The Business Animal

Midnight Productions
  • 5.0 (26)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Saddle up for a gallop to the top of the animal industry where you’ll learn how to tame your wild business beast with tips, techniques and tools that will take overwhelm to obedience school and have you wagging your tail with joy.

  1. How to Stand Out in a Crowded Local Market

    1D AGO

    How to Stand Out in a Crowded Local Market

    Feeling like just another business in a sea of competitors? In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, Kim and Betsy break down three powerful ways to stand out in your local market without shouting louder or discounting deeper. We explore: • What a value proposition really is and how to define yours clearly • Why your brand is more than a logo and how it shapes client experience • How to define your niche and persona without boxing yourself in If you want the right clients to find you, recognize themselves in your work, and happily refer their friends, this episode gives you the framework.

    21 min
  2. Is Your Marketing Actually Working? How to Stop Guessing and Start Knowing

    FEB 3

    Is Your Marketing Actually Working? How to Stop Guessing and Start Knowing

    How do you know if your marketing is actually working or if you’re just guessing and hoping for the best? In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, Betsy and I break down three practical ways to tell what’s really happening with your marketing without spiraling into overwhelm. We talk about why looking at analytics feels scary (and why it doesn’t have to be), how asking your customers a few simple questions can reveal more than any dashboard, and how to evaluate email and social media performance in a way that actually makes sense for small businesses. This episode is about replacing anxiety with information, guessing with clarity, and making marketing decisions that feel grounded instead of reactive. Links: Google Analytics (GA4)👉 https://analytics.google.comWebsite traffic, user behavior, pages, sources, conversions Google Search Console 👉 https://search.google.com/search-console Search queries, impressions, clicks, indexing, SEO health Links referenced in this episode: analytics.google.comscore.orgbemorebusiness.comyoutube.com/kimberlybeer Companies mentioned in this episode: CSI Saddle PadsWestern HorsemanGoogleGoogle AnalyticsGoogle Search ConsoleFacebookInstagramYouTubeRide the Sky Equine PhotographyBe More BusinessScore

    47 min
  3. Building a Real Marketing Ecosystem Instead of Piecemeal Effort

    JAN 20

    Building a Real Marketing Ecosystem Instead of Piecemeal Effort

    Marketing isn’t a random act of posting when the mood strikes. In this episode, Kim Beer and Betsy Bird break down what it actually means to build a real marketing ecosystem. One that supports your business over time instead of draining it. They explore why social media is only a small piece of the puzzle, how to create repeatable marketing rhythms that your nervous system can tolerate, and how systems and automation can carry the heavy lifting so you don’t have to. This is a grounded, real-world conversation for business owners who want marketing that works with their life, not against it. Parts of a Marketing Plan (for reference): Executive SummaryMarket & Audience AnalysisCompetitive AnalysisValue Proposition & MessagingGoals & ObjectivesMarketing Channels & TacticsBudget & ResourcesTimeline & Campaign CalendarMetrics & MeasurementReview & Optimization Plan Metricool social scheduling tool affiliate link: https://f.mtr.cool/LUHXXL Links referenced in this episode: thebusinessanimal.comridetheskyequine.combemorebusiness.com Companies mentioned in this episode: Mona PlannerMacChatGPTMetricoolE. Myth RevisitedRide the Sky EquineBe More Business

    44 min
  4. Building a Work Week With Realistic Energy, Not Wishful Thinking

    JAN 6

    Building a Work Week With Realistic Energy, Not Wishful Thinking

    In this episode of The Business Animal Podcast, Kim Beer and Betsy Bird tackle a familiar frustration for entrepreneurs: why carefully planned work weeks fall apart the moment real life shows up. From migraines and puppies with a death wish to colicking ponies and recording gremlins, this conversation explores how to build a work week based on realistic energy, not wishful thinking. Kim and Betsy compare radically different temperaments, challenge productivity dogma like “eat the frog,” and share practical ways to audit your actual schedule without turning your life into a spreadsheet. You’ll hear why systems should support your nervous system, how boundaries protect your energy, and how AI tools can help you design a week that works with your temperament, your environment, and the chaos that comes with animal-centered businesses. If you’ve ever felt broken because traditional productivity advice doesn’t work for you, this episode offers permission, perspective, and practical alternatives. https://thebusinessanimal.com Kim: https://bemorebusiness.com | https://liveinsynchronicity.com Betsy: https://ridetheskyequine.com

    41 min
  5. The Business Animal Is Back (With Snark, Strategy, and AI)

    12/23/2025

    The Business Animal Is Back (With Snark, Strategy, and AI)

    The Business Animal is officially back. And this time, it has two heads. After a yearlong hiatus, Kimberly Beer returns with a new co-host, Betsy Bird of Ride the Sky Equine. Together, they’re ushering in a fresh evolution of the show that blends visionary thinking, grounded strategy, laughter, and real-world marketing wisdom for animal-based businesses. In this episode, Kim and Betsy introduce the new format, the return of the Big Three framework, and what listeners can expect moving forward. From sustainable marketing and realistic workweeks to AI as a practical business ally, this conversation sets the tone for what’s coming in 2026. If you run an animal-based business, or any small business built around creativity, service, and heart, this podcast is for you. Expect insight, honesty, humor, and the occasional rabbit hole… always tethered back to reality. New episodes drop every other Tuesday.

