1164: Why you're losing sales... and how storytelling can fix it w/ Mitchell Schuckman

Mitchell Schuckman spent nearly four decades at a global accounting and consulting firm, but his story is anything but typical. In this episode, we celebrate the launch of his new business—and his book—that showcase his passion for coaching, leadership, and the art of storytelling. From redefining sales through empathy to making career pivots that align with purpose, Mitchell’s journey is packed with lessons for any entrepreneur who wants to lead authentically and connect meaningfully.Whether you're an executive, a coach, or a creative entrepreneur, this episode will challenge you to think about business not just as numbers—but as people, stories, and moments that matter.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🧠 Why sales isn't about "selling"—it's about relating through empathy and curiosity🗣️ How to use personal storytelling to win more business and deepen relationships🛠️ Mitchell’s formula for turning everyday experiences into client-converting stories🪞 How to help clients untangle personal and professional challenges with clarity🎯 The mindset shift from “winning vs. losing” to “learning and growing”🧩 What triggers meaningful change in business—and how to identify them in yourself📚 The behind-the-scenes process of launching a book using stories + AI📝 About the Guest Mitchell Schuckman is the founder of The Schuckman Group, an executive coaching and leadership development firm launched after a successful career as a partner at a global consulting firm. He’s a professional certified coach, sales strategist, and now author of I'll Tell You a Great Story: Building Closer Relationships and Winning in Business Through Storytelling. Mitchell brings a uniquely human approach to business – blending empathy, storytelling, and decades of leadership experience to help others succeed with clarity and confidence.🎯 Guest’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Be your authentic self. Approach others in business with empathy and curiosity.”🔑 Key Takeaways from His Advice: ✔ Authenticity builds trust—and trust builds business ✔ Empathy and curiosity are the new power skills in sales and leadership ✔ You’ll succeed faster by embracing who you truly are instead of trying to “perform” business📢 Memorable Quotes “Selling is relating. If you care about people, you can be great at sales.” – Mitchell Schuckman “Our whole lives are stories—your job is to find the ones others can see themselves in.” – Mitchell Schuckman “I never lose. I either win or I learn.” – Mitchell Schuckman💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Reframe sales as relationship-building—ask better questions, listen deeper ✅ Start collecting your own stories—every experience can become a teaching moment ✅ When facing business stress, zoom out and separate personal vs. professional challenges ✅ Don’t wait for January 1st—use today as your fresh start to reach the next level🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit The Schuckman Group’s WebsiteConnect with Mitchell on LinkedInFollow The Schuckman Group on Instagram

In this episode, we’re diving into the mind of a three-time CIO and CTO who’s taken his decades of experience leading top 100 firms and brought it straight to small business owners like you. Azunna Anyanwu is the founder of The Agile CIO, where he helps entrepreneurs strategically and tactically harness tech to scale smarter—not just faster.Azunna doesn’t just understand tech—he understands how to align it with business growth. From streamlining operations to embracing AI with intention, this episode is a masterclass in thinking big while staying lean. Whether you’re tech-savvy or tech-averse, Azunna will change how you view your systems, workflows, and scalability.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🔌 The difference between a CTO and CIO—and why it matters for your business🛠️ How to map your tech stack and identify overlapping tools that are wasting time and money🧩 Why every small business should conduct a systems + workflow audit🤖 How to approach AI with a “fast follower” mindset (and avoid bleeding-edge distractions)🧱 The power of aligning technology decisions with long-term business goals💼 How Azunna built his own business tech stack using the same framework he uses for clients⏳ Why “just-in-time planning” is the agile secret weapon for sustainable growth📝 About the Guest Azunna Anyanwu is the Founder of The Agile CIO and an award-winning technology executive with over 20 years of experience in IT operations, cybersecurity, and technology strategy. A trusted advisor and servant leader, he helps organizations strengthen their tech operations and close critical cybersecurity and IT gaps.Azunna has held CIO and CTO roles at three Top 100 accounting firms and previously served as Director of IT for a federal government contractor. He began his career in Big 4 consulting, delivering solutions for state and federal agencies.His broad expertise spans business process reengineering, strategic planning, and technical leadership across both public and private sectors.Azunna holds degrees in Computer Science from Harvard University and The Johns Hopkins University, along with an MBA from the Quantic School of Business and Technology.