Making Good: Small Business Podcast Lauren Tilden

Creating strong friendships as an adult is something I have been thinking about a lot lately, and it seems like many, many other people are to. In the last few years, there have been books, studies, articles, podcast episodes- you name it- all trying to understand adult friendship. This topic got particular attention in the wake of lockdown, when across the US, employees of all kinds who made the necessary switch to working from home, well, stayed home. I’m sure many of you have heard about the “epidemic of loneliness.”



As owners of very small businesses where we are also often the one-and-only employee, solitude may not have been totally new for us when lockdown was put in place. Not to say small business owners are a necessarily lonely bunch, but I think many would agree that creating friendships and growing a community of peers can be more challenging outside of a big company or organization setting. That’s part of the reason why I created my membership program, Making Good Happen, to create a space for like-minded small business owners to swap ideas, share hardship, and rejoice in each other’s wins. 



I’m not usually a big New Years resolution gal, but this year I did set the goal of spending more quality time with people in my small business community, not only online but in person. But let's face it, getting the ball rolling can feel a little awkward. That’s why I was so excited to chat with today’s guest, Danielle Bayard Jackson. 


A certified friendship coach, Danielle teaches women how to make and maintain better friendships through research-based methodology. Since studying the ins and outs of female friendships, her teachings include how to solve common female friendship conflicts, creating connections with depth and closeness, and the impact of friendship on our physical, mental, and emotional health.



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Books are a huge part of my life… and my business. 

You might have noticed a hint of that from the fact that Making Good has a book club! In addition to the every Tuesday episodes that come out here on the podcast, on the fifteenth of every month we also have a Making Good Book Club episode, where we discuss a book we think can make an impact on your business, share our key takeaways, and then let you know what book we’re covering NEXT MONTH.


I’ve read a lot of books in the last couple of years. Not all of them changed things for me. But the ones that did? BOY am I glad I got to read them. 


Stephen King said, “Books are a uniquely portable magic.”


And I want to share some of that magic with you.


Here’s the deal in today’s episode. We’re going to talk about 10 books that have changed my life and business… and might just do the same for you.


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https://makinggoodpodcast.com/234
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I am so, so thankful to today’s guest for completely letting me go off the rails and run wild with our conversation. Something you may not know about many interview-style podcasts is as hosts, we try to prep our guests with a list of questions they can expect during the interview. For whatever reason, I threw many of the pre-determined questions for this episode right out the window, and Julie Sellers was totally game. Often times, following your intuition and excitement yields the best results, and my conversation with Julie was no exception!

Julie is the CEO of a small business advisory firm called Ellevated Outcomes, where she and her team teach and develop customized business strategy for creative entrepreneurs. They offer two paths to clarity & confidence for creative entrepreneurs who have found success in their unique skills, passion, and intuition, and who now seek a sustainable business and a balanced life.

Julie was so genuine and thoughtful in her responses to my questions, (and follow up questions). If she could shout one message from the rooftops, I think it would be this: “CEO” isn’t a big scary commitment, it’s a mindset that can help you reach your goals, however you define them! I cannot wait for you to give our fascinating conversation a listen.


MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/233
CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:
https://instagram.com/laurentilden
GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Stuck on what to say in our marketing? Download this free resource of 100 marketing prompts: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts.

Let me get straight to the point:

I’m doing something new! Something completely and totally out of my comfort zone. Something that I’m a total beginner at. And it has me FEELING THE FEELS.

And I really, really need a pep talk. And so… I’m giving one to myself.


MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/232
CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:
https://instagram.com/laurentilden
GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Stuck on what to say in our marketing? Download this free resource of 100 marketing prompts: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts.

Right off the bat, I just need to tell you that this book is a must-read. It is so beautifully written, and there is so much wisdom to gain. Charelle and I have already begun experimenting with implementing a few of the ideas that Tricia Hersey shares, including unlearning popular messaging around productivity, hustling, and the role of rest. 

This is not a business or self-help book. 
It is a personal and social history intertwined with a healthy critique of white supremacy and capitalism and the way it influences how we work and the way we value ourselves and our time. Tricia writes from her experience as a black woman and descendant of enslaved people. There was so much in this book that just made me pause and re-read and underline and reflect.


Mindset is certainly a big topic that I tackle fairly often, both on this podcast and in my membership, and Rest is Resistance has given me so much food for thought about how I approach mental health and well-being in my work. I loved talking with Charelle about this book, and as always, seeing what different pieces of wisdom we each picked up on. This was a truly great conversation, and I cannot wait for you to hear it.


MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/231
CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:
https://instagram.com/laurentilden
GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Stuck on what to say in our marketing? Download this free resource of 100 marketing prompts: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts.

I am so excited to bring you this episode with a RARE repeat guest! Megan Dowd is a Certified Equity-Centered Coach who specializes in branding. You may remember Megan from the very early days of this podcast, where we chatted about how storytelling can help build strong connections in your business. That is a great episode and if you’re curious about checking it out, it is linked in the shownotes. 

Megan has since joined forces with graphic designer Nicole Yang and Copy, Content and Marketing specialist Latasha Doyle to form Rendezvous Creative, a full service design, branding and coaching agency offering a signature service that combines their talents and expertise. Noticing the predictable bottlenecks that arise as a result of having to communicate across studios and agencies, Megan, Nicole and Latasha have created a completely in-house solution where they can collaborate with each other, and their client.


My conversation with Megan was wide ranging and full of so many things to learn, from the joys of working with a team, to trusting your gut when it comes to your branding strategy. Megan is so much fun to talk to, and I hope you enjoy our conversation as much as I did.


MAKING GOOD SHOWNOTES:
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/230
CONNECT WITH ME ON INSTAGRAM:
https://instagram.com/laurentilden
GET 100 MARKETING PROMPTS (free!):
https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts
Stuck on what to say in our marketing? Download this free resource of 100 marketing prompts: https://makinggoodpodcast.com/100prompts.