Smashing the Plateau

Jerry is a rusted business advisor and mentor to small businesses, with over 60 years of experience as a corporate executive and entrepreneur. Co-founded six businesses with a primary emphasis on industrial products and services, and with both domestic and international experience. Has served on multiple outside boards in both for-profit and non-profit entities.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to overcome the loneliness of solopreneurship, foster trust and respect in a peer community, and adapt to rapid change as a business owner.

Jerry and I discuss:

• Why solopreneurs need support and community [00:02:08]
• The challenges of loneliness after leaving corporate life [00:03:16]
• How to build trust and respect in peer groups [00:05:07]
• The importance of group dynamics and fit [00:08:14]
• How solopreneurs can adapt to rapid change [00:11:00]
• The difference between noise and trends [00:14:00]
• The balancing act between focus, distraction, and life [00:15:58]
• Stories of solopreneurs navigating challenges [00:17:19]
• The role of luck and hard work in business success [00:21:33]

Learn more about Jerry Weinstein at www.NewYorkCity.score.org

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“The problem I see is that "sales" has become a word that both businesses and individuals shy away from. Why? Because it has become disconnected from a deep understanding of the value relationship between businesses and their customers. My mission is to help people bridge that gap—to demystify what sales really is, so that everyone can improve their sales performance and success.

If you’ve ever thought that good sales figures are the result of some secret sales magic, let me start showing you otherwise”.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to overcome your fear of sales, build genuine client relationships, and design a sales process that fits your style and business.

Frances and I discuss:

• The real meaning of sales and how to reframe your mindset [02:11]
• Lessons from Frances’s diverse career in hospitality, IT, and consulting [02:49]
• Why industry knowledge isn’t as important as people skills [05:15]
• The importance of being yourself—and getting over yourself—in sales [06:31]
• How to recognize and break negative sales mindsets [10:48]
• Demystifying sales by focusing on the client’s buying journey [14:07]
• How to map your sales process to your best clients [17:36]
• Building resilience and learning from failure [20:20]
• The role of community in developing your value proposition [21:31]
• Finding like-minded collaborators to support your clients [23:11]
• Where to find more of Frances’s resources and expertise [24:12]

Learn more about Frances at https://www.metisan.com.au and her book: moresaleslessmarketing.com

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Karl is a certified Executive Coach, Leadership, Team, and Organization Development Consultant, and international speaker with over 25 years of corporate experience. He holds a PhD in Organizational Psychology and has authored three books: The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram (now in its third edition), Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision (available in English, Spanish, French, and Greek), and Explicit Expectations: The Essential Guide & Toolkit of Management Fundamentals.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to successfully transition from corporate life to a thriving solopreneur career and the vital role of relationships and community in long-term business growth.

R. Karl and I discuss:

• Why he left a successful corporate career to become a solopreneur [00:02:04]
• The biggest surprises after leaving employment [00:04:20]
• How he created structure and flexibility as a solopreneur [00:06:01]
• The importance of leveraging your network [00:09:48]
• Work-life integration vs. work-life balance [00:11:00]
• How social and volunteer activities can lead to business opportunities [00:11:36]
• When companies seek external consultants and coaches [00:15:04]
• Trends in leadership development and organizational consulting demand [00:16:48]
• Practical strategies for successful client engagements [00:18:31]
• How communities of practice support entrepreneurs [00:19:40]
• The most important step a corporate refugee can take today [00:21:34]
• Why you can’t do it alone—and the power of asking for help [00:22:11]

Learn more about R. Karl at:

www.performandfunction.com

https://linkedin.com/in/rkarlhebenstreit

The How and Why: Taking Care of Business with the Enneagram: 

https://a.co/d/afDU79r

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, English version: 

https://a.co/d/jgt0uxr

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, Spanish version: 

https://a.co/d/fnRvn9o

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, French version: 

https://a.co/d/068uRvGv

Nina and the Really, Really Tough Decision, Greek version: 

https://shop.ingramspark.com/b/084?Np4TNouttaDLgprAMd5jNl7hC1DjYrBMeWmJc4jIJYl

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The Smashing the Plateau Community

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Porschia Parker-Griffin has coached hundreds of executives and professionals to accomplish their goals. She has experience as a director and business consultant in the financial industry, helping companies unlock millions of dollars in potential hidden within their organizations.

Porschia earned her master’s in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and holds a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Georgia. She served as an Associate Training Coach for the Institute for Professional Excellence in Coaching and is recognized as a Career Expert and Top Voice by LinkedIn. Porschia also hosts the Career 101 Podcast.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to respond to volatility, uncertainty, and change in the workplace—and how to turn setbacks into new opportunities.

Porschia and I discuss:

• How VUCA (volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity) is affecting organizations and individuals [02:17]
• What professionals and consultants can do to make progress in challenging times [06:25]
• Where to look for new opportunities in today’s business landscape [08:22]
• How AI and technology are shaping new career paths [08:45]
• The essential role of communication and consistency for consultants [15:12]
• Why planning (not “winging it”) is critical for new entrepreneurs [16:39]
• How Porschia’s Brave Bird Career Alliance helps professionals succeed [18:20]
• A success story of transitioning from employment to entrepreneurship [20:24]
• Tips for diversifying your offerings to meet client needs [22:03]

Learn more about Porschia at:

https://www.linkedin.com/company/64512733

https://www.youtube.com/@flyhighcoaching382

https://www.facebook.com/FlyHighCoaching

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The Smashing the Plateau Community

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Ahsan Karim is the founder of Momentum Club, a micro-coaching community that helps professionals and entrepreneurs take consistent action with clarity and peace of mind. He is also the founder of Light Vision Group, a digital strategy and consulting agency that supports purpose-driven businesses and nonprofits with operations, finance, and digital growth. With over two decades of experience spanning corporate IT, education, nonprofit leadership, and digital marketing, Ahsan blends real-world strategy with daily accountability. Through daily emails, premium coaching, and practical tools, he helps high performers stay focused, execute with intention, and grow sustainably.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to step out of a stable corporate identity and build momentum as an entrepreneur, using daily habits, accountability, and community support.

Ahsan and I discuss:

• What sparked Ahsan’s move from corporate to entrepreneurship [02:15]
• The influence of family background on his entrepreneurial path [03:26]
• Why he chose digital marketing and how he learned the ropes [04:07]
• How Ahsan reinvented himself and the importance of ongoing learning [05:26]
• The challenges of finding structured support outside of corporate life [07:04]
• How community and accountability shaped his business decisions [09:24]
• The decision to niche down and its impact on his consulting business [10:23]
• What inspired the creation of Momentum Club [11:40]
• Daily actions that help Ahsan stay focused and effective [15:14]
• The value of celebrating small wins and maintaining perspective [18:51]
• Key advice for professionals transitioning from corporate to entrepreneurship [20:05]
• The role of community in building and sustaining momentum [22:03]

Learn more about Ahsan at https://substack.com/@momentumc

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Sally A. Curtis, founder of the award-winning Monetise Your Content, helps legacy-focused leaders become easy to consume and inevitable to buy from. Best known for turning books into two years’ worth of bite-sized content that extends their brand essence, she creates reusable assets that amplify visibility, build authority, and deepen audience connection.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you’ll learn creative strategies to turn your expertise into a thriving content engine that extends your influence and drives business growth.

Sally and I discuss:

• How Sally’s career evolved from business development to content repurposing [01:28]
• The serendipitous moments that led to her business niche [02:06]
• The process of turning books and videos into hundreds of content assets [03:32]
• Why listening to others and adapting is key to uncovering your strengths [05:59]
• How to reverse-engineer your content from your sales goals [07:35]
• Using a book’s structure to create a strategic content plan [08:36]
• Building a sustainable and consistent content rhythm [10:24]
• Mapping content themes and types to your business and sales cycles [12:26]
• Differences in content strategy for individuals vs. corporations [15:52]
• How to tailor messaging for multiple decision-makers in corporate sales [17:19]
• Using community and networking for business growth [20:14]

Learn more about Sally at https://sallyacurtis.biz/content-monetization-catalyst-page

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Thomas Bertels is a business transformation expert on a mission to make work more productive, valuable, meaningful, and impactful. He has three decades of experience helping companies—from start-ups to Fortune 5—transform how work gets done.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to overcome an identity shift when leaving a long corporate career and build a business that delivers lasting results for yourself and your clients.

