The Product Biz Podcast by Monica Little Coaching

Here’s one of the biggest mistakes that small business owners make.

When thinking about the reason WHY they want to grow their business…

Why they are spending hours on Instagram each week, spending thousands of dollars on suppliers, spending all week long making product, spending EVERY weekend at markets, spending time away from family/kids/loved ones to try and make it work…

When asking “what is it all for?”

Most small businesses list all of the things they would buy, experience, or get when they become successful. The new car, new house, Disney vacation, Mexico vacation, get out of debt, and more.

Or they think of all the people they want to prove wrong when they become successful. The husband, the mom, the friends, the people who doubted them.

I hate to break it to you… but money (and validation from others) is one of the worst motivators out there.

We THINK that reaching our MONEY goals and the potential new car will motivate us to wake up 2 hours early to get the things down that we DIDN’T get to yesterday in order to give our business the dedication it needs to grow… yet we hit the snooze button and let our to-do list grow longer and longer each day.

We THINK that reaching our money goals and the potential vacation will encourage us to work efficiently when our kids are at school to make the most of every second so we get closer to that goal… yet we spend so much time aimlessly picking up our phone and scrolling social media and we just can’t seem to break the bait.

We THINK that aiming toward our money goal and the potential debt payments will motivate us to do what is required, to be committed, to be dedicated to our business… yet we do the same thing over and over, wondering why nothing has changed.

That’s because money is NOT a great motivator.

That doesn’t mean we SHOULDN’T have tangible money goals. It simply means that there’s ANOTHER part to the equation.

And when you understand the second part of the equation, it’ll give you the drive and purpose and WHY behind your business to change how you show up, which changes the results that you see, which coincidentally gets you closer to that monetary goal.

During this week’s episode of The Product Biz Podcast, I walk you through an exclusive exercise that I shared with my Product Biz Academy members during our 2024 PBA kickoff call.

This exercise that YOU have access to led my members to say:

“I've had a personal breakthrough. For the first time EVER I am ALLOWING myself to feel like this business is truly mine and ALLOWING myself to open up and bring this one to my heart. I have had 3 other businesses and never ever felt like I do right now about this one.” – Andria

“This exercise made me dig deeper and actually made me start to cry. It created such a powerful connection. It further solidified that it’s not just a skincare product or skincare company that’s just making things for profit. I am actually helping people make healthier choices in their healing journey. Very powerful moment.” – Daisy B.

“It feels like my business has a purpose and it’s not just a hobby anymore.” – Daisy C.

Now it’s your turn to experience the same, so you can show up in a new way for your business to reach ALL of the dreams you have with a PURPOSE that drives you forward.

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Join the Product Biz Academy waitlist to be first notified when doors open

Running a successful business is less about what you do and more about who you are, what you prioritize, and how you hold your energy. Think of it this way: you can have the best product and the best strategy in the world, but if you are burned out then you won't get too far because you'll be too exhausted and overwhelmed to bring that strategy to life or bring that amazing product in front of more people. Becoming a high performer - how you manage yourself, your energy, your priorities - is the only thing that will take you as far as you want your business to go. And today's special guest, Jimmy Burroughes, will be sharing with you how to beat burnout and ignite performance.

Jimmy is an Ex-Army Officer, MBA grad, and former corporate high-flier now on a mission to change the way Leaders create bottom-line results without burning out.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• How to become a high performer and prevent burnout by focusing on your purpose, a mindset of abundance, and by prioritizing connection, exploration and downtime
• The ways that burnout presents itself through feelings of anxiety, exhaustion, isolation, overwhelmed and unmotivated
• What to do if you are feeling unmotivated with the projects you have going on in your business

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Get your free chapter of Beat Burnout, Ignite Performance when you visit: www.jimmyburroughes.com/book
Or get 25% off your copy of Beat Burnout, Ignite Performance with code VIP25 at: www.jimmyburroughes.com/book
Follow Jimmy on Instagram @jimmybleadership

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!

Here’s a hard truth - your brain will always try to keep you safe and comfortable instead of moving towards growth and possibility (that’s why it’s called SELF-sabotage, because it comes from your own SELF).

That’s because your brain’s ONLY job is SURVIVAL - to keep you safe.

Back in the early days, SAFE meant to be safe from predators, finding shelter to survive the night, thinking proactively about food sources and water…

But in today’s day and age, we HAVE food, water, shelter and NO predators… so how does your brain, which is geared towards survival, keep you safe today?

It’s by this silly little thing called your comfort zone.

And an outside perspective is the ONLY thing that can combat a warm, fuzzy, comfort zone that just DOESN'T want to let you go otherwise.

Think of it this way - if you DON'T have outside perspective, you will fall to the trap of your own thoughts.

You may THINK of making a big move or taking that next step…

But you may also start to question if you are doing it right.

Or if you are “good enough” to even do it.

