Online Business Launchpad | Start An Online Business | Online Business Growth

“I was working way more than I should have been—and it was my husband who sat me down and said, ‘This family is going to break if you don’t make a change." For Donna Dube, a former ICU nurse turned business operations expert, that moment was a wake-up call. In this episode, Donna shares how she transformed her life by setting boundaries, leveraging time management strategies, and focusing on what she calls “CEO-level work.” Her insights can help you escape the busywork trap and build a business that works for you, not the other way around. We Also Talked About: The wake-up call that helped Donna reclaim her time and set boundaries. How to use a time audit to uncover inefficiencies and regain control of your schedule. Breaking tasks into “maintenance” vs. “growth” categories to maximize ROI. How fractional support roles like a Director of Operations can help entrepreneurs grow. The importance of identifying your hourly rate and delegating low-value tasks. Using tools like AI to simplify workflows and boost productivity. Why Donna loves "Atomic Habits" and "Traction" for transforming your business and life. Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up to my newsletter here. RESOURCES MENTIONED: Download Donna’s free CEO Power Hour Playbook at https://ceoamplify.ca/ceo-power-hour Explore Donna’s other services at ceoamplify.ca. Books:  Atomic Habits by James Clear (affiliate link) Traction by Gino Wickman (affiliate link) Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Den López was sick of missing time with his family and craved the freedom to pursue his passion.  So he left his 16-year career as a mechanic and built his dream business teaching guitar. “I needed something I could get control of,” he said  Tune in to discover how Den turned his passion for teaching into a thriving online business and how you can apply his insights to your own journey. Den Lopez is an innovative guitar teacher and the creator of the "Guitar in One Hour" method. With over 25 years of experience playing guitar and a high success rate for his students, Den has built a thriving business that transforms beginners and frustrated guitarists into confident players. His passion for making music accessible has inspired countless students worldwide. We Also Talked About: The emotional trigger that pushed Den to leave his 16-year career as a mechanic to pursue his passion for teaching guitar. How a family musical tradition shaped Den’s approach to teaching and his belief that anyone can make music. Why 95% of people quit learning the guitar and how Den’s innovative system simplifies the process. The role of breaking false beliefs and the importance of finding a mentor to succeed in both music and business. Insights into how Den built his business from scratch while balancing work and family life. A fascinating story of resilience and passion: Batman, rope, and the leap of faith needed to break free from job security. RESOURCES MENTIONED Den’s "Beginner Guitarist Playbook" – Get your free copy at learningguitarsecrets.com/free  Russell Brunson’s One Funnel Away Challenge - https://www.onefunnelaway.com/  Django Reinhardt – Iconic gypsy jazz guitarist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZ308aOOX04  Shane Sams – Entrepreneur and founder of Flipped Lifestyle - https://www.flippedlifestyle.com/  Pat Flynn – Entrepreneur and founder of the SPI community - https://onlinebusinessliftoff.com/SPI-Community (affiliate link) Get regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from myself and other experts about growing your business.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever feel like you’re on a hamster wheel, always serving clients but never finding the time to grow your own business? As veteran Chief Marketing Officer Victoria Hajjar puts it, “It’s the biggest mistake you can make for your future—neglecting to build your own marketing engine.”  So are you ready to build a marketing engine that works for you instead of the other way around?  Tune in to this week’s episode  and listen as Victoria shares how you can move from burnout to brilliance with a 24/7 marketing flywheel that scales your business and frees up your time.  Victoria Hajjar is a seasoned Fractional Chief Marketing Officer with nearly 15 years of experience helping women founders transition their businesses from six to seven figures. Having built ROI-focused marketing systems for entrepreneurs worldwide, Victoria has mastered the art of creating sustainable growth strategies tailored to resource-limited businesses. Be sure to sign up for my newsletter to stay updated on future episodes.    WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT: Why mindset matters: The hidden psychological barriers holding entrepreneurs back from investing in their marketing systems. The 24/7 Marketing Flywheel: A six-step framework that transforms your marketing into a self-sustaining engine. Building the right team: How to hire help strategically, even on a tight budget. Leadership habits: Why quarterly reviews and weekly meetings (even with yourself) are non-negotiable for success. Niching down: How specificity in your marketing can lead to exponential results online. RESOURCES MENTIONED Victoria Hajjar’s End Marketing Overwhelm Guide Victoria’s LinkedIn Profile: Connect with Victoria Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up to my newsletter here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“AI is moving at light speed, but it’s not here to replace people. It’s here to augment our expertise and make us more efficient.” – Sami Hero In this episode of the Online Business Launchpad podcast, Sami Hero, a seasoned expert in AI and technology, unpacks how small businesses can leverage AI without getting lost in the complexity. From streamlining customer service to creating targeted marketing campaigns, Sami shares practical advice for business owners on using AI to solve real problems and improve efficiency. Whether you’re a solo entrepreneur or a growing team, Sami’s insights will help you harness AI to work smarter, not harder. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT How Sami’s early career in semantic search and AI laid the groundwork for his expertise. Tips on using accessible tools like Pictory.ai and Synthesia to create video content and enhance your marketing without breaking the bank. AI’s impact on accessibility, enabling visually impaired users to engage with online content more seamlessly. Why starting with a specific use case is the best way to approach AI for small business needs. The challenges of AI “hallucinations” (generating incorrect information) and how to manage biases in data. Building a cohesive, cost-effective tech stack without overwhelming your team. How AI can improve customer service and streamline internal operations, allowing small teams to achieve more. Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here: Online Business Liftoff Newsletter RESOURCES MENTIONED Pictory:  https://pictory.ai  – Quickly turn articles or blog posts into engaging videos. Synthesia:  https://synthesia.io  – An AI tool for generating videos with digital avatars. Lex Page:  https://lex.page  – A writing tool for generating drafts and AI-assisted editing. Napkin:  https://napkin.ai  – Quickly transform ideas into presentations. Cassidy:  https://cassidy.ai  – For building complex, AI-driven workflows. AWS Rekognition – https://aws.amazon.com/rekognition/  - Amazon’s image recognition service for identifying objects and enhancing accessibility. Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here: Online Business Liftoff Newsletter  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Imagine navigating the online world without being able to see it. For most of us, it's a quick look, click, and scroll. But for Maxwell Ivey, who is blind, accessing the digital world takes screen readers, patience, and grit. In this episode, Max reveals his journey from learning to code out of necessity (while blind) to founding the Accessibility Advantage Consultancy, which advocates for a truly inclusive digital experience. Max's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and why accessibility isn’t just important—it’s essential. Max (aka "the Blind Blogger,") has been breaking barriers online since 2007. With over a decade of experience navigating digital spaces as a visually impaired entrepreneur, Max now educates business owners on the power of accessibility through his consultancy. He's also an Eagle Scout, an author, a speaker, and a podcast host, leveraging his personal journey to make digital spaces more inclusive. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT The unique challenges and tools Max uses to navigate the web as a blind business owner. How AI is making strides in accessibility but still has a long way to go. The critical role of screen readers, adaptive tech, and accessible web design for inclusivity. Practical steps small business owners can take to improve their site’s accessibility. Max’s advice on overcoming barriers, finding support, and building a business with disabilities. Why designing for keyboard navigation first can make your site more accessible to all users. How product accessibility reviews and his work with AudioEye impact the lives of visually impaired users. Have a listen to this interesting episode with Maxwell Ivey to discover how you can make your business more accessible and inclusive. Want to be notified when new episodes come up?  Sign up to get notifications, tips, stories and advice for growing your online business.  RESOURCES MENTIONED Max's Accessibility Advantage Consultancy - https://theaccessibilityadvantage.com/  The Blind Blogger - https://theblindblogger.net    AudioEye - https://www.audioeye.com  Wave Accessibility Checker - https://wave.webaim.org LEGO Braille Bricks - https://www.lego.com/en-au/theme/braille-bricks/about See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder how you could build a seven-figure business purely through SEO? Edd Dawson has done it—and he’s here to share how. He’s cracked the code on driving millions of visitors to websites, generating serious revenue, and selling his businesses for over a million dollars. If you’ve ever questioned whether SEO is still relevant in a world of AI dominance, this episode is for you. Edd dives into how SEO has evolved and its future alongside AI advancements. Edd Dawson is a 20-year veteran of the SEO industry, having launched one of the UK's first broadband comparison sites. He has built and sold multiple high-traffic websites and continues to operate a seven-figure portfolio today. His experience spans SEO, affiliate marketing, and software as a service (SaaS) tools, making him the perfect guide to navigate today’s digital landscape. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT: The evolution of SEO from early internet days to its current role alongside AI. The key to building SEO strategies around user questions instead of chasing high-volume keywords. How AI is affecting SEO and what it means for search engines like Google. The importance of creating human-centered content for both users and large language models like ChatGPT. Why writing expert-level content is crucial for future SEO success. The shift in the affiliate and display advertising landscape due to Google's updates. How to balance content creation between selling and educating audiences. You won’t want to miss this fascinating conversation with SEO expert Edd Dawson. Tune in now, and if you want to stay in the loop on upcoming episodes, sign up here.  RESOURCES MENTIONED: Edd Dawson's SEO tool: Keywords People Use Edd’s website:  edddawson.com  Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence doesn't magically appear overnight. It’s built step by step, just like a muscle. In this episode, you'll discover nine actionable habits that will help you silence your inner critic and move forward with unwavering confidence. Ready to strengthen your confidence muscle? This episode dives into nine essential habits that help build lasting confidence, from breaking down intimidating tasks to celebrating small wins and learning from rejection. Want to learn how to build lasting confidence? Listen to this episode now!  Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here. Resources Mentioned: The Power of Small Wins (Harvard Business Review article by Teresa M. Amabile and Stephen J. Kramer) No time to listen?  