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In episode 64 on #MerryBiz we chat with our online digital advisor friend that specializes in online product launches through crowdfunding.  In fact, she's helped drive over 7 figures online through crowd funding and she's super passionate about sharing how she does it.  We had the pleasure of hanging out earlier this year on a tropical island, having fun, drinking cocktails and we are so excited to welcome our friend Khierstyn Ross to #MerryBiz! YAY!   "You'd be surprised how much you learn from screwing up." Some questions we asked... How did you get into crowdfunding? Why are you so interested in it? What is crowdfunding? Can you pinpoint the things that you think make up a successful crowdfunding campaign? Is there anyone that you look to you for inspiration every day?  What does it take to create an epic email list? "Just show up!" Some AHA! Moments in this episode... Why crowdfunding is the new age of funding a business. The importance of talking to your customer and understanding their needs. How to decide the amount of money to aim for in your crowdfunding campaign. Why you can't just launch... you need to build an audience first. Where to spend your dollars when creating your campaign. "Crowdfunding is not just a way to make money, it's a way to launch a business."

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We're epically enthused about this podcast episode with Dan Norris. They're always the most fun because a. we get to do them live in his office/studio, b. we go 0n all the weird and wonderful tangents and c. becuase it's THE Dan Norris.  During this chat we mostly discuss the topic... idea... no, the MAGIC of creativity. Because Dan has a brand spankin' new book out: Create or Hate. Check it out here! (for free this week!). Far out even the title is freaking amazing.  But wait, we gotta talk about that sub-title: Successful People Make Things. ARGHHH. It's like oh yeh, duh! We gotta make stuff to be successful. Yes, making things can bring in the dollars (yay) but what about the joy, fun, love, inspiration and life changing stuff these 'things' also brings? Steve Jobs made the iPhone (um epic and makes our lives a whole lot easier), Frida put her magical reality on canvas (talk about inspiration), The Beatles made music (joy, sadness, hope, love, bliss... every emotion) and Erica our old neighbour creates a garden oasis year after year, after year. Not sure about you but when we look at a beautiful garden we instantly feel happy and calm... see, magic. Just make something! Make something for fun. Make it to earn money. Make it to help people. Make it to spread a positive message around the world a billion times. This is from the back of Dan's new book...   Most of us have always wanted to make something, but for any number of reasons haven't. Maybe you used to make things as a child, but stopped some time into adulthood.   What is that something for you? Writing a book? Creating a blog? Learning photography? Starting a podcast? Launching a business?   This book exists for only one reason, to help you create that something.   We are all creative — there is a creator in you.    But there is also a force called Hate, which will work against your creativity and stop you from making things.    Hate can be controlled, and overpowered and your creative side can be nurtured and grown.    This book will show you how.  Dan talks about all sorts of stuff we love... How negative self-talk will limit you and that your thoughts matter. The magic of synchronicity. Maybe these small signs are giving you a message that you're on the right track. Failure = course correction. Failure is a good thing, what we like to call a 'blessing in disguise'.  Gratitude is a game changer. More gratitude equals more creativity and less negativity. It kills anger and stress. You know how we feel about gratitude.  Following the flow, the momentum... the bliss.  He also gives a bunch of action steps to help you create and overcome hate.  Our key message from Create or Hate was to keep on creating. Create for fun. Create for health and happiness. And in the words of Dan... create so much they can't ignore you. 

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In episode 63 on #MerryBiz we chat with Lunch Lady Lou! She creates real food (wholefood lunches) for the time-poor health conscious corporates. That's right, she's in the business of delivering your healthy lunch to your desk. Daily. Giving you the time and space to get on with the rest of your to-do list. Sounds good to us! She's on a mission to transform how we think about, cook and eat our food. We're so excited to welcome to #MerryBiz Linda Ellis, aka Lunch Lady Lou!   "You're only limited by your own creativity." Some questions we ask... How did you end up cooking healthy lunches for busy corporates? How did you start? How did you get over that block of thinking I don't know how to do this?  What do you say to people who have fear around leaving their secure jobs and following their dream? How has social media played a part in your business? Some AHA! Moments in this episode... How rock bottom can create the person you need to be.  Why food is one of the most important things you can change to positively impact your life. Even though you might not be doing what you want to do... the skills you're learning are preparing you for what's next.  Why it's ok to think small first... then think bigger.

