Entrepreneur Encounter

Send us Fan Mail

She sat at her desk, staring at a list of problems she felt responsible to solve. The pressure was heavy, after all, wasn’t a leader supposed to have the answers? But then came the shift: what if leadership wasn’t about fixing everything, but about asking the right questions? That simple mindset flip changed the way she showed up for her team, and it can change the way you lead too.

In this episode of Entrepreneur Encounter, we unpack the concept of humble inquiry, a leadership style built on curiosity, not control. Instead of rushing to give solutions, we explore how creating space for your team to share ideas, take ownership, and problem-solve leads to stronger culture and sustainable growth. You’ll hear why asking better questions doesn’t make you look weak,  it makes you the kind of leader people trust and want to follow.

What to listen for in this episode:

• The surprising leadership myth that keeps many entrepreneurs stuck in “answer mode.”
• How to use humble inquiry to empower your team and strengthen workplace culture.
• Simple question swaps you can start using today to shift from control → collaboration.

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Every entrepreneur faces that moment when everything seems to be falling apart, missing files two days before a client deadline, algorithm changes that tank your reach overnight, or technical glitches that threaten your reputation. These scenarios used to send successful business owners into complete spirals of panic and self-doubt. 

But what separates thriving entrepreneurs from those who burn out isn't avoiding these challenges, it's developing the soft skills of resilience which transforms every setback into fuel for growth and creative solutions.

In this episode, we explore the essential skill of building entrepreneurial resilience, diving deep into how effective stress management and strategic problem solving can become your greatest business strategies. 

We share three core strategies for developing unshakeable resilience: creating bounce-back routines, collecting evidence of your wins and recoveries, and building strategic support systems. Through personal confessions and real-world examples, we demonstrate how transparency and vulnerability actually build stronger business relationships and sustainable personal development practices.

What You'll Learn in This Episode:

• The 24-Hour Rule for Stress Management: A method for processing setbacks without letting them derail your entrepreneurial momentum or business strategies

• Why Documenting Wins is Critical for Resilience: How collecting evidence of your successes and recoveries creates a foundation for future problem solving and growth mindset development

• Building Your Strategic Support Ecosystem: The difference between emotional support and strategic guidance, and how to cultivate the right support systems for sustainable entrepreneurship success

When you face your next business setback, will you choose to spiral into stress mode or step into your problem-solving superpower? What would change in your entrepreneurship journey if you viewed every challenge as evidence of your growing resilience?

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Ever catch yourself spending unpaid hours researching solutions for problems you weren't even hired to solve? There have been times when we both have done exactly that, laying awake worrying about a business when we should have not. We then discovered the hard way that there's a crucial difference between caring about your clients and caring yourself straight into burnout.

In this episode, we explore the difference between empathy and enabling in client relationships. We share hard-won lessons from our own experiences of burning out while trying to solve problems outside our expertise, and provide practical frameworks for maintaining boundaries without losing your caring nature. From the "empowerment check" method to building strategic referral networks, we offer actionable strategies for supporting clients while protecting energy and staying in one lane.

What to listen for in this episode:

The Helper's High Trap: Learn why that good feeling you get from being "needed" by clients can actually damage both your business and your client relationships. 

The Empowerment Check Method: Discover a simple but powerful technique for separating feelings from fixing: asking "Do you want me to just listen right now or do you want me to help brainstorm a solution?" plus the follow-up question that shifts responsibility back to your client.

The Strategic Referral Network: Understand how saying "I know someone who can help you" becomes your superpower for maintaining boundaries while still showing you care and how this approach can actually grow your business through relationship-building.

What if the most empathetic thing you could do for your clients isn't diving in to rescue them, but stepping back and letting them figure it out themselves?

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Does your creative brain underestimate projects? 

You know that sinking feeling when you confidently tell a client "this will only take 30 minutes" and then find yourself three hours deep in what was supposed to be a quick task? Dana learned this lesson the hard way when a simple Pinterest rebrand turned into an all-day task, leaving her scrambling to catch up on her own business marketing. 

It's the classic creative entrepreneur trap: we get so excited about the fun parts of our work that time becomes this slippery thing that somehow always works against us. This episode unpacks why our creative brains are terrible at estimating time and what we can actually do about it.

In this conversation, we explore the hidden culprit behind why creative professionals consistently underestimate project timelines. We break down the difference between planning for the "Pinterest perfect" day versus messy reality, share personal stories of time estimation gone wrong, and reveal why your brain lights up during creative tasks while completely losing track of time. 

Most importantly, we provide actionable frameworks to help you build realistic buffers, match your energy to your tasks, and finally stop feeling like you're always playing catch-up.

What to listen for in this episode:

The Real Cost of Context Switching - Discover why every interruption (email ping, dog barking, roof repair) costs you 5-20 minutes of refocus time and how to build this reality into your planning.

Micro Step Mapping Framework - Learn how to list every detail of a task (even the 5 minutes it takes to find your Canva brand kit) to stop losing those tiny steps that eat up your entire day.

