In this episode of The Systems Social Hour, I sit down with the one and only Melissa Herriott — artist, interior designer, and founder of Melissa Harriott Designs — for a real, unfiltered conversation about what it looks like to build a business rooted in authenticity. Melissa shares how a chance encounter at her high school art studio reignited her passion for creating, how her design business grew organically (and wildly) from a hobby, and why showing up as herself has always been her biggest business asset.

We dig into everything from how she transitioned out of a long corporate career, to the behind-the-scenes of managing a team with heart, to setting strong boundaries that protect both your peace and your client experience. Melissa shares her philosophy on starting before you feel ready, how she built her business without a fancy strategy or marketing plan, and why embracing imperfection is the secret to real connection. If you’ve ever felt pressure to have it all figured out before you start — or like you need to show up perfectly to be taken seriously — this episode will be a breath of fresh air. Melissa proves that building something beautiful doesn’t mean being someone you’re not.

✨ Website - https://mherriottdesigns.com/

✨ Instragram - https://www.instagram.com/melissaherriott/?hl=en

In this solo episode of The Systems Social Hour, I’m sharing a behind-the-scenes moment that reminded me exactly why I set up my systems the way I do. After connecting with a lead who ignored my pricing, scheduling, and communication preferences right off the bat, I had to decide: do I cave and accommodate... or stick to my process and hold my boundary?

I break down how that interaction played out (spoiler: it didn’t move forward), why it was actually a win, and how systems act as a built-in filter for the kinds of clients you want to work with. We talk about how to structure your inquiry workflows to reflect your availability, how to redirect people gently but firmly, and why your inbox, scheduler, and email signature can all be tools for maintaining healthy boundaries.

If you’ve ever bent your own rules only to regret it later, this one’s for you. Let’s talk red flags, missed moments, and how your systems can do the heavy lifting when it comes to protecting your time, energy, and sanity.

In this special mashup episode of The Systems Social Hour, I’m sharing highlights from five different conversations with systems specialists who truly get what it means to build smarter, more sustainable businesses. After realizing that some of my early interviews covered a lot of the same ground, I decided to pull the most insightful moments and turn them into one jam-packed episode — and honestly, it might be one of my favorites.

You’ll hear from:

Colie James on creating a client hub outside your CRM to make data-driven decisions and track conversions with tools like Airtable.

✨ https://coliejames.com/

✨ https://www.instagram.com/coliejames/#

✨ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxcLZK2bRicOuay5SiQ8luw

✨ https://pod.link/1626652456

Martine Cousineau Pouliot on switching to one client at a time and how that shift helped her create more ease and better results

✨https://streamlinedbymartine.com/

✨ https://www.instagram.com/streamlinedbymartine/

✨ https://ca.pinterest.com/streamlinedbymartine/_created/

Kelly McCracken on her brilliant kitchen renovation analogy and why “just one workflow” is never just one workflow

✨https://www.kellymccracken.co/?srsltid=AfmBOooSqWd-0G0mucHexfdFVeCK5TC4bGLHjqoG4cqyIIvdO1r8sfxC

✨ https://www.instagram.com/kellymccracken.co/

✨ https://www.facebook.com/kellymccracken.va

Beth of Studio320 on the onboarding zap she sets up for every client to automate the small stuff and wow her clients from day one

✨ https://studio320vs.com/

✨ https://www.instagram.com/studio320vs/

✨ https://www.facebook.com/studio320vs

Taylor Hedden on how to truly learn a system (with or without paying clients) and build confidence through practice and feedback

✨ https://chanelandlee.com/

✨ https://www.instagram.com/chanelandlee/

✨ https://www.youtube.com/@chanelandlee

It’s a little scrappy, a little experimental, and totally packed with wisdom from five powerhouse women. Whether you’re building your own workflows, setting boundaries in your service model, or still figuring out your tech stack — this one’s for you

In this episode, host Gianni sits down with fellow Dubsado pro and automation enthusiast Cait Potter to talk about one of the most overlooked but powerful parts of building systems: process mapping. We dive into what it really means to map your client journey, how to avoid overcomplicating things, and what to ask yourself if you're DIYing your workflows. Cait shares her best tips for simplifying complexity, why multiple workflows always beat one giant one, and how to make your automations feel personal without burning yourself out. Whether you’re just starting or already knee-deep in Dubsado, you’re gonna walk away with actionable ideas.

💻Cait Potter - https://caitpotter.com/

➕Forms & Flows - https://formsandflows.com/

✨ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/caitpotterconsulting

⭐️ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/caitpotterconsulting

🎥 Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@caitpotter

In this episode, Gianni welcomes Jade Smith, owner of Mrs. Smith Assist, who shares valuable insights on hiring and working with virtual assistants. With over 20 years of combined experience in project management and executive assistant support, Jade provides practical advice for both business owners considering their first hire and VAs looking to grow their careers.

Jade discusses the importance of not waiting until you're drowning in work before seeking help, and encourages business owners to view hiring a team as an investment rather than just an expense. She explains how to identify tasks that are prime for delegation—those that are routine, time-consuming, or require expertise you don't have—and emphasizes the value of finding someone with the right personality traits over just technical skills.

The conversation covers setting clear expectations through proper agreements, building trust gradually, and implementing effective project management systems to facilitate collaboration. Jade recommends tools like Asana, Trello, and ClickUp, but suggests that business owners collaborate with their VAs to find the right fit for their specific needs.

Jade highlights the importance of communication, boundaries, and mutual respect in the business owner-VA relationship. She offers guidance on onboarding practices, managing workflow, and ensuring both parties feel supported in the partnership. Whether you're a business owner considering your first hire or a VA looking to improve client relationships, this episode provides practical strategies for creating successful, productive partnerships.

✨ Website - https://mrssmithassist.com/

✨ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mrssmithassist/#

✨ Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mrssmithassist

Additional Links from Jade:

✨ What a VA Can Do For You - https://mrssmithassist.com/what-a-va-can-do-for-you-freebie/

✨ How to Find a Good VA - https://mrssmithassist.com/how-to-find-a-good-va/

✨ Book a Strategy Session with Jade - use coupon code CEOWORK for 15% off - https://client.mrssmithassist.com/public/appointment-scheduler/6000a1e9af321c53fdac1729/schedule

In this episode, Gianni welcomes Ashley Tindall, a chief systems officer who specializes in simplifying complex business problems. With over a decade of experience in project management and business analysis, Ashley shares her expertise on creating low-stress, supportive systems that work for both business owners and their clients.

Ashley discusses how to identify stress points in your business processes (focusing on tasks that consume too much time or those you consistently avoid), and explains why there's no such thing as an "all-in-one" tool—despite what marketing might claim. She emphasizes the importance of building systems that support your unique workflow rather than forcing yourself to adapt to rigid tools or copying someone else's process.

The conversation covers practical advice for DIY system builders, including when to introduce multiple platforms, how to know when you've outgrown your current systems, and the value of testing processes with real clients before automating them. Ashley also shares insights on creating a seamless client experience while maintaining your own sanity, the importance of team communication when evaluating systems, and how even small daily rituals like enjoying morning coffee can be essential components of a successful business system.

Whether you're building, growing, or scaling your business, this episode offers valuable guidance on creating systems that truly work for you and your clients.

✨ Website - https://solutionintegrators.us/

✨ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/solution.integrators/?hl=en

✨ Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@solutionintegrators/videos

In this episode, Gianni welcomes professional photographer and friend Julia Rohrbach, who started her photography business straight out of college and has spent over a decade helping businesses elevate their presence through her camera lens. Julia shares her journey from weddings to brand photography, discusses growing a team with associate photographers, and explains her systems for scheduling and maintaining consistency in her brand. She offers valuable insights about pricing in the photography industry, the luxury experience, and advice for photographers looking to expand their income streams or just starting out.

✨ Website - https://www.juliafayphotography.com/

✨ Video Vault - https://www.juliafayphotography.com/video-vault

✨Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/juliafayphoto/

Ever notice how a wobbly shopping cart can ruin your entire store experience? In this episode, I reveal how my contrasting shopping experiences—battling a squeaky cart versus gliding one with ease—perfectly illustrate a powerful business principle. The "Shopping Cart Theory" shows us that friction in business systems drives customers away, while smooth, effortless experiences encourage deeper engagement and loyalty. Consider how small fixes to your "wobbly wheels" can transform your client experience and dramatically increase retention, referrals, and revenue. Is your business a frustrating cart or a pleasant glide?

Welcome to the very first episode of The Systems Social Hour! In this debut episode, get to know your host, Gianni, as she shares her personal journey, professional background, and the passion for systems thinking that inspired this podcast.

Discover the origins of Gianni's fascination with business systems and why creating this space for conversation around systems thinking feels so important in today's complex business landscape. You'll hear authentic stories from her experience and understand the perspective she brings to discussions about optimizing workflows, client experiences, and business operations.

Gianni also outlines what you can expect from future episodes of The Systems Social Hour - from interview formats and special segments to the types of guests and topics that will be explored. Whether you're a business owner looking to streamline your processes, a systems thinker eager for new perspectives, or simply curious about how intentional systems can transform experiences, this podcast has something valuable for you.

Join this growing community of systems-minded professionals and enthusiasts by subscribing to The Systems Social Hour. Your journey to more intentional, effective business systems starts here!