Smart Mouth Podcast | Brand Strategy, Marketing & Entrepreneurship

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In this Daring Made episode, Sasha welcomes celebrity spray tan artist, Steph Taylor Rios. Steph is a Southern California celebrity spray tan artist with over 12+ years in the industry. She has built her sunless empire while being a wife to a touring musician, mother to twins, and a corporate marketing guru.

Steph discusses her journey from being an actor to running successful ventures such as Bronzed Ambition and the newly launched Alt Sun. She shares her experiences navigating business expansion, the struggles she faced becoming a mother of twins, and her victory over postpartum depression. Steph goes into great detail about the progression of the sunless industry, its inclusivity, and the need for proper education on aspects like skin types. She passionately emphasizes the importance of community building and authenticity for entrepreneurs.

Connect with Steph:
On Instagram: @lovestephtaylor
Check out @altsun
Listen to her podcast: Glow TF Up

What You'll Hear:
02:43 The Evolution of the Sunless Industry 
04:05 The Importance of Inclusivity and Community in the Sunless Industry 
05:36 Steph's Personal Experience and Perspective on Tanning 1
0:18 The Journey of Bronze Ambition and the Impact of Motherhood 
14:50 The Importance of Hiring and Delegating in Business 
21:04 Navigating Postpartum Depression and Career Ambitions 
25:09 The Transformation of Becoming a Mother and an Entrepreneur 
28:25 The Birth of Alt Sun: A New Vision 
38:40 The Importance of Community in Entrepreneurship

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

In this episode of Daring Made, Sasha welcomes Sammy Hearn, a photographer, videographer, educator, and ultimate creative in Nashville, TN to talk about brand photoshoots and how to make your brand stand out with a strategic and creative photoshoot. With over 20 years of experience in media, theater and journalism, Sammy's work is all about merging authentic storytelling with eye-popping visuals.

Connect with Sammy:
www.sammyhearn.com
@sammyhearn
@socialspheregroup


01:22 Sammy Hearn's Journey to Creativity 
01:46 Transition from Journalism to Photography 
04:07 The Power of Creativity in Business 
04:54 The Importance of Storytelling in Branding 
07:15 The Birth of the Social Sphere 
14:38 The Role of Creativity in Brand Differentiation 
20:10 Creating a Comfortable Space for Authenticity 
23:37 The Power of Storytelling for Brands 
24:46 The Journey to Finding the Right Photographer 
27:07 Tips on How to Evoke Emotion in Branding 
38:24 The Importance of Preproduction in Photography 
39:07 The ROI of Professional Photography 
44:04 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

The episode covers can’t-miss predictions for marketing and business in 2024. Sasha highlights the likelihood of hobby businesses diminishing, an increased importance on financial literacy, the rise of AI, the shift towards subliminal, storytelling marketing, and the crucial role of email marketing. The episode also emphasizes on building strong communities and creating brand believers over conventional selling tactics. The need for entrepreneurs to keep updated, be innovative, competitive and manage their finance is emphasized. 

00:31 Marketing and Business Predictions for 2024 
01:51 The Fall of Hobby Businesses
03:46 The Rise of Financial Literacy
05:08 The Importance of Business Understanding
07:24 The Rise of AI in Business 12:21 The Power of Subliminal Marketing
18:12 Creating Brand Believers
21:11 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

In this episode, the Sasha discusses how to navigate and sustain businesses by drawing parallels to personal relationships. She focuses on the importance of resilience, human connection and self-growth, while cautioning against over-complicating business strategies or over-nurturing team members.

Acknowledging that difficulty and discomfort often accompany entrepreneurship, Sasha emphasizes the necessity of embracing such challenges, learning from failures, and taking action, even when it means daring to slow down or make mistakes.

Sasha encourages finding balance between professional demands and personal well-being, in order to truly thrive in any business endeavor.

00:27 The Human Aspect of Staying in Business 
02:21 The Challenges of Balancing Business and Personal Life 
04:25 The Importance of Being Comfortable with Discomfort 
05:01 The Role of Failure in Business 
07:37 The Challenge of Over-Mothering Your Team 
11:13 The Importance of Not Overcomplicating Business 1
6:57 The Power of Taking Action 
23:01 The Importance of Slowing Down 
25:14 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Download our FREE Profitable Post Playbook: https://daring-made.myflodesk.com/profitablepost

Keywords:

• Staying in business
• Lessons from real-life experiences
• Entrepreneurship growth
• Embracing discomfort
• Failure and growth
• Team dynamics
• Work environment balance
• Simplifying business

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

In this short and spicy episode, Sasha gets passionate about this marketing mistake so many small business owners make - without even realizing they're making it.

• What is the mistake in your marketing efforts costing you time and money.
• Where you need to start instead to ensure your marketing strategy gets you the results you need.
• Why having a brand strategy and business strategy are the real north stars to any type of marketing you do.

Stay tuned for more episodes like this where we'll do a deeper dive into different marketing strategies and tactics for various industries.

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

Dive into the entrepreneurial journey with Sasha Fedunchak as she shares a candid look back at launching her first company, Vacay Beauty, a spray tan salon. Discover the six strategic moves that propelled her brand to success, and the six missteps that offered invaluable lessons. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, this episode is packed with actionable insights.

Show Notes:

• Winning Strategies:
  • Unique Brand Positioning: Learn how Vacay Beauty carved out a niche by offering an experience, not just a service.
  • DIY Website & Branding: Get the scoop on how a well-designed website and booking system set the business up for success from the get-go.
  • Leveraging Micro-Influencers: Find out how a creative influencer event amplified brand visibility.
  • The Power of Networking: Sasha discusses stepping out from behind the screen to forge valuable community connections.
  • Diversifying Income: Hear about the importance of creating multiple revenue streams within your business model.
  • Community First: Discover why building a community around your brand can lead to lasting relationships and business growth.
    
    
• Learning from Mistakes:
  • Rebranding Regrets: Sasha shares the costly lesson learned from premature rebranding and printing.
  • Event Investment Misstep: Understand the risks and rewards of big-ticket event investments.
  • Personal Boundaries: Learn why separating personal and business communications is crucial for your sanity.
  • Video Content Challenges: Hear why stretching too thin on platforms like YouTube can lead to burnout.
  • The Missed Potential of Paid Ads: A reflection on the growth opportunities that paid advertising could have offered.
  • The Solo Venture Trap: Sasha opens up about the toll of handling a business solo and the importance of seeking support.
    
    

Keywords: Entrepreneurship, Business Launch, Brand Strategy, Micro-Influencers, Networking, Revenue Streams, Community Engagement, Branding Mistakes, Event ROI, Business Communication, Content Strategy, Mental Health, Business Support.

Call to Action: If Sasha’s stories of wins and warnings resonate with you, subscribe to Daring Made for more enriching content. Share your thoughts with us and let's continue to learn and grow together!

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

Welcome to another episode of Daring Made. Today, we're joined by Mike Farneti, CFO and head of business strategy at Daring Haus, a business growth advisory and marketing agency.

He shares his journey from running a small family business to becoming a finance director and now, co-running Daring Haus.

Diving into the differences between a CMA and CPA, Mike highlights the importance of understanding your business’s financial nuances to inform every decision. We discuss the roles of bookkeepers, accountants, and CFOs, and why grasping your financials from the outset can open up opportunities for optimization and growth. Whether you're entangled in the web of finance jargon or just starting out, this episode offers a wealth of advice, tools, and critical questions to transform your business finances and align them with your life goals.

Tune in for actionable insights on scaling your business, analyzing margins, and why understanding the value of your time is essential for both business and personal success.

Book a free 30 min consultation with Mike here: https://calendly.com/mikedaringhaus Learn more about working with him: www.daringhaus.com/services

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

Dive into the rhythm of effective sales strategies with a unique spin as we align the four buyer types with iconic female musicians. Discover the do's and don'ts of engaging with each persona, from the assertive Beyoncé to the analytical Alicia Keys, and learn how to orchestrate your sales pitch to resonate with each buyer's distinct preferences.

Show Notes:

• Understanding Buyer Types: Sasha leads the conversation on the importance of recognizing and adapting to the unique traits of different buyer personas in the sales process.
• Assertive / "Beyoncé" Type:
  • Do: Be direct, showcase ambition, and respect their decision-making process.
  • Don't: Avoid over-explaining, passivity, and misalignment with their vision.
• Amiable / "Taylor Swift" Type:
  • Do: Foster personal connections, highlight collaborative benefits, and provide reassurance with proof points.
  • Don't: Steer clear of pressure tactics, ignoring concerns, and hastening the decision-making process.
• Expressive / "Billie Eilish" Type:
  • Do: Embrace creativity in your pitch, use storytelling, and connect emotionally.
  • Don't: Rely solely on facts, dismiss their creative input, or present rigid solutions.
• Analytical / "Alicia Keys" Type:
  • Do: Present data, be detail-oriented, and anticipate questions.
  • Don't: Be vague, rush their decision process, or ignore their systematic approach.
• Final Notes: Sasha wraps up with key insights on customizing your sales strategy to match the buyer's beat, ensuring your message harmonizes with their values and preferences.

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

Have you ever wondered how successful entrepreneurs build their brands? Feeling like the same old fluffy advice you hear over and over just isn’t getting you where you want to go? Or maybe you’re ready to ditch the vanilla 1-2-3 script to entrepreneurship and build something deeper and bigger than an Instagram account. Sound like you? Then you’re in the right spot.

Welcome to Daring Made - Because the world’s most visionary founders don't just stumble upon success, they make it.

On Daring Made, we’re shifting the paradigms around building a thriving business from scratch. It's not just about marketing strategies or sales techniques, although we've got those covered too, but it’s about brand building, your entrepreneurship journey, the mindset for success, and sustainable business growth.

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com

Send a text

In this episode, Sasha discusses a revolutionary approach in branding — positioning your clients as the heroes of their own stories. Learn why shifting focus from your brand to your clients' journeys is crucial, and discover practical strategies to genuinely connect with your audience. Plus, stay tuned for our upcoming deep dives into brand archetypes and buyer types!

Show Notes:

• Introduction: Sasha sets the stage for a common dilemma among entrepreneurs: Is your brand speaking more about you or your clients? It's time for a shift in narrative!
  
  
• The Ego Trap:
  • Your brand should narrate your clients' success stories, not just your autobiography.
  • Authenticity matters, but it should be about serving your clients, not showcasing your life.
• Cracking the Client Code:
  • Deep dive into your clients' psyche—understand their needs, desires, and pain points.
  • Speak their language: Craft messages that resonate, addressing specific problems with empathy.
  • Tailor your approach: Like a concert catered to fans, your brand should perform in harmony with your clients' tastes.
• Your Solution in Their Story:
  • Present your product/service as the ultimate tool in their life's journey.
  • Highlight clear, personalized benefits that address their unique challenges.
• Social Media Mastery:
  • Engagement is key: Interact genuinely, ask questions, and be present.
  • Provide value in your content: Share insights, success stories, and relatable narratives.
  • Celebrate your clients: Feature their successes and testimonials.
  • Be transparent: Showcase the effort behind your solutions, focusing on their needs.
• The Power of Feedback:
  • Embrace adaptability: Your brand is dynamic, so listen to your audience and evolve.
  • Consistency wins: Maintain your efforts in engaging, understanding, and growing with your audience.

Up Next on Daring Made: Stay tuned as we explore brand archetypes and buyer types in our upcoming episodes! Understanding these will streamline your marketing efforts, helping you connect more deeply with your target audience.

Loved this episode? Make sure to subscribe to Daring Made for more insightful episodes, and don’t forget to rate and review us! Let’s make branding daring together!

Free Resources:

• Is your business BUILT TO OWN? Take the free quiz and find out if you're building an asset, or just operating a 24/7 job. Plus, get actionable insights to start shifting from founder-operator to founder-owner.
  
  
• Market Your Reputation Masterclass: Learn how to leverage what OTHER people are saying about you to book your services and sell out your products.
  
  
• Understand, Control and Grow Cashflow Masterclass: Daring Haus CFO Mike (my hubby!) put together an easy-to-understand masterclass on cash - because really, we all need to know our numbers to grow our businesses.

Connect with Sasha:

• Hang out with Sasha on Instagram and TikTok
• Follow Daring Haus on Instagram and TikTok
• Work with Daring Haus: daringhaus.com