The Next Step Podcast with Alison Simmons

Hey guys! In this episode, I’m walking you through the four phases that are absolutely essential to building not just a successful business, but a healthy successful business that you can sustain long-term. 

I’m sharing insights from a personal story about a family road trip and how hiking the Grand Canyon revealed some truths about the entrepreneurial journey. If you’re finding that the excitement of growth has turned into exhaustion, this episode is a must-listen. 

Let’s talk about where you might be getting stuck and what needs to happen next!

Topics I Cover:

• The 4 Phases of Business Growth: I introduce the four essential phases every business goes through—Strategy, Scale, Optimize, and Sustain—and explain why each is necessary for long-term success.

• Scaling Isn’t Always Fun: It’s exciting to see your business grow, but scaling can also feel overwhelming. I share the importance of staying consistent and avoiding the temptation to change direction too soon.

• Optimization Before the Next Big Leap: Many business owners jump from one growth phase to the next without fine-tuning what they’ve already built. This can lead to burnout and inefficiency.

• Sustainability is Key: Without solid systems in place, your business can feel like a ticking time bomb. I emphasize that true success comes from creating a business that can run without burning you out.

• Create a Business that Lasts: Businesses that thrive don’t rush through phases. They take the time to optimize and sustain, building a foundation that allows them to scale again without crumbling.

The journey of building a healthy, successful business can feel a lot like hiking the Grand Canyon. There are highs and lows, steep climbs, and times when you need to stop and reassess. 

But with the right plan and a clear understanding of each phase, you can create a business that not only grows but also sustains long-term. 

If you’re ready to map out your next steps or need someone to walk through the hike with you, head over to my resources page for free tools and book a complimentary strategy call today. Let’s build a business that lasts together!

Turn Profit Into a Habit: Why You Need the Profit First System with Shannon Simmons

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, host Alison Leigh Simmons sits down with Shannon Simmons, a certified Profit First professional, to discuss a game-changing approach to managing business finances. 

Shannon shares her own journey with money mindset and dives into the practical steps of implementing the Profit First system. This interview offers a fresh perspective on paying yourself first as a business owner and setting up your business for long-term profitability. 

You won’t want to miss Alison’s reaction when she realizes the subtle yet powerful shift that Profit First can create!

Topics We Cover:

• Mindset Shift on Profit: Shannon emphasizes the importance of paying yourself first and treating profit as a bonus, not just “leftover money.” Shifting your mindset around this can immediately change how you view your business finances.

• Separate Bank Accounts for Clarity: The Profit First system uses multiple bank accounts to allocate funds for specific purposes, ensuring that every dollar is accounted for. This structure can reduce stress and increase financial clarity.

• Owner’s Pay vs. Profit: There’s a difference between the money you take as salary (Owner’s Pay) and your profit distribution. Profit is a reward for business success, while Owner’s Pay covers your personal living expenses.

• Addressing Money Mindset Issues: Shannon opens up about how negative money conversations from her childhood impacted her mindset. This personal story highlights how early money experiences can shape our financial habits.

• Small Steps First: Start by opening just one new account and allocate a small percentage of every deposit—1%—to begin building the habit of setting aside profit.

• Dealing with Debt: For business owners with debt, Shannon advises splitting profit distributions to include debt payments, savings, and a small personal reward, so you balance debt reduction with maintaining a safety net.

• Accountability and Support: Having a certified Profit First professional can provide the support needed to stay on track, troubleshoot challenges, and help navigate unexpected financial setbacks.

This episode is packed with actionable advice to help business owners create a strategic, sustainable plan for their finances using the Profit First system. Implementing even one small step can transform how you view and manage your business funds. Tune in to learn how taking control of your money today can help you build a thriving, profitable business for the future.

Ready to start paying yourself first? Listen to the full episode now and take your first steps toward a more profitable business strategy!

Connect With Shannon:

https://fitforprofit.com/

LinkedIn

Instagram

Facebook

Welcome to another powerful episode of The Next Step Podcast! This week, I'm sharing an intimate and inspiring live interview I did with my business coach, Michelle Vroom, inside her Facebook group, Market Like a Boss. In this conversation, you'll hear how I went from making $2,500 per month to hitting $10,000 months, all while running my business on the road with my family. If you’re feeling stuck and frustrated, listen in to hear how I worked through those challenges and learned to create a sustainable, thriving business. Trust me, there's a pivotal moment where everything clicked for me—and it can for you too!

Topics We Cover:

• The Power of Mindset: Alison discusses how shifting her mindset and documenting her "evidence" of success helped her move past mental blocks and gain the confidence needed to scale her business.

