Podium to Profit

In this episode of Podium to Profit, Andrea Merrill interviews Jessica Caresse, founder of J. Caresse & Co, a thriving IT project management consulting business. Jessica shares her incredible journey from the corporate world to entrepreneurship, the personal growth she experienced, and the mindset shifts required to overcome self-doubt. They dive into Jessica’s philosophy on project management, the integration of AI in business, and the importance of networking to build confidence as a business owner. Whether you’re navigating a career transition, managing projects, or exploring the use of AI, Jessica’s insights are packed with valuable takeaways.

• Jessica’s business, J. Caresse & Co, offers IT project management consulting services across various industries, with a focus on meaningful relationships and integrous advice.
• Her entrepreneurial journey involved overcoming imposter syndrome, self-doubt, and embracing personal growth.
• Curiosity, continuous learning, and adapting to AI technologies are key pillars of her success in project management.
• Networking and putting herself out there played a crucial role in building her business and confidence.

J. Caresse & Co's Services and Approach

• Jessica’s business offers IT project management consulting, handling a wide range of projects, including data governance and financial accounting automations.
• She emphasizes building relationships and providing integrous advice while helping clients adopt and mature AI tools.

Jessica's Entrepreneurial Journey

• Transitioned from corporate to starting her own business in September 2023.
• Significant mindset shifts and personal growth from February to July 2024 helped her overcome self-doubt and imposter syndrome.
• Networking was a key element in building her confidence and solidifying her commitment to her business.

Project Management Philosophy

• Sees project managers as the vital link between client dreams and project success.
• Focuses on clear communication, setting expectations, and ensuring team members thrive.
• Jessica highlights the importance of curiosity, continuous learning, and the evolving role of AI in project management.

AI Integration in Business

• Jessica trained a custom GPT model to maintain a consistent brand voice across platforms.
• She uses AI for content creation, personal branding, and automating processes.
• Believes AI will increase competition in various fields, making results and testimonials even more critical.

Personal Development and Public Speaking

• Jessica is taking singing lessons to improve body awareness and confidence in public speaking.
• She’s preparing to expand into public speaking engagements while continuing to host her podcast, "Connecting the Dots."
• Jessica emphasizes the value of self-acceptance and continuously putting herself out there to grow.

• "Project managers are the bridge between a client’s dream and its realization."
• "I had to overcome self-doubt and put myself out there."
• "Curiosity and continuous learning keep you ahead, especially with AI evolving so rapidly."

Links

https://www.instagram.com/jessica_caresse/

https://www.jcaresse.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@Jessica_Caresse

In this episode of Podium to Profit, Andrea Merrill shares Roger Coles' inspiring journey from being a youth pastor to becoming a successful designer and content creator. Together, they explore the transformative role of masterminds in Roger’s growth, the influential books that changed his life, and the rise of Canva as a design tool that made his work more accessible to non-designers.

Andrea and Roger discuss the importance of balancing family life with work and the productivity strategies Roger uses to stay focused on his long-term goals. They emphasize how continuous learning plays a crucial role in professional development and how navigating career changes can open doors to unexpected opportunities.

Reflecting on Roger’s achievements and the community he has built, Andrea underscores the importance of humility and genuine connections in true industry leadership.

• Masterminds create powerful support systems that foster growth and push you to new heights.
• Books can be life-changing, acting as tools for personal and professional breakthroughs.
• Canva revolutionized design, making it accessible to non-designers and empowering creatives like Roger.
• Career pivots often lead to exciting, unforeseen opportunities.
• Understanding your target audience is key to any business’s success.
• Balancing family and work takes intentional planning and prioritization.
• Productivity strategies help you stay focused on achieving long-term goals.
• Investing in learning ensures continued growth and success.
• Building a supportive community is one of Roger’s proudest achievements.
• Leadership in any industry is about humility, lifting others up, and making genuine connections.

• "I joined that mastermind and I'm surrounded by people who are further ahead than I am."
• "You're only one good book away from a breakthrough."
• "Canva stole my heart."

• 00:00 – Being an Industry Leader
• 00:28 – Membership and Masterminds
• 02:22 – Email Newsletters
• 03:20 – Life-Changing Books
• 04:19 – Choosing Canva
• 06:12 – Target Audience
• 11:20 – Balancing Work and Life
• 38:37 – Advice for Aspiring Industry Leaders
• 42:25 – Building a Course
• 43:51 – Refining the Course
• 44:43 – Creating Mini Courses for Different Industries
• 45:13 – The Value of Investing in Courses
• 46:38 – The Impact of Investing in a Course
• 47:52 – Greatest Achievements and Pride
• 49:27 – Building a Positive Community
• 52:37 – Go-To Platforms for Lead Generation
• 55:37 – Being an Industry Leader

In this episode, Roger shares the lessons he learned through his career journey, his achievements in building a supportive community, and his approach to balancing creativity and leadership with family life. Tune in to hear how Roger Coles went from youth pastor to design industry leader, all while maintaining humility and a commitment to uplifting others.

Links:

https://www.mysocialdesigner.com

https://www.mysocialdesigner.com/links

https://www.instagram.com/mysocialdesigner/

In this conversation, Andrea Merrill interviews Nick Demos about his role as a funnel manager and how he helps businesses build effective funnels and implement paid ads. They discuss the importance of SEO and how to optimize websites for search engines. They also emphasize the significance of social media consistency and the value of building trust and credibility through online presence. The conversation concludes with a discussion on paid ads and when businesses should consider implementing them. In this conversation, Andrea Merrill and Nick discuss the importance of knowing your ideal client and where they hang out in order to effectively target them with ads. They explore the different advertising platforms, such as Google AdWords, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, and discuss the types of businesses that are best suited for each platform. They also touch on the importance of understanding your competitors and learning from their successful ad campaigns. Nick shares his journey of learning about ads and marketing through his experience working with business owners and being a part of mastermind groups. Andrea emphasizes the value of networking and being willing to learn from others, regardless of age.

Takeaways

• Funnel management involves guiding potential customers through the process of getting to know, like, and trust a business before making a purchase.
• SEO is important for website visibility and credibility, and it can be achieved by regularly updating the website, having at least 300 words on each page, and addressing the needs and questions of the target audience.
• Consistency on social media builds trust and credibility with both clients and oneself, and it is important to post content across multiple platforms to reach a wider audience.
• Paid ads should be considered once businesses have identified their ideal client and have a budget in place. It is also beneficial to establish credibility through organic traffic before investing in paid ads.
• Paid ads require optimization and monitoring of key metrics such as impressions, website visits, and cost per lead. It may take time to optimize ads, especially for new businesses.
• Tech jargon should be avoided when explaining concepts to clients, and it is important to provide clear and understandable explanations. Identifying your ideal client and understanding where they hang out is crucial for effective ad targeting.
• Different advertising platforms, such as Google AdWords, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, are better suited for different types of businesses.
• Learning from your competitors and analyzing their successful ad campaigns can provide valuable insights for your own marketing strategies.
• Being a part of mastermind groups and networking with other business owners can provide valuable knowledge and support.
• Age should not be a barrier to being seen as an industry leader; results and experience speak for themselves.

Links:

Website: www.98dynamic.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/98dynamic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webdesignstl

In this conversation, Chloe Hackenmore shares her journey in the self-development and entrepreneurship space. She discusses the value she gained from joining Marie Forleo's B-School and the importance of scaling a digital business with the help of consultants. Chloe emphasizes the need for entrepreneurs to prioritize mental health and build businesses that make a positive impact in their communities. She challenges the self-made narrative and encourages aspiring industry leaders to focus on substance over status. Chloe also shares her go-to platforms for lead generation and offers advice for those looking to become industry leaders.

Takeaways

• Joining memberships and masterminds can provide valuable insights and support for personal and professional growth.
• Scaling a digital business requires hiring consultants and focusing on proven business practices.
• Entrepreneurs should prioritize mental health and build businesses that make a positive impact in their communities.
• Becoming an industry leader requires expertise, rigorous work, and a focus on results rather than visibility.

Links:

The Genius Lab: www.skool.com/the-genius-lab/about

Youtube: www.youtube.com/@chloehakim-moore

Instagram: www.instagram.com/chloehakimmoore

In this conversation, Laurie-Ann Murabito-Speaks, a speaker coach, shares her insights and experiences in the speaking industry. She discusses her recent attendance at PodFest and the discrepancies she noticed between conference titles and actual content. Laurie-Ann emphasizes the importance of storytelling in speaking and shares her journey as a writer. She also provides tips on customizing presentations and finding speaking opportunities. Laurie-Ann encourages speakers to step into their speaker persona and offers advice on building confidence and asking for referrals. She concludes by discussing the value of VIP options and the power of building relationships with other speakers. The conversation covers various topics including introducing a British YouTube personality, discussing being a micro-celebrity, exploring human design, building relationships, boosting confidence through a summit, considering podcast monetization, planning travel for speaking engagements, and launching a podcast. The conversation also touches on podcast name options, using Opus clips for video content, dealing with podcast platform issues, hiring a podcast manager, and making the podcast the center of content.

Links:

Meet Laurie-Ann: www.speakandstandout.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/laurieannmurabito

IG: www.instagram.com/laurieann.murabito

YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/LaurieAnnMurabito

Podcast: https://podcast.speakandstandout.com/

Website: https://speakandstandout.com/

FREE GIFT: Directory of Places to Speak https://speakandstandout.com/gift

Takeaways

• Customize your presentations to make them more engaging and relevant to your audience.
• Step into your speaker persona to build confidence and enhance your speaking abilities.
• Ask for referrals and build relationships with other speakers to expand your speaking opportunities.
• Consider VIP options at conferences and events to enhance your experience and build deeper connections.
• Remember the power of storytelling in speaking and the importance of repetition to reinforce your message. Consider introducing guests with unique stories and backgrounds to add diversity to your podcast.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Podium to Profit Podcast! I’m your host, Andrea Merrill, and today’s episode is a solo one — a chance for me to share my story and the vision for this podcast with all of you.

• 00:00 - Introduction by Andrea
• 01:15 - Andrea’s personal transformation story
• 03:30 - The inception of industry leader interviews
• 05:50 - The shift from a traditional career path
• 08:20 - The impact of the podcast on guests and listeners
• 10:45 - The philosophy behind the podcast's authenticity
• 12:30 - How the podcast showcases guest stories

Andrea Merrill kicks off the podcast with a heartfelt introduction, sharing her incredible journey of losing over 150 pounds following weight loss surgery in September 2022. This personal transformation sparked a deeper exploration into the lives and successes of industry leaders who dare to disrupt the norm.

Formerly a behavior and trauma therapist with a master’s degree in the science of psychology of applied behavioral analysis, Andrea recounts her realization that her career did not have to follow a predetermined path. This epiphany led her to pivot towards becoming an authority in her own space, inspiring others to redefine their roles beyond traditional expectations.

The episode dives into the unique approach of the podcast, focusing on real, raw, and unfiltered conversations with guests. Andrea emphasizes the importance of sharing true stories and hardships, aiming to provide a more authentic and impactful experience than typical media appearances, such as those on Forbes.

Listeners are encouraged to actively engage with each episode, especially when "golden nuggets" of wisdom are shared. Andrea explains her method of letting guests introduce themselves, enhancing the authenticity and authority of the discussions.

In this podcast, expect to hear inspiring stories of transformation and success, learn from top industry leaders, and gain insights that are seldom shared in conventional settings. This platform is all about growth, extending beyond mere speaking engagements to fostering real change in the lives of its listeners.

Andrea wraps up the episode with an invitation to the audience to join her on this journey of growth and self-discovery, extending beyond the podium and the stage. She expresses her excitement about sharing these transformative stories and hopes they will profoundly impact the listeners' lives.

"Stay real, keep speaking, and keep growing with us here at Podium to Profit. Here’s to transforming lives, including our own."

Join us next time for another episode packed with insights and inspirational stories. Follow to not miss out on any episodes!

0:05 welcome to the podium to profit the podcast we're speaking success meets real talk for profitable growth in this podcast we dive deep into the world of speaking marketing and personal growth it's where the real raw authenticity meets actual insights and strategies to help speakers like you enhance your

0:25 revenue impact and opportunities on this episode we discuss the real struggles, speakers face, in monetizing their speaking, and how to overcome them with tools, systems, and strategic strategies.

0:39 Listen in as we uncover the secrets behind crafting strategies that resonate with your audience and drive revenue growth. There is no more feeling sales aid.

0:51 Hi, I'm Andrea Merrill, your host and guide on this journey. With over 20 years of experience in the speaking and marketing industry, I've witnessed firsthand the power of authentic connection, communication, and strategic thinking, armed with my master's degree in science of psychology and applied behavioral

1:09 analysis, and alongside my extensive experience in crafting strategies that have brought my clients over 80 million in revenue and so much more.

1:19 I'm passionate about helping speakers like you unlock their full potential and turn their podium moments into profitable opportunities. If you're ready to take you're speaking to the next level.

1:32 Hit the subscribe button now to never miss an episode. And don't forget to leave us a review and decorating on your favorite podcast platform.

1:40 Your feedback helps us grow and reach more speakers like you. Stay tuned for upcoming episodes filled with insights, interviews, and actual tips to propel your speaking success forward.

1:53 Thanks for joining us on the journey from podium to profit. Remember your voice has the power to make a difference.

1:59 Until next time, keep speaking, keep monetizing, and keep making a difference. Stay inspired.