Build a Badass Business with Diane Sanfilippo: Recent Episodes
Diane Sanfilippo
Join Diane Sanfilippo - 2x New York Times bestselling author and serial entrepreneur - for business tips, advice, and motivation for emerging or existing business owners. You'll learn practical strategies from Diane as well as hear expert interviews with those who have had similar struggles and have found success.
- Follow whatever it is that you're passionate about and live your truth in that
- There are not people who are sitting by who have been successful who want to spend every minute of their life telling you the steps to take because the truth is, nobody ever told us either.
- If you want to be an entrepreneur, you cannot expect handholding every step of the way.
- If you as the entrepreneur do not have self confidence, you're building a house on nothing.
- Learning the strategies of what to put in place is not what’s going to give you long term success.
- There is no such thing as perfect.
- We have to do the things that we are most interested in. you can’t have a business because you think it will earn money.
- Introducing our guest, the Merrymaker Sisters [1:18]
- Making the decision to work solely on the business [7:12]
- Streams of income as a blogger [13:02]
- Selling a product before making it [17:20]
- Future plans for the Merrymaker Sisters [23:46]
- Garnish is important: It’s what takes a photo from being “ok” to looking that much more exciting, or a bit more thoughtful.
- Choose a plate or a vessel that isn’t too big: Make sure that whatever you have is really full, because that’s what makes it look interesting and exciting.
- Use natural light: If you’re wondering how to get the absolute best photos of your food, do not shoot them in the dark.
- Ask for permission before you ask for forgiveness.
- When in doubt, don’t.
- If you saw it, and you tweaked it and put it on your site, it’s not yours.
- Look outside of your direct community for inspiration, not inside of it.
- It’s fair to be inspired; you can’t help be see something and like it and be inspired. Make sure you are not stealing; that you’re being inspired.
- Don’t go pissing people off in your community; whatever your community is.
- The more you complain about something, the more you put your time and energy and focus into it, the more that thing, if it’s positive or negative, will grow.
- There’s no reason why anyone should not have $25 to buy something that they think they really need or could really help them.
- Instead of coming to social media to talk about the fact that you can’t afford whatever it is; get to work! Get to work on your business. Why are you talking about it? Stop talking! Do something!
- If you can’t afford $25 to spend on a book, and you have time to complain about it on social media, you're wasting your time.
- One of the keys to productivity is getting to know yourself.
- Getting to know yourself will make your life so much easier, and you’ll be able to accomplish the things you’re trying to accomplish in your business.
- You learn so much more exponentially when you're taking a quick and dirty approach to something, because it forces you to figure things out.
- The value of the product that you’re selling really needs to speak almost for itself.
- Respect the process and the journey.
- Respect the individual and their experience.
- Making a critical judgment and constantly finding ways to pick thinks apart shows very little respect for the person, both the process and the journey, but also the experience that a person has.
Topics:
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If you’re inspired by something when you saw it, don’t look at it when you create whatever it is that you’re going to create.
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I would take your own lens, filter, experience; your own angle on things, and use that to filter what it is that you’re teaching.
Topic
1. You’re not that special. if you’re going through a struggle, someone else has too.
2. If one person reads what you wrote, and their life is better for it, isn’t that enough?
3. If you’re in it because it’s a business, then your 'why' is kind of off.
Topics:
1. Introducing Dan Antonelli [2:40]
2. Hiring his first employee [10:34]
3. The spirit of a good entrepreneur [22.24]
4. How Diane started working for Dan [32:14]
5. What Dan learned from Diane [44:37]
Topics:
1. If you take your edge, your experience, or your perspective and put that spin on the topic, then you’re going to create something that’s unique.
2. Focus on what you want to create and put out into the world with a positive vibe, not a negative one.
Topics:
1.To feel fulfilled as a solo-preneur, get something done each day that contributes to a bigger project or a bigger goal.
2. If, "write an eBook" is on your to-do list, you’re never going to get it done. Books don't get written that way. Break work up into actionable chunks, then check them off day by day.
3. Part of being an entrepreneur and working for myself is not setting an alarm.
Topics
- As an entrepreneur, you have to listen to - and work on honing - your instincts.
