The M Word - Marketing, Meaning + What Matters Arlington Strategy

“Your greatest progress and growth is on the other side of whatever it is you’re avoiding.”

Kimberly Spencer is an accomplished entrepreneur, high performance coach, and founder of Crown Yourself. Kimberly brings energy and authenticity to this episode of The M Word. She offers a thought-provoking exploration of success, authenticity, and the power of vulnerability. 

Kimberly’s unique approach to success transcends conventional metrics like financial gain and achievement. For her, success is about fulfillment, meaningful work, and holistic well-being. She emphasizes the importance of defining success on one’s own terms and aligning goals with personal values and desires.

As a subconscious success strategist, Kimberly helps clients uncover their subconscious stories and find their unique paths to success. She believes in stripping away “plagiarized programming” – societal expectations and norms – to reveal each individual’s authentic desires and aspirations.

Jennifer and Kimberly explore the intricacies of success, discussing how it evolves over time and varies from person to person. They touch on the pitfalls of seeking external validation and the importance of intrinsically motivated pursuits.

One key takeaway is embracing vulnerability and authenticity in personal and professional endeavors. Kimberly shares her own experiences of setbacks and challenges, highlighting the power of resilience and self-awareness in overcoming obstacles.

Kimberly goes more into the concept of the “highlight reel” culture prevalent in today’s society. She and Jennifer discuss the pressure to present a polished image of success, even when facing internal struggles. Kimberly emphasizes the value of going deep in conversations and connections, rather than simply showcasing surface-level achievements.

Jennifer and Kimberly exchange insights on podcasting as a platform for meaningful storytelling and authentic dialogue. They discuss the importance of asking thought-provoking questions and creating a space for guests to share their unique perspectives and experiences.

Kimberly’s personal anecdotes and insightful commentary encourage us to reflect on our own definitions of success and consider how we can live more fulfilling and purpose-driven lives.

Connect with Crown Yourself on Facebook or join the Facebook Group, X, Instagram, Tiktok, Pinterest, and Youtube.

Keep up with Kimberly on X, Instagram, and Linkedin.

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“Any entrepreneur that starts a business has to have – me included – a touch of narcissism, if not a good dose of it.”

In the world of business, achieving growth requires more than just expanding locations or launching new ventures. It’s a journey that involves facing challenges, learning lessons, and personal evolution. Roger Martin is the Co-Founder and CEO of two national franchise brands, RockBox Fitness and beem® Light Sauna, as well as various other businesses. He shares his remarkable story of business expansion and entrepreneurial insights on this latest episode of The M Word.

Roger’s journey demonstrates determination and strategic vision. He revealed to listeners the successful launch of 60 franchise locations in 2021; and he has no plans to slow down. By the end of the year, he expects to add 55 to 60 more locations.

Yet, even wildly successful journeys have their share of challenges and lessons. Roger’s entrepreneurial voyage began with a leap of faith in post-corporate America. Armed with an unwavering – he might even say narcissistic – belief in his abilities, he embarked on a quest for success. Roger shares with us that through the highs and lows, you must learn the art of adaptation to succeed.  With a combination of teamwork and understanding market dynamics, this can set up entrepreneurs for success.  

Talking with podcast host Jennifer Mulchandani, Roger shared more about the heart of entrepreneurship — its challenges and rewards. They discussed the necessity of seeking help when needed, the resilience forged through failure, and the unique skill set demanded by the entrepreneurial realm. Roger talked about the importance of leading by example and persevering in the face of adversity.

Roger emphasizes philanthropy as an important characteristic of being an entrepreneur. His book, An Insider’s Guide to Business: Secrets from an Entrepreneur’s Playbook, is dedicated to preventing self-harm and suicide, with all proceeds being directed to a nonprofit partner. Roger crafted a narrative that not only educates but also inspires change — and hopes that others do the same when thinking about the world around them. 

Talking more about the broader concept of success, Roger provides a unique perspective.  He states that success transcends mere achievements; it’s a journey of growth and self-discovery. It’s about embracing challenges, cultivating resilience, and leaving a lasting impact on the world. In Roger’s world, the pursuit of success is not merely a destination — it’s a lifelong odyssey of growth, resilience, and unwavering determination.  

Keep up with Roger on Linkedin, Instagram, and Facebook.

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“I take 30 seconds every day to contemplate, ‘what am I potentially wrong about today?’”

Kurt Uhlir is a sought-after marketing leader who’s been called the “king of scaling”. He has built and run growth for early-stage companies as well as those over $500M in annual revenue and assembled teams across six continents.  Kurt shares his invaluable insights on navigating the complexities of business growth, leadership, and decision-making in this episode of The M Word. Kurt’s journey reflects a keen awareness of the ever-present possibility of being wrong and the importance of constant reflection and iteration in business strategies.

Kurt shares with listeners a transformative hiring experience where he entrusted a seemingly inexperienced individual with a critical role, emphasizing the value of giving people the opportunity to excel in unexpected ways. This anecdote sets the tone for a discussion centered around challenging conventional wisdom and embracing non-traditional approaches to problem-solving.

Jennifer and Kurt delve into the resistance often encountered when advocating for foundational improvements in business processes before focusing on growth initiatives. He stresses the significance of understanding the broader organizational context, including investor expectations and leadership dynamics, to effectively drive strategic change.

Kurt emphasizes the importance of aligning leadership teams around shared goals and fostering a culture of collaboration and openness to diverse perspectives. He highlights the role of the Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) in orchestrating cross-functional alignment and driving strategic outcomes, cautioning against the pitfalls of hiring based solely on traditional credentials.

The discussion evolves to explore Kurt’s personal definition of success, which extends beyond financial achievements to encompass a fulfilling balance between professional pursuits and personal fulfillment. For this reason, success to him is “making sure that I have a life that is what my wife and I want” where his work life doesn’t overtake his family. He articulates a vision of success centered around autonomy, impact, and the cultivation of future leaders.

Reflecting on his experiences, Kurt acknowledges the inherent uncertainty of business decisions and the necessity of embracing failure as a catalyst for growth. Because of this, he underscores the importance of regular reflection and data-driven analysis in refining business strategies and driving continuous improvement.

Kurt shares with Jennifer practical advice for businesses seeking to navigate the complexities of hiring C-level executives and external consultants. He advocates for a strategic approach that prioritizes outcomes over traditional hiring models, leveraging fractional roles and agile partnerships to optimize resource allocation and maximize flexibility.

In conclusion, Kurt’s insights reflect a blend of humility, pragmatism, and visionary thinking. His willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and embrace uncertainty serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative potential of leadership rooted in authenticity and adaptability.

Connect with Kurt on his website, X, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Pinterest.

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“So did I fail? Maybe. But, maybe not.”

Kim and Jennifer embark on a heartfelt and vulnerable conversation about the highs and lows of running a small business on this episode of The M Word. They peel back the layers of entrepreneurship, revealing the raw emotions and challenges that often are hidden.

Kim shares her realization that running a small business, especially as a sole proprietor, can be incredibly challenging unless the service offered is perceived as high-value. She touches on the struggle of quantifying the value of one’s work without access to client data, highlighting a common hurdle faced by many entrepreneurs.

The conversation takes a personal turn as Kim and Jennifer reflect on their own experiences as small business owners. Kim shares her initial motivations for starting her consulting business, citing the need for flexibility as a parent. However, she candidly admits that her perspective has evolved over time, leading her to question the sustainability of her business model.

Jennifer draws parallels between entrepreneurship and privilege. They discuss the common reliance on partners with stable jobs to provide financial security, shedding light on the often overlooked realities of starting a business.

As they delve deeper into the complexities of success, Kim shares the challenge of conventional definitions of achievement. She acknowledges the pressure to equate success with financial stability and recognition within the community, but ultimately advocates for a more nuanced understanding of success as a personal journey.

Kim talks about the importance of scalability in achieving long-term success, shifting the conversation to the practicalities of running a business. She explains the changing landscape of sales and marketing, emphasizing the need for adaptability in an ever-evolving industry.

In a vulnerable moment, Kim opens up about her decision to transition back to a traditional job, admitting to feelings of failure and shame. However, she finds solace in the realization that her needs and priorities have shifted and that it’s okay to pivot in pursuit of personal fulfillment.  A topic that Kim resonates a lot with is focusing on community and she says that a “big way that I want to impact the world in [communities] is by helping facilitate better connection.” And through sales, marketing, and meeting new people she has found that she has been able to do that and make a difference in the communities around her. In this way, she sees her journey as successful.

Both our host and guest expressed their optimism for continued growth and impact, albeit through different avenues. Kim emphasizes the value of authenticity and vulnerability in entrepreneurship, encouraging listeners to embrace the complexities of their own journeys. Her candid insights and reflections serve as a reminder that success is not always measured in dollars and cents, but in the impact we make on the world around us.

Connect with Kim on LinkedIn.

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“For me, it’s not about balancing my life and my work. It’s how do I bring my life to my work? So, it’s much more of an integration to me than a balance.”

Miriam Ortiz y Pino is an accomplished professional organizer, simplicity expert, and money breakthrough business coach. On this episode of The M Word, Miriam shares her journey from professional organizer to mindset coach and entrepreneur. She talks about her 30-year career and highlights her approach of slowly integrating new learnings into her life before sharing them with others.

Miriam emphasizes the importance of recognizing the interdependence of different areas of life. She believes that if one area is restricted, it can potentially have a negative impact on other areas as well. She actively works towards helping people overcome these limitations in a timely manner so that they can move forward and achieve their goals without feeling stuck.  

Jennifer and Miriam discuss the concept of success, which Miriam defines as freedom – the ability to simplify life and work while pursuing activities that bring fulfillment and satisfaction  She focuses on the idea that “it’s not about balancing my life and my work. It’s ‘how do I bring my life to my work?’” While her definition of success has evolved over time, her own experiences and internal reflection have helped lead her to where she is today.

Miriam explains how she assists her clients in decluttering their physical spaces and recognizes that external clutter often reflects internal challenges that need to be addressed.

She also shares her struggles with managing a virtual team and learning to communicate effectively in a remote work environment.

As a “pencil and paper kind of person,” Miriam shared her experiences of experimenting with various tools and systems to streamline her workflow and simplify processes in her business. She stressed the significance of striking the right balance between efficiency and complexity and advised against overcomplicating things by using too many software solutions.

In response to Jennifer asking “Barbie or Ken?”, Jennifer and Miriam discussed the evolution of Barbie and how it reflects broader societal changes over time. They emphasized the importance of imagination and empowerment in childhood toys, highlighting their role in shaping attitudes and aspirations.

Jennifer and Miriam talked about the challenges of staying organized and productive in a world filled with distractions. Miriam shared her struggles with following through on her checklists and systems, acknowledging the ongoing effort required to maintain consistency and focus.

Going deeper into the complexities of running a business, finding success on one’s terms, and navigating the ever-changing landscape of personal and professional development is a journey.  Miriam’s own journey can be seen as an inspiration as she encourages others to embrace curiosity, self-awareness, and adaptability in their entrepreneurial endeavors.

Get organized with Miriam on Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, Linkedin, and Pinterest.

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“I’m just gonna do this myself. I’ve been doing this since the beginning of this industry’s existence.”

Meet Katie Stoller, an influencer marketing pioneer with a diverse background in PR and corporate communications.  In 2023, she launched influencerinsiderguide.com, a resource hub for professionals navigating the complex world of influencer marketing. Jennifer and Katie discuss entrepreneurship, influencer marketing, and Katie’s reflections on her journey from the corporate world to venturing out on her own.

During the pandemic, a startup recruited Katie for a growth marketing role. Although she initially lacked experience in the field, Katie thrived in the fast-paced, start-up environment. 

Katie challenges the notion that influencer marketing only emerged in the mid-2010s and emphasizes that she and her colleagues were already exploring influencer relationship management long before it became a mainstream practice. She recognized the power of leveraging bloggers and influencers to amplify brand messaging, shaping the landscape of digital marketing today. Katie explains that influencer marketing is about “connecting with your audience” and that “if you’re on social media, you should be thinking through how you’re going to connect to the people that are following your page.”

As Jennifer and Katie delve into the nuances of influencer marketing, they discuss the importance of authenticity, strategic alignment, and the shifting dynamics of the industry. Katie shares her experiences of working with startups, navigating tight budgets, and delivering impactful results. From gifting strategies to ambassador programs, she offers valuable insights into the multifaceted world of influencer engagement.

Discussing entrepreneurship, Katie reflects on the decision she made to strike out on her own after being laid off from her startup role. Despite initial uncertainties, Katie embraced the opportunity to take control of her time and pursue her entrepreneurial passions. She candidly shares about the challenges of decision-making, the pressures of balancing work and family life, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery.

Katie’s authenticity shines through as she shares her struggles and triumphs, offering listeners a glimpse into the realities of navigating the modern business landscape. From grappling with imposter syndrome to finding empowerment in authenticity, Katie’s journey is a testament to the resilience and determination of entrepreneurial spirit.  Join Jennifer and Katie on The M Word podcast as they reflect on the meaning of success and the importance of prioritizing time and freedom in pursuit of fulfillment. 

Keep up with Katie on Linkedin and Instagram.  

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