The REAL Truth About Business: Business Growth Tips for Solopreneurs, Small Business Owners, Coaches, Consultants and ADHD Se

Michelle DeNio | Business Strategist

Are you a growth-stage entrepreneur, solopreneur or small business owner trying to scale your service-based business but constantly battling overwhelm, decision fatigue, or too many ideas at once? Do traditional “step-by-step” strategies feel impossible to follow because your ADHD or neurodivergent brain just doesn’t work that way? You’re not alone. Welcome to The Real Truth About Business, the podcast that cuts through the noise and gives you the no-fluff, straight-talking truth about what it actually takes to grow a sustainable, profitable business. Hosted by Michelle DeNio — Business Strategist, Strategic Growth Advisor, and creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator — this show is designed to help service-based entrepreneurs simplify, focus, and scale without burnout. You might be asking yourself questions like: 👉 How do I grow my business without burning out? 👉 What business growth strategies actually work for ADHD or neurodivergent entrepreneurs? 👉 How do I create a simple, profitable business model instead of chasing every new idea? 👉 What lead generation and relationship marketing strategies actually bring in consistent clients? 👉 How do I stay focused and follow through when executive tasks feel draining? 👉 What does strategic planning look like when my brain doesn’t operate in a linear way? Each episode delivers actionable insights on topics like: ✅ Strategic planning that works with your brain, not against it ✅ Profit-focused decision making for growth-stage entrepreneurs ✅ Lead generation, client acquisition, and relationship marketing that feels natural ✅ ADHD-friendly business structures that create clarity and focus ✅ The CEO mindset shifts that eliminate overwhelm Michelle’s tough-love but compassionate coaching style is like a kick in the ass wrapped in a hug — giving you the clarity and confidence to finally take aligned action. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, simplify your business model, and focus on the strategies that actually create growth, this podcast will show you what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable business. Connect with me, Michelle DeNio, on LinkedIn for more insights and updates: linkedin.com/in/michelledenio. For more on how to work together and explore the Focused Visionary Accelerator, visit michelledenioconsulting.com.

  1. -9 H

    Email Marketing — Rant + Real Strategy [Ep. 331]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Let’s talk about one of the most misunderstood tools in online business: email marketing. Somewhere along the way, service providers started treating emails like spam instead of strategy, and it’s driving Michelle absolutely crazy. Because here’s the truth: email isn’t the enemy. Bad strategy is. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle dives into why small business owners need to stop hating on email and start using it with purpose. She breaks down how to use your list to build genuine relationships, nurture leads, and convert clients, all without being spammy. You’ll hear the difference between poor email practices and powerful communication that actually connects. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you rethink how you use email as one of your most valuable business growth tools. You’ll learn: Why email marketing still works (and why it’s not “dead”)The real reason people get frustrated with inbox overloadHow to ethically and legally grow your list with consentWhat to include in a high-converting welcome sequenceHow to create value-driven emails that people want to open This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or Facebook Visit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans.

    19 min
  2. 5 NOV.

    Why Year-End Reflection and Planning Are Non-Negotiable [Ep. 330]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Every December, entrepreneurs say they’ll “figure it out after the holidays.” But let’s be honest, waiting until January to plan your next move keeps you stuck in the same cycle year after year. If nothing changes, nothing changes. Reflection and strategic planning aren’t optional if you’re serious about growth: they’re leadership decisions. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle shares why the most successful service-based business owners treat year-end reflection as a non-negotiable. She dives into why assumptions and emotions can’t drive your strategy, how to analyze what’s really working, and why having outside perspective is key to creating a plan that actually delivers results. You’ll also get a peek into her annual Reflect, Refocus, Reignite planning experience and how it transforms her clients’ revenue and clarity every year. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you shift from reactive hustle to intentional CEO thinking, so you can enter 2026 with clarity, focus, and a plan that works. You’ll learn: Why reflection and planning aren’t optional for real business growth.How to stop building your business on emotions and assumptions.The role of data and analysis in creating a sustainable strategy.Why doing planning with others accelerates insight and results.How to create space for creativity and smarter decision-making. This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. Links referenced in this episode: Create a focused vision for 2026 at Reflect. Refocus. Reignite. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or Facebook Visit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With...

    19 min
  3. 29 OCT.

    Why It’s Easier to Do Client Work Than Your Own Business [Ep. 329]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Why is it so easy to meet every client deadline, but nearly impossible to update your own website, write your own copy, or finish your offers? If you’ve ever wondered why you’ll go above and beyond for clients but constantly push your own business tasks to the back burner, you’re not alone. It’s not laziness, it’s psychology and accountability at play. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle wraps up her ADHD Awareness Month series by breaking down why service-based entrepreneurs struggle to prioritize their own business growth. She shares how external accountability, deadlines, and dopamine influence your motivation, and what to do when your own work always seems to come last. You’ll learn how to treat your business like your best client and finally follow through on your own goals. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you shift from guilt and avoidance to consistency and follow-through, without burning out or feeling like you’re failing yourself. You’ll learn: Why external accountability makes it easier to deliver for clients than for yourself How lack of personal deadlines feeds procrastination and inconsistency Simple strategies to treat your business like a client (and actually meet your own deadlines) How to use reward systems and accountability partners to stay on track Why your subconscious stops believing you, and how to rebuild self-trust through follow-through This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or Facebook Visit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans.

    26 min
  4. 22 OCT.

    ADHD, Energy, and Focus Swings in Business [Ep. 328]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. _________________________________________________________ You know those days when you can knock out a week’s worth of work in one sitting, only to crash the next day and barely open your laptop? That’s not inconsistency or laziness. It’s the ADHD productivity cycle of hyperfocus and distraction, and it can send even the most driven entrepreneurs on a roller coaster of burnout, guilt, and chaos. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle breaks down the truth about hyperfocus and the inevitable crash that follows. She shares practical strategies to manage your energy, work with your brain, and build a sustainable rhythm for consistent business growth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re either “all in” or “completely checked out,” this episode will help you create structure without stifling your flow. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, you’ll learn how to stop fighting your natural cycles and start planning your business around your energy, so you can grow without burning out. You’ll learn: Why “inconsistency” is really an energy management issue, not a character flawHow to identify your hyperfocus windows and track your energy patternsThe importance of building in recovery time to avoid burnout after big projects or launchesSimple ways to use energy mapping and calendar boundaries to stay productive and balancedHow sustainable growth depends on energy stability, not constant hustle This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. __________________________________________________________ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or Facebook Visit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans.

    22 min
  5. 15 OCT.

    Why ADHD Entrepreneurs Underestimate Everything: The Time Blindness Trap [Ep. 327]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. _________________________________________________________ You know that “it’ll only take 15 minutes” lie we all tell ourselves? The one that somehow turns into two hours and a mountain of frustration? That’s time blindness, and it’s one of the biggest culprits behind overwhelm, inconsistency, and constant “playing catch up” for ADHD entrepreneurs and service providers. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle breaks down what time blindness really is, why it wreaks havoc on your productivity and planning, and how to create structure that actually supports your brain. You’ll hear practical, real-world strategies to help you stop running late, overbooking yourself, and bottlenecking your own business growth, without feeling boxed in. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur who’s tired of feeling behind and beating yourself up for it, this episode helps you move from frustration to focus and from chaos to clarity with realistic, actionable systems that work with your brain, not against it. You’ll learn: What time blindness really means for ADHD and neurodivergent entrepreneursHow to stop underestimating how long tasks will takeWhy time blindness can break client trust and create business bottlenecksPractical ways to double or triple your time estimates and regain breathing roomHow to use timers, task tracking, and reverse engineering to plan smarter This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. Links Mentioned: Resource: ADD.org __________________________________________________________ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or Facebook Visit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans.

    25 min
  6. 8 OCT.

    How Rejection Sensitivity Holds ADHD Entrepreneurs Back [Ep 326]

    The Missing Piece was designed specifically for those with ADHD. If you are in a season of "stuck" and ready to break through it. 12 weeks of support for only $600! Check it out today! _________________________________________________________ For ADHD entrepreneurs, rejection sensitivity dysphoria (RSD) can quietly sabotage your business. It’s not laziness, it’s the way your brain processes rejection. Even perceived rejection (like no response to a DM) can feel like a gut punch, leading to over-delivering, procrastinating, or quitting too soon. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, copywriter, designer, VA, or service provider navigating ADHD, this episode will help you understand RSD and build workarounds that keep your business moving. You’ll learn: What RSD is and why it affects nearly every ADHD entrepreneurHow it shows up in business (avoiding follow-up, over-delivering, delaying launches)The stories RSD creates that keep you stuckPractical workarounds to neutralize rejection and keep going This is the real truth about growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who need strategies that work with their brains, not against them. _________________________________________________________ About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans. _________________________________________________________ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or Facebook Visit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am Research Links: Neurodivergent Insights Simply Psychology The Times

    21 min
5
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À propos

Are you a growth-stage entrepreneur, solopreneur or small business owner trying to scale your service-based business but constantly battling overwhelm, decision fatigue, or too many ideas at once? Do traditional “step-by-step” strategies feel impossible to follow because your ADHD or neurodivergent brain just doesn’t work that way? You’re not alone. Welcome to The Real Truth About Business, the podcast that cuts through the noise and gives you the no-fluff, straight-talking truth about what it actually takes to grow a sustainable, profitable business. Hosted by Michelle DeNio — Business Strategist, Strategic Growth Advisor, and creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator — this show is designed to help service-based entrepreneurs simplify, focus, and scale without burnout. You might be asking yourself questions like: 👉 How do I grow my business without burning out? 👉 What business growth strategies actually work for ADHD or neurodivergent entrepreneurs? 👉 How do I create a simple, profitable business model instead of chasing every new idea? 👉 What lead generation and relationship marketing strategies actually bring in consistent clients? 👉 How do I stay focused and follow through when executive tasks feel draining? 👉 What does strategic planning look like when my brain doesn’t operate in a linear way? Each episode delivers actionable insights on topics like: ✅ Strategic planning that works with your brain, not against it ✅ Profit-focused decision making for growth-stage entrepreneurs ✅ Lead generation, client acquisition, and relationship marketing that feels natural ✅ ADHD-friendly business structures that create clarity and focus ✅ The CEO mindset shifts that eliminate overwhelm Michelle’s tough-love but compassionate coaching style is like a kick in the ass wrapped in a hug — giving you the clarity and confidence to finally take aligned action. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, simplify your business model, and focus on the strategies that actually create growth, this podcast will show you what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable business. Connect with me, Michelle DeNio, on LinkedIn for more insights and updates: linkedin.com/in/michelledenio. For more on how to work together and explore the Focused Visionary Accelerator, visit michelledenioconsulting.com.

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