Business

Breakthrough Brand Podcast – Online Business Growth, Website Design Strategies, Grow a Podcast, Motherhood and Business, Passive Income, Christian Faith, Showit Templates

Welcome to The Breakthrough Brand Podcast — your go-to for relatable, raw, and tactical business training designed to help you hit those big goals! I’m Elizabeth McCravy, a website designer and business educator for female entrepreneurs. I’ve built a multiple six-figure web design business in my 20s, and I’m passionate about sharing what I’ve learned so you can do it too. No secrets, just real talk and proven strategies for building a thriving business.

I’m a Christian business owner, mama to two boys (with baby #3 on the way!), and married to my high school sweetheart. I sell Showit website templates at elizabethmccravy.com and teach fellow designers how to build booked-out businesses through my course, Booked Out Designer. I also teach business owners how to start and scale a podcast in my program, Podcast Success Blueprint.

On this podcast, you’ll find solo episodes packed with actionable, easy-to-follow advice and inspiring expert interviews. We’ll dive into everything from online marketing, branding, podcasting, and business strategy, to faith, motherhood, productivity, and scaling your business. Let’s create a business that not only looks amazing from the outside but feels amazing on the inside too. It’s time to build your breakthrough brand!

Latest Episodes:

236: Why We Need to Share Boldly in Our Faith (and How Podcasting Can Help) With Brooke Jefferson Oct 10, 2023

Show notes

This episode is a 2 for 1! I’m interviewing Brooke Jefferson on how to share more boldly in your business as a Christian business owner AND picked her brain on starting a podcast (she has two shows - with one of them almost at half a million views!)

In this episode, we talk about:

Why we should infuse our faith in our business instead of keeping them separate
How we can invite God into our businesses more intentionally
What to do if you are nervous about sharing your faith boldly (but feel called to do it!)

Then, we switch gears and talk about podcasting:

We talk about Brooke’s incredible journey starting not one, but two podcasts
What she’s doing differently the second time
Whether or not podcasting is too saturated
How guest interviews affected her podcast
And even a little BTS into her own podcasting schedule!

Basically, in this episode, we talk about how to infuse your faith into your businesses and feel confident when boldly sharing about it AND we also explore the ins and outs of podcasting and talk about what it takes to grow a successful podcast in 2023 (even if you feel the podcast landscape is oversaturated). It was such a fun conversation and I know you are going to love it!

Links Mentioned:

Get the Full Shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/236
Get on the waitlist for the Podcast Course: https://elizabethmccravy.com/podcast-course
Watch the Full Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vdm0xLtkBeo
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy
Connect with Brooke on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebrookejefferson/
Find more about Brooke: https://brookejefferson.com/
Shop Elizabeth McCravy Templates: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

If you're a new business owner who still doesn't have a website yet, I made something for you. It's a free 15-page guide that walks you through exactly what you need to launch your first website — what to skip, what actually matters, and the five steps to go from zero to live. No coding, no big budget, no perfection required. Plus you'll get 20% off my Showit templates inside! Get it FREE at https://elizabethmccravy.com/

Need some extra pages to improve or add onto your Showit website, BUT you’re not in the market for an entirely new template? You need my Add On Templates for Showit! You'll find add ons like speaker pages, podcast pages, quiz lead magnets, favorite things pages, Link in Bio pages, and more.

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

235: 3 Podcast Systems I Use to Save Me Time and Energy with My Show Oct 03, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wanted to start a podcast? I believe that podcasting can be a powerful way to grow your business AND it can be enjoyable too. However, in my experience, too many podcasters struggle to achieve their business growth goals because they lack effective marketing strategies and systems. But I believe with the right podcast systems in place, it CAN be done well. And that’s what I’m here to talk about today!

Podcasting is the #1 lead generation source for my business. Seriously - Podcasting and SEO are the top two ways people find me. And guess what? The great SEO on my website is primarily due to podcasting and all the blog posts I put out based on past episodes. Even four years later, it truly is the joy of my business. So in this episode, I want to talk about podcast systems that will save you time and energy while you start and grow your show!

Want to learn more? I’m launching a new podcast course so make sure you join the waitlist (and fill out the survey so I can create lessons on exactly what YOU want to know) here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/podcast-course

Links Mentioned:

- Go to https://elizabethmccravy.com/podcast-course to join the waitlist and take the Podcaster Survey to tell me what you want to learn!

- Get the full shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/235

- Shop Elizabeth McCravy Templates: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

- Not sure what template is for you? Take the quiz: https://elizabethmccravy.com/quiz

- Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy

- Join Booked Out Designer: https://elizabethmccravy.com/bod

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

234: 3 Very Awkward Client Asks + Exactly How to Deal with Them Sep 26, 2023

Show notes

In today’s episode, I share 3 very awkward client asks (that you WILL be asked as a designer) and how to respond to them. These are ones that people truly don't talk about enough, but you've probably wondered about. I'm sharing my own experience of course, but I’m also sharing advice and scripts on how to respond to these situations. If this feels helpful to you, I cover this extensively in Booked Out Designer, so check that out below if you are interested!

Fun News! It's Booked Out week, my favorite time of the year when Booked Out Designer™ is on sale! Join now to get perks like:

- Comprehensive business course for brand and website designers

- Design audit: Submit anything for review and get personalized feedback

- SEO class with Sara Dunn: Learn how to launch websites without compromising SEO

- Months of group coaching calls

- $150 off Booked Out Designer

- Special 18-month payment plan available

Join Booked Out Designer before September 29th for these awesome bonuses. Check out all the details at https://elizabethmccravy.com/bod

Links Mentioned:

- Check out the full shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/234

- Join Booked Out Designer now: https://elizabethmccravy.com/bod

- Are you a designer wondering what your weak spot is? Take the quiz: https://elizabethmccravy.com/growth

- Influencer statistics: https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-statistics/

- Shop Elizabeth McCravy Templates: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

- Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy

233: How to Price for Profitability as a Showit Designer Sep 19, 2023

Show notes

This is a bit of a unique episode, because it's actually a masterclass I taught for Showit Designers inside of Showit's new Designer Hub! I did the video training version of this class last week, and I asked Showit's team "Hey! Do you mind if I share this with my podcast community too?" and they said "Heck yes!" So, here we are… with you getting to learn from this awesome training while on the go!

This is a JAM PACKED episode/training all about pricing yourself as a designer. And, these strategies apply to you whether you’re doing Showit, Wix, Squarespace, WebFlow, Kajabi, WordPress,or something else!

In this training, I'm talking about things like when/how to raise your prices as a designer, how to choose your prices to begin with, why "charging your worth" is keeping you broke, how to display your prices on your website, and so much more. We go deep into pricing strategies and go quick! This isn’t a fluffy training where it’s basically a pitch. I’m actually just teaching.

If you want to see the slides and video version with my face in it of this training, go join the Showit Designer Hub. It’s free to join, and it’s Showit's home for all Showit designers to find designer resources and community support. It's available to any designers with an active Showit subscription! This is DIFFERENT than the Showit designer Facebook group.

Links mentioned in this episode:

- Booked Out Week is happening next week! (Starting September 25th, 2023) Get info here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/BOD-week

- Get the full shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/233

- Join the NEW Showit Designer Hub: https://designer.showit.com/

- Get a free month of Showit: https://elizabethmccravy.com/showit-coupon-code

- Shop Elizabeth McCravy Templates: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

- Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

232: From $300 Logos to $10,000 Projects: How Amanda Scott Grew Her Creative Side Hustle into a Profitable Design Business Sep 12, 2023

Show notes

Exciting News! Booked Out Week is happening soon (Starting September 25, 2023). Get info here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/BOD-week

In today’s episode, I'm chatting with Amanda Scott, an incredibly talented and inspiring designer friend who signed up for Booked Out Designer in the beta round! She's been honing her skills as a website designer for over 10 years now, working with both billion-dollar businesses and one-woman shows. It’s been so fun to see her business absolutely skyrocket since joining Booked Out Designer and I can’t wait for you to here all that she shares today!

