Alison Ver Halen majored in English and Psychology without realizing she was obtaining the perfect degree for content marketing. It wasn't until a few years after she graduated, when a family friend asked her to write blog posts for his law firm, that she realized she could make money doing what she loves. 

Fast forward to today, and Alison is still writing blog posts, as well as website landing pages and emails. She also integrates SEO and marketing strategy into the content she writes to give her clients the best chance of attracting, engaging, and converting their ideal clients.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transform your passion for writing into a successful business.

Alison and I discuss:

• How Alison stumbled into content marketing as a career [01:54]
• The importance of talking about your passion [02:05]
• Finding your community and networking effectively [03:38]
• The evolution of Alison's business model [06:01]
• The significance of SEO and marketing strategy in content creation [09:11]
• How to track what works and what doesn't in your business [10:31]
• The role of consistent content creation in building trust [13:00]
• Tips for professionals struggling with content creation [14:54]
• The importance of distribution channels for your content [16:21]
• Alison's approach to leveraging YouTube and podcasts [18:00]

Learn more about Alison at:

https://avwritingservices.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@alisonverhalencontentmarketer

https://www.amazon.com/Content-Marketing-Made-Alison-Halen-ebook/dp/B09YL7K6XY/ref=sr_1_9

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Tammy Gooler Loeb is an executive leadership and career coach, speaker, and facilitator with expertise in leadership, team development, organizational culture, communication, and career transitions. For over two decades, she has enjoyed supporting clients across a wide variety of sectors and industries.

Tammy is the author of the award-winning book, Work from the Inside Out: Break Through Nine Common Obstacles and Design a Career That Fulfills You. She hosts a biweekly podcast, Work from the Inside Out, featuring professionals who have transitioned their careers to more meaningful and satisfying work.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to redefine career success and find happiness in your professional life.

Tammy and I discuss:

• The evolving definitions of career success and happiness [02:34]
• The impact of remote and hybrid work on career fulfillment [03:29]
• How to find balance between personal and professional lives [05:10]
• The importance of control over work environments [06:51]
• Challenges faced by new leaders in today’s organizations [10:27]
• Strategies for finding support in leadership roles [13:15]
• The value of community in overcoming leadership challenges [19:00]

Learn more about Tammy at:

https://www.instagram.com/tammygoolerloeb/

https://www.facebook.com/TammyGL/

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John Neral is an executive and career transition coach who helps mid-career professionals find a job they love or learn to love the job they have. He is also an author, speaker, and host of The Mid-Career GPS Podcast. When he’s not working, John is a professional bowler who continues to compete on the PBA Regional Tour.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the importance of storytelling and stability for career advancement in a rapidly evolving job market.

John and I discuss:

• The current challenges facing mid-career professionals [02:05]
• Why stability is a primary concern in today’s economy [04:48]
• The importance of telling your story effectively [06:30]
• How to use evidence-based metrics to demonstrate your value [08:15]
• Techniques for keeping interviewers engaged [11:10]
• Strategies for leveraging your network effectively [14:20]
• The significance of personal boundaries for professional well-being [17:35]

Learn more about John at:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnneral/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@johnneralcoaching

Instagram - https://instagram.com/johnneralcoaching

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Philip VanDusen is a branding consultant serving SMBs and entrepreneurs based in New Jersey, USA. As a thought leader, Philip shares his expertise in marketing, design, and entrepreneurship on YouTube to his 295k subscribers, in the Brand•Muse newsletter, the Bonfire mastermind community, and on the Brand Design Masters podcast.

Philip has led creative teams in both global branding agencies and global corporations — serving as VP of Design for PepsiCo and Old Navy, and as Executive Creative Director at the iconic branding firm Landor Associates. Past clients include a host of Fortune 100 companies.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will discover how to navigate significant career changes and master the art of branding from a seasoned expert. 

Philip and I discuss:

• His reflections on what he might have done differently in his career [00:00]
• How he transitioned from a corporate role to entrepreneurship [02:13]
• The concept of career being more like a web than a ladder [02:52]
• Starting out in branding and the progression to where he is now [03:42]
• The importance of experiential learning over formal education in some fields [04:58]
• Dealing with imposter syndrome and the fear of uncertainty [06:18]
• The shift from working in real life to digital environments and adapting to new technologies [08:42]
• Advice for corporate refugees transitioning to their ventures [10:02]
• Establishing credibility and authority when starting new [11:39]
• The vital role of community in supporting career transitions [12:35]
• The importance of visual branding and consistency across platforms [14:01]
• How to start building a personal brand even before fully defining your services [16:35]
• Exploring the potential of digital content to attract and retain clients [21:06]

Learn more about Philip VanDusen:

WEBSITE

https://www.philipvandusen.com

BONFIRE MASTERMIND:

https://philipvandusen.com.com/bonfire

BRAND•MUSE NEWSLETTER 

https://www.philipvandusen.com/muse

CREATIVE PROFESSIONAL COACHING

https://philipvandusen.com/oneonone

BRAND CONSULTING

https://philipvandusen.com/brand-consulting

LINKEDIN

https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipvandusen/

YOUTUBE

https://www.youtube.com/c/philipvandusen

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Jon Leland has been a media innovator for over 40 years, including serving as the founding director of creative services for the USA cable TV network. He has led video production and creative services companies for over 30 years. 

