Holly created the podcast Culture Factor 2.0 to address the framework of business in the new normal. To explore culture as the strategy, she looks in places we haven’t before. Holly believes that to understand the human side of company culture and the new shape it is taking we have to look at culture from start-ups to venture capital to the gig economy and beyond. She scaled Culture Factor to be in the Top 2.5% globally in a pool of 2.4+ million ranked podcasts. It is ranked in the Top 10 in Workplace and Company Culture podcasts.

Holly Shannon is the Author of Zero To Podcast, it hit #1 on AMAZON in Hot New Releases in 2 categories and also made the Top 10 AMAZON Bestseller list in 3 categories. It is carried in the UChicago Co-op Bookstore

Which came first?  The podcast.  It’s where I learned the strength of the medium and the evergreen content that is produced. Evergreen meaning that your podcast episodes live in perpetuity on all platforms.  You can listen to Joe Rogan or Holly Shannon 4 months after downloading our podcast.  Also, the idea of creating one was not a far reach for me because I’m a podcast junkie! If you get to know me, I’ll certainly recommend one or two you should listen to.

I created my business, Holly Shannon, to build podcasts because I saw the immense power they have in the business ecosystem.  Can you imagine getting in the ears of 100’s of thousands of people? We fight with algorithms on Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Do people see your business? Do they see you? Is your brand on people’s minds? Are you finding new clients or just regurgitating your elevator pitch to the same followers day in and day out?

What if you could share your expertise with the world (literally, the world) and become seen as the thought leader that you are? It could lead to keynote speaking engagements, why not Ted talks? Stepping into your power, sharing your brand, your mission through spoken word. The language was our first communication tool on earth and continues to beguile us with its nuance. The ability to create community, to bring new listeners to your website, build the ‘know, like and trust factor. This is what the podcasting medium can do. Remember, people will log off their computers, but they are always listening to something on their phones. In fact, In 2019, the podcast industry reached 645 million monthly listeners globally, according to PwC, which predicts the industry’s revenues will more than double between 2019 and 2024. 

Many people can build a podcast. The differentiating factor about my brand, Holly Shannon, is that I look into your business strategy.  Why do you want a podcast? What’s your vision game? Do you want lead generation? To build a community? To be seen as a thought leader? To monetize through e: books and mastermind conferences? Once we determine your why (and there could be more than one), we can build you a podcast that scales the way your B2B needs it to. My background includes large-scale or curated, exclusive events, so I’m capable of executing the whole picture.

I host Clubhouse rooms often and invite anyone to join the club, Zero To Podcast.  It is named after my book and is designed to help businesses and individuals tap into their ideas. I workshop with companies there to start the conversation and then move them over to my business as their consultant. I stay for the short-term or long-game, depending on what their goal is.  I’m hired for a project to build a podcast or marketing plan but I’m often asked to stay on retainer as a fractional CMO to guide the process and keep the ship on course.  It also allows us to grow together and monetize through things like conferences for example. Podcasting is an undertaking and if done well, it puts you in front of a global audience. If neglected, it’ll go nowhere. I’m happy to scale it for your business.

The challenge that befalls any small entrepreneur is the sheer strength it takes to play many parts to have your company succeed.  Sometimes the effort feels Herculean. I find my best way to conduct my work is by deploying an offense/defense strategy. 

The offensive part of my day starts with me. It consists of a great cup of coffee, exercise, and meditation.  Still in offensive mode, I work on client’s podcasts, research and source interviews for my podcast, create content, ghostwrite, record, and work on strategic plans. I then move into a building mode. Ideating on business ideas, articles, and content batch production for social media.

The defensive part starts when I check my email. It changes the order of how I conduct my work if I do it first thing. So giving myself time to stay offensive as long as possible to maintain a flow state and finish projects is critical. But being defensive does not mean anything negative to me.  It’s where new business awaits in my inbox.  It’s to participate in social media to respond to DM’s and build community. It is scheduling the work that comes in and starting the process with companies that are ready to have their idea on iTunes. 

I’m 100% bootstrapped.  This was intentional. The creative process is mine.  That said, it was important to me to establish myself first.  Now I’m beginning to look at growth, collaboration, and partnerships.  Either with investors or with other entrepreneurs building a virtual full-service agency.  As for charging, I have consulting rates for the business that wants help.  I have a ‘Done For You’ model for those that just want to hand over the keys to the car! And lastly, I have a retainer for those that want a fractional CMO for a while as they build.  We can craft the seasons of your podcast to ensure you create community and eventually can spin it off into conferences or e: books, whatever your vision.

I believe I will build more podcasts for myself because I’m curious and love the medium.  I’ve already begun building Zero To Podcast. This summer I will produce and publish it. I will continue to help B2B.  I’m also looking at scaling podcasts and then selling them to businesses or enterprises to have a fully realized podcast that has downloads, community, traction, and a high rating. I’m presently selling Culture Factor 2.0.  I think businesses would love to have a podcast that has a built-in audience and is ready for sponsorship and other monetization without having to start from scratch. Why not buy a podcast that is top-rated? Maybe that is a more interesting prospect for an enterprise to acquire a brand.

Entrepreneurship is built only for the passionate. If you wake up and go to sleep every day believing that your idea or product has legs, then you are definitely built to create a successful business.  But it is lonely, you make all your own decisions.  Sometimes they are wrong, so thick skin helps!  Most of the time podcast if your idea and passion line up it is gold.  Success looks different to us all.  It may not even be about the money for you.  It may just be a life goal! You can be an entrepreneur.  The successes and failures are part of the process.  You will be stronger for it. This is just me speaking the truth into the microphone.  And mine is a Samson Q2U if you are a future podcaster and want to know!

Reach out to me, I hope to see you in my inbox at holly@hollyshannon.com

Other Links:

Holly Shannon’s Website

Holly Shannon, Linkedin

Holly Shannon, Instagram

Culture Factor 2.0

Holly Shannon, Clubhouse

Culture Factor Club on Clubhouse

Zero To Podcast Club on Clubhouse

The post Be the Thought Leader and Do it with a Podcast appeared first on CEO Medium.

Angelica, an adult dyslexic who was diagnosed in the 2nd grade. Throughout her life, it’s been a journey to accept this gift. Being told she wasn’t going to be successful hurt her. Podcasting brought her new opportunities, self-confidence, and the ability to grow within her passions. She has a lot of fun talking on reality tv and interviewing people from different backgrounds and professions. Learning about their journey to success has inspired Angelica to keep doing more and more.

Once Angelica accepted the gift of her learning disability, she wanted to share her story with others. Becoming a speaker, volunteering her time with the Learning Disabilities Association was her next step but how does she get there? Listening to reality tv podcasts and radio shows she felt inspired by these women that she wanted to create her platform. She came up with ideas, concepts and wanted to catch the stories of real people. A story is so powerful that it can inspire and motivate people to chase their dreams and their passions.

A Little of Everything With Me! 5-day episode release from Monday to Friday, Angelica recaps the hit show 90 Day Fiance with her Co-Host (Coupon Queen Pin from C.Q.P. Moments Podcast) twice a week, Guest Interviews twice a week, and Friday they both either Sing Karaoke on a series they created called Shower or Karaoke or find another show to recap. There is something for everyone, it’s like a talk show but audio.

Angelica guest interviews are to inspire and give that extra push or motivation to others when they are on a journey to success. Angelica, working a full-time job and having these many side hustles, allowed her to pursue her dreams part-time to reach the top of her mountain. The people she interviews have one goal in common, which is to become successful. We all want success in everything we do but it’s only within ourselves that can do it. 

Angelica had many challenges throughout her two years of podcasting, her toughest one was Time Management. Taking a step back and seeing how to prevent another burnout. Angelica became so invested and addicted to her brand as it grew rapidly. She craved for more, her mind wouldn’t stop working in coming up with new business ideas and content. Every day you learn something new and it’s just want to try everything.

Running an ad-free podcast, A Little Bit of Everything With Me! Does not have sponsors or make any money. When Angelica mentors others to start their podcast, she tells them “Don’t focus on the money or sponsorships, treat it like a business you will continue to have the passion for it, and opportunities will come in due time”. The biggest jackpot for her is meeting so many amazing people across the world who have such amazing and inspiring stories. Her podcast is heard in over 65 counties, in all 50 states in the USA, producing over 500 episodes, winning the Latin Podcast Awards 2020, and Nominated again for Latin Podcast Awards 2021 are wins that money cannot buy.

Angelica has so much to accomplish with the pandemic she had to pivot and from getting out there in her community and small businesses to the virtual world. Owning her studio, continuing to grow her podcast community, speaking across the world, and sharing her story of living life with a learning disability, getting into media and radio, and keep winning awards; are her plans of building her empire.

Angelica encourages others to keep on going, keep pushing, stay consistent and forget what others have to say. “You are the one who chooses what you want, the only one that can do it” she likes to say. Listening to her guests’ interviews of how they struggled but kept on going, shows you hard work pays off but you have to be patient. Most of all love what you do and don’t stop.

Company name: A Little Bit Of Everything With Me!

Email Address: angelica.vallecillo@gmail.com

Website : www.everythingwithange.com

Instagram : www.instagram.com/alittlebitofeverythingwithme

The post Angelica Goncalves is Rocking a Little Bit of Everything appeared first on CEO Medium.

She currently owns and operates “Tristan Duplichain Photography LLC.” Tristan has recently expanded her company to help more than just photographers, but entrepreneurs by teaching them the importance of social media. Utilizing podcasting, YouTube, and other platforms, Tristan has grown her business from the ground up.

What is your entrepreneur’s story?

Reverting back to childhood, I remember not coming from much.

My mom supported her and me in a two-bedroom apartment in what is now considered the worst part of Jackson. 

I never had a bad childhood, in fact, my parents gave us all they could and provided us with food, shelter, and love. I was homeschooled, went to church, hung out with friends every weekend. It was pretty normal.

Growing up in a trailer, I couldn’t help but feel weird when going to my friends’ houses. Not exactly realizing their homes were different than mine, but their family was a higher class than my middle-income family. I couldn’t help but feel less than sometimes.

Since 15 years old I’ve had the drive to work and make my own money, never wanting or letting my parents help. I’ve had two jobs, one being in the restaurant industry and the other was photography. Once I started making my own money I paid for my camera, car, bills, food, etc. I refused to let my parents spend a dime on me because I was independent enough to make my own income. I remember having my own social media at age 11. I think at the time I wasn’t technically old enough to have certain platforms, however, I loved speaking with people, editing code for website templates, and just chatting with like-minded people. Moving to my later years I think my love for social media has really pivoted my business and made it what it has become today. My love for independence, making others happy, talking and hustling has grown my photo business to what it is today.

How did you come about building your business?

Being homeschooled, my parents let me study pretty much anything I wanted. Graphic design was my main interest at the time. They found out through a friend that the local community college took homeschoolers and let them pick vocational classes to prepare them for college and what industry they were considering for college. My class was “digital media.” My teacher Mr. Gore was extremely supportive and I really have him to thank for giving me the push to pursue more than just graphic design. I entered a photography contest and won first place. This piqued my interest and love for going out and taking photos of people. I loved making someone feel better about themselves and getting to know other people just by going out and doing what I love. Going to college at 17, I had my degree in Photography and Graphic design a month before my 19th birthday. My goal in college was to gain experience to photograph musicians. Even though it’s still something I enjoy, I’ve found fashion editorials, influencers, companies, and weddings are my favorite to shoot. I worked in restaurants taking the money I made and reinvested it into my photoshoots and gear to make myself better and more educated. It wasn’t until I was 25 that I realized I was lacking a lot of business sense and needed to learn how to make it profitable and more than just a paycheck to paycheck hobby. Buying marketing books and self-teaching myself business, I have molded my company into what it is today.

What is your business model — how were you able to grow so fast?

My business model was kind of simple really. In the beginning, I did a lot of free work. Posting like crazy, tag the right people, using the appropriate hashtags and geotags, commenting, networking growing in my community by word of mouth. Eventually, I worked for magazines in my area, growing my network to out of state magazines. I always remembered to tag clothing companies, sharing to multiple forms of social media, recording videos, and making sure I had daily content. For a while, I realized I wasn’t booking weddings and day to day clients like I was wanting. I ended up buying a booking software (honey book) and it virtually changed the dynamic of my business. I think I had a 95% booking rate in the first 2 months. This may seem a little high, but I try to keep my rates reasonable. I like shooting more and growing my network. A huge thing I’ve implemented is client gifts, I give my customers more than just photos. I give them gifts that they can look back on. This has really grown my growth rate when my clients post images of little goodies I’ve given them.

Can you give me an overview of who you are, what is your educational or overall background? What are some of your achievements?

Well, I’m a mother to my son, Finley. I was born in Jackson Mississippi. I was homeschooled, attending Hinds Community College for vo-tech in high school. I have an associate degree in Photography with an emphasis in Graphic design through Antonelli College. One of my most recent accomplishments is photographing the film documentary cover, “The House in Between.” I was certified in Photoshop back in high school which wasn’t an easy test to take. One of the highlights in my photo career was getting a photo tutorial article in Photography Masterclass Magazine. My work has appeared in POZ magazine, Salyse, Volant Magazine, taste of the south, garden & gun, Mississippi Magazine, and many more.

What have you learned through your experiences as an entrepreneur that can be used by aspiring business individuals?

I have learned growing a business isn’t easy. It takes a lot of work, and it doesn’t grow overnight. You have to constantly wake up and show up. Keep creating and make more content. There will be days you don’t think it’s worth it, but that’s when you get that opportunity knocking at your door. If you want something, don’t wait for it, go and get it. Write to people, network, don’t be afraid of rejection. Take workshops, reinvest into your business keep learning and keep growing. Just because one person doesn’t believe in you, doesn’t mean someone more notable than they don’t.

What makes your business so unique and successful?

I think what makes my business stand out and successful is that I have a lot of education behind my quirky tattooed appearance. When you meet me, you see a short tattooed girl and probably wouldn’t think I am as knowledgeable in business as I am. I like to have fun, get to know people, and have a good time. I love traveling and buying unique pieces of clothing for my models. My photography has a unique look to it, and I am always trying to find new angles and new ways to take something and make it my own. I don’t want to look like everyone else. I want to stand out on my own. This makes people want to work with me and support my vision. I am in my own lane and I am my own cheerleader even when no one is backing me. I believe positivity and creativity are why I am successful.

What have you learned through your journey as an entrepreneur?

I’ve learned focusing on the ending goal is all you can do when the storm is rough. Not everyone is going to be your fan, and not everyone is going to love you. I’ve learned you have to separate business and personal. Go after what I want and not be afraid of becoming successful or failing. There will be a failure here and there, but there will be successes that make you forget those few failures. Being an entrepreneur means taking chances and making mistakes. No one is perfect and that’s what makes my entrepreneur journey beautiful.

What skills and attributes make you as successful as you are?

When it comes to my work, I think my attention to detail and color scheme really makes my artwork stand out, which helps it catch the eye of the viewer. When it comes to my personal attributes I think my drive and willingness to work hard for what I want is what has made me grow and become as successful as I am.

Why is online business, marketing, etc important?

Online business is So important. It helps you make connections you wouldn’t be able to make otherwise. Word of mouth is POWERFUL, however, having an online presence shows you have supported, you’re credible, and can produce the work and put in what it takes to make that client happy. If you aren’t willing to do the work, I believe it shows in your social media, marketing, and product.

The post Exclusive Interview with Creative Photographer and Super Mom Tristan Duplichain appeared first on CEO Medium.