    25 min
  6. Becoming a Badass Business Owner with Julie Cortes

    02/04/2025

    Becoming a Badass Business Owner with Julie Cortes

    In this episode of The Business Animal Julie Cortes, the Freelance Rockstar, joins me to talk about the three Ts of becoming a badass in your own business. Julie is full of great, practical information and we share lots of good advice for both new and experienced business owners. About Julie: Copywriter by day. Freelance Rockstar by night. Julie Cortés lives, breathes, teaches, speaks, and coaches on all things creative self-employment. She’s run her own business for more than 25 years, is the founder of The Freelance Exchange of KC, and created a much-needed college-level course, Freelancing 101, for the KC Art Institute, where she taught as an adjunct professor. Awarded dozens of times over for her work, leadership, volunteerism, and community involvement, she’s regularly sought out for business coaching, media interviews, and speaking engagements. Julie is loving life, living out her passion for helping creative freelancers succeed. Reach out to Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/freelancerockstar/ https://www.instagram.com/freelancerockstar/ https://www.juliecortes.com/signup Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Julie Cortez and Her Journey 07:58 The Importance of Mindset in Business 14:03 Training Yourself: Establishing Boundaries and Policies 21:05 Training Clients: Setting Expectations 27:10 Training Family and Friends: Creating Supportive Environments 35:18 Finding Freelancers: The Kansas City Freelance Exchange 38:54 Coaching Services: Supporting Self-Employed Individuals 40:57 The Role of Pets in Business and Life Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/6SvNbQVXODE

    43 min
  7. The Art of Business Storytelling

    01/28/2025

    The Art of Business Storytelling

    This week I have a great conversation with storytelling professional Christa M. Hines of The Business Storytelling Studio. Christa has an amazing superpower to make your business' story come alive for your target market and customers. You'll learn about the importance of story in business, the components you should consider when telling your business story, and how to work with a content writer to build the stories that will impact the quality and quantity of customers you reach. Plus we weave a great Star Wars metaphor into the show! Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Business Storytelling 01:33 The Role of a Content Strategist 05:14 Journey into Business Storytelling 08:14 Understanding Business Stories 11:15 The Customer as the Hero 14:21 The Hero's Journey in Business 20:25 Components of Effective Business Storytelling 24:15 Creating Anchor Content 30:30 The Value of Professional Writing 33:32 Balancing Business and Personal Life 35:30 Lessons from Animals About Christa: I partner with health and wellness entrepreneurs, coaches and executives to position them as industry thought leaders by creating strategic content plans and compelling marketing collateral. I deliver a variety of writing services ranging from website content, executive bios, articles, newsletters, ebooks, and white papers. With more than 25 years of experience working in whole-person healthcare, non-profit, B2B SaaS and magazine writing, I understand the critical role communication and storytelling play in creating meaningful, engaging content that supports business goals. In addition to my client work, I’m an award-winning writer, author and speaker. My work has appeared in numerous publications, including KC Parent, Vibrant Life, Pregnancy & Newborn, Parents, and Woman’s Day. I’m passionate about sharing information that helps people of all backgrounds achieve greater personal well-being, which can have positive ripple effects creating healthier families and stronger communities. Described by clients as a word-whisperer, I geek out on storytelling techniques and transforming lifeless business word jumbles into irresistible, captivating content that’s easy to understand. For fun, I enjoy trying out Kansas City’s many restaurants with my family, exploring nature trails with my sweet rescue mutt, going on solo writing retreats and consuming storytelling in all of its forms. Links: Christa's website: https://christamhines.com Christa's Substack: https://wordenergybychristamhines.substack.com/ Christa's contact: https://christamhines.com/contact/

    41 min
  8. Upleveling Your Performance in Your Business

    01/21/2025

    Upleveling Your Performance in Your Business

    Do you perform at 100% or 60% when working on your business? In this all important episode, Angie Wiley of You Are Strong and I have an enlightening discussion around your performance in your business and how you can show up at a higher level to increase the results in your business. About Angie: Angie inspires others to stop sitting on the sidelines and become a game-changer!  Angie was an industry leader for 22 years for a top medical device corporation, in sales and sales management. She and her late husband, Chuck, also owned their own small business during this time. In 2013 Angie followed her true calling to help athletes with their mindset and launched YOU ARE STRONG, alongside her full time family and career.  In 2014 Chuck was diagnosed with cancer, and from his new perspective, posed the question to Angie, “What are you waiting for?” After his passing in 2020, the question grew louder and Angie courageously stepped out of the corporate world in 2021 and began living her message: YOU ARE STRONG.  Her program has since helped thousands of athletes, sales professionals and business leaders take action resulting in personal and professional success.  Angie holds a B.S. in Education and Coaching, with a minor in Psychology.  You can find Angie at https://youarestrong.com The Chuck Wiley Athletic Foundation can be found at: https://chuckwileyathleticfoundation.com/

    39 min
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Saddle up for a gallop to the top of the animal industry where you’ll learn how to tame your wild business beast with tips, techniques and tools that will take overwhelm to obedience school and have you wagging your tail with joy.

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