Video Content with Alicia Henderson

How to Use LinkedIn Video to Build Authority and Attract High-Paying Clients with Alicia Henderson

If you’ve been sleeping on LinkedIn as a business owner, this episode might just be your wake-up call.

 

In this episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, Brittni sits down with video and personal branding strategist Alicia Henderson to break down why LinkedIn is one of the most powerful (and underutilized) platforms for service-based business owners—and how video can completely transform your visibility and growth.

 

Whether you’ve dabbled in LinkedIn or avoided it altogether, this conversation will shift how you think about building your brand online.

 

Why LinkedIn Is a Goldmine for Business Owners

Alicia doesn’t sugarcoat it—LinkedIn is where the buyers are.

 

Unlike other platforms that can feel saturated and noisy, LinkedIn offers a unique opportunity to stand out and connect directly with people who are ready to invest. Alicia describes it as a “blue ocean,” meaning there’s far less competition compared to platforms like Instagram.

 

Instead of constantly chasing leads, LinkedIn allows you to position yourself in front of decision-makers, professionals, and business owners who already have the resources to hire and invest.

 

Another major advantage? The algorithm.

 

LinkedIn moves slower, which means your content has a longer lifespan. You don’t need to post daily to stay relevant. In fact, Alicia recommends starting with just four posts per week and spending the rest of your time engaging with your audience.

 

The Mistake Most People Make on LinkedIn

One of the biggest “aha” moments in this episode is realizing why many people don’t see results on LinkedIn—it’s not the content, it’s the audience.

 

If your network is filled with former coworkers, classmates, or people outside your niche, your content won’t resonate or convert.

 

As Alicia explains, you need to intentionally build your network with the right people:

 

  • Ideal clients
  • Industry peers
  • Referral partners
  • Centers of influence

This shift alone can completely change your results.

 

Instead of broadcasting to the wrong audience, you’re creating content for people who actually need—and want—what you offer.

 

How to Build a High-Quality LinkedIn Network

So how do you actually build the right audience?

 

Alicia breaks it down into simple, actionable steps:

 

1. Connect with Your Peers

Start by finding people who do similar or complementary work. These relationships can lead to collaborations, referrals, and increased visibility.

 

2. Seek Out Ideal Clients

Use LinkedIn’s search function to find people in your niche or industry. You can search by job title, location, or even specific interests.

 

3. Leverage Existing Networks

One of the easiest “cheat codes” Alicia shares is to look at who your connections are connected to. Browse their networks and find aligned people to engage with.

 

4. Engage Before You Pitch

Instead of immediately selling, focus on building relationships. Comment on posts, start conversations, and show up consistently where your audience already is.

 

This relationship-first approach is what sets LinkedIn apart from other platforms.

 

Understanding Connections vs. Followers

LinkedIn gives users two ways to engage with your profile: connecting and following.

 

A connection is more like a mutual relationship, while a follower simply wants to see your content.

 

Interestingly, Alicia points out that followers can actually be more valuable. These are people who are intentionally choosing to consume your content without necessarily wanting a personal connection.

 

And that’s a good thing.

 

It means they’re interested in what you have to say—and potentially what you have to offer.

 

Why Video Is Dominating on LinkedIn

If there’s one thing Alicia wants you to take away from this episode, it’s this: start using video.

 

Video is currently one of the most effective ways to stand out on LinkedIn because it naturally stops the scroll and grabs attention.

 

While many users are still relying on long text posts and carousel graphics, video allows you to:

 

  • Showcase your personality
  • Build trust faster
  • Differentiate yourself from competitors
  • Increase visibility through LinkedIn’s video features

 

And the best part? You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.

 

You Don’t Need to Create New Content

One of the biggest misconceptions about LinkedIn is that you need entirely new content for the platform.

 

Not true.

 

Alicia encourages business owners to repurpose content they’re already creating for Instagram or TikTok.

 

That means:

 

  • Reels
  • Talking head videos
  • B-roll clips
  • Voiceovers

 

All of it can work on LinkedIn.

 

In fact, LinkedIn has even brought in talent from TikTok to help evolve its video experience—so short-form, engaging video is only becoming more important.

 

What Types of Videos Work Best?

The answer? Almost all of them.

 

Alicia recommends mixing up your content to keep your audience engaged:

 

  • Talking head videos (thought leadership)
  • Behind-the-scenes B-roll
  • Voiceover content
  • Repurposed short-form videos

 

This variety keeps your content interesting and encourages people to keep watching.

 

Best Practices for LinkedIn Video

  • Keep videos between 90 seconds and 2 minutes
  • Use vertical video format
  • Break longer topics into short series
  • Stay consistent with posting

Short, digestible content performs far better than long, drawn-out explanations.

 

What NOT to Do With Video

One of Alicia’s more controversial takes? Stop creating “how-to” content.

 

While it may feel helpful, constantly teaching step-by-step processes can actually position you as a free resource instead of a paid expert.

 

Instead, focus on:

 

  • Thought leadership
  • Insights
  • Perspectives
  • Storytelling

Give people the “what” and “why,” not always the “how.”

 

This keeps your expertise valuable and encourages people to work with you instead of trying to DIY everything.

 

Simple Video Setup (No Fancy Equipment Needed)

If you’ve been avoiding video because you think you need expensive equipment, Alicia keeps it simple.

 

All you really need is:

 

  • Your phone (the back camera works best)
  • Natural light or a basic ring light
  • A tripod or stand
  • A simple microphone

That’s it.

 

You can create high-quality, effective content without a big investment. The key is consistency, not perfection.

 

Standing Out in a Crowded Online Space

At the end of the day, LinkedIn video gives you a unique opportunity to stand out in a space where many people are still playing it safe.

 

By showing up on video, building intentional connections, and sharing valuable insights, you position yourself as a go-to expert in your industry.

 

And in a world where attention is everything, that visibility can directly translate into opportunities, clients, and growth.

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

How to Build a Challenge

How to Grow Your Email List Fast with a Simple Challenge Strategy

If you’ve ever launched an offer and heard… crickets, you’re not alone. One of the biggest reasons launches fall flat isn’t because your offer isn’t valuable—it’s because you don’t have the right audience seeing it.

 

In this episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, Brittni Schroeder breaks down one of the most effective (and often overlooked) strategies for rapidly growing your email list: hosting a challenge.

 

After coaching a membership client through a disappointing launch, Brittni realized the root issue wasn’t the offer—it was visibility. And visibility starts with your email list. So she decided to dive deep, test the strategy herself, and share exactly what she’s learned.

 

If you’ve been struggling to grow your list—or want a more engaging way to connect with your audience—this episode walks you step-by-step through how to build a high-converting challenge.

 

Why Challenges Work So Well

A well-designed challenge does more than just grow your email list—it builds momentum.

 

According to Brittni, a successful challenge accomplishes three key things:

 

  • Attracts your ideal audience

  • Builds trust quickly

  • Naturally leads into your paid offer

 

Instead of passively waiting for people to join your list, a challenge gives them a reason to engage now. It creates energy, urgency, and connection—all in a short period of time.

 

Step 1: Focus on a Micro Transformation

One of the biggest mistakes people make is trying to do too much.

 

Your challenge should not promise a complete life or business overhaul. Instead, it should focus on a specific, achievable result—what Brittni calls a “micro transformation.”

 

Examples might include:

 

  • Launch your first lead magnet in five days

  • Book three discovery calls in a week

  • Grow your email list by 100 subscribers

 

The key is to identify something your audience desperately wants and make it feel doable within a short timeframe.

 

Step 2: Keep It Short and Focused

When it comes to challenges, shorter is better.

 

While it may be tempting to create a 30-day experience packed with value, Brittni emphasizes that longer challenges often lead to drop-off. People lose interest, get busy, or simply don’t finish.

 

The sweet spot? 3–7 days, with 5 days being ideal.

 

A five-day challenge strikes the perfect balance:

 

  • Long enough to create real results

  • Short enough to maintain engagement

  • Easier to promote and complete

 

Step 3: Map Out Daily Wins

Each day of your challenge should build on the last, guiding participants toward a clear outcome.

 

Brittni suggests this simple framework:

 

  • Day 1: Clarity – Define goals and direction

  • Day 2: Strategy – Create a plan

  • Day 3: Build – Start implementing

  • Day 4: Refine – Improve and adjust

  • Day 5: Launch/Implement – Take action

 

This structure keeps participants moving forward while creating a sense of progress and accomplishment.

 

Step 4: Choose the Right Delivery Method

 

There are multiple ways to deliver your challenge:

 

  • Email-only

  • Private groups (Facebook, GroupMe, etc.)

  • Text-based (SMS)

  • Pop-up communities (like Kajabi)

  • Or a hybrid approach

However, if your goal is email list growth, email must be a core component.

 

Even if participants disengage from a group or stop attending live sessions, they’re still on your email list—giving you the opportunity to continue nurturing that relationship.

 

Step 5: Create a High-Converting Opt-In Page

Your landing page plays a huge role in your challenge’s success.

 

Brittni recommends making sure it clearly answers three questions:

 

  1. What will I achieve?

  2. How long will it take?

  3. Why should I trust you?

Clarity and credibility are everything. Show people exactly what they’ll gain—and why you’re the person to guide them.

 

Step 6: Warm Up Your Audience Before Launch

One of the biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make is dropping a link and hoping for the best.

 

Instead, build anticipation.

 

Start talking about your challenge 1–2 weeks before it launches by:

 

  • Sharing common mistakes

  • Busting myths

  • Offering quick tips

  • Showing behind-the-scenes content

 

This “warm-up” phase builds trust and gets your audience excited before you ever ask them to sign up.

 

Step 7: Promote It Everywhere

When it comes to promotion, Brittni has one rule: talk about it more than you think you should.

 

Your challenge should be visible across:

 

  • Instagram posts and stories

  • Email marketing

  • Facebook groups

  • Your website

  • Collaborations and affiliates

  • Email signatures and profiles

 

And don’t just post once—talk about it daily. Repetition isn’t annoying; it’s necessary.

 

Step 8: Deliver Massive Value

Once your challenge begins, consistency is key.

 

Show up, over-deliver, and create an engaging experience by:

 

  • Celebrating participant wins

  • Answering questions

  • Keeping energy high

  • Encouraging interaction

 

The more supported your audience feels, the more likely they are to stay engaged—and eventually invest in your next offer.

 

Step 9: Transition Into Your Offer Naturally

Your challenge should lead seamlessly into your paid offer.

 

Instead of surprising your audience at the end, be transparent from the beginning. Let them know what’s coming and how they can continue working with you.

 

By the final day, your audience should:

 

  • See results

  • Trust your expertise

  • Feel ready for the next step

 

Step 10: Repurpose and Reuse

The beauty of a challenge is that it doesn’t have to be a one-time effort.

 

After running it live, you can:

 

  • Turn it into an evergreen funnel

  • Use recordings as bonus content

  • Repurpose emails into blog posts

  • Create social media content from daily lessons

 

This allows you to maximize your effort and continue generating leads long after the challenge ends.

 

Step 11: Track Your Metrics

Finally, don’t skip the data.

 

Pay attention to:

 

  • Landing page conversion rates

  • Email open and click rates

  • Participation levels

  • Cost per lead (if running ads)

  • Sales conversions

 

Tracking these metrics helps you refine your strategy and improve future challenges.

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

Organization Coach Margo Staten

Decluttering, Psychology & High-Performance Living with Margo Staten

If you’ve ever opened your closet and immediately felt overwhelmed… or stood in your kitchen wondering how two people somehow own 40 coffee mugs… this episode is for you.

 

On this episode of Redefine Business, Brittni Schroeder sits down with psychology professor and decluttering expert Margo Staten to talk about something most entrepreneurs underestimate: the mental and emotional weight of clutter.

 

Margo isn’t just an organizing coach. She’s a psychology professor with a master’s degree in psychology and over 15 years of experience helping women reduce overwhelm, regulate their nervous systems, and design homes that support high-performance living. As the founder of Be Good to Yourself by Margo, she blends habit formation, psychology, and practical organization to help women create spaces that feel calm, intentional, and supportive.

 

What she shares in this conversation may completely shift how you think about clutter.

 

Clutter Isn’t a “Stuff” Problem — It’s a Psychological One

One of the biggest takeaways from this episode is simple but powerful: clutter is rarely about organization. It’s about meaning.

 

Margo explains that when women come to her asking for help organizing their homes, it’s usually not a storage or container issue. It’s a decluttering issue — and more specifically, a psychological one.

 

Our homes reflect our histories.

The environment we grew up in.
Our caregivers’ habits.
Financial experiences from childhood.
Seasons of lack or abundance.
Identity shifts like motherhood, career changes, or divorce.

 

Someone who grew up in a home filled with excess may unconsciously mirror that pattern in adulthood. On the flip side, someone who experienced financial scarcity may over-acquire items later in life as a way of compensating for childhood lack.

 

When we understand what our belongings represent — security, identity, status, memory, or fantasy — it becomes easier to release what no longer serves us.

 

Decluttering isn’t about throwing things away. It’s about understanding why we held onto them in the first place.

 

Clutter Is Subjective (And You Don’t Have to Be a Minimalist)

One of the biggest misconceptions Margo addresses is the idea that to be “clutter-free,” you have to become a minimalist.

 

You don’t.

 

Clutter is subjective.

 

Margo is an avid reader with hundreds of carefully curated and organized books. For someone else, that might feel excessive. But for her, those books bring joy and inspiration.

 

Some people have beautifully color-coded wardrobes but very little decor. Others keep sentimental items displayed because they spark happiness.

 

The goal isn’t to live in a sterile, furniture-less home. The goal is intentionality.

 

You can even be what Margo calls a “maximalist” and still be clutter-free — as long as your belongings are used, loved, and not financially destructive.

 

Your space should support your life, not suffocate it.

 

The Two “Eye-Twitch” Areas: Closets and Kitchens

When Brittni asks what areas clients struggle with most, Margo doesn’t hesitate: closets and kitchens.

 

In kitchens, the biggest culprit is the “just in case” mentality.

 

Just in case I host Thanksgiving.
Just in case I need this extra serving platter.
Just in case I have guests.

 

Meanwhile, many households rarely host and consistently use the same small rotation of items.

 

Decluttering the kitchen often requires challenging hypothetical future scenarios and being honest about actual habits.

 

But the closet is where the deeper work happens.

 

Closets often hold the “before kids” wardrobe, clothes from past relationships, size-two jeans waiting for “one day,” blazers for a corporate life that never happened, and dresses for events we don’t actually attend.

 

The wardrobe holds the past self, the fantasy self, and sometimes the grief of who we used to be.

 

For mothers especially, letting go of smaller-sized clothing can feel like letting go of a version of themselves. That’s not just practical — it’s emotional.

 

Margo encourages thoughtful curation. Keep what aligns with your current life. Release what belongs to a version of you that no longer exists.

 

Decluttering becomes an identity recalibration.

 

Teaching Kids to Declutter Early

Margo’s daughter began decluttering at just four years old.

 

Rather than framing it as “getting rid of things,” Margo teaches it as habit formation. One of her favorite times to practice this is around the holidays.

 

Before or after receiving new gifts, children can choose items to release — not to “make room,” but to practice intentional ownership.

 

These habits compound. Children raised with awareness around clutter grow into adults who understand space, systems, and consumption.

 

Organized Chaos vs. Functional Systems

There’s an important distinction between chaos and creative flow.

 

An artist’s studio may look chaotic to an outsider, but it’s often functional to the creator. What matters isn’t perfection — it’s whether your space supports your productivity and peace.

 

For entrepreneurs working from home, this becomes even more important.

Your home environment impacts focus, energy, stress levels, decision fatigue, and nervous system regulation.

 

Clutter isn’t neutral. It taxes your brain.

 

When your environment feels lighter, your business often does too.

 

Decluttering as Nervous System Regulation

Margo believes decluttering is one of the most underestimated tools for lowering stress.

 

Clutter creates visual noise. Visual noise keeps your brain on alert.

 

When you simplify your environment, you reduce decision fatigue, increase clarity, free up mental bandwidth, and create momentum.

 

For high-performing women and entrepreneurs, this isn’t about aesthetics. It’s about performance, calm, and capacity.

 

Working with Margo

Through Be Good to Yourself by Margo, Margo offers self-paced online courses, PDF workbooks and guides, decluttering workshops, a curated wardrobe course, and global one-on-one coaching through an application process.

 

She also hosts the podcast Let’s Talk About Clutter, where she dives deeper into the emotional and psychological side of decluttering.

 

Grab her FREE resource:
Ultimate Moms Decluttering Guide
https://view.flodesk.com/pages/625c7bdb5a98458d0c473048

 

Connect with Margo:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/begoodtoyourself_by_margo
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/BeGoodtoYourselfbyMargo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/margo.staten
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@begoodtoyourselfbymargo8?_t=8VUkqj8n07X&_r=1
Podcast: https://letstalkaboutclutter.buzzsprout.com/share

 

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

When Life Hits Hard: Motherhood, Business, and Surviving the Year That Broke Me

When Life Hits Hard: Motherhood, Business, and Surviving the Year That Broke Me

Last year was hard.

Not “busy season” hard.
Not “algorithm changed again” hard.
Not “launch didn’t convert” hard.

 

Life-altering hard.

 

In 2023, I got divorced and moved from Texas to Utah. New state. New home. New normal. I was rebuilding everything at once, my personal life, my identity, my routines. 

 

Shortly after we moved, my son left for Brazil on a two-year mission for our church. Two years. Different hemisphere. Different language. Different everything. I was so proud of him… and at the same time it was just different. 

 

Then in December of 2024, my daughter had a snow skiing accident and broke her back.

 

Yes. Her back.

 

The physical pain was intense. The recovery was long. But the mental toll? That was the part that almost broke me.

My daughter has wrestled for seven years. Wrestling wasn’t just a sport. It was her identity. It shaped how she saw herself – strong, disciplined, tough. And in one moment on a mountain, that identity was taken away.

 

As her mom, I wasn’t just navigating doctor visits and physical therapy. I was helping her grieve who she thought she was.

And I have always taken motherhood seriously. It is my number one priority. I don’t say that casually. I say it with conviction. I wanted to be a mom. I chose this role. I treasure it.

 

So between:

 

  • A divorce
  • A cross-state move
  • My son leaving the country
  • My daughter breaking her back
  • I was mentally, physically, and emotionally exhausted.

And I was also the provider.

 

The Entrepreneur’s Unspoken Reality: You Still Have to Show Up

Here’s the part we don’t talk about enough.

 

A very, very important part of being an entrepreneur is showing up.

 

We have to show up for our clients.
We have to show up on social media.
We have to show up in inboxes, on calls, inside launches, inside memberships, inside conversations.

 

Consistency builds trust.
Trust builds sales.
Sales build stability.

 

But what happens when you are exhausted?

 

What happens when your brain feels foggy and your nervous system is shot?
What happens when you’re finishing up appointments and you still have content to post, emails to write, and clients who need you at your best?

 

I wish I could tell you I had some magical formula.

 

I don’t.

 

I didn’t show up perfectly.
I didn’t show up at 100%.
Some days I barely showed up at all.

 

And my business felt it.

Revenue dipped. Energy dipped. Creativity dipped. I wasn’t on my game. I wasn’t as sharp. I wasn’t as strategic.

 

But I didn’t quit.

 

Sometimes survival is the win.

 

Life Will Break Your Illusion of Control

Here’s the truth no productivity hack will save you from:

 

Life is not always going to be easy.

 

Divorce happens.
Accidents happen.
Kids grow up and leave.
Health scares happen.
Loss happens.

 

You can color-code your Google Calendar all you want, but life doesn’t check it first.

 

So the real question isn’t:

 “How do I avoid hard seasons?”

 

The real question is:
“How do I prepare for them?”

 

Because they are inevitable.

 

The Power of Relationships

When everything feels unstable, relationships are the stabilizer.

 

I learned very quickly that isolation makes hard seasons harder.

 

Good relationships – friends, family, mentors, faith – became oxygen.

They were the people who:

 

  • Brought meals.
  • Sat with me when I didn’t have words.
  • Let me vent without trying to fix everything.
  • Reminded me I wasn’t failing… I was surviving.

Entrepreneurs tend to pride themselves on independence. We’re capable. Resourceful. Self-starters.

 

But independence without support is a fast track to burnout.

 

If you are building a business, build relationships with the same intensity.

 

Not networking-for-leads relationships.

 

Real ones.

 

The kind that can hold you when your capacity is gone.

 

Systems Save You When You Don’t Have Capacity

This is the part where my inner systems nerd comes out.

 

Because here’s what I know for sure:

 

When your energy disappears, your systems either catch you… or expose you.

 

During this season, I was grateful for every automation I had ever built.

 

Email sequences that ran without me.
Funnels that continued nurturing leads.
Onboarding processes that didn’t require me to reinvent the wheel.

 

Did they replace me? No.

But they reduced the load.

And when you are in crisis mode, reducing the load is everything.

 

We glamorize hustle.
We romanticize “just push through.”
But resilience in business isn’t built on hustle.

 

It’s built on infrastructure.

 

Systems are not just about scaling.
They are about protection.

 

They are the safety net for the version of you that will one day be tired, grieving, overwhelmed, or healing.

 

Build them before you need them.

 

Giving Yourself Permission to Be Human

One of the hardest parts for me wasn’t the logistics.

 

It was the pressure I put on myself. 

 

I am the provider.
I am the mom.
I am the leader.
I am the one who teaches other entrepreneurs how to build sustainable businesses.

 

I felt like I should handle it better.

 

But here’s what I’ve learned:

 

You can be strong and still be exhausted.
You can be capable and still need help.
You can be a leader and still be in a hard season.

 

Being human is not a brand flaw.

 

It’s reality.

 

And honestly? The entrepreneurs who pretend life never touches them are not the ones building sustainable success.

 

The ones who build longevity are the ones who build margin.

 

What I Would Do Differently (and What I’m Doing Now)

Hard seasons reveal weaknesses.

 

Not to shame you.
To strengthen you.

 

If I could go back, I would:

 

  • Build even more recurring revenue.
  • Reduce reliance on real-time energy (like constant content creation).
  • Expand my support network sooner.
  • Prioritize my own self-care and recovery just as seriously as my daughter’s physical therapy.

 

Now?

 

I am doubling down on margin.

More automation.
Clearer offers.
Less noise.
Deeper relationships.

 

Because I don’t want a business that only works when I’m at peak performance.

 

I want a business that works when I’m human.

 

If You’re in a Hard Season

Maybe you’re listening to  this and you’re in it right now.

 

You’re tired.
You’re stretched.
You’re showing up, but it feels heavy.

 

Let me say this:

 

You are not weak.
You are not behind.
You are not failing.

 

You are navigating real life.

 

And if you can keep going, even imperfectly, you are stronger than you think.

 

But also…

 

Don’t wait for the next crisis to prepare.

 

Build relationships now.
Build systems now.
Build margin now.

 

Because one day, you may need them more than you realize.

 

Last year broke parts of me.

 

But it also clarified me.

 

It reminded me that motherhood is my priority.
That business is a vehicle and not my identity.

 

That showing up doesn’t always mean shining; sometimes it just means staying.

 

And sometimes, staying is enough.

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

Indie Lee Skincare with Indie Lee

Redefining Beauty, Business & “Wellth” with Indie Lee

What happens when a life-threatening diagnosis becomes the catalyst for building a pioneering beauty brand?

In this powerful episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, Brittni Schroeder sits down with Indie Lee, founder of the award-winning clean beauty brand Indie Lee Skincare. From CPA to clean beauty trailblazer, Indie’s journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and redefining what success truly means.


Her story is not just about skincare. It’s about purpose. It’s about clarity. It’s about building a business that aligns with your values—even when the road is long, uncertain, and filled with unexpected detours.


From Corporate CPA to Conscious Creator

Indie’s path into beauty wasn’t conventional. She began her career as a public and private CPA, even running HBO’s International Finance Division. She traveled the world, built a successful career, and checked all the traditional boxes of achievement.


But deep down, something was missing.


After leaving corporate life to spend more time with her children, Indie immersed herself in the farm-to-table movement. She built a 750-square-foot greenhouse in her backyard, grew her own botanicals, and became deeply connected to clean living.

Then her health took a turn.


After being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, she could no longer work in the greenhouse she had built with her own hands. Around the same time, her sister announced she was pregnant. Wanting to create safe, gentle products for her future nephew, Indie began crafting botanical-based baby products from her calendula and lavender harvest.


At the time, this was simply a heartfelt gift. She had no idea it was the beginning of something much bigger.


A Brain Tumor That Changed Everything

In November 2008, Indie began losing peripheral vision in her left eye. Within hours of undergoing a scan, she was told she had a brain tumor.


That 15-minute drive to the doctor’s office became one of the most transformational moments of her life.

Indie realized that for 37 years, she had been a passenger—not the driver—of her life. And whatever time she had left, she would live it with what she calls the “three P’s”:


  • Purpose

  • Passion

  • Being fully present

Doctors initially told her she had six months to live. But Indie refused to accept that as her ending.


While searching for answers, a neuroendocrinologist asked her a life-altering question: What are you putting on your skin?

That moment connected everything. Indie understood toxic load. She understood transdermal absorption. She realized that what we put on our bodies can be just as impactful as what we put in them.


And with that realization, her mission was born.


The Birth of a Clean Beauty Pioneer

After finding a surgeon willing to operate, Indie underwent brain surgery on Earth Day. Eight hours later, she woke up able to see clearly. The tumor was successfully removed.


Two months later, she launched her website.


Like many entrepreneurs, she assumed turning on a website meant customers would automatically show up. Instead, she quickly learned a foundational truth:


There is no easy button.


Marketing is work. Building a brand is work. Scaling a business is work.


Sixteen years later, Indie Lee Skincare is carried by major retailers and respected clean beauty destinations across the country, including:


  • Nordstrom

  • Ulta Beauty

  • Bluemercury

  • Credo Beauty

  • The Detox Market

  • Whole Foods Market

What began as a personal health crisis became a brand that helped pioneer the clean beauty movement.


The Myth of Overnight Success

One of the most powerful conversations in this episode centers around the illusion of overnight success.

Indie shares a truth that every entrepreneur needs to hear:


“It takes 10 years to be an overnight success.”

We live in a world of clickbait headlines and flashy revenue screenshots. But what we don’t see are the years of trial and error, failures, pivots, and persistence behind the scenes.


Indie reframes luck in a powerful way:

Luck is when hard work and timing coincide.


Yes, timing matters. Yes, opportunity matters. But neither replaces consistency, clarity, and hustle.


For Indie, success wasn’t just about revenue or retail expansion. It was about creating change in a largely unregulated industry. It was about educating and empowering consumers to read labels and make informed decisions.


That deeper mission is what sustained her through the long game.


Clean Beauty Meets Accessibility

One of the most exciting developments Indie shares in this episode is her expansion into Whole Foods with a four-product capsule collection called Indie Lee Botanicals.


This launch represents more than shelf space.


It’s about democratizing clean beauty—making effective, thoughtfully formulated products accessible in everyday spaces. As consumers become more aware of ingredient transparency, Indie believes we should read the labels of what we put on our bodies just as carefully as we read the labels of what we put in them.


Her return to botanical roots also nods back to her greenhouse beginnings. Full circle moments like this remind us that sometimes the original spark holds the most power.


Clarity, Core Values & Sustainable Hustle

Beyond skincare, this episode dives deep into entrepreneurship.

Brittni and Indie talk about:


  • The burnout that comes from constant hustle

  • The danger of comparing your beginning to someone else’s middle

  • Why mentorship matters

  • The importance of defining success for yourself

Indie emphasizes clarity as a superpower.


Many entrepreneurs say they want to be “successful,” but few define what that actually means. Revenue? Impact? Freedom? Flexibility? Industry disruption?


Without clarity, you can’t build a roadmap.


Indie also shares how perspective—especially after a health crisis—changes everything. She is intentional about how she spends her time, what she prioritizes, and how she builds her brand.


Success, for her, is rooted in “wellth”—the abundance of wellness, health, and intention.


Redefining Beauty Through Purpose

Indie’s story is ultimately about choosing purpose over perfection.


It’s about understanding that setbacks can be catalysts.


It’s about recognizing that failure teaches more than success.


It’s about building something aligned with your values—even when it takes longer than you expected.


For entrepreneurs listening, her message is clear:


  • There is no shortcut.

  • There is no easy button.

  • There is no copy-and-paste success formula.

But there is alignment.
There is clarity.
There is purpose.

And those things create longevity.


Connect with Indie Lee

You can explore Indie Lee’s products and learn more about her mission at:

🌿 Website: www.indielee.com
🌿 Instagram: @indielee


About Indie Lee

Indie Lee is the founder of the award-winning clean beauty brand Indie Lee Skincare, a company born from her personal health crisis and mission to create safe, effective products that empower conscious living. After surviving three brain surgeries and navigating life with autoimmune disease, Indie has become a passionate advocate for clean beauty, longevity, and redefining wellness.


Through her work and storytelling, she encourages women to embrace a life of “wellth”—the abundance of wellness, health, and intention—while balancing the realities of business, family, and healing. She continues to inspire a growing community to pursue purpose over perfection and beauty rooted in wellness.

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

Ways I Use AI In My Business

WAYS I USE AI IN MY BUSINESS

I talked about AI in my last podcast, but I wanted to dive a little deeper and give you some real live examples. In this podcast. I am going to be talking about ways I use AI in my business. 

Podcasting is one of my favorite ways to connect — but it can also be one of the most time-consuming content formats if you don’t have systems in place.


Here’s how AI fits into my podcast workflow:


Step 1: Transcription with Dropbox AI

After recording my podcast, I use Dropbox’s AI transcription feature to automatically transcribe the episode. No manual work, no extra tools.


Step 2: Repurposing with ChatGPT

Once I have the transcript, I paste it into ChatGPT and use the same prompt every single time:


Write me show notes for the website in long blog post form. Make the article 1000–1500 words. Refrain from using too many quotes unless it is a direct quote pulled from the transcript. Include the following links that the guest has requested that we share in the show notes:


Bio:
Freebie:
Other links:

Using the transcript, write me a short meta description for the website.
Using the transcript, write me a fun, upbeat and friendly Instagram and Facebook caption to promote the podcast.
Using the transcript, write me a summary of the podcast that I can include on Libsyn.


From one recording, I get:

  • A long-form blog post
  • SEO-friendly meta description
  • Social media captions
  • A Libsyn-ready episode summary

That’s not cutting corners — that’s working smarter.


AI for Newsletters (Because Writing Weekly Emails Is a Lot)

Another place I use AI consistently is my newsletters.

Instead of overthinking every email, I take:


  • A blog post
  • A podcast episode
  • Or even just a few thoughts I want to share

Then I use this prompt:


“Write a 200-word newsletter with the following content. Make it short and sweet and have the call to action be…”

I fill in the relevant offer or link, tweak the tone to sound like me, and hit send.


AI helps me stay consistent without turning newsletters into a full-blown writing marathon every week.


Graphics & Visuals: Canva’s AI Tools (Magic Media Is My Favorite)

AI isn’t just for writing — it’s a game-changer for visuals too.


One of my favorite tools inside Canva is Magic Media.


I use this when I’m looking for a very specific image that I can’t find in stock libraries. Instead of scrolling endlessly, I describe exactly what I want.


For example:
“I need a flat lay image of a laptop computer with a cup of hot cocoa off to the side. Make the colors natural tones and the look minimal.”


Canva generates multiple images based on that prompt. If I don’t like the results, I can ask for variations or add more specific instructions.


Here’s the key: you have to train the AI. The more detailed you are, the better the results. There is a learning curve, but once you get it, it’s a massive time-saver.


Email Marketing AI Inside Flodesk

Another tool I use that’s quietly becoming more powerful is Flodesk.

While it’s not brand-new, Flodesk continues to roll out AI-powered features that support:


  • Generating email copy and subject lines
  • Creating on-brand images
  • Optimizing send times
  • Segmenting audiences
  • Predicting customer behavior based on engagement

These tools analyze real-time data to help improve open rates and clicks — without you having to guess what’s working.

This is a great example of how AI doesn’t always look flashy. Sometimes it’s working in the background, making your systems smarter.


AI Is Being Added Everywhere — You Just Have to Learn It

More and more platforms are implementing AI into tools you’re already using — CRMs, email marketing platforms, design software, schedulers, and analytics tools.


The opportunity isn’t just using AI.


The opportunity is taking the time to learn how to implement it well.


AI only works if it’s layered into solid systems. Otherwise, it becomes just another tool you pay for and don’t fully use.


Want Help Learning AI the Right Way?

If AI feels exciting but overwhelming — or if you’re not sure how to integrate it into your business without adding chaos — this is exactly what I teach inside The Meeting Place Membership.


In the month of February, we’re diving deep into AI:


  • How to use it for content
  • How to use it for systems and automations
  • How to make it support your business instead of complicating it

The Meeting Place is my business membership designed to help you build systems and automations from top to bottom — in a way that actually makes sense.


✨ You can join and cancel at any time
✨ Use code AUTOMATE to get 50% off
✨ Join here: www.brittnischroeder.com/membership

AI isn’t the future — it’s already here. Let’s make sure it’s working for you, not against you.

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources

Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

Camera Focused with Scott Proposki

In this episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, Brittni sits down with photographer, entrepreneur, and author Scott Proposki to talk about what it really takes to build a business that lasts — especially as a creative. Scott’s story is one of reinvention, resilience, and learning to harness what makes you different instead of fighting it.

 

 

With nearly three decades behind the camera and clients ranging from National Geographic to the White House, Microsoft, HBO, and major global brands, Scott has seen the highest highs of creative success. But what makes this conversation powerful isn’t just his résumé — it’s how he transformed personal struggles, business chaos, and unexpected setbacks into a repeatable system that now helps other photographers build stable, scalable companies.

 

 

This episode is packed with lessons about identity, systems, experience-driven marketing, and the mindset shift creatives need to grow beyond hustle.

 

Growing Up in Photography — and Getting a Head Start

Scott didn’t “discover” photography later in life — he grew up inside it. With multiple family members working as corporate photographers, cameras were part of his environment from childhood. That early exposure gave him a head start in understanding both the art and the industry.

 

 

After 9/11, a moment of global reset created unexpected opportunities. Scott found himself in New York City working with National Geographic — a pivotal break that accelerated his career. He credits moments like this not to luck alone, but to preparation meeting opportunity.

 

 

As Scott explains, people often call him lucky. His response is simple: the harder he worked, the luckier he became. Consistency, showing up, and being all-in positioned him to capitalize when doors opened.

 

That theme runs throughout the episode — success favors the prepared creative.

 

The Shift That Changed Everything: Selling Experience, Not Photos

One of Scott’s biggest breakthroughs came when he stopped selling photography and started selling outcomes.

 

Instead of positioning himself as someone who takes pictures, he positioned himself as someone who delivers an experience. That subtle shift changed how clients saw his value. He wasn’t competing on price or style alone — he was solving logistical problems and creating memorable moments.

 

 

He shares a defining example: pitching an event concept to the New England Patriots. The photography itself was secondary. What won the deal was his ability to design a seamless system where thousands of fans could move efficiently through an experience and walk away with a photo in minutes — without complaints.

 

 

He sold the vision.

 

 

That ability to map out the client journey — onboarding, delivery, execution — became his superpower. It’s a reminder that creative success isn’t just about talent; it’s about structure.

 

 

Brittni echoes this idea from her own experience: creatives often underestimate the emotional and experiential side of their brand. Clients don’t just buy photos. They buy how they feel during the process.

 

Discovering ADHD — and Turning It Into a Strength

In 2018, a coach suggested something Scott had never seriously considered: he might have ADHD.

 

After evaluation, the diagnosis was clear. At first, he viewed it through a lens of stigma. Mental health conversations weren’t as normalized then, and his instinct was to keep it private. But a simple question from his therapist shifted everything:

 

“If you told people, you’d probably change lives.”

 

 

That moment sparked his book Camera Focus.

 

 

Scott reframed ADHD not as a weakness, but as a superpower. The same hyperfocus that made him successful in photography could be directed toward business systems, leadership, and innovation. His brain didn’t need to be “fixed” — it needed to be understood.

 

 

The book uses photography metaphors to explain focus, clarity, and intentional business building, especially for creatives whose minds don’t operate in traditional boxes.

 

 

For many listeners, this part of the conversation is deeply validating. Success doesn’t require fitting a mold. It requires designing a business that works with your brain instead of against it.

 

Systems: The Foundation of Scaling

Scott didn’t just build a busy business — he built a scalable one. At one point, his company operated with 52 photographers nationwide. That level of growth isn’t possible without repeatable systems.

 

He became obsessed with process:

 

  • How clients move through the experience

  • How employees are onboarded

  • How communication flows

  • How quality stays consistent

 

He gamified operations and created frameworks that could be duplicated over and over. This allowed him to step out of constant firefighting and into leadership.

 

 

He’s blunt about it: if you want to scale, you must systematize. Talent alone won’t carry a growing business. Structure will.

 

Many photographers plateau because they rely entirely on personal effort. Scott’s journey shows what happens when creatives treat operations as a craft equal to the art itself.

 

Selling Vision and Attracting the Right People

Scott’s hiring philosophy is just as intentional as his client strategy. He didn’t just recruit photographers — he recruited believers.

 

 

By clearly communicating the company’s vision, he attracted people who wanted to be part of something bigger. Many didn’t even ask about pay at first; they were drawn to purpose.

 

 

That’s a powerful reminder for business owners: people want direction. They want clarity. When you articulate where you’re going, the right team members and clients self-select.

 

 

This applies whether you’re running a large organization or a solo creative studio. Vision builds loyalty.

 

Reinvention After Loss

While this episode focuses heavily on growth, Scott’s larger story includes a period of loss when the pandemic wiped out his business almost overnight. The principles from Camera Focus — systems, mindset, resilience — became the blueprint for rebuilding.

 

 

His work today isn’t just about photography. It’s about helping creatives develop businesses that can survive disruption.

 

That mission is bigger than income. It’s about sustainability and confidence.

 

Talking to the Check Writers

Scott ends the episode with a memorable pet peeve: photographers who only talk to other photographers online.

 

He encourages creatives to shift their messaging toward decision-makers — the people actually hiring them. Education and gear talk have their place, but growth comes from speaking directly to the customer.

 

It’s a simple but powerful marketing reminder: clarity of audience equals clarity of revenue.

 

The 3 O’Clock Coffee Philosophy

A fun insight into Scott’s daily rhythm: every day at 3 p.m., he stops everything for coffee and conversation. That ritual turned into his own podcast, The 3 O’Clock Coffee Podcast, where he interviews people with extraordinary stories.

 

It’s a small example of intentional living — building connection and reflection into the workday instead of chasing productivity nonstop.

 

 

Sometimes growth comes from slowing down.

 

Connect with Scott Proposki

Scott Proposki is a photographer, entrepreneur, and author with 27 years behind the camera, capturing stories for National Geographic, the White House, Microsoft, HBO, and top global brands. In 2019, he released Camera Focus to help creatives with ADHD harness their strengths. He never expected the book to save him when the pandemic wiped out his business in a week. After years of rebuilding, its principles evolved into the Camera Focus Method™, empowering photographers to build confident, resilient businesses. Today, Scott’s mission extends far beyond photography.

 

 

📧 Email: Scott@ScottProposki.com
📱 Phone: 1-978-423-0111
🌐 Websites: www.ScottProposki.com | www.CameraFocus.com
🔗 Camera Focus Method™: www.CameraFocusMethod.com

 

 

Freebie — Coffee Call With Scott (not a sales call):

 

 

📸 Instagram

💼 LinkedIn

More info

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

AI Tools In Your Business Beyond ChatGPT

Beyond ChatGPT: Essential AI Tools Every Small Business Owner Should Know

Artificial Intelligence isn’t the future anymore. It’s here to stay and if you aren’t using it in your small business you will get left behind. While ChatGPT might be the one everyone talks about (for good reason), it’s just the tip of the AI iceberg. Across marketing, design, operations, customer support, sales, analytics, and automation, there are tools built to save time, and help you grow smarter.

