Savvy Startup Marketer

The common advice to entrepreneurs is to never work for free, but what if building relationships that pay later is the strategy? This interview with Operations Consultant Lindsey Paulson will challenge today's business launch mindset and inspire the courage to follow your instincts while scaling.✨ Episode HighlightsActionable Steps for Automation: Practical advice on which tools to implement and the first steps you should take to automate mundane business operations.Creating Delegation Success: Tips on how to effectively identify tasks to hand off and set up crystal-clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for your team.Designing a Life-Supporting Business: Learn how to use systems to pivot from simply "getting through it" to designing a business that truly works for your life and goals.Find Lindsey at lindspaulson.comFollow Lindsey on Instagram at @linds.paulsonGet into Lindsey's Automation AcademyFREEMARKETING ESSENTIALS COURSEMarketingEssentialsCourse.comSALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% off GUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcast

The first year: Launching lifestyle brand Back to Home Base with Alexandra MarzielloIn this episode, host Lindsey is joined by Alexandra, founder of the digital lifestyle brand Back to Home Base and host of the Planned-ish podcast.Alexandra shares her journey from working in corporate finance for 13 years to launching her business in March, driven by her passion for stress-free, real-life hosting and connection. As a twin mom, she recognized the need for hosting advice that moves beyond the "Pinterest-perfect" ideal and focuses on making memories without spending endless hours planning. Back to Home Base offers digital party playbooks, recipes, and her signature Home Base Hosting Club—a done-for-you monthly membership providing everything from menus and recipes to decor links and activities, designed for people who love gathering but are short on time.✨ Episode HighlightsFrom Corporate Finance to Creative Brand: Alexandra spent 13 years in corporate finance before launching Back to Home Base in March, channeling her love for planning and hosting into a business.Real-Life Hosting: Back to Home Base is a digital lifestyle brand focused on making hosting and home feel doable, not "Pinterest-perfect," for parents and busy individuals.The Home Base Hosting Club: A monthly, done-for-you membership that provides an entire themed hosting experience, including exclusive recipes, full menus, playlists, and links to decor and activities.Top Holiday Hosting Tip: Focus on pre-prepping food in advance (aim for recipes under 20-30 minutes) and don't be afraid to use store-bought shortcuts (like serving store-bought dip in an elevated way).The Launch Journey: Alexandra’s first year has been a humbling period of groundwork and building, balancing the creative side she loves with the steep learning curve of tech, website creation, and marketing while raising twin two-year-old boys.Follow Alexandra on Instagram @backtwohomebaseFollow the Planned-ish PodcastCheck out the Back Two Home Base websiteFREEMARKETING ESSENTIALS COURSEMarketingEssentialsCourse.comSALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% off GUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcast

Your 2026 marketing strategy has to work for YOU, meaning your solopreneur, small team and small budget business can no longer afford big company tactics. The digital marketing scene is increasingly saturated and competitive, making it crucial to shift focus from content creation to strategic collaboration and localized efforts.Key Highlights for 2026 Sales MarketingBorrow Platforms: Focus on podcast swaps and collaborations to leverage other people's audiences instead of building your own from scratch.Go Local: Increase in-person networking and narrow your geographic focus to capitalize on the resurgence of community-centered shopping.Rethink Ads: Seek small, highly-targeted sponsorships (e.g., summits, niche podcasts) instead of high-cost, generalized paid digital ads.Email Alarm: Be prepared for continued struggles in email deliverability due to spam crackdowns and adopt a highly comprehensive email strategy.Invest in Data: The most essential hire or focus area is reading and interpreting analytics to ensure all marketing decisions are data-driven.FREEDownload the Leveled Up Leader worksheet here to guide your self-assessment.SALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% off GUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcastBuild your online marketing system, funnels and automation the Savvy Startup Marketer way at https://www.savvystartupmarketer.com

Will your next phase of business get the absolute best business leader?Many entrepreneurs, especially women, to struggle with running their business "full throttle": a failure to confront their own mindset, positioning, and self-leadership. If you’re tired of tactical advice and are ready for the core truth of sustainable growth, this is the episode that will burn in your brain. It’s time to stop mimicking others and embrace your own unique, innovative approach.The Critical Gap: Why a solid plan and budget are useless without addressing your leadership mindset and internal barriers.Stop Mimicking: Get permission to shatter assumptions and lead your business in a way that aligns with your natural self.Ready for 2026: Focused questions to help you confront what needs to change to achieve a breakthrough year.FREEDownload the Leveled Up Leader worksheet here to guide your self-assessment.SALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% off GUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcastBuild your online marketing system, funnels and automation the Savvy Startup Marketer way at https://www.savvystartupmarketer.com

