Corporate gifting isn’t just a thoughtful gesture—it’s a $33 billion market opportunity. And for Julie Maskulka, founder of Anecdote Candles, corporate gifting now drives 25% of her company’s revenue. 

Known for combining storytelling with scent, Anecdote is carving out a unique space in this massive market, offering a custom candle gifting program that delivers an impressive average order value of $2,727.

Through testing different strategies like lowering minimum order quantities and tapping into distributor networks, Anecdote has been able to yield a 15% reorder rate from corporate clients.

From targeting unexpected industries to creating scalable systems for customization, you’ll hear from Julie on how to turn an idea for an untapped market into a powerful revenue driver.

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/cSH042hHHArR9LfWelvikkJzKS0?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our sponsor!

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Connect with Julie:

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What if writing a book could triple your rates and position you as the top expert in your field?

Today’s case study explores how a self-published book became the ultimate lead generator for Abi Prendergast’s service-based business. Abi is the creator of Day #1 Evergreen, the evergreen funnel system that has helped clients generate up to $1.8 million annually — without the stress of live launches.

But it wasn’t her system that put her on the map—it was the book she wrote about it.

In 2023, Abi turned her proven framework into a book designed to position her as the go-to expert in evergreen strategies. With a small email list of just 800 subscribers, her book gained traction almost entirely through Amazon and word of mouth recommendations. 

The result? Dream clients started reaching out to hire her and ask her to speak in rooms she never imagined being in, Abi’s evergreen funnel service tripled in price to $50K while staying in demand, and she began generating $1-2K per month in passive course sales—all without ads or a large audience.

If you play in the high ticket space, discover how a self-published book can amplify your authority and sell out your services.

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/mixuJmG8eHVWvu9NOk-rFHfNYgU?utm_source=copy_url

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Connect with Abi:

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Today’s case study dives into how subscription box queen Sarah Williams achieved her highest-ever conversion rate during the annual launch of her subscription box coaching membership, Launch Your Box.

Sarah’s $15 Subscription Box Week combines interactive exercises, live Q&A sessions, and daily interviews with successful members to give participants a hands-on preview of her program. And since the pre-launch experience has a cost of admission, Sarah is literally getting paid to sell to her people.

This year, she fine-tuned her approach with new strategies like staggered expiring bonuses, the first-ever ticket price increase, and a deeper, more personal connection with her audience.

The result? A staggering 43% conversion rate from Subscription Box Week attendees to members—her best launch yet, even as many online programs face declining enrollments. Learn how Sarah used data-driven decisions to boost urgency, engagement, and trust, inspiring nearly half of her participants to swipe their cards again by the end of their week together.

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/6uyVHR7cG3ecg_vp0YWDvlQoeq8?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our sponsor!

• Learn from the best of the best with Masterclass! Get up 50% off a year-long Masterclass subscription this holiday season when you go to https://masterclass.com/cubicletoceo

Connect with Sarah:

Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://ellenyin.com/quiz

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Today’s case study centers on a highly requested, sparsely covered topic on our podcast: adding sponsored brand deals as a revenue stream to your business.

In our conversation with Lisette Calveiro, CEO of Influence with Impact, we specifically lean into the pricing and negotiation strategies that generated her $130,000 from brand partnerships this year alone — accounting for 20% of her 2024 revenue.

Lisette breaks down all the overlooked pricing factors beyond views and follower counts that net her higher rates and give her leverage in negotiations with brands, as well as reveals transparent insights on creator earnings and recent brand deals.

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/QEba4T4H01Wl1e3ewK0O75djK9U?utm_source=copy_url

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Connect with Lissette:

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Today’s case study is the business poster child of making lemonade out of lemons, starring the husband/wife duo Michelle Luchese and John Ruggiero who turned a bad wedding ring buying experience into founding Manly Bands, the #1 digital marketplace for men’s wedding jewelry and a multi-million dollar business. 

Helping to catapult their brand to #1 are lucrative licensing deals with household brands like Jack Daniels, Jeep, and Fender. In this conversation, we specifically unpack their partnership with the Tolkien Estate —a rare deal that positioned Manly Bands as one of only two brands with official Lord of the Rings licensing rights.

Since the launch of their epic Lord of The Rings Collection in 2022, it’s become one of Manly Bands’ top-selling collections, adding over 7,000 new customers and a $1M lift in revenue from 2022 to 2023, with projections to exceed that increase in 2024. From crafting standout pitches to conducting thorough market research and negotiating high-profile licensing deals, follow the data-driven decisions driving Michelle and John’s impressive growth with Manly Bands.