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We are SUPER excited about today's #MerryBiz guest! She's the founder of one of the world's top boutique fashion sites, Beginning Boutique. Starting the business in 2008 after a trip to Paris, facing struggles and triumphs, the business now turns over millions of dollars every year and has a big focus on their customer, one of the reasons of their huge success. We can't wait to learn more and share it all with YOU! Welcome to the show Sarah Timmerman of Beginning Boutique! "There's always room to grow." Some questions we asked... Take us back to 2008. Where did the inspiration come for BB? What has the journey looked like... from then until now? Take us through the challenge of going from bankrupt to profit? What was going through your head? How did you overcome it? Did you have a team then?  How do you inspire your team?  How did you develop your on point brand? Will you ever think about bringing in investors? What's the coolest, craziest thing that's happened to you because of BB? How do you reach out and meet new people? "You gotta do what you can with what you have." Some AHA! Moments in this episode... The importance of knowing what needs to be done each and every week to reach your big goals. How meeting new people is key for business growth.  Why you need to focus on building a happy team environment to = a successful business. Always leave room to grow and learn.  Focus on balance, focus on health.   

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In episode 61 on #MerryBiz we chat with not 1 but 2 guests! They're internationally renowned speakers, have been featured on TedX and Mindvalley, entrepreneurs and adventurers, known for their thought-leadership and doing things a bit differently. Leaders in small business marketing and co-founders of Basic Bananas and The Business Hood. We're super excited to welcome Franziska and Christo to MerryBiz! Some questions we asked... How did you guys meet and become co-founders? Tell us the story. How can we work out what perception we actually want for our business and ourselves? What helps you stay balanced during your busy work days? Who influences you and who do you turn to when looking for trends? "Don't take everyone's advice." Some AHA! Moments in this episode... Why you need to listen but now take everyone's advice as gospel. How to use your values to work out your brand perception. The 3 questions you need to ask yourself about your business to come up with your brand values. Why your brand is the most fundamental part of your business... before anything else. The main reason why small business is struggling... is lack of brand awareness. "Have fun every single day."

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Today's amazing guest is a strategist, speaker, writer and researcher. She's committed to changing the conversation for women, leadership and work. She's the best selling author of Getting Real About Having It All and her new book Lead Like A Woman as well as the creator of The Career Toolkit. We are SO super excited to welcome Megan Dalla-Camina to the #MerryBiz podcast! Yay! We freaking loved this episode and you're going to love it too! "The core of vulnerability is being who we are." Some questions we asked... Why do we need to make sure that we balance the masculine and feminine energies? How do you keep the balance? Should it be balanced every day? How do you start to listen to your intuition? What do you think is going to happen to the world when the masculine and feminine energies balance?  What does it mean to be vulnerable? "As our body stills and our breath slows down, our thoughts and our mind settle." Some AHA! Moments in this episode... The importance of bringing our masculine and feminine energies into balance, when we do... we thrive. We must disconnect, go into nature, get still.  The core of vulnerability is being who we are, with all of our glory, all of our scars and wounds and not being afraid to show them. How to help men come into feminine energy with celebration!