🎯 Guest’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Embrace the journey. The ups and downs will grow you, and you’ll discover strengths you didn’t know you had.”💡 Key takeaways from Azunna's advice:✅ Entrepreneurship isn’t linear—success comes from staying committed through the highs and lows✅ You don’t need all the answers to start—just a willingness to learn and iterate✅ If you’re solving a real business problem, there’s always someone who needs your help📢 Memorable Quotes“Technology is just a means to an end. It has to make sense for your business goals.” – Azunna Anyanwu“Don’t fall for the shiny object—start with the problem and build your tech around that.” – Azunna Anyanwu💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Conduct a tech + systems audit to identify inefficiencies and overlaps ✅ Create a roadmap before chasing new tools—prioritize what actually moves the needle ✅ Define your “just-in-time” systems list: what you’ll need next quarter, not next year ✅ Approach AI with purpose—identify a business challenge first, then see if AI solves it🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit The Agile CIO’s WebsiteConnect with Azunna on LinkedIn

In this powerful episode, Kris Rohman—founder of ROH Consulting—dives deep into the operational, cultural, and leadership challenges that entrepreneurs face as they grow. With a background in marketing and operations for Fortune 100 companies and experience as a COO and President, Kris shares the frameworks he now uses to help founders regain control and scale sustainably. This conversation is packed with real talk about the messy middle of entrepreneurship, what it really takes to build a high-performing team, and how to avoid common pitfalls as you grow.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🧭 How to regain control of your business and define a clear path for growth📊 Why culture and accountability—not just sales—are the backbone of scaling🛠️ How to implement operational systems like EOS to create team alignment👥 What strong culture actually looks like—and how to build it through trust💸 Why scaling too fast without infrastructure is a hidden risk for founders🔁 How to structure weekly, quarterly, and annual goals for real momentum🤝 Why you can’t be both visionary and integrator—and how to delegate the right way📝 About the Guest Kris Rohman is the founder of ROH Consulting, specializing in helping business owners streamline operations, align teams, and drive sustainable growth. With over 20 years of experience leading marketing initiatives for Fortune 100 companies and scaling businesses through strategic initiatives, Kris delivers hands-on expertise and proven frameworks to unlock efficiency and growth.🎯 Kris’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Always bet on yourself—because if you trust yourself, you’ll figure out the way.” Key takeaways from this advice: ✔ Trusting yourself is foundational to making bold entrepreneurial moves ✔ Challenges are inevitable, but betting on yourself gives you the drive to push through ✔ Success comes from believing in your value and your ability to adapt📢 Memorable Quotes “Investing inward allows you to grow outward.” – Kris Rohman “Culture isn’t perks—it’s trust. That’s the real foundation.” – Kris Rohman “You can’t just push sales to solve your problems. Growth needs infrastructure.” – Kris Rohman💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Audit your business quarterly: what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to shift ✅ Use a scorecard to track weekly metrics that signal momentum and health ✅ Clarify your unique ability—and delegate anything outside of it ✅ Don’t just write core values—live them as a leadership team ✅ Build trust as the foundation of your culture, not just fun perks🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit ROH Consulting’s WebsiteConnect with Kris on LinkedIn

If you're still trying to do everything in your business manually, this episode is for you. Aarti Anand is the founder of Kodenyx AI, where she helps B2B CEOs and founders automate the most time-wasting parts of their business using intelligent AI agents. From lead nurturing to client onboarding, her systems run like a 24/7 team without the burnout, mood swings, or payroll.But this episode goes far beyond tech—it’s about mindset, lifestyle design, and challenging outdated beliefs about entrepreneurship. Aarti shares how she left a 15-year product leadership career to create a freedom-first business that aligns with her values, family, and vision. If you’re ready to work less and achieve more, don’t miss this conversation.