The Ordinary Business®️ Podcast

Jess Freeman
  • 5.0 (26)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

This isn’t a show about hitting seven figures or running a 10-person team. Ordinary businesses deserve the spotlight, too. On The Ordinary Business®️ Podcast, you’ll hear from solopreneurs and tiny teams about how they actually make work and life fit together. Not highlight reels or hustle culture pep talks. We'll talk about everything from client work to childcare to the weird routines that keep the lights on and help you make it to the gym. Ordinary doesn’t mean boring, it means real, sustainable, and yours. Learn more at TheOrdinaryBusiness.com.

  1. 5h ago

    Tracking Friendships Like KPIs with Samantha MacKinnon

    Running a business while actually having a life—not some mythical “balance”—is the real magic trick, right? In this episode, Samantha MacKinnon (https://samanthamackinnon.com/) ditches the shiny success formulas and talk messy realities: what happens when your social battery is on 1% but the KPIs don’t care if you’ve actually seen another adult all week. If you’ve ever felt like your whole personality faded into a pile of unfinished emails and another night of reheated pizza, you’re about to find your people. Samantha gets real about tracking KPIs that aren’t just about revenue or retention, but about actual human connection. I share what happened to my so-called “business mojo” after becoming a mom and why putting date nights and book clubs on my calendar is officially part of my “business strategy”—cue the eyebrow raise from every spreadsheet fiend. For anyone craving a business and a life that both feel good (without more “grind harder!” sermons), this one’s for you. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Track your social life like you’d track your business numbers—if it’s not scheduled, it’s probably not happening. Build flexible systems that allow for real life (missed book club? No guilt trips, just catch it next time). Give yourself permission to prioritize whatever fills your cup, whether that’s a friend dinner, solo time, or just being “ordinary but thriving.” This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  2. Aug 25

    Marketing Without Reels or Trends with Erin Perkins

    Ever feel like everyone else is nailing those viral reels and you’re over here just trying to keep your inbox at zero? This episode is for every business owner who’s wondered if marketing really has to mean dancing, pointing, and chasing trends—or if there’s a saner, more “just-like-you” way to show up and get clients. Spoiler: it’s not about having the fanciest marketing plan or a highlight-reel life. Today, I’m hanging out with Erin Perkins (https://www.mabelyq.com/) who shares exactly how she’s grown her business without following every marketing fad. We talk about saying “no thanks” to strategies that make you cringe, what happens when you stick by your gut (even if others think you’re nuts), and why connecting with your people is better than chasing random views. If you’re more into building genuine relationships—and less into learning a new TikTok trend every week—this one’s for you. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Trust your gut and skip strategies that make you miserable—even if they’re “what everyone’s doing.” Find your growth through real community and conversation, not just social media tricks. Remember that feeling good about your business approach is the best burnout prevention plan out there. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  3. Aug 18

    How Adam Schaeuble Runs An AI-Free Business

    If you’ve ever wanted to break up with your email funnels or wonder what would happen if you swore off AI and only worked a few days a week, this one’s for you. Forget about “10x productivity hacks”—this is real talk on keeping things lean, simple, and, you know, actually livable. In this episode, I hand the mic to Adam Schaeuble (https://www.podcastingbusiness.school/), who runs a thriving content business with zero AI, minimal tech, and a schedule that makes time for actual life (school pickup included). Adam digs into why he ditched every lead magnet except one, how working less forced him to focus on what really matters, and the magic of choosing goals that care more about your couch time than your bank balance. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠ → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Simplify ruthlessly and quit building systems you never wanted in the first place—nobody’s judging your lack of a welcome sequence. Set time-based goals just as seriously as income goals, so your business doesn’t take over your entire life. Don’t be afraid to sound different; in a world of copy-paste AI content, your very human voice suddenly stands out. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  4. Aug 11

    110 Members, $15K, and Zero Ads: My Launch Recap

    In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on my July launch for The Ordinary Business Network—real numbers, mixed emotions, launch plans gone sideways, and what happened when my best-laid strategies met real life (like getting strep throat, my kid’s birthday, and actual client work… all at once). I’m talking about the reality of running a business while juggling family, health, and a totally unglamorous workload. Inside, you’ll hear how a “solo show” launch really works when you’re handling every email, social post, and DM without an entourage (or caffeine IV). You’ll also get the play-by-play on what worked, what flopped, and why making room for ordinary wins is way better than chasing someone else’s blueprint. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Track where your members actually come from—sometimes email outperforms everything else (even those “engaged” Slack buddies). Scrap the plan if it’s not working, and don’t be afraid to go “all in” (even if it means flying by the seat of your pants for a bit). Celebrate the messy, ordinary wins—consistency and community win over perfection every time. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  5. Aug 4

    Storytelling Without The "Rags to Riches" Plot with Reme Mancera

    Feeling like your story isn’t “epic” enough for the business world? In this episode, Reme Mancera (https://www.rememancera.com/) is pulling back the curtain on what storytelling actually looks like for ordinary business owners juggling real life—work deadlines, existential dread about vulnerability, and that question lurking in your DMs: “Do I have to share my ‘origin story’ to get clients?” Spoiler: If you’ve ever wanted to market yourself without the hero’s journey or a viral meltdown, this one’s for you. Reme is sharing how real people—just like you and me—can find and use simple, meaningful stories from everyday life (think library cards, not climbing Everest) to connect with aligned clients. She'll show you how to skip the stage fright, set boundaries (no, you don’t have to overshare), and start making real connections, even if you feel “too ordinary” for the spotlight. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Drop the pressure to have an “epic” origin story and focus on stories that are genuinely meaningful to you. Look for those small, everyday moments (hello, childhood library card) that naturally tie to your values and your people. Use your personal stories as connectors—no vulnerability hangover required—and set your own sharing boundaries. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  6. Jul 28

    How I Do Market Research for My Business

    Feel like you’re playing whack-a-mole with your business—tweaking your offers, rewriting your content, posting more without seeing results? You’re not alone. >> Join The Ordinary Network! In this (re-aired!) episode, I get real about why market research isn’t glamorous, but absolutely game-changing (seriously, Google Forms are my love language). If you’ve ever wondered why your audience isn’t biting or why engagement flatlined, this chat is for you—and yes, I spill all the honest details from my own market research deep-dives. I walk through exactly how I ran fifty-five (yes, fifty-five) market research calls in six weeks, why talking directly to your audience matters way more than just sending another survey, and how even exhausted introverts (hi, it’s me!) can come out the other side actually excited about their offers again. Key Takeaways: Stop guessing and start asking—get on real calls with your audience to uncover what’s actually going on. Keep your questions broad and focused on their world, not your sales page (curiosity wins every time). Use the language and insights you gather from market research to shape your copy, offers, and confidence in those ordinary-but-awesome business moves. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  7. Jul 21

    Audio Newsletters and Weird Subject Lines with Melissa

    Ever feel like email marketing is just a never-ending parade of “newsletters” you don’t actually want to read? That’s why Melissa Esmeralda is here to talk about real email marketing for ordinary-but-thriving business owners, just like you. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your tech stack simpler, make your emails actually fun to create, and stop gatekeeping all your best ideas, you’re in the right spot. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com In this episode, Melissa shares how she built a super low-tech audio newsletter, why she ditched the endless “newsletter as newspaper” format, and what actually gets people replying (spoiler: it’s not having the flashiest intro music). She'll walk through her favorite tools and how asking for questions—even if nobody asks at first—can turn your email list into your actual people. Plus, you'll hear how pigeons, neighborhood hawks, and a little bit of chaos ended up inspiring her most opened subject line ever. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com→ Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠→ Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠ Key Takeaways Make your email newsletter more personal by ditching the “newsroom” vibe and sharing real-life stories. Lower the tech barrier—Google Drive and voice notes work just fine for serving your people. Build connection with your audience by making it easy (and safe) for them to ask questions, even if they need a nudge. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

  8. Jul 14

    How I Get Clients Without Relying on Email Marketing

    Re-airing a previous episode where I'm spilling the real tea on what it actually looks like to run a profitable, sustainable business, without your “number one moneymaker” being a magical inbox. → Learn more about The Ordinary Business Network: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.theordinarybusiness.com⁠⁠/network Here’s the thing: I’ve spent 15 years in business, tried all the freebies, webinars, and custom quizzes the internet has to offer, and my email list is still not paying my grocery bill. I'm break ing down exactly where my clients do come from (hint: it’s not email), how I’ve learned to let go of what “should” work, and why leaning into what works for you is the real power move for ordinary but thriving business owners—just like you. → Enjoy this episode? Buy me a coffee: ⁠⁠https://buymeacoffee.com/ordinarybusiness⁠⁠ → Peek inside the Nosy Nelly Files: ⁠⁠https://theordinarybusiness.com/nosy⁠⁠ Key Takeaways: Stop forcing a marketing tool that’s never worked for you—focus instead on what actually brings you clients. Know that referrals, SEO, and genuine connection on social media can be your secret sauce (no matter what the gurus say). Give yourself permission to ditch the “shoulds,” play to your business strengths, and define success on your own, very ordinary terms. This podcast is for business owners who are tired of hustle culture and want relatable, honest conversations about running a sustainable business that actually works for their life.

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This isn’t a show about hitting seven figures or running a 10-person team. Ordinary businesses deserve the spotlight, too. On The Ordinary Business®️ Podcast, you’ll hear from solopreneurs and tiny teams about how they actually make work and life fit together. Not highlight reels or hustle culture pep talks. We'll talk about everything from client work to childcare to the weird routines that keep the lights on and help you make it to the gym. Ordinary doesn’t mean boring, it means real, sustainable, and yours. Learn more at TheOrdinaryBusiness.com.

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