What does real confidence look like in business? Is it about having all the answers, or is it about knowing when to ask the right questions? In this milestone 300th episode of the Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch reflects on twelve years in business and what confidence truly means for entrepreneurs and sales professionals. Through storytelling, honesty, and heartfelt lessons, she explores how confidence shows up in unexpected ways and how vulnerability can be one of your greatest business strengths.

Nikki shares a West African folktale called The Hunter and the Blind Man to illustrate how humility and openness can transform relationships. The story follows a proud hunter who learns wisdom and empathy from a blind man he once dismissed. For Nikki, this story mirrors the sales journey: confidence is not about dominance or perfection, but about awareness, curiosity, and growth. It's about seeing with your ears and feeling with your heart, as she puts it.

Throughout the episode, Nikki ties this lesson to her own experiences in corporate sales and entrepreneurship. She recalls early moments when she believed confidence came from expertise alone, only to learn that true confidence often comes from admitting what you do not know and staying open to learning. Whether selling to audio engineers, teaching clients, or hosting hundreds of podcast episodes, she has discovered that genuine connection always outperforms performance.

As she looks back on 300 episodes, Nikki expresses deep gratitude for her listeners and clients who have embraced curiosity and growth right alongside her. She reminds us that confidence is not about ego or perfection, but about structure, self-awareness, and the willingness to show up authentically in every sales conversation.

If you've ever doubted yourself or felt pressure to appear like an expert at all times, this episode will inspire you to redefine what it means to be confident—and to see how compassion and courage can elevate your success.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

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Have you ever caught yourself jumping from one exciting idea to the next before finishing the last one? That restless urge to chase every new possibility might feel productive, but it often leads to scattered focus and stalled growth. In this week's episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch explores the psychology behind Shiny Object Syndrome and how understanding your motivational traits can help you stay on track, reignite your sales, and bring more money through the door.

Nikki explains that our natural attraction to novelty is not a flaw but a motivational trait. Some people thrive on "new and different," constantly seeking stimulation through variety and big shifts, while others prefer "same and sameness," valuing stability and predictability. Both traits have strengths and weaknesses, especially in business. Entrepreneurs who love new ideas often jump to fresh projects too quickly, abandoning profitable ones before they reach their full potential. The key, Nikki shares, is learning how to feed your motivation without losing your focus.

Through real-life examples from her own business and her clients, Nikki shows how small changes can keep things fresh without discarding what works. Maybe that means updating an existing course, relaunching a proven offer with a new twist, or reigniting excitement around services that already generate income. She emphasizes the importance of doubling down on what actually moves the needle because if 80 percent of your revenue comes from 20 percent of your offers, your energy should be focused where it counts.

By the end of this episode, you'll understand why chasing every "next big thing" can quietly drain your sales and how to reignite passion and creativity without losing focus. Nikki reminds us that the goal isn't to suppress curiosity but to channel it strategically, using your unique motivational style to grow your business sustainably.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

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What if the secret to making better decisions isn't about being right, but about trusting yourself to handle whatever happens next?

This week on The Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch talks with Danielle Baily, an efficiency and implementation consultant, Lean Six Sigma black belt, and consulting hypnotist who helps business owners find confidence through clarity and structure. Together, they explore how learning to trust yourself can transform the way you make decisions in business and life.

Danielle shares how chasing the "right" decision often leads to stress, self-doubt, and overthinking. Instead, she focuses on what's useful in the moment. She explains how identity, fear of judgment, and outside expectations can make choices harder, and how separating who you are from the results you get can make decision-making easier. Her "knee-jerk no" strategy is a simple but powerful way to create boundaries and make sure every yes aligns with your long-term goals.

The conversation also dives into decision fatigue and practical ways to prevent it. Danielle and Nikki discuss batching simple tasks, building consistent routines, and keeping your circle of advisors small so you can stay focused. They remind listeners that you don't need every answer before you act. Confidence grows when you make a choice, learn from it, and give yourself permission to adjust along the way.

If you've ever found yourself frozen by indecision or stuck waiting for the perfect moment, this episode will help you trust yourself, simplify your process, and take the next step forward.

Actionable Takeaways:

• Batch everyday decisions like meals, outfits, or your calendar to protect mental energy.

• Use the "knee-jerk no" method to ensure your yes truly matches your goals.

• Detach your identity from the outcome and focus on what's most useful in the moment.

• Allow yourself to pivot when new information appears.

• Keep your circle of input small to avoid confusion and delay.

