Beyond The Systems Podcast | Business Systems & Growth Strategies For Your Online Business

Episode Description: 

Ready to streamline your client journey? In this episode, I'm breaking down my Client Flow Formula - the exact system I use with my clients to turn prospect connections into lasting relationships.

I'll walk you through the three essential steps of this formula - Convert, Serve, and Retain - and break each one down into three tiers: basic, intermediate, and advanced. This way, no matter where you are in your business journey, you'll find actionable systems to implement right away.

Whether you're a solopreneur who wants to keep things simple or you're dreaming of scaling to a team, I'll show you exactly which systems to focus on first.

Remember, there's no "right" way to structure your business. I work with clients who want to serve hundreds of people AND those who want a streamlined business that gives them more freedom. This episode will help you identify which systems actually matter for YOUR specific vision.

By the end, you'll understand how to:

• Convert leads efficiently (without living in your DMs)
• Serve clients excellently (while gradually removing yourself from the day-to-day)
• Retain clients longer (with strategic touchpoints that feel personal but don't drain your time)

Resources from this episode:

• Previous episode: Revenue Ready Offers

Want to dive deeper into my Systems to Scale Audit? That's where we'd map out your exact client flow formula together. You can DM me "scale" on Instagram to learn more!

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

In this episode of Beyond the Systems podcast, I chat with Bridget James Ling, the Freedom Queen and queen of million dollar movements. Having attended her Freedom Queen Live event in November 2024, I was excited to dive deeper into what makes a movement truly work and how Bridget has built hers.

Bridget shares her journey from quitting her New York City job in 2020 and booking a one-way ticket to Costa Rica, to building a multimillion-dollar business centered around community. We explore the fundamental difference between a coaching business and a movement—where a movement has "a soul of its own" and creates a self-compounding mechanism that brings people together toward one shared vision.

We also discuss:

• How Taylor Swift has created a movement (Swifties!) while other talented artists may just have businesses
• Why in-person events like Freedom Queen Live create deeper connections and transformational results for attendees
• The exciting updates for Freedom Queen Live 2025 (November 20-23), including specialized sessions focused on ads, funnels, and even a new "Freedom King" session for men
• Bridget's business systems approach: balancing "passive channels" (like email sequences and podcast content) with "active channels" (live programs)
• How Bridget's simple, templated systems allow her to launch programs in just 20 minutes that would take others weeks

What struck me most was Bridget's emphasis on building community and belonging. As she puts it: "When someone feels like they belong, they're never going to leave. And when someone feels like they belong and they're seen and heard, they can get a transformation that is far bigger than if they just bought into someone's coaching business."

If you're building an online business and want to create something that moves beyond just transactions, this conversation will inspire you to think differently about community, connection, and creating your own movement.

Resources from this episode:

• Freedom Queen Live 2025 (November 20-23)

More about Bridget James Ling:

Bridget James Ling, known as the "Freedom Queen", is a business mentor and community builder who helps ambitious women create businesses with both purpose and profit.

After quitting her corporate job in New York City in 2020, Bridget booked a one-way ticket to Costa Rica where she met her now-fiancé and began building her multimillion-dollar business. Drawing from her community-centered upbringing, she created Freedom Queen—a movement rather than just a coaching business—that focuses on connection, belonging, and transformation.

Beyond her business success, Bridget is passionate about helping women step into their authentic power and build movements that move people toward shared visions, rather than simply selling coaching services. Her straight-talking, no-nonsense style resonates with entrepreneurs who want to make "a disturbing amount of money" while creating meaningful impact in their communities.

Connect with Bridget James Ling:

• Website: www.freedomqueen.com
• Instagram: @bridgetjamesling

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

In this episode of Beyond the Systems, I'm diving into the often overwhelming world of metrics and data tracking for your business. If you've been avoiding metrics altogether or feel like you're drowning in spreadsheets without any real insights, this episode is for you! I'll share my practical approach to metrics tracking, how to identify which numbers actually matter for your business, and how to use that data to make better decisions without sacrificing your creativity. Whether you're just starting with metrics or looking to realign your focus, I'll walk you through the simple questions that will help you track the right data to grow your business.