Thomas and I discuss:

• Why leaving a decades-long career can feel like an identity crisis [01:43]
• The most important mindset shift when going solo [02:48]
• How to create routines and structure for success [03:28]
• Managing expectations and accepting imperfection [04:08]
• The power of narrowing your niche and building a signature framework [07:09]
• How Thomas helps leaders and teams boost productivity [10:22]
• Where opportunities and resistance show up in organizational change [14:03]
• The importance of community—whether you’re solo or part of a team [18:59]
• Practical examples of harnessing team energy for solutions [20:10]

Learn more about Thomas at https://linktr.ee/purposeworks

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The Smashing the Plateau Community

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Bob Goodwin is the President of Career Club, dedicated to helping organizations and professionals unlock their full potential. As a LinkedIn Top Voice and a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, he is a recognized expert in career development, leadership, and organizational performance. Bob hosts The Work Wire with SHRM CEO Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., as well as Career Club Live, where he interviews Fortune 500 executives. As an executive coach, he helps senior leaders enhance performance, increase leadership impact, and gain career clarity—transforming cultures and driving lasting success.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to navigate economic and political chaos, build resilience, and future-proof your business or career.

Bob and I discuss:

• How chaos and indecision impact consultants and professionals [02:20]
• Why building a robust business pipeline is essential [03:21]
• The difference between qualitative and quantitative value [04:40]
• How to communicate your value to decision-makers [05:53]
• What employers are doing in times of uncertainty [08:05]
• Strategies for thriving during volatility and ambiguity [11:16]
• Investing in the future and smart marketing strategies [13:00]
• Building corporate and personal resilience [15:16]
• The role of community in fostering innovation and support [21:09]

Learn more about Bob at https://career.club/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobgoodwincareerclub/

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Matt is a lifelong entrepreneur, a software developer since age seven, and the founder of over 30 startups. A world traveler who has visited more than 70 countries, he hosted and produced “Places to Go” for Amazon Prime. He holds a commercial pilot’s license, a real estate broker’s license, and is a musician with over 30 published songs. A GIA-certified gemologist, black belt in Karate and Aikido, scuba diver, and photographer, Matt is a U.S. expat splitting his time between Colombia and Switzerland. He’s also a proud father to a pilot and a firefighter.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn what it really takes to transition from employee to entrepreneur, navigate ups and downs in business, and create lasting client loyalty.

Matt and I discuss:

• Lessons from early work experiences and rapid advancement [00:01:46]
• The difference between employee and entrepreneur mindsets [00:04:01]
• How setting and evolving goals drives success [00:04:55]
• Navigating ups and downs, from the 2008 crisis to COVID [00:05:44]
• Adapting business models and finding new income streams [00:06:17]
• The power of treating clients with genuine care [00:08:29]
• Building loyalty and relationships that endure transitions [00:10:09]
• Standing out by offering a “concierge” approach [00:19:29]
• How to leverage community, stay lean, and find support [00:16:22]

Learn more about Matt at https://theamericano.com

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Prosper Taruvinga is the founder of Live Long Digital, where he helps coaches and consultants scale from six to seven figures with ease and flow. A Zimbabwean-born entrepreneur based in Australia, Prosper blends digital strategy with heart, helping experts stop relying on algorithms and build profitable, enjoyable businesses they love.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to embrace unexpected opportunities, the importance of owning your media, and how building the right community can transform your business success.

Prosper and I discuss:

• Prosper’s journey from Zimbabwe to Australia and into digital marketing [00:01:54]
• The role of mentorship and models in shaping career paths [00:05:02]
• How Prosper turned being fired into a business opportunity [00:04:01]
• Navigating economic uncertainty and adaptability [00:05:53]
• Why owning your media is crucial for entrepreneurs [00:10:12]
• The tools and platforms Prosper uses to grow his business [00:12:41]
• Why he transitioned from working with restaurants to coaches and consultants [00:15:04]
• The biggest mistakes coaches and consultants make—and how to fix them [00:17:50]
• How to clarify your message and identify your target market [00:18:58]
• The transformative power of community in business and life [00:21:36]
• Prosper’s thoughts on collaboration and leveraging collective strengths [00:22:00]

Learn more about Prosper at https://onlineprosperity.com.au/

Thank you to Our Sponsor:

The Smashing the Plateau Community

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