“Simply by Katie” is what Katie Eberman goes by online. What she does in her business and her journey as an entrepreneur, however, is anything but simple.

Like most of us entrepreneurs, she had a persistent idea—supporting small businesses. Even with caring for little ones at home that she was taking care of, Katie still missed the kind of fulfilling work she used to do. She eventually landed on doing website design and copywriting, specifically for women in the small business space. 

Katie talks passionately about helping female entrepreneurs, seeing it as a reflection of herself. What she really wants is for women to feel proud to send their clients or prospects to their websites. 

Katie also notes that business owners don’t want to say they’re building a brand because it sounds too big of a vision. To me, this brought up another reminder to get clear on your “why”; the “why” is what’s powerful enough to get you to do what you do. 

We get into the systems that Katie uses so that she can be there in both her work and life. This brings up a challenge that I have for you, my friends. I want you to send me an email at [email protected] and let me know your strategies for separating your work and life. 

Katie has golden nugget after golden nugget in this episode, but she gave us one that might be the best golden nuggets yet. Katie says, just start. Don’t overthink, because when you’re in the action, you’re not worrying about what will go wrong. An incredible reminder that we can all build on.  

Connect with Katie here:

Website: simplybykatie.com
Email: [email protected]
Instagram: @simply_by_katie 

Join the ONtrepreneur Inner Circle group. It’s a community of your peers that can help you break through your challenges. Get practical tools, accountability, honest dialogue, and more: https://marshallstern.net/page/ontrepreneur-inner-circle

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I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
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Email: [email protected]

My guest on this episode is Ashley Leeds, known as The 15 Minute Guy, and, wow, just wow. Ashley dropped so many insights about LinkedIn that I could not wait to get this episode out.

Ashley joins me from Devon, England, and he helps founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners get visible on LinkedIn in just 15 minutes a day. Ashley does the math for us all—15 minutes a day, five days a week, over a year adds up to 65 hours on the platform. It's an action that might seem small, but it can have a big effect.

Less than 5% of LinkedIn users create content. That means if you start showing up consistently with posts, you are immediately ahead of 95% of people on the platform. Ashley's advice is to pick a specific day and time, stick to it, and let your audience anchor to you.

We get into the real strategy behind commenting. Ashley recommends commenting on at least 10 posts a day. Not a boring “I agree” but adding a bit of your personality while adding value.

A surprising few tidbits that Ashley also shared: hashtags on LinkedIn are now deprecated, so don’t use them. Your profile photo should be a close-up of your face with a coloured background, because 70% of users are on mobile. Polls are a wildly underused tool, not just for engagement but for gathering real data on your audience and then following up in a personal way.

This episode with Ashley is just non-stop golden nuggets. Grab a pen and paper, tune in, and start thinking about how just 15 intentional minutes a day could transform your visibility.

Connect with Ashley here:

Website: www.just.15mins.day
LinkedIn: @ashley-leeds-15-minute-guy
Take the Free Assessment Here: www.just.15mins.day/score  

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
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Email: [email protected]

This episode is shorter but still impactful. It’s a solo episode because I’ve had wonderful guests lately. But this one asks the question, Is your business serving your life?

As always, grab a paper and pen. Write down the question, Is my business serving my life? Is it serving me financially, in terms of freedom, to do what I truly love? Or is it not serving my life? Do I feel trapped?

Get back to why you started your business. What was your “why?” Sometimes we forget why we started our business. We might get stuck in that employee mindset. Come back to that “why,” why you do what you do.

I invite you to take my Business Energy Reset. If your business is serving your life, that’s fantastic, and I’d still love to hear from you. But, if not, there’s an opportunity for change there. Take one step forward.

Email me “yes, it is” or “no, it’s not” at [email protected] or grab the Business Energy Reset here: https://marshallstern.net/page/business-energy-quiz 

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
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Email: [email protected]

It’s another Business Therapy Thursday, and this one might hit home for anyone who has ever second-guessed their pricing. I sit down with Earl Thomas, host of the VOICE POWER podcast, and we have an honest and energizing deep dive into pricing confidence.

 Earl has been podcasting for six seasons, reaching listeners across countless countries and cities. But he came to me with the challenge of feeling confident when it comes time to name his price.

 He and I go over the three things needed for someone to work with you—desire, the ability to pay, and the willingness to pay. If all three aspects aren’t there, they’re not your client.

We also dig into the idea of releasing yourself from the outcome. There’s real power in showing up to a conversation and being focused on service rather than landing the sale. Clarity breeds confidence. When you have clarity on your pricing, your process, your ideal client, and your follow-up plan, the confidence follows.

 Earl even shares a golden nugget of his own, being “passionately confident and confidently passionate.” That's the exact energy that lands clients, builds audiences, and grows businesses. People know passion when they see it.

I also get into when to bring up pricing. Talking about it too early, before you’ve made a real connection, turns everything into a negotiation. In small business, the relationship has to be the priority. The price is just a detail that comes after.

Connect with Earl Thomas, aka “The Voice” here:

Website: www.earlthomasthevoice.com
Podcast: voicepower.buzzsprout.com
LinkedIn: @earlthomasthevoice
Facebook: @EarlThomasTheVoice
YouTube: @EarlThomasTheVOICE

 
If you’re interested in a Business Therapy Thursday session, shoot me an email to [email protected].  

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
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Email: [email protected]

Daria Ionescu knows strategy. She actually started off her career with in-house marketing. A little bit of branding, digital marketing, and some social media. What she found was missing in all of this was the real strategy behind it, so she started her own company.

Now, her strategy consulting business, Lume Strategy, takes people from Point A to Point B to hit their target audience. Even though she’s been in business for less than a year, one Stern Truth Daria learned is how introspective entrepreneurship can make you.

In this episode, we also get into falling in love with the process. As small business owners, the best thing you can do is to NOT do the things that drain you. My advice to Daria (and all of you) is to write down those drains so that when the time comes to add in team members, those tasks can easily be passed to them.

Daria gets into the age-old business question, “What is strategy?" Empathize with your team. Understand where they’re coming from. Find the solutions for them, get to the root of the issue, then make a plan—a strategy—to fix it.

One of Daria’s many other Stern Truths is that as an entrepreneur, your brain never stops. It can feel like you’re never off the clock. Being more disciplined, using strategies like time-blocking, and being able to adapt can all help you manage a mind that never seems to turn off.

Daria reminds us of something we all know but sometimes forget—marketing is very psychological. Knowing the motivations of why people take actions, or why they don’t, is a big part of any strategy, and it starts with empathy, that missing E in strategy. After that comes the trust, the most important part of the entrepreneurial puzzle. 

Connect with Daria here:

Website: www.lumestrategy.ca
Email: [email protected]
IG: @itslumestrategy
LinkedIn: @daria-ionescu-492098232

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshallstern/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshallDStern
Email: [email protected]

Denise Frenette is all about the “more.” She’s not specifically about having more things and having more nice dinners (which she admits she does love). The "more" that Denise is talking about is the balance between running a business and having what you truly want in life. She even wrote a book on it, aptly titled "MORE".

An entrepreneur several times over, Denise never felt like she fit into the typical “9-5” corporate box. She talks a lot in this episode about grit and determination. As Denise puts it, the ability to see a vision and bring it into detail and make it "more" takes a lot of grit and just as much confidence.

One of the reasons Denise got into business for herself was that she saw how things were done in her industry and thought, I could do it better myself. I’m sure that her eye for detail, passion for wellness, and entrepreneur parents helped too.

Denise shares an incredible story about a former employee. Although now a competitor, this former employee admitted to Denis that she didn’t know what it took to run a business. Denise encouraged this person to keep going, driving home the kind of grit that it takes to run a business.

There were so many great golden nuggets and Stern Truth’s in this episode, but one of Denise’s best golden nuggets is that there’s more to life than just business. Take an honest look at all aspects of your life. Even though you might be successful in one area, you don’t want to miss the boat on what life is about.

Connect with Denise here:
Website: https://www.denisefrenette.com/

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
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Email: [email protected]

Business ownership is a spectrum. A business owner and an entrepreneur are not the same. I drop these golden nuggets, and more, on Stephanie Lehr’s new podcast, The Stephanie Lehr Show (which is episode 70 of The Stern Truth.)

Stephanie is a relationship coach. In starting her new podcast, I had the honour of being her first guest. She and I get into a variety of topics. We even discuss how, during my leadership coach training, I really wasn’t leading at home and how it took me some time to realize that. 

We go over what happened during the pandemic when I was faced with the decision to keep my team or let them go. My leadership mindset is “these are my people,” so I kept them on. Thankfully, it worked out, since safety signage was a priority at that time.

I also get into the difference between being an entrepreneur and being a business owner. My friends, they are NOT the same thing. A lot of business owners are really buying themselves a job, and there is nothing wrong with that. But if you want to grow, you have to step into that ONtrepreneur mindset. Building something that lasts is the challenge.

Stephanie asked me about the best compliment I have ever received, and it has stayed with me ever since. A fellow coach told me, in front of a group, that I make people feel safe. Not impressive, not intimidating, not polished. Safe. As a coach, just as a person, that was a compliment I’ll always cherish.

Like the title of this episode says, it takes resilience, teamwork, and a community to make a business grow.

Join the ONtrepreneur Inner Circle if you’re looking for that kind of supportive community. https://marshallstern.net/landing/innercircle

Learn about Stephanie and her show here:
Instagram: @stephanielehrofficial
LinkedIn:  @stephanielehr
Website: stephanielehr.com

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshallstern/
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Email: [email protected]

Kim Long is my guest on this episode of the Stern Truth. As a registered psychologist in Alberta with a teaching background, Kim was inspired by her family of helpers to get into the field of psychology, despite some “oi’s” along the way, Covid being a big one.

Through our conversation, I tell him how post-secondary experience teaches business but it doesn't teach entrepreneurship - things like cash flow, ROI, or COGS are more on-the-job lessons.  

Leadership was a big factor for Kim when starting her practice. Nurturing her team while keeping her professional standards, combatting leader loneliness, and consistent learning have allowed Kim to build her team.

Imposter syndrome (yes, it’s everywhere) comes up in our conversation, another of Kim’s “oi’s”. She digs deep and gets to the root of leadership. One of her golden nuggets is that leadership is all about building the capacity of your team so they can grow and shine.  

Let me tell you, my friends, it doesn’t get easier. Imposter syndrome can be a lifelong feeling. And guess what? More people have it than you think. Ask yourself, is what I believe true? If you look at the old you vs. the new, 2.0 you, what were your action steps to get there? 

Another terrific golden nugget that Kim gave was one I love - if you’re worrying about your leadership, you’re probably a better leader than you realize. 

The Stern Truth of being a leader? Just keep going, keep showing up, and take time to reflect on your own growth.

 
Get in touch with Kim here:

Website: www.dochaspsych.com

IG: instagram.com/dochaspsych
Facebook: facebook.com/DochasPsych
YouTube: youtube.com/@DochasPsych

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/dochas-psych

If you’re feeling the “oi’s” of business, lonely, or isolated, and want those like-minded business people, check out our ONtrepreneur Inner Circle. Be my guest and see what the community looks like: https://marshallstern.net/page/ontrepreneur-inner-circle 

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshallstern/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshallDStern
Email: [email protected]

We’re back with another Business Therapy Thursday, and this one is extra special. David Wallace, owner of Around the Block Butcher & Market in Ottawa, was first featured on Episode 23. We talked about his incredible entrepreneurial journey through the pandemic. Now, a year later, David is back, and this time, we go deeper.

Around the Block just celebrated 13 years in business, and David has built something truly special with his wife and business partner, Chantelle. He came into this episode with a lot on his mind—where to direct resources, how to lead more effectively, and how to break the tunnel vision from being deep in the day-to-day grind.

David describes success as having the right systems, the right team, and the freedom to take two full weeks off and actually enjoy it. He and Chantel took their first week off in years back in January, and it went fine. So, what’s stopping them from doing more of that?

David also opened up about the challenge of that last 10%. He’s a self-described 90-percenter, great at getting things almost done, but the follow-through is where the wins live.

We tackled the concept of “CEO Day," a dedicated block day each week where David can step away from the counter, close the office door, and work ON the business instead of IN it. Not for clients, not for staff, not for urgent orders. Just David, his vision, and the clarity to grow his business.

The Stern Truth of this episode is that “later” is not a strategy. Things don’t slow down, so you need to specifically create the time and space. As a business owner, YOU have to be the one to make the change.

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshallstern/
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Melodie Dewsbury is a passionate entrepreneur and founder of The Paper Fox Collective, a marketing agency in Mission, B.C. Her journey took her from entrepreneur to corporate life to teaching and back to entrepreneurship. This time around, she’s got clarity, confidence, and a whole lot of momentum.

Melodie shares how she reinvented herself after stepping back from her first business and spending years in corporate roles that just didn’t fit. When the mismatch started showing up physically, she knew it was time to listen to that gut feeling.

We get into the difference between fear and intuition and why that distinction matters for big business decisions. Melodie’s golden nugget on this? Is this a limiting belief, or is everything in my being telling me this isn’t right for me?

 We also talk about community, something Melodie has always been passionate about creating. From running knitting clubs in her first year of teaching to building an online community of 2,000 female entrepreneurs, she just gets people together. And as I always say, being around other entrepreneurs who truly get it makes all the difference.

 On the marketing side, Melodie drops a golden nugget every founder needs to hear: you don’t need to be on every platform. Pick the spaces where you can show up consistently and authentically. If dancing on TikTok isn’t you, don’t do it.

Melodie’s episode itself is a golden nugget. So if you take anything from this episode, take it from Melodie that sometimes stepping back is exactly what you need to step forward with more power.


Connect with Melodie here:

www.thepaperfoxcollective.com
Instagram: @thepaperfoxcollective
LinkedIn: @melodie-dewsbury
Facebook: @melodydewsbury 

Subscribe to The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered so you never miss an episode and receive a FREE GIFT: http://www.thesterntruth.com/

Join my Business Inner Circle Community for free here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/thebusinessinnercirclegroup

Book your complimentary business blindspot assessment with me here: https://attractwell.com/MarshallStern/landing/breakthrough-session

I encourage you to reach out with feedback, topic suggestions, and share your own entrepreneurial challenges.

Get in touch in the comments or head to...
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marshallstern/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarshallDStern
Email: [email protected]