What You'll Learn:

• Why the data itself isn't overwhelming—it's what you do with it that can be
• How to identify your "money-making metrics" that directly impact your bottom line
• The three key questions to ask yourself to determine what you should actually be tracking
• How to build a simple tracking system that gives you actionable insights
• Why setting realistic goals requires understanding your conversion rates
• How I approach metrics tracking with my own clients (and in my own business)

Resources from this episode:

Free Metrics Tracking Template: Grab the exact metrics tracking template (be sure to make a copy) I use with all my clients.

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

This week I sit down with Laurie Stirling, business leader of the year and operations expert with over 20 years of entrepreneurial experience. Laurie shares her journey from graphic designer to web developer to business coach, and how she landed a role as a Clockwork coach by boldly "shooting her shot" with an email.

We dive deep into how creative entrepreneurs can identify their bottlenecks, scale strategically, and create stability despite unpredictable cash flow. If you're feeling maxed out on time, struggling with work-life balance, or wondering which areas of your business to delegate first, this episode is packed with actionable advice to help you buy back your time and focus on being the talent in your business.

Laurie breaks down different scaling strategies that actually work for creative entrepreneurs, from finding the right support staff to developing frameworks that allow you to transfer trust to your team. She also shares brilliant financial tips for creating stability when income fluctuates, including her "one month ahead" budgeting approach that has helped countless business owners sleep better at night.

"Business is different. Don't approach everyone the same and just say, just do this same model that worked for my last client. It's different for everyone, different personalities." - Laurie Stirling

Resources from this episode:

• Laurie's Bottleneck Quiz
• Book recommendation: Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz
• Book recommendation: Profit First by Mike Michalowicz

More about Laurie Stirling:

Laurie Stirling is a seasoned entrepreneur with 20 years of experience and an award-winning business coach specializing in helping creative entrepreneurs scale their businesses without being overwhelmed. Laurie works with business owners who are the talent behind their success but have hit maximum capacity and can’t step away without losing revenue. With her expertise in strategic planning, team building, and process automation, Laurie coaches clients to extract their unique skills, refine their intellectual property, and delegate effectively, so they can grow their business and still take time for themselves. As a certified Agile business analyst and winner of the 2024 Global CFO Business Award for Strategic Planning Business Leader of the Year, Laurie is passionate about helping overworked entrepreneurs regain balance while continuing to expand.

Connect with Laurie Stirling:

• Website: https://www.lauriestirling.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laurie.stirling/ 
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lauriestirling/ 
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lauriestirlingconsulting/

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

Episode Description: 

In this episode, I'm joined by my business bestie and Influencer OBM Academy co-founder, Alex Porterfield. We dive deep into how the online business landscape is shifting from bloated teams to lean, strategic operations—and what that means for you as an OBM or VA.

If you've been wondering whether you're a VA or an OBM because you're doing both roles, you're not alone. We discuss why the lines between these roles are blurring, how to position yourself in this changing market, and most importantly, how to price your services accordingly so you don't undervalue your expertise.

Alex and I share candid thoughts about:

• The shift from big teams to lean teams in the online space
• Why certifications shouldn't be your safety net (and when courses actually help)
• Moving from hourly rates to retainer packages
• Getting comfortable with premium pricing
• The mindset shifts necessary to become irreplaceable to your clients

This conversation is perfect for service providers who are ready to step into their power, own their unique value, and create a role that's customized to their strengths rather than trying to fit into outdated boxes.

• Resources from this episode: 
• Sign up for our Influencer OBM Academy Open House (March 17-21): More Info Here!
• Alex's previous episode on the podcast: How to Pivot and Book Out Your Services as an Influencer OBM

• More about Alex Porterfield:

Alex is an experienced online business manager, specializing in providing strategic support for multi-6- figure influencers and women entrepreneurs. With her deep understanding of the digital business landscape and her passion for helping others succeed, Alex has become a sought-after business coach, training

women on how to become successful virtual assistants and online business managers. Alex's signature programs, Influencer Support MethodTM and Influencer OBM AcademyTM have helped 40+ women around the world achieve their entrepreneurial dreams. Through these programs, Alex provides comprehensive training on everything from the influencer industry and how to strategically support Influencers to project management and team leadership, giving her students the tools they need to build thriving online

businesses.

Connect with Alex:

• Website: http://influencersupportmethod.com
• Instagram: @itsalexporterfield
• TikTok @itsalexporterfield

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

In this bonus training, I break down what makes an offer truly scalable and how to build an offer suite that supports the lifestyle you want.

What You'll Learn:

• The 5 key elements that make an offer scalable (automated onboarding, systemized delivery, clear boundaries, repeatable processes, and minimal customization)
• Why automated onboarding is crucial for psychological readiness to scale
• How to calculate your effective hourly rate for each offer
• The spectrum of scalability from digital courses to custom 1:1 services
• Practical steps to identify bottlenecks in your current offers

Want support breaking through the bottlenecks in your business?

I have a few spots open for my Systems to Scale Audit. It's a 90-minute session where we'll look at your current offers, map out your scaling strategy, and build your custom client journey automation map. You'll walk away knowing exactly what needs to be built for you to scale without working more hours.

Book your spot here: https://systemswithsam.com/systems-scale-audit/

Episode Description: In this episode of Beyond the Systems podcast, I'm diving into how I've been intentionally using AI in my business for the past six months—and it has completely changed the game! I was super skeptical at first (thinking AI would either take over my job or be useless), but a major mindset shift happened when I started seeing AI not as replacing a person but as enhancing tasks I was already doing.

I'm breaking down the three main areas where AI has transformed my processes: content creation, client work, and team management. You'll discover how I went from spending 3-5 hours per week creating content for just Instagram and my podcast to producing twice as much content (Instagram, LinkedIn, multiple weekly emails, podcast, and blog posts) in under 2 hours!

I've found that AI works best when you already have established systems and a clear brand voice. That's why I'm sharing exactly how I built my knowledge base in Claude AI, how I repurpose my podcast content across multiple platforms, and why starting with what's already taking up most of your time is the perfect entry point for implementing AI.

That moment when I realized I didn't have to choose between consistency and time freedom was game-changing. Now I can maintain my content schedule even during busy client weeks without sacrificing quality or burning out.

If you've been curious about practical, realistic ways to incorporate AI into your service-based business, this episode gives you the exact roadmap I've followed to save 5-10 hours every single week!

Resources from this episode: 

• 10 AI Podcast Prompts
• Podcast Systems Blueprint
• Claude AI (claude.ai)
• Fathom AI (fathom.video) - AI note-taking tool for Zoom calls
• Riverside (riverside.fm) - Podcast recording platform with AI features
• Loom AI - For creating SOPs from video recordings

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

In this week’s episode, I sit down with Lena Sesardic, a business and life mentor who shares her incredible journey of completely transforming her life and business in late 2023. From working in tech as a product manager to becoming an online entrepreneur during COVID, to her latest chapter of "blowing up her life" and moving to Mexico, Lena opens up about the messy middle of pivoting and finding yourself again.

We dive deep into what it really looks like to build a true freedom business - not just the highlight reel, but the uncomfortable periods of uncertainty, self-doubt, and reinvention. Lena shares candidly about her experience letting go of a successful coaching business, taking a complete break, and trusting herself to build something new. We discuss how being authentic in your content creation has supported her through multiple business pivots, and why she believes entrepreneurs need to stay adaptable, especially with the rising impact of AI.

This conversation is perfect for service providers feeling stuck in their business model or anyone craving permission to evolve their business in alignment with their desires. You'll hear honest insights about:

- The reality of major business pivots and how to navigate the uncertainty

- Why authenticity in content creation matters more than ever

- The importance of allowing yourself grace while still maintaining forward momentum

- How AI is reshaping the online business landscape and why staying adaptable is crucial

- Building a diverse income stream and thinking beyond traditional online business models

• Resources from this episode: Please note any resources that need to be shared in the show notes.
• More about Lena Sesardic: Lena is a freedom business & life mentor who is on a mission to show women that's it's safe and GOOD for them to put their full selves out there by going first. She lives & breathes authentic content that speaks straight from your soul and loves to empower women to make bold AF moves that attract dream clients & create their dream life.

