What Works

EP 298: Creating A Less Harmful Sales System with Wanderwell Founder Kate Strathmann


Listen Later








This show is called What Works for a reason.



Sometimes it’s a declaration: this is what worked for this small business. And often, it’s a question, “What works?”



Today’s episode is very much a question, many questions, really:



* What works when it comes to selling when you want to avoid manipulative or exploitative practices?* What works when your values conflict with many of the best practices of selling online but you still want people to buy your stuff?* What works when it comes to sales in a business that is actively anti-racist and anti-capitalist?



And even more bluntly: Can you even sell things without causing harm or perpetuating harmful systems?



My friend Kate Strathmann is the founder of Wanderwell, a bookkeeping and consulting firm that grows thriving businesses while investigating new models for being in business.



Recently, Kate took a bit of a detour from how she’s used to building her business, which is 90% referral based and fueled by deep relationship- and community-building. She decided to offer a small group program called the Equitable Business Incubator as a way of exploring anti-capitalist business practices and how they apply to the small businesses we’re building.



To fill the program, Kate need to sell differently.



Which led her to asking the question: Can you even sell things as a anti-capitalist?



While that might not be your specific question, I have a feeling that you too have wondering how you can effectively sell your offers without causing harm, perpetuating harmful systems, or damaging relationships. And that’s why I knew Kate and I needed to explore this topic on the show.



This is a conversation about what a kinder, less harmful sales process could look like—and it probably contains more questions than answers. But I’m confident those questions can help you find the answers that are right for you and the sales system that you want to build to make your business stronger.



We start out by defining what we’re really talking about when we talk about capitalism and anti-capitalism. Then, Kate shares how the Equitable Business Incubator came to be and how she ended up selling it. And then we dig into what makes many of the sales formulas and best practices being taught today problematic—and how to think differently to create your own alternative practices.



Now, let’s take a look at what works for creating less harmful sales systems!







What Works Is Brought To You By







Mighty Networks powers brands and businesses – like yours! – that bring people together.With a Mighty Network, online business owners just like you can bring together in one place:



* Your website* Your content* Your courses* Your community* Your events online and in real life* And charge for them…all while building YOUR brand.



Visit mightynetworks.com to see more examples of brands bringing people together and taking their businesses to the next level.
★ Support this podcast ★
...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

What WorksBy Tara McMullin

  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8
  • 4.8

4.8

236 ratings


More shows like What Works

View all
The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast by Pat Flynn

The Smart Passive Income Online Business and Blogging Podcast

3,455 Listeners

Creative Pep Talk by Andy J. Pizza

Creative Pep Talk

1,992 Listeners

The Amy Porterfield Show by Amy Porterfield

The Amy Porterfield Show

4,587 Listeners

Living Planet by DW

Living Planet

135 Listeners

Side Hustle Pro by Nicaila Matthews Okome | Side Hustle Pro Media

Side Hustle Pro

1,773 Listeners

The Goal Digger Podcast | Top Business and Marketing Podcast for Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Women in Business by Jenna Kutcher

The Goal Digger Podcast | Top Business and Marketing Podcast for Creatives, Entrepreneurs, and Women in Business

12,067 Listeners

ChooseFI by ChooseFI

ChooseFI

5,135 Listeners

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler by Everything Happens Studios

Everything Happens with Kate Bowler

5,121 Listeners

I Have ADHD Podcast by Kristen Carder

I Have ADHD Podcast

2,874 Listeners

Deep Questions with Cal Newport by Cal Newport

Deep Questions with Cal Newport

1,307 Listeners

Best Laid Plans by Sarah Hart-Unger

Best Laid Plans

800 Listeners

The Gathering Room Podcast by Martha Beck

The Gathering Room Podcast

672 Listeners

Chill & Prosper with Denise Duffield-Thomas by Denise Duffield-Thomas

Chill & Prosper with Denise Duffield-Thomas

215 Listeners

We Can Do Hard Things by Treat Media and Glennon Doyle

We Can Do Hard Things

41,486 Listeners

Kelly's Astrology Podcast by Kelly Surtees Astrology

Kelly's Astrology Podcast

126 Listeners