The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth

My challenge for you today, listener: how many giggles did you hear in the duration of the episode? In today's episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, you'll hear one of only a handful of in-personal interviews I've ever conducted for the podcast. The level of fun and depth and love in the room is palpable as I sit down with an inspirational woman in business, author, coach, speaker, MKM client, and most importantly, my friend, Lindsay Leahy. Though she's been on the podcast in the past with her bestie and business partner at The Restoration Project Brooke Fitzgerald in Episode 66 Living, Leading, and Working with Meaning, in today's episode we talk about not just their business, but also the writing of her new book Take It All Apart. The Restoration Process At The Restoration Project, their team of leadership coaches walks their clients, whether individuals, teams, or entire organizations through their signature process of: Building Connection: to self, others, and something greater. Restoring Intention: explore and define identity, vision, intention, and meaning, then build a plan. Inspiring Action: establish new practices, systems, rituals, and routines. Writing a Book As someone who has always enjoyed writing, Lindsay says that she faced challenges she wasn't expecting when writing her first book: Practically and tactically it was hard to do the writing. Sharing lived experience was hard at times. "What if people think this sucks?" Due to her identity as a writer, Lindsay shares that it feels strange to put her words and writing style on display for the world. Regardless of the struggles it presented, Lindsay shares that writing Take It All Apart has resulted in her feeling more poised in her own practice, more refined in her process of coaching and writing. Connect with Lindsay Lindsay Leahy is a proud wife, daughter, auntie, and friend. She is passionate about Jesus, hugs, dreams, adventures, and deep conversation. She is the creator of the blog Grit, Gratitude, and Grace and the founder and Dream Builder at The Restoration Project, a women-owned coaching and consulting practice that provides experiences, programs, and services to improve organizational health, team and leadership effectiveness and individual well-being. Lindsay is the author of Take it All Apart, debuting October 2024. Join her book Hype Crew for all the upcoming launch events and details or preorder your own copy here.

Of course there are hard truths that make business ownership difficult and may complicate your life, but there are some other hard truths you must acknowledge too… Today, I'm here to share 7 additional hard truths I've learned about running a business in the 7+ years I've owned and operated Molly Knuth Media. If you didn't listen to part 1, then click here to check out last week's episode. Entrepreneurship and small business ownership is anything but easy, but I do believe that it is the way of the future. Because especially as women/moms/friends I think we need to know how our unique skills and talents can help us earn money and support our families. I want you to hear in this episode the silver linings of the hard side of business that I wish someone had shared with me when I started my small biz journey in 2017. 7 (More) Hard Truths You Need to Hear About Business 1: You'll never want to work a set schedule again. 2: You'll never want to work for anyone else again. 3: You'll test your courage. 4: You are your own biggest limitation. 5: You will evolve and change. 6: You will be an inspiration to others. 7: You will be forced to celebrate yourself. Connect with Molly Find me and all my business life/personal life shenanigans at, @mollyknuth_mkm, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media for all the marketing tips and trends at @mollyknuthmedia on Facebook and Instagram.

This episode is for a specific listener, friend. It is specific to the female business owner out there who is wondering if working for herself is all that it's cracked up to be. It's the woman who is thinking about taking the leap from being a classroom teacher to going full-time in her side-hustle. It's for the woman who is scared shitless right now because her dream isn't working out just how she thought now that she's 1 1/2 years into self-employment. It's for the woman who has been building this company for 7 years and now she's wondering if there's something else her heart is calling her to (cue Reba McIntire "Is There Life Out There?"). It's for the woman who is considering a leap of faith, and I want her to feel validated in her fears and also prepared for what will be expected of her in this next season of reaching. Today, I'm here to share 7 hard truths I've learned about running a business in the 7+ years I've owned and operated Molly Knuth Media. In today's Instagrammable world of glamorizing the time freedom, financial opportunities, upward mobility that self-employment can bring, I want this episode to be a resource to talk about the less-than-glamorous side of working for yourself. Because while it is incredibly worthwhile and the way of the future (I firmly believe it), entrepreneurship and small business ownership is anything but easy. And I don't want you to feel like you are "behind" in life or that someone has the secret to being a woman/mom/friend/business owner all figured out in some secret handbook that you never received. I want you to hear in this episode the hard side of business that I wish someone had shared with me, so I didn't feel alone and ashamed at various points of my own small business journey. 10 Hard Truths You Need to Hear About Business You need to work Then, you need to work less You will fuck up You will lose people No one owes you their money or their business Not everyone is cut out for this It's ok to quit Connect with Molly Find me and all my business life/personal life shenanigans at, @mollyknuth_mkm, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media for all the marketing tips and trends at @mollyknuthmedia on Facebook and Instagram.

It's back to school, listener! Back to business school that is, as today we sit down with human resources coach and consultant and small business owner, Kristie McCarthy of Bridge Business Resources. You will definitely want to have a pen and paper ready as you listen through this episode and hear Kristie's advice on protecting yourself and your team members from common struggles and errors that can occur when employing a team. With over 20 years of experience in HR, Kristie's goal is to help you bridge the gaps that can happen in the people side of operating a small business. She understands that business owners can be exceptional in their craft and kick ass at making sales, marketing, etc. But when it comes to growing a team, we as business owners can have major blindspots in legal and tax requirements that come along with employment. Even with the best of intentions, there are pitfalls employers face when managing a team, and Kristie's mission at Bridge is to help you identify and proactively plan for the human side of your business. In today's episode, Kristie shares the 6 employer danger zones she commonly sees with her clients and how you can take action today to address these areas in your own business. Danger Zones to Watch Out For Protected Classes of Employees Classifying Employees as Independent Contractors or Payroll Employees Payroll & Time Tracking Employee Safety & Reporting Terminating Employees Protecting Your Business More About Kristie and her business, Bridge Business Resources Whether you are a small business owner, trying to do it all yourself, or a leader in a larger organization trying to prepare for the next step, it is difficult to do it all. There are inevitably gaps...whether it is in communication, in what you can offer your employees, or in how prepared you are for the growth you hope to achieve. Bridge Business Resources is here to fill those gaps, take work off your plate, and allow you to spend time focused on what you do best. Bridge helps you with consulting, coaching, and done for you services including payroll processing, human resources activities, and more. Visit the Bridge Business Resources website or connect with Bridge on Facebook and LinkedIn to see how Kristie can help you thrive.

Well, we're 170+ episodes and almost 4 years into this podcast journey, and this is the first time I've explicitly tackled this topic on the pod: growing and building a team as a small business owner. In the past 7 years of operating my marketing business at Molly Knuth Media, I've had a variety of team structures. I was originally a solo freelancer, then I had one person who helped on a mix of tasks as I needed them. Eventually I had a team of 7 people working various hours and skills in their own wheelhouses, and now I'm back to having a very lean team structure. What I've learned along the way is that there is no blueprint for growing a team. Damn it. It would be so much easier if there was. In today's episode, we're going to discuss the successes I've experienced in bringing others on board at my business Molly Knuth Media, the struggles I experienced in leading said team, and how you can know if you are ready to build a team in your own business. My Successes Tackling larger projects Seeing people grow in their skills and gifts Growing myself as a leader My Struggles Growing myself as a leader Making changes Knowing what's right How do I know if I'm ready? Get clear with yourself Make sure your finances align Check out this episode of Profitable Women from my friend and accountant, Sheila Hansen for more on this. Get ready for friction Get more from Molly Knuth Media Reach out at [email protected] to discuss coaching and consulting options from Molly to help your service provider business growth and marketing in 2024.

Hello listener, and welcome back to another episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth. …and her kids! My name is Corinne Knuth And in today's episode we're having a special conversation with Molly, Corinne, and the other three Knuth children. I thought it would be fun to be on mom's podcast and it would be a nice way for Mom and her listeners to learn about what it's like as a child of someone who owns a business. Some of my favorite parts of our interview were when my little brother farted and when we all sat around and asked mom questions. After you listen to this episode, try and play a game with your family and spend some family time together. Key parts: Set rules up front about who gets to talk when What the kids been doing all summer "What is the best part about mom working at home?" "What's the hardest part about mom working from home?" "Would it be better for mom to have a regular job?" "What is mom's favorite part of being a work from home mom?" "Why did mom start this business instead of being a teacher?" "Why can't kids come in the office when mom is trying to work?" "What is the hardest part of working with clients and kids?" "My job is only as good as being able to deliver what my clients need." Helpful Links Episode 88: Motherly Advice Episode 81: The Power of Community with Charlotte Knuth Get more from Molly Knuth Media Reach out at [email protected] to discuss coaching and consulting options from Molly to help your service provider business growth and marketing in 2024.

We've made it. The dog days of summer. This time of year, we can have so many of these schedule interruptions or things that happen in life that pull us away from our businesses. Time compressed and condensed: we're outside more, we have more social gatherings, and life just happens at a quicker pace. With our guest today, Miss Aly Robbins, we're reminded of those foundational pieces of our business that we can put in place, especially for service providers. These six foundational components ensure our business is solid and can run the way we want it to, in order to provide exceptional client and customer experience for the people we serve. I love that her six-step process is a metaphor that is easy to picture and take action on. Just like doing what you can to make sure your plants can grow (whether you're an indoor plant mama or you're growing your gardens this summer), you need to provide essential elements for your business to grow: leadership - sunlight marketing - water sales - nutrients mindset - soil offer - seeds backend systems and processes - air temperature Aly is engaging, insightful, resourceful, and I know you are going to connect with her and her message in today's episode of The Found Podcast. Key Takeaways: 8:26 - Aly's multiple entrepreneurial ventures and what they've taught her to help her clients 13:18 - The importance of money mindset 18:56 - 6 essential components of growing a business 21:30 - leadership (sunlight) 28:07 - marketing (water) 32:29 - sales (nutrients) 35:59 - mindset (soil) 42:10 - offer (seeds) 43:53 - backend systems + processes (air temperature) More About Aly Robins Aly Robins is a serial entrepreneur who helps people like you grow their business and reach their first $50k through 1:1 business coaching and group coaching. Like Aly, her clients are stepping into a new level of confidence and becoming more profitable small business professionals. Just a few years ago, Allie herself was struggling to land sales because she was brand new to the online world. She was full-time as a rangeland specialist and building her business on the side. But she was experiencing trials and tribulations trying to break through income levels that she knew were possible but were hard for her to attain. After investing in her business by hiring a marketing coach and working with several business coaches over time, Allie learned so much about not just marketing, but about the foundational components of building a sustainable business using her signature six-step process. Get more information on her process at alyrobins.com or follow her on Instagram at @alyrobins1. Helpful Links Aly Robins Website Aly on Instagram Aly's Podcast Donald Miller Business Made Simple Donald Miller Building a Story Brand Carol Dweck Mindset Chris Harder Money Mindset Episode with Sheila Hansen Molly's Money Mindset & Finance Journey Sheila Hansen's Podcast Gina Knox's Podcast

Starting or growing a service provider business in 2024? Then you will NOT want to miss this episode, my friend. In today's episode of The Found Podcast, I'm breaking down the phases of business evolution into three key parts: Baby businesses - aka: those new businesses that are somewhere from 0 to 1-2 years in, getting the lay of the land, experiencing all that life has to offer, high highs and low lows. Childhood businesses - aka: years 1-3 in business, really learning at a rapid rate and establishing yourself by the rules. Teen businesses - aka: years 3 to 6, where you're feeling like you want to make a name for yourself, where you want to test the limits and test the boundaries, you're considering reinvention and breaking out of norms. Bonus: Young adult business years - aka: years 6+, that I'm in the midst of myself! For each of these phases of business, I'm going to point out three key components/actions I recommend to business owners in this phase. We're also going to talk about key marketing targets that I would focus on if I was in that phase of business so you can maximize your time, energy, and resources. I'll be telling stories and giving examples throughout from my own experience thus far with Molly Knuth Media, all the highs, lows, and in-betweens. I'm hoping that with your listening experience today, you'll be able to hear some of your own story, regardless of what phase of business you're in. And maybe you'll be able to take away some key moves you can make to facilitate your growth through that particular phase of business. Get your notebooks ready and grab a pen, because today's episode of The Found Podcast is full of actionable, tactical tips for you! Timestamps: 4:59 Baby Business Foundations + Marketing Tips 22:19 Childhood Business Foundations + Marketing Tips 34:10 Teenage Business Foundations + Marketing Tips 40:26 Young Adult Business Steps Get more from Molly Knuth Media Reach out at [email protected] to discuss coaching and consulting options from Molly to help your service provider business growth and marketing in 2024.

In this episode format called "Coaching Calls," a small business owner/entrepreneur is given an opportunity to submit a question they would like me to answer about marketing, business growth, personal development, or anything that's on their mind! Today's submission is from a fellow marketer in northeast Iowa, Alex Monaghan of MAK Marketing, who asked, "How do you keep up with the algorithm?" This is a layered question, but it's one I think we all need a reminder of as we promote our products and services, specifically on social media. Key Takeaways: "The Meta algorithms, so Facebook and Instagram, and those are really driven by engagement. And engagement on those platforms looks like a hierarchy of interactions." "A video engagement is considered a three-second view." "What might my ideal audience be looking for? What are the words they're going to use? What are some of the phrases that they might search? And we want to make sure that we include those in our titles and in our captions to help those algorithms serve our content more." "So I've learned over the years, there is…a very distinct difference between marketing for a product based business and marketing for a service based business." "My perspective has always been to just give, and the right people will find me." Time Stamps: 3:27 Meet Alex 7:04 "What is an algorithm?" 7:47 Meta algorithms 10:09 TikTok algorithm 11:24 YouTube & Pinterest algorithms 13:25 Timing the algorithms 23:03 How much is too much information to share? A little more about Alex and MAK Marketing Co MAK Marketing Co is a full-service marketing agency that helps rural, family-owned businesses bring their stories to life. MAK helps their clients anticipate market trends and consumer needs, ensuring that they are using marketing strategies that are relevant and effective in the long term. From creating logos and branding, graphics, and print designs, to email marketing, social media marketing, and the strategy that unites it all, MAK helps their clients innovatively grow and connect agriculture businesses to their clients, one story at a time. Connect with Alex and schedule a free consultation at https://www.makmarketingco.com/ or reach out to [email protected]. Be a Guest on a Future Coaching Call If you'd like to ask Molly your business or marketing question on a future episode of The Found Podcast, click the link below to enter your name and burning question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchWWpkpdlzqnDJI0ocMcGgCXGkBk_8mIEFPKjLwkQ-W1oLYg/viewform

This one is for the ladies out there….myself included. Over the past few years, I have been on a health journey. In 2015, I found strength training and really loved how my brain and body responded to weight lifting (more on that in this episode from the Re-Find miniseries of the podcast). Then, in 2018, I dove into nutrition and started paying attention to macro rations, portion sizes, and caloric deficits with the help of my friend Coach Erika at Sweat Inspire Sisterhood (hear from her in one of the very first episodes of the podcast). But in the years since, with the Covid of it all, different seasons of business, and stressful life circumstances, I've found myself at my heaviest weight ever and carrying a LOT of it in my midsection. I've been pretty vulnerable sharing about this journey on my Instagram Stories, and thankfully through the magic of social media I was able to connect with Bri Edwards, owner and integrative nutrition health coach at Healthy Foundations Dubuque. Through her proven Mind Body Nutrition Method, Bri guides women to their healthiest and most vibrant selves. Because she believes you don't have to continue looking for the next right diet. You don't have to continue looking for the next right fitness plan. You don't need to push harder. You don't need to have greater self control. You just need to unlearn and relearn the truths about your body as a woman, nutrition and how you can utilize both to transform your life. In this episode with Bri, you'll learn simple steps to set you up for success each day, ways to manage your stress levels through the foods you're eating, and how to listen to your body in order to understand what you need most. This is an episode every woman needs to hear. Key Takeaways 4:53 Meet Bri 7:12 Bri's Health Journey 8:47 What Women Were Told about Their Bodies 12:46 Phases of Women's Cycles 20:44 Stress and its Impact on Women's Bodies: 27:56 Stress and Weight Loss 31:10 Nutrition and Stress 35:40 Setting Yourself Up for Success Helpful Resources Book a Clarity Session with Bri Healthy Foundations Dubuque website Healthy Foundations YouTube Channel Flo Cycle Tracking App Do Less by Kate Northrup Episode 137 The Found Podcast with Guest Jada Dobesh

In this episode…chaos ensues. Wardrobe malfunctions, losing my train of thought, jumping from topic-to-topic, this episode and all that happens within is very fluid and unscripted: much like my business and motherhood journey. I'm not exaggerating when I saw that within the first five minutes of this episode, you'll hear the most embarrassing mishap of my podcasting journey so far…and we're over 160 episodes in! As we open the month of June here at The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, we are breaking down what I've learned in my 7+ years of business, and how my experience as a woman has largely affected the way I show up as a leader and entrepreneur. Key Takeaways 10:05 The boobs of it all: minimizing myself, my talents, and my gifts and playing small, much like the pre-pubescent me who wanted to minimize certain "aspects" of myself. 20:40 The bullshit of it all: the structures we still ascribe to in 2024 that were put in place in the patriarchal 1940s and 1950s. From overtly misaligned gender norms to even subtle aspects of our work expectations, women have to handle a lot of extra bullshit as they are building their businesses. 34:20 The burnout of it all: ladies, we simply try to handle SO much. Trying to be strong all the time, trying to feel and look like we've got our shit together, and knowing that it doesn't feel as good on the inside as we sometimes see on the outside can come at a cost. Without properly practicing self-awareness and putting supports in place, we can teeter into the land of burnout when we try to tackle too much on our personal and professional journeys. 14:27 "A lot of what I've been learning in recent years about the choices we make as adults is rooted and grounded in some of the experiences and thoughts that we had as children." 18:18 "I knew for sure that the people that I saw running businesses or thought of as these, like, great business minds, whether locally or on the internet, they didn't look like me. They didn't look like a mom who was in her sweatpants and a hat. in her office with three kids coloring on the floor behind her." 20:40 "What I'm talking about here is the natural way that our bodies work, the hormones and how women operate on a monthly cycle. I'm talking about how we have emotions and feelings and those should not be separate from business. Business is personal." Helpful Resources Episode 137: "Wholly Herself with Jada Dobesh" Our guest next week, Bri Edwards, teaches women all about hormone health and nutrition Episode 7: "What I Learned from Being a Waitress"

This is one of my favorite things to do ever: take YOUR burning questions and answer them live. Just last month in April of 2024, I had the privilege of speaking to a group of approximately 150 people at the Young Professionals Association of Dubuque, Iowa. They had me in to talk about marketing and how to get seen by more people, particularly through your digital marketing strategies. When I went to this function, I love to share what I know and came prepared with slides, supportive resources, and a 45-minute planned speech. But, as with many programs I've been to before, I felt like the biggest takeaways came from the Q&A portion of the event. When we have an opportunity to ask burning questions from the audience in order to get the perspective of the speaker, it engages the participants and allows for real-time learning and application. This episode is the result of all those fantastic questions the YP attendees submitted. Read below for a preview of some of the topics we cover (and my answers) and a few helpful links for more information! 2:37 Question 1: Where did you get your blazer? Answer 1: Old Navy 3:27 Question 2: How do you encourage a client to utilize all parts of the flywheel in their marketing when a decent amount of local businesses have small budgets? Answer 2: So this is a fantastic question. If you want to know what the heck is a flywheel, go over to my episode from the beginning of May, the very first episode, episode 162. That one's going to be all about the marketing flywheel, and how I encourage my audience or sorry, how I encourage my clients to develop a more holistic marketing strategy. Short story: I would remind you that good marketing doesn't mean you have to pay more for it. It just means that you are doing things in a way that your audience recognizes and appreciates, and you are meeting them where they are. For example, in the attraction phase of your marketing, I really do recommend that you're doing things in your strategy that are getting new eyeballs on you. This could mean collaborations. For example, I bring guests onto my podcast. It doesn't cost them any money to come be a guest with me, but it's opening them up to a whole new audience. If they go and do two podcast guest spots a month, then they're open to two new audiences each month. They're attracting a lot more people in. It's not costing them money. It's just costing them time. And that's helping them really get clear on where their time and energy and efforts are spent for that attraction phase of their marketing. 12:21 Question 3: Have you ever worked on a hiring campaign for a client? And if you have, what was successful and what was not so successful? 24:19 Question 4: Should a business still be using Twitter/X? 27:27 Question 5: What are your thoughts on Pinterest? Tap here to listen to a recent episode on this very topic! 34:31 Question 6: Besides social media, where else should you market in person events? 40:58 Question 7: Platforms such as Facebook, LinkedIn have become flooded with entrepreneurs and businesses competing for the attention of their audience. They've essentially become red oceans (tap here for more info on the blue ocean vs. red ocean analogy). Has the shift away from traditional marketing actually created a large opportunity for some savvy people to leverage it? Helpful Links: Watch this on YouTube Episode 161 Coaching Call: "Should I add Pinterest to my business' marketing?" Episode 162: 3 Things I Wish Small Business Owners Knew About Their Marketing Be a Guest on a Future Coaching Call If you'd like to ask Molly your business or marketing question on a future episode of The Found Podcast, click the link below to enter your name and burning question: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSchWWpkpdlzqnDJI0ocMcGgCXGkBk_8mIEFPKjLwkQ-W1oLYg/viewform

Much like Chik-Fil-A, this week's episode was a pleasure! Sincerely. Today on the podcast, we welcome not one, but two guests: Jan + Erin Johnson of Trailblazher Co. They're a mother daughter duo of multi-passionate women who have developed the grit, resilience, and gutsiness that comes from the ups and downs of being entrepreneurs over the past 24 years in business - together! As you'll hear them share in today's episode, Jan + Erin's skillsets complement one another so well, and together they love to create and bring new ideas to life. While they love working alongside one another, their true joy comes from sharing stories of rural women across North America. Through their work at Trailblazher Co, they not only publish a gorgeous quarterly magazine, host a weekly podcast and connect rural women, but they're inspiring women along the way. As you'll hear in today's episode, we cover a lot of ground, but the common thread is all about telling our stories as women. And how the peaks, the pits and everything in between can help the next generation of women who want to live rural and who want to grow rural businesses. This conversation is incredible, and I think you, like me will laugh, tear up, and feel so much joy and gratitude from the lessons Jan + Erin teach us in today's episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth. Key Takeaways "We are storytellers" "We use the word trailblazher because [the women we feature] have that grit and resilience and risk taking and bravery, and we're astounded, honestly, every week with the women that we talked to and what they're creating in their life and all the things that they have going on. And despite all of that, they're so determined to bring their biggest dreams to life." "It hasn't been a linear path. It's been messy at times. It's been on our knees like, Oh my gosh, what are we going to do next? But that thread that connects us is this purpose. and drive to make an impact in women's lives. And where does that come from? I'm not really sure. Maybe it is to grow ourselves into the biggest and best version of who we are." "No path is linear. No, it just, it just isn't. And that's what makes for great stories, right?" "You have to go through some personal growth, some, sometimes some dark valleys, sometimes you're at the height of the mountaintop, but it's in that, that you find yourself, you get even more grounded into your purpose. And then you've got these great stories to share with others." "How many other women have wares or goods like fresh produce that they want to sell and they need help with getting it out there? And so we actually started with, it was called at the time, The Rural Collective, and it was a directory to help rural women list their businesses so that we could find each other and have women in the cities find them rurally." "Stretch out. Reach out to people who are ahead of you, who could mentor you, help you, advise you, consult with you." "Every story of every person who you know, they have these same stories of times they tried things. They were gutsy, and they took a chance and they made it took a risk…maybe didn't work, but it gave them the knowledge to try something else or to pivot just slightly into the thing that made it work." "Inspiration is at the root of creativity, inspiration, joy." More about Jan & Erin Jan is the connector on the Trailblazher Co team. Her jam is content writing and ideas. Whether writing feature stories for Trailblazher magazine, web content or upcoming course materials, Jan is gifted with a pen! She is naturally skilled at connecting ideas in ways that influence the direction of the company. Jan is also a gifted people person and insightful communicator striving always to acknowledge and draw out the unique and highlight what makes people special (shaped by her 30 years as a lifeskills coach). Jan is fueled by exploring what is possible and bridging ideas into tangible, relevant offerings that set the business apart in this ever-changing economy. Erin is the innovator on the team. Her passion lies in digital and print design and marketing. And showing the behind-the-scenes on social. She can be found spending most of her time at the keyboard creating a new company website, designing the next issue of Trailblazher magazine or brand graphics for Trailblazher Co. Erin brings the synergy to the team with her team spirit and ambitious goal markers for the next growth stage of the company. Apart from her role in the company, she juggles being a work-from-home mom, and caring for 80+ chickens and ducks, some days she manages better than others. Erin thrives on possibility, on pushing the envelope and creating something that's never been done before. Together, with their tools and programs at Trailblazher Co, they want to help women explore the parts of themselves that are gutsy and resilient… the parts of that have been shaped by life experiences... the parts of that help women to live their life on purpose. If you w

This might be the most actionable, helpful episode of The Found Podcast I've ever released. Not kidding. In today's episode, we dive in to the three things I wish all small business owners knew about marketing in order to get people to take action. And I don't tell you to adopt any short-term trends or spend a bajillion dollars to do it. Nope, we focus on three key components: People do business with people You choose the trends, don't let the trends choose you Everyone has a story to tell In each of these components we drill down further to help you create a marketing strategy that fits you, your audience, and your business, and we use examples to help you take action just in time for summer. This episode also comes with plenty of resources, so be sure to tap the links below to access my 100 Story Starters downloadable tool and the slide deck that accompanies this information. And if you want the help of a strategic marketing expert to walk through this process on behalf of your business, reach out at [email protected] to discuss a 1:1 Strategy Session to give you a clear plan for your 2024 marketing. Timestamps 2:27: 3 takeaways I want you to have from the episode 3:25 Meet the host, Molly Knuth 8:45 How my eyes opened to social media marketing as a teacher 11:55 People do business with people 14:15 How to approach your marketing in the summer months 16:59 Attract - the first phase of the marketing flywheel 19:13 Nurture - the second phase of the marketing flywheel 21:25 Serve - the third phase of the marketing flywheel 24:45 Choosing your marketing avenues for each part of the flywheel 27:34 Concrete examples of businesses using a marketing flywheel 37:39 Everyone has a story to tell and formatting your marketing content for your audience 38:32 Set a goal 38:44 Develop your serve marketing assets first 39:34 Developing your nuture sequence 39:56 Developing your attract assets using the SEEN model Links 100 Story Starter Download SEEN Slideshow Amanda Hofman episode about merch Strategy Session Discovery Call link

If you are a new business owner or if you are still reaching for that first $50,000 in revenue for your business, this mini-episode with my friend Aly Robins is just what you've been looking for. In just 7 minutes, Aly shares: the common mistakes she sees brand new service-based business owners making that is preventing them from finding clients and making money strategies for gaining momentum in your business and bringing in leads what you'll get from her new FREE masterclass 5 Steps to Your First $50k happening on May 1, 2024. Register for the masterclass with Aly here. Learn more about Aly and the services she provides at https://www.alyrobins.com/ or follow her on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/alyrobins1

Have you ever wished you could just ask an expert, "How the heck do I do this…in simple terms?" That's exactly what I thought as I was planning out 2024 content for The Found Podcast: Why not give entrepreneurs and small business owners an opportunity to ask real questions in real time and get real answers that matter to them? In this episode format called "Coaching Calls," a small business owner/entrepreneur is given an opportunity to submit a question they would like me to answer about marketing, business growth, personal development, or anything that's on their mind! Today's submission is from one of my former coaching clients and friend, Natalie Berning of Berning Acres, who asked, "Should I add Pinterest to my business marketing strategy?" This is a layered question, but it's one I think we all of us should ask from time to time as we develop our marketing strategy and assess its return on investment. Benefits of Incorporating Pinterest in your Small Business' Marketing Strategy Now, my friend this is a very layered question, and as I go into with Natalie, it's not as simple as just starting an account and saying "Hey, let's Pin!" I highly recommend that anytime you add a platform to your marketing toolkit you make sure A: that it is aligned with your ideal audience B: that you have the time to dedicate to the learning and the growth it's going to take to get started on the platform C: that you develop a long-term and short-term plan for how this new platform will serve your business D: especially with Pinterest, begin with the end in mind and map out your customer's acquisition journey That being said, there are lots of reasons a small business could benefit from the addition of Pinterest to their marketing strategy: Visual Discovery: Pinterest is a highly visual platform where users discover ideas, products, and inspiration through images and videos. Small businesses can leverage this visual aspect to showcase their products or services in a visually appealing way, making them more discoverable to potential customers. High Intent Audience: Pinterest users often have high purchase intent, with many actively seeking ideas and inspiration for future purchases. By creating engaging and relevant content, small businesses can connect with users who are actively looking for products or services like theirs, driving traffic and sales. Longevity of Pins: Unlike other social media platforms where content may have a short lifespan, pins on Pinterest can have a long shelf life and continue to drive traffic and engagement over time. This means that small businesses can benefit from ongoing exposure and visibility for their content, even months or years after it's been pinned. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) Benefits: Pinterest acts as a visual search engine, allowing users to discover content based on keywords and interests. By optimizing pins with relevant keywords and descriptions, small businesses can improve their visibility in Pinterest search results and drive organic traffic to their website. Referral Traffic: Pinterest is a powerful driver of referral traffic, with users frequently clicking through pins to visit external websites. Small businesses can use Pinterest to drive traffic to their website, blog, or online store, increasing brand exposure and potential conversions. Targeted Advertising Options: Pinterest offers robust advertising options, including Promoted Pins and Pinterest Ads, which allow small businesses to target specific audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors. This targeted approach can help small businesses reach their ideal customers and drive meaningful results. Steps for Starting out on Pinterest Pinterest isn't just another social media platform—it's a powerful tool for driving traffic, increasing brand visibility, and connecting with potential customers. If you're ready to harness the potential of Pinterest for your business, here are five essential steps to get started: Create a Business Account: The first step to launching your Pinterest marketing strategy is to create a business account. This will give you access to valuable analytics and advertising features that can help you track your progress and reach your goals. Optimize Your Profile: Take the time to update and edit your account's bio section, profile picture, and helpful links. Use this space to showcase your brand personality, share important information about your business, and drive traffic to your website or other online properties. Create Relevant Boards: Next, create boards that align with your content pillars and target audience interests. Use simple, SEO-friendly titles for your boards to help your content get found in Pinterest search results. Organize your boards strategically to make it easy for users to find the content they're looking for. Curate and Repurpose Content: Don't limit yourself to sharing only your own content on Pinterest. Curate and repurpose high-quality content from other cr

When I started thinking about who to have in as a guest expert on the topics of systems and workflows, I knew exactly who my dream interview would be, so I shot my shot and sent an Instagram DM to Holly Haynes….yes. THE Holly Haynes. Holly helps female entrepreneurs create simple, scaleable offers and systems to grow to multi-6 figures without relying on the social algorithm. One of the things I love most about my time with Holly is her authenticity and her willingness to talk about all things business, including: her history in the corporate world and making the transition to side hustler and ultimately CEO getting connected with your community and using their questions and data to help you build a unique framework and business model that is true to your business strategies for scheduling your day and week her favorite tools for getting your time back as a business owner having her Instagram account taken down when she had over 16,000 followers how to "ditch the social drama" and incorporate marketing methods that don't rely on an algorithm This conversation with Holly is so much fun. You're going to learn incredible amounts of information (as I did!), and I think you're also going to fall in love with Holly along the way. Key Takeaways "I feel like on paper, it looks like we went from like zero to a hundred really fast, but I always share: it's almost like you have these little nudges along the way, and you like take a step and then you pivot, and then you take a step and you pivot." "It's all been based on what people are asking, but also, how can we serve based on where people are at." "I had enough corporate experience where I could just step away for a year. If it like all went downhill, then I could just like go back in the workforce." "I always say, if you can control your schedule, you control everything, right? It's all about time and where you're spending your time." "I'm just constantly trying to create this white space because that's where the creativity comes from." "Consistency trumps talent….so if you could pick the thing that you can be consistent about and then add it into your schedule where it doesn't feel like work, or if it does feel like work, it's for an hour, and then you're like moving on, you're going to see much better results." "We use social as, I like to call it like a magazine: it's like the sidecar to the main act. So the main act for us is podcasting and email." "Your home base is usually your email or some sort of nurture sequence or something. Most people get really overwhelmed by setting this up. What I tell them is just pause everything else because this is going to help you so much. When you're on podcast, what do you share? You share this. When you're networking, what do you share? You share this. When you're talking in emails or things like that, this is the thing that's going to do the work for you." "What if my goal was to help a hundred families change their schedule this year, right? Or a hundred families build their dream business? How would that feel as opposed to: I need 10 more clients, right? It just feels different." "You can run your business however you want to." Helpful Links to Items Mentioned in the Episode Jeni's Ice Cream Metricool ClickUp Planner ManyChat ChatGPT Video Ask More About Holly Holly helps female entrepreneurs create simple, scaleable offers and systems to grow to multi-6 figures without relying on the social algorithm. An industry expert and featured Thrive and Entrepreneur.com author with a 20-year business consulting background with Fortune 500 companies, Holly built her now 7- figure business while working full-time, retiring herself and her husband. Holly now runs her strategic coaching business, the Crush the Rush Planner company, and hosts the top 100 Crush the Rush podcast while raising her twin daughters with her husband in Columbus, Ohio. Holly's FREE CEO Week Challenge: https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/ceoweek Listen to Holly on the Crush the Rush podcast: https://www.hollymariehaynes.com/podcast

Time to get tactical, my friends. I love talking about energy and mindset and confidence and habits as much as the next person, but there are seasons for that and there are seasons to work and put your money where your mouth is. April is about taking action here at MKM. It's all about setting up the tools, systems, and workflows that will help you run your small business better, and today I'm starting with introducing you to my 10 Favorite Tech Tools that I rely on day-in and day-out in my business. Disclaimer: These aren't the fanciest, sexiest tools. They aren't going to automate your processes and take you from A→Z in 24 hours, but they are the tried and true tools I've integrated over the course of my seven years in business here at MKM. As I share my favorite tools of 2024, I also share tools that offer similar functions and features that may be better suited for those who are at an earlier stage of business or prefer a different user experience. Let's dive in with my 10 Favorite Tech Tools for small business owners. Slack What is it: Slack is a popular cloud-based collaboration tool designed to facilitate communication and teamwork within organizations. It offers a wide range of features, including real-time messaging, file sharing, project management, and integration with other productivity tools. Overall, Slack is widely used by teams and organizations of all sizes to improve communication, collaboration, and productivity in the workplace. How I use it: Communicating with MKM team members. We love the "Channels" feature that allows us categorize our conversations and file sharing by client. No more losing conversations in long email threads. Everything is easy to find and search and in one place. We operate on the free version of the platform, as it had all the capabilities and functions we needed as a super small team. Heads up: Set up rules, expectations, and boundaries to keep everything on-track and above-board. Link to Slack: https://slack.com/ ClickUp What is it: ClickUp is used by teams and organizations across various industries to increase efficiency, collaboration, and transparency in their work processes. ClickUp is a cloud-based productivity platform designed to help teams and individuals organize and manage their work. It offers a wide range of features and tools to streamline task management, project collaboration, goal tracking, and more. How I use it: Tracking projects, assigning certain team members to projects, assigning and monitoring due dates, time tracking, and project management. There is So. Much. More. you can do with Clickup, and I know I'm merely scratching the surface of its functionality. Heads up: Other apps like Asana and Trello are also helpful for project management. Link to ClickUp: https://clickup.com/ Dubsado What is it: Dubsado is designed to help small businesses and freelancers streamline their operations, improve client management, and enhance productivity. It provides a comprehensive set of tools to support various aspects of running a business, from client acquisition to project delivery and beyond. How I use it: I use Dubsado for preparing, sending and signing client contracts; sending and receiving client questionnaires; scheduling; automated emails; and I used to use it for invoicing and billing. Heads up: Other CRMs like Honeybook, Hubspot, Pipedrive, and Salesforce are also helpful for Customer Relationship Management. Link to Dubsado (and get 20% off your first month or your first year!): dubsado.com/?c=mkm20 Flodesk What is it: Flodesk is an email marketing platform designed to help businesses and creators create visually stunning email campaigns easily. It offers a range of features and templates to assist users in designing and sending emails that are visually appealing and engaging. Flodesk is known for its simplicity, ease of use, and visually appealing email designs, making it a popular choice for small businesses, bloggers, and creators looking to enhance their email marketing efforts. How I use it: I use Flodesk for everything: sending newsletters, sending client emails, creating landing pages, creating sales pages, checkouts for programs, segmenting my audience, and in general, keeping in touch with my clients somewhere off of social media. Heads up: Other email marketing platforms include Mailchimp, Constant Contact, ConvertKit, and ActiveCampaign Link to Flodesk (and save 50% on your first year!): https://flodesk.com/c/MOLLYKNUTHMEDIA MetaBusiness Suite What is it: MetaBusiness Suite is a suite of business tools offered by Meta Platforms, formerly known as Facebook. These tools are designed to help businesses manage their presence and advertising on Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and other platforms owned by Meta. How I use it: Measuring/monitoring my Facebook and Instagram insights and scheduling posts for myself and my clients. Heads up: Other social media schedulers include Hootsuite, Metricool, Buffer, Later, and Planoly Link to Meta Bu

