Build a Business You Love with Ashley Frank

Ashley Frank
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  • Entrepreneurship

Build a Business You Love is for expert entrepreneurs who want to build a profitable business in a way that works and feels good to them.Because while there are fundamentals to building a great business, there's more than one way to put them into practice. Each week, Ashley Frank explores the ideas, strategies and experiments behind building a business that works for you and the people you serve. From marketing, messaging and sales to customer psychology, business growth, AI and the human side of entrepreneurship, you'll get practical frameworks, candid perspectives and conversations with entrepreneurs who are building businesses their way.Start with your vision. Understand the foundations. Experiment. Learn. Adjust. And build a profitable business you love.

  1. 2d ago

    Here's Your Permission Slip

    Waiting for permission is one of the most invisible ways we stay stuck. After a conference, a few smart, qualified people asked how to “get into” the work they wanted to do, and what I heard wasn’t confusion; it was a quiet request for a green light. If you’ve ever felt ready on paper but hesitant in real life, you’ll recognize the pattern immediately.   We dig into the psychology behind permission seeking and why it makes sense: your brain is built for safety, not satisfaction, so anything new can feel like danger. We talk through loss aversion (why potential losses shout louder than potential gains), the need to belong (and why rejection can feel physically painful), and the spotlight effect (how we overestimate how much people are watching us). Once you see these forces clearly, you can stop treating fear as a warning sign and start treating it as a signal you’re doing something new.   From there, we lay out four practical “permissions” you can give yourself right now: permission to start your business without blowing up your life, permission to charge what you’re worth and stop competing on price, permission to build your business your way instead of copying someone else’s path, and permission to change your mind by running experiments, often in simple 90-day sprints. The core takeaway is simple: permission is not a feeling, it’s a decision followed by a small action.   If this hits home, subscribe so you don’t miss next week, share this with a friend who’s been waiting to start, and leave a review to help more builders find the permission they’ve been looking for. Take the Quiz - www.ashleyfrank.com/quiz Follow on IG - @theashleyfrank Episode description and transcript prepared with help from AI, based on the original recording, and reviewed by Ashley.

  2. Oct 13

    Why your messaging isn't working (and how to fix it)

    Your marketing can be polished, your website can look great, and your content can get views, yet sales still feel stuck. That gap often comes down to one painful truth: we talk like experts, but our prospects listen like humans with a problem they want solved fast. When our messaging leads with programs, features, and credentials, people click away because they still cannot answer the only question that matters to them right now: “How can this help me?” We dig into the mindset shift that changes everything for coaches, consultants, and advisors. It starts with understanding what a potential client is thinking the moment they meet us online or in person, and how the WIIFM principle, “what’s in it for me,” keeps our copywriting focused on the buyer, not our résumé. You will hear a clear example of how to describe what you do in a way that makes someone feel seen, understood, and ready to take the next step. Then we break down three practical messaging upgrades you can apply today: get specific about who you are speaking to, simplify your language so it is instantly clear, and lead with the client’s problem before you layer in proof like testimonials and credentials. We also talk about AI copywriting tools like ChatGPT and Claude, what they are great for, and why relying on them for the final draft can erase the emotion and personality that makes your brand stand out. If you want more engagement, better conversions, and more booked calls, subscribe, share this with a friend who is rewriting their website copy, and leave a review with the biggest messaging tweak you are making next. Take the Quiz - www.ashleyfrank.com/quiz Follow on IG - @theashleyfrank Episode description and transcript prepared with help from AI, based on the original recording, and reviewed by Ashley.

  3. Jun 16

    The Identity Shift Nobody Talks About

    "You're not just building a business. You're shifting your identity, and you're doing both at the exact same time." Leaving your job to start a business sounds exciting. More freedom. More flexibility. More control over your future. But what most people don't realize is that entrepreneurship isn't just a career change. It's an identity change. In this episode, Ashley shares six lessons he's learned during his transition from employee to entrepreneur. From the challenge of creating your own structure and generating consistent revenue to learning how to sell your expertise and build a business around your strengths, this conversation explores the realities that many new business owners experience but few talk about openly. Most importantly, Ashley dives into the often-overlooked identity shift that happens when you step away from a title, a team, and a predictable paycheck to build something of your own.  In This Episode:  Why freedom comes with more responsibility than most people expect  How revenue becomes deeply personal as a business owner  Why expertise alone isn't enough to build a successful business  The surprising truth about becoming "the product"  What it means when freedom is earned twice  The identity challenges that come with entrepreneurship  Why uncertainty may actually be a sign you're moving in the right direction

