Blaze

Megan Smyth

The go-to podcast for trailblazing entrepreneurs who believe in doing business (and life) DIFFERENTLY. Tired of hearing the same fluffy advice over and over again? We’re pulling back the curtain to give you an honest take on entrepreneurship. No BS, just real, practical strategies to fuel your growth — and remind you that wherever you are on your journey, you’re not in this alone. Join host Megan Smyth for weekly interviews, roundtable discussions, and solo soapbox episodes to help YOU blaze your own path and build a business that lights you up. Welcome to the new era of entrepreneurship. Welcome to the Blaze podcast!

  1. -9 H

    92. How to Choose the Best Marketing Platform + Strategy for YOUR Business

    “What's the best marketing platform?" is one of the most common questions I get. But the real question is…what's the best platform for you? There's no universal answer, and chasing one is exactly what's been keeping you stuck.  In this episode, I'm sharing where most business owners go wrong with their marketing strategy, plus a three-step framework to help you stop second-guessing and start showing up in a way that actually feels good. If your marketing has felt like a stab in the dark, or you've tried all the things and nothing has stuck long-term, this episode is for you. Click play to learn: Why “go where your audience is” is only half the equation The science that proves enjoyable marketing is more effective marketing Why switching strategies is costing you clients (+ how long it *really* takes to see results) How to tune out the noise and figure out what YOU actually enjoy One powerful question that will give you instant clarity on where to spend your time + energy Ready to stop guessing and build a sales system that gets results? Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation—my signature program for coaches and consultants who want more consistent clients, an aligned sales system, and a strategy that doesn't rely on social media. Waitlist members get exclusive first access and bonuses. Head to megansmyth.com/waitlist to add your name to the list! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few seconds to leave a review. It helps us get the show out to more people and gives us valuable feedback on what you love most. Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode

    33 min
  2. 14 AVR.

    91. What No One Tells You About Becoming a Mom Entrepreneur: Real Talk with Luan Jardine

    There's a very specific image of the Mama CEO being sold to us online. You know the one: laptop open, baby on the hip, effortlessly doing it all. I sat down with my friend and ads expert Luan Jardine for a candid conversation about motherhood and entrepreneurship—and what it actually looks like to run a business alongside growing your family.  We cover everything from how Luan intentionally structured her business before getting pregnant, to what the first trimester and early postpartum recovery really did to her work capacity, and what she wishes someone had told her along the way.  Luan is a Facebook and Instagram Ads Expert who helps changemakers reach their dream audience. Luan is a strong believer that by connecting entrepreneurs with the right audience through advertising, they can be wildly successful. She’s managed hundreds of thousands of dollars in ad campaigns and achieved a cost per lead as low as $0.50 (19X lower than industry average).  Click play to learn: How Luan intentionally built her business to avoid trading time for money The surprisingly simple email Luan sent during pregnancy that landed her multiple new clients Why maintenance packages are the most underrated recurring revenue strategy for service providers (+ how to set one up in any niche) The “spoon theory” and why expecting too much of yourself postpartum is a recipe for burnout What the reality of running a business with a newborn actually looks like, and Luan’s tips for success Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation and be the first to know when we reopen enrollment! megansmyth.com/waitlist    Book a free Clarity Call   Join the next round of Sales Liberation   Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg   Join our email community   Full show notes and links from this episode   If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Mental-Health First Marketing with Laun Jardine The 5 Stages of Purposeful Entrepreneurship with Quinn Tempest  The Unplugged Entrepreneur: How Taking Real Time Off Leads to Bigger Results

    51 min
  3. 7 AVR.

    90. You Need a Sabbatical: A Practical Guide to Taking 4+ Weeks Off From Your Business with Maegan Megginson

    What if the most strategic thing you could do for your business right now was step away? Most entrepreneurs start a business to have more time freedom. Yet so many of us end up working more than we did at our old 9-5,   and struggle to take time off.  My guest today is Maegan Megginson, a spiritual strategist and sabbatical coach who helps modern entrepreneurs recover from burnout, reconnect with their intuition, and design sustainable ways of working through deep rest, ritual, and seasonal planning.  Her approach blends practical business strategy with psycho-spiritual integration to create businesses that feel as good on the inside as they look on the outside. She’s also the host of Sabbatical School, a podcast about taking transformative time off from your business.  This conversation will forever change the way you think about time off!    Click play to learn: Why you need to incorporate regular sabbaticals into your business The difference between a vacation and a sabbatical (it has nothing to do with length) Real examples of entrepreneurs who have taken 4+ weeks off to write books, launch podcasts, rest, travel, and more The 4 different types of sabbatical + how to determine which is right for you How to fund your sabbatical and actually get paid while you're away Join the priority waitlist for Sales Liberation and be the first to know when we reopen enrollment! megansmyth.com/waitlist    Book a free Clarity Call   Join the next round of Sales Liberation   Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg   Join our email community   Full show notes and links from this episode   If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The Unplugged Entrepreneur: How Taking Real Time Off Leads to Bigger Results The 3 MOST Important Areas to Spend Your Time to Make More Money 7 Things No One Tells You About Digital Nomad Life

