THE STERN TRUTH: Business Unfiltered

I share one of the most transformational moments in my leadership journey in this episode of “The Stern Truth”. I had a powerful encounter with a hotel lifeguard named José who completely changed my thoughts on leadership. We often focus heavily on marketing and attracting new customers in business, but fail to deliver consistent excellence throughout the customer experience. This young lifeguard...

In this special episode of The Stern Truth, I sit down with Jordan Eaton, CEO of BOSS Assistants. She shares her real struggles and triumphs of entrepreneurship while juggling family life. Jordan also reveals her journey of building a successful virtual assistant business over the past three years while raising two young children. Having experienced the overwhelm of entrepreneurship myself, I appr...

Many small business owners struggle with the same challenges - undercharging, imposter syndrome, and fear of rejection. I dive deep with entrepreneur Almas Shareef to uncover the mindset blocks holding back her marketing agency. In this raw, unfiltered conversation, we explore how childhood experiences shape our business decisions, especially when it comes to pricing and self-worth.  Together, we...

I know firsthand that being a small business owner means facing unexpected challenges head-on. On this episode, I tackle a topic most entrepreneurs avoid discussing - how to navigate your business when life throws you curveballs.  My personal journey of losing loved ones is something I touch on, while emphasizing the need to step back when we feel the call. Small business owners, just like in thei...

I sit down with Rhiannon Franz from REVIVE Marketing in this episode of The Stern Truth. She discusses her entrepreneurial journey from corporate advertising to small business ownership. I was fascinated by her story, including her initial side hustle as an Airbnb host that taught her the fundamentals of running a business while maintaining her corporate job. Rhiannon shares her own Stern Truth -...

In this episode, I tackle a critical question every entrepreneur faces: Do you have a business or a "busyness"? I dive into how entrepreneurs get caught in the trap of being busy without being productive. I share insights on becoming a more intentional and mature business owner instead of working exhausting hours with little to show for it. I also introduce the concept of an Energy Audit...

I sit down with Jeanette Martin, a business relationship strategist and social media whisperer who delivers powerful mic drop moments about authentic connection in business. Jeanette shares her philosophy of "give, give, give to ask". She explains why building genuine relationships should be at the core of your business strategy, as opposed to focusing solely on marketing. Both Jeanette...

In this special bonus episode, I sit down with Pauly Barker. Pauly is a talented marketing strategist who's struggled with the all-too-common entrepreneurial challenge – doing everything herself. Through our candid conversation, I helped her reconnect with her "why".  We uncover the blind spots preventing her from building a business that truly serves her life.  I walk Pauly through...

Today, I share powerful personal stories about the dangerous mindset of "I will when" that holds so many entrepreneurs back.  From nearly losing valuable team members because I delayed firing a toxic employee, to almost sinking in a kayak because I ignored warning signs, these experiences taught me crucial business leadership lessons.  My experience in small business taught me that postp...

As a business coach with over 35 years of experience, I've heard countless entrepreneurs say they don't have enough time. I sit down with Brittany Rhodes - what I call an "octocornpreneur" - who juggles three thriving businesses while raising two children and maintaining a busy personal life. Brittany shares her secrets for managing multiple ventures simultaneously without losi...

In this powerful episode, I share a crucial mindset shift that could transform your business immediately. After an eye-opening coaching session, I decided to change course and address something I see too often: small business owners undercharging based on their self-worth rather than the value they provide. I dive into why tying your prices to your perceived self-worth is a dangerous trap, leading...

In this episode of The Stern Truth, I sit down with fellow entrepreneur and small business owner Russ Harlow of Reliable Remediation. As a restoration business founder who made the journey from franchise to independent ownership, Russ shares invaluable insights about the entrepreneurial path that every small business owner needs to hear. We dive deep into Russ's transition from being a franch...

In this episode, I tackle one of the biggest mistakes we entrepreneurs and small business owners make today: relying too heavily on marketing without having proper systems in place.  Drawing from my 35+ years of experience growing multiple businesses, I reveal the stark difference between businesses that just advertise and those that truly serve. You'll hear why the business owner who answers...

In my first episode of The Stern Truth Business Unfiltered, I introduce you to my brand new podcast where I'll be delivering straightforward, no-fluff business advice based on my 35+ years of entrepreneurial experience. Perfect for small business owners and entrepreneurs, my episodes will be covering essential business topics including leadership, mindset, hiring, firing, finances, marketing,...