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🤖 How to build AI agents that do the heavy lifting in your sales process (without sounding robotic)🧠 The mindset shift that every modern entrepreneur needs to thrive in the AI era🚪 The drip matrix that reveals which business tasks you should automate or delegate💡 Why identifying your top 3 bottlenecks is the first step to scaling with ease💬 How prompt engineering and internal SOPs turn AI into a top-performing team member🧭 Why “thinking in workflows, not tasks” leads to exponential growth🌍 How to build a location-independent business that supports your dream lifestyle📝 About AartiAarti Anand is a dedicated mother of three and the proud owner of two dogs, balancing her family life with an impressive career as a product leader spanning nearly fifteen years. Her passion for innovation led her to venture into entrepreneurship, focusing on integrating AI into business workflows. This transition provided Aarti with the freedom to oversee her work from anywhere, aligning with her desire to prioritize her family and personal values. Her journey reflects a commitment to both professional success and being present for her growing children, aging parents, and cherished pets.🎯 Aarti’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs“Have your ‘why’ so clear that even on the days you want to give up, you still hang on and take one step forward.”Key Takeaways from Aarti's Advice: ✔ Your “why” is the anchor that keeps you steady during the hardest days ✔ Don’t chase money—chase the lifestyle and impact you truly want ✔ All it takes is one action to break through confusion and build momentum📢 Memorable Quotes“If you have SOPs that can train a human, we can turn them into an AI agent that runs your business while you sleep.” – Aarti Anand“Don’t automate the parts of your business that light you up—automate what drains you.” – Aarti Anand💡 Actionable Takeaways✅ Identify the 3 biggest bottlenecks in your business before implementing AI✅ Use the drip matrix to categorize what to automate, delegate, or do yourself✅ Train AI agents using your SOPs, marketing material, and Loom transcripts✅ Focus on workflows that generate revenue while freeing up your time✅ Adopt a mindset of “solution-seeking” instead of clinging to old ways of working🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Kodenyx AI’s WebsiteConnect with Aatri on LinkedIn

What if the process of renovating or building your home could actually be smooth, collaborative, and even enjoyable? That’s the mission Carl Nelson is on. With a background in architecture for national giants like Starbucks and McDonald's, Carl is now transforming the residential construction industry through his company, Visual.In this episode, you’ll discover how Carl is redesigning not just homes—but the entire process behind them. From developing smarter systems to embracing transparency and collaboration, Carl’s entrepreneurial journey is packed with insights for anyone looking to build a business that solves big, broken problems.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🛠 How to identify industry pain points and build a business that fixes them💡 Why clarity, transparency, and systems are your secret weapons in any service-based business🤝 How to build collaborative tools that streamline client experience and reduce overwhelm🧠 Why mindset and self-awareness are key to staying resilient as a founder🏗 How to bring enterprise-level professionalism into small business service models🧭 Why patience is your biggest asset when building a business that disrupts the status quo📝 About Carl Carl Nelson is an architect and entrepreneur with experience in both residential and commercial construction. After working with household names like Starbucks and McDonald’s, Carl saw an opportunity to bring the same high standards of efficiency and clarity to the fragmented world of home construction. Through his company Visual, Carl guides homeowners through a four-step design and construction journey using custom systems and tools he developed from decades of experience. He’s on a mission to transform the customer experience in remodeling and building—and he's not afraid to challenge the outdated norms of the industry.🎯 Carl’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs“It takes longer than you think. You just have to have patience.” – Carl NelsonKey Takeaways: ✔ Big impact takes big time—so set long-term expectations ✔ Patience isn’t passive; it’s a strategy for growth ✔ Progress comes through small, continuous refinements📢 Memorable Quotes“Most people expect remodeling to be a nightmare. We’re on a mission to change that.” – Carl Nelson“Every time I get a new bid, it’s more expensive than the last. We need to make remodeling smarter and more affordable.” – Carl Nelson“Skateboarding taught me everything about business—falling, learning, repeating.” – Carl Nelson💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Build processes that make your client’s experience easier—not harder ✅ Use tools like Smartsheet or Notion to centralize communication and data ✅ Seek out collaborators who are aligned with your mission—not just your price point ✅ Focus on solving real problems, not chasing short-term trends ✅ Embrace the mindset of iteration: tweak, test, improve, repeat🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Visual’s WebsiteConnect with Carl on LinkedIn

What happens when two moms-turned-entrepreneurs spot a glaring gap in the market and decide to go all in? You get WanderFull—a stylish, purpose-driven brand that's taken the hydration world by storm and landed features from Oprah, The Today Show, and Women’s Health. In this episode, Lisa Watkins and Katie Hill share how they built their thriving eCommerce business by combining fashion, wellness, and sustainability into one must-have product.From the kitchen-table prototype to major retail deals, they unpack what it takes to find product-market fit, scale fast, and stay aligned as cofounders. Their honesty, energy, and tactical insights make this episode a goldmine for any entrepreneur ready to build something bold from scratch.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business ✅ How to find your “white space” and dominate it before anyone else does ✅ Why complementary cofounders can be your greatest business asset ✅ How trade shows helped them scale to 100+ wholesale customers in weeks ✅ The lean market validation tactics they used before going all in ✅ What to do when a SKU flops—and how to spot your next bestseller ✅ How they went from pop-up booths to Oprah’s Favorite Things in one year ✅ Why launching a brand (not just a product) is the real path to long-term growth📝 About the Guests Katie Hill has built a diverse career across multiple industries. She began as a product manager in Silicon Valley, later advancing her skills with a business degree. Katie joined Unilever, where she specialized in brand management and consumer insights. Balancing her career with family life proved challenging, prompting her to transition into consumer insights consulting. Eventually, she found her way into real estate, where she thrived but struggled with the weekend demands. This experience inspired her to pursue entrepreneurship, allowing her to balance professional ambitions with family time.Lisa Watkins is a dynamic entrepreneur who has been inspiring those around her for over a decade. Initially meeting through a PTA fundraiser that showcased her knack for leadership and collaboration, Lisa's entrepreneurial spirit quickly became evident. As neighbors turned friends, she took the bold step to pursue her passion for business, inviting others to join her journey. Her leadership and vision have been a guiding force, and together with her friends, she has embraced the entrepreneurial path with enthusiasm and determination, never looking back.🎯 Guests’ BEST Pieces of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and EntrepreneursKatie Hill: “Perfection is the enemy of progress—go for B+ work and keep moving forward.” Katie’s advice is all about momentum. She reminds us that you’ll never know everything, but you can learn anything. Start scrappy, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to fail forward.Lisa Watkins: “Just get off the sidelines and do it—every small step builds your confidence.” Lisa’s advice is about trusting your gut and taking action. She shares how early wins gave them the courage to keep going, and how entrepreneurship is a series of trying new things and learning as you go.🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit WanderFull’s WebsiteFollow WanderFull on InstagramFind WanderFull on FacebookFollow WanderFull on TikTok

In this episode, Brian sits down with Tom Sprinkle, a longtime technologist and entrepreneur who's been at the forefront of emerging tech since the early days of the internet. Tom shares how he's helping everyday businesses tap into the real power of AI—not just for content creation, but for operations, automation, and customer experience.Listeners will walk away with a grounded, practical understanding of how AI is being used beyond the hype—and how to actually plug it into your own business, even if you're not a techie. Tom's sales-driven, people-first mindset makes AI feel approachable and immediately useful.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🤖 How to use AI to solve real operational problems (not just make viral content)💬 Why understanding your customers is the key to choosing between automation and human experience🛠️ The 4 business areas where AI can be implemented fast—even without technical expertise💡 What most businesses get wrong about AI (and how to fix it with one mindset shift)🚀 Why automation isn't just about efficiency—it's a massive opportunity for scalability📊 How to analyze your team’s daily processes and identify 6-figure opportunities for automation🔍 Why the “pain or gain” framework is the best place to start your AI strategy📝 About the Guest Tom Sprinkle is a self-described early adopter with a passion for exploring new technologies and empowering others to leverage them. After graduating from UNC Chapel Hill, he began his career in 1992 with AT&T, rising to become a liaison between sales branches and Bell Labs. His drive for innovation led him to AT&T’s Emerging Technologies team, where he helped launch three of the first e-commerce buying platforms. “I was there when the internet took off,” he recalls.After AT&T, Tom moved to California and continued selling emerging business technologies. He stepped down as EVP of PSI Network to launch BlueCrush Technologies and co-founded Epik, a pioneering POTS replacement solution. In mid-2024, Tom relocated to Chattanooga, TN, and refocused BlueCrush on artificial intelligence (AI), inspired by the city's vibrant tech community.Today, Tom helps businesses harness AI to transform operations and enhance customer experiences. Outside of work, he enjoys exploring the outdoors and cherishes time with his family. He is a part of Rotary Int'l and very involved in the Marriage Ministry of The Relationship Resource.🎯 Tom’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "There are riches in niches—focus, and go deep where it counts."📢 Memorable Quotes“I’m not the guy writing the LLMs—but gosh, do I know how to use them.” – Tom Sprinkle“Automation is where the real magic of AI begins. Once you build it, it scales infinitely.” – Tom Sprinkle“Know your customer. That tells you whether to lead with empathy or algorithm.” – Tom Sprinkle💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Identify one manual task in your business that takes up too much time—then explore how to automate it ✅ Use AI tools to brainstorm and summarize ideas, but you bring the strategy ✅ Don’t treat AI like a gimmick—embed it where it actually improves customer experience ✅ Map your workflows and ask: is this a job for a human, or a system?🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit BlueCrush AI’s WebsiteConnect with Tom on LinkedIn

Branding isn’t just about logos—it’s about emotion, connection, and storytelling. In this dynamic episode, co-founders of KANSO Creative, Andrew Walker and Hayden Anderson, pull back the curtain on how they help small businesses become unforgettable brands. From their design philosophies rooted in Japanese aesthetics to their client stories that spark real emotional resonance, Andrew and Hayden prove that great branding starts with knowing who you are.Whether you're just starting out or looking to elevate your presence, this episode is packed with branding gold and actionable insights to help you stand out in a crowded market.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🎯 Why branding is more than a logo—and how to build a brand with soul🧠 How the “KANSO Hierarchy” can help you prioritize branding, websites, and social media🎙️ The exact questions to ask to uncover YOUR unique story (even if you think you don’t have one)🌐 Why your website is more important than your Instagram feed for business credibility🎨 How to align visuals, messaging, and vibe to create a truly cohesive brand💬 What small businesses get wrong about storytelling—and how to fix it fast📈 How branding consistency builds trust and drives growth📝 About the Guests Andrew Walker and Hayden Anderson are the co-founders of the KANSO creative, a brand identity and digital marketing firm dedicated to helping independent and community-rooted businesses tell their stories and stand out. With a shared background in design, branding, and strategy, Andrew and Hayden have built a company that transforms businesses into unforgettable brands through intentional storytelling and innovative design. Their expertise spans custom website development, SEO, social media management, and brand identity creation—all aimed at helping businesses thrive in an increasingly digital world. Today, they’re here to share insights on the power of branding, the role of storytelling in business, and how companies can elevate their presence in a crowded marketplace.🎯 Andrew & Hayden's BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs 🗣️ “Tell your story to yourself. Then share it—even if it feels cringey.” – Hayden Anderson 🗣️ “Motivation comes and goes—consistency is what creates success.” – Andrew Walker📢 Memorable Quotes“A logo is your smile—branding is your whole personality.” – Andrew Walker“Your story is the bridge between you and your audience. Tell it boldly.” – Hayden Anderson💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Revisit your brand story—write it down and practice saying it out loud ✅ Don’t build a website until your brand identity is crystal clear ✅ Audit where your brand shows up (email, social, signage)—then unify it ✅ Record a short video sharing your “why”—and post it (cringe and all!) ✅ Map out your customer journey and align every touchpoint with your brand voice🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit The KANSO Creative’s WebsiteFollow The KANSO Creative on InstagramFind The KANSO Creative on FacebookFollow The KANSO Creative on LinkedInConnect with Hayden on LinkedInConnect with Andrew on LinkedIn

Chris Johnson is on a mission to make data-driven decision-making easy, affordable, and accessible for small businesses. As the founder of PeerView AI, Chris is transforming what was once costly, manual market research into a streamlined, AI-powered service that gives entrepreneurs revenue estimates, competitor benchmarks, and location-specific insights. In this episode, Chris shares how small businesses can finally harness the power of data without needing internal analytics teams or massive budgets. His background in lending and economics offers a unique lens into why most businesses fail—and how we can prevent that.Whether you’re thinking about launching or already growing your business, this episode will show you how to de-risk your decisions and leverage data like the big players do.