Employee To Boss: Entrepreneurship, Side Hustles, and Business Growth Tips from Experts

In this episode, I speak with Drea DeMarchi, the co-founder of In Creative Company. We talk about how she started an agency, created a community, her hiring process, project management, and much more!

Drea is an idea machine that follows through with passion and action from start to finish. Her expertise is leading projects involving brand strategy, web design, copywriting, social marketing, and event promotion. Leading multi-faceted projects is where her genius is, she has been told that I make the impossible look relatively easy.

She has branded networking communities, podcasts, restaurants, coaches, legal professionals, and many more. Every business she works with is on a mission to be the best and stand out in their industry.

Action Steps:
1. Create a list of affirmations that will keep you inspired
2. Create your inner circle of support
3. Get ready to put in work to succeed

Connect with Drea:
Website: https://www.increative.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/in.creative.company/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dreademarchi/
Email: [email protected]

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

Feeling overwhelmed about your upcoming summer travels and keeping up with your podcast? I get it!

In this episode, I share my top strategies and options for keeping up with your podcast without quitting or losing engagement. I talk about everything from planning ahead to scheduling breaks to take your podcast with you on the road!

I also share some great tips for marketing past podcast episodes that are sure to drive engagement even when you aren't recording and publishing new episodes.

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

In this episode, I speak with multi-passionate business owner Lucia Ortega. We talk about how she helps first-gens, BIPOC, and women bring their ideas to life. We also talk about making money, becoming good with money, and Lucia’s view on debt.

Throughout Lucia’s life she has started various businesses - with her current business venture being a Mexican food stand in Los Angelos called Sierra Mexican Cuisine. Visit her food stand at 12724 S Central Ave Los Angeles, CA 10:30am-3:30pm from Thursday to Sunday.

If you want to get excited about starting and growing a business, listen to this episode!

Action Steps:

1. Ask yourself what you want to do and accomplish is the next year
2. Start focusing on personal development
3. Start getting good with money (Bonus: get an accountability buddy + ask for help!)

Connect with Lucia:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bylucyortega/
Sierra Mexican Cuisine: https://www.instagram.com/sierramexicancuisine/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bylucyortega
Learn more about Lucy: https://linktr.ee/ByLucyOrtega

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com

In this episode, I speak with Sasha about how she became a brand strategist and web designer. We chat all about how you can create your brand kit, enhance your brand ecosystem, and attract more clients.

Sasha has been working in the field for over 12 years. Her career started in retail development and merchandising after obtaining her degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles. Her career started in visual merchandising and quickly took her to design retail spaces all across the country.

She was helping companies land HUGE sales partnerships with big-name companies and also teaching 250+ retailers how to utilize the power of merchandising and visual storytelling — but once she got burnout, she decided it was time to move to freelance.

Since then, she's helped numerous businesses and companies fine-tune their branding, get clear on their marketing strategies, improve their web traffic, and more. Ultimately she's helped them grow and scale by finding their unique attributes and building upon that. It’s something she does best, find the uncommon denominator within their industry and turn it into their greatest strength.

Action Steps:

1. Audit your social media - can people tell who you are, what you do, and how you do it right away?
2. Check out your branding to see if the colors and fonts are matching and aesthetic
3. Ask yourself - how can you better communicate what you do?

Connect with Sasha:
Website: https://iniciocreative.com/hello
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sashamoniquecreates/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@sashamoniquecreates
DTLD Magazine: https://dtldmag.com

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss

In this episode, I talk with one of my best friends, Kat Margolies! Kat is the founder of Gemini Dragon Craft Co, a best-selling Etsy shop specializing in resin, pressed flowers, and so many other cute items.

We chat about starting an Etsy shop, coming up with craft ideas, finding a production/shipping rhythm, how to find customers, balancing having a side hustle, living life as a Gemini, and so much more.

Be sure to check out Kat’s amazing shop linked below, and use discount code “Espresso15”! I have ordered from Kat’s shop multiple times and love everything!

Action Steps:

1. Go and set up your account on Etsy
2. Do market research to find your niche
3. Do not worry about what other people are doing - focus on your shop

Connect with Kat:
Etsy shop: https://www.etsy.com/shop/GeminiDragonCraftCo?ref=simple-shop-header-name&listing_id=1445998729#reviews
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@geminidragoncraftco
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/geminidragoncraftco/

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss

If you are at the crossroads of thinking about stopping your podcast or keep going, this episode is for you.


I feel for you. This is a hard decision to make.

I hear it all the time, you have lost their vision for your podcast, you are not making money, you are not getting a ton of podcast listeners, you are running out of time, you are getting bored, or even if you are running out of things to talk about - I have heard it all.

Podcasting has so many benefits… but you need to be authentic about it.

Tune in, and let's get to the bottom of what is going on!

