In this Business Therapy Thursday session, I sit down with Aubrey, a small business owner who runs both a digital marketing agency and a dog waste service company. As an entrepreneur managing multiple ventures, Aubrey faces a challenge that many founders know all too well – she excels at delivering for her clients but struggles with accountability when growing her own business.

The interesting psychology of why small business owners find it easier to show up for others than for themselves is something we discuss. During our conversation, Aubrey shares her journey as a founder who started her digital marketing business while recovering from cancer treatment. She shares how she's learned to navigate online business courses and the overwhelming amount of "get rich quick" schemes that flood the entrepreneur space.

Aubrey and I explore the critical difference between being lazy and lacking clarity on your "why". This important distinction is something every small business owner needs to understand because, really, they can be different sides of the same entrepreneurial coin. 

I challenge Aubrey to examine what truly drives her and help her understand that accountability isn't about laziness, but about not having a deep enough connection to her business goals.

The accountability gap holds so many small business owners back from scaling. If you find yourself procrastinating on business development and just focusing on client work, tune in to this helpful episode.

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]

I know how challenging summer months can be for entrepreneurs. In this episode, I share eight proven strategies that have helped me and countless other founders maintain momentum when clients and prospects are off enjoying their vacations.

Focusing on systems, new marketing plans, and furthering your leadership development is the name of the game in the summertime. I talk about batch learning and automation strategies and connecting creatively with clients during their downtime.

I go into why summer is the perfect time to prepare for that crucial back-to-business September rush. This is the perfect opportunity for successful business owners to use slower periods to work ON their business rather than just working IN it.

I also share details about an upcoming summer program designed to help small business owners maintain momentum and connection during these slower months. If you're a small business owner struggling with those frustrating out-of-office messages and feeling like your business is stuck in summer slowdown mode, this program is for you. 

I'll walk you through practical approaches that any entrepreneur can implement, from embracing the seasonal shift to creating summer hours that work for your family.

Let’s turn your summer into one of your most productive and strategically valuable times of the year. 

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]

In this raw episode, I sit down with Chanel from Success Story Marketing to pull back the curtain on what it's like being a small business owner in the marketing world. As a solopreneur who transitioned from partnership to running her business solo, Chanel shares the brutal honesty that most entrepreneurs are afraid to discuss.

She and I go over the all too familiar imposter syndrome that plagues even the most successful business owners. We also explore how the polished marketing facades we see online often hide the real struggles happening behind the scenes. Chanel opens up about her experience at a high-level entrepreneur retreat in Victoria, where she tearfully found herself in the bathroom, feeling completely out of her depth among multi-million dollar founders.

As a marketing professional whose job is to make other small business owners look perfect online, Chanel reveals the irony of feeling like a fraud herself. We discuss how authenticity has become her secret weapon. Her authenticity is showing up as her real self, in jeans instead of suits, swearing in her content, and being genuinely vulnerable with clients.

Chanel shares her daily practices that keep her grounded as a solopreneur. From team meditations to gym routines, she takes us through her day, explaining why surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs who understand the journey is crucial for surviving in business.

Listen to this episode if you want to hear more about the importance of building a supportive community, prioritizing self-care without guilt, and reframing the toxic "grind culture" mentality.

Connect with Chanel here:

https://successstorymarketing.com/
[email protected]
Instagram: @successstorymarketing

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]

I share one of the most transformational moments in my leadership journey in this episode of “The Stern Truth”. I had a powerful encounter with a hotel lifeguard named José who completely changed my thoughts on leadership. We often focus heavily on marketing and attracting new customers in business, but fail to deliver consistent excellence throughout the customer experience.

This young lifeguard José went far beyond his job description, helping my anxious daughter, picking up after others, and creating an exceptional customer experience that kept my family returning for years. This powerful story shows how leadership is more than the title you have and lies in the actions you take when nobody's watching.

For entrepreneurs struggling with employee management and customer retention, I explain how finding and nurturing this "Jose mindset" can transform your company culture and create growth. This mindset serves as a business lesson to demonstrate why customers return to businesses - simply put, they feel valued and cared for.

Here’s a challenge for fellow small business owners: instead of focusing on marketing, create memorable EXPERIENCES for customers. This is how you develop a leadership mindset and build the kind of business that customers can't wait to return. 

Tune in to this episode to learn how to master your own "Jose mindset", no matter what title you have. Exceptional leadership starts, and ends, with an exceptional customer experience.

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]

In this special episode of The Stern Truth, I sit down with Jordan Eaton, CEO of BOSS Assistants. She shares her real struggles and triumphs of entrepreneurship while juggling family life. Jordan also reveals her journey of building a successful virtual assistant business over the past three years while raising two young children.

Having experienced the overwhelm of entrepreneurship myself, I appreciate Jordan's candid insights about the "struggle of the juggle" and how she manages it all. She reveals her strategy of delegating tasks that drain her energy, particularly bookkeeping which she admits to avoiding completely in her first year—because "later never came."

Jordan offers pragmatic advice for small business owners feeling overwhelmed, emphasizing the importance of building a reliable team, detaching from outcomes, and implementing time-blocking. She even schedules family time as non-negotiable "meetings" in her calendar to create boundaries that support her business growth and personal wellbeing.

We also touch on my Business Therapy Thursday sessions as well, and why the connection with other entrepreneurs, the “chat” with someone who gets it, is important.

This episode aims to give listeners a better understanding of what Jordan calls a "life-first business", one that you run instead of it running you. 

Get in touch with Jordan Eaton:

bossassistants.com

linkedin.com/in/jordan-eaton

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]

Many small business owners struggle with the same challenges - undercharging, imposter syndrome, and fear of rejection. I dive deep with entrepreneur Almas Shareef to uncover the mindset blocks holding back her marketing agency. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we explore how childhood experiences shape our business decisions, especially when it comes to pricing and self-worth. 

Together, we work through the critical question "Why not me?" and develop practical strategies for breaking through these barriers. I share my tried-and-true approach for challenging negative self-talk and help Almas understand how to confidently step into her leadership role. This Business Therapy episode is perfect for entrepreneurs who know they should charge their worth more but feel that block every time they try.

When it comes to business growth, your actions and commitment are everything - aligning your personal “why” with your business goals is key for entrepreneurs to build through, and in spite of, challenges.

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]

I know firsthand that being a small business owner means facing unexpected challenges head-on. On this episode, I tackle a topic most entrepreneurs avoid discussing - how to navigate your business when life throws you curveballs. 

My personal journey of losing loved ones is something I touch on, while emphasizing the need to step back when we feel the call. Small business owners, just like in their personal lives, must take radical responsibility rather than falling into victimhood when facing setbacks. Whether it's losing clients, dealing with difficult employees, or managing personal tragedy, I provide actionable strategies for founders to build resilience. 

Entrepreneurs might isolate themselves during tough times, and I explain why they shouldn’t, and how finding the right support network or business coach can be transformative/

This episode is a reminder that the best kind of entrepreneurship comes from developing the mental fortitude to weather any storm and emerge stronger. 

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]

I sit down with Rhiannon Franz from REVIVE Marketing in this episode of The Stern Truth. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey from corporate advertising to small business ownership. I was fascinated by her story, including her initial side hustle as an Airbnb host that taught her the fundamentals of running a business while maintaining her corporate job.

Rhiannon shares her own Stern Truth - the stark differences between working in high-pressure corporate environments and founding her own marketing strategy business. We talk about her experience in advertising, working with major brands at top agencies, and how those skills transferred to entrepreneurship. She reveals that her ultimate business superpower is developing strategic plans to help small business owners clarify their vision and achieve their goals.

We also discuss the challenges of balancing entrepreneurship with motherhood, the importance of investing in business coaches, and why knowing when to outsource is crucial. Rhiannon gives advice to business owners trying to "DIY" everything and the mindset shift needed to move from player to coach.

If you’re a founder looking to scale, an entrepreneur considering making the leap from corporate, or a small business owner struggling to find your marketing voice, this episode will help you to navigate major business shifts and understand the value of expert support.

Connect with Rhiannon here:

www.rhivivemarketing.com
[email protected]
Free Gift: https://www.rhivivemarketing.com/cash-out 

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]

In this episode, I tackle a critical question every entrepreneur faces: Do you have a business or a "busyness"? I dive into how entrepreneurs get caught in the trap of being busy without being productive. I share insights on becoming a more intentional and mature business owner instead of working exhausting hours with little to show for it.

I also introduce the concept of an Energy Audit - a powerful tool we use with private and momentum coaching clients. This audit identifies activities that drain versus those that energize you. My recommendation? Examine your daily agenda. As my mentor John Maxwell says, "Your success is determined by your daily agenda". This will provide actionable steps to help you restructure your day around revenue-generating activities that invigorate rather than exhaust you.

The Stern Truth is that building a successful, sustainable business requires focus, intentionality, and the courage to build a team rather than trying to do everything yourself. I challenge you to take immediate action toward transforming your "busyness" into a true business, supporting the lifestyle you desire.

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]

I sit down with Jeanette Martin, a business relationship strategist and social media whisperer who delivers powerful mic drop moments about authentic connection in business. Jeanette shares her philosophy of "give, give, give to ask". She explains why building genuine relationships should be at the core of your business strategy, as opposed to focusing solely on marketing.

Both Jeanette and I know how challenging it is to stand out and make meaningful connections. She reveals why your credibility is now built in the comments across social media and how small talk can lead to big business opportunities. Jeanette emphasizes that entrepreneurs need to mirror their authentic selves online over creating separate business personas.

Jeanette's approach to social media as a relationship tool rather than a marketing platform will transform how you approach your online presence. This episode provides practical strategies to show up authentically and leverage social connections to grow your business. Whether you're struggling to grow your small business or looking to deepen customer relationships as a founder, you’ll find something for you in this episode.

Connect with Jeanette!

Website: mybcconsulting.com/
LinkedIn: @jeanetteymartin
Facebook: @mybcconsulting
Instagram: @mybcconsulting
X: @mybc_consulting

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]