Breaking Even Better

Scarcity mindset doesn’t always look like panic. Sometimes it looks like over-discounting, hiring the wrong people, micromanaging instead of delegating, or putting off investments that would actually move the needle.In this episode, we’re calling it out. We’re breaking down how fear-based decisions sneak into your business - from your pricing and hiring to your marketing and time management - and how to reframe them using facts instead of fear. If you’ve ever said “I can’t afford it right now” and then paid double to clean up the mess later… this one’s for you.🛼 Looking for an unforgettable event? Screamin' Wheels & Blades brings the ultimate mobile roller skating experience straight to YOU! Perfect for corporate events, city festivals, universities, and HOAs, we combine high-energy skating with lots of excitement. It's a VIBE you don't want to miss! Visit our website to book now and let's roll into your next great event!Resources mentioned:Get More Clients You Love: Mastering the Alignment Attraction Framework by Trish SaemannIn this episode, we cover:What scarcity mindset actually sounds like in business — and why it’s not always obviousHow “saving money” can sabotage your growth (and cost you more in the long run)The red flags of fear-based decisions like discounting out of panic or micromanaging underperformersHow to shift your focus from fear to facts with a simple mindset check-inWhy time is the real non-renewable resource you should be budgeting forFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

What do Olympic medals and entrepreneurship have in common? Way more than you think.This week, we’re sitting down with Cierra Burdick, professional athlete and mindset powerhouse, to talk about the mental game behind success. From training for the WNBA to pushing through moments of failure, Cierra shares what it takes to show up when no one’s watching, stay grounded under pressure, and bounce back like a pro.This one is for the business owner who’s in it for the long haul, who’s tired, and who needs a reminder that your reps matter, your mindset is a muscle, and your story isn’t over yet.Cierra Burdick is a professional athlete, Olympic bronze medalist, and seven-time gold medalist who brings the mindset of a champion to everything she does. From the WNBA to the world stage, she’s passionate about discipline, preparation, and helping others tap into their potential through resilience and intentional action. Connect with Cierra:InstagramWebsite📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!Resources mentioned:Cierra’s go-to pregame (and pre-meeting) pump-up artist: Forrest FrankIn this episode we cover:The difference between motivation and discipline, and why one will outlast the otherWhat to do when you feel like you’ve failed in front of everyone How to build confidence through consistency, even on your worst daysThe power of preparation, presence, and perspective — in sports and in businessWhat Cierra learned about leadership, grace, and showing up when it’s hardHow to intentionally lead and manage the chemistry in your team by leveraging your team members’ strengths.For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

