Midlife Business Academy - Business strategies for midlife entrepreneurs ready to grow and get more clients.

Hosted by Lori Lyons, Business and Marketing Strategy and Coaching

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337

Latest episode

Jun 2026

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About the show

You're not starting from scratch — you're starting from experience. And now it's time to build a business that actually fits your life. If you're in your 50s, 60s, or beyond and ready to grow a coaching practice, rebrand your service business, or reinvent your next chapter — the Midlife Business Academy is your go-to space for clarity, clients, and practical strategy. You're in the right place if you've ever asked: How do I grow a business that fits my life in midlife? What stage of the client journey am I missing in my marketing? How do I get more aligned, long-term clients without hustling harder? How can I simplify and streamline instead of constantly starting over? What should my website or lead magnet actually be doing for me? Am I charging for tasks or for transformation? How do I use my energy, not just effort, to attract the right clients? What does it mean to run a business that supports your SOUL? Whether you're shifting out of corporate, scaling an encore business, or turning decades of experience into a new source of income, you'll get smart coaching, marketing strategies, and a fresh lens on what it really takes to succeed in midlife. Subscribe to the Midlife Business Academy for high-impact episodes that help you grow a sustainable, profitable business — one that feels deeply aligned with who you are today. Lori Lyons is a business strategist,digital marketing coach and website agency owner who helps entrepreneurs over 50 build profitable businesses that support the life they want now — not the other way around. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift – Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Link - https://ignitingyourbusiness.com/socialproof Join Lori's private Facebook group – The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! (Link - https://www.facebook.com/groups/2401957983398808) Connect with Lori (Link - https://lorilyons.me/contact/) Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here!

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60 recent

June 16, 202621 min

339: Stop Acting Like You're Starting Over

The fear of starting over keeps many midlife entrepreneurs stuck long after they've outgrown their business. The truth is, most transitions are not reinventions. They're refinements. Lori shares the powerful lesson behind Karen Lovett's coaching journey and explains why decades of experience, credibility, relationships, and wisdom don't disappear when you change direction. They become the foundation for what comes next. If you're questioning whether your current business still fits, this episode will help you see your next chapter through a completely different lens. What You'll Learn Why expertise transfers even when industries or audiences change How refinement creates growth without forcing a complete restart The three-column exercise that clarifies what comes next Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

June 9, 202622 min

338: Five Signs Your Business No Longer Fits Your Life

Success on paper doesn't always translate into satisfaction in real life. Many business owners spend years chasing goals only to discover that the business they built no longer supports the life they actually want. The answer is not always a new strategy. Sometimes the dream itself has changed. Lori explores the hidden warning signs, the mindset traps that keep entrepreneurs stuck, and how to start defining success based on what matters now instead of what mattered years ago. What You'll Learn The five warning signs your business no longer fits your current goals Why hustle culture keeps entrepreneurs trapped in outdated dreams The question that helps you build a business aligned with this stage of life Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

June 2, 202641 min

337: Overcoming Performance Pressure: Why Talent Isn't Enough (Hot Seat with Karen Lovett)

Talent isn't the problem. Many performers, speakers, and professionals already have the skills they need. What holds them back is performance pressure, anxiety, and the internal stories that surface when the spotlight turns on. In this Hot Seat Coaching session, Lori helps performance specialist Karen Kidd Lovett clarify her message, define her ideal audience, and position her expertise around helping performers elevate their performance to match their talent. The conversation also explores stage anxiety, confidence, visibility, social media strategy, and how to build a business around work that genuinely lights you up. What You'll Learn Why performance pressure often matters more than talent How to position your expertise with a transformational message A practical approach to visibility and social media without overwhelm Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

May 26, 202617 min

336: Beyond the Trap: Designing a Business for Alignment

If you feel guilty the second you aren't being productive, you haven't built a lifestyle - you've built a trap. In this episode, we stop building for applause and start building for alignment. Lori shares her personal journey from "all business, all the time" to finding joy in motorcycles, gardening, and tablescaping. Learn the five "Dream Business Filters" to help you stop squeezing your life into the gaps of your business and start designing a business that actually supports the life you want to lead. Highlights: The "Just for Fun" Test: Why your inability to answer "What do you do for fun?" is a major business red flag. The Guilt Trap: How to stop treating rest as a reward you have to earn and start seeing it as a right. 5 Dream Business Filters: Crucial questions to ask about your workload, clients, and visibility. The Real Income Number: Moving past "mastermind applause" numbers to find the revenue that actually funds your ideal life. One-Decision Shift: How to pick the single change that moves you closer to alignment in the next 30 days. Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

May 19, 202615 min

335: Beyond the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Business with SOUL

