There’s a big difference between knowing what you have versus being grateful for what you have. Virginia welcomes CPA, comedian, and CFO of the iconic Comedy Store Bob Wheeler, who speaks to the value of embracing gratitude and infusing joy into all aspects of his life. Bob explains how his own past issues with money inspired him to start a business to support others through their financial journey.

Bob hones in on why relationship-building and maintaining integrity in business is essential, and how making time to listen and engage with others can result in unexpected opportunities and growth. He also encourages business owners and leaders to be open to difficult conversations and to be okay with imperfection.

Prioritizing Integrity

[00:17:05] Practicing What You Preach

[00:20:43] Clarifying Your Purpose

[00:29:53] Understanding Transactional vs. Relational Business

[00:33:25] Taking Responsibility and Knowing When to Pivot

Embracing Emotional Intelligence in Business

– Focus on genuine connections with clients and colleagues rather than merely conducting transactions.

– Manage business in a way that aligns with your personal values, even if it means losing a client.

– Regularly evaluate your motivations and actions to ensure they align with your personal and professional goals.

– Get comfortable having difficult conversations and recognizing the emotions tied to your work.

Getting Clear on What Matters

Bob believes instead of striving for perfection, it’s better to reflect on what brings you joy and revitalizes your energy, allowing others to see the human in you.

“I think it's so important to really know what our mission is, what our purpose is in the business and in life in general, because they're not separate. I incorporate my personal life into my staff, my employees, my clients, the professionals that I work with. I don't try to keep all that stuff separate. This is me. This is how I'm going to show up, and I'm going to show up in all aspects of my life.” - Bob Wheeler

Connect with guest, Bob Wheeler:

Website – Bob Wheeler - The Money Nerve

Podcast – Money You Should Ask

YouTube – @TheMoneyNerve

Book – The Money Nerve

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

It’s no secret that starting your own business often involves overcoming significant financial and mental hurdles. In this episode, Annie Dickerson recalls her days as a brand new entrepreneur wrestling with self-doubt and reluctance, emphasizing the need for support and perseverance. Her story is not only about creating a successful business, but also about providing access for others to build wealth and achieve financial freedom.

Annie sheds light on the concept of spherical abundance, a holistic approach to wealth that goes beyond finances and encompasses all areas of your life. She explains how adopting this mindset allows her to embrace uncertainty, trust the process, and maintain a stable work-life balance while growing her business.

Expanding Your Reach

[00:06:14] Starting a Business to Help Others

[00:26:05] Simple Ways to Avoid Burnout

[00:34:40] Building an Online Presence with Patience

[00:47:14] Understanding When to Outsource

Tackling Business Obstacles

– Allow for flexibility in your business goals rather than sticking rigidly to a linear path.

– Prioritize self-care and take small breaks throughout the day to maintain your energy and perspective.

– Start with what you know and gradually expand your online presence, focusing on one platform at a time.

– Establish a basic proof of concept before outsourcing tasks to ensure effective delegation and management.

Acknowledging Your Superpowers

It’s not always easy to navigate the ups and downs of starting a new venture, and Annie encourages entrepreneurs to remember the inherent power they have within to cultivate the life and business they want.

“That speaks to abundance in a different way because you have it all in you already. It's not like you have to go external to find all this energy and these skills and whatnot. It's already within you, and it's just about being intentional to connect with that.” - Annie Dickerson

Connect with guest, Annie Dickerson:

Website – Annie Dickerson - Goodegg Investments

LinkedIn – Annie Dickerson

YouTube – @Goodegginvestments

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

Too many business owners feel like creating content for their business is a time-suck. Most business owners also feel unsure about why they’re creating social media content or YouTube videos and how those activities might be moving them closer (or further!) from their business goals.

In this episode, we explore the 80/20 rule applied to content creation, focusing on how to balance long form and short form content to maximize your business's impact. Learn the (very different) benefits of each type of content, understand which content aligns with your unique business goals, and learn how to effectively allocate your time toward creating content that will actually HELP your business!

The Difference Between Long Form vs. Short Form Content:

Long form content can be audio, video, or written work more than 1000 words and longer than 90 seconds. Examples include: Podcasts, Webinars, YouTube videos, Case studies, stories, articles or blog posts, guides, and whitepapers.

Short form content is less than 1000 words and shorter than 90 seconds. Examples include Facebook and Instagram reels, TikTok videos, YouTube shorts, and social media captions.

Applying The 80/20 Rule to Your Content Creation Efforts:

Spend 80% of your content creation time on long form content and 20% on short form content.

This approach helps in building relationships, boosting SEO, and establishing authority.

How Long-form Content Benefits Your Brand:

- Enhances SEO for your website.

- Builds trust and authority.

- Fosters long-term relationships with your audience.

Why Create Short-form Content for Your Business:

- Expands reach and builds credibility.

- Engages audience with bite-sized, easily digestible information.

- Utilizes trending audio and music for higher engagement.

4 Simple Steps to Adjust Your Content Creation Strategy to Align with Your Business Goals:

1. Evaluate how you allocate your content creation time between long form and short form content, aiming for an 80/20 split favoring long form.

1. Consider the specific impacts of long form versus short form content on your target audience and adjust your strategy accordingly.
2. Reflect on your comfort level and skills in video content creation, and seek professional help if needed to maintain quality.
3. Regularly review and adjust your content strategy to ensure it aligns with your business goals and audience engagement needs.

Mastering the 80/20 Rule for Content Creation:

[00:04:14] Understanding Long Form vs. Short Form Content

[00:06:17] The Role of Short Form Content in Engagement and Reach

[00:07:59] Benefits of Long Form Content for Financial Services

[00:10:33] Applying the 80/20 Rule to Content Creation Time

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website - Reaching Abundance

Facebook - Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram - Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn - Virginia Elder

YouTube - @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

When it comes to creating a new business, some dreams are too big to handle alone and allowing others to support your vision can lead to mutual growth and success. Haley Thomas from “The Passion Pursuit” podcast, shares why harnessing the strengths of others and fostering a collaborative community are key to turning your dreams into reality.

Haley sheds light on the strategy of asking “who” instead of “how”, an approach that has streamlined her business processes and helped her lean into the power of accountability and community support. She also embraces the mindset “Why not me?”, emphasizing that success isn’t just about what we can see, it’s about what we can imagine and create from within.

Cultivating Confidence in Your Vision

[00:15:15] Identifying Your Superpowers

[00:22:04] Building an Intentional Community

[00:35:38] Creating and Maintaining Effective Systems

[00:41:06] Recognizing the Need for Accountability

Tips for Navigating Entrepreneurship

– Consider taking a strengths assessment test to hone in on your zone of genius.

– Utilize project management tools to ensure nothing gets lost in the shuffle.

– Establish a regular check-in schedule with fellow entrepreneurs or creatives who can hold you accountable for your goals.

– Develop and clearly document your vision for your business, revisiting it often to keep you focused on your primary goals.

Leveraging Your Strengths

By identifying your unique abilities, seeking out supportive communities, creating effective systems, and embracing accountability, you can pave the way for a fulfilling journey to reach your goals.

"We're always looking at what we're lacking, at what we need more of, at what we're not good at. And I think that... we're not meant to play all these different parts or to be all these different things. But to really understand and see that, again, you have everything you need within you to succeed. And when you recognize that and lean into what you have, lean into those superpowers, everything else starts to become a lot easier." – Haley Thomas

Connect with guest, Haley Thomas:

Website – ThePassionPursuitCo.Com

Podcast – The Passion Pursuit

Instagram - thepassionpursuitco

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

Building a foundation for long-term success requires strategic planning and intentional action. From selling an online community she built to creating digital products, Danielle Desir Corbett, host of “The Thought Card” podcast, shares how strategic business decisions can lead to less worry and more freedom.

