Welcome to another episode of The Next Step Podcast! Today, we have a special guest, Hersh Rephun, the "Message Therapist," who brings a unique blend of humor and humanity to branding and communication.

In this episode, Hersh shares his mantra of "selling the truth with humor and humanity" and talks about the profound impact this approach has on personal branding. Hersh's shares how his background in comedy and advertising has shaped his career, and discover a significant moment where he discusses the myth of authenticity in branding—a truth bomb you won't want to miss.

Topics We Cover:

• Sell the Truth: Hersh's principle of selling the truth with humor and humanity stems from his extensive experience in PR, working with artists and creatives who valued authenticity over corporate spin.

• Balancing Humor and Sincerity: Humor can diffuse difficult situations and make messaging more relatable, but it must be balanced with sincerity and good intent to truly resonate.

• Personal Branding: Hersh emphasizes that all branding is personal, whether for individuals or large corporations. The key is to create a genuine connection with the audience.

• Overcoming Fear: Some clients seek Hersh's help specifically to incorporate humor into their branding, despite their discomfort with being funny or vulnerable.

• Distinguishing Factors: Personal integrity and unique experiences often become the most powerful differentiators in a saturated market.

• Adaptability: Hersh highlights the importance of being flexible and not sticking rigidly to formulas, as adaptability can lead to discovering what truly works.

• Personal Story: Hersh shares how his journey in stand-up comedy unexpectedly blended with his business, enhancing his ability to connect and communicate effectively.

This episode is packed with insights that will help you infuse humor and humanity into your branding, ensuring it stands out in a crowded market. Hersh Rephun's wisdom on selling the truth and embracing personal integrity offers a fresh perspective on building a sustainable and impactful brand. Listen in to learn how to to use your unique qualities and take strategic actions that will elevate your business to the next level. Let's make a plan and take action!

Social Media Links:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershrephun/

Hersh Rephun's Website: Get Message Therapy

https://getmessagetherapy.com

LinkedIn: Hersh Rephun

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hershrephun

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I'm so excited to sit down with Jennie Mustafa-Julock, a powerhouse in the business coaching world. Alongside her partner Meredyth, Jennie has crafted a revolutionary approach to productivity that empowers entrepreneurs to zero in on what truly matters.

Join us as Jennie shares her incredible journey from running a solo coaching practice to forming a dynamic partnership that perfectly aligns with her RV lifestyle and business goals. This episode is packed with actionable strategies to transform your overwhelming to-do lists into manageable, meaningful tasks that propel your success.

Topics we cover:

• The Power of Pivoting: Jennie shares how she shifted from high-ticket coaching to lower-ticket offers that are more accessible to a larger audience, explaining that you can make changes that adapt your business model to better fit your evolving lifestyle and goals.
  
  

• Intentional Work: We get transparent about how focusing on what truly matters can help you make significant progress without getting bogged down by endless to-do lists.
  
  

• The Make It Happen Method: Jennie shares her and Meredyth's signature five-step process for creating meaningful and actionable to-do lists is a game-changer for productivity.
  
  

• Strategic Influences: Jennie emphasizes the importance of being selective about who you listen to and being intentional about your influences.

This episode is bursting with insights to help you navigate the next steps in your business journey. Jennie’s expertise in productivity and her strategic approach will inspire you to take a closer look at your own practices.

By aligning your actions with your core values and being intentional about your influences, you can create a sustainable, scalable business. Listen in and discover how to turn your to-do list into a powerful tool for achieving your goals and driving lasting success.

Links:

Jenny and Meredyth

https://jennieandmeredyth.com

https://jennieandmeredyth.com/everything

Facebook: Jenny and Meredyth

https://www.facebook.com/jennieandmeredyth

Instagram: Jennie and Meredyth

https://www.instagram.com/jennieandmeredyth

TikTok:

https://www.tiktok.com/@jennieandmeredyth

YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/@jennieandmeredyth

In this episode of The Next Step Podcast, I am thrilled to introduce Monica Reynolds, the creative mind behind Vox Pop Marketing and the architect of the Magnetic Marketing Roadmap.

With 19 years of expertise, Monica isn’t just a brand strategist; she’s a brand navigator. Discover how she helps businesses create meaningful messaging and positioning that guarantees an authentic online presence. This episode is packed with insights that will help you transform your brand into a strategic compass for lasting success and scalability.

Topics We Cover:

• Authentic Branding Matters: Monica shares her unique approach as a "brand navigator." It’s all about guiding you to discover and embrace your authentic brand, not just fitting into a box.

• Learn from Monica’s Journey: From a jewelry side hustle to a marketing expert, Monica’s story is packed with lessons on perseverance and continuous learning.

• Define Your Brand’s Personality: Your brand is more than just a logo. It's a personality! Make sure it reflects your unique characteristics and values to connect authentically with your audience.

• Understand Your Audience: Before creating content or designing your website, get to know your target audience deeply. This ensures your messaging truly resonates with them.

• Effective Messaging is Key: If you’re not clear about your brand, your audience won’t be either. Clear, consistent messaging attracts the right clients who are already excited to work with you.

• Strategic Content Creation: It’s not just about posting; it’s about creating strategic content that drives traffic to your website and educates your audience.

• Track the Right Metrics: Knowing what to look for to gauge your success is essential. Metrics like website traffic and conversion rates help you understand if your messaging is effective.

This episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the next steps in your branding journey. Monica’s expertise in creating clear, compelling messaging and her strategic approach to branding will inspire you to take a closer look at your own brand.

By aligning your messaging with your core values and understanding your audience, you can create a sustainable, scalable business. Listen in and discover how to transform your brand into an authentic, magnetic force that captivates the right audience and drives lasting success.

Connect with Monica:

Facebook: Monica Valentine Reynolds

https://www.facebook.com/monicavalentinereynolds

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/voxpopmarketing

YouTube:Vox Pop Marketing YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/voxpopmarketing

Vox Pop Marketing

https://www.voxpopmarketing.com

Personal Brand Accelerator Quiz

https://voxpopmarketing.com/marketing-quiz/

Magnetic Message Workbook + Audios
https://voxpopmarketing.com/make-the-competition-irrelevant/

Welcome back to The Next Step Podcast! In this episode, I am talking to Maartje van Krieken, a seasoned executive with over two decades of global experience in the oil and gas industry who is now a consultant for entrepreneurs and leaders.

Maartje shares her unique insights on leadership, crisis management, and strategic planning. Tune in to hear about her transition from corporate life to consulting and discover the powerful strategies she uses to help leaders navigate chaos and create order in their businesses.

Topics We Cover:

• Maartje’s Transition: From Amsterdam to New Orleans, her journey from the oil and gas industry to starting her own consulting business.

• Strategic Resilience: How Maartje’s personal experiences shaped her approach to leadership and problem-solving.

• The Chaos Games: Maartje’s unique methodology for turning chaos into structured, strategic action.

• Prioritization Techniques: The importance of asking "Why now?" and "Says who?" to filter through overwhelming tasks and focus on what truly matters.

• Emotional Attachment vs. Ego: Understanding the difference and how to manage emotional ties to your business while remaining open to change.

• Practical Tools for Leaders: Specific skills and tools that leaders can deploy to maintain focus and manage disruptions effectively.

This episode is packed with actionable advice that will inspire you to take strategic steps toward a more sustainable and successful business. Maartje’s insights will help you not only manage chaos but turn it into an opportunity for growth. Remember, it's all about taking the next step with clarity and confidence.

Connect with Maartje van Krieken:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/maartje/

Website:

https://www.thechaosgamesspeaker.com/

In this week’s episode, I am chatting with Jaycie Cormac, a dynamic speaker and coach known for her Maverick mindset. Jaycie shares her journey from a terrified six-year-old in a paper bag mask to a confident entrepreneur and storytelling expert.

Listen in as she reveals how she empowers women entrepreneurs to create powerful and relatable stories, whether they're on stage, in a podcast, or during a networking moment. Plus, you'll hear a hilarious and surprising moment that will leave you inspired to harness the power of your own story.

Topics We Cover:

• Empowering Through Stories: Learn how Jaycie helps clients use storytelling to build confidence and connect authentically with their audience.

• Attract and Repel: The importance of using your story to attract the right clients and repel the wrong ones.

• Humor in Storytelling: Even if you don't think you're funny, Jaycie shares how humor can break down barriers and create bonds with your audience.

• Practical Speaking Tips: Jaycie offers actionable advice on body language, tone, and delivery to enhance your storytelling skills.

• Storytelling in Marketing: Discover how to use your personal stories to market your business effectively and reach your evolving target audience.

• Personal Anecdote: Jaycie shares a humorous encounter at a grocery store that beautifully illustrates setting boundaries and relating personal stories to business.

Jaycie's insights and practical tips will empower you to take the next step in scaling your business, ensuring it remains sustainable and impactful. Don't miss out on these valuable lessons that will help you create meaningful connections and take decisive actions toward your entrepreneurial goals.

Tune in to this episode to uncover how storytelling can transform your business approach, helping you to engage your audience authentically and strategically.

Connect with Jaycie:

LinkedIn:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayciecormac/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/jayciecormac

https://www.facebook.com/groups/onfirespeakers

Website:

https://cartwheelsandbananapeels.com/

Need a fresh perspective on how to streamline your business for success? Join us in this episode of The Next Step Podcast with Kara Laws, a business educator and systems expert. Kara shares her extensive experience in helping businesses move from operational chaos to a streamlined, system-driven clarity that fosters growth and efficiency.

Kara's journey from managing her own struggling business to teaching others the foundational skills of proper business systems is both inspiring and instructional. If you're ready to understand the essentials of creating a business that not only sustains but also scales beautifully, you won't want to miss the practical strategies Kara unpacks in this episode!

Topics We Covered:

• Understanding Systems: Kara emphasizes the critical role systems play in business growth, allowing for scalability and efficiency.

• The Foundation of Branding: Learn why your brand is more than just your logo and how deep understanding of branding can drive customer loyalty and business identity.

• Financial Management Insights: Gain insights into the often-neglected area of financial oversight where many businesses falter.

• Personal Entrepreneurial Journey: Kara shares her personal business journey, offering lessons on transforming business operations from mediocre to exceptional.

• Practical Steps for Implementing Systems: Discover actionable advice on how to start putting effective systems in place, including how to overcome common obstacles.

Kara Laws offers practical advice on transforming your business with effective systems. For all you entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by daily operations, Kara’s guidance is a clear call to action to start systematizing your approach for better control and scalability. It’s about crafting a strategy that aligns with your business goals and empowers your team for sustained success.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to reshape your business framework and propel your business to new heights. Let’s take action and turn those plans into reality!

Connect with Kara:

Facebook: https://launchedacademy.com

Instagram: https://instagram.com/launchedacademy

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@launchedacademy

Links mentioned in this episode:

Quiz: https://launched-academy.involve.me/foundations-quiz

Website: https://launchedacademy.com

Book: https://launchedacademy.com/product/dont-suck-at-business/

Launch Academy: https://launchedacademy.com/launch-your-business-academy/

Need a burst of motivation to tackle your big goals, both in business and life?! Tune in to today’s episode of The Next Step Podcast with Jacklin Drake, a leadership coach who specializes in helping her clients really “see” their future.

Jacklin's journey from the nonprofit world to empowering leaders with her unique approach to vision boards is nothing short of inspirational. If you're curious about transforming the way you visualize and pursue your goals, you'll want to hear the simple, but incredibly effective strategies Jacklin shares in this episode!

Key Takeaways:

• Discover how Jacklin found her calling in leadership coaching, moving from structured nonprofit roles to guiding leaders to visualize and achieve their dreams.

• Jacklin breaks down her transformative use of vision boards, illustrating how turning goals into visual representations can fuel daily motivation and drive success.

• Learn the nuts and bolts of crafting a vision board that resonates with your personal and professional aspirations, complete with practical tips from Jacklin.

• Hear direct from Jacklin about the profound impact vision boards have had on her clients, helping them find clarity and direction.

• Find out how to keep your vision board dynamic—reflecting achieved milestones and evolving goals to keep pace with your growth.

In this episode, Jacklin Drake offers up practical advice on how to use vision boards to not just dream, but do!

For all you small business owners feeling bogged down by the day-to-day, Jacklin’s strategies are a clear call to action to start visualizing your path to success more strategically.

It’s about setting up a game plan that not only aligns with your business vision but also sparks sustained growth and passion. Don’t miss out on this chance to transform your approach and truly scale your business to new heights. Let’s dive in and make those visions a reality!

Connect with Jacklin:

Facebook:

Effective Ministry Solutions

Instagram:

Instagram (@effective_ministry_solutions)

Links mentioned in this episode:

Vision Board Workshop: Unlock Your Vision for Business, Ministry and Home

This week on the Next Step Podcast, we're diving into an area that is crucial for your business growth: lead generation using the power of quizzes to understand your audience and call out your ideal clients.

It's about making your audience feel seen, heard, and understood, setting the foundation for a lasting relationship.

To do that, I am interviewing the Quiz Queen herself, Catherine O'Leary, who is joining us to unravel the secrets behind crafting quizzes that not only attract but also convert. Catherine speaks from her three decades in market research and consumer insights, aimed at helping you connect with your ideal clients like never before.

If you're curious about how a well-designed quiz can transform your client connection strategy, this episode is a goldmine. Let's take Catherine's expert advice to heart, and start crafting quizzes that not only engage but also empower our clients to take that next crucial step with us.

Topics We Covered:

• Catherine shares her journey from corporate market research to become an indispensable asset for entrepreneurs looking to hone in on their client connection strategies.
  
  
• Understand the difference between market research surveys and quizzes to determine which one is best for your business
  
  
• Learn why starting with the end in mind and working backwards is crucial in quiz design, ensuring every question aligns with the ultimate goal of your quiz.
  
  
• Tips on creating a compelling quiz hook and the significance of addressing your clients’ needs in their language, ensuring clarity over cleverness to resonate with your audience.
  
  
• Catherine highlights the importance of making quizzes a reflection of your personality and brand, ensuring consistency and authenticity in client interactions.

This episode with Catherine makes it clear that the right quiz can be a game-changer in how you connect with and convert your audience. Her wisdom peels back the layers on how strategic questioning can bring you closer to understanding and serving your clients better, ultimately paving the way for sustainable business growth.

Connect with Catherine:

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/colireland/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/catharineoleary/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/thequizqueen/

Links mentioned in this episode:

Catherine's Quiz: https://quizformybiz.com/

The High Achiever's Diagnoistic: https://alisonleighsimmons.com/quiz