The Thoughtful Entrepreneur Josh Elledge of UpMyInfluence.com

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the CEO & President of Smart Advantage Inc.,Jaynie Smith.
Jaynie Smith, CEO of Smart Advantage and author of Creating Competitive Advantage, shared her expertise on gaining a competitive edge in today's crowded marketplace. She emphasized that differentiation is not merely about being different but strategically different in ways that matter to customers.
Jaynie's approach, foundational to Smart Advantage, focuses on identifying what a company does better than anyone else. It's about having a clear, measurable value proposition that resonates with the target audience.
Through anecdotes and examples, Jaynie illustrated how businesses often overlook their inherent strengths and fail to communicate them effectively. Her insights provided a clear path for identifying and leveraging these unique attributes.
Key Points from the Episode:Importance of creating competitive advantageStrategies for differentiating a business in the marketLeveraging unique selling propositionsThe role of customer value in competitive advantageIdentifying and communicating a company's competitive advantageCase studies and examples of successful competitive advantage implementationThe impact of competitive advantage on business growth and successThe relationship between competitive advantage and customer loyaltyThe connection between competitive advantage and profitabilityThe future of competitive advantage in the business landscape
About Jaynie SmithJaynie L. Smith is a distinguished business consultant and CEO of Smart Advantage, Inc. This consultancy firm focuses on enhancing its clients' sales, marketing, and management strategies, which include mid-sized to Fortune 100 companies. Internationally recognized for her expertise, Jaynie leverages her knowledge to help companies identify and articulate their competitive advantages, thereby boosting their financial performance. Her role as a consultant extends globally, demonstrating her wide-reaching influence in the corporate world.
In addition to her consultancy work, Jaynie Smith is a prolific author and influential speaker. Her book, Creating Competitive Advantage, is particularly noteworthy, having achieved significant success with its 19th printing and securing a place in the top 1% of books sold on Amazon.com. She also authored Relevant Selling. Her thought leadership has earned her features in top publications like The New York Times and Entrepreneur, and she has made numerous appearances on television networks such as ABC and MSNBC. Her contributions to the business community are further highlighted by hosting the radio show Mind Your Biz Today, where she engaged with CEOs and business leaders to discuss key industry insights.
About Smart Advantage Inc.:Smart Advantage, Inc. is a strategic consultancy firm that helps organizations stand out by improving their differentiation strategies. Founded by Jaynie L. Smith, the company has expanded significantly since publishing Smith’s book, Creating Competitive Advantage. This book details the benefits organizations experience when effectively distinguishing themselves from buyers by focusing their messaging and operational efforts on their competitive strengths. Over the years, Smart Advantage has assembled a team of presenters, consultants, and market research experts dedicated to this...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the President and Founder of Soloquent Inc.,Greg Nutter.
Greg Nutter, a seasoned management consultant and the founder of Soloquent, is also the author of “P3 Selling: The Essentials of B2B Sales Success.” The discussion explored the complexities of B2B sales, common mistakes to avoid, and practical strategies for elevating a business.
Greg’s expertise is in helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) enhance their revenue performance. He works closely with owners and business leaders, who often need more sales expertise, to improve their sales capabilities and expand their businesses. His approach is hands-on and customized to address each company’s specific challenges.
Greg pointed out a standard error in B2B sales: the tendency to prioritize a sales-centric approach over a buyer-centric one. Many sellers erroneously concentrate on product features and completing the sale instead of solving the client’s problems and seizing opportunities. He stressed the importance of understanding the client’s needs before making a product pitch.
His book, “P3 Selling: The Essentials of B2B Sales Success,” is well-regarded for its practical insights into the B2B sales process. Greg’s consulting experience includes working with industry giants like Microsoft, SAP, and Michelin, as well as smaller, specialized firms. His extensive expertise demonstrates that practical B2B selling skills are crucial, regardless of one’s role in influencing decisions.
Key Points from the Episode:Overview of P3 selling methodologyFundamentals of P3 sellingCommon mistakes in B2B salesGreg's consulting experience and clientsConsulting approach and services offered by SoloquentRecommendations for business owners and entrepreneurs
About Greg Nutter:Greg Nutter is the president and founder of Soloquent, Inc., specializing in assisting business owners and senior sales executives with revenue growth challenges. His company provides targeted solutions that enhance sales performance through strategic consulting and innovative sales training methods. He is also the acclaimed author of "P3 Selling: The Essentials of B2B Sales Success" a comprehensive B2B sales and sales management guide designed to help sales professionals excel in today's complex selling environment.
With over thirty-five years of experience, Greg has coached over 1,000 sales professionals. His expertise is frequently sought for executive briefings, workshops, and global keynote speeches. His approach is centered on practical, real-world applications of sales theories to drive performance improvement across various industries and markets. This experience has enabled him to contribute significantly to the sales strategies of numerous multinational corporations.
About Soloquent Inc.:Soloquent Inc. is a management consulting firm dedicated to helping CEOs and business owners tackle challenges associated with revenue growth. The firm primarily serves small to mid-sized companies engaged in consultative selling through direct, indirect, or multi-channel sales approaches. Soloquent addresses common issues such as anemic growth, market expansion struggles, high staff turnover, and ineffective sales and marketing investment returns.
The company distinguishes itself through a diverse team of highly skilled consultants who bring a wealth of experience from large corporations and start-ups. Soloquent's comprehensive services include situational analysis, refinement of sales strategies, and development of sales tools and processes. The firm offers hands-on execution support to implement strategic plans...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Senior Account Executive of FreeUp, Brittany Brewer.
Brittany Brewer plays a crucial role in enhancing business operations and efficiency at FreeUp. She has established herself as a leader in operational excellence, leading efforts to optimize business processes.
In her role, Brittany focuses on the critical importance of operations management in maintaining smooth business functions. She offers insights into identifying and resolving process bottlenecks, employing strategies that aim for continual improvement rather than merely maintaining the status quo.
Brittany shares the practical tools and techniques that have benefited FreeUp. The discussion covers various software and platforms that support project management, communication, and time tracking, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology to remain competitive in today's dynamic business landscape.
Key Points from the Episode:Operations management at FreeUpInsights from Josh Elledge and Brittany BrewerStrategies for effective operations managementEntrepreneurship and business growthTips for successful business operationsChallenges and solutions in managing operationsInnovations in business operationsThe role of operations in business successPractical advice for entrepreneurs and business owners
About Brittany BrewerBrittany Brewer is a distinguished professional in the freelancing industry. She currently excels as the Senior Account Executive at FreeUp. With over five years of experience, her career has traversed various roles within freelance coordination and client support. She specializes in developing long-lasting relationships and ensuring client success, which enhances their engagement with FreeUp's services.
At FreeUp, a platform known for representing the top 1% of freelancers, Brittany plays a critical role. Her broad understanding of freelancing allows her to provide unmatched client service. She and her team are committed to offering 24-hour support, ensuring that clients can swiftly connect with the right freelancers for their projects, usually within a day. Her extensive experience and client-focused approach make her a key contributor to the company's success.
About FreeUp:FreeUp Marketplace is an innovative platform that connects business owners with elite virtual assistants, freelancers, and agencies specializing in eCommerce, digital marketing, and web development. The marketplace rigorously vets thousands of weekly applicants through a detailed interview process, selecting only the top 1% to join their network. This ensures clients can access highly qualified professionals ready to tackle diverse business challenges.
The platform offers a unique service model where clients can submit a request and be quickly matched with a freelancer who fits their specific needs, often within just a few hours. FreeUp supports a wide range of pricing, with rates varying from $5 to over $75 per hour, catering to different budget requirements. Additionally, FreeUp guarantees quality and reliability; if a freelancer cannot continue, the platform promises to find a suitable replacement and cover any related costs, thus protecting clients against turnover and ensuring a seamless service experience.
Tweetable Moments:01:22 - "Our model is definitely to push quality over quantity."
Links Mentioned in this Episode:Want to learn more? Check out FreeUp at
https://freeup.net/
Check out FreeUp  on

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks to the Co-founder of Neocore and Author of Content Capitalist, Michael Becker.
Michael Becker is involved with NeoCore, a pioneering technology company based in Dubai, as part of the Antler pre-launch accelerator program. The company is developing earbuds that can detect brainwaves to tailor content experiences innovatively. Their team, including a physicist and a neuroscientist, aims to make advanced technology accessible to consumers.
Michael discussed the evolution of technology through various "epochs of computing," from the invention of the microchip to the advent of the iPhone. He described NeoCore's mission to lead the next technological phase, focusing on integrating AI and brain-computer interfaces. This could transform our interactions with technology by making it more intuitive and attuned to our cognitive states.
He also stressed the importance of creating high-quality content in different formats, such as blogs and videos. Michael advocates treating content creators like brand journalists and using multimedia to enhance visibility. He believes adopting a sophisticated content and outreach approach is essential for effective lead generation.
Key Points from the Episode:Michael Becker and his company NeoCoreExplanation of the brainwave-detecting earbuds and their connection to personalized contentVision and goals for NeoCore in the future of technology and AIOverview of Michael Becker's book "Content Capitalist" and its relevance to B2B SaaS and content strategyImportance of high-quality content creation and its impact on inbound lead generationFuture trends in content marketing, including the use of AI and personalized contentExamples and case studies of successful content strategies and their impact on businessesMichael’s book "Content Capitalist" and its potential transformational impact
About Michael BeckerMichael Becker is a versatile professional whose career spans corporate achievements and personal growth. Initially, he contributed significantly to Teradata, playing a vital role in a $90 million sale in 2016. He then moved to Emarsys, where his efforts in expanding the branded media program were instrumental in SAP's acquisition of $500 million in 2019. His early work also includes being the first content hire at Sharpen, although specific achievements at this company need to be detailed.
In parallel to his corporate success, Michael experienced a profound spiritual awakening in 2018, which marked a pivotal shift in his life. Motivated to share his new-found insights, he established a theme page that quickly grew to 60,000 followers. Leveraging this platform, he transitioned into mentoring, coaching over 30 conscious entrepreneurs and launching an eLearning program. His international lifestyle as a digital nomad in Mexico and Costa Rica culminated in the successful sale of his brand in 2023, setting the stage for his next entrepreneurial endeavors.
About Neocore:Neocore is a pioneering startup that develops consumer-grade brain-computer interface (BCI) technology, specifically through EEG-detecting earbuds paired with a connected mobile app. Their technology aims to transform how users interact with digital devices by utilizing cognitive data to enhance user experiences. Neocore's innovations are designed to elevate human agency through cognitively guided device interfacing and amplify neural potential with a chat interface that adapts to individual cognitive patterns.
The company has...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Founder and Chief Strategist of Hustling Writers, Alice Draper.
Alice Draper, the founder and chief strategist of Hustling Writers, focuses on making publicity more accessible for under-recognized entrepreneurs. Her background as a self-pitching journalist who transitioned into a publicity strategist provides deep insights into media pitching.
Alice's professional journey began in journalism, where she developed her skills in writing compelling pitches that secured her features in prominent magazines such as Post and Business Insider. Her experiences underscore the importance of visibility and communication in the entrepreneurial landscape.
Alice discussed the concept of rejection. She views rejections as crucial learning opportunities. She has shifted her focus from crafting perfect pitches to increasing the quantity and quality of her submissions. This approach has helped her build resilience and refine her pitching techniques.
Alice also emphasizes the importance of feedback, viewing it as essential for improvement. By understanding the perspectives of journalists and producers, entrepreneurs can significantly enhance their chances of pitch acceptance. She advocates for personalizing pitches to establish a connection with recipients, which she believes is more effective than sending generic, self-centered pitches.
Key Points from the Episode:Making publicity accessible for under-recognized entrepreneursBackground in pitching as a journalistExperience with rejection and shifting pitching approachImportance of building resilience and learning from rejectionsAsking for feedback and understanding journalists' perspectivePersonalizing pitches and creating warm connectionsCompany's day-to-day work and Pitcher Power courseImportance of building warm relationships with journalists and influencersWorking with clients to share transformation storiesEmphasizing resilience, empathy, and personalized communication in gaining visibility
About Alice Draper:Alice Draper has dedicated her career to enhancing visibility for women entrepreneurs who often lack recognition. She established her own business with the aim of mastering publicity to elevate her profile as a premium copywriter. As she adeptly pitched to prominent magazines such as VICE, Refinery29, HuffPost, and Business Insider, Alice discovered and honed her pitching skills, which later led her to shift her focus towards providing publicity services.
 Now, with over two years at the helm of Hustling Writers, she has successfully placed her clients in over 500 podcast features, including many within the top 1% and top 0.5% of podcasts.Alice also focuses on the emotional challenges associated with public relations work, particularly handling rejection. Through her weekly newsletter, The Rejection Chronicles, she addresses topics such as coping with rejection sensitivity, fostering resilient outreach practices, and normalizing the emotional impact of rejection. This aspect of her work supports her clients' publicity efforts and strengthens their overall resilience and adaptability in their entrepreneurial journeys.
About Hustling Writers:Hustling Writers is a public relations firm dedicated to amplifying the voices of underrepresented entrepreneurs by securing them authoritative media placements. Established by Alice Draper in 2020, the firm operates on the principle that effective publicity stems from empathetic storytelling. Hustling Writers aims to shift the business landscape towards more significant equity, focusing on...

In this episode of the Thoughtful Entrepreneur, your host Josh Elledge speaks with the Owner of Small Business Bonfire, AJ Silber.
AJ Silber, a distinguished coach and consultant known for his commitment to empowering CEOs of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), shared insights on the challenges and successes of leading an SMB in today's competitive environment. Silver highlighted that the role of a CEO in such settings is complex. They must be strategic thinkers focusing on long-term objectives while being agile enough to tackle immediate challenges and seize opportunities.
The discussion also covered the CEO's journey through various stages of business growth. AJ stressed the importance of recognizing when to alter strategies and how to manage organizational change effectively. This is where the role of a coach or consultant becomes critical, as they provide an external perspective and seasoned advice to assist the CEO during these crucial transitions.
AJ's expertise as a consultant was evident as he discussed the foundational elements crucial for a successful SMB. The conversation focused on essential factors such as establishing a clear mission and values and implementing solid systems and processes. The role of a consultant is to guide the CEO in setting up these fundamentals, ensuring the business has a robust foundation to support sustainable growth.
Key Points from the Episode:Insights and advice for small and medium-sized business CEOsThe CEO's Journey: Navigating Growth and ChangeHarnessing the Power of CoachingStrategies for success in the business worldTips for effective leadership and management
About AJ Silber:AJ Silber is a visionary entrepreneur renowned for his expertise in digital marketing and organic lead generation, with a successful track record of launching and scaling ventures. After obtaining a BA in entrepreneurship from The University of St. Thomas, AJ founded The Guerrilla Agency, a Minneapolis-based firm specializing in SEO/SEM and web design services. His strategic leadership rapidly propelled the agency to the forefront of the SEO industry, culminating in a lucrative multi-million dollar acquisition by Kansas City Web Design & SEO after just four years. This accomplishment underscored his ability to create and grow businesses with precision and innovation.
Currently, AJ Silber spearheads Small Business Bonfire (SBB), a platform dedicated to supporting entrepreneurs through a wealth of free resources, actionable advice, and cost-effective educational courses. SBB is a testament to AJ's commitment to empowering small business owners and solopreneurs, offering them the tools needed for success in today's competitive landscape. When not immersed in his entrepreneurial endeavors, AJ indulges in his passion for motorcycles, snow sports, and quality time with loved ones, reflecting a well-rounded life that balances professional achievements with personal interests.
About Small Business Bonfire:Small Business Bonfire (SBB) serves as an essential online resource for small business owners seeking to amplify their lead generation and sales. The platform offers an extensive collection of free materials, actionable business advice, and affordable courses designed to empower entrepreneurs to scale their operations effectively. By focusing on a wide array of topics, including startup strategies, work-from-home practices, productivity enhancements, social media marketing (SMM), content creation, finance, and overall business management, SBB positions itself as a comprehensive guide for business growth and sustainability.
At its core, Small Business Bonfire is...