Nicole's Business Notebook

Partnerships beat projects—every time. Eddie Zuniga, co-founder of People Not Projects and The Golden Circle, shares how immigrant grit, business acumen, and political proximity can turn relationships into outcomes. From local to national connections, this conversation breaks down how curated rooms, vetted members, and follow-through create real wins—for founders, operators, and communities. This...

Rediscover Your Why: The Inner Work Every CEO Needs In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook, we sit down with Christopher Amato — former federal agent turned entrepreneur and author of The Soul of a CEO . He walks us through the hidden struggles so many high‑performers face: burnout, emotional exhaustion, overthinking, and the silent toll of chasing success without inner alignment. The Soul...

This episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook dives into a raw, inspiring journey of reinvention — from military service to mastering the culinary arts. Chef and Veteran Jered Lupin shares how discipline, grit, and passion helped him pivot from the battlefield to the kitchen and build a purpose-driven brand. Discover how Jered turned trauma into triumph, created community through cuisine, and now men...

How Top Agents Win: Mentors, Strengths & Client Partnerships In this game‑changing episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook , Bob Thompson pulls back the curtain on what really sets elite real‑estate agents apart. Whether you’re a new agent or experienced pro, this one is a masterclass in leaning into your strengths , finding the right mentor , and building long‑term client partnerships that fuel...

My guest is Shawn M. Pearson – a top-tier consultant, social impact architect, and founder of The Zion Institute , a South Phoenix–based organization focused on economic growth, neighborhood revitalization, and community development.  With more than a decade in community work and 82+ businesses grown in the Greater Phoenix area , she sits at the intersection of: Small business consulting & cap...

Mastering PR & AI: Torund Bryhn on Influence, Intelligence & the Future of Leadership In this compelling episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook , I sit down with Torund Bryhn—an international expert in strategic communications, public relations, and artificial intelligence—who’s helping change how leaders think about influence in the digital age. Through her role as Country Director for Nor...

Magic Meets Music: CJ O’Hara on Sleight-of-Hand, Stagecraft & Building a Booked-Out Brand From close-up miracles to full-stage shows with musical flair, CJ O’Hara (Magic By CJ) breaks down how he fuses sleight-of-hand, mentalism, and live music to create unforgettable event experiences. We get into his origins, what he learned performing across Phoenix/Chandler, and how small business owners c...

If you’re a founder who’s tired of “spray & pray” marketing, this episode is your playbook. Blane McCullough—Army veteran, multimedia strategist, and founder of Blane B Media Group —breaks down practical branding, content, and campaign moves that actually move the needle for small businesses. He’s the guy entrepreneurs call for a second opinion and a straighter path to growth. What you’ll lear...

Empowered Alignment with Tiffany Haskins | Heart-Led Business Coaching That Transforms Lives In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook , Nicole Banks sits down with Tiffany Haskins , the powerhouse behind Empowered by Tiffany, a heart-led coach, healer, and transformational leader helping entrepreneurs reconnect with their purpose and realign their business with their soul’s mission. Tiffany’s...

Conflict costs profit. Done right, an apology can recover deals, retain clients, and de-escalate teams. In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook, Nicole sits down with **Jon Bui, J.D. — founder of The Negotiated Apology Project** — to unpack a practical, repeatable approach to conflict resolution that blends negotiation principles with emotionally intelligent communication.  What you’ll learn...

Branding Through the Lens: Top Photography & Marketing Tips with Mar Reeves If you want to stand out in business with powerful branding and visuals , this episode is a masterclass. Mariana “Mar” Reeves —an award-winning photographer, branding strategist, and marketing expert —shares how she helps entrepreneurs, creators, and professionals craft images and messaging that sell their story . Alon...

Struggling with overthinking, procrastination, or that invisible ceiling on your potential? In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook , hypnotherapist Andi Hess, C.Ht. breaks down how to align your conscious and subconscious so you stop self-sabotaging and start compounding wins—in business and life. About our guest: Andi is a Certified Hypnotherapist , Rapid Results Coach , and international...

This week on Nicole’s Business Notebook , I’m sitting down with Daniel Knight , Chief Executive Unicorn at Unicorn Universe —a community focused on creating strategic alliances, joint ventures, and “Golden Connections” that accelerate real business growth. Unicorn Universe+1 We also preview UNICON 3: Wealth, Solutions & Access —coming October 10–12, 2025 at the W Scottsdale in Arizona. Expect...

