The Upleveled Strategies Podcast

Dena & Dana

is your go-to resource for business growth, productivity, and sales mastery. Join us as we explore strategies to elevate your business performance through expert interviews, actionable insights, and cutting-edge tools. Whether you're a solopreneur, small business owner, or sales professional, this podcast provides the inspiration and practical advice you need to generate leads, enhance customer retention, and boost productivity. Learn how to implement powerful marketing techniques, secure data, streamline collaboration, and target your audience effectively—helping you take your business to the

  1. 7月24日

    Ep 21: How Contractors Can Build Profitable, Scalable Businesses with Systems — with Nathan Rosenlund

    Episode Summary:In this powerful episode of the Upleveled Strategies Podcast, we sit down with Nathan Rosenlund, founder of Kodiak Consulting, to talk strategy, systems, and scaling in the trades. With 20+ years in the field—from master cabinetmaker to business coach—Nathan now helps blue-collar entrepreneurs stop trading time for money and build businesses that work for them, not because of them. Nathan shares how his Six-Sided Business Model brings structure to contractors, electricians, plumbers, and service providers ready to move beyond survival mode. From managing money and pricing correctly to defining clear roles and hiring strategically, this episode delivers actionable insights and mindset shifts to help you build a sustainable, scalable business. What You’ll Learn: Why most trades-based owners stay stuck—and how to shift The Six-Sided Business Model: a strategic roadmap for growth How to stop flying blind and start leading with data Breaking money resistance with real budgets and breakeven points Why org charts without feelings create clarity and momentum The difference between hustling harder vs. building smarter Nathan’s take on what truly drives long-term success in the trades Real Wins Shared in This Episode: A contractor who created a debt reduction + savings plan after avoiding finances for months A business owner who took his first 8-day vacation with a family of 8—without business stress A client who doubled revenue after aligning pricing and values A team that eliminated chaos by assigning roles through an org chart—not personality Strategic Takeaways You Can Use Now: Stop focusing on roles you "like"—focus on what moves the business forward Know your breakeven point down to the penny Budget using realistic billable hours, not guesses Strategy comes before websites, marketing, or hiring You can’t grow what you can’t see—clarity is everything “Most people think they need to hustle harder. What they really need is clarity.” – Nathan Rosenlund“The org chart comes first—without people, without feelings.”“You can’t look at your bank account to tell how your business is doing. You need a system.” The Six-Sided Business Model Includes: Operations Sales Leadership Marketing Finance Team DevelopmentEach side requires structure, systems, and alignment. When built properly, they work together like a Rubik’s Cube—creating a business that doesn’t depend on the owner doing it all. Connect with Nathan Rosenlund: Location: Duluth, MN LinkedIn: Nathan Rosenlund Website: Coming soon 🎁 Mention this podcast to receive a free clarity session with Nathan. About the Show:Upleveled Strategies is the podcast for trades leaders and entrepreneurs who want to scale with less stress and more purpose. Hosted by Dana Tescher and Dena Woulfe, each episode delivers tools, real stories, and inspiration to help you build a business you love. Like what you heard?Subscribe, share with a friend, and leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

    24 分钟
  2. 7月24日

    Ep 20: Breaking Free from Subconscious Roadblocks with Judy Kane

    Episode Summary: Are you doing everything “right” but still feel stuck in life or business? You might be running on a limiting belief—and not even know it. In this eye-opening episode, Dena Woulfe sits down with Judy Kane, founder of Aligned Consciousness, to explore how subconscious beliefs shape your results, behaviors, and even physical health. With a background in IT and a practical, non-woo approach, Judy helps entrepreneurs identify and clear the mental programs sabotaging their growth—often in just minutes. Whether you struggle with money blocks, imposter syndrome, procrastination, or stress, this episode reveals how beliefs—not effort—might be holding you back. What You’ll Learn: What limiting beliefs really are—and how to spot themHow your subconscious can block income, success, or visibilityThe surprising link between unresolved emotions and physical painWhy your brain might resist finishing projectsWhat “belief relief” means and how fast it worksThe difference between coaching vs. subconscious clearingWhy you may need both for lasting success Real Examples: Money Block: Clients believed they shouldn’t have more than they “need”—so money kept disappearing. Fear of Finishing: One client believed success would lead to burnout—so they avoided completing anything. Business Stalls: A client’s ventures kept failing due to a hidden belief that “real businesses grow slowly.” Emotional Pain = Physical Pain: Dena’s chronic elbow pain vanished overnight after releasing a belief tied to family conflict. Who This Is For: You’ve tried every strategy but still feel stuckYou deal with fear of success, money, visibility, or burnoutYou feel “off” emotionally or physically but can’t explain whyYou’re ready to shift faster, with fewer mindset blocks What Makes Judy’s Work Different: Not therapy: No years of unpacking childhood traumaNot woo-woo: Structured, fast, and practicalNot a long commitment: Many beliefs shift in just one session “You don’t need six months of coaching to shift a belief. Sometimes it takes five minutes.” – Judy Kane “Your subconscious is doing an excellent job of keeping you in alignment with what it believes—even if it’s holding you back.” Judy’s Process: Sessions last ~60 minutesBelief shifts often happen in under 5 minutesOne-on-one sessions and monthly “Belief Relief” options availableIdeal for partnering with a business coach—coaches guide strategy, Judy clears resistance Connect with Judy Kane: Website: AlignedConsciousness.comFree 15-Minute Call availableBook sessions directly from her siteCalendar links are at the bottom of every page Final Words from Dena: “You are such a phenomenal human, Judy. Thank you for helping entrepreneurs unlock more value—by starting with what’s going on inside.” If this episode resonated, share it with someone who’s stuck despite their best efforts. The work starts within—and Judy Kane can help you shift.

    25 分钟
  3. 7月24日

    Ep 18: 7 Signs of Misplaced Management — And What to Do About It with Tim Schumer

    Episode Summary:In this episode, Dena Woulfe welcomes back Tim Schumer, founder of Next Level Human Capital and creator of the Chief Leader Boss™ framework. Together, they explore a major but often ignored issue in business: misplaced management. Tim reveals the 7 warning signs that someone may be in a leadership role they’re not ready—or willing—to handle. From avoiding development to hiding decisions, these behaviors can lead to high turnover, legal risk, and a toxic culture. Through real-life examples and simple strategies, Tim shows how companies can spot and correct these issues before they spiral. This episode is packed with insights for business owners, HR leaders, and executives who want to build stronger, more aligned leadership teams. What You’ll Learn: The 7 signs of poor management fit Why high performance doesn’t equal leadership potential How hidden decisions and avoiding feedback create risk Why fear of growth is a red flag When someone should be a Subject Matter Expert (SME) instead of a leader How the Chief Leader Boss™ model helps evaluate and grow managersThe 7 Signs of Misplaced ManagementRejects Development – Avoids training or feedback out of fear or insecurity Insulates Duties – Keeps processes secret, limiting trust and collaboration Makes Hidden Decisions – Solo choices lead to legal or ethical issues Defensive to Criticism – Rejects feedback, creating toxic dynamics Resists Accountability – Protects poor performers to avoid conflict Slacks on Results – Fails to scale results beyond individual contribution Lacks Ownership – Doesn’t treat company resources responsibly Bonus Insight:All signs point to either insecurity or misalignment. Growth is possible—but only if leaders are open to it. Chief Leader Boss™ Framework Tim’s model breaks down management into: Chief – Technical expert Leader – Vision and team growth Boss – Daily execution and accountability This helps companies: Spot blind spots Build custom development paths Improve retention and performance “The best managers aren’t always the best performers—they’re the best developers of people.” – Tim Schumer Quick Takeaways: Being liked doesn’t equal being respected Most promotions are based on performance, not leadership ability SMEs can grow without managing people Misplaced managers create costly issues: low morale, legal risk, and burnout Real Example:One company reassessed two promoted managers. Both scored well in aptitude but admitted they didn’t want to lead. By moving them into SME roles, the company avoided disengagement and kept top talent. Want More from Tim? Website: Next Level Human Capital Free Tools: Download his frameworks Consulting & Speaking: Book Tim for leadership audits, training, or events Bonus: Grab the free 1-page PDF of The 7 Signs of Misplaced Management Liked the episode?Subscribe, share, and leave a review to help others discover practical leadership tools.

    25 分钟
  4. 7月24日

    Ep 17: From Combat Boots to Corporate Growth: Tim Schumer’s Leadership Revolution

    📋 Episode Summary: In this dynamic episode, we sit down with Tim Schumer, a veteran-owned HR expert whose unconventional journey into human resources is as inspiring as it is insightful. After being medically discharged from the Army, Tim never imagined a future in HR—until a chance encounter at a career fair revealed just how transferable his military experience was. Fast-forward to today, and Tim is helping businesses reimagine leadership, performance, and people development through his innovative Chief, Leader, Boss framework. We unpack how this model helps organizations diagnose and develop management talent—by identifying when to lead, when to manage, and when to truly show up as a chief. Tim also introduces his concept of “whole goals,” a powerful way of framing performance objectives as questions that encourage ownership and alignment across teams. Whether you're an HR professional, a small business owner, or someone trying to improve team dynamics and leadership impact, this episode delivers practical takeaways and fresh perspectives.🔑 Key Takeaways: How military discipline translates to HR and leadership successUnderstanding Tim’s Chief, Leader, Boss framework—and why it mattersWhy “whole goals” can radically improve goal setting and accountabilityCommon mistakes organizations make in management developmentThe 3 D’s of powerful leadership: Discipline, Desire, and DevotionReal-world examples of leadership breakthroughs in actionWhy feedback is a gift—and how it saved an employee’s careerHow to get started on improving your HR strategy (Hint: "Just call Tim")HR professionals and consultantsEntrepreneurs and small business ownersTeam leads and department headsVeterans transitioning to the private sectorAnyone passionate about people development and organizational growthConnect with Tim Schumer: https://nextlevel-hc.com/Book a Discovery Call: Tim@nextlevel-hc.com 💬 Quote of the Episode:"If you don’t know where to begin, just call Tim." – Tim Schumer📞 Free Offer: Tim is offering a complimentary discovery call for businesses looking to evaluate and strengthen their HR or management practices. This is a great opportunity to explore where your team might be stuck—and how to move forward with clarity and strategy.🎯 Who This Episode Is For:📌 Resources & Links:📲 Stay Connected: Enjoyed the episode? Please rate, review, and share! And don’t forget to follow the podcast for more conversations at the intersection of leadership, strategy, and growth.

    27 分钟
  5. 7月24日

    Ep 16: The HR Reboot: Military Discipline Meets Modern Management with Tim Schumer

    In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Tim Schumer, a veteran-owned HR expert with a unique approach to human resources. After a medical discharge from the Army, Tim discovered HR through a career fair and realized that his military experience—training, developing people, and relationship management—translated perfectly into the field. Tim introduces us to his Chief Leader Boss framework, a model that breaks down management into three distinct personas. He explains how understanding and adapting to each role can help organizations better develop their leadership talent. According to Tim, successful management requires discipline, desire, and devotion—three qualities essential for growth in leadership. We explore common HR challenges like performance management and team dynamics, and Tim offers practical insights to tackle them. One highlight of our conversation was his concept of “whole goals”—a powerful alternative to SMART goals. By turning goals into questions, Tim helps managers engage more deeply and connect their actions to broader company objectives. Tim also shared real-world stories showing how his approach has transformed organizations, including cases where honest feedback led to major employee breakthroughs. His passion for helping businesses—especially small and mid-sized ones—build stronger leadership teams shines throughout. To wrap up, Tim offers a complimentary discovery call for businesses looking to assess their HR needs. His tagline says it all: “If you don't know where to begin, just call Tim.” This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in HR, leadership development, or business growth. Whether you're a seasoned executive or just getting started, Tim’s practical wisdom and inspiring journey offer valuable takeaways. Timestamps 00:00:00 - Intro to Tim Schumer 00:01:00 - From Military to HR 00:02:30 - Chief Leader Boss Framework 00:04:00 - Why HR Help Is Needed 00:05:30 - Discipline, Desire, Devotion 00:06:30 - What Makes Tim's Approach Unique 00:08:00 - Whole Goals vs. SMART Goals 00:10:00 - Team Dynamics & DEI 00:12:30 - Talent Development via CLB 00:14:00 - Real-World Applications 00:19:00 - Transformative Leadership Moments 00:22:00 - The Role of Honest Feedback 00:25:00 - Supporting SMBs 00:27:30 - Case Study: Tax Compliance 00:29:00 - Talent Review Process 00:33:00 - Conclusion & Call to Action Quote "If you want to have any hope or chance to ever develop, you have to have these three things: discipline, desire, and devotion." Keywords Tim Schumer, Human Resources, Army, Chief Leader Boss, Whole Goals, SMART Goals, Leadership, Talent Development, Performance Management, DEI, Coaching, Career Fair, Employee Engagement, Small Businesses, Medium Businesses, Honest Feedback, Innovation, Management, Payroll, Local Taxes, Military Transition, Executive Coaching, Organizational Culture, Leadership Growth.

    36 分钟
  6. 7月23日

    Ep15 Building Authentic Connections & Social Media Strategy with Gabriella Yurevich

    Episode Summary: In this episode, Dena Woulfe sits down with Gabriella Yurevich, a former art teacher turned social media strategist who helps women-owned entrepreneurs build authentic, long-lasting connections with their audience. Gabriella shares why chasing virality is overrated, how in-person networking supercharges online growth, and her proven strategies for creating a personal brand that converts followers into loyal customers. Whether you’re a business owner who hates social media or someone struggling to stand out in a noisy digital world, this episode is packed with actionable tips to attract the right people—not just more followers. Key Topics Discussed:1. From Art Teacher to Social Media Strategist Gabriella’s transition from teaching to social media marketing.Why she shifted from chasing virality to focusing on real relationships.The problem with vanity metrics (likes/followers) vs. meaningful engagement.2. The Power of In-Person Networking (Even for Online Businesses) How moving to St. Louis transformed Gabriella’s business through local networking.Why face-to-face connections lead to warmer leads than online outreach.Her #1 tip: Follow up within 24–48 hours after exchanging business cards.3. Social Media Strategy That Actually Works Quality over quantity: Why 200 engaged followers beat 10,000 passive ones.Consistency > Overposting: How to create a sustainable content schedule.Instagram Stories: The secret tool for building trust and qualifying leads.4. Personal Branding: Why Authenticity Sells Why corporate-style branding falls flat (and what to do instead).How to dig deeper than surface-level pain points to truly resonate with your audience.The “Dream People” framework: Narrowing your niche to attract ideal clients.5. Gabriella’s Services & Free Resource Done-for-you social media management (for entrepreneurs who hate posting).Community Builder Program: Teach clients how to foster genuine connections.FREE Gift: Personal Brand Blueprint—a guide to clarifying your audience and messaging.Actionable Takeaways: Post consistently (even 1–2x/week) instead of burning out trying to post daily. Use Instagram Stories daily to build rapport (polls, Q&As, behind-the-scenes). Network offline—St. Louis has a thriving biz community (and Gabriella’s fave spots!). Define your “Dream People”—get specific about who you serve and why. Connect with Gabriella: Instagram: @social.traction.studiosWebsite: socialtractionstudios.comFreebie: Personal Brand Blueprint (DM her on Instagram to grab it!) Connect with Dena: https://podcast.upleveledstrategies.com/https://upleveledstrategies.com/

    24 分钟
  7. 7月11日

    Ep14: Unlocking Wellness: The Power of Lymphatics and Breathwork with Brianne Hollandsworth

    In this episode, I speak with Brianne Hollandsworth, a passionate physical therapist whose personal and professional journey reshaped her vision of healthcare. Brianne opens up about her own struggles navigating the traditional system—facing challenges with birth control, anxiety, and depression—which inspired her to pursue physical therapy. But once in practice, she realized the clinical environment often limited the holistic, one-on-one care she believed in. That realization led to Optimize, her own practice focused on personalized care, blending her certifications in lymphatic therapy and pelvic floor health. Our conversation explores the critical—but often ignored—role of the lymphatic system, which Brianne describes as the body’s waste removal network. She breaks down why healthy lymphatic flow is essential for everyone, especially entrepreneurs and desk workers living sedentary lives. Brianne offers actionable advice: how posture, breathwork, and simple daily movements can boost lymphatic and pelvic floor function. She emphasizes the often-overlooked connection between breathing and physical health—touching on digestion, anxiety, and even childhood development. Her tips for incorporating breath awareness into daily life are easy, effective, and eye-opening. We also dive into real stories from her practice, including a powerful success case where a patient found relief from chronic itching after just a few lymphatic drainage sessions. These stories underscore how transformative this work can be, especially for those who feel underserved or stuck in the system. A highlight of the episode is Brianne’s “Big Six” routine—six exercises that help stimulate lymph flow. She encourages anyone, particularly caregivers and professionals under stress, to reclaim their wellness through small, consistent steps. “It's hard to remember that your body can heal itself. It sometimes just needs small steps.” — Brianne, 00:18:31 Whether you're a health practitioner, a busy professional, or someone simply looking for better wellness tools, Brianne’s insights offer hope, science, and practical ways to support your body’s natural systems. Timestamps 00:00:00 – Intro to Brianne Hollandsworth 00:01:23 – Her personal health journey 00:03:10 – Starting Optimize for holistic care 00:04:33 – What is the lymphatic system? 00:07:18 – Health concerns for desk workers 00:08:04 – Posture, breathwork & everyday movement 00:10:21 – Breathing and its impact on children 00:12:20 – Breathing’s link to digestion 00:14:00 – Healthcare worker burnout & self-care 00:15:49 – The “Big Six” exercises 00:17:27 – Client success stories 00:24:04 – The role of lymphatics in overall wellness 00:25:43 – Direct access to PT in Missouri 00:30:03 – Final thoughts and how to connect Connect with Brianne📷 Instagram: @optimize_your_wellness🌐 Website: optimize-pt-stl.com📧 Email: optimizestl@gmail.com Upleveled Strategies: https://podcast.upleveledstrategies.com/

    31 分钟
  8. 7月2日

    Ep13 - Perfuming Intentions: Unlocking the Power of Aroma for Healing, Branding & Transformation

    In this episode of our podcast, we had the pleasure of welcoming Sheva Pinkus, a talented perfumist and expert in aromatherapy. Sheva's unique approach to creating aroma reading profiles is tailored specifically to her clients' needs, making her work both personal and transformative.Sheva began by sharing her fascinating journey into the world of holistic healing, which was inspired by her own experience with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed at the age of 12. With a background in art education spanning over two decades, she immersed herself in the study of herbs and various healing modalities. Her spiritual journey led her to become a ceremonial artist, where she created tea ceremonies that catered to the individual needs of her clients.As she delved deeper into her passion for healing, Sheva developed a complete set of Chakra essential oil blends, which revealed profound insights into her clients' lives. This experience sparked her idea of using aroma as a vision board, helping individuals manifest their goals through personalized scents.We explored the science behind scent and its powerful connection to the limbic brain, which governs our emotions and memories. Sheva explained how scent can trigger memories and emotions more quickly than any other sense, making it a potent tool for emotional shifts and habit formation. She emphasized the importance of scent memory in creating new experiences and how it can anchor our intentions and goals.In our conversation, Sheva also discussed her innovative approach to helping business owners create unique brand stories through scent. By understanding their vision and the emotions they want to evoke, she crafts personalized aromas that resonate with their brand identity. This process involves linking scents to various sensory experiences, such as colors, sounds, and textures, to create a cohesive and memorable olfactory experience.We touched on the energetic component of aroma, where Sheva elaborated on how plants and their essences can help us tap into our potential and momentum. She highlighted the importance of using botanicals to elevate our goals and desires, emphasizing that everything in our world is made up of energy and molecules.Throughout the episode, Sheva shared her insights on building her business, including her strategies for networking, client engagement, and maintaining organization through a robust CRM system. She expressed her excitement about the future of her business and her readiness to take on new challenges.Listeners interested in working with Sheva can easily reach out through her website, perfumingintentions.com, where they can explore various services, from creating personalized aromas for businesses to purchasing unique products.This enlightening conversation with Sheva Pinkus not only showcased the transformative power of scent but also inspired us to consider how we can harness aroma to enhance our lives and businesses. We hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did! Timestamps00:00:00 - Introduction to Sheva Pinkus and Her Journey00:00:40 - Background in Education and Holistic Healing00:01:45 - The Birth of Aroma Reading Profiles00:02:50 - The Power of Scent and the Limbic Brain00:04:24 - Understanding Scent Memory and Emotional Connection00:05:49 - Creating Unique Aroma Profiles for Businesses00:11:19 - The Speed and Impact of Aroma on Mood00:12:40 - Crafting Brand Stories Through Scent00:19:03 - The Energetic Component of Aroma00:23:31 - Finding and Connecting with Clients00:26:12 - Organizational Strategies and CRM Use00:28:56 - How to Contact Sheva Pinkus00:29:40 - Closing Remarks and Call to Action QuotesAroma can be a powerful emotional shift. It can be an anchor to an emotion you want to hold on to. Shevah PinkusWebsite: perfumingintentions.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/PerfumingIntentionsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/perfumingintentions/

    30 分钟

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is your go-to resource for business growth, productivity, and sales mastery. Join us as we explore strategies to elevate your business performance through expert interviews, actionable insights, and cutting-edge tools. Whether you're a solopreneur, small business owner, or sales professional, this podcast provides the inspiration and practical advice you need to generate leads, enhance customer retention, and boost productivity. Learn how to implement powerful marketing techniques, secure data, streamline collaboration, and target your audience effectively—helping you take your business to the