The 7% Club

In this episode, I sit down with Renee Giarrusso - a highly sought-after communication, leadership and mindset expert, four-time international award-winning author, speaker, educator and coach. Renee works with organisations and leaders to elevate communication, collaboration and culture, with one clear purpose: to make workplaces exceptional places to work.

Together, Renee and I dive deep into one of her most powerful frameworks: The Gift Mindset - a concept that asks us to stop, reflect and look for the “gift” in every experience, challenge and change.

💡 In This Episode You'll Learn:

✨ What inspired The Gift Mindset

Renee shares how a personal loss at a young age sparked a lifelong approach: turning events into experiences, wounds into scars, and challenges into opportunities for growth, insight and connection.

✨ The 12 Gifts that shape purposeful living

Renee explores key gifts - including optimism, curiosity, courage, connection, growth, forgiveness and re-energising - and how these human skills help leaders create more conscious, connected and resilient workplaces.

✨ Why optimism and realism must coexist

True leadership isn’t surface positivity. Renee explains how grounded optimism fuels resilience, momentum and culture - and how leaders can cultivate it authentically.

✨ Courage, comfort zones & the stretch zone

Renee unpacks how courage expands through action, how to move beyond the “safe zone,” and why courage is built through small steps that compound over time.

✨ The human skills AI will never replace

Connection, curiosity, empathy and emotional intelligence - why these skills matter now more than ever and how leaders can intentionally build them.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reneegiarrusso_official/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ReneeGiarrussoConsulting

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneegiarrusso/
X: https://x.com/Renee_Giarrusso

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💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

Erin Huckle is the founder of Chuckle Communications, a strategic PR consultant, book publicist and host of the PR with Purpose podcast. 

She helps authors, founders, speakers, thought leaders and experts secure money-can’t-buy media opportunities and connect with their ideal audience through smart, story-driven PR.

Episode 50 – The Power of PR with Purpose: How to Build Visibility and Credibility through Smart, Story-Driven PR (with Erin Huckle)

A milestone moment!

In this special 50th episode of The 7% Club Podcast, I celebrate a major milestone with an insightful conversation featuring Erin Huckle, founder of Chuckle Communications, strategic PR consultant, book publicist, and host of the PR with Purpose podcast.

Together, Erin and I unpack what public relations really is, how it fits into your broader marketing mix, and why smart, story-driven PR can be one of the most powerful tools for founders, business leaders, and experts looking to grow their visibility and credibility.

https://chucklecommunications.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/erinhuckle-pr-and-copywriting/

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💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

8 Strategies for CEOs to Navigate Challenges with Clarity and Strength

Every business hits tough times - whether it’s market uncertainty, cash flow pressure, team disruption, or all of the above. What matters most is how you show up as a leader when it happens.

In this episode, I share eight proven ways to guide your business and your team through difficult periods with clarity, composure, and confidence. These are the same strategies I’ve used (and continue to use) in my own business experience - to stay focused, keep teams engaged, and uncover opportunities, even in challenging circumstances.

In this episode you’ll learn how to:

1. Reassure and Redirect Your Team – Why silence breeds uncertainty and how honest, proactive communication builds trust and focus.
2. Protect and Strengthen Your Core – How to tighten where needed while staying optimistic about future growth.
3. Look Outward, Not Just Inward – Where to find fresh ideas and inspiration when your instinct is to retreat.
4. Inject Energy with Innovation – How to re-engage your team through creative thinking and collaboration.
5. Invest in Client Relationships – The power of generosity, empathy, and connection during tough times.
6. Strengthen Supplier Ties – Why open conversations and loyalty create flexibility when you need it most.
7. Stay Visible and Steady as a Leader – How your calm presence can be the anchor your team relies on.
8. Celebrate Small Wins – Why progress in small steps keeps morale high and momentum strong.

💡 Key Takeaway

Your team, your clients, and your business all take their cues from you.
How you show up as a CEO in uncertain times will shape how your business emerges on the other side.

Connect

💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

Your brand is your business’s most valuable asset - but is it really protected?

In my latest podcast, I sit down with Binh Rey, Trademark Attorney & General Manager of Applied Marks, who has personally managed over 2,500 trademark applications. With 13+ years in trademarks and 15 years in marketing, Binh brings a unique commercial perspective to protecting brand names.

We cover:
✅ Why registering a company name or ABN does not protect your brand
✅ The difference between wordmarks, logomarks & what’s most powerful for SMEs
✅ What happens when businesses overlook trademarks (and the costly fallout)
✅ Expanding internationally - how to safeguard your brand in new markets
✅ Practical steps & costs for getting started

If you’re building a business with growth in mind, this episode is a must-listen.

Have you trademarked your brand name yet?

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.appliedmarks.com

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💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

In this episode of The 7% Club Podcast, I explore a crucial question for founders and business owners: What makes a business attractive to investors and acquirers?

With a generational wave of business ownership change on the horizon - especially, as many Baby Boomer–led companies prepare for sale - the stakes have never been higher. Whether you’re planning to step back, exit in the next few years, or even considering acquisitions yourself, understanding why buyers buy, is the key to maximising value.

Too many founders wait until they’re ready to sell before thinking about value. By then, it’s often too late to optimise returns. The reality is: acquirers aren’t just buying your revenue or client base - they’re buying opportunity, growth potential, and reduced risk.

I break down the 7 most common reasons investors and acquirers purchase businesses and what you can do now to make your company more attractive.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

1. Access to new markets & customer segments – Buyers may acquire to expand into new regions or niche markets quickly.
2. Intellectual property & proprietary systems – Proven, commercialised IP is a valuable shortcut for buyers.
3. Speed to scale – Acquisition accelerates growth far faster than organic methods.
4. Industry roll-up strategies – Investors consolidate small firms to dominate a market.
5. Client base & recurring revenue – Loyal, compatible clients with annuity income streams increase attractiveness.
6. Distribution channels – Established sales or distribution networks can open new pathways for buyers.
7. Brand value – Strong, trusted brands with sustainable margins are prime acquisition targets.

The time to think about your exit strategy isn’t later - it’s now.

Connect

💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

In this episode of The 7 % Club Podcast, I sit down with Trilby White, a seasoned consultant, business coach, and co-founder of two highly successful veterinary businesses in Hong Kong.

Trilby and her husband left Australia in their early 20s for what they thought would be an adventure in Hong Kong. What followed was the creation of a veterinary practice that grew from a pioneering house-call model to a full-service hospital and online store - ultimately becoming Hong Kong’s largest general practice and a highly attractive acquisition target.

Now the founder of Inicio Consulting, Trilby helps business owners and executives unlock their full potential, drawing on her 25+ years of leadership and entrepreneurship.

This is an inspiring and practical conversation about entrepreneurship, growth, leadership, and creating options for the future.

Listen now to learn how to build a business that not only thrives - but can one day stand on its own without you.

To contact Trilby:

linkedin.com/in/trilby-white-711168b

Websites

• creaturecomforts.com.hk
• eastislandvets.com.hk

Connect

💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

In this episode of The 7% Club Podcast, I dive into one of the most powerful strategic moves a business owner can make: Writing a Book.

I share why a book is far more than a passion project or a nice-to-have. It’s a credibility booster, a clarifier of your intellectual property (IP), and a door opener to new opportunities. From sharing my personal journey of writing two books (and a third in the works) to practical advice on mapping your IP and building a book structure, this episode is packed with insights for any consultant, coach, advisor or agency owner who’s been thinking “one day” they’ll write a book.

If you’re ready to scale your impact, stand out in a crowded market, and finally make sense of all the knowledge sitting in your head - this episode is your starting point.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why writing a book is a strategic business asset, not just a personal goal
• How publishing boosts your authority, visibility and trust
• The unexpected power of clarifying your IP through the book-writing process
• The role of stories and case studies in making your book resonate
• A clear starting point: how to extract and structure your IP into a book
• How to move from “I’ll do it someday” to taking action

📌 Key Takeaways:

• Authority: A book instantly elevates your credibility and sets you apart in your industry.
• IP Clarity: The process helps you distill years of experience into structured, repeatable frameworks.
• Client Attraction: A book pre-sells your expertise and helps prospects self-select before they even contact you.
• Framework First: Don’t start with the writing - start by mapping your IP and refining your core methodologies.
• Keep It Clear: Aim for clarity, not complexity - structure your content around 3–5 big ideas or stages.

Thinking about writing a book? Start with what you already have. Document your frameworks, processes, and client stories. Whether you finish the book or not, the act of getting your IP out of your head and into a structure will transform how you communicate, pitch, and scale.

The 7% Club | A practical & inspiring book for founders and CEOs

Small Business CEO | Better Strategy, Business & Life

The 7% Club audiobook - Jenny Stilwell

If this episode gave you a push to finally start writing your book - or even just start organising your IP - reach out! I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer your questions.

Connect

💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

In this episode, we’re joined by digital marketing strategist and ad specialist Natalie Alaimo, who’s on a mission to free smart, ambitious women from the exhausting cycle of feast-or-famine income, constant content creation, and unpredictable marketing results. We talk about:

• The turning point that led Natalie from organic-only strategies to mastering Facebook & Instagram ads
• Why organic reach is down 30% and what to do instead
• The real purpose of paid ads (hint: it’s not always about the sale)
• How to build marketing funnels that convert - even on a small budget
• Why giving more information doesn’t always lead to more sales
• The biggest mindset blocks female founders face when it comes to selling
• What needs to happen at each stage of the Attract → Nurture → Convert journey
• How to know when your funnel’s not working - and what data to watch
• Why simplifying your offers can accelerate your success
• Natalie’s 3 levels of support (from beginners to scaling CEOs)

🎧 Listen in if you’re ready to:

✔️ Ditch content fatigue
✔️ Stop guessing at marketing
✔️ And finally create predictable income doing work you love

👇 Connect with Natalie Alaimo:

🌐 Website: https://www.nataliealaimo.com
📸 Instagram: @nataliealaimo

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💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

In this episode, we dive deep into the common causes of cash flow problems—and more importantly, how to fix them. If you're feeling the pressure of tight cash or unpredictable income, this episode is packed with practical, actionable strategies to help you regain control. From forecasting and pricing to retainers and client follow-ups, learn the 10 steps you can take today to stabilise your finances and strengthen your business over the next 90 days.

Whether you're a service-based business, a product supplier, or managing project-based work, there’s something in here to help you improve your cash position and run a more financially resilient business.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

🔍 Why Cash Flow Issues Happen

• Slow-paying clients
• Lack of forecasting
• Poor pricing or shrinking margins
• Scope creep and hidden project costs
• Invisible recurring expenses
• Emotional denial or panic responses

💡 10 Ways to Improve Cash Flow in the Next 90 Days

1. Do a cash flow forecast
2. Track recurring/hidden costs 
3. Negotiate with creditors 
4. Raise your prices 
5. Shift to retainers 
6. Charge upfront for projects 
7. Offer early-payment discounts 
8. Set and enforce clear payment terms
9. Re-engage old clients
10. Ask for referrals 

Key Takeaway:
Cash flow issues are common, but they’re also a sign it’s time to build a more structured, sustainable business model. By taking a few of these simple, consistent steps over the next 90 days, you can shift from reactive to proactive—and create a stronger financial foundation for your business.

Connect with The 7% Club:
📣 Share this episode with a fellow business owner who could use a cash flow boost
💬 Got questions or feedback? Reach out and join the conversation
🌐 jennystilwell.com.au

Ask ChatGPT

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💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!

In this episode, I interview Michael Heppell. Michael is the best-selling author of nine books, including the Sunday Times number-one best-seller Flip It. 

His books have been translated into 27 languages and are available in 80 countries. He’s worked with everyone from premiership footballers to Category B prisoners, over half of the FTSE 100 companies to TV personalities, including Davina McCall, Sara Cox and Patrick Kielty. 

He has coached over 1,000 new authors on how to write, publish and sell their books. As a customer service expert, Michael is in high demand working with many organisations who want to raise their game in the service stakes. Described as one of the top three professional speakers in the world, Michael has presented to more than half a million people across multiple countries over the last 30 years. 

He lives in Northumberland with his wife, co-author and business partner, Christine.

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/michaelheppell/ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/michaelheppellofficial/ Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelheppell/

Connect

💡 Need help scaling your business from 7 to 8 figures? Get in touch [email protected]

Remember: Better strategy, better business, better life! See you next time!