1242: This tattoo artist + death doula reveals how EGO is killing your business w/ Arville Persons

In a truly unique conversation, we sit down with Arville Persons, a multidisciplinary artist who bridges the worlds of tattooing and death doula work. Arville shares her profound perspective on entrepreneurship as a spiritual journey, revealing how embracing impermanence, questioning her identity, and dissolving her ego led to a complete and powerful business rebrand. This episode is invaluable for any entrepreneur feeling stuck or misaligned, as Arville provides a masterclass in trusting your intuition, creating without fear, and finding freedom by letting go of societal expectations. Prepare to challenge everything you think you know about permanence, success, and building a business that is deeply connected to your truth.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to recognize when your business identity no longer serves you and navigate a powerful rebrand.Why outsourcing key decisions to get others’ opinions can sabotage your vision and how to trust your own intuition instead.How to use "radical vulnerability" online to strengthen your business's core message and attract a loyal community.The "Creation Portal" concept: Why stepping into the unknown is essential for building something truly new, rather than recreating the past.How to dismantle the "9-to-5 brainwashing" and design a work life that is fluid, unstructured, and perfectly aligned with your natural energy.📝 About Arville Persons Arville Persons is the creative force behind Cosmos Body Altar, a multidisciplinary artist, author, and death doula. With nearly a decade of experience as a tattoo artist, she views her work as a sacred collaboration, transforming her clients' stories into powerful art. Arville’s unique journey, including her work as a death doula, gives her a profound perspective on identity, impermanence, and the spiritual side of entrepreneurship. She is a master at navigating change and building a business that flows from a place of deep intuition and personal truth.🎯 Arville’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Don't be afraid to fall. You know, when we fall, we're falling forward. You want to live life like you know you're going to die, and just do it. Follow your joy. Follow your heart. Our mind is a tool for our heart. So let your heart lead."📢 Memorable Quotes"This is what it is to be an entrepreneur. It's to start many businesses and to not be scared of the change that comes in the process of having a business. I mean, it's a very spiritual experience to be an entrepreneur.""When you're falling into the unknown, you are in pure creation energy. But pure creation energy can't be built from what we know, because what we know is built of the past.""If I am not aligned with what I'm doing, I need to shift it because I'm not guaranteed tomorrow. And even if I was guaranteed tomorrow, why would I wait?"💡 Actionable TakeawaysCreate an environment to block out external noise. Whether it's a private office or dedicated time for deep work, build a space where you can connect with your intuition without outside opinions.Question one "rule" you follow in your business. Ask yourself, "Why am I doing this? Is it because I was told to, or because it truly serves me and my business?"🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Cosmos Body Altar’s WebsiteConnect with Arville on LinkedInFollow Cosmos Body Altar on InstagramFollow Cosmos Body Altar on YouTube

Anissa Bouderraoui, a multilingual mom of three and former CFO, shares her journey of transforming a personal passion into LingoCircle, a cutting-edge bilingual education platform. She reveals how she combines live, human-led classes with personalized AI-powered games to create an engaging learning experience for children. This episode is a masterclass for entrepreneurs on how to execute a big idea step-by-step, build a mission-driven company, and strategically navigate both B2C and B2B markets. Tune in to learn how Anissa leverages her unique founder-market fit to build a business that is not only successful but is also making a positive impact on the next generation.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to leverage your personal experience to build a highly relatable and marketable brand that customers instantly trust.A step-by-step framework for turning a big idea into an executable plan using simple project management tools (like a Gantt chart) to stay on track.The strategic advantage of a hybrid B2B and B2C model to build credibility, open new revenue streams, and scale faster.How to effectively balance cutting-edge tech (like AI) with the irreplaceable human element to create a premium product that stands out.Why you must be “married to the problem, not the product” to ensure you’re building something the market actually needs.Practical advice on starting your business as a side hustle without quitting your day job too soon.How to use your core mission as a compass for major strategic decisions, from marketing to product development.📝 About Anissa Bouderraoui Anissa Bouderraoui is the Founder and CEO of LingoCircle, a bilingual education platform that combines live group classes with AI-powered games. Transitioning from a successful career as a CFO, Anissa launched LingoCircle out of a personal need to raise her own three children bilingually in the U.S. Her unique perspective as both a parent and a business leader has allowed her to build a platform that is not only educationally effective but also deeply understands the needs of modern families. Anissa is a powerful example of a founder who turned a personal passion into a scalable, mission-driven tech company.🎯 Anissa’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Just get started, but don't quit your job. You have to be married to the problem you're solving, not the product.”📢 Memorable Quotes “There's no formula. There's just learning from your mistakes or maybe surrounding yourself with people that have already been there so that they can tell you the mistakes you shouldn't be making.” – Anissa Bouderraoui“As an entrepreneur, really that's your main important, key skill that you have to have is really being able to sell your product yourself.” – Anissa Bouderraoui“You have to be married to the problem you're solving... Don't spend too much money building something. Try to figure out if you're solving a real problem.” – Anissa Bouderraoui🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit LingoCircle’s WebsiteConnect with Anissa on LinkedInFollow LingoCircle on LinkedInFollow Anissa on InstagramFollow Anissa on TikTok

In this episode, we dive deep into the art and science of sustainable business growth with Cody Gillund, the founder of Grounded Growth Studio. Cody breaks down why so many entrepreneurs get stuck in a cycle of random tactics and explains how to build a powerful marketing engine by starting with strategy first. She reveals that things like brand and messaging aren't just "nice-to-haves" you can focus on later—they are the essential foundation for attracting the right customers and driving meaningful traction. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur tired of throwing money at marketing with little to show for it, Cody provides a clear, actionable roadmap for aligning your strategy with execution to build a business that lasts.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessWhy "growth marketing" is more than just a buzzword and how to leverage its core principles for rapid scaling.The crucial difference between strategy and tactics, and why starting with tactics is a recipe for failure.How to develop a powerful brand and messaging strategy that resonates deeply with your ideal customer.A framework for choosing the right marketing channels instead of just jumping on every trend.How to leverage AI as a powerful "intern" to boost productivity and creativity without sacrificing authenticity.The key metrics to track at the beginning of your marketing journey versus when your campaigns are mature.How to create project-based service packages that solve specific, high-value problems for your clients.📝 About Cody Gillund Cody Gillund is the founder of Grounded Growth Studio, a marketing consultancy that helps tech founders and growth-stage teams align strategy with execution to drive meaningful traction. With nearly 20 years of experience leading marketing for high-growth startups and global brands, she excels at turning complex go-to-market challenges into clear, actionable plans. Cody is passionate about bridging the gap between marketing and leadership to help companies build smart, sustainable growth.🎯 Cody’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Go for it. Don't be afraid to do something scary. Don't be afraid to make a mistake. You know, be brave and get out there and try new things."📢 Memorable Quotes “Brand isn't optional. A lot of the coming up of performance marketing and some of the more scientific marketing skill sets have sometimes pushed brand marketing to the wayside a bit. And I do think some founders sometimes think, okay, well I'll focus on brand later.”“I think of AI… as sort of my intern. So I've trained my own AI tools to work for me… it always needs to be checked… it's not fail safe, but it can help in so many ways and it can help you be smarter.” “I think sometimes the fear of being perfect can keep you from doing anything at all. Right. And so that hinders growth in itself.”💡 Actionable TakeawaysStart tracking "early indicator" metrics like organic traffic, site engagement, and social media resonance to see if your message is being heard.Experiment with using an AI tool as a brainstorming partner. Ask it for headline variations or to outline tasks for a project, then add your own expertise and voice.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Grounded Growth Studio’s WebsiteConnect with Cody on LinkedInFollow Grounded Growth Studio on LinkedInFollow Grounded Growth Studio on Instagram

Ever feel like you’re spending too much time planning, overcomplicating, or waiting for the “perfect moment” to act? This Solo Sunday is extra special — it’s the 9th birthday of the Wantrepreneur to Entrepreneur Podcast! I’m sharing nine unconventional entrepreneurial truths I’ve learned from nine years behind the mic — insights that will challenge the way you think about planning, marketing, execution, and even your own identity as a founder.✨ Why This Matters for YouNine years of running this show has taught me lessons that can save you time, frustration, and energy:Why “planning is a trap” and how overplanning keeps you from winningThe overlooked truth that nobody cares about you — and why that’s actually freeing for your marketingHow your business grows at the speed of your decisions, not your resourcesWhy boring, unsexy work is actually your biggest competitive advantage📝 Key TakeawaysPlan less, execute more. Plan just enough to take the next step — then act.Marketing isn’t about you. Your customers only care about what’s in it for them.Decide & execute quickly. Speed is your growth multiplier.Do the boring work. That’s where most competitors give up — and where you can stand out.Identity > strategy. Become the type of person who executes, fails fast, and keeps going.Trust your instincts. Your to-do list isn’t always telling you the truth.Urgency > passion. Progress fuels motivation — not the other way around.Simplicity wins. Complexity is a tax that slows you and your team down.Filter advice. All advice is good and bad — it’s your job as CEO to decide what sticks.🚀 Put It Into ActionThis week, take inventory:Where are you overplanning instead of executing?Which tasks are you avoiding that might actually be needle-movers?How can you simplify your processes and impose urgency on yourself and your team?🔗 Stay ConnectedSubscribe to the show so you never miss an episodeConnect with me on Instagram @imetbrianShare this episode with a fellow entrepreneur who needs a reminder to stop overthinking and start executing

What does it mean to build a business with true care and integrity? Angel Ortiz, founder of Zitro Construction Services, joins us to share his incredible journey from helping rebuild New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina to leading one of the premier construction companies in the region. This episode is a masterclass in turning a crisis into a mission-driven business, honoring a family legacy, and embedding quality into every aspect of your operations. Angel reveals how he navigates difficult client conversations, manages high-stakes projects, and builds long-term relationships with vendors. For any entrepreneur who wants to build a business that not only profits but also makes a tangible, positive impact, this conversation is packed with invaluable lessons on leadership, communication, and personal development.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR BusinessHow to turn a devastating event or crisis into a purpose-driven business opportunity.The power of honoring a family legacy and drawing entrepreneurial lessons from previous generations.A "bad news first" communication strategy to build trust and manage client expectations in a high-stakes industry.Why building long-term, respectful relationships with vendors is more profitable than constantly seeking new ones.How to structure your business around your ideal life, ensuring family and personal goals come first.Simple but effective tech solutions (like collaborative Apple Notes) to manage complex projects without expensive software.The critical importance of investing in coaching and personal development to overcome business hurdles and guide your growth.📝 About Angel Ortiz Angel Ortiz is the founder of Zitro Construction Services, a premier company performing custom remodeling and new construction for residential and commercial clients in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Born and raised in New Orleans, Angel’s entrepreneurial journey was ignited in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, where he dedicated himself to rebuilding his community. Inspired by the legacy of his grandfather, an entrepreneur who started his own company in the 1960s, Angel built Zitro on a foundation of integrity, direct communication, and an unwavering commitment to quality. His unique perspective combines hands-on expertise with a deep understanding of the human side of business.🎯 Angel’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Stay true to your intuition. Learn how to develop it in the silence of your own thoughts, thinking about your life. And if you need help with that, seek it."📢 Memorable Quotes"If you're wrong, admit it. You mess something up, fix it. But so many contractors in our industry give the lot of us a bad name sometimes.""I structured my business around [my life goals]… I make sure that family time is the beginning and end of everything every day. And that's the way that I wanted it.""I can't stress enough how important it is to have somebody in your coach corner who can give you sound advice." 💡 Actionable TakeawaysDefine your non-negotiable life goals first, then design your business operations to support them.Address potential problems and worst-case scenarios with clients upfront to establish transparency and trust from day one.Ask your clients their preferred communication style (e.g., email, text, phone calls) and adapt your process to meet them where they are.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Zitro Construction Services LLC’s WebsiteConnect with Angel on LinkedInFollow Zitro Construction Services LLC on Facebook

Ever wonder why some ads get stuck in your head but never make you buy? In this episode, we sit down with Buck Robinson, a serial entrepreneur and audio advertising veteran whose marketing education began with his father, the ad man behind the iconic Ronco brand. Buck cuts through the noise of vanity metrics and shiny new platforms to deliver a masterclass in ROI-driven advertising. He reveals a simple, powerful formula for creating ads that don't just build brand awareness, but actually drive sales. For any entrepreneur tired of wasting money on marketing that doesn't work, this episode provides a clear roadmap to crafting compelling messages that turn listeners into loyal customers.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business💰 How to structure your ad copy with a simple, proven formula: problem, solution, differentiation, and a clear call to action.🚀 Why focusing on customer benefits instead of product features is the key to creating ads that convert.📈 How to leverage "old school" media like radio and podcasts for a fraction of the cost of oversaturated digital platforms.🗣️ The art of using storytelling in audio ads—and how to determine the right storyteller (founder, customer, or professional voice) for your brand.🛒 The critical mistake to avoid after landing a retail placement and why your marketing work is just beginning when your product hits the shelf.📊 Why metrics like "mindshare" and "recall" are useless if they don't directly lead to a positive and profitable return on investment.📝 About Buck Robinson Buck is a seasoned entrepreneur with a legacy rooted in advertising—his father’s industry and his own lifelong passion. Over the past 30 years, he has launched and scaled multiple ventures, including one that earned a spot on the Inc. 100 list of fastest-growing U.S. companies. His latest endeavor, Retail and Response, reflects the culmination of decades of experience, aligning his strengths, values, and vision. With this venture, Buck focuses on delivering meaningful impact for clients while building lasting value alongside his business partner.🎯 Buck’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Do it because you love it... You have to be enjoying it every single day... Stick to it if this is what you truly know you're meant to do... That type of persistence is ultimately what makes it all worthwhile."📢 Memorable Quotes “My job is to sell stuff. So selling, if I'm selling stuff, it's working. If it's not selling stuff, it's not working. No matter how many people are like, 'Oh, I love your commercial.'"“Audio is a story medium. It is a medium where it's all about explanation, not demonstration.”“Getting your product onto the shelf... that is not the finish line. That is the starting line.”💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Audit your current marketing messages. Are you talking about features ("it has this...") or benefits ("it will change your life by...")? Rewrite your copy to focus on the customer's transformation.✅ If you have a retail product, build an advertising budget specifically for the 90 days after you launch in stores to drive sell-through and avoid being delisted.✅ Investigate the costs of "tried and true" media channels like radio, podcasts, and satellite. You may find they offer a higher ROI than more crowded and expensive digital platforms.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Retail + Response’s WebsiteConnect with Buck on LinkedInFollow Retail + Response on LinkedIn

Tired of feeling like you're constantly fighting fires in your business? This episode is your guide to shifting from a reactive founder to a strategic and confident CEO. Leadership expert Kelly Kienzle joins the show to break down her research on the top three challenges every leader faces today: confusion, reactivity, and burnout. More importantly, she provides a clear, data-backed roadmap to move toward clarity, proactivity, and renewed energy. This episode is packed with tangible tools and mindset shifts that will help you reclaim control, inspire your team, and build a more resilient and fulfilling business.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 The simple, two-step definition of leadership that proves ANYONE can be a leader (and why you already are).🧠 How to shift from a reactive "firefighter" to a strategic CEO using the "Go Up on the Balcony" mindset to gain crucial perspective.⚙️ The "Magic Delegation Question" to identify your highest-value tasks and empower your team with growth opportunities.🌪️ How to identify your "Chaos Values" to stay grounded and make confident decisions, even when your business feels uncertain.⚡️ A framework to move from confusion and burnout to a desired state of clarity, confidence, and strategic leadership.📈 The concept of the "Growth Edge" and how to continuously develop your leadership skills without overwhelming yourself.🤖 A practical approach for using AI as a leadership support tool without losing the essential human element.📝 About Kelly KienzleKelly Kienzle is a leadership development specialist who uses data-backed assessments and research-proven coaching methods to help leaders unlock their full potential. With a Master's in Organizational Development, a coaching certification from Georgetown University, and nearly two decades of experience at firms like McKinsey & Co., Kelly has a deep understanding of what makes leaders effective. She has coached over 400 leaders across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors, bringing a unique blend of academic rigor and real-world application to her work.🎯 Kelly’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Every one of us can and should be a leader. A leader is simply the person who notices that something needs to happen and takes the first step to make it happen."📢 Memorable Quotes“A leader is simply the person who notices that something needs to happen and takes the first step to make it happen.”“Build your agility to move back and forth from the stage to the balcony so that you can live both perspectives and have both sets of data from those two different perspectives.”“If we push ourselves to that growth edge, then we will always be learning something new. We will always be pushing ourselves to our potential, but not so far that we are burning ourselves out.”💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Identify your "Chaos Values." This week, write down the 3 core values that guide you during times of uncertainty. Keep them visible as a reminder.✅ Practice "Going Up on the Balcony." Once a day, schedule 5 minutes to step away from your tasks, zoom out, and ask, "What is the bigger picture here? What patterns do I see?"✅ Ask the "Magic Delegation Question." Look at your to-do list and ask, "What on this list am I uniquely qualified to do?" Delegate at least one task that doesn't fit your answer.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Open Circle Coaching’s WebsiteConnect with Kelly on LinkedInFollow Open Circle Coaching on LinkedIn

In this episode, Brian sits down with Roger Baldowski, a 16-year creative industry veteran and founder of Wildcraft, a new kind of creative agency built for the AI era. Roger unpacks why creatives and entrepreneurs shouldn't fear AI, but instead embrace it as a revolutionary tool for enhancing talent, streamlining strategy, and telling more powerful stories. He explains how AI is enabling a shift away from bloated, traditional agency models toward leaner, more collaborative, and highly specialized services. For any wantrepreneur or entrepreneur looking to understand the tangible business opportunities within the AI revolution, this episode reveals how to leverage technology not to replace human ingenuity, but to amplify it and build the business of tomorrow, today.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 How AI is creating "superhuman" creatives who can handle strategy, animation, and design, and how you can adopt this multi-skilled mindset.💰 The new AI-first agency model that challenges bloated, traditional structures and offers a massive economic advantage for clients and founders.🤝 Why AI tools are a game-changer for client collaboration, allowing for more transparency and real-time creative exploration.🧠 How to use AI for deep strategic work—like competitive analysis and audience insights—that traditionally took weeks of team effort.🏞️ How to turn your personal passions and story into the core of your brand, just as Roger did with his love for the outdoors and his agency, Wildcraft.🎯 Why your ability to curate, find human insights, and tell a great story is becoming more valuable than ever in a world saturated with AI-generated content.📝 About Roger Baldowski Roger is a Designer, Creative Director, and Founder of Wildcraft.ai, a next-generation creative agency built for the AI era. With over 16 years at top agencies in Atlanta and New York, he brings deep industry experience to a new vision: one where technology enhances, rather than dilutes, creative craft. While many agencies treat AI as an add-on, Roger sees it as a catalyst for returning to specialization and elevating talent. His mission is to blend cutting-edge tools with high-caliber creative work—reshaping what’s possible for clients and creators alike.🎯 Roger’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Don't get bogged down in all the noise. If you focus on the work, good things happen every time."📢 Memorable Quotes“I'm not automating creativity. I'm using AI tools to enhance what I can provide clients as a creative.”“The human intervention, the human element in this process comes down to curation and being able to sort of pull down and put together the pieces and parts from these various models to illustrate a broader cohesive brand identity.”“If you focus on the work, good things happen every time.”💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Lean into your network. Roger emphasizes that his network has been crucial. Reach out to colleagues and connections to share what you're building and ask for feedback.✅ Practice curation. Whether it's content, ideas, or visuals, your ability to select the best and assemble it into a cohesive whole is a key skill in the AI era. Start building that muscle.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Wildcraft.ai’s WebsiteConnect with Roger on LinkedInFollow Wildcraft.ai on LinkedInFollow Wildcraft.ai on Instagram

Are you drowning in data from countless dashboards but starving for actionable insights? In this episode, we tackle the all-too-common problem of being "data rich but insight poor." Harsha Mokkarala, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience driving 10x revenue growth at companies like Capital One and 2U, breaks down the next evolution of artificial intelligence: agentic AI. He reveals how this technology goes beyond simple prompts to act as a proactive, analytical team member for your business. This isn't a high-level tech talk; it's a practical guide on how any entrepreneur can leverage their existing data to uncover hidden growth opportunities, streamline decision-making, and build a smarter, more efficient business without a half-million-dollar data team.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🧠 The crucial difference between standard AI and Agentic AI (and why it’s the key to proactive business strategy).📊 How to finally stop “dumpster diving” through dashboards and turn fragmented data into a clear, actionable story about your customer journey.🤖 How to get the power of a full data science team—from data engineering to predictive analytics—for a fraction of the cost and complexity.📈 A new way to frame questions to your data, like "What's my best path to another half a million dollars in revenue?" and get answers in minutes, not days.💬 Why embedding analytics into your daily workflow (like Slack) makes data more accessible, collaborative, and powerful for your entire team.📝 About Harsha Mokkarala Harsha Mokkarala is the Founder and CEO of e:cue, an AI-driven business intelligence platform designed to embed full-stack, agentic AI into C-suite workflows. With over 20 years of experience in revenue leadership, he specializes in using predictive analytics and machine learning to drive growth and operational efficiency.Harsha began his career at Capital One, where he led the shift to data-driven marketing as Senior Director of Online Strategy. He later spent over a decade at 2U, serving as Chief Marketing Officer, Chief Data Scientist, and Chief Revenue Officer—helping scale the company’s revenue 10× through analytics-led go-to-market strategies.In 2024, recognizing that many GTM teams were “data rich but insight poor,” he launched e:cue to democratize data science for SMBs and enterprise leaders alike.🎯 Harsha’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "At the end of the day, it's about the customer. Customer orientation is absolutely, absolutely critical. If you are not obsessive about knowing what your customers' pain points are and constantly driving your solution towards solving that, then you're going to miss."📢 Memorable Quotes “More often than not, your data doesn't know your business. Your data is not structured to where it best describes your business or your customer journey.”“You oftentimes end up with more dashboards than you have employees or customers and then it's just sort of dumpster diving through it to find that little nugget of insight that you're looking for.”💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Audit your data chaos: Identify all the different dashboards and platforms where your business data lives. Acknowledge the fragmentation before you can fix it.✅ Obsess over the customer journey: Map out your customer's entire journey, from first ad impression to repeat purchase. Ask yourself where your data has gaps in telling that story.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit e:cue’s WebsiteConnect with Harsha on LinkedInFollow e:cue ai on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode, Brian sits down with Noelle Curtis, a visionary leader and "connector of dots" who has navigated everything from agriculture and fashion to finance and SaaS. Noelle unpacks the uncomfortable but essential truths about money, mindset, and the universal principles that govern business success, regardless of your industry. This episode is a masterclass in financial discipline, teaching you why your personal budget is the blueprint for your business's success and why "paying yourself" isn't a luxury—it's a necessity.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business💰 How to shift your mindset from "money" (something scarce) to "capital" (a tool for growth).📊 Why your personal financial habits are a direct predictor of your business's financial health.🚀 The truth about setting revenue goals based on the lifestyle you want, not arbitrary numbers like "$1 million."🛑 How to break the cycle of "idea hopping" and give your business the time it needs to gain traction and succeed.💸 The critical importance of paying yourself as a founder and how it impacts your ability to secure future funding.🤝 Why you can’t build a scalable business alone and how to start building a team, even on a tight budget.📝 About Noelle CurtisNoelle Curtis is a strategic business leader with a people-first approach and cross-sector expertise spanning nonprofits and for-profits. She brings deep knowledge in operations, financial analysis, and research to help businesses thrive in complex environments.Previously Director of Credit to Capital at Chicago Sunshine Enterprises, she managed $2M in funding and now leads the Community Micro Equity Fund Program, supporting early-stage businesses. Noelle also founded Pretty Dapper P.C., a top-performing Chicago day spa, and directed business development at New Covenant CDC, allocating over $1M to community ventures.Her latest venture, Bisi Blvd. Inc., is a hybrid SaaS/Fintech company creating digital tools for startups. With certifications in finance, tech, real estate, and operations, Noelle has coached over 200 entrepreneurs and facilitated access to $3M+ in capital.🎯 Noelle’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs"Be patient with yourself, because even your business style is going to change the longer you are an entrepreneur… give yourself the grace to make mistakes as well."📢 Memorable Quotes"If you're not managing a thousand dollars, how can you possibly manage $100,000? Oftentimes people are not honest with themselves about where they are in their financial journey.""I like to describe cash flow as you're putting money out into the world with the expectation it's going to bring its friends back to you.""A lot of entrepreneurs just, they don't want to take the time to grow a company. They want instantaneous results. And I like to level set with people. It's not going to happen."💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Conduct an honest audit of your personal budget. Before you can manage your company's finances, you must have a clear picture of your own.✅ Add a line item to your business budget for your own salary. Even if it’s small to start, this builds a crucial habit and proves your business's viability.✅ Set a concrete time commitment for your current business idea. Stop the temptation to "idea hop" by giving your current venture the dedicated time it needs to mature.✅ Define your revenue goals based on your ideal lifestyle needs, not a random, impressive-sounding number. What do you actually need to earn?🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Bisi Blvd.'s WebsiteConnect with Noelle on LinkedIn