Breaking Even Better

Scarcity mindset doesn’t always look like panic. Sometimes it looks like over-discounting, hiring the wrong people, micromanaging instead of delegating, or putting off investments that would actually move the needle.

In this episode, we’re calling it out. We’re breaking down how fear-based decisions sneak into your business - from your pricing and hiring to your marketing and time management - and how to reframe them using facts instead of fear. If you’ve ever said “I can’t afford it right now” and then paid double to clean up the mess later… this one’s for you.

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Resources mentioned:

• Get More Clients You Love: Mastering the Alignment Attraction Framework by Trish Saemann

In this episode, we cover:

• What scarcity mindset actually sounds like in business — and why it’s not always obvious

• How “saving money” can sabotage your growth (and cost you more in the long run)

• The red flags of fear-based decisions like discounting out of panic or micromanaging underperformers

• How to shift your focus from fear to facts with a simple mindset check-in

• Why time is the real non-renewable resource you should be budgeting for

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website
  

What do Olympic medals and entrepreneurship have in common? Way more than you think.

This week, we’re sitting down with Cierra Burdick, professional athlete and mindset powerhouse, to talk about the mental game behind success. From training for the WNBA to pushing through moments of failure, Cierra shares what it takes to show up when no one’s watching, stay grounded under pressure, and bounce back like a pro.

This one is for the business owner who’s in it for the long haul, who’s tired, and who needs a reminder that your reps matter, your mindset is a muscle, and your story isn’t over yet.

Cierra Burdick is a professional athlete, Olympic bronze medalist, and seven-time gold medalist who brings the mindset of a champion to everything she does. From the WNBA to the world stage, she’s passionate about discipline, preparation, and helping others tap into their potential through resilience and intentional action. 

Connect with Cierra:

• Instagram

• Website

📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!

Resources mentioned:

• Cierra’s go-to pregame (and pre-meeting) pump-up artist: Forrest Frank

In this episode we cover:

• The difference between motivation and discipline, and why one will outlast the other

• What to do when you feel like you’ve failed in front of everyone 

• How to build confidence through consistency, even on your worst days

• The power of preparation, presence, and perspective — in sports and in business

• What Cierra learned about leadership, grace, and showing up when it’s hard

• How to intentionally lead and manage the chemistry in your team by leveraging your team members’ strengths.

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website

We’re saying it out loud: MLMs are not the same thing as owning a business — and if you’ve ever been told otherwise, you deserve the full story.

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on multilevel marketing (a.k.a. network marketing). We’re not here to hate — we’re here to clarify the differences between being a business owner and being a sales rep for someone else’s company. You’ll hear our breakdown of the risks, realities, and reasons people fall into the MLM dream. We want you to walk in with eyes wide open. The model matters. Ownership matters. And knowing what you’re getting into? That really matters.

If you're craving flexibility and dreaming of business ownership, you’re already showing signs of an entrepreneurial mindset — and we’ve got better ways to get you there. 

🛼 Looking for an unforgettable event? Screamin' Wheels & Blades brings the ultimate mobile roller skating experience straight to YOU! Perfect for corporate events, city festivals, universities, and HOAs, we combine high-energy skating with lots of excitement. It's a VIBE you don't want to miss! Visit our website to book now and let's roll into your next great event!

In this episode, we cover:

• What it really means when you’re selling under someone else’s brand

• Why control is the biggest difference between owning a business and selling for one you don’t run

• Why and how keeping your downline motivated turns into unpaid people management and an HR role you didn’t sign up for

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website

Our favorite romance novel is the one where a business owner crafts SOPs that allow them to vacation in Europe all summer long stress-free. That could be your sexy story, IF you have clearly documented standard operating procedures - AKA SOPs. In this episode, we share how SOPs transformed our businesses, the exact things to include in your SOPs, and using them to make more revenue instead of collecting digital dust.

📚 Download your FREE SOP Starter Template Here!

📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!

Resources mentioned:

• Luis Miranda | Making it Different | Optimize Your Business with Seamless Automation Partner

In this episode, we cover:

• Debunking common myths about SOPs

• Everything that should be included in a SOP

• Why it’s crucial to test out your SOPs

• The revenue results Carolina got from improving her processes

• Our challenge to help you start small with documentation

• Looking at your processes as an investment, not an expense

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website

Today we’re coming for that dusty stack of books on your nightstand, the well-intentioned Kindle downloads, and the Audible credits you forgot you had. Whether you’re a certified bookworm or haven’t cracked a spine since college, this episode is for you.

We’re diving into the business books that have shaped how we lead, market, grow, and rest — and the ones we still come back to again and again. From marketing must-reads to mindset shifts, we’re sharing the ones that slapped us with the truth, made us highlight every page, and even helped us say “no” more often.

Bonus? You don’t even have to flip a page. Audiobooks, e-readers, and good old library cards have all the goods you need right now.