• Embracing Strategic Action: Consistency was key! Taking strategic action—even when results didn’t show up immediately—was what eventually led to growth and clarity.

• Clearing the Clutter: Alison talks about learning to say "no" to non-essential tasks and how simplifying her calendar helped her regain focus and energy in her business.

• The Role of Coaching: Alison’s journey highlights the importance of accountability and how her willingness to accept coaching led to significant breakthroughs. If you think you can do it alone, Alison’s story will remind you that no one reaches their full potential in isolation.

• Community Support: Alison credits much of her success to the encouragement and support she received from her coaching community, emphasizing the importance of having a tribe that understands the entrepreneurial journey.

This episode will leave you feeling inspired and ready to take action in your own business. If you’ve been stuck on that plateau, unsure of how to hit your next big milestone, listen in to discover how you can apply these lessons to your own journey. You’ll walk away with practical steps on how to simplify your business, shift your mindset, and start making strategic moves to hit your next income goal.

Don’t forget to visit alisonleighsimmons.com/resources to access the Business Management Toolkit and download resources tailored to the stage of your business! Let’s do this, guys—together, we’ll take your business to the next level!

Hey friends! Welcome to Season 3 of The Next Step Podcast! I’m so excited to kick off this season with a topic that’s been on my heart: How can we be our own boss better? In this episode, I get real about the four key actions I took that helped me go from $2,500 a month to $10K without adding more clients. If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed by the day-to-day grind in your business, trust me, you’ll want to tune in to hear how I made this shift. Plus, there’s a moment when I realized I’ve actually become my own ideal client—yeah, that happened!

I Cover:

• Set Clear Goals for Income & Clients - I set a goal of hitting $10K a month without adding more clients, and that clarity made all the difference.

• Adjust Your Offer to Reflect Your Value- I shifted from calling myself an OBM to a Business Manager and Strategy Implementor—and, guess what? My offer became so much clearer to potential clients.

• Tweak Your Messaging- Once I had the right title and offer, I made sure my messaging reflected it, which led to more people saying, “I want to work with you.”

• Network Like a Pro- I did tons of coffee chats and networking, and those conversations not only helped me refine my offer but also brought in clients.

• Sustain Your Success - I break down the four phases I guide my clients through: Establish, Scale, Optimize, and Sustain. I’m right in the ‘Sustain’ phase myself!

By the end of this episode, I hope you’ll walk away with practical steps you can take to become a better boss for yourself and scale your business without getting bogged down in the daily tasks. 

Ready to take that next step? Let’s chat about how we can make it happen together. Don’t forget to check out the business management toolkit and other free resources I’ve put together to help you along the way!

Let’s do this!

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I’m excited to introduce Christine Campbell Rapin, a business mentor, consultant, and owner of Clear Acceleration Incorporated. Christine believes that scalable growth doesn’t have to be complicated or require you to work 24/7. It’s all about having a clear business strategy and understanding the three non-negotiable foundations that fuel new client growth. Christine shares her journey from entrepreneur to mentor, revealing the secrets behind her success and the powerful strategies she uses to help businesses thrive. 

Topics We Cover:

• Simplifying Business Success: Christine’s journey from side hustler to successful entrepreneur showcases the power of simplicity and clear strategy in achieving business growth.

• Three Non-Negotiables for Growth: Discover the foundational pillars—identifying your next buyer, creating a predictable client growth engine, and delivering unparalleled value.

• Challenging the Avatar Exercise: Christine debunks the traditional avatar exercise, providing a fresh perspective on truly understanding and finding your next buyer.

• From Curiosity to Client: Learn how to move potential clients from curiosity to paying customers with strategic and effective messaging.

• Creating Must-Have Value: Understand the importance of positioning yourself as a must-hire expert rather than just a likable one.

• Christine’s Personal Story: Christine shares her initial reluctance to become a mentor and how she embraced the role when she realized the significant impact she could make.

• Managing Capacity for Consistent Growth: Insights on the critical importance of managing business capacity and ensuring consistent client growth.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the next steps in your business journey. Christine’s expertise in simplifying business strategies and her focus on the foundational pillars of growth will inspire you to take a closer look at your own business. By aligning your strategy with your core values and understanding your audience, you can create a sustainable and scalable business. Tune in and discover how to transform your business into a strategic, well-oiled machine that drives lasting success.

Links:

LinkedIn:

Https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinecampbell1

Instagram:

Https://www.instagram.com/christine.campbell.rapin

YouTube:

www.youtube.com/@christinecampbellrapin

Website:

www.christinecampbellrapin.com

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I sit down with Aarti Achar, also known as the Happiness Ninja. Aarti is a powerhouse in personal development and mindfulness, guiding ambitious, creative professionals toward sustainable happiness.

This episode is packed with insights on how saying “no” can be a powerful tool for reclaiming your time and energy. Listen in to discover Aarti's unique approach to balancing the demands of life and work with personal happiness. Trust me, you won't want to miss the moment when Aarti shares her transformational “happiness game”  it's a real eyeopener!

Topics We Cover:

• The Power of No: Aarti shares her journey from being an enthusiastic people pleaser to mastering the art of saying no, and how this shift has been pivotal in achieving personal freedom and happiness.

• The Happiness Game: Find out how Aarti gamified her approach to happiness with five key pillars: mind, body, soul, relationships, and future. This method helps her and her clients stay intentional about their daily actions.

• Tracking Time: Learn the importance of tracking your time to understand where it goes, allowing you to make more intentional decisions about how to spend it.

• Needs, Wants, and Desires: Learn how to categorize your daily tasks and obligations into needs, wants, and desires to better manage your time and energy.

• Mindfulness and Balance: Practical tips on how to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine to balance responsibilities and personal happiness.

This episode contains practical advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their business and life. It will help you take strategic actions to not only manage but thrive, ensuring you can scale your business while maintaining your personal wellbeing. 

Tune in to learn how to make intentional choices that align with your needs, wants, and desires, so you can achieve a sustainable, happier life. Let's take that next step together!

Social Media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aarti.achar/ 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Tea.with.Aarti 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tea.with.aarti/ 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TeawithAarti 

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/aartiachar 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tea.with.aarti

www.teawithaarti.com

In this week’s episode, we have a fantastic conversation with Susan Pratt, a copywriter and messaging strategist. Susan shares her journey from writing newsletters for her local Girl Scout Council to becoming an expert in crafting messages that resonate deeply with target audiences. You won't want to miss Susan's insights on the critical role of messaging in business success and her valuable tips on how to create compelling content that attracts and converts clients.

Topics We Cover:

• From Cookies to Copywriting: Susan Pratt shares her unique journey from working on the Girl Scouts cookie program to becoming a messaging strategist, emphasizing the importance of repurposing skills and experiences.

• Understanding Your Audience: Learn the importance of deep market research and truly understanding your clients' pain points to craft messages that resonate.

• Problem-Solving Over Product Selling: Learn why it's crucial to focus on the problems your product or service solves rather than the features of the product itself.

• Personal Stories Matter: Learn how sharing personal stories and client testimonials can create powerful connections and enhance your messaging strategy.

• Testing and Iteration: Discover the importance of testing your messages and iterating based on audience feedback to find what truly works.

• Grace in Growth:Get encouragement as an entrepreneur to give yourself grace during the process of refining their messaging, understanding that it takes time to get it right.

Gain practical insights that will help you take strategic actions to refine your messaging and effectively communicate with your audience. Susan's expert advice will guide you in creating a sustainable business strategy that aligns with your vision and attracts the right clients. 

www.linkedin.com/in/susanprattcopywriting 

https://www.instagram.com/messagemasterywithsue/

http://www.susangpratt.com/ 

Welcome to another episode of The Next Step Podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Hersh Rephun, the "Message Therapist," who brings a unique blend of humor and humanity to branding and communication. 

In this episode, Hersh shares his mantra of "selling the truth with humor and humanity" and talks about the profound impact this approach has on personal branding. Hersh's shares how his background in comedy and advertising has shaped his career, and discover a significant moment where he discusses the myth of authenticity in branding—a truth bomb you won't want to miss.

Topics We Cover:

• Sell the Truth: Hersh's principle of selling the truth with humor and humanity stems from his extensive experience in PR, working with artists and creatives who valued authenticity over corporate spin.

• Balancing Humor and Sincerity: Humor can diffuse difficult situations and make messaging more relatable, but it must be balanced with sincerity and good intent to truly resonate.

• Personal Branding: Hersh emphasizes that all branding is personal, whether for individuals or large corporations. The key is to create a genuine connection with the audience.

• Overcoming Fear: Some clients seek Hersh's help specifically to incorporate humor into their branding, despite their discomfort with being funny or vulnerable.

• Distinguishing Factors: Personal integrity and unique experiences often become the most powerful differentiators in a saturated market.

• Adaptability: Hersh highlights the importance of being flexible and not sticking rigidly to formulas, as adaptability can lead to discovering what truly works.

• Personal Story: Hersh shares how his journey in stand-up comedy unexpectedly blended with his business, enhancing his ability to connect and communicate effectively.

This episode is packed with insights that will help you infuse humor and humanity into your branding, ensuring it stands out in a crowded market. Hersh Rephun's wisdom on selling the truth and embracing personal integrity offers a fresh perspective on building a sustainable and impactful brand. Listen in to learn how to to use your unique qualities and take strategic actions that will elevate your business to the next level. Let's make a plan and take action!

Social Media Links:

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

Hersh Rephun's Website: Get Message Therapy

https://getmessagetherapy.com

LinkedIn: Hersh Rephun

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

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I'm so excited to sit down with Jennie Mustafa-Julock, a powerhouse in the business coaching world. Alongside her partner Meredyth, Jennie has crafted a revolutionary approach to productivity that empowers entrepreneurs to zero in on what truly matters.

Join us as Jennie shares her incredible journey from running a solo coaching practice to forming a dynamic partnership that perfectly aligns with her RV lifestyle and business goals. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to transform your overwhelming to-do lists into manageable, meaningful tasks that propel your success.

Topics we cover:

• The Power of Pivoting: Jennie shares how she shifted from high-ticket coaching to lower-ticket offers that are more accessible to a larger audience, explaining that you can make changes that adapt your business model to better fit your evolving lifestyle and goals.

• Intentional Work: We get transparent about how focusing on what truly matters can help you make significant progress without getting bogged down by endless to-do lists.

• The Make It Happen Method: Jennie shares her and Meredyth's signature five-step process for creating meaningful and actionable to-do lists is a game-changer for productivity.

• Strategic Influences: Jennie emphasizes the importance of being selective about who you listen to and being intentional about your influences.

This episode is bursting with insights to help you navigate the next steps in your business journey. Jennie’s expertise in productivity and her strategic approach will inspire you to take a closer look at your own practices.

By aligning your actions with your core values and being intentional about your influences, you can create a sustainable, scalable business. Listen in and discover how to turn your to-do list into a powerful tool for achieving your goals and driving lasting success.

Links:

Jenny and Meredyth

https://jennieandmeredyth.com

https://jennieandmeredyth.com/everything

Facebook: Jenny and Meredyth

https://www.facebook.com/jennieandmeredyth

Instagram: Jennie and Meredyth

https://www.instagram.com/jennieandmeredyth

TikTok: 

https://www.tiktok.com/@jennieandmeredyth

YouTube: 

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

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I am thrilled to introduce Monica Reynolds, the creative mind behind Vox Pop Marketing and the architect of the Magnetic Marketing Roadmap. 

With 19 years of expertise, Monica isn’t just a brand strategist; she’s a brand navigator. Discover how she helps businesses create meaningful messaging and positioning that guarantees an authentic online presence. This episode is packed with insights that will help you transform your brand into a strategic compass for lasting success and scalability.

Topics We Cover:

• Authentic Branding Matters: Monica shares her unique approach as a "brand navigator." It’s all about guiding you to discover and embrace your authentic brand, not just fitting into a box.

• Learn from Monica’s Journey: From a jewelry side hustle to a marketing expert, Monica’s story is packed with lessons on perseverance and continuous learning.

• Define Your Brand’s Personality: Your brand is more than just a logo. It's a personality! Make sure it reflects your unique characteristics and values to connect authentically with your audience.

• Understand Your Audience: Before creating content or designing your website, get to know your target audience deeply. This ensures your messaging truly resonates with them.

• Effective Messaging is Key: If you’re not clear about your brand, your audience won’t be either. Clear, consistent messaging attracts the right clients who are already excited to work with you.

• Strategic Content Creation: It’s not just about posting; it’s about creating strategic content that drives traffic to your website and educates your audience.

• Track the Right Metrics: Knowing what to look for to gauge your success is essential. Metrics like website traffic and conversion rates help you understand if your messaging is effective.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the next steps in your branding journey. Monica’s expertise in creating clear, compelling messaging and her strategic approach to branding will inspire you to take a closer look at your own brand. 

By aligning your messaging with your core values and understanding your audience, you can create a sustainable, scalable business. Listen in and discover how to transform your brand into an authentic, magnetic force that captivates the right audience and drives lasting success.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: Monica Valentine Reynolds

https://www.facebook.com/monicavalentinereynolds

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/voxpopmarketing

YouTube:Vox Pop Marketing YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/voxpopmarketing

Vox Pop Marketing

https://www.voxpopmarketing.com

Personal Brand Accelerator Quiz

https://voxpopmarketing.com/marketing-quiz/

Magnetic Message Workbook + Audios https://voxpopmarketing.com/make-the-competition-irrelevant/