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    Business

    Your Brand Amplified

    Your Brand Amplified® is Anika Jackson’s deep-dive into the strategies, stories, and mindsets that separate thriving entrepreneurs from the rest. In each episode, Anika sits down with successful business leaders, marketers, sales experts, and innovators to uncover what actually works—and why most people get it wrong.This isn’t surface-level advice. Anika digs into the real decisions, the failures, the pivots, and the breakthroughs that shaped her guests’ journeys. Whether you’re scaling a startup, launching a brand, building sales systems, or trying to amplify your market presence, you’ll gain frameworks, strategies, and insights you can implement immediately.What You’ll Discover Each Week:Entrepreneurship & Business Growth – Uncover how successful founders identify opportunities, build founder-independent companies, navigate scaling, and establish sustainable business models. Anika explores startup strategy, business automation, conscious company culture, and the frameworks that separate enduring ventures from failed ideas.Marketing & Brand Strategy – Master digital marketing, content creation, social media strategy, personal branding, storytelling, and customer acquisition through Anika’s perspective. Discover full-funnel marketing, behavioral psychology, brand positioning, PR integration, and how to stand out in crowded markets.Sales & Revenue Systems – Learn high-ticket sales strategies, funnel design, sales team building, and revenue diversification. Anika breaks down what converts prospects into customers and how to build scalable, repeatable systems.Leadership & Mindset – Explore values-based decision-making, authentic leadership, personal healing, overcoming perfectionism, building resilient teams, and the psychology of high performers. Understand how successful leaders navigate pressure, make tough calls, and inspire others.Public Relations & Brand Voice – Gain insights into crisis management, building reputation, AI-powered PR, media relationships, and controlling your narrative. Learn how to amplify your message and maintain authenticity in public positioning.Personal Growth & Wellness – Discover how to pivot careers, find your vocation, manage energy while scaling, heal from trauma, and build a business aligned with your values. Explore the wellness and mindset foundations that enable sustainable success.AI, Technology & Innovation – Stay current on artificial intelligence, automation, tech innovation, and how emerging technologies reshape marketing, sales, operations, and leadership. Understand where your business fits in the AI-driven future.Specialized Expertise – From healthcare innovation to nonprofit launches, fashion retail to hyperbarics, Anika explores how specialists turn niche expertise into scalable, profitable businesses.Anika doesn’t just facilitate conversations—she brings her own insights, frameworks, and perspective to every episode. Her guests are carefully selected to offer real value: actionable takeaways, unexpected wisdom, and the kind of authenticity you won’t find in typical business podcasts.Perfect for: Solopreneurs, small business owners, marketers, sales leaders, coaches, consultants, nonprofit founders, and anyone building something meaningful.New episodes every week on Amazon, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Subscribe now and join thousands of listeners who’ve built thriving businesses with insights from Your Brand Amplified®.

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    Latest Episodes:
    Driving Brand Empathy Through Immersive Storytelling with Amir Berenjian Aug 05, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sat down with Amir Berenjian to explore how a former investment banker transitioned from multi-million dollar M&A spreadsheets to founding an immersive technology company. The conversation revealed a profound truth: the most powerful way to sell a brand or cause isn't through data alone, but through deeply emotional, shared experiences. Amir shares how REM5 Studios leverages virtual reality (VR) to transport trade show attendees to a Wisconsin dairy farm and global policymakers to the frontlines of polio eradication in Zambia, proving that immersive tech is far more than just a novelty.

    In This Episode

    • How 12 years in M&A investment banking prepared Amir for immersive storytelling
    • The pivotal moment of trying the Oculus Rift in 2016 and seeing the future of human-computer interaction
    • Using pizza and beer to overcome VR skepticism in the corporate world
    • Why the ROI of immersive tech at trade shows vastly outperforms traditional marketing trinkets
    • Transporting global policymakers to Zambia to fight polio via VR with the Gates Foundation
    • How a premium cheese brand uses VR to tell the story of a 100-year-old family farm
    • The surprising dual-use of VR for both external marketing and internal employee onboarding
    • How to test out immersive tech for your brand without breaking the budget

    Timestamps

    • 00:00 Introduction: From investment banking to immersive tech
    • 02:09 The surprising emotional throughline between M&A banking and VR storytelling
    • 04:38 The Oculus Rift "Aha!" moment and democratizing the "magic school bus" experience
    • 07:35 Overcoming the VR accessibility barrier and corporate skepticism
    • 11:13 Transitioning from corporate events to purpose-driven storytelling and global causes
    • 13:33 The economics of immersive tech and why it's cheaper than you think
    • 15:08 Dominating trade shows: Why shared VR experiences beat traditional marketing flyers
    • 17:29 Case Study 1: Transporting customers to a 3rd-generation Wisconsin dairy farm
    • 19:38 Case Study 2: Putting policymakers on the frontlines of polio with the Gates Foundation
    • 20:23 How immersive 3D video actually works (and the nostalgia of the View-Master)
    • 25:13 The 9-month planning process and why distribution is the biggest hurdle in VR
    • 29:39 The intersection of AI, implicit bias, and leveraging technology for good
    • 31:47 Measuring the impact and ROI of immersive storytelling
    • 34:33 How small businesses can test the waters of VR for under $500
    • 38:33 The dual value of VR: Using marketing tools for internal employee onboarding
    • 41:42 What’s next for REM5 Studios and the convergence of AI and spatial computing

    Key Insights & Takeaways

    Insight 1: M&A and VR are Both About Selling Emotion

    Even in investment banking, multi-million dollar deals are driven by the emotional story of a business. Amir realized VR is simply the ultimate tool for democratizing that story, allowing clients to "tour the factory" and meet the founders without ever leaving the boardroom.

    Insight 2: Immersive Tech Solves the Trade Show ROI Problem

    Trade shows are filled with expensive, easily discarded trinkets and flyers. Immersive tech completely steals the show by giving attendees a shared, memorable experience that re-energizes them. Because the experience can be reused across dozens of events, it proves to be far more cost-effective and impactful than traditional trade show marketing waste.

    Insight 3: The Technology is the Conduit, Not the Message

    People easily get caught up in buzzwords like AR, VR, and spatial computing. But the goal isn't to talk about the tech—it's to use the tech to tell a story so effectively that users forget they're wearing a headset. Whether it's understanding the reality of polio eradication or the care behind a premium cheese, the tech is just a vehicle for presence and empathy.

    Insight 4: Marketing Assets Make Perfect Internal Training Tools

    An immersive experience originally designed to sell a product to consumers can instantly be repurposed as an onboarding tool for HR and accounting teams. Giving new or remote employees a virtual factory tour accelerates learning, reduces training costs, and emotionally connects desk workers to the company’s physical roots.

    Insight 5: You Can Test VR for Your Business on a Budget

    You don't need a massive corporate budget to start experimenting with immersive storytelling. With a $400 Meta Quest headset or a free 30-minute demo at an Apple Store, business owners can experience existing VR content, identify use cases, and understand the medium before ever committing to a custom build.

    Resources & Links Mentioned

    REM5 Studios

    Polio's Last Mile (VR Experience available on Meta Quest & Apple Vision Pro)

    Meta Quest 3 / Apple Vision Pro

    About Amir Berenjian

    Amir Berenjian is the co-founder and CEO of REM5 Studios, an immersive technology company based in Minneapolis that builds virtual and augmented reality experiences for brands and causes. Before transitioning to spatial computing, Amir spent 12 years in investment banking, facilitating over 100 M&A transactions for companies ranging from $10 million to over $1 billion in revenue. Today, he helps organizations like the Gates Foundation, Rotary International, and Fortune 500 companies leverage the power of VR to foster profound empathy, connection, and real-world impact.

    Connect with Amir

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-berenjian-90738220/

    Website: REM5Studios.com

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

    Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com
    Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Fixing the AI Epidemic: The Trust-First Business Growth Hack with Andrew Bolton Aug 03, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sat down with Andrew Bolton, CEO and co-founder of Tech Rescue, to explore the massive cultural and corporate shift currently prioritizing artificial intelligence over human connection—and why it’s a losing bet. Starting from a moment of intense frustration while trying to help his grandmother with technology, Andrew bootstrapped a 24/7, human-only tech support company that has defied the "chatbot era" of Silicon Valley. Andrew’s journey offers a masterclass in recognizing the power of empathy in business, building culture in a service company, and why trusting the basics of customer care is the ultimate growth hack.

    In This Episode

    • The origins of Tech Rescue: Why a simple email forward sparked a fast-growing business
    • How the tech industry has abandoned the 14% of Americans who struggle with modern devices
    • The psychological and physiological benefits of talking to a human over a robot
    • Why implementing a strict "no AI, no chatbots" policy became their greatest competitive advantage
    • Bootstrapping the company with his mother as CFO after getting rejected by traditional VCs
    • The connection between lowering a caller's cortisol levels and boosting corporate retention rates
    • Why the modern education system’s failures present a massive threat to the U.S. workforce
    • How Tech Rescue grew from answering calls at 2 AM to a team of 78 employees in three years
    • The danger of monopolies and the slow creep of corporate mediocrity
    • Why real success isn't just about billions—it’s about protecting creativity, connection, and culture

    Timestamps

    • 00:00 Introduction: Solving a human problem in an AI world
    • 01:34 The origin story: Watching an 80-year-old struggle to forward an email
    • 04:47 How the relentless pace of tech has left 14% of the population behind
    • 09:21 The death of customer service: Why optimization actually means abandonment
    • 11:24 The ultimate value proposition: Choosing humans over chatbots
    • 16:01 Walking away from Wall Street to build a business with his mom
    • 18:51 The fundamental truth: How you treat your customers is how they treat your wallet
    • 22:15 Building a 24/7 call center powered by psychology majors, not IT techs
    • 24:01 The science of empathy: Lowering cortisol to reduce call times and save money
    • 26:27 Smacking the "Palo Alto 5-year plan" and proving empathy is profitable
    • 33:13 Why hiring for emotional intelligence is harder—and more important—than hiring for tech skills
    • 36:31 A warning about the U.S. education system and the future of the workforce
    • 43:25 Why becoming a billionaire in a mediocre world means absolutely nothing
    • 48:44 Conclusion: The core mission of connecting people

    Key Insights & Takeaways

    Insight 1: "Optimization" Often Just Means Abandonment

    For the last decade, companies have used terms like "optimization" or "streamlining" to justify firing their HR, sales, and customer service departments, replacing them with endless phone trees and chatbots. This has created a massive void in the market where customers are desperate to speak with a real human—a void that human-centric businesses can easily and profitably fill.

    Insight 2: Empathy is a Quantifiable Metric

    Tech Rescue hires psychology and sociology majors rather than IT professionals because teaching tech is easier than teaching empathy. According to medical studies, simply addressing a caller by their name can lower cortisol and adrenaline levels by 13%. In a call center environment, a calmer customer translates directly to a conversation that ends seven minutes sooner, vastly reducing operational costs and boosting retention.

    Insight 3: The "No Chatbot" Guarantee is a Growth Strategy

    While VCs and marketing agencies constantly pressure companies to adopt AI to save money, Tech Rescue found that their greatest selling point is their strict refusal to use it. In a world where consumers are fatigued by automated voices and generic AI outputs, guaranteeing a human interaction builds a level of brand trust and loyalty that algorithms cannot replicate.

    Insight 4: Generational Tech Gaps Require Psychological Safety

    Older generations aren't just confused by rapidly changing tech (like Meta rearranging its settings menus multiple times a year); they are often embarrassed to ask for help. Tech Rescue provides a psychologically safe space for users to ask questions—whether it’s about online banking or setting up a dating profile on Bumble—without feeling rushed or condescended to.

    Insight 5: You Can Make Money by Doing Good in the World

    Andrew pushes back against the modern corporate mandate of "alpha at all costs," which he argues leads to monotonous, poor-quality products and a lack of innovation. His core philosophy—often repeated as "Business 101"—is that if you solve a genuine problem and treat people with respect, the financial success will naturally follow. Monopolies prevent competition, but incredible customer service shatters monopolies.

    Resources & Links Mentioned

    Tech Rescue

    About Andrew Bolton

    Andrew Bolton is the CEO and co-founder of Tech Rescue, a 24/7 human-powered tech support company. A Harvard-trained strategist with Wall Street roots, Andrew walked away from traditional corporate America to build a business centered entirely around empathy, trust, and connection. He co-founded the company alongside his mother after witnessing firsthand how the modern tech industry disregards the elderly and the less tech-savvy. Today, he manages a growing team of 78 employees out of a call center in Colorado, proving that human connection is the ultimate competitive advantage.

    Connect with Andrew Bolton

    Website: https://techrescue.io/

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

    Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com
    Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Reclaiming Your Power: Surviving Workplace Chaos and Doing Great Work with Melissa Swift Jul 31, 2026
    Show notes

    Reclaiming Your Power: Surviving Workplace Chaos and Doing Great Work with Melissa Swift

    Anika sat down with Melissa Swift, founder and CEO of Anthrome Insight, to tackle the reality of the modern workday: constant interruptions, hyper-emotional environments, and overwhelming chaos. Following the release of her new book, How to Do Great Work in a Fast Changing World, Melissa shares why systemic organizational changes are great, but individuals need actionable survival strategies now. Drawing on research from high-stakes professionals like firefighters and ER doctors, this conversation provides a practical framework for identifying your true strengths, dealing with chaotic colleagues, and recognizing when a job is fundamentally broken.

    In This Episode

    • The COVID-era breaking point that inspired a shift from organizational strategy to individual empowerment
    • Breaking down the "Effectiveness Architecture": Knowledge, Methods, People, and Technology
    • The self-checkout paradox: why automating tech actually requires a massive increase in human "soft skills"
    • The four trends making us less effective at work, with a deep dive into navigating chaos
    • Natural chaos (the science of surprises) versus the frustration of people operating chaotically
    • The Muppet Theory of Management: knowing when to deploy your "Order Muppets" vs. "Chaos Muppets"
    • What corporate America can learn from firefighters about deep tech mastery and acute role clarity
    • How organizations inadvertently gaslight employees by hiring them for jobs the company culture actively rejects
    • Three concrete steps you can take this week to carve out space and reclaim your sanity

    Timestamps

    • 00:00 Introduction: Operating effectively in a fast-changing world
    • 01:17 Why Melissa's audience demanded a book focused on individual survival strategies
    • 02:52 The COVID breaking point and the metaphor of the empty Soviet streetcar
    • 04:13 The Effectiveness Architecture: simplifying 30,000 skills into four core pillars
    • 06:46 Why technology rollouts fail without the proper "people skills" training
    • 09:38 Four trends destroying workplace effectiveness: intensification, emotion, transparency, and chaos
    • 11:23 Natural chaos vs. human chaos (and the Muppet theory of team dynamics)
    • 14:48 What white-collar workers can learn from the training habits of firefighters
    • 19:51 The myth of the "skills gap" and the untapped power of self-directed learners
    • 23:55 Identifying your superpower (Knowledge, Methods, People, or Tech) and overcoming stereotypes
    • 29:45 Why role clarity is the first casualty of chaos and how to get it back
    • 33:50 How to recognize if your job is fundamentally broken or set up to fail
    • 39:08 Three actionable steps to reclaim your effectiveness and boundaries this week
    • 43:35 Favorite quote: Oscar Wilde on the vital art of brevity

    Key Insights & Takeaways

    Insight 1: The Effectiveness Architecture Simplifies Work

    Instead of getting bogged down in corporate frameworks boasting 30,000 different micro-skills, individual effectiveness boils down to four clear pillars: Knowledge, Methods, People, and Technology. Identifying which pillar is your natural superpower (and which is your weakest link) allows you to partner with complementary colleagues and combat workplace stereotypes.

    Insight 2: Automation Requires More "People Skills," Not Less

    When companies automate roles (like introducing self-checkout lanes), they often underestimate the human element. The remaining workers suddenly have to act as IT support, security, and customer de-escalation all at once. Rolling out advanced technology—including AI—without training people on the soft skills required to manage the human friction around it is a recipe for burnout.

    Insight 3: Not All Chaos is Created Equal

    There is "natural chaos" (the inevitable surprises of a shifting economy or supply chain) and there is the unnatural chaos of colleagues operating erratically. You manage natural chaos through scenario planning, but you manage human chaos by building strict boundaries and strategically deploying the right personalities (your organized "Kermits" vs. your adaptable "Animals").

    Insight 4: High-Stakes Professionals Prioritize Deep Mastery and Crisp Roles

    Unlike corporate workers who switch between dozens of apps a day without truly mastering any, professionals like firefighters are given the time and space to completely master a single new tool before their lives depend on it. Similarly, in an ER or on a fireground, role clarity is acute. In corporate settings, blurred roles masquerade as "collaboration," but they actually drain creativity and cause systemic failure.

    Insight 5: Your Job Might Be Fundamentally Broken

    Sometimes your lack of effectiveness isn't your fault. If you are hired to be a "change agent" in a company that inherently rejects innovation, or if you are told to "lead through influence" without any actual resources or power, you are fighting gravity. Recognizing when a job is structurally broken is the first step in deciding whether to renegotiate your role or walk away.

    Resources & Links Mentioned

    How to Do Great Work in a Fast Changing World by Melissa Swift

    Work Here Now by Melissa Swift

    About Melissa Swift

    Melissa Swift is the founder and CEO of Anthrome Insight, a leading organizational effectiveness consultancy. With an extensive background working with large global organizations like Mercer, Korn Ferry, Deloitte, and Capgemini, she is a recognized authority on the future of work and a regular columnist for the MIT Sloan Management Review. She is the author of Work Here Now and her latest release, How to Do Great Work in a Fast Changing World.

    Connect with Melissa Swift

    Website: Anthrome Insight

    LinkedIn: Melissa Swift

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

    Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com
    Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    S E763: How to Separate True Intuition From Business Fear with Katie Krimitsos Jul 29, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sat down with Katie Krimitsos to explore one of the most counterintuitive business pivots in podcasting history. The conversation revealed the realities of walking away from a successful coaching business to launch the Women's Meditation Network, the process of recognizing the difference between intuition and fear, and how she scaled one podcast into a massive 24-show network. Katie's journey offers a masterclass in alignment, strategic audience building, and honoring your creative evolution while prioritizing family.


    In This Episode

    • The origins of Biz Women Rock and the power of being a first-mover in the podcast space
    • The terrifying moment intuition told Katie to walk away from her first six-figure year
    • Why the most powerful business strategy is distinguishing between your true "voice" and the "noise"
    • The messy, 18-month transition of running two businesses while raising a toddler and a newborn
    • How to utilize paid ads, app features, and cross-promotions to guarantee podcast growth
    • The strategy behind building a 24-show network and why not every podcast has to be a massive moneymaker
    • Licensing content, internal product building, and creating a robust, high-converting funnel
    • Why creative expression—not just profit—must remain the driving force of your work


    Timestamps

    • 00:00 Introduction: The counterintuitive pivot to a 170-million listen empire
    • 01:14 Discovering the power of podcasting in 2013 and launching Biz Women Rock
    • 05:36 The defining moment of intuition: Walking away from a six-figure business
    • 10:30 Launching the Women's Meditation Network and recognizing the open market gap
    • 14:41 How to separate the true voice of intuition from the noise of ego
    • 22:05 Tactical podcast growth: Using paid ads on smaller podcast apps
    • 26:28 The power of cross-promotions and episode swaps for audience sharing
    • 28:39 Expanding from one show to a 24-podcast network
    • 38:08 Internal product building and licensing content to third-party apps
    • 46:28 The mind-body-soul connection and finding new creative fulfillment
    • 51:43 Favorite mantra: Why "It's all a game" is the best mindset for success



    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: True Intuition Requires Stillness and Practice


    The voice of intuition is often drowned out by the "noise" of ego, fear, and external expectations. Katie emphasizes that distinguishing between the two requires daily practice in small things—like listening to what your body actually wants to eat—so you can trust the voice when it asks you to make massive business pivots.


    Insight 2: Strategic Investment is Necessary for Scale


    While organic growth is important, Katie actively invested in paid advertisements on smaller podcast apps to acquire listeners at a defined cost-per-subscriber. She also leveraged cross-promotions and episode swaps with complementary shows (like sleep podcasts) to consistently bring in highly targeted new listeners.


    Insight 3: The Network Model Allows for Niche Experimentation


    Building a 24-show network means that not every podcast has to carry the financial weight of the business. Massive shows (like Sleep Meditation for Women) generate the primary revenue, which affords Katie the freedom to launch highly-niched shows (like Meditation for Panic Attacks or Meditation for Kids) that serve smaller, specific audiences without financial stress.


    Insight 4: Your Product Can Be Monetized in Multiple Ways


    Katie recognized early on that her meditations (the MP3/MP4 files) were the actual products. Instead of relying solely on podcast advertising (CPM), she distributes and licenses her content to third-party apps (like Insight Timer and Aura), creating multiple, passive revenue streams from the exact same content.


    Insight 5: Creative Expression is the Ultimate Driver of Business


    A business can be highly profitable, but if the founder feels "gray" or "blah," it's often a sign of suppressed creativity. Katie highlights the importance of continually evolving the business—such as incorporating physical well-being into her mind-soul offerings—to ensure the work remains fulfilling and energetically aligned.


    Resources & Links Mentioned


    • Women's Meditation Network
    • Meditate to Magic Course


    About Katie Krimitsos


    Katie Krimitsos is the founder and CEO of the Women's Meditation Network, a massive media empire that has garnered over 170 million listens. A pioneer in the podcasting space, she previously hosted the successful Biz Women Rock podcast before making a radical pivot in 2018 to follow her intuition into the meditation space. Today, she manages a network of 24 distinct meditation podcasts while prioritizing time freedom and raising her two daughters.


    Connect with Katie Krimitsos


    • Website: https://womensmeditationnetwork.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiekrimitsos/
    • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/womensmeditationnetwork
    • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/womensmeditationnetwork


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

    Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com
    Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    S E762: From Zero Net Worth to a Publishing Empire: The Reality of Bootstrapping with Tim Lindsay Jul 27, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sat down with Tim Lindsay to explore what it really takes to build a publishing company from the ground up—starting with negative net worth and zero safety net. The conversation revealed the realities of bootstrapping Tellwell Publishing to over 6,000 books, the critical differences between traditional and self-publishing, and how a 128-day NICU crisis tested his leadership. Tim's journey offers a masterclass in resilience, scaling teams, and understanding the true strategic value of writing a book.


    In This Episode


    • Quitting a day job with massive credit card debt and mastering the art of bootstrapping
    • The evolution of self-publishing and why traditional publishing gatekeepers are losing their grip
    • The three core motivations for writing a book: Give, Build, and Journey
    • Scaling a team from 1 to 12 (the honeymoon phase) versus the painful jump to 30 employees
    • Navigating a 128-day NICU crisis while keeping a growing business from collapsing
    • Why the "Guide" function is the missing link in the modern publishing landscape
    • Writing The Call to Authorship in just 30 minutes a day before the second cup of coffee
    • The importance of team cohesion and why traditional HR rules often miss the mark



    Timestamps


    • 00:00 Introduction: Bootstrapping a publishing company from nothing
    • 01:34 The leap into self-employment with $50,000 in credit card debt
    • 07:04 How Amazon and Print-on-Demand revolutionized the publishing industry
    • 10:40 Understanding the real reasons people write books (Give, Build, Journey)
    • 12:25 The incredible story of The 10-Year-Old Man and publishing for impact
    • 21:44 The honeymoon startup phase and the chaos of scaling past 12 employees
    • 29:29 The parallels between starting a business, writing a book, and starting a family
    • 32:53 Tim's personal writing routine for The Call to Authorship
    • 36:58 Surviving a 128-day NICU crisis without burning out the business
    • 43:56 Why the "Guide" function became Tellwell Publishing's secret sauce
    • 48:34 Redefining book success: visibility and strategy over royalties
    • 51:14 Why team cohesion matters more than traditional management
    • 55:08 Atomic Habits and a powerful William Blake quote on taking action



    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: The Three Core Motivations for Authorship (Give, Build, Journey)


    People don't just write books to make a profit. The drive to publish typically stems from three areas: "Give" (serving the reader or society), "Build" (using the book as a strategic tool to grow a business or speaking career), and the "Journey" (personal healing, expression, and meaning). Understanding your primary motivation changes how you write and market the book.


    Insight 2: The "Guide" Function is the Missing Link in Publishing


    While self-publishing offers higher royalties and creative control, it can be an isolating and overwhelming process. Tellwell succeeded by institutionalizing the "Guide" role—a mix of advice, project management, quality control, and emotional encouragement that empowers authors without removing their creative autonomy.


    Insight 3: The Danger Zone of Scaling is Between 12 and 30 Employees


    Growing a team to 12 people feels like a honeymoon phase where everyone communicates like a volleyball team in a huddle. But scaling past 20 requires building a functional management team. This transition drains cash flow, demands rigorous hiring, and risks creating a negative flywheel if bad hires lead to customer issues and low morale.


    Insight 4: A Book is a Strategic Tool, Not a Lottery Ticket


    Competing against millions of books and streaming platforms makes getting rich off royalties incredibly difficult. The modern author wins by using their book to gain visibility, establish credibility, and generate leads for speaking engagements or consulting services, rather than waiting to become the next Oprah book club pick.


    Insight 5: Consistency Trumps Free Time


    Tim wrote The Call to Authorship while running a scaling business and managing a family. His secret wasn't taking a sabbatical; it was dedicating 30 minutes a day to write 500 words before his second cup of coffee. Small, daily habits build momentum that eventually results in a completed 50,000-word manuscript.


    Insight 6: The Soft Stuff is the Hard Stuff in Business


    Reflecting on his journey, Tim realized he underestimated the importance of team cohesion. It isn't built at an annual retreat; it's forged in daily interactions, dropping guards, and building trust. Without that personal connection, communication breaks down and business decisions suffer.



    Resources & Links Mentioned


    TellwellPublishing.com

    The Call to Authorship (Tim's book)

    Free Guide to Self-Publishing

    Atomic Habits by James Clear


    About Tim Lindsay


    Tim Lindsay is the founder and CEO of Tellwell Publishing. He bootstrapped the company over 11 years ago after quitting his day job to get himself out of $50,000 in credit card debt. Since then, Tellwell has published over 6,000 books across multiple genres. Tim is also the author of The Call to Authorship, a guide for aspiring writers. He operates his company out of Victoria, British Columbia, balancing entrepreneurship with family life, having navigated the turbulent waters of scaling a startup alongside a 128-day NICU journey with his newborn.


    Connect with Tim Lindsay

    TellwellPublishing.com

    CalltoAuthorship.com

    Tellwell Publishing on Social Media:

    https://www.facebook.com/TellwellPublishing/

    https://www.linkedin.com/company/tellwellpublishing/

    https://www.instagram.com/tellwellpublishing/

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

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    S E761: Position Your Nonfiction Book for Bestseller Success with Wiebke Tasch Jul 24, 2026
    Show notes

    Position Your Nonfiction Book for Bestseller Success with Wiebke Tasch

    Anika sat down with Wiebke Tasch to explore a hard truth in the publishing world: most nonfiction books fail not because the writing is bad, but because the positioning was wrong before the first word was ever written. Wiebke shares her journey from feeling stuck in a German PR agency to accidentally writing an Amazon bestseller about heartbreak, and how that success led her to found Digital Authors. The conversation reveals why a book is not just a vanity project, how data should dictate your book's direction, and why the "AI hype train" might be the worst thing to happen to your legacy.


    In This Episode


    • How a personal crisis and a lack of available therapy led to Wiebke’s first bestselling book
    • The difference between a vanity project and a strategic credibility builder
    • Why "guessing" your book's niche is a recipe for failure—and how to use data instead
    • The cultural divide: Why European authors feel they must be an authority first, while US authors use a book to become one
    • Repositioning a business coach: How pivoting from "digital nomad" to "building a business" resulted in 9x more pre-sales
    • The "personal story formula": Why frameworks alone are boring and how to keep readers engaged
    • The role of AI in publishing: Why ChatGPT makes for terrible books but a great proofreader
    • A surprising market trend: Why the flood of AI books has created a unique opportunity for genuine human authors right now
    • The psychological mirror of writing: How becoming an author forces you to confront your fear of visibility
    • The "5-Day Amazon Window" and the secret to getting the algorithm to market your book for you
    • Crafting a 3-month launch strategy and why Sunday afternoon is the worst time to hit "publish"


    Timestamps


    • 00:00 Introduction: Why do most nonfiction books fail to find an audience?
    • 01:24 From Berlin PR to digital nomad: The origin of Digital Authors
    • 03:10 Writing Why Can't You Love Me? and accidentally hitting a bestseller niche
    • 05:38 Learning from failure: Why the second and third books flopped
    • 07:27 Market analysis: Using data to find demand before you outline the book
    • 11:38 Europe vs. US publishing culture: "Who are you to write?" vs. "Write to become."
    • 14:27 Case Study: Repositioning a "digital nomad" book to 9x the pre-sales
    • 17:34 The writing process: Blending personal storytelling with actionable frameworks
    • 23:28 The truth about AI in publishing: Use it to proofread, not to write your legacy
    • 27:55 The personality development of writing: Overcoming the fear of being seen
    • 32:01 The 5-Day Amazon Window: How to trigger the algorithm to push your book
    • 36:31 A 3-month book launch strategy: Pre-sales, webinars, and launch parties
    • 39:50 Positioning differences between established experts and brand-new authors
    • 45:54 A special 25% discount offer for authors under 40
    • 49:33 Favorite mantra: Trusting your own intuition above all else



    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: Positioning Precedes Writing


    Most authors write what they want to say without checking if anyone is actually searching for it. By running a data-driven market analysis first, you can identify high-demand, low-competition niches, ensuring your book has a built-in audience before you even outline the first chapter.


    Insight 2: Frameworks Are Boring; Stories Stick


    If your book is just a step-by-step guide, it should have been a PDF. To keep readers engaged in an era of scrolling and short attention spans, authors must blend their conceptual frameworks with deeply personal stories and actionable exercises. Readers need to see themselves in your journey.


    Insight 3: The 5-Day Amazon Algorithm Window


    Publishing your book quietly and starting marketing two months later is a death sentence for sales. Amazon gives new releases a 5-day window. If you can drive massive traffic and conversions during those first five days, the algorithm will pick up the book and essentially take over the marketing for you long-term.


    Insight 4: AI is for Polishing, Not Creating


    While the market was briefly flooded with ChatGPT-authored books, readers are rejecting the generic, soulless writing. A book is a timeless authority tool meant to last for decades. Use AI for final grammar checks or structuring thoughts, but the core ideas and the voice must remain deeply human.


    Insight 5: Writing a Book is an Act of Personal Transformation


    Writing a book forces authors—especially women—to confront their imposter syndrome and fear of visibility. The process of claiming your expertise on the page ultimately translates to how you show up in your business, handle speaking engagements, and price your services.



    Resources & Links Mentioned

    • Digital Authors (Wiebke's Agency)



    About Wiebke Tasch


    Wiebke Tasch is the founder of Digital Authors and a publishing strategist who helps entrepreneurs and thought leaders turn their expertise into books that build authority and attract opportunity. Originally from Germany with a background in journalism and PR, Wiebke walked the hard path of publishing—first writing an accidental bestseller, followed by books that flopped. These experiences taught her the crucial importance of data-driven market positioning. Today, she helps authors identify demand, outline their frameworks, and execute high-impact book launches that leverage the Amazon algorithm.


    Connect with Wiebke

    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wiebke-tasch-%F0%9F%93%9A-43731b164/?locale=en
    • Digital Authors Website: www.digital-authors.com


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    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

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    S E760: Healing Without Needles with Dr. Tommy Rhee: Disrupting the Stem Cell Industry Jul 22, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sits down with Dr. Tommy Rhee, a former US Navy aviator, sports chiropractor, and founder of RheeGen. They discuss his journey from treating professional athletes and Olympians to developing a patent-pending, topical stem-cell cream. Dr. Rhee shares why he shifted away from injectables, the challenges of self-funding a biotech startup, and his bold transition toward plant-based regenerative medicine to make advanced healing affordable and accessible for everyone.



    In This Episode


    • How a Navy aviator background shapes startup discipline and problem-solving
    • The pivot from traditional sports chiropractic care to pioneering topical regenerative medicine
    • Why elite athletes avoid downtime and how that inspired a non-invasive solution
    • The science behind stem cell signals (extracellular vesicles) and transdermal delivery
    • Transitioning from human-tissue stem cells to plant-based alternatives for cost and accessibility
    • The challenges of self-funding a biotech company and seeking proof of concept
    • Why writing a book (The Future of Regenerative Medicine) became the ultimate patient education tool



    Timestamps


    • 00:00 Introduction: Meet Dr. Tommy Rhee and the mission of RheeGen
    • 01:28 How Navy aviation training translates to biotech entrepreneurship
    • 04:50 From sports fanatic to treating professional athletes and Olympians
    • 09:04 The problem with athlete recovery, pain management, and forced downtime
    • 10:10 A pivotal moment with a pro quarterback that inspired topical stem cell therapy
    • 17:16 Balancing an active chiropractic practice while self-funding a biotech startup
    • 18:33 The game-changer: Sourcing regenerative signals from plants instead of human tissue
    • 24:40 Why Dr. Rhee wrote his book before launching his consumer product
    • 28:04 Regulatory hurdles and the ethical supply chain issues in traditional stem cell clinics
    • 31:46 The stress and reward of delivering a TEDx talk on healthcare breakthroughs
    • 36:15 Democratizing sports medicine: Making elite healing accessible to the everyday person
    • 41:19 Favorite quote: Bruce Lee's "Be like water"



    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: Focus on Micro-Victories


    Drawing from his Navy aviation background, Dr. Rhee emphasizes the importance of breaking massive goals down into actionable steps. R&D and business development don't happen overnight; they are the result of small, consistent wins that build momentum, test hypotheses, and create confidence.


    Insight 2: The Needle is the Problem


    Traditional regenerative medicine relies on injectables, which create secondary injury sites, pose infection risks, and require downtime that professional athletes can't afford. Topical delivery solves these pain points by offering non-invasive, transdermal healing that can be applied seamlessly during a competitive season.


    Insight 3: It's About the Signal, Not the Cell


    Live stem cells themselves aren't the magic bullet—it's the information (extracellular vesicles or EVs) they secrete. Once Dr. Rhee understood that healing relies on signaling existing tissue to regenerate, he realized those smaller molecules could be effectively delivered via a transdermal cream.


    Insight 4: Plant-Based is the Future of Accessible Healing


    Human-tissue stem cells are expensive, highly regulated, and limited in supply, which has led to shady practices in the industry. By identifying plants that emit the exact same regenerative signals as human tissues, RheeGen is pivoting to an Over-The-Counter (OTC) model that aims to bring the cost of elite therapy under $100.


    Insight 5: Educational Content as a Business Strategy


    Dr. Rhee didn't wait until his product was fully mainstream to establish thought leadership. Writing a book and doing a TEDx talk allowed him to educate the market, establish trust, and replace repetitive 40-minute patient consultations with a scalable, accessible educational resource.



    Resources & Links Mentioned


    • Company: RheeGen (Topical Regenerative Medicine)
    • Book: The Future of Regenerative Medicine by Dr. Tommy Rhee
    • Video: Dr. Tommy Rhee's TEDx Talk (Science fiction inspiring healthcare)



    About Dr. Tommy Rhee


    Dr. Tommy Rhee is a former US Navy aviator, the former team chiropractor for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the founder and CEO of RheeGen. After years of treating elite athletes, WWE wrestlers, and Olympians, he saw the limitations and exorbitant costs of traditional injectable regenerative medicine. This frustration inspired him to develop a patent-pending topical therapy. He is also a bestselling author and TEDx speaker passionate about democratizing sports medicine and making advanced healing accessible to the everyday weekend warrior.



    Connect with Dr. Tommy Rhee

    • Website: www.RheeGen.com
    • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drtommyrhee/
    • Facebook: RheeGen


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    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

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    S E759: Marketing Authenticity: Deanna Dolecki and Ashley Ruggeri on Scaling Blue Duck Agency Jul 20, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sat down with Deanna Dolecki and Ashley Ruggeri to explore how they built a thriving, 100% virtual boutique agency by leaning into radical authenticity. The conversation revealed how their Gen X and Millennial dynamic fuels their strategy, why hiring for intangibles matters more than a resume, and how they cut through the digital noise with unscripted banter on their podcast, Ducks Unplugged.


    In This Episode


    • The origin story of Blue Duck Agency and how a "no-meeting Wednesday" led to a radical rebrand
    • Why Deanna hires for "intangibles" and how asking about high school grades reveals a candidate's true character
    • Ashley's transition from buttoned-up banking to thriving in the "gray area" of agency life
    • Launching the Ducks Unplugged podcast as a business strategy and creative testing ground
    • How Gen X and Millennial perspectives complement each other in leadership and marketing strategy
    • The truth about hustle culture and how different generations brand their work ethic
    • Why generative AI (like Deanna's ChatGPT, "Janice") is a tool, not a replacement for human creativity
    • Brainstorming on the fly: Pushing boundaries with brands like Netflix and Tupperware


    Timestamps


    • 00:00 Introduction: Building businesses around radical authenticity
    • 01:42 The origins of Blue Duck Agency and diverse career paths
    • 05:24 Hiring for the "gray area" and the importance of intangibles
    • 10:10 Launching the Ducks Unplugged podcast to differentiate the agency
    • 18:48 The Gen X and Millennial dynamic: Bridging the generational gap
    • 23:24 The Blue Duck rebrand: Standing out in a sea of yellow ducks
    • 26:51 The "hustle culture" rebrand and generational work ethics
    • 36:31 Balancing radical honesty with professional boundaries and real-time feedback
    • 41:25 Generative AI in marketing: Why human creativity still wins
    • 45:36 Pitching Netflix a "binge pass" and other pop-culture brand moments
    • 50:48 Favorite quotes and life mantras



    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: Authenticity is a Differentiator


    In a crowded agency landscape where everyone offers similar services, clients buy the people. Creating unscripted, imperfect content like Ducks Unplugged lets prospects experience the team's chemistry, humor, and problem-solving skills before they ever book a discovery call. Perfect polish is out; relatable authenticity is in.


    Insight 2: Hire for Intangibles Over Resumes


    Resumes get you in the door, but character keeps you in the room. By asking candidates to talk through their intentions and past choices—even going back to high school—you learn how they navigate challenges, communicate, and fit into a remote, tight-knit culture.


    Insight 3: Generational Differences Are a Strategic Asset


    The contrast between Gen X (Deanna) and Millennial (Ashley) perspectives creates richer marketing strategies. Instead of clashing, these diverse viewpoints—from how they view hustle culture to how they consume media—ensure that campaigns resonate across different age demographics.


    Insight 4: AI is a Tool, Not a Strategy


    While generative AI is great for efficiency and thought starters, it cannot replace human experience. Relying too heavily on AI leads to homogenized marketing where everyone sounds the same. The human element, drawn from real-world experience and cultural nuance, is what makes campaigns actually convert.


    Insight 5: Embrace the "Gray Area"


    Having team members who thrive in the gray—testing, trying, and innovating without a guaranteed outcome—is crucial for an agency's evolution. Not every podcast segment or marketing test will work (like a blind dating show for marketing channels), but giving your team the freedom to test is how you find the strategies that stick.


    Resources & Links Mentioned


    • Blue Duck Agency
    • Ducks Unplugged Podcast
    • Direct Mail Marketing (and why it's making a comeback)


    About Deanna Dolecki & Ashley Ruggeri


    Deanna Dolecki is the President of Blue Duck Agency, a boutique female-founded marketing agency. As a Gen X woman stepping into a new life phase with college-age kids and a post-marriage reset, she brings a perspective shaped by over 25 years of building a career, leading teams, and building brands. Known for leading with straight talk and hiring for intangibles, she also brings a well-informed and passionate take on pop culture.

    Ashley Ruggeri is a senior executive and Marketing Strategist with over 15 years of experience. A Millennial and married mom to a 7-year-old, she is right in the thick of balancing career and family. After navigating highly regulated corporate worlds, she brings clarity and calm to the chaos of agency life. She is also a proud hockey mom and unapologetically into Formula 1. Together with Deanna, she hosts Ducks Unplugged, bringing real conversation to work, life, relationships, parenting, and pop culture.


    Connect with Deanna & Ashley


    • Blue Duck Agency: blueduckagency.com
    • Podcast: Ducks Unplugged
    • LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/ducksunpluggedpodcast


    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

    Like the show? Leave us a rating or review: https://lovethepodcast.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com
    Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika


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    S E758: Building Better Through Leadership: Kristian Fields on Culture, Technology and Workforce Strategy Jul 17, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sat down with Kristian Fields, President of Klover Contracting, to explore why the construction industry remains stuck in outdated practices while a few innovators are fundamentally reshaping how large-scale infrastructure gets built. They revealed a counterintuitive truth: the problem isn't labor shortage—it's workflow predictability. Kristian's 25-year perspective on construction management and his experience scaling Klover offered practical solutions against the persistent "construction can't change" narrative, alongside a sharp look at where prefabrication and AI actually create value.


    In This Episode


    • The origin story of Kristian's transition from VP Field Operations to President and what it actually required
    • Scaling velocity: watching Klover expand from regional contractor to national prefab leader with 100,000 sq ft manufacturing facility
    • The prefabrication bet: why solving a 450,000-worker shortage required rethinking entire construction workflows
    • Team culture that endures: why the "31 Fundamentals" campaign transformed hiring and retention
    • Why documented processes and institutional memory matter more than raw headcount
    • The ongoing myth that prefab compromises quality—what real project data actually shows
    • Building the BIM-to-Field execution bridge and why that gap existed
    • Leadership lessons from historic preservation to data centers: why architectural intent matters in every build
    • Predictive automation versus chatbot AI: where manufacturing is actually headed



    Timestamps

    • 00:00 Introduction: 25 years in construction management
    • 10:00 The prefabrication origin story and why it started 15 years ago
    • 12:16 The construction industry's real problem: skilled labor shortage and workflow unpredictability
    • 22:01 Environmental impact: reducing 3,000+ gallons of diesel fuel through prefab consolidation
    • 29:24 Preparing for AI-assisted manufacturing: rethinking BIM coding for future machine integration
    • 36:33 Advice for newcomers: pursue work you enjoy, stay close to target roles, maintain humility
    • 39:00 The core mantra: "Be relentless about improvement" and "action over accuracy"



    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: Workflow Unpredictability Isn't a Labor Problem—It's a Strategy Problem


    Construction sites with 50+ workers juggling electricians, plumbers, carpenters, and structural crews operate like traffic on a congested highway. One trade delays another. The industry assumes the solution is hiring more workers. Klover's insight: the problem is predictability. By moving complex coordination off-site into BIM modeling and prefabrication, you eliminate the traffic jam entirely. The fix isn't more people—it's smarter workflows.


    Insight 2: Culture Scales Through Documented Examples, Not Top-Down Mandates


    The "31 Fundamentals" campaign works because it's not a poster on the wall. Every week, Kristian shares one fundamental with real examples of employees living it. Other employees then submit their own interpretations. Recognition follows. That's how culture survives hypergrowth—through repetition, example, and celebration of behavior you want to see.


    Insight 3: AI Amplifies What You Already Have—It Doesn't Create Value in a Vacuum


    Kristian isn't chasing chatbots or automation theater. He's preparing for AI that augments human expertise. The vision: BIM models coded to eventually communicate with automated welders or assembly equipment. Workers don't disappear—they expand their capacity. If you don't have documented processes and repeatable workflows, no AI tool compensates. Your advantage is the expertise you've already built.


    Insight 4: The Future Isn't Conversational AI—It's Predictive Intelligence


    Forget chatbots answering questions. Imagine manufacturing AI that knows your project timeline, your site constraints, your crew's skill level, and your budget—and it automatically optimizes panel sequencing, delivery schedules, and installation sequences without asking a single question. That's predictive intelligence. That's where Klover is heading.


    Resources & Links Mentioned


    Klover Contracting

    • Website: www.kloverinc.com
    • Services: Prefab construction, BIM coordination, data center solutions, healthcare, multifamily housing, higher education


    Key Concepts

    • BIM (Building Information Modeling): 3D digital modeling that resolves design conflicts before manufacturing
    • Just-in-Time Delivery: Manufacturing and delivering components precisely when needed to avoid waste
    • The 31 Fundamentals: Weekly cultural communication framework covering safety, quality, teamwork, and accountability
    • Prefabrication: Off-site manufacturing of building components for faster, safer, more predictable installation



    About Kristian Fields


    Kristian Fields is President of Klover Contracting, a prefabrication and commercial construction leader serving healthcare, multifamily housing, higher education, and data center markets across the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. With 25 years in construction management, structural engineering, and senior leadership, he brings rare technical expertise combined with operational vision.

    His career progression—from estimating and procurement to VP Field Operations to COO to President—reflects deliberate commitment to understanding every aspect of the business. At Klover , he's championed the prefabrication strategy that has scaled the company to national prominence, including completing one of the largest prefabricated apartment buildings in the US and expanding into data center construction.

    His philosophy centers on relentless improvement, action over perfection, and treating people as the core asset. He maintains that humility and continuous learning are non-negotiable leadership practices.


    Connect with Kristian Fields

    Website: www.kloverinc.com

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristian-fields-a29b7613/

    See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

    YBA was named the top PR podcast in the US by FeedSpot! Feedspot is an RSS Reader that lets you follow your favorite podcasts alongside blogs and news in one place.

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    Send us a Message: https://podcastfeedback.com/67940257010b317cdaa9d857
    Check out our Website: https://www.yourbrandamplified.com
    Speak to my Delphi Clone: https://www.delphi.ai/amplifywithanika


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    S E757: Julie Ellis on Leading Bold Teams Through Uncertainty Jul 15, 2026
    Show notes

    Anika sits down with Julie Ellis to explore the inflection point every founder dreads—the moment you've built the business, achieved the goal, and suddenly realize you have no idea who you are without it. Discover why selling an eight-figure business can feel like grief disguised as success, how delegation is the real bottleneck between scaling and plateauing, and the counterintuitive truth that derails most women entrepreneurs: it's never about having a bigger vision. It's about believing you're worthy of one—and whether you have the systems and people around you to make it real.


    In This Episode


    • From dance to finance to founder: How an unexpected career path led Julie to solve a problem every parent knew existed
    • The basement to eight figures: Building Mabel's Labels from a 300 sq ft basement in Hamilton, Ontario to an internationally recognized brand—with zero industry experience
    • Grassroots growth and celebrity endorsements: How a tiny magazine feature led to Daily Candy recognition and a life-changing mention from Elizabeth Hasselbeck on The View
    • The art of delegation and scaling: Why most founders plateau and what separates those who scale to eight figures from those stuck at product-market fit
    • The post-exit identity crisis: Navigating grief, imposter syndrome, and gratitude after selling to Avery Products—and why the 90-day rest period changed everything
    • Big Gorgeous Goals: Why "gorgeous" matters as much as "big"—and how to chase ambitious goals while actually enjoying the journey
    • The confidence gap and funding inequity: Why only 2.9% of venture capital goes to women entrepreneurs, and what Julie is doing to change that
    • Pocket Coach: The asynchronous coaching model that keeps entrepreneurial momentum alive between sessions
    • Building community for women founders: The Big Gorgeous Goals podcast and investing in women-led businesses
    • Leading through uncertainty: Why the biggest breakthroughs happen in times of change


    Timestamps


    • 00:00 Introduction: The woman who solved every parent's labeling problem
    • 02:01 An unexpected founder: Dance degree, 15 years in finance, and the moment everything changed
    • 04:00 The basement days: One year of research, zero industry experience, and a team of misfits
    • 06:28 From tiny magazine feature to Elizabeth Hasselbeck's endorsement on The View
    • 11:06 The biggest gap between founders who plateau and those who scale: Delegation and decision-making
    • 12:49 The acquisition: Selling Mabel's Labels after nearly 13 years—and why it was the right time
    • 17:29 The post-sale emotions: Grief, imposter syndrome, and the gratitude sandwich
    • 19:07 The 90-day rest and the identity crisis: Why "I'm not qualified" became the biggest lie
    • 22:22 The coaching pivot: Why certification gave her the "add" she was looking for
    • 23:18 Writing during the pandemic: How a daily writing group turned a book idea into Big Gorgeous Goals
    • 25:37 Why "gorgeous" matters: Dancing toward your goals instead of grinding toward them
    • 28:01 Creating white space: Why unstructured time is where the best ideas live
    • 31:33 The confidence gap and funding inequity: 2.9% of VC goes to women; only 2% of women-founded businesses reach $1M
    • 33:45 Pocket Coach: Asynchronous coaching for keeping momentum alive between sessions
    • 35:52 The Big Gorgeous Goals podcast: Storytelling for women entrepreneurs
    • 39:02 Her ideal coaching clients: Low seven-figure founders scaling to $5-10M
    • 40:01 What's next: New keynotes and workshops on leading bold teams through uncertainty
    • 41:38 Her guiding quote: Rabindranath Tagore's "Reach high for stars lie hidden in you"


    Key Insights & Takeaways


    Insight 1: Unmet Market Needs Beat Industry Expertise


    Julie and her co-founders had no background in supply chain, marketing, or distribution—just a teacher, a financial planner, a lawyer, and a printing expert. What they had was a real problem to solve and a growth mindset. Expertise can be learned; identifying genuine customer pain points cannot.


    Insight 2: Delegation and Decision-Making Are the Scaling Bottleneck


    The biggest gap between founders who plateau and those who scale to eight figures isn't product or market—it's the ability to delegate and make decisions. Most founders get caught in the "I should have just done it myself" trap, which prevents them from reaching the next level.


    Insight 3: Post-Exit Grief Is Real—And Worth Processing


    Selling your business is an achievement, but it's also a loss. Julie experienced imposter syndrome, grief, and identity confusion after the sale. Her 90-day rest period—where she did nothing—was transformative. The emotional work matters as much as the financial outcome.


    Insight 4: White Space Is Where Creativity Lives


    The best ideas don't come at your desk—they come in the shower, on a walk, flying on a plane. Creating intentional unstructured time requires saying no to things and protecting space fiercely, even though it feels counterintuitive.


    Insight 5: Women Entrepreneurs Face Systemic Funding and Confidence Gaps


    Only 2.9% of venture capital goes to women, yet women-led businesses outperform on efficiency and team management. The solution isn't just funding—it's mentoring, networks, and other women believing in women.


    Insight 6: Asynchronous Coaching Keeps Momentum Alive


    Traditional coaching sessions every two weeks create gaps where momentum dies. Pocket Coach's voicemail-based model lets entrepreneurs push through decisions in real time, maintaining the energy they need to scale.


    About Julie Ellis


    Julie Ellis is a leadership coach, author, investor, and podcast host specializing in helping women entrepreneurs scale from seven to eight figures and beyond. She co-founded Mabel's Labels in a 300 sq ft basement in Hamilton, Ontario in 2003, growing it into an internationally recognized eight-figure brand before selling to Avery Products in 2016.

    After a 90-day rest and a brief stint managing 135 people in corporate retail, Julie pursued coaching certification and discovered her true calling: helping other entrepreneurs navigate the inflection points she'd experienced. She is the author of Big Gorgeous Goals: Bold Women Achieve Great Things, which features interviews with 16 women entrepreneurs who've scaled beyond the comfort zone.

    Today, Julie invests in women-led businesses, hosts the Big Gorgeous Goals podcast, offers one-on-one and asynchronous coaching through Pocket Coach, and delivers keynotes and workshops on leading bold teams through uncertainty.


    Resources & Links Mentioned


    Julie Ellis's Ecosystem


    • Big Gorgeous Goals (Book) — Hybrid published with Page Two, distributed through Macmillan
    • Big Gorgeous Goals Workbook — Self-published companion guide
    • Big Gorgeous Goals Podcast — Stories from seven and eight-figure female founders
    • Pocket Coach — Asynchronous voicemail-based coaching for entrepreneurs


    Connect with Julie Ellis

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