The Spooniepreneur Podcast

It can be challenging to run a business while living with a chronic illness. Each Tuesday, join business mentor Nicole Neer as she gets real about what it looks like to be an entrepreneur living with health challenges. If you are a spoonie and have (or want to start) an online business, this podcast is for you!

Why I'm Ending This Podcast 03/28/2022

Why I'm Ending This Podcast That’s right…it’s the final episode of the Spooniepreneur Podcast. Today, I’m stepping you through how I made this decision and what’s coming next. Want to stay connected? Follow me on Instagram @withnicoleneer or check out my virtual assistance agency: www.bloomadminservices.com. /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462423

My Tips + Tricks to Keep Your Business Running 02/14/2022

My Tips + Tricks to Keep Your Business Running I often get asked, “How do you manage to get it all done in your business?” To be honest, keeping things streamlined and organized comes naturally to me…but I know that’s not true for everyone. So on this week’s episode, I’m sharing with you the systems and strategies I use to keep my business running even while living with chronic illness. This week we’re talking about: Listening to your body and what it needs from you each day How to prioritize your day in a way that doesn’t leave you frustrated The key to finding shortcuts in your life and business to save you spoons Want to learn more about these systems (and many more)? Click here to get my free masterclass on the three systems every entrepreneur needs to have: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462426

When Mental Illness Impacts Your Business 02/07/2022

When Mental Illness Impacts Your Business Finding success as an entrepreneur means a lot of mindset work…so when you’re dealing with mental health issues it can have a huge impact on your success. This is something that I’ve been navigating over the last few months so today I’m stepping you through what has been working (and not!) for me. This week I’m sharing: How my money mindset issues impacted my business plan Why being diagnosed with PTSD had a big impact on my business The difference between coaching and therapy The role that medication plays in my self-care toolkit Why it’s important to talk about the role mental health plays in our lives (and businesses) Want to learn more about thethree systems every entrepreneur needs to simplify their business and get back to working in their zone of genius? Click here to get the free training: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462429

Kicking Fear Out of the Driver's Seat 01/31/2022

Kicking Fear Out of the Driver's Seat Recently I discovered some Big Magic in my life and business…and it had a BIG impact on my ability to bring my dreams to life. The reality is that this process is usually messy and painful. This was definitely true for me this week so I’m stepping you through how enforcing my boundaries with a client led to a revelation about the role fear plays in our businesses. This week, we’re diving into: Why you need to slow down to speed up in your business The power of boundaries…and why enforcing them is HARD What happens when fear drives all your decision making The messiness that comes when you’re manifesting what you want Want to learn about the three systems I think every entrepreneur should have? Click to get access to the free masterclass! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462432

The Secret to Manifesting Your Dreams 01/24/2022

The Secret to Manifesting Your Dreams This week we’re diving into how much your mindset impacts your ability to build your business…and how that can feel magical at times. We’re also getting a little woo-woo and talking about the act of manifesting your dreams. We’re discussing: My resistance to making investments like getting a logo designed has shown up in my business How I use the law of attraction to manifest my dreams in both life and business The magic of using your emotions to determine what you really want All the ways this process is painful and MESSY Practicing the art of surrender Trying to streamline your business? Click here for my training on the three systems every business needs! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462435

Managing Your Business During a Flare 01/17/2022

Managing Your Business During a Flare It’s not a matter of if your health is going to impact your business - it’s a matter of when. And this week, a massive flare caused my business to come to a standstill. There’s a reason I preach about having solid systems in your business because mine saved me this week. In this episode, we’re talking about: How to listen to your body’s cues on when to work and when to step away Navigating those difficult situations when your clients don’t understand your illness Dealing with your body’s responses to your mindset shifts The money mindset issues that ALWAYS come up when you’re scaling your business Check out my VIP day offer ! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462438

You Don’t Start From Scratch - You Start From Experience 01/10/2022

You Don’t Start From Scratch - You Start From Experience This season I’m taking you behind the scenes into what it looks like to dramatically shift your business when you’re living with chronic illness. We all go through this and it’s HARD. So I’m taking you week by week through my journey so you can see the tricks I use to navigate it all. This week we’re diving into: How I share my illness with clients at the start of our relationship...and what happens when they try to push my health boundaries Navigating ableism with clients The science behind why our bodies feel the stress of burnout My plan for working less and making more...and the mindset shifts I’m going through My tricks for participating in group programs + online courses when you’re a spoonie Tools I mention: Voice memo transcription: To learn more about my VIP offer, click ! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/23462441

Finding Healing Outside of Western Medicine 09/21/2021

Finding Healing Outside of Western Medicine Sunday Oliver is a healer and educator who believes that, “the root of all difficulties, from health to emotions, from finances and career to politics...goes deeper than practical advice, and needs to be handled in deeper and more subtle ways.” She suffers from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; and since discovering energy healing in her own journey, utilizes these practices in her own work as a healer. This episode features a conversation between Sunday and I where we dive into some of the work Sunday does, healing and what that looks like through energy practices, coping with overwhelm and helplessness, and so much more. We’re talking about: Sunday’s health journey + work life Overwhelm: what it feels like and looks like Treatment and energy modalities Creating an opening for healing through energy work Thinking through ideas around “Triumph” in our health journeys /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/20116814

How to Survive a Pivot in Your Business 09/14/2021

How to Survive a Pivot in Your Business There has been a shift for most service-based businesses recently. From Facebook live to TikTok to Instagram’s new video reels, our content-centered online world is in a constant state of change. And as Spoonie’s whose businesses rely on staying relevant with these trends, keeping up with these changes is frustrating. The easiest thing to do, however, is to resist this shift. In this episode, I talk about why changing your business plan is a good thing, the way I’ve been navigating this in my business, and so much more. We’re talking about: Where I started out with my business and how it grew How my business shifted and what I love about it Resisting the shift vs changing with it Manifestation and co-creation Approaching tough business conversations /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/20060060

Moving Forward After a Stroke 09/09/2021

Moving Forward After a Stroke After successfully building her business over the last twenty-plus years, Marcia thought she had life by the tail. She helped write business plans, differentiation strategies, and helped businesses start up their companies. Then Marcia suffered from a major stroke in 2014. She never gave up in the effort to become whole again, finding solace in utilizing her skill in planning and strategy. In today’s episode, Marcia shares her remarkable story--one of recovery, resilience, hope, and healing. And today, as the Founder of Stroke FORWARD, Marcia shares hope to other stroke survivors and their caretakers as she also learns to advocate for her own health. We’re talking about: Marcia’s story of surviving a stroke Exploring holistic methods for healing Life after neurofeedback Writing her book while recovering What stroke survivors can do in recovery /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19972376

There Are No One-Size-Fits-All Solutions in Business 09/07/2021

There Are No One-Size-Fits-All Solutions in Business Whether you call it the client journey, the sales process, or the map of your offers, a sales funnel is an integral component to building your business thereby bringing you closer to potential customers through marketing. With six years in the industry under my belt, I have had a lot of exposure to strategists who use this approach to help businesses grow. Recently, however, I’ve noticed a trend: entrepreneurs are being sold on sensationalized sales funnels that leave them penniless. In today’s episode, I discuss this phenomenon, how to identify these one-size-fits-all “solutions'' and provide a better idea on how to approach growing your business through this otherwise helpful tool. Why cookie cutter sales funnels don’t work! General rules of thumb when approaching sales funnels The trend I’ve been seeing and its impact A basic sales funnel example + why even this model wouldn’t work for some businesses My own personal experience investing in a one-size-fits-all funnel Book recommendations on marketing/business strategies /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19893311