October is the critical time to make key decisions for the new year, ensuring you hit the ground running on January 2nd. Stop being the bottleneck in your own business!Key Takeaways You'll Boss Up With:October is for Decisions, Not Action: Before the holidays take over, carve out protected time to define your choices for 2026.The Data Dive: Audit your data points from 2025 (Google Analytics, CRM, vendor reports, employee feedback) to make fact-based decisions.The 2026 Budget Sketch: You can outline your budget now! Get it 80% complete in October and finalize the concrete numbers in late December.Audit Your Year: Answer two critical questions:What worked in 2025? (e.g., a key hire, a successful pivot, an improvement in your personal schedule).What didn't work? (e.g., constant scheduling conflicts, a failed product/service).AUTOMAGIC SUMMIT (Free!): October 21st-23rd, a virtual summit for coaches and service providers. Lindsey is training on automating reviews!Sign up using this affiliate link: https://coaching.marcirossi.com/tr/2/8199545/11405646014/38123892/372643432b9a07ea7b78488d0e95187407de85ab7SALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% off GUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcastBuild your online marketing system, funnels and automation the Savvy Startup Marketer way at https://www.savvystartupmarketer.com

A can't-miss, live wire interview with burnout coach and multi-business owner Ellyn Schinke about the real causes of entrepreneurial burnout.Ellyn shares how she burned out repeatedly, despite loving her work, and outlines the essential safeguards needed to protect your business and well-being. We challenge common myths like "hustle culture", obsession with high-ticket pricing, inflexible formulas to success and how deep values are your true defense against exhaustion.Plus Ellyn's AI, automation and productivity hacks that are game changing adds to a growing business.Join Ellyn for her FREE upcoming Burnout Proof Your Coaching Business Summit on October 13-17, 2025: https://www.coachellyn.com/summitFind Ellyn atWebsite: https://coachellyn.com/Community: https://www.coachellyn.com/communityNotion Template: https://www.coachellyn.com/notionBurnout-Proof Business: https://www.coachellyn.com/bpb YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCb4Tu9qz1phbTogtWYeyAAQPodcast: https://www.coachellyn.com/burnout-podcastLindsey's Stuff:SALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% off GUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcastBuild your online marketing system, funnels and automation the Savvy Startup Marketer way at https://www.savvystartupmarketer.com

Marketing service providers typically fall into four categories and each one has pros and cons you need to consider as a hiring business owner.In this episode, Lindsey aims to clarify options and help you move beyond traditional choices.Types of freelancers: The difference between hiring a short-term freelancer for a specific project (like website copy) and a single-method manager who handles one area of your marketing on an ongoing basis (like social media).The Rise of the Fractional CMO & Small Agencies: How boutique agencies offer a flexible, holistic solution that can act as a fractional marketing leader for your business, often at a lower cost than a full-time internal team.The large marketing agency: Their work is impressive and they can fill gaps for well funded or larger companies but can require strong revenue to afford.When to Hire In-House: There's almost always a level of growth that warrants having full-time dedicated marketing staff. How to know when your business is here.SALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% offGUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcastBuild your online marketing system, funnels and automation the Savvy Startup Marketer way at https://www.savvystartupmarketer.com

In this episode, we're joined by brand strategist Asia Dore to discuss what it truly means to build a brand that positions you as an expert. Asia focuses on bridging the gap between what you want your brand to be and how it's actually perceived, empowering business owners to work within their "zone of genius."Highlights from this episode:Asia's three-step framework for establishing credibility and authority.Why the "curse of being an expert" makes it hard to see your own value.How to pivot away from work that isn't in your "zone of genius."Her candid take on why AI can't replace authentic creativity in branding.Get Asia's Powerful Positioning Masterclass for FREE with code SSMhttps://asiadore.com/powerful-positioning/Find Asia at:asiadore.comInstagram: @asia.doreSALES READY INTENSIVEClick here to bookPROMO CODE: Use SSMPOD for 20% offGUEST SIGN UP + BUY ME A COFFEE + SPONSORSHIP INFOVisit https://lindseywagnon.com/podcastBuild your online marketing system, funnels and automation the Savvy Startup Marketer way at https://www.savvystartupmarketer.com