In today’s episode, we’re talking about the not so sexy side of business that will keep you in business.  A conversation most creative entrepreneurs avoid—but NEED to knwo. Yep, we’re talking money, profitability, and the messy side of business finance. And if the numbers make your head spin, you are in good company.

To walk us through it all, I’m joined by Natalia Zacharin, founder of Zacharin Consulting, where she helps small business owners increase profitability, reduce taxes, and scale smarter using simple financial strategies.

We unpack why so many small businesses—especially in creative industries like home staging—struggle with cash flow and what it really means to run a profitable business.

Here’s what we covered:

✅ Why your bank balance is not your profit
✅ What numbers you need to track—and how to simplify it
✅ The truth about pricing your services for profit
✅ The power of a Fractional CFO (and why you don’t need to be a big business to get the benefits)
✅ How to know when you can afford to hire someone
✅ The difference between LLC vs S-Corp from a tax and cash flow perspective
✅ How to build a sellable business from day one (even if you're just starting out)

Whether you're just launching or scaling up, this episode will help you move from “I’m winging it” to “I’ve got this.”

Because here’s the thing: Creative doesn’t have to mean chaotic.
You can still love the work and run your business like a CEO.

So if you’ve been hiding from your numbers, this episode is your wake-up call. And the best part? We break it all down in plain English—no accounting degree required.

• small business profitability
• how to manage cash flow
• bookkeeping tips for creatives
• how to price your services
• home staging business advice
• creative entrepreneur finance
• QuickBooks for small business
• when to switch from LLC to S-Corp
• understanding your numbers
• fractional CFO services

summary
In this inspiring conversation, Anne Alexander shares her journey of reinvention and resilience as she relaunches her acting career at 47 after a long hiatus. She discusses the challenges she faced, including overcoming obstacles, imposter syndrome, and ageism in the creative industry. Anne emphasizes the importance of taking small steps, embracing a beginner's mindset, and the power of community and mentorship in achieving one's dreams. Her passion project, 'Passion Project to Pro,' aims to help others navigate their own journeys of transformation and success.

takeaways
Anne moved to Germany for love and had to reinvent her career.

• After 16 years away from acting, she found her passion again.
• Obstacles often hold the answers if you ask the right questions.
• Embracing a beginner's mindset helps overcome imposter syndrome.
• Taking small steps can lead to significant progress.
• Age should not be a barrier to pursuing dreams.
• Community and mentorship are vital for personal growth.
• You can monetize your passion by creating opportunities.
• Fear is a natural part of growth; learn to live with it.
• Curiosity can lead to discovering new passions.

Titles

• Reinventing Dreams: Anne Alexander's Journey
• Overcoming Obstacles: The Path to Acting Success

Sound Bites

• "Dreams don't have expiration dates."
• "Embrace where you are."
• "Stop thinking about it and do it."

Chapters
00:00
Dreams Without Expiration Dates

00:00
The Journey of Reinvention

00:00
Overcoming Obstacles in Pursuing Passion

00:41
Curating Your Path to Success

03:53
Building Community Through Shared Interests

09:51
Overcoming Self-Doubt and Starting Anew

11:25
Breaking Down Goals into Manageable Steps

13:36
Embracing Fear and Imposter Syndrome

17:31
Reinventing Yourself and Helping Others

22:35
Building a Thriving Career in Creative Industries

26:51
Navigating Ageism and Finding Your Voice

33:45
Taking Action and Building Confidence

Have you ever adjusted to something inconvenient without realizing it? In today’s episode, I share a story about a lightbulb in my closet that went out—and how I walked in the dark for a whole year before finally fixing it. It seemed like a small thing, but it became a powerful reminder of how often we settle for less, simply because we’ve gotten used to it.

We do this in our careers, relationships, and personal growth. We tell ourselves it’s not a big deal, but over-time, settling for “good enough” keeps us stuck. Today, we are flipping the switch—literally and figuratively—to uncover why it’s time to stop walking in the dark and step into the light.

In this episode, I’ll break down:

• How small changes can create major breakthroughs
• Why procrastination keeps us stuck in the dark
• The hidden mindsets we’ve inherited that no longer serve us
• A powerful lesson from Ephesians 5:8 about stepping into the light

This episode will challenge you to take one simple action today that could change everything.

Key Takeaways:

• Sometimes, we adjust to less because fixing it feels like too much work
• Procrastination makes problems seem bigger than they are
• Self-awareness is the first step to change—where have you been walking in the dark
• Cultural conditioning can shape our habits more than we realize
• God calls us to step into the light (Ephesians 5:8)

Challenge for You:
What’s the “lightbulb” in your life that you’ve been avoiding? What’s one small thing you can do today to bring more light and clarity into your life?

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Bible Verse: Ephesians 5:8 – “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.”
• Practical Step: Identify one small task or mindset shift that will bring clarity and action into your life.

Keywords for SEO & Searchability:

• Stop Settling
• Stepping Into the Light
• Procrastination and Personal Growth
• Self-Awareness Breakthrough
• How to Overcome Mental Blocks
• Christian Personal Development
• Bible Verses About Growth
• Walking in Darkness vs. Light
• Small Shifts, Big Changes
• The Power of Taking Action

Keywords
resilience, entrepreneurship, motherhood, skills, adaptability, personal growth, career transition, stay-at-home mom, leadership, empowerment

Summary
In this conversation, Joké Durojaiye shares her personal journey of resilience and adaptability as she transitioned from being a stay-at-home mom to an entrepreneur. She emphasizes the valuable skills that motherhood imparts, which are transferable to the workplace and entrepreneurship. Through her experiences, she encourages other mothers to recognize their strengths and embrace their journeys as they pursue new opportunities.

Takeaways
Motherhood equips you with invaluable leadership skills.

• Every experience as a mom prepares you for entrepreneurship.
• Managing a household is akin to project management.
• Budgeting skills learned at home are crucial in business.
• Conflict resolution is a key skill developed in parenting.
• Moms are resourceful problem solvers in any situation.
• Time management is mastered through juggling family responsibilities.
• Event planning skills from motherhood translate to business events.
• Embrace your past experiences as your superpower.
• You are capable of achieving your dreams, no matter your background.

Chapters
00:00
Journey of Resilience and Adaptability

06:55
From Stay-at-Home Mom to Entrepreneur

14:01
Skills Moms Bring to the Workplace

21:02
Embracing Your Journey and Superpowers

In this episode, I sit down with the incredible Rebecca Hay, a Toronto-based interior designer, business coach, and host of the Resilient by Design podcast. We discuss how she transitioned from working with budget clients to running a multi-million-dollar design firm, the challenges of hiring and team-building, and why systems and processes are the key to success in business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Rebecca broke free from the budget client loop and started attracting high-paying clients.
• The biggest lessons from her "lemon project" and how it transformed her business.
• Why hiring based on character over credentials is key to building a strong team.
• How to implement time-blocking and delegation to work fewer hours while making more money.
• The power of processes in scaling a design business without burnout.
• Why getting featured in major publications (Architectural Digest, Elle Decor, Better Homes & Gardens) is great for credibility but doesn’t necessarily bring clients.
• The reality of running a successful podcast and why it’s worth the effort.

Bonus: Rebecca is hosting a two-week Bootcamp for interior designers starting February 19th to help designers attract higher-paying clients. If you’re ready to elevate your business, sign up at rebeccahay.com/bootcamp.

Keywords:
Interior design business, attracting high-end clients, business processes, scaling a design firm, hiring for culture fit, time-blocking, work-life balance, interior designer success, pricing strategies, marketing for designers, client experience, home staging business, productivity for creatives, passive income, delegation in business, mindset shifts, resilient by design.

Connect with Rebecca

• Website: rebeccahay.com
• Instagram: @rebeccahaydesigns
• Sign up For: Designer's Bootcamp Starting February 19, 2025
• Podcast: Resilient by Design (Episode 199 featuring yours truly as a guest!)

Tune in and let’s talk about building a business that works for YOU, not the other way around!

In this engaging conversation, Joké Durojaiye interviews Kishah Langham, a prominent figure in the home staging and design industry. Kishah shares her journey from being the first African-American woman to own a bed and breakfast in Wisconsin to founding Texas Stages. The discussion covers her transition into home staging, the challenges she faced as a woman of color in the industry, and the importance of mentorship and networking. Kishah emphasizes the need for diversity in design and shares her philosophy on creating spaces that promote well-being. The conversation concludes with practical advice for aspiring stagers and the significance of building relationships in the real estate market.

00:00 Introduction to Kishah Langham

10:02 Transitioning from Bed and Breakfast to Home Staging

19:59 Challenges and Mentorship in the Staging Industry

30:00 Networking and Marketing Strategies for Success

40:00 Diversity and Cultural Awareness in Staging

48:45 Design Philosophy and Well-Being in Spaces

For more resources and tips on home staging and growing your business, visit our website https://www.businessofhomestaging.com/thepodcast

Let’s continue transforming spaces into dream homes together!

In this episode, I reflect on the past year, expressing gratitude for the support received and sharing significant milestones achieved. I discusse the importance of embracing change, the power of mindset, and the courage to overcome fear and judgment. Also, I emphasize the value of solitude for deep reflection and strategic thinking, and I encourage you to set intentions for the new year focused on experiences rather than more goals. The episode concludes with a call to take small, sustainable steps towards personal and professional growth.

Chapters

00:00 Reflecting on the Past Year

03:09 Embracing Change and New Beginnings

07:36 The Power of Mindset and Strategy

12:01 Overcoming Fear and Judgment

18:19 The Importance of Solitude and Reflection

20:14 Setting Intentions for the New Year

24:33 Small Steps Towards Big Changes

Recommended Reading
Atomic Habits By James Clear
The Gift Of Imperfection By Brené Brown

Our podcast has a new name: The Creative Business Mindset! This change comes straight from your feedback, and I couldn’t be more thrilled about the direction we’re heading.

While home staging has been a big part of our journey, I wanted to broaden the scope to include a variety of entrepreneurial topics. Don’t worry—the heart of the podcast isn’t changing. You can still expect practical advice and inspiring stories, but now we’ll be bringing on a wider range of guests and diving into different industries. My goal is to provide even more actionable insights to help you on your entrepreneurial journey. Let’s grow together!

Home Staging Business Tips And Real Estate Marketing

Guest: Lew Corcoran
Host: Joké Durojaiye

In this conversation, I sit down with Lew Corcoran, a multifaceted home staging expert with a background in real estate and photography. Lew shares his journey from real estate to home staging and photography, emphasizing the importance of technology such as drones and virtual tours in enhancing property listings. He discusses the significance of floor plans in staging and how they aid in visualizing space. 

The conversation also covers key elements for effective staging and photography, common mistakes in real estate photography, and the importance of lighting and leading lines in creating appealing visuals. In this conversation, we also discuss the evolution of the real estate market, emphasizing the importance of understanding market dynamics and buyer expectations. I highlight the critical role of home staging in selling properties, especially in shifting markets. 

The discussion also delves into the impact of AI on the staging process, the balance between virtual and physical staging, and the necessity of creativity in transforming spaces. For more resources and tips on home staging and growing your business, visit our website https://www.businessofhomestaging.com/thepodcast

Let’s continue transforming spaces into dream homes together!

In this engaging conversation, Joké Durojaiye and Marianne Cherico explore the world of home staging, discussing Marianne's extensive background in real estate and staging, the importance of mindset in overcoming barriers, and strategies for building relationships with real estate agents. They emphasize the significance of visibility, networking, and the mindset required for success in the home staging business. In this conversation, Joké Durojaiye discusses the challenges faced by real estate agents, the importance of building sustainable business models, and the need to understand profitability and pricing in the home staging industry. She emphasizes the significance of collaboration over competition and shares effective marketing strategies for connecting with real estate agents. The conversation concludes with insights into future goals and trends in home staging, particularly the resurgence of color in design.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

05:00 Journey into Home Staging

12:12 Mindset and Overcoming Barriers

20:06 Building Relationships with Real Estate Agents

28:29 Challenges Faced by Real Estate Agents

33:13 Building Sustainable Business Models

39:31 Understanding Profitability and Pricing

42:22 Competition vs. Collaboration

47:56 Effective Marketing Strategies for Agents

52:00 Future Goals and Trends in Home Staging