You may start to question "Who am I to think this is possible? Who am I to go out of my way to do this big scary thing?"

And as soon as your brain starts to question in this way… you stop taking action. And when you stop taking action, you stop growing.

In today’s episode, we talk about how to break this habit of self sabotage.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• How your brain was MEANT to keep you safe in the caveman age when threats were present... and how it keeps you safe and comfortable in today's day and age when there are NO active threats present
• Where thoughts like "who am I to think this is possible?" and " I'm not cut out for this" and "they are so much more smart, bold, confident, extroverted, X Y Z more than me" originate from so you can stop them from sabotaging your dreams
• Why NOT having an outside perspective will make you fall into the trap of playing small, preventing your growth
• What you can do TODAY to help you grow if you DON'T have someone with an outside perspective to turn to for support

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Register for my FREE live training happening on January 15 at www.monicalittlecoaching.com/2024

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching

If you saw a construction company trying to build a skyscraper on top of quicksand, you'd wonder what the hell they were doing, wouldn't you?

Because you KNOW that in order for a skyscraper to be sturdy, for all of the floors to be built on top of each other, that it needs to have a solid foundation. The solid foundation is the ONLY thing that allow the structure to be stable.

Common sense, right?

Well, my question for you is on that same topic… are you building your business with a solid, stable foundation… or are you building your business on top of quicksand?

Most small business owners are trying to build a business on top of quicksand, and then they wonder why it’s not growing, why it’s not leading to consistent sales, why it’s just not working, and why they are exhausted, burned out, and stressed along the way.

So in today’s episode of the Product Biz Podcast, we're diving into what it means to build a business on quicksand and what it means to build a business with a solid foundation, so you can start 2024 on the right path to creating your best sales year yet.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• What it means to focus on growth, longevity, and ACTUAL progress in your business… instead of shiny object syndrome
• Why business growth is NOT a matter of doing more or working harder… and why it’s a matter of working on the right things that actually move the needle forward
• What it means to be reactive and urgent in your business vs. having a solid foundation in your business… and which one leads to consistent sales
• How to become the leader of your business, or the “captain of the ship” so you are directing your business to its end destination by setting the course on the RIGHT path - instead of being below deck, stuck in the day-to-day busywork

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Register for my FREE live training happening on January 15 at www.monicalittlecoaching.com/2024

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching

The biggest mistake small business owners make is selling their products without ever looking at their numbers to know if they are actually making a profit, including ALL of the expenses in their business, in order to keep their business afloat. Most small business owners take a guess at what their product pricing should be and before you know it, they are struggling to pay the bills, struggling to buy more raw materials, struggling to even think about hiring help... and it all stems from one sneaky issue, which is your product pricing. In today's episode, Staci Millard shares how to use numbers to grow your business and how to take the stress out of finances so you are truly making money and making an impact and growing your business for the long run.

Staci Millard is a mom of 2 and multi-passionate entrepreneur. She grew and sold her first seven figure business before she was 35 while raising her daughters. She believes in three non-negotiables for every successful business- making money, heart-led impact on those we serve, and having a great life because of our businesses not in spite of it. Staci works as a fractional CFO and business mentor for entrepreneurs helping them scale and have the success she knows we can all achieve.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• What terms like profit, revenue, cost of sales, overhead, break even REALLY mean
• How to look at your numbers to know if you are ready to come out with new products or not
• How to add in the cost of labor and the cost of overhead to your business to make sure you are covering your expenses on every single sale of your products

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Get your freebies when you visit: https://stacimillard.ck.page/0e86639236
Follow Staci on Instagram @staci.millard

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!

Shopify can be an intimidating beast - there are so many components you can add, options to fill in, apps you can use. Which is why today we are bringing in special guest Erin to share with you her top tips for Shopify and top mistakes to avoid. From getting more reviews, adding in easy upsells that customers can add to their cart with the click of one button, updating your images to be SEO compliant, and using Shopify's email capabilities, you are going to walk away with tips and insights to make your Shopify site even better.

Erin Alexander is the creator of Product Powerhouse and helps product-based business owners show up online with confidence. She's the host of the Product Powerhouse podcast and she teaches online shop owners how to build, grow, and scale their online business through courses, digital products, and coaching. She's a wife, mom to two kids and two pups, loves being near the water and is addicted to Popcorners.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• The best app to use to automate getting apps on your Shopify website
• Why compressed images, alt text, and file names of your images on your Shopify website are important for SEO - and an app that can do the updating for you to make them SEO compliant
• Getting starting with Shopify email and what automations to set up today

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Learn more from Erin at www.productpowerhouse.co
Follow Erin on Instagram @product.powerhouse

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!