Danielle opens up about unlearning the grind mentality and embracing spaciousness in her finances and time. She also reveals her strategies for podcast monetization, including high-ticket affiliate marketing and securing sponsorships, all of which allow her to achieve more by doing less.

Diversifying Your Income

[00:07:33] Opportunities for Multiple Income Streams

[00:13:46] Details about Acquiring Sponsorships

[00:31:28] Optimizing Existing Content for SEO

[00:47:51] Podcast Marketing Coaching

Strategies for Creating Space in Your Business

– Evaluate where you can create more freedom in terms of time, energy, and finances.

– Consider succession planning for your projects: Could someone else take over and bring fresh energy while allowing the project to continue and grow?

– Explore passive income streams based on your expertise.

– Identify aspects of your work that can be outsourced to improve the quality of your output and free up your time.

Power of Experimentation in Business

Learning from both successes and failures leads to continuous improvement and innovation. Danielle’s experience highlights how trying new things can lead to opportunities to grow and earn money while saving time and energy.

"A lot of business is experimenting, not being emotionally attached to what you're creating, and you just put things out there, and then as you put things out there, you're like, oh, that didn't work. Take it back. Oh, this worked. Let's keep going. Add the fire, you know?" – Danielle Desir Corbett

Connect with guest, Danielle Desir Corbett:

Website – DanielleDesir.com

Instagram – @TheDanielleDesir

LinkedIn - Danielle Desir Corbett

Podcast – The Thought Card

YouTube – @TheThoughtCard

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

In today’s world, success is often defined by your bank account and your job title. For years, Jerry Dugan equated abundance with a seven-figure corporate career, but grappled with exhaustion and unfulfillment. After taking his wife’s advice to leave his job, Jerry embraced a life that prioritizes flexibility, family, and personal well-being.

Jerry discusses the challenges of redefining success, the importance of work-life balance, and the concept of abundance beyond financial wealth. Jerry offers valuable insights on effectively leveraging networking groups, fostering genuine connections, and creative ways to sustain a business during tough times.

Forging a New Life After Burnout

[00:09:01] The Impact of a Toxic Work Environment

[00:16:16] Starting a Business and Initial Challenges

[00:35:53] Networking Strategies and Building Connections

[00:57:51] Creative Solutions for Financial Stability

Strategies to for Personal Growth - Getting out of a rut

– Reflect on what abundance means to you. Consider how your current goals align with this definition.

– Identify and reach out to people in your existing network who can support your business or career goals. Offer value and assistance, and opportunities will follow.

– Make use of tools and platforms that can help streamline your work and leverage what you have to keep moving forward.

– If you’re facing financial constraints, consider flexible work options that provide immediate income while you work on your long-term goals.

Reevaluating Measurements of Success

Jerry Dugan's journey teaches us that true abundance isn't measured by income or financial milestones, but by the fulfillment and balance we find in our lives. Success should be defined not by society’s standards of wealth, but by our own values and the quality of our relationships.

"I had to earn a seven-figure income. And it didn't matter what I did, I just had to earn a seven-figure income. I had to have a net worth. And I at least knew enough that my family wasn't worth sacrificing for the money, but I still had this goal that I was chasing. Seven figures, seven figures, seven figures. Never quite reaching it. And finally I just realized, wait, what if that's not the thing?" – Jerry Dugan

Connect with guest, Jerry Dugan:

Website – BeyondtheRut.com

Instagram – @BeyondtheRut

Linkedin - Jerry Dugan

Podcast – Beyond the Rut

Get Jerry’s Book - Beyond the Rut: Create a Life Worth Living in Your Faith, Family, and Career

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

Aligning your business with your values can lead to a more fulfilling career, but what happens when your values shift? “Feminist Founders” host Becky Mollenkamp opens up about how pivotal life events, including the profound impact of her brother's death and the murder of Michael Brown in Ferguson, significantly altered her understanding of social justice and equity.

Mollenkamp also challenges the traditional notion of "imposter syndrome," advocating instead for a more compassionate understanding of self-doubt and its role in our lives. She offers practical advice on how to navigate these difficult feelings and make meaningful changes in our businesses and personal lives.

Learning to Build an Inclusive Business

[00:04:46] The Hedonic Treadmill and Capitalist Conditioning

[00:29:36] Impact of Systemic Issues on Business Practices

[00:46:43] Creating a Podcast and Community with Intention

[00:51:10] Integrating Values and Abundance in Your Business

Embracing Reflection, Rest, and Alignment

– Ask yourself what “enough” looks like in different areas of your life.

– Recognize that you deserve rest and that slowing down can be a form of resistance against the relentless push for more.

– Ensure that your marketing and communications reflect your commitment to inclusivity and equity.

– Understand that this is an ongoing journey. Continuously seek to learn, grow, and evolve in your business practices.

Books for Unlearning Racist, Capitalist, and Sexist Idealls

Women, Race, & Class by Angela Y. Davis Bookshop.org

Rest is Resistance by Tricia Hersey Bookshop.org

White Feminism by Koa Beck Bookshop.org

**move ALL of your book purchasing power (even audiobooks!) over to libro.fm and bookshop.org to support Black, Female, and other marginalized identity authors!

Evolving Business Practices

Business owners must listen and learn from diverse voices, particularly those of marginalized communities. This ongoing process of education and self-reflection is not just about changing your services, but about ensuring your business reflects your commitment to your values.

"And I think that's normal. You just start revisiting everything as you start to feel more comfortable…you will probably start to feel called to do that, because as you start to listen and learn, you will start to notice where, oh, I've been doing that, or, oh, I hadn't thought about the way I talk about that, or, oh, golly, what is my pricing saying to people? Or, you know, all of it, and slowly you just start to change." – Becky Mollenkamp

Connect with guest, Becky Mollenkamp:

Website – BeckyMollenkamp.com

Instagram – @BeckyMollenkamp

Threads – @beckymollenkamp

Podcast – Feminist Founders

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.

Clearly communicating your bandwidth with clients is a crucial aspect of a healthy work-life balance. As a business owner or freelancer, it can be tempting to constantly say yes to every client request in order to please them and secure future business. However, this can quickly lead to burnout, decreased productivity, and overall dissatisfaction with your work.

Kendra Swalls is a dedicated advocate for establishing boundaries with clients. Drawing from her own experiences of navigating a more insular lifestyle during COVID, Kendra learned the importance of protecting her values and saying no to distractions.

Prioritizing Personal Values: Key to Efficient Time Management

[00:02:35] Creating Abundance Through Personal Boundary Setting

[00:28:23] The Transformative Power of Stepping Away

[00:38:27] Prioritizing Self-Care to Prevent Burnout

[00:51:09] Authentic Engagement in Marketing Strategies

Maximizing Productivity While Protecting Your Time

– Implementing calendar blocking techniques can optimize time management and workflow efficiency.

– Recognizing internal cues of frustration and fatigue is important to avoid burnout and improve productivity.

– Balancing intention and authenticity in marketing strategies is key for success.

– Taking breaks to reset and prioritize self-care can shift individuals from survival mode to success mode.

Boundaries for Success: Client Management Tips

Transparent communication, self-awareness, and a commitment to authenticity are key pillars in maintaining healthy boundaries with clients, and fostering a fulfilling and sustainable work-life balance.

“The ultimate purpose of this is to connect with people. And if I'm not able to do that because I'm not in this 110%, then I need to take that break. .” – Kendra Swalls

Connect with guest, Kendra Swalls:

Website – girlmeansbusiness.com

Instagram – @girlmeansbusiness

YouTube – @girlmeansbusiness

Podcast – Girl Means Business

Connect with host, Virginia Elder:

Website – Reaching Abundance

Facebook – Podcast Abundance Business Page

Instagram – Podcast Abundance

LinkedIn – Virginia Elder

YouTube – @ReachingAbundance

This podcast is edited and managed by the team at Podcast Abundance. To discuss working together on your podcast or YouTube channel, book a Discovery call with Virginia.