The Teaching Test Strategy - Find out how imagining you're training a new hire on a task reveals the real time estimate you should be using – and why this protects both your sanity and your team's success.

Think about this: When was the last time you told yourself a project would take 30 minutes, only to look up hours later wondering what happened to your day? What would change in your business if you could finally estimate time accurately and stop feeling behind?

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

A hurricane, an unexpected illness, or even the chaos of back-to-school season, sometimes life throws curveballs that force us to step away from work. But what happens when your business can’t stop running just because you need to? In today’s episode of Entrepreneur Encounter, we share real stories and honest conversations about the importance of having systems in place, especially as business owners and team leaders transition from summer slowdown into fall routines.

This episode is all about reestablishing focus, setting realistic schedules, and leading with empathy while keeping productivity alive. We discuss juggling family life, client work, and leadership responsibilities. From why SOPs are non-negotiable, to managing energy levels and creating boundaries, we break down what it really looks like to bring yourself and your team back into “work mode” without burning out.

What to listen for in this episode:

• Why Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are critical—not just for turnover, but for everyday emergencies and smooth team operations.
  
  
  
• The importance of setting realistic expectations and boundaries for yourself and your team, so everyone can succeed without burnout.
  
  
  
• How to have human-to-human conversations with your team that go beyond tasks and projects, ensuring they feel supported and seen.

Take 30 minutes this week to review your current systems and schedules. Ask yourself: If I had to step away tomorrow, would my team or business be able to keep running smoothly? If not, start creating one SOP for a recurring task or set one boundary that helps protect your time and energy.

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Picture this: It's the end of summer, and you're staring at your neglected Pinterest account. While other entrepreneurs are frantically trying to catch up on daily social media posts, scrambling to create new content, and feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to be "constantly on," there's a different path. What if we told you that one platform could work for you even when you're out with your kids or enjoying that slower summer pace? Dana shares how she uses Pinterest not just as a business tool, but as a way to find activities for her summer camp at home, proving that this platform serves both sides of the entrepreneurial life.

In this conversation, Sara and Dana discuss the importance of Pinterest marketing, especially as summer transitions into fall. They explore how to effectively use Pinterest as a search engine rather than a social media platform, emphasizing the need for consistent content creation and the benefits of batching pins. The discussion also highlights the significance of mindset shifts in content creation, encouraging entrepreneurs to give themselves grace and focus on sustainable marketing practices rather than the pressure to go viral. Most importantly, they discuss the mindset shift required to move from the exhausting "always-on" social media mentality to a more sustainable, grace-filled approach to business growth.

What to listen for in this episode:

The Pinterest Advantage Over Traditional Social Media: Learn why Pinterest's search engine functionality means you can maintain visibility even during breaks, and how one hour of batching can create a month's worth of content that works while you rest.

The Simple 3-Step Comeback Strategy Dana breaks down her foolproof method for getting back on track: audit your existing account, focus on three priority boards (service-based, seasonal, and evergreen), and align your content with upcoming seasonal goals.

Repurposing Content Like a Pro Discover how to transform one piece of existing content (like a blog post or popular reel) into 10 different pins, and why "new content" on Pinterest simply means giving your existing work new life.

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Ever feel like you're spinning your wheels, trying to juggle all the moving parts of your business, only to end up exhausted and overwhelmed? You're not alone. Sometimes the answer isn't about adding more strategies or doing more things, it's about having the courage to let go of what's no longer serving your business growth. We’re pulling back the curtain here. 

In this episode, we get real about the difficult decisions that led us to completely restructure our podcast approach. We discuss what we’re letting go  that doesn't align with our businesses. Together, we explore the soft skills required for successful business pivots, including self-awareness, problem-solving, and the courage to have difficult conversations.

What to listen for: 

Don't be afraid to pivot your business strategy - Sometimes letting go of what you think should work opens up space for what actually does work for your unique situation and capacity. 

Build systems before scaling - Take intentional steps back to create solid foundations (like CRM systems, project management workflows, and automation) before trying to grow bigger

The power of follow-up and networking - Consistent relationship-building and follow-up conversations often generate more business opportunities than social media marketing alone

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Ever wondered why your marketing feels like shouting into the void? You're not alone. In this conversation, we dive deep into the entrepreneurial mind trap that keeps businesses stuck in their own heads instead of connecting with their customers. Our guest Charlie shares the brutal truth about why even seasoned marketers struggle to apply their own expertise to their businesses—and reveals the difference between content that gets likes and content that gets sales.

In this episode, Charlie, a social expert who recently transitioned from agency life to entrepreneurship, breaks down the psychological barriers that prevent business owners from truly understanding their audience. From the weighted blanket example that will change how you think about features versus benefits, to the controversial advice about studying your competitors' testimonials, this conversation is packed with actionable insights. We explore the critical distinction between engaging content and converting content, dive into the psychology behind customer decision-making, and uncover why your entrepreneurial origin story might be sabotaging your marketing message.