We’re saying it out loud: MLMs are not the same thing as owning a business — and if you’ve ever been told otherwise, you deserve the full story.In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on multilevel marketing (a.k.a. network marketing). We’re not here to hate — we’re here to clarify the differences between being a business owner and being a sales rep for someone else’s company. You’ll hear our breakdown of the risks, realities, and reasons people fall into the MLM dream. We want you to walk in with eyes wide open. The model matters. Ownership matters. And knowing what you’re getting into? That really matters.If you're craving flexibility and dreaming of business ownership, you’re already showing signs of an entrepreneurial mindset — and we’ve got better ways to get you there. 🛼 Looking for an unforgettable event? Screamin' Wheels & Blades brings the ultimate mobile roller skating experience straight to YOU! Perfect for corporate events, city festivals, universities, and HOAs, we combine high-energy skating with lots of excitement. It's a VIBE you don't want to miss! Visit our website to book now and let's roll into your next great event!In this episode, we cover:What it really means when you’re selling under someone else’s brandWhy control is the biggest difference between owning a business and selling for one you don’t runWhy and how keeping your downline motivated turns into unpaid people management and an HR role you didn’t sign up forFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Our favorite romance novel is the one where a business owner crafts SOPs that allow them to vacation in Europe all summer long stress-free. That could be your sexy story, IF you have clearly documented standard operating procedures - AKA SOPs. In this episode, we share how SOPs transformed our businesses, the exact things to include in your SOPs, and using them to make more revenue instead of collecting digital dust.📚 Download your FREE SOP Starter Template Here! 📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!Resources mentioned:Luis Miranda | Making it Different | Optimize Your Business with Seamless Automation PartnerIn this episode, we cover:Debunking common myths about SOPsEverything that should be included in a SOPWhy it’s crucial to test out your SOPsThe revenue results Carolina got from improving her processesOur challenge to help you start small with documentationLooking at your processes as an investment, not an expenseFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Today we’re coming for that dusty stack of books on your nightstand, the well-intentioned Kindle downloads, and the Audible credits you forgot you had. Whether you’re a certified bookworm or haven’t cracked a spine since college, this episode is for you.We’re diving into the business books that have shaped how we lead, market, grow, and rest — and the ones we still come back to again and again. From marketing must-reads to mindset shifts, we’re sharing the ones that slapped us with the truth, made us highlight every page, and even helped us say “no” more often.Bonus? You don’t even have to flip a page. Audiobooks, e-readers, and good old library cards have all the goods you need right now.Links mentioned:Relay FinancialBlinkistAudibleLibbyListen to Ep. 15: Burnout, Boundaries, and the Business Owner’s Breaking Point with Julie Bee, Author of BurnedBooks mentioned:Profit First by Michael MichalowiczThe E-Myth Revisited by Michael E. GerberMindset Matters by Gemma Leigh RobertsPave Your Own Way: 13 Skills to Create Your Professional Success by Carolina AponteGet More Clients You Love by Trish SaemannThe Big Leap by Gay HendricksAtomic Habits by James ClearEssentialism by Greg McKeownTraction by Gino WickmanWe Should All Be Millionaires by Rachel RodgersBuilding a StoryBrand by Donald MillerBurned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success by Julie BeeNever Split the Difference by Christopher Voss and Tahl RazFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Profit First has been revolutionizing the way business owners approach their finances for years. But maybe you’re like our girl Brenda: skeptical about the system and whether it actually works. In this episode, we’re breaking down how the Profit First system works, how it’s helped Carolina and Trish in their own businesses, and how it will help you pay yourself consistently.📚 Download our FREE Profit First Starter Pack here! Resources mentioned:Profit First by Michael MichalowiczIn this episode, we cover:The standard formula for profit vs. the Profit First formulaWhy Brenda is skeptical about the Profit First cult followingThe clarity that the Profit First system brings to financesCreative ways to customize the system to your businessHow Profit First will save your a** come tax timeAchieving peace of mind knowing your expenses - and owner’s pay - are coveredHow a great bank can make using this system easierFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

We have all been in situations where something happened that we couldn’t control: a global pandemic, a huge client that peaced out, or a supply chain issue that threatened to take you down. In this episode, we share why it’s important to have resilience strategies in place for the factors you can’t control, times we’ve faced huge challenges and lived to tell the tale, and action steps you can take today to have a 📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!Don’t forget to subscribe to the podcast to hear our Profit First episode, coming soon!In this episode, we cover:Recognizing the factors in your business that you don’t have control overConcrete examples of when sh*t hit the fan in our business, and how we bounced backBuilding a cash cushion to be ready for unexpected challengesKeeping open communication with your team to raise moraleHow to get out of panic mode and into problem-solving modeBusiness resilience strategies to protect yourselfFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Grab a glass of your favorite beverage and get cozy, because this episode is a fun one! We are sharing all the crazy, maybe too unfiltered, and sometimes cringeworthy things we’ve said as entrepreneurs that would make an HR team sweat. While we may be “unhireable,” we do know what we’re talking about, and since we run our own companies, we can kind of say whatever the hell we want!📚 Looking for bonus resources to help you grow your business? Join our Patreon for exclusive guides and workbooks, business book club discussions, and more!In this episode, we cover stories like:Carolina’s blunt opening to a Zoom call that did result in getting a clientTrish telling a client to their face that their website was crustyWhen Brenda posted a sexy pic online and was called out by a pastorHow showing up as our most authentic selves has actually served us welland so many more!For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Burnout is a feeling we as entrepreneurs know all too well. Feeling completely drained energetically and creatively, losing all motivation to push your business forward, and even having physical symptoms of anxiety are just a few signs that you’re approaching - or fully immersed in - burnout. That’s where our guest, Julie Bee, comes in. Julie is the author of Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success, and in this episode, she shares how she realized she needed to make a change following a major burnout moment, how to recognize your own unique signs of burnout, and how to set and hold boundaries to prevent future burnout.Julie Bee is an award-winning podcast host, a leader, a professional speaker, and an entrepreneur. Julie started her career as an accountant but quickly discovered that path was not a good fit for her creativity. After losing her job in 2008, Julie founded BeeSmart Social Media. Since founding TJB Media in 2021, Julie focuses most of her time helping business owners prevent burnout and achieve success.Connect with Julie:Order your copy of BurnedWebsiteLinkedInInstagramXFacebookYouTubeAs business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. Some key takeaways from this episode include:Julie’s wake up call moment when she knew her burnout had gone too farSurprising tools to help you identify your personal signs of burnoutWhy burnout can bring up feelings of shameEmbracing work-life integration instead of work-life balanceSetting boundaries around your work and personal lifeHow to manage when people push back on your boundariesFiguring out what needs to pause in your business so you can recoverFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

In April of this year, we hosted our very first live podcast recording, and after a few pivots, we ended up right where we were meant to be: speaking directly with female founders who are inspiring AF! In this episode, we had nine founders come up onstage with us to answer rapid fire questions about connection, leadership, making an impact, and what happens when women say “yes” to the right opportunities. No matter where you are in your business journey, you will walk away feeling fired up to make your biggest dreams come true.As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. THANK YOU to the amazing business women who joined us on stage for this event!👑 Angela R. Garmon, ARG Coaching & Consulting Group💻 Corey Brausch Hurley, Seven Willows Social Media Agency 🌵 Imèn Maar, Prickly Pear Health✴️ Tish Times, Tish Times Sales Agency🧘‍♀️ Dr. Valerie Steele, Why Not Now Coaching and Events🩷 Carolina Ferrer, Carolina's Compassionate Counseling💥 Wonder Wendy Farrell, Wonder Wendy & Friends🎤 Grace Lager, Ph.D., The Speaker Spark💰 Nicole Milone, Solaris Strategic WealthSome key takeaways from this episode include:Inspiring founder stories from women who all started impact-driven businessesThe connections that have changed our businesses - and lives - for the betterWhat happens when you say “yes” to game-changing opportunitiesTurning inspiration into action when it strikesThe leadership lessons you NEED to hear right nowOur hopes and wishes for women who want to change the worldFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Working with your sweetie should be nothing but sweet, right? It might not always be a walk in the park, but it can be a really fun and exciting journey, too - as long as you have the right tools. In this episode, we each share how we’ve worked with our spouses (including the time Carolina fired her then-husband ☕️), our key lessons for entrepreneurial couples, and so much more. Our friend Nicole Milone is back to share her own experience with working with her husband, Doug, after she became the CEO of Solaris Wealth.As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. Resources mentioned:Watch Episode 11: Leading While Grieving with Nicole MiloneWatch Episode 6: Handling Difficult Conversations Like a BossSome key takeaways from this episode include:How each of us have worked with our spouses in different capacitiesCreating boundaries and structure around work time vs. couple timeThe biggest benefits and hardest challenges of working with a spouseEmbracing your differences as a couple and trusting each other’s strengthsGetting clarity on the mission and vision of the company, and what each spouse’s role will be within the companyTimes our personal conflicts at home made their way to the officeFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

