Work at Home RockStar Podcast

Latest Episodes:

WHR 3.157: From Setback to Success: Revolutionizing Work-Life Balance with Katie Santoro Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

Have you ever wondered how a crushing setback could unexpectedly pave the way to success? Katie Santoro, the CEO and founder of River City Virtual Assistance, joins Tim with a tale that's as enlightening as it is empowering. She opens up about her journey from closing a business during the pandemic to pioneering a new venture that champions work-life balance and combats burnout. To achieve sustainable growth, Katie emphasizes the importance of developing processes and systems that prevent burnout. She discusses time management, delegation, and creating a supportive team environment as vital components of her business's success.

Who is Katie Santoro?

Katie Santoro is the founder of River City Virtual Assistants, which she established in 2020 at the height of the global pandemic. After years of considering virtual assisting, Katie was pushed down a new path due to burnout. She combined her years of experience in the legal and insurance industry with the experience gained running her first business venture, a yoga studio, to assist clients in various industries, from basic admin tasks to marketing and website building.

Katie's vision to grow RCVA happened faster than expected. Still, she has been fortunate to grow her team with others like herself who want true balance between household responsibilities and career aspirations. Working virtually allows the team at RCVA to take care of house and home while keeping their skills relevant and contributing financially to their families. RCVA is dedicated to providing intelligent assistance. Each assistant is college-educated and brings experience from diverse career backgrounds. RCVA is also committed to providing meaningful employment at a living wage to individuals within the USA.

Connect with Katie:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiesantoro/ Wesbite: https://rivercity-va.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rivercity_va

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌 https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro (0:34) The positive note (1:20) What didn't go as planned (4:43) Katie's jam room (14:57) Delegating tasks (22:14) Handling contractors (27:15) Making sure cashflow is positive (34:40) Katie's guest solo (36:02) Ideal clients (39:21) Matching process (40:49) How to connect with Katie (42:15) Outro

WHR 3.156: Charting Success in the World of Remote Work and Well-being with Ken Paskins Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

Today, Tim talks to Ken Paskins, the CEO of ShiftSpot, who offers an illuminating perspective on managing a business and catalyzing substantial growth within it. Drawing parallels between the strategic shuffling of top operators in SEAL teams and fostering strong middle management, Ken underscores the idea that growth through people is a fundamental business tenet. He candidly shares early setbacks faced by Shiftspot and the importance of cultivating a business support system that aligns with the company's goals. His journey provides a roadmap for entrepreneurs to navigate the complex terrain of audience engagement and resilient business development.

Who is Ken Paskins?

Ken Paskins is the Founder of GCE Strategic Consulting and The Shift Spot™. He has a wealth of experience in leadership, including operations, sales, acquisitions, strategic planning, and P&L management (up to $500M) while leading teams north of 400+ people across North America and Europe for Fortune 100 companies such as Oracle.

Ken grew up in Noblesville, Indiana, and graduated from Purdue University. He watched his father and grandfather try to make businesses work while learning on the job, and not having the experience needed to truly know how to run a successful business, so he decided there had to be a better way and worked his way up the corporate ladder learning the skills needed to run a business the right way.

Ken has been a fractional COO for over 3 decades, helping companies from pre-revenue to $50M. His clients include HVAC, accounting firms, legal practices, software companies, etc. Additionally, he has experience in PE, VC (including Sequoia) and M&A.

Connect with Ken:

Website 1: https://www.facebook.com/TheShiftSpot

Website 2: http://www.gcestrategicconsulting.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kenpaskins/

Email: ken@gcestrategicconsulting.com

———— I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode: (0:36) The good note (3:26) What didn't go well (8:28) Leadership and accidental entrepreneurs (12:04) Organizing the jam room (14:05) The importance of fitness (19:10) Finding clients (22:21) Getting referrals (23:55) Building your team and delegating (27:47) Ken's guest solo (28:32) Target market (32:56) How to connect with Ken (34:05) Outro

WHR 3.155: Ecommerce Blueprint: A Strategic Approach to the Digital Market with Neil Twa Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Tim is joined by Neil Twa, Voltage's visionary CEO, who shares the raw trials and triumphs of leaving the security of corporate life for the entrepreneur lifestyle. Neil reveals a trove of strategic wisdom for making an indelible mark in the competitive digital landscape. Together, they dissect the art of crafting offers you can't refuse and the decisive moves that can catapult you from obscurity to influence. Neil outlines Voltage's ambitious trajectory and focus on acquiring e-commerce companies, signifying a shift towards a more acquisition-focused strategy. This portion of the conversation guides those looking to understand the nuances of e-commerce and how to identify and capitalize on opportunities within this dynamic field.

Who is Neil Twa?

Neil Twa is the founder and CEO of Voltage Holdings, a company that helps entrepreneurs scale their businesses and achieve financial freedom. He is also the host of the High Voltage Business Builders podcast, where he interviews successful business owners who have made their next million through passive income streams. Whether it's e-commerce, consulting, real estate, M&A, or anything else, his guests share their stories, insights, and tips on how they built their empires from scratch. You'll learn how they leveraged systems, hard work, and a passion for business-building to create wealth and impact.

Connect with Neil:

Website: https://www.voltagedm.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neiltwa

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0CgYlYXz4IdYwtwaymoVUg

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neiltwa/

Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/voltagefba

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro (0:39) Neil's story of success (2:07) What didn't go as planned (8:07) Make an irresistible offer (11:04) Treat your side hustle as a real business (20:18) Moving physical products (23:35) Organizing the jam room (32:42) Adjusting this gameplan (35:38) Evolving business (38:04) What is exciting in his business right now (41:07) Ideal client (44:36) How to connect with Neil (45:25) Outro

WHR 3.154: Amplifying Success Through Strategic Home Business Finance with Uroš Lovišček Jan 15, 2024

Show notes

When you blend the harmonious world of symphony with the dynamic pace of entrepreneurship, you get a masterclass in managing cash flow and achieving success from the comfort of your home. In this episode, Tim talks with Uroš Lovišček, an experienced and licensed tax advisor at Optitax Financial. With a narrative that resonates like a well-composed melody, they dive into the nuances of creating a successful home office, balancing work and life, and, importantly, orchestrating a business's cash flow to hit high notes of profitability.

Who is Uroš Lovišček?

Uroš Lovišček is an experienced and licensed tax advisor with a demonstrated history of working in the accounting industry. He is skilled in accounting, financial analysis, and financial reporting. Uroš is a corporate and personal tax consultant working on optimizing your taxes. He provides full service for companies looking to incorporate in Slovenia. Uroš and his team help businesses write an effective business plan followed by weekly, biweekly, or monthly cash flow analysis and planning.

Connect with Uroš Lovišček:

Website: https://mfcfo.pro/

LinkedIn: https://si.linkedin.com/in/uro%C5%A1-lovi%C5%A1%C4%8Dek-24b8b9119

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcH8Mk8eoEkEjIvGdESKIRA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uros_themfcfo/

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro (0:44) Story of success (3:32) What did not go as planned (9:21) Trusting your gut (10:52) Handling cashflow (22:50) Irregular income (27:51) Setting up a successful home office (35:22) Hiring team members (39:01) How to connect with Uroš (44:04) Outro

WHR 3.153: Scaling Business Heights Through Strategic SEO with Brandon Leibowitz Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

In digital marketing, SEO stands as a towering presence, often dictating the success or failure of online ventures. In this episode, Tim talks with Brandon Leibowitz, founder, and operator of SEO Optimizers, and they dive into the world of search engine optimization and how it serves as a cornerstone for building a formidable online presence. Brandon shares insights that would act as a guiding light for businesses navigating the competitive and ever-changing SEO landscape. His expertise goes beyond mere tactics; it encompasses a holistic understanding of digital marketing that includes leveraging the burgeoning potential of artificial intelligence.

Who is Brandon Leibowitz?

Brandon Leibowitz, the brains behind SEO Optimizers, jumped into the digital marketing world in 2007 after studying Business Marketing. Starting with little know-how, he learned the ropes by devouring books, videos, and chatting with other marketers.

He and his company were both newbies in the digital game. They learned together, attending classes and workshops, and soaking up all the knowledge they could get. This teamwork inspired Brandon to start teaching SEO workshops.

SEO Optimizers help small and medium-sized businesses get noticed online, bringing in more customers and boosting sales. Brandon's journey shows how learning together can spark big ideas. As a mentor, he keeps paving the way for businesses to shine in the digital world.

Connect with Brandon Leibowitz:

Website: https://seooptimizers.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brandonleibowitz

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/brandonleibowitz

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leibowitzbrandon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandonLeibs

————

I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro

(0:38) Brandon's story of success

(3:55) Things that didn't go according to plan

(7:00) What to focus on in marketing

(11:54) Tools to use

(14:00) DIY vs. hiring someone to do it

(17:50) How to stay on top of the changes

(20:44) Organic vs. paid strategies

(23:26) How much does it cost?

(28:39) What's exciting in Brandon's business right now

(34:24) How to find Brandon

(34:58) Outro

WHR 3.152: Financial Wake-Up Calls and Mastering Business Acquisitions with Richard Parker Jan 01, 2024

Show notes

In today's episode, Tim is joined by Richard Parker, the business acquisition wizard behind Diomo and RichardParker.com. They talk about Richard's journey, from leveraging a cold to clinch the Sega Video rights deal in Eastern Canada to outlining the strategic imperatives that fueled his trajectory across 13 company purchases. It's a story that resonates with anyone who's faced financial adversity and highlights the necessity of forging one's path in the unpredictable business world. Richard's story is about the triumphs, the setbacks, and what they taught him. Ti and Richard also discuss their skepticism about the modern-day university system, debating its effectiveness in preparing students for the workforce. It's an episode that balances practical insights with heartfelt advice, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in business acquisition or entrepreneurship.

Who is Richard Parker?

Richard Parker has been helping people achieve their dreams of owning a business for over 30 years. His 'How To Buy A Good Business At A Great Price' program has sold over 100,000 copies in over 80 countries. The Dalio family office hired him and, for several years, worked as a mentor to one of Ray Dalio's sons, teaching him the art of buying small businesses. He has personally purchased 13 of his own companies plus one co-investment with purchase prices ranging from $50,000 to over $200 million. Richard has appeared in Forbes, The New York Times, TheStreet.com, Entrepreneur Magazine, Inc., and has over 200 published articles to his credit.

Connect with Richard Parker YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@richardparkerbuybusiness

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RichardParkerDiomo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/richardparkerdiomo/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richparker1/

Website 1: https://richardparker.com/

Website 2: https://www.diomo.com/

————

I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro

(0:57) The good note

(5:44) The bad note

(8:34) Know what you don't know

(10:13) The optimism gene

(13:09) The band

(17:46) The employee mindset

(22:32) Willingness to help others

(25:00) Staying good at what you do

(28:58) Focusing on the weakness vs. what you're good at

(35:08) Richard's guest solo

(44:59) Outro

WHR 3.151: From Stage Fright to Standing Ovation: Mastering Public Speaking with Sean Tyler Foley Dec 25, 2023

Show notes

When Sean Tyler Foley, managing director of Total Buy-In, found himself on the precipice of a speaking engagement alongside Tony Robbins, he did the unthinkable — he turned his expertise into a book under a nail-biting deadline. Today, Sean Tyler joins Tim to talk about his remarkable journey from stage fright to spotlight, revealing the transformative effects of embracing a challenge head-on. They discuss the immense preparation behind seamless performances, emphasizing that success is not a sudden burst of luck but the culmination of years of hard work. This notion extends beyond the arts into entrepreneurship, where legal and financial preparedness, highlighted by a personal story of loss and the importance of succession planning, form the bedrock of sustainable business practices. They also touch on the transformative power of podcasting, as experienced by Sean Tyler, who has over 300 appearances in a single year. It is a testament to the medium's potential to build a robust online presence and establish credibility. Tune into this enlightening podcast episode and step into your spotlight.

Who is Sean Tyler Foley?

Sean Tyler Foley (STF) is a versatile film and stage performer who has been acting since he was six. He has appeared in productions such as Freddy Vs Jason, Door to Door, Carrie, and the musical Ragtime. Tyler is passionate about helping others take the stage and impact an audience with their stories. He is currently the Managing Director of Total Buy In and author of the #1 best-selling book The Power to Speak Naked. With his distinct and direct style, Tyler is emerging as one of North America's sought-after leaders in public speaking for personal and professional development. He inspires others to reach for their dreams by promoting and encouraging people to be heard and understood.

Connect with Sean Tyler: Website 1: https://www.seantylerfoley.com/

Website 2: http://www.totalbuyin.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seantylerfoley/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeanTylerFoleyYYC/

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/dropthemicyyc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@seantylerfoley

Email: stf@seantylerfoley.com

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email.

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro (0:50) Sean Tyler's good note (5:04) Sharing a stage with Tony Robbins (9:31) The bad note (15:57) What he learned from the bad note (17:41) Forming the band (23:36) Playing with talents better than you (28:02) What is important in a jam room (31:55) Sean Tyler's guest solo (34:27) Podcasting and marketing (40:25) How to find Sean Tyler (43:33) Outro

WHR 3.150: Unraveling the Art of Communication: A Conversation with Brenden Kumarasamy Dec 18, 2023

Show notes

Have you ever wondered what separates good communication from the truly great? Sit tight as Brendan Kumarasamy, the charismatic CEO of MasterTalk, unravels this mystery. Tim and Brenden discuss the art of articulating ideas, the hurdles of marketing, and why a great marketer is critical for success. Brendan sheds light on how failure's transformative power can fuel success. He shares a poignant episode from his business journey that underscored the value of adaptability and being receptive to new ideas. Whether you are a business owner, a professional, or an individual interested in personal development, there are nuggets of wisdom to glean from this discussion. So, buckle up and tune in to this episode.

Who is Brenden Kumarasamy?

Brenden is a Montreal native who had to attend French school despite not knowing the language. Despite being scared of communication, he had to give presentations in French from the ages of 5 to 16. In university, Brenden refined his communication skills through case competitions. At 19, he started training himself and his teammates for these competitions to present in front of executives from companies like IBM, PwC & EY. This experience helped him start his YouTube & coaching business, MasterTalk, with the mission of being the bridge between everyone's ideas and helping people become exceptional communicators through his free content.

Connect with Brenden Kumarasamy: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendenkumarasamy/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mastertalkyt/

Website: https://www.mastertalk.ca/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/mastertalks

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/masteryourtalk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/masteryourtalks

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:00) Intro

(0:42) Brenden's story of success

(2:12) Talking about your idea to others

(6:38) Brenden's bad note

(10:28) Tools he uses

(16:18) Business ground rules

(19:46) Apply the right advice for the right season

(23:10) Adaptability

(24:28) What's exciting in Brenden's business right now

(26:18) Content and delivery

(27:52) Outro

WHR 3.149: Embracing Rejection, Overcoming Debt and Selling to Bill Gates with Beate Chelette Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

Rejection is a bitter pill to swallow. But isn't it just a part of life? In this episode, Tim is joined by Beate Chelette, the growth architect who transformed her life from being buried under a $135,000 debt to selling her venture to Bill Gates for millions! Through real-life instances of a salesperson or an artist, they underline that each 'No' we encounter is not a reflection of one's worth but a stepping stone towards growth. They dive deep into the significance of persistence, following your inner voice, and overcoming setbacks. Beate also enlightens us about the value of mentorship, asking questions, and the business side of work, especially for the artists.

Who is Beate Chelette?

Beate Chelette is the founder of The Women's Code and a Growth Architect. She provides leaders and visionaries with strategies, blueprints, and growth maps to enhance business systems, leadership skills, and team strength.

Beate is known for her straightforward approach, ability to inspire and empower, and resilience. Her journey includes being $135,000 in debt at one point and selling her company to Bill Gates in a multimillion-dollar deal.

Beate has been recognized as one of the "Top 100 Global Thought Leaders" by PeopleHum and as "One of 50 Must Follow Women Entrepreneurs" by HuffPost.

Connect with Beate Chelette:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beatechelette/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GrowthArchitecture/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/beatechelette

Website 1: https://beatechelette.com/

Website 2: https://growthblockerquiz.com

Website 3: https://airtightavatar.com/

Website 4: https://uncoverysession.com/

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/

In This Episode:

(0:37) The good note

(0:59) The bad note

(6:38) The Avocado story

(12:14) Don't take things personally

(17:38) What is failure?

(21:01) Eliminate the wrong path

(24:00) Finding your tribe

(30:36) The Entrepreneurial Brain

(33:36) The significance of asking questions

(37:04) Guest solo and where to find Beate

(39:09) Outro

WHR 3.148: Creating Balance: Entrepreneurship, Self-care, And Coaching with Suman Cherry Dec 04, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Tim is joined by Suman Cherry, founder of Cherry Talent Group, who shared her entrepreneurial journey. Suman unraveled the secret of her success by highlighting the significance of a human-centric approach to business and the importance of prioritizing self-care and family above work. As an entrepreneur, she spoke about the transformation she underwent and the personal growth that she experienced along the way.

Who is Suman Cherry?

Suman Cherry is the CEO of Cherry Talent Group, a recruitment firm that aims to redefine the recruitment process. With over 20 years of experience in the field, Suman believes that the popular recruitment model often lacks transparency and integrity. She created Cherry Talent Group to address this issue and provide a more trustworthy and reliable recruitment service. The company approaches each client as a trusted partner and works as an extension of its team. They strive to understand the client's organization and what sets them apart from their competition. Cherry Talent Group aims to nurture long-term relationships with clients and help them find the right person who fits their skills, vision, and culture

Connect with Suman Cherry: Web: https://www.cherrytalentgroup.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sumancherry

Facebook: https://facebook.com/suman.cherrykilburn

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I love connecting with Work at Home RockStars! Reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, or via email

Website 💻 https://workathomerockstar.com

WHR Facebook Page 📌

https://www.facebook.com/workathomerockstar

Feel free to DM us on any of our social platforms:

Instagram 📷 https://www.instagram.com/workathomerockstar

Email 💬 tim@workathomerockstar.com

LinkedIn ✍ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timmelanson/