Coach, Mentor, Strategist and Mastermind – What's the Difference?

Halfway through 2025, I woke up facing a massive decision that would change everything. An opportunity I'd been thinking about for five years suddenly became viable - but it meant scrapping our entire plan for the rest of the year. In this episode, I'm sharing the exact 4-step half-yearly reset framework I used to navigate this crossroads. You'll learn how to identify what's truly working in your business (versus what you think is working), conduct a brutal audit of what's draining your resources, and make strategic pivot decisions with CEO-level confidence. This isn't about chasing the next shiny object - it's about making calculated moves that amplify your existing success. Perfect for established business owners who need clarity on whether to stay the course or make a bold change. What you'll discover: • The "great ideas board" system that prevents costly distractions • How to audit what's working vs. what's draining you • The refocusing technique that cuts through decision paralysis • When to pivot your business plan mid-year (and when not to) Ready to stop second-guessing and start making moves that matter? -Sal

Ever had that fantasy where your business suddenly blows up online and everything changes overnight? In this episode, I sit down with Lisa Sjöblom—a digital growth strategist and operations expert—to unpack the real story of what happens when your business goes viral. Together, we talk about the traffic surge, the customer service avalanche, the unexpected pressure on operations… and the surprising truth that more eyeballs don’t always mean more sales. Lisa brings her no-fluff take on digital scaling, and I share what I learned from my own viral moment—the good, the chaotic, and what I’d do differently next time. If you’re building an ecommerce or retail brand, and dreaming of your “big break,” this is your reality check. Because visibility without preparation can cost you more than you think. 💬 We talk about: What actually breaks when your content takes off How to prepare your backend before growth hits The hidden costs of virality Building a business that’s built to last—not just built to go viral Let’s get into it. —Sal

What if your audience knew exactly when and why to buy—without you constantly reminding them? In this episode, I sit down with Natalie Santini, founder of Sew Hungry Hippie, to unpack how she turned her loyal followers into paying customers—from day one. With no marketing degree, no fancy funnels, and no burnout, Natalie built an engaged community that buys because she shows up consistently, with value and joy. Here’s what we cover: How Natalie “trains” her audience to purchase without being pushy The secret sauce behind her repeat sales and live selling success Her strategy for balancing life, business, and creativity Why authenticity + simplicity is the new sales strategy This is for every business owner who’s tired of chasing sales and is ready to build a community that wants to buy. 🎧 Subscribe for more insights like these every week.

Can we talk about something that's been driving me absolutely crazy? I keep seeing you amazing business owners setting these big, juicy revenue goals for your promotions - and I'm talking $10K, $50K, even $100K - only to watch you hit the wall halfway through wondering if it was even possible in the first place. Sound familiar? Yeah, I thought so. Here's the thing - I used to do this too. I'd get all excited about a new promotion, pull some round number out of thin air, and declare "THAT'S my goal!" Then I'd spend the entire promotion crossing my fingers and using hope as my strategy. Spoiler alert: Hope is NOT a strategy, beautiful. In today's episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on exactly how to stop guessing and start reverse engineering your best promotion ever. No more disappointment, no more wondering what went wrong - just achievable, data-backed targets that you can actually hit. Remember, you've got this! Sal 

In this episode, I sit down with Cat (Catalina Viau), an inspiring entrepreneur who turned her passion for photography into a thriving, seven-figure photo booth business. We talk about her journey from a corporate insurance career to building a brand that truly stands out — focusing on branding, quality, and strategic marketing. Cat shares her insights on finding high-value clients, differentiating her business in a competitive market, and turning a side hustle into a full-fledged enterprise. If you're curious about entrepreneurship, branding, or just looking for some real inspiration, this episode is packed with lessons you won’t want to miss.   Connect with Catalina: Photo Booth Business (Canada/US/Australia): https://photoboothmastery.catalinabloch.com/ Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photoboothmastery Connect with Salena: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesalenaknight/ Podcast: https://salenaknight.com/podcast-2/ Accelerator Program: https://scale.theretailacademy.net/sysa862128

When I met Cat, I knew she had something special—but I had no idea just how powerfully she’d chosen to position her business from day one. In this episode, I sit down with Cat, founder of a 7-figure photo booth company, to talk about what happens when you decide to be the premium brand instead of just trying to be the most expensive. She didn’t just raise her prices—she created an experience that justified every dollar (and then some). We cover everything from scaling smarter, dealing with client expectations, and working with high-end event planners, to what it really takes to sell to people with money—even if you didn’t grow up with any. Cat also shares how she took her knowledge and turned it into a thriving second business, helping other photo booth owners step into the premium space without burning out. If you’ve ever wrestled with raising your prices, attracting better clients, or felt stuck in hustle mode—this is the conversation you need to hear. 🎧 Episode Highlights: Why Cat said no to being "affordable" What rich clients actually value (it’s not what you think) How one free event changed everything The difference between selling convenience vs. selling features How to position yourself as the authority in your niche What it really takes to serve premium and corporate clients Links & Resources: 📸 Cat’s Corporate Photo Booths – https://modernactivations.com 💍 Cat’s Wedding Photo Booths – https://modernphotoboothcompany.com 📚 Learn to Build a Premium Photo Booth Brand – https://photoboothmastery.com 📲 Follow Cat on Instagram – https://instagram.com/photoboothmastery 🚀 Join the Retail Academy Accelerator – https://salenaknight.com/accelerator  

Tired of spinning your wheels trying to grow your retail or e-commerce business? You’re in the right place. Welcome to Bringing Business to Retail, the show where I, Salena Knight—retail strategist, speaker, and former multi-store owner—share real, unfiltered strategies to help you scale with clarity, confidence, and cash flow. Each week, you'll get: Behind-the-scenes lessons from my own 7-figure business journey No-fluff strategies to boost sales, build high-performing teams, and streamline operations Candid conversations about the real challenges of leadership and growth Interviews with industry experts, retail rebels, and powerhouse entrepreneurs who’ve been there and done that Whether you’re managing a bricks-and-mortar store, building an online brand, or juggling both, this podcast is your go-to guide for turning hustle into healthy, sustainable business growth. Because retail doesn’t have to be so hard when you’ve got the right plan (and the right people in your corner). It’s time to stop playing small and start scaling smart. Let’s do this. — Sal 

I watched a wealthy man hand his trash to a hotel staff member and tip him for it. That moment changed everything about how I think about business. In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift that helped me (and my clients) stop selling to price-sensitive shoppers and start attracting high-value customers who expect to pay more. I’ll walk you through why the mid-market is risky territory, how the rich make buying decisions, and the three steps you can take this week to start repositioning your brand for premium success. If you’re done competing on price and ready to be the go-to for customers who value what you offerthis one’s for you.

I didn’t start my business to answer customer emails at midnight or manually post to social media—and I’m guessing you didn’t either. But somehow, those “little tasks” have taken over your calendar, your energy, and your vision. In this episode, I’m talking about what it really takes to step out of the day-to-day and into the role of CEO. I’ll share how to figure out what’s draining your time, how to delegate or automate smarter (yes, even with AI!), and how to build systems that support real, scalable growth. This isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter, leading better, and letting go of the things that are keeping you stuck. Let’s reclaim your time and get you back to being the visionary your business needs. — Sal 🔗 Learn more & access the resources: https://salenaknight.com/podcast-2/ Join the accelerator Now: https://scale.theretailacademy.net/sysa

When it comes to promotions, there’s one word that can either make you cringe... or cash in: FOMO. In this episode, I’m sharing why FOMO isn’t a dirty word — it’s actually your secret weapon for getting customers off the fence and into action, without sounding pushy, salesy, or desperate. I’m telling you a story about one of the worst marketing decisions I ever made (spoiler: it involved a dusty TV screen and a golf club), and what it taught me about creating real urgency the right way. We’re diving deep into how to use urgency and scarcity ethically — with tips you can actually apply today, like: How to create momentum even if your numbers are small Why your first and last day emails matter more than anything else How to leverage SMS and real-time tools to boost last-minute sales Plus, how one of my accelerator members turned a personal birthday into a brilliant, heart-driven campaign (that her customers loved!) If you’ve ever struggled with feeling “icky” about selling, or worried you were being annoying by sending that extra email… This episode is for you. Let’s reframe FOMO — from pushy to powerful — together. See you inside, Sal