Business as UNusual

In this solo episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila dives deep into the often-overlooked element of business success: energy management. Instead of just chasing financial returns, Aicila invites you to audit both your energetic and financial investments using her unique Resource Calculator. Discover how to spot what fuels you—and what drains you—to build sustainable growth and avoid burnout. This episode is ideal for entrepreneurs, business owners, and leaders committed to creating lasting impact without sacrificing their well-being.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why energy is just as vital as time and money in business planning
• How to identify and balance projects that energize vs. drain you
• Using the Resource Calculator to map your inputs and returns
• Practical tips for replenishing your creativity, connection, and motivation
• Strategies to avoid burnout and align your work with what truly fuels you
• The importance of reflection before planning your next goals

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• The Resource Calculator Tool
• Energize Your 2026 Workshop – November 11, $35

Try the Resource Calculator—get clear on what gives and takes energy in your business!

Register for the Energize Your 2026 Workshop on November 11 to strategize for a vibrant business future.

Reflect on your projects this week: which ones excite you, and which ones drain you? Take action accordingly!

Episode transcript:

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this conversation packed with unconventional insights, host Aicila welcomes Grace Najean—transformational leadership strategist, keynote speaker, and former Tony Robbins master coach—to Business as UNusual. Grace shares her Soulfluence Method and explains why true leadership, especially in today’s fast-paced world, demands more than just strategy—it requires energy, alignment, and soul. If you’re looking for innovative ways to thrive instead of just achieve, this episode will help you rethink success from the inside out.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Achievement Fatigue: The Hidden Cost of Conventional Success
• Integration vs. Information: The Real Key to Transformation
• The Soulfluence Method: Aligning Body, Mind, and Consciousness for Effortless Leadership
• From Survival to Visionary: Shifting Leadership Dimensions (3D–5D)
• Practical Ways to Lead with Energy, Not Effort
• What Success and Authentic Leadership Mean to Grace Najean
• The Importance of Asking for Help and Accelerating Your Growth
• Retreats, Masterclasses, and Keynote Speaking: How Grace is Creating Impact

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Grace Najean’s website: www.gracenajean.com
• Connect with Grace on LinkedIn: Grace Najean on LinkedIn

Want to experience truly transformational leadership? Visit Grace Najean’s website and explore her upcoming retreats and programs.

Start your day in alignment! Try Grace’s 10-minute morning routine for energy and focus—listen for her instructions in the episode.

Connect with Grace on LinkedIn and join her community of purpose-driven leaders.

Episode transcript:

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila explores why energy—not just time and money—should be a key resource in business planning. Learn why successful entrepreneurs need to intentionally cultivate momentum, creativity, and connection to fuel productivity and innovation. Discover practical strategies and frameworks to identify energy leaks, optimize workflows, and thrive as an intentional, energized entrepreneur. If you want to understand how energy impacts leadership, motivation, and business growth, this episode is for you.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why energy is the overlooked resource in modern business
• Understanding the Energy Equation framework (momentum, creativity, connection)
• Strategies for recognizing and plugging energy leaks
• The importance of intentional energy cultivation for sustainable success
• How to balance energy, time, and money for optimal productivity
• Real-world examples: creativity and burnout in entrepreneurship
• Planning for next year: leveraging your personal energy profile
• Preview of next week’s episode with Meg Crosby on scaling companies

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Energy Snapshot Quiz: https://www.bicurean.com/energysnapshot
• BiCurean Consulting: https://www.bicurean.com

Take the Energy Snapshot quiz to discover your core energy type and boost your business!

Start planning your activities for next year based on what energizes you—reflect, write, or walk!

Subscribe and tune in next week for more Business as UNusual strategies with special guest Meg Crosby!

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila dives into the world of unconventional coaching with Autumn Wade, the force behind Coaches & Dragons. Autumn, your inner rebel’s favorite coach, shares how she merges tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs) with life and business coaching to help clients hunt inner gremlins and escape feeling stuck. Discover actionable strategies for choosing the right coach, trusting yourself, and building a business (and life) that truly fits you—not the status quo.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• How TTRPG frameworks foster growth and risk-taking in personal development
• Spotting and avoiding “coach-fluencer” traps: what real coaching looks (and feels) like
• Building trust in yourself: why your path matters more than shortcuts
• The difference between coaching and mentoring: finding the approach that fits
• Autumn’s philosophy behind “The Forge” and creating tools for ongoing transformation
• Defining success: joy, consistency, and living your unique path
• How to find (and become) the right client for transformative coaching

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Coaches & Dragons website
• The Forge at Coaches & Dragons
• Autumn Wade on TikTok (@coachesanddragons)
• Autumn Wade on LinkedIn
• Ko-Fi: Coaches & Dragons Membership
• Coach’s Barbecue Community Event

Ready to level up your growth? Join The Forge and start your journey with TTRPG-inspired tools!