What to listen for: 

Get Out of Your Own Head: Stop assuming your customers buy for the same reasons you started your business—instead, survey existing customers and ask ideal prospects about their biggest challenges to understand what they actually value most.

Features Don't Sell, Transformations Do: Focus on articulating your customer's pain point so well that they think you understand their problem better than they do, rather than listing product specifications or features.

Engaging Content vs. Converting Content Serve Different Purposes: Use discovery content (tips and case studies) to build engagement and get found, but create converting content that focuses on the transformational journey from their current pain to their desired outcome.

Ready to transform your marketing from guesswork to strategy? Tune into this episode! 

Connect with Charlie Sargeant:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charlotte-sargeant-%F0%9F%8E%A8%F0%9F%A4%93-abbb4143/

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

Are you tired of working weekends, answering client emails at 2 AM, and feeling completely burned out in your creative business? What if you could take eight weeks of vacation while having your highest-earning year yet? Wedding photographer and business coach Johanna Hribal joins us to share exactly how she transformed her photography business from chaotic feast-or-famine cycles to a sustainable, boundary-rich enterprise that supports both her lifestyle and financial goals. If you're struggling with people-pleasing, overworking, or the seasonal ups and downs of creative entrepreneurship, this conversation will show you a better way forward.

In this episode, Johanna breaks down her practical approach to creating healthy business boundaries that clients actually respect and appreciate. She shares her energy inventory method for identifying which tasks to automate, delegate, or eliminate, and explains how strategic pricing can help wedding professionals avoid the extreme highs and lows of seasonal business. The conversation covers everything from setting communication boundaries and taking consistent days off to creating polished client experiences that prevent scope creep. Sara and Dana also share their own boundary-setting journeys, including the mindset shifts required to move from people-pleasing to confident business leadership.

What to listen for: 

• Proactive boundary setting is essential: Communicate your time off, response times, and processes upfront in contracts and email signatures rather than trying to enforce boundaries reactively when problems arise.

• Use the energy inventory method: List all your business tasks and categorize them as "love it," "hate it," or "it's okay" – then prioritize automating, delegating, or eliminating the tasks you hate to free up energy for work you enjoy.

• Strategic pricing prevents burnout: Instead of offering the lowest prices during peak demand seasons, price appropriately so you can work with fewer clients while meeting your income goals, leaving more time for rest and personal life.

Connect with Johanna Hribal: 

Instagram | @yourcoachjohanna

Momentum group coaching | https://yourcoachjohanna.kartra.com/page/momentum

Visibility Intensive | https://yourcoachjohanna.kartra.com/page/visibility

Freebie | https://yourcoachjohanna.kartra.com/page/freebie

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, with Lila Turner, London-based entrepreneur and founder of Relationship Ready, a business that helps high-performing leaders find meaningful love, without turning dating into a KPI checklist.

Lila shares her unconventional journey from fashion design to emotional well-being and relationship coaching. Through personal stories of emotional overwhelm, burnout, and the drive to achieve happiness, she explains how reconnecting with her “deeper mind” changed everything—first for herself, then for the high-achieving clients she now supports.

From soft skills to self-awareness, Lila breaks down the invisible thinking patterns that hold people back in both their personal and professional lives. Whether you're a leader who can manage a boardroom but struggles with vulnerability, or an entrepreneur who feels like dating is just another to-do list item, this episode offers a fresh and powerful lens.

What You'll Learn:

• How emotional intensity doesn’t always equal emotional intelligence
  
  
• Why soft skills often develop after the pressure-filled 20s
  
  
• How to stop over-assessing and start showing up with presence

 "Intensity doesn’t mean it has a good point. Your thoughts aren’t always telling you the truth, they're often just keeping you disconnected from your deeper self." – Lila Turner

Connect with Lila Turner:

Lila Turner, MA, Founder and CEO of Relationship Ready, is a visionary leader in love. A former fashion designer turned executive mentor, she discovered that true change begins with the relationship we have with ourselves. As a Partner at One Thought, she saw many high-achievers struggle with love. This inspired her to found Relationship Ready, helping people who can make anything in their life work- except love, break old patterns and find deep fulfilling connections. A sought-after speaker, published author and mentor, Lila shares her insights worldwide.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relationshipready/

Website: https://relationship-ready.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=c933192b57fc24de02186fcf7&id=dffdd1898d

Support the show

Whether you’re looking to grow your visibility through Pinterest Marketing or streamline your Podcast Operations and Team Management, we help business owners and creatives build sustainable systems that work for them, not against them.

Want to learn more about how this can work for you and your business, reach out to us!

Connect with Entrepreneur Encounter: 

Your Free Gift: 20 Min Clarity Map
https://entrepreneur-encounter.kit.com/clarity-map   

Entrepreneur Encounter Spotlight: https://forms.gle/UMfhMqPQSXDXbU828

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/entrepreneur-encounter/ 

Host Sara Lowell: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/youarerembertllc/

Website: https://www.youarerembertllc.com/

Host Dana Johnson: 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-m-johnson/

Website: https://ddvirtualmanagement.com/