If you've been listening to this podcast for awhile, you know I'm skeptical of business coaching, even though it's part of what I do. I've been one of the lucky ones on the receiving end of a massive investment into business coaching that didn't match my expectations or financial obligation, and I generally feel burned by the industry, like so many other online business owners. But coaching is a real field and business coaching is something a lot of people really could massively benefit from, if it is done right. My dear friend Amber Dancy joins me on the podcast this week to talk about all the ways business coaching SHOULD look, and tons of other REALLY fun topics that I know you're going to love. I have been looking forward to sharing this one with you.

Meet Amber:

Amber Dancy is a Business Leadership Coach and Consultant with over 15 years of operations experience. She believes that, sometimes, rebelling is the most practical thing a business owner can do—for both their business and their life. Amber works with leaders who are ready to transform one-size-fits-all business practices into human-first approaches, creating safer team relationships and allowing people to show up as their whole, unique selves within the business.

She helps clients cut through the BS, using the science of energy and the wisdom of Human Design, to clear their vision and make decisions aligned with their unique energetic blueprint. Once their energetic leadership style is understood and work is defined in a way that truly works for them, she helps identify bottlenecks and energy leaks to optimize business systems and strategies for flow.

By creating a work life that serves them first, both the leader and the business thrive. As she says at Practical Rebel, “You get to do this however the fuck you want.”

Connect with Amber:

https://practicalrebel.com/

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

https://www.instagram.com/ambertherebel/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

One of the things I've been thinking about for my own business is staring a non-profit/charitable arm in the Podfox umbrella. But meeting Paulaska Ramirez, my guest today, led to my realization that I never considered a non-profit as a business structure when I first became an entrepreneur. I definitely had the mindset that I was "staring a business" with the intention to make money... but I mean, CEOs of non-profits should get salaries, too. The point isn't that the team can't get paid (although that's not currently Paulaska's focus) but that the organization itself is not working to earn a profit. Even with a profit-oriented business (a sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, S-Corp, so many options for business entities!), you can still *also* have a non-profit. How does that work? What would that look like? What are the challenges? We're discussing that and more in today's episode with Paulaska.

Meet Paulaska:

Paulaska S. Ramirez is an exceptional leader and advocate who has dedicated her life to making a positive impact on the lives of first-generation women. As the Founder and Executive Director of Generation Fearless, she has set out to transform the experiences of first-generation women, helping them navigate the complexities of life with confidence and resilience.

Connect with Paulaska:

https://www.instagram.com/generation_fearless/

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

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

At the crux of what I've been doing here with Big Brave Business is the question, "How do you become an entrepreneur, and grow and scale a business, with anti-capitalist values?" One of the reasons why my guest today, Joanna Horton McPherson, and I became instant friends is because people with shared values like that are really naturally drawn together. In part 1 with Joanna (she came back to record another episode, which will also come out in a couple of weeks), we are talking about how we build a business that's different than exactly the thing we wanted to leave in the 9-5 rat race. This led somewhat naturally to talking about our relationships with anger and emotional intelligence, and mission-driven entrepreneurship as public service and revolutionary action.

Meet Joanna:

Joanna Horton McPherson is a leader, serial entrepreneur, and speaker who specializes in the deeper aspects of leadership and personal fulfillment. Joanna helps mission-driven public figures develop their transformative message for audiences.

An advanced practitioner of Buddhist meditation and poet. Joanna focuses on inspiring the next generation of global leadership. She has founded several nonprofits and schools, one of which is near her home in Costa Rica.

Joanna obtained her Master’s in Education from Harvard University and serves as President-Elect for the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), Phoenix chapter.

Connect with Joanna:

https://joannahortonmcpherson.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-horton-mcpherson/

@joannahortonmcpherson on all socials :)

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

Sammy Bohannon, my guest this week, and I bonded over the complexities of blending personal and professional relationships, and the importance of understanding each team member's unique needs and working styles. Sammy's teaching background has clearly shaped her ability to connect deeply with clients, and I was really interested to learn more about her strategies for rejecting hustle culture in favor of realistic goal-setting and avoiding the trap of busy work. This episode was a refreshing reminder that we can grow and scale our businesses without sacrificing our values or work-life balance. I'm excited to continue exploring how we can redefine what it means to lead with courage and integrity.

Meet Sammy:

Sammy Bohannon, the founder of Bohannon Virtual Solutions, is an empowering online business manager (OBM) who helps ambitious online business owners streamline their operations, implement scalable systems, and build trusted teams. After starting as a VA in 2022, Sammy quickly recognized her expertise extended beyond typical VA tasks, leading her to transition to OBM in 2024. With a dedicated team, Sammy empowers entrepreneurs to confidently scale their businesses with clarity and ease, all while reclaiming their time and achieving sustainable growth without the overwhelm.

Connect with Sammy:

www.bohannonvirtualsolutions.com

www.instagram.com/bohannonvirtualsolutions

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

We all remember the rise of emphasis on DEIB following George Floyd's murder and the increased attention on the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020. But shortly after, in 2023, those DEIB programs and priorities started declining. Now, there is almost a point of pride among companies retiring their DEIB programs and ERGs. My guest today, Michelle Beauchamp, came to me wanting to talk about why this is happening and what are the repercussions. And, in full transparency, we recorded this just 7 days after the 2024 Presidential Election (how appropriate that, with our emotions and anger running high, this episode is coming out the day after Inauguration).