Follow Autumn on TikTok for daily wisdom and geeky coaching tips.

Curious if coaching is right for you? Visit coachesanddragons.com to connect with Autumn and discover a new approach to change.

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila sits down with Faith Clarke, founder of Work Ecosystems for Humans, to unpack how designing for belonging and collaborative leadership transforms workplaces. Faith—an organizational culture and teamwork specialist, with a unique background as a Caribbean immigrant and mother of neurodistinct children—shares how inclusive, values-driven environments unleash authentic engagement and sustainable growth. Together, they explore the myths and realities of inclusivity, why culture beats strategy, and how power-with over power-over brings higher-performing, more human teams. If you’re searching for innovative approaches to organizational leadership, this conversation delivers the practical insights and inspiration you need.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why belonging is the foundation of collaborative leadership
• How U.S. workplace culture complicates inclusivity
• Designing environments vs. trying to control individual behavior
• The pitfalls of “power over” and the benefits of “power with”
• The real reasons invisible labor drains marginalized leaders
• Culture change as a process: what sustainability really looks like
• How restoring communal care revitalizes organizations
• The measurable impact of culture on strategy and performance
• Faith Clarke’s approach to restorative work culture audits
• Actionable steps for leaders seeking meaningful change

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Faith Clarke’s website: faithclarke.com
• Restorative Work Culture audit: restorativeworkculture.com

Ready to transform your organization? Explore a restorative culture audit with Faith Clarke at faithclark.com.

Rethink your leadership—shift from “power over” to “power with” and watch your team thrive!

Don’t miss future Business as UNusual wisdom—subscribe and share this episode with leaders hungry for change!

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila sits down with fundraising thought leader Jeff Schreifels, principal and owner of Veritus Group, to unpack innovative donor relationship strategies for modern nonprofits. Jeff brings over 30 years of experience elevating organizations like St. Jude’s and United Way, focusing on building genuine connections, investing across the donor pipeline, and fostering long-term impact. This conversation goes deep into why sustainable growth in fundraising means challenging conventional norms, embracing authentic engagement, and thinking beyond transactional giving. If you want your nonprofit to step beyond the usual, this episode delivers insights and actionable takeaways for success.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Why investing across the entire donor pipeline yields consistent long-term results
• The pitfalls of short-term fundraising strategies and how to avoid them
• The critical importance of authentic donor relationships in the age of AI and automation
• Jeff’s real-world stories of nonprofit leaders shifting their strategies—and the impact it had
• Balancing direct mail success with cultivating major gifts
• The single biggest reason donors stop giving (and how to fix it)
• Lessons from failure: why focusing on relationships trumps chasing the money
• The business case for generosity and why giving knowledge away can help your growth
• Keys to finding fulfillment and defining success in nonprofit leadership

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Veritus Group (www.veritusgroup.com) – Training, consulting, and free resources for nonprofit fundraisers
• Sway: The Irresistible Pull of Irrational Behavior – Ori Brafman, Rom Brafman (referenced book)
• Veritas Group’s white papers and blog (https://veritusgroup.com/resources) – 1,500+ posts and 25+ white papers on fundraising
• Veritas Group Certification Courses for Mid and Major Gift Fundraising – Upcoming in October (see website for details)

Dive into Veritus Group’s free resources and transform your fundraising approach: veritusgroup.com

Put relationships at the heart of your fundraising—try one new authentic engagement strategy this week

Ready to upskill? Register for Veritus Group’s upcoming certification courses in mid and major giving!

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila welcomes Daniel Nikic, founder of Cohres and an investment research professional with over two decades of experience. Daniel discusses the crucial differences between investment research and investment firms, shares insights into risk for startups and VCs, and reveals how private equity can both help and harm companies. In this thought-provoking conversation, Daniel also tackles the challenges and opportunities brought by AI, emphasizing the human element required for high-quality decisions in today’s rapidly evolving business environment.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• What makes an investment research firm different: Separating research from action
• Rethinking risk: How founders and VCs see risk differently
• The real impact of private equity on modern businesses
• The evolving role of AI in investment research
• How Daniel’s “unusual” client-focused approach drives success
• Advice for entrepreneurs navigating investment and growth

Daniel Nikic’s website: www.danielnikic.com

Find Daniel on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-nikic/

Share this episode with a founder or entrepreneur looking to make business truly UNusual!

