Episode 70: $60K in Debt: When the “Proven Strategy” Fails (And What Actually Works Instead)

What happens when you follow the “proven strategy”… and it completely fails?In this episode Jennifer sits down with Sarah Hubbard, founder of The Intentional Network for a powerful conversation about networking, resilience, and building a business rooted in real relationships.Sarah shares the moment she found herself $60,000 in debt after following her company’s one and only growth strategy, direct mail, only to realize it wasn’t working. That experience became a turning point, leading her to rethink everything about how business is built.This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs who are tired of transactional marketing and ready to grow through meaningful connection.Why “proven strategies” don’t always work — and how failure can lead to better alignmentWhy trust is eroding online and why connection matters more than ever (especially in the AI era)How introverts can actually become some of the most effective networkersThe difference between busy networking and intentional networkingSarah’s mission is simple: help entrepreneurs stop feeling like “just another salesperson” and start building relationships that actually lead to revenue, referrals, and long-term growth.Meet Our Guest:Sarah Hubbard is the founder of The Intentional Network and author of The Intentional Networker. She created the MAPP Framework to help business owners network with clarity, confidence, and purpose — without being pushy or salesy. LinkedIn Facebook: Resources Mentioned:The Intentional Networker — Sarah Hubbard AI Networking Prompts: https://sarahhubbard.myflodesk.com/aipromptsitnMeet Your Host: Jennifer Kok is a Profit & Growth Advisor and founder of Next Wave. My name is Jennifer Kok, and I’m a profit and growth advisor for service-based women entrepreneurs. I help women business owners make smarter, more strategic decisions so they can grow profitably, pay themselves consistently, and avoid burnout.Because the truth is, business owners make decisions all day long, but the ones that really matter are often the hardest ones. Should I hire? Raise my prices? Invest in marketing? Let go of a draining client? Expand, or simplify?Those decisions carry weight, and they can impact your time, your profit, your energy, and your long-term growth.That’s why I created the Focused Growth Collective, a virtual mastermind for women business owners who want support making the kinds of decisions that move a business forward. Yes, we talk strategy, but we also look at the bigger picture like mental load, health, profit, and long-term sustainability.My goal is to help women build businesses that pay them well, support their lives, and still feel worth leading 10 years from now.Connect with me:Website:Facebook:Instagram:LinkedIn:YouTube: