NOT An Inspirational Business Podcast

Sian Dann

FULL DISCLAIMER: this is NOT an inspirational business podcast but you might be inspired. I’m not here to give you business tips and tricks or inspire you to make your first 100k but hey, stranger things have happened. I am here to have genuine conversations with kickass people in business. I want to talk about the nitty-gritty, raw version of business. These aren't all going to be success stories but they are all going to be REAL stories so if you’re a business owner, freelancer, entrepreneur, creator or someone with a side hustle, this is for you! #NaIBP read less
BusinessBusiness
EntrepreneurshipEntrepreneurship

Episodes

Ep 021 Dan Harrison | Entrepreneur
09-12-2022
Ep 021 Dan Harrison | Entrepreneur
Debt, Exits Strategies and Freedom Dan Harrison is a former CFP turned course creator and business mentor. He works specifically in the marketing realm. Dan has an amazing story, going from being half a million dollars in debt at the age of 20 to building a successful business and helping other entrepreneurs succeed like him. We talk about: What it was like for Dan to be 20 years old and in half a million dollars worth of debtHow to explain what you do to potential clientsThe importance of exit strategiesHow to get the most out of your business today to set yourself up for the future Connect with Dan Harrison Private Practice Rebels Facebook groupDan Harrison InstagramDan Harrison LinkedInSoulful Sales website -- Key Highlights 02:02 About Dan Harrison 05:02 The realisation that forced Dan to leave the finance corporate world for entrepreneurship 07:34 Dan talks about being 20 with half a million dollars in debt Avoidance, drugs, partying - The psychological impact of the debt [09:18] 12:06 Stuck in debt? Here’s what worked for Dan 15:08 The importance of marketing – “I’ve got all the certifications. Why don’t I have clients?” Don’t give your title. Instead, explain what problem you solve [16:43] 18:49 Dan on exit strategy – What to do to be able to sell your business Build with the idea of profit in mind 24:08 How to structure a business to give you freedom 28:07 Avoid making solutions that no one wants 30:17 Dan talks about the online coaching space 33:43 Struggling with picking a niche? Focus on the problem you want to solve instead 37: 40 Rapid-Fire Questions
Ep 020 Sharon Crombie | Founder MicroChilli
05-12-2022
Ep 020 Sharon Crombie | Founder MicroChilli
"Numbers, New Starts and Resilience" Sharon is the founder of MicroChilli, a remote full-service bookkeeping agency that empowers new start entrepreneurs and micro businesses to take ownership of their numbers. We dove into Sharon's story, which includes being a single mum at 20, finding her path, immigrating to Australia, two failed business ventures, over 20 years in corporate and finally, creating the business of her dreams. We spoke about how self-doubt will hold you back and the importance of finding a support team and staying in your own lane. The time flew by while we recorded this episode, and I feel like we could have kept talking for hours.   Connect with Sharon Crombie MicroChilli websiteMicroChilli InstagramMicroChilli Facebook -- Key Highlights 01:32 About Sharon Crombie 03:23 From creative to accountant? Sharon’s journey before she started MicroChilli 06:56 Sharon talks about the struggle of leaving a stable corporate job for entrepreneurship 11:42 Same service, different style: The benefit of being yourself 14:15  Sharon on juggling full-time work, a side hustle, and her personal life 17:07 How Sharon found people to support her entrepreneurial journey 21:50 Key lessons Sharon has learnt “Get people in who can help you, who are experts at what they do.”“Don’t take on other people’s opinions on what you should be doing.”“Do not compare yourself to someone else’s journey. Stick to your own lane and just worry about what you’re doing.” 24:14 How to know what type of client you should work with 27:04 You don’t have to go 100% into entrepreneurship right off the bat. It’s okay to retain full-time work for some financial security. 29:30 Rapid Fire Questions 38:57  What is one piece of advice that you’d give to someone listening right now who’s thinking of starting a business or at the beginning of their business journey? “If you really want to do it, do it. When you take action to start, the rest just fits into place.”
014 Melodie Dewsbury | Confidence & Visibility Coach
06-06-2022
014 Melodie Dewsbury | Confidence & Visibility Coach
"Taking Chances, Stress & Safety "  Confidence coach and visibility consultant Melodie Dewsbury reinvented herself, leaving a full-time stable career as a teacher to build her online business. She joins me in this episode for a real talk about: The reality of being a teacher, and why she left a stable teaching career to become a business ownerThe struggles she’s faced running her businessGetting a 9-to-5 to support her while she grows her businessThe importance of having a support systemWhy you should get a coach or mentor, and what you should do if you can’t afford one Key Highlights 00:47 About Melodie Dewsbury02:10 Dog moms Melodie and Sian talk about Oakley the Pomchi and Rufus the Boxer03:23 Melodie opens up about her divorce and reveals why she left teaching to become an entrepreneur04:45 What the transition from teacher to entrepreneur was like for Melodie06:44  The rough reality of teaching nowadays07:47 What is a confidence coach and visibility consultant?09:37 How Melodie handled her confidence and visibility when she left teaching12:04 Melodie’s support system wasn’t whom she expected it would be17:23 What really surprised Melodie about starting and running a business20:31 It’s okay to take a part-time or full-time job while building your business26:32 Dealing with moments of drought and handling rejection as an entrepreneur Rapid-Fire Questions 29:54 What’s a fundamental value that you’ve woven throughout everything that you do, and why is it important to you?30:54 What is your secret sauce?33:09 What’s your go-to remedy when you’re having an off day?35:19 What is the big dream?36:30  What is a resource/tool/system that you use in your business that you couldn’t live without?37:51 What is something that has happened recently in your business that you’re proud of?38:53  What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s thinking about starting a business or at the beginning of their business journey?43:01 Final word for listeners? Resources mentioned Join The Private Club Connect with Melodie Dewsbury Melodie Dewsbury websiteMelodie Dewsbury InstagramPrince Oakley the Pomchi’s Instagram As always, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @siafecreative; I would love to know what you thought of this episode!
013 Ines Schubi | Intuitive Eating Coach
30-05-2022
013 Ines Schubi | Intuitive Eating Coach
"Priorities, Lessons & Letting Go"  As a business owner, your business relies on your health and wellbeing. Intuitive Eating coach Ines Schubi helps self-employed women prioritise their health and stop stressing about food so they can focus on growing their businesses. Ines joins me in this episode to talk about: How to nourish yourself without relying on fad dietsLeaving her corporate marketing job to build her businessHer hardest business moment and juggling several jobs to make ends meetHer proudest business moment so farGetting your priorities straight as a business owner Key Highlights 00:45 About Ines Schubi02:15 Ines on trying out different things before discovering her passion and niche06:04 Mistakes and sacrifices Ines made at the beginning of her business journey10:30 Starting a business in an area where you lack expertise11:47 Ines talks about life in Australia and how she deals with being away from her family in France14:09 The importance of a support system to a business owner15:33 What is intuitive eating?19:22 Ines on the benefit of being your own person outside your business25:33 The benefit of experimenting in your business28:18 How to handle rejection in your business Rapid-Fire Questions 35:30 What’s a fundamental value that you’ve woven throughout everything that you do, and why is it important to you?36:54 What’s your go-to remedy when you’re having an off day?37:31 What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business?37:51 What is the big dream?38:19  What is a resource/tool/system that you use in your business that you couldn’t live without?39:00 Was there ever a time that you wanted to walk away, and what pulled you back from doing that?39:32 What is something that has happened recently in your business that you’re proud of?40:16 What is a hot tip about your industry that people might not know?41:25 What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s thinking about starting a business or at the beginning of their business journey?43:45 Final word for listeners? Resources mentioned Free course on tools to overcome strong cravingsJoin the Nourishing Circle Connect with Ines Schubi Ines Schubi InstagramInes Schubi website As always, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @siafecreative; I would love to know what you thought of this episode!
