In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Ellen and Kat welcome Meg Davis, the founder of Explorable Places. They discuss their journeys in entrepreneurship, managing business operations, and the importance of adaptability. Meg shares her experiences of starting a SaaS business that helps teachers book educational field trips, her approach to scaling, and how she balances client relationships. The episode highlights the challenges and rewards of running a small business, mental health in entrepreneurship, and the significance of customer service skills. Tune in for an insightful conversation on making good ideas and bad decisions work in the world of business.

Meg Davis is a community leader and entrepreneur who founded Explorable Places in 2015 after years of teaching. She identified a gap in how field trip venues like museums and libraries connect with schools and community organizations. Her platform streamlines the planning process and helps teachers find engaging field-based and virtual learning opportunities that align with their curriculum. She co-founded SAGE with Ellen Hockley. 

Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions
01:06 Meet Our Special Guest: Meg Davis
02:35 Explorable Places: The Journey Begins
04:38 Challenges and Growth in Entrepreneurship
10:37 Balancing Life and Business
20:05 Teaching Kids About Money and Responsibility
24:26 Future Plans and Aspirations
25:34 Pandemic Challenges and Adaptations
27:01 Sales Strategies and Overcoming Rejection
28:27 Client Relationships and Business Growth
33:21 Understanding Client Needs
39:31 Personal Stories and Business Insights
45:19 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

In this "Coffee Chats with Ellen + Kat", Ellen and Kat share updates on their holiday experiences and discuss their plans for the new year. They talk about their busy holiday schedules, the challenges of dealing with illness, and the freezing winter weather. The hosts delve into their business goals, including better delegation, sustainable growth, and achieving balance. They also touch on the importance of mindfulness and being present in different aspects of life. Tune in to hear their exciting plans for the year and learn from their candid reflections and insights.

Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen welcome Renee Lynn Frojo, owner of a storytelling brand and marketing consultancy firm, A Good Reputation. The discussion revolves around the challenges and chaotic beauty of entrepreneurship, emphasizing the importance of storytelling in branding. Renee shares her journey from journalism to marketing, illustrating how storytelling can connect people and build authentic brands. The conversation covers the evolution of business models, the significance of community and retreats, and practical advice for navigating business uncertainties. Insights include the necessity of telling difficult stories, the process of branding, and the value of persistence and experimentation in finding the right business approach.

Renee Lynn Frojo is a storytelling strategist with over 20 years of experience in journalism, marketing, and the creator economy. Over the course of her career, she profiled San Francisco's startups, small businesses, and influential leaders while building her own food blog and motherhood magazine. Now, Renee runs A Good Reputation, helping purpose-driven entrepreneurs craft narratives that build loyal communities who don't just want what they offer, but love what they stand for.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions
00:43 Post-Thanksgiving Catch-Up
01:37 Introducing Renee Lynn Frojo
03:11 The Power of Storytelling in Branding
07:16 From Journalism to Branding
12:40 The Journey of Building a Brand
16:17 Challenges and Strategies in Business
23:49 The Importance of Processes and Systems
24:46 Investing in a Business Coach
25:14 The Role of a Psychic in Business Decisions
26:15 Giving Permission and Building Confidence
27:52 The Power of Storytelling in Business
31:23 Personal Stories and Business Identity
33:10 The Impact of Retreats and Community Building
41:28 Customizing Business Goals and Success
42:48 Final Thoughts and Parting Wisdom

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' Ellen and Kat discuss the daily challenges of business and home life. Ellen shares a story about a kitchen repair that disrupted meal prep, while Kat deals with a laundry mishap. Ellen then recounts a nightmare Airbnb guest experience over Thanksgiving that involved broken toilets and aggressive demands. They wrap up with a business Q&A on whether proposals should be aesthetically pleasing or straightforward. Tune in for a blend of personal anecdotes and valuable business insights.

Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' hosts Kat and Ellen dive into the complexities of entrepreneurship and mental health with guest Rikki Goldenberg, an executive leadership and career coach. They discuss the fluid dynamics of small business ownership, the unexpected pivot points that can occur, and how Rikki transitioned into coaching. The conversation covers the essential role of continuous learning, the mix of personal development with professional growth, and the importance of having a supportive network. They also chat about the emotional weight of career changes, the importance of aligning your current self with future goals, and practical advice for integrating personal well-being into daily life. Perfect for anyone balancing the chaos of entrepreneurship while striving for a better work-life balance.

Rikki Goldenberg is an ICF-certified executive leadership and career coach specializing in senior professionals navigating career ambition and life changes. She specializes in working with professionals in their 30s and 40s reimagining their relationship with work. Rikki was previously a designer, project manager, design strategist/researcher, and marketing director. Book your Discovery Chat to get started!

Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas and Bad Decisions

01:56 Meet Our Guest: Rikki Goldenberg

03:14 Rikki's Journey to Coaching
09:01 The Coaching Certification Process
17:01 Working with Clients: Rikki's Approach
21:41 The Importance of Continuous Learning
26:35 Balancing Career and Personal Life
27:28 Embracing the Generalist Approach
27:45 Focusing on Selective Opportunities
28:10 The Challenges of Sleep Deprivation
28:36 Corporate Coaching and Career Paths
29:30 Onboarding and Discovery Calls
32:14 Transparency in Pricing
34:33 The Emotional Weight of Professional Development
40:09 Virtual Coaching and Client Demographics
41:08 Reflecting on Business and Retirement
49:40 Parting Words of Wisdom
52:28 How to Connect with Rikki Goldenberg
53:14 Closing Remarks

In this episode of 'Coffee Chats with Ellen and Kat,' the hosts share post-Halloween antics ranging from adorable firefighter tots to spooky hideouts from candy-seeking kids. The conversation then shifts to the 'great email signature debate,' as both hosts discuss the elements they believe make up the perfect professional sign-off, including logos, titles, and those ever-important boundary-setting decisions. A must-listen for anyone balancing business with a bit of fun in between!

Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

In this episode of Good Ideas + Bad Decisions, hosts Ellen and Kat dive into the journey of Brian Lofrumento, the host of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur podcast. Brian shares his inspiring entrepreneurial story, from starting a soccer blog in college that grew rapidly to managing a successful marketing agency and ultimately transitioning to podcasting. They discuss the challenges of running a podcast, the importance of identity and authenticity in entrepreneurship, and how unplanned, organic experiences often lead to the most rewarding outcomes. Additionally, Brian offers insights on handling criticism, managing burnout, and the importance of community building for sustained success. Tune in for an uplifting conversation filled with practical advice and personal anecdotes that resonate with all aspiring entrepreneurs.

Brian Lofrumento is the host of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast, one of the top business podcasts in the world. With over 750 episodes and counting at the beginning of 2024, Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur has been inspiring and helping entrepreneurs in over 150 countries, and in addition to being ranked as one of the top 200 business and marketing shows in top charts around the world, the show is ranked as a top 1.5% podcast globally.

Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions
01:07 Introducing Brian  Lofrumento
02:49 Brian's Journey: From Soccer Blog to Business Success
07:36 The Evolution of Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur
11:46 Navigating Burnout and Delegation
18:36 Embracing the Identity of a Podcaster
24:42 Identifying as a Runner
25:03 Navigating Labels and Identity
26:05 The Journey of Building a Business
26:58 Starting a Podcast: Overcoming Doubts
29:19 The Importance of Being in the Arena
32:56 Creating a Community of Entrepreneurs
36:01 Embracing Uncertainty and Manifestation
37:19 The Power of Consistency and Best Efforts
40:45 The Unexpected Path to Success
44:35 Final Thoughts and Words of Wisdom

In this episode of 'Coffee Chats with Ellen and Kat,' the hosts discuss their weekend activities, including headshot sessions and family photo shoots. They also dive into the topic of networking and community building, sharing their own experiences and tips for finding and creating supportive business communities. Kat plans to explore local small-town networking opportunities, while Ellen highlights the importance of intentional networking and community cultivation. The episode concludes with practical advice for listeners on finding the right types of networking groups to support their professional and personal growth.

Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

In this episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions', co-hosts Ellen and Kat explore the messy middle of running a business with financial consultant Melissa Mittelstaedt. Melissa discusses the importance of getting 'comfy' with money, shedding light on scarcity vs. abundance mindsets, and the often complex relationship between personal and business finances. They dive into practical advice for solopreneurs, including the significance of paying yourself, shifting your money mindset, and understanding the value of the transformations you offer. Melissa also shares her journey from sign language interpreter to financial coach and offers insights into her various programs designed to empower business owners financially. Tune in for a candid, supportive conversation about making your passion profitable and finding financial peace.

Melissa Mittelstaedt is a Financial Consultant who helps conscious solopreneurs take ownership of money so they can stop winging it and start creating financial stability in business & life. She loves working with business owners to help them understand that "their financial past doesn't shape their financial future" in a very judgment-free kinda vibe!

Kat is the Owner + Operator of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth. 

00:00 Welcome to Good Ideas + Bad Decisions

01:06 Meet Our Special Guest: Melissa Mittelstaedt

01:54 Diving into Financial Consulting

02:46 Navigating Financial Relationships

05:18 Understanding Scarcity and Abundance Mindsets

09:39 Generational Money Mindsets

15:07 Early Financial Lessons and Family Dynamics

20:57 Melissa's Journey to Financial Consulting

24:10 The Great Pivot: Finding New Opportunities

24:52 Embracing Money and Passion Together

25:58 Challenging the Starving Artist Mentality

28:40 Mindset Shifts Towards Financial Abundance

30:02 Balancing Business and Personal Finances

32:07 The Importance of Paying Yourself

34:18 Understanding Your Business's Financial Needs

41:38 Melissa's Financial Consulting Services

45:30 Final Thoughts and Advice

In this mini-episode of 'Good Ideas + Bad Decisions,' the hosts start with a light-hearted conversation about the gloomy weather and nostalgic memories of school mornings. They humorously discuss spooky Halloween decorations and the quirks of self-driving cars. The core topic of the episode is a thoughtful discussion on business transitions, focusing on how to determine if your business is still serving you and at what point you might consider selling, pivoting, or closing it. They share personal anecdotes and practical advice, emphasizing that choosing to transition is never a failure, but rather a learning opportunity.

Don't forget to submit your business questions for future episodes! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Business Question Link⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Kat is the Owner + Operator of  ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠kat&co⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and brings a unique perspective with her psychology background and experience in creative business operations, making her adept at discussing the intersection of creativity and structured processes. ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Join her newsletter The kat&co Download!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Ellen is the Owner of ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ellen Hockley Consulting⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and offers valuable insights from her extensive experience in building successful small businesses and empowering female entrepreneurs, providing practical advice on business strategy and growth.