258: Electra Govoni on Top Mistakes New Business Owners Make (And How to Avoid Them!)
Release Date: 02/11/2025
274: Jason Zygadlo on the ONLY Video Strategy Female Solopreneurs Over 40 Need
Gratitude Geek
Are you a female solopreneur over 40 looking to stand out in 2025? Discover how video can transform your business, build real connections, and help you shine in a crowded market—no matter what you’ve overcome. Jason Zygadlo joins me for episode 274 of Gratitude Geek to explore the power of personalized video, authentic branding, and how his nonprofit ZIGGYSTRONG supports people navigating grief and adversity. Whether you’re rebuilding after cancer, divorce, or loss, this episode offers practical tips and heartfelt encouragement for women in business who lead with purpose. Connect with...
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This is Why 99% of Creators Don’t Succeed on YouTube | Jake Thomas
Gratitude Geek
If your YouTube titles aren’t getting clicks, your content isn’t getting seen. Period. In episode 273 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Jake Thomas, the self-proclaimed YouTube title nerd behind CreatorHooks.com, who’s written 1,000s of titles responsible for nearly 100 million views. We unpack the psychology of why people click, how to avoid common title mistakes, and how women over 40 can stand out on YouTube without falling into the clickbait trap. Whether you’re launching a channel or stuck in content limbo, Jake’s insights will help you write titles that actually convert....
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Avoiding Costly Entrepreneur Mistakes with IRS Enrolled Agent Roger Pearson
Gratitude Geek
You can have a killer product and a beautiful website… and still lose thousands. In episode 272, I chat with Roger Pearson—an IRS Enrolled Agent with over 50 years of experience in business—about the most common (and costly) mistakes entrepreneurs make when it comes to finances, taxes, and business structure. Roger shares the three foundational pillars every small business needs to thrive and explains why even seasoned solopreneurs often miss the mark when it comes to deductions, depreciation, and documentation. If you're a business owner who's ever said, “I wish I’d known that...
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271: Nikki the Death Doula on Why Talking About Dying Makes Life Better
Gratitude Geek
What if talking about death actually helped us live better? In this powerful episode of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, host Kandas Rodarte sits down with Nikki Smith, an INELDA-certified death doula and grief coach, to explore the often-avoided topic of dying—and why it's time to stop pretending we’ll live forever. Nikki shares: How a death doula supports the dying and their loved ones What practical tools—like checklists—can ease grief and prevent family conflict Why casseroles aren’t the only way to help a grieving friend How talking openly about death can help us appreciate...
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270: Andrew Frazier Unpopular Opinions That Could Save Your Business
Gratitude Geek
Is your business stuck because of what you think you know? In this episode of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, host Kandas Rodarte sits down with entrepreneurship educator Andrew Frazier to explore the unpopular truths that small business owners need to hear. Andrew shares what thousands of coaching sessions have taught him about: Why not every business should scale The real reason your marketing isn’t working How personal branding beats a business plan What most entrepreneurs get wrong about selling Why financial literacy is a game-changer If you're a solo entrepreneur, microbusiness...
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269: Chris Troka talks Human Touch Automation
Gratitude Geek
AI and automation are game-changers, but they can feel a little... well, robotic. In this episode, I sit down with strategic marketing expert Chris Troka to talk about how solopreneurs can automate workflows without losing the personal connection that makes small businesses thrive. Chris shares his journey from wedding DJ to automation expert and gives real-world advice on blending tech with heart. What You'll Learn: Why consistent follow-up is critical (and how automation makes it easier) How to keep your client communications feeling personal The best CRM tools for solopreneurs (and...
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268: Kim Beam on Building a Feel-Good Business
Gratitude Geek
What happens when you build a business that feels good? In episode 268, I sit down with intuitive healer and spiritual joy guide Kim Beam to explore how aligning your business with joy, gratitude, and purpose can lead to unexpected success and healing. Kim shares her journey from personal struggles to powerful breakthroughs, including how she turned pain into purpose and fear into flow. We talk candidly about cancer, entrepreneurship, intuitive practices, and the importance of body awareness. Kim reveals how simple shifts—like choosing aligned clients, saying no to energy-draining tasks, and...
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267: 12X Boxing Champion Cam F. Awesome on Positive Self-Talk
Gratitude Geek
In episode 267 of the Gratitude Geek Podcast, I interview Cam F. Awesome, a 12-time national boxing champion turned motivational speaker. Cam shares his journey from facing setbacks in the Olympic trials to embracing the mindset of a champion. We chat about the role of positive self-talk in overcoming challenges and building resilience—an essential skill for solopreneurs looking to grow their businesses with gratitude, grit, and determination. Through candid stories, Cam explains how he transformed his perspective on failure, success, and self-worth, offering powerful lessons for anyone...
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266: Alex Sanfilippo on the Business of Podcasting
Gratitude Geek
In episode 266, I chat with Alex Sanfilippo, founder of PodMatch, about what it really takes to grow a podcast—and a business—through guesting, hosting, and collaboration. We explore tools, monetization, content repurposing, and how community drives success in podcasting. 🎧 Full show notes: Gratitude Geek is part of the Podmatch Network. Learn how Podmatch can help you grow your visibility:
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265: How Joshua Dalzelle Built a Sci-Fi Empire Without a Publisher
Gratitude Geek
In episode 265 of Gratitude Geek, I chat with bestselling indie sci-fi author Joshua Dalzelle, who garnered enormous success without the backing of a traditional publisher. 🚀 Joshua shares his journey from self-publishing his first novel to selling millions of copies and earning a loyal fanbase. We chat about: ✅ How Joshua leveraged self-publishing to achieve success ✅ The secrets behind building a devoted reader community ✅ Why protecting intellectual property is essential for authors From his hit Omega Force series to expanding into audiobooks and foreign rights, Joshua’s...
info_outlineIn episode 258 of Gratitude Geek, I sit down with Electra Govoni to uncover the biggest mistakes new business owners make—and how to sidestep them. From financial missteps to ineffective systems, Electra shares insights from her journey as a software engineer turned business coach. She dives into the importance of understanding net income, establishing strong foundational principles, and surrounding yourself with the right support network.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why focusing only on gross revenue can hurt your business
- The power of understanding your financial break-even point
- How to build a supportive “board of directors” for accountability
- The benefits of hiring fractional professionals for key business roles
- Why prioritizing your well-being is essential for long-term success
Chapters:
00:00 – Why Profit Margins Matter More Than Revenue
05:00 – Avoiding the Trap of Trend-Chasing in Business
10:00 – Understanding Revenue vs. Expenses for Sustainable Growth
15:00 – Cash Flow Challenges & The Importance of a Financial Cushion
20:00 – Taking Action with a Peer Accountability Group
25:00 – Top Mistakes New Business Owners Make
30:00 – The Value of Fractional Professionals in Your Business
35:00 – Work-Life Balance & Avoiding Burnout
40:00 – The Power of Systems & Support Networks
45:00 – Final Thoughts & Gratitude for the Business Community
Resources & Links:
- Connect with Electra Govoni: https://www.thealternativeboard.com/boston-northwest
- Full show notes: https://kandasrodarte.com/258
- Get 30% off HoneyBook for one year using my referral link: kandasrodarte.com/honeybook.
- Join the Robusta Small Business Percolator: https://kandasrodarte.com/robusta
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Stay Groovy! 🚀