  4. Jun 9

    The Essential First Step Most Business Owners Skip

    Most business owners are eager to build the visible parts of their business—websites, logos, social media, AI tools, funnels, and marketing campaigns. But what if the real problem isn't a lack of tactics, but a weak foundation? In this episode of Build a Business You Love, Ashley shares a simple observation from a local construction site that reveals a powerful lesson about business growth. Just like a high-rise building depends on the strength of what happens below the surface, every successful business is built on a foundation that most people overlook. You'll discover the four foundational elements every business needs before it can scale: A clear offerConsistent trafficLead generationA repeatable conversion processAshley also explores why more leads won't fix a broken system, how AI fits into the equation, and a simple question that can expose the cracks in your business before they become bigger problems. If you've been feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or tempted by the latest shiny object, this episode will help you get back to the fundamentals that actually drive growth. In This Episode Why most business owners focus on the wrong things firstThe construction analogy that changes how you think about growthThe four pillars of a strong business foundationHow to identify the biggest bottleneck in your businessWhy more leads aren't always the answerWhere AI can help—and where it can't

  5. Jun 2

    Welcome to Your 2026 Halftime Show

    We’ve reached the halfway point of the year. Whether your first six months went exactly as planned or feel completely off track, now is the perfect time to pause, reflect, and reset for a strong second half. In this episode, Ashley shares some personal updates, the evolution of the podcast, lessons from his coaching journey, and a simple framework to help you evaluate where you are, where you're going, and whether the goals you're pursuing are still aligned with the life and business you want to build. Reflection Questions Take some time with these questions over the next few days: How have you shown up over the past six months?Are you showing up in a way that supports the goals you've set?Are your goals still relevant, or are you operating on autopilot?Are you working toward something that is truly yours, or are you carrying someone else's expectations?If you continue on your current path, how will you feel on December 31, 2026?Key Takeaway You're not behind. The first half of the year may not have gone exactly as planned, but there is still plenty of time to create meaningful momentum. Reflect on what's working, acknowledge where you've drifted, and focus on the next 90 days. The second half starts now.

  6. Jan 20

    Finding Your Voice, Self-Love, and the Power of Belief with Keonté Beals

    This week on Growth Conversations with Ashley Frank, I’m joined by Keonté Beals, an award-winning musician turned author and storyteller whose work inspires confidence, creativity, and self-belief in young people and adults alike. Keonté shares his journey growing up in North Preston and how a pivotal moment in junior high school shaped the way he saw himself, his voice, and his future. We talk about what it’s like to move through life feeling unheard, and how discovering your voice can change everything. In this conversation, we explore: The importance of self-love and self-worthThe power of having someone who believes in youHow creativity and imagination shape confidence at any ageWhat shifts when you begin to truly value yourselfWhy your biggest limitations are often internalPractical advice for stepping into your self-love journey and finding your voiceThis episode also includes a brief mention of suicide as part of a broader conversation around mental health, self-worth, and being heard. If you’ve ever struggled to believe in yourself, felt like your voice didn’t matter, or lost touch with your creativity, this conversation will meet you where you are. Connect with Keonté: www.keontebeals.com Instagram: @keontebeals Mental Health Support: If this episode brings up anything difficult for you, support is available. In Canada, you can call or text 988 for the Suicide Crisis Helpline. If you’re elsewhere, please check local mental health resources in your area.

  7. Jan 13

    AI Isn’t Your Competitive Advantage. Being Human Is

    Have you noticed more and more AI flooding your feeds and inbox? You’re not alone and it’s exhausting. In this episode, I unpack some of the biggest “ick” trends I’m seeing in how people are using AI in their businesses and careers. From over-automation to losing your authentic voice, we’ll explore where AI starts to work against trust, credibility, and real connection. I also share how I personally use AI on a daily basis to support my life and business without becoming overly dependent on it. You’ll hear practical ways to leverage AI as a tool, not a crutch, so you can stay sharp, human, and intentional in how you work. If you’re using AI, thinking about using it, or just curious about what’s happening in this space, this episode is for you.

  8. 11/04/2025

    You Don’t Need to Be an Influencer — But You Do Need to Be Influential

    You don’t control the sale — you influence it. In this episode, Ashley breaks down the subtle art of influence: what it really means, what it’s not, and why every great leader, parent, and salesperson relies on it. You’ll learn how to build trust without pressure, connect without control, and qualify for influence — not just interest.

    You Don’t Need to Be an Influencer — But You Do Need to Be Influential
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About

Build a Business You Love is for expert entrepreneurs who want to build a profitable business in a way that works and feels good to them.Because while there are fundamentals to building a great business, there's more than one way to put them into practice. Each week, Ashley Frank explores the ideas, strategies and experiments behind building a business that works for you and the people you serve. From marketing, messaging and sales to customer psychology, business growth, AI and the human side of entrepreneurship, you'll get practical frameworks, candid perspectives and conversations with entrepreneurs who are building businesses their way.Start with your vision. Understand the foundations. Experiment. Learn. Adjust. And build a profitable business you love.

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