Tired of feeling drained by difficult clients? Sometimes, letting go is the best way to grow! Listen now as our host Denise Cagan shares her candid insights on a topic many small business owners avoid: firing clients. It certainly may seem daunting and even counterintuitive; after all, we all want MORE clients, which means more business! But what if some clients are actually hurting your organization? In this episode, Denise explores 3 key reasons why parting ways with a clie...
You can have the most innovative ideas and strategies, but if you lack emotional intelligence, you might fall short of your leadership potential. Join us for an insightful conversation with Erica Emmett, founder of FYR Consulting (pronounced fire) and a certified Gallup Strengths coach, as she shares her expertise on the power of emotional intelligence in the workplace. With a diverse background spanning law, veterinary medicine, and recruitment, Erica brings a unique perspective on navi...
Think you landed your dream job? A few weeks ago, a very excited young woman contacted Denise Cagan regarding an email she received from Denise's company offering her a very attractive position. The problem was that her company was being impersonated! In this episode, Denise explores how today's increasing reliance on technology has made the job market a prime target for cybercriminals. These constantly evolving threats are having a negative impact on both job seekers and businesses. &nb...
Join us in this fascinating conversation with Dr. Sandy Fiaschetti, founder and managing partner of Lodestone People Consulting. She is an expert in organizational psychology, specializing in leadership development, assessment, and coaching. Her focus is on optimizing people-related systems, including organizational culture, employee engagement, talent management, and executive coaching. In this episode, Dr. Fiaschetti joins our host Denise Cagan to share valuable insights. They discuss ...
Tired of hiring candidates who look great on paper but can't deliver? The cost of bad hires in time, money, and morale is staggering. But what if there's a better way? Robyn Grable, an award-winning advocate for veterans, disabled individuals, and those deserving of a second opportunities, joins us to reveal how business owners can beat the hiring crunch with skills-based hiring. As a Navy veteran and CEO of Talents Ascend, Robyn has spent over 30 years in HR, championing underserved talent p...
Are you feeling the flames of burnout licking at your heels? You're not alone. In this episode, we're diving deep into the fiery depths of entrepreneurial exhaustion with a woman who's not just an expert, but a survivor. Meet Julie Bee, burnout strategist, and author of the groundbreaking book, "Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and FUEL Success." With over 15 years in the trenches, Julie has been hailed by AP News, Fast Company, and Forbes for her uncanny ability t...
You can have great processes and technology, but if you don't have the right people-power you will fall short of your goals. Join us for a fascinating chat with Jennifer White, an industrial engineer and process optimization pro from The MJW Group. She'll share how she helps businesses run smoother, using data and a deep understanding of how people interact with systems and technology. Learn how to make smarter decisions, improve your processes, and navigate the tricky waters of technology ad...
Have you ever wondered how the hours you spend sitting each day might be silently sabotaging your health? Sitting for extended periods can lead to many health issues from poor posture to chronic pain. Today’s guest discusses women’s health, corrective exercises, and the impacts of prolonged sitting. For more than 17 years, Holly Beebe has empowered women of all ages to achieve greater fitness, health, and confidence. Her expertise spans across various life stages, from adolescence to post-men...
How can overcoming entrepreneur isolation and fostering authentic social connections lead to greater well-being and success? Today’s guest shares tips on building a thriving support network that fuels both your professional and personal journey. Meet Melissa Wesner, licensed clinical professional counselor and founder of LifeSpring Counseling Services, a group counseling practice in Maryland. As a Brainspotting Consultant, she helps entrepreneurs overcome business challenges and feel mo...
Have you ever experienced the chaos of a poorly executed onboarding process of a new hire? Today’s guest is a training expert focused on small business optimization. Dr. Tonya Robertson is the owner of Focused Training Solutions, where she assists business owners with the complexities of the onboarding process, ensuring a smooth start for new hires. Tonya’s path to entrepreneurship started during her experience working in corporate America. Soon she realized she was missing the flexibil...
Imagine you could pack one backpack with life lessons, not textbooks. What would you fill it with, and where would you travel to learn them? From Northern Ireland, Bermuda, Vienna, and more, today’s guest has learned many valuable life lessons on her worldwide adventures. Meet Meg Seitz, Founder and CEO of toth shop, a communications agency that focuses on the human and holistic approach to branding, marketing, and communications. Meg is also the author of “You Are Something New,” a 10-...
In a world where profits often take precedence, how are business leaders embracing their social responsibilities? Today’s guest has donated over four million bras globally, making essential items accessible while promoting environmental sustainability. Elaine Birks-Mitchell, CEO of The Bra Recyclers focuses on circular economy principles by recycling and reusing bras to prevent landfill waste. Recognizing a community need, Elaine balances social impact with sustainable business practice...
What is adversity? It’s life’s way of testing whether we’re worthy of an epic comeback story we’re destined to tell. Today’s guest is the definition of a persistent, self-made woman. As a single mother working in accounting, she faced numerous obstacles, ultimately leading her to resign from her job and embark on a journey of establishing her own thriving business. Meet Nesha Pai, CPA, owner and CEO of Pai CPA, LLC, and author of the award-winning book “Overcoming Ordinary Obstacles”. She is ...
As an entrepreneur, how are you building, scaling, or growing your business? Maybe you’re focusing on one or all. Today’s guest shares how she uses shortcuts to help businesses succeed at all three! Beate Chelette is the author of “Happy Woman, Happy World,” a book dedicated to sharing the challenges that working mothers face and how the lack of a code amongst women is detrimental to their personal development as leaders. Beate dishes about her experience as an immigrant, entrepreneur, and bu...
Can you imagine losing half your body weight? In today's episode, our guest opens up about her journey, recounting experiences as a wife, mother, former nurse, and business owner. She reflects on how these diverse aspects of her life have intricately shaped the professional she has become today. Amy Singleton, founder of Hite Digital, shares her journey in which she lost half her body weight by undergoing bypass surgery. She discusses how she found purpose in life after struggling with her we...
Transparency strengthens business accountability. As business owners, it is important to hold your business accountable for its actions, decisions, and impact on society. Unfortunately, there is a lot of dishonesty in the US Financial System including crimes like tax fraud and money laundering. To combat these dishonest practices, the Corporate Transparency Act was created. Today’s guest, Shahara Wright, business law attorney and owner of The Wright Firm, works with small businesses and...
Failure, a word often associated with a lack of success, but have you ever heard of a success story without a little bit of failure? As business owners, it is important to embrace failure as it keeps us humble, makes us stronger, and is inevitable. Today’s guest shares a unique perspective, suggesting that failure is not a true defeat but rather an opportunity for learning and growth. Alane Boyd is a serial entrepreneur, passionate leader, and a high-growth founder. In today’s episode, ...
Are your team members experiencing a sense of purpose in your company? Recognizing and fostering employee motivation is important for enhancing the overall employee experience. It's essential for employees to see the connection between their roles and the larger organizational goals. Today’s guest emphasizes the significance of purpose within an organization and cultivating a culture in which employees feel appreciated. Sonya Shelton, a member of the Forbes Coaches Council and a certified mas...
Are you a spontaneous spender, a meticulous planner, or something in between? As an entrepreneur, mastering the art of budgeting and forecasting is essential to your business’s success. In 2024, you likely have goals in mind such as income targets, client acquisition, or profitability. In this episode of Denise’s Opinions, Denise shares the difference between a budget and a forecast and how to use each plan effectively. Denise emphasizes the importance of embracing data despite its intimidati...
As a business owner, are you prioritizing your employees' well-being? With the evolving needs of the workforce, it is important to consider what your employees value beyond their day-to-day tasks. Today’s guest speaks on the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace. Meet Autumn Collier, founder of The Well Woman, LLC, specializing in supporting women with anxiety, depression, relationship concerns, and life transitions. In this episode, Autumn emphasizes the significanc...