The StoryBrand Podcast

Are you looking to scale your startup? If you're like most entrepreneurs, you have two major obstacles to growth: limited time and how to best differentiate your product in the marketplace. In today's episode, Donald Miller coaches Anna Belle and Lila Mae Skidmore, owners and founders of Granola'd, a company selling gluten-free granola, through how they can scale their startup.    At only 17 and 2...

Did you know that your brain spends 30% of its time daydreaming? But not when your mind is engaged in a story. When you're emotionally connected to the plot points of a story, your brain focuses fully on that story. In today's special episode, Donald Miller presents the power of story to business students at Baylor University and teaches them how to use the art of story in the marketplace.   If yo...

Entrepreneurs are wired to constantly come up with new ideas. But sometimes creative juices can cause your business to get pulled in multiple directions, making you a jack of all trades and a master of none. Even worse, it kills your company's potential to hone in on the products and services that actually boost revenue.   In today's episode, Donald Miller talks with board-certified art therapist,...

Having trouble being seen as an authority in your niche? No matter what you're selling, if you don't position your products correctly, you'll lose credibility and stunt the growth of your business. To own market share, you're going to have to do one thing extremely well: be known for solving a very specific problem – and it may not be the problem you have in mind!    In today's coaching conversati...

The economy has many business owners on edge. How can you recession-proof your company? One key way is to make sure your marketing is strong and effective. The right marketing strategy has the power to make your business thrive and grow, even in an economic downturn.    In today's episode, Donald Miller shares some marketing tips that every business owner should implement. These tactics can help y...

What if you had recurring revenue that covered most (if not all) of your monthly expenses? Anything on top of that would be pure profit. If your business is seasonal or has a highly fluctuating monthly cash flow, a subscription model could help you stabilize your revenue stream and cover your monthly overhead.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller sits down with Jacob Bradley, CEO and...

When you have extra money in the bank, you should reinvest it in your company. But how do you know where to invest when there are many areas that need attention? Instead of sitting on your profit with uncertainty or putting money in the wrong places, you want to pour cash in strategic growth areas.   In today's episode, Donald Miller talks with Rebekah Scott of Rebekah Scott Designs, a luxury hand...

Is your business stuck making the same revenue as last year? No matter what industry you're in, expanding or changing a product or service could be the boost you need. A strategic pivot can help you tap into a new area of the market and ignite the growth you've been looking for.   In today's coaching session, Donald Miller talks with Scott Mueller, president and owner of Mueller Memorial Funeral H...

Many business owners find their personalities are tightly bound to their company's marketing, especially thanks to social media. On one hand, this can allow your customers to feel a connection to you and your brand. However, it also can act as an open invitation to for people to criticize you and, at times, even your family. So the question is how authentic and vulnerable should you be over social...

What would you do if your boss gave you the opportunity to buy the company? It's a huge decision, and hard to know where to even begin evaluating if it's a good investment for you. Today's episode will give you the key questions to ask and things to look out for so you enter negotiations confident and prepared.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Ray Martindale, a video pr...

As a consultant, customers are paying for your expertise. The problem is how can you scale if your business model limits your services to one-on-one interactions? You could charge more but that's only a temporary fix. What's the long term approach you should take?   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Alexis Alvarez, CEO of Burst Event Company. Alexis hopes to grow her weddi...

You've heard us say it over and over again: your marketing should invite your customers into a story where they are the hero. And this means focusing on their story instead of telling your own. But we're going to let you in on a secret today. There actually is there a way you can tell your brand's story. You just have to make it all about your customer and solving their problem.   In today's coach...

When it comes to growing your business, it's easy to fill up a list with potential great ideas. What's hard is deciding which ones to implement and when, especially if you only have the time and money to go with one.   In this episode, Donald Miller walks Jeff Stoner, co-owner of My Mickey Vacation Travel, through the decision-making process of choosing the next strategic initiative for his busine...

One of the questions we get asked the most at Business Made Simple is "Can you apply these frameworks to help grow nonprofits?" The simple answer: YES! And in today's episode, Donald Miller will show you how as he coaches Breanna Owen of Beza Threads, a nonprofit selling handcrafted leather goods to fight human trafficking around the world.   If you're tired of hitting a wall when it comes to grow...

Starting and growing a business can't happen in a vacuum. You need supporting players to help foster your dream into a reality. But what happens when the people you brought on to grow your company decide they want to leave? Even more importantly, how can you manage their exit so it's smooth and constructive?   This scenario is very familiar in the walls of Business Made Simple as Don talks with Ti...

Your website is the front door to your business, and you only have a few seconds to win over a customer before they either engage with your brand or move on. That's why it's crucial that your website is clear and simply explains how you will help your potential customer solve a problem to make their life better.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Sam, a retired law enforc...

As a business owner, starting a business from nothing can feel like solving an impossible mystery. But with the right frameworks and insight you can remove that mystery to create a business not only survives, but thrives. Today we've brought on special guest and online marketing expert Amy Porterfield, host of the Online Marketing Made Easy Podcast , to compare notes with Donald Miller around how...

Many artists don't believe they're competent at business or feel thinking about their art as a business might cheapen it. But whether you're an author, painter, musician or produce any other type of creative work, without steady cash flow, it's nearly impossible to get your work in front of the world. It's only when you think of your art as a product you sell that you can truly market and get in f...

You started your business to follow your passion, to fill a need or even to accomplish a mission. But exactly how can you inspire customers to buy into that mission and buy your products?    In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Tara Hurster, founder of the TARA Clinic in Sydney, Australia. Her mission is providing busy and successful people help as they try to regain control...

As a leader it's easy to feel the pressure of needing to make every decision. It's also easy to fall into the trap of dismissing other people's ideas thinking your way is best. In fact, leaders who lead by force not only erode confidence within their company but can ultimately push it to failure. So how can you lead with authority while still being inclusive and open-minded?   In this episode, Don...

The pandemic shifted business in a huge way. As things start to return back to normal, many businesses are stuck trying to get back to where they were pre-pandemic or even trying to figure out what a new normal looks like.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with David Bron, owner of Praxis Learning International, a summer camp program for international students. Don coaches Da...

When it comes to future-casting, business leaders often try to think of the next big product they can create or service they can offer. But what if your next opportunity to bring in more revenue is actually right in front of you? If you want to keep your costs low, profits high, and avoid overworking your employees, you need to work smarter, not harder.   In today's coaching conversation, Donald M...

Last week's conversation was all about honing in on the problem you solve for customers because when your product is the solution to a problem, its value doubles immediately. But what if you're focusing on the wrong problem?   In this coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Adam Jones, a comedic stage hypnotist, about how he needs to rethink the problem he solves for his clients so he can...

Do you think of your product or your business as a solution to a problem? If your product is the solution to a problem, your product's value doubles immediately. But if you're in a crowded market, how do you set yourself apart and get more customers?   In this coaching conversation, Donald Miller talks with Kaytlyn Wells, physical therapist and owner of Beyond Repair. Don coaches Kaytlyn on how to...

So many small businesses feel stuck when it comes to their revenue. Year after year they keep making the same amount, and no matter what they try, it doesn't seem to grow. How do you break out of a revenue rut?   In this episode, Donald Miller talks with balloon artist Natalie Teabo, owner of Hello Sunshine Balloons, who feels stuck in what her business is currently making. Don coaches Natalie on...