Support is Sexy

Latest Episodes:

76: How to Launch Your Podcast, Grow Your Audience and Monetize Your Passion with Chirsty Haussler Oct 17, 2016

Show notes

The moment Christy Haussler realized it was time to make the leap and become an entrepreneur, she was in her car, driving to work, listening to podcasts to pass the time. Christy spent hours commuting back and forth to an office for a job that didn't fulfill her, and decided it was finally time for her to make a move and give her own business a try. The first thing she did? Take the first step, and then another and then another.

Today, Christy's company -- Team Podcast -- provides production and strategy for more than 40 shows and produces about 200+ episodes a month. Her business is steadily growing, she lives in a city she's happy to call home and she spends her time doing work she loves.

On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Christy talks about the importance of taking that first step toward your dream, having the right mindset, building and engaging your audience in multiple ways and making the most of your podcast -- beyond money.

On this episode you'll learn...

How to recognize that you're on the right trackKnowing that you are one decision away from a completely different lifeWhy you have to be brave enough to walk awayYour network is your key to successHow podcasts offer new opportunities no matter your industryWhat you need to know about podcastingThe importance of marketing to increase your list and your engagementDon't get caught up in downloads3 common podcasting mistakes many women makeWhy podcasting isn't just for monetizingHow to engage your audience and make them feel invested in your productShow notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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75: How 16-Year-Old Entrepreneur Maya Penn Built a Six-Figure Business Oct 14, 2016

Show notes

Maya S. Penn is remarkable -- and that is an understatement. I have been a virtual fan and supporter of the now-sixteen-year-old for several years via social media, with a true appreciation of her hard work and her clear vision at such a young age. To have the opportunity to speak with her more in depth now? I am completely blown away, and I believe you will be, too!

The Atlanta-based teenpreneur started her own business, Maya's Ideas, when she was just eight years old. By the time she was 13, the business was generating six figures. And today, she is a designer, social entrepreneur, activist, author and environmentalist. Among her many accomplishments, Maya has given three TED Talks (so far) and is author of three books, including her latest, You Got This: Unleash Your Awesomeness, Find Your Path and Change Your World (Simon & Schuster).

Here, Maya shares her vision for the future of her business, how she's working to impact the lives of girls around the world, and her advice for becoming, being and growing as an entrepreneur -- no matter your age.

On this episode you'll learn:

What parents can say and do to encourage children who have interests in entrepreneurship (straight from the mouth of a teenager who began her business at age eight!).The first step to launching your business (at any age).Her advice for kidpreneurs.Ways that we can all give back through out businesses.What she's doing to empower young girls around the world.The value of idea journals.Why it's imperative to have mentors and an advisory board as you scale your business.No matter how old you are, it's important for you to take a break.Why meditation and breathing space are vital to decision-making.What can be learned from failure.The importance of doing it afraid.What Maya believes every entrepreneur has a responsibility to do.

MAYA IS OFFERING A SPECIAL GIFT TO SUPPORT IS SEXY LISTENERS FOR 20% OFF OF ALL ORDERS $50 OR MORE ON MAYASIDESA.COM! USE THE DISCOUNT CODE: SUPPORTISSEXY

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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74: Mind Over Emergency: How to Keep It Moving When Things Go Terribly Wrong Oct 14, 2016

Show notes

When all goes wrong -- where does your mind go? Does the issue stop you in your tracks, or do you figure a way to keep it movin'? If not, you should!

In the past couple of days, I had the pleasure of having my web site elaynefluker.com going down (ACK!!!) and my mind's initial response was to spiral into all the reasons this was a disaster. Was it a bad 48 hours? Yes. Was it the end of the world? No. Was it something that was going to stop me completely? Hell no!

You gotta keep it going.

On this episode I talk about eight ways to keep it moving when problems arise in your business, or in your personal life.

Have a listen, let me know when you think, and let me know if you have other advice!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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73: Fashion Designer Ashaka Givens on Finding the Perfect Fit for Your Business Oct 12, 2016

Show notes

Some designers do not know how to sew, sketch or tell you the way a fabric will function on the body. Fashion designer Ashaka Givens is not one of those designers. Thanks to the powerful women in her family, the upstate New York native learned very early on how to use a sewing machine and make her own clothes, watched fashion shows at her mom's side, and eventually attended one of the most prestigious fashion institutions in the country – New York's Fashion Institute of Technology. And since then, she has been designing a career in fashion that is completely her own.

Today, Ashaka works with Grammy award-winning artists, such as Erykah Badu, creates custom gowns for brides, dresses celebrities for red carpet events, serves as costume director for film and TV projects and designs her own line of clothing and accessories. On this episode, she talks about advice for remaining relevant in the fashion industry, the importance of expansion and why being a fashion alchemist sets you apart.

On this episode, you'll learn:

Why knowing the basics of design help you be a far better asset to your client.How you take this glam idea down into an actual physical garment.The importance of being open to opportunities that feels right.Knowing the art of professionalism.Why you can't get caught up in the social media hypeThe dangers of being mediocre.Mistakes are good.Her advice for young designers.Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

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72: How to Get Clear on What You REALLY Want? No, really! Oct 11, 2016

Show notes

Hey, you! Whaddya want?

No, really. What do you want?

Seriously. Have you given that some real thought lately? Beyond your to-do list, what's your vision for what you want, the life you want to create, what you want to spend your time doing each and every day, and with whom you want to do it?

These questions are floating around in my head more frequently these days -- perhaps because it's a new season, or we're closing in on the end of the year, or perhaps because I have another birthday rolling around early next year. Blame it on the 40s. :)

Recently, while recording my free audio training on "How to Make Brave Decisions," I spoke about getting clear on what we want, daring to verbalize that dream that we barely believe is possible. In this episode, I go into more detail. Have a listen!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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71: How to Recover From Failure, Build an Audience and Find Your Voice with Spiritpreneur Abiola Abrams Oct 10, 2016

Show notes

From very early on in her childhood, Abiola Abrams learned the importance of finding her own voice, being herself and creating her own path. As the daughter of immigrant parents who came to the United States from Guyana, Abiola and her family were often bullied and mistreated by some of the other families in their New York neighborhood for being "different." Rather than being crushed by this cruelty, Abiola says this part of her journey taught her how to be resilient. And that resilience -- and her spirituality -- continues to carry her forward today.

Now, as a proud "multi-hyphenate," Abiola is an author, coach, speaker, media maven and creator of the Sacred Bombshell brand, and she teaches other women how to find their authentic voice and create a business that allows them to follow their own path as spiritpreneurs. In this episode, Abiola shares her journey to accepting herself as a spiritpreneur (and what that means), reveals a few defining -- and sometimes embarrassing -- moments from her career and business, and gives insight on why healers sometimes stumble when it comes to compensation.

On this episode you'll learn:

What a spiritpreneur is, and why you should be compensated appropriately for being one.How to get clear about what you offer, whom you serve and how you add value to people's lives.The importance of listening to your audience and asking them what they need.Why an audience that is not targeted is an irrelevant audience.How to sell people what they want and give them what they need.Why owning your own list is crucial to your business.How to avoid being a "wounded healer."How to get over people pleasing at a micro and macro level.Ways to start over again after a public failure.How to avoid the sunk-cost fallacy.The business mistake she made that she has never shared before.Why you work become richer because of the challenges.Why you can't bitch about it you have to be about it.Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

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70: Why Your YOU Time is Irreplaceable: Words of Affirmation to Help You Remember That Oct 07, 2016

Show notes

This weekend, or whatever day it is that you happen upon this episode, be sure you have some YOU time in your schedule. YOU time is your time to replenish, to have some breathing space, to meditate, to hear your own thoughts -- or to not think at all, time to just be.

As entrepreneurs and women who are creating something super sexy in the world, I get it, you're busy. You have a lot to do -- probably too much to do -- and you simply can't stop now! But, here's the thing: you MUST.

