311. You're Solving the Wrong Problem. (The Future is Focus Series)

When Caitlin Lang first joined No BS Mastery nearly three years ago, a long-term retainer had ended, the market had changed, and she had gone months without work. She was ready to try something different, even if niching down and changing her entire way of working felt scary.Caitlin decided to focus exclusively on branding and websites for women coaches, consultants, and solopreneurs. Once she could clearly explain who she served, referrals started coming in quickly. She also replaced open-ended retainers with a tightly scheduled intensive model that allows her to complete entire branding and website projects in two weeks.In this conversation, Caitlin shares how that model has given her the freedom to travel, spend time with her teenage son, and build a business that supports her life. We also dig into AI, why it hasn’t replaced the strategic thinking and judgment behind her work, and why experts can’t afford to outsource their thinking or phone it in right now.Caitlin is the founder of Liquid Form Design, an Oakland-based branding and web design studio. With more than 20 years of experience, she helps women coaches, consultants, and thought leaders translate their expertise into distinctive brands, websites, messaging, and copy that attract premium clients.Caitlin’s story is such a powerful example of why expertise and authority matter more than ever. AI can help you brainstorm and get past the blank page, but it can’t replace the human judgment, creative thinking, and genuine relationships that make a business stand out.Find this episode for free on your favorite podcast player.Tune into this episode to hear: Why niching down made Caitlin easier to refer and helped new clients recognize themselves in her messaging How Caitlin went from long-term retainers to completing full branding and website projects in two weeks Why knowing the exact start and end date of every project makes travel and time off so much easier What AI still can’t replace when it comes to strategy, judgment, creativity, and client trust How Caitlin uses AI as a brainstorming tool without outsourcing her thinking Why posting less frequently but saying something meaningful brought Caitlin’s LinkedIn engagement and leads back How real relationships, online and in person, turn visibility into clients and referralsLearn more about Caitlin Lang:Liquid Form DesignFree Homepage Messaging GuideCaitlin Lang on LinkedInCaitlin’s previous episode of The No BS Agencies PodcastResources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.com Join me in my September Scale Solo Bootcamp:  Program: No BS Mastery: JOIN THE NO BS MASTERY The Price to Freedom Calculator™: nobsmastery.com/price Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand — BADASS YOUR BRAND Program: No BS Agency Mastery: Apply to Join No BS Agency Mastery

Tam Smith started her business in 2020, but every couple of years, she found herself running into the same problem: saying yes to everything, spreading herself too thin, and working all the time.She realized she had been chasing someone else’s definition of success. Instead of building the biggest team or the loudest business, Tam wanted something small, tight, profitable, and sustainable. She wanted to do less, but do it better.In this conversation, Tam shares how moving away from retainers and toward a project-based intensive model gave her more time, more mental space, and the freedom to actually enjoy her life outside of work. We also talk about the two changes that helped her have one of her highest-revenue months: clearly articulating what she does and consistently making the ask.Tam is a sales consultant whose work focuses on lead generation, business development, and helping clients create more sales conversations. Before starting her business, she worked in corporate sales and sales leadership. She also hosts the Sales as Service podcast.Tam’s story is such a great reminder that building a successful business doesn’t require constant reinvention. Sometimes the hardest and most powerful thing you can do is trust what works, stay the course, and become boringly consistent.Find this episode for free on your favorite podcast player.Tune into this episode to hear: How Tam realized she was chasing someone else’s definition of success Why moving from retainers to project-based intensives gave her more time and mental space The two changes that helped Tam have one of her highest-revenue months How one simple ask turned a warm-network conversation into a potential client Why one disappointing month doesn’t mean your business model has stopped working How tracking the right data helps you stay grounded when you’re tempted to change course Why Tam wants to become “boringly consistent” instead of constantly reinventing her businessLearn more about Tam Smith:Studio Three49Tamara B. Smith on LinkedIn Sales as Service PodcastResources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.com Join me in my September Scale Solo Bootcamp:  Program: No BS Mastery: JOIN THE NO BS MASTERY The Price to Freedom Calculator™: nobsmastery.com/price Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand — BADASS YOUR BRAND Program: No BS Agency Mastery: Apply to Join No BS Agency Mastery

Karen Taylor knew why she wanted to build her business. What she didn’t have was the structure to turn that purpose into something real.She had taken the courses, joined the communities, and gathered plenty of information. But she still felt stuck—and wondered whether she had waited too long to make it work.In this conversation, Karen shares how she went from feeling like she had an “expensive side hustle” to building a business with a financial target, a roadmap, a paid first step, and an offer designed around how she actually wants to work.We talk about the identity shift that came from making a major investment in herself, why she turned what she was giving away for free on discovery calls into a paid Lead Product™, and what she had to stop doing before she could focus on the activities that would actually move her business forward.Karen Taylor is a former Fortune 50 leader and now a Capacity Architect. Through Millionaire Nervous System, she helps overachieving women build the internal capacity to hold more visibility, pressure, and success without shrinking, spiraling, or pulling back.Karen’s transformation is such a great example of what can happen when you stop collecting more information, commit to a system, and start building your business around the way you actually want to work.Find this episode for free on your favorite podcast player.Tune into this episode to hear: Why Karen once believed she was too late to build the business she wanted How making a major investment created an immediate shift in her identity Why Karen turned what she was giving away on discovery calls into a paid Lead Product™ How she designed an intensive that fits both her clients and the life she wants Why learning had become Karen’s avoidance strategy What changed when Karen stopped treating her business like an expensive side hustleLearn more about Karen Taylor:Millionaire Nervous SystemConnect with Karen on LinkedInMillionaire Nervous System on SubstackResources: Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comJoin me in my September Scale Solo Bootcamp:  Program: No BS Mastery: JOIN THE NO BS MASTERY The Price to Freedom Calculator™: nobsmastery.com/price Grab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand — BADASS YOUR BRAND Program: No BS Agency Mastery: Apply to Join No BS Agency Mastery

Beverly Cornell started her business because she wanted freedom. Instead, she eventually found herself overworked, saying yes to everything, and letting her clients design the business for her.In this conversation, Beverly shares the journey from that version of her business to the one she has today. One that is built around her strengths, her personality, her visibility, and a whole lot more intention.We talk about what it means to stop carrying around everyone else’s “shoulds,” become more comfortable being seen, and build profitable systems before building a team.Beverly Cornell has been in the marketing, advertising and branding space for over 30 years helping hundreds of business owners grow their brands. Today, she helps other female consultants, coaches, and creatives navigate overwhelm, reclaim their brand magic, and build businesses that truly fit their lives. Beverly's transformation is such a great example of what can happen when you stop trying to build the business you think you're supposed to have and start building the one that's actually right for you.Tune into this episode to hear:How Beverly went from “accidental entrepreneur” to building a business she actually lovesWhy your clients can end up designing your business if you don't set boundariesThe mindset shift that helped Beverly become more visible and unapologetically herselfHow Beverly built profitable processes before bringing in a teamWhy systems are the key to creating more freedomLearn more about Beverly Cornell:Wickedly BrandedConnect on LinkedInSign Up for Beverly’s NewsletterMarketing, Magic & the Messy Middle PodcastResources:Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/The 7 Steps to $30k Months Playbook: nobsmastery.com/playbook 

All summer, I’ve been talking about one idea: that simplicity and focus are not optional.Simplicity and focus are the harder, but better, choice and the fastest path to a profitable, sustainable expert business. And they only get more relevant as your business grows.If you want a business where you are not constantly feeling behind and overwhelmed, and where your success isn’t just in your bottom line, but how you live your life, you have to be able to do three things. You have to attract the right people, sell without it being a drawn-out process, and deliver in a way that is actually profitable.The No BS Business Model gives you that one clear strategy for each of these.The No BS model came from Steve and I doing everything for everyone and ending up overworked and in debt, then paring down our business to just two offers, on one platform, with a clear audience. Our simplification was born out of necessity, but it gave me incredible relief and the success I had been chasing. And now I’ve taught that model to thousands of expert service business owners over the last ten years. Today, I’m going to walk you through it.Sponsored by Squarespace:Free Guide to Squarespace Circle: nobsmastery.com/squarespaceTune into this episode to hear:The low-tech, low-investment strategy that consistently brings the right people through your doorThe game-changing sales process that eliminates tire kickers and hagglers and sets you up as a trusted advisorHow intensives cut the BS and let you focus on delivering your best, most valuable workHow implementing the No BS model impacts not just your business, but your whole lifeResources:Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/The 7 Steps to $30k Months Playbook: nobsmastery.com/playbook 

We live in a world with more business advice than ever before. Books, podcasts, courses, newsletters, social media. There's no shortage of information! So why do so many smart business owners still feel stuck?In this episode, I argue that the problem usually isn't a lack of information. It's that we're often solving the wrong problem. We all filter advice through our own experiences, insecurities, and assumptions, which can lead us to focus on things that feel productive but don't actually move the business forward.I share stories from my own business (including a very expensive lesson I learned from reading The E-Myth through the wrong lens), examples from coaching clients, and what I believe IS the missing ingredient (hint: it’s not another course or another book). Sponsored by Squarespace:Free Guide to Squarespace Circle: nobsmastery.com/squarespaceTune into this episode to hear:Why more information isn't the solution to feeling stuck.How our own assumptions filter the advice we consume.Why entrepreneurs so often end up solving the wrong problem.How outside perspective helps you identify the work that will truly move your business forward.Why community and coaching create breakthroughs that information alone can't.Mentioned: The E-Myth, Michael E. Gerber Resources:No BS Mastery Boot Camp: nobsmastery.com/bootcampJoin Squarespace Circle: nobsmastery.com/circleGrab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/The 7 Steps to $30k Months Playbook: nobsmastery.com/playbook 

We hear so much about content marketing these days that it's easy to believe it's the only path to growing an expert business. But every time I ask a room full of business owners where their clients actually come from, the answer is almost always the same: referrals and personal connections.I believe we've become too focused on creating content and not focused enough on building relationships. Don't get me wrong. I love content. It's been a huge part of growing my business. But content takes time to compound, and most experts need clients long before that happens.In this episode, I explain why personal connection is still the fastest, most reliable way to build a healthy pipeline, why clear positioning makes referrals dramatically easier, and the simple outreach practice I teach that helps people consistently stay top of mind without feeling salesy or spending all day networking.If you've been wondering why your marketing isn't producing the results you want, this episode might change what you focus on next.Sponsored by Squarespace:Free Guide to Squarespace Circle: nobsmastery.com/squarespaceTune into this episode to hear:Why referrals are still the biggest source of clients for most expert businessesThe biggest mistake people make when they rely too heavily on content marketingHow clearer messaging leads to more referrals and a stronger pipelineMy 1KO (One Killer Outreach) strategy for building relationships that generate businessWhat is more valuable in an AI-powered worldMentioned:Free Relationship Opportunities Spreadsheet: nobslinks.com/connectionsResources:Free Relationship Opportunities Spreadsheet: nobslinks.com/connectionsGrab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/

Everything we knew about getting found on search engines has been upended by AI. It’s no longer enough to have a great SEO strategy to help people find you online. ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity –– they need to see you too.Implementing GEO (generative engine optimization) is essential for getting your business surfaced and recommended by AI tools. Can you optimize being found by AI and still keep your humanness and authentic voice?Today’s guest has gone all-in on becoming an expert in doing just that. Amy Yamada is a dear friend, AI expert, and one of the most heart-centered, connected, human people you could hope to meet.Amy Yamada is an AI Business Strategist and the founder of TopAuthority.ai, where she helps experts become the ones AI recommends. She and her team created the Discovery Hub - an AI Authority Infrastructure that structures a client's body of work so it's clearly understood, trusted, and surfaced by AI platforms. Known for making Generative Engine Optimization simple and actionable, Amy is leading a new wave of human-centered AI strategy through private advisory, group programs, and speaking.Tune into this episode to hear:Why now is the time to implement a GEO strategy for your businessThe top three things AI engines prioritize when evaluating contentThe code you need to add to your website and why it’s not as hard as you thinkHow creating a discovery hub helps AI view you as an authorityWhere to start, whether you’re an established expert or your business is newLearn more about Amy Yamada:Website:  http://www.amyyamada.comTopAuthority.ai: http://www.topauthority.aiFacebook: @amyyamadaInstagram: @amyyamadaConnect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amyyamadaMentioned: Free AI website audit: amyyamada.com/free-toolThe Discovery Hub: www.topauthority.ai/discovery-hubResources:Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/

The experts I know who are the most profitable, the most referable, and the most confident in their work have all done this. They picked a focus, they got really good at it, and they stuck with it long enough for it to compound and build a reputation on it.That’s it. That’s the secret sauce.Today I want to talk about what that actually looks like in practice by sharing an example from my own business that will make this click in a way that all the theory in the world never quite does.Sponsored by Squarespace:Free Guide to Squarespace Circle: nobsmastery.com/squarespaceTune into this episode to hear:How committing to specialization brings ease and profitability to your businessAll the ways being platform agnostic in the early days of Worstofall Design actually cost us time, effort, and cashWhy losing prospects was scary, but worth it in the endHow specializing boosts your ability to lead clients through projects and stay focusedMentioned:Wordpress Vs. Squarespace: worstofalldesign.com/blog/wordpress-vs-squarespaceResources:Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/

“I just want to get it right the first time.”I cannot tell you how many times someone has reached out to me for branding services when they don’t even have a business yet. They don’t want to make mistakes. They want everything to be perfect right out of the gate.And, yeah, don’t we all? It’s hard and scary to put something out there that you don’t feel is finished or tested. It can feel like setting yourself up for failure, and most humans are always trying very hard to avoid failure.As we’re talking about focus this summer, I’m hearing a version of it from people all the time. They don’t feel clear enough yet to know where to focus. They want to nail their messaging, their offer, their one-liner before they ever put it out there. And of course, there is work you can and should do up front. But it’s not going to be perfect.The only way to actually perfect your message, your offer, your one-liner so that it resonates with your ideal clients is to get out there and say it to a lot of real people. Today I want to talk about the clarity that comes from taking action before you feel ready.Sponsored by Squarespace:Free Guide to Squarespace Circle: nobsmastery.com/squarespaceTune into this episode to hear:Why clarity requires getting out of your head and connecting with other peopleWhy there is no such thing as getting it right once and foreverHow real-world data about your business can surprise you Why you need real clients to work with when you’re designing your processHow spinning your wheels chasing perfection literally costs you moneyResources:Grab the first chapter of my new book Scale Solo: scalesolobook.comProgram: No BS Mastery: https://nobsmastery.com/programThe Price to Freedom Calculator™ - http://nobsmastery.com/priceGrab a copy of my book: Badass Your Brand - https://www.badassyourbrand.com/Program: No BS Agency Mastery: https://join.nobsmastery.com/agency-masteryNo BS Clients Lab: https://nobsclientslab.com/