- Instead of trying to carve out a niche or doing something that’s super broad; start to work with people one on one in small groups.
- How can I help people on a small scale to reach them on a deeper level?
Topics:
- How long did it take to become “real” [2:50]
- Shifting from blogging to a business [9:13]
- Passive income with eBooks [12:39]
- Advice for those who don’t know where to get started [19.34]
- What to use for free content and what to sell [25:52]
- Using social media in your business [30:35]
- Sylvie’s video eCourse details [35:01]
Topics:
1. It might take more time, but you will build a better business when you build a lot more trust in the people who are following the advice and information that you have.
2. Starting small in this way; what it does is it builds the know, like, and trust factor.
3. It might take more time, but you will build a better business when you build a lot more trust in the people who are following the advice that you have and information that you have.
Topics:
1. Introducing our guest, Michelle Pfennighaus [1:17]
2. Michelle’s health struggles [3:50]
3. How Michelle’s business looked in the beginning [6:10]
4. When it felt like a “real” business [15.43]
5. How to find your direction [21:22]
6. What social media numbers reflect about success [29:05]
7. Words of wisdom for working moms (and dads) [40:42]
Topics:
- To have a mindset that something is too small for you limits you from connecting with people who need what you have to offer the most.
- Don’t be too proud to get connected with your local community.
- It’s important to connect with people who are at the same stage of their business as you are, so that you can mutually help each other.
Topics:
- You have to keep pushing forward because nobody is in charge of that ship except you.
- If you’re trying to grow your audience, then this is the time to really keep hustling.
- As entrepreneurs, as driven people, there will never be an end to how far you want to push yourself.
- Flow doesn’t mean that you’re not working; flow just means that you’re not hustling.
Topics:
1. Swallow your pride and not be in a position where you’re too good for a job.
2. That’s the kind of mindset that we really need to all get out of; worrying what other people think when we’re on a mission.
3. If you’re on that mission and you're trying to get your business going and you're hustling, you just cannot worry what anybody thinks about it
Topics:
1. Every time you take this approach and have a new skill that you learned or take the time to learn a new skill, you feel more and more confident that you won’t fail when you try to learn something else that’s new.
2. Have faith in yourself that even if you screw it up the first time, you will figure it out, find the solution, fix it, and move on.
3. Building this foundation of skills will really take you to that next level; that you have that power and that control to get something done right now.
Topics:
- when you respond to questions on social media, you create a small moment of enchantment.
- what we’re doing with social media is actually replacing a live interaction.
- If you’re going to use social media to try and build this loyal fan base ... you can’t simply drop content and never look back.
Topics
1. People want to pay for what you have to offer
2. You can’t do this work if you can’t earn money
3. Earning money gives you the ability to do the work
4. Earning money from what you’re doing gives you freedom
Topics
1. It never makes your “thing” shine or look better to disparage the competition.
2. How to handle comparison
3. It’s your job to communicate your message so strongly that what you have to offer is the obvious choice
4. Passive agressive comparison
Topics:
- How to repurpose your content to use across multiple platforms
- How to record video on iMovie, strip out the audio and use it on a podcast
- Boil down bullet points and create a shareable to be used on Instagram or a long form post on Facebook
- Save and reuse content on Periscope (camera roll or katch.me)
Listener Questions: - How to re-watch Periscope videos
- Does the ScreenFlow also work to record the podcast on Mac?
- What podcasting software do you use, or like for editing?
Join the FaceBook group to get in on the conversation : Facebook, Build a Badass Business
And come follow me on Periscope! I've been posting videos often, and would love for you to hop on and interact with me, LIVE! Download the free Periscope app, then find me by searching "Diane Sanfilippo." Replays available after at : Katch.Me
Enjoy this Q&A episode where I address:
- How to handle criticism from people who think you are working too hard.
- The value I place on being in control of my day.
- How to up the level of your business (hint: get out there and meet people).
- How exchanging time for dollars won't necessarily translate into earning a solid living.
- Perfection. Don't be an entrepreneur if you don't want to put out something imperfect.
