Coalesce: The Podcast

It all begins with an idea. Maybe you want to launch a business. Maybe you want to turn a hobby into something more. Or maybe you have a creative project to share with the world.

If this is you, start with this episode! Starting a business can feel overwhelming, but when you take the leap with the right mindset and processes, you'll build a beautiful foundation for success.

In this episode, I'm diving into each of the four powerful steps of business success with question prompts to uncover your goals, develop a plan, and manage the chaos of life - both personally and professionally. So, grab a notebook, get comfy, and let's talk building a business that aligns with your life!

Show Noteshttps://www.coalesce.network/podcast/ep-29-four-pillars-to-business-success

Coalesce coaching, courses and community:https://www.coalesce.network/learn

Follow along with Coalesce:https://www.instagram.com/coalesce.network/ https://www.instagram.com/staciemccracken/ https://www.facebook.com/coalesce.network

I am so excited to be back behind the microphone! Taking a break was hard, but I knew I was being called to rest, NOT give up.

If you're tuning into this episode, it's safe to guess that you might have a hard time resting too.

I get it! We feel bad for taking a break because there is so much work to be done. We feel bad for being tired because we know there are other people just as tired as we are, but they seem to be dealing with it. We feel bad for wanting a moment alone because we have clients, employees and kids who count on us.

That's guilt my friends, and it goes hand-in-hand with rest. In this episode, I'm challenging you to not let guilt win. I'm also sharing why it's important to rest, what rest actually looks like, and how to add more rest into your life.

Show Notes:

Episode 27: https://www.coalesce.network/podcast/ep-27-paying-attention-to-messages-from-the-universe

Follow along with Coalesce:https://www.instagram.com/coalesce.network/ https://www.instagram.com/staciemccracken/ https://www.facebook.com/coalesce.network

In this episode, I'm sharing some recent experiences that have shone a spotlight on the importance of being present, being realistic about what you can handle and the power of true rest – and what I'm doing with that information. If you're someone who is feeling overwhelmed with work, parenting or life in general, make sure to tune in for some real talk from someone who's there right alongside you.

Even though life is starting to return to normal – or at least some version of it – I don't see remote working going away any time soon.

That's why, in this episode, I bring in my colleague, Amanda Sollman - someone who has been working from home since 2015… before the pandemic made it cool.

We chat about the benefits and drawbacks of working from a distance, the tools we use to collaborate, and so much more. So let's jump in and talk remote work.

Tools and resources mentioned in this episode:

• Slack
• Zoom
• Asana

Connect with Amanda on Instagram or Twitter.

If you're anything like me, there's one part of doing business that makes your skin crawl and your procrastination tendencies come out: money. And, specifically, figuring out what to charge for the things you sell.

No matter how long you're in business, most of us still get nervous sending out a proposal or giving an estimate. We worry we're charging too much, charging too little, or we're not sure if we're breaking even. Why do we second-guess ourselves when it comes to what to charge? Because there's no one right answer!

So, rather than tell you what I think you should charge, in this episode I'm going to focus on four factors that affect pricing. And, by the time we're done, you'll have a list of items you can reflect on while you sort through what your products or services are worth.

Pull up a seat, pop in your headphones and get comfy – because it's time to talk dollars and cents!

Overthinking is just a big form of indecision. It will freeze you up. Halt your productivity. And take you down a negative thought spiral. Even worse, we all have our own inner soundtracks of overthinking that play on repeat.

But there's hope! I'm welcoming back podcast guest Addie Yoder in this episode who is helping me identify what overthinking is and how to overcome it.

It's time to slam the brakes on overthinking and rewrite your internal soundtrack. Listen in and then connect with Addie on Instagram or through her Facebook group Book Club with Addie.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Soundtracks:The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff
• Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert
• Coalesce: The Podcast Ep. 2: The Power of Words with Addie Yoder
• Addie Yoder's podcast Grace & Growth with Addie

As we transition into the summer months, we usually have high expectations for more fun, sun and relaxing days ahead.

Well, we all know how that goes. Before you know it, those warmer, seemingly more slow days we thought we would have, get gobbled up by work functions, family commitments and just plain life.

So how do we become more intentional and realistic about our summer schedules? I'm sharing a few ways that I'm going to do summer differently this year in this podcast episode, and I think you'll find them helpful too.

One of the best ways to elevate and grow your online presence - a personal branding session.

Whether you DIY or invest in a photographer, branding sessions are a perfect way to equip you with cohesive and consistent imagery throughout all of your marketing channels.

Helping me dive into all things branding sessions is my guest Sierra Dyer of Sierra Dyer Co. She's a wedding photographer and stationery designer, and one of McCracken Co's account managers who doubles as our in-house photographer.

Tune in and be sure to let me know if this episode gave you the inspiration to do a branding session over on the Coalesce Facebook page or Instagram.

Disclaimer: You might hear baby Blair crying in the background. ;) This is motherhood.

As entrepreneurs, we're dreamers, visionaries and go-getters. Once we have a concept in our brains, we'll jump at executing it. But wait! What are you trying to accomplish? And how? I often have to ask myself these exact questions. In other words, I have to remind myself to pump the brakes before diving into the action steps and get clear on my purpose first - aka the strategy. That's where my three-ingredient approach to running a business comes in.

In this Coalesce: The Podcast episode, I'm sharing the three must-do steps I take before kicking off a new project and walking through five reflective questions to ask yourself before starting a business.

After you listen, reflect on these questions:

1. Why are you starting this business?
2. What do you want to achieve - personally, professionally, and financially?
3. What type of business will build the life you want to have?
4. What is your main goal in building this business?
5. What approach will you take to achieve that goal?

Did this three-ingredient approach to running a business help you? Jump over to the Coalesce Facebook page or Instagram to let me know.

Changing career paths can be scary. Your coworkers, friends, and even family members might have strong opinions about your career change choice, leaving you to feel even more doubtful. But getting unstuck is the crucial first step. You might not recognize it, but if you reflect on your current career and personal life, are you where you want to be? Or are you simply going through the motions?

In this podcast episode, I chat with Whitney Kinne - a career and leadership coach whose motto is to "empower professionals to live life differently and get unstuck." Whitney packs in so much wisdom around transitioning career paths, wearing all the hats as a business owner and mom, and bringing in your spouse as a trusted "board of directors" while also laying out some boundaries.

After you listen to this episode, be sure to download the freebie - a reflection guide developed by Whitney to help you process where you are and where you want to be.

Topics discussed in this episode:

• Whitney's own story on her career path change (1:11)
• Knowing when to make a career change (9:17)
• Advice for stepping away from a job others think you should be doing (13:38)
• Working alongside your spouse as an entrepreneur duo (23:45)

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• EntreLeadership Podcast
• Annie F. Downs Podcast
• Full Focus Planner
• For Women Only & For Men Only Book Box Set

You can connect with Whitney on Instagram and Facebook.