Entrepreneur Conundrum

Virginia Purnell
  • 4.9 (18)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Join Virginia Purnell as she speaks to growing entrepreneur startups in the different ways that they are trying to become a subject matter expert. The unique thing about this show is that we are not talking to people who have been and done it and are all over the internet as superstars. We are talking to the average growing entrepreneur who is trying to get visible in their market.

  1. How Jason Wright Is Helping Entrepreneurs Scale Smarter With AI (Without Losing Authenticity)

    3D AGO

    How Jason Wright Is Helping Entrepreneurs Scale Smarter With AI (Without Losing Authenticity)

    In this episode, we cover: Why entrepreneurship is harder than most people expectThe hidden cost of “doing nothing” in businessHow AI agents are transforming marketing automationWhy live webinars are making a comebackThe importance of authenticity in an AI-driven worldHow to protect your mindset during brutal business seasonsWhy patience is not optional for long-term successWhat real scalability looks like in the next 1–2 yearsConnect with Jason Wright: Website: https://intentionallyinspirational.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasonjwright/Key Questions:(00:52) How did you get to where you are today? (01:50) Who do you serve today? (02:42) How do you get in front of these new people, these people? (03:41) Would you do an evergreen with it off the bat or do that later on? (04:49) Do you do anything on social media? (05:47) What are some common mistakes, for the lack of a better word, that a lot of your clients are doing before or when they start to work with you? (06:56) What do you have to share with us in terms of entrepreneur mindset? (09:00) What are some things that you do to either keep yourself out or to get out of a funk? (10:13) What's the best advice that you have ever received? (11:32) So we had talked a little bit about how the marketing is different in today's age. And do you think it's just solely because of the AI that's coming in? (12:41)  What is some of the best advice you've ever given? (13:29)  What are your big goals in the next year or two? (14:22) What are some automations and systems that actually scale our businesses? (15:46) Is there anything that we haven't talked about today that you wanted to share with us? (16:40) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do. Jason Wright https://intentionallyinspirational.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/thejasonjwright/   Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    17 min
  2. Zachary Bernard on Building Credibility Before the Sales Call

    12/29/2025

    Zachary Bernard on Building Credibility Before the Sales Call

    Many entrepreneurs are highly skilled at what they do — yet struggle to gain traction because no one knows who they are. In this episode of Entrepreneur Conundrum, Virginia Purnell sits down with PR strategist Zachary Bernard, founder of WeFeature You, to unpack how credibility is built before the sales conversation ever happens. Zach shares his journey from launching an automation agency at a young age to building a PR firm that helps founders amplify their expertise through podcast guesting, media placements, and consistent visibility. The conversation explores why being “good” at your work is no longer enough, how third-party validation changes buyer perception, and why podcasts have become one of the most effective credibility-building tools available to entrepreneurs today. Zach explains how podcast appearances, when leveraged properly, create trust, shorten sales cycles, and make every other marketing effort more effective. Virginia and Zach also discuss common mistakes business owners make when it comes to visibility — including trying to be everywhere at once, failing to repurpose content, and underestimating the role of consistency. Zach offers practical insight into choosing the right platforms, using email outreach effectively, and building a digital presence that supports long-term growth rather than quick wins. This episode is a valuable listen for founders, CEOs, and business owners who want to strengthen their authority, be taken seriously online, and build a brand that people trust before they ever reach out. In this episode, we discuss: Why credibility often matters more than talent in business growthHow podcast guesting builds trust faster than traditional marketingThe role of PR and third-party validation in buyer decision-makingCommon visibility mistakes entrepreneurs make onlineWhy consistency on fewer platforms beats being everywhereHow podcast content should be leveraged as a long-term marketing assetBuilding authority without relying on paid ads🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/zacharybernard Key Questions(00:53) How did you get to where you are? (02:43) Who are your ideal clients? (04:17) How do you get in front of them? (05:27) I don't know if there are any misconceptions or mistakes that a lot of your clients are making or that they aren't doing, things that they aren't doing when you go to work with them? (07:02) Do you help them create their ideas to come up with content and stuff? (08:01) How would using PR help increase credibility? You did talk about them being able to look us up and find credibility that way. (09:44) What is your opinion on using podcasts as a way to build your brand? (11:15) What are some of your big goals in the next year or two? (12:24) What do you feel is a big roadblock for you being able to get there? (14:11) What do you think is the best advice that you've ever received? (14:58) What about the best advice you've ever given? (15:59) Is there anything that we haven't touched on that you would like to talk about? (18:38) What if I was all over the place? I was on a few platforms, but I wasn't consistent on any of them. Is there a certain platform that you would recommend? (19:55) Where can we go to learn more about you and what you do? (20:18) And what about your podcast? What is it called? Zachary Bernard wefeatureyou.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/itszachb/  https://www.instagram.com/itszachb_/  https://zacharybernard.com/ Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    21 min
  3. From Complacent to Uncommon Leadership — with John Gallagher

    12/22/2025

    From Complacent to Uncommon Leadership — with John Gallagher

    In this episode, we cover: Why success can quietly lead to complacencyThe difference between common and uncommon leadershipJohn’s Seven Ds of TransformationHow executive coaching transforms leaders from the inside outFaith-driven leadership without preachingOvercoming imposter syndrome and fear of failureWhy leaders feel “busy” instead of fulfilledThe power of reflection, discipline, and purposeWhy great leaders focus on who they’re becoming—not just what they’re buildingResources & Links: Website: https://coachjohngallagher.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjohngallagherInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/coachjohngallagher🎧 Listen to the full episode: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/johngallagher Key Questions(02:03) Can you share with us how you got to where you are today? (03:41) Who do you serve today? (05:43) Do you find that there are consistencies in those blind spots with those that you work with? (06:55) How do you get in front of these people? (08:19) Do you do group coaching? (09:11) Do you have a Facebook group or anything? (10:08) What are some big goals you have in the next year or two? (11:33) What do you feel is your roadblock from reaching, like getting your book accomplished or finished? (15:24) What are some seven steps to personal transformation? (20:22) Do you have many clients that have the overwhelm when they start getting into all of this? And then how would you help them get through it? (23:24) Can you talk to us a little bit about faith in business? (26:26) What's the best advice you have ever received? (28:11) And are we able to let that experience shape us into the person that we are to become? (29:08) What's the best advice you've ever given? John Gallagherhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/coachjohngallagher https://www.instagram.com/coachjohngallagher/ coachjohngallagher.com Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    35 min
  4. What’s Your Life Score? Building a Balanced Life with Metrics (Not Hustle)

    12/15/2025

    What’s Your Life Score? Building a Balanced Life with Metrics (Not Hustle)

    Guest: Bill Zujewski (GoodLiife) (LinkedIn) Book: What’s Your Life Score: A Playbook for Designing Your Best Life (Amazon) What we coverBill’s path from engineering → enterprise marketing leadership → entrepreneurshipWhy “best product” doesn’t always win (and what brand really means)Building GoodLiife as a purpose-driven, balanced-life companyThe “HELP GROW” life areas and why balance is bigger than work/lifeZenScore vs. LiifeScore: measuring how you feel and how you’re doingWhy accountability beats “knowing what to do”Life coaches as a sweet spot: bringing metrics into a traditionally “touchy-feely” spaceBill’s moonshot: making “life score” a mainstream conversation (like a credit score)Mentioned in this episodeGoodLiife (web app + iOS app; web has the most features) (GoodLiife)ZenScore resource page (GoodLiife)Bill’s LinkedIn (LinkedIn)Listen link (your preferred format)https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/billzujewski Key Questions (01:15) Can you give us a little bit, maybe fill in some gaps about how you got to where you were today? (05:10) Who would you say are your ideal clientele these days? (08:00) How do you get in front of each segment? (09:09) With the people that you've worked with, what are some of the major areas they need help in or mistakes or things that common trends that you tend to find with them? (11:18) The role of brand in high tech marketing, what can you talk to us about that? (12:57) How was that change and what have been some of the biggest lessons that you have learned? (15:34) Do you have any tips that you could share with us on things that you do to get you through the failures or those down times? (16:51) Do you do anything special for Milestone Wins? (18:25) What are some big goals that you have in the next year or two? (22:41) I was going to ask, so the app, we can find it on both Android and Apple? (26:30) What is the best advice that you have ever received? (28:15) What's the best advice you've ever given? (29:24) Do you have anything else to say on the balance aspect? (34:25) So is there anything that we haven't talked about yet that you wanted to touch on? (34:59) Where are all the places we can follow you and stalk you and learn more about you? Bill Zujewskihttps://GoodLiife.com My book, published this year: https://www.amazon.com/Whats-Your-Life-Score-Designing-ebook/dp/B0DT2CPGBV/ PERSONAL LinkedIn:   https://www.linkedin.com/in/billzujewski/ Twitter/X:    https://x.com/BillZujewski  @BillZujewski BUSINESS Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/goodliifellc/ Twitter/X: https://x.com/GoodLiifeLLC Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.co

    36 min
  5. Sustainable Peak Performance & Finding Your Path with Nicolai Nielsen

    12/08/2025

    Sustainable Peak Performance & Finding Your Path with Nicolai Nielsen

    In this episode, we cover:Nicolai’s global journey across 11 countries and 10 years at McKinsey  Why ambition can either propel you forward or trip you up  The difference between wisdom and knowledge in career decisions  How to move from “outside-in” expectations to “inside-out” self-authorship  Nicolai’s three-part reflection framework: past, present, and future  Why so many high performers feel stuck, and how to get unstuck  Practical tools for sustainable peak performance (without losing your edge)  The “future of work” that’s already here—and how to not miss the waveTimestamps (approx.)00:00 – 01:05 – Intro: Nicolai’s background, Potential Academy, and global journey  01:05 – 04:20 – Nonlinear paths, ambition, impatience, and learning patience as wisdom  04:20 – 07:00 – Where Nicolai’s ideal clients hang out and why online media is the new TV  07:00 – 12:17 – Big goals, Potential Academy’s vision, and helping people find their path  12:17 – 15:03 – Why so many of us feel stuck & the shift from outside-in to self-authored lives  15:03 – 19:50 – Sustainable peak performance, presence, cosmic perspective, and micro-practices  19:50 – 23:59 – Intuition, “feather–brick–truck” messages, and listening to your gut  23:59 – 26:04 – “Know your I before your why” and getting honest about trade-offs  26:04 – 28:58 – The future of work as a moving target and massive opportunity  28:58 – 29:04 – Where to find Nicolai and final thoughts  About Nicolai NielsenNicolai Nielsen is a Danish-Chinese bestselling author, coach, and founder of Potential Academy. Born in Brazil and now living in Italy, he’s lived in 11 countries and spent 10 years with McKinsey & Company focusing on leadership and culture. Today, he helps ambitious individuals and leaders unlock sustainable peak performance and design lives that truly fit who they are. Website: www.nicolainielsen.com  Potential Academy: www.potentialacademy.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaicn/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicolaicnielsen/  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nicolaichennielsen  X (Twitter): https://x.com/nicolaicnielsenKey Questions(01:05) Can you share a little bit more about how you ended up where you are today? (02:00) Who are your ideal clients these days? (02:47) Okay, so why should I have patience in moving forward? Or when should I? (04:20) Where do you find your people? Where are they hanging out? How do you get in front of them? (05:21) Which channels do you like to be on? (07:00) What are some big goals you're looking to achieve in the next year or two? (08:05) So is Potential Academy, is it a group program or a one-on-one? How's that one laid out? (12:17) Why do you think so many of us are feeling stuck these days? (15:03) So amidst all of this confusion and muddle and stuff, how do you help us become the best version of ourselves? (18:23) How do you make sure that you can still focus on the flowers but yet not lose sight of your ambition and your goals? (19:50) What was the best advice that you have ever received? (22:40) What's the best advice you've ever given? (25:07) Is there anything that we haven't talked about yet that you'd like to touch on? (26:04) Can you give me an example? (28:28) Where can we learn more about you and what you do? Nicolai Nielsenwww.nicolainielsen.com www.potentialacademy.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolaicn/ https://www.instagram.com/nicolaicnielsen/ https://www.facebook.com/nicolaichennielsen https://x.com/nicolaicnielsen Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    29 min
  6. How Storytelling Builds Stronger Leaders with Laura Patac

    12/01/2025

    How Storytelling Builds Stronger Leaders with Laura Patac

    In this episode, we discuss: How Laura went from introverted teen to global leadership mentor  Her transition from corporate executive to entrepreneur  The limitations she experienced in corporate and what pushed her to make the leap  Why storytelling is a non-negotiable skill for modern leaders  Laura’s signature 3M Framework for leadership  The mindset traps younger leaders often fall into  The importance of community when growing as a leader  How cross-generational dynamics affect today’s workplace  What it means to start with the end in mind  Laura’s goal to impact 100,000+ people through her books and programs  Her best advice for aspiring leaders: think big, embrace change, and stay aligned with your purposeWhere to find Laura: Website: https://www.empower-quest.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-g-patac YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@empowerquest1-p9l Books by Laura: Stories with Purpose (Available on Amazon, Kindle, BookBaby, and more)  Love Is – releasing OctoberEpisode URL: 👉 https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/laurapatac Laura Patac www.linkedin.com/in/laura-g-patac https://www.youtube.com/@empowerquest1-p9l www.empower-quest.com, under review to progress to v2 by end of April. Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com

    34 min
  7. Redefining Goals: Behavior-Driven Change with Michael Lopez

    11/24/2025

    Redefining Goals: Behavior-Driven Change with Michael Lopez

    Episode: Redefining Goals: Behavior-Driven Change with Michael Lopez Guest: Michael Lopez – Best-selling author, LinkedIn Top Voice, transformation consultant Listen: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/michaeljalopez In this episode, we cover: Michael’s journey from military intelligence and Big Four consulting to founding his own boutique consultancy  Why traditional change programs fail when they treat employees as one homogeneous group  The truth about change: you can only change yourself—but you can influence others through modeling  How redefining goals from things you want to actions you take keeps you motivated longer  Why outcomes are harder to predict—but inputs (effort, repetitions, consistency) are fully in your control  How Michael uses his Top Voice Tuesday series on LinkedIn to practice this “effort-first” approach  The role of time, constraints, and focus when you’re a high-touch consultant with a full client roster  Why doing hard things literally reshapes your brain and reputation as a leader  How to build teams that embrace mistakes as part of growth rather than something to hide  “Watching the tape”: what football film review can teach leaders about revisiting failure without shame  Why leaders should stop over-directing and instead create space for teams to design the howConnect with Michael Lopez Website: https://www.michaeljlopez.coach/  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-j-lopez9/  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/michaeljlopez9/  X (Twitter): https://x.com/MichaelJLopez9  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MichaelJosephLopez9Connect with Virginia Distinct Digital Marketing: @distinctdm  Instagram: @h_ginia  Podcast: @entrepreneurconundrumpodcast  Website: https://entrepreneurconundrum.comKey Questions (00:58) Can you share a little bit about your journey? How did you end up where you are today? (02:55) Who's your ideal client these days? (04:15) When you're talking about change, is that my change and how our company change? (05:58) How do you get in front of these people off? (10:28) What do you feel is your biggest roadblock for reaching those goals? (12:14) Earlier, you had mentioned about defining goals differently. Because then you have pursue your goals differently. So are those the same thing or are they different? (16:13) What is the best advice that you have ever received? (17:56) What's the best advice you've ever given then? (20:24) Was there anything else on the implications for change in teams and organizations that you wanted to touch on? (24:19) Is there something that we haven't talked about yet that you would like to touch on?

    26 min
  8. Become Time Rich: Ditch Busywork and Build Real Wealth with Lloyd Ross

    11/17/2025

    Become Time Rich: Ditch Busywork and Build Real Wealth with Lloyd Ross

    Guest: Lloyd Ross – lawyer, MBA, CFA level III, multiple six-figure entrepreneur, seven-figure investor, 2-Comma Club winner, Legacy Club millionaire, author of three books, and host of the award-winning podcast Money Grows on Trees. Episode: Become Time Rich: Ditch Busywork and Build Real Wealth with Lloyd Ross Link: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com/lloydross In This Episode, We Cover:Lloyd’s journey from unhappy lawyer to global real estate, network marketing, and financial education  The moment he realised a 3-hour commute was “destroying his soul” and chose excitement over security  How a simple side hustle (aimed at $500/week) turned into a multi-million dollar portfolio  Why freedom, not hustle, is his highest value—and how he designed his life around it  The danger of being tactically perfect but strategically wrong  Why “the busy man has no time to make money” (and what that looks like for entrepreneurs)  Hurry sickness and how constantly living in the future kills your presence and productivity  The real reason many people never sit down with their bank statements  How to start shifting your money identity by creating evidence that you are good with money  Why environment beats willpower—and how changing your circle changes your bank account  Lloyd’s approach to delegation as personal development for your team  His rhythm of overwhelming himself, then automating, delegating, and eliminating to buy back his time  The story of attending Warren Buffett’s last AGM as CEO and Lloyd’s goal of owning one Berkshire Hathaway A share  His definition of success, best advice received (and given), and why he refuses to live in “could’ve, would’ve, should’ve.”  Connect with Lloyd RossWebsite – Money Education: http://moneytreeeducation.com  Book: Money Buys Happiness – http://moneybuyshappinessbook.com  Time Rich + Links Hub: https://linktr.ee/becometimerich  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.ross.7  Instagram: https://instagram.com/lloydjamesross  X / Twitter: https://twitter.com/lloydjamesross  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-james-ross-26b7859  YouTube: https://youtube.com/@lloydross  Podcast – Money Grows on Trees: https://spoti.fi/3KLSsvg  Connect with Virginia / Entrepreneur ConundrumWebsite & Episodes: https://entrepreneurconundrum.com  Instagram: @entrepreneurconundrumpodcast  Facebook: @entrepreneurconundrumpodcast  Twitter / X: @EnConundrumPod  Distinct Digital Marketing (Virginia): @distinctdm  Lloyd Rosshttp://moneytreeeducation.com Http://moneybuyshappinessbook.com https://linktr.ee/becometimerich Https://www.facebook.com/lloyd.ross.7 Https://instagram.com/lloydjamesross Https://mobile.twitter.com/lloydjamesross Https://www.linkedin.com/in/lloyd-james-ross-26b7859 https://youtube.com/@lloydross?si=Sn77cP78AtetWBmI https://spoti.fi/3KLSsvg Virginia PurnellFunnel & Visibility Specialist Distinct Digital Marketing (833) 762-5336 virginia@distinctdigitalmarketing.com www.distinctdigitalmarketing.com Key Questions (02:49) How did you get to where you are today?  (09:56) How do you get in front of them? How do they learn about you Well, they buy my books. (10:57) Is there any advice or tips that you can give us in regards to money mindset? (23:48) How did you overcome that? (25:23) What's some of your big goals you're looking to achieve in the next year or two? (26:22) What do you feel is the number one roadblock in your way? (31:09) What's the best advice you've ever received? (32:39) What other way can I do it? (33:52) What's the best advice you've ever given? (34:37)  Is there something that we haven't talked about yet that you would like to talk about? (35:06) Where can we go to learn more about you, what you're doing, how to get your books?

    36 min
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About

Join Virginia Purnell as she speaks to growing entrepreneur startups in the different ways that they are trying to become a subject matter expert. The unique thing about this show is that we are not talking to people who have been and done it and are all over the internet as superstars. We are talking to the average growing entrepreneur who is trying to get visible in their market.

Information

  • Creator
    Virginia Purnell
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    243
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2020 Entrepreneur Conundrum
  • Show Website
    Entrepreneur Conundrum