The Fizzle Show

Shownotes for this episode: http://fizzleshow.com/328 The audience we aim to capture and the potential clients we go after are ultimately what make a business stay afloat or sink, without an audience you are not really an entrepreneur, right? So how do we find that particular section of the market that is right for us? How wide or narrow should we cast our nets and what are the indicators we can follow in this regard? In this episode we break down the battle for your products; how niche is too niche and how general is just way too general. We pull apart the considerations that go into shooting for the stars and an audience, emphasizing how this process evolves and changes over time! Today on the show we are joined by Justin Jackson, old friend, host of the Build Your SaaS Podcast and cofounder of Transistor! Our special guest shares his expertise in the space, unpacking how he learned the value and dangers of aiming for specific sections of the market and how the internet makes reaching anyone possible. We a

Show Notes: http://fizzleshow.com/327 Are you all ready to finally hear about the great platform we have been working on for the last few years? We have been putting together something we are so excited about and you should be too! Please welcome our very own Palapa! Our new community based messaging service, designed to keep you engaged, up to date and building stronger links with the people that matter. This has been a long time coming and we have taken our time to make sure everything was ready before letting this little baby out into the world. In this episode we break down how the platform works, the inspiration behind it, the special offer we are running for July sign ups and more! We also discuss particulars of community platforms beyond our own one and think about how to get the most out of these interactions. We get into the relationships and differences between forums, community and social media. We talk about the kind of offers that can get and keep people engaged, rules and conduct regulation a

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/326 If you’ve tuned into the Fizzle Show, it means that you might actually be doing something you care about. Maybe you’re looking for sovereignty, autonomy but also for more fun. There could be something inside of you that just screams for more independence and creativity. There is a lot of potential and opportunity in life – remember, you are not painted into a corner, you are free to do whatever you want, the things that you love. Often in life it feels like there is such momentum, such force that pulls you into a certain lifestyle, but you don’t have to conform. Who says it has to be that way? A lot of people are just going through the motions while others are realizing that this is not a mode they have to keep operating in. Some people are coming up with new ideas and finding new ways to make a life for themselves and their families. And you’ll hear this a lot coming from us: published is better than perfect. It’s better to just do the thing, even if it’s not perfect,

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/325 A business cannot start with at least some planning, right? How important are the planning stages of your journey? How do we ensure that we are planning enough, not too much and not too little? Planning should be given due attention but should not take over all your time and detract from other important areas. If you can balance your planning appropriately and make good decisions in the beginning you can set off on the right foot but that does not mean you have to obsess over it! In this episode we are helping you to answer the questions, "Where am I going? What paths are available? Where should I start?" We do not want you to get lost in the questions that inevitably arise and will always do so, you need to be able to have purpose and direction when laying out your plans. Today on the show we are joined by Joe Kerns, who is a business psychology, mental resilience expert and someone who is more than qualified in today's topic. Joe loves helping motivated people see and s

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.co/324 What are the ways that we entrepreneurs really want to be remembered? Why is it that we do the kind of work we do and reach out to the people around us? What is the ultimate role of our community and the connections we make? Here at Fizzle, we cannot stress the importance of community and communication enough. For us, it is the building block and the end goal of almost everything we do. We both do things in order to serve and create a community but we also are able to do those things because of the connections we make in the world. In this episode, we are contemplating the place of community and connection in our more general roadmap for entrepreneurs. We are talking about the effect that friends can have on our personal success and the subtle and transformational role of the people around us over time. We also talk about finding this tribe and swimming in your own lane as much as you need to. Becoming part of a community of people always requires some amount of vulnerabi

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.co/323 How do you hold onto the energy and excitement of the early stages of your business? How do you sustain this “freshness” over the long run? Maybe you're lost and feel stuck before you've even begun... Either way, you need direction! And this direction is made up of two very important things: We want you to find exactly what your business is talking about as soon as possible! Just as important is who you’re talking to. These two pillars, your message and your audience, are really at the heart of any business but are especially the guiding lights in the beginning. Without them you will almost definitely be lost at sea! In this episode we embark on part two of the roadmap series and we are delving into the nerves and excitement that accompany getting serious in following your entrepreneurial dreams. This combination of feelings, we find, is so common for a lot of us; as we see the possibilities they can also be daunting. This episode can help you move through these waters and

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.co/322 How do we stay consistent and disciplined in our business? Amidst all the different strategies and business hacks out there, what are some simple ways to build and keep the momentum? How can we do things today, so that the snowball of tomorrow helps itself down the hill? If we can harness the energy of consistency and discipline, everyday, the long term results are often beyond our wildest dreams! Staying on course on a daily basis can create a sense of self pride and purpose that is hard to find elsewhere. These practices can help clear a path to success and prevent us trudging blindly through the wilderness. In this episode we talk about how to steer clear of new gimmicky strategies for your business, creating and maintaining momentum and staying present and committed to your goals. We get into why starting with intention, in this regard, can go such a long way and why it is hardest in the beginning. Today on the show we are joined by Vickie Velasquez from the Vegetarian