Today's submission is from an Iowa friend who asked, "How can I create more compelling social media content that converts into sales?" This is a layered question, but it's one I think we all of us should ask from time to time as we develop our marketing strategy and assess its return on investment. Tips for making your social media content stand out for product-based businesses Use multiple images on posts: when viewers see that there are more photos available than they can see from the preview, curiosity takes over and they click through all the images in the post. Each image is logged as one engagement by the social media platforms, and every engagement tells that algorithm that your post is something more people want to see. More clicks = more engagement = more reach. Prioritize candid, real-life images, not just the pretty, curated ones: yes, we live in a world of FaceTune and Photoshop, but what really compels viewers to stop their scroll is something relatable. Think photos that are a little imperfect, backgrounds they recognize from their own community, vignettes that they could picture in their own homes. Incorporate Video: Using video to share new product arrivals, whether in a post, Reel, or Story, will help your viewers get the full effect. Don't feel pressured to do trendy dance moves or spend hours editing and clipping your videos. Just prioritize being helpful and informative as you display your newest items in your shop via video. Listen to today's episode for even more tips! A little more about our guest today… Kimberly Kollasch is the founder and owner of 400 RS Home & Design in Whittemore, Iowa. She is passionate about making homes beautiful and cozy, so through her storefront (both a brick-and-mortar shopping experience and an online store) Kimberly offers seasonal decor and giftables. Not only does she offer brand-new items, but she also has a talent for breathing new life into vintage furniture so it looks modern and perfectly at home in 2024. Learn more about 400 RS Home & Design To find out more about Kimberly and what her business offers, visit https://400-rs-home-design.myshopify.com/ or give them a follow over on Instagram or Facebook If you want to be a guest on an upcoming coaching call Click here to submit your question for Molly: https://forms.gle/LfZzFZgWiDwwehZD7

Amanda Hofman of Go To Market Studio is the "go-to" for creating anti-boring custom merch for your business that will turn heads and keep you top of mind for your ideal clients and customers. Amanda is a wife, human mom of 2, dog mom, and co-founder of Go To Market, her second company in her entrepreneurial career. She and her company create custom-branded merchandise for businesses, authors, podcasters, and more. They're flipping the branded merchandise industry on its head by challenging the age-old practice of sticking the company's logo in the middle of whatever product they are handing out, be it tee shirts, hats, pens, lunch boxes, tumblers, etc. Instead, Amanda and her design team dig into their client's mission, vision, and branding to create designs that represent their values. As a result, they create swag that clients and customers are willing and excited to rep! The other part of the Go To Market model that is revolutionizing the industry hinges on sustainability and inclusion. All their client's online merch shops are print-on-demand, meaning companies don't have to order and store massive quantities of coffee cups, pre-sized tee shirts, and the like. Clients and customers can place their orders online and get the size, shape, color, style that they want. This leads to less waste and more intentional and valued usage of the products. Key Takeaways from Today's Episode "You gotta walk through the suck to get through to the other side." "We expect things to be custom and meaningful and interesting and targeted." "We're focusing on teaching companies…how to make items that really reflect their values. So we're not printing their logo front and center, we're printing something that's meaningful to the business. We're trying to harness the thing that makes a business, an author, a podcaster special." "The other part we're doing is the sustainability piece where everything prints on-demand…everything prints as it's ordered, so that people get what they want in the size, shape, color, style that they want it." "It's really about connection…People aren't connected to your logo, they're connected to ideas. They're connected to the way that you make them feel." "So many business owners want branded merch because they love their brand." "There are risks that we're willing to take and not." "That I feel like we just have to acknowledge it…Entrepreneurship, a variable income is very challenging if you're raising a family. A variable income is challenging, period. And then if you're raising a family, like, I can't imagine that level of stress." "I'm not a failure. I tried something, and it didn't work out." "When a company is giving a gift where there isn't choice, even if it's thoughtful, even if it's beautiful to you, you're still giving a burden to people at some level." Go to Market with Amanda Check out all that Amanda and Go To Market Studio has to offer on their website or connect with her over on LinkedIn for all the updates in her upcoming adventures. Helpful Links Mentioned in the Episode Website: https://gotomarket.studio/ IG: https://www.instagram.com/gotomarketstudio/ Amanda LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandagoldfinehofman/ Failure Pod Episode: https://mollyknuthmedia.com/2023/09/05/perspectives-from-a-failing-business-owner/ Break an Egg group: https://break-an-egg.ck.page/products/break-an-egg Work Clean Book: https://a.co/d/gvJ03FP

Risk is inherent in life. Every damn day. Whether you decide to stay the same or make a change. Like following the speed limit, or going 5 over…or tinting your driver's windows and getting pulled over by the same state trooper twice now. Like staying at the same 5 pound weights you've been using for 8 weeks, or going up to 8 pounders for this next strength session. Like swiping right or swiping left. Staying at your job with a steady paycheck or going all-in on your business. Each choice above comes with a risk whether you decide to "play it safe" or "take a chance." The risk of following the speed limit may be arriving late to your meeting, while going 5 over could get you a ticket. The risk of using 5 pounders is not seeing the muscle tone as quickly as you'd like, but going up to 8s means you might be sore tomorrow. Swiping right might mean…actually I don't know the difference between swiping right or swiping left, but you get the picture. There isn't necessarily a "right" or a "wrong" choice in any of the scenarios above, but one presents a bigger perceived risk than the other. Taking risk is inherent in life. We can choose to stay the path and follow the course we started down, or we can change along the way. Change is a risk. It's uncomfortable, and it's meant to be. Because part of taking risk is knowing and exploring and pushing what our upper limits are and finding ourselves at the edges of what is possible. Key Takeaways from the Podcast: "Risk is inherent." "March is the season of spring, a sense of renewal, a sense of rebirth, and I don't think it's a coincidence that anytime in my life when I've considered taking a risk or making a change...a lot of it does connect with this season of spring, this month of March." "I really was just testing my upper limits, seeing what is possible...I never would have known what my limits were had I not tried this other path." "Over time by increasing resistance, I increased my threshold of risk, I increased my thermostat of taking chances, and i was proving to myself...what I was capable of." "And it's through some of those "small risks" that we take, that we really do prove to ourselves who we are." "Part of taking risk is knowing and exploring and pushing what our upper limits are." Helpful Links: Sweat Inspire Sisterhood: Virtual + NEW in-person women's fitness and nutrition community The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks Get in the MKM Book Club In March, MKM is hosting our third month of the MKM Book Club for entrepreneurs and small business owners who desire community and personal/professional development each month. Our first selection is The Big Leap by Gay Hendricks. In The Big Leap, New York Times bestselling author Gay Hendricks reveals a simple yet comprehensive program for overcoming our one barrier to happiness and fulfillment, providing a clear path for achieving our true potential and attaining not only financial success but also success in love and life. To join the MKM Book Club visit mkm.myflodesk.com/marchmkmbookclub

Have you ever wished you could just ask an expert, "How the heck do I do this…in simple terms?" That's exactly what I thought as I was planning out 2024 content for The Found Podcast: Why not give entrepreneurs and small business owners an opportunity to ask real questions in real time and get real answers that matter to them? In this new episode format called "Coaching Calls," a small business owner/entrepreneurs is given an opportunity to submit a question they would like me to answer about marketing, business growth, personal development, or anything that's on their mind! Today's submission is from an Iowa friend who asked, "How do you organize and execute your content creation to support your audience and marketing?" This is a layered question, but it's one I think we all should consider this year more than ever in our business marketing. Strategy is the name of the game in small business marketing in 2024 We are not throwing spaghetti at the wall, friends. We are running a business. And running a business is most enjoyable, profitable, and impactful when we have a clear plan of serving our clients and customers. This translates to our marketing too! We want to make sure that all forms of our business' marketing, whether print materials, social media, on our website, or in face-to-face conversation, is cohesive, clear, and compelling for our ideal clients/customers. As business owners, we don't have time to waste spending hours creating marketing materials and digital content that feels disjointed and confusing, we want to be able to follow a strategic plan that guides our audience so they know about us, understand how we help them, experience a bit of what it's like to work with us, and ultimately choose to become our clients and customers. How do we do this? Start by answering the following: what are your goals? who is your ideal client/customer? how do they spend their time? what do they love? what do they not love? how do you talk to your ideal client/customer? Then move into mapping out what to talk about and what you want to sell on a paper calendar. Jot down important dates and events for the month, assign a theme to the month, and identify various tips, products, or services that tie into that theme so your ideal clients how you help them solve their problems. In today's episode, I provide a variety of examples for planning a social media marketing calendar for both product and service-based businesses so you can have strategy guiding your content creation. A little more about our guest today… Maryann Baldwin is the founder and owner of The Works in Lansing, Iowa. She is passionate about helping entrepreneurs, small business owners and dreamers go after and achieve their goals. Through her business' Office Works, Kitchen Works, and Innovation Works, Maryann helps local dreamers and doers launch, grow, and remain competitive in the business market. Learn more about Lansing Works To find out more about Maryann and what her business offers, visit https://www.lansingofficeworks.com/ or give them a follow over on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn!

Listener, when I was mapping out the first part of the year here at The Found Podcast and decided that February was all about belief and self-confidence, I just KNEW we had to have my friend Coach Kiah in for a guest interview. Kiah Twisselman Burchett is a California cattle rancher turned motivational speaker on a mission to empower others to love themselves deeper, care for themselves better, and find joy in this messy, beautiful, journey of life. Through hosting retreats, motivational speaking, her podcast Climbing with Coach Kiah, and coaching her clients, Coach Kiah helps women cultivate confidence through self-awareness, compassion, curiosity, and growth. As she shares in the episode, Kiah wouldn't always describe herself as "confident," but through all the peaks and valleys of her lived experience, she's learned to lean into her gifts, talents, and dreams, to write her own story. Our time together FLEW by and I just loved where the journey took us in today's episode. Be sure to visit Coach Kiah's website for more, including details on her upcoming Ireland retreat, her Cultivating Confidence free downloadable guide, and more of her energetic and inspirational stories from her podcast. Key Takeaways She calls herself a "California cattle ranch kid," and throughout her life Kiah has found herself coming back time and again to the rural/ag community. Kiah says that a lot of her self-worth over the years was defined by her picture of the "ideal body." Her journey to attain that body over nearly two decades lead to a series of yo-yo fad diets before a pivotal moment caused her to take massive action and reinvent herself and her entire life. Kiah found success in her mental, physical, and emotional wellness when she stopped restricting herself and began celebrating, loving, and nourishing herself with what she needed: "It was more about what would make me feel really good today…and really it was about focusing on the mindset aspect first." "I had no idea where my life would be now, five years ago. And I'm not naive enough to say that I know what the next five years of my life will look like. I don't know, but I'm along for the ride!" "The truth is that I really do believe that every single one of us are the main characters in our own lives, but whether or not we feel that way is another story." "All of us are looking for this prescriptive list…we want someone to tell us what to do…But the question isn't "what do I do?" the question is "how do I think?" and the thinking and the feeling is the hardest part of this journey but it's the most important piece." It's the thinking and the feeling, not the doing, that will ultimately propel us to personal and professional success and belief in ourselves. "We are not even aware of the stories we are constantly ruminating on in the back of our minds." Coach Kiah really believes that journaling and getting those thoughts out on paper is a helpful tool for reflection, self-awareness, and growth. Where is Coach Kiah climbing in 2024? Listen to the full episode to find out! Climb with Kiah Check out all that Coach Kiah has to offer on her website, especially her podcast library and her Cultivating Confidence guide, or connect with her over on IG for all the updates in her upcoming adventures.

Have you ever held yourself back from something because you just didn't think you were "ready yet?" Held yourself back from a promotion? Knocked your pricing down a little bit because you were worried about what other people think? Waited to make a purchase? Bit your tongue instead of spoke your true feelings aloud? Held off until "Monday," "next week," or "next month" to begin a new habit? Ladies, we often are our own worst enemies in holding ourselves back due to imposter syndrome. We feel like we don't have enough education, experience, or preparation, for the next step we're considering and therefore we don't make a move…at all. Imposter syndrome isn't a new concept, and it affects a majority of women in their personal and professional lives. It keeps us small, it has us feeling stuck, and it's time to say, "that's enough of that shit." The antidote to imposter syndrome? Cultivating our belief in ourselves as individuals, moms, wives, aunties, friends, teammates, and business owners. Self-belief doesn't just come from the ground, though. It involves taking messy action so we learn to trust ourselves. Trusting ourselves over time so that we become confident in our abilities, and turning that confidence into an innate belief of who we are and what we are capable of. In today's episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, I share some surprising facts about imposter syndrome, actions to take as we begin to flex our trust and confidence muscles, and ultimately how to believe that we have what it takes to be our best selves in 2024. Actions Steps for Stepping into Trust, Confidence, and Belief in Yourself While I wish I could take credit for the following action steps, they are attributed to my friends at The Restoration Project and the article The 4 P's of Imposter Syndrome and How They Impact Women by Lis Cashin. Journal on the following questions: What do I like about myself? What do I know about myself? What seems to come more naturally to me than to others? What positive feedback am I consistently given that rings true to me? Where do I feel most confident in my ability to contribute? What am I best at? What drains my energy? What is difficult for me? What are my weaknesses? Network with people who you identify with the future you and where you're growing into. Find membership groups, peer groups, mentors, community groups, who you can relate with and learn from. Embrace imperfection! Give yourself permission to act when you only feel about 60% ready (don't wait to feel 100% there!) and the grace to know that you WILL make mistakes, and you WILL learn from them to make improvements and get better. Set realistic goals! Hot take: instead of a crazy huge, ambitious, hard to reach goal, knock it down a peg so it is attainable! Then you can celebrate your success, build momentum, and use it to motivate yourself going forward. Helpful Links: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fuck by Mark Manson You are a Badass by Jen Sincero Cultivating Confidence download by Coach Kiah Podcast: Self-Confidence is Bullshit by Coach Kiah Article: Imposter Syndrome Predominantly Affects Women - Here's How we can Overcome It by Cheri Beranek Article: The 4 P's of Imposter Syndrome and How They Impact Women by Lis Cashin Enhancing Our Confidence by Lindsay Leahy Get in the MKM Book Club In February, MKM is hosting our second month of the MKM Book Club for entrepreneurs and small business owners who desire community and personal/professional development each month. Our first selection is The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson. Manson makes the argument, backed both by academic research and well-timed poop jokes, that improving our lives hinges not on our ability to turn lemons into lemonade, but on learning to stomach lemons better. Human beings are flawed and limited—"not everybody can be extraordinary, there are winners and losers in society, and some of it is not fair or your fault." Manson advises us to get to know our limitations and accept them. Once we embrace our fears, faults, and uncertainties, once we stop running and avoiding and start confronting painful truths, we can begin to find the courage, perseverance, honesty, responsibility, curiosity, and forgiveness we seek. To join the MKM Book Club visit mkm.myflodesk.com/mkmfebruarybookclub

Have you ever wished you could just ask an expert, "how the heck do I do this…in simple terms?" That's exactly what I thought as I was planning out 2024 content for The Found Podcast. Why not give entrepreneurs and small business owners an opportunity to ask real questions in real time and get real answers that matter to them? In this new format called "Coaching Calls," small business owners and entrepreneurs are given an opportunity to submit one question they would like to ask me about marketing, business growth, personal development, or anything that we touch on here at The Found Podcast. When I saw the first submission come in from this friend of the pod, I was so excited! And I knew we had to have her on, not just because she's amazing and her business is so impressive, but also because her question is so relatable and probably on your mind too: "Molly should I add TikTok in 2024 to my marketing tool kit?" Why to Add TikTok in '24 Now, my friend this is a very layered question, and as I go into with Alix, it's not as simple as just starting an account and saying "Hey, follow me now!" I highly recommend that anytime you add a platform to your marketing toolkit you make sure A: that it is aligned with your ideal audience B: that you have the time to dedicate to the learning and the growth it's going to take to get started on the platform C: that you develop a long-term and short-term plan for how this new platform will serve your business In 2024, I do think that TikTok offers a great opportunity for business owners who are product based and are direct to consumer, but I do think there are a few other items to consider before diving into TikTok for business. For example you'll hear me talk with Alix about developing a serial approach to your TikTok videos so there are multiple videos produced in a similar style. You'll also hear me advising Alex on growth strategies and understanding which accounts are already connecting with her ideal client and how she can use some of those accounts to inspire her creativity or guide her content as she grows for her business. If you are asking yourself: "Should I add TikTok to my business marketing?" go ahead and tune into this coaching call, my friend. It's a 20 minute conversation that will really help you as you consider adding a platform to your marketing repertoire in the new year. A little more about our guest today… Alix and I got to know each other in 2021 when she enrolled in the first iteration of MKM Social School, and over the past few years I've gotten to know her and her business a little better. Alix and her husband live in McCook, Nebraska, where together they raise three boys and own and operate Sehnert's Bakery & Bieroc Cafe, a 500-year-old business that originated in Germany. You can here more of her business' evolution and her founder story in Episode 77 of The Found Podcast (which was called Small-Minded when we originally recorded this interview in 2022). Learn more about Sehnert's Bakery Give Sehnert's a follow over on Instagram and Facebook and head to their website to get in contact!

Tis the damn season: the season for writing out our big goals for the new year. Many of us have grown up and built our businesses on the idea that you need to draft big, hairy, scary goals and start tackling them, like yesterday with new methods, strategies, and a whole new you when January 1 rolls around. But the truth is that in reaching goals or pursuing change at any level, success doesn't lie in the audaciousness of the goal itself, but in the habits you put in place to help you reach your goals over time. As James Clear says, "You have to standardize before you optimize." The more you virtualize the beginning of a process and the more you can repeat it, the more you can rewire your brain and make it second nature. Over time, this results in the creation of a habit and allows your body to take over in pursuit of your new goal. In today's episode of The Found Podcast with Molly Knuth, we discuss the procuss of building new habits, how to get them to stick, and helpful tools to help you create new habits in the new year. Establishing a New Habit While I wish I could take credit for the following action steps, they are attributed to the one and only James Clear in his article How to Build a New Habit: This is Your Strategy Guide. Start with an incredibly small habit. Make it so tiny and easy you can't say no. Increase your habit in very small ways. Progressively add resistance, time, and intensity so your willpower and motivation have time to catch up. Break habits into chunks. Don't burn yourself out, that's a one-way ticket to feeling unable to continue. Give yourself smaller milestones that add up to big wins. Get back on track quickly. Aim for consistency over perfection, and never miss twice. Pick a sustainable pace and give yourself time. Track your progress so you can see your results and build confidence. BONUS: (this one is from Molly) put an accountability practice in place. Helpful Links: How to Build a New Habit: This is Your Strategy Guide article by James Clear To Create a Healthy Habit, Find an Accountability Buddy article by Tara Parker-Pope Atomic Habits by James Clear Badass Habits by Jen Sincero The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey High Performance Habits by Brendan Burchard You Do You 82 Habit Challenge with Emily Reuschel Get in the MKM Book Club In January, MKM is launching a free resource for entrepreneurs and small business owners who desire community and personal/professional development each month with our MKM Book Club. Our first selection is Badass Habits by Jen Sincero. Badass Habits is a eureka-sparking, easy-to-digest look at how our habits make us who we are, from the measly moments that happen in private to the resolutions we loudly broadcast (and, erm, often don't keep) on social media. Habit busting and building goes way beyond becoming a dedicated flosser or never showing up late again--our habits reveal our unmet desires, the gaps in our boundaries, our level of self-awareness, and our unconscious beliefs and fears. Badass Habits features Jen's trademark hilarious voice and offers a much-needed fresh take on the conventional wisdom and science that shape the optimism (or pessimism?) around the age-old topic of habits. The book includes enlightening interviews with people who've successfully strengthened their discipline backbones, new perspective on how to train our brains to become our best selves, and offers a simple, 21 day, step-by-step guide for ditching habits that don't serve us and developing the habits we deem most important. Habits shouldn't be impossible to reset--and with healthy boundaries, knowledge of--and permission to go after--our desires, and an easy to implement plan of action, we can make any new goal a joyful habit. To join the MKM Book Club visit mkm.myflodesk.com/bookclub

This episode of the found podcast is unlike any other you have heard here before! Number one: we have a guest on the podcast for the first time in months! We are welcoming my sister Jessie Ryan to the pod today, and Jessie brings with her a fresh perspective that we haven't had on the podcast before! Jessie comes to us as a nurse and leader in the health care field. She is part of the University Of Iowa Hospitals And Clinics, and today we really do talk about anything and everything. We wanted this to just be like a fun little conversation between sisters. We are lovingly calling this "Cascade Heights" because, you know, siblings hosting a podcast together with no apparent point…I mean doesn't it just bring you the "New Heights" Jason and Travis Kelsey vibe??? So we're calling it "Cascade Heights" because that's where we came from: Cascade, Iowa. We talk about our upbringing in a small town. We talk about Christmas memories. We talke about the best Christmas gifts we've ever received. We talk about memories of Christmas. FYI: parents you might want to watch out for little ears as you're listening to today's episode! We talk a lot about what computers used to be like. We talked about recording cassettes off the radio. We talk about her work experience and what it means to be a leader, how workplace culture affects the value you feel in the workplace, and how she's really seeing the importance and the emphasis on culture by her own leadership team. So, we talk about a lot of things you know Zac Efron, Taylor Swift, Polly Pocket, The Sims, but please know that there isn't really a point. While you won't get a ton of business expertise from today's episode, I hope you get some giggles and some joy! From me to you, happy holidays and I will see you in the new year! Key Links: High School Musical 3 TikTok we reference: https://www.tiktok.com/@giannacervino/video/7310984936809319723?_r=1&_t=8i70RkZ0gUI Polly Pocket set we reference: https://www.instagram.com/reel/CxksHRotU-a/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Loving Family Dollhouse that Jessie references: https://www.ebay.com/itm/364621207003?hash=item54e51e15db:g:E~kAAOSwCnxlS~BM This is what I was picturing in my head: https://www.ebay.com/itm/295959816882?chn=ps&mkevt=1&mkcid=28 The Sims 1 Gameplay: https://www.tiktok.com/@ryanplaysthesims/video/7301422497361153312?lang=en The Sims 2 Trailer: https://www.tiktok.com/@thesims2.org/video/7110279272673168645?lang=en Jessie's Barbie Dream House: https://www.tiktok.com/@thenostalchick/video/7251219502149487914?_r=1&_t=8i8DZP8VeWN

149: MKM Wrapped: 2023 Recap If you like me, binged your Spotify Wrapped analysis last week, you are my kind of people. As I swiped through my recap of top songs, top artists, time spent binge listening to Taylor Swift and Zach Bryan and Dax Shepard, and places around the world with listening habits similar to mine (Bozeman, MT), I was inspired to complete my own Wrapped for MKM 2023. In today's episode, we'll break down my top ten things learned at MKM this year, including but not limited to: the power of having a mantra to root into and orient your actions all year long the power of tiny, consistent habits the power of asking "what if?" the power of letting go Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Hey there, listener. In this week's solocast we're tackling the to-do list. Specifically, what is on your list just to do and what is there to make a real difference in your business? How many courses or workshops have we taken without implementing? How many self-help books have we read without helping? How many storage bins have we purchased without doing any organizing? This podcast discusses the difference between action instead of just motion. As small business owners we're always moving. But do our motions move us forward? Key Takeaways Sweat Inspire Sisterhood Drop 10 linked here, follow Erica on Instagram and Facebook "The pursuit of a goal isn't just in managing the mile markers to get us to that end result." "We don't rise to the level of our goals, we fall to the level of the systems we put in place as we reach for those goals." - Atomic Habits by James Clear Stack habits you would like to adopt with habits you already have. Consider workshops and education opportunities carefully. Do they put you in ACTION or just in motion? "Motion in a business can look like creating the world's most gorgeous social media content calendar, but it is only motion if you don't actually push publish on the post." Analyze the actions you make regularly and question how the result will help you in the long run. Build a reflection time into you schedule at least once a week to revisit if your actions are moving the needle. Dollars are not your only currency. Also consider how you spend your time and energy. Suneera Madhani of the CEO School Podcast has the method of Do, Delegate, and Delete for determining what tasks to focus on. "Rest is an active choice when you are someone who is ambitious and motivated and driven." Your homework is to TAKE ACTION. Don't just let your next business podcast play, go now and GET STARTED on something you took away from today. Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Your Lover Era: Video Get ready to see sparks fly across your business' social media platforms! Every day this week on The Found Podcast I'll share quick, actionable tips for engaging content to close out the final quarter of 2023. Are you ready for it? Today's Intention: Put your face on video if you want to make a connection with your followers. Just last year reels and TikToks were the fast-track to success. Video is no longer guaranteed to go viral, but it remains a great way to connect with your audience. What's working now doesn't require fancy transitions and heavy editing: Try some B-roll background video overlaid with a hook and an insightful, educational caption. Use video to humanize your brand and connect with viewers. Take them behind the scenes on your day-to-day or offer a live Q&A session. Videos can be simple, but it doesn't take a lot to do them well. Seek out good lighting and get a wireless mic for the best sound. The algorithms seem to prefer you to edit within their platform. Otherwise, Camtasia is my favorite software for long-form editing. Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Your Reputation Era: Captions Get ready to see "sparks fly" across your business' social media platforms! Every day this week on The Found Podcast I'll share quick, actionable tips for engaging content to close out the final quarter of 2023. "Are you ready for it?" Today's Intention: Get real with our writing and know that there is a way to make it more efficient and engaging. Use ChatCPT to generate a content calendar and captions for your business. It's going to take a little work to train it to "know you," but it can respond with a specific length, objective, and tone for a post. Edit your posts to include words and phrases you typically use and make sure each caption has a hook, body to explain the point, and call to action for what your followers should do next. Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Your 1989 Era: Storytelling Get ready to see "sparks fly" across your business' social media platforms! Every day this week on The Found Podcast I'll share quick, actionable tips for engaging content to close out the final quarter of 2023. "Are you ready for it?" Today's Intention: Get real with ourselves about how we need to use storytelling in our marketing if we want people to remember it. I've covered narrative framework in depth in previous episode (Episode 147), but provide a quick refresh here. Think of your social media post, or series of posts, like the plot maps we made in middle school. We need characters, a setting, a problem, and solution. Don't come right at your audience with a "HEY! Buy my product!" Instead, build a story that illustrates how your product or service can solve a problem. You might be a few posts into a series without mentioning your product at all. Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Your Red Era: Graphics Get ready to see "sparks fly" across your business' social media platforms! Every day this week on The Found Podcast I'll share quick, actionable tips for engaging content to close out the final quarter of 2023. "Are you ready for it?" Today's Intention: Stop making boring graphics. Ok. Graphics for your social media are NOT the same as the newspaper. You do NOT have to fit ALL your information in one. single. square. Go with a carousel: A multi-image graphics-based post. Each "swipe for more" is an engagement that the algorithm loves. Use Canva to create your graphics with templates. Templates can be found on Canva, Creative Market, or customized with a graphic designer. Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Your TS Era: Photos Get ready to see "sparks fly" across your business' social media platforms! Every day this week on The Found Podcast I'll share quick, actionable tips for engaging content to close out the final quarter of 2023. "Are you ready for it?" Today's Intention: Understand and implement what's working right now with photography on social media What's working RIGHT NOW for photos on social media? I share my top tips in today's mini-episode: People stop their scroll for PEOPLE, even if it's hands posing with a product Keep it simple: Unposed and unperfect photos are all the rage. Use multiple images per post Use nostalgic photos Invest in brand photography (@maddiepeschong on Instagram) Consider stock photography (@michellemensing.photography on Instagram) Make your photos pop in just a few taps with preset filters (@randileaphotography on Instagram) Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Your Social Era Get ready to see "sparks fly" across your business' social media platforms! Every day this week on The Found Podcast I'll share quick, actionable tips for engaging content to close out the final quarter of 2023. "Are you ready for it?" Today's Intention: Get real with ourselves about how our social is doing It's easy to get stuck in a rut with our content creation. If you feel like your content is stale and same-old-same, sorry to tell you, but your audience probably feels the same way. The good news is there are no rules and you can absolutely improve to get the impact you're searching for. It's going to take a little risk and a lot of clarity, but I'll be there by your side. This week I'm sharing what works NOW in Q4 on social media. No fluff- just six quick episodes on what you need to hook your ideal follower and engage their attention. Connect with Molly Sign up for the MKM Eras Bootcamp for just $77 Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Hey there, listener. I've shared before that I am (and always have been) a total bookworm. My favorite memories from teaching are getting kids to love reading for reading's sake, not just for points on a quiz. There's something about a great story that makes memories so much more vivid. I can remember exactly where I was, what I was eating, and how I felt while reading a Laura Ingalls book as a fourth grader. I can't tell you the exact title, because memory is like that. We don't always remember the details, but the big picture sticks. In this episode I'm sharing how to use stories to help your big picture stick with your audience by using a narrative framework as your marketing plan. Key Takeaways "It's so easy to forget the specific facts and figures of something but the compelling nature of narratives stay with us." Psychologist Jerome Bruner's research suggests facts are 20 times more likely to be remembered if they are part of a story. In a random group, roughly 40% of people are auditory learners, 40% respond best to visuals, and 20% learn by doing. Stories help each of these types of learners create a mental picture to view in their mind's eye. Book recommendation: Building a Story Brand by Donald Miller There are five elements to a story that our marketing needs as well: Exposition (Introducing your team and location), rising action (sharing problems your product or service could solve), climax (advocating for your product or service), falling action (sharing next steps), and resolution (showing the transformative power of your product or service). "Features or specifics can be forgotten, but story sticks." Frame your business's best or worst moments into the context of a story and bring them into a narrative structure. Choose the right medium like a visual on Instagram, a long-form blog post, or a newsletter series. Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram. Reach out by email: [email protected]

Welcome back, listener. In this week's episode of the Found podcast I'm sharing a tale of two vacations. Both are very memorable but only one for good reasons. When Ryan and I went to Texas, that was literally our only plan. Go to Texas. We wanted to be fun and spontaneous but we ended up being absorbed in choosing our next stop or where we would sleep that night. We didn't have the shackles of a schedule, but we didn't have support either. For our South Dakota family vacation, we learned a little. Your girl is still NOT going to have a spreadsheet itinerary, but we at least booked our stays in advance. We listed the landmarks we were excited to see and had a rough idea on which days each event would happen. THAT vacation is remembered for the good things. I share my vacation examples to illustrate a helpful marketing strategy: Begin with the end in mind. Key Takeaways Don't miss the Re-Find mini episode series If you feel lost in the marketing noise you are not alone. According to this survey, the average American sees between 4,000-10,000 ads each day: Double the rate of 2007 and five times the rate of the 1970s! "In order to cut through the noise, your best bet is to make sure that wherever people encounter you, the most effective thing you can do is have cohesiveness." For your customer: Begin with the end in mind. Illustrate the end goal that your product or service can help your client achieve. Paint the destination super clearly. Offer a scenic route or an interstate highway with turn-by-turn directions. Avoid just listing products and services. Instead include them in an overall marketing message that illustrates the final goal. Create marketing that is aligned, cohesive, and moves people down the path to work with you. If you are seeking a scenic route for marketing help, check out the MKM shop at mollyknuthmedia.com/shop. Personalized marketing strategy is my JAM! If you would like the highway route of 1:1 support, email me at [email protected] Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Happy September, listener! I've read that September is the new New Year and I agree. As a mom we're getting back into the routine of life and there is a natural reflection that happens. In this first podcast of September I'm reflecting back on my business "failures" and sharing the lessons I took from them. I can't help myself. My human design profile lines are a 3, have to try things out for myself, and a 5, have to show people what I learned. But that doesn't make it easy. Failure (or what I have perceived as failure in the past) is my biggest fear. I've learned a lot over the last few years and hope you'll find some takeaways in this vulnerable solocast. Key Takeaways It's taken some time for me to be able to talk about my business "failures" from a non-emotional, neutral space, but I'm giving it a try. In this podcast I'm recounting my three biggest failures and what I learned from them. Failure One: Big News in June 2022 (4 min) In June 2022 I had a whole podcast sharing my big news of my realized goal of purchasing an old historic property downtown. Demo was great, but as the time came for making decisions I was totally frozen. Saboteur Assessment (8 min) My saboteur type is avoidance, and avoid I did. I knew in August that this building wasn't right for me but I didn't admit it until winter. Finally in March I met someone with big dreams and a vision for the building. Passing the building on felt right, even though I was ashamed to let go of such a publicly shared goal. "People's businesses pivot. And actually, a sign of a business that has longevity and has stood the test of time, they aren't the same business 5, 7, 15, 20 years down the road that they were when then started out." (13 min) "You set out to save a historic building. You may not have been the person to see it through the whole process, but you still held that building and made sure it went to someone who would care about it. So you did in fact satisfy what you set out to do" - My friend Kara of the BC Barnburner (16 min) Failure Two: Business Finances (18 min) My business grew faster than the systems I had (or didn't have) in place could sustain. I waited way too long to seek help. I'm so grateful for Sheila Hansen and the changes she helped me make. We put so many systems in place, like billing for the month ahead with ACH, but she also made me examine my money mindset. She didn't just do it for me; she coached me through. (25 min) Failure Three: Trying to Out-Hustle (31 min) I thought I could just "Do one more thing" to try to outrun the problems I had with my business administration systems. "There is no way you can outrun the systematic and structural deficiencies of a business by adding more to your plate." (32 min) "Be clear on your end result but be flexible on the path that gets you there." (40 min) P.S. This month marks the 3-year anniversary of the pod! It's taken on some changes over that time, like all good things do, but I'm so grateful for your support. Thanks for listening! Connect Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Hey there, listener! It's so good to "see" you again! I know I've technically been here all summer, but, in full disclosure, I batch recorded the summer episode way back in April. It's been a great summer and I'm excited to finally be back at the mic. I kept this episode quick to ease my way back in and to really emphasize something I learned this last year or so - the secret sauce to getting found. Key Takeaways A lot of social media content creating (that yes, I have contributed to!) is competitive. Look at me! I'm important! Look what I have! It's time to listen: Get clear on who you are and your values and then start listening. 2022 was my first year without a vision board and it showed. I felt untethered and started things just for the sake of starting them. Getting focused in 2023 has helped me have a more successful year. There is so much content already out there! People feel pulled and stretched in so many ways. Try viewing social media as your flag in the sand where people know where to find you. Reverse the structure of social media. Be listeners first and content creators second. Have you ever had a fabulous offer and heard crickets when you released it? Reverse the structure and be a listener first, content creator second. How did you get your following in the first place? How did you make those people feel heard and valued? Make intentional time to listen but following other accounts, joining groups, or putting a question box in your stories. "Not just prioritizing us getting found, but finding other people online." Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Friends, you will LOVE today's episode with Ruthie Sterrett. We had so much fun and I know it will come through the speakers. Join me as I totally nerd out on all things marketing for small business. I have so much respect for how Ruthie can break down big concepts and make them easily digestible and actionable. This podcast episode is full of takeaways for you to apply TODAY to get not just views, but a real impact. Key Takeaways Ruthie is the face behind The Consistency Corner, a content management and marketing strategy agency for businesses. She offers done for you and done with you marketing plans, courses, and guidance. Ruthie loved her career in retail but needed more flexibility with a growing family. She was able to replace her corporate income in just three months, but had spent the previous 18 months laying the groundwork for that transition. It is SO important to narrow in on your ideal customer and keep them in mind. Stick to your brand's and your personal WHY. Books Ruthie recommends: Onward by Howard Schultz and Marketing Made Simple by Donald Miller "The customer is always right, but not everyone is your ideal customer" Ruthie's success equation: (Time + Consistency + Intensity you can maintain) x Belief = Result. If something's not working, brush up on your algebra skills and work backwards from this equation. "Social Media is not a marketing strategy just like a coffee cup isn't coffee. It's a container for your coffee. Social media is a container for your content, which is part of your marketing strategy." "Pick the platforms that you can show up on consistently over time, and really hone in on those as your needle-movers" Attract, nurture, convert: One piece of content cannot do all three One BIG takeaway from today: Check out Ruthie's gift to listeners of a holiday content planner with six weeks of content prompts! Connect with Ruthie Connect with Ruthie on Instagram personally or through her business. Catch her podcast, The Consistency Corner, and find links to all these and more on her website. Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