Connect with Danielle Baily: Website: https://daniellebaily.com/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thedaniellebaily Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thedaniellebaily LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/thedaniellebaily/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thedaniellebaily/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/danibaily

🎁 FREE GIFT for Listeners: https://daniellebaily.com/gift-of-time-blocking

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

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What makes a truly unforgettable client experience? In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch sits down with Rosemary Lewis, coach, author, and real estate broker, to unpack how intentional design and heartfelt connection turn ordinary client experiences into lasting relationships. Rosemary, team lead at RL Realty Group and creator of Real Estate Besties, shares how she combines strategy, faith, and authenticity to build a brand that keeps clients coming back again and again.

From the moment guests walk into one of Rosemary's events, they're met with warmth, care, and purpose. She believes that exceptional client experiences start long before the sale—by considering the fears, hesitations, and sacrifices clients make just to show up. Every color choice, every greeting, and every activity at her Real Estate Bestie Experience conference is crafted to make attendees feel valued, seen, and celebrated. As Nikki observed firsthand while speaking at Rosemary's event, the energy in the room was electric. Women weren't just attending a conference—they were forming friendships, collaborating on business opportunities, and building confidence that would ripple long after the weekend ended.

Throughout the conversation, Rosemary reveals that her success stems from an empathetic approach: she puts herself in her clients' shoes and anticipates their emotional needs. Her focus isn't just on teaching real estate strategy but also on creating transformation through connection and faith. That commitment extends beyond the event itself—her programs, podcast, and community all reinforce the same message: growth happens when you invest in yourself and others.

Nikki and Rosemary also discuss the mindset shift required to move from spending to investing—in time, money, and personal growth. Rosemary explains how she helps clients overcome fear and recognize their own worth, creating environments where women support one another rather than compete. She's proof that when you design client experiences rooted in empathy, faith, and service, loyalty becomes natural.

By the end of the episode, listeners are left inspired to rethink how they engage with their own clients. It's not just about delivering value—it's about crafting moments that make people feel understood, appreciated, and motivated to keep coming back. This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to elevate their client experiences from transactional to transformational.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

Find Nikki:

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Sales Maven Society

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When's the last time you stopped to really look at your numbers and realized they could help you get what you want? In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, host Nikki Rausch welcomes Danielle Hayden, CEO of Kickstart Accounting Inc., for a conversation that changes the way business owners think about their finances. Danielle, a former hairdresser turned CFO and now successful entrepreneur, shares how learning to use numbers strategically, not fearfully, can completely transform your business and your life.

Danielle explains that numbers aren't a report card; they're a roadmap. When you understand how to read them, they can tell you what's working, what's not, and where to focus your energy next. At Kickstart, Danielle's team provides clients with a monthly "snapshot," a simple high-level view of their business performance. Each month, they focus on one specific area so that busy CEOs can spend more time in their zone of genius while still making data-driven decisions. It's about clarity, not complexity.

The conversation also dives into how Danielle personally uses numbers to get what she wants. For her, success right now means being home with her teenage son, teaching him to drive, cook, and prepare for life. She's built her business structure around that goal. By tracking where her clients come from, she realized that podcasting and referrals were her biggest revenue drivers. That insight allowed her to step away from time-consuming travel and double down on what truly supports her lifestyle and her bottom line.

Nikki and Danielle also talk about the emotional side of money and how childhood experiences and old "report card" mindsets can make us feel like failures when the numbers don't meet our expectations. Danielle shares how she's learned to approach her financials with curiosity instead of judgment, asking, "What is this number telling me?" rather than "What's wrong with me?" This mindset shift gives entrepreneurs the freedom to make informed choices instead of reacting from fear.

Ultimately, this episode is a masterclass in financial empowerment. If you've ever avoided your numbers because they feel overwhelming or "not your thing," this conversation will change that. You'll walk away knowing that understanding your finances isn't about math; it's about creating a business and a life that align with your goals. When you learn to use your numbers wisely, you can truly get what you want.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

Find Nikki:

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Sales Maven Society

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Have you ever stopped yourself from pitching your services because you thought, "Why would someone who makes more money than me ever hire me?" In this episode of The Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch dives headfirst into one of the most common mindset traps holding business owners back: believing that your income determines your credibility. If you've ever hesitated to reach out to a potential client because they seem "too successful," this conversation is exactly what you need to hear.

Nikki shares why comparing your financial situation to a client's is the wrong measuring stick for your value and why it can prevent you from serving people who truly need your expertise. Using the classic "fish climbing a tree" metaphor, she illustrates how self-comparison often overlooks the unique strengths and intelligences each person brings to the table. Drawing from her own journey and the theory of multiple intelligences, Nikki reminds listeners that success takes many forms and your ability to create transformation for others is not defined by your bank account.

Throughout the episode, she offers practical strategies to shift from insecurity to confidence, starting with recognizing your results. Nikki encourages listeners to list the tangible outcomes clients have achieved from working with them, using that as fuel to show up powerfully in consultations. She also breaks down the importance of crafting strong "expertise questions," the kinds of questions that naturally demonstrate authority and plant seeds of trust, without needing to "dance" for potential clients or prove your worth through income comparisons.

Nikki shares personal stories of working with high-earning clients who initially seemed out of reach, only to later hire her because of her unique skill set and results-driven coaching. Her key takeaway: confidence rooted in competence will always outshine surface-level bravado. By owning your authority, asking better questions, and anchoring in the value you deliver, you can book clients at any income level and serve them better for it.

Resource Mentioned: 🎁 Free training on crafting expertise questions: yoursalesmaven.com/mygift

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

Find Nikki:

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Sales Maven Society

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Have you ever been caught off guard when the very first thing a prospect asks you is, "What's your price?" It can feel abrupt, maybe even a little irritating. Suddenly, you're on the defensive, worried about proving your value before you've had a chance to build rapport. In this episode of the Sales Maven Podcast, Nikki Rausch tackles this all-too-common scenario head-on and gives you practical strategies for handling it with confidence, credibility, and ease.

When someone leads with "what's your price," it's tempting to respond with "it depends." But Nikki explains why that phrase is one of the biggest mistakes you can make—it creates mistrust and leaves the other person feeling dismissed. Instead, she walks you through simple, effective language you can use to keep the conversation moving forward while still honoring the question. One powerful approach is giving a price range. By saying, "Projects like this typically range between X and Y," you immediately build trust, show transparency, and keep the door open to a deeper discussion. This keeps you positioned as a professional who respects the buyer's need for clarity while still allowing flexibility.

You'll also hear Nikki's personal story about reaching out to a potential service provider and being brushed off with a vague "we'll get to that later." That moment was enough to make her walk away completely—a reminder that prospects want real answers, not evasive responses. Nikki shares how you can avoid creating that kind of doubt and instead present yourself as trustworthy and approachable.

Beyond live conversations, Nikki gives examples of how to respond in writing when the "what's your price" question comes through an email or contact form. She offers sample wording you can adapt, such as thanking the prospect for their interest, providing a range, and then extending an invitation to schedule a discovery call. This approach shows you take them seriously and gives them a clear next step.

Perhaps the most important reframe Nikki offers is this: when someone asks about price, it's a buying signal. Instead of feeling annoyed, recognize it as an opportunity. By practicing your responses ahead of time, preparing your top three discovery questions, and issuing clear invitations after sharing a price or range, you'll set yourself apart from competitors who stumble in this moment.

This short but impactful episode is packed with actionable takeaways. If you've ever struggled with the "what's your price" conversation, you'll come away with renewed confidence and language you can put into practice right away. Listen in to learn how to answer the question in a way that strengthens rapport, establishes credibility, and increases your chances of closing the sale.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

Find Nikki:

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Sales Maven Society

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Have you ever struggled with how to end a stalled client project without damaging the relationship? On this solo episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch dives into the tricky territory of closing projects gracefully while avoiding the fallout of burning bridges.

When projects stall, whether because of an unresponsive client, a missing deliverable, or a vendor dropping the ball, it can drain your time, energy, and confidence. Nikki shares her own hard-learned lessons from dealing with clients who resurfaced months or even years later expecting work to resume at no cost. She explains how these situations can hurt your reputation, create resentment, and negatively impact your business if not handled proactively.

The heart of this episode is practical strategy. Nikki walks through frameworks you can implement immediately to protect yourself and your business. From writing clear completion timelines into your contracts, to adding project inactivity clauses, to creating reactivation fees for late restarts, she shows you how to set firm boundaries without alienating your clients. You will also hear examples of specific scripts you can use when projects stall, giving you language that communicates confidence, professionalism, and clarity without unnecessary apology.

Nikki emphasizes that taking back control in these moments is not about being harsh or unreasonable. Instead, it is about preserving your reputation, safeguarding your mindset, and ensuring you do not give away your power in client relationships. She reminds listeners that closing projects in a structured way is a form of good customer service. By delivering news clearly, without emotion or apology, you maintain professionalism and prevent resentment from creeping into your work.

