Our Business Shenanigans

Running a business can be one of the loneliest journeys you'll ever take... unless you find your room. In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans , Jen and Nicole dive into why community isn't just "nice to have," it's one of the biggest competitive advantages a business owner can have. From navigating payroll scares and difficult employees to learning from competitors and f...

Owning a business with your best friend: power duo or true crime documentary ? 😅 Holly & Laura (Chores and More + Hustled Up Podcast) joined us to talk 50/50 splits, zero scorekeeping, leadership reality, and why Starbucks in-hand on Day 1 might be your sign from the universe. Also… there’s an origin story in here that should probably come with a parental advisory. 🎧

CleanCon 2026 is not “just a conference.” It’s a movement. We’re joined by Molly, Drew & Holly , the founders of CleanCon , to talk about what the residential cleaning industry has been missing—and why “no hype, no selling from stage” is non-negotiable. 📍 CleanCon 2026: March 16–18, 2026 | Indianapolis | The Conrad Topics include marketing, sales, operations, leadership, and tech —built for c...

We’ve been away because we’ve been growing. In this episode, Jen + Nicole talk hiring, training, systems, and the mindset shifts that keep you from hiring out of desperation. What we cover: Busy season hiring chaos (Nicole was in the trenches) Why in-house sales can boost relationships + retention Training systems that streamline onboarding The role of community + networking in business growth Why...

Hiring a VA is supposed to buy back your time… but if you don’t have systems, clarity, and boundaries, it can turn into virtual chaos real quick. In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans , Jen Rodgers and Nicole Kalb break down the real wins and painful lessons of working with remote team members — including red flags, agency vs. individual VA pros/cons, what you need in place before you hire,...

Jen & Nicole are joined by Justin and Philip from Digital Anchor Media to pull back the curtain on marketing partnerships — the good, the bad, and the confusing. They discuss how to: ✅ Vet agencies the smart way 🚩 Spot red flags early 💬 Understand contracts & communication 📊 Track ROI that actually matters 🧭 Navigate Google Business & Local Service Ads If you’ve ever wondered wher...

Clicks ≠ Clients. In part 1 of this episode of Our Business Shenanigans , we’re calling out the shady side of digital marketing with guests Justin & Philip from Digital Anchor Media . They share how to spot vanity metrics, track real ROI, and finally understand if your ads are actually working. If your agency speaks in jargon but can’t show you real results — this one’s for you. Listen now at...

💬 "It's okay to not be okay — just don’t stay there alone." In this week’s raw and real episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen and Nicole sit down with Michelle Krueger from Brightside Services Inc. to talk about falling down… and finding the strength to get back up. From burnout to breakthrough, this one’s for every entrepreneur navigating the hard days, the hidden struggles, and...

From passive-aggressive emails to full-blown entitlement meltdowns — business bullies are real. And guess what? You don’t have to tolerate them. This week, Jen & Nicole are telling real stories (including that one time Nicole almost cancelled her wedding to avoid a client tantrum 🤯) and walking you through: ✔️ How to recognize subtle manipulation ✔️ How to respond without losing your cool ✔️...

Everyone wants a business that runs without them—but few are willing to build what that actually takes. In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans , Jen & Nicole get real about: The fantasy vs. reality of business freedom Why duct-taping operations makes you the system The actual foundation you need (team, SOPs, accountability) How to stop being the bottleneck Delayed gratification & the...

Ever hired someone and immediately regretted it? 🙋‍♀️ Yeah… us too. But it doesn’t have to be that way. This week on Our Business Shenanigans, we’re breaking down: 🔻 Why your hiring process might be the real problem 💣 Red flags that scream “RUN” 🎯 How to attract and screen the right people 📋 The trial period that actually protects your biz 💬 And of course… a few epic hiring fails you won't b...

In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, Jen and Nicole discuss the critical importance of employee policies in small businesses. They explore various aspects of policy implementation, including attendance, equipment management, communication with clients, and setting performance expectations. The conversation emphasizes the need for clear, specific policies to avoid chaos and ensure fairness...

Policies aren’t about being mean—they’re about being smart. In this episode, Jen and Nicole dive deep into why client-facing policies are critical for protecting your team, your time, and your sanity. You’ll get stories, scripting, red flags, and real talk on how to create and communicate boundaries like a boss.

🎙️  Our Business Shenanigans – Episode 8 “Bookkeepers, Boundaries & Bottom Lines” In this episode, we’re joined by special guest  Jodi Shaw  of  JLS Solutions  for a candid conversation about what business owners  really  need to know when hiring a bookkeeper or CFO. We dive into: ✅ What to look for in a financial partner 🚩 Red flags to watch out for when hiring vendors ✅ Green flags that s...

Ever hired a bookkeeper, marketer, VA, or recruiter… only to end up confused, frustrated, and somehow blamed for their mistakes? That’s not you being too sensitive—that’s vendor gaslighting . In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans , Jen and Nicole break down: What vendor gaslighting looks like in real life The red flags no one talks about How to handle it when it starts And how to protect you...

core values, business strategy, hiring, entrepreneurship, team culture, client relationships, leadership, decision making, company values, business insights summary In this episode of Our Business Shenanigans, hosts Jen and Nicole dive deep into the significance of core values in business. They discuss how core values serve as the foundation for decision-making, hiring, and team culture. Through p...

This week on Our Business Shenanigans , we’re flipping the script and talking about something that doesn’t get enough attention: When staffing actually goes RIGHT. 🙌 In this episode, we dive into the good side of business—what happens when you hire the right people, build a strong team culture, and create a supportive environment where everyone thrives. 💬💼 We’re sharing personal stories, lesson...

Let’s be real—running a business isn’t all wins and glowing reviews. In this episode, we’re opening up about the hard stuff: team walkouts, being called out on social media, and the gut-punch moments that made us question everything. We’re sharing the lessons we learned, what we’d do differently, and how we rebuilt stronger after it all. If you’re a business owner or manager navigating team dynami...

Think calling someone a 1099 magically makes it legal? Think again. 😬 In this episode, we break down the real differences between subcontractors and employees—and why the IRS doesn't care if you “didn’t know.” We’re sharing the rules, the red flags, and the hard lessons we’ve learned from doing things the right way (and watching others do it oh-so-wrong). Whether you’re hiring your first team...

Are you maximizing your investments and resources? Trigger warning: some people may find this one offensive

This podcast is for anyone running a business, thinking about starting one, or just here to hear about the absolute insanity that comes with entrepreneurship. Expect real talk, business wins and fails, marketing tips, hiring horror stories, and of course—plenty of shenanigans along the way.