I invite you to book a strategy call with me to figure out what is going on, and discuss options for your podcast: https://calendly.com/hayleighhayhurst/strategy-session

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss

n this episode, Samara Andrews educates us on taxes for entrepreneurs! If you are anything like me and think that numbers are hard and taxes is scary, this episode is definitely for you.

She shows us how taxes can be sexy!!

Samara Andrews, Founder and CEO of FYE Finance is a MBA Finance graduate, a business accountant, and a recent Corporate America escapee with over 17 years of accounting and finance experience. She has had the privilege of working for Fortune 100 companies as an accountant and financial analyst.
During her tenure in Corporate America, she helped companies save 30+ hours per week and thousands of dollars in fees through process improvement strategies. But working in the corporate environment faded her passion for teaching and helping others. This is where FYE Finance was born, Samara wanted to bring to small businesses and individuals the same opportunities afforded to major corporations.
As a finance expert Samara’s passion is to help people and businesses become financially savvy. She learned that planning is the most effective and efficient tool to building and maintaining sustainable wealth. So, she took her love for taxes and married it with helping people to create a comprehension approach to building wealth through tax planning.

Action Steps:

1. Start tracking where your money is going
2. Plan for taxes
3. Think about your retirement

Connect with Samara:
Website: https://www.fyefinance.com/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/FYEFinance
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fye_finance/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FYEFinance/
Quickbooks link: https://quickbooks.grsm.io/7d1d1eje83vr


Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss

In this episode, I speak with Nichole LaVigne. Nichole is a family friend, and I am so grateful to have this conversation with her about all things real estate.

We discuss everything from how NLP can help with real estate sales, functioning in a commission based Industry, how she coaches Real Estate Agents, dealing with rejection, and her real estate sales cycle.

Nichole started real estate in 2006, right around the time of the market crash, but as a single mom to 2 young kids, determined to succeed despite the dismal circumstances. She used her background as a legal professional, to help hundreds of families navigate some really difficult choices on whether or not to let go of their home that was grossly upside down in value, to short sell it, or ride out the crash.
She loves to provide the stepping stones that lead people into the next chapter of their lives.

Action steps:

1. For real estate agents - go through your phone and have genuine conversations with your friends and past connections
2. Learn what to say to clients
3. Check your mindset & attitude

https://www.thenicholelavignegroup.com
[email protected]
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicholelavignesells/about/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholelasvegas/

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss

How to Start a Podcast for Your Business

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, time to get lucky!

You are invited! On March 21, 2023, at 12 PST, I am hosting a free event through the Social Register Network. This event will talk all about how to start your podcast, including marketing tips, all the tech you need to get started, and really just the fundamentals of podcasting.

Podcasting is a powerful tool for business when done correctly. If you want to connect with your audience on a deeper level, this webinar is for you! You will learn the basics of what it takes to have a good podcast, including marketing tips, how to build out your strategy, and how to actually get listeners.
– how to get a podcast started
– why your business should have a podcast
– how to actually get listeners
– tips on creating content and marketing
– how to monetize your podcast

Register here: https://tinyurl.com/0321SPEAKERINVITE


Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss

In this episode, I speak with No BS Business Mentor, Lead Gen & Sales Expert, and Lover of All Things Online Marketing, Samatha Gladish.

She shares the story of how she started her own business, built the foundational elements of her business, and the “truth” behind entrepreneurship, including the ups, the downs, and everything in between. She also shares how she built her business before the age of social media.

Samantha hosts The Wellness Witch podcast, which is in the top 4% of podcasts globally. She is also the CEO of holisticwellness.ca - an online business that helps women optimize their health and hormones.

Through consistent imperfect action, Samantha learned how to market herself and grow her health coaching business to over half a million in sales. Although health and wellness are her first passions, she quickly fell in love with all things marketing, from writing sales copy, implementing tech, creating sales funnels, growing social media, running Facebook ads, and learning sales. From becoming an Amazon bestseller and launching one of Canada’s top podcasts with over 2+ million downloads, she would love to share her expertise with your audience.

Samantha knows exactly how to help others grow and scale their online wellness and coaching business to up-level their bank account - with alignment, ease, and flow.

Action Steps:

1. Sit with the question “is not investing in my business really about the money” - think deeper about the deeper meaning.
2. Start taking imperfect action
3. Focus on building connections in your business.

Connect with Samantha:
Business Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samantha_gladish/
Wellness Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holisticwellnesswitch/
Website: https://www.samanthagladish.com

Connect with me, Hayleigh Hayhurst:
Website: https://www.espressopodcastproduction.com/
Podcast courses: https://hayleigh-s-school-2cca.thinkific.com/courses/great-guesting-how-to-be-an-unforgettable-podcast-guest
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/espressopodcastproduction/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/espressogrowth

Music: John Kiernan. www.johnkiernanmusic.com
Host your podcast on Spreaker: https://spreaker.pxf.io/Boss