No BS Agency Podcast

Big changes are afoot at No BS Agency. Why mess with something that works? It’s a risk, and trying something new can be scary, but taking leaps and doing hard things is part of having a sustainable business. This month, I’m going to dive into the whys and hows of shifting our business model and our offerings. In this episode, I share the background and the thinking behind it at this stage of the business. Later in the month, I’ll dig into the details of the new program and how it fits into the larger context of No BS Agency and the systems we teach that help people get serious results.I hope this behind-the-scenes look at how my business is changing is a reminder that your business will shift and evolve and sometimes, you have to burn it down and build something new.Tune into this episode to hear:How the business has evolved and pivoted over the last 14 yearsGoing all-in on No BS Agency Mastery Why I believe in taking big swings for myself and my businessHow I developed and adjusted the program in real timeThe major changes in the industry and beyond that made me realize I needed to shake things upMentioned:E. 252: Carolyn Herfurth Helps High Achievers Break Their Own CeilingsE. 150: Amanda Dahler On The Mindset Shifts That Allowed Her To Grow Her Business Exponentially​​E. 261: Leslie Silverman and Daniel Sanders: How Firing Every Client Led to Their Best Year Yet E. 253: Back to Basics: The Lead ProductResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupGet the FREE audiobook of Badass Your BrandStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

I’ve been revisiting some of my favorite and most-listened episodes, this month. And in this episode, I’m bringing back this conversation with Marsha Shandur. Just listening to her tell stories inspires me to dig deeper and I know she’ll make you want to be a better storyteller too.Marsha Shandur believes that storytelling is the KEY to ethically persuasive communication. A Storytelling and Persuasive Communication Coach and Trainer, she has taught thousands of individuals and groups of executives, entrepreneurs and professionals across the world, and has received rave reviews from clients like Meta, Royal Bank of Canada, HelloFresh, and Shopify.Before launching Yes Yes Marsha and her career as a Storytelling Coach, Marsha spent 15 years working as a Radio DJ, where she gained a powerful understanding of how to tell stories in a way that fosters connection, trust, engagement and loyalty. Her work has been featured in Forbes, BBC and Mashable.Tune into this episode to hear:How to use your clients’ own words to connect deeply Why the popular  “are you tired of…” sales copy falls flat and what to do instead.How tiny stories and emotions can make your copy unforgettable.The one thing every great opener needs (hint: it’s not “Hi, my name is…”).Learn more about Marsha Shandur:Yes Yes MarshaInstagram: @yesyesmarshaConnect with Marsha on LinkedInGet FREE resources from MarshaResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

How do you set your pricing?This month, I’m revisiting my all-time most-listened episodes and in this episode, we’ve got one of my favorites. I break down why your current pricing strategy may not be giving you the profit and freedom you were after when you started your business. And I give you instead the formula that will let you hit your financial goals without working yourself into the ground.Tune into this episode to hear:Why focusing on revenue alone isn’t the way to goThe 50-25-25 formula that gives you the profit, lifestyle, and freedom you wantHow the formula accounts for client ebb and flowWhat you need to schedule time for (outside of client time)Resources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

This month, I’m rerunning some of my favorite and most listened-to episodes of all time. This conversation with Laura Belgray is such an inspiration. She’s a great storyteller and a shining example of the power of finding your unique voice so that your work is unmistakably you, no matter what.Laura Belgray is an award-winning copywriter, founder of Talking Shrimp, and author of Tough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You're the F'ing Worst. She's written TV spots for clients like NBC, Fandango and Bravo; and she helps entrepreneurs find words that make buyers go bananas. Her course with Marie Forleo, The Copy Cure, helps you find your voice and sell your anything.Tune into this episode to hear:Where Laura took inspiration for her bookHow specificity and detail actually makes your writing more widely relatableWhy she shared some of her cringiest moments, and how she navigated writing about real peopleHow Laura learned to tap her own talent and spot opportunities to shine Learn more about Laura Belgray:Talking ShrimpTough Titties: On Living Your Best Life When You're the F-Ing Worst60-Minute Makeover Copywriting Mini-CourseResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