• Connect with Lena Sesardic:
• Website: http://www.lenasesardic.com
• Instagram: @contently_lena
• Tiktok: @contently_lena
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenasesardic/

• Connect with Sam:
• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

Episode Description: In this episode, I break down why your tech stack might be simpler than you think. Whether you're currently running your business straight from your inbox or drowning in a sea of disconnected tools, I'll show you how to build the essential foundation you actually need.

I share the real talk about why the transition from $5k to $15k months is such a crucial turning point in your business systems. Most entrepreneurs I work with hit this wall around $8-10k months - that's when you realize manually managing everything isn't sustainable anymore, but you also don't need 40 different tools to scale.

You'll learn:

• Why more tools doesn't equal better systems (and when to keep it simple vs. when to upgrade)
• The four core tech foundations every $15k month business needs
• How to avoid the common mistake of choosing tech before having systems in place
• My grocery store analogy for tech shopping (because we've all made the mistake of shopping hungry without a list!)

Plus, I get real about why revenue can be a helpful indicator of your systems needs - not because of the money itself, but because it tells me how much you've got on your plate and whether you're ready to refine your processes.

Resources from this episode: 

• Free Tech Stack Checklist

Connect with Sam:

• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/

In this episode of Beyond the Systems, I interview Josh Haynam, co-founder and CEO of Try Interact, a platform for creating quizzes. We explore how quizzes have evolved from simple personality tests to powerful tools for meaningful customer engagement. Josh shares how the quiz landscape dramatically shifted in 2024, moving away from viral "what shrimp are you?" style quizzes to more intentional, value-driven experiences that help solve specific problems.

Some key moments from the episode:

"Things change slowly and then all at once" - Josh perfectly captures how quiz marketing transformed in 2024. The days of 5-question viral Buzzfeed-style quizzes are over. Today's successful quizzes create personalized journeys through your content and expertise.

Josh breaks down an excellent example of a modern quiz - an English language assessment with 13 thoughtfully crafted questions that demonstrates the creator's expertise while mapping to specific pain points. Each result delivers a customized content journey addressing the quiz-taker's exact needs.

When asked whether quiz creators should focus on being positive/affirming or pointing out what's wrong, Josh reveals that in 2025, people overwhelmingly want quizzes to identify their problems first. As he notes, "If you don't start by acknowledging that something is off, I'm not going to listen to you."

The conversation dives deep into the psychology of asking questions and why many businesses overcomplicate quiz creation instead of simply recreating their most helpful customer conversations.

For business owners considering adding quizzes to their marketing mix, Josh emphasizes that successful quizzes sit at the intersection of three elements: a compelling topic (like personality or spirituality), personal relevance to the individual taking it, and a clear connection to your business offerings.

Together we discuss the rise of branching logic quizzes - while they require more backend work (sometimes mapping out 128 different possible outcomes!), they deliver an almost magical experience where just 4-5 targeted questions can lead to pinpoint accurate results.

As Josh shares, nothing beats personal conversations for conversion rates. Only turn to automation tools like quizzes when you've had enough customer interactions to truly understand the journey.

This episode is perfect for business owners looking to understand how quizzes can create meaningful connections with their audience while delivering real value. Josh's conversation provides both strategic insights and practical tips for creating quizzes that resonate in 2025's more intentional digital landscape.

• Resources from this episode: TryInteract: https://get.tryinteract.com/systemswithsam if you sign up free you can get a free quiz strategy call
• More about Josh Haynam: The co-founder and CEO at Interact, a software for creating list building quizzes. Since co-founding the company in 2013, Josh has worked with the world's leading brands on quizzes ranging across every industry and use-case imaginable.

• Connect with Josh Haynam:
• Website: http://tryinteract.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/tryinteract
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jhaynam

• Connect with Sam:
• Website: https://www.systemswithsam.com/services 
• Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/systemswithsam/ ​​
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samwhiz/