In this conversation, Brett Trainor and Don discuss the topic of guest podcasting as a way to create awareness and grow your solo business. They share their strategies for getting on podcasts, including watching what people are podcasting about, commenting on LinkedIn posts, and finding topics that align with the show's theme. They emphasize the importance of understanding the target audience and tailoring the pitch accordingly. 

They also discuss the value of networking and asking for referrals to podcast hosts. Other tips include having strong opinions, being prepared with a good headshot and bio, and promoting the podcast episode after it's released. They encourage guests to be themselves and not be afraid of making mistakes or being imperfect. 

Overall, they highlight the power of human connection in podcasting.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Mixing Concoctions

00:03 The Value of Guest Podcasting

01:00 Strategies for Getting on Podcasts

02:41 Researching the Show and Suggesting Topics

07:12 Being Yourself and Providing Value

16:15 Improving the Guest Experience

20:32 Promoting the Podcast Episode

23:10 Asking for Audio and Video

25:44 Embracing Mistakes and Human Connection

29:14 Conclusion

John Browning shares his journey from working at large financial firms to starting his own independent financial planning business. He emphasizes the importance of building relationships and providing value to clients. Browning also discusses the challenges of acquiring a small firm and the lessons he learned from that experience. He highlights the significance of networking and making introductions for others as a key strategy for finding new clients. 

In this conversation, John Browning and Brett Trainor discuss the importance of networking and building relationships in business. They emphasize the value of introductions and learning from others in networking groups, rather than focusing solely on sales pitches. 

John shares his experience of writing a book and starting a podcast as effective ways to share knowledge and build credibility. He also highlights the importance of outsourcing tasks that you don't enjoy or excel at, and the need for sales training when transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship. 

John’s Links

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

06:40 The Tipping Point and Leaving Corporate

08:08 Lessons from Acquiring a Small Firm

13:04 The Power of Networking

18:12 Involving Your Spouse or Partner

19:18 Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

21:11 The Power of Introductions and Learning in Networking

23:17 Building Credibility Through Books and Podcasts

28:20 Outsourcing and Focusing on Your Strengths

29:32 Sales Training for Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

33:01 Protecting Yourself in Business: Be Careful with Contracts

39:05 Valuable Resources from John Browning: Website, Podcast, and Daily Market Update

Keywords

financial planning, small business, corporate escapee, independent, networking, acquisitions, networking, relationships, introductions, learning, sales pitches, book, podcast, credibility, outsourcing, sales training, corporate, entrepreneurship

In this episode of The Corporate Escapee podcast, we welcome Shannon, a seasoned project management and HR consultant who partners with CEOs in growing organizations. Shannon focuses on building infrastructure that drives business results through human performance. She shares her escapee journey from corporate to solo business owner, having been solo for two and a half years, with a clear vision of her ideal clients and the work she wants to pursue.

Shannon shares her insights on the varied reputation of HR, emphasizing that most HR professionals take their roles seriously and are willing to face challenges head-on. Her eclectic career before going solo revealed her challenging nature and desire for results, leading her to realize that she didn't belong in the corporate world. The decision to go solo came after a job acquisition and a subsequent role that didn't fit.

Initially, Shannon struggled with networking and selling her services. However, once she embraced her work with pride, she found people receptive and willing to help. She advises newcomers to remain flexible with their offerings and not get caught up in perfection.

Shannon began with hourly work but soon realized it wasn't the right path. Now, she offers three types of engagements: emergency project management retainers, fractional engagements, and long-term retainers. She emphasizes the importance of building relationships and networking to establish trust and credibility. Partnering with other professionals and surrounding yourself with experts is key to success, she notes.

Additionally, Shannon highlights the value of LinkedIn as a platform for networking and building a strong online presence. Join us as Shannon shares her journey, challenges, and valuable advice for fellow escapees.

Takeaways

Quick Hits:

Chapters00:00: Introduction and Current Work

02:53: Challenging the Status Quo in HR

07:58 Realizing the Need to Go Solo

12:09 Building a Network and Finding Clients

13:36 Embracing Discomfort for Growth

16:59 Time Management and Work-Life Balance

20:01 The Evolution of Offerings: From Hourly Work to Flexible Services

20:54 Pricing for Results: Shifting the Focus from Hours

21:44 The Power of Partnership: Building Collaborative Relationships

22:16 Tactical Tips for Starting a Solo Business

27:40 The Importance of Networking and Building Relationships

36:01 The Empowerment of Setting Up an LLC

In this conversation, Brett Trainor interviews John Tyreman about his escapee journey and the benefits of podcasting for expertise-driven businesses. John shares his experience of transitioning from working in agencies to becoming a fractional marketing director and launching his own consulting business. He also discusses how he got into podcasting and the advantages it offers, such as building trust, generating leads, expanding networks, and creating endless content. In this conversation, Brett Trainor and John Tyreman discuss the value of podcasting for business growth. They emphasize the importance of providing value to both the audience and the business through the podcast. They also discuss the different podcast formats and how to choose the right one for your goals. They touch on the topics of strategy, operation, and marketing, and provide tips for finding the right topics and discovering channels for your podcast. They conclude by highlighting the importance of taking action and getting started with podcasting.