012 Luke Houlihan | Bleo Media
23-05-2022
012 Luke Houlihan | Bleo Media
"Marketing, Mindset & Growth"  Are you working in your business or on your business? One of these guarantees you will be unable to grow and scale your business. Luke Houlihan is cofounder of award-winning, multimedia agency, Bleo Media. Luke joins me in this episode to talk about: What it takes to grow and scale your businessThe craziness that is online marketing nowadaysHow Luke and his co-founder balance each other outThe sacrifices and struggles it’s taken to build Bleo Media into what it is today Key Highlights 01:23 About Luke Houlihan03:12 Why Luke and Blake started Bleo Media07:08 How Luke and his team thrive in the ever-changing digital marketing space13:58 Luke on what it takes to grow and scale your business20:06 How Luke and his cofounder balance each other out in business Rapid-Fire Questions 24:11 What is a fundamental value that you’ve woven throughout everything that you do, and why is it important to you?27:30 Was there ever a time that you were ready to throw in the towel, and how did you pull yourself back from there?30:14 What’s your go-to remedy when you’re having an off day?32:45 What is the big dream for Bleo?34:30 What is something that has happened recently in your business that you’re proud of?36:54  What is a resource/tool/system that you use in your business that you couldn’t live without?39:02 What is a hot tip about your industry that people might not know?40:45 What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s thinking about starting a business or at the beginning of their business journey?44:26 Final word for listeners? Connect with Luke Houlihan Bleo Media websiteBleo Media Instagram As always, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @siafecreative; I would love to know what you thought of this episode!
011 Kritz Sciessere | Big Sister Experience
16-05-2022
011 Kritz Sciessere | Big Sister Experience
"Social Media, Sisters & Mental Health"  Mental health affects a child’s performance in school and in life. And yet, there’s very little focus on the mental wellbeing of children. This realisation pushed Kritz Sciessere and her sister to leave teaching and build The Big Sister Experience, a social enterprise that works with schools and communities to provide mental health education and support to children from year 5 all the way to year 12. Kritz joins me in this episode, and we discuss: What The Big Sister Experience does for young peopleWhat it's like starting and running a business with a family memberNavigating the turbulence of being a business owner during a global pandemic Key Highlights 00:43 About Kritz Sciessere04:02 How social media affects children from the perspective of a teacher05:59 How The Big Sister Experience was born09:31 Kritz reveals what parents can do to truly connect with their children and encourage open communication11:15 Kritz talks about running a business with her sister and reveals why they’ve been successful together15:22 Struggles that Kritz and her sister have had to overcome while running The Big Sister Experience19:02 Kritz on navigating the global pandemic as a business owner22:10 The pandemic magnified mental health issues and made mental wellbeing a priority for schools and organisations.25:46 Two big insights Kritz got after starting The Big Sister Experience Rapid-Fire Questions 28:24  What is a fundamental value that you’ve woven throughout everything that you do, and why is it important to you?29:00 What is your go-to remedy when you’re having an off day?29:19 What is the most important lesson you’ve learnt so far in your business?30:07 What is the big dream?31:07 What is a resource/tool/system that you use in your business that you couldn’t live without?32:30 What is something that has happened recently in your business that you’re proud of?33:19 What is a hot tip about your industry that people might not know?34:35 What’s one piece of advice you’d give to someone who’s thinking about starting a business or at the beginning of their business journey?35:50 If you were to give one piece of advice to young people around mental health, what would it be?36:20 Final word for listeners Connect with Kritz Sciessere The Big Sister Experience websiteThe Big Sister Experience Instagram Resources mentioned Project Me | 4-week mental health and wellbeing program for teen girlsBeyond BlueHeadspaceLifelineXero As always, feel free to connect with me on Instagram @siafecreative; I would love to know what you thought of this episode!