The Business Animal

Many entrepreneurs hear that branding is essential, but what if you’re just starting and don’t actually have a brand yet?In this episode, we walk through the foundational steps for building a brand from the ground up. Instead of starting with logos or colors, we focus on the deeper strategic elements that shape how customers experience your business.We talk about how brands are formed in the relationship between a business and its customers, and why clarity about your purpose and positioning matters more than design elements in the early stages.In this episode, we explore three essential questions every entrepreneur should answer when developing a brand:• What problem are you fiercely committed to solving? • Who are you not for? • What feeling should people walk away with after working with you?If you’re a new entrepreneur or someone who’s been running a business without intentionally shaping your brand, this episode will help you clarify the foundation that attracts the right customers and communicates what makes your business different.

Feeling like just another business in a sea of competitors? In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, Kim and Betsy break down three powerful ways to stand out in your local market without shouting louder or discounting deeper.We explore: • What a value proposition really is and how to define yours clearly • Why your brand is more than a logo and how it shapes client experience • How to define your niche and persona without boxing yourself inIf you want the right clients to find you, recognize themselves in your work, and happily refer their friends, this episode gives you the framework.

How do you know if your marketing is actually working or if you’re just guessing and hoping for the best? In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, Betsy and I break down three practical ways to tell what’s really happening with your marketing without spiraling into overwhelm.We talk about why looking at analytics feels scary (and why it doesn’t have to be), how asking your customers a few simple questions can reveal more than any dashboard, and how to evaluate email and social media performance in a way that actually makes sense for small businesses.This episode is about replacing anxiety with information, guessing with clarity, and making marketing decisions that feel grounded instead of reactive.Links: Google Analytics (GA4)👉 https://analytics.google.comWebsite traffic, user behavior, pages, sources, conversionsGoogle Search Console👉 https://search.google.com/search-consoleSearch queries, impressions, clicks, indexing, SEO healthLinks referenced in this episode:analytics.google.comscore.orgbemorebusiness.comyoutube.com/kimberlybeerCompanies mentioned in this episode:CSI Saddle PadsWestern HorsemanGoogleGoogle AnalyticsGoogle Search ConsoleFacebookInstagramYouTubeRide the Sky Equine PhotographyBe More BusinessScore

Marketing isn’t a random act of posting when the mood strikes. In this episode, Kim Beer and Betsy Bird break down what it actually means to build a real marketing ecosystem. One that supports your business over time instead of draining it.They explore why social media is only a small piece of the puzzle, how to create repeatable marketing rhythms that your nervous system can tolerate, and how systems and automation can carry the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. This is a grounded, real-world conversation for business owners who want marketing that works with their life, not against it.Parts of a Marketing Plan (for reference):Executive SummaryMarket & Audience AnalysisCompetitive AnalysisValue Proposition & MessagingGoals & ObjectivesMarketing Channels & TacticsBudget & ResourcesTimeline & Campaign CalendarMetrics & MeasurementReview & Optimization PlanMetricool social scheduling tool affiliate link: https://f.mtr.cool/LUHXXLLinks referenced in this episode:thebusinessanimal.comridetheskyequine.combemorebusiness.comCompanies mentioned in this episode:Mona PlannerMacChatGPTMetricoolE. Myth RevisitedRide the Sky EquineBe More Business

In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, Kim Beer and Betsy Bird tackle a familiar frustration for entrepreneurs: why carefully planned work weeks fall apart the moment real life shows up.From migraines and puppies with a death wish to colicking ponies and recording gremlins, this conversation explores how to build a work week based on realistic energy, not wishful thinking. Kim and Betsy compare radically different temperaments, challenge productivity dogma like “eat the frog,” and share practical ways to audit your actual schedule without turning your life into a spreadsheet.You’ll hear why systems should support your nervous system, how boundaries protect your energy, and how AI tools can help you design a week that works with your temperament, your environment, and the chaos that comes with animal-centered businesses.If you’ve ever felt broken because traditional productivity advice doesn’t work for you, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical alternatives.https://thebusinessanimal.comKim: https://bemorebusiness.com | https://liveinsynchronicity.comBetsy: https://ridetheskyequine.com

The Business Animal is officially back. And this time, it has two heads.After a yearlong hiatus, Kimberly Beer returns with a new co-host, Betsy Bird of Ride the Sky Equine. Together, they’re ushering in a fresh evolution of the show that blends visionary thinking, grounded strategy, laughter, and real-world marketing wisdom for animal-based businesses.In this episode, Kim and Betsy introduce the new format, the return of the Big Three framework, and what listeners can expect moving forward. From sustainable marketing and realistic workweeks to AI as a practical business ally, this conversation sets the tone for what’s coming in 2026.If you run an animal-based business, or any small business built around creativity, service, and heart, this podcast is for you. Expect insight, honesty, humor, and the occasional rabbit hole… always tethered back to reality.New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