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/sUHr_Qlm61FvEsNFNTnzdfPYcLA?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our sponsor!

• Uplevel your healthy habits with Soursop's Cell + Immunity gummies and shakes! Get 20% when you use code 'CEO20' at https://www.soursopnutrition.com/

Connect with Michelle + John:

Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://ellenyin.com/quiz

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We’ve got an online marketing icon behind the mic today!

Jasmine Star is a world-class speaker, podcast host, and the founder of Social Curator, a SaaS company that works like a social media marketing agency in your pocket. In today’s case study, we uncover exactly how Jasmine fundraised over $555,000 from her community in just 1 hour to propel the growth of Social Curator.

Instead of looking to banks, VCs, or angel investors, Jasmine turned to her community of already invested users for a bootstrapped cash injection.

We examine the urgency plays she used to exceed her goal amount in under an hour, including the logistics of her best conversion secret: recording hundreds of personalized videos for individuals on her waitlist.

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/06BdGIXMFZe44STr4H1v9Tuvw2E?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our sponsors!

Connect with Jasmine:

Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://ellenyin.com/quiz

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This bonus episode is a replay of the panel Ellen hosted on the topic of leadership growth and leadership capacity for Carmen Ohling's Amplify Your Life Conference. Take a listen as these business owners share their approaches to leadership across their differing industries - and keep an ear out for a little challenge that we encourage you all to take on for yourself this week!

Keep up with the work Carmen is doing through The Amplified Life Company at https://carmenohling.com/

Access the transcript of this episode HERE: https://otter.ai/u/Y6hNRe-sIpbn1hNZHs0lYHObuO8?utm_source=copy_url

Panelists:

Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://ellenyin.com/quiz

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Experience a preview of the MixerMind at one of Linda’s open houses November 20th or 21st! Sign up for you preferred Open House date here: https://resources.lindasidhu.com/a/2147981062/HV842Z9z 

Meet all the qualifications and ready to skip straight to joining me as a participant in the MixerMind? Lock in your spot by November 26th for an epic 2025: https://resources.lindasidhu.com/a/2147711406/HV842Z9z

All details about the MixerMind shared at the links above.

Have a question about my MixerMind experience or want me to personally introduce you to Linda? Shoot me a DM on Instagram @missellenyin

Connect with Linda directly on Instagram @linda_sidhu_quizzes

Access the transcript of this episode HERE: https://otter.ai/u/WRHUggyxOp7LIjgKXgEA8XZJNfA?utm_source=copy_url

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We all know running ads during Black Friday may leave your business in the dust when corporations are funneling cash to their campaigns. So what can you do to set your business apart this holiday season? Stephanie Paradiso of Inspired Social is a certified master social media strategist who is giving us the insider scoop on how to make Q4 your biggest revenue quarter yet.

Access the transcript of this episode HERE: https://otter.ai/u/R-4hcBv9GasC3ItXtHzAmeSND_w?utm_source=copy_url

Connect with Stephanie:

Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://ellenyin.com/quiz

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Reducing risk is a huge lever scaling startups can use to their advantage. 

This was a big theme in my conversation with Match.com co-founder, and current CEO of BabyQuip, Fran Maier.

BabyQuip is the world’s largest baby gear rental marketplace, empowering thousands of independent contractors around the country to build successful side hustles, while helping families travel more easily. In today’s case study, Fran details how they were able to grow their network of these independent contractors (AKA Quality Providers) by 60% in one year by alleviating as much risk as possible for their providers. 

From streamlined tech infrastructure, to added insurance coverage, to offering trainings and negotiating discounts with partners on their behalf, Fran has made it a no brainer for motivated mothers to partner with BabyQuip in this gig economy business model. 

Keep listening to get creative ideas on how to prioritize lowering risk in your own business to drive growth!

View the transcript for this episode at: https://otter.ai/u/uRsmCSyIcYO8QJ8ZHeKcQ5UD1cc?utm_source=copy_url

Thank you to our sponsor!

• Uplevel your healthy habits with Soursop's Cell + Immunity gummies and shakes! Get 20% when you use code 'CEO20' at https://www.soursopnutrition.com/

Connect with Fran:

Iconic business leaders all have their own unique genius. Take this quick 10 question quiz to uncover your specific CEO style advantage: https://ellenyin.com/quiz

If you enjoyed today's episode, please:

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices