The Sassy Strategist: Build a Profitable Business and a Lifestyle You Love Kim Dawson

On this episode of the Sassy Strategist Podcast, host Kim Dawson interviews Mallika Malhotra, the Brand CEO, as she unpacks the crucial elements of brand strategy for entrepreneurs navigating crowded marketplaces. Delving into the challenges of standing out and gaining traction, Malika shares her expertise in helping experienced entrepreneurs define their power niche, craft impactful messaging, and enhance visibility to become industry go-tos. 
Mallika emphasizes the distinction between brand and marketing strategies, stressing the significance of brand essence before communication tactics. With a focus on niching, Malika advocates for specialization as a powerful tool to attract ideal clients, debunking fears around missed opportunities and highlighting the transformative potential of honing in on a specific audience, skill set, problem, or solution.
 
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE
 
Strategic Foundation: Prioritize defining your brand's essence, values, and differentiation before diving into marketing tactics for maximum impact.

Niche Amplification: Embrace specialization to become the go-to expert, amplifying your brand's visibility and appeal within a specific audience or problem domain.

Messaging Precision: Clarity and specificity in brand messaging create resonance and memorability, distinguishing you in crowded marketplaces.

Quality Over Quantity: Focusing on a niche allows for deeper impact and growth potential, enabling scalable opportunities while fostering trust and recognition.

Overcoming Fear of Missing Out: Reframe the fear of missing out on diverse opportunities by recognizing the power and impact of serving a specific audience with specialized expertise.  
 
ABOUT THE GUEST
 
Mallika Malhotra, The Brand CEO, is an award-winning brand strategist, mentor, and speaker. After years of working in corporate advertising on renowned brands like L’Oreal and Oil of Olay, Mallika now empowers women entrepreneurs to get clear on their brand message, define their power niche and become sought-after experts. Her friends and clients call her the brand energizer because she encourages stepping out of comfort zones, taking action, and implementing ideas. When not building brands, Mallika is sipping coffee or red wine, reading a stack of books and dreaming of global adventures. She lives in beautiful coastal Maine with her husband, three sons and their mini Bernedoodle, Jax. To learn more about working with Mallika or to invite her to speak at your event or podcast, visit www.mallikamalhotra.co
 
ABOUT THE HOST  
Kim Dawson is a small business strategist, consultant, accountant, and lifelong entrepreneur with a unique background and experience in a wide variety of industries. 
Kim’s the author of the Amazon best-selling book Passion to Profits: Your Guide to Building a Successful Business You Love and host of the long-running Sassy Strategist podcast where she delivers practical strategies to help you manage and grow your business. 
Kim works with small business owners to help increase revenue, cash flow, and profitability to help them achieve their goals for growth. 
Her passion is in helping those who are building more than just a business; they’re crafting a life rich in experiences, skill, and personal and professional fulfillment.
When not working, Kim can be found going for a hike or run, watching Jeopardy, solving math problems for fun, or reading about her latest topic of interest while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to music.
 

In the initial stages of launching a service-based business, it's common to start with lower rates to attract clients and gain experience. Many entrepreneurs begin by charging hourly, ensuring they are compensated for their time. However, as expertise grows, sticking to hourly rates can hinder long-term profitability.
In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson explores three key pricing models: monthly retainers, project-based pricing, and packaged services. Kim discusses the pros and cons of each, emphasizing the importance of transitioning away from hourly rates to build sustainable success. The episode delves into practical examples and strategies for implementing these models, providing valuable insights for businesses seeking to optimize their pricing structures.
 
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE
 
Begin with lower hourly rates to attract clients and gain experience. Relying solely on hourly rates can devalue expertise over time. Monthly Retainers offer stability and easier budgeting for service providers. Project-based pricing is ideal for one-time projects and helps to prevent miscommunication around expectations between you and your clients. Packaged Services offers different service levels for various budgets without compromising value. Flexible packages and tiers can help you maintain profitability and widen your clientele. Combining pricing models bridges revenue gaps without losing income.  
 
ABOUT KIM DAWSON  
Kim Dawson is a small business strategist, consultant, accountant, and lifelong entrepreneur with a unique background and experience in a wide variety of industries. 
Kim’s the author of the Amazon best-selling book Passion to Profits: Your Guide to Building a Successful Business You Love and host of the long-running Sassy Strategist podcast where she delivers practical strategies to help you manage and grow your business. 
Kim works with small business owners to help increase revenue, cash flow, and profitability to help them achieve their goals for growth. 
Her passion is in helping those who are building more than just a business; they’re crafting a life rich in experiences, skill, and personal and professional fulfillment.
When not working, Kim can be found hiking in the woods, going for a run, watching Jeopardy, solving math problems for fun, or reading about her latest topic of interest while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to music. 
If you’re ready to have a business that supports the lifestyle you desire, book a call with Kim today at https://kdawsonco.com/. 

Unlocking the Power of Curiosity and Authenticity: Kim Dawson's Journey to a Purpose-Driven Business, Hosted by Emily Aborn  
In this episode of the Sassy Strategist podcast, host Kim Dawson swaps roles with her friend and fellow podcaster, Emily Aborn, who hosts two podcasts - She Built This and Content with Character. Emily interviews Kim about her personal journey, which starts with her first business at the age of seven, and how it led her to where she is today. Kim shares some fun facts about herself and reveals how her curiosity, honesty, and passion for helping others have been constant values throughout her life.
Kim’s story emphasizes the importance of being true to yourself and your values, and not being afraid to reinvent yourself along the way. She also shares her belief in the power of curiosity and continuous learning in both life and business. This episode provides valuable insights and inspiration for anyone who wants to build a business that aligns with their passion and purpose and makes a positive impact on their life and others. 
 
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE
Kim Dawson's personal journey, starting with her first business at the age of seven and how it led her to where she is today.
The importance of being true to yourself and your values, not being afraid to reinvent yourself, and the power of curiosity and continuous learning in life and business.
The episode provides valuable insights and inspiration for building a business that aligns with passion and purpose and makes a positive impact on one's life and others.
 
ABOUT THE GUEST HOST Emily Aborn is a Content Copywriter, Speaker, and Podcast Host of Content with Character and She Built This. She lives in Temple, NH with her husband, Jason, and their snuggle-loving dog, Clyde. She enjoys hiking, reading, being a Jeopardy contestant from her couch, and writing.
 
ABOUT KIM DAWSON
Kim Dawson is a small business strategist, consultant, accountant, and lifelong entrepreneur with a unique background and experience in a wide variety of industries. 
Kim’s the author of the Amazon best-selling book Passion to Profits: Your Guide to Building a Successful Business You Love and host of the long-running Sassy Strategist podcast where she delivers practical strategies to help you manage and grow your business. 
Kim works with small business owners to help increase revenue, cash flow, and profitability to help them achieve their goals for growth. 
Her passion is in helping those who are building more than just a business; they’re building a life filled with experiences, craftsmanship, and fulfillment personally and professionally. 
When not working, Kim can be found on an adventure, hiking in the woods, trying out a new recipe, or reading about her latest topic of interest while enjoying a cup of coffee and listening to music. 
If you’re ready to have a business that supports the lifestyle you desire, book a call with Kim today at https://kdawsonco.com/. 

Have you been feeling stuck, unmotivated, or simply “meh” about your business lately? Does it feel like you’re in a holding pattern waiting for something to change? Are you telling yourself that eventually things will start to happen for you, and at that point you’ll finally be ready to move forward?
Then don’t miss this episode of The Sassy Strategist podcast. Host Kim Dawson shares a personal story of how she found inspiration where she least expected it, and how it made her realize that waiting for change just keeps you stuck where you are. 
She asks the tough questions to help you realize that the only thing standing in the way of you getting what you want is waiting for it. Kim also shares specific strategies you can use to go from feeling uninspired to focused and ready for action. 
 
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE
You already have everything you need to inspire change in your business (and your life!) Waiting for change can keep you stuck, bored, and feeling frustrated Ask yourself what you truly want, then make a list of actions you can take to make it happen You don’t need to do everything on your list, start with one item and go from there Action creates inspiration ABOUT THE HOST Kim Dawson is a results-driven business strategist and CFO Advisor for small business owners. She works with clients to increase profitability, grow their team, and manage their business more effectively, with less stress and more confidence and joy. Kim has helped her clients double - and sometimes triple - their revenue, all while doing more of what they enjoy, and gaining their free time back. 
If you’re ready to have a profitable business that brings you the lifestyle you desire, book a discovery call with Kim at https://kdawsonco.com/.

There’s a misconception out there that scaling is the only way to increase revenue, increase profit, have more time, and run your business more efficiently. However, many solopreneurs and small business owners don’t really want to scale. In fact, what many call scaling, isn’t really scaling at all!
In this episode of The Sassy Strategist, host Kim Dawson dispels the myths around scaling, discussing the difference between scaling and other forms of growth. Kim shares strategies for achieving your goals without scaling, and without continuously growing your team. If you’re looking to stay small, but also increase revenue and profit, while getting your time back, this episode is for you. 
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE You can increase revenue and profit without scaling your business
Scaling is a form of growth, but you can grow your business without scaling.
When you build your team, profit may decrease in the beginning, but having a plan can help reduce the impact
When you add to your team, pricing needs to be re-evaluated to avoid a net loss
Systems may need to change as you grow your team
ABOUT THE HOST Kim Dawson is a results-driven business strategist and fractional CFO for solopreneurs and small business owners. She works with clients to increase profitability, improve cash flow, and manage their business more effectively, with less stress and more confidence and joy.
Kim has helped her clients double - and sometimes triple - their revenue, all while doing more of what they enjoy, and gaining their free time back. 
If you’re ready to have a profitable business that brings you the lifestyle you desire, book a discovery call with Kim at https://kdawsonco.com/. 

You love being a small business owner and you started your business because you wanted to make a living doing something you love. But there is pressure coming from all around you telling you to “grow and scale” - whether it’s creating passive revenue streams, hiring employees, growing your team, or even building to sell. The message you’re told is that it’s the only way to be successful. But it isn’t.
In this episode of The Sassy Strategist, host Kim Dawson shares her thoughts on finding joy and profitability as a small business owner. Kim also discusses why trying to be a CEO rather than the service provider may actually be hurting your business. Listen in to hear Kim’s personal story of how she realized that staying small was the best fit for her, and her clients. 
 
KEY POINTS FROM THIS EPISODE You can be financially successful without growing your team or scaling
Focusing on your services rather than being a CEO may be the best fit for you and your clients
Small businesses typically have small budgets - scaling may cause you to lose clients who can no longer afford your services
You can do something that you love and that you're passionate about and make a good living at it
ABOUT THE HOST Kim Dawson is a results-driven business strategist, accountant, and fractional CFO for solopreneurs and small business owners. She works with clients to help them increase profitability, improve cash flow, and manage their business more effectively, with less stress and more confidence and joy. Kim has helped her clients double - and sometimes triple - their revenue, all while doing more of what they love, and gaining their free time back. 
If you’re ready to have a profitable business that brings you the lifestyle you desire, book a discovery call with Kim at https://kdawsonco.com/.