The REAL Truth About Business: Business Growth Tips for Solopreneurs, Small Business Owners, Coaches, Consultants and ADHD Se

Michelle DeNio | Business Strategist
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Are you a growth-stage entrepreneur, solopreneur or small business owner trying to scale your service-based business but constantly battling overwhelm, decision fatigue, or too many ideas at once? Do traditional “step-by-step” strategies feel impossible to follow because your ADHD or neurodivergent brain just doesn’t work that way? You’re not alone. Welcome to The Real Truth About Business, the podcast that cuts through the noise and gives you the no-fluff, straight-talking truth about what it actually takes to grow a sustainable, profitable business. Hosted by Michelle DeNio — Business Strategist, Strategic Growth Advisor, and creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator — this show is designed to help service-based entrepreneurs simplify, focus, and scale without burnout. You might be asking yourself questions like: 👉 How do I grow my business without burning out? 👉 What business growth strategies actually work for ADHD or neurodivergent entrepreneurs? 👉 How do I create a simple, profitable business model instead of chasing every new idea? 👉 What lead generation and relationship marketing strategies actually bring in consistent clients? 👉 How do I stay focused and follow through when executive tasks feel draining? 👉 What does strategic planning look like when my brain doesn’t operate in a linear way? Each episode delivers actionable insights on topics like: ✅ Strategic planning that works with your brain, not against it ✅ Profit-focused decision making for growth-stage entrepreneurs ✅ Lead generation, client acquisition, and relationship marketing that feels natural ✅ ADHD-friendly business structures that create clarity and focus ✅ The CEO mindset shifts that eliminate overwhelm Michelle’s tough-love but compassionate coaching style is like a kick in the ass wrapped in a hug — giving you the clarity and confidence to finally take aligned action. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, simplify your business model, and focus on the strategies that actually create growth, this podcast will show you what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable business. Connect with me, Michelle DeNio, on LinkedIn for more insights and updates: linkedin.com/in/michelledenio. For more on how to work together and explore the Focused Visionary Accelerator, visit michelledenioconsulting.com.

  1. 2D AGO

    How to Track Business Growth as a Solopreneur (Hint: It's Not KPIs) [Ep. 346]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most solopreneurs think they need to track KPIs. But KPIs are corporate, overwhelming, and don't actually tell you what to do next. Here's what to track instead, and how to make your numbers actually exciting. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle breaks down why traditional KPIs often feel overwhelming and disconnected from real growth, and introduces a more aligned approach: Key Success Factors. Instead of tracking random metrics because you think you “should,” she walks you through how to identify the numbers that actually matter for your version of success. You’ll learn how to measure what moves the needle, spot patterns, and use your data to make smarter CEO decisions without drowning in corporate style reports. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you stop guessing and start leading your business with clarity backed by facts. You’ll learn: The difference between KPIs and Key Success Factors and why it matters How to choose the right metrics for your business model and goals What numbers every service based business owner should track How to use month over month and year over year data strategically How tracking the right data helps you forecast, plan, and grow sustainably This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially...

    20 min

  2. FEB 13

    Back Pocket Insights: Creation and Newsletters [Ep. 345]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most entrepreneurs overcomplicate two things that don’t need to be complicated: email marketing and creating new offers. You either freeze because you don’t know what to send in a newsletter… or you stay busy building something new instead of selling what you already have. Both feel productive. Neither necessarily move the needle. In this special episode pulled from the private Back Pocket Insights podcast, Michelle answers two powerful questions from the community: What should I send in a newsletter? And how do I stop getting stuck in creation mode? She breaks down how to think about email marketing strategically instead of formulaically, how to position your newsletter inside your sales pipeline, and why selling before creating is often the smarter move for service-based business owners. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you simplify your email marketing strategy and stop hiding in busywork that feels safe but doesn’t generate revenue. You’ll learn: How to decide what to include in your newsletter without overthinking it Why positioning and intention matter more than format in email marketing How to use storytelling, value, and sales together effectively Why constant creation can become a comfort zone that stalls growth When to pre-sell an offer instead of spending weeks building it This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. --------------------------------------------------------------------------