Success can be a trap when your business no longer fits your life. If you're hitting your numbers but leaking energy, you aren't burnt out - you're misaligned. Lori breaks down the hidden costs of complexity and introduces the SOUL framework to help you strip back the noise and build a business that honors your time, energy, and midlife priorities. Highlights: The Cost of Complexity: Why more offers and systems often lead to less freedom. The SOUL Framework: A four-part roadmap: Simplify, Optimize, Uplevel, and Lifestyle. Energy vs. Revenue: Why your profit and loss statement doesn't tell the whole story. The Energy Audit: A practical exercise to identify what is quietly draining your life. Grab your spot for the upcoming live webinar on identity shift at therisebusiness.com Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

May 12, 202616 min

334: Why Midlife Entrepreneurs Are Redefining Success and Walking Away From Hustle Culture

The seven-figure dream is not the only definition of success. Lori shares the personal decision to leave a mastermind she loved after realizing the constant focus on scaling, bigger launches, and more growth no longer matched the life she actually wanted to build. This episode challenges the pressure of hustle culture and explores why so many midlife entrepreneurs are shifting toward businesses that prioritize freedom, flexibility, energy, and fulfillment instead of endless expansion. If you've been questioning whether bigger is truly better, this conversation will help you rethink what success looks like for this season of your life. What You'll Learn Why your definition of success naturally changes in midlife The real trade-offs behind scaling and constant business growth How to create a business model that supports your life instead of consuming it Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

May 5, 202630 min

333: Why Your Product Isn't Selling: The Messaging Mistake Killing Your Conversions

Most businesses do not have a product problem. They have a messaging problem. This Hot Seat session dives into why focusing on features and deliverables is costing you sales and what to do instead. Lori breaks down how to connect your offer to emotion, rethink pricing, and build a growth strategy that actually creates momentum. If your numbers are not where you want them to be, this is where to start. What You'll Learn: Why emotional connection matters more than what you are selling How to rethink pricing without undercutting your value Simple growth strategies using podcast guesting and social media Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

April 28, 202620 min

332: Beyond Design: Aligning Your Brand for the Rise

Your brand didn't fail. It just hasn't caught up. Most established businesses are running on outdated messaging, disconnected assets, and offers that evolved without a clear through line. The result is confusion, stalled growth, and clients who never quite convert. This episode breaks down what a fully aligned brand actually requires and how to fix the disconnect between what you deliver and what your audience understands. Clear message. Clear promise. Clear path. What You'll Learn: The 4 core elements of a strong, aligned brand Why ideal client clarity goes beyond demographics How to create a brand that converts within 90 seconds Highlights: The 90-Second Bar: Why your brand must communicate your "who" and "what" instantly. Point of View (POV): Defining the "hill you stand on" to create magnetic attraction. Symptoms vs. Diagnosis: Why your marketing should speak to the client's current pain, not your solution. The Power of the Soundbite: How to create memorable, repeatable phrases that anchor your brand. Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

April 21, 202624 min

331: Why Your Visibility Isn't Converting Clients and the 3 Gaps Killing Your Marketing

You're doing the work. Posting. Showing up. Staying consistent. And still not seeing clients come in. That's the visibility trap. More effort isn't the answer when the foundation is off. This episode breaks down the three critical visibility gaps that keep your marketing from converting. From speaking to the wrong problem to content that lacks direction, this is where most strategies quietly fail. Fix these, and your visibility starts working. What You'll Learn: Why your message isn't landing even when your content is consistent The gap between awareness and actual trust What every piece of content must do to drive results Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com

April 14, 202627 min

330: Your Brand Isn't Broken Your Energy Is Why Clients Aren't Buying

Your brand is already speaking. The question is whether it's building trust or pushing people away. When your marketing feels flat, inconsistent, or ineffective, it's usually not a visibility problem. It's an alignment problem. This episode breaks down the real driver behind conversions, connection, and client attraction. Brand energy. From your language to your positioning to your pricing, every piece either reinforces your authority or weakens it. Fix the energy and everything else starts working. What You'll Learn: How brand energy shapes first impressions before words are processed Where misalignment shows up in language, positioning, and offers Why belief and past experience directly impact pricing and visibility Schedule a call to discuss personalized coaching at TalkWithLori.com Schedule your Profitable Path Blueprint call. If you're considering working together and want to see if it's a fit, book a Profitable Path Blueprint Call. It's a simple, no-pressure conversation to decide whether working together makes sense. Resources: Click HERE to receive your free gift - Get Clients to Say "YES!" The Ultimate Social Proof Checklist Every Business Needs to Build Trust and Boost Sales Join Lori's private Facebook group - The Midlife Business Academy. A Facebook group for The Typewriter Generation! A community to share business growth strategies that work for us! Join now! Connect with Lori Follow me on social media - grab other free resources of book a call - it's all right here! Apply for a "Hot Seat" coaching session to work through your business challenges live: MyCoachLori.com