 

Whether you’re a solopreneur or a small business owner with a team, these AI tools are worth exploring beyond the AI you already know.

 

Let’s dive into AI tools that can actually move the needle for your business.


Content Creation & Marketing

People always ask: How do I consistently create content that gets attention? Here are some tools that help.

 

Jasper (formerly Jarvis)

Best for: Long-form writing (blogs, sales pages, newsletters)

 

Jasper is an AI writing assistant that generates content based on prompts you give it. You can use it to draft blogs, craft engaging emails, write website copy, and more. Unlike general AI chat tools, it’s built specifically for marketing content.

 

Highlights:

  • Templates for blogs, email sequences, ads

  • Tone and voice customization

  • Integrations with SEO tools

Great if you want content faster without sacrificing quality.

 

Descript

Best for: Podcasters, video creators, and audio editors

 

Descript uses AI to transcribe audio and video into text that you can edit like a document. You cut text → the video/audio cuts too. It’s magic for marketers tired of clunky editing software.

 

Highlights:

  • AI transcription

  • Filler word removal

  • Video editing + screen recording

  • Automatic subtitles

Perfect for streamlining podcast and video production.

 

Copy.ai

Best for: Quick copy generation (ads, social, product descriptions)

 

Copy.ai focuses on short-form and conversion copy. It helps you generate ideas and variations quickly so you never stare at a blank caption again.

 

Highlights:

  • Instagram captions

  • Ad copy

  • Product and ecommerce descriptions

  • Brainstorming tools

If you get stuck writing marketing copy, this tool can help you get unstuck fast.

 

Design, Visuals & Branding

Not a designer? No problem. These AI tools make it easy to create visuals even if you can barely work a photo app.

 

Canva AI

Best for: Design assets + brand visuals

 

Canva now includes AI features that help you:

  • Generate designs from prompts

  • Create social templates

  • Edit backgrounds

  • Generate on-brand visuals quickly

If you already use Canva, the AI upgrades make your workflow noticeably faster.

 

Runway

Best for: Video editing with AI effects

 

Runway is an AI video editor that lets you remove backgrounds, generate video content, and apply effects without heavy software or editing skills.

 

Highlights:

  • Green screen removal with AI

  • Motion effects

  • Text-to-video

Great for social video content creators.

 

Midjourney & Leonardo.ai

Best for: AI image generation

 

Tools like Midjourney and Leonardo generate beautiful, AI-created images from text prompts. Perfect for unique visuals, mood boards, concept art, branding ideas—you name it.

 

Highlights:

  • Unique brand imagery

  • Quick visuals for blogs and socials

  • Mood board inspiration

If you’ve ever needed a custom image but didn’t want stock photos, these tools are game changers.

 

Automation & Workflows

Automation tools connect apps and automate actions so you can stop doing repetitive work.

 

Zapier

Best for: Connecting apps & automating tasks

 

Zapier links your apps together so when something happens in one app, it triggers something in another. For example:

  • New email subscriber → adds to CRM

  • New sale → creates a Google Sheet row

  • Form submission → sends a Slack message

Highlights:

  • Multi-step workflows

  • Integrates with hundreds of tools

  • No coding required

Zapier is ideal for saving hours of manual work every week.

 

Make (formerly Integromat)

Best for: Complex automations and visual workflows

 

Make is like Zapier on steroids—it allows more complex logic, conditional operations, and advanced monitoring.

 

Highlights:

  • Visual automation builder

  • Conditional steps

  • API integrations

If you want advanced automation (like CRM updates, data syncing, conditional messaging), Make is powerful.

 

Beeper AI

Best for: Unified inbox and response automation

 

Tools like Beeper AI can consolidate conversations across email, social, and messaging apps, and even help automate replies.

 

Highlights:

  • Conversation consolidation

  • AI-assisted replies

  • Multi-platform inbox

If multi-platform communication feels chaotic, this tool helps streamline it.

 

Customer Support

Responsive customer support builds trust. These AI tools make support fast and scalable.

 

Intercom

Best for: AI chat support on your website

 

Intercom combines live chat with AI automation, so customers can get instant answers, even when you’re offline.

 

Highlights:

  • AI support bots

  • Live chat

  • Help center integration

  • Ping when you need human support

Ideal if your business gets inquiries often and you want faster turnaround.

 

Tidio

Best for: Affordable AI chatbot + live chat

 

Tidio offers live chat and AI bots focused on conversions and support. It’s particularly popular with ecommerce businesses.

 

Highlights:

  • Pre-built templates

  • Lead qualification chatbots

  • Cart abandonment messaging

If you sell products online and want a friendly chat presence, this is a solid choice.

 

Analytics & Insights

Understanding your audience and performance helps you make smarter decisions.

 

Google Analytics with AI Insights

Best for: Website analytics

 

Google Analytics now includes AI insights that help you understand trends automatically without digging through reports.

 

Highlights:

  • Predictive metrics

  • Segment analysis

  • Automated insights

Great for seeing what actually works on your site.

 

Scheduling & Productivity

Getting organized never goes out of style.

 

Calendly and Acuity (with AI)

Best for: Smart scheduling

 

Calendly uses automation to:

  • Avoid double booking

  • Auto-reschedule

  • Add buffers

  • Integrate with calendars

Combine with AI replies and follow-ups to make scheduling effortless.

 

Notion AI

Best for: All-in-one workspace with AI help

 

Notion is already a favorite for project planning. When you add AI, it can:

  • Summarize notes

  • Generate templates

  • Create checklists from ideas

Perfect for solo operators and teams alike.

 

Bonus: Industry-Specific AI Tools

There are also niche AI tools worth mentioning:

  • Shopify Magic — AI product descriptions and store content

  • Dropbox AI

  • Tailwind

  • Instagram

 

AI isn’t a magic replacement for strategy, but it is a massive multiplier when used strategically. These tools can:

  • Save you hours every week

  • Improve content quality

  • Streamline operations

  • Elevate customer experience

  • Make data actionable

The secret isn’t using all the tools—it’s using the right ones for your business goals.

 

Start with the areas where you feel the most friction—marketing? customer support? content creation?—and pick a tool that helps you win back time.

 

AI shouldn’t replace your creativity… it should amplify it.

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

Selling with Vicki Pollack

Organic Growth vs. Paid Ads: What You Need to Know

Vicki shares her own journey with growth—one that’s refreshingly honest.

She spent nine years growing her original Instagram account to 10,000 followers organically. Her newer account grew to over 100,000 followers in 18 months, also organically.

Only after proving her messaging and offers did she begin running paid ads.

The key takeaway?
Ads don’t fix unclear messaging or weak content.

Paid traffic is powerful—but only when:

  • Your content is already converting

  • Your offer is validated

  • You’re ready to pay for data, not instant results

Running ads without that foundation often leads to wasted money and more frustration.