In this episode of The Business Animal Julie Cortes, the Freelance Rockstar, joins me to talk about the three Ts of becoming a badass in your own business. Julie is full of great, practical information and we share lots of good advice for both new and experienced business owners.About Julie:Copywriter by day. Freelance Rockstar by night. Julie Cortés lives, breathes, teaches, speaks, and coaches on all things creative self-employment. She’s run her own business for more than 25 years, is the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC, and created a much-needed college-level course, Freelancing 101, for the KC Art Institute, where she taught as an adjunct professor. Awarded dozens of times over for her work, leadership, volunteerism, and community involvement, she’s regularly sought out for business coaching, media interviews, and speaking engagements. Julie is loving life, living out her passion for helping creative freelancers succeed. Reach out to Julie:https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancerockstar/ https://www.instagram.com/freelancerockstar/https://www.juliecortes.com/signupChapters00:00 Introduction to Julie Cortez and Her Journey07:58 The Importance of Mindset in Business14:03 Training Yourself: Establishing Boundaries and Policies21:05 Training Clients: Setting Expectations27:10 Training Family and Friends: Creating Supportive Environments35:18 Finding Freelancers: The Kansas City Freelance Exchange38:54 Coaching Services: Supporting Self-Employed Individuals40:57 The Role of Pets in Business and LifeWatch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6SvNbQVXODE

This week I have a great conversation with storytelling professional Christa M. Hines of The Business Storytelling Studio. Christa has an amazing superpower to make your business' story come alive for your target market and customers. You'll learn about the importance of story in business, the components you should consider when telling your business story, and how to work with a content writer to build the stories that will impact the quality and quantity of customers you reach. Plus we weave a great Star Wars metaphor into the show!Chapters00:00 Introduction to Business Storytelling01:33 The Role of a Content Strategist05:14 Journey into Business Storytelling08:14 Understanding Business Stories11:15 The Customer as the Hero14:21 The Hero's Journey in Business20:25 Components of Effective Business Storytelling24:15 Creating Anchor Content30:30 The Value of Professional Writing33:32 Balancing Business and Personal Life35:30 Lessons from AnimalsAbout Christa:I partner with health and wellness entrepreneurs, coaches and executives to position them as industry thought leaders by creating strategic content plans and compelling marketing collateral. I deliver a variety of writing services ranging from website content, executive bios, articles, newsletters, ebooks, and white papers. With more than 25 years of experience working in whole-person healthcare, non-profit, B2B SaaS and magazine writing, I understand the critical role communication and storytelling play in creating meaningful, engaging content that supports business goals.In addition to my client work, I’m an award-winning writer, author and speaker. My work has appeared in numerous publications, including KC Parent, Vibrant Life, Pregnancy & Newborn, Parents, and Woman’s Day.I’m passionate about sharing information that helps people of all backgrounds achieve greater personal well-being, which can have positive ripple effects creating healthier families and stronger communities.Described by clients as a word-whisperer, I geek out on storytelling techniques and transforming lifeless business word jumbles into irresistible, captivating content that’s easy to understand.For fun, I enjoy trying out Kansas City’s many restaurants with my family, exploring nature trails with my sweet rescue mutt, going on solo writing retreats and consuming storytelling in all of its forms.Links:Christa's website: https://christamhines.comChrista's Substack: https://wordenergybychristamhines.substack.com/Christa's contact: https://christamhines.com/contact/

Do you perform at 100% or 60% when working on your business? In this all important episode, Angie Wiley of You Are Strong and I have an enlightening discussion around your performance in your business and how you can show up at a higher level to increase the results in your business. About Angie: Angie inspires others to stop sitting on the sidelines and become a game-changer! Angie was an industry leader for 22 years for a top medical device corporation, in sales and sales management. She and her late husband, Chuck, also owned their own small business during this time. In 2013 Angie followed her true calling to help athletes with their mindset and launched YOU ARE STRONG, alongside her full time family and career. In 2014 Chuck was diagnosed with cancer, and from his new perspective, posed the question to Angie, “What are you waiting for?” After his passing in 2020, the question grew louder and Angie courageously stepped out of the corporate world in 2021 and began living her message: YOU ARE STRONG. Her program has since helped thousands of athletes, sales professionals and business leaders take action resulting in personal and professional success. Angie holds a B.S. in Education and Coaching, with a minor in Psychology. You can find Angie at https://youarestrong.comThe Chuck Wiley Athletic Foundation can be found at: https://chuckwileyathleticfoundation.com/