Links mentioned:

• Relay Financial

• Blinkist

• Audible

• Libby

• Listen to Ep. 15: Burnout, Boundaries, and the Business Owner’s Breaking Point with Julie Bee, Author of Burned

Books mentioned:

• Profit First by Michael Michalowicz

• The E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. Gerber

• Mindset Matters by Gemma Leigh Roberts

• Pave Your Own Way: 13 Skills to Create Your Professional Success by Carolina Aponte

• Get More Clients You Love by Trish Saemann

• The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• Essentialism by Greg McKeown

• Traction by Gino Wickman

• We Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel Rodgers

• Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

• Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success by Julie Bee

• Never Split the Difference by Christopher Voss and Tahl Raz

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website
  

Profit First has been revolutionizing the way business owners approach their finances for years. But maybe you’re like our girl Brenda: skeptical about the system and whether it actually works. In this episode, we’re breaking down how the Profit First system works, how it’s helped Carolina and Trish in their own businesses, and how it will help you pay yourself consistently.

📚 Download our FREE Profit First Starter Pack here!

Resources mentioned:

• Profit First by Michael Michalowicz

In this episode, we cover:

• The standard formula for profit vs. the Profit First formula

• Why Brenda is skeptical about the Profit First cult following

• The clarity that the Profit First system brings to finances

• Creative ways to customize the system to your business

• How Profit First will save your a** come tax time

• Achieving peace of mind knowing your expenses - and owner’s pay - are covered

• How a great bank can make using this system easier

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website
  

We have all been in situations where something happened that we couldn’t control: a global pandemic, a huge client that peaced out, or a supply chain issue that threatened to take you down. In this episode, we share why it’s important to have resilience strategies in place for the factors you can’t control, times we’ve faced huge challenges and lived to tell the tale, and action steps you can take today to have a 

📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!

Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to hear our Profit First episode, coming soon!

In this episode, we cover:

• Recognizing the factors in your business that you don’t have control over

• Concrete examples of when sh*t hit the fan in our business, and how we bounced back

• Building a cash cushion to be ready for unexpected challenges

• Keeping open communication with your team to raise morale

• How to get out of panic mode and into problem-solving mode

• Business resilience strategies to protect yourself

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website
  

Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and get cozy, because this episode is a fun one! We are sharing all the crazy, maybe too unfiltered, and sometimes cringeworthy things we’ve said as entrepreneurs that would make an HR team sweat. While we may be “unhireable,” we do know what we’re talking about, and since we run our own companies, we can kind of say whatever the hell we want!

📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!

In this episode, we cover stories like:

• Carolina’s blunt opening to a Zoom call that did result in getting a client

• Trish telling a client to their face that their website was crusty

• When Brenda posted a sexy pic online and was called out by a pastor

• How showing up as our most authentic selves has actually served us well

• and so many more!

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website
  

Burnout is a feeling we as entrepreneurs know all too well. Feeling completely drained energetically and creatively, losing all motivation to push your business forward, and even having physical symptoms of anxiety are just a few signs that you’re approaching - or fully immersed in - burnout. That’s where our guest, Julie Bee, comes in. Julie is the author of Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success, and in this episode, she shares how she realized she needed to make a change following a major burnout moment, how to recognize your own unique signs of burnout, and how to set and hold boundaries to prevent future burnout.

Julie Bee is an award-winning podcast host, a leader, a professional speaker, and an entrepreneur. Julie started her career as an accountant but quickly discovered that path was not a good fit for her creativity. After losing her job in 2008, Julie founded BeeSmart Social Media. Since founding TJB Media in 2021, Julie focuses most of her time helping business owners prevent burnout and achieve success.

Connect with Julie:

• Order your copy of Burned

• Website

• LinkedIn

• Instagram

• X

• Facebook

• YouTube

As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. 

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

• Julie’s wake up call moment when she knew her burnout had gone too far

• Surprising tools to help you identify your personal signs of burnout

• Why burnout can bring up feelings of shame

• Embracing work-life integration instead of work-life balance

• Setting boundaries around your work and personal life

• How to manage when people push back on your boundaries

• Figuring out what needs to pause in your business so you can recover

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website
  

In April of this year, we hosted our very first live podcast recording, and after a few pivots, we ended up right where we were meant to be: speaking directly with female founders who are inspiring AF! In this episode, we had nine founders come up onstage with us to answer rapid fire questions about connection, leadership, making an impact, and what happens when women say “yes” to the right opportunities. No matter where you are in your business journey, you will walk away feeling fired up to make your biggest dreams come true.

As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. 

THANK YOU to the amazing business women who joined us on stage for this event!

👑 Angela R. Garmon, ARG Coaching & Consulting Group

💻 Corey Brausch Hurley, Seven Willows Social Media Agency 

🌵 Imèn Maar, Prickly Pear Health

✴️ Tish Times, Tish Times Sales Agency

🧘‍♀️ Dr. Valerie Steele, Why Not Now Coaching and Events

🩷 Carolina Ferrer, Carolina's Compassionate Counseling

💥 Wonder Wendy Farrell, Wonder Wendy & Friends

🎤 Grace Lager, Ph.D., The Speaker Spark

💰 Nicole Milone, Solaris Strategic Wealth

Some key takeaways from this episode include:

• Inspiring founder stories from women who all started impact-driven businesses

• The connections that have changed our businesses - and lives - for the better

• What happens when you say “yes” to game-changing opportunities

• Turning inspiration into action when it strikes

• The leadership lessons you NEED to hear right now

• Our hopes and wishes for women who want to change the world

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. 

Meet Your Co-Hosts:

• Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel company

• Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firm

• Trish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agency

Connect with Breaking Even Better: 

• Instagram

• LinkedIn

• YouTube

• Facebook 

• Website