Unfiltered Entrepreneur by Ashli Pollard - Business Tips for Digital Service Based Founders and Agencies

You’ve done the work. You’ve set up the business. You’re making a profit. But… you’re still not happy. Why? The answer could be that you’re not operating in the space that you actually want to be in. So let’s talk about the distinctions between being a freelancer, contractor, small business, and agency owner. It’s really important to have self-awareness in choosing the right business model for YOU...

Networking. It sucks, right? Maybe…or maybe you’re just looking at it wrong. Let’s examine networking as a primary marketing tool. I’m going to share some insights from The Roundtable, and how Dial Zero Marketing approaching networking as a marketing tool. We’ll go over the challenges and strategies of networking in various locations, practical tips for building genuine connections, and the import...

How do you stand out in the now-overcrowded online space? Julia from “Smarter in a Sec” is a brand strategist, social media consultant, and content creator who has cracked the code on standing out: being yourself. In this interview, I dive into Julia's journey from a strategy consultant to a content creator and how she arrived at her unique content strategy of blending smart insights and produ...

Let’s talk different pricing models. How do you know when to use the best model for you? How do you use hourly rates, project fees, or custom pricing? What is the reason behind using one or the other? In this, I am covering my insight as someone who has been involved in pricing for the past 15 years in a wide variety of sectors. From Dial Zero to Team AP to Me Time to Fast Forward, pricing has bee...

We are putting our focus on managing lower-priced service offerings and avoiding the trap of over-delivering without adequate compensation. Have you been wondering how to structure your business offerings to avoid feeling resentment for working too hard for too little? I hear you. Trust me when I say I get just how important it is to price accurately, recognize when you're overworked and under...

I get it. Pricing your services is TOUGH. When I had to price my offers with Team AP Consulting Dial Zero Marketing, I had to figure out what was right for me. So how do you figure that out for yourself? The key is brand presence, market research, client expectations, and the overall ecosystem of your sales. We need to balance not underpricing or overpricing services, and I give you my iconic stea...

I am BACK! I’ve returned to share valuable tips for those of you in your first year of business. We’re touching on the importance of foundational tasks such as getting contracts and hiring an accountant early. Seriously. Having basic branding, time-blocking for different business functions, and building a supportive community is EVERYTHING in that first year. If you’ve been looking for practical s...

Major news and also HI I MISS YOU SO MUCH

Sometimes being a business owner is a realllllll gut punch.

Also big news at the end 💪🏽

What is the state of entrepreneurship today? Jessica Freeman, founder of Jess Creatives, took a survey of 200 business owners and came up with some surprising insights. This groundbreaking study sheds light on various aspects such as email marketing effectiveness, the use of CRM and project management tools, the prevalence of solopreneurship, revenue realities, and the degree of team support in sm...

We are shifting the focus from traditional business growth strategies to the pivotal role of mastering one's mindset in entrepreneurship. In order to be successful, we have to put time into the emotional and mental challenges that come with running a business. So I’m going to share personal insights and experiences on how I overcame my mindset blocks. We’re tackling things like imposter syndrome,...

Chapters00:00Introduction and Overview02:57The History and Purpose of the Met Gala11:47The Importance of Styling at the Met Gala26:25The Role of Vogue and the Costume Institute30:14The Politics and Decision-Making Behind the Looks35:36The Impact of the Met Gala on Fashion and Culture36:33The Power of Good Styling39:27The Impact on the Fashion Industry49:30The Politics of Being Best Dressed56:37The...

How do you stay true to yourself in your business? Today, I’m sitting down with Stella Stephanopoulos, the visionary behind the 'Everyday Endorphins' movement and podcast, to discuss how being true to ourselves only strengthens what we offer to our businesses. We go over Stella's journey from starting a fitness blog inspired by her own mental and physical health journey to creating a w...

Do you want to find out how to make funnels that actually drive up your sales and profit margins? If so, I’ve got the guest for you. Today I’m sitting down with funnel expert Daniela Justus, CEO of DEJA, an innovative digital marketing agency. Daniela specializes in creating effective funnels, ads, and online marketing strategies for service providers and coaches. We’re discussing the nuances of f...

We are talking about the power of well-crafted freebies in converting email signups to sales. Seriously - you need to viewing freebies as valuable digital products, rather than mere giveaways, that help you to establish authority and trust with your audience. I’ll share my strategies for creating impactful free products, how to incorporate them into marketing efforts, and ways that you can leverag...

We are celebrating the community of the Doers Club with special guest and member, Rachel Lopez. Rachel is known for her deep involvement and valuable contributions, particularly in email marketing. Rachel shares her journey from a corporate background to becoming a passionate entrepreneur, offering insights into her approach to email marketing, the importance of trusting one’s instincts, and the v...

We are talking about the distinct roles of email and social media (specifically Instagram) in business marketing. How do you market your business, and which method is best for YOU? The way to find out is figuring out how to specialize each platform's purpose — using social media for branding and first purchases, and email for deeper connections through upsell and cross-sell opportunities. I’m...

We are exploring the importance of recognizing the three types of clients - Pockets, Budgets, and Banks - in business. I am going to explain exactly how each client type differs in terms of financial capital and investment capability, ranging from personal spending (Pockets) to significant loans or venture capital (Banks). If you’ve been wanting to optimize your cash flow by figuring out how to ta...

We are sitting down with a true Icon today, Business Coach and Co-founder of the Icon Agency, Erica Reitman. Erica is a woman who has made a significant impact online with her confidence, creativity, and authenticity. Erica shares her journey of becoming comfortable with expressing herself and standing out, and how shifting her mindset allowed her to embrace her unique perspective on life. She has...

Let’s talk about it.

We are exploring the distinctions between building a brand, a business, and a following, and don’t get it twisted — these are not interchangeable. We are going to debunk common misconceptions encouraged by 'Instagram gurus' about the necessity of daily posting, and instead we are going for a tailored approach to social media marketing based on where YOUR audience actually engages. I’ll giv...

I’m sitting down with Buy the Blazer CEO Ashley Bennington in a candid discussion of her entrepreneurial journey, specifically the initial stages of her business, the struggles she’s faced, self-investment, and achieving her financial goals (YAY $1 MILLION IN SALES!!). We explore the power of aligning investments with personal values, stepping out of comfort zones, and making the right hires to as...