The REAL Truth About Business: Business Growth Tips for Solopreneurs + Small Business Owners

Michelle DeNio | Business Strategist
  • 5.0 (17)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
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Are you a small business owner, solopreneur, or online business professional feeling overwhelmed by the constant demand to grow your business and increase profits? Frustrated by inconsistent revenue and struggling to find clients who are the perfect fit? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs face these challenges without a clear plan to create sustainable, profitable growth. Welcome to The Real Truth About Business, where we dive into the proven business growth tips and strategic insights that actually work for small business owners and solopreneurs. This show is your go-to for no-nonsense guidance on strategic planning, business growth, lead generation strategies, and relationship marketing techniques. Each episode cuts through the noise, focusing on sustainable growth strategies to help you maximize profits, increase revenue, and build a solid foundation for long-term success. I’m Michelle DeNio, Business Growth Strategist and creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator—a program designed specifically for entrepreneurs ready to get serious about strategic growth. With a background in business strategy consulting and revenue growth planning, I help small business owners like you transform your business by implementing targeted, action-driven plans. Together, we’ll navigate the journey to scalable success so you can stop trading time for dollars and start seeing the growth you deserve. The Real Truth About Business is designed for those ready to make strategic moves, whether you’re looking to grow your client base, improve sales conversion, or increase revenue. Each episode answers the questions business owners are asking, such as: 👉What’s the best approach for revenue growth planning? 👉How do I attract high-paying clients? 👉What lead generation strategies work best for small business growth? 👉How do I implement effective sales conversion strategies? 👉How do I market my business without burnout? You’ll find actionable advice on everything from small business growth planning and online business development to profit-boosting techniques that align with your vision. 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. 4D AGO

    Stop Chasing Easy: What Business Growth Actually Looks Like [Ep. 320]

    🎧 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. __________________________________________________________ So many service providers are chasing easy, thinking it’ll all finally click once they hit $10K months, hire a VA, or automate a few systems. But here’s the truth: business doesn’t get easier… it gets clearer. In this episode, I break down the dangerous myth of “easy,” what true ease actually looks like, and why high-level coaches, consultants, and creatives still work hard, just differently. Whether you’re a done-for-you expert, graphic designer, VA, online business manager, copywriter, or ADHD entrepreneur trying to build a business that flows, this one’s for you. You’ll learn: Why automations shift what you do, but don’t remove the need to leadWhat “ease” actually means (hint: it’s not less work)Where to look if everything feels heavy and unclearThe key mindset shift that creates momentum This is the real truth about business growth, especially for neurodivergent service providers navigating demand avoidance, overthinking, and inconsistent energy. Related Episodes: The Real Truth About 6 Figures (It’s Not What You Think) [Ep. 300] ___________________________________________________ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn or Facebook Visit 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 business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans.

    22 min

  2. AUG 20

    Why Demand Avoidance Hits ADHD Entrepreneurs So Hard [Ep 319]

    Join the Focused Visionary Accelerator today (FVA)! FVA is your go to program if you are a business owner ready to scale to the next level. You will receive expert guidance, personalized coaching, a supportive community without the overwhelm and burnout. Just focus and direction to scale your business. ____________________________________________ If you’re a service provider, coach, consultant, freelancer, or creative entrepreneur with ADHD (or other forms of neurodivergence), you’ve probably asked yourself: "Why can’t I just get this done?" Whether it's following up with leads, posting on social, sending the invoice, or even responding to a client email—some days your brain just says… nope. This episode is about what’s really going on underneath that resistance: demand avoidance. Inside this episode, you’ll learn: What demand avoidance actually is (and why it’s not a mindset problem)How it shows up in business for ADHD entrepreneursWhy it quietly costs you time, energy, and salesHow to work with your brain instead of shaming yourself into actionSimple, practical strategies to reduce resistance and create structure with fluidity Whether you’ve been officially diagnosed or you just feel this deeply, this conversation will help you move with more awareness and ease in your business—without trying to force yourself into a system that doesn’t fit. 🎧 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. ___________________________________ About the Host: Michelle DeNio is a business strategist and growth advisor for service-based entrepreneurs, especially neurodivergent and ADHD business owners. Creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator and host of The Real Truth About Business podcast, she helps clients simplify, focus, and grow sustainably. With 15+ years in business operations, she’s known for turning big ideas into simple, profitable action plans.

    21 min

  3. AUG 13

    Sales, Visibility, & Operation: Seasons in Business [Ep. 318]

    Join the Focused Visionary Accelerator today (FVA)! FVA is your go to program if you are a business owner ready to scale to the next level. You will receive expert guidance, personalized coaching, a supportive community without the overwhelm and burnout. Just focus and direction to scale your business. ____________________________________________________ If you’re a service provider, coach, consultant, freelancer, or creative running a done-for-you or done-with-you business, you’ve probably tried to be in sales mode, marketing mode, and system-building mode all at once. And if you're neurodivergent or ADHD, that push-pull pressure to do everything now can feel paralyzing. In this episode, I break down the three core business seasons: Sales, Visibility, and Operations and show you how to identify which one you’re in so you can stop spreading yourself thin and start making real progress. You’ll learn how to build momentum without burnout by letting each season fuel the next, and how to plan your business focus around your energy, your goals, and the natural rhythms of your industry. If you're tired of trying to "balance it all" and ready for a smarter, more sustainable way to grow, this episode will give you the clarity and permission you've been craving. _____________________________________________________________ 🎧 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. Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn or Facebook Visit 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

    24 min

  4. AUG 6

    3 Common Sales Mistakes That Give Your Clients an Easy Out [Ep. 317]

    Join the Focused Visionary Accelerator today (FVA)! FVA is your go to program if you are a business owner ready to scale to the next level. You will receive expert guidance, personalized coaching, a supportive community without the overwhelm and burnout. Just focus and direction to scale your business. _______________________________________________________ If you're a service provider, coach, consultant, freelancer, or creative professional offering done-for-you or done-with-you services, you might be unintentionally sabotaging your own sales process. In this episode, I break down three small but common mistakes that can quietly derail your conversions: Sending a proposal without guidance or follow-upLeading with a small offer and hoping to upsellGiving too many options and overwhelming the buyer These missteps often create space for second-guessing, overthinking, or avoidance, especially with neurodivergent clients or those prone to decision fatigue. If you’ve ever had a promising lead ghost you, or wondered why your bigger offers aren’t converting, this episode will help you identify and fix the cracks in your sales process. This one’s all about tightening up your buyer journey, owning your expertise, and leading with clarity, so you stop giving people an easy out.

    27 min

  5. JUL 30

    How to Prioritize Your Ideas for Next Level Business Growth [Ep. 316]

    Join the Focused Visionary Accelerator today (FVA)! FVA is your go to program if you are a business owner ready to scale to the next level. You will receive expert guidance, personalized coaching, a supportive community without the overwhelm and burnout. Just focus and direction to scale your business. _______________________________________________________ If you're a neurodivergent or ADHD service provider, coach, consultant, freelancer, or creative pro running a done-for-you or done-with-you business, you know what it’s like to have a million ideas swirling around at once. Offers. Content. Collaborations. Systems. It's exciting—until it becomes paralyzing. In this episode, I'm giving you a clear, ADHD-friendly 6-step process to brain dump your ideas, filter them against your goals, and actually choose your next best move. We’ll talk about how to sort the swirl in your head, ask the right questions to see what truly matters, and create a simple, doable plan, without getting lost in overthinking or shiny-object syndrome. If you want a calm, strategic approach that still honors your creativity, this is for you. _______________________________________________________🎧 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. ________________________________________________________ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn or Facebook Visit 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

    22 min

  6. JUL 23

    How to Grow When You Don’t Know What You Need Next [Ep. 315]

    🎧 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. _______________________________________________________ Join the Focused Visionary Accelerator today (FVA)! FVA is your go to program if you are a business owner ready to scale to the next level. You will receive expert guidance, personalized coaching, a supportive community without the overwhelm and burnout. Just focus and direction to scale your business. _______________________________________________________ For service providers, coaches, consultants, freelancers, and creative professionals running done-for-you or done-with-you businesses—this one’s for you. Ever hit that frustrating plateau where business is fine, but it feels stagnant? You're busy but not moving forward. You know you're ready for more, but you can’t see what actually needs to change. In this episode, I’m breaking down how to recognize the stagnant growth stage, avoid the trap of chasing random strategies, and actually figure out what’s holding you back. We’ll look at common growth bottlenecks, like lead generation, sales process, delivery capacity, offer clarity, mindset, and data, and give you clear self-audit questions to find your true growth area. If you want to stop spinning and start making real progress toward sustainable, profitable growth, tune in. __________________________________________________ Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn or Facebook Visit 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

    29 min

  7. JUL 16

    Stop Chasing New Clients: How to Boost Profits with Client Retention [Ep 314]

    🎧 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. ____________________________________________ Join the Focused Visionary Accelerator today (FVA)! FVA is your go to program if you are a business owner ready to scale to the next level. You will receive expert guidance, personalized coaching, a supportive community without the overwhelm and burnout. Just focus and direction to scale your business. ____________________________________________ If you're a service provider, coach, consultant, freelancer, designer, or creative running a done-for-you or done-with-you business, listen up: constantly chasing new clients is draining your time, money, and energy. In this episode, we dig into why client retention is the overlooked key to sustainable, profitable growth. You'll learn the true cost of always hunting for new clients, how to boost lifetime value, build a repeatable client experience, and set up upsells, continuity offers, and referral systems that keep your pipeline full, without endless marketing hustle. If you're ready to move from unpredictable, one-off projects to a stable, growing business that clients want to stay with, this episode gives you the strategy you need. Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn or Facebook Visit 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

    29 min

  8. JUL 9

    Planning for Fall During Summer's Slower Days [ Ep 313]

    🎧 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. ______________________________________________________________ Summer often means slower sales and distracted clients for service providers, coaches, consultants, freelancers, and creative professionals. But instead of panicking or checking out, what if you used this season strategically? In this episode, I share why summer is actually your unfair advantage if you know how to use it. We'll talk about embracing the natural slowdown instead of fighting it, staying connected with your audience through light-touch, authentic nurturing, and practical ways to prepare your business for the busy fall season. This is for done-for-you and done-with-you service providers ready to turn seasonal dips into planning time, marketing prep, and client experience upgrades. Whether you're a coach refining your offer, a consultant mapping your sales goals, or a freelancer updating onboarding systems, you'll get clear, practical strategies to make summer work for you. Here's your Next Steps: Take the "Where's the Gap in Your Business Strategy" Quiz Connect with Michelle on LinkedIn or Facebook Visit 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 __________________________________________________________ Related Episodes: Business Through the Summer: Planning Tips and Strategies

    21 min
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5
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Are you a small business owner, solopreneur, or online business professional feeling overwhelmed by the constant demand to grow your business and increase profits? Frustrated by inconsistent revenue and struggling to find clients who are the perfect fit? You’re not alone. Many entrepreneurs face these challenges without a clear plan to create sustainable, profitable growth. Welcome to The Real Truth About Business, where we dive into the proven business growth tips and strategic insights that actually work for small business owners and solopreneurs. This show is your go-to for no-nonsense guidance on strategic planning, business growth, lead generation strategies, and relationship marketing techniques. Each episode cuts through the noise, focusing on sustainable growth strategies to help you maximize profits, increase revenue, and build a solid foundation for long-term success. I’m Michelle DeNio, Business Growth Strategist and creator of the Focused Visionary Accelerator—a program designed specifically for entrepreneurs ready to get serious about strategic growth. With a background in business strategy consulting and revenue growth planning, I help small business owners like you transform your business by implementing targeted, action-driven plans. Together, we’ll navigate the journey to scalable success so you can stop trading time for dollars and start seeing the growth you deserve. The Real Truth About Business is designed for those ready to make strategic moves, whether you’re looking to grow your client base, improve sales conversion, or increase revenue. Each episode answers the questions business owners are asking, such as: 👉What’s the best approach for revenue growth planning? 👉How do I attract high-paying clients? 👉What lead generation strategies work best for small business growth? 👉How do I implement effective sales conversion strategies? 👉How do I market my business without burnout? You’ll find actionable advice on everything from small business growth planning and online business development to profit-boosting techniques that align with your vision. 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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