This episode is full of a lot of wisdom, laughter, and inspiration that will help you understand why and how to create systems in your business that move you toward achieving your goals and vision. My guest this episode is Betsy Bird of Ride the Sky Equine Photography who offers her amazing insight into how to develop systems that support your business. Along the way we'll laugh, share stories, and impart some great ideas. You'll also enjoy some interesting metaphors and at least one odd cat fact. ;-)About Betsy Bird: Betsy Bird, Cr. Photog., CPP, of Ride the Sky Equine Photography spends her days doing insane things to make animals look at her. Clearly, she’s desperate for attention. Outside of acting like a total goofball, she invests in growing her business, mentoring photographers, dealing with her teenagers' angst, and hanging with her canine friends.Betsy has earned her Photographic Craftsman degree from the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) which honors photographers who contribute to the photographic industry through speaking, mentoring, and publishing. Betsy is also a Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) with PPA. The CPP designation is held by fewer than 2,500 photographers nationwide and is a hallmark of consistency, technical skill, artistry, and professionalism.Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA). Betsy is one of three Tennessee photographers elected to serve on the council of the Professional Photographers of America (PPA). She is also a professional member of the Equine Photographers Network (EPN).Betsy's award-winning work has been featured in a variety of publications and is found throughout homes and stables in the United States. She is the co-author of the book, Equine & Equestrian Photography Poses that Sell: The Ultimate Guide to Posing Horses & Humans. She has been featured on Scenic Trend, the Profitable Photographer Podcast, The Business Animal Podcast, Chatter Magazine, Cowgirls with Cameras Podcast, the Chattanooga Times Free Press, the Chattanoogan, and the Focal Points Podcast to name a few.Based in Chattanooga, TN, Ride the Sky Equine Photography works on location in Tennessee, North Georgia, and beyond. With a strong background in entrepreneurship, marketing and brand building, goal setting, time management, and business workflows, Betsy is an expert in her field (which isn’t that surprising given how much time she actually spends outstanding in a field...get it?)Betsy's Website: https://ridetheskyequine.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridetheskyequineInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridetheskyequineYou can also listen to The Business Animal Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other podcast outlets.

In this enlightening episode you'll learn about various ways of becoming an entrepreneur — and don't shy away from listening even if YOU ARE an ENTREPRENEUR! This episode has some great takeaways about franchising, business acquisition, and much, much more. My guest, Sara Roy of the Entrepreneur's Source, is delightful and I know you'll enjoy this conversation as much as I did.About Sara:Sara Roy is a dynamic Career Ownership Coach and Business Owner with The Entrepreneur's Source, empowering individuals in career transition to explore entrepreneurship as a viable path to achieve their goals. She specializes in providing no-cost education and coaching on entrepreneurial opportunities, including building passive income streams and diversifying investment portfolios.Sara's unique coaching approach begins with helping clients articulate their goals, values, and lifestyle aspirations. She provides education on business fundamentals, funding options, and alternative career pathways while offering a supportive space to overcome emotional barriers and embrace the possibilities of entrepreneurship.In addition to running her business, Sara is deeply involved in organizations that advocate for small business ownership, women entrepreneurs, and women in leadership. As a sought-after speaker, she inspires audiences nationwide on topics related to business ownership and franchising.Before becoming a business owner, Sara built a 20+ year corporate career in consulting, process improvement, program and project management, product management, and strategic planning. She also completed numerous executive leadership development programs and earned her MBA from St. Mary’s University.Sara resides in the Kansas City Metropolitan area with her three children. She is passionate about creating meaningful experiences with her kids, whether attending sporting events, musicals, or concerts, or enjoying outdoor adventures together. For more information, email Sara at [email protected]: https://sroy.esourcecoach.com/ Schedule an introductory call: https://sroy.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sara-roy-026a5840/ Testimonials: https://sroy.esourcecoach.com/testimonials/

If you've heard of Feng Shui, you know it can be a powerful practice in drawing in the energy you'd like and moving away from the energy you don't want in your space and life. If you haven't heard of Feng Shui, and either of the above statements appeals to you, you're in for a treat in this episode of The Business Animal. Robyn Stevens join Kim for a discussion about Feng Shui practices and principles that you can apply in your business space that will reduce stress and set you up to attract what you've been seeking in your business. About Robyn Stevens:Certified Feng Shui expert Robyn Stevens transforms home and work spaces to help anyone wishing to attract more prosperity, joy, love and creativity into their life. Robyn is an entertaining and highly sought after speaker, TV guest and consultant who makes Feng Shui accessible and fun. Learn more at https://www.robynstevensfengshui.com.https://www.instagram.com/robynstevensfengshui/https://www.facebook.com/robynstevensfengshui/

As this crazy year draws to a close, I believe we are all seeking to reduce the stress in our lives. Today, I interview Joanie Nicholas of All Things Organized who shares some great tips on how to reduce the stress in your life through organization that works for you!In her role as a Space Organization Expert Joanie Nicholas helps people live life with enthusiasm and clarity by decluttering, reimagining, and organizing their space. She approaches decluttering and organizing from a soulful place ~ recognizing the impact clutter has on every aspect of our lives. For over 25 years, Joanie has led people across the metro area in creating positive changes to their space, in ways that fit their lifestyle and personality. Joanie brings professional guidance, enthusiasm, empathy and humor to her hands-on work with each client. She loves sharing tips and tricks in group settings, where she can infect large numbers of people with her organizing energy! Visit Joanie's website: https://allthingsorganizedkc.com

You're a born problem solver! Yes! ... now let me as you this: Are you putting energy, time, money, and stress into solving problems you don't have? Is this helping you or holding you back?

Join me as I explore the topic of Stress Relief for Entrepreneurs and get ready for this month's Business Animal interviews!

In this weeks Three Thoughts for Thursday I share my thoughts around the importance of vision work for entrepreneurs.

In this episode of the Business Animal Podcast, I interviews Tiffany Sedorus of Valor Through Gestalt. Tiffany, a Veteran, has faced many challenges on her entrepreneurial journey. She openly shares about her experience in manifesting her dream property on which to build her business and an inspirational story of how we sometimes get exactly what we want and then find out it no longer fits the future vision. Tiffany's story is one that will show you dreams not only come true, but they change, morph, and continue to build as long as you're willing to follow the flow of energy and do your part to keep moving forward.Visit https://valorthroughgestalt.com/ for more information on Tiffany and Valor Through GestaltTiffany's story shared from her website:After more than 10 years in therapy, numerous anti-depressants, serious bouts of contemplating suicide thinking I would never fit back into life outside of that uniform, something had to give. I made up my mind that these demons needed to be laid to rest once and for all. I had met a woman who told me about the Equine Gestalt Coaching Method and how it didn’t involve riding or obstacles to work with the horse. I knew there had to be some merit to it because every time I showed up to the barn in tears, my horses carried me through the pain and I left a little bit better even if I was simply sitting in their stalls while they were eating.In January of 2019, I started on my own journey to my Equine Gestalt Coaching Certification. For the first time in my life, I have clarity. Not only am I sleeping better more often, my anxiety and fear, and depression are gradually finding their way out of my body and laying to rest in the sand in the arena with the help of my equine partners. I have, once again, become part of something so much bigger than me. The difference is that this time, it’s working for the good of humanity without the use of force and bullets. A little bit at a time, I have healed and am continuing to heal in a way I never thought possible.Now, my ultimate life mission has become clear: Walk with my fellow veterans on their own healing path and encourage my horses to help provide them with the clarity they need in their own lives. I'm determined to leave no soldier or their family behind. I will partner with my horses and encourage them to do what they do best and show each person the strength and support they need.I'll never experience what happened at home during the 14 months I was gone; I will never be able to look back without the memories of my deployment; I will never know what life would be like without the military being part of my story. Relaizing that I am now OK with these things. I know that I can move forward despite my history. I know that deep down, I did what I needed to when I needed to and my life is better for those decisions.

Money and finance is an incredibly important aspect to being an entrepreneur. It is also one of the biggest challenges business owners face. In this Business Animal episode, I interview Sarah Nicole Nadler of Fierce Feminine Finance who shares multiple wisdoms around female entrepreneurs, money, and building financial success both within and beyond your business. About Sarah: Sarah Nicole Nadler is a $6-figure money coach, licensed financial advisor, and award-winning author of the book "From Hustler To InvestHER". Visit Sarah's site: https://www.fiercefemininefinance.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/fiercefemininefinanceDownload Sarah's free gift: https://fiercefemininefinance.com/retirementguide

My three thoughts for Thursday this week are around qualifying your customers. If you want to fine tune the people who are showing up as clients in your business this episode is for you!

In this pep talk, I share my experience with the not so shiny side of customer service — what happens when it goes wrong and how you can both improve your business and protect your inner peace.

Three Thoughts for Thursday (T3) on Customer ServiceIn this episode I share three thoughts on customer service for mission-based business owners. I started my working career as a Customer Service Agent for ChemLawn back in the 1980s. (Wow, I'm getting old - and WISEr!) For the ensuing 40 years, I've had to really embrace customer service in my businesses and, frankly, in life. Here are three short wisdoms I've earned (along with my pretty gray hair!).

In this interview, Sherrie Ortiz shares how her focus on customer service makes Just One Day Travel Tours a unique opportunity and beloved business for those who tour with her.About Sherrie:The day tour travel business has been on my mind for many years. I had an amazing career in the bakery industry working as a retail cake designer for 20 years, followed by 18 years owning my own bakery. This gave me the best of both worlds while our kids were young. Now they are adults and out on their own paths and I am free to create this new adventure called Just One Day Travel Tours.I have always loved planning trips. Family vacations and Girl Scout outings….. the logistics, the hunt for cool stuff to do.. …all those things are exciting to me. I enjoyed a good gathering of people that just wanted to relax and have fun. To tour local-ish places and learn how things from the past and new things to engage in is all very refreshing. I am also a bit of a thrill seeker. I love to go zip lining, rappel, and snow tubing……tours I plan to do in the future if you are game ?!?! ) You can see more about me, Sherrie Ortiz, in the blog adventures, Facebook and Instagram?I hope you will come join Just One Day Travel Tours for these new adventures.. There will be a number of pre-planned travel trips in the Kansas City and surrounding areas that you and your friends can join as a group, or come by yourself and meet new people. If there is something that you and your friends have always wanted to do, but don’t want to do the planning and driving, I can put together a trip just for you. You can also join the Affiliate Program and earn free seats.Sherrie's website: https://justonedaytraveltours.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JustonedaytraveltoursInstagram: @justonedaytoursLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sherrie-ortiz-77a097197/

Welcome to a new feature of The Business Animal podcast: Three Thoughts on Thursday or T3. In this short weekly segment, I pick one topic and provide three pieces of wisdom (thoughts) plus three strategies and three suggestions on how to take action on those thoughts. This week, I'll be talking about Customer Pain Points. I hope you enjoy and benefit from this short episode. I'd love feedback, so please feel free to send comments to me at [email protected] talk in this episode about Value Proposition Design. Here is a link to the book I mention on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Value-Proposition-Design-Customers-Strategyzer/dp/1118968050/ref=sr_1_1?crid=20GBYWRE8976D&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.y27DqkR8AOdqOvu48U4hkklHqbU36dC-lRBrjXBF-0tXdPkqluibB-gSznc4Gav5DnF_hDp85KYbro4CfANxXEN60BrS3EO0L45-i2DRNwVNgqJoUpHd8KtVpbSWuWslWzCxTasm9eHfsES0cRCZBkQDvIsoQGMECLIakMLK8cQyNinViqDlP1S4KSXeEzY1sXfbZS3-udPx0XDcHWS4qAEqlTiWCJCNgCsj5VQOREE.EjnrKriQNOsRDZOJwN89oKO3TS8NnyrQNdeLg_iGqzw&dib_tag=se&keywords=value+proposition+design&qid=1726147767&sprefix=value+prop%2Caps%2C110&sr=8-1

In this episode, Annie Young and I talk about what it's like to build a business with your whole heart and in service of a population that you not only know well, but deeply feel compassion around. We also discuss what it's like to get your vision together — and then have life throw up a series of HUGE obstacles and what it's like to overcome and drive on in trust and with focus.About Annie Young:Annie Young is a triple certified master equine assisted mental health practitioner who works primarily with adult parents. Annie specializes in parents of special needs and parents of children who struggle mentally and emotionally. https://sawubonaranch.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/annie-young-3a8b8792/https://www.facebook.com/annie.young.52/Instagram: @sawubonaranchEmail: [email protected]

In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, join me for an interview with Carmi Swift, founder of iPoint Touch EHR software for complementary animal therapy practitioners as we discuss the impact a passionate entrepreneur can have on the people they serve.About Carmi Swift:Carmi Swift is a lifetime entrepreneur and animal lover. Carmi’s unique ability to see solutions to entrepreneurial challenges has made her an outstanding ally to both the Audio/Visual Service Industry and Integrative Animal Practitioners. Carmi spent 10 years building a successful AV Service business that worked with residential and commercial contractors to supply the latest AV equipment and fulfill installation. Late nights doing paperwork after a full day of serving customers fired her desire to make her own life easier so she sought help from her son and business partner Brooks who had a background in programming. Together, they developed a software system that reduced the time needed for project management by eliminating repetitive tasks. The system they created for their own business made such a dramatic difference, Carmi and her son made a decision to package and resell it to help others in their industry. The resulting company, iPoint Solutions LLC, owned and operated by Brooks, is a software product now internationally successful with thousands of users.When Carmi’s dog Tate needed chiropractic care, she sought out a local practitioner and, during the appointment, her keen ability to solve problems kicked in as she watched the doctor hand write copious notes. She recognized in Dr Emily what she had seen in herself as the catalyst for the birth of iPoint Solutions. She approached Brooks about developing a software for Integrative Animal Practitioners and the rest, as they say, is history.Today, Carmi is devoted to helping doctors provide the best care for their patients and do so efficiently with as little stress and repetition as possible. Carmi lives in the Kansas City metro with her pack of German Shepherd dogs and human family. In her spare time she enjoys dog showing, doing “projects around her home, and traveling to Marco Island, Fl to spend time with family.You can find Carmi at:https://ipointtouch.comhttps://www.facebook.com/carmi.swift/Join her Facebook Group for animal practitioners at https://www.facebook.com/groups/167050077260384email: [email protected]

Join me for the first of a monthly installment of the Business Animal called "The Entrepreneurial Pep Talk!" In this short episode, I hope to "pep" you up if you're moving through an evolution in your business — whether that evolution is planned or unplanned, wanted or unwanted. So prepare to be pepped! If you'd like to watch this episode, head over to YouTube: https://youtu.be/GCnAvvg5hAbout Kimberly Beer:Think of me as your Entrepreneurial Wisewoman, I optimize the most important asset in your business: YOU! I do this through knowledge earned from 30 years of my own entrepreneurship helping my clients ideate, build, market, and automate their small business. I have a unique toolkit of skills that address the toughest aspects of entrepreneurship fall into the gap between your therapist and traditional business coach. I am known for my out-of-the-box approaches including drawing on the wisdom of nature and horses to inspire you in the changes you seek. I lead an active and supportive community of like-minded business owners who are creating a business that supports the life they want to live.Find me at https://kimberlybeer.comOn YouTube at https://youtube.com/kimberlybeer

Join me as I talk with Risa August, founder of Feather and Sage Coaching, author, coach, and hair sparkler! Risa shares the unique challenges she's faced in building a business that supports the life she wants to live — including how a life changing diagnosis of a brain tumor has both changed her and, at the same time, solidified who she came into this life to be. You'll laugh and learn in this insightful episode.Buy Risa's book "The Road Unpaved" here: https://a.co/d/gUFM4pW on Amazon. It is available in paperback, Kindle, and Audible formats!Risa's Bio: Award-winning author, Speaker, Gestalt Practitioner, and Patient Advocate, Risa August has been living with a pituitary tumor and rare disease for over a decade. Risa shares her insights and perspectives on stage, offering words of inspiration to audiences. Additionally, Risa works one-on-one with clients, guiding them through the many roadblocks of life and toward living more fully inspired.Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/featherandsagecoaching/https://www.facebook.com/risa.august.unleashed/ (Group)Instagram: @risaunleashedWebsite: https://www.risaaugust.comAbout Kimberly Beer:Think of me as your Entrepreneurial Wisewoman, I optimize the most important asset in your business: YOU! I do this through knowledge earned from 30 years of my own entrepreneurship helping my clients ideate, build, market, and automate their small business. I have a unique toolkit of skills that address the toughest aspects of entrepreneurship fall into the gap between your therapist and traditional business coach. I am known for my out-of-the-box approaches including drawing on the wisdom of nature and horses to inspire you in the changes you seek. I lead an active and supportive community of like-minded business owners who are creating a business that supports the life they want to live.Find me at https://kimberlybeer.comOn YouTube at https://youtube.com/kimberlybeer

Amy Schield is a time management coach who takes a unique approach to helping her clients through neuroscience. In this episode Kim and Amy discuss her journey to build Amy Schield Coaching including how entrepreneurship develops personal growth that leads to confidence.Amy's Bio:Amy Schield, MBA is a time management and mindset coach for small business owners, solopreneurs, and busy professionals. Using a mix of simple tactics and neuroscience-based strategies, she helps clients manage their time effectively, set and achieve goals for business growth, and navigate the mental and emotional side of owning and running a small business. Acting as a personal trainer for the brain, she teaches her clients how to get more done in less time, so they can make more money.You can find Amy at: https://www.amyschield.comhttps://youtube.com/@amyschieldcoachinghttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-schield/https://www.facebook.com/AmySchieldCoachingOn Instagram @amyschieldcoachingWant to watch this episode? Head over to YouTube: https://youtu.be/2OuOSB0J61YAbout Kimberly Beer:Think of me as your Entrepreneurial Wisewoman, I optimize the most important asset in your business: YOU! I do this through knowledge earned from 30 years of my own entrepreneurship helping my clients ideate, build, market, and automate their small business. I have a unique toolkit of skills that address the toughest aspects of entrepreneurship fall into the gap between your therapist and traditional business coach. I am known for my out-of-the-box approaches including drawing on the wisdom of nature and horses to inspire you in the changes you seek. I lead an active and supportive community of like-minded business owners who are creating a business that supports the life they want to live.Find me at https://kimberlybeer.comOn YouTube at https://youtube.com/kimberlybeer

Business transitions happen — and they've happened for both Cara and Kim. In this return episode of The Business Animal, you'll get caught up on the past year and where the podcast is heading in the future!Want to watch this episode? Head over to YouTube: https://youtu.be/WtHq127YAuM

Social proof is one of your most important marketing assets. Your POTENTIAL clients are more likely to trust someone else… who was once like them… looking for the service or product that you offer. Social proof is so important because it directly influences your potential customer’s actions. On this episode, Cara and Kim talk in depth about social proof. What is social proof and why does YOUR animal, pet or equine-based business need it? Animal-based business owners are more than happy to “talk up” their businesses and share the great service or product they offer with all who they come in contact with. However, when other people share their experience with a business it carries so much more weight!  In this episode you will discover: the four main types of social proof available to your business; how to mindfully cultivate and harvest social proof; how to develop good social proof listening and tracking skills; and tips to develop your very own social proof plan. 

Shifting your mindset away from seeing the businesses in your industry as competition to seeing them as collaborators is not always an easy feat — and yet doing it can change the level of success. In this episode, Kim and Cara discuss tactics to help you make this essential shift in mindset.

Customer segmentation allows animal businesses to identify and understand different groups of customers at different phases of their customer journey. By dividing your customer base into segments, you can develop more targeted and effective marketing strategies tailored to each segment. This will help you deliver the right message to the right customers, increase your chances of engagement, conversion, and overall customer satisfaction.

In this episode, we delve into an essential topic for business owners and entrepreneurs: ensuring the continuity of your business in case of an emergency. Life is unpredictable, and it's crucial to have a plan in place that allows someone else to step in and keep your business running smoothly when unforeseen circumstances arise. We explore three key steps to help you prepare for such situations: making an emergency plan, documenting critical procedures, and starting to delegate tasks now.

On this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, we delve into the art of motivating clients to buy by leveraging three key strategies: selling the solution, creating a sense of time or scarcity, and mastering the art of closing deals. Join us as we explore practical techniques and insightful tips to ignite client enthusiasm and drive increased sales in your animal-based business.

Owning and managing an animal-based business can have both positive and negative effects on a person’s body, as it often involves a combination of stress, responsibility, and lifestyle changes. It’s so important for animal-based business owners to be aware of these potential effects and take steps to reduce them.  

The psychology of pricing plays a crucial role in the success of animal-based businesses. Business owners need to understand the psychological factors that influence consumer behavior and purchasing decisions in order to set prices that are attractive to their potential customers while also ensuring that their animal-based business is profitable. 

Coaching oneself as a small business owner can be a valuable approach to personal and professional development. While having an external coach can provide objective insights, self-coaching can also be effective. On this episode of The Business Animal, Kim and Cara discuss a few tips and techniques to ensure that you get the most out of your self-coaching endeavors.

Dreaming big is one of the most fun and most scary parts of being an entrepreneur. It’s doubly impactful for those of us with mission based businesses in the animal industry. Today, Kim and Cara talk about how you can step out of your comfort zone and take the next big step toward bringing your BIG dream into reality.

Overwhelm, resentment & frustration.

Ah technology — the thing we can’t live without, and yet we have a love-hate relationship with it! In this episode Kim and Cara get real about all the tech we use in our business and break down how to be SMART about how you’re using (and paying!) for it.

Did you know you can get an amazing amount of support for your business? You can! In this episode Kim and Cara give you a bunch of ideas on where to get information and assistance in building and growing your business.

This week on The Business Animal Podcast, Cara and Kim are diving into the topic of self-sabotage. We all have the tendency to self-sabotage from time to time, but why does this happen and what can we do about it? They will discuss how to recognize the signs of self-sabotage, identify the inner voices that can lead us down a path of self-sabotage, and when it's time to seek professional help. Tune in to get the tools and strategies to help you identify and break free from the cycle of self-sabotage.

Your mission statement is the North Star for your business, a beacon of light to guide you and your team as you move forward. It's the foundation of your business, a declaration of your values and goals, and it should be revisited periodically to ensure it's still relevant and accurate. Most entrepreneurs set their mission statement and then never think about it again, but the truth is that your business is likely to have shifted and changed since the day you wrote it. That's why it's so important to take a few moments and review it - to make sure that it still reflects your vision and goals. Mentioned in this episode:2023 Cottonwood Ranch information

As animal based business owners, asking better questions is a critical part of our success. It helps us to better understand our audience, build relationships, uncover their motivations, and look for opportunities to provide even better results. By asking better questions, we can not only learn more about our own business, but also discover ways to meet other needs and add value. It's a great way to foster a deeper understanding of the people we are working with, and to open up conversations about the animals we are all passionate about. We all have unique experiences, insights, and perspectives to share, and asking better questions can help us to draw out those elements of our client's story to better understand their needs and uncover opportunities that we may not have considered before. Asking better questions can be an invaluable tool for any animal based business owner, and it's an easy way to get the most out of our conversations with our clients.

Building your email and SMS lists is a key factor for the success of your business. Today, Kim and Cara are here to help animal-based business owners with three effective strategies for growing their list. Firstly, you should provide your leads with something truly valuable, such as a thoughtful lead magnet or a generous coupon. Secondly, take advantage of every single opportunity to add qualified leads to your database. Finally, don't forget to remove contacts that aren't engaging with your content, and replace them with ones that are more likely to interact. Doing so will ensure that your list remains up-to-date and that you can focus on the people who are genuinely interested in your services.

As a small business owner, it's important to recognize the importance of failure and why it can be a positive thing. It can be easy to become discouraged when things don't go as planned, but learning from our mistakes and continuing to strive for success is key to achieving success as an animal based business owner. Failing can help us to identify what works and what doesn't, allowing us to make necessary changes to ensure the best outcome. In some cases, it can even open us up to new opportunities that we hadn't previously considered. Additionally, failure can help to foster resilience, giving us the strength to persist even when things don't go as planned. We can also use it as an opportunity to evaluate our processes and make improvements to increase efficiency. While failure can be difficult, it is an essential part of the learning process and an invaluable tool in the pursuit of success. Embracing it and using it to our advantage is the key to success for any animal based business owner.

Yes, you’re an animal based business, but are you effectively adding an animal influence to your marketing and branding? Our customers LOVE their animals — and we are in business because of that love (and the passion for animals that brought us to this community in the first place). In this episode Kim and Cara explore ways to further capitalize on the animal influence in your business and branding.

The ability to take risks and be courageous is a crucial component of success in any animal-based business. However, it's important to understand your own risk tolerance in order to make sure you're taking the right risks at the right time. Just like any other skill, you can grow and develop your courage to become more flexible and resilient. It's also important to remember to be kind to yourself, and not to dwell on any past failures. It's perfectly normal to feel anxious or scared when it comes to taking risks, but don't let those feelings hold you back from achieving your goals. With the right attitude and mindset, you can develop the courage necessary to make your animal-based business a success.

Have you ever thought about turning your hobby into a business? If so, you may be wondering how your relationship with your beloved pastime might change. Making the leap from hobby to business can be a big decision, and it's important to think through the implications before you get started. One of the most important questions to ask yourself is whether you can monetize your hobby in a way that makes sense. After all, if you can't make money from your hobby, it may not be a viable business. If you're ready to take the plunge, don't be afraid to ask for help. Whether you need assistance with the legalities of starting a business or tips for reaching a wider audience, there are experts out there who can provide you with the resources you need. For example, if you're an animal-based business owner, you may want to reach out to other entrepreneurs in the industry who can offer you advice and support. Taking the plunge from hobby to business can be an exciting adventure, and with the right preparation, you can make sure you're ready for success.

When you become a business owner, you are faced with many more dilemmas than just business. One of the things that can blind side you is how you will handle the relationships in your life — the existing ones and the new ones you’re going to make as you grow in your business. Things can get complicated: Customers become friends, family members want free service, and friends become clients — not to mention the deep relationships you’ll form with your business partners. In today’s episode, Kim and Cara give you some things to consider in how to manage these relationships so they don’t derail your momentum as a business owner or cause turmoil in your life.