Currently, Jon is the host and producer of the Video Mojo video podcast and the creative director of the boutique marketing agency ComBridges, which delivers content, social media, and video marketing services, as well as AI creativity consulting. Jon's passion is supporting people in living more creatively and joyfully through his latest venture, the Creativity Sandbox Community.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn about the transition from corporate life to entrepreneurship, the critical role of community and networking in sustaining a business, and how AI can be harnessed to fuel creativity and innovation.

Jon and I discuss:

• His journey from an employee to a media innovator and entrepreneur [00:21]
• How community and networking supported his career transition [03:48]
• The critical role of AI in creativity and marketing today [06:36]
• The evolution of his business and the multiple pivots over the years [08:01]
• The concept of "following the juice" and finding your passion [18:04]
• How to harness AI effectively for creative processes [18:29]
• Advice for corporate refugees looking to start their own business [24:08]

Learn more about Jon at https://play.combridges.com.

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Blair began his career in New York at the HarperCollins Speakers Bureau, a business he never knew existed. From there, he had the privilege of leading the Hachette and Simon & Schuster Speakers Bureaus for GTN (now UTA Speakers), before moving west to work with Keith Ferrazzi (author of "Never Eat Alone"). He served as his chief of staff for over three years and learned how keynote speaking can be strategically positioned for corporate coaching and consulting while also studying at UCLA Anderson.

After a few temporary roles during his last year of business school, he returned to the Speakers Bureau world post-graduation. However, after signing and establishing talent, growing and scaling valuable assets and businesses for bosses with nothing to show for it after leaving, he had had enough.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn about the intricacies of the speakers bureau industry and how to leverage speaking engagements for business growth and personal success.

Blair and I discuss:

• His journey from working at traditional speakers bureaus to founding his own firm [00:21]
• What initially drew him to the speakers bureau industry [01:49]
• The business model behind speakers bureaus and how they operate [03:00]
• His decision to pursue an MBA and how it influenced his career [04:11]
• The challenges of working under restrictive leadership and the push towards entrepreneurship [07:50]
• The strategic positioning of keynote speaking in business development [00:43]
• How his business model differs from traditional speakers bureaus and the focus on holistic client management [11:18]
• Advice for corporate refugees on leveraging speaking engagements [13:39]

Learn more about Blair at https://calendly.com/bbn-cm/new-client-call.

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Philippa Levenberg is the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Sable Strategy, a senior-level strategic communications firm specializing in PR and reputation management for corporations, nonprofits, and trade associations. The firm was recently named to Inc. Magazine's 2024 "Best in Business" list. Philippa’s career has focused on leveraging digital, social, and paid media strategies to build employer brands, develop thought leadership programs, engage advocates, navigate crises, and shape policy outcomes. 

Prior to founding Sable, she led and grew digital media practices and products at several agencies, including a leading global public affairs firm within Publicis Groupe. She is based in the D.C. area.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to leverage your experiences to build a resilient business and lead with impact in the evolving landscape of public relations.

Philippa and I discuss:

• Why resilience is key in entrepreneurship [00:00]
• How Philippa's bi-continental life shaped her approach to business [02:12]
• Transitioning from journalism to PR and the evolution of media [03:07]
• The importance of digital and social media strategy in crisis communication [04:33]
• The flawed model of big agency PR and the creation of Sable Strategy [05:44]
• Empowering women in the workplace and the importance of senior-level consultancy [07:22]
• The role of partnerships in entrepreneurship and the support systems that matter [10:21]
• Lessons from the initial months of starting Sable Strategy and recognizing opportunities [10:59]
• The impact of COVID-19 on women in the workforce and entrepreneurship [21:44]

Learn more about Philippa and her work at https://www.sablestrategy.com/ and https://www.linkedin.com/in/philippalevenberg/.

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Debra Eckerling is a goal strategist, workshop leader, and award-winning author and podcaster on a mission to change goal culture both inside and outside the workplace. As the creator of 

The DEB Method for simplified goal-setting, Debra works with individuals, teams, and businesses on personal and professional projects, networking strategies, and book proposal development. She hosts the GoalChatLive/GoalChat and Taste Buds with Deb podcasts and is the author of "Your Goal Guide" and "52 Secrets for Goal-Setting and Goal-Getting."

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how Debra Erling, a goal strategist, workshop leader, and award-winning author and podcaster, has developed a systematic approach to setting and achieving goals in both personal and professional spheres.

Debra and I discuss:

• How Debra's journey in corporate communications led her to her current role as a goal strategist [00:38]
• The common pitfalls professionals encounter in goal setting and how to overcome them [01:01]
• Debra's DEB Method for goal setting simplified and how it can align your personal and professional aspirations [01:25]
• The importance of having personal goals in the workplace and how it contributes to overall fulfillment [06:50]
• The steps to correctly set goals using the DEB Method: Determine your Mission, Explore your Options, Brainstorm your Path [09:38]
• How networking and building community play crucial roles in achieving one's goals and in business development [16:23]
• The impact of having multiple roles and identities on professional growth and networking [04:36]

Learn more about Debra at:

https://52Secretsbook.com

https://thedebmethod.com/blog

https://www.amazon.com/Your-Goal-Guide-Planning-Achieving/dp/1642501506

https://www.amazon.com/52-Secrets-Goal-Setting-Goal-Getting-Focused/dp/168481717X

https://youtube.com/@thedebmethod

https://linkedin.com/in/coastbunny

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Liz Steblay is sometimes referred to as "the Yoda of solopreneur success." She isn’t small, green, or ancient, but she has mentored thousands of self-employed professionals, helping them realize their dreams of becoming solo entrepreneurs. With decades of experience in building her own solopreneur career, including the creation of two thriving businesses that serve independent consultants, Liz recently published her bestselling book, "Succeeding as a Solopreneur: Six Keys for Taking the Leap, Winning Clients, and Building Wealth."

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn the essential keys to success as a solopreneur, including how to conquer fears, build thriving client relationships, and effectively set your consulting rates.

Liz and I discuss:

• The importance of pedigree and confidence in setting consulting rates [02:04]
• How Liz transitioned from corporate employment to successful self-employment [02:57]
• The significance of proactive outreach and maintaining relationships [03:18]
• Key strategies to vanquish fear, uncertainty, and doubt as a solopreneur [04:35]
• The importance of being known for something specific within your field [10:14]
• How to negotiate and present your rates confidently [07:59]
• The crucial role of professional setup and appearance in consulting success [15:45]
• Strategies for effective taxation and wealth building for solopreneurs [21:00]

Learn more about Liz and her work at http://www.SixKeys.info and http://www.IndependentConsulting.org.

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Dr. Carla Fowler is an MD, PhD, and elite executive coach. For the last decade, she has been a secret weapon for scores of CEOs, entrepreneurs, and other senior leaders. Carla’s unique approach combines the latest research in performance science with timeless best practices to help top performers level up and achieve their goals.

In today’s episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to make bold career transitions, leverage your existing skills in new ways, and maximize your performance through strategic coaching.

Carla and I discuss:

• Her early realization that the traditional medical career path wasn't for her [00:02:19]
• The critical role of challenges and how they shaped her career decisions [00:02:57]
• Insights into her transition from medicine to elite executive coaching [00:05:37]
• The importance of autonomy and designing a multifaceted life [00:05:10]
• How she navigated the early days of establishing a coaching practice [00:17:26]
• The strategic decisions not to pursue further formal education in coaching [00:12:45]
• Techniques for building a successful personal business and brand [00:20:21]
• The value of networking and personal connections in business development [00:17:26]

Learn more about Carla at https://www.thaxa.com/p/smashing-the-plateau.

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Holly Jean Jackson is a Revenue and Performance Consultant, Speaker, Podcast Host, Author, and founder of Business Builder Throw Down. Her career spans technology, communications, organizational change, public relations, and content strategy.

She has dedicated over 12 years to helping business leaders get their groove back physically, mentally, and emotionally. She led a Local to Global Policy Initiative to influence future leaders' impact on communities. Fun Fact: Holly played first chair clarinet at Carnegie Hall and is a black belt in karate.

In her Peak Performance Blueprint, she takes a holistic and logistical approach to success. After all, one can’t have massive success in business without a life of equal or greater success.

Business owners hire her to master the art and science of real success because most lack direction, action, and results. She helps define and design a business roadmap for impactful visibility, intentional profitability, and endless sustainability.

In today's episode of Smashing the Plateau, you will learn how to transition from corporate instability to building a successful consulting business through resilience and strategic community building.

Holly and I discuss:

• What led Holly to start her own business [01:26]
• Why top performers get laid off [02:13]
• The difference between being a consultant and an employee [04:45]
• How to find and refine your niche [06:55]
• The importance of defining success on your own terms [10:59]
• How to tactically and financially prepare for a business transition [14:12]
• The role of community in achieving business success [16:16]

Learn more about Holly at:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/hollyjjackson/

https://www.facebook.com/hollyjeanjackson

https://www.instagram.com/coachhollyjeanjackson/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC3ElvJLGqpJ2ThA9utJCqMg

www.hollyjeanjackson.com

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