The Financial Phoenix

EPISODE 10: What if the fastest way to grow your business is not more hustle, but learning how to stop doing everything yourself?

My name is Jennifer Dew, owner of JED Graphics and Sign Design. I am a wife and mother of 2 grown children who I so proud of. I got my training in the sign industry after getting a degree in Mechanical Drafting and landing my first job at a sign company doing design work on the drafting board. I really fell in love with the industry. After having my first child, I became a stay at home mom until later on in life where I began freelancing. Today I have three full time designers, a sales manager and I am growing my business to the best of my ability.

Jennifer shares how she went from freelancing in survival mode (working 10 to 12 hour days, raising kids, and crying from exhaustion) to building JED Graphics and Sign Design into a growing company with a team, systems, and real momentum.

Jennifer opens up about the divorce that forced her to find a way forward, the baby steps that turned one client into a business, and the business coaching that completely changed how she thought about sales, leadership, and growth. If you are stuck doing every task in your company, this conversation will hit home.You'll discover how Jennifer built momentum by creating a clear vision, hiring her sister first, and slowly expanding from invoicing help to sales, design, and now a full team of three designers plus a sales manager.

She breaks down the handwritten-letter outreach strategy that helped her land clients, why LinkedIn still matters, and how relationships beat pushy selling every time.We also get into the parts of business growth nobody warns you about - rising expenses, break-even pressure, emotional intelligence, legal and trademark concerns, and the reality that growth often creates new fears instead of eliminating them.

Jennifer and the host both share why the person you are at the beginning of your business is not the person who can take it to the next level.This episode is especially valuable if you are a woman entrepreneur, a solo operator ready to hire, or a business owner who knows you need systems, support, and a stronger mindset to keep growing. Jennifer's story is proof that progress can be slow, organic, and still powerful. If you need encouragement to keep going, build smarter, and do the scary thing anyway, this one is for you.

You can find Jennifer here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeddesign/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100094566730762

www.jedsigns.com

Terri Watkins is the founder of Aurora Benefits Group here in North Carolina, where she helps women business owners and families make confident financial decisions without the usual overwhelm. She brings more than twenty years of marketing and business experience into her work, which allows her to simplify insurance in a way that feels practical and calm. Terri focuses on supporting women in leadership, people navigating major life transitions, and small employers who want benefits that truly fit their teams. She is also a potter who finds joy in creating pieces by hand, a hobby that reminds her to slow down and stay grounded in everything she does.

You can connect with Terri on LinkedIn. https://www.google.com/url?q=https://www.linkedin.com/in/terriwatkinsinsurance/&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1777917416461196&usg=AOvVaw0fXfvMOioxuXGXjPZfOil0

In this episode, we dive into the elusive concept of work-life balance, especially in the fast-paced world of real estate. Join us as Courtney Randleman, a seasoned realtor and mom of four, shares her journey from chasing the rat race to finding a rhythm that works for her family and business. Discover practical tips on setting boundaries, prioritizing self-care, and building authentic relationships that support both personal and professional growth. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that redefines balance on your own terms.

Courtney attended UNC-Charlotte and Peace College which led her to spend a decade in the education field. Although she’s a Cabarrus County native – and Concord will always have a piece of her heart – after visiting Bermuda Run with a college friend Courtney admits she fell in love with Davie County. She knew this where she wanted to settle and quickly made Advance home in 2003. Though Courtney loved educating children, the desire for more flexibility for her own family and the excitement to dive into entrepreneurship led her to real estate. Now Courtney shares her love of education by volunteering at local schools and joining educational organizations while passionately fulfilling her real estate dreams.Before joining the Hillsdale team, Courtney first landed at a national brokerage. She earned the coveted ‘Rookie of the Year’ award from WSRAR during her first year in real estate. Courtney’s family keeps her on her toes and on the go! Courtney has 4 children—Ivy, Harper, Campbell and the littlest—and last— baby Ridge. Courtney also dotes on her adult stepdaughter, Roxy, partner Joseph, and her biggest lifetime supporter, Grannie Annie (mom)! She also loves Wolfpack football, entertaining, and keeping up with golf! When she isn’t busy with school activities, Courtney loves to hit the road, spending long weekends at her family’s beach home or catching a flight or cruise to explore a new destination! Courtney is a girl on the go! And when she goes, there’s nothing she loves more than scouting out a small, local coffee shop along the way. She runs on ‘car-ffeine’ (caffeine in the car, of course) and Jesus.Social Media Links:

Instagram- @closedwithcourtneyFacebook- https://www.facebook.com/CourtneyRandlemanRealEstate

Join us as we celebrate a decade of entrepreneurship with a deep dive into the hard-earned lessons from 10 years in business. From setting boundaries and valuing your worth to the importance of rest and community, discover the insights that have shaped a journey of growth and resilience. Whether you're a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, these stories and strategies will inspire and empower you to navigate your own path to success. Tune in for a candid conversation about the realities of running a business and the personal growth that comes with it.

In this episode, Audrey shares how important it is to have a date with your money. Time for you to sit down and get real with where you are financially. If you are hiding from your numbers, it's time to change that!

5 Essential Shifts for Business Success with Audrey Blackburn

In this conversation, Audrey discusses essential shifts that business owners can make to improve their financial management and overall business success. The focus is on setting clear goals, maintaining financial awareness, ensuring proper compensation for oneself, and utilizing available educational resources to enhance business knowledge. Audrey emphasizes the importance of regular check-ins with financials and the need for accountability in achieving business objectives.

Takeaways:

• Set goals at the beginning of the year and check in regularly.
• Business owners must be aware of their financials daily.
• It's crucial to have a budget and track expenses.
• Pay yourself consistently to develop financial discipline.
• Educate yourself on financial management through available resources.
• Don't ignore your bookkeeping; it’s essential for growth.
• Align your goals with your current business direction.
• Regularly review profit and loss statements to understand your business.
• Utilize small business centers for free educational resources.
• Take action on at least one financial aspect today.

Have you ever wondered what is the one tip that would save you the most money on your taxes? Audrey shares the best way to save money on your taxes and it is not what you think.

What do you do when your tech fails during the busiest time of the year? You laugh about it. Host Audrey Blackburn shares the lessons she learned this week from a tech failure during the busiest time of the year.

Tiffany Borne Jones is a Business Operations Strategist and Fractional COO who helps 6- and 7-figure business owners escape the overwhelm of day-to-day operations and scale their businesses with clarity and efficiency.With over 15 years of experience in corporate operations, process improvement, project management, and human resources—along with an MBA, PMP, and Six Sigma Black Belt—Tiffany specializes in turning chaotic back-end operations into streamlined, scalable systems. She and her team help business owners create a strategic roadmap, implement smart automation, and use data-driven decision-making to increase efficiency, revenue, and peace of mind. Through her Visionary Roadmapping Intensive, Tiffany helps entrepreneurs align their big-picture goals with actionable strategies so they can fully step into their CEO role, delegate with confidence, and build a business that supports their life—not the other way around.Social Media Links: www.instagram.com/tiffanybornejones

www.linkedin.com/in/tiffanybornejones

Website: http://www.magnoliarootsconsulting.com

Karol Mendez is the co-owner of We Will Figure It Out LLC, She is a seasoned entrepreneur, mother, and graduate of Florida International University with a degree in Public Relations and Hospitality. With over 10 years of experience in the business world, Karol has successfully transformed her passion for communication and creativity into a thriving business that empowers individuals and brands.Her expertise spans website content design, social media strategy, and professional translations, making her a go-to resource for businesses looking to grow their online presence and connect with diverse audiences.Karol’s dedication to delivering personalized solutions stems from her deep understanding of her clients’ unique needs and her unwavering commitment to excellence. Her blend of technical expertise, marketing savvy, and linguistic precision ensures that every project reflects her clients’ vision.

Give Karol a follow on her social media! Social Media Links: https://www.instagram.com/letsfigureitout2.0/https://www.linkedin.com/company/we-will-figure-it-out-llc/https://www.facebook.com/WWFIO/