If you’re feeling lost in your business, or you feel your business is misaligned to the clients you want to work with, it might be time for a rebrand! In this episode, Nicole Milone is back on the mic with us to walk through the steps of rebranding her company after she unexpectedly inherited it from her late business partner. From hiring Trish’s marketing agency, GoBeyond SEO, to getting buy-in from her clients, she graciously shares all the details of what went into the rebrand so you can approach your own rebrand from an empowered place!As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. Solaris Strategic WealthNicole Milone on LinkedInResources mentioned:Watch Episode 11: Leading While Grieving | Nicole Milone’s Story of Unexpected Loss and Becoming a CEO OvernightSome key takeaways from this episode include:Navigating the emotions that can come with rebranding and evolving to this next phase of your businessNicole’s journey of rebranding a company that wasn’t always hersDeciding what to keep and what to let go of in your rebrandHow to find the right partners for your rebrand Getting buy-in from your team and clients while rebrandingOwning your strengths and your unique value - then making sure that comes through in your brandingFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook WebsiteAs the passionate Chief Wealth Advisor of Solaris, Nicole Milone brings a refreshing blend of experience and empathy to the world of personal finance. Nicole’s gift lies in her ability to transform complex financial concepts into clear, actionable plans. She doesn’t just manage money; she nurtures dreams, helping clients build wealth in a way that aligns with their deepest values and aspirations. For Nicole, true financial success means creating a life rich in both experiences and resources.

It’s exceedingly rare to work for someone who pours into you, aspires for you to carry on their vision, and who you genuinely love working for. For Nicole Milone, she had that dream mentorship with Debbie Peterson, the Founder of Money Counts, Inc. When she unexpectedly passed away in 2023, Nicole became CEO of the company overnight, and was forced to make huge leaps as a leader while mourning a mentor who had become a friend. In this episode, Nicole shares her story of how she stepped into her new role, her advice on leadership and succession planning, and how she took the company to new heights.As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. As the passionate Chief Wealth Advisor of Solaris, Nicole Milone brings a refreshing blend of experience and empathy to the world of personal finance. Nicole’s gift lies in her ability to transform complex financial concepts into clear, actionable plans. She doesn’t just manage money; she nurtures dreams, helping clients build wealth in a way that aligns with their deepest values and aspirations. For Nicole, true financial success means creating a life rich in both experiences and resources.Solaris Strategic WealthNicole Milone on LinkedInSome key takeaways from this episode include:Nicole’s story of unexpectedly inheriting a business while facing heartbreaking lossHer advice for preparing your successor to take over your businessWhy emotional intelligence was a core skill Nicole needed to charge forwardThe importance of outsourcing tasks that aren’t your strengthsThe biggest challenges and surprises of becoming a CEO overnightWorking with an estate planning attorney to put together a succession planFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

As business owners, public speaking comes with the territory. Whether we’re leading a presentation for a client or giving a speech at an event, we’re often required to show up and speak in front of groups of people. All that to say, we’ve got to get comfortable with speaking, even if it makes us nervous. That’s why we invited Colleen Odegaard to join us on the podcast. Colleen is an award-winning journalist and former co-host of the Charlotte Today Show. She is an incredible storyteller and speaker, and brings us a ton of actionable tips to rock your next presentation.As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. Connect with Colleen:InstagramWake Up to Your Life PodcastYouTube ChannelResources mentioned:Sign up for the free livestream link for TedX Sugar Creek Women in Charlotte, NC on May 10th! You can also purchase a ticket to the VIP Speaker Reception!Some key takeaways from this episode include:Carolina’s struggle with stage fright ahead of her TedX TalkThe self-talk you need going into a presentationColleen’s power pose that will get you pumped up for your talkThe impact of a strong start and big finish - even if you totally bombedFocusing on connection over perfectionDeveloping clear messaging and making sure your passion comes throughCutting the fluff so your audience knows exactly what to doFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Look, we’re professional business women, but if you think we’d pass up the opportunity to cozy up in our own homes in sweatpants, you’re out of your mind. Turns out, a lot of employees feel the same way. But how do you still promote employee engagement, trust them to get their work done, and keep your clients’ - and your - data secure if they’re working from home? In this episode, we answer all these questions and more as we all settle into our remote work realities.As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. In this episode, we cover:Building culture even in remote work environmentsOur mixed feelings about remote vs. in-person workHow to protect your clients’ confidential information in remote work environmentsOur hot takes about trusting your team to work from homePlanning some in-person events for team bondingCreative ways of building team relationships remotelyThe must-haves for make remote work work for your teamFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