Join the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassbusiness/
Submit your questions to the show here: https://balancedbites.wufoo.com/forms/build-a-badass-business-podcast-questions/
Back with another episode recorded LIVE from Periscope! The audio isn't amazing on this, but I promise it'll improve with future live from the 'Scope recordings. We didn't have any furniture in the house on this day, so it was echoing in the room! Plus, I've got a new mic I'll be trying out.
In any event, enjoy this Q&A episode all about how much time to spend on social media in the early stages (or any stage, really) of your business!
Join the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassbusiness/
Submit your questions to the show here: https://balancedbites.wufoo.com/forms/build-a-badass-business-podcast-questions/
This episode was originally created in tandem with a LIVE Periscope broadcast! If you'd like to interact with me live, simply download the free Periscope app and follow me there @dianesanfilippo - see you on the Scope! #dianescopes #badassbusiness
(Please excuse the loud echo in this episode as we had just moved into a new apartment and there was no furniture yet in the room to help absorb the sound! Most episodes are have way cleaner sound.)
As an entrepreneur, if there's one thing you need to be okay with, it's CHANGE. In this episode, I talk all about change, redirecting when things don't go as planned, and charging ahead when something doesn't work out the way you expected it to.
Topics:
- Business is not just business
- How to sell a book once it’s published [9:17]
- Publishing a book [12:38]
- Make decisions carefully [18:18]
- Starting slow is key [23:51]
- Finding your drive [29:51]
- Partnerships in business [36:31]
As long as you stay true to your moral code, work hard, the money will come, but you can’t do it for the money.
Anyone getting into business has to be willing to suffer greatly, but that suffering is going to make them a better person
It’s very easy, with one decision,To take your whole company in a direction you never saw it going, and it can be made with one decision. So be very careful how you run things.
If the drive is not there for the daily grind, you’re not going to make it in that business.
Join the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassbusiness/
Submit your questions to the show here: https://balancedbites.wufoo.com/forms/build-a-badass-business-podcast-questions/
Topics:
1. Introducing Erich Krauss [2:34]
2. Transitioning to paleo publisher [8:11]
3. Focusing on the client [16:46]
4. Hustle and grind [25:02]
Erich Krauss is the owner and President of Victory Belt Publishing, but his position in life wasn't always on top. He started with modest aspirations to be a writer, and did become one, only not in the genre he expected sa first. His dream to be a writer led him down a path to learning the ins and outs of the publishing industry, which, to his surprise, wasn't quite what he expected.
When Erich discovered that, in the majority of cases, authors barely makes any money from the sales of a book (and that the books are often edited and changed to not be exactly as the author wanted or intended) he decided to take matters into his own hands to start a company with different values - focused on the authors.
His story is inspiring and motivating as Victory Belt has become the #1 Paleo publisher there is today. The company is also the publisher with the highest ratio of New York Times bestsellers - often with multiple books on the list at once, crushing the competition.
Join the conversation on Facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassbusiness/
Submit your questions to the show here: https://balancedbites.wufoo.com/forms/build-a-badass-business-podcast-questions/
In this episode, I talk about copyright issues, repurposing Periscope videos, and Amazon affiliate accounts.
Getting a business started, creating a blog, offering a service, or doing something that'll put you "out there" in front of people often brings up a sense of, "why me?" or "who am I to do this, it's already being done by ________." The truth is, there's almost nothing anyone can or will do that's completely new. The truth is, that what's new about what each of us will do is our own take on that thing, that work, that topic. Our unique experiences and perspective make us who we are, and, in turn, make the work we do unique, and worth sharing. So, why not you?
Get the full transcript, show notes, links, and more at www.dianesanfilippo.com
Join the conversation on FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassbusiness/
In this episode, I answer questions about pricing your services (and what to do when other think they're overpriced), options for earning money from ads on your website, how to start blogging as a food critic, and thoughts on getting certified before you start coaching people on nutrition.
To any of my entrepreneurs out there, some thoughts for your Monday... This weekend, I talked about HUSTLE over on Periscope. Watch it here - http://katch.me/balancedbites/v/8d6d1c0f-5a0d-3bc4-a908-efbbf2b1a7e0 Please don't misunderstand my take on hustle for a dismissal of quality time with friends and family. Or time taken for your health as in meal prep or exercise/movement.Hustle is what divides the time that everyone has outside of those things to choose to use in various ways. Some choose to watch television, or surf the web, or get extra time socializing, partying, what have you. If you have a family to take care of, certainly your time for these things is even shorter, which is why focus when you are spending time on your business is even more critical. When you are starting a business or are in the early stages before you have hit whatever level of success you are seeking, if you want to achieve things, you don't have the luxury of extra time to relax. I'm sorry, but that's the truth. I've never met a successful entrepreneur who says, "Yeah, I took it slowly and, wow, things blew up so fast for me it was easy! I'm so glad I didn't work too hard in the beginning. Make sure you have balance from the beginning like I did..." If you ever meet someone saying that, don't buy whatever they're selling because it's a pile of B.S.Can someone find success slowly, over time, with more "balance" in their lives? Sure. But is it at the pace most new business owners are hoping for? Heck no. And that approach, more often, leads to discouragement in the progress of a business or even more money lost because things didn't move quickly enough.AS AN ENTREPRENEUR, HUSTLE IS THE INVESTMENT YOU MAKE IN YOUR FUTURE.When what you don't have is money or a thriving business to look back at and say, "this is my future and I am secure financially," your HUSTLE is what you are investing for future gains. AND IT WILL WORK. But only if YOU WORK.
In this episode, I talk about getting comfortable with the uncomfortable, naming brands on your blog, publishing an eBook, and getting Twitter to work for you. Join the FaceBook group to get in on the conversation - https://www.facebook.com/groups/badassbusiness/
And come follow me on Periscope! I've been posting videos often, and would love for you to hop on and interact with me, LIVE! Download the free Periscope app, then find me by searching "Diane Sanfilippo."
Replays available after at http://katch.me/balancedbites
Topics:
1. Starting the company [2:47]
2. Building up in your community [8:20]
3. Waiting for the "right" or "perfect" time [13:20]
4. Promotion in the beginning [16:41]
5. Figuring things out as a business owner [23:22]
6. The power of networking [29:54]
In this episode, I answer questions about passive income strategies, a change of heart in business direction, and pricing your online product or program.
In this episode, I talk about how to get focused when you're multi-passionate and feeling unsure, the debates over multiple websites, and deciding whether to have multiple social media accounts or focus on one.
There are a lot of ways to monetize a blog. In this series of episodes, I'm going to touch on the various approaches you can take. Today, I'm talking all about ads and sponsorships and the options and considerations to be made therein.
There are a lot of ways to monetize a blog. In this series of episodes, I'm going to touch on the various approaches you can take. Today, I'm talking all about affiliate products and programs, different options, and how to earn money from them. Tune in to the next part where I discuss ads and sponsorships.
How do you focus as a multi-passionate entrepreneur? In this episode, I talk about 3 tips for focus and direction when you're not exactly sure which way to go.
With social media is taking over the lives of business owners and marketers alike, it's no wonder we're all forgetting that at the root of every business - big or small - are people. People are behind every account, screen name, and avatar. By meeting people face to face, you grow and build an audience that's not simply wide, vast, and large - but deeply connected. Of all the books on your shelves, if you've met the author in person, or heard them speak somewhere publicly, I'd bet money that their book is the first you'd recommend to someone over another that's similar that you may like as well. That is the power of connecting in person to grow your audience. Tune in to hear more practical tips and strategies for making this work in your business.
When your following on social media isn't in the millions, like Taylor's or Kim Kardashian's is, how do you make sure you are connecting with meaning? You can't simply drop a photo to Instagram, a FB post, or a Tweet and "walk away." It's not the job of the community to simply rally around your content and share it for you to build your tribe. It's your job to connect in a meaningful way to help those who choose to invest their time in following what you have to say.
In this episoside, I'm answering listener questions:
Jeffrey asks-
What different ways are there to reach a million people and generate passive income, and how would you go about it?
I am not exceptionally educated in nutrition or fitness. I am certified as a personal trainer. I am not sure if acquiring a more thorough education is a must in order to make this work.
Claudia asks-
What are some of your best strategies to get customers? And do you have a specific marketing strategy--like posting to social media X amount of times a day, amount of times you market your products, do you market in-person as much as online? Sorry, that's more than 1 question!
