Can We Not? Business Is Hard Enough.

Growing community, conference, or business without losing your original vision — and your sanity — can be a picasso painting that easily gets distorted. Host Samantha C. Prestidge chats with Megan Shapiro, construction attorney and founder of the Converge Construction Summit, about strategic community growth, what sustainable business building actually looks like, and how to stop people-pleasing y...

You’ve hired an assistant before. It didn’t stick. And if you’re honest, you’re not totally sure why. Host Samantha C. Prestidge of Auxo Business Services breaks down the three areas of clarity founders need to have in place before they bring on an assistant — and why skipping them is almost always what tanks the working relationship. This solo episode gets into why even strong assistants fail whe...

Hiring operations help for your small business is harder than it should be — and most founders are looking at the wrong things when they do it. Ashley Connell, CEO of Prowess Project, has spent seven years matching small business owners with operations partners. She's learned that the skills on a resume tell you almost nothing about whether someone can actually run your business alongside you. In...

Most sales training teaches you to push harder when a prospect hesitates. Aleasha Bahr teaches you to get curious instead — and the results are hard to argue with. Host Samantha C. Prestidge chats with Aleasha Bahr, author of Black Sheep Sales and founder of a sales coaching practice that helps service business owners build strategies designed around how they actually think and communicate — not a...

You're not running seven apps because you're disorganized. You're running seven apps because each one solved a real problem at the time and nobody ever stopped to ask if the pile still made sense. Host Samantha C. Prestidge chats with Bryant Solomon, co-founder of ControlQore, who did something most founders skip — he went and worked inside his customer's business before building anything. What he...

Feeling overworked, overloaded, or like you’re the only one holding everything together in your business? You might be stuck in the trap that catches so many founders and high performers: confusing self-sufficiency with strength. In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, Samantha shares the one mindset shift that helps founders stop being the bottleneck in their own business. Through per...

Creative hiring for executive assistants and office managers: learn how to define day-to-day tasks, map soft skills, and find great candidates in unexpected places. We cover transferable skills, small-town recruiting, and why PTA leaders, teachers, and restaurant team leads can shine in admin and EA roles. If job boards are failing you, this will help you think outside the resume. What you’ll lear...

In this episode, we diverge from the scheduled content plan to address a critical business principle: simplicity. Spurred by early Christmas setups in stores, I discuss the importance of simplicity in both business and personal life. You'll learn three practical strategies to maintain simplicity: 1) Stop being oversubscribed with information, 2) Get to the root cause of problems, and 3) Embrace th...

In this episode, we delve into four essential interview questions designed for the final round of our four-stage hiring process, specifically targeting virtual administrative, executive, and operations assistant roles. The goal is to assess soft skills, character traits, and personality beyond technical competencies. I explain the rationale behind each question and the insights they provide into a...

In this episode, we tackle a common piece of advice given to business owners: 'Just hire an assistant.' While it sounds great on the surface, many find that hiring without a clear plan often leads to frustration and wasted resources.  Learn why it's essential to understand your business functions and desired involvement before bringing an assistant on board. We share practical insights on how to d...

In this episode of Strategy Solutions, Sam explains the importance of delegation for business owners and consultants. By effectively delegating tasks, you can reduce chaos, improve processes, and free up mental space, allowing you to focus on creative and strategic thinking. Sam also offers resources and personalized strategies to help you begin the delegation process and reclaim your role as a co...

In this episode, we delve into what it takes to trust someone enough to hire them as an assistant. We'll explore past discussions on delegation strategy and the essentials for onboarding an assistant. The focus will be on overcoming trust issues—fear of poor performance or exposing personal work details—and what to look for during the hiring process. Key points include establishing initial trust,...

In this week's Quick Cast, we discuss how to create better clarity and ownership within your team. We'll tackle common issues like unclear job descriptions and undefined processes. Learn the simple, actionable steps to visualize your team's tasks and responsibilities using a process flowchart and swim lanes. This method helps you map out tasks, assign ownership, and ensure accountability. Perfect...

In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity Today, we dive deep into the journey and insights of Adriana, an ER nurse turned public speaker and leadership coach. Adriana shares her evolution from a healthcare career to coaching, emphasizing the importance of vulnerability, setting boundaries, and integrating personal passions into professional life. We discuss her unique events like Boundarie...

Feeling like every task in your business is heavier than it should be? You might not be burned out in the way people typically imagine — but for high achievers, burnout looks different. It shows up as procrastination, losing motivation, brushing off wins, or even resenting small parts of your business. In this QuickCast, I’m breaking down 5 subtle red flags that signal you’re starting to lose moti...

In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, host Samantha welcomes financial expert Megan Schwan. Megan shares her inspiring journey from being a teen mom to becoming a successful business owner. She discusses the importance of fostering a supportive culture, embracing calculated risks, and using the Profit First method to manage business finances effectively. Megan also highlights her per...

In this quickcast, we explore the two primary reasons clients seek consulting help: proactive preparation for growth and being overwhelmed by unsustainable workloads. The discussion emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries to avoid burnout and improve business operations. Key points include the necessity of recognizing and changing non-productive behaviors, understanding that hustling harde...

Join us for an insightful episode of 'Strategy Solutions and Sanity' featuring Nikki, The Sales Maven! Nikki shares her fascinating journey from working in a male-dominated tech industry to becoming a renowned sales expert. Discover how she navigated her way using neurolinguistic programming (NLP) to enhance her communication skills and build meaningful client relationships. Learn actionable sales...

In this quick episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, Sam, a business and team strategist, outlines how delegating high-impact tasks to virtual assistants (VAs) who leverage AI can significantly enhance your sales process. The episode covers five strategies: filtering high-quality leads, providing follow-up support, preparing for sales calls, turning sales conversations into marketing content,...

Catch this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity as we dive into the messy and often overlooked aspects of growing a business. Our special guest, Sarah Gonnella from Full Sail Partners, shares her journey and insights into effective leadership, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how embracing technology can simplify business processes. Sarah discusses practical strategies for buildin...

In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, business strategist Sam Cordero Prestidge explains why open door policies often fail to achieve their intended purpose. Despite being a well-intentioned concept aimed at creating an accessible and supportive environment, these policies fall short because employees may hesitate to seek help due to a desire to appear competent. Sam highlights the imp...

In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, and Sanity, host Samantha speaks with the dynamic Jesse Hernandez about navigating the complexities of business, leadership, and personal development. Jesse shares his rich journey from starting as an apprentice in the construction industry to becoming a renowned consultant who emphasizes human-centric operational strategies. He provides insights into his ap...

In this episode of Strategy Solutions and Sanity, business strategist Sam discusses the common pitfalls and solutions related to delegation in business. She emphasizes that true delegation should provide relief, freeing up both time and mental space. Sam identifies three warning signs indicating ineffective delegation and offers four key points to determine whether the problem lies with the assist...

How do you lead when you feel like an outsider? What if your superpower isn’t technical skill, but the ability to bring people together? In this episode of Strategy, Solutions, & Sanity, I sit down with Jennifer Lacy —facilitator, coach, people collector, and culture builder in the construction industry. We talk about what it really takes to navigate resistance, lead change, and step into your...

Feeling disorganized, overwhelmed, or like your team just isn't performing the way it should? In this AMA Quickcast, I’m breaking down the first thing I audit when a business owner comes to me feeling maxed out — whether they’re solo or leading a team of 50. This isn’t a full operational overhaul. It’s a laser-focused check on one critical issue: goal-task alignment . If you're constantly busy but...