#173: What To Know Before Your First Hire

Think Court loves Halloween? You should see her in July. In today’s episode, we’re talking all about Court’s true obsession — the Fourth of July. From a week’s worth of star-spangled outfits to the newly invented “boom basket” for Mila, it’s full-on freedom flair around here. We’re sharing the story behind her love for the holiday, why the decor usually takes a back seat (but not the sparkly headbands), and how lake week has become the ultimate mid-year reset. If you’re craving a peek behind the scenes into Court’s festive spirit and maybe a little inspo for your own celebrations, this episode is for you.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/courtney-and-the-fourth-of-julyTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Ever land on your website and feel totally lost? In today’s episode, we’re talking all about UX (user experience) and why your site might not be converting the way you hoped. We’re breaking down what good navigation really looks like, the biggest mistakes we see (like too many menu options or cutesy buttons that confuse more than they convert), and how to create a clear, easy path for your audience to follow. From quick 10-second tests to offer mapping and SEO layering, you’ll learn exactly how to guide visitors so they know what you do, who it’s for, and where to click next. If your website feels more like a maze than a map, this episode is your sign to simplify... without losing your personality.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/is-your-website-navigation-confusingTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Thinking about hiring for the first time? In this episode, we’re breaking down what you really need to know before bringing someone onto your team—whether it’s a contractor, employee, or something in between. We’ll walk through how to know if you’re ready, the systems to build beforehand, and the common mistakes to avoid (yep, we’ve made a few!). If your business is growing and you're craving more support, this episode is your hiring prep guide.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/what-to-know-before-your-first-hireLinks Mentioned in This Episode: #169: https://duocollective.com/blog/learning-how-to-delegate Tuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Ever caught yourself thinking, “Am I giving away too much for free?” In this episode, we’re unpacking the fear behind sharing your expertise for free and flipping the script on what “free” really does for your brand. From trust-building to burnout boundaries, we’ll help you find the balance between generosity and protecting your energy without gatekeeping your magic. If you’ve ever wondered how much is too much or felt a little sting when people take your tips but don’t buy, this one’s for you. Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/are-you-giving-away-too-much-free-stuffTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Ever feel like you’re bad at habits? Same—until we met Alessia. In this episode, we’re unpacking why most habit advice wasn’t made with women (or moms or entrepreneurs) in mind—and how to build routines that actually work with your energy, not against it. If you’ve ever started a new routine only to “fall off” and beat yourself up... this is the reframe you’ve been waiting for. Let’s ditch the discipline shame and start designing habits that support the life (and business) you’re building.Alessia Citro is a habits expert, transformation coach, and 2x bestselling author who helps women turn everyday habits into unshakable confidence as the foundation to authentic thought leadership.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/creating-habits-that-stickTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

We hear this all the time from our clients: ‘My website just doesn’t feel like me anymore.’ Maybe you’ve outgrown it. Maybe you cringe a little every time you have to drop the link. Or maybe you're just not in a place to hire the best designer on the block—and that’s okay. We’ve been there too. So today, we’re talking about what to do when your site doesn’t reflect the business you’ve built (or the one you’re becoming). Whether you’ve DIY’d your website, you’re due for a glow-up, or you’re just not sure where to start— This is for you.And we’re not having this convo alone— we’re joined by none other than co-founder Jen from Tonic Site Shop, the queen of scroll-stopping design and punchy, personality-packed templates that actually convert. She’s here to spill her best advice on everything from DIY mistakes to knowing when it’s time for a change— and how to make your site work harder (and prettier) for you. This one’s part pep talk, part strategy session, and all the motivation you need to finally feel proud of your website again!Links Mentioned in This Episode:Save 15% on your next Tonic Site Shop Purchase with DUOCOLLECTIVE15https://duocollective.com/tonic-site-shop Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/diy-website-mistakes-with-tonic-site-shopTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

In today’s episode, we’re getting real about the one thing that helped us scale our business without burning out: delegation. We’re sharing how we went from doing all the things to building a team of six—and why letting go was the best decision we ever made. Whether you’re just getting started or knee-deep in hustle mode, this episode will help you shift your mindset, identify what to delegate, and take the first step toward more freedom, creativity, and growth. Because you don’t have to do it all to build a business you love. Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/learning-how-to-delegateTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

If you’ve ever logged into LinkedIn and felt overwhelmed by cold pitches, connection requests with sales notes, or just that general ick feeling—you’re not alone. That’s not the kind of LinkedIn energy we’re about. So today, we’re chatting with LinkedIn marketing expert Diane Marie B., who’s here to help us flip that script. This episode is all about using LinkedIn to build genuine connections, grow your audience organically, and yes—even drive leads—without acting like a robot. Let’s get into it!Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/your-guide-to-a-linkedin-marketing-strategyTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

Choosing the right SEO tool can feel overwhelming—especially when different platforms give you different numbers. In this episode, we’re comparing Semrush vs. Ubersuggest—breaking down the pros, cons, features, and which one is best depending on your business goals. Whether you’re brand new to SEO or ready to nerd out with deep-dive data, we’ll help you pick the tool that fits you. Plus, we’re sharing why it’s not about finding the “perfect” tool—it’s about finding the one that helps you stay consistent and confident in your SEO strategy.Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/ubersuggest-vs-semrushLinks Mentioned in This Episode: Free Keyword Resource: https://duocollective.com/free-seo-tools Challenge: https://duocollective.com/5-day-backlink-email-challenge Sign Up for Ubersuggest: neilpateldigital.sjv.io/7aaZ4r14-Day Free Semrush Pro Trial: https://semrush.sjv.io/c/5824244/2941232/13053Tuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/

It’s birthday week for Abbey! In this fun and totally unfiltered episode, we’re flipping the script and answering your questions—all about life behind the scenes. From childhood dreams and wild adventures to garden plans and salty vs. sweet debates, nothing’s off limits. If you’ve ever wondered what Abbey would tell her younger self or what she really misses about agency life… this one’s for you. Grab your coffee and come celebrate with us!Episode Show Notes: https://duocollective.com/blog/get-to-know-the-seo-queen-behind-duo-collectiveTuesday Tips & Sips: https://duocollective.com/subscribeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/duoonairpodcast/