Ep. 120: Turning Dreams Into Businesses ft. Shark Tank Winner Shirah Benarde, Founder of NightCap

NightCap was invented in early 2019 by then 16-year-old Shirah Benarde from West Palm Beach, Florida. The idea came to her in a dream after hearing about the horrors of drink spiking from friends who experienced it after going off to college. Fortunately, her friends were okay, but Shirah was determined to come up with a pragmatic solution to this problem to protect her and her friends when they went off to college. She also wanted to make sure the product would be something girls would feel comfortable using. The next morning, she went to her mother’s closet, grabbed a pair of pantyhose, cut them up, and attached them to a scrunchie to create the first NightCap prototype. CYA for 10% off at Better Days Co Allie Rose Co Subscription Boxes NightCapIt Website Shirah’s TikTok NightCapIt TikTok   NightCapIt Instagram Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn Alexis on Instagram Alexis on Tik Tok Alexis’s Etsy Katie on Instagram Katie on Tik Tok    Katie’s website

Unfortunately we are all familiar with it. We dread it, fear it, and are more offended by it than a 4-letter-word. What am I referring to? Why, the simple phrase “no” and a rejection of a proposed project you once felt passion for. As business owners, service providers, creators, and individuals in the marketing and sales industry, we all face rejection. It is a part of life, and even more so a part of business. In this episode Katie and Alexis brought in Lucy Bedewi to discuss how she has faced rejection in her business and career. Although it is understandable to be disappointed by the phrase “no,” what sets you apart from the crowd is how you react and move forward. Lucy is the copywriter behind the brand My Write Hand Woman. She specializes in writing personality-packed copy that converts for women-run businesses. She started her business straight out of college at age 21 and made 6-figures in her first full year in business. She’s the writer behind global companies, fast-growth start-ups, world-famous bakeries, 7-figure coaches, and many creative entrepreneurs. She uses the client’s brand voice and zesty humor to help companies stand out online, create a fun brand presence, and scale much faster. CYA20 for 20% off at Dehv Candle Co   Verb Energy Lucy’s Brand Voice Quiz Lucy on Instagram Lucy on TikTok Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn Alexis on Instagram Alexis on Tik Tok Alexis’s Etsy Katie on Instagram Katie on Tik Tok Katie’s website

We have all been at that uncomfortable spot; you know what you want something to look like, but you don’t have the ability or skill to bring it to fruition. Whether you are an artist, creator, or business owner, you know that uneasy feeling. You can recognize what the goal is, but at the moment you are unable to attain that goal. In this episode, Katie and Alexis sat down to tackle the concept of “The Gap” between your taste and your skill. “The Gap,” was coined by radio host Ira Glass. Regarding the idea he noted: “everybody I know who does interesting creative work went through a phase of years where with their good taste, they could tell what they were doing wasn’t as good as they wanted it to be… it didn’t have that special thing they wanted it to have… Everybody goes through that phase… and the most important thing you can do is do a lot of work.” Alexis and Katie went through their own experiences with battling their taste vs their skills, and provided a few helpful tips on how to grow past this struggle. If you have been feeling uneasy while developing your craft, feeling as though you aren’t quite living up to your own creative standards, then this is the episode for you! Whoa Dough  CYA10 for 10% off at Nutr Machine  Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram  Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website 

How are you being perceived by potential employers, clients, or customers? A more important question may be; how is this affecting your career and/or business? To answer these questions and provide some insight on how to put yourself and your business’s best foot forward, we brought in marketing professional, Emily McMahon. Emily is a Junior Partner and VP of Marketing & Branding at Scout Digital, a performance creative agency. Emily came to Scout after a decade of experience in entrepreneurship, marketing, and business development for multiple companies. She is passionate about supporting Vermont and New England's entrepreneurial ecosystem by bringing together young professionals, transformative business ideas, and a highly supportive community. In this episode Katie and Alexis asked for Emily’s advice on targeting your ideal client, marketing yourself as a trustworthy business owner, and how to stand out in the job market. Emily provided great perspectives on how to be someone who people want to work with and how to find jobs with companies that you actually want to work for. If you are looking to reevaluate and reinvent how you stand in the marketplace, then this is the episode for you! Oat Haus - CYA20 for 20% Off  Better Days Co - CYA for 10% Off   Scout Digital’s website  Scout Digital on Facebook  Scout Digital on Instagram  Scout Digital on LinkedIn  Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram  Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website 

It’s easy to get on LinkedIn and click a few auto-response buttons congratulating your old lab partner from sophomore year biology on his new job or your college roommate on her promotion. But have you thought about how you could be utilizing LinkedIn to your business’s advantage? Could you possibly be missing out on how LinkedIn could help you generate leads, grow sales, and make impactful connections? This week on the Check Your Aesthetic Podcast, we brought on Linkedin agency owner and coach, Lindsay Mitrosilis, to discuss everything LinkedIn for business. Lindsay specializes in LinkedIn for business owners, helping them navigate the platform for lead generation, sales, brand awareness, and driving top talent to your business. In this episode Katie and Alexis asked Lindsay for her top, actionable tips for how business owners, service providers, and creators can utilize LinkedIn to their advantage and start being more intentional with what they share on the platform. They discussed repurposing and optimizing content, how to be purposeful with your time on LinkedIn, and how to get started on a strong LinkedIn business strategy. No matter what type of business you are in, there is a place for you on LinkedIn. So if you are listening either as a LinkedIn pro or as a novice, if you run a business - this episode is for you! CYA20 for 20% off at Dehv Candle Co  CYA for 10% off at Better Days Co  Lindsay on Instagram  Lindsay on TikTok  Lindsay on LinkedIn  LinkedIn Agency  Done-For-You LinkedIn Profile Optimization  Exclusive Gary Vee LinkedIn Strategy Podcast Episode  Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram  Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website 

As a business owner, probably the most important perspective for you to consider is your client’s. How a customer will experience your service or product has a direct impact on how your business will succeed. This is why we brought on client journey expert, Devin Lee. Devin, an entrepreneur since the age of 27, is a self-proclaimed “fun big sis for your biz”. Officially, she is a Certified Online Business Manager and Certified Dubsado Specialist. She specializes in helping you get your time and energy back by perfecting your clients’ journey and putting it on autopilot. Unofficially, she is the high-energy hype woman who’ll bring a calm oasis to your business. In this episode Katie, Alexis, and Devin discussed how a perfected client experience can change the way your client perceives you and your business, what onboarding and offboarding should look like, and good ways to maintain a healthy working relationship with clients. If you have been itching to uplevel your service or product experience, then this is the episode for you! CYA10 for 10% off at Nutr  PCYAP for 15% off your first Pura order  Devin’s Website  Devin’s Instagram  Devin’s Tik Tok  Freebie: Elevated Client Journey Workbook  Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram  Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website 

When you decide to go into business for yourself, you (hopefully) knowingly accept the territories that come with that choice. You expect lifestyle changes such as small business taxes, client management, and constantly recording your every move in the means of creating social media content. However - did you expect it to affect your love life as well?? In this episode of the Check Your Aesthetic Podcast, Katie and Alexis give their perspective on dating, managing romantic relationships, and communicating with friends and family, all as creative entrepreneurs. From communication to setting boundaries, they discuss the highs and lows. If you have wondered how your business may play a part in the relationships in your life - then this is the episode for you! Pura  Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram  Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok Katie’s website 

Do you have an idea for an innovative business but are afraid to step outside your comfort zone? This week’s guest, Leda Akyuz, knows exactly that feeling. Founder of Woof and Wonder, a colorful lifestyle brand for dogs and their owners, started her business after years of corporate life. In this episode Katie, Alexis, and Leda discussed finding your passion later in life and what that can mean for your career and entrepreneurial endeavors. After a decade of corporate life, Leda decided to finally take that scary first step towards building her business. She now runs her business full time and is here to tell you why it is important not to give up on yourself and your dreams. Better Days Co  Pura  Woof and Wonder on Instagram  Woof and Wonder on TikTok Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn Alexis on Instagram Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website 

Have you ever tried sitting down to set goals for your business (or personal life), and immediately become overwhelmed and anxious to the point where you just walk away and avoid the practice altogether? We here at the Check Your Aesthetic Podcast are very familiar with this cycle. And that is exactly why we had copywriter and email marketer Karsen Murray on to talk about her favorite way of setting and tracking goals within her business. Karsen is a professional copywriter who specializes in ethical, strategic website, sales pages, and email marketing copywriting. Through her signature Copy Week services and marketing courses, Karsen helps small business owners increase their income and impact online. Karsen's In this episode Katie Campbell and Alexis Aldrich sat down with Karsen Murray to discuss everything: goal setting, mindset, tracking and evaluating progress, and what to do in the situation that you do not meet your goals. Karsen had a lot of realistic, actionable tips for getting your business on the right track for 2023. If you have been hoping to achieve a large goal in the new year but don’t know where to start; this is the episode for you! CYA10 for 10% off at Nutr Machine  Our Last Episode With Karsen  Wet Erase Markers  Karsen's Website Karsen's Email list Karsen's Instagram Karsen's Podcast Karsen's Course: Email marketing 101 Karsen's Course: The copy week Karsen's TikTok Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website

Okay so we’ve covered how to market yourself and your business on social media. But what about offline?? I know it’s hard to conceptualize life off of social media, but it does exist (crazy, I know)! In today’s episode we are diving deep into how to market off of social media in order to cover all bases and not put all your eggs into 1-2 social platform baskets. In order to cover this topic, we brought in Holly Haynes, the owner and founder of Holly Marie Haynes and Co, as well as the Crush the Rush Planner Company. Holly discusses on her platform best practices for marketing in alternative ways. If you have been struggling with finding new ways to advertise your business, then this is the episode for you! Check Out Knack Gifts  Holly’s Website  Holly on Instagram  Crush the Rush Podcast  Check Your Aesthetic on Instagram  Check Your Aesthetic on LinkedIn  Alexis on Instagram  Alexis on Tik Tok  Alexis’s Etsy  Katie on Instagram  Katie on Tik Tok  Katie’s website