Read the blog post that this episode is based on Invitation: Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever had one of those days where everything goes wrong? That was me a few weeks when I realized – with a sinking heart – that I hadn’t hit the record button after a brilliant interview with my guest, Jason Willis-Lee. Fortunately, he graciously agreed to a redo, and I’m thrilled because his journey from studying medicine to becoming a thriving freelance medical translator is full of insights. If you’ve ever wondered about niching down, adapting to AI, or growing a freelance business, Jason’s got answers for you. Jason Willis-Lee has been a professional medical translator for over 20 years, working with clients across the globe. Not only does he have a strong background in life sciences, but he’s also transitioned into mentoring other translators looking to build their businesses. His wealth of experience makes him the perfect guide for anyone interested in building a successful translation career. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT How Jason pivoted from studying medicine to becoming a full-time translator and why niching down was a game-changer for him. The real impact of AI on the translation industry and how freelancers can leverage it instead of fearing it. Why working in-house before going freelance might be the smartest move for new translators. How to build your portfolio and attract clients even without a website. The importance of leveraging cultural nuances and why spending time in your source language country is crucial. Jason’s advice on handling imposter syndrome and how to avoid the “jack of all trades” trap. The myths about the translation business, including why you don’t need a fancy website to make a six-figure income. CALL TO ACTION If you’re ready to learn the ins and outs of the translation industry, this episode is for you! Listen now and be sure to sign up to be notified about upcoming episodes.  RESOURCES MENTIONED Jason’s book: How to Find More Direct Clients (affiliate link) Jason’s website: EntrepreneurialTranslator.com LinkedIn: Jason Willis-Lee Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever felt like you're stuck on a never-ending launch hamster wheel, dreading the next big push for your course? Caitlin Bacher has been there. She went from launching flop after flop to discovering a game-changing strategy that turned her $297 course into a million-dollar powerhouse—all without the stress of launching.  Curious as to how she did it? This episode is packed with practical insights that could save your sanity and skyrocket your sales. Caitlin Bacher is not just another course creator; she’s a master of the Evergreen model, with over seven years of experience selling courses without launching. Her journey from social media manager to multi-million-dollar course creator has given her some fairly unique insights into sustainable business growth. If you're looking to scale your business without the burnout of continuous launches, Caitlin is the expert to listen to. We Also Talked About: The Transition from Launch to Evergreen: Why launching might not be the best strategy and how to start with an Evergreen funnel for steady revenue growth. Collecting and Analyzing Data: Learn how to make small, consistent tweaks to your funnel using data to improve your course sales. Overcoming Objections: The importance of addressing potential customer doubts and how to refine your messaging over time. Effective Organic Traffic Strategies: Why organic traffic should be your starting point and how to use it to fuel your Evergreen funnel. The Biggest Mistakes in Evergreen Funnels: Avoid common pitfalls when shifting from a live launch to an automated Evergreen funnel. Don't miss out on the chance to revolutionize how you sell your course. Tune in to the full episode now, and be sure to sign up for notifications about upcoming episodes.  Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here. Resources Mentioned Caitlin Bacher’s Free Masterclass: How to Generate Launch-Sized Revenue Without Launching Caitlin Bacher’s Website: caitlinbacher.com Caitlin’s Podcast: Short episodes on sales, marketing, and Evergreen strategies Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever had a career plan that completely fell apart, only to lead you to something even better? Kirsty Boden-Stuart did. She quit her job to start an ad agency, which quickly fizzled out. But instead of giving up, she turned to writing to make ends meet—and accidentally stumbled into a whole new career as the Head of Marketing for one of London’s largest social care organizations. And then she started her own side hustle helping freelance writers start their careers.  Curious how she made the leap? This episode is packed with gems you won’t want to miss. Kirsty Boden-Stuart is a seasoned marketer with a background that’s anything but traditional. She’s built her expertise from the ground up, starting with writing online to support herself and eventually leading the marketing efforts for a major nonprofit. Kirsty brings a wealth of real-world experience and practical insights into how storytelling and positive framing can transform your marketing strategy. WE ALSO TALKED ABOUT How Kirsty’s pivot from a failed startup to a marketing career shaped her approach to business. The importance of consistent content creation and how it helped Kirsty build her confidence and skills. Why positive storytelling is crucial in marketing, and how it engages your audience more effectively than fear-based tactics. The unexpected ways that embracing new challenges can lead to career transformation. Tune in to this episode to learn from Kirsty’s incredible journey and get actionable tips for your own business. Want to be notified when new episodes come up? Sign up here. RESOURCES MENTIONED Freelance Writers Online: The website Kirsty sold to Trudy that reignited Trudy’s love for writing. StoryBrand by Donald Miller (affiliate link): Mentioned as a framework for understanding storytelling in marketing. Write Like You Mean It:  Kirsty’s new website and newsletter.   Want regular access to tips, techniques, and advice from experts about growing your business? Sign up here.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.