It's been a slow start to sell my online programs as well as get a larger client base. Thanks!
Sherry asks-
I am wondering about the pros and cons of using your own name or creating a business name.
I have a couple different websites that have their own names - one is entertainment that I do with my husband and the other is health related. I also do freelance copywriting, content, social media, and marketing consulting - I currently do that under my own name and I'm going back and forth on creating a business name for it.
Today’s question comes from Laura, and she asks, “How do you build a team? I’m getting to the point in my business that I would love to hire someone to help me but I’m terrified of relinquishing control to someone else. Control freak, right?!” That was here words, not mine. She says, “Who did you hire first? What process did you use to build your team and find awesome, affordable help? If you have a limited budget, who are the most important people to hire?” Some background information; she says “I’m considering hiring someone to help me with some blogging, social media, and/or design work. I can’t do it all anymore.
I want to touch a little bit on this concept of drive and along with that, a pace and a speed. I see this a lot, and I see it with all different types of entrepreneurs. I see it with some of the coaches I have in my sugar detox program, who are all entrepreneurs in different ways with that program. I see it with myself, I see it with my team, all of us who have this entrepreneurial spirit. We may have different levels of drive, and also a different concept of a pace or a speed at which we want to work. Something that I want to throw out there, if you’re somebody who is kind of sitting with these ideas and you just are not pushing forward, you’re just not taking steps to get them out there to execute to get things done, and you’re seeing people kind of whiz by you...
I gave this talk at PaleoFx this year, the largest Paleo nutrition and wellness conference that exists annually. It's a fantastic event and I highly recommend attending next year. I am helping them to organize a business track since this talk was so well attended - can't wait. I'll be adding a transcript to dianesanfilippo.com sooner than later as I add podcast blog posts there. Please let me know what you think of the episode by leaving a review of the show!
I recently sat down with my good friend Jessica Mishra who happens to be a smarty-pants CPA. Jessica is also a holistic health coach and a registered yoga teacher, so she's no stranger to running a small business as well as the nuts and bolts of keeping order with all things financial in business. Listen in and then submit any additional questions you have for Jessica via the Build a Badass Business Facebook group. We'll dive a bit deeper and answer your questions in a future, follow-up episode with Jessica. Enjoy!
Deciding to blog - three factors to consider: time that you have for writing your intention for the blog the long game versus the short game If you decide to blog, elements to consider of your posts & blog: what to write about how often to write post graphics post links getting traffic to your posts blog template and design additional elements - ads, guests on your blog
Building a website seems so daunting, but if you start at square 1 and focus on the critical first pages, it'll get easier, I promise. Brochureware sites vary a bit from blog-based sites, but everyone needs these initial pages regardless of the end-resulting site type. Home, About, Services/Products (yes, with prices), Testimonials, Contact There's more to it, of course, but that's the barebones basic list of what you'll need at first.
- What's burning? 2. If you don't have a list of ideas, where do I even start? What are the top 10 questions you get? What problems are you solving for your customers? 3. Focus on giving more than asking. When 40 hours a week in your new business isn't cutting it. Hat tip to #askgaryvee Gary Vaynerchuck "Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook." 4. Doubt means don't.
In this episode, I get into details on some tips I have for focusing (in terms of the big-picture/what to do first/getting yourself started, not day-to-day tasks). 1. Take money out of the equation. 2. Get your home-based business out of the house. 3. Just work for one hour (at a time). 4. The 80/20 rule. 5. Have Happy Projects.
Judgement, criticism, and expectations. Struggling with the "who am I to....?" issues. Getting past the fear, and a fantastic quote from Marianne Williamson that I want you to listen to over and over again.
In this episode I talk about my own thoughts on why I didn't let other people's fears direct my path.
I want you to ask yourself some hard questions:
When/where were you told you couldn't do something?
Where does your fear come from?
Why are you worried?
Who are the people who are influencing you to be afraid?
What are they doing in their lives?
What are you choosing to either contribute to releasing you from fear, or not?
What is your worst case scenario?
Just hearing the word marketing sends some people for the hills. Yes, even entrepreneurs. I want you to embrace marketing by changing the way you think about it - starting with understanding what it truly is.