One of the greatest ways to say “thank you” for great service is leaving that business a 5-star review on Google or Yelp (or their podcast 😉). When you think about your own purchasing decisions, reading customer reviews or testimonials were probably a factor for you, right? So it’s safe to say your customers are looking at your reviews. In this episode, we share how to get your clients to actually leave a review, how to repurpose those reviews in different ways, and what to do if someone leaves you a not-so-raving review. As business owners, burnout is a feeling we know all too well. Our friend and fellow business owner, Julie Bee, wrote Burned: How Business Owners Can Overcome Burnout and Fuel Success to give you practical strategies to overcome burnout, integrate work and life, and achieve sustainable success. Grab your copy of Burned today to Burn Bright, Not Out—because your business and well-being deserve both. Resources mentioned:Coffee shop negative review exampleAnother example of handling a bad review with humorIn this episode, we cover:How to get more client reviewsCreative ways to repurpose your testimonialsThe rise of video testimonialsWhat to do when a customer leaves you a bad reviewTrish’s story of someone leaving a false review for her businessApproaching all client reviews with a growth mindsetFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

As business owners, we want to treat our clients exceptionally well, but the budget doesn’t always allow for luxury gifts. The good news is that clients care way less about expensive gifts than they do about excellent customer service. Your employees are in the same boat; there are way more impactful ways to lift them up without blowing the budget. In this episode, we talk about what actually goes into creating premium experiences in your business, even if you’re ballin’ on a budget.Learn how to draw in your dream clients with Trish Saemann’s book, Get More Clients You Love, which teaches her revolutionary Client Attraction Framework! Visit https://getmoreclientsyoulove.com to download your free step-by-step marketing plan today!In this episode, we cover:The must-haves for a premium client experiencePrioritizing thoughtful gifts over expensive giftsOur favorite (free!) ways to provide top-tier customer serviceThe secret to personalizing experiences for clients and employees without breaking the bankConcrete examples of ways we’ve created excellent experiences for our clients and team membersDeveloping the skill of noticing what’s important to your peopleFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

Having awkward conversations comes with the territory of running a business, but because you’re the boss, you get to handle them like one. In this episode, we share what to do to feel ready to have these conversations when they arise, whether clients aren’t paying invoices on time, you need to give an employee feedback (or fire them altogether), or you’re in any sort of conflict with another human being. Plus, we share how we’ve proactively prepared for tough situations with secure contracts, processes, and policies that have protected us based on experiences we went through so you (hopefully!) don’t have to!BPN Staffing Solutions connects top-tier nurses and clinical professionals with hospitals and clinics that demand excellence. BPN does more than fill positions… They build reliable teams. Visit https://www.bpnstaffing.com today!Resources mentioned:Get More Clients You Love by Trish SaemannIn this episode, we cover:Embracing your unique communication styleHow to bring facts to the table for a difficult conversation, even when you’re feeling anxious or upsetReal life stories of how we’ve handled difficult conversations with employees, vendors, and clientsBalancing being sensitive with getting to the point (sugarcoating is NOT doing them any favors)Brenda’s secret to approaching difficult conversationsOur proactive approaches to business operations that set expectations up front to avoid hard conversations laterFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

As business owners, we’ve gotten extremely comfortable with talking about numbers, from how much we’re making to how much is going out the door for expenses. In this episode, we’re bringing that money talk to you! We’re introducing you to our Breaking Even Better Analysis, our formula for calculating your sales. It can feel scary to look at your finances, but using this formula will help you make more informed decisions about your pricing, expenses, and sales activities within minutes. 🚀Feeling overwhelmed by your business finances? Caja Holdings provides expert fractional CFO services to help you understand your numbers, improve cash flow, and increase profitability—without the stress. Schedule a free consultation at https://www.cajaholdings.com/ today!Resources mentioned:Breakeven Analysis formula: (Fixed Costs/Price Per Unit) - Variable Price Per Unit = Breakeven pointBreakeven Analysis Calculator - Click the “Make a Copy” button after clicking on the link and then start calculating your Breakeven point!Good to Great by Jim CollinsIn this episode, we cover:How to calculate your Breakeven point (so you know how much to sell to make a profit)The financial factors that should influence your pricingRaising your prices without making your clients madTips for lowering your operational costs to increase profitHow we’ve saved thousands of dollars a month in expenses by getting creativeOur honest thoughts on offering discounts and bundles The biggest mistakes we see business owners making when it comes to expenses and pricingFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Brenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyCarolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