Otherwise, you will crash, you will burn, and everything that you say your sacrificing your YOU time for will not matter in that moment. Instead, take care of YOU! You will be a better entrepreneur, a better leader, a better woman for it.

On this episode, I've rounded up the parting wisdom of some of our previous guests from our first 70 episodes -- women who not only offer keys to success, but keys to your well being. Pause for a moment, just under 10 minutes, and have a listen.

You deserve this. It's all for YOU.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

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69: Doing the Work, Focusing on Community and Creating Space for Self-Care with fayemi shakur Oct 06, 2016

Show notes

fayemi shakur is a rebel, a quiet rebel, but a rebel nonetheless. Artistic as a child from the very beginning, hip hop, photography, art and an interest in social justice shaped her life early on, but it was learning about -- and reaching out to -- political prisoners while in college and reading the autobiographies of Assata Shakur and Mumia Abu-Jamal that changed everything and shifted her awareness.

Since then, fayemi, who was just appointed Executive Director of Newark's City Without Walls Art space, has infused all of her love of the arts and her passion for social justice into her work in her Newark, New Jersey community, making sure that there is a space for art to exist and to be expressed in a way that moves conversations forward, and potentially changes lives as it did for her. On this episode, fayemi talks about the importance of doing the work, staying focused on community (rather than social media) and why radical self care is its own form of activism.

On this episode you'll learn…

Why doing the work and staying focused is key.Taking stock of how your work is having an impact (or not) on your community.The empowering effect of art on communities.The power of beginning your day with affirmations.The importance of self care.Building yourself up along your journey so you can be prepared for that next opportunity.How art can be your "art cry."What it takes to be an artist and make it to a gallery.Why artists deserve to be respected as professionals.The importance of women supporting women.Why even as a boss, the world needs to witness your vulnerability.And why Solange is an example of a the perfect artist for this moment.The three most important feelings you must have when speaking things into existence.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

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68: How to Start Over and Make a Statement with Vintage Boutique Owner Monique Alvarez Oct 05, 2016

Show notes

When Monique Alvarez was in college pursuing a degree in communications, she knew one thing: It wasn't for her. The Syracuse, New York, native dreamt of moving to New York City and getting a career in fashion, which she did -- leaving college in her third year, and working from the bottom up in the fashion industry. Thirteen years later, rising through the ranks at luxury brands such as Valentino and Alexander McQueen and traveling to Europe for fashion shows, Monique knew something else: It was time for a new chapter.

That new chapter is her new luxury consignment and vintage boutique, Lifestyle Statement, located in Brooklyn, New York -- a chapter she hadn't planned, but that she could feel was the right one. On this episode, Monique talks about paying attention when things align on your path, how to create a meaningful experience for your customers and why confidence is everything.

On this episode you'll learn…

The importance of tapping into your personal and professional network for support with your new business.How to make sure your customers have a beautiful experience.Paying attention when things begin to align.The importance of going with the flow and planning.How to find your clients.What truly makes a piece vintage.How consignment works.The importance of participating in events with likeminded businesses.Why confidence is everything.Monique's one key of advice for those considering a pop up shop or boutique.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

[Music: "Someone Else's Memories" by Revolution Void]

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67: Why You Must Remember That For Now Is Not Forever Oct 04, 2016

Show notes

"For now is not forever..."

This is a new mantra I've adopted thanks to the wisdom of one of my best friends, Erica, who said this phrase to me when I spoke to her about my trepidation about a move I'm planning to make. I've been having some ambiguity about the decision and going back and forth about whether it's the "right" thing to do.

But the truth is: Who knows?!!! The only thing we can do is make the best. Next. Move. The decision that, based on what information we have available to consider at the moment, feels right.

In this episode, I explore moments and circumstances where we can call on the "for now is not forever" mantra, and when it can be pretty powerful to use it as your go-to for big decisions.

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at http://supportissexypodcast.com

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