Unpredicted Entrepreneur

Welcome to Episode 112 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! If you're looking to be inspired by real stories of business ownership and franchising, you won’t want to miss this conversation. Hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske welcome Stephanie Valadez, Owner and Senior Care Advisor of Assisted Living Locators in Flower Mound and Denton County.Stephanie shares her journey from an HR professional with a passion for purpose to becoming a mission-driven franchise owner in senior care. She opens up about the challenges of transitioning out of corporate life, the emotional and financial decisions behind entrepreneurship, and how she navigated the franchise due diligence process.Tune in to hear:What it really takes to build a business where compassion matters as much as competenceHow franchising offers support, community, and the opportunity for real impactStephanie's insights on handling self-doubt, learning new skills, and overcoming mistakes as a first-time entrepreneurWhether you're interested in franchising, business ownership, or making a difference, this episode has practical advice and inspiration for anyone exploring a new path.🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe to the ‪@yourlocalfranchiseexperts‬ YouTube channel for more real stories and expert advice on franchising, business ownership, and entrepreneurship!Interested in connecting or learning more about franchising?Connect with Sara   / sarawaskow  Connect with Roxanne   / roxannerapske  Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/

Ready to learn what truly sets successful franchises apart? In episode 111 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur, hosts Roxanne Rapske and Sara Waskow sit down with brothers Justin Donat and Raymond Donat, the founders of True North Restoration, to discuss the real keys to thriving in business ownership and franchising.Discover why building a business on strong values and company culture is more important than flashy resumes or industry experience. From their beginnings in carpet cleaning to growing a successful restoration franchise, Justin Donat and Raymond Donat reveal how leadership, servant mentality, and collaboration have shaped their journey.You'll hear about:The benefits of franchising for entrepreneurs, including brand recognition, market resilience, and support networksHow to transition from an independent business to a franchise modelWhat makes the ideal franchisee and why a servant’s heart is crucial in any franchise businessThe challenges and rewards of business ownership versus remaining an employeeWhether you're considering buying a franchise, starting your own business, or just want expert franchising tips, this episode offers practical advice and inspiration to help you on your entrepreneurial journey.

In this episode of Unpredicted Entrepreneur, Mike Bahun, founder of ‪Fundraising Universityshares his journey and how he's changing school fundraising. Discover innovative fundraising strategies and practical fundraising tips to help schools with raising money more effectively. This video emphasizes creating a more meaningful approach to school fundraiser efforts.You’ll hear about:How Mike Bahun went from foster care and inner-city challenges to finding purpose through sports and coachingThe innovative way Fundraising University is changing school fundraising, no more door-to-door sales or candy bars!The transition from running an independent business to creating a fast-growing franchise, and what it took to scale nationwideWhat makes a great Fundraising University owner, with insights on mindset, overcoming common misconceptions, and finding your “why”Why modern school fundraising is essential, even in affluent districts and howMike's mission helps close critical funding gaps for studentsIf you’re curious about entrepreneurship, franchising, or just want to do work that matters, you don't want to miss this episode.

Welcome to Episode 109 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur. Today's episode is a masterclass in entrepreneurial reinvention! Join hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske as they welcome Mike Pearce, founder and Chief Development Officer of Renew Medic, to explore how decades of franchise experience, and a "retirement" that didn't stick, sparked an industry-changing venture. Mike grew up in franchising, inspired by watching his dad buy his first Pizza Hut in 1967. After holding leadership roles at Domino’s, ServiceMaster, and Authority Brands, Mike thought he’d hung up his entrepreneurial hat. But when the chance came to transform how disaster restoration is done, he couldn’t stay away.In this episode, you’ll hear:How Renew Medic took root from the existing Furniture Medic brand and why the old model needed a rebootWhat makes Renew Medic’s cabinet restoration model so unique (think: fast turnarounds, cost savings, and families staying in their homes instead of moving out during repairs)The importance of insurance company partnerships and what it means for franchiseesWho makes the ideal Renew Medic franchise owner, and what success looks like in this businessMike’s expert advice for anyone curious about franchising: what questions to ask, what to watch out for, and how to spot a winning team and cultureWhether you’re a franchise veteran, restoration pro, or just love stories of business transformation, this episode is packed with insights, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.

Discover how Dan Frey turned a career setback into the national franchise The Glass Guru! Learn about entrepreneurship, franchising, and innovation in home improvement in this inspiring episode.In Episode 108 of the Unpredicted Entrepreneur podcast, hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske sit down with Dan Frey, founder and president of The Glass Guru. Hear Dan's incredible journey from losing his job during his honeymoon to launching a cutting-edge business restoring foggy windows, saving homeowners money and creating a unique franchise opportunity.You'll get insight into:The founding story behind The Glass GuruTaking a garage startup to a booming national brandValuable tips on franchising and entrepreneurshipHow innovation and resilience can turn setbacks into opportunityThe power of business systems and bringing professional skills to the tradesThinking about buying a franchise or starting your business? Dan Frey offers tips for aspiring owners and shares why The Glass Guru is ideal even for those WITHOUT glass or home improvement backgrounds.

Ready to break free from the corporate world and redefine success? In Episode 107 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur, hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske sit down with Mudar Sapatwalla, CEO and owner of TeamLogic IT of HEB (Hurst Euless Bedford), to explore his remarkable journey from nearly 30 years in Corporate America to passionate business ownership.Facing looming layoffs and a desire for true independence, Mudar Sapatwalla took a courageous leap, leveraging his technical expertise and business roots to build a thriving IT franchise. In this candid conversation, he shares the practical steps he took, including financial planning, choosing the right franchise fit, and shifting his focus from technology to sales and relationship-building.What you’ll learn in this episode:How to plan your escape from “golden handcuffs”The power of a franchise support network and owner collaborationWhy finding the right cultural fit matters as much as financial successThe challenges (and rewards) of small business IT for SMBsEssential tips for starting your own business—including how to build a runway and choose your clients wiselyWhether you’re dreaming of entrepreneurship or looking for tips to grow your business, this episode will inspire you to take that first step, embrace mistakes, and create a business that’s rewarding—personally and professionally.

Have you ever looked around and thought, “I can’t do this anymore?” That was the reality for our guest, Tonya Middleton, who faced underemployment, raising four kids, and feeling isolated in a new state. In this episode, Tonya shares her inspiring journey from feeling stuck to reigniting her purpose by buying her dream franchise, More Space Place of DFW.Join hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske as they dive into Tonya’s story: navigating six months of red tape, learning CAD, driving a forklift, all while launching her new business in the middle of spring break with four kids at home. This episode isn’t just about starting a business; it’s about starting over, finding yourself, and inspiring your family along the way.Discover the challenges Tonya faced, how she overcame the SBA loan process, and lessons learned about networking, self-promotion, and the power of asking questions. Hear how owning More Space Place has changed her life, brought her family closer, and why she believes there’s no “perfect time” to start a business.If you’re considering entrepreneurship, franchise ownership, or simply looking for an authentic story of perseverance, hope, and transformation, this episode is for you.Want to learn more about franchising or connect with us? Check the links in the description for resources and contact info!Connect with Sara https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ FREE Franchising Resources - https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/

In Episode 105 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur, we sit down with Brigham Dallas, the owner and CEO of Hello Sugar, for a conversation packed with hustle, innovation, and an incredible story of growth. Discover how Brigham went from selling golf balls at age 7 to running the largest worm distribution business in America, and eventually building one of the fastest-growing beauty brands in the nation.Hear how Hello Sugar started in a humble 10x10 room behind a surgeon’s office and quickly evolved into a nationally recognized franchise with over 200 locations, and counting! Brigham shares the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, what makes his franchise model unique, and why having corporate employees who are also franchisees creates a powerful, collaborative culture.We also dive into the innovative approach Hello Sugar uses for launching new franchisees, the company’s receptionless technology powered by AI, and exciting new streams of revenue on the horizon. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a business owner looking for ideas, or just love a good origin story, this episode is full of actionable tips and inspiration.Thinking of franchising, or want to learn more about Hello Sugar? Watch till the end for Brigham’s advice and ways to connect for opportunities.Interested in learning more? Explore the links in the description to connect with Sara, Roxanne, and their franchising resources.Connect with Sara https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ FREE Franchising Resources - https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/

Welcome to Episode 104 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! In this episode, hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske sit down with Christian Buck (COO), Thomas Reinhard (CFO), and Cal Freatman (CEO), the founders behind Cascadia Pizza, a food truck turned franchise success story! Discover how Christian’s wedding pizza recipes, Tom’s business insight, and Cal’s entrepreneurial drive turned a tiny, 300-square-foot shop into a thriving, multi-location brand. Hear the inspiring origin story of Cascadia Pizza, learn about their unique pizza creations (think pear and apple on pizza!), and the radical support and real community that fuels their growth. Get insider tips on launching a food business, franchising in the restaurant industry, and how Cascadia Pizza built multiple revenue streams with food trucks, catering, and brick-and-mortar locations.🔥 Highlights include:-How food trucks kept their pizza business thriving during COVID-The path to profitability for new franchisees-Real talk on franchising, community impact, and legacy-building-The story of a young employee who rose from washing dough pans to franchise owner-What makes Cascadia Pizza a perfect opportunity for entrepreneurs of any backgroundIf you’re passionate about entrepreneurship, franchising, or searching for the next great pizza franchise, this episode is for you!👇 Interested in learning more? Visit cascadiapizzaco.com and explore the links in the description to connect with Sara, Roxanne, and their franchising resources.Connect with Sara https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ FREE Franchising Resources - https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/

Welcome to Episode 103 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! In this must-listen podcast, we’re diving into franchising, small business ownership, and entrepreneurship with our incredible guest, Rod Floyd of CMIT Solutions of Arlington.Rod opens up about his journey from corporate layoffs at Verizon to running his own IT franchise, and the tough lessons he learned along the way—like the dangers of doing everything yourself, the power of delegation, and finding fulfillment through community and networking. Rod shares real stories of hitting rock bottom, bouncing back, and how letting go of control helped his business soar with government contracts, multi-location deals, and industry recognition.Whether you’re considering franchising, looking for business inspiration, or searching for practical entrepreneurial tips, this episode has you covered! Listen in to hear honest advice about overcoming burnout, embracing your strengths, and building a business that works for you—not the other way around.#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #BusinessOwnership #Podcast #CMITSolutions #UnpredictedEntrepreneur #StartupStory #BusinessTips #inspiration 👇 Find links to learn more about franchising, entrepreneurship, and how to contact Rod below!Looking for outsourced IT help in Arlington? Visit www.cmitsolutions.com/arlington or call 682-277-3930.Connect with Sara https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ FREE Franchising Resources - https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw 

Discover the truth about franchising and business ownership! In this episode of Unpredicted Entrepreneur, Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske talk with Joe and Mandy Chapman, owners of Stand Strong Fencing of Fort Worth, about their journey from the mortgage industry to running a thriving fencing franchise. Learn the real benefits of franchising, how support from Horsepower Brands helped them scale quickly, the challenges of business pivots, and practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including why franchising is more than just “french fries” and how transferable skills like project management and sales can lead to success. Tune in for actionable tips on starting and growing your own business, building organic leads, and balancing risk with passion. Don’t forget to subscribe for insights and inspiration from real-life entrepreneurs!This video features insights into the world of franchise business and franchise ownership, as shared on the entrepreneurship podcast. Stay tuned for motivation and valuable information covering various franchising businesses and franchise models.#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #FranchiseSuccess#UnpredictedEntrepreneur #podcast 👇 Connect with Us:Contact Stand Strong Fencing of Fort Worth: 817-767-3034Connect with Sara https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ FREE Franchising Resources - https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw 👍 Like, comment, and share if you found this episode helpful! 🔔 Subscribe for more real conversations about franchising and entrepreneurship.

"People get caught up in paying a royalty, thinking of it as an expense. It's really an investment. You're able to leapfrog years of trial and error. I'll give you an example. The typical non-franchised home service business has an average revenue of $100,000to $200,000 the first year, whereas in a system like ours, the first year is a half million average. So yes, you're paying a royalty, but think about how many trials and tribulations and mistakes you're avoiding and that you're able to get to better unit economics quicker. I always try to encourage our franchise owners to remember that, especially if it's their first business. A lot of times, they're actually doing fantastic, and they just don't realize it because they don't have anything to compare it to. But when you're part of a network like Voda or another franchise, you're able to benchmark against other people. You're able to tap into the support of the franchise system. You're able to tap into economies of scale and purchasing power. The royalty is an investment into a lot of infrastructure that you'd have to pay for anyway, except with your own teammates, versus having a marketing department, having a COO that you can call, having a success coach that you can work with, and having a network of people that you can bounce ideas off of or vent to. Business is hard. It's not ever going to be easy, especially in the first few years. In a franchise, you have this tribe of people going through the same thing as you and people further along than you that you can tap into. That's really the power of being part of a franchise system. Could you do it on your own? Sure. Most of our franchise owners are successful people. Do I discount that they could do it on their own? Perhaps they could. It would just be harder, longer, and more tiresome than plugging into all the benefits that a franchise can provide."Don’t just chase the lowest royalty.What matters isn’t what you pay, it’s what you get. Stronger systems, better support, and higher margins often come with a slightly higher fee.In the end, the real question is: How much do you take home?We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ Why franchising shortens your ramp up time◈ All franchises are not created equal◈ Focusing on your return, not the royalty

“My father used to say, ‘Never go into business with a partner, much less a family member.’ And to some degree, he's right. But look, business is hard. It's hard to get something off the ground by yourself. You need to have other people with skin in the game. I think in our situation, a lot of divine intervention occurred. We filled in each other's gaps as far as skill sets go, and the things that we enjoy. I have more of a sales and marketing background. Josh enjoys administrative-type work. He enjoys creating things. He brought the IT aspect to the table; the things that he likes to do, I don't like to do, and vice versa. So it's just the way our personalities mesh. If anybody out there is looking for a partner, you can't have two yous. If you do, you might agree a lot, but you're going to butt heads, and neither one of you is going to want to do some of the things that you don’t do well. I think you need to find the right personality fit, and in any relationship, especially a business partnership, you have to be a good listener. You can't be dismissive of someone else's opinion.”A successful partnership isn’t about finding someone just like you; it’s about finding someone who complements you. In franchising, there’s a lot to juggle: marketing, operations, hiring, and customer experience. Having a partner with a different skill set and a shared vision can be a real game-changer.But partnerships require more than diverse skills. They demand:✅ Personality fit - understanding how you work best together✅ Active listening - respecting each other’s perspectives✅ Trust and communication - aligning on the big pictureFranchise systems provide the playbook. The right partner can help you execute it seamlessly.📩 Thinking about business ownership or franchise opportunities and wondering if a partnership is right for you? Let’s connect. I help aspiring owners navigate decisions like this every day.

"If you’re pursuing a business, it's going to take some steps of faith. If you have the opportunity to do something from the start, like I did, I had to get a lot of black eyes, bloody noses, and stubbed toes, all to put myself in a position where I can educate someone on a clear path. So I do think franchising is a really proven strategy. It’s important to find the system that's right for you and the right culture fit of the leadership team. I also think that it should be something that's meaningful to you. I believe there should be some purpose and meaning behind the concept; it has to speak to you. The number one tip that I would suggest is that, like myself, there were times in my life where I felt paralyzed because I was rehearsing my past, and I thought that that was going to prevent me from doing something in my future, or I was scared, or I didn't have the right resources. So my recommendation or tip would be: do it scared."Tim offers real-world honesty and hard-earned insight. Starting a business is tough, and building one from scratch is even tougher.This is a reminder that franchising doesn’t promise overnight success, and no franchisor will do the work for you. But with a proven system, you’ll have a clearer, faster path to success, and less risk along the way.Will fear show up? Absolutely. It does for all of us. But the key is to do it anyway. “Doing it scared” is part of the journey to your next, braver chapter. You’re not alone.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ Franchisors all have their “ideal candidate” and what that looks like for this concept ◈ Finding purpose in the product or service you offer◈ The fear-factor of starting a business

"As a business owner, you have to be willing to invest in yourself. We have budget and line items for social media, marketing, office supplies, for our lawyers, and different things, but we don't necessarily have a budget for our clothes and how we show up. You might have logo-branded material, okay, great, but how are you going to differentiate yourself, and how is that going to make you stand out from your competitors?" Most new franchisees are prepared to budget for marketing, staff, and operations, but rarely do they think of personal presentation as part of the business strategy. This perspective reframes how your appearance is part of your brand equity. Franchisees often rely on the brand’s name or logo to build credibility, but Elisa’s insight says that’s not enough. What sets you apart isn’t just your signage or uniform; it’s how you present yourself as the face of your local business. This draws attention to something often overlooked: you are a walking representation of the brand. In a competitive market, every edge counts. Elisa’s message reminds us that standing out isn’t just about your business's features and benefits; it’s about how you show up. Confidence, professionalism, and consistency in your appearance can influence trust, loyalty, and even sales.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ Using your wardrobe to be fun, authentic, and memorable ◈ Tips for building a wardrobe capsule that fits your lifestyle◈ Transitioning your wardrobe: from corporate employee to business owner

"As an emerging brand and a relatively new business (I started the company in 2021), it's been incredibly valuable to partner with franchisees who bring such diverse experience and expertise from their respective backgrounds. One of the things I love most is the collaboration. We work closely together, and I’ve learned so much from them. It’s also been fascinating to connect with people from all over the country, each with different life experiences. That diversity has enriched the journey."For clients who are creative, entrepreneurial, or eager to influence a brand’s growth, emerging franchise systems like this one can be especially appealing.They offer a unique advantage: the chance to help shape the brand’s future, not just follow a preset playbook. Unlike mature systems where everything is firmly established, newer brands foster a more collaborative environment. Franchisees are not just operators; they’re contributors whose ideas and experiences play an active role in how the business evolves.It’s the ideal fit for those who want the structure of a proven system but are also excited by the opportunity to build, innovate, and grow alongside a like-minded, engaged community.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ From stay-at-home mom to becoming a franchisor◈ The value of working with people you like, trust, and respect◈ The culture of an emerging franchise brand

“A lot of people go into franchising thinking there's the corporate structure of who you're franchising with, which is true and it's great, and franchising is a great model, but you still have this one problem you forget you have to deal with. It's called people. People are not easy. There's not a book that tells you exactly how to respond to every person, every day, every scenario. The biggest challenge I see is owners, franchisees, and entrepreneurs doing the same thing. I can do this. I'm a people expert. I can manage it all. I know how to do bookkeeping and finance and accounting and marketing and supply chain, and HR, and I'm great at all of it. The reality is you're not, and it's okay not to be.”Many people assume that franchising’s structure and support take most of the complexity off the table. But here’s the reality: even with a strong brand and proven systems, you’re still managing people—and that’s never simple.You don’t have to be great at everything. Franchise ownership isn’t about doing it all—it’s about knowing when to lean on others.Shifting from a “do-it-all” mindset to “build-the-right-team” can be the key to avoiding burnout, staying out of trouble, and setting yourself up for long-term success.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ The beauty of “fractional” HR expertise◈ What’s the difference between a contractor and a W-2 employee?◈ Why it makes sense to bring in HR before you have an issue

“We're so different. If you built us from the ground up right now, you couldn't make us any more different than we are. Yet, we make great business partners because we have a common goal. One of the things that I always try to coach people on, when I'm talking to them about leaving corporate America and considering owning a business, is their WHY. It seems kind of trite, but it is about the WHY. What are you trying to get to? What is your bigger goal, and what are your values? That's how we tried to approach deciding on a business when we worked with you. You gave us four wildly different opportunities to look at through FranNet, which I thought was pretty amazing. I was like, ‘man, you couldn't have made these any more different if you built 'em from the ground up.’ But then, we made our decision based on what aligns with our values and what aligns with where we are going. It wasn't only about what Greg's good at or what I'm good at, or what he's passionate about, or what I'm passionate about. It was more about what serves the bigger goal for us as a family and the legacy we want to build.If your WHY isn’t big enough, business ownership likely won’t happen for you. Passion and skill only take you so far—you need a reason that keeps you going when things get hard. Greg and Gayle chose their business not solely based on interests, but on what aligned with their values and the legacy they want to build. That clarity gave them direction and staying power. If you’re exploring franchise ownership, start with your WHY. Without it, you risk building someone else’s dream in your next job, instead of owning a business that fuels your life.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ Working through the start-up phase when it’s slower than you’d like◈ There’s more to owning a business than simply replacing a paycheck◈ How important it is to have a strong WHY when considering business ownership

“Our investment is $59,500.00. That’s for a 10-year franchise agreement. It gives you the rights to market anywhere in the U.S. Our franchisees are allowed to have 200 protected businesses at any one time in our CRM system, so that way they're protected. No other franchisee can target those prospects. Two hundred prospects will take you a few months to work through. It doesn't sound like a lot, but it is a lot. The way we operate with clients is that we share in the savings 50/50. For every thousand dollars we save a client, they keep the first five hundred, then we invoice them five hundred. Our contracts provide an option for a business to engage with us for 36 months or 60 months. The key difference is with the 36 months, which is three-years of recurring revenue for a franchisee every month for the next 36 months, (I call it our base model contract), where we go in, we negotiate, we get the best prices because of our benchmark data, our back office, and our centralized system.We know at any point what a client should be paying for a particular service or good. Our second pricing option is 60 months. This is what I loved about P3 when I got involved. If you sign up a client, you want to keep that recurring revenue coming in for as long as you can. With our 60-month option, we monitor the invoices and contract compliance over that period, and we're still sharing in the savings 50/50. That doesn't change. Some clients prefer us to be in and out pretty quickly. They just want the savings and that's it. 85% of our clients opt for 60 months because, once they see what we do and the monitoring and what's involved in the heavy lifting, they're happy for us to continue to be involved with their business.We've got some clients who’ve signed up for another 60 months after the initial 60-month period expires. They see the value. So our model's based on lowering cost over a period of time.“This franchise model offers a rare blend of low startup investment and long-term recurring revenue. For just $59,500, franchisees gain nationwide marketing rights and exclusive access to 200 protected prospects, which gives them a focused, manageable pipeline with no overlap or internal competition.What truly sets this apart is the performance-based, recurring revenue model:Franchisees earn 50% of all verified client savings, creating a built-in incentive to deliver results.36 or 60-month contracts create a steady monthly income stream.85% of clients opt for the longer 60-month term, showing high satisfaction and trust in the ongoing value provided.Renewal beyond 60 months is common, compounding long-term earnings.The franchise provides centralized pricing intelligence and negotiation support, enabling franchisees to deliver expert-level value without needing deep industry knowledge.Unlike traditional franchises with inventory, leases, or large teams, this lean, service-based model scales with clients, not overhead. It’s ideal for those seeking a professional, executive model with strong income potential and meaningful client impact.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ Scaling a consulting business vs. a brick-and-mortar business◈ How things out of your control can affect your business - like the weather◈ A service-based, low-cost, recurring-revenue business model

“I like to give everyone a checklist of the basics of marketing. I think you should have a one-liner. You should know how to talk about your business in a way that makes people shut up and listen. Everyone wears a sign that says, ‘Make me feel special.’ Rather than cramming your brand down someone's throat, talk about the problems that your company solves on behalf of your clients and make sure that they can understand the benefit of what it looks like to work with you. That leads to the next element, which is a really great website. If your website is clear, then people will understand what you do, and they’ll be interested in taking action. But a website has to be well optimized, and it has to have a clear call to action.“Amber helps demystify marketing and offers a clear, practical starting point. She breaks marketing down into manageable, foundational elements: knowing how to talk about your business, connecting emotionally with your audience, and having a website that converts. As the business owner, this shifts the focus from “promoting” your business to connecting, which can be more appealing for owners who want to build genuine trust and traction early on.We cover many current and relevant topics. A few include:◈ The importance of a tailored marketing plan ◈ Understanding the difference between doing your marketing yourself, hiring it out, or a hybrid model◈ There’s always work to do when it comes to marketing, even with well-established brands