Meet Michelle:

Michelle, a Consultant, Trainer, Coach, and Author, is a shining example of dedication and commitment. Her unwavering commitment to excellence is evident in her personal and professional growth journey. Her motto, "Unleash Your Inner Champ," reflects her passion for helping others grow.

She is a certified John Maxwell trainer who has developed numerous leadership development courses, providing comprehensive content and practical activities to boost participants' confidence and competence for real-world application.

Connect with Michelle:

https://thechampgroup.com/

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

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

I'm thrilled to welcome Gabby Barrero, the queen of community, to the podcast this week. Gabby is an entrepreneur, strategist, and numbers geek who helps mission-driven business owners build their network and their business. In this episode, Gabby and I dive deep into the power of networking, finding the right communities, and building authentic connections that bring joy and inspiration, even in challenging times. You won't want to miss Gabby's insights on leveling up your networking game.

Connect with Gabby:

https://www.noplanbconsulting.com/

https://www.thenextgenerationnetwork.com/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

This week, I'm joined by a new friend, Bri Norberg. In this episode, Bri and I get really vulnerable and share some of our deeply rooted stories from childhood and how they've shown up in our entrepreneurship journeys. Entrepreneurship shines a spotlight on literally all of your crap and you don't have a choice but to deal with it one way or another. I hope this episode resonates in both that you can see yourself in our stories, and we can help you heal your inner child as we work to heal our own, but also to experiment with what unique ways your own deeply-rooted stories are showing up for you in your business.

Meet Bri Norberg:

Bri Norberg is an entrepreneur with over 12 years of experience. She is a visibility and personal branding mentor who helps entrepreneurs unapologetically take up space online and become known as experts in their industry.

Connect with Bri:

https://www.instagram.com/iambrinorberg/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

Everyone is making predictions about online business in 2025 - what's in, and what's OUT. I know a lot of people are including digital courses and group programs in their predictions, but my episode title is actually just a joke - I think online learning is pivotal for the future, but the thing is, it's got to be done WELL. So I've brought my friend and returning guest Dr. Catrina Mitchum back to the podcast. Not just because you told me how much you love her previous episode, but also because she's a digital course expert. She's sharing all about how to fix your broken course in this episode.

About Dr. Catrina Mitchum

Dr. Catrina Mitchum, founder of Catrina Mitchum Learning Design, has 16 years experience designing and delivering online courses and training inside higher ed. She creates change through learning design support for overwhelmed founders that give a shit about the success of their employees and clients. She provides that combination of a swift kick and a helping hand to simplify the process, eliminate the overwhelm, and focus on learner success through accessibility and transparency.

Connect with Catrina

https://www.cmlearningdesign.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catrina-mitchum-learning-design/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

You've heard me mention Be You Brand Live, an event I spoke at a few months ago hosted by my friend Ati Grinspun in Las Vegas. One thing I LOVE about my friendship with Ati is that she really pushes me not just out of my comfort zone, but to really explore and challenge how my core values show up in different contexts. A great example of this is the resistance I felt when she brought up this concept of taking Radical Responsibility in your life and business during her opening remarks at her event. I'm so thrilled and honored that she came onto the podcast to really explore this concept with me and so much more.

Meet Ati Grinspun:

Ati is an acclaimed Personal Branding and Business Coach, Speaker, and podcaster, dedicated to empowering female entrepreneurs. With her infectious energy, she simplifies the complexities of online and offline visibility, making it both manageable and fun. As the visionary founder of Be You Brand movement,  Academy, and book series, she's on a mission to catapult women to new heights in their fields, believing that their success sparks global positive change. 

Connect with Ati:

https://atigrinspun.com/

https://atigrinspun.com/beyoubrandliveevent/

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

Want to be a guest on Season 2? Learn more and apply here: 

https://forms.fillout.com/t/qQe2MEbTLzus

This conversation with Taina Brown is a powerful exploration of the insidious ways that white supremacy and capitalism have infiltrated online entrepreneurship. As a white woman, it was eye-opening to hear Taina's firsthand experiences navigating these systems as a non-white entrepreneur. Her insights on the coded language, biased algorithms, and lack of diversity in professional communities really challenged me to be more intentional about the spaces I create and the people I amplify. This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur who wants to build a business rooted in equity and justice, rather than perpetuating the harmful status quo.

Meet Taina Brown:

Taina is an elder millennial, Jeopardy enthusiast, and dog mom to doggy influencers. In her spare time and with the help of her community, she's building a world where people don't feel the need to live busy and burned out lives, laugh in the face of imposter syndrome, and generally stick it to the man. You can find her ranting (sometimes) and raving (mostly) on Instagram and in her email newsletter to her community. Sign up at her website: www.tainambrown.com

Connect with Taina:

https://www.tainambrown.com

https://www.instagram.com/taina.m.brown

Connect with Sarah Heeter & Big Brave Business:

https://www.instagram.com/sarahkheeter/

https://www.threads.net/@sarahkheeter 

https://www.instagram.com/bigbravebusiness

https://www.youtube.com/@bigbravebusiness

Want to be a guest on Season 2? Learn more and apply here: 

https://forms.fillout.com/t/qQe2MEbTLzus