We're diving even deeper into SEO today with top tips, tricks, and hacks for your website with Crystal Waddell. This episode is full of GEMS of knowledge on how to take your SEO game up a notch; from making your product title between 50-60 characters with a special (genius) tip on what words to use to fill up all those characters, why you SHOULD be on Etsy (and all the platforms) to amp up your SEO game, and how to use a Google Business Listing to elevate SEO even further. You're going to walk away with actionable, easy to implement tips that you can put to work today to help you get found when people are searching for products just like yours on Google.

Crystal is an agile digital marketer (fancy word for "I wear a lot of hats"!) She's scaling her Etsy handmade business using Shopify and sharing her journey and lessons learned along the way! Crystal helps other business owners by training their staff to do the website SEO tasks that generate visibility and sales.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• How to define the keywords that you want to "win" so when people search for them on Google, your products are found
• How to leverage a Google Business Listing to show up on Google search results
• Unique ways to use your product title and meta description on Shopify to get customers to click through to your listing when searching on Google

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Follow Crystal on Instagram @knowledgevomit
Get your freebies when you visit: https://www.crystalwaddell.com/products/shopify-seo-checklist

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!

When you learn about the Instagram algorithm, it can help you get more views... but views don't always translate to sales. So what actually DOES lead to more sales from all the time we spend on social media? Today's guest Attaliah shares with us how to use storytelling, how to show up authentically, and how to connect with your audience so you can sell more of your products through Instagram. She'll talk you through some of the top Instagram mindset blocks that hold us back; the fear of stumbling our words, the fear of being judged by others, the fear of posting a poll on our stories that no on engages with, so you can let those old limiting beliefs go. And she'll share hashtag and posting strategy with you, too.

Attaliah Strubel is a business coach specializing in passive income and content monetization. She's on a mission to help women break free from their screens and build thriving online businesses. Attaliah is all about empowering women to not only reach their goals but also live their dream lives. Through her coaching sessions, online resources, and inspiring speaking engagements, she's dedicated to guiding women toward the fulfilling careers and lifestyles they truly deserve.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• How to use storytelling, vulnerability, and behind the scenes content to connect with your audience on social media
• How to get inspired to create content on Instagram and how consistent you should be
• How to get over the fear of showing up on social media so you can 

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Follow Attaliah on Instagram @attaliahstrubel
Learn more from Attaliah at https://www.attaliahstrubel.com

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!

SEO is one of those tech-related parts of running a small business that a lot of creative small business owners keep a distance from. But once you start to learn what it is, how to implement it, and how important it is to your business, I guarantee you'll have a change of heart for this incredible tool that can help you get in front of more people and make the most of the content you create for the long run. Today's guest Nina Gibson shares her top tips on how to maximize your keyword SEO (with insights on how to find the right words to use for your product titles, inside your product listings and more), what settings to adjust in Shopify for SEO benefit, and how to use blogs for informational SEO to get your website found for people who are searching questions where you provide the exact solution they are looking for with your products.

Nina is an SEO expert and visibility enthusiast with over 15 years of digital marketing experience. She is passionate about helping business owners elevate their visibility (and bottom line) with smart and holistic SEO strategies. She’s also a corporate drop-out, multi 6-figure business owner and mom living on the southern coast of Maine!

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• At what point SEO matters in your business
• The top mistakes small business owners make with SEO so you can prevent them from happening within your business
• The types of SEO that matters most, from keyword SEO, website settings SEO, and informational SEO - and how you can get started today

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Get your freebies when you visit: https://ninagibson.co/chatgpt-prompts-products-freebie
Follow Nina on Instagram @ninagibsonco

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!

Most of us know that the saying "if you build it, they will come" isn't true - and most of us, as small business owners, have flat out experienced that when we come out with an incredible product that we are so excited to share about... and then we hear crickets. The TRUE saying is "if you build it AND market it effectively they will come" and today's special guest Ruthie Sterrett is sharing with you how to attract, nurture, and connect with your audience for more sales.

Ruthie Sterrett is a marketing strategist and founder of The Consistency Corner, a marketing and content agency for small business owners. She helps businesses create consistent content that drives revenue through quarterly planning, simple marketing best practices, positive reinforcement, and accountability. She has found most small business owners are wearing so many hats that marketing often is inconsistent while they juggle all the things, so she created the Consistency Corner to help you create simple content frameworks which build trust and lead to sales every month.

By the time you finish listening, you'll learn:

• The 3 main components of marketing - attract, nurture, convert - and how to implement these components into your business today
• What the saying "know, like and trust" really means
• How you can get ahead of the holiday season by content planning with specific holiday campaigns and how to make the holiday season easier on you 

LINKS MENTIONED IN TODAY'S EPISODE
Learn more from Ruthie at www.theconsistencycorner.com
Follow Ruthie on Instagram @theconsistencycorner
Download the Ruthie's free holiday content planner at www.theconsistencycorner.com/holidaycontentplanner

LEARN MORE FROM MONICA LITTLE
Website: www.monicalittlecoaching.com
Instagram: @monicalittlecoaching
Watch the FREE Etsy training to get started today: How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy!