In the Black

In this episode, Sarah and Wendy interview Cat Macnaughtan, founder & CEO of Getting Lost, the award-winning adventure card game. Cat shares her journey from a part-time travel blogger to running a multi-million-dollar business built on community feedback, creativity, and strategic thinking.

She delves into the challenges of scaling a fast-growing enterprise, the importance of adaptability, and the lessons learned from taking risks and breaking the rules. This fun and inspiring conversation is a must-listen for anyone seeking to innovate, build a resilient business, or turn a side hustle into a thriving venture.

You'll learn:

1. How Cat transformed a simple idea into a multi-million-dollar, award-winning business by focusing on community engagement and creativity.
2. Cat's strategies for overcoming inertia, maintaining momentum, and navigating the challenges of rapid growth.
3. Gain insights into strategic planning, product development, and the role of adaptability in business success.
4. About Cat's journey to becoming a published author!

This episode refers to the latest addition to the Getting Lost empire – a book (and workbook!) titled 'A Guide to Not Getting Lost in Business'. Purchase your copy here: https://gettinglost.co.nz/collections/all/products/the-business-edition

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Work with Sarah Burgess:

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Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass: Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn |

Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this super-informative episode, Wendy Tibbotts and Sarah Burgess engage with productivity and well-being coach Sarah Wood to discuss strategies for avoiding burnout and maintaining balance as an entrepreneur. Sarah has a science-based approach to well-being which informs the discussion about setting healthy boundaries, and adapting productivity methods to different stages of business growth. The conversation highlights the need for self-care, aligning goals with personal values, and establishing clear limits to protect against the pressures of "hustle culture."

You'll learn:

1. How to identify early signs of burnout
2. Advice for maintaining productivity
3. Practical strategies for setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care
4. The importance of aligning business goals with personal values

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Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass: Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode Sarah and Wendy introduce the "Rubber Band Theory" as an insightful approach to achieving personal and professional growth by stretching within one's limits.

They discuss how setting realistic goals, surrounding oneself with supportive individuals, and celebrating small wins can lead to sustainable progress without the risk of burnout.

You'll learn about:

1. Applying the Rubber Band Theory: Learn how to stretch toward growth gradually instead of attempting drastic changes, and align your actions with clearly defined goals.
2. Mindset and Growth in Business: Discover why mindset matters in business growth, and how pushing your comfort zone within reason can boost resilience without causing stress.
3. Personal and Professional Growth Strategies: Gain insight into strategies like reflection, building a supportive network, and learning from setbacks.
4. Setting and Achieving Goals for 2025: Hear about Sarah and Wendy's personal growth goals for the year ahead. Tune in to explore how small, intentional stretches in your approach can lead to big gains over time.

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Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass: Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Join hosts Sarah and Wendy as they chat with online business expert Kate MacGregor about how business owners can embrace automation and delegation to reclaim their time, achieve balance, and focus on the work that truly matters. Kate shares her insights on building a sustainable business, the mindset shifts needed to let go of control, and her personal journey in scaling her business while also embracing her love of international travel.

You'll learn:

• How automation can free up time for creativity and balance
• How the right mindset makes delegation easier
• About how to get started with automation in your business
• About platforms that simplify customer payments and bookings, making life easier for both business owners and clients.
• How you can leverage Kajabi for courses, coaching, and digital products, emphasizing the importance of a strong foundation.

Tune in to this episode for actionable strategies and inspiration on creating a business that supports freedom, flexibility, and fulfillment!

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Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass:

Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Meet the evolving needs of your customers at every stage of the buying process. In this episode, Wendy takes us through the seven key stages of the customer journey.

We discuss:

• Tips for generating brand awareness, including networking, social media and sponsorships
• Strategies to increase customer interest by showing how your product or service solves problems and stands out from competitors
• How to nurture leads in the consideration phase and create urgency to drive decisions
• The importance of post-purchase marketing, including retention strategies to keep customers engaged and satisfied.
• How to spread marketing efforts across the entire customer journey, ensuring a balanced and strategic approach.

Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass:

Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Have you ever done a Xero health check on your business? Little Black Books has been doing a few clean up jobs in Xero and it reminded Sarah that some businesses may not be aware of the basics of maintaining their Xero file. And you don't know what you don't know!

