She Talks Business

From book club to billion-dollar business

Reese Witherspoon is an entrepreneurial genius. I consider her to be one of the greatest entrepreneurs of our time, and here's why.

She took what began as a simple book club started by one of her fans on Instagram, and turned into a company worth over $900 million.

How she did it is inspiring, to say the least.

Episode 97 is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, anyone in the media space, and anyone that wants to build a brand that truly connects with its audience.

Tune in and prepare to be amazed by the incredible success story of Reese Witherspoon and the valuable lessons you can learn from her ingenuity.

What's in This Episode

• How Hello Sunshine, a media company, started as a book club

• Inspiration from Reese's business model

• How I came to reimagine Thought Readers

• Different monetization methods

• Following your passions

• The 5-year itch

Visit lisalarter.com/e97 for all resources from this episode.

Books that will help oxygenate your thinking and transform the way you do business

Reading has the power to shape lives in profound ways, and this week's guest is no stranger to the power of reading. Eleanor Beaton is the founder of Safi Media, a business coaching and advisory firm for women entrepreneurs, where her team provides business coaching.

In episode 96, Eleanor and I discuss the transformative impact that reading can have on your life, both professionally and personally. Whether you're seeking to sharpen your insights, broaden your perspective, create efficiencies in your business, or overcome your fears, reading has the power to help you achieve your goals.

Over the last several episodes, I have shared my favorite books for personal and professional growth. In this episode, Eleanor shares the three books that helped her find her power as a woman in business.

After we recorded this podcast, Eleanor invited me to participate in a live roundtable conversation on the topic of Women, Power & Profit with her, Melissa Houston and Jackie Porter to discuss the key blocks that hold women back from financial success. You'll want to listen to my conversation with these power house women as well. You'll find it here.

If you want to take your life and business to the next level, let's get started!

What's in This Episode

• Three things women entrepreneurs do that hold them back

• Having the right conversations

• Reading habits

• How reading can influence your professional life

• Creating greater efficiencies in your business

• Effective boundary setting

• The gender wage gap

Visit lisalarter.com/e96 for all resources from this episode.

Four books that will change the way you lead

Entrepreneurs don't always think of themselves as leaders, but if they want to scale and grow their business, leadership skill development is a must. As a business owner, you are always leading - you lead your clients, you lead your team, and you lead yourself.

Therefore, the more you know and understand leadership, the better off you will be.

During this episode, you'll hear about four leadership books that can set the foundation for your learning as a leader. Even if you're already a pretty good leader, the more you know and understand your own leadership style (aka the good the bad, and the ugly), the more successful you will be.

Listen to this episode to hear about four key books that can help you on your leadership journey, and why they were pivotal to mine.

What's in This Episode

• The different styles of leadership
• Where to apply which leadership style
• Are you a multiplier or a diminisher?
• The art of inquiry
• How to delegate and empower others
• How to use positive affirmations

Visit lisalarter.com/e95 for all resources from this episode.

The path of self-education through reading

This week, in episode 94, I am joined by Michael Devers, a multi-passionate entrepreneur who advises leaders, executives, and business owners on how to prepare to navigate through any crisis expertly.

Among his many talents and areas of expertise, Michael has successfully executed strategies to reduce customer concentration from 90% to below 30%, and developed compliance programs, IT infrastructure programs, EH&S programs, and more.

Much like myself, Michael has been an avid reader since he was 3 years old. In this conversation, he shares how as he progressed through life, he realized the true value books could offer.

Press play to hear him speak about the top books that have made a difference throughout his life. Are you ready to follow us down the path of self-education and grow your success as a business owner and entrepreneur?

What's in This Episode

• The impact reading can have on your professional life
• The business side of the music industry
• Resetting your perspective
• Finding time to read vs. making time to read
• The power of books

Visit lisalarter.com/e94 for all resources from this episode.

Four books that can transform your life and business

Do you want more money in the bank, more sales, more wealth, and more money to pay yourself? If so, then make some room on your bookshelf.

She Talks Business was created to help business owners and entrepreneurs build a more successful and profitable business, so let's get down to brass tacks and do just that.

In episode 93, I'm sharing four books that can change your life as an entrepreneur. I'm speaking from experience—the insights between these pages helped me 10x my net worth.

If you're ready to do the work needed to generate the money you dream about for your business, grab a pen and a notebook, and let's get started.

What's in This Episode

• The difference between an asset and a liability
• Good debt versus bad debt
• Getting out of the rat race
• Be on the lookout for potential sabotage
• Profit is the result of effective management
• Don't let perceptions fool you
• How much money do you need to live?
• The fire method
• How you're richer than you think
• Leveraging your assets

Visit lisalarter.com/e93 for all resources from this episode, including the links to all the books I mention!

Reading with intention can transform the way you do business in 2023

We're ringing in the new year with a new season of She Talks Business! The focus of this season is one of my favorite things to talk about—reading.

It's not a secret to anyone who knows me that I am an avid reader. The bookcase in my office is full of books that have inspired some of the most influential ideas I have implemented in my business.

The concepts that you can borrow and expand on when you read books can help you grow, improve, innovate, and thrive in your business.

In episode 92, I share 5 levels of reading, what they mean, and why they matter for business owners. The idea behind these five levels will serve to inspire you in your own reading practice and show you how to use books as a way to drive success in your business.

If you are ready to discover how you can transform the way you read and the way you do business in 2023, press play, and let's get to work!

What's in This Episode

• The 5 Levels of Reading
• Level One: Reading for Information
• Level Two: Reading for Insights
• Level Three: Reading for Ideas
• Level Four: Reading for Implementation
• Level Five: Reading with Intention

Visit lisalarter.com/e92 for all resources from this episode.

Taking the time to reflect on 2022 and plan for next year

Every year should change you as a business owner. Why? Because you should never stop learning lessons, expanding your knowledge and capabilities, and becoming a stronger version of yourself.

This week, I'm getting candid and sharing the most significant lessons I learned in 2022 as a business owner. After listening to this episode, I challenge you to take a moment and really think back on your year too. Here's a tip before you hit play: grab a notepad and write down each of the lessons you learned, big or small. Then, take that list, reflect on each lesson, and think about them as you prepare to take on 2023.

I hope that in sharing my own takeaways from the year, a few of them make an impression on you and guide you in your own reflection.

What's in This Episode

• What I learned this year as a business owner
• Defining moments in 2022
• How to use challenges as ways to grow
• Embracing change in business to save yourself time and money
• Changes coming in the new year

Visit lisalarter.com/e91 for all resources from this episode.

Balancing being a multi-passionate business owner

Andrea Bailey-Brown is on a mission to help entrepreneurs build wealth through franchise and business ownership. In the next 40 minutes, you will hear about what it took to become an award-winning entrepreneur and a multi-unit franchise owner who has generated over $30 million in revenue.

In this episode, Andrea shares how she discovered what she needed from her businesses and combined that knowledge with the speed she needed to gain momentum. Tune in to hear our discussion about business intuition, the benefits of franchise ownership, finding balance, faceless businesses, and much more.

By the way, Andrea's accolades are extensive. Born in Jamaica and raised in Canada, Andrea is a former teacher with an MBA. On top of her franchise success, she is also the founder and CEO of both Bailey Brown Business Consulting and Bailey Brown The Franchise Agency, where she uses her business knowledge and love of franchising to transform the lives of her clients.

But how does she balance being a multi-passionate multi-business owner? Hit play now to find out!

What's in This Episode

• Being intuitive in your business

• Benefits of franchise ownership

• A franchise model for scaling your business

• Owner vs. operator

• Finding a balance in your business

• What is a faceless business?

• A commitment to learning

• Who should consider a franchise?

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e90 for all resources from this episode.

How to build an equitable culture in your organization

This week's guest is a returner to the show and if you heard her first episode, you know it's no wonder why I have asked her back. Tune in this week as Jennifer McClanahan, the founder and CEO of Leverage to Lead, shares her experience and expertise around equity, equality, vulnerability, and leadership in organizations.

Jennifer created Leverage to Lead to help women and people of color build a career strategy that is rooted in clarity, value, and authenticity. That work led to the creation of a team of exceptional coaches, educators, recruiters, HR specialists, and fierce advocates. In this episode, she brings invaluable advice for business owners and leaders—trust me, you don't want to miss this!

What's in This Episode

• The importance of mindfulness
• Recognizing the power of your words
• Building an equitable culture
• Agency of choice and vulnerability
• Embracing your humanity

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e89 for all resources from this episode.

How you deliver any presentation has a direct impact on how an audience will respond

Public speaking is something that probably makes the majority of people shake in their boots, and that is the very reason this week's guest is someone that I admire. Ed Tate is an award-winning international keynote speaker, trainer, author, and former executive. In 2008, Ed earned the Certified Speaking Professional (CSP) designation by the National Speakers Association, which is an honor bestowed on slightly more than 12% of its members. If anyone has heard Ed speak, they will understand all of the accomplishments he has made throughout his career.

Ed takes high-stake presentations to the next level for his clients. He is a master at telling stories and engaging the audience.

When a presentation is done right, it can influence the way an audience reacts and reponds to the content you are giving them. But how do you know when it's time to hire someone to help you become a professional speaker?

What's in This Episode

• Connecting with your audience
• When you give, you get back
• Should you hire a speaking coach?
• What masterful speakers do
• Planting seeds in a presentation

What To Do Next

Visit lisalarter.com/e88 for all resources from this episode.