You Are Not Your Diagnosis 09/02/2021

You Are Not Your Diagnosis Lyn Delmastro Thomson is a mind-body and medicine practitioner. She uses the healing systems of BodyTalk and Body-Intuitive. She is also a speaker and author of the Amazon Best-Seller, “ You are not your diagnosis” Lyn holds a Master’s degree in Somatic Psychology and has completed additional specialized training in biofeedback, therapeutic yoga, and Reiki. Today, our discussion looks beyond traditional approaches to medicine and how we can use other ways of healing and knowing to heal and help our experience. We’re talking about: Lyn’s work as a practitioner + what her work looks like Lyn’s chronic health conditions Boundary-setting The power of language and her best selling book /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19826864

When Anxiety and Business Collide 08/31/2021

When Anxiety and Business Collide Bonus episode alert! A lot has been going on this summer, so let’s talk about it. This episode includes life updates, anxiety, how to share your open wound with the public (when you need to), internalized ableism, and so much more. We’re talking about: Updates and everything life’s throwing at me Meeting business demands when dealing with your health Stigmas around mental health vs physical health Defining our Spoonie community /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/20267486

Why I Don’t Work From Home Anymore 08/03/2021

Why I Don’t Work From Home Anymore As Spoonies, we need work environments that allow us to navigate our chronic illnesses in ways that regular 9-5’s won't. For us, getting up and going to an office is extremely taxing and causes us more pain than we can withstand. Recently, however, I made a decision considered unconventional for Spooniepreneurs—I moved into an office space. In today’s episode, I tell a story about my life after college, independence and lack thereof, navigating a business at home, and what drove me to find a new place to run my business. We’re Talking About: What living in rural Ohio is like Moving back home after living on my own Setting boundaries in a multi-generational home What led to my decision to start working in an office space /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19752344

Making Your Career Work For You 07/27/2021

Making Your Career Work For You In this episode, Michele and I discuss what navigating a career looks like as a spoonie, overcoming disability, and how important it is to find work that allows us to navigate our needs. We’re Talking About: What Michele’s day looks like Michele’s approach to being a career coach Navigating the traditional job while managing side jobs Prioritizing your health /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19694045

Honoring Trauma in Your Business 07/20/2021

Honoring Trauma in Your Business For me, being a Spooniepreneur means not only building a business where I can navigate my conditions and disabilities but also cultivating an environment that is conscious of the things everyone else might be experiencing outside of the office. We never know what someone else is going through, but we can all agree that everyone–especially, after this pandemic–has experienced some sort of trauma. And because service-based businesses rely on understanding our clients, becoming competent in trauma and its impact will only allow our businesses to thrive. In today’s episode, I leverage my background in social work and offer an approach to navigating trauma in your business as well as developing marketing strategies that honor our clients so that you too can create a trauma-informed workplace. We’re Talking About: How Adverse Childhood Experiences impact us What happens when our bodies experience trauma (flight, fight, or freeze) Why running a trauma-informed organization is important How to make your marketing accessible by ditching scarcity sales tactics This one is for my spooniepreneurs who are struggling to keep their business running! Click the link below to check out the five systems YOU need for a more efficient business! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19615382

Making Sure Your Business is Accessible 07/13/2021

Making Sure Your Business is Accessible Rebecca Thorne is a disabled copywriter and disability inclusion educator for small businesses. In today’s episode, Rebecca dives into how she navigates her own sensory impairments and chronic illnesses while running a business, content marketing while having limited time and energy, positioning your chronic illness as the asset that it is, and so much more. Throughout our conversation, Rebecca underscores the importance of continuing these conversations for other spoonies like us. We're Talking About: How Rebecca found her niche What small business should know about being more disability inclusion, and having disability-inclusive marketing Rebecca’s daily workflow, pacing, and pain management The importance of not feeling like you need to do everything all the time! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19564745

