Episode 809: What's Working Best from Q1 in 2026 PART 1

Feeling like the marketplace is a bit "off" lately? We're living through a massive shift where fast and easy has become a commodity, and listen up because people are over it! Today, we do a deep dive and look back at the quarter just finished, and share with you what's working best right now in online business to help you cut through the incredible amount of noise that exists in the marketplace.  This is just Part One though! Join us next Monday for Part Two, as we look at the biggest opportunity to enhance and improve your offers to make them more irresistible in 2026, how we can all improve the delivery of our programs as Digital CEOs, and we reveal the ways you should be using AI, plus a whole lot more!  Ready to stop thinking like a marketer and start operating like a true business owner? We're kicking off a powerful, brand-new experience on June 11th called the Business Breakthrough Experience. This is specifically designed to help you audit your strategy, find your unique human edge, and cause that next quantum leap in your results. Head over to www.businessbydesign.net right now to get on the priority list and save your seat! Want to go even deeper? Come hang out with me this Wednesday for a free Breakthrough Coaching session! I'll be sharing the exact exercises and audits you can use to coach yourself, and I'll even be bringing people on live to work through their biggest bottlenecks in real time. It's totally free to join, just head over to www.jameswedmore.com/breakthrough to check the session times and register to save your spot! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  Why the rise of AI is actually creating a massive surge in demand for high-quality, human-centric marketing A recent study that shows consumer enthusiasm for AI-generated content has plummeted massively How to create a unique, non-replicable brand that separates you from the commodity competition, using an example with a banana The big reasons that intentional platforms like Podcasts and YouTube are winning over "distractionary" short-form social media content Why the hardest projects, like my current Star Wars room build, are the ones that provide the most fulfillment and growth How I would take one dedicated podcast listener over 10,000 "doom scroll" views any day A reminder that webinars and launches aren't dead, but there is something that needs to shift My thoughts on surviving the gauntlet and what every entrepreneur must face to build a solid foundation, instead of relying on just luck  A special preview of what we have coming next week on the show and something special we're bringing to you June 11th, 2026 to help lead you to the next quantum leap in your business  For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/809 

As entrepreneurs, money impacts every aspect of our businesses, from pricing, team expenses, taxes, and more. But true success goes beyond just having money; it's about fostering a healthy and abundant relationship with it. So today, we're bringing you back a classic and re-airing a conversation I had with Kate in April 2025 on how to get good with money, because what she has to say about these topics just can't be ignored!  Looking to makeover your relationship with Money this Spring? Join Kate for her FREE 3-Part Live training this April! Upgrade your money patterns, unlock rock-solid systems that work for you, and create the kind of financial support that lets income feel steady, spacious, and sustainable - without working harder. Kate Northrup's Good With Money Workshop Free Workshop Day 1: April 9th Free Workshop Day 2: April 14th Free Workshop Day 3: April 16th This Is For YOU If You're Ready To: Expand without increasing pressure. Build financial infrastructure that actually supports their ambition. Make bigger decisions without second-guessing themselves. Turn income into something that feels steady, not fragile. Feel supported by their money — instead of carrying it alone. Register to join Kate Live April 9th - 16th at www.jameswedmore.com/kate Get on the Stellar Coach Priority List! To be the first to know when the next spots open and get access to the powerful coaching tools designed to help you create deeper breakthroughs and transformational results, go to www.jameswedmore.com/coach!  Want my Business Profitability Playbook? Come follow me on IG and DM me PROFIT and I'll send it over! And don't forget, if you want to be the first to know when Jenni reopens the doors to her monthly meditation membership, The InnerStellar Collective? If you're craving more intuition, mindfulness, and intentional space in your life, join the waitlist here. You'll be the first to hear what's coming next - go to www.bbdcoaching.com/innerstellarcollective. ✨ If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore, @jenniwedmore and @katenorthrup. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  That everyone has money issues and the deep-seated feelings it often brings up in us  Kate's personal realization that led to recognizing her unhealthy patterns related to money  How behaviors with money are not always logical and often stem from a person's nervous system A reminder to separate your self-worth from external validation and the role that feeling safe plays in this conversation about money  How most of us were not taught how to fully process emotions in the moment, leading to accumulated stress that negatively impacts our financial behavior and decision-making Why it's important to challenge the common belief that more money equates to more happiness  Whether or not it is possible to reach our full earning potential without healing our money trauma  An invitation to learn more from Kate and join her at live workshop (April 2026)  For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/808 

One of the most common dilemmas facing entrepreneurs today is the "more money, more problems" trap. If you're tired of living launch-to-launch and want to start building the infrastructure that allows your wealth to grow without you working harder, then this episode is for you. My dear friend and money mindset expert Kate Northrup is back on the podcast today to reveal how you can transform your relationship with money, and I'm excited to share this one because there's no one that does this type of work better than her!  Looking to makeover your relationship with Money this Spring? Join Kate for her FREE 3-Part Live training this April! Upgrade your money patterns, unlock rock-solid systems that work for you, and create the kind of financial support that lets income feel steady, spacious, and sustainable - without working harder. Kate Northrup's Good With Money Workshop Free Workshop Day 1: April 9th Free Workshop Day 2: April 14th Free Workshop Day 3: April 16th This Is For YOU If You're Ready To: Expand without increasing pressure. Build financial infrastructure that actually supports their ambition. Make bigger decisions without second-guessing themselves. Turn income into something that feels steady, not fragile. Feel supported by their money — instead of carrying it alone. Register to join Kate Live April 9th - 16th at www.jameswedmore.com/kate Get on the Stellar Coach Priority List! To be the first to know when the next spots open and get access to the powerful coaching tools designed to help you create deeper breakthroughs and transformational results, go to www.jameswedmore.com/coach!  Want my Business Profitability Playbook? Come follow me on IG and DM me PROFIT and I'll send it over! And don't forget, if you want to be the first to know when Jenni reopens the doors to her monthly meditation membership, The InnerStellar Collective? If you're craving more intuition, mindfulness, and intentional space in your life, join the waitlist here. You'll be the first to hear what's coming next - go to www.bbdcoaching.com/innerstellarcollective. ✨ If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore, @jenniwedmore and @katenorthrup. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  What's really happening when you get a hollow feeling after hitting a massive financial goal, only to realize that money alone is not a cure for internal lack The two pillars of true wealth and how your financial results are built on them Money as a "fertilizer" and why it really only grows what is already there The reasons that throwing money at expensive agencies is often an entrepreneurial cop-out Insights to understand the feminine flow of money and the requirement of masculine systems to be directed into something powerful  Why money is naturally magnetized toward joy and aliveness, and how performance pressure actually acts as a repellant to the very abundance you're chasing We discuss the shift from "wanting what you don't have" to the high-frequency state of "wanting what you already have" A candid look at how even high-earning entrepreneurs can live paycheck to paycheck on a million dollars if their money engineering isn't elegant and automated Kate and I get real about the "gross" side of high-ticket offers that sell certain wealth codes or frequency without providing actual strategy or receipts Why spending money on things that satisfy lifelong dreams or provide personal joy is the ultimate use of abundance and some examples of our own past purchases For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/807 

I've always said great musicians don't just play notes; they hear the music differently than the rest of us. They have "ear training." In this final installment of our coaching series, Jenni and I show you how to develop that same level of acuity for your coaching conversations. If you want to move past being a content creator and start becoming a master of results, you have to stop looking at what your clients are doing and start listening to the beliefs they are holding. I'm walking you through my exact plan of attack for dismantling the invisible architecture of a client's limitations. We're breaking down the A-B-C Framework, showing you how to cut the tape that holds those disempowering thoughts together, and a whole lot more. You'll hear how I'm living proof that your current "OS" isn't a life sentence; it's just a set of beliefs that haven't been challenged yet. So, this episode is about more than just coaching tactics; it's about walking yourself, and your clients, back to the Truth!  Get on the Stellar Coach Priority List! To be the first to know when the next spots open and get access to the powerful coaching tools designed to help you create deeper breakthroughs and transformational results, go to www.jameswedmore.com/coach!  Want my Business Profitability Playbook? Come follow me on IG and DM me PROFIT and I'll send it over! And don't forget, if you want to be the first to know when Jenni reopens the doors to her monthly meditation membership, The InnerStellar Collective? If you're craving more intuition, mindfulness, and intentional space in your life, join the waitlist here. You'll be the first to hear what's coming next - go to www.bbdcoaching.com/innerstellarcollective. ✨ If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  Why every belief contains a perceived truth and how I use the A-B-C Framework to map out a client's mental traps How to use "Linguistic Parables" and quotations to slip a breakthrough past your client's "Guardian of the Mind" My simple, three-step formula for building a "Metaphor Dictionary" so you're never left searching for the right analogy in the heat of a session The way that I use one powerful sentence to dismantle the belief that "more sales" will solve a "profitability problem" A 30-step linguistic drill I designed to help you become faster, sharper, and more automatic when challenging a client's logic Why I believe great coaching isn't about making a client "wrong," but about removing the layers of separation from their higher self A vulnerable look at the version of me that thought coding my own pages was the only way to be "successful," and the journal entries that prove anyone can shift their OS Why direct confrontation triggers the ego and how to use agreement to move a client toward a new perspective For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/806 

If you are in the business of digital products, education, or coaching, you aren't just a content creator - you are in the business of solving problems and producing results. But I've learned that results rarely come from transferring more information; they come from the quality of the questions you ask. As we continue our special series on coaching, Jenni and I share the art of powerful questioning. We explore why most coaches stay stuck in "why" traps that lead to circular thinking, and how you can use the right questions, at the right time, to bypass a client's ego and spark real breakthroughs.  From chunking down multi-layered problems to using the Sherlock Holmes method to detect hidden constraints, we're giving you the exact language to transform your coaching sessions into high-impact, elegant masterclasses in this one!  Get on the Stellar Coach Priority List! To be the first to know when the next spots open and get access to the powerful coaching tools designed to help you create deeper breakthroughs and transformational results, go to www.jameswedmore.com/coach!  Want my Business Profitability Playbook? Come follow me on IG and DM me PROFIT and I'll send it over! And don't forget, if you want to be the first to know when Jenni reopens the doors to her monthly meditation membership, The InnerStellar Collective? If you're craving more intuition, mindfulness, and intentional space in your life, join the waitlist here. You'll be the first to hear what's coming next - go to www.bbdcoaching.com/innerstellarcollective. ✨ If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  The strategy you can use for bypassing your client's "guardian of the mind" and getting to the root of their challenges faster The reasons that questions starting with "Why" usually lead to self-sabotage and circular thinking, and the specific "What" questions I use instead The winning formula for opening a coaching session when a client presents five problems as if they are one Why you should never just pick one when a client lists multiple problems, and how to use recreation to establish immediate rapport The importance of using a passionately curious tonality when investigating your client's language, and how to act like Sherlock Holmes to find the real hurdle What we mean when we say that great coaching isn't about the duration of the call, but the precision of the intervention For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/805 

One of the most common dilemmas facing coaches today is the struggle between being a "teacher" of information and a true "partner" in transformation. Much like the difference between knowing a concept and embodying it, these two roles are deeply interconnected, feeding into one another to create a powerful client experience, and Jenni and I are breaking it all down for you in this one. Today we look at why the age of information is officially over, how to transition from simply gatekeeping content to producing real results, and the foundational distinctions that separate an average coach from an extraordinary one. Whether you are a brand-new coach building your first program, a seasoned mentor looking to sharpen your leadership energy, or a leader trying to understand why your clients aren't getting the results they deserve, this episode is just the foundation. Over the next few installments, we'll be diving into our favorite coaching questions, the art of intuitive guidance, and much more…so make sure you're subscribed to catch the entire series! Get on the Stellar Coach Priority List! To be the first to know when the next spots open and get access to the powerful coaching tools designed to help you create deeper breakthroughs and transformational results, go to www.jameswedmore.com/coach!  Want my Business Profitability Playbook? Come follow me on IG and DM me PROFIT and I'll send it over! And don't forget, if you want to be the first to know when Jenni reopens the doors to her monthly meditation membership, The InnerStellar Collective? If you're craving more intuition, mindfulness, and intentional space in your life, join the waitlist here. You'll be the first to hear what's coming next - go to www.bbdcoaching.com/innerstellarcollective. ✨ If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  The transformation shift that has happened and how content has become a commodity Why giving your clients more content won't solve their problems, and the strategic reason you must position yourself in the results and transformation business The reasons that giving unsolicited advice is a fast way to destroy rapport with your coaching clients Tips for "mastering the mirror" and using active listening to see a client's highest potential Why you absolutely must check your own insecurities and judgments at the door before every call, or risk losing your efficacy as a coach  How to stop viewing a client's "I don't know" as resistance and start using it as an invitation to uncover their biggest blind spots The ways in which questions create possibility while answers collapse it, and the importance of helping your clients get comfortable living in the "unknown" Why you should never rob your clients of their own "aha" moments by spoon-feeding them answers, and what you can do to lead them to their own conclusions instead How to use neutral, observable feedback to prompt breakthroughs without triggering your client's defensive ego For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/804 

One of the most common dilemmas facing entrepreneurs today is what comes first: making the money or mastering the mindset to keep it? Much like the age-old "chicken or the egg" riddle, these two pillars of business are deeply interconnected, feeding into one another to create a thriving ecosystem, and Jenni and I are breaking it all down for you in this one. Today we look at where you should start in terms of a self-audit, how the three essential skills of money help you identify exactly where you should be pouring your energy based on the current stage of your business, and so much more. Whether you are a brand-new creator building from scratch, a seasoned pro looking to scale without burnout, or a leader trying to determine why your high revenue isn't translating into profit, this episode will light the way for what to do next! Want my Business Profitability Playbook? Come follow me on IG and DM me PROFIT and I'll send it over! And don't forget, if you want to be the first to know when Jenni reopens the doors to her monthly meditation membership, The InnerStellar Collective? If you're craving more intuition, mindfulness, and intentional space in your life, join the waitlist here. You'll be the first to hear what's coming next - go to www.bbdcoaching.com/innerstellarcollective. ✨ If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  Jenni's inspiring story of launching her dream membership that was 15 years in the making Why I have zero interest in hearing you're "bad at sales" if you aren't willing to put in the 15-minute daily reps The profit margin to aim for early on in business, and the specific reason I tell people to avoid in-person hires until they hit $500k Why your business will never actually give you financial freedom, and the one thing you must do with your cashflow to actually get it My personal philosophy on why money left sitting in a business account is a liability that will always find a way to get spent A scary realization that if you have to talk to every lead for an hour to sell a digital course, your business isn't actually scalable How to use recurring and renewable revenue models to stop feeling like you're only one bad launch away from your business going under Why "getting rich fast" is the literal death of financial freedom, and how to master the  habits that actually build a portfolio What can help stop you from freaking out over every algorithm change that comes at us  For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/803 

What if I told you that 95% of the results in your business come from just 5% of your activities? And what if I told you that for most entrepreneurs, that 5% is the one thing they are actually avoiding or trying to outsource to a robot? Today, I'm talking all about messaging. I just wrapped up my  three-day Million Dollar Messaging workshop for our Next Level coaching clients, and the breakthroughs were so huge that I had to bring some of those "behind-closed-doors" strategies to the podcast. In this episode, I'm breaking down how messaging isn't just content, it's a strategic sequence designed to connect what your audience wants to what you actually sell. I reveal the million-dollar sentence that changes everything, a "Trojan Horse" technique for planting new beliefs, and so much more.  If you've been feeling like you're digging a pool with a shovel, it's time to put down the manual labor and start using the "earth mover" of your business. Let's go!  Want even more help with creating your million dollar messaging? My Conversion Cards, featuring the 54 most powerful language patterns and communication tools (all in one deck!) can be yours now for only $47 plus shipping at www.jameswedmore.com/cc47. As well, you can grab our brand-new Hooks, Headlines & Subject Lines for only an extra $37 while you are there!  If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  How to craft the core premise that makes your offer a "must-have" rather than a "nice-to-have" Why outsourcing your soul away to AI is a trap, and what it actually takes to build authority that lasts years The Curse of Coaching and the specific reason why focusing on the root cause of a problem is killing your sales How to bypass the conscious mind to shift your prospect's perspective - without them even realizing it My favorite linguistic tool for meeting your audience exactly where they are so they're ready to follow you where you want to take them For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/802 

What really happens when you put a room full of successful entrepreneurs together for three days in Sedona? Is it some "secret club" strategy that nobody else knows about? In this episode, I'm giving you an exclusive look inside our first 7-figure mastermind retreat of the year. This is the 10th year I've run this mastermind, and I'm sharing the raw, unfiltered observations of what is actually working in the online business space right now. We're diving into the framework that balances your growth, why your current plateau is actually an invitation to expand your "energetic container," and the one law of problem-solving that will change how you handle hurdles forever. If you've been feeling like you're working harder but staying in the same place, it's likely because you're running the wrong play. These are the specific patterns I'm seeing across the board with our highest-level students, and it's time for you to use what they're learning and step into the identity of a true Digital CEO too!  If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  Why the specific strategy you're using in business really accounts for less than 10% of your success A critical warning I have for you about AI and what happens when you outsource your "marketing soul" to ChatGPT How I've come to learn that 8-figure earners are just doing the basics, but bigger and better The key reasons why true, authentic expertise is the only thing that will survive in today's market A powerful restaurant metaphor and what I mean when I say that you must  add more "tables" before the Universe can send you more customers A reminder that the business with the highest Lifetime Customer Value always wins The identity shift required to move past your plateau and why your business only grows to the level of problems you're willing to handle Introducing Kidlin's Law: My favorite strategy for 7-figure problem solving For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/801   

Most entrepreneurs are obsessed with the wrong number and chasing "Total Revenue" like it's the ultimate trophy, but I'm going to tell you something that might hurt a little: Revenue is a vanity metric.  The truth is if you're making a million dollars but it costs you $950,000 to get it, you don't have a business, you have a high-stress hobby!  In this episode, we walk you through the exact framework we use to keep our operations tight and our margins high, including the one number that actually grants you freedom (and no, it's not your bank balance). We look at  the "natural drift" of waste that quietly bleeds most businesses dry and the specific expenses that actually scale your life, not just your workload. If you've ever felt like you're asleep at the wheel of your financials or you're exhausted from trying to out-earn your own overspending, this is your wake-up call. It's time to stop throwing money at your problems and start mastering the mechanics that actually support the life you want, so let's do this!  If you haven't yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter for online experts, The Digital CEO Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox every Monday morning at www.jameswedmore.com/newsletter.  Hey there, Digital CEO! If you're loving this episode and you know this is your year to finally build, launch, or scale your digital business the right way — then I've got something for you. Business By Design, my signature program that gives you everything you need to design a leveraged, profitable digital product business, only opens once a year… If you want to be the FIRST notified when doors are open, you can get on the waitlist for BBD 2026 right now. That way, you'll be the first to know when we open enrollment again (and trust me, you do not want to miss it!). Head to www.businessbydesign.net/ and join the waitlist today! Snap a screenshot of the episode playing on your device, post it to your Instagram Stories and tag us, @jameswedmore and @jenniwedmore. We'd love to hear what resonated with you the most from this episode and especially what you want covered in future ones!  In this episode you'll hear:  Why total revenue is a vanity metric and how to shift your focus to the "Operating Function" that actually keeps the lights on How to distinguish between "spending" and "investing" so you can identify the costs that actually put money back in your pocket The key reasons you should celebrate when your affiliate payouts and commissions skyrocket - and how they hedge your risk What's happening in the trap of "bleeding your margins" by over-delivering and why every digital product needs a strict fulfillment budget How to calculate your hourly worth and why paying someone to take tasks off your plate is the ultimate growth hack Why piecemealing your tech stack is costing you more in "bridge software" and broken systems than a single platform like Kajabi A warning to stop throwing $10k at freelance agencies when trying to outsource the marketing soul of your business The non-negotiable multiplier every employee must hit and why you don't need a local team until you're past $500k in revenue A step-by-step guide to the "90-day check-in" that catches subscription creep and keeps your machine running lean For full show notes and links, visit: www.mindyourbusinesspodcast.com/blog/800