Strategy with Sally

Sally Sparks-Cousins

Strategy with Sally (formerly Straight Talk with Sally) Strategy with Sally is the podcast for women in business who are ready to stop winging it and start building a business that actually works — with clear strategy, smart systems, and the confidence to take imperfect action. Hosted by Sally Sparks-Cousins, business strategist, automation nerd, and co-founder of OmniSAM, this show dives into business strategy, personal branding, marketing, social media, mindset, automation, and scalable systems — without the fluff or hustle-for-hustle's-sake. Sally is on a mission to help women build businesses around their zone of genius (aka inner sparkle), reclaim their time, trust their numbers, and create sustainable success while balancing business, family, lifestyle, and mindset. Each week, you'll find: ◉ Practical business strategy you can actually implement ◉ Real conversations about growth, confidence, and leadership ◉ Simple systems and automation insights for small business owners ◉ Thought-provoking lessons on what it really takes to be a business owner and thought leader If you're ready to build a business on your terms, back yourself, and get out of overthinking and into action — you're in the right place. It's time to get sh*t done — strategically. ✨

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    #548: LONG: Where are they now - Amanda Sutherland

    In this special Where Are They Now? episode of the Strategy with Sally podcast, Sally reconnects with longtime community member Amanda Sutherland, one of the early faces of the Sparkle world and a huge part of the journey in the early days of the business. Amanda shares how her path has evolved since first joining the program, from trying to get started as a VA to building a creative, flexible life that blends tech support, performance, and artistic expression. ✨ From automation nerd to creative powerhouse Amanda now works behind the scenes supporting business associations with membership systems, websites, and automation — the kind of tech work most entrepreneurs avoid. She also helps female entrepreneurs over 50 overcome tech overwhelm with one-on-one support. But that's only part of the story. She's also known for bringing sparkle everywhere she goes — including her famous December tradition of wearing a different Santa hat every day, and performing as El the Christmas Elf, creating personalised videos, appearances, and festive content for families. 🎭 Embracing creativity later in life Since being part of the Sparkle community, Amanda has leaned fully into her creative side. She's now: Studying a Bachelor of Arts with a performance major Acting in TV productions as an extra Performing in improv shows Writing a play Creating costumes for theatre productions Exhibiting ceramics in art galleries Learning painting and photography Amanda shared that one of the biggest changes since joining the program has been confidence — learning to embrace who she really is and stop holding back her creative side. 💬 A big part of the early Sparkle journey Sally also reflects on Amanda being one of the first people to support the business in its early stages, even trading services when the team couldn't afford staff yet. From community updates to team retreats and road trips, Amanda was part of many of the memories that helped shape the Sparkle world. 🏆 Celebrating creativity and authenticity During the live session, Amanda was awarded a special recognition for her creativity, confidence, and commitment to showing up authentically — something she now embodies every day through her work, performances, and art. 🔗 Connect with Amanda Follow Amanda here: 👉 https://facebook.com/amandalee Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    23 min
  2. 4 DAYS AGO

    #547 Quick Tip: The Funnel Numbers That Actually Matter

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:cf8c28bb-e18f-46fc-84e3-13765f69964a-12" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "431f637a-8d5d-49f6-84c9-5ab73c481c98" data-testid= "conversation-turn-24" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:a54fabf3-70ea-4e73-bdf7-a7690e3bd0cb-14" data-testid= "conversation-turn-16" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this episode of Strategy with Sally, Sally breaks down the funnel numbers that actually matter and explains why so many business owners either panic too early or keep running funnels that aren't really working. Instead of guessing, Sally shares simple benchmark numbers for lead magnets and webinar funnels so you can understand whether your landing pages, registrations, and conversions are healthy or need improvement. Funnels don't need fantasy numbers to succeed, but they do need to be measured, because the right numbers show you exactly what to fix next. When you know what to look at, you can make small adjustments that lead to much bigger results over time. In this episode, Sally covers: Why most business owners don't know what good funnel numbers look like Healthy landing page conversion rates for lead magnets What percentage of leads should move to the next step Typical registration and show-up rates for webinar funnels How to tell if your problem is traffic, messaging, or structure Why funnels should be measured, not guessed How small improvements in numbers can create big results Understanding your funnel numbers makes it easier to see what's working, what needs fixing, and where your next growth opportunity really is.   Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    8 min
  3. 6 DAYS AGO

    #546 Quick Tip: What To Remember When Business Gets Hard

    In this episode of Strategy with Sally, Sally talks about the moment every business owner experiences when things suddenly feel heavy, progress slows down, and it starts to feel like something has gone wrong. But difficulty in business isn't always a sign of failure — often it means you've reached the edge of your current systems, skills, or capacity, and your business is ready for the next stage of growth. Sally shares how business doesn't grow in a straight line, why every stage brings new challenges, and how feeling overwhelmed can actually be a signal that it's time to build better structures, processes, or boundaries. When you learn to see hard moments as part of growth instead of proof that you're doing something wrong, it becomes much easier to move forward and build the next layer your business needs. In this episode, Sally covers: Why business can feel harder even when things are going well The difference between failure and reaching the next stage of growth How growth creates new challenges at every level of business Why systems that worked before may stop working as you grow The importance of building processes, structure, and support over time A simple question to ask when business starts to feel overwhelming How to recognise when your business needs a new layer instead of more effort Sometimes the hard moments in business aren't signs to stop — they're signs that it's time to build what the next stage requires. *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:cf8c28bb-e18f-46fc-84e3-13765f69964a-12" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "431f637a-8d5d-49f6-84c9-5ab73c481c98" data-testid= "conversation-turn-24" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant">   Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    7 min
  4. 14 MAR

    #545: LONG Why Communication Is the Skill That Changes Everything

    In this episode of Strategy with Sally, Sally talks about one of the most overlooked but powerful business skills: communication. Clear communication isn't just about talking more — it's about making sure the message is understood the way it was intended. Many problems in business happen because instructions aren't clear, expectations aren't repeated, or people assume understanding after saying something only once. Sally shares why strong communication makes business easier, reduces mistakes, and helps everything run more smoothly. In this episode, Sally covers: Why communication is more than just the words you say How misunderstandings happen even when everyone has good intentions The role of tone, body language, and repetition in clear communication Why people often need to hear something more than once to understand it The importance of active listening in conversations with clients and teams How simple, clear language prevents confusion and saves time Why better communication leads to better results in business Strong communication doesn't just improve conversations — it improves how your business operates every day. Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    20 min
  5. 10 MAR

    #543 Quick Tip: The Follow-Up Gap Most Businesses Have

    *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:cf8c28bb-e18f-46fc-84e3-13765f69964a-12" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "431f637a-8d5d-49f6-84c9-5ab73c481c98" data-testid= "conversation-turn-24" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:a3ff4e96-e2bd-4367-a723-5ec5845138a4-6" data-testid= "conversation-turn-8" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> In this quick strategy episode, Sally shares a simple but powerful insight about what she calls the follow-up gap—the hidden reason many businesses lose potential clients without even realizing it. While many business owners think they have a lead generation problem, the real issue is often that their follow-up process stops after the first reply. When someone fills out an inquiry form, sends an email, or downloads something from your website, the initial response usually happens, but what comes next often relies on memory rather than a system. Life gets busy, client work takes over, and those leads quietly slip away—often choosing the business that follows up more consistently. Sally explains why most potential clients don't actually say no; they simply go quiet while they compare options or get distracted. The solution doesn't require complicated tech or dozens of automations—just a simple system: an immediate confirmation when someone inquires, a follow-up message if they haven't responded within a day, and another gentle nudge a few days later. These small touchpoints keep you present, professional, and top of mind. As a practical action step, Sally encourages you to review one place where leads enter your business—your inquiry form, booking page, or contact page—and ask yourself what happens after the first reply. If there's no follow-up system in place, create two or three simple messages that go out automatically so you're no longer relying on memory. Because in most cases, businesses don't lose clients because they're bad at what they do—they lose them because their system stops too early.   Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    8 min
  6. 4 MAR