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila sits down with Liz Hansen, owner and photographer at Chicago Boudoir Photography. Liz shares her journey of creating a business dedicated to empowering women to celebrate their bodies and stories through boudoir photography. With over 2,000 women photographed and numerous recognitions—including features on TEDx and NPR—Liz discusses how her unconventional approach transforms perceptions of body image, encourages radical self-care, and creates a safe, supportive space for women of all backgrounds. Discover how boudoir photography can be a business rooted in compassion, inclusion, and confidence.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Redefining empowerment: Boudoir as a radical act of self-care
• Addressing objectification vs. empowerment in sensual photography
• The power of transformation and personal stories from the studio
• Navigating vulnerability and discomfort for true confidence
• Building a woman-centered business and choosing inclusivity
• Boudoir photography beyond Chicago—finding the right fit wherever you are
• Raising teens in a body-positive business and challenging harmful norms
• Success as a solopreneur: Advice for aspiring founders in unconventional industries
• Community initiatives: Domestic Violence Awareness Month and giving back

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Chicago Boudoir Photography: https://chicago-boudoir.com/
• Liz’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chicago.boudoir/
• October Domestic Violence Awareness Month activities at Chicago Boudoir
• Free ebooks and self-confidence resources available at chicagoboudoir.com
• Association of International Boudoir Photographers
• Article mentioned: https://www.mitzistarkweather.com/blog/2017/7/20/10-things-boudoir-photography-is-not

Explore your confidence—visit chicagoboudoir.com for inspiration, resources, and to see how Liz is changing the conversation around boudoir photography.

Support Domestic Violence Awareness—get involved this October, join a local initiative, or donate to a shelter in your community.

Ready to try something business as UNusual? Take the risk, start your project, or reach out for collaboration—your voice matters!

Find Liz on social

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chicagoboudoir

VIP Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VIPChicago 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@chicagoboudoir

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liz-hansen-9aab35173/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ChicagoBoudoirPhotography

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila welcomes Meg K. Wheeler, CPA, financial educator, and founder of the Equitable Money Project. Meg shares her experience helping marginalized business owners reclaim financial power, build generational wealth, and rethink the profit-driven model through a justice-centered lens. Discover actionable strategies for sustainable business growth, financial well-being, and systemic impact. Explore unique approaches to money as a tool for good, not just personal gain, and learn why redefining success in business means putting people and the planet alongside profit.

Topics Discussed in This Episode:

• Money Isn’t Bad: Reframing Profit, Wealth, and Social Justice
• Avoiding Burnout: The True Cost of Unpaid Labor for Entrepreneurs
• Building Sustainable, Fulfilling Businesses Beyond “Unending Growth”
• What Is Generational Wealth and Why Should You Care?
• Practical Steps to Take Control of Your Financial Future
• The Power of Community and Connection in Redefining Business Success

Resources Mentioned in This Episode:

• Equitable Money Project – Meg’s organization offering financial education and services
• Disrupt Your Money Podcast – Hosted by Meg K. Wheeler
• Instagram: @equitablemoneyproject – Connect with Meg and her team
• Special Freebie for Business as UNusual listeners

Ready to reclaim your financial power? Visit the Equitable Money Project for free resources and community support!

Want to learn more about building generational wealth? Check out the "Disrupt Your Money" podcast with Meg K. Wheeler.

Break the mold! Join the conversation on sustainable, justice-driven entrepreneurship. Connect with us and share your story.

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Business as UNusual, host Aicila explores the critical difference between authentic connection energy and people pleasing in business relationships. She discusses how true connection is rooted in mutual presence, reciprocity, and alignment—never in perpetual accessibility or self-sacrifice. Hear practical strategies for setting boundaries, fueling your work without burning out, and building collaborations that energize instead of drain. This episode is packed with insights for creative entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone navigating the demands of modern business connection.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• What is connection energy and how is it different from people pleasing?
• Why always being available drains your energy and hurts genuine relationships
• Key myths about customer service and the pressure of hustle culture
• How to set boundaries as “energy containers” that help you thrive
• The importance of saying yes to alignment—not just obligation
• Practical steps to shift from obligation to collaboration in business and life

Capacity Check-In Tool by Aicila (linked in episode show notes)

Ready to energize your business relationships? Take the Capacity Check-In to discover your connection strengths—link in the show notes!

Set one new boundary this week that supports your energy—notice how it helps you show up authentically!

Share this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs a reminder: Connection should fuel, not cost you.

The full transcript of this conversation is available at https://www.bicurean.com/bautranscripts3

Transcripts and notes generated with Descript and Castmagic and then edited by human eyes and hands.

Lightly edited and produced by BiCurean Consulting, BiCurean.com.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.