In this episode, Sarah talks you through 5 areas in your Xero file that you can jump into to do a health check on your own business.

You'll learn:

1. The importance of maintaining a clean and accurate Xero file
2. How to keep your Xero file healthy by linking bank accounts and tracking expenses
3. Techniques to monitor sales by product or service and analyse revenue streams for profitability.
4. Why it's important to review your balance sheet alongside profit and loss for a complete financial overview.

Perfect for business owners who want to gain better control over their finances! Andif you ever run into a mess you can't solve, be sure to get in touch to get the help you deserve.

Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass:

Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

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Hosts Wendy Tibbotts and Sarah Burgess explore the evolving role of AI in marketing. They discuss how to leverage AI for efficiency while maintaining the authenticity of your brand. From the benefits and limitations of AI tools in content creation and image generation to practical strategies for blending AI with human creativity, this episode is packed with valuable insights for business owners looking to navigate the AI marketing landscape.

What You'll Learn:

1. How to use AI to enhance marketing efficiency without sacrificing human authenticity
2. The benefits and drawbacks of AI-generated content and images
3. Best practices for incorporating AI tools like Chat GPT, Descript, Canva's Magic Studio, and more into your marketing strategy
4. Practical tips for maintaining a unique brand voice while using AI

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Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass:

Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Welcome to Season 2 of the Growth Curves Podcast! In this episode, hosts Sarah Burgess and Wendy Tibbotts talk about taking a much-needed break, juggling multiple businesses, and how to create a podcast (and business) that works on your terms. If you're ready to run your business with more intention and less stress, tune in now.

You'll learn:

1. Why it's okay to press pause in your business
2. How to manage multiple ventures without burning out
3. The importance of intentional content creation

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Work with Wendy Tibbotts:

Click HERE to book a free 30 min call

Get the Marketing Essentials Checklist for Small Business HERE

Connect with Zigzag Marketing: Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

Work with Sarah Burgess:

Click HERE to book a call

Learn how to understand your Balance Sheet and the key areas to focus on with this FREE masterclass:

Get instant access

Connect with Little Black Books NZ:

Website | Facebook | LinkedIn | Instagram

In this episode we discuss actionable strategies for business owners to adapt and move forward in the current challenging economic environment, focusing on proactive measures to improve your bottom line.

We touch on topics such as customers' struggles and prioritising value for existing customers, reducing cash flow strain, maintaining marketing efforts and more.

This episode will provide you with some insights to help you build a competitive advantage when it's needed most.

You will learn:

• How to empathise with customers' struggles and adapt messaging and offerings during a recession
• Ways to reduce cash flow strain through expense review, flexible payment options, and various payment gateways
• How to provide value to existing customers and consider the entire customer journey to create loyal fans
• Why customer onboarding and building strong relationships with clients and suppliers is so important
• How you can deliver great customer service and build a competitive advantage

Please rate the podcast on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

PS. We are taking a break from Growth Curves after this episode - thanks for listening! Sarah & Wendy

Get in touch:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books

Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing

Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast

Want to feel more in control of your finances? Sarah provides valuable advice on how to conduct regular money meetings. By analysing expenses, sales, and revenue streams during these meetings, you can track your progress, identify areas for improvement, and make timely changes to enhance your bottom line.

You will learn:

• The importance of regular money meetings for business owners
• How to conduct effective money meetings to track profitability
• Ways to analyse expenses, sales, and revenue streams during money meetings
• How to use insights from money meetings to make informed business decisions
• Tips for increasing profits through regular financial review
• The benefits of staying on top of your finances as a business owner

Are you looking for someone to assist you in running effective money meetings in your business? Sarah can help! Schedule a 'Kick Off Meeting' with her HERE.

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We love creating this podcast and want to continue bringing you great content. Reviews are important to boost the show, so we are trying to get as many as we can. Please rate the podcast on Spotify or leave a review on Apple Podcasts - you will make our day!

Get in touch:

Sarah Burgess - Little Black Books

Wendy Tibbotts - Zigzag Marketing

Growth Curves Instagram - @growthcurvespodcast