Make Space For More

Episode Summary As your business or organization grows, the demands on your time tend to grow right along with it. Without the right boundaries and support in place, it’s easy to become the person everyone turns to for questions, decisions, and day-to-day needs. In this episode, I’m sharing practical ways to protect your time while still giving your team the support they need. It starts with getti...

Episode Summary In this episode, I’m answering a question that continues to come up with business owners and our clients: What should AI handle, what should a virtual assistant handle, and what still needs you as the leader? AI can be incredibly helpful for brainstorming, first drafts, summarizing information, organizing ideas, and identifying next steps. But I think of AI as an assistant, not an...

Episode Summary In this episode, Melissa Swink, founder and CEO of Melissa Swink & Co., shares why lasting progress isn’t about feeling motivated every day—it’s about creating the right structure and support to keep moving forward. Melissa explores how workload, decision fatigue, and competing priorities can cause meaningful goals and projects to stall. Through practical strategies and a real...

Episode Summary If hiring a virtual assistant has created more questions instead of more capacity, the problem may not be the person you hired. More often, it's the foundation they were given to work from. In this episode, Melissa Swink shares why delegation often falls short of creating true ownership and how a more intentional onboarding process can change that. Drawing from her own experience a...

Episode Summary Tune into Make Space for More as host Melissa Swink interviews brand photographer Julie Gile, who shares her journey from personal tragedy to professional success. Julie discusses the importance of storytelling in brand photography – especially the need for strategy and intentionality in capturing visuals that resonate with clients.  You’ll learn tips and tricks for working wi...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink chatted with tax expert Carmine Guida Jr. to explore the intricacies of tax planning and strategy for business owners. You don’t want to miss this conversation about the importance of proactive tax planning, the evolution of Carmine's business, and the impact of recent tax law changes.  Carmine shared about...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink speaks with Ashly Hartmann, Vice President of R-Value Insulators , about scaling a business in the building trades industry, and the importance of aligning that business with your personal values and lifestyle.  Tune in to hear a discussion about the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, the significa...

Episode Summary In this special episode of “Make Space for More,” host Melissa Swink interviews Lisa Susen-Sullivan , a seasoned real estate broker and multi-passionate entrepreneur. Tune in to hear a frank discussion of Lisa's journey into real estate, the impact of COVID-19 on the housing market, and the emotional aspects of real estate transactions.  You’ll learn about Lisa’s experiences w...

Episode Summary In this week’s “Make Space for More,” host Melissa Swink interviews Max Mednik , a serial entrepreneur and COO of Epsilon3 . They discussed Max's journey in entrepreneurship, the evolution of his startups, the importance of idea generation and execution, and the challenges faced in growing a business.  Max shares insights on networking, maintaining relationships, and staying p...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink interviews Kristen Powers, the executive director of Benevolence Farm , a nonprofit focused on supporting formerly incarcerated women. Kristen shares her journey into nonprofit work, the mission of Benevolence Farm, and the challenges and growth the organization has experienced.  Tune in to learn about the...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink welcomes Karen Widas , a payment solutions expert. They discuss Karen's journey into the credit card processing industry, the complexities of payment solutions for businesses, and the importance of evaluating different payment systems to save costs.  Tune in to learn various tools and technologies that can...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink discusses the intersection of health, productivity, and business growth with guest Kymberly Klimek, PharmD, B.S , a functional medicine pharmacist. They explore how optimizing health can enhance leadership and productivity, the importance of understanding one's body, and the role of functional medicine in addres...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink interviews Jen Fietz , founder of Stoke RGA , who shares her journey from finance to marketing and the unique approach her company takes in helping manufacturers grow. They discuss the importance of strategic alignment, the challenges of rebranding, and the process of conducting a growth gap analysis. Tune in to...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink interviews Shelby Ashley, a fractional CFO who specializes in helping business owners understand their financials and make informed decisions. They discuss the challenges of entrepreneurship, the importance of cash flow management, and the distinct roles of CFOs, accountants, and bookkeepers.  Tune in to he...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink is joined by her 10-year-old daughter, Ava, for a lighthearted conversation about business! They discuss the inspiration behind Melissa's virtual assistant company, the services offered, and the evolution of her role over the years.  Tune in to hear their conversation, which also touches on hiring practices...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink shares some exciting news - she's been accepted into the prestigious Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program! She pulls back the curtain on why this opportunity feels like the perfect next step for her business, and how she's preparing both herself and her team for this intensive journey. Tune in to hear Meliss...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink tackles a challenge many growing businesses face: Effective delegation. Because when delegation isn't working, it's usually not a people problem; it's a process problem. You’ll learn about the foundational systems that transform delegation from a simple task handoff into a strategic business advantage. Melissa explai...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, host Melissa Swink interviews Jay Morth, a professional ballroom dancer and dance studio owner. Jay shares his unique journey into the world of dance, starting from his childhood experiences with his father to his professional career and eventual transition into business ownership.  Tune into their conversation to hear about...

Episode Summary You’re in for a treat with this week’s podcast episode! Host Melissa Swink interviewed Shanne Soulier, founder of Big Spirit Inc. They discussed how to grow a business intentionally, the challenges of starting and managing a company, and the importance of building a supportive team. Shanne shared his journey from freelancing to establishing a successful marketing firm, emphasizing...

Episode Summary In this conversation, Tracy Johnson, CEO of InitiativeOne, shares her journey from a nursing career to leading a successful consulting firm. She discusses the evolution of her role, the growth of her team, and the importance of client engagement and community involvement. Tracy emphasizes the significance of finding the right people for the right roles, the value of outsourcing, an...

Episode Summary Communication is what keeps your team moving, but too much of it (in the wrong places) can lead to missed messages, burnout, and bottlenecks! In this week’s episode of Make Space for More, you’ll learn strategies for effective team communication without unnecessary chaos. Melissa Swink will teach you how to keep your team aligned and empowered while avoiding burnout and confusion.&...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink discusses the importance of stepping into “CEO energy”  by eliminating low-value tasks (otherwise known as “$20 tasks”) that drain your energy and hinder your productivity. You’ll get a reality check on what those tasks look like and why you need to focus on high-leverage actions, strategic decision-making, and...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink discusses the challenges of perfectionism as a business owner and how it can hinder your growth. She shares insights on recognizing perfectionism, its hidden costs, and practical strategies to overcome it. Tune in to learn how collaborating with a virtual assisting team can help you let go of control and focus on pro...

Episode Summary In this episode of the Make Space for More podcast, Melissa Swink will show you how virtual assistants (VAs) can help business owners work less while earning more . You’ll learn how to view hiring a VA as an investment (not an expense) through many examples of the types of tasks that VAs can handle for businesses,  including busy work and strategic tasks. You’ll also learn abo...

Episode Summary While clearing your email inbox may feel productive, it may not be actively moving the needle in your business. Today’s episode of Make Space of More covers the limitations of striving for “inbox zero” as a CEO. Melissa Swink will help you shift your mindset away from mere productivity to actual profitability, advocating for strategic thinking and more effective time management.&nb...