Messy in the Middle

If you've been following me for a while or know me in real life in any capacity, then you probably know the story of how I accidentally became a LinkedIn expert. Over the years, I learned that my love of LinkedIn was not very common among other online service providers. So, I've spent more time than I care to admit defending LinkedIn, helping my creative friends find space on this platform, and coming up with some seriously simple strategies to make LinkedIn a fun and effective place to spend time online and grow your business or your personal brand. In today's episode, I'm sharing how you can create genuine connections and leverage your LinkedIn presence to grow your business. No bots necessary. In today's episode, we cover:

• Our expectations of LinkedIn and the reality of creating a strategy for the platform
• With LinkedIn, slow and steady wins the race
• There's no escaping spam in the digital world, but don't let that ruin LinkedIn for you
• LinkedIn is a place for you to make relationships and gain visibility
• How you can provide value for your community on LinkedIn
• Nothing is perfect, so just start

Ready to start using LinkedIn but feeling overwhelmed? I'm giving my podcast listeners their first month of Thought Leaders Collective for FREE! Thought Leaders Collective (TLC) is the next big thing when it comes to LinkedIn thought leadership, content creation, and community among online service providers. Members enjoy weekly thought leadership prompts, co-working sessions, quarterly strategizing workshops and more! It's just $27/month but you can get started TODAY for FREE. Just go to http://thepropegy.com/tlc click "JOIN NOW" and enter code "messy" at checkout. I cannot wait to see you inside and on LinkedIn! Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Thought Leaders Collective https://thepropegy.com/tlc/ - click "JOIN NOW" and enter code "messy" at check out to get one FREE MONTH

Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

For many of us, thinking about health insurance typically has one of two reactions. Either our eyes just glaze over because it is so boring, and we're thankful to have health insurance taken care of through a partner, a spouse or our parents; or we instantly feel our blood pressure rise because it is such a frustrating and confusing process. And it seems like no matter what decision we make, we're probably going to mess something up. If any of this sounds familiar, this episode is for you, because my guest today is Dr. Noor Ali who is a world class expert on health insurance. Dr. Noor Ali is a medical doctor from New York City, determined to bridge the gap between patients and health insurance services through education, information and empowerment. As a medical doctor and surgeon with a strong clinical background, Dr. Noor has first hand experience with the issues people face with health insurance plans. It was through these experiences and her unique inside lens, that she knew she could help people understand medical insurance and find better solutions for their healthcare coverage. In today's episode, we cover:

• What inspired Dr. Noor to create her business around health insurance
• Who are Dr. Noor clients, how she helps them and why her services are free
• Dr. Noor's critical advice for entrepreneurs when it comes to health insurance
• The process of switching your insurance
• The unexpected challenges of entrepreneurship for Dr. Noor
• With her services being free, how does Dr. Noor create profit in her business
• Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who don't come from an entrepreneurial background

Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Dr. Noor via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drnoor_health/
• Connect with Dr. Noor via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drnoorhealth/
• To learn more, visit Dr. Noor's website https://drnoorhealth.com/

Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

How important are marketing and content strategy for scaling your business as an entrepreneur? If you are past that beginner stage and are in the messy middle of your business, it's time to take your marketing seriously. In today's episode, I sat down with my guest, Olivia Wheeler to talk about this and so much more! Olivia Wheeler is a passionate and faithful designer and agency owner behind Acton Circle, the graphic design and web agency on a mission to help nonprofits cultivate strong relationships and expand their outreach with modern, captivating design. In today's episode, we cover:

• Olivia's background, how she got into graphic design and what made her start her own design studio in 2019
• What was a turning point for Olivia when it comes to scaling her business and how the pandemic affected her marketing strategy
• The reason why Olivia decided to focus her business on nonprofit and purpose driven organizations
• How Olivia plans out her content and marketing strategy and how she manages her team
• The biggest challenges Olivia faces in working with clients and her plans for Acton Circle in the future

Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Resources mentioned in this episode:

• Connect with Olivia via email: [email protected]
• To learn more, visit Acton Circle https://www.actoncircle.co

Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

Traditionally, when we talk about marketing (especially in an online business) we're talking about funnels. But, I'll be honest with you - I don't really like the way that we look at our target market when we think about a traditional marketing funnel. Also, marketing funnels use techniques that I find a bit questionable. I'm not here to tell you that marketing funnels don't work, because they definitely do. But they're not the way that I really want to do business and they're not the way that I think you want to do business either. Because business is messy enough without feeling embarrassed and grossed out by your own marketing strategy. So what the heck are we supposed to do then? If funnels are out what's in? Your marketing roadmap! Simply put, your marketing roadmap is made up of strategic touch points that help your ideal clients find their way to your offer. And the best part is - you won't feel gross! In today's episode, we cover:

• Funnels are out; Marketing Roadmap is in
• Traditional Marketing Strategy vs Marketing Roadmap
• How to be authentic while still having fun with your marketing strategy
• The Marketing Roadmap Concept, supporting your client in reaching their destination
• How to create a Marketing Roadmap and the importance of delivery
• You, your ideal clients and the open roadmap to success

Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

Welcome back to Messy in the Middle with my guest, Kira La Forgia. Kira has had a decade of experience in people operations in the corporate world and is no stranger to the sensitive issues involved in the human side of running a business. There is a lot to learn from hiring, onboarding, training, and managing performance of over 500 employees for a multi-million dollar business. The good news is - she learned it all so you don't have to! Kira founded Paradigm to bridge the gap between corporate HR policies meets the modern needs of online business entrepreneurs. In part 1 of our interview, she is telling us all about her business journey and how she embraces her messy middle! Stay tuned for part 2 of the interview on March 15th in Episode 9 where we discuss all things HR! In this episode, we cover:

• Kira's business journey and why she started Paradigm
• Imposter syndrome and how to manage it because it never really goes away
• "Beginner" problems that she sometimes still experiences
• Balancing work hours as an entrepreneur
• The positive of the messy middle and how Kira embraces it

Thank you so much for joining me! Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Kira on Instagram and let her know where you heard her https://www.instagram.com/theparadigmm Check out Kira's website and all of her amazing resources https://the-paradigm.com/ Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

Welcome to Messy in the Middle and my first episode with a guest! Joining us today is Megan Baker, the CEO and founder of Meg K and Co, the hiring agency for socially conscious online business owners who are ready to amplify their impact. Meg helped me hire my first employee back in 2020 and I am so, so lucky to call her a friend and fellow entrepreneur today. Meg and I are actually recording two episodes today. For today's episode, we'll talk about Meg's experience in entrepreneurship and navigating her own messy middle. The next part of the interview which will be Episode 8, we will be diving into Meg's best hiring tips and tricks for hiring for your online business. So mark your calendar for March 8 when that one releases! In this episode, we cover:

• Meg's background and how she ended up becoming an entrepreneur and a hiring strategist
• The key point when Meg felt like she wasn't a beginner in business anymore
• What Meg's challenges and messy middle have looked and felt like
• Why creating the appearance of a thriving business and not talking through our challenges creates an even bigger problem
• The importance of building and marketing an ethical business
• Why coaches, mentors, and business gurus messaging should be looked at through a critical lens
• A win that Meg had this year that wouldn't have happened if it wasn't for her messy middle

Thank you so much for joining me! Let's connect! Send me a DM on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Resources mentioned in this episode: Follow Meg on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/megkco/ Check out Meg's website and all of her amazing resources https://megkco.com/ Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

Welcome to Episode 1 of the Messy in the Middle Podcast! NOTE: I recorded this episode and we hit 6 figures the next day! So everything I said still stands except we did reach that 6 figure milestone for real 🙂 In today's episode, I am breaking down my messy in the middle by going through my business's income, expenses and lessons learned of our first six-figure year. This year has been a roller coaster. My company has had the most sales we've ever had. I've completely reinvented my business model and I've faced a lot of challenges that I wasn't necessarily expecting to have faced. But in my messy middle, I have learned and grown a lot and that's really what this is all about! In this episode, we cover:

• My background and evolution to full-time entrepreneurship and the launch of Propegy
• From working with contractors to hiring my first employee and building an agency
• How I began 2021 with structure and processes to scaffold and grow and how that changed throughout the course of the year
• My financial breakdown of this past year by quarter and the decisions I made throughout
• What I did right, what I did wrong, and the important lessons I learned

This is never gonna feel easy. But I find comfort and strength about being open with my struggles and seeking support and guidance from people who know more than me. And as long as I'm working to be a better leader, a better educator and a better marketer, then I can talk about the hard stuff and not feel shame because I am growing and changing and always trying to be a better version of myself. So let's talk about it. What business dreams did you have this year that maybe died or not? Were you striving for six figures hoping to earn money while you slept? Or was this year like the best year ever? Send me a DM over on Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/ Shout out to my dog for not barking, my editor Krissy for doing her thing, and my friend Devin for letting me use his music. Their links (minus my dog's) are below. Krissy https://krissymeriwether.com Devin https://open.spotify.com/artist/4unfvnlHngJg79KK262US3?si=3N2wVmrVRYy807iWB-30OQ

Welcome to the Messy in the Middle Podcast- the show about the many ups and downs we go through in life and business between setting and reaching our goals. I'm your host, Haley Johnson, and I've been living in the messy middle for awhile. I've been in business since 2017 and while I'm definitely not a beginner anymore, I am far from the tales of sipping cocktails on the beach and printing money in my sleep that Instagram would lead me to believe I should be right now. Business is hard. It's messy. The coveted 6 figure business is neither as easy or as fulfilling as it's cracked up to be. I'm sure as hell not ready to throw in the towel but I'm also not going to sit here and pretend it's all sunshine and rainbows either! The Messy in the Middle podcast is all about navigating the spaces that a lot of business owners are sitting in right now. And together my guests and I are going to talk about it all from hiring and team support, to finances and facebook ads, to just wanting to cry sometimes because you feel so freaking alone in all of this. Not enough people are talking about the messy middle of life and business, so that's what I'm going to do! And hope you will join me! Let's connect https://www.instagram.com/haleyejohnson/ Check out my website https://thepropegy.com/ Check out how we can work together https://thepropegy.com/work-with-us-2/