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Did you know this is the first time we've actually said the word f#ck on #MerryBiz? Woha :P hehe but with good reason! This was one our all time best/fave interviews we've done to date on #MerryBiz (actually, Carla said it was her actual favourite). Mark Manson does things a little differently when it comes to self-help. He makes you think harder. Question things. And in all honestly, he helps you just live a much simpler, better life, through the art of subtly not giving f#cks about certain things. Don't take it the wrong way. It's not about giving no f#cks. It's about choosing what f#cks to give. We go into all sorts of things during this interview, one of the best moments was when Mark said... "Wanting more positive experience is itself a negative experience, embracing negative experience is itself a positive experience." See! Made you think! And we bet it made you go AHA! Maybe you had to read it 5 times like us which is totally a-ok. It's so true it hurts. If there is one interview you listen to on #MerryBiz (oh come on... you know you wanna listen to them all!) make it this one. It will change your thoughts... and you know what they say when you change your thoughts... right? Right? We're so super pumped to welcome Mark Manson to the #MerryBiz podcast! YEW! Take a listen! Some questions we asked... Tell us about The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F#ck? How did you develop this way of thinking? What was the initial reaction to your style/thoughts when you started sharing it with the world? Tell us about the feedback loop from hell? What do you say to people who ask you "How do I find my passion?" How do you deal with failure? "This too shall pass" Some AHA! Moments in this episode... Why we need to become comfortable with the suckage that happens in life. Why feeling bad isn't a bad thing and how to remove the label and get on with life. Your ability to achieve success is directly proportional to how much failure you're willing to deal with (epic, right?). Wanting more positive experience is itself a negative experience, embracing negative experience is itself a positive experience.  There's always something to gain from any experience.  "What we end up giving a f#ck about determines our motivation and goals."

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On episode 58 we welcome our amazing friend Cate Richards! The microphone on this episode wasn't good on our end (sorry!) but Cate's is fine, so listen to her and learn! We're so super excited for you to listen! We had the pleasure of meeting her and hanging out in the Philippines earlier this year. We really loved her bio when she sent it us, she wrote: since she moved to the beach she never seems to get enough done because the beach is too tempting and her dogs never want to go back home to work. Uh we know the feeling! Beach = good. But seriously, today's guest is a branding expert and works from the inside out. She's the founder of True Entrepreneur, which is all about clarity, strategy and branding. Welcome to MerryBiz our very good friend Cate Richards. Take a listen! "Your brand is all about being clear and positioning but it's also about connecting." Some questions we ask... What are the top tips for creating your story? What are your thoughts on perfectionism? How can you start to build a brand? Should we follow a strategy? Or be organic? "The thing that really connects your audience to you... is your story." Some AHA! Moments in this episode... Why you need to drop your perfectionism. The importance of brand clarity and consistency. Why you need magic words and how to use them.  "I'm all about life/work balance."

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Episode 57 on #MerryBiz is EPIC! Today's guest became the CEO of the UK Superfood Brand Creative Nature at just age 22.  Within an 18 month period, she brought the company from almost bankrupt into profit.  In the last year, she has taken the brand from strength to strength launching into one of the biggest pharmacies in the UK as well introducing a range of healthy bake mixes and snack bars.  We're super excited to share how she did it with you! Welcome to #MerryBiz Julianne Ponan! Take a listen!   "Hard work beats talent when talent doesn't work hard." Some questions we ask... Take us back when you first took the Creative Nature business. What made you do that and how did you feel?  Were there any challenges along the way?  How has social media played a role in your business?   Have you had any mentors involved in your business journey at all?  How do you keep balance in running a business? Do you have a morning ritual, other than your spirulina shot?  "Get up in the morning and don't hit that snooze button." Some AHA! Moments in this episodes... You need to believe in yourself no matter how young or old you are. Enjoy every moment, even the early days when you're doing EVERYTHING.  Why you need to NOT hit that snooze button. Ever.  How recreational activity with your team can create positive work culture. "When you feel like quitting, think about why you started."  

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In episode 56 on #MerryBiz we chat with the most amazing. passionate life coach and meditation teacher who specialises in Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy! That's a mouth full! A magical one! It helps achieve calmness, clarity and confidence by managing and dissolving stressful thoughts and emotions.  Sounds good right?! We're super excited for you to listen! Welcome  to #MerryBiz, Cheryne Blom! "Happiness is not for chicken shits." Some questions we asked... Take us back 10 years, how did it all begin? What isMindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy? What does your own meditation practice look like? Do you have any particular tools or things you do when a stressful moment occurs? "You wouldn't sit through a really bad movie... you would stop and change the channel." Some AHA! Moments in this episode... The importance of becoming aware of your thoughts and how to refrain from them when needed. Why you need to focus on your breath. How to bring in visualization to live your most epic life.  Super cool technique to deal with stress: S:top T:hink O:bserve P:roceed Being mindule leads to building resilience, optimism, focus and strength.  "Anybody can be whoever they want."

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