How do I get the right clients?That’s the number one question I get from service business owners.  Which makes sense, because being able to attract and close clients is a fundamental part of any service business. If you can't do it, you won't have a business. So obviously it's one of the most important things that you need to know how to do. That’s why today, I’m returning to one of my most-listened episodes, because it is packed with practical short and long-term strategies that you can use to attract and land prospects who are the right fit for your business.Tune into this episode to hear:Why relying on referrals puts your business at riskThe short and long-term marketing strategies you need in your arsenalHow to network smarter to actively seek out referrals and new connectionsWhy content marketing is a long-term investment in your businessHow the No BS model stacks clients so you have built-in time to work on your businessResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

The story of Leslie Silverman and Daniel Sanders of Hive180, shows what is possible when you fully commit to implementing the No BS model. Leslie and Daniel went “all-in” and the results have been incredible to witness.Leslie Silverman is the co-founder of Hive180, a brand transformation studio known for helping certified pros break away from their industry’s status quo. With 25+ years of experience across big brands, agencies, and entrepreneurial ventures, she brings sharp instincts, straight talk, and a refreshingly real approach to strategy. Leslie shows up with audacious authenticity — whether she’s leading a breakthrough or dropping truth bombs on the mic — helping experts finally sound like themselves: bold, clear, and unapologetically real.Daniel Sanders swapped Houston’s city life for Colorado’s peaks in 2010, diving headfirst into craft beers and fly fishing in Fort Collins like he was born to it. His career has morphed from multimedia guru to a web, AI, and strategic branding & design wizard, making Hive180 clients do double-takes with his digital sorcery. Known for his visual storytelling and occasional snark, Daniel’s the cool catalyst behind transforming the mundane into the memorable.Tune into this episode to hear:Why Leslie and Daniel fired their existing clients when they joined No BS Agencies – and how they rebuilt a list full of right fitsThe big mindset shifts about personal growth and money that Daniel and Leslie have madeHow the No BS model has brought freedom and ease to their business and their livesLearn more about Leslie Silverman and Daniel Sanders::Hive180Get the Hive180 Brand ToolkitInstagram: @lesliesilverman, @ds.photoConnect with Leslie on LinkedInConnect with Daniel on LinkedInResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

What if your job isn’t to solve a problem, but to cause one?I know, causing problems sounds like the last thing you want to do in your business or in your life. Most of us were taught to show up and help fix problems.But in this clip from our fireside chat with Seth Godin at the No BS Agencies Mastery retreat, Seth explains that the people who are really winning in business and in influence know how to create tension.Tension is what makes someone say, hey, I didn’t know this was a problem and now I need it solved! Which is where you come in.Seth Godin is an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn), This is Marketing, and This is Strategy. Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!). He is credited as the inventor of email marketing (the good kind) and has given five highly popular TED talks.By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has motivated and inspired countless people around the world.Tune into this episode to hear:How do you introduce tension and then become the source of reliefWhy the real problem is rarely what the client thinks it isHow the Lead Product fills in the story, clarifies the problems, and positions you as the solutionLearn more about Seth Godin:WebsiteSeth’s BlogAkimbo PodcastFacebook: @sethgodinResources:E. 253: Back to Basics: The Lead ProductNo BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

This month, I am sharing some of my favorite moments from my interview with Seth Godin that took place at our No BS Agencies Mastery retreat in May.Along with Seth’s incredible expertise and wisdom, I’m adding my reflections on how those truth bombs connect to the core strategies we teach inside Mastery.In this episode, we dive into why people actually buy (or don’t buy) your services. A lot of us–myself included–come into this business believing that the work should speak for itself. But here, Seth breaks down for us why that just isn’t true. Making the sale is about more than the work itself. Let’s talk about what actually closes the deal.Seth Godin is an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn), This is Marketing, and This is Strategy. Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!). He is credited as the inventor of email marketing (the good kind) and has given five highly popular TED talks.By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has motivated and inspired countless people around the world.Tune into this episode to hear:Seth’s personal experience showing that a product won’t sell just because it’s greatWhat creates the best conditions for your customers to say yesHow the Lead Product creates trust and confidence in you for your prospectsLearn more about Seth Godin:WebsiteSeth’s BlogAkimbo PodcastFacebook: @sethgodinResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

This month, I am sharing something very special with you.At our May 2025 No BS Agencies Mastery retreat in Brooklyn, I got the one and only Seth Godin to speak as our expert guest. In our private fireside chat with No BS Agency owners, Seth did what he does best, and dropped wisdom left and right.It was electrifying. Everyone in the room was furiously taking notes the whole time.So I’ve gathered some of my favorite moments–and trust me, it was so hard to narrow it down!–to share with you and my reflections on how they connect back to the core strategies we teach inside Mastery.This episode is all about how we make decisions in our businesses.Seth Godin is an author, entrepreneur, and most of all, a teacher. In addition to launching one of the most popular blogs in the world, he has written 21 best-selling books, including The Dip, Linchpin, Purple Cow, Tribes, What To Do When It's Your Turn (And It's Always Your Turn), This is Marketing, and This is Strategy. Though renowned for his writing and speaking, Seth also founded two companies, Squidoo and Yoyodyne (acquired by Yahoo!). He is credited as the inventor of email marketing (the good kind) and has given five highly popular TED talks.By focusing on everything from effective marketing and leadership, to the spread of ideas and changing everything, Seth has motivated and inspired countless people around the world.Tune into this episode to hear:What you have to remember about good decisions vs have good outcomesHow to evaluate your decisions A faulty thinking when making or evaluating decisionsLearn more about Seth Godin:WebsiteSeth’s BlogAkimbo PodcastFacebook: @sethgodinResources:No BS Clients LabNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Heidi DeCoux is someone I’ve gotten to know pretty well while she’s been growing her AI-powered tech company, Cashflowy. We want to improve our business processes so that we can provide more quality and value to our clients in the most efficient manner, and AI tools like Cashflowy can be a huge step toward making that happen.Heidi DeCoux is a serial entrepreneur who’s built four businesses with 50%+ profit margins and sold three of them, one of which was a 7-figure exit.Her latest adventure is launching the tech startup, Cashflowy.ai, an elegant AI bookkeeping, client invoicing, and cash-flow management software for small businesses that eliminates the need for a bookkeeper.She’s appeared in Forbes and other publications and has become known as “The Optimizer” because she’s passionate about helping entrepreneurs optimize their businesses and lives.Tune into this episode to hear:Why most bookkeeping is only 70% accurate — and how AI is doing it betterHow Cashflowy was designed and trained specifically for solopreneursHow Cashflowy helps you make smarter decisions for your business right nowCashflowy features that reduces mistakes and allows for more efficient financial reportingWhy the future belongs to billion-dollar, one-person businessesLearn more about Heidi DeCoux:CashflowyInstagram: @heididecoux, @cashflowy.aiConnect with Cashflowy on LinkedIn Connect with Heidi on LinkedInFREE Guides and Templates from CashflowyResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Jacob Kleinman Phillips is one student of the No BS Master program who I’ve been delighted to watch grow and blossom over the last few years. He is a shining example of our community in the way that he shows up full of energy, open and ready to share his wins, his challenges, to ask questions, and to support others. I am so excited for you to hear his story.Jacob is the founder of Touchpoint, a branding studio helping purpose-driven businesses and nonprofits turn their mission into a movement. Known for his strategic clarity and human-first approach. He blends storytelling with design to craft brands that don’t just look good, they move people.Tune into this episode to hear:How Jacob’s own commitment to giving back shows up in the work that he does and fuels his businessThe client experience that taught Jacob to lean in to his niche and good client fitsHow the LP interview has allowed him to incorporate unexpected, highly impactful details that perfectly align with clientsWhat dressing up in a chicken suit taught JacobJacob’s “aha” moment about the difference between a commodity and a transformationLearn more about Jacob Kleinman Phillips:Touchpoint DesignInstagram: @jacob.kleinmanphillipsResources:FREE GUIDE - Goodbye GenericNo BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

It’s every business owner’s dream: An email pops into your inbox from an excited prospect who is just dying to work with you. That doesn’t happen by accident.That only happens when you've put time and effort into building an entire ecosystem dedicated to attracting new people into your orbit. It’s called an Authority Machine. It attracts clients to you so that you’re responding to excited prospects who want your services. It’s what allows you to build a truly sustainable business for the long haul.This month, I’m taking it back to the basics and unpacking the fundamentals of building a No BS Agency. In this episode, we dive into the Authority Machine and how it gets your small agency off the where’re my next client coming from? treadmill.Tune into this episode to hear:How an Authority Machine is different from the social media content treadmillWhy building your Authority Machine is the “last step” in our No BS modelThe elements of an effective Authority MachineThe marketing efforts that just don’t make sense without an Authority Machine in placeResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Do your projects drag on for weeks or even months longer than you planned? Are you constantly chasing clients for deliverables or feedback so you can move forward?If you are, I bet you’re pretty sick of it. I was too. So I upended the traditional model.Now one of the core frameworks I teach in the No BS model is the Intensive. Intensives allow you to make more money, deliver more value to your clients, and reclaim your time and freedom.No more client limbo. No more endless rounds of revisions. No more scope creep.In this episode, I talk about why Intensives work and how they create more satisfied clients and give you the life you probably wanted when you started your business.Tune into this episode to hear:Why traditional branding and web projects often drag on for months—and what to do insteadHow Intensives help you deliver more value in less time (while charging more!)The exact structure of our $40,000 two-day Brand Up intensivesThe role of the “lead product” (like our Brand Shrink) in setting up a successful intensiveReal examples of how Intensives increased client satisfaction and our freedomWhat to consider if you want to implement Intensives in your own agencyResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Are you tired of meeting with potential clients, putting time and effort into proposals, and not closing the sale – or worse, getting ghosted? Maybe you constantly feel like a glorified order-taker and you’re tired of being a pixel pusher.Today, we’re getting back to basics and talking about why you shouldn’t be giving away your strategy for free and what you need to do instead to get off the client-chasing hamster wheel.Tune into this episode to hear:Why pitching with free proposals is BSHow free proposals enable scope creepHow the lead product positions you as a trusted advisorWhat makes it easier to land premium priced projectsHow to avoid the salesy free discovery callResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Carolyn Herfurth is a friend, colleague, and coach of mine who has helped me transform my business multiple times over the years. She is a genius at spotting opportunities and crafting new revenue streams for successful business owners who want to get to the next level, but don’t see a clear path.For 22 years, Carolyn has been instrumental in launching over 100 businesses and accelerating the growth of thousands more. Outlier entrepreneurs hire her as their strategic thought partner to make sense of “all the things” and re/innovate their business model for tighter alignment with who they've BECOME since they started out — and for greater impact.As co-founder of Impostor Syndrome Institute, Carolyn has played a key role in scaling Dr. Valerie Young’s groundbreaking work on impostor syndrome. Carolyn also enjoys delivering presentations and workshops to world class companies like EY, Dyson, Bimbo Bakeries USA, and Everest Reinsurance.Tune into this episode to hear:The pivots Carolyn has made in her own career over the last few years Carolyn’s question that changed the trajectory of my businessHow a third party can help you get to the heart of what you wantLearn more about Carolyn Herfurth:WebsiteBEYONDImpostor Syndrome InstituteInstagram: @carolynherfurthConnect on LinkedInMentioned:The 5 Pillars: Self-Assessment for the Outlier EntrepreneurResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

One of the hardest parts of being a business owner is that there is no boss. There is nobody to tell you that you’re doing a good job.When you’re the only person who can pat you on the back and validate that you’re doing the right things, it is so easy to get paralyzed by fear of making the wrong decisions.This month, I’m sharing key mindset shifts that will help you through the hardest parts of being in business. In this episode, I talk about how indecisiveness thwarts most small business owners, and what you can do to get past the fear and take action.Tune into this episode to hear:Why waiting for the “right” decision is secretly stalling your businessThe story of one massive flop that ended up being one of my best business lessonsHow to build confidence when no one’s validating your work but youWhy decisiveness is the not-so-secret sauce behind our most successful clientsResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

This month, I’m sharing the big mindset shifts that have helped me through the hardest parts of being in business.In this episode, I talk about the little mantra that has gotten me through some of the toughest times, from pounding the pavement as a real estate broker to conquering stage fright to starting No BS Agencies: Stupider people have done it.It’s a little uncouth, I know, but it was an easy way to remind myself that people who aren’t as skilled have succeeded in all of these arenas before me, so I could do it too. And so can you.Tune into this episode to hear:Why this mantra worksWhat will put you ahead of the gameResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

Cold, hard truth: Building a business is really hard and anyone who tells you differently is lying.No matter how much you love what you do or how experienced you are, there’s always more to learn, more to figure out, and new fires to put out. And if anyone’s telling you otherwise? Yeah… they’re probably full of it.It’s been incredibly hard for me too. I have cried so many times with frustration and fear that I wasn’t going to be able to make it work, even after I had successful businesses under my belt. When I started No BS Agencies Mastery, I went through growing pains all over again.This month, I want to share a few mindset-shifting ideas that I have learned and carried with me that have helped ease some of the difficulty.In this episode, we’ll talk about the first and foundational mindset shift I want you to make. If it’s going to be hard no matter what, you might as well build the business you actually want.Tune into this episode to hear:The kinds of hard work that hurts your business in the long runHow checklists and admin work make us feel productive without moving the needleWhat the right kind of hard for your business looks like Resources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of one of the most anticipated events in the No BS world — our annual in-person retreat in Brooklyn, NY! With 60 students flying in from around the globe, I share what goes into planning an experience that’s equal parts strategic deep dive and soul-fueling celebration.You'll hear why in-person connection is a game-changer for business growth, how the retreat is intentionally designed to unlock transformation, and yes, how I convinced a huge name and a hero of mine to come speak to our small-but-mighty community (spoiler: it involves a lot of heart and a little chutzpah).If you’ve ever wondered what makes the No BS retreat feel like a business homecoming or you're craving a clearer path to a freedom-filled, profitable business, this one’s for you.Tune into this episode to hear:Why I host 60 people at my apartment to kick things off (yes, my bedroom door is open—literally)The mindset shifts and strategy breakthroughs we create when we get in the room togetherThe big reach we made this year that absolutely paid offWhat past attendees have said about how this retreat transformed their confidence, business, and even led to a TEDx TalkMentioned:Hillary Weiss on Instagram: @hcweissTalking ShrimpLaura Belgray on Instagram: @laurabelgrayThe Fuller Center for HousingSeth GodinE. 145: Emily Wilkins on How Niching Down and Owning That Niche Allowed Her Business to ThriveE. 219: Eleanor Hancock on Making the Big Leap, Changing Everything in Their Business, and Finding the Most Valuable Piece of Any Client ProjectThe dilemma of the timid trailblazer | Eleanor Hancock | TEDxBrayford PoolResources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com

A few weeks ago, I did something that I never thought I would ever do in a million years. It was so out there that I can’t believe that it has come and gone and I did it.What did I do? I got up on stage as the lead, and only, singer in a rock band.Am I a singer? Hell no. So how on earth did I find myself signing up for the terrifying prospect of singing live in front of a room full of people?Today I’m going to tell you why I did it and why I’m so glad that I did it not only for myself, but for my business and for all of you.Tune into this episode to hear:The real gift of doing things that scare the crap out of youWhy entrepreneurs need to push their boundaries all the timeWhy it matters to me that I walk the walk and do hard thingsWhat's better than doing it perfectlyMentioned:When You Bank True Confidence, Anything Is Possible | TED TalkE. 11 - Influence, Being Your Brand, and How to Command the Attention of Any Room with Brett Lavender Resources:No BS Agencies MasteryThe Price to Freedom Calculator™No BS LaunchpadNo BS Agency Owners Free Facebook GroupStart reading the first chapter of my bookPiasilva.com