My friends, today you are in for a TREAT with today's guest. Amanda Walker of The Best Damn Coach podcast and program is so fun and brings the ENERGY. She is so great at taking hard to understand concepts and making them clear, concise, and actionable. In this episode we talk about goals, mindset, and reverse engineering outcomes. Key Takeaways Amanda is a Certified Master Coach and became a coach for the first time as a 15-year-old to pee-wee basketball boys. She went on to become a high school teacher and coach, Level 1 Crossfit Coach, Precision Nutrition Coach, Certified Master Life Coach, and NLP and hypnotherapy practioner. Whew! Amanda left teaching after ten years and not feeling tapped in to her full potential. She now coaches coaches to get the best possible results for their clients. Teaching taught Amanda to reverse engineer results, something she brings to coaching today: "What is that outcome that I desire and how can I break that down into smaller steps so that I get there in the end?" How are teachers different than coaches? Teachers give step-by-step instructions but might not help with implementation and planning. Coaches help understand implementation and accountability. "Mindset and the internal work is about 75% of the equation and the other remaining part is strategy." Amanda says to get clear where you want to go, even in the first year, and then thing and act like that future person. Books Amanda recommends: Big Leap by Gay Hendricks and The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry by John Mark Comer Episode Sponsors If you are considering outsourcing bookkeeping or financial services, and intensive day with Sheila Hansen, CPA is THE way to get started. Learn more on Sheila's website on the services tab. (P.S. Sheila has been a guest on the podcast before!) I literally cried happy tears the first time I used Flodesk for my email list. Not only was it BY FAR the easiest platform I had tried, my emails were beautiful and matched my branding! Use my link for 50% off Flodesk. Connect with Amanda Amanda is offering a free masterclass, sign up here. Connect with Amanda on Instagram or Facebook and find more information about working with her on her website. Amanda is the host of The Best Damn Coach podcast. Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Hey there, listener. Welcome to another episode of the Found podcast, and it's going to be a good one! I'm pleased to bring you Carrie Cohen of Carrie Cohen coaching. Her educational background and lived experiences from a practicing psychotherapist to owning her own business are perfect for this audience of female business owners. Our interview focused on the very basics of coaching and therapy, but since we pressed record, Carrie has specialized her services even further to helping married couples and those navigating the struggles of infertility. I know this will be an impactful interview with actionable takeaways for all our listeners. Key Takeaways If you need a fairy godmother for your small business, please meet mine. Megan Knapp provides the virtual assisting services I need to keep my entire business organized. She's now accepting new clients, so reach out at [email protected]. I love having my own business except, well, the business side of things. Payroll, taxes, and billing stresses me out. Gusto takes care of all of that for me. It saves for taxes, automatically files, and reports on my behalf. Get a $100 gift card when you sign up with my link. Carrie's career started after grad school in 1999. She enjoyed clinical work and worked in agencies, foster care, administration, and then in private practice. I love Carrie's analogy of not putting beautiful new flooring over a wet, moldy subfloor. It's important to deal with our underlying issues for our best future. In 2015, Carrie was grappling with the sustainability of her work. She started to realize she was maxed out from a business standpoint. Covid became a silver lining that forced her to reconsider how she was doing business and provided space from obligations to reexamine her life. Carrie recognized her purpose of bringing women together globally. She became certified in nutrition coaching and health coaching. Although she loved clinical practice, it felt stifling for her outgoing personality. Carrie says 80% of serotonin is created in the gut, one example of why she believes a more holistic approach is necessary. She incorporates nutrition and polyvagal theory into her work. "You need some really powerful intervening force that's actually more potent than the hustling experience." Carrie uses the visual of a ladder to explain the different steps of polyvagal theory. "Burnout is living in a chronic state of sympathetic activation." "Most of the things we do to regulate ourselves are things we all do anyway, the difference here is using it intentionally and using it deliberately." "There's one pie and it depends on how many slices there are, but there is only one pie and you have to take from somewhere." "Life is actually really hard and really painful. We need to create the experience of having pleasure, and joy, and interest, and excitement, and passion. Otherwise it won't come. We'll just be doing the thing." Carrie encourages female business owners to reach out and seek help from a coach or therapist. She says so many people feel like a big weight has been lifted in just the first session when few strategies have even been implemented yet. The solution to shame is to expose it. It's important to discuss what is holding you back with a professional. Connect with Carrie I have GOT to learn more about polyvagal theory because it makes so much sense. Carrie offers an introduction to nervous system regulation you can access here. She uses LinkedIn most often and shares some of that content on Instagram.

Listener, if you haven't heard of Dirt Road Candle Co, let me do the absolute honor of introducing you! Michelle Myers is a friend, small business mastermind buddy, and the woman behind the ONLY candle brand I have in my house. In this episode we chat about Michelle's background and future in agriculture and her journey from making candles in her kitchen to building an amazing, authentic brand. Key Takeaways If you need a fairy godmother for your small business, please meet mine. Megan Knapp provides the virtual assisting services I need to keep my entire business organized. She's now accepting new clients, so reach out at [email protected]. Listener, I used a debit card for my business purchases for so long. I heard some buzz about cash back rewards, did some of my own research, and landed on the Capital One Spark Business Card. I love to build my credit and earn money back on purchases I would make anyway. You need to make the best financial decisions for YOUR business, but if you're looking for a great credit card for your small business, learn more here. Michelle has been on the pod before in my small business besties episode. I first started following Michelle on Instagram after her episode on the Rural Revival podcast. Michelle lives in rural Southwest Iowa on her fifth generation family farm. She currently lives in the home she was raised in! Michelle started making candles with a thrifted double boiler in her own kitchen. When candles took over her whole home (literally!) she built a combination candle shed/farm office. Michelles candles started as a hobby but became popular gifts, so she opened an Etsy shop. Her early years were tough. Michelle commuted 50 minutes each way for her full time corporate job and would come home to pack orders. She said she kept her blinders on and focused on her goal. It made that crazy season doable. Michelle is mostly self taught. She gets stuff done and encourages people to not over-research. Community is so important to Michelle's success, especially as a product based business. Getting started in wholesale was a challenge initially. She says to remember that "no" can mean "just not right now." She now sells online retail and wholesale and through Faire, an online wholesale marketplace (aka "Etsy for wholesale"). Michelle's brand is totally her. She really is just sharing her life. She loves and uses her products and adds to her line as a need arises. Her car freshies started when her friend's daughter cried when she couldn't bring her candle in the car! Michelle is educating others about agriculture through her farm tours and open houses. Her fall open house is this August 4th and 5th. Connect with Michelle Michelle's branding is on. point. Shop at her website or follow her across the socials at @dirtroadcandleco (Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok) Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

This episode was recorded on the LAST day of school for my four kiddos. The next week we started our first summer with no formal childcare since I started my business. I love my flexible hours, but honestly, I have flexed them a little too broadly in the past. I'm determined to really be present with my family and soak up this magical summer. That calls for some careful strategy to make sure my business continues to flourish without me. I'm sharing my plan in this week's podcast. Key Takeaways Resources: This episode is best via video, linked here. Follow along in your printable workbook, and access the presentation here. I'm booking eight sessions only with business owners looking to strategically plan and market their business in a short amount of time. Your Power Hour package includes a personal audit of your current strategies, three months of content mapped out, and 10 days of Voxer access. Book yours here. I love having my own business except, well, the business side of things. Payroll, taxes, and billing stresses me out. Gusto takes care of all of that for me. It saves for taxes, automatically files, and reports on my behalf. Get a $100 gift card when you sign up with my link. Clarity: Set a timer and sit with a stack of sticky notes. What do you most want to accomplish this summer? Cataloging: Ask yourself what you already have that is doing well. How can you make things last a little longer? Reduce, reuse, and recycle your content. You don't have to constantly create. Check your insights to see what content has done well, when, and why. Create: Amp up your energy and bring your best self to social. Choose a format that fits your goals, and batch content for efficiency. Convert: Why do you use social media in your business? What goals are you accomplishing with it? Make sure your content has a clear call to action. Be sure that your social media strategy is serving your goals. Your time this summer is precious, so don't waste it on things that aren't converting. Be a real person on social media. People can tell when you are just checking a box. Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

If the THOUGHT of legalese brings on hives, this is the episode for you. Sarah Waldbuesser of Destination Legal is passionate about helping coaches and entrepreneurs achieve their dreams in a smart and protected way. This episode is packed with the legal advice every business needs. You'll want to bookmark this one for sure. Key Takeaways Sarah is an advocate for good contracts. She says they're even more important than getting an LLC or insurance. No matter the size or location of your business, contracts build boundaries and set expectations. Remember your website needs a privacy policy, disclaimer, terms of service, and terms of purchase. Destination Legal has different contract templates for different industries. Life coaching has different liability than fitness and nutrition, for example. If you're confused about what services you may need, check out Sarah's starter bundles. You can build as you grow. When to trademark? Sarah says to do the gut check: How would you feel if you received a cease and desist for your signature program? If it would totally rock your business you need to trademark. Should you get an LLC or S Corp? S Corps are for corporations. You can always start with an LLC and move up to an S Corp in the future. The FIRST legal help you need is a contract, LLC comes next. Don't let the LLC stop you from getting started, but a contract is a must. Here is a link to Sarah's free legal checklist for coaches. Connect with Sarah Find Sarah on Instagram, Facebook, and on her business website Destination Legal. Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Listener, today you are in for a treat. In this episode I sit down with Jada Dobesh of Selah Space in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jada was recommended to me by a friend who said I would be BLOWN AWAY (in a good way). Let me tell you, I was. Our time together FLEW by and I learned so much in our time together. I know you'll find something here that connects with you. Key Takeaways Content Confident subscription from MKM: More efficient, less stressful, plug and play social media strategy It's hard to fit Jada's job description into a single sentence: She's a spiritual healing facilitator, certified Reiki practitioner, and has a psychology background. She practices at the intersection of three main topics: Spirituality, sexuality, and self-worth. Our society has taught us those three things are not meant to go together, but Jada is helping us unlearn that. As a child of divorced parents, Jada wanted to be a Marriage and Family Therapist. As an undergrad she changed her major to youth ministry. She graduated, got married, and started her career in a single week! Selah is a Hebrew word with no good translation, but means "Stop and think about what the lyrics just said." Jada worked with a spiritual guide and a therapist and noticed she could talk about her sex life with one and her spirituality with another. She knew women would benefit from someone who could help with both. As a youth minister Jada loved working with the moms most. Moms are still her favorite people to work with, especially those for whom everything is "technically fine." We discuss how we can be addicted to busyness and chaos and what that models for our children. "Oh my gosh, how do I not destroy my kids?" Jada offers the program Menstrual Mystics to help us REALLY understand our cycle. She gives a quick breakdown in our episode but ladies, LOOK THIS UP! Jada's socials are linked at the bottom of these notes. Our cycle starts with the first day of your last "period" but there are several periods to a cycle. The Follicular phase mirrors spring and we are flirty, young, and have so many ideas. It's best to not execute on these ideas, but take lots of notes! Ovulation is 3-5 days and is like the full moon of summer. This is the time to communicate, network, interview, and batch content. We are at our BEST. Luteal is our fall. If you struggle with reproductive health, these are the days when you feel it the most. Menstrual phase is what we commonly refer to as our period, and it's time to REST. This is not when we are irrational, it is when we are done with BS and (rightfully!) mad at the world. Jada carefully considers habits that affect hormones. She recommends eating within an hour of waking up, limiting exercise to 30 minutes for most women, and avoiding caffeine during your menstrual period. Lunch is a great time to exercise to prevent an afternoon slump. This interview left me craving more information. Check out Jada's offerings here. I especially love the description for Soul Illume: "You're supposed to take up space, to live your spirit-led life by listening closely to your intuition and honoring its call." I love her response to the saying that you can't pour from and empty cup. She says she prefers the analogy of a champagne fountain where everyone can be served at once. I literally cried happy tears the first time I used Flodesk for my email list. Not only was it BY FAR the easiest platform I had tried, my emails were beautiful and matched my branding! Use my link for 50% off Flodesk. Connect with Jada Check out her offerings on her website or connect with Jada on Instagram.

Hey there, reader! Happy small business week! (And teacher appreciation… and nurse appreciation..) What a travesty that all of these incredible people have to share a single week! This week on the Found podcast we are focusing on you, the small business owner. Or you the entrepreneur. Which is which? Can you be both? This solocast breaks it down. Key Takeaways If you, like me, identify as a creative, you might love the doing and creating in your business but maybe aren't as confident in making money decisions. My friend, Sheila Hansen CPA, is my secret weapon and is booking a limited number of Intensive Days in 2023. If you are considering outsourcing bookkeeping or financial services, this is THE way to get started. I have worked with Sheila in many capacities but especially valued our intensive day together back in October 2021. Learn more on Sheila's website on the services tab. (P.S. Sheila has been a guest on the podcast before!) I used to use the terms "small business owner" and "entrepreneur" interchangeably: "There isn't a better, there is only a different, and that is okay." To describe the difference in the two titles I'm referencing an oldie-but-goodie 10-year-old article from Entrepreneur magazine. "Small business owners have a great idea, while entrepreneurs have big ideas." Small business owners add their own flavor to a blueprint that is already in place, while entrepreneurs think bigger and take more risk and chance. Small business owners have a dependable, repeatable process with margin for profit, and with time and consistency that business will keep them employed and in the mix of the business dealings. Entrepreneurs like profit too but will often answer the little voice that says "what if we try it this way instead." Small business owners are part of the day-to-day and have a direct hands-on role in making sure everything is completed. Entrepreneurs is thinking out far ahead and depending on a team to carry the weight of day-to-day tasks. Small business owners are sentimental with their business while entrepreneurs are focused on scaling and selling. A healthy economy needs both entrepreneurs and small business owners. Your own business sometimes needs you to be a mix of both. I started MKM as an entrepreneur when social media marketing wasn't a thing yet. I moved into the headspace of a small business owner to secure a dependable income and profit for my business. Now I'm enjoying a flow back to a more entrepreneurial mindset and enjoying the ride. I literally cried happy tears the first time I used Flodesk for my email list. Not only was it BY FAR the easiest platform I had tried, my emails were beautiful and matched my branding! Use my link for 50% off Flodesk. Connect Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome to another episode of the Found podcast! I'm excited to bring you someone I met years ago in a mastermind for revitalizing small towns and have since come to consider a friend and one of the smartest people I know. Kara Hammes loves to travel, puts family first, and is an amazing planner and organizer. Professionally, she welcomes guests from all over the country to her multiuse rental property, the Brown County Barn Burner. Key Takeaways We always link contact info at the end of these notes, but seriously, go check out the Brown County Barn Burner's website right. now. It is a must for understanding this amazing property! Kara and her husband designed and built the Brown County Barn Burner in the south central Indiana town of Nashville. The area is known for its beautiful parks. The property includes an event space, four short-term rental apartments, and a commercial space leased to a bike shop. Kara is a big fan of the financial independence movement and used her "FU money" to take a step back from an unenjoyable career. As avid travelers with family and friends, they noticed a gap in the market for large group accommodations in Brown County. They very intentionally designed their space to be the perfect space for vacationing groups. Kara relates to the saying "needing a vacation after the vacation" and works hard to make their rental space the most accommodating place possible. She wants everyone in their groups, especially the organizing-minded moms, to enjoy their stay and really relax. Kara always walks through a space before the guests arrive and tries to anticipate any needs that may arise. She says it's a good weekend if her guests don't need her at all. The decor throughout their spaces is just amazing. Kara very carefully thrifted and sourced each item. Obviously, there is a cost savings to used pieces when furnishing four apartments at once. But she also wants to have a cozy feel of nothing being too precious for the guests to enjoy. "Everything is one of a kind but nothing is irreplaceable." Financial Independence Followup After the interview Kara contacted me with her favorite personal finance resources. Money with Katie and her accompanying podcast JL Collins's stock series, starting with this blog post, or their book A good overview of financial independence and getting started on Mr. Money Mustache (Kara says Pete is a little more hardcore than other resources!) Connect with Kara You haven't checked their website yet? Go there now! Connect with Kara on Instagram. Connect with Molly Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Welcome, listener to this edition of the Found podcast. In this episode I'm recapping the talk I gave at the University of Northern Iowa's Women In Business Organization's Young Women in Leadership conference. I'm sharing many memories today but an important one is attending a "What is a business major" workshop as an undecided freshman at UNI. As soon as they said I'd have to take macro- and microeconomics I was like, "Peace out!" I was so grateful to be asked back. My talk was for young high school women from all over the state to give a small business entrepreneurial voice to their conference. My freshman business-no-thanks self wouldn't believe where I am today, and that's okay. It's okay to change. Key Takeaways Yes, there is a Spotify playlist. Leadership for me has never been big or grand, it was often leading in small ways and listening to that small voice that wondered "What if?" All I Want Is You: When the lead on my junior high dance team was injured I had to take the front position with little warning. It wasn't a big deal, it was just a job that needed to be done. "I can lead others by leading myself" Yellow: Leadership camp at UNI was such an impactful experience for me. Over the course of a week we learned so much and met so many new friends. There were literal tears when our parents picked up. Jeopardy: I was given the coveted role of FFA Sweetheart as a high school senior which came with the "honor" of providing treats for the 100+ members at each of the remaining meetings for the year. My departing speech was unconventional, but all in good fun. Just because something has always been done one way doesn't mean it has to stay that way forever. You Can't Always Get What You Want: I was devastated to not get the scholarship I needed to attend my first pick college. This song played on the radio at work after I got the hard news. Fancy Like Applebees: Laugh all you want, but Applebees was THE hoppin' place to work in Cedar Falls. I wanted to be a waitress, and I wanted to work at the busiest restaurant in town. Food service taught me SO many people skills. I was able to lead in this position by training others (Which came with a whopping $5 per hour wage AND a free meal!). Reading Rainbow: As a new teacher I struggled with students cramming easy books for easy quiz points. I wanted them to love reading for reading sake. I put out a call on this new thing called Instagram and Facebook for classroom books and collected 500 by the end of the semester! This taught me that rallying people around a cause can help achieve growth. Mama Says: It's okay to change. I became a stay at home mom. Yes, I was a passionate educator, but changing my career doesn't change the passion I put in to that career. "I thought this for a long time but now I learned differently, learned better, and so I'm going to move in that better path." Video Killed the Radio Star: "The story of how I creatively avoided cold call fundraising with my mad video skillz." But seriously, I was involved in a capital campaign for a childcare center in our community. When the time came for cold call donations I just. could. not. We made a video campaign showing how the current center just wasn't working and sharing our vision for the future. It was a huge success! Bo$$: I started my own business that absolutely could have stayed one-to-one service-based forever. Instead, I used all the lessons from all of my leadership roles before to now lead a team of people. A secret to my success is that I didn't keep secrets. I offered free weekly trainings to help small businesses understand more about social media marketing. "Leadership isn't just putting yourself up on a pedestal. Turn around, see who's walking behind you, and give them a hand, so they can do it faster, better, and more efficiently than you did." "The best leaders are not the ones who keep all the secrets to themselves, they're the ones who help others elevate too." Change (Taylor's Version): Change starts with the question: How can we do this differently? As I focus on my words of 2023, Profit and Pruning, I'm asking that of myself. You'll notice some changes coming to the podcast as I prune back to just two episodes per month until August, alternating a solocast with a guest interview. I've also let go of pursuing a physical storefront in my hometown after I got honest about my long term goals. Connect Find me, Molly Knuth, on Instagram and Facebook. Follow Molly Knuth Media on Facebook and Instagram.

Listeners, you are in for a treat with today's guest on the Found podcast. Karoline Rose Bohannan is a multipassionate entreprenuer and rancher in Montana. Her mission is to provide space and resources for cattlewomen and people in agriculture to ensure that operations continue for generations to come. Get your pen (or, in Karoline's case, a pencil!) and paper because her business mind had me floored. You can tell a few times in the recording that I am totally tongue tied by her creative ideas! Key Takeaways Karoline comes from an agriculture-income family in Montana. Health challenges made college at Kansas State difficult, so she moved home and completed an animal science degree at Montana State. When it came time to accept a job, she realized she needed to work for herself. She wanted to work hard, just not for someone else, so she started selling cattle under her own company. Her first summer after college was rough, but she had a break selling cattle through social media in just seven minutes. Eventually seed stock companies approached her and she now does full service marketing. Karoline has three main branches of business: Full service marketing and design through KRose Company, education through Cattlemen U, and Rancher's Daughter, a farm to table resale store. As an Enneagram 8, Karoline is a challenger and loves a fast pace. Being busy for 8 hours is not the same as working for 8 hours. Do the hard hard work. "It takes on average 21 times for someone to see your work before they exchange money with you" Sales is different from marketing. If you are getting rave reviews from your clients but business is down, it is time to seek out more clients. More people need to know who you are and what you sell. Karoline is active in her community with belly up marketing: Volunteering and being involved where people can see you in person and shake your hand. EOS (Entrepreneurship Operating System) has been a game changer. Karoline is eager to learn and seeks input from her team. She says if you have integrity and are hungry you will do well. She is always going back to core values. Coming soon: Karoline is launching a personal brand and planner. Connect with Karoline Find Karoline's personal brand on Instagram which has links to each of her business branches.