If you have ever found yourself chasing down missing pieces, feeling stuck in limbo, or worried that enforcing agreements would mean burning bridges, this episode offers a way forward. With the right agreements, scripts, and mindset shifts, you can close projects smoothly, protect your boundaries, and keep relationships intact for the future.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

Find Nikki:

Nikki Rausch

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Sales Maven Society

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Have you ever wondered what it really takes to not just build a business, but to design a life you love around it? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch sits down with Dr. Terri Levine—renowned entrepreneur, bestselling author of more than 40 books, and international keynote speaker—for a powerful conversation about freedom, boundaries, and the intentional choices behind long-term success. Together, they explore how to create a business that doesn't dictate your life, but instead supports the life you've always envisioned. Dr. Terri shares how her approach flips the traditional model. Instead of rushing into business strategy first, she guides clients to start with a life design plan. By clarifying what truly matters—relationships, health, passions, and personal fulfillment—she helps entrepreneurs craft businesses that work for them, often enabling them to run successful companies in as little as 20 hours per month. She calls this "business by design," and it's a refreshing alternative to the hustle-at-all-costs mindset. Throughout the episode, listeners will hear candid stories from Dr. Terri's own journey, including life lessons learned from personal loss, her commitment to living without regret, and how she stays grounded in love even in challenging situations. Her insights reveal why boundaries are essential and how to align every decision with your larger vision. From turning everyday setbacks into course corrections, to staying flexible as goals shift, she demonstrates that entrepreneurship isn't about rigid control—it's about conscious choices. The conversation also highlights the importance of evidence for success. For Dr. Terri, the proof is in the freedom she enjoys: time with loved ones, the ability to support her foundation, and the chance to design days around what brings her joy. She encourages listeners to evaluate their own sense of freedom, asking: If today were your last day, are you truly spending it how you want? Whether you're just beginning or are already established, this episode offers an inspiring roadmap on how to create a business that reflects your deepest values and goals. Instead of falling into the trap of living by default, you'll learn how to live—and work—by design. Learn more about Dr. Terri Levine: https://heartrepreneur.com/ Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00! For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook. Find Nikki: Nikki Rausch [email protected] Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram Sales Maven Society https://calendly.com/salesmaven/work-with-nikki-discussion

Have you ever sent an outreach message and wondered why it didn't get a response? In this episode of the Sales Maven Show, Nikki Rausch breaks down exactly what makes outreach messages work and what causes them to fall flat. She shares practical strategies for crafting messages that truly engage readers, build connection, and inspire action, instead of getting ignored or deleted.

Nikki starts by analyzing a real outreach message that, at first glance, seems polished and professional. But on closer inspection, it fails to spark engagement because it is written entirely from the sender's perspective. With more than 70 percent of its sentences beginning with "I" or "we," the message focuses on the writer's wants, vision, and goals, rather than on the recipient. Nikki explains why this self centered approach is a common trap and why effective outreach messages must flip the focus back onto the reader.

One of the most powerful ways to do this is through questions. Nikki draws on neuroscience and psychology to show that questions literally hijack the brain, triggering instinctive elaboration and forcing the reader to engage. She highlights how well placed questions tap into cognitive engagement, encourage reflection, and even create new neural pathways that make a message more memorable. Whether it is as simple as "Are you being called to uplevel?" or "Would you agree the world needs positive voices?," the shift from statements to questions transforms outreach messages into genuine conversations.

Clarity is another key ingredient. Nikki emphasizes that vague, generic phrases like "uplevel, expand, redirect" or "your voice has power" don't connect because they could apply to anyone. Instead, she encourages giving specific, sincere compliments that show real understanding of the recipient's work. She also stresses the importance of having a single, clear call to action. Multiple asks like "check out our website" and "schedule a call" only dilute the message and overwhelm the reader.

Throughout the episode, Nikki shares practical tips like following the 80/20 rule (at least 80 percent of sentences should be about the reader, only 20 percent about the sender) and framing calendar links around the recipient's convenience rather than the writer's. She even offers a simple pattern interrupt question, "Did I catch you at a bad time?," that can shift conversations instantly.

By the end, you will not only understand the psychology behind effective outreach messages but also have clear, actionable ways to rewrite your own. Nikki's advice will help you stop wasting time on generic messages and start creating authentic connections that get real responses.

Nikki invites you to join the Sales Maven Society. Take advantage of this opportunity to work together with you and Nikki. Bring your questions, concerns, and sales situations; she provides answers and guidance. Join the Sales Maven Society here, click Join Today, and then checkout and use coupon code 47trial to get your first month for $47.00!

For more actionable sales tips, download the FREE Closing The Sale Ebook.

Find Nikki:

Nikki Rausch

[email protected]

Facebook | Twitter | LinkedIn | Instagram

Sales Maven Society

https://calendly.com/salesmaven/work-with-nikki-discussion