Mastering Business Skills

On this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli welcome Sue Anderson, founder of Wild Woods Retreat and Farm and host of Entrepreneurs Gone Wild. Sue shares how stepping away from the hustle and reconnecting with nature can help entrepreneurs reduce overwhelm, restore clarity, and build healthier rhythms in business and life. The conversation explores how many busin...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Erin and Sharon talk with Jennifer Cresswell, founder of ThoughtGro, about building a business that is scalable, sellable, and sustainable. Jennifer shares how business owners can create more time, more money, and more freedom by strengthening communication, improving operations, and planning for growth with the end in mind. They also discuss why many...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Sharon and Erin talk with writer, developmental editor, and flower farmer Diane Riis, owner of Earth and Soul Women, a holistic project that includes a legacy flower farm, live and virtual women’s circles, retreats, and classes on writing, intuition, and creativity. Diane shares how she weaves EFT tapping, guided meditation, and ritual with practical b...

In this conversation, Erin and Sharon share candid stories about their first mentors, including the intimidation, the breakthroughs, and the deep confidence that grew from being supported by someone a few steps ahead. They talk about how mentors have shown up as coaches, clients, and peers over the years, often becoming friends who help them think through ideas and navigate challenges.​ They also...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Humza Adam, founder and CEO of H-Factor Solutions, a revenue growth acceleration firm specializing in B2B sales training, sales and marketing strategy, and high-value sales systems. Humza shares how he’s helped organizations generate over $5B in revenue, and how small and mid-sized businesses can use the...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli talk with Debra Angilletta, a former Wall Street trader turned fractional CFO, about how to turn “cash chaos” into cash clarity using simple systems that make profit predictable. Debra shares how to uncover hidden profit leaks, manage cashflow intentionally, and implement practical money management habits that help sma...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with author, speaker, and small-business champion Shawna Suckow. They talk about how small businesses can stand out, show up more human, and attract their exact right customers in today’s noisy marketplace by moving away from stiff “performative professionalism”. How instead using real stories, personality, an...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Nicole shares how she grew Empower Virtually from a one‑woman operation in 2023 into a thriving global VA agency that matches business owners with executive and administrative support across sectors like coaching, law, and healthcare. She explains how being overbooked with a client waitlist led her to build a team, and how her natural “matchmaker” skil...

In this episode, Stephanie shares how she went from running an online membership community to becoming a “Community Steward” at Exchange, and why she chose that title instead of the traditional “community manager.” She explains Exchange’s community-centered framework, where the wisdom is in the room, and how appreciative inquiry and intentional questions unlock the collective intelligence of a gro...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, Sharon and Erin sit down with Marc Pickard, co-founder and CEO of CB Tech Support, a New Jersey-based IT company helping small and mid-sized businesses get the fullest benefit from their technology. Marc shares how a lifelong love of tech and a background in art led him into the IT world and eventually to launching CB Tech Support with his business par...

In this episode, Mitch shares how he went from “accidental attorney” to seasoned business owner, why so many entrepreneurs get stuck trying to do everything themselves, and what changes when you start delegating on purpose instead of as a last resort. He talks about building his solo practice, adding partners and staff, then intentionally going back out on his own, and how bringing on a VA and out...

In this energizing episode, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli welcome Alison Simmons, founder and CEO of Lead Smarter Co., and creator of the Seven Figure CEO System. Alison shares her transformation from offering online business management services to creating innovative, AI-driven solutions for entrepreneurs and small business owners. The conversation covers Alison's practical approach to levera...

As we begin to wrap up our first season of Mastering Business Skills, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to you, our amazing listeners. Your support, feedback, and the stories of how certain episodes sparked new ideas or inspired change in your businesses have meant the world to us. What started as a show for practical business advice has blossomed into a community filled with heart, growth...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli welcome Pauleen Murphy, founder of Politan Marketing and seasoned fractional chief marketing officer. Pauleen shares her expertise in helping founder-led businesses scale more effectively, covering everything from emotional leadership transitions to the systems and organization that sustain fast growth. Discover what k...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli are joined by Erika Dickstein, CEO of Spring Insight, a forward-thinking marketing strategy firm. Erika dives deep into the evolving landscape of digital marketing, from the rise of AI-driven search to the persistent challenges of maintaining meaningful online presence for expert-led businesses. Listeners will discover...

Warning: Some adult language used. Please use headphones if you have littles around! In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, hosts Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Maggy Sterner, an expert brand messaging coach known for her straightforward approach to helping entrepreneurs answer the all-important question: "What do you do?" Maggy shares her unconventional journey from DJ and journ...

In this episode, Sharon Savage and Erin Alli sit down with Bill Duguay, executive coach and former CEO, to unpack what it really means to lead effectively, without carrying the weight alone. Bill shares how his journey from civil engineer to construction leader laid the groundwork for his no-nonsense, field-tested approach to leadership and team coaching. This conversation covers everything from t...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Rob Manne, founder of Inflectiv, to explore how growing companies can turn their CRM, marketing, and sales tools into real revenue. Rob shares how his team helps businesses optimize platforms like HubSpot and AI to streamline operations, improve forecasting, and make smarter decisions. From his early days in PR and marketing to buildin...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Thomas Howard, Business Development Director at Brightway Advisors, to explore the intersection of financial operations and authentic relationship-building. With over two decades in banking and a passion for strategic networking, Thomas shares how businesses can move beyond basic bookkeeping to unlock meaningful insights and sustainabl...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Anitra Deen, networking strategist, fractional COO, and founder of Anitra Deen Consulting. Anitra shares how she helps women entrepreneurs and small business owners turn casual connections into strategic business development. From building infrastructure for follow-up to understanding your sales cycle, Anitra offers actionable insights...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Frank Scearbo, a credit card processing expert with a background in banking, accounting, and business advisory services. Frank shares how he helps business owners navigate the often confusing world of merchant services, ensuring they get the lowest possible cost on every transaction while receiving top-tier customer support. With over...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Dan Collins, founder of Franchisee First Advisors, to explore how franchising can be a powerful path to financial freedom, legacy-building, and lifestyle flexibility. With over 30 years in the franchise world, Dan shares what makes a franchise truly worth investing in, how to avoid costly mistakes, and why the right fit matters more th...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Ashlee Berghoff, to talk about the systems that help entrepreneurs turn big ideas into sustainable success. Ashlee shares how she helps event-based businesses move from 7-figure chaos to 7-figure profit by building operational infrastructure that actually works. From simple systems to complex human dynamics, she breaks down how to crea...

In this episode of Mastering Business Skills, we sit down with Michelle Correnti, CEO and founder of Correnti Marketing, a branding and digital marketing agency that helps professional service providers transform complex expertise into clear, compelling messaging. Michelle shares how she built her agency around the belief that service-based businesses thrive when their brand reflects not just what...

In this episode of the Mastering Business Skills podcast, hosts Erin Alli and Sharon Savage sit down with Jennifer Gillman, founder and CEO of Gillman Strategic Group. A former lawyer turned candidate-facing recruiter, Jennifer specializes in helping attorneys find their “exact right perfect fit” law firm opportunities that align not only with their professional goals but also with their personal...