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.co/321 How do we continue to make a path for ourselves, learning, solving problems and making money on the internet? What are the ways in which we, as entrepreneurs, can add value, communicate it and help clients reach their full potential? These questions and their answers continue evolve as the world orbits the sun and we need to grow with them, learning and teaching as we go. It is no good developing single sides of your skills or business, you need to balance your business mind and your creative brain! In this episode we are talking about communicating value, learning new and better ways to close deals and testing the waters before sharing your great contribution to the ocean of businesses out there. Today on the show we are joined by Chris Do from Blind and the The Futur! Chris gives us a run down of his career path, the important lessons he has learned and even gives us his billboard message! As a self made and evolving entrepreneur, Chris has managed to carve out a niche

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.co/320 When last did you feel stuck, whether in your business or just in your level of motivation for life? Do you sometimes wonder why you are not getting forward or why you cannot get yourself to do what you know you have to? In this episode we talk about both the positive and negative effects of fear in our lives. Many times, fear is at the root of our passivity and understanding what scares you will help you to recognize when it's controlling your behavior in destructive ways. The other side of the coin is that fear is a self-preserving mechanism that keeps us from doing stupid things. Where is the balance here? Today on the show we are joined by a very special guest, Ruth Soukup, who helps us shed light on this all-important topic. She is a bestselling author who is dedicated to helping women overcome fear and create the life they love through her blog Living Well Spending Less, which reaches more than one million women a month. Ruth is also the founder of the Living Well P

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/319 Are you struggling with shame because your Instagram posts don’t get enough likes, or maybe you feel confident because you get tons all the time? Social media and the Internet shape our modern-day business conditions where we have all these opportunities for independent creativity that could lead to an audience and a sellable product or service. There’s still a lot to learn though! Business is a lot like dating. It develops over time, hopefully to a point where your audience know, like and trust you enough to invest money in the solution you offer. But what happens when you do that and then you have another idea? Many entrepreneurs are confronted with this question sooner or later: do I want to do this, or would I rather do something else? Can I do both? It would be very wise to prepare yourself for this process of expanding, adding to or morphing your business. In this episode we get deeper into the heart of modern independent creative entrepreneurship, discussing what

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/318 Is the success that you have now what you set out for? When you reach a milestone in your business does it live up to the expectations you had? Are you where you are supposed to be? These are burning questions a lot of us, as entrepreneurs, have and that we, at the Fizzle Show, are going to try and help you answer. We are all on a constantly evolving path and analyzing and becoming comfortable on this journey is at least half the battle! In this episode, we pose the questions that are related to this somewhat elusive idea. We talk about what is most meaningful and fulfilling in your work and in your life in general and we consider how displacing some of the stresses of working solely on your own business can lead to more contentment and success! We also talk about creating and telling real stories, finding where you need to be and share three big tips for fining your ideal lifestyle and work within that. So for all this and more great ideas to boot, be sure to join us on t

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/317 How do we create our ultimate email welcome series? What are the most most important elements and rules that help us connect with new audience members and keep them coming back? Is email still as relevant as it once was? The answer is yes, the stats show that email is more used now than ever before. Most of us know that an email welcome series can go a long way, but that does not mean that concocting great email copy and content is a common skill. In this episode, we talk about how to craft that vital first emailed contact, why templates don't matter so much and a few rules that can keep your emails out of the spam folder. We are trying to get you thinking about who you are writing to and connecting meaningfully with them! Today on the show, we are joined by Barrett Brooks, Marketing Lead at ConvertKit and certified email badass! He is driven by the belief that business is one of the most powerful forces for good in the world and this really shows in his and ConvertKit'

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/316 How has online business and selling changed in the last twenty years? How can we as entrepreneurs move and change with the times to keep staying profitable, inspired and current? Are there any rules that have stayed the same during this period? Our topic for today centers around the world of online sales and the way in which they have and continue to evolve. The internet has sped up the development of the way traditional sales have functioned and this increasing speed is exponential! In this episode, we break down a special guest's particular journey, successes and misadventures, selling products on eBay and Amazon. We discuss early ideas and items, low risk moves and how they managed to scale their business slowly over time. Today on the show we are joined by Quin Amorim, who started selling items on eBay in the late '90s and arguably invented an early form of the now omnipresent drop shipping model. Quim has managed to build a hugely successful business and career for

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/315 How’s your business? We know it’s not easy to build a business, but it’s also not impossible. Truth is, opening the door to getting a successful business feels like it’s impossible sometimes, but really, it’s just impassable. What you need is to find the key that unlocks that door. The Fizzle Roadmap is a great place to start, teaching you things like differentiating between what you can and can’t control and helping you to discover who you are as a business owner so that you can bring your own flair to the entrepreneurial landscape. In this episode, we are going to be talking to those of you who know you can help people and have something to say, have ticked all the boxes of how to get your business out there, but who feel like they’re shouting into an empty void. We’re going to help you grow your audience by suggesting group programs and by giving you the six steps to connecting with your clients and customers. We also talk about the importance of packaging what you o

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/314 Are you a lifestyle entrepreneur or hoping to become one? How do you build a career that gives you a greater degree of personal freedom and independence so that you can spend your time living the life you want, doing the stuff that makes you happy? On the Fizzle Show we always steer you toward earning a living from doing something that you actually care about, or at the very least, not doing a job you hate! In this episode, we get into the intricacies of entrepreneurship, and we’re not interested in what worked yesterday; we are more concerned about what works today — for you. Whether it’s watching Netflix or hanging out with friends, are you digging your life right now? Whatever you are into, you probably need some skrilla to finance it and you need to be doing something sustainable so that you don’t run out. Today on the show we are joined by Ramit Sethi, personal finance advisor and entrepreneur, and together we pull apart the nucleus of the problem for a lot of Fizzl

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/313 How do we run a business that does not run us into the ground? Can we give energy into our hustle without having none left for anything else? How do we keep the wind in our sails? The idea of managing the size of a business to suit your actual needs seems to becoming more and more attractive to a lot of entrepreneurs. It is something we have spoken about before on the Fizzle Show and we strongly believe you are the one who should decide the scope and ambition of what you do! In this episode, we take this idea one step further and think about just how much and what kind of work you really need to do today. Rather than trying to reinvent the wheel, is there an obvious question that you see being asked that you know how to answer? Today on the show we are joined by Nathalie Lussier who is a digital strategist, the founder of Access Ally and has made it her mission to help you achieve your dreams. We talk to her about automation, the customer's journey, facilitating a good ex

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/312 How do we manage the all important task of launching? What are the most important aspects on which we need to focus? How do we prepare and reflect in order to keep improving and learning? The topic of launching is something that all entrepreneurs, no matter how experienced, should be very familiar with. It is the birthing of your ideas into the real world, the conversion of plans into an actual business. So we are giving you the run down of how to make this process and particularly your reactions to it, that much more meaningful, rewarding and enjoyable. In this episode, we discuss the ideas of expectations, mindsets, goals and preparation. We also get into the major contributing factors to your experience of a launch, unpacking community, tools and attitude. Today on the show we are joined by Sarah Peck, founder of Startup Pregnant, a New York City based company dedicated to enlarging the voices of women in business. She shares loads of wisdom, learned in her own career

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/311 Do you sometimes feel like you’re trying to push a Sisyphean rock up a hill as an entrepreneur? There will likely be initial excitement about a new business or idea, but what mostly follows is a period where your motivation begins to dwindle and you begin to second-guess yourself. The question is, are you able to get out of that pit? There are also times when you can simply let the rock glide down the other side of the hill, when things seem to happen effortlessly. But how do I get more gliding and less pushing? Can it be easier to make money? Is it possible to have less stress and anxiety and to be better set up for success? In this episode, we get into the topic of navigating your emotions as an entrepreneur, discussing the relevance of the “Just Ship It!” challenge, Ram Dass’s concept of neutrality, how others influence our responses and the importance of becoming aware of your blind spots. On the show we are joined by Corbett Barr, Aiden Fishbein and our special gue

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/310 Self-starting entrepreneurs are always confronted with having to manage multiple projects at once. Will you ever get to the point of sorting out all these tasks and responsibilities, and having a greater sense of control over your daily activities? Is it possible to start enjoying the process, even though the circumstances are not ideal? In this episode, we look at practical ways in which you can optimally manage your energy as an entrepreneur, always keeping in mind what the ultimate goal is and staying in tune with your true self and with what makes you happy. Today on the show we are joined by Steph Crowder and Jen Rao who will be sharing some of their tips and tricks for aligning your work to suit the lifestyle you want. Jen summarizes her story of last week, about how a stressful job led her to scale down and simplify her life. Steph also shares about having to make a drastic career move that enabled her to prioritize both her professional aspirations and her famil

Shownotes: http://fizzleshow.com/309 Are you ever confronted with the problem of finding enough time to do everything you’d like to do as an entrepreneur? Do you battle to focus on just one task and find yourself working on several things simultaneously, just to realize that you have not been productive at the end of the day? A common problem many new entrepreneurs experience is trying to start their business on the side while still doing another full-time job. Is it possible to sustain your energy levels in these circumstances? Today on the show, we are joined by Fizzle team members, Aiden Fishbein and Jen Rao, who share some of the valuable lessons they have learned in starting a new business while still managing a day job. Why is the standard advice from the many talking heads out there not always viable? How do I cope with my entrepreneurial aspirations and taxing full-time work? Aiden and Jen advise listeners on finding the type of employment that allows you to preserve your energy and creativity for