Managing Your Business During a Personal Crisis with Julia Becker Collins
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
Release Date: 08/23/2021
Mastering Your Niche: Unveiling The Power of Your Brand with Mallika Malhotra
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
On this episode of the Sassy Strategist Podcast, host Kim Dawson interviews Mallika Malhotra, the Brand CEO, as she unpacks the crucial elements of brand strategy for entrepreneurs navigating crowded marketplaces. Delving into the challenges of standing out and gaining traction, Malika shares her expertise in helping experienced entrepreneurs define their power niche, craft impactful messaging, and enhance visibility to become industry go-tos. Mallika emphasizes the distinction between brand and marketing strategies, stressing the significance of brand essence before communication...
info_outline
Pricing Models for Your Service-Based Business with Kim Dawson
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
In the initial stages of launching a service-based business, it's common to start with lower rates to attract clients and gain experience. Many entrepreneurs begin by charging hourly, ensuring they are compensated for their time. However, as expertise grows, sticking to hourly rates can hinder long-term profitability. In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson explores three key pricing models: monthly retainers, project-based pricing, and packaged services. Kim discusses the pros and cons of each, emphasizing the importance of transitioning away from hourly rates to...
info_outline
Unlocking the Power of Curiosity and Authenticity: Kim Dawson's Journey to a Purpose-Driven Business, Hosted by Emily Aborn
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
Unlocking the Power of Curiosity and Authenticity: Kim Dawson's Journey to a Purpose-Driven Business, Hosted by Emily Aborn In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson swaps roles with her friend and fellow podcaster, Emily Aborn, who hosts two podcasts - She Built This and Content with Character. Emily interviews Kim about her personal journey, which starts with her first business at the age of seven, and how it led her to where she is today. Kim shares some fun facts about herself and reveals how her curiosity, honesty, and passion for helping others have been...
info_outline
Stop Waiting for Change and Start Creating It Yourself with Kim Dawson
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
Have you been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or simply “meh” about your business lately? Does it feel like you’re in a holding pattern waiting for something to change? Are you telling yourself that eventually things will start to happen for you, and at that point you’ll finally be ready to move forward? Then don’t miss this episode of The Sassy Strategist podcast. Host Kim Dawson shares a personal story of how she found inspiration where she least expected it, and how it made her realize that waiting for change just keeps you stuck where you are. She asks the tough questions to...
info_outline
Staying Small While Growing Your Team with Kim Dawson
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
There’s a misconception out there that scaling is the only way to increase revenue, increase profit, have more time, and run your business more efficiently. However, many solopreneurs and small business owners don’t really want to scale. In fact, what many call scaling, isn’t really scaling at all! In this episode of The Sassy Strategist, host Kim Dawson dispels the myths around scaling, discussing the difference between scaling and other forms of growth. Kim shares strategies for achieving your goals without scaling, and without continuously growing your team. If you’re looking to...
info_outline
Building a Profitable Business When You Don't Want to Be a CEO with Kim Dawson
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
You love being a small business owner and you started your business because you wanted to make a living doing something you love. But there is pressure coming from all around you telling you to “grow and scale” - whether it’s creating passive revenue streams, hiring employees, growing your team, or even building to sell. The message you’re told is that it’s the only way to be successful. But it isn’t. In this episode of The Sassy Strategist, host Kim Dawson shares her thoughts on finding joy and profitability as a small business owner. Kim also discusses why trying to be a CEO...
info_outline
How to Get More Clients by Selling Results with Kim Dawson
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
When selling to potential clients remember one thing - they want to know that you can provide what they need, do it within their budget, and if they hire you they’ll get results. To successfully sell your services, you need to be able to communicate these results at rates that align with the value of these results. Pricing too high or too low can send the message that they won’t get the results they want. In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson shares strategies for selling from the client’s perspective; speaking to what you can do for them, the...
info_outline
How to Create an Effective Marketing Strategy for Your Business with Kristi Mitchell
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
Not every business owner enjoys marketing, but it’s necessary if you want to grow your business. However, you can make marketing work for you, even make it enjoyable, if you adopt a different approach. Marketing can feel overwhelming if you think you need to implement every marketing strategy and be everywhere all the time. There are several options and opportunities, but you can choose what aligns with you and your business. In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson interviews Kristi Mitchell, Marketing Strategist, who shares insight on how to create a custom...
info_outline
5 Questions to Ask Yourself Before Taking On a New Client with Kim Dawson
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
Even the most experienced business owner can get nervous before a sales call. We might be worried about whether or not we make the sale, and if we don’t, how it will affect our revenue. Maybe you wish you didn’t have to worry about sales or marketing, and you think you’d be happier if you could just do what you love to do in your business. In fact, you’d rather not spend any time thinking about sales funnels, sales journeys, or sales scripts. But what if sales could be different? On this episode of the Sassy Strategist Podcast, host Kim Dawson presents a new approach to sales -...
info_outline
How to Do SEO Yourself with Karen Callahan
The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love
You’ve heard about SEO and how it can really drive traffic to your website, but you keep putting it off. SEO can seem overwhelming, overly technical, and can feel like there is too much to learn. However, SEO can actually be easy to learn and implement in your business. SEO may also be the most effective marketing tool in your toolbox, and one you can do yourself with little to no cost. In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson interviews Karen Callahan, SEO Strategist, Trainer, and WordPress Developer, who shares her tips and strategies for getting found on...
info_outlineJulia received the call of her cancer diagnosis at 5pm on Friday, March 13, 2020, just as businesses throughout the country began shutting down from the COVID-19 pandemic. Julia Becker Collins, COO of Vision Advertising, was met with the challenge of dealing with a life changing medical diagnosis, with offices closing and the world in chaos, all while continuing to run a company where staff and clients were depending on her to navigate the way.
In this special episode of the Sassy Strategist Podcast, Julia shares her story of how she was able to manage her diagnosis and treatment while also managing her company staff, now all working remotely, dealing with clients, and implementing new operations as a company due to COVID-19, all while reminding herself that from now on, her health needed to be top priority.
KEY POINTS
- Having a strong support system in place can be extremely helpful to you during a crisis.
- Set boundaries with staff and clients regarding your time - this includes letting them know you may not be available at certain times.
- Delegating and trusting others to get things done is critical to success when you need to step away from your business.
- Before saying “yes” to a request, first ask yourself, “how does this serve me?” If the answer isn’t compelling enough to say “yes”, then say “NO.”
- You can’t really be good at running a business if you’re not living a fulfilling life outside of your business.
ABOUT THE GUEST
Julia has more than 16 years experience in marketing and business. She is the Chief Operating Officer of Vision Advertising and leads all aspects of the company, from managing day-today operations to talking marketing and business strategy with clients. Julia's the Founding President (emeritus) & Co-Founder of the MetroWest Women’s Network, a group of more than 3,500 ambitious women that work together to meet their goals. Julia regularly speaks at business events, seminars, training sessions, and more. Julia holds an MPA from Framingham State University & a BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She was awarded the Distinguished Alum Award at UMass Amherst in 2016. In 2019, she won the 40 Under 40 Award from the Worcester Business Journal.
ABOUT THE HOST
Kim Dawson is a results-driven business strategist and an expert at turning a good business into a great one. Her clients have reached their current capacity and need to scale to the next level to increase their bottom line. With over 20+ years of entrepreneurship and accounting experience, Kim helps small businesses optimize their pricing and procedures while navigating niche markets and building a team without cutting into their profitability. After working with Kim, her clients end up doubling, tripling, or even quadrupling their revenue, all while gaining their free time back.⠀