    #542: LONG: Where are they now - LeeAnn Romine

    In this episode of our Where Are They Now? series, we sit down with LeAnn Romine, founder of Ignite Global, to talk about what's possible when confidence, systems, and strategy come together. LeAnn began with a one-on-one psychic reading business, charging $65 per hour and working manually behind the scenes. Today, she runs a thriving global coaching company, signs $30,000 clients, enjoys consistent six-figure years, and leads powerful communities focused on conscious leadership, money mindset, and limitless growth. But the most powerful transformation wasn't financial. It was personal. Once shy and hesitant to even press "Go Live," LeAnn now confidently hosts her own podcast, leads rooms of hundreds, and shows up fully in her leadership. Her husband Robert shares how he's watched her step into her voice — and now works alongside her in the business. In this conversation, we explore: The shift from one-on-one services to scalable offers How automation changed everything Moving from hourly income to premium clients Building systems that support impact The real reason confidence grows (hint: action) Why backend setup is just as important as visibility LeAnn shares how putting the right systems in place allowed her to stop trading time for money and start focusing on what truly matters — changing lives. Her message is clear: you don't need to be a massive brand to make massive impact. With the right support and structure, growth becomes sustainable — and powerful. This episode is proof that transformation is possible when you commit, implement, and get out of your own way. Connect with LeAnn: 🌐 igniteyouglobal.com 📘 Facebook: LeAnn Romine If you've ever doubted your ability to show up bigger — this one's for you. *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "request-WEB:cf8c28bb-e18f-46fc-84e3-13765f69964a-12" data-testid= "conversation-turn-6" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant"> *]:pointer-events-auto scroll-mt-[calc(var(--header-height)+min(200px,max(70px,20svh)))]" dir="auto" tabindex="-1" data-turn-id= "431f637a-8d5d-49f6-84c9-5ab73c481c98" data-testid= "conversation-turn-24" data-scroll-anchor="true" data-turn= "assistant">   Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    22 min
  7. 2 MAR

    #541 Quick Tip: This Looks Productive, But It's Actually a Trap

    In this quick tip episode of Strategy with Sally, Sally unpacks the productivity trap of constant tweaking — the endless adjusting of websites, sales pages, niches, and systems that feels responsible but is often just avoidance in disguise. Tweaking keeps you busy and comfortable because it delays the vulnerable moment of putting your work out into the world where people can see it, react to it, and have opinions about it. Real progress requires a decision, a commitment, and a line in the sand — and that's uncomfortable. Instead of polishing another sentence or reworking something that's already good enough, Sally challenges you to ask yourself one honest question: what am I avoiding finishing or committing to? Because clarity doesn't come from more thinking; it comes from feedback. "Done" doesn't mean perfect — it means visible, testable, and learnable. Progress actually works like this: done leads to feedback, feedback leads to iteration, and iteration builds momentum. So if it's good enough, ship it, share it, and let it be real — you can always refine later, but only after it's out there.   Stay Connected & Get Exclusive Access: Join the Private OmniSAM Community: omnisam.com.au/gsdgroup Facebook Group: gsdfb.omnisam.com.au Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/sallysparkscousins Watch the Live Stream & Subscribe for More Updates: OmniSAM YouTube: youtube.com/@omnisamsoftware Sally Sparks-Cousins YouTube: youtube.com/@sallysparkscousins

    9 min

About

Strategy with Sally (formerly Straight Talk with Sally) Strategy with Sally is the podcast for women in business who are ready to stop winging it and start building a business that actually works — with clear strategy, smart systems, and the confidence to take imperfect action. Hosted by Sally Sparks-Cousins, business strategist, automation nerd, and co-founder of OmniSAM, this show dives into business strategy, personal branding, marketing, social media, mindset, automation, and scalable systems — without the fluff or hustle-for-hustle's-sake. Sally is on a mission to help women build businesses around their zone of genius (aka inner sparkle), reclaim their time, trust their numbers, and create sustainable success while balancing business, family, lifestyle, and mindset. Each week, you'll find: ◉ Practical business strategy you can actually implement ◉ Real conversations about growth, confidence, and leadership ◉ Simple systems and automation insights for small business owners ◉ Thought-provoking lessons on what it really takes to be a business owner and thought leader If you're ready to build a business on your terms, back yourself, and get out of overthinking and into action — you're in the right place. It's time to get sh*t done — strategically. ✨