Former UFC Fighter → Elite Leadership Coach: Cliff Starks on Calm Power, Tenacity & Values-Driven Success Cliff Starks joins Nicole’s Business Notebook to show how “speak softly and carry a big stick” becomes a leadership superpower. A former UFC fighter and now a world-class leadership coach, Cliff helps high achievers blow past their wildest dreams—grounded in tenacity, responsibility, and v...

What does it take to scale from $12M to $87M in under 18 months and grow across 100+ countries? Today, marketing savant and serial founder Jim Lupkin breaks down the systems behind predictable growth—so you can stop guessing and start scaling. 👇 Try Six Sigma Funnels  https://sixsigmafunnels.com/xa2bT1Yd Start building data-driven funnels that convert!  FTC Disclosure: I’m an affiliate and may ea...

What happens when a high-energy sales pro with a heart for relationships sits down with a power connector?  In this episode, I’m joined by Dino Klein , host of The Dino Show —a fun, whip-smart salesman who builds trust first and closes deals second. We dig into how to turn conversations into clients, why relationship capital beats ad spend, and the simple daily habits that keep your pipeline full....

Rafael Ramirez splits his time between Phoenix and El Paso , mentoring student-athletes from youth sports through college (in close collaboration with UTEP )—and championing programs that support the senior community . In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook , Rafael shares wise, heart-led insights on mentorship, teamwork, and building collaboration that lifts every generation. What you’ll l...

Episode 9 — Leadership Makes the Difference | Nicole’s Business Notebook ft. Chris Reeves (Leadership of Legacy) Great businesses aren’t built on tactics alone—they’re built on leaders. In this episode, Nicole sits down with Chris Reeves , speaker and founder of Leadership of Legacy , to unpack how leadership turns vision into results. From culture and communication to decision-making and accounta...

Dive deep into resilience, authenticity, and high-impact connections on this week’s episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook !  Nicole sits down with Tab Pierce of Networked Live and Caliber Security , to uncover: From $1 M in Debt to Success : Tab’s hard-earned blueprint for financial recovery and business turnaround Authentic Networking : Why genuine relationships trump transactional tactics every...

Get ready for an epic conversation on Nicole’s Business Notebook!  This week, Nicole sits down with world-renowned power connector Dave Waltzer, founder of Wicked Awesome Happy Hour, to unlock the secrets of building and leveraging networks that drive business success. They dive deep into: The Power of Connection : Why authentic relationships are your most valuable asset International Networks : S...

Unlock the power of connections with Catherine Pierce, co-owner of Networked Live and Caliber Security! In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook, Catherine breaks down why networking isn’t just small talk—it’s your secret weapon for growth, referrals, and long-term success. Learn how to build authentic relationships, leverage your network for strategic partnerships, and avoid the common pitfa...

Unlock the secret to building a rock-solid business foundation with Lyndsey Hanna of Northstar HR! In this episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook, we dive into why a proper business setup is non-negotiable, the real role HR plays in scaling your venture, and practical tips for weaving HR into your entrepreneurial ecosystem. Plus, Lyndsey busts the biggest myths about HR so you can finally stop fear...

In this week’s episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook , I sit down with graphic design guru Bobby Delaney (Ninth Paddock Creative) and sales powerhouse DJ Barton to unpack how style, consistency, and creativity fuel unforgettable branding—and why the same principles of consistency, resilience, and expert sales skills are non-negotiable for driving real business growth. Whether you’re tweaking your...

Strength in Female Reinvention In this week’s episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook, Nicole dives deep with her guest—a former dentist and pharmaceutical professional turned women’s life coach—to explore the power of transformation and resilience. Together, they unpack the challenges of breaking into male-dominated industries, share hard-won strategies for thriving when “no” is the default respons...

Dive deep into the world of strategic business funding with this week’s powerhouse episode of Nicole’s Business Notebook! Nicole Banks sits down with Christina Elizondo, the visionary founder of Namaste Business Funding, to explore how their newly-formed partnership is revolutionizing access to capital for entrepreneurs and small business owners. With over four decades of expertise in the mortgage...