    57 min
  4. 31 MARS

    89. Break Through Your Income Ceiling: Hidden Money Blocks with Katy Chen Mazzara

    You already know the practical money stuff. You've read the books, done the budgeting, maybe even worked with a financial planner. So why does money still feel so stressful? This episode is about the piece that most money conversations completely miss. I'm joined by Katy Chen Mazzara, a trauma-informed financial wellness coach who has spent years helping entrepreneurs understand that their relationship with money isn't just a practical problem—it's an emotional one. Katy blends financial strategy with nervous system awareness to help high-achieving entrepreneurs break free from scarcity, release trauma and fear, and create sustainable financial freedom. If you've ever hit an income ceiling you couldn't seem to break through, or wondered why you can make money but can't seem to keep it…this conversation is for you.   Click play to learn: How to identify the money blocks that are holding your business back Nervous system regulation 101: why mindset work alone isn’t enough The simple 2-minute exercise to feel more secure, even when revenue dips What your “financial set point” is and why it's quietly capping your income The common receiving block that keeps women from making more money Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick 5-star review to help us keep bringing you valuable, free content!   Reserve your spot at the Money Blocks Workshop   Book a free Clarity Call   Join the next round of Sales Liberation   Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg   Join our email community   Full show notes and links from this episode   If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: The Invisible Factor That Makes or Breaks Every Sale (Master Your Energy in 3 Simple Steps) How To Stop Spiralling When Sales Are Slow: The Secret to Feeling Secure Even With Inconsistent Income The 3 MOST Important Areas to Spend Your Time to Make More Money

    1 h 4 min
  5. 24 MARS

    88. From Best-Kept Secret to Industry Leader: Closing the Authority Gap with Kristen VanderHoek

    You know your stuff. Your clients get incredible results. So why does it still feel like the right people aren't finding you? Expertise and authority aren't the same thing. Knowing your stuff is one piece of the puzzle, but being known as the leading voice in your space is a separate issue entirely. In this conversation, I'm joined by my friend and brand strategist Kristen VanderHoek, and we're going deep on the work that most established service providers skip: diagnosing your brand strategically before you touch a single visual. Whether you've outgrown your current brand, you're repositioning for a higher-level client, or something just isn't working and you can't quite put your finger on it, this episode will help you figure out exactly where to focus next. Kristen VanderHoek is the founder of Cursor & Ink, where she helps expert-led service businesses build brands that reflect the depth of their expertise. With nearly 20 years of experience in branding and communications, she specializes in guiding established service providers through rebranding or repositioning work to prepare them for their next stage of growth. Click play to learn: The strategic reset you need before your next level of growth (do this before you rebrand) How brand values can eliminate decision fatigue and make hiring 10x easier Why expertise doesn’t equal authority—and how to get potential clients to see you as the expert you are How to build a brand with one foot in the present and one foot in the future, so it reflects who you are now and who you’re becoming Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick 5-star review — it helps us keep bringing you free content every week! Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Find YOUR Path to Growth: Agency vs. Education (Co-Interview on Rebrand with RuthAnn) The Ins and Outs of Rebranding with RuthAnn Rafiq Why That Strategy From 2022 Stopped Working and What to Do Instead How to Grow Your Business FASTER By Thinking Like a Doctor

    1 h 4 min
  6. 17 MARS

    87. 6 Lessons From 6 Months Living Abroad: What Moving to Scotland Taught Me About Business, Values & Trusting Yourself

    You can plan, prepare, and research all you want, but some lessons only come from actually doing the thing… After six months living abroad in Scotland, I'm back in Canada with a completely different perspective on life, business, and what it actually means to make decisions from a place of alignment. And yes, one of those decisions may or may not have involved a horoscope app. In this episode, I'm sharing the real story of my Scottish adventure—why I went, why I came home, and the six lessons that changed how I think about everything from nervous system regulation to sunk costs and giving yourself permission to want something different than what you once thought you wanted.  Whether you've been dreaming of a big life change or just trying to figure out your next business move, these lessons are universal!    Click play to learn: Why living your values matters more than chasing someone else's version of a dream life  How to regulate your nervous system to the unfamiliar (and why this is so essential for entrepreneurs)  Why clarity is a byproduct of action, not a prerequisite for it—and how to stop waiting until you have it all figured out How learning your unique decision-making style can save you months (or years) of second-guessing Why sitting in the unknown might be the most important skill you develop as a business owner Thank you so much for listening! If you enjoyed this episode, please take a few seconds to leave a review. It helps us get the show out to more people and gives us valuable feedback on what you love most.   Book a free Clarity Call   Join the next round of Sales Liberation   Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg   Join our email community   Full show notes and links from this episode   If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: Life Update: I’m Moving to Scotland! Why I’m Leaving Digital Nomad Life Behind Quarterly Planning: The Blueprint for Your Most Productive 90 Days Ever Find YOUR Path to Growth: Agency vs. Education (Co-Interview on Rebrand with RuthAnn)

    32 min
  7. 10 MARS

    86. How to Sell Without Sales Calls: Convert Clients Asynchronously with Emily Jane Lee

    Sales calls aren't the only path to booking premium clients…and for many entrepreneurs, they might not even be the best path. Emily Jane Lee has built a thriving website strategy and design studio without a single sales call in her process, and she's here to walk us through exactly how she does it. This conversation covers everything from building a website that pre-qualifies leads, to using Loom videos to create a personalized, high-touch client experience — all without requiring you to be live and "on" for anyone.  Whether you're neurodivergent, managing a chronic health condition, or just don’t enjoy calls, Emily's approach is proof that there's more than one way to do business. Emily Jane Lee runs a website strategy and design studio that's been supporting wedding pros and creative service providers for the past seven years. She's known for simplifying what feels messy and making space to do business differently.   Click play to learn: How to use your contact page and application form to pre-qualify leads Emily’s genius Loom video tip to convert clients without ever getting on a call How to know whether your resistance to sales calls is just a skill gap, or a sign that the process is genuinely misaligned for you Tips for asynchronous marketing that doens’t require being “on” all the time How to structure your packages and process around the way you work best, so your business protects your energy instead of draining it   Ready to build a sales process that actually works for your life? Join the waitlist for Sales Liberation, my signature program that teaches you how to build a hands-off sales system you’ll genuinely enjoy (zero social media required).  Head to megansmyth.com/waitlist to be first to know when doors open! Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick 5-star review to help us keep bringing you free content!   Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode   If you enjoyed this episode, you might also like: How to Ditch or Limit Social Media in 2026 (+ Make MORE Money) All Brains Are Unique: Embracing Neurodiversity in Entrepreneurship with Harriet Hadfield The Power of Organic Marketing: From Idea to Multi-6-Figure Brand with Kelsey Garlock

    56 min
  8. 17 FÉVR.

    85. Increasing Lifetime Value: The Most Important KPI for Success in 2026

    Getting new clients will never be as important as how well you serve your existing clients. And in 2026, that truth has never been more critical. Lifetime Value—the total profit you can expect to earn from each customer throughout your entire relationship with them—is the metric that separates businesses that are thriving from those that are barely surviving. One of the most underrated ways to increase revenue that no one ever talks about? Making the shift from constant lead acquisition to steady, recurring revenue. While most entrepreneurs are fixated on getting more clients, generating new leads, and growing their visibility, the real money is in deepening the relationships you already have. In this episode, I'm breaking down what Lifetime Value actually is, how to calculate it for your business, and the three tactical ways you can increase it immediately—without adding more to your plate or burning yourself out with endless lead generation. If you're tired of the hamster wheel of constantly needing new clients just to maintain your revenue, this episode will show you exactly how to build a more sustainable, relationship-first business model. Click play to learn: The shocking new research on how many touchpoints it takes to convert a new client Why your success in 2026 will be determined by the quality of your relationships The easiest way to *instantly* increase profit that most entrepreneurs are missing How to calculate your LTV + 3 practical ways to increase it (with examples from my own business and clients) Ready to stop chasing trends and start building something sustainable? Join the waitlist for Sales Liberation, my signature program that teaches you the neuroscience and psychology behind selling—so you can be successful on any platform, in any market. The next cohort is opening soon, and spots fill quickly. Head to megansmyth.com/waitlist to be first to know when doors open! Loved this episode? Share it with a friend or leave a quick 5-star review to help us keep bringing you free content! Sign up for the FREE 5-Day My Favourite Metric Summit to hear from 25 experienced entrepreneurs on what’s working now Book a free Clarity Call Join the next round of Sales Liberation Say hi on Instagram or tag @saleswithmeg Join our email community Full show notes and links from this episode

    25 min
4,8
sur 5
20 notes

À propos

The go-to podcast for trailblazing entrepreneurs who believe in doing business (and life) DIFFERENTLY. Tired of hearing the same fluffy advice over and over again? We’re pulling back the curtain to give you an honest take on entrepreneurship. No BS, just real, practical strategies to fuel your growth — and remind you that wherever you are on your journey, you’re not in this alone. Join host Megan Smyth for weekly interviews, roundtable discussions, and solo soapbox episodes to help YOU blaze your own path and build a business that lights you up. Welcome to the new era of entrepreneurship. Welcome to the Blaze podcast!

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