 

Why Market Research Can’t Be Skipped

One of the most important reminders in this episode is that market research is not optional.

Before scaling, before ads, before big launches, you need to know:

  • Do people actually want this?

  • Are they already paying for something similar?

  • What language do they use to describe their problem?

Testing and validating ideas is how you reduce risk—and build offers that sell sustainably.

If someone promises a guaranteed method that “always works,” Vicki’s advice is simple: be cautious.

Business isn’t copy-and-paste.

 

What Vicki Is Teaching at Fusion Collective

At the Fusion Collective Summit, Vicki is training on a framework she’s been developing called The Bullseye Method—designed to help entrepreneurs stop chasing sales and start building clarity-driven systems that naturally lead to them.

The focus isn’t just the sale itself—it’s everything surrounding it:

  • Top-of-funnel messaging

  • Content that attracts the right audience

  • Clear positioning and bio optimization

  • Strategic alignment across your platforms

If selling has felt harder than it should, this framework is designed to change that.

 

Where to Find Vicki Pollack

Vicki Pollack teaches the modern way to make money online through content, community, and digital offers. She helps entrepreneurs simplify their messaging, build offers that actually sell, and create systems that make online income make sense. Known for her straight-talk approach and clarity-driven strategy, Vicki focuses on helping people stop overcomplicating business and start building something sustainable.

Links:

Join the Conversation

Let’s not stop the party here. Head on over to my Instagram or Facebook group, Redefine Your Business, and share your thoughts about today’s show. See you again, same time, same place next week!

Resources:

The Meeting Place Membership
Rock The Reels
1:1 Coaching
Free Client Welcome Guide
Additional Trainings and Resources


Connect with Brittni:

Follow me on the Gram – @brittni.schroeder
Join my Facebook Group 
Visit my website
Subscribe to my Youtube

AUTOMATIONS WITH DANIELLE MCGINNIS

AUTOMATIONS WITH DANIELLE MCGINNIS
AUTOMATIONS WITH DANIELLE MCGINNIS

Running a business often starts with wearing all the hats — CEO, marketer, tech support, admin, and everything in between. But at some point, that hustle turns into a bottleneck. Your business can’t grow because you are holding everything together manually.

 

In this episode of the Redefine Business Podcast, Brittni sits down with Danielle McGuinness of Cutting Edge Operations, an online business manager and systems expert who helps entrepreneurs streamline, automate, and scale without burning out. Danielle is also one of the featured speakers at the Fusion Online Summit (Feb 3–5), making this conversation a perfect preview of what attendees can expect.

 

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted by every shiny new software tool on the internet — this episode is for you.

 

Meet Danielle McGuinness: Systems, Strategy, and Sanity

Danielle McGuinness is an online business manager and self-proclaimed “tech girlie at heart.” She works with business owners who feel stuck — not because they lack ambition, but because their businesses rely too heavily on them to function.

Her specialty? Helping entrepreneurs identify where they are the bottleneck and then removing them through better systems, smarter automations, and intentional processes.

 

As Danielle explains, most business owners don’t actually need more tools — they need clarity on how their business works first.

 

The Real Reason Businesses Get Stuck

One of the biggest challenges Danielle sees is what many entrepreneurs jokingly call “shiny object syndrome.” A business owner sees a peer using a tool they love, assumes it’s the missing piece, and implements it without understanding whether it actually fits their business.

 

The problem? Tools are often added before systems are defined.

Danielle emphasizes that systems and processes come first. Tools should support what already exists — not replace the thinking work required to build a functional business foundation.

 

Without clearly defined processes, even the best software will fall short.

 

Systems vs. Tools: Why the Order Matters

A key theme of the conversation is the difference between systems, processes, and tools:

 

    • Processes are how things get done in your business

    • Systems are the structure that supports those processes

    • Tools are simply the technology used to execute them

Many entrepreneurs skip straight to tools, hoping software will fix chaos. But without documented processes, tools often add more confusion instead of clarity.

 

As Danielle puts it, you shouldn’t be buying a tool to solve a problem you haven’t clearly defined yet.

 

The Five Phases of the Client Journey You Should Automate

Danielle walks listeners through the five core phases of the client journey that every business owner should evaluate and automate where possible.

 

1. Lead Capture & Scheduling

The first major red flag Danielle sees? The endless back-and-forth email dance.

In today’s world, potential clients expect instant access. A simple contact form paired with an automated scheduler allows prospects to connect with you without waiting on your inbox.

If someone wants to work with you, they should be able to take action immediately.

 

2. Onboarding (Don’t Accidentally Give “Scammer” Energy)

Once someone pays you, what happens next?

Danielle points out that many businesses collect payment and then go silent — not intentionally, but because onboarding isn’t automated. This can make even the most legitimate business feel disorganized.

A strong onboarding system typically includes:

 

    • Contract delivery

    • Invoices or payment confirmation

    • Clear next steps

    • Expectations around communication

Automation here builds trust and confidence right away.

 

3. Service Delivery Communication

Service delivery doesn’t mean constant communication — it means clear communication.

Danielle encourages business owners to proactively tell clients what’s happening behind the scenes. Even something as simple as letting them know they won’t hear from you for a few days can eliminate anxiety and unnecessary follow-ups.

Clarity = professionalism.

 

4. Offboarding (The Most Overlooked Phase)

Offboarding is where many entrepreneurs drop the ball — and leave money on the table.

Danielle explains that if you’ve done incredible work but don’t properly close the loop, you miss opportunities for:

 

    • Client retention

    • Referrals

    • Testimonials

    • Future offers

A strong offboarding process wraps the experience up with intention and keeps the relationship going beyond the project.

 

5. Retention, Referrals, and Revenue Continuity

The final phase ties everything together. Businesses that automate follow-ups, referral requests, and next-step offers are far more likely to create sustainable growth.

 

It’s not about being salesy — it’s about making it easy for happy clients to continue working with you or recommend you to others.

 

Danielle’s Favorite Tech Tools

Danielle shares some of the tools she loves and recommends, while emphasizing that budget and business stage always matter.

 

    • HighLevel – An all-in-one CRM that supports scheduling, email marketing, websites, memberships, pipelines, and more

    • Calendly – A solid option for beginners

    • Acuity Scheduling – A favorite for service-based businesses

    • TidyCal – A budget-friendly alternative

The takeaway? Choose tools that align with your current needs — and actually use the features you’re already paying for.

 

A Free Client Journey Assessment

Danielle has created a Client Journey Assessment to help business owners evaluate where their systems need the most attention. Click HERE

 

Instead of trying to fix everything at once, this assessment helps identify priorities so you can focus on the areas that will make the biggest impact first.

 

 

Catch Danielle at the Fusion Online Summit

Danielle McGuinness will be speaking at the Fusion Online Summit, February 3–5, where she’ll dive deeper into systems, automations, and client communication tools that help businesses scale sustainably.

This episode is just a preview of the value she brings.