Day in the Life 07/06/2021

Day in the Life Today’s episode comes to you as a part of episode 52 on “How I Spend My Money.” I received a lot of feedback from listeners on that episode about how helpful it was to see how another business owner does it. So, in order to help you all better navigate your businesses, I thought it would be helpful to dedicate an episode to painting a picture of my day managing my health while also operating a successful business. We’re talking about: The software programs I use to make my team’s day more efficient How I spend my morning before my meetings start My role as a project manager Time management and boundaries when meeting with our agency’s clients Sales calls, sales pages, proposals, and so much more! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19449356

How Connection Can Save Our Lives 06/29/2021

How Connection Can Save Our Lives As a highly accredited mental health speaker, educator, and trainer, David Woods Bartley devotes his life to centering conversations around mental health in the public space. David’s knowledge and passion have led him to audiences transnationally from the United States to India, and to various institutions from the United States FDA and Boston University to LYFT and TEDx. Stemming from personal experience, his exemplary commitment to normalizing these discussions is grounded in his battle with clinical depression, a subsequent attempted suicide, and the lifesaving support he received thereafter. As David actively nurtures his mental health and continues his journey, he works to show people the necessity of putting your mental health on a pedestal and the possibility of mental wellness for everyone. This episode is an attempt to contribute to this work of normalizing mental health--we touch on trauma, approaches to prioritizing yourself to achieve what David calls “mental wellness,” and so much more. We’re talking about: David’s journey from “Mental Hell-ness to Mental Wellness” Putting your mental health on a pedestal David’s approach to making his health a priority through mind, body, and spirit. what normalizing and transforming the conversation of depression, isolation, and mental health look like Stories from David that allow us to rethink the way we approach suffering Promo: Fall Launches Freebie: Canvas Templates /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19390256

How I Spend My Money 06/22/2021

How I Spend My Money I am more than fortunate for the life that I have. Given many of my experiences—growing up in rural Ohio, pursuing higher education at a highly accredited college, and working as a social worker in low-income areas—I have had the privilege to navigate our world’s socio-economic climate in a variety of ways. The one thing I have noticed while doing so is that everyone remains curious about how people spend their money, but no one ever talks about it! As someone who wants to help other Spoonies lead successful lives and businesses, I open up this conversation in today’s episode and provide some insight into my own spending both in life and business. We’re talking about: My relationship with money growing up in Ohio and how that changed once I got to college - Being a Spooniepreneur and paying for healthcare - An approach to spending money and enjoying my life - How I handle money in my business Promo: Spooniepreneur 101 Freebie: Spoonie Systems /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19263959

Listening to What Your Body Needs in Life and Business 06/15/2021

Listening to What Your Body Needs in Life and Business In this episode, I chat with Laura Matthews, a graphic designer living with polycystic ovary syndrome, generalized anxiety disorder, and PTSD. Laura discusses how living with a chronic illness can empower you to run your business more efficiently while also contributing to its success and longevity. Throughout our conversation, Laura also underscores the importance of advocating for ourselves and our bodies throughout our health journey. We’re talking about: Laura’s journey navigating her chronic illness Running a graphic design business during a pandemic Paving the way to gaining control of your business How living with a chronic illness equips you with the tools to grow your business and run it more efficiently Promo Sales Tunnels Strategy This link includes a free guide on how to ditch the overwhelm of marketing so that you can showcase your business in just 5 minutes: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19211897

How to Stand up for your Boundaries 06/08/2021

How to Stand up for your Boundaries Whether it’s at home, out with friends, or in the office, we have all at some point been in the position where a boundary of ours was breached. At the agency, we recently came across a similar issue where lines were crossed by a client, and things needed to be addressed. In today’s episode, I discuss ways to mitigate these difficult situations–specifically, through intention, boundary-setting, and effective communication–and provide a step-by-step process on how to navigate difficult relationships in your business when they do arise. We’re talking about: Red flags Approaches to working with clients for your business: sales process, payments, retainers, refunds, welcome packets, meetings, and more Transparency, intention, and effective communication Getting EVERYTHING in writing! De-escalation strategies when addressing issues with clients Promo Sales Tunnels Strategy: This one's for my spooniepreneurs who are struggling to keep their business running! Click the link below to check out the five systems YOU need for a more efficient business! /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19101029

Finding Healing Using Yoga 06/01/2021

Finding Healing Using Yoga Tonya is a stroke survivor, retired school nurse, certified yoga instructor, and master reiki therapist who lives with fibromyalgia, hypertension, and chronic kidney disease. For Tonya, her yoga classes pose as a means to not only regulate, recenter, and ground herself in the wake of flare-ups, trauma, or unshakeable anxiety but also as a way to show that yoga is for everybody—even spoonies. We’re talking about: How Tonya came to rediscover yoga Discouraging aspects of yoga How Tonya runs her classes and what that looks like Goals and Prospects for Tonya and her business Click the link below to find out how I can help you accomplish marketing your business: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19059032

We Don't Need to be Fixed 05/25/2021

We Don't Need to be Fixed There’s been so much buzz going on in the spoonie world! There is truly nothing that compares to being acknowledged and validated for the countless hours spent working towards something you're passionate about. While I am grateful for the praise, people have been quick to label me as an inspiration. In this episode, I question this notion of being an inspiration--and why that doesn't sit well with me. We're talking about: Challenging the “inspirational” lens given to those living with a chronic illness by those who are able-bodied The stigmas around living with a chronic illness and the impact it A more in-depth view of my story Being transparent about our health journeys in the work environment Podcast Guide: Promo Podcast VIP Day: Do you have a big idea but aren’t sure how to bring it to life? Well, I have the perfect solution for you. Click the link to find out more about my 3-hour VIP session that provides everything you need to get started with your own podcast: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/19056638

Finding Success by Doing Business Differently 05/18/2021

Finding Success by Doing Business Differently When I started this podcast, I promised that I would share with you the good, bad, and even the ugly about running a business with chronic illness. And I know there are many new people listening this week (I mean, getting featured in national media outlets will do that!) so I wanted to share a little more about what it has looked like for me to build a business that actually works with my illness and not against it. We’re talking about: Shifting your mindset as your business grows What it looks like to be a recovering perfectionist Throwing the rule book out the window How to follow your intuition in your business Want step-by-step business tutorials for spoonies? Check out my YouTube channel: Are you a spoonie looking to build a solid foundation for your business? I’d love to help get you create a biz you love in the Spooniepreneur 101 program. Click here to find a time for us to chat: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/18725129

Finding Success by Doing Business Differently 05/18/2021

Advocating for Your Health Care 03/23/2021

Advocating for Your Health Care As a person with a sometimes-invisible illness that straddles neurology and psychiatry(Functional Neurological Disorder), Alison has dealt with a lot of the stigma surrounding physical and mental illnesses and both visible and invisible illnesses. She wants to help other people with disabilities to regain perspective and control over their lives through manageable steps and make their lives better, one step at a time. Connect with Alison Hayes: Connect with Nicole: Website: Instagram: @spooniepreneurpodcast Facebook: LinkedIn: Email: Masterclass: /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/18106466

Advocating for Your Health Care 03/23/2021

The Power of Saying Yes (and When to Say No) 03/16/2021

The Power of Saying Yes (and When to Say No) In this episode, we talk about taking on jobs from our non-ideal clients to do tasks that we don’t enjoy and what it looks like when we take on too much in our business. I share my experience getting started and give advice on how to know when to say yes and no! Connect with Nicole: Website: Instagram: @spooniepreneurpodcast Facebook: LinkedIn: Email: Masterclass: When to Outsource Episode: Email: [email protected] /episode/index/show/spooniepreneur/id/18095441

The Power of Saying Yes (and When to Say No) 03/16/2021

The Spooniepreneur Podcast

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