The Sophie Kessner Podcast: Recent Episodes
Sophie Kessner
An edutainment podcast by Sophie Kessner covering topics from motherhood, entrepreneurship, DEI work, systems, automation, online business and a dash of trauma.
This comprehensive guide will walk you through the step-by-step process of creating your coaching program and provide a coaching program template to help you grow your coaching business no matter what kind of coach you are. If you’ve never had a coaching business before and this is your first time creating a coaching program, this guide and coaching program template will help you to hit the ground running with your coaching services so you can start enrolling new clients today. What Kind of Coach Do You Want To Be? If you still need to get certified as a life coach, ... Read more
With the increased popularity of coaching over the last few decades, and the roar of social media continuing to amplify the conversations around the nervous system, trauma, and trauma recovery, clients AND coaches need to do their research in understanding the differences between trauma recovery work and traditional coaching skills.
Do you ever oscillate between non-stop work mode and burnout? Join us as we dive into the tricky space of navigating trauma and shutdown responses in the realm of entrepreneurship. It's essential to work with a professional certified in trauma training, so we'll be discussing resources to help you find the right practitioner for your needs. We'll also talk about the complexities of managing life as an entrepreneur, from relying on stimulants to understanding the deep-rooted causes of burnout. Learn how to create a sustainable and nourishing business growth plan while taking care of your emotional well-being. Don't miss this insightful and important conversation.
Experiencing burnout and emotional overwhelm in your entrepreneurial journey? You're not alone. In this eye-opening episode, we share personal stories and experiences while diving into the world of business-related trauma and burnout. Discover how my training in Somatic Experiencing has shed light on understanding different types of trauma we encounter in business, and learn how to recognize and address these issues.
In this exciting episode, we explore the world of marketing and its essential role in transitions, pivots, and shifts. Listen in as we discuss the importance of conducting market research beforehand to understand the needs of the marketplace before launching a product or service. This crucial step can save time and energy on the marketing and sales front, as well as provide proof of concept to take to the marketplace. We also touch on the beta test approach to launching products and services, which can help eliminate resistance points and allow for valuable feedback from early users.
We dive into the stages of being in the pain of a problem, becoming problem aware, and solution aware. Discover how market research can help create a product based on real, valid data, and how to use this data to create compelling content. We emphasize the need to ask people about their lived experiences, struggles, and wishes, to gain a better understanding of the market and create products that people genuinely need.
Finally, listen in as we discuss how to use education and empowerment to build trust and relationships with potential clients. We talk about the importance of market research in knowing our clients’ needs and how to share case studies and testimonials to provide proof of concept. Moreover, we reflect on the importance of being specific in our marketing, as this will attract the right people to our product or service. Don’t miss out on this episode filled with valuable insights and tips for launching your next big idea successfully!
In this podcast episode, we take a closer look at the personal component of business transitions, exploring how to ensure we’re meeting our own needs and taking care of ourselves, so we don’t become too reliant on our business. Listen in as I share my experience with a former colleague who built a successful business in the product space and how it’s easy to get caught in the paradigm of having to step into your purpose and power. We also take a trauma lens to explore patterns in life and our businesses that can be related to our upbringings and how we’ve adapted to belong in different communities.
Discover how our natural tendencies, personality types, upbringings, experiences, responses, and survival strategies can show up in our businesses. Join me as I discuss my disorganized upbringing, which has taught me to be adaptable, but also how it makes it difficult for me to stay consistent with something for an extended period of time. Learn how I’ve had to avoid making decisions from a place of trauma processing, and how I take that energy and put it into something that won’t disrupt the flow of my business.
Are you grappling with uncertainty about the direction of your business? Perhaps you’re contemplating a major pivot or just starting out on your entrepreneurial journey. In today’s episode, we discuss the ins and outs of navigating business transitions and share valuable insights to help you make informed decisions for your business’s future and personal growth.
Join us as we examine the practicality of business transitions, the long-term implications of the decisions we make, and how to recognize if a shift is simply a temporary itch or the beginning of a more sustainable path. We’ll also dive into the importance of setting boundaries, understanding your own needs, and finding clarity during these exciting yet challenging times. Empower yourself with the tools to make better decisions by exploring the emotional lens of business transitions and identifying your aversions and boundaries.
Lastly, we delve into the process of fulfilling your business vision and building a sustainable, nourishing enterprise. By taking small steps and testing your ideas, you can create a business that aligns with your strengths, goals, and passions. Tune in to this conversation and take charge of your entrepreneurial journey, finding the clarity and purpose you need to thrive.
Are you feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or fatigued in your business and life? Maybe you’re experiencing a lack of growth or momentum and wondering if it’s time for a change. In this eye-opening episode, I share my insights on how to recognize when something needs to change, and how to create a truly sustainable and equitable business that brings you joy and fulfillment.
Discover how to find balance and harmony between building and growing your business, and how the process can be both nourishing and enjoyable. Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or just starting out, learn the signs that signal it may be time to pivot or make a change in your business. Plus, I reveal my thoughts on shifting our mindset around marketing and sales, and how truly knowing ourselves and what we enjoy can play a significant role in our success.
Making a big shift in your business can be both exciting and daunting, but it’s crucial to listen to what’s truly right for you in this season of your life. In this episode, I discuss how to handle the grief of leaving something behind and how to transition into something new that feels true and nourishing. Tune in to gain valuable wisdom on how to seek out something truly phenomenal and embrace the fear and joy of the process.
Are you tired of product launches that just don’t seem to work? It’s time to step back and reevaluate your approach. Today, I’m sharing my thoughts on successful product launch strategies, focusing on sustainability, ethical practices, and nourishing foundations. We’ll explore the importance of strong foundations, market research, and creating a product that addresses a need rather than a want. If you’re ready to revolutionize your launches, listen in as we discuss how to future-proof and recession-proof your business by focusing on the problems you’re solving for your target audience.
But that’s not all! We’ll also talk about understanding the market and asking hard questions before attempting to amplify your business. I’ll share my insights on why high ticket offers may not be the answer for every business model and how to create an evergreen method that works for you. By the end of this episode, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to launch a successful product while building a strong business foundation.
In today’s episode, we tackle the reality of building a sustainable business that works for you and your lifestyle. Listen in as we discuss the challenges of moving away from business practices that may have been financially beneficial but emotionally destructive. We start with the topic of debt and explore how to balance the need to build something sustainable while navigating the emotional depth of supplementing income and having less money during the transition. We’ll also share the importance of financial literacy in understanding our numbers and the pitfalls of getting stuck in the hamster wheel of always having to make more money.
Join us as we explore the importance of setting realistic expectations when transitioning out of a full-time job and into a business. We’ll cover the significance of understanding and planning for the financial implications of the transition, creating a business model that works for you, and knowing what the bigger picture of your business is. We emphasize the importance of recognizing that business growth and success do not happen overnight and discuss the advantages of pacing yourself for sustainable business growth. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on money, finances, and debt in business.
Ever wondered what it takes to navigate the world of ethical marketing? Join me as we traverse this fascinating landscape and discuss the four key components to creating content that not only sells, but also leaves a positive impact. Drawing from my own experiences since 2015, we’ll explore the nuances of educational content, personal content, polarizing content, and entertaining content, and how these can vary depending on your unique business.
But that’s not all, folks! We’re also diving into the world of personal branding and the delicate balance of selling products and services without compromising your integrity. We’ll discuss the importance of ensuring that your product or service actually works, as well as the potential dangers of leveraging personal lifestyles to sell a service that promises a result to a client. So, strap in and get ready for an eye-opening journey into ethical marketing strategies, personal brand marketing, and the power of education in marketing.