Takeaways

Sound Bites

John's Links

Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview

01:18 John's Escapee Journey

22:08 Creating Endless Content with Podcasting

23:02 Providing Value to Your Audience and Business

25:08 Choosing the Right Podcast Format

26:14 Uncovering Deeper Layers in Conversations

28:40 Keeping it Real and Providing Value

29:37 Getting Comfortable with Hearing Yourself

30:19 Focusing on Your Mount Rushmore Listeners

33:48 The Importance of Strategy and Goals

35:14 Considering the Host's Personality in Format

37:18 Researching Topics for Audience Engagement

40:18 Finding the Right Discovery Channels

44:05 Finding Customers vs Finding Jobs

45:10 Taking Action and Getting Started

Keywordsescapee journey, podcasting, expertise-driven businesses, trust, authenticity, lead generation, networking, content creation, podcasting, business growth, value, audience, strategy, operation, marketing, topics, discovery channels

In this episode of "The Corporate Escapee," I'm excited to share my conversation from Beau Billington's "Finding That Next Gear" podcast. Special thanks to Beau for allowing me to feature this insightful discussion.

In the latest episode of "Finding That Next Gear," I had the pleasure of speaking with Brett Trainor, an inspiring entrepreneur on a mission to empower 10,000 Gen Xers to escape the 9-to-5 grind and find true freedom.

🎙️ Episode Highlights:

◾ Brett's journey from a 25-year corporate career to discovering fractional leadership and entrepreneurship.

◾ The accidental yet impactful discoveries that shaped his new path.

◾ The importance of taking action and embracing imperfection in entrepreneurial success.

🌟 Brett shared invaluable insights on:

◾Creating Awareness: Helping others understand the vast possibilities outside corporate life, from fractional roles to solo consulting.

◾Building Community: The significance of finding like-minded individuals and creating support systems.

◾Transparency & Support: How regular communication with family is crucial during major career transitions.

◾ Taking Action: The critical trait that separates successful entrepreneurs from the rest.

🚀 Key Takeaway: "Confidence and action are the cornerstones of entrepreneurial success. Don't wait for perfection; start now, learn as you go, and keep pushing forward."

If you're feeling stuck in your corporate job and yearning for a change, this episode is for you. Brett’s story is a testament to the power of taking control of your career and creating a life that aligns with your values and aspirations.

👉 Tune in to the full episode here and join the conversation.

In this conversation, Brett Trainor interviews Paul Kuthe about the power of storytelling in business and entrepreneurship. Paul shares his journey of breaking free from the corporate world and using the power of story to help others do the same. He explains the seven parts of a successful story, including the hero, the problem, the guide, the plan, and the call to action. Paul emphasizes the importance of positioning oneself as the guide in the story and providing a clear plan for clients. He also discusses the transformation that occurs when the hero takes action and overcomes their problems. The power of storytelling lies in addressing the internal and philosophical problems of the hero. Brands should position themselves as guides, not heroes, in the story. This paradigm shift can transform the way businesses communicate and serve their clients. The seven parts of a story framework are: hero, problem, guide, plan, call to action, success or failure, and character transformation. Applying this framework can create a powerful narrative that resonates with the audience. Understanding the emotional and philosophical drivers behind a purchasing decision can help businesses connect with their customers on a deeper level.

Paul's Contact Info:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-kuthe-4b18308/Website: https://www.tributarycoaching.com/

Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

01:32 Breaking Free from Corporate Life

08:13 The Myth of Work-Life Balance

10:54 Finding Freedom and Building a Business

15:36 The Seven Parts of a Successful Story

20:05 The Guide's Plan and Call to Action

23:18 Transformation and Success in Entrepreneurship

24:09 The Power of Addressing Internal Problems

25:16 Positioning Brands as Guides

26:07 The Seven Parts of a Story

27:38 Applying the Story Framework to Everyday Life

28:13 Tailoring Messaging and Solutions to Customer Needs

Beau Billington, founder of The Free Agent, discusses the concept of fractional and interim roles in the corporate world. He explains that fractional roles offer extreme flexibility and are a fraction of a work week, allowing professionals to work with multiple clients at the same time. He also highlights the importance of finding the right fit between the free agent and the company. Beau shares that companies are starting to understand the value of fractional executives and are embracing this model. He mentions that the billing model for fractional roles can vary, but having a set number of hours per month with the flexibility to roll them over is becoming more popular. Beau also discusses the distinction between strategic and tactical fractional roles and how companies are looking for professionals who can do both. He shares his own journey of becoming an entrepreneur and starting The Free Agent. Beau Billington shares his journey of starting a fractional executive agency and provides insights on best practices for those considering a career in the fractional space. He emphasizes the importance of being entrepreneurial and transparent with family members about the risks involved. Beau also highlights the need to validate your value proposition and ideal client profile before launching your venture. He believes that the fractional space is just getting started and sees a growing demand for fractional executives as more companies prioritize work-life balance and seek expertise on a project basis. Beau envisions a future where a significant percentage of companies operate with a fractional workforce.

Beau's Contact InformationLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beaubillington/Website: https://thefreeagent.com/ Key Takeaways

Sound Bites

Chapters00:00The Journey from Corporate to Entrepreneurship

02:09Understanding Fractional Work and its Value

06:10The Evolving Billing Model for Fractional Work

08:12Embracing the Value of Fractional Roles

18:13Navigating the Transition from Consulting to Agency Work

29:00Challenges and Insights in Starting a Business

29:36The Future of Fractional Work

33:20Best Practices for Fractional Work and Career Transition

Jessie Schwartz is the founder of Strategic Packaging Partners, an organization that helps CPG and cosmetics companies maximize their packaging spend. She escaped corporate in 2019 and has since grown it into an agency that offers a range of services. Jessie shares her journey, discussing the challenges and opportunities she encountered along the way. She emphasizes the importance of leveraging your network, being creative, and staying curious in order to succeed as a contractor or fractional business owner. Jessie also provides insights into pricing strategies and meeting customer needs. In this conversation, Jessie Schwartz shares her advice for starting a business and the importance of setting up an LLC, getting legal services, and having the right insurance. She also emphasizes the need for a website and personal development in entrepreneurship. Brett Trainor highlights the importance of defining what you want and the flexibility of building a solo business. They both discuss the value of reading books and networking in the entrepreneurial journey. Overall, the conversation provides valuable insights and tips for aspiring escapees.

Takeaways

Jessica’e LinksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessie-schwartz-ms-62094416/Website: www.StrategicPackagingPartners.com 

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview

00:50 Maximizing Packaging Spend for CPG and Cosmetics Companies

01:21 From Corporate Escape to Entrepreneurship

04:54 The Importance of Networking in Fractional Contracting

08:21 Curiosity, Creativity, and Adaptability in the Contracting Space

10:19 Navigating Pricing Strategies as a Fractional Contractor

14:33 Meeting Customers Where They Are and Providing Value

16:18 The Value of Subcontracting in Building a Business

18:27 Navigating Contracts with Legal Services

19:03 Understanding Insurance Coverage

20:49 The Importance of Having a Website

25:06 Building a Network and Making Connections

28:18 Investing in Personal Development

Ashley Evenson shares her experience transitioning from management consultant to becoming a fractional CMO. She secured her first client quickly and is excited to offer her expertise and elevate their marketing strategy. Ashley emphasizes the importance of being hands-on and not being above the work, which has been well-received by her clients. She also discusses the low risk and high value proposition of fractional talent for businesses. Ashley plans to have three income streams, including fractional work, speaking engagements, and workshops. She encourages others to trust the process and enjoy the journey.

Takeaways

Ashley's Links:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyevenson/ Website: https://www.aemarketingcollective.com/

Sound Bites

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Ashley's Current Work

05:35 The Tipping Point: Deciding to Leave Corporate

09:09 Getting Started in the Fractional Space

25:07  Exploring Speaking Engagements

28:06 Final Thoughts and Where to Connect with Ashley

SummaryIn this episode, Brett Trainor discusses the importance of networking for escapees and provides a four-part framework for effective networking. He emphasizes the need for a targeted approach and highlights the value of networking with referral partners. The four parts of the framework are: target, intro, offer, and ask. Trainor explains how to identify the right people to connect with, set the tone for the connection, communicate the problem you solve, and make a direct request for referrals. He also suggests offering a free strategy session as a way to add value to the networking process.

Takeaways

Sound Bites