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🔎 How to benchmark your business—even without your own data📊 Why revenue is a better metric than profit when making strategic decisions🧠 How AI is making “consulting as a service” affordable for small businesses🧩 The #1 mistake founders make when launching in the wrong location or market🚧 Why most failures come from bad assumptions (and how to fix that)🏗️ How to set up your business model using real-world competitor insights📍 The surprising importance of density and micro-location data in business planning📝 About the Guest Chris Johnson is the Founder and CEO of PeerView AI, where he is transforming how small businesses access data-driven insights. With a deep background in lending and payments, Chris combines hands-on expertise in credit underwriting with a keen understanding of the complexities of the U.S. small business landscape. Now, with PeerView AI, he’s bringing powerful market intelligence directly to small business owners, helping them level the playing field with data-driven decision-making.🎯 Chris’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs "Talk to your customers—constantly. It's the only way to build a product people actually need."Key takeaways from Chris's advice: ✔ Every pivot or insight starts from real conversations—not assumptions ✔ Don’t just listen to what customers say—watch for patterns in their needs ✔ Whether you're pre-launch or scaling, never stop talking to your market📢 Memorable Quotes “Most businesses don’t fail because of execution—they fail because of bad assumptions.” – Chris Johnson “You don’t need your own data to make smart decisions. You just need the right external insights.” – Chris Johnson “AI isn’t here to replace jobs—it’s here to make impossible services finally affordable.” – Chris Johnson💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Before launching, benchmark your business idea using competitor revenue data ✅ Don’t strive to be “average”—use industry benchmarks to exceed them ✅ Focus on external market signals, not just your internal gut ✅ Use AI to automate the grunt work of research so you can focus on decisions🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit PeerView AI’s WebsiteConnect with Chris on LinkedIn

What if getting laid off was actually the best thing that ever happened to your career? That’s exactly the mindset shift that drove today’s guest, Cara Gibson-Gallop, from being a laid-off corporate marketer to a thriving entrepreneur—and now the founder of Autonomy, a company that helps others do the same. In this episode, Cara shares how she turned a vulnerable career moment into a purpose-driven business, how she empowers laid-off professionals and recent grads to build freelance businesses, and why every 9-to-5er should have a side hustle.Cara’s story is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and creating systems that scale. Whether you're still in a job or running a business, this episode will change how you think about income, opportunity, and your ability to take control.💡 What You'll Take Away For YOUR Business🚀 Why your side hustle is more than just extra income—it’s your freedom plan🔁 How to transform career setbacks (like layoffs) into business springboards💡 The exact framework Cara uses to help people build consulting/freelance offers🛠️ Why your business should start with a strong offer—not a logo or website🧠 The mindset shift that separates wantrepreneurs from entrepreneurs📣 How to confidently "sell" your skills—even if you're new to business🏗️ Why companies are paying her to help their former employees become entrepreneurs📝 About the Guest Cara Gibson Gallop is a former New York ad agency exec turned startup founder. After being laid off multiple times early in her career, she decided to never rely on a single income stream again. Her side hustle soon eclipsed her corporate salary, and she took the leap to become a full-time entrepreneur. Today, she's the founder and CEO of Autonomi.Systems, a platform that helps laid-off professionals and recent graduates turn their skills into consulting or freelance businesses. Cara's mission is to revolutionize how we experience layoffs by turning them into launchpads.🎯 Cara’s BEST Piece of Advice for Wantrepreneurs and Entrepreneurs “Keep coming back to your why. That’s your fuel. Revisit it quarterly or even more often—it keeps you aligned, energized, and unstoppable.”3 Takeaways from Cara's Advice: ✔ Revisit your goals and motivations often—they evolve as you grow ✔ Your why is your greatest defense against burnout ✔ A strong personal reason gives your business purpose and power📢 Memorable Quotes“Every time you're afraid to tell someone about your business, it's selfish. There’s someone out there who needs what you have.” – Cara Gibson-Gallop“If your offer aligns with your why, nothing can knock you down.” – Cara Gibson-Gallop“Build your business around your life, not the other way around.” – Cara Gibson -allop💡 Actionable Takeaways ✅ Audit your LinkedIn—start nurturing your network now before you need it ✅ Don’t wait until your side hustle replaces your salary—jump sooner ✅ Build your offer before worrying about a website or branding ✅ Reframe layoffs as opportunities to build something better ✅ Write out your why and revisit it quarterly—it’ll steer your direction🔗 Links & ResourcesVisit Autonomi’s WebsiteFollow Cara on InstagramConnect with Cara on LinkedIn