Why Isn’t Business Clicking? Why Is It So Hard?

2024 has been the worst year of my life. There have been so many lessons both personally and professionally, with so many issues cropping up that I had to tackle and address. I want to share pretty candidly what challenges I faced this year and the growth I experienced because of it. We’re getting into the importance of reaching out to your mentors, doing a profit/loss statement for my many businesses, and the two pieces of advice that leaned on the most: 'trim the fat' and re-evaluating the 'hire slow, fire fast' principle. Despite this insanely tough year, I’m committed to moving forward because I love this work and I think we are heading into 2025 the clearest and strongest that we have ever been. We’re laser focused on the Doer's Library and nationwide in-person events and as a stronger team. Join me as I offer the insight and practical advice I wish I had for navigating business hurdles and embracing personal and professional growth. 00:00 — Welcome to the Unfiltered Entrepreneur 02:49 — Reflecting on a Challenging Year 03:15 — Seeking Advice and Leaning on Mentors 05:51 — Lessons Learned and Moving Forward 10:41 — Trimming the Fat: Streamlining the Business 20:25 — Reevaluating Hiring Practices: Hire Fast, Fire Slow or Hire Slow, Fire Fast? 26:44 — Looking Ahead to 2025 Resources: · Listen to The Unfiltered Entrepreneur “THE FULL OVERVIEW OF HIRING, MANAGING + LEADING A TEAM (EVEN IF YOU JUST STARTED)” · Get the Profit & Loss Statement with The Doers Free Trial! ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

You’ve done all the right things. You have an idea, a business, and you’re doing the work but… something just isn’t clicking. Why? Well, I believe that it comes down to the societal expectations placed on us, and the current state of “hustle culture” right now. And you know what? Entrepreneurship IS hard. This is not a you problem. This is challenging to so many people across the board. But, at the same time, entrepreneurship is freedom. So I’m going to get into 6 mindset reframes that are going to help you change your approach to being an entrepreneur. From perfectionism, to the lone wolf mentality, to the power of saying no, normalizing failure, redefining success, and finding your inherent strengths, I’m giving you all of my advice on how to conquer these challenges and mental blocks and reach the next level of business ownership. Remember to accept and love yourself, and that no one but you gets to define what a successful business is. 00:00 — Welcome to The Unfiltered Entrepreneur 02:29 — The Challenges of Entrepreneurship 03:03 — Societal Pressures on Women Entrepreneurs 03:52 — Rejection of Hustle Culture 08:19 — The Myth of Perfectionism 12:48 — The Lone Wolf Mentality 16:02 — The Power of Saying No 20:01 — Embracing Failure 25:57 — Redefining Success 30:23 — Inherent Strengths of Women 34:04 — Accepting Yourself Resources: Dial Zero Marketing Join The Doers ------ Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

Running a business is HARD. There’s a million things to do. But how are we supposed to get all of it done? I’m giving you a sneak peak into The Doers Library by walking you through my strategies for getting organized to maximize productivity. Stop making your Quarter 4 full of sales pressure and start to build up your Quarter 1 so that you can kick back with your family and relax during the holidays. You’ll learn all about the Eisenhower Matrix, the SMART goal framework, and the Pomodoro technique for effective time management. If you want even more tips and tricks for how to get stuff done and set yourself up for success throughout the year, there’s tons of resources in the Doer's Library, with its pre-written templates and resources designed to help solopreneurs and small businesses reduce costs and operate efficiently. Set those SMART goals, and let’s get to work! 00:00 — Introduction 02:48 — Planning for a Productive Year 03:52 — Introducing The Doer's Library 05:13 — Boosting Productivity with the Eisenhower Matrix 07:48 — Setting SMART Goals for Success 10:57 — Mastering Focus and Time Management 16:12 — Making Productivity Work for You Resources: Join The Doers Library The Library Free Trial ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

Social media is important. You have to have a social media presence. You need a following to make it. We’ve heard all of that, and more. But trends online are constantly changing, so how do we stay up to date? I’m diving into critical shifts currently happening in the marketing and business spheres. I’m going to challenge traditional beliefs about branding, storytelling, quality video content, and aggressive social media strategies. We’re also getting into the diminishing role of branding, the evolution of networking, and on-the-rise concepts like 'build with me' content and secondary characters in marketing. This is a wake-up call for entrepreneurs to adapt and evolve your strategies to stay relevant in the fast-changing business landscape. 00:00 — What You Need to Know about Socials 05:03 — The Death of Traditional Branding 09:52 — The Rise of Video and Social Media Survival 13:04 — The Power of Storytelling in Marketing 20:24 — Networking and Live Events: The New Frontier 23:03 — Email Marketing and Blog Posts: A New Approach 28:25 — Investing in Service-Based Businesses 32:00 — How You Can Move Forward Resources: The New Ashli Pollard Website ------ Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

In this episode of The Unfiltered Entrepreneur, I am sharing the personal side of my life, detailing my journey from launching multiple businesses and rebranding to my deep family ties through therapy and ranking my favorite albums. We're getting into my upbringing in St. Louis, being in a sorority, and what I would change if I had to start over again. You'll hear more on my passion for supporting women, my travels around the world, and why I freaking love the Sims games. Seriously. They're the best. But we also get real vulnerable and I open up about my chronic pain and surviving a severe car accident in my late 20's. Learn more about the woman behind it all, and let me know if you want to learn more. 00:00 — Meet Ashli Pollard 03:46 — Personal Background and Family 05:32 — College and Sorority Life 09:28 — Career Beginnings and Life in New York 12:45 — Travel Experiences: Where I’ve Been, Where I Wanna Go, Where I Never Wanna Be Again 16:09 — What I Would Change 16:52 — My Biggest Passion 17:20 — Hobbies & Why I Love The Sims 18:59 — Favorite Ice Cream Flavors 19:30 — Long-Term Goals and Success 21:41 — Introvert or Extrovert? 22:43 — Favorite Books 24:40 — Ranking 2024 Albums: Ariana Grande, Billie Eilish, Sabrina Carpenter, Charlie XCX, Taylor Swift 31:03 — Relationship Status and Sharing Personal Life Online 35:07 — Getting to Know Me Resources: The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear The Daily Stoic: 366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living by Ryan Holiday and Stephen Hanselman Join the Doers Club ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

We are REBRANDING! Welcome to The Doers World. We’ve been on a journey together, and thank you for being my ride-or-dies all throughout the process. I’m realigning Team AP to something a bit more me. I’m going to walk you through the “why” behind this rebrand, our focus on providing accessible resources and learning opportunities, and the value of genuine connections. Entrepreneurship is a means to financial independence and personal fulfillment, and The Doers are here to help lift you up and empower you. I wanna take you through why 'The Doers Collective' is going to be a huge benefit to you going forward, including how we are going to be providing more opportunities for community involvement with meet-ups and helping one another out. My goal is to help YOU succeed, because trust me, women are the future. Thank you for being here, and check out our new quiz, freebies, and offers! 00:00 — Welcome to The Doers: A New Beginning 02:58 — The Journey of Rebranding 05:11 — Empowering Entrepreneurs: The Doers Vision 06:40 — Free Resources and Valuable Tools 09:30 — The Impact of the Doers Community 12:29 — Expanding the Doers World 19:17 — Future Plans 23:35 — Empowering and Encouraging YOU Resources: Take the New & Improved Quiz Consult with Me Personally Happy Hours & Dinner Dates Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

You know the future you want for your business, but how do you get there? You set goals. I know everyone and their mother tries to walk you through goal setting, but I’m going to talk to you about how I continue to reach my goals in my businesses. I’ll get into the nuances of goal setting, the importance of distinguishing between safety goals, security goals, and dreamy, long-term goals. I urge you to balance short-term necessities with long-term ambitions, and remember that you should approach goals with commitment, resilience, and regular self-assessments on your progress. So if you’ve been wanting to redesign the way you approach your goals, you will leave with actionable steps after this episode. 00:00 — The Importance of Goal Setting 03:24 — Safety and Security Goals 05:38 — Dreamy Goals and Big Visions 07:08 — Building a Million-Dollar Business 11:58 — Adapting and Pivoting in Business 20:40 — Actionable Steps for Long-Term Goals 25:12 — Final Thoughts and Encouragement Resources: Dial Zero Marketing Team AP Consulting Fast Forward Productions ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

How do you build a multimillion dollar business? Glad you asked. I’m talking to Kate Perkovic, who is currently the CEO of multiple successful businesses and runs The Ambitious Podcast. We are getting into her personal business journeys, the ethos behind her companies, and the essence of entrepreneurship. We discuss the varied paths to success, the importance of understanding the difference between effort and complexity in business, and the misconceptions about becoming a millionaire. This episode is all about giving you an honest look at the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship, so you can walk away with tangible tips to improve your approach to your own business. ▶︎ Watch the Video Podcast Here! 00:00 — Introducing Kate 02:07 — Kate's Journey from Server to Successful Entrepreneur 05:03 — The Power of Adaptability in Business 08:24 — Personal Branding and Authenticity in the Online Space 13:26 — Exploring the Concept of Luxury in Business 22:53 — The Shift Towards Passive Income and Business Structures 27:14 — Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 28:28 — Expectations vs. Reality in Entrepreneurship 30:11 — The Entrepreneurial Journey: Grit and Growth 32:25 — Embracing Change and Finding Your Niche 34:28 — The Importance of Role Clarity in Business 38:22 — Learning from Mistakes and Embracing Effort 41:40 — Rapid Fire Questions: Insights and Reflections 52:05 — Final Thoughts and Goodbyes Resources: ✦ Kate’s IG ✦ The Ambitious Podcast ✦ Website _____ Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

I get it. A client asks you to do something and it’s either out of your wheelhouse, a lot of extra work, or just totally out of scope. You wanna say no but… what if you lose business? I’m here to tell you why you should NEVER say no to your clients, and how you can maintain professionalism and integrity while denying unreasonable requests in a way that fosters collaboration and partnership. I’m going to provide you with practical examples and scenarios to show you how to reframe a 'no' into a constructive 'yes,' as well as the importance of honest communication, setting boundaries, and prioritizing long-term client relationships. This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to balance service with fairness and transparency in their business. Stop resenting your clients and start collaborating! — The Art of Saying No in Business — Why Saying No is Challenging — Examples of Saying No Effectively — How to Handle Unreasonable Client Requests — Collaborative Solutions for Client Requests — Maintaining Professional Integrity — Building Long-Term Client Relationships — Being an Adult — Why You Need to Be Honest About What You Can/Can’t Do Resources: Join our broadcast channel on IG! ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below

You’ve done the work. You’ve set up the business. You’re making a profit. But… you’re still not happy. Why? The answer could be that you’re not operating in the space that you actually want to be in. So let’s talk about the distinctions between being a freelancer, contractor, small business, and agency owner. It’s really important to have self-awareness in choosing the right business model for YOUR goals and YOUR lifestyle. I want to empower you by providing clarity in business roles and countering the misleading marketing pressures in the online entrepreneurial space. I’m going to ask you several questions so you can find out what your true business identity is - whether that’s to seek independence, to manage a team, or scale for the long-term. ▶︎ Check out our YouTube for More 00:00 — Introduction and Episode Overview 03:24 — Understanding Business Roles and Misused Language 04:55 — Identifying Your Business Type 08:21 — Freelancer vs. Contractor 19:46 — Small Business vs. Agency 24:32 — Finding the Space That’s Right for You Resources: Freebies for your business ----- Into it? Subscribe/Follow/Rate the podcast wherever you are listening (from one entrepreneur to another, we know how important this is right?!) Subscribe to the Team AP Consulting YouTube Channel! And make sure you check out our FREE downloads page for even more incredible resources made specifically for you. Follow us on IG here! And check out all the other phenomenal podcasts from Fast Forward Productions right here. Get more from Ashli over on this side and leave your listener voicemails at the link below