Too Legitimate to Quit: Growth Strategies with a Pop Culture Spin

What title do you use for yourself? Is it shiny and official-sounding? And more importantly - do you own that title with action? You may show up as a CEO in front of other people, but do you treat yourself like one? Do you honor yourself, reward yourself, and challenge yourself appropriately or are you waiting until after the next milestone?

This week, Annie P. sits down with supernova strategist and photographer, Dana Magnus. This episode is absolutely not about faking it till you make it - it's about creating the habits and attitudes of success NOW, regardless of what our metrics dictate. Dana argues that your internal brand story is even more important than your external one before looking at the curmudgeon that launched a thousand laughs, Larry David.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

Is having fun truly an essential part of self-employment? How can we make people feel safe, seen, and supported and profit from those efforts? And what can we learn about seizing opportunities from the makers of the most beloved pencil of all time?

This week, Annie P. sits down with the zany and brilliant Liz Scully. A veteran movie-maker, polymath, and mastermind queen, Liz knows a thing or two about creating unforgettable brands and experiences. Then, she shares the fascinating story of Blackwing pencils - a product so cherished famous writers and animators are buried clutching theirs - and their unusual path back from almost certain extinction.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

Entrepreneurship is often freaking exhausting - sometimes it takes all our energy just to stay standing. How can we manage our energy, hope, and expectations when facing so much fear, uncertainty, risk, and challenge? And how can we cultivate an attitude of patience amid all the shiny promises of immediate gratification and subsequent let-downs?

This week, Annie P. sits down with Sara Dean, the fearless and fabulous matriarch of The Shameless Mom Academy. Sara has amassed tons of knowledge in her own entrepreneurial journey and eagerly shares the secrets of traction, imperfect action, and honoring the complexity of your clients. Then, Annie and Sara don their Richmond Greyhound apparel and talk about the lessons tucked into the lives of America's favorite football coach turned football coach, Ted Lasso, and his not-always-so-merry band of changemakers, pacesetters, and up-and-comers.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

Are you overworking, underperforming, or just toiling away at the wrong stuff? How do you know what activities to prioritize? Moreover, how do you shake the nagging feeling that you're sabotaging your own success? How can you own and monetize your unique brilliance - even on your most exhausting day?

This week, Annie P. sits down with Fabienne Fredrickson, who is nothing short of marvelous and brilliant. Fabienne issues a challenge - to structure for (not against!) our nature. What might change for you if you lean into the parts of your business that impact people the most while utilizing you at your best - and delegate, cut, or automate the rest? Then, Fabienne introduces Annie to her personal anthem, DJ Superstar David Guetta's "When Loves Takes Over," and shares how to get more of that heart-pounding, "gotta dance!" energy in your day-to-day.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

Criticism, rejection, embarrassment, risk, failure. As entrepreneurs, we face these unfortunate little demons every day. What would change for us if we learned to chase rejection, or at very least to welcome it? How can we detach from the pain, brush ourselves off, and face our fears day after day?

This week, Annie P. sits down with the wildly brave Andrea Waltz. Andrea explains that "yes is the destination, but no is how we get there." Her strategy? Go for no! This jam-packed episode is filled with tips on how to work with and grow from your failed attempts before pulling lessons on compassion, advocacy, and choice from Tom Cruise's most adorable role.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

Where does persuasion stop and manipulation begin? How can your community prosper without turning into a cult-like monster? And does your content have to be laugh-out-loud entertaining? We'll answer these questions and more in this jam-packed episode. (One could even say it slays.)

This week, Annie P. sits down with the brilliant and ever-charming Johnny Ball. Johnny is a persuasion expert, speaking coach, and the host of Speaking Influence. He also firmly believes Buffy the Vampire Slayer is the best show in the history of TV. Together, they unpack that bold claim, clarify the steps to persuade and empower simultaneously, and provide tips on surviving "Cancel Culture" and finding a wider audience.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

"That's a Monday problem." Are you procrastinating and calling it prioritization? (No judgment, we all mentally check out sometimes. Otherwise, our brains would implode.) But, how many of our habits are actually counter-productive? Where are we wasting our intentionality?

This week, Annie P. is joined by Nicole Tremaglio, who is basically the human version of this podcast. A branding expert and pop culture encyclopedia, Nicole shares why "not selling is not an option" and how to bring your style of connection and enthusiasm to everything you do. Then, Nicole and Annie gush about their mutual obsession, international phenomenon BTS, and the lessons we can learn as intentional or accidental community leaders.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

We may be human beings and not human doings - but it's hard to remember that when you're a small business owner with a ravenous to-do list. How can we get it all done without sacrificing ourselves? Can we shine brighter by doing less? And where does delegation come into play here?

This week, Annie P. has a fabulous conversation with celebrity event planner turned consultant Andrea Freeman. Together they unpack living life as "client zero," the intoxicating pull of external validation, how to reduce second-guessing, and more before diving into the high-stakes antics of rogue agents like James Bond and Jason Bourne.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.

Oh, entrepreneurship! So glossy! So masculine! So freaking dramatic (before you have healthy boundaries and fabulous income)! What's a heart-centered business owner to do? What are the secrets not only of growth, but of staying power?

This week is a riotous blast as Annie P. sits down with her long-lost pal, award-winning content creator, and renowned business coach Amanda Abella. Together, they reminisce about living life as "high-performing freaks," overcoming under-earning, bridging masculine and feminine sales styles, and more - before diving into the chaos/alleged crimes of The Real Housewives. If you're looking for entrepreneurial real talk, this is the episode for you.

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains tons of colorful language and f-bombs.

Update Description

Do I really have to make reels - and if so, do they have to be so performative and goofy? How frequently do I really need to reach out to my mailing list - and how often am I allowed to be "salesy" before they unsubscribe? With every social media and marketing platform imaginable, how do we know what strategies are right for us?

This week, Annie P. hurls these questions and many more at marketing super-genius, Elizabeth Ruth. Elizabeth shares tip after golden tip for putting yourself out there with passion and purpose before unpacking the magical "Power of Three" and the witchy sensation, Charmed.  

*Parentpreneur advisory: this episode contains colorful language.