Frugalpreneur: Building a Business on a Bootstrapped Budget Sarah St John

ℹ️ Guest Bio
Mike Cavaggioni is a combat veteran and retired U.S. Navy officer having served for 20 years. Mike is a licensed REALTOR-ASSOCIATE®, Financial Coach, Real Estate Investor, and Podcast Host. Near the end of his Navy career, he shifted his focus to financial independence and entrepreneurship. Mike started investing in real estate and working his other side-hustles to create passive income and become financially independent by age 38.
Mike is the host of the Average Joe Finances® Podcast, a top 1% internationally ranked podcast. He started the podcast to share both his own and his guest’s adventures in becoming financially independent. While learning the ins and outs of podcasting, he started to outsource some podcast related tasks to a small team that he built. Realizing that other podcasters are likely facing the same challenges, he created his own podcast post production agency called Edit Pods. Mike now helps other podcasters grow and monetize their show.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Mike's Financial Journey
- Maxing out credit cards and short selling his home
- Following Dave Ramsey's baby steps to get out of debt
- Utilizing the envelope system and multiple bank accounts
- Celebrating small victories to stay motivated
- Paying off $40,000 in debt and saving $40,000 in two years
- Purchasing a home in Hawaii using savings and a VA loan
- Getting back into real estate and closing his first deal in February 2020
Mike's Podcasting Journey
- Starting a podcast about personal finance
- Interviewing various guests to grow the show
- Building a podcast editing team
- Achieving high rankings and focusing on impact over downloads
- Outsourcing podcast editing to spend more time with family
- Monetizing the podcast through affiliate marketing and paid sponsors
- Running ads to generate traffic and attract clients
- Networking and making connections through podcasting
Frugalpreneur Ventures
- Failed inflatable club business, Pop Up Club 808
- Selling the failed business and focusing on EditPods
- Collaboration with Phil and Chris
- Hosting successful events and live streams
- Importance of networking as a host and as a guest
Balancing Work and Personal Life
- Accepting a federal position with the Navy as a civilian
- Excitement about the job and work-life balance it offers
- Outsourcing tasks to a virtual assistant (VA)
- Managing time and focusing on recording content
- Need for a great team to support podcasting endeavors
❓ Questions
1. How did Mike Cavaggioni and his wife navigate their financial challenges and adopt a frugal lifestyle?
2. What were the key strategies and steps they took to pay off their debt and save a significant amount of money?
3. How did Mike's military background and experience influence his approach to personal finance and real estate investing?
4. What are some valuable lessons that Mike learned from following Dave Ramsey's baby steps and utilizing the envelope system?
5. How did Mike's experience as a realtor and...

ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome back to another exciting episode of Frugalpreneur! In today's episode, our host Sarah St John welcomes a special guest with a shared name, Sara Lohse. Together, they dive deep into the world of podcasting and personal branding, sharing insights and tips for both aspiring podcast hosts and guests. From understanding the power of podcasts as a marketing tool to tracking show impact and everything in between, this episode is packed with valuable information. So grab a pen and paper, sit back, and get ready to take your podcasting game to the next level. Let's dive in!
💡 Guest bio
Sara Lohse is the founder/CEO of Favorite Daughter Media, and the co-host of Branded, a podcast all about branding.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Primary Topic: Podcasting as a Marketing Tool
- Importance of using a podcast correctly
- Incorporating podcasts into overall marketing strategies
- Repurposing content and using SEO keywords
- Bringing in guests with their own audiences to enhance impact
- Tracking methods for podcast performance
Primary Topic: Personal Branding and Podcasting
- Importance of choosing a clear and non-conflicting brand/podcast name
- Researching and being creative with name selection
- Discussion on oversaturation in the podcast space
- Speaker's personal experience with anxiety and starting a podcast
- Identifying and naming reasons for anxiety
- Understanding that anxiety doesn't always have a specific answer
- Questioning the relevance and expertise of the speaker
Primary Topic: Personal Branding and Collaboration
- Collaboration ideas with someone else
- Interest in discussing personal branding
- Examples of personal brands (e.g., "The Red Hat Guy")
- Speaker's personal brand revolving around an embarrassing tattoo
- Importance of tracking performance and lead generation
Primary Topic: Tips for Being a Great Podcast Guest
- Importance of knowing the audience and personalizing the message
- Example of targeting a specific audience (e.g., golf podcast for 55-year-old men)
- Mention of a platform for matching shows and guests based on preferences
- Methods for reaching out to podcast hosts (e.g., cold emailing)
- Pitching value and avoiding generic pitches
- Creating a natural next step in conversation for call to action/lead magnet
Primary Topic: Call to Action and Free Ebook
- Importance of having a clear call to action
- Speaker's offer of a free ebook for download
- Mention of the ebook's content on building a brand identity
- Link to the website where the ebook can be downloaded, along with social media and podcast links.
❓ Questions
1. How can incorporating a podcast into a marketing strategy enhance its impact for a company?
2. What are some effective strategies for tracking the impact of a podcast episode on audience engagement or lead generation?
3. What are some common challenges faced by podcast hosts in the finance space when it comes to finding interesting and engaging guests?
4. How can personal branding discussions and networking events contribute to building strong connections in the podcasting industry?
5. What are some important factors to consider when choosing a name for a brand or podcast to ensure it stands out and avoids confusion with other similar shows?
6. How can personal experiences and vulnerability, such as discussing anxiety, help to create a genuine connection with podcast listeners?
7. What are some effective ways to track the impact and performance of a podcast show or guest appearance beyond traditional metrics like downloads or listens?
8. How can podcast guests tailor their message and storytelling to resonate with specific...

ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome back to another episode of Frugalpreneur! I'm your host, Sarah St John, and today we have an incredible guest joining us, Liz Wilcox. If you've ever wondered how to effectively use email marketing without breaking the bank, this is the episode for you. Liz shares her expertise on optimizing emails to build connections with your audience, increase open rates, and avoid the dreaded spam folder. We'll learn about the importance of personalizing your emails, crafting attention-grabbing subject lines, and tracking the right metrics to measure engagement. Liz also dives into strategies for building your email list without spending money on ads and highlights the power of podcasts and in-person events in growing your visibility. Plus, she recommends the best email service provider for your business needs and provides valuable insights into the frugal yet rewarding world of email marketing. So, grab your favorite pen and notepad because you won't want to miss a minute of this episode packed with practical tips for the frugalpreneur in all of us. Let's jump right in!
💡 Speaker bios
Liz Wilcox is a frugal lifestyle expert who found a unique and cost-effective way to brand herself. As a fan of the 90s era, Liz decided to incorporate this nostalgic theme into her website, lizwilcox.com. By tapping into the recognizable and relatable aspects of popular culture, she was able to market herself without the need for expensive branding experts. This clever strategy not only saved her money but also made her brand more memorable and engaging. Liz's fans now associate her with the 90s scene, making her stand out in the crowded online space. She demonstrates that if you can find a way to align your personal brand with something embedded in the culture, it can be a cheap, easy, and effective marketing tool. So next time you hear a 90s song or see a reference to the era, make sure to check out Liz Wilcox's emails for a frugal and fun lifestyle inspiration.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
Topic: Mistakes in Email Marketing
- Trying to do too many things at once
Topic: Frequency and Content of Emails
- Starting with sending out a newsletter once a week
- Segue into the content instead of writing stories in every email
- Quick personal updates and linking to relevant content
- Ending the email quickly to respect people's inboxes
Topic: Using Images in Emails
- Deliverability issues with using images in emails
- Advice on deliverability from large corporations may not apply to micro content creators
- Recommended for micro content creators to use images to build connections
- Including an image in the subject line or preview text for higher open rates
- Not recommended to include a large number of images in every email
Topic: Subject Lines and "From Line"
- Disagreement on the importance of subject lines vs. "from line" in getting people to open emails
- Making the "from line" stand out with personalized freebies and showcasing personality/values
- Subject lines still important, suggested writing subject lines for best customers/fans
- Recommendation for a subject line generator for crafting effective subject lines
Topic: Engaging Recipients in Emails
- Asking specific yes or no questions in the first or second email
- Importance of engaging recipients and tracking open rates and click rates
- Manual tracking of percentage of customers who make a purchase
- Replying to emails as a sign of high engagement and opportunity for personalized outreach
Topic: Building and Growing Email Lists
- Solid ways of building email lists with genuinely interested people
- Creating niche down freebies for targeted list building
- Personalized welcome sequence to solidify connections with subscribers
-...

Welcome to the 200th episode of the Frugalpreneur podcast. I thought I would take a quick moment to reflect on the past 4 years of this podcast.
Some of you may not know that I actually started this podcast as simply an extra marketing lever for a book I was releasing at that time, back in 2019. My plan was for the podcast to be a miniseries of around 10 episodes where I interviewed founders and CEOs of some of the free or affordable software tools I use in my business that I referenced in the book.
Little did I know that it was going to be the podcast, not the book, that would take off. I really enjoyed the conversations I was having, the connections I was making, and the networking that was happening. Why am I saying that in past tense? All of these things are still true to this day.
I have really immersed myself in the podcast industry, regularly attending podcasting events, and forming deep friendships with those whom I call my podpals, my podpeeps, my podsquad.
It was the podcast that allowed me the opportunity to interview some of the biggest names in the podcast and entrepreneurship space such as Jordan Harbinger, Pat Flynn, John Lee Dumas, Mike Michelowicz and more. I’ve even gotten to meet some of these people in real life.
And just recently, I was notified that my podcast had cracked the top 200 charts in Apple Podcasts for entrepreneurship. Just a few moments ago, I actually went back to check to see if I was still in the top 200, before recording this podcast. Y’all! I’m now in the top 100! Number 94!
But enough about me and what the podcast has done for me. I love hearing from you, dear listener, about the many ways the podcast has helped you launch, manage, grow, market, and monetize an online business or podcast. I would love to hear more from you. Please tell me what you like, don’t like, what you’ve learned, what you are implementing, what you are struggling with, what questions you have, what wins you’ve had, or anything you’d like me to cover in an upcoming episode. You can type or record a message at frugal.show/message.
Also, I’ve been thinking about hosting a one-day event or meetup with fellow Frugalpreneurs. If that interests you, please let me know what city you are located in.
Until next time….keep running that business on a bootstrapped budget.

Guest Bio
Thanh Pham is the founder of Asian Efficiency, a productivity training company, where they help people become more productive at work and in life. He started Asian Efficiency in 2011 and has helped over 15,000 clients, the blog attracts annually over 1.5 million readers, and their podcast The Productivity Show is the #1 productivity podcast with over 13 million downloads. Thanh has been featured in Forbes, Fast Company, and Inc magazines as a thought leader and he gives keynotes across the world on productivity, efficiency and time management.
ℹ️ Introduction
Welcome to another episode of the Frugalpreneur podcast, where we showcase inspiring entrepreneurs who have successfully built their businesses from the ground up. In this episode, we have the pleasure of featuring Thanh, the founder of Asian Efficiency. Thanh shares his journey of accidentally turning his passion for productivity into a thriving business, and provides valuable insights on bootstrapping, creating products that people want, and maximizing productivity. He also gives us a glimpse into the tools and techniques he used to build and run his online-based company. So, if you're looking for practical tips and strategies to bootstrap your business and increase your productivity, this episode is for you. Stay tuned and let's dive in!
❇️ Key topics and bullets
- Background of the guest, Thanh, and his journey as a bootstrapped entrepreneur
- Starting a blog as a passion project and accidentally turning it into a business
- Minimal capital investment needed for starting a blog and increasing equipment over time
- Using sweat equity and reinvesting extra time and money into the blog/business
- Developing online courses as a business model and the challenge faced with the first course on sleep
- Learning from failures and adopting the Lean Startup approach for the second course on task management
- Building products alongside the audience to create solutions that people actually want
- Importance of finding a pain point and launching a product based on it for successful marketing
- Examples of free tools used in the beginning of the business and the transition to more advanced tools over time
- Running a remote-based company and utilizing tools like Slack for effective communication.
🧞‍♂️ Discussion questions
1. How did Thanh accidentally turn his blog into a business?
2. What role did SEO play in the growth of Thanh's business?
3. How did Thanh initially bootstrap his business with limited capital?
4. What lessons did Thanh learn from his first product failure?
5. How did Thanh use the Lean Startup approach to create a successful product?
6. Why is it important to build products alongside your audience?
7. What tools did Thanh initially use to run his business and how have they evolved over time?
8. How has technology made it easier for entrepreneurs to run their businesses today?
9. How has Thanh's business adapted to remote work and what tools do they use to facilitate communication?
10. What is Thanh's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs who want to bootstrap their own businesses?
Resources
www.asianefficiency.com
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Guest Bio
Joyce Dales is the President of Buzzagogo and the inventor of Cold Bee Gone,  a homeopathic, Manuka Honey based remedy that you swab in your nose to fight cold, flu, allergies and to protect the nasal biome.  Joyce, who used to be a high school teacher, is married to Jeffrey, who is an attorney and software engineer.  In 2009 and 2011 they welcomed two beautiful girls as they grew their family through the gift of international adoption.  Together they run their company, while homeschooling, as they travel the country in their 1972 Airstream. Cold Bee Gone is now sold nationwide and is a proud official sponsor of the Boston Red Sox.
ℹ️ Introduction
On this episode of Frugalpreneur, we have a special showcase featuring an inspiring bootstrapped entrepreneur. Join us as we delve into the journey of Joyce Dales, the CEO of Buzzagogo and the creator of the Cold Bee Gone and Allergy Bee Gone nasal swab remedy.
From switching careers to natural medicine after her daughter's health scare to experimenting in her kitchen for years, Joyce shares the ups and downs of her entrepreneurial journey. We'll explore how she overcame challenges, sought help from organizations like the Small Business Administration, secured funding as a female entrepreneur, and navigated FDA regulations for her pharmaceutical company.
Through her experiences, Joyce provides valuable tips and takeaways for fellow bootstrap business owners. She highlights the power of seeking help, networking, and taking daily action to turn ideas into reality. And don't miss out on the special discount she's offering our listeners on her products!
In this episode, Joyce emphasizes the importance of a healthy nose for a healthy immune system, making her remedy all the more valuable. We hope you enjoy this showcase and gain valuable insights for your own business endeavors.
Remember, if you have a valuable story to share, we encourage you to reach out and be a part of our show. Your insights might just be what another entrepreneur needs to hear. Stay tuned for more episodes of Frugalpreneur, where we bring you practical advice and inspiring stories to help you succeed without breaking the bank.
❇️ Key topics and bullets
- Joyce's background as a high school teacher and her journey into natural medicine
- Joyce's motivation to create her nasal swab remedy due to her daughter's health issues
- Joyce's experimentation and development of her remedy in her kitchen
- Expansion of Joyce's products to 12,000 stores nationally and globally
- Joyce's decision to seek help from the Small Business Administration (SBA) and local experts
- Importance of getting guidance and support
- Challenges in starting a small pharmaceutical company and the need for seed money
- Assistance from the SBA in securing a small business loan
- Joyce's success in raising outside money through an angel investor group
- Overcoming obstacles with FDA regulations and the importance of attention to detail
- Top tip for entrepreneurs: utilize resources like the SBA, network, and ask for help
- Encouragement to take action and make ideas a reality
- Joyce's contact information for further discussion or advice
- Discount code for Frugalpreneur listeners
- Closing remarks and invitation for guests to share their stories on the podcast
🧞‍♂️ Discussion questions
1. How did Joyce's personal experience with her daughter's health condition motivate her to switch careers and create her business?
2. What were some of the challenges Joyce faced in starting her pharmaceutical company, especially in regard to FDA regulations?
3. How did Joyce secure her first small business loan and angel seed money? What strategies did she use to attract investors?
4. What role did...