We've got a game-changing episode for you today, as we tackle the hot topic of equitable pricing and payment plans in the online coaching space. Join us for an eye-opening discussion on creating pricing structures that not only ensure you're paid fairly, but also make sense for your clients. We've got the inside scoop on various business models, the realities of undercharging and overcharging, and the intricacies of offering payment plans.We're diving deep into the nitty-gritty of balancing your total weekly working hours across marketing, sales operations, client delivery, and other essential tasks. Discover how striking a balance between earning a living and providing accessible services to clients can lead to a thriving coaching business. Plus, we'll share a handy rule of thumb to keep in mind when pricing your services.And, for those of you curious about payment plans, we're dissecting the complexities of offering installment options to clients. Learn how to calculate risk without overcharging and consider the average credit card interest rate to determine what to charge for payment plans. We'll also discuss payment plan lengths and how they should be determined based on the product or service being offered. Don't miss this enlightening and invaluable conversation on creating equitable pricing and payment plans in the online coaching industry.
Tired of feeling icky and manipulative during sales calls? It’s time to reimagine the sales call model! Join me as I explore why the traditional approach to sales calls may not be the best fit for everyone, and how withholding pricing and program details can negatively impact both you and your clients. At the very least, let’s consider sharing a price range for our offerings and take into account the mental health of our potential clients.
In this episode, we’ll discuss the process of trauma resolution and its objectives, as well as how understanding these aspects can help you communicate more effectively during sales calls. We’ll also emphasize the importance of screening processes to ensure that clients are a good fit for your work while staying within your scope of practice. Learn how considering your clients’ mental health can lead to better outcomes and more successful sales calls.
Finally, we’ll tackle financial objections and discuss how to create a supportive environment for both you and your client. Discover the importance of financial literacy and budgeting when creating services and programs, as well as how to price your services accordingly. Learn how to offer equitable payment plans that protect you financially and when it’s the right time to present them. Don’t miss this episode full of valuable insights and tips to help you navigate the world of sales calls with authenticity and integrity.
In this power-packed episode, we continue our insightful conversation on financial literacy and business models, exploring how to set up your business model in an equitable way, pay yourself an equitable salary, and market and sell your product. Listen in as we discuss the importance of understanding the cost of running a business model to ensure we’re not over-romanticizing the idea and to protect ourselves if we don’t hit our goals. We also talk about the benefits of having an evergreen offer or service to keep your business running year-round.
We examine how to create boundaries between your business and personal life, avoiding feeling codependent on the business to meet our needs, and creating diversity within the company and its offerings. Join us as we discuss how we can have different businesses to express different aspects of ourselves, and how to set boundaries so that we are not dependent on a certain business model to meet all of our needs. Don’t miss our valuable tips on scaling without pressure, allowing the business to have consistency and grow in a way that feels manageable.
We’re picking up where we left off in Part 1: Financial Literacy and diving into how to apply your owner’s pay, business expenses, and profit/loss statements to your pricing, business structure and overall business model.
Have you ever wondered how to set up your business in an equitable way, pay yourself an equitable salary, and know what kind of business models make sense for you? This episode is part two of the financial literacy and business model topic. Soph dives deeper into the topic, building on the previous episode's discussion about revenue, cost of living expenses, and budgeting. In this episode, she explores different business models, marketing strategies, and ways to run your business intentionally and strategically. This conversation offers valuable insights into managing your business finances and creating a sustainable model for growth.
In this episode, we explore the impact and intentionality of various business models for creating money online. We discuss the pros and cons of the launch model, which can be beneficial with its clear, determined seasons for marketing and client delivery, but it can also be problematic in that it creates a high dependency on needing to close a lot of sales and a lot of cash within a very short period of time. Listen in as we consider the importance of having both launches and evergreen offers to create financial stability and a financial rhythm that supports your life and business.
We also emphasize the importance of financial literacy and responsibility when it comes to understanding business expenses, profit and loss, and taxes. Developing financial literacy and being mindful of what is happening in your business to make informed, wise decisions is key. Listen as we discuss the importance of owner’s pay, which is an expense for the business and must be taxed, and how your earnings should be calculated after taxes. We also highlight the need to be aware of increasing expenses and the risk of making negligent decisions if the focus is just on launching and making more money without understanding the financials.
Lastly, we dive into the details of financial literacy and living within our means. We examine the effects of increasing our expenses as we earn more and how that impacts our profit margin. Listen in as we talk about budgeting, being aware of our debt, and looking at our basic living expenses to calculate our bare minimum salary needed to stay financially stable. Join us in this episode as we unpack the importance of financial literacy and understanding how to structure businesses for sustained success and growth.
Listen in as I unpack the attention merchant business model and its connection to social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram. I explain how these platforms provide free access to their platform with an intentionally curated, endless scroll, and use the data collected to sell advertising space to businesses. I also discuss how there is often a stigma around paid ads, and explain why it is important for businesses to have a return when investing in ads on these platforms. Finally, I emphasize that advertising does not have to be a negative thing, and discuss how it can be used to share important messages or provide education.
Join me as I explore how to use social media to support your business, the tools the platform provides to better support your message, and the importance of not relying solely on social media. We also discuss transitioning people off of the platform and onto your email list or other forms of content. Additionally, I touch on the attention merchant business model and the importance of creating content that interrupts and disrupts someone’s scroll in order to grab their attention. Don’t miss this insightful discussion on maximizing business growth beyond social media.
Welcome to the Sophie Kessner podcast, where we’re exploring the world of performative business and toxic capitalism. Join me as I break down the concept of performative business and how it has the potential to be problematic when used to sell luxury and personal empowerment. Discover the importance of understanding the core components of this marketing model to ensure it’s used ethically and equitably. Let’s also discuss the concept of living in abundance and the cost of maintaining this ideology, as well as examining how toxic capitalism can disorient and warp great ideas into questionable practices.
In this episode, we take a closer look at the toxicity of performative business and the consequences of toxic capitalism. Listen in as I explain how the instant success myth sets unrealistic expectations and how the hustle culture is disguised as feminine empowerment, luxury lifestyle, and ease and flow. Learn about the issue of paying and selling proximity to power, which can lead to high anxiety and dependency on external factors. Finally, let’s unpack the false idea that more is always the answer and discuss the consequences of this way of operating in the world. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on the impact of toxic capitalism in our lives.
Most people are horrible managers, which is why it can feel so hard to find quality help, and to hire the right team. In this blog, we're going to be breaking down how to actually delegate most effectively and in a way that allows your team to thrive so you can have a successful coaching company.
Tired of doing everything on your own and trying to figure out who to hire and how to hire? Be sure to read this blog. We're going to walk you through the exact process that we use on how to find amazing team members and how to hire.
Is it better to build a team from scratch or to outsource and hire an agency to help you scale your coaching business? We'll walk through how to know exactly when it is time to build a team and when it is time to actually hire and delegate.
Today we're going to be going over a launch model versus evergreen model and how to know which one is best for you at whatever time you are in your business. If you don't know what season you're in in your business and you need support, go ahead and take our free business bottleneck quiz. It'll help you assess what exactly is keeping you from sustainably scaling your business successfully online and how to solve it.
Ever wonder if there's a better way to market yourself and to show up in your business that doesn't rely 100% on you showing up 24/7? Well, if so, make sure you check out this video. We're going to be talking about all the best practices when it comes to evergreen marketing strategies for you to automate and scale your business online.
The biggest mistake that I have seen time and time again when it comes to hiring is people not knowing what they're needing. Why? Because oftentimes when you're a solopreneur and you're running your own company and you're doing all the things, you're wearing all of the hats in the business, which means there's very likely not any systems about how to do any of the things that you want done.
First things first is understanding the mechanisms of the actual root cause. When you are in the entrepreneurial space and especially in the online world, there is a tendency to want to go into the typical model launches. With a launch model, you go through seasons, there are seasons of feast and there are seasons of famine.