Podcast Transcripts & Articles

Therese Cole-Hubbs – The Niche: Electric Karma – South Asian Weddings

Sometimes you meet someone with a unique niche and wonder “How did you end up in that business?” When I first met Therese, she was dressed in a beautiful sari, a garment traditionally worn by women from South Asia. What struck me is that Therese is not from India or Pakistan, she’s Polish, and she’s been the go-to wedding planner for South Asian weddings for over 25 years.

Want to hear how that happened and how you can learn to find your niche? Listen to this new episode Read More

What are you thankful for this year?

It’s an understatement to say that we’ve have a crazy couple of years. So, what are you thankful for as this year comes to a close. I have lots to be thankful for and I’m sure, if you take a step back, you do as well.

Listen to this short, new 6-minute episode and I’ll share some things we can all be thankful for. Read More

Are you ready for engagement season?

Every year I ask this question to my clients and audiences: “Are you ready for engagement season?” There are so many things that you can do… so are you doing them? From reevaluating your pricing to updating your website and advertising, what should you do? The short answer is to do something. If you don’t do anything, then you’ll see no benefits.

Listen to this new 10-minute episode and get some inspiration. Read More

Matt Campbell – The Niche: MyWeddingSongs.com

In my series on The Niche I come across so many interesting people with even more interesting niches. I’ve known Matt Campbell for a few years but I never really understood what he did, or what his business model was. In this episode you’ll hear how Matt combined a knowledge of SEO (Search Engine Optimization) to create a business that brings him income without having to deal directly with his customers… and it’s working while he sleeps. Read More

How much would you pay to make it go away?

Here’s another listener suggestion. Michelle McFarland and I were at a conference recently and she reminded me of a story I had told at another event that totally changed the way she handled negative situations with customers. Once the damage is done it’s often hard, or impossible to undo. If you are proactive, it might cost you less than what it would cost to try to undo the damage from negative reviews and bad press.

Listen to this new 7-minute episode and find out. Read More

Use your voice, it’s your only monopoly

Wouldn’t it be nice to have something that no one else has… your own monopoly? Well, you actually do, it’s your voice. The key is to learn how to use it to show people that you’re actually different, before they get to hear your spoken voice. Want to hear how?

Listen to this new 9-minute episode and find out. Read More

Should you announce that you’re raising your prices?

I love getting listener suggestions and this one came from Chuck Johnson. He’s raising his prices (yeah) and wanted to know if he should put the new prices on his website with a disclaimer that they’re going up on a certain date. Want to hear the answer and how you might approach this when you raise your prices (something I addressed on another podcast episode)?

Listen to this new 7-minute episode and find out. Read More

Tina Dannel – Pivoting with The Metro

Like many wedding planners, the pandemic threw a wrench into Tina Dannel’s business model. Then along came a 1958 Milk Truck that changed things, for the better. Listen to this episode and hear how The Metro has been a positive pivot for Tina’s wedding business, and how it’s added new opportunities beyond its original intention – a mobile wedding chapel. Read More

Try it because it’s difficult

Are there some things you’re not trying because you think they’re hard? Is it the fear of failure that holds you back, or something else. I think that the harder it is, the more rewarding it is when you succeed. So, what have you already done that you originally thought was hard? What’s on your to-do list that’s just not getting to-done?

Listen to this new 9-minute episode and find out how you can get past the “hard” and on to the “done”! Read More

If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product

I was talking to a speaker friend about all of the free services that exist today, from social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.) to business services like Canva, Animoto, Dropbox, Zoom and more. It’s very tempting to try and use those free services, after all, that’s why they offer a free version. But that can’t be the business model, there has to be a profit model for those services and sites as well. While I might try a new service with a free-trial, I try not to stick with the free versions. There are more features with the paid versions and since I want people paying me for my products and services, it’s only fair that I should pay for the value I get from them. That said, there are times when the free version is enough and lots and lots of people use them. So, that makes you wonder how these companies benefit. Some get enough people that upgrade and pay, and some may not. But, as Tristan Harris (a former Google Design Ethicist) said: “If you’re not paying for the product, you are the product”

Listen to this new 7-minute episode and hear what that quote actually means and it might just change your perspective on what’s really “free”. Read More