In this episode, we cover:What our businesses felt like before we got our operations in orderWhere to start if your business feels chaotic right nowHow your current operations are costing you moneyOur favorite tools from CRM systems to AI assistantsHow process documentation will seriously change your lifeDocumenting in different ways for quick and easy referenceFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook Website

No horror movie can hold a candle to the experiences we’ve had with some seriously bad hires. Some are in jail (or at least definitely on a watch list), some lacked the most basic professionalism, and others were genuinely great and talented people who just weren’t a good fit. In this episode, we are spilling the piping hot tea on our worst hires to date and what we learned from each experience.In this episode, we cover:Leveraging critical feedback from your team on whether a new hire is working out or notHow all hiring decisions (good and bad) ultimately depend on your leadershipWhy transparency and communication are key in the hiring processStaying true to your authentic self when a hire tries to get under your skinTrusting your gut when you feel a new hire just isn’t the right fitFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook

If there’s one lesson we’ve all learned from the last five years, it’s this: uncertain times are inevitable. Rather than panic or throw in the towel, we can make smart financial decisions before sh*t hits the fan and strategic moves if we need to tighten our budgets. What we’re not gonna do is bury our heads in the sand and let economic uncertainty beat us down. This episode is all about standing right back up and moving forward.P.S. Our friend and OG of our friend group, Nicole Milone, will be joining us in a future episode on personal wealth building, so be sure to subscribe to the podcast to hear her wisdom!In this episode, we cover: Getting our minds right when the world feels unpredictableManaging client fears when the economy is uncertainSystems and teams to have in place to mitigate unpredictabilityDiversifying your income streamsMaking smart financial decisions now that will support you in a downturnNavigating having to lay people off during a downturnWhere you can cut expenses if sales are consistently downKnowing when it’s time to ask for help and face your fears head-onLetting yourself feel your feelings… then getting right back upFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook

While we intend for this podcast to be a resource for you to grow and thrive in your business, this episode is actually about knowing when to pause growth or even scale back. As go-getters, it’s easy and exciting for us to say “yes” to every opportunity… until we’re suddenly burnt out and behind on deadlines. If you’re in a season of rightsizing your business, this episode is for you!Resources mentioned:Burned by Julie BeeHow to Get More Clients You Love by Trish SaemannIn this episode, we cover:Why saying “yes” to every opportunity might hurt your business growthSigns that you’re growing too fast… and how to reel it backWhen not saying “no” led to burnout in our personal livesHolding space for life to happen alongside your businessLearning to let go and set boundariesHow Covid impacted each of our businessesCreating SOPs and automations that make delegating easierGetting clear on your niche to be strategic about growthTimes we’ve struggled with imposter syndrome in businessHow to handle clients that are consistently pushing boundariesFor years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook

For years, our group of business besties have been meeting up for dinner and drinks to talk about the ins, outs, wins, and struggles of running a business. Now, we’d love for you to pull up a seat at the table and join us at Breaking Even Better, the podcast where we share the lessons we’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) and how you can apply them to your own business. Meet Your Co-Hosts:Carolina Aponte, Fractional CFO, Founder & CEO of Caja Holdings, an accounting and fractional CFO firmBrenda Harris, Founder & CEO of BPN Staffing Solutions, a premier healthcare staffing agency; and The Lab Look, a medical apparel companyTrish Saemann, Marketing Consultant, Fractional CMO, and Owner of GoBeyond SEO, a boutique digital marketing agencyConnect with Breaking Even Better: InstagramLinkedInYouTubeFacebook