In this episode, we talk about:

How she grew her business as a side hustle for three years alongside her corporate career
How she charges premium prices in her business now
Why she decided to specialize in Showit website design
Advice for raising your prices over time
How she went from being afraid to show up on Instagram to Instagram being one of her number one lead sources
Her referral program with past clients
Her one concept branding method

And so much more! Whether you're a fellow designer like Amanda and me or not, this episode has something for you. Many of you have expressed how much you love hearing success stories from business owners (and I do too!), regardless of whether they are in your industry or not. It fires you up, inspires you, and gives you interesting ideas for your own business. I personally felt super motivated after talking to Amanda and thought, "Yes, we can do this!" I know you'll feel the same.

Links Mentioned:

Booked Out Week is happening soon! (Starting September 25th, 2023) Get info here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/BOD-week
Get the Full Shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/232
Watch the Full Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/PzJNXWOf5WI
Get Your Next Design Client ASAP: https://elizabethmccravy.com/asap
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy
Connect with Amanda on Instagram: https://instagram.com/amandascottdesignco
Work with Amanda: https://amandascottdesign.co
Shop Elizabeth McCravy Templates:

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

231: HI! Big News — I’m Creating a Course for Podcasters, and I Want YOU in the Beta Round Sep 08, 2023

Show notes

This short little (not regularly scheduled episode) comes to you with a huge announcement. An announcement that I am so thrilled to share that I had to just make a random episode about it! I am creating my next online course, and DUH DUH… as the title says it’s for PODCASTERS. Whether you’ve been at the podcasting thing a while or you are a brand new podcaster who wants to start a show but you don’t know where to start, this is for you.

In this short episode, I’m sharing:

- Why I’m making this course (and why now)

- How this course is different from other podcast courses you’ve taken/seen

- How you can be a founding member of this course in a few weeks

- How you can take a quick survey to tell me what you want to learn about podcasting

Go to https://elizabethmccravy.com/podcast-course to join the waitlist and take the Podcaster Survey to tell me what you want to learn!

For show notes visit https://elizabethmccravy.com/231

Excited about this?! Let me know, I’d love to hear from you over on Instagram at @elizabethmccravy!

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

230: The One-Day Workweek: Building a Multiple 6-Figure/Year Business as a Stay-at-Home Mom with Courtney Lazar from System Sep 05, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to just work ONE day per week? And run a successful 6-figure business? Courtney Lazar (our go to systems expert in episode 226 - make sure to listen to that one if you haven’t yet!), is back on the podcast but this time she’s coming to us as a mom to a toddler with another baby boy on the way, sharing exactly how she built her business as an agency model that allows her to work just ONE day a week (and completely unplugs from work the other 6 days). She considers herself a stay at home mom on days when she’s not working!

In this episode, we dive into:

How does she manage to grow her business while working just one day a week?
What does the business look like on the back end?
What does her childcare look like?
What's her exact work schedule?
How did she scale her business with her team and truly step into that CEO role in her business?

There are many valuable tips packed into this short and sweet episode. So even if you're not a mom or your children are adults now, don't worry! There's still so much here for you. As business owners, I think most of us aspire to work less and operate in a CEO capacity. This episode provides insights on scaling with a team and creating systems so you're not constantly caught up in the day-to-day operations. Doesn’t that sound good? Tune in now!

Links Mentioned:

Get the Full Shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/230
Watch the Full Video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QT2Y-tqh12M
Episode 226 with Courtney Lazar: https://elizabethmccravy.com/226
Sign up for ClickUp: https://elizabethmccravy.com/clickup
Grab My Marketing Guide With the Reasons People Buy: https://elizabethmccravy.com/reasons
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://instagram.com/elizabethmccravy
Connect with Courtney on Instagram: https://instagram.com/wearesystemsup

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

229: Exciting News! Baby #2 is On Its Way (1st Trimester + 4 Things I'm Doing Differently This Pregnancy) Aug 29, 2023

Show notes

Hey everyone! So, as you can tell from the title, I'm super excited to announce that I'm pregnant with baby number two. I have so much to share with you all! While I am sharing the 4 things I’m doing differently with baby #2 below, this is one conversation you’ll want to grab your earbuds for!

I’m sharing:

How we found out (and how I shared the news with Adam)
The timeline we are looking at with our due date and the age gap with Colin!
An update for how this first trimester has been (it’s been way different!)
Two journals I am using this pregnancy (linked here and here)
My fun pregnancy cravings
Baby predictions 👀
4 Things I’m doing DIFFERENTLY this time around!

Thank you in advance for listening and celebrating with us! If you would like to hear more pregnancy-related content, make sure to send me a DM over on Instagram. I’d love to know what you are interested in!

Links mentioned:

Read the full shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/229
Listen to Colin’s Birth Story in Episode #148: https://elizabethmccravy.com/148
Check out the Dear Baby journal: https://rstyle.me/+rQDpJZbhCxyydWaAXxjutQ
Check out the ages 1-18 journal I’m using: https://rstyle.me/+DriTnli4tEfkPNcA7g2kJw
Check out my post with my favorite postpartum meals here: https://elizabethmccravy.com/easy-postpartum-freezer-meals-new-mom/
Shop All of My Showit Website Templates: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop
Join my FREE Breakthrough Brand All Access Facebook Group: https://elizabethmccravy.com/facebook
Connect with Elizabeth on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethmccravy/
Join me inside Booked Out Designer: https://elizabethmccravy.com/bod

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

228: 5 Shifts I Made To Go From Freelancer to CEO When I Started My Business Aug 22, 2023

Show notes

If you're a new business owner or still in the season where you prefer to call what you do a side hustle, freelance work, or a hobby, this is for you. I’m sharing 5 strategies to help you step into a CEO role, even if that term feels silly to you now. It's okay to feel new and uncertain but to grow your business, you need to act like a business owner. That means letting go of the freelancer and hobbyist mentality and taking things more seriously. Don’t worry - I’m going to help you do just that today!

I originally recorded a similar episode to this in 2019, inspired by this quote: "Treat your business like a business and it'll PAY you like a business. Treat your business like a hobby and it will COST you like a hobby."

In fact, at that time, I had a post go viral on Instagram that said, “You can’t run your business like a freelancer and expect results like a CEO.” - something I still agree with today! Four years later (after working on my own business and with many other businesses!), I’m back to share more insights on this incredibly important topic! This episode is a must-listen!

Links Mentioned:

Check out the full shownotes: https://elizabethmccravy.com/228

Get your next client ASAP: https://elizabethmccravy.com/asap

Listen to episodes #219 + #220 for more about Profit First

Check out the Capital One credit cards I use in my own business: https://elizabethmccravy.com/capitalone

Use the code “BBPOD”to save 15% on your add on or full site template for a limited time: https://elizabethmccravy.com/shop

227: 3 Subtle Shifts That Make a BIG Difference When Growing Your Team Aug 15, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, we're diving into the topic of working with a team and the importance of effective communication - especially when things are not going well!

If the thought of growing, managing, and leading a team sounds overwhelming to you, let me just say this: I had the vision of being a solopreneur when I first started out, but over time, I came to realize that having a team is a game-changer for any business.

However, I also know that managing people, whether they are contractors or employees, can be challenging, especially when it comes to remote teams.

In this episode, I'll be sharing three strategies to enhance communication with your team. Whether you're facing difficulties or everything seems to be going smoothly, these tips will help improve company culture, team communication, and your relationship with individual members. These small tweaks can make a big difference in managing people and building a thriving team. Enjoy!

Links Mentioned: