CEO.

Inside, you’ll hear how pricing from your own wallet is sabotaging your value, why your self-worth has nothing to do with your sales, and how to delegate like a true leader. She shares real stories—from flopped launches to volleyball tournaments—to show how rewiring these patterns can change everything.

Expect honest insights, actionable prompts, and the kind of compassionate truth-telling that cuts through the noise. Whether you're overworked, undercharging, or drowning in busywork, this episode will help you see what needs to go so you can grow.

Takeaways:

• Let go of the myth that chaos equals success
• Start making decisions faster with less fear
• Reclaim time, energy, and leadership without guilt
• Build systems that create calm instead of chaos
  
  

Connect with Nata:
👉 @instagram.com/accidentalceo.co/ | @accidentalceo.co/coaching

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Nicole Richards thought she had it all figured out. A booming bridal makeup business, her name in glossy magazines, and a studio full of artists. But beneath the gloss, something else was stirring.

In this conversation, Nicole shares how a quiet whisper—followed by a literal crash—led her to shut down a thriving career and embrace a completely new path as a whole-life coach. Her story is a masterclass in following divine nudges, staying humble through success, and building a business that aligns with your values and your lifestyle.

We talk faith, failure, family, burnout, and the beauty of doing business differently. If you've ever wondered if your intuition (or God) is trying to tell you something... this one is for you.

Takeaways:

• Don’t wait for burnout to make a change
• Just because something’s working doesn’t mean it’s right
• Your next level of business might require letting go of what made you successful
• Success isn’t a magazine spread—it's sustainability, peace, and legacy

Get to know more about Nicole: IG: @nicolerichards.co

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Ever stare at your bank statement and feel personally victimized by tax season? You’re not alone—but you could be more prepared. In this episode, Nata Salvatori brings on wedding photographer and tax educator Heather Leicy, who went from architecture student to creative CEO with a tax-savvy twist.

They talk about everything from saving for the slow season to how to talk to your CPA like a boss (yes, really). You’ll get the exact steps Heather took to transition careers without financial chaos, and the weekly tax prep ritual that actually makes April feel like a win.

What you’ll walk away with:

• How to make tax season a non-event
• The four CPA questions that could save you thousands
• Why putting 30% aside is the best self-care
• A pep talk if numbers make you want to run

Connect with Heather:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather.marie.leicy and https://www.instagram.com/theconquercommunity/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heather.marie.leicy
• Website: https://heathermlphoto.com/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@heathermariephotography

This episode is packed with mindset shifts and practical tools for any creative entrepreneur who’s tired of winging it with their money. Hit play, and let’s get your financial life together—without the tears.

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When Brittany Webb got laid off, it wasn’t the end. It was the spark. In this candid episode, licensed therapist and founder of Better Minds Counseling Services reveals how being unheard at work pushed her to build the practice she never had.

She walks us through the fears, freedom, and false starts of launching a virtual private practice while still employed. We talk real numbers (spoiler: it's cheaper to start than you think), real talk on hiring (spoiler: enthusiasm over resumes), and what leadership really looks like in mental health. Plus: how Brittany uses nature, cooking, and conscious decision-making to manage energy as a CEO.

Whether you’re navigating a toxic workplace, thinking about expanding your team, or just wondering if you can actually build a business that supports your life—this one's for you.

Follow Brittany for more!
👉 https://www.instagram.com/bettermindscounseling/ | https://www.bettermindscounseling-services.com/

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Jessica Bishop didn’t mean to start a business—she just wanted to get married without going broke. In this episode, she shares how her personal wedding blog turned into The Budget Savvy Bride, one of the most trusted wedding resources on the internet.

Jessica gets real about what it means to serve two totally different audiences (engaged couples and wedding vendors), why transparency around pricing is a game-changer, and how her small but mighty team built a fully custom vendor directory from scratch.

Whether you're a wedding professional, a fellow founder serving two client types, or just curious how someone builds a 16-year-old content business that’s still thriving—this one’s a goldmine.

Takeaways include:

• Why hiding pricing actually hurts your sales
• The truth about marketing costs for vendors
• How to scale with intention (and a tiny team)
• What it really takes to build trust in a saturated market

Resources + Links:

• thebudgetsavvybride.com
• Jessica’s book: The Budget Savvy Wedding Planner and Organizer
• Follow on Instagram: @budgetsavvybride
  
  

🎧 Listen now and learn how to grow a lean business with a big impact.

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What happens when a stay-at-home mom turns a babysitting gap into a thriving, multi-brand business? Beth Heyer is the founder and CEO of Babysitting Connection, a Texas-based service with over 300 vetted sitters and 700 monthly subscribers. She’s also the creator of Pet Sitting Connection and the nonprofit BC Gives Back—all while solo parenting and scaling her team across the state.

In this episode, Beth breaks down her path from burnout to business-building brilliance. You’ll hear how she pivoted during COVID, scaled using a low-barrier membership model, and why her team of Gen Z sitters taught her how to stop glorifying hustle. We also talk real talk about managing boundaries, expanding into new verticals, and why good systems—and good sitters—matter more than ever.

You’ll learn:

• How she scaled a local service to a statewide operation
• What Gen Z workers really need to stay loyal (hint: it’s not pizza parties)
• The secrets behind her $35/month recurring revenue model
• How to vet people when trust is the product
• Why her nonprofit helps foster parents and single moms find relief

Whether you’re thinking about a membership model, building a remote team, or just need some CEO realness from someone who’s been in the trenches—this episode is packed with gold.

Resources Mentioned:

• BabysittingConnection.com
• PetSittingConnection.com
• BCGivesBack.org
• BethHeyer.com

Connect with Beth!

✅ https://bethheyer.com/ | @babysittingconnection

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What if the thing keeping you stuck isn’t lack of time—but your inability to let go?

In this episode of the Accidental CEO podcast, I sit down with the brilliant (and very real) Tressa Beheim, founder of Simplify Now. She’s the strategic brain and online business manager behind countless creative entrepreneurs—helping them stop drowning in the daily chaos and finally run their business with clarity.

Tressa shares how she accidentally grew her agency from one client to a 12-person team, the hard truths about hiring help too late, and why micromanaging is a sneaky form of self-sabotage.

We dig into:

• The psychology of delegation and why it feels so hard to release control
• How to get the information out of your head (so people can actually help you)
• Real-world frameworks to prevent team chaos and decision fatigue
• Two powerful case studies of clients who went from “burned out” to breathing again

You’ll also hear Tressa’s take on why multitasking is a lie, how to stop “context switching” your way into exhaustion, and how to figure out what only you should be doing.

If you’re the creative CEO who’s still in the weeds, this is your episode. Let’s talk structure, support, and the mindset shifts that actually move the needle.

Connect with Tressa Beheim:

👉 https://www.instagram.com/tressabeheim/ | https://tressabeheim.com/

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Time management is not about squeezing more into your day — it’s about doing the right things at the right time.

In this episode, Nata Salvatori reveals her personal system for running multiple businesses without living in overwhelm. You’ll hear why delegation is the first step in her process, how she keeps track of every recurring task, and the exact method she uses to match her daily to-do list with her natural energy levels.

If you’ve ever forced yourself to push through a mentally heavy task when you were already running on fumes, you’ll love this episode. Nata explains why it’s more efficient to adapt your work to your current state — and how doing so can dramatically improve your productivity, efficiency, and mood.

You’ll learn:

• Why there’s no “perfect” time management method for everyone
• The task tracking system that reveals what to delegate
• How to use your body’s energy as a productivity tool
• The “do it now” rule that keeps your task list clear
• Why curiosity leads to better workflow solutions

Links & Resources:

• Signs It’s Time to Hire a VA checklist: https://accidentalceo.co/va-freebie
• Instagram: https://accidentalceo.co/podcast

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