    14 min

  3. FEB 11

    Think Like a CEO, Not Just an Operator [Ep. 344]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most service based business owners think becoming a CEO happens later. After a team. After more revenue. After things feel more “legit.” But that belief is exactly what keeps you stuck in constant doing mode instead of real growth. You don’t become a CEO someday. You decide to lead like one now. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle breaks down the critical shift from operator to CEO and why it has nothing to do with titles, team size, or revenue milestones. She explains how being great at your craft is not the same as owning and leading a business, why staying in doer mode limits growth, and how simple CEO level decisions create clarity, sustainability, and momentum even if you’re a party of one. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you stop identifying only as the service provider and start leading your business with intention and authority. You’ll learn: The real difference between operator mode and CEO thinking Why being busy and productive doesn’t equal business growth How to make decisions based on facts instead of urgency What CEOs actually do and why you don’t need a team to be one How stepping into leadership creates clarity, profit, and sustainability This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD...

    17 min

  4. FEB 4

    Exposing the Truth about Deceptive Online Marketing [Ep. 343]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you’ve ever scrolled social media and immediately felt behind because someone had a “$30K day” or a “$15K launch,” this episode is for you. The online space is full of inflated numbers, half truths, and marketing tactics that trigger comparison and pressure instead of clarity. And honestly? It’s messing with how service based business owners think about money, growth, and success. In this spicy “New York Michelle” episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle calls out deceptive and unethical marketing practices around money and launches. She breaks down what those big revenue claims actually mean behind the scenes, why partial truths are still misleading, and how these tactics distort expectations for small business owners. This is a reality check about profit, capacity, pricing, and what sustainable growth actually looks like in an online business. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you stop comparing yourself to exaggerated success stories and start making grounded, informed decisions about your own business. You’ll learn: What “$30K days” and “big launches” usually look like behind the scenes Why partial truths in marketing are still unethical How payment plans, delivery timelines, and expenses impact real revenue Why comparison fueled marketing wrecks confidence and nervous systems What to focus on instead of flashy numbers to build sustainable profit This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6...

    17 min

  5. JAN 28

    The Two Biggest Mistakes I See Business Owners Make [Ep. 342]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Most business owners are stuck in one of two painful loops. Either you give up on an idea way too fast because it feels uncomfortable… or you cling to something long past its expiration date because you’ve invested time, money, or identity into it. Both feel logical in the moment, and both quietly stall your growth. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle breaks down these two opposite but equally damaging mistakes and shows you how to spot which one you’re making. She explains why emotion driven decisions create confusion, how to use data without overcomplicating it, and how to step into CEO thinking so you can decide when to stay the course and when to let go. This is about discernment, not hustle. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you stop second guessing yourself and start making cleaner, more confident decisions in your business. You’ll learn: How to tell if you’re giving up on an offer or strategy too soon When holding on too long is costing you time, money, and momentum Why emotion based decisions feel right but lead to stuck cycles How to define what “working” actually means before pulling the plug How to evaluate ideas through a CEO lens instead of discomfort This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially...

    16 min

  6. JAN 21

    Be Your Own Best Client This Year [Ep. 341]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most service providers are incredible at showing up for clients but painfully inconsistent when it comes to showing up for themselves. You follow your own frameworks halfway, skip the hard parts, and wonder why things feel stalled. If you’re being honest, you’re not your best client… yet. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle shares a deeply personal shift that changed how she’s approaching her business this year: becoming her own best case study. She unpacks why being your own best client creates clarity, momentum, and confidence without obsessing over revenue goals, and how using a North Star decision filter keeps you focused on what actually moves the needle. This episode is about leadership, self-trust, and finally applying your own work the way you ask clients to apply it. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will challenge you to stop skating by and start fully committing to your own growth. You’ll learn: What it really means to be your own best client and case study Why focusing on process beats obsessing over revenue goals How a North Star creates clarity and simplifies decisions Where you may be prioritizing everyone else over yourself How committing to your own work naturally creates better results This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based...

    17 min

  7. JAN 14

    Own Your Results: Why You Need Radical Responsibility in 2026 [Ep. 340]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you want different results this year, you can’t keep blaming circumstances, clients, algorithms, or timing. Growth doesn’t come from hoping things change. It comes from owning your decisions, your follow through, and your results. Radical responsibility isn’t comfortable, but it’s the difference between staying stuck and actually moving forward. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle dives deep into what radical responsibility really means and how embodying it can completely shift your business and your life. She breaks down where entrepreneurs unknowingly give their power away, how waiting and hoping sabotages momentum, and why owning every outcome is the fastest path to clarity and growth. This is an episode you’ll want to come back to regularly as a CEO reset. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this conversation will challenge you to stop outsourcing responsibility and start leading yourself with intention. You’ll learn: What radical responsibility actually looks like in real life and business Where you may be unintentionally giving your power away How waiting, hoping, or avoiding decisions stalls growth Why owning your results creates clarity, confidence, and momentum How radical responsibility changes the way you lead, sell, and follow through This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my website to learn more and apply for the Focused Visionary Accelerator Sign up for my newsletter - Sunday Morning Brew - delivered every Sunday at 6 am About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth...

    23 min

  8. JAN 7

    Less Talk, More Action: 3 Tips for Success in 2026 [Ep. 339]

    🎧 Want more unfiltered strategy and real-time business insight? Check out Back Pocket Insights, my private podcast community with short, story-driven episodes pulled straight from everyday life and client conversations. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- January hits and suddenly everyone is shouting their goals, signing up for everything, and sprinting straight into burnout. But loud doesn’t equal strategic and busy doesn’t equal growth. If you want this year to feel different, it has to be different, starting with how you move before the chaos kicks in. In this episode of The Real Truth About Business, Michelle shares three grounded CEO decisions to make at the start of the year that protect your energy, expand your capacity, and keep you focused on what actually matters. From building quietly instead of performing online, to doing the internal work required to receive bigger goals, to setting real calendar boundaries, this episode is your permission slip to slow down, get intentional, and lead your business instead of reacting to it. Whether you’re a coach, consultant, OBM, VA, designer, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur, this episode will help you start the year with clarity, restraint, and CEO-level decision making instead of overwhelm. You’ll learn: Why you don’t need to build your business out loud to be successful How capacity and safety to receive impact your ability to hit bigger goals What subconscious and somatic work has to do with business growth Why saying yes to everything kills momentum and clarity How to protect your calendar so there’s room for clients, creativity, and life This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers who crave clarity, structure, and results without falling for every trend online. Links referenced in this episode: Join the Sunday Morning Brew!Check out the Focused Visionary Accelerator! --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" QuizConnect with Michelle on LinkedIn, Instagram, Threads or FacebookVisit my...

    19 min
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5
out of 5
18 Ratings

About

Are you a growth-stage entrepreneur, solopreneur or small business owner trying to scale your service-based business but constantly battling overwhelm, decision fatigue, or too many ideas at once? Do traditional “step-by-step” strategies feel impossible to follow because your ADHD or neurodivergent brain just doesn’t work that way? You’re not alone. Welcome to The Real Truth About Business, the podcast that cuts through the noise and gives you the no-fluff, straight-talking truth about what it actually takes to grow a sustainable, profitable business. Hosted by Michelle DeNio — Business Strategist, Strategic Growth Advisor, and creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator — this show is designed to help service-based entrepreneurs simplify, focus, and scale without burnout. You might be asking yourself questions like: 👉 How do I grow my business without burning out? 👉 What business growth strategies actually work for ADHD or neurodivergent entrepreneurs? 👉 How do I create a simple, profitable business model instead of chasing every new idea? 👉 What lead generation and relationship marketing strategies actually bring in consistent clients? 👉 How do I stay focused and follow through when executive tasks feel draining? 👉 What does strategic planning look like when my brain doesn’t operate in a linear way? Each episode delivers actionable insights on topics like: ✅ Strategic planning that works with your brain, not against it ✅ Profit-focused decision making for growth-stage entrepreneurs ✅ Lead generation, client acquisition, and relationship marketing that feels natural ✅ ADHD-friendly business structures that create clarity and focus ✅ The CEO mindset shifts that eliminate overwhelm Michelle’s tough-love but compassionate coaching style is like a kick in the ass wrapped in a hug — giving you the clarity and confidence to finally take aligned action. If you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels, simplify your business model, and focus on the strategies that actually create growth, this podcast will show you what it really takes to build a sustainable, profitable business. Connect with me, Michelle DeNio, on LinkedIn for more insights and updates: linkedin.com/in/michelledenio. For more on how to work